Plant Archives Vol. 17 No. 2, 2017 pp. 993-1003 ISSN 0972-5210

FLORISTIC DIVERSITY OF DISTRICT, ,

Mandeep Kaur*, Nidhan Singh2 and B. D. Vashistha1 1Department of Botany, University, Kurukshetra - 136 119 (Haryana), India. 2Department of Botany, I. B. College, (Haryana), India.

Abstract This study deals with the diversity of plant species along with their vernacular names, habit and their occurrence found in Ambala district of Haryana in India. Efforts were made to compile the current status of the plant diversity in the region. In present study, a total of 414 plant species belonging to the 294 genera and 90 families were recorded from this area. A comparison with earlier works on this region work revealed the changes in the flora of this region are rapid and significant. The study also noticed that the changing environmental conditions, human activities and introduction of invasive species are resulting in the loss of native floristic diversity of the area. The assessment of plant diversity could play important role in planning conservation strategies and sustainable use of available resources. Key words : Ambala, species diversity, taxonomy.

Introduction world’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Biodiversity is the heritage of millions of years of These changes are resulting in the loss of many species. evolution. The enormous variety of life on earth is the As mentioned earlier, the survival and well being of the result of complex interactions among all living organisms present day human population depends on several including microscopic species. At present the number of substances obtained from plants and animals. Therefore, species described is more than 1.7 million, including it was realized that we must conserve biodiversity. The 270,000 species of plants. Although, there is no correct first step in this direction is to measure biodiversity idea about total number of species, but scientists believe occurring in various regions of the earth periodically. A that it could be anything from 5-100 millions. There may measure of number of species present (species richness) be 10 million undescribed species in the deep sea alone at a given site, in a given area or country and ultimately (Convention on Biological Diversity). in the whole world is still the most straightforward and in many ways the most useful measure of biodiversity. Biodiversity is important for our survival as it provides us ecosystem services, food, medicines, natural After its reorganization in 1954, the Botanical Survey products, economic benefits and natural beauty. Many of India laid emphasis on intensive study of local floras species are involved in purifying water, fixing nitrogen, to gather information on various aspects such as the recycling nutrients and pollinating crops. Plants not only identity, distribution, ecology, phenology, economic uses produce the oxygen we breathe but also absorb carbon and local names of Indian plants. It has been realized that dioxide, the main greenhouse gas produced by other living the study of local or regional flora is of much more organisms. Just three cereals: maize, rice and wheat significance than those covering big areas because provide 40% of the calories we consume. The water cycle, explorations can be carried out intensively in small areas. carbon cycle and countless other processes in nature Keeping in the view the importance of studies on depend upon the rich diversity of vegetation. Without biodiversity, work was started to explore the species plants maintaining and renewing the biosphere, there diversity of state of Haryana in phases. In the initial phase would be no place in it for us. area of Ambala district was selected. Ambala has a semi- arid as well as tropical climate and is rich in biodiversity. Human activities are continuously changing the The rich biological and geographical resources of this *Author for correspondence : Email: [email protected] area are, however, under the process of severe degradation. 994 Mandeep Kaur et al.

Fig. 1 : Map of Haryana showing Ambala forest district. Fig. 2 : Map of Ambala district showing Division.

