A catalogue of the higher plants of the Adhwani temperate forest and its fringe areas (western Himalaya, India)

The present study deals with floristic inventory of higher plants (angiosperms and gymnosperms) at a biodiversity rich temperate forest area (Adhwani forest; 30º06′1″–30º06′7″ N and 78º72′3″ –78º72′6″ E; 1700–2200 m asl) in western Himalaya, India. A total of 477 species of flowering plants belonging to 105 families and 315 genera were recorded from the Adhwani forest and its fringe areas. The information on plant life form, flowering & fruiting, local elevational distribution, indigenous uses and availability status are provided. An account of the invasive and alien species occurring in the area is also provided. Gentiana cephalodes Edgew. (Gentianaceae) and Buddleja crispa Benth. (Buddlejaceae) revealed as new distribution record to the flora of district Garhwal. Asteraceae (47 species and 33 genera) was the dominant family followed by Fabaceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Ranunculaceae. Desmodium (9 species) was dominant genus in the study area followed by Crotolaria, Cyperus and Euphorbia (6 species each). The herbs dominate the life forms of the area with 317 species (66.45%) followed by shrubs (14.46%), trees (12.99%) and climbers (6.07%). The flora of the area represents 3 IUCN index species viz. Quercus lamellosa (NT), Quercus oblongata (NT), Ulmus wallichiana (VU) and 90 invasive alien species. The presented catalogue with comprehensive information on of higher plants will be helpful to the plant scientists, planners and forest department for developing strategies and management of this biodiversity rich forest area.