Floristic Diversity of Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh

Floristic diversity of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, comprising seven districts, viz. Chitrakut, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jalaun, Jhansi and Lalitpur, has been outlined in the present communication. The area is ideal for floristic survey because of its unique phytogeographical position as it lies in a transitional zone between the Upper Gangetic plains and Vindhyan ranges of Central India.

The vegetation mainly represents tropical dry deciduous forests, thorn forests and scrub forests with patches of Boswellia, Butea, Anogeissus, Nyctanthes, Cochlospermum, bamboos and grasslands. The floristic anatysis reveals 1088 species belonging to 595 genera and 133 families of vascular plants. Poaceae (168 spp.) is the dominant family, followed by Fabaceae (138 spp.), Cyperaceae (60 spp.), Asteraceae (59 spp.) and Euphorbiaceae (44 spp.) A large number of species growing in this area are of medicinal and economic importance used by local peoples. A brief account of area, topography, climatic conditions, vegetation types, medicinal and economic plants, analysis of flora, systematic enumeration of the genera and species and conservation measures, etc. have been discussed.