The present paper is based on five years of extensive collection, habit, habitat, flower color and any special surveys conducted in the study area. The work was feature of the plant, if present. Plants were initiated with the purpose of compiling the floristic photographed in natural habitat. diversity of the region in order to provide a reference  Preservation : The specimens were sprayed with 10% material for many other scientific disciplines. The work solution of formaldehyde in order to protect them from done provides detailed information regarding the floristic infection or attack by insects and fungi. The composition of Ambala district in Haryana, India. formaldehyde solution taken in plastic bottle will be Materials and Methods sprayed on newspaper containing specimens placed in polythene bags. After this, the specimens are sealed Ambala district, lies on the North-Eastern edge of in air tight with cellophane in same polythene bags. Haryana (27-39"-45' N to 76-36"-52' E) was the area  Pressing and drying : The collected and preserved chosen for study (figs. 1 & 2). It is bounded by the district specimens were taken out from the polythene bags Nagar to the South-East. To its South lies after 20-24 hours. Drying of specimens is done by while in its west is situated Patiala placing the specimens in the folders of absorbent and Ropar districts of Punjab and the Union Territory of material such as blotting paper under some pressure . The Shivalik Range of Solan and Sirmaur in wooden plant press fitted with screws on four districts of bound the Ambala district corners. Drying folders will be changed after suitable in the North and North-East. Ambala has a semi-arid as period depending upon moisture content of the well as tropical climate. The rainfall is monsoonal and specimens and climatic conditions. chief portion of this is received from July to September.  Identification : The polythene bags containing Methodology collected specimens were opened from time to time The ultimate aim of the present study was to explore and the specimens were taken out to study their the forests of Ambala district of Haryana in order to morphological details for the purpose of identification. analyze the floral diversity in angiosperms of this area. The identification of the specimens collected was done Extensive surveys of the area in different seasons were with the help of available literature. carried out during the period starting from the year 2011  Mounting and labeling : The collected and processed till the end of 2015. Attempts were made to cover all the plants were mounted on standard sized herbarium sites for collection of plants in flowering and/or fruiting sheets (28×42 cm). These sheets were properly stages. Following procedure had been followed during labelled with the species names as followed in the the surveys: description of work. The mounted and labeled sheets  Collection : The plants in flowering and/or fruiting are deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, conditions were collected so far as possible all Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. morphological details including flower/or fruit are retained in the specimen. A field note book was Results and Discussion prepared for labeling the plants, which comprised of During the floristic study 414 species belonging to the specimen number, date of collection, locality of 294 genera and 90 families have been described from the Floristic Diversity of Ambala District, Haryana, India 995

Table 1 : Number and percentage of species and genera of the ten dominant families. S. Name of family No. of % of No. of % of no. species species genera genera 1. Leguminosae 61 14.73 38 12.75 2. Poaceae 39 9.44 31 10.40 3. Asteraceae 28 6.77 26 8.84 4. Euphorbiaceae 17 4.11 7 2.35 5. Convolvulaceae 14 3.33 5 1.68 6. Solanaceae 13 3.14 7 2.35 7. Malvaceae 12 2.90 6 2.01 8. Amranthaceae 11 2.66 7 2.35 9. Cyperaceae 10 2.42 3 1.01 10. Acanthaceae 9 2.18 8 2.68 Fig. 3 : Total number of families, genera and species recorded.

Fig. 5 : Habit of plant species. Fig. 4 :Comparison of families, genera, species of Monocots and Dicots. various sites in Ambala district, Haryana (figs. 3 & 4). Out of total 90 families reported, 14 belong to monocots and 76 to dicots. The checklist of plant diversity of the region is given in table 2. An analysis on the basis of habit revealed dominance of herbaceous flora (239 species) followed by shrubs (95 species) and trees (80 species), respectively (fig. 5). High percentage of herbs and shrubs may be due to existing soil quality and prevailing climatic factors like temperature and rainfall. It is particularly pertinent to mention herbs complete their life cycle in rainy season and only hardy perennials can survive in this region especially during adverse environmental conditions and growing anthropogenic activities. The ten largest families represented in this area are Leguminosae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fig. 6 :Comparison of % of various phytogeographical Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae, Amranthaceae, elements in the flora of Ambala district. 996 Mandeep Kaur et al.

Table 2 :Checklists of the floristic diversity of Angiospermic Table 2 continued... species of Ambala district. Bombacaceae Bombax Bombax ceiba L. Family Genus Species Malvaceae Sida Sida cordata (Burm. f.) Ranunculaceae Ranunculus Ranunculus sceleratus L. Borss. Walk. Annonaceae Annona Annona squamosa L. Sida cordifolia L. Polyalthia Polyalthia longifolia Sida acuta Burm.f. (Sonn.) Thwaites Sida rhombifolia L. Menispermaceae Cissampelos Cissampelos pareira L. Sida ovata Forssk. Cocculus Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Abutilon Abutilon indicum (L.) W.Theob. Sweet Cocculus laurifolius DC. Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Tinospora Tinospora cordifolia Sweet (Willd.) Miers Hibiscus Hibiscus lobatus (Murray) Kuntze Berberidaceae Berberis Berberis lycium Royle Berberis asiatica Roxb. Hibiscus micranthus L. f. ex DC. Malvastrum Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Nelumbonaceae Nelumbo Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Garcke

