Observations on the Flora of Narasapur, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh

The Narasapur Forests lie between 77°35'-78°55' E longitudes and 17°34'- 18°20' N latitudes. Botanical explorations were undertaken in this area during the months of September, 1958 and April, 1959.

The top soil is sandy to clayey loam with rocks consisting of pink and grey granites. The climate is moist and hot, the temperature varying from 14°C to 40°C. The annual rainfall is 91 cm., mainly precipitated by south-west monsoon.

The vegetation of this region presents the scrub jungle at low elevations with dominant species Gymnosporia spinosa associated with Diospyros melanoxylon and Lagerstroemia parviflora. Patches of grasslands in the scrub jungle show herbs like Borreria hispida, Phyla nodiflora and Striga euphrasioides and grasses Chloris virgaita and Iseilema laxum. As the altitude rises the scrub jungle gradually changes into mixed deciduous forests. The transitional zone is characterised by large populations of Cissus adnata. Butea monosperma is the dominant species in these forests associated with Madhuca indica, Tectona grandis and Terminalia bellerica. The undergrowth is mainly formed by Bridelia montana, Cleistanthus collinus, Olax scandens, Habenaria platyphylla and Sclerocarpus africanus. The lakes and ponds present large populations of Aponogeton natans, Lagarosiphon alternifolius and Nymphaea stellata.

Families Leguminosae, Gramineae and Cyperaceae are well represented in the flora of this region.