Fumariaceae Fumaria Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Urena Urena lobata L. Pugsley Malva Malva parviflora L. Papaveraceae Argemone Argemone mexicana L. Sterculiacaeae Firmiana Firmiana simplex (L.) W. Argemone ochroleuca Wight Sweet Pterosper- Pterospermum Brassicaceae Coronopus Coronopus didymus (L.) mum acerifolium (L.) Willd. Sm. Melochia Melochia corchorifolia L. Lepidium Lepidium sativum L. Tiliaceae Triumfetta Triumfetta rhomboidea Sisymbrium Sisymbrium irio L. Jacq. Rorippa Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern Triumfetta pentandra Eruca Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. Corchorus Corchorus olitorius L. Capparidaceae Cleome Cleome gynandra L. Corchorus aestuans L. Cleome viscosa L. Corchorus capsularis Capparis Capparis sepiaria L. Zygophyllaceae Tribulus Tribulus terrestris L. Crateva Crateva nurvala Oxalidaceae Oxalis Oxalis debilis var. Buch.-Ham. corymbosa (DC.) Lourteig Violaceae Viola Viola pilosa Blume Oxalis corniculata L. Flacourtiaceae Flacourtia Flacourtia indica (Burm. Rutaceae Citrus Citrus medica L. f) Merr. Aegle Aegle marmelos (L.) Polygalaceae Polygala Polygala arvensis Willd. Corrêa Caryophyllaceae Stellaria Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Murraya Murraya koenigii (L.) Spergula Spergula arvensis L. Spreng. Silene Silene conoidea L. Murraya paniculata (L.) Portulacaceae Portulaca Portulaca oleracea L. Jack

Portulaca grandiflora Meliaceae Azadirachta Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Hook. Melia Melia azedarach L. Dipterocarpaceae Shorea Shorea robusta Gaertn. Toona Toona ciliata M. Roem. Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Floristic Diversity of Ambala District, Haryana, India 997

Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Rhamnaceae Zizyphus Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) Ziziphus oenoplia (L) Mill. DC. Ziziphus nummularia Alysicarpus bupleuri- (Burm. f.) Wight & Arn. folius (L.) DC. Alysicarpus longifolius Vitaceae Cayratia Cayratia trifolia (L.) (Spreng.) Wight & Arn. Domin Desmodium Desmodium triflorum Vitis Vitis vinifera L. (L.) DC. Sapindaceae Cardiosper- Cardiospermum Desmodium gangeticum mum halicacabum L. (L.) DC. Sapindus Sapindus mukorossi Teramnus Teramnus labialis (L.) Gaertn. Spreng. Anacardiaceae Mangifera Mangifera indica L. Abrus Abrus precatorius L. Moringaceae Moringa Moringa oleifera Lam. Erythrina Erythrina suberosa Roxb. Papilionaceae Vicia Vicia sativa L. Butea Butea monosperma (Lam.) Melilotus Melilotus alba Taub. Melilotus indicus (L.) All. Sesbania Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W.Wight Tephrosia Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Pongamia Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Tephrosia candida (Roxb.) DC. Lens Lens culinaris Medik. Dolichos Dolichos uniflorus Bauhinia Bauhinia racemosa Lam. Clitoria Clitoria ternatea L. Bauhinia purpurea L. Lathyrus Lathyrus aphaca L. Bauhinia tomentosa L. Rhynchosia Rhynchosia minima (L.) Delonix Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. DC. Caesalpinieae Caesalpinia Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Dalbergia Dalbergia paniculata Roxb. subsp. paniculata Cassia Cassia javanica L. (Roxb.) Thoth Cassia fistula L. Dalbergia sissoo DC. Cassia floribunda Collad. Crotalaria Crotalaria medicaginea Senna Senna siamea (Lam.) Lam. H.S.Irwin & Barneby Medicago Medicago polymorpha L. Senna occidentalis (L.) Medicago sativa L. Link Trigonella Trigonella corniculata Senna sulfurea (Collad.) Sibth. & Sm. H.S.Irwin & Barneby Phaseolus Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Senna tora (L.) Roxb. Marechal Senna obtusifolia (L.) Aeschynomene Aeschynomene indica L. H.S.Irwin & Barneby Alghai Alhagi camelorum DC. Senna alata (L.) Roxb. Indigofera Indigofera linifolia (L. f.) Retz. Tamarindus Tamarindus indica L. Indigofera trifoliata L. Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata L. Indigofera linnaei Ali Saraca Saraca indica L. Alysicarpus Alysicarpus monilifer (L.) Mimoseae Leucaena Lysiloma latisiliquum (L.) DC. Benth. Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... 998 Mandeep Kaur et al.

Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Albizzia Albizzia lebbek Benth. Ctenolepis Ctenolepis garcini (L.) C. Albizzia procera B. Clarke Prosopis Prosopis chilensis Citrullus Citrullus colocynthis (L.) (Molina) Stuntz Schrad. Prosopis cineraria Caricaceae Carica Carica papaya L. Pithecello- Pithecellobium dulce Punicaceae Punica Punica granatum L. bium (Roxb.) Benth. Onagraceae Ludwigia Ludwigia octoavalis (Jacq.) Mimosa Mimosa pudica L. P. H. Raven Acacia Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile Ludwigia perennis L. Acacia leucophloea Cactaceae Cereus Cereus pterogonus (Roxb.) Willd. Opuntia Opuntia elatior Mill. Acacia catechu (L.) Willd. Aizoaceae Trianthema Trianthema portulacas- Acacia auriculiformis trum L. Benth. Trianthema triquetra Crassulaceae Kalanchoe Kalanchoe integra Rottler & Willd. (Medik.) Kuntze Molluginanceae Glinus Glinus lotoides L. Bryophyllum pinnatum Mollugo Mollugo cerviana (L.) Ser. (Lam.) Oken Apiaceae Centella Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Combretaceae Terminalia Terminalia belerica Daucus Daucus carota L. (Gaertn.) Roxb. Apium Apium graveolens L. Terminalia chebula Retz. Trachysper- Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Terminalia arjuna mum Sprague (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn. Rubiaceae Breonia Breonia chinensis (Lam.) Terminalia tomentosa Capuron Wight & Arn. Mitragyna Mitragyna parvifolia Myrtaceae Callistemon Callistemon lanceolatus (Roxb.) Korth. (Sm.) Sweet Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides J. Eucalyptus Eucalyptus crebra F.Muell. Ellis Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. Oldenlandia Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Eucalyptus camaldulensis Wendlandia Wendlandia heynei Dehnh. Schult.) Santapau & Merchant Psidium Psidium guajava L. Galium Galium aparine L. Syzygium Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Asteraceae Cichorium Cichorium intybus L. Lythraceae Ammania Ammannia baccifera L. Youngia Youngia japonica (L.) DC. Lawsonia Lawsonia inermis L. Launaea Launaea procumbens (Roxb.) Ramayya & Lagerstro- Lagerstroemia speciosa Rajagopal emia (L.) Pers. Sonchus Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Cucurbitaceae Coccinia Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Trichosan- Trichosanthes cucumerina Sonchus brachyotus DC. thes L. Cyanthillium Cyanthillium cinereum Luffa Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. (L.) H. Rob. Mukia Mukia maderaspatana Ageratum Ageratum conyzoides (L.) (L.) M. Roem. L. Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Floristic Diversity of Ambala District, Haryana, India 999

Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Erigeron Erigeron canadensis L. Jasminum multiflorum Erigeron bonariensis L. (Burm. f.) Andrews Conyza Conyza japonica (Thunb.) Nyctanthes Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Less. ex Less. Apocyanaceae Catharan- Catharanthus pusillus Caesulia Caesulia axillaris Roxb. thus (Murray) G. Don Pentanema Pentanema indicum (L.) Ichnocarpus Ichnocarpus frutescens Ling (L.) W. T. Aiton Pulicaria Pulicaria crispa Sch. Bip. Carissa Carissa spinarum L. Anaphalis Anaphalis subdecurrens Cascabela Cascabela thevetia (L.) (DC.) Gamble Lippold

Blumea Blumea laciniata (Wall. & Alstonia Alstonia scholaris (L.) Roxb.) DC. R. Br. Laggera Laggera aurita (DC.) Sch. Nerium Nerium oleander L. Bip. ex Schweinf. Tabernaem- Tabernaemontana Xanthium Xanthium strumarium L. ontana diverticata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult. Eclipta Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Asclepiadaceae Calotropis Calotropis gigantea Bidens Bidens biternata (Lour.) (L.) Dryand. Merr. & Sherff Calotropis procera (Aiton) Tridax Tridax procumbens (L.) L. Dryand. Verbesina Verbesina encelioides Pergularia Pergularia daemia (Cav.) Benth. & Hook. (Forssk.) Chiov. f.ex. A. Gray Oxystelma Oxystelma esculentum Artemisia Artemisia scoparia (L. f.) Sm. Waldst. & Kitam. Pentatropis Pentatropis nivalis (J. F. Parthenium Parthenium hystero- Gmel.) D. V. Field & phorus L. J. R. I. Wood Emilia Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Tylophora Tylophora indica (Burm. Echinops Echinops echinatus Roxb. f.) Merr. Sphageticola Sphagneticola Gentianaceae Centaurium Centaurium pulchellum calendulacea (L.) Pruski (Sw.) Druce Cirsium Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Hydrophyllaceae Hydrolea Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl Ixeris Ixeris polycephala Boraginaceae Cordia Cordia dichotoma G.Forst. Sphenocleaceae Sphenoclea Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn. Heliotropium Heliotropium strigosum Willd. Plumbaginaceae Plumbago Plumbago zeylanica L. Trichodesma Trichodesma indicum Primulaceae Anagallis Anagallis arvensis L. (L.) Lehm. Sapotaceae Madhuca Madhuca longifolia (J. Convolvulaceae Cuscuta Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Koenig ex L.) J. F. Macbr. Evolvulus Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. Mimusops Mimusops elengi L. Evolvulus nummularius Ebenaceae Diospyros Diospyros montana Roxb. (L.) L. Ipomoea Ipomoea fistulosa Oleaceae Jasminum Jasminum arborescens Roxb. Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... 1000 Mandeep Kaur et al.

Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Ipomoea pes-tigridis L. Kigelia Kigelia africana (Lam.) Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet Benth. Ipomoea quamoclit L. Tecoma Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia Ipomoea muricata (L.) D.Don Jacq. Oroxylum Oroxylum indicum (L.) Covolvulus Convolvulus arvensis L. Kurz Convolvulus microphyllus Fernandao Fernando adenophylla Merremia Merremia hederacea Acanthaceae Thunbergia Thunbergia erecta (Burm. f.) Hallier f. (Benth.) T. Anderson Merremia ageyptia (L.) Andrographis Andrographis paniculata Urb. (Burm. f.) Nees Solanaceae Physalis Physalis minima L. Hygrophila Hygrophila auriculata Physalis peruviana L. (Schumach.) Heine Withania Withania somnifera (L.) Peristrophe Peristrophe bicalyculata Dunal (Retz.) Nees Nicotiana Nicotiana plumbagini- Rungia Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees folia Viv. Justicia Justicia adhatoda L. Datura Datura metel L. Ruellia Ruellia prostrata Poir. Datura stramonium L. Barleria Barleria prionitis L. Solanum Solanum nigrum L. Barleria cristata L. Solanum torvum Sw. Verbenaceae Phyla Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene Solanum surattense Lantana Lantana camara L. Burm. f. Duranta Duranta erecta L. Solanum violaceum Ortega Tectona Tectona grandis L. f. Solanum incanum L. Vitex Vitex negundo L. Cestrum Cestrum nocturnum L. Cleroden- Clerodendrum indicum drum (L.) Kuntze Lycopersicon Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Clerodendrum phlomoides Scrophulariaceae Mazus Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Stachytar- Stachytarpheta jamaice- Steenis pheta nsis (L.) Vahl Lamiaceae Hyptis Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lindernia Lindernia ciliata (Colsm.) Pennell Anisomeles Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze Bacopa Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. Leucas Leucas cephalotes (Roth) Spreng. Verbascum Verbascum chinense (L.) Santapau Leucas lanata Benth. Ocimum Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Scoparia Scoparia dulcis L. Ocimum americanum L. Veronica Veronica aquatic Ocimum basilicum L. Pedaliaceae Sesamum Sesamum indicum L. Plantaginaceae Mecardonia Mecardonia procumbens Martyniaceae Martynia Martynia annua L. (Mill.) Small Bignoniaceae Tecomella Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia Boerhavia chinensis (L.) Seem Roxb. Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Floristic Diversity of Ambala District, Haryana, India 1001

Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Boerhavia diffusa L. Phyllanthus Phyllanthus fraternus Mirabilis Mirabilis jalapa L. G. L. Webster Amaranthaceae Alternan- Alternanthera pungens Kirganelia Kirganelia reticulata thera Kunth Emblica Emblica officinalis Alternanthera sessilis (L.) Putranjiva Putranjiva roxburghii R. Br. ex DC. Wall. Alternanthera Securingea Securingea virosa paronychioides A. St.-Hil. Ulmaceae Holoptelea Holoptelea integrifolia Gomphrena Gomphrena celosoides Kanju Mart. Cannabaceae Cannabis Cannabis sativa L. Pupalia Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss. Moracece Ficus Ficus benghalensis L. Digera Digera muricata (L.) Mart. Ficus religiosa L. Celosia Celosia argentea L. Ficus virens Aiton Achyranthes Achyranthes aspera L. Ficus rumphii Blume Amaranthus Amaranthus spinosus L. Ficus auriculata Lour. Amaranthus tricolor L. Ficus racemosa L. Amaranthus viridis L. Morus Morus alba L. Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium Chenopodium Morus australis Poir. ambrosioides Streblus Streblus asper Lour. Chenopodium murale L. Hydrocharitaceae Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata Chenopodium album L. (L. f.) Royle Basellaceae Basella Basella alba L. Musaceae Musa Musa aurantiaca Polygonaceae Polygonum Polygonum plebeium R. Br. G. Mann ex Baker Polygonum barbatum L Agavaceae Agave Agave americana L. Polygonum glabrum Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea Dioscorea bulbifera Rumex Rumex dentatus L. Liliaceae Aloe Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. Antigonon Antigonon leptopus Hook. Asphodelus Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. & Arn. Gloriosa Gloriosa superba L. Proteaceae Grevillea Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br. Asparagus Asparagus adscendens Roxb. Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia Euphorbia royleana Boiss. Asparagus racemosus Euphorbia heterophylla L. Willd. Euphorbia helioscopia L. Pontederiaceae Eichhornia Eichhornia crassipes Euphorbia hirta L. (Mart.) Solms Euphorbia prostrata Aiton Commelinaceae Commelina Commelina benghalensis L. Euphorbia pulcherrima Commelina forskalii Vahl Willd. ex Klotzsch Aneilema Aneilema nudiflorum Euphorbia thymifolia L. Arecaceae Phoenix Phoenix dactylifera L. Jatropha Jatropha curcas L. Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Jatropha gossypifolia L. Roxb. Croton Croton bonplandianus Typhaceae Typha Typha latifolia L. Baill. Araceae Colocasia Colocasia esculenta (L.) Ricinus Ricinus communis L. Schott Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... 1002 Mandeep Kaur et al.

Table 2 continued... Table 2 continued... Lemnaceae Lemna Lemna minor L. Cenchrus Cenchrus ciliaris L. Hydrocharitaceae Najas Najas graminea Cenchrus setigerus Cyperaceae Cyperus Cyperus alopecuroides Chloris Chloris barbata Sw. Rottb. Cynodon Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Cyperus brevifolius Dactyloct- Dactyloctenium scindicum Cyperus compressus L. enium Boiss. Cyperus cuspidatus Kunth Dactyloctenium aegyptium Cyperus iria L. (L.) Willd. Cyperus kyllingia Dichanthium Dichanthium annulatum Cyperus triceps Digitaria Digitaria abludens (Roem. & Schult.) Veldkamp Cyperus niveus Retz. Echinochloa Echinochloa colonum Fimbristylis Fimbristylis complanata (L.) Link (Retz.) Link Echinochloa crus-galli Poaceae Setaria Setaria intermedia Roem. (L.) P. Beauv. & Schult. Eleusine Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Setaria glauca Eragrostis Eragrostis amabilis (L.) Setaria verticillata (L.) Wight & Arn. P. Beauv. Imperata Imperata cylindrica (L.) Brachiaria Brachiaria distachya (L.) Raeusch. Stapf Oplismenus Oplismenus burmanni Hemarthria Hemarthria compressa (Retz.) P. Beauv. (L.) R. Br. Paspalidium Paspalidium flavidum Cymbopogon Cymbopogon commutatus (Retz.) A. Camus (Steud.) Stapf Phalaris Phalaris minor Retz. Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) W. Watson Poa Poa annua L. Dendrocal- Dendrocalamus strictus Polypogon Polypogon monspeliensis amus (Roxb.) Nees (L.) Desf. Phragmites Phragmites karka (Retz.) Saccharum Saccharum bengalense Trin. ex Steud. Retz. Dinebra Dinebra retroflexa (Vahl) Saccharum spontaneum L. Panz. Sorghum Sorghum halepense (L.) Desmosta- Desmostachya bipinnata Pers. chya (L.) Stapf Sporobolus Sporobolus (Retz.) P. Leptochola Leptochloa panicea Beauv. (Retz.) Ohwi Chrysopogon Chrysopogon zizanioides Arundinella Arundinella nepalensis (L.) Roberty Trin. Acanthaceae, Cyperaceae and Verbenaceae. The number Arundo Arundo donax L. and percentage of genera and species of the dominant Bothriochloa Bothriochloa insculpta families have been summarized in table 1. (A. Rich.) A. Camus The phytogeographical analysis of data reveals that Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) tropical Indian elements form the major part (ca 33%) of A. Camus the flora of Ambala district, this is followed by Table 2 continued... Cosmopolitan, American and African. Australian and Floristic Diversity of Ambala District, Haryana, India 1003

European are equally represented followed by Himalayan floristic diversity of the area. temperate and Malayan elements (fig. 6). However, Jain Gloriosa superba, Oroxylum indicum, Clitoria et al. (2000) reported predominance of Afro-Asian element ternatea, Sphageticola calendulacea, Martynia annua, in the flora of North-East Haryana, closely followed by Bacopa monnieri, Heliotropium strigosum, Pentatropis Indian elements. nivalis and Plumbago zeylinca are in queue for becoming A comparison of the species described by Jain et al. extinct in the future from the study area as these has been (2000) from Ambala with species recorded during the reported at one or two study sites in the district. present work revealed that 85.74% species are those which Overexploitation of these medicinally valuable plant are not described by Jain et al. (2000) from area. Similarly, species is resulting in decrease in their number in study comparison of the present data with that of Duthie (1903- area and there is an urgent need of conserving these 1929) showed that present work also includes 28.5% species. species which were not described by Duthie (1903-1929) from this area. These observations suggest that the References changes in the flora of this region are rapid and significant. Duthie, J. F. (1903-1922). Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plains and of the adjacent Siwalik and Sub-Himalayan Tracts. Conclusion Govt. Press, Calcutta. Changing environmental conditions due to global Jain, S. K. and R. R. Rao (1977). A Handbook of Field an warming which results in floods and drought conditions Herbarium Methods. Today and Tommorrow’s in the area may be responsible for changes in the floristic Publishers, New Delhi. patterns of this region. Human activities such as intensive Jain, S. P., D. M. Verma, S. C. Singh, J. S. Singh and S. cultivation, grazing, rapid urbanization, industrialization Kumar (2000). Flora of Haryana. Central Institute of and construction of roads are the important factors which Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow. are affecting the vegetation. Invasive species are growing Maheshwari, J. K. (1963). The Flora of Delhi. Council of profoundly in the area resulting in the loss of native Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.