Floral Biodiversity of Himalayas
The Himalayas are home to one of richest floral diversities in the world. As per estimates, nearly 10,000 species of plants are found in the Himalayan region of which about 40% are endemic. Eastern Himalaya is a rich centre of primitive flowering plants and is popularly known as the ‘Cradle of Speciation’.
From lush green tropical and sub-tropical forests in the foothills to temperate forests in the mid-hills and alpine meadows higher up, the floral biodiversity across the Himalayan landscape is remarkable.
Important Trees
Some of the ecologically important trees of the Himalayas are as follows:
Himalayan Cedar / Deodar (Cedrus deodara)
Deodar is a large evergreen coniferous tree native to Western Himalayas between 1500-3200 m altitude. Its drooping foliage and pyramid shaped deodar forests dominate many hill slopes. The durable, aromatic wood is termite-resistant and used extensively in construction and furniture. Deodar is the national tree of India.
Silver Fir (Abies pindrow)
Silver fir is a tall ornamental conifer growing up to 80 ft in higher hills between 2100-3600m. It has flat needle-like flexible leaves with white bands beneath. The balsamic resin is used medicinally and wood for construction, boxes and paper pulp. It is excellent for afforestation of degraded land.
Himalayan Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora)
A medium sized deciduous oak, native to 1000-2500m elevation range. Leaves have silver-grey underside with curled margins. Important broadleaved species providing fuelwood, charcoal, timber, fodder and litter in central Himalayan belt. Also tapped for resin and tannins. Supports good crown cover for wildlife.
Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum)
A medium sized evergreen tree, with showy red flowers. Found between 1500-3000 m, it dominates as a gregariously growing species in many parts. National flower of Nepal. Nectar used for honey production. Wood used for fuel though not durable. Commercial source of flower for horticulture. State tree of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Rhododendrons, known for their colorful blooms, hold an important place in the mountain culture reflected even in folk songs and dances like Rhododendron festival of Uttarakhand.
Himalayan Yew (Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana)
Conifer tree with red aril covering the seeds. Found from 2100-3400 m altitudes. Needle-like leaves and seeds are source of anti-cancer taxol drugs. Listed as endangered species due to over-exploitation.
Rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus)
Broad-leaved evergreen tree growing upto 1300 m altitude. The hard nuts called Rudraksha beads are considered divine by Hindus. Ayurvedic properties. Require protection for sustaining bead industry and cultural traditions.
Himalayan Pine (Pinus wallichiana)
A large, evergreen coniferous pine tree found in the higher Himalayas between 1500-3500m. Often grows gregariously, withstanding heavy snowfall. Its timber is highly valued for construction, furniture, boxes and resin tapped for turpentine. Widely planted to prevent soil erosion and rehabilitate degraded lands in the mountainous region.
Walnut (Juglans regia)
A deciduous broadleaved tree cultivated across temperate regions and commonly found wild in Himalayan slopes between 1000-3000m. Walnut fruit is a nutritious delicacy rich in proteins and oils, while its timber is water-resistant used for furniture. Bark and leaves also used in dyes and medicine. Requires temperate climate, irrigation for commercial cultivation.
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus indica)
A medium sized deciduous tree with compound leaves and showy upright white flower spikes, found between 1500-3000m altitudes. Known for its characteristic fruits called chestnuts with glossy brown seeds used in traditional medicine for joint pains, ulcer, skin diseases. Timber moderately hard used for agricultural tools, posts.
Shrubs and Herbs
The undergrowth in the Himalayan forests has spectacular abundance of shrubs and herbs. At least 55 flowering plants / orchid speciesendemic to eastern Himalayas area are recognised as rare. Some important ones have been discussed here:
Kira-jari (Cordyceps sinensis)
Kira-jari is a rare medicinal fungus found in the alpine meadows of the Himalayas at elevations above 3,500 meters. It is endemic to the Himalayan region. Local communities harvest Kira-jari for use in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine. Overharvesting has led to ecological threats in the region. Kira-jari has high economic value, with prices reaching Rs. 300,000 per kg. It is mainly found in areas like Niti Valley, Zanskar Valley, Spiti Valley and Tso Lhamo Plateau.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is a stout shrub that grows in dry and arid regions of the Indian subcontinent including foothills of Himalayas. It possesses adaptogenic properties and is used to manage stress, increase energy and promote overall health.
Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina)
Sarpagandha is a medicinally important evergreen perennial undershrub found in subtropical foothills of Himalayas covering areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir at elevations up to 1000 meters where shady moist forests provide ideal habitat. Rauvolfia serpentina possesses high reserves of essential alkaloid reserpine that acts as antihypertensive. High commercial value and destructive harvesting have endangered Sarpagandha populations across the lower Western Himalayan region.
Chirayata (Swertia chirayita)
Chirayita is a highly threatened temperate Himalayan herb endemic to montane grasslands at 1500-2800 meters elevation across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir. Commonly called chirayata, it has been used extensively in traditional medicine for its bitter tonic properties. Overharvesting of Swertia for medicinal trade along with habitat degradation have confined most populations largely to inaccessible regions of protected areas in the North Western Himalayas, necessitating cultivated chirayata production.
Gaozaban (Arnebia benthamii)
Gaozaban or ramtil is a critically endangered high altitude Himalayan plant that produces edible oil. It is endemic to the Western Himalayan region spanning elevations of 3300-3800 meters. Its dried roots find wide use in preparing traditional medicines. The alpine meadow habitats of Gaozaban have been severely threatened due to overgrazing. Conservation efforts are needed to prevent further loss of this endemic Himalayan species which is only known from few high altitude locations in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Kashmir Barberry (Berberis ulicina)
Berberis ulicina is distinct evergreen shrub endemic to the higher reaches of the Kashmir Himalayas in Jammu & Kashmir state. It can be found inhabiting rocky alpine slopes at an elevation range of 3000-4000 meters. The elliptic, spine-toothed leaves of Kashmir Barberry make it one of the most unique barberry species found in the Western Himalayan region. Its berries serve as an important source of food for resident as well as migratory birds. Habitat disturbance and low regeneration pose a significant threat to the existence of this endemic shrub species.
Atis (Aconitum heterophyllum)
Commonly called Atis, Aconitum heterophyllum is a critically endangered herbaceous plant that is endemic to alpine Himalayas. Its distribution range falls between 3300-4200 meter elevation across the Western and North-Western Himalayan states. Atis has been widely used for its therapeutic benefits in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. However, overexploitation combined with habitat loss has led to sharp declines in its population. Urgent conservation attention is needed to prevent extinction of this high value medicinal plant.
Ratanjot (Arnebia euchroma)
Ratanjotis a perennial endangered herb that produces a red dye. It is found at high altitudes spanning 2800-4300 meters across various parts of Western Himalaya namely Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand states. Ratanjot has been used as a colouring agent and for its anti-inflammatory properties in traditional Indian medicine systems. However overharvesting of the roots coupled with habitat degradation due to livestock grazing and deforestation has led to population declines of this Himalayan endemic.
Indian Belladonna (Atropa acuminata)
Indian belladonna is a highly poisonous herbaceous perennial plant endemic to alpine Western Himalayas at elevations of 1500-3000 meters. It is critically endangered in the region spanning Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh states. Atropa possesses tropane alkaloids and has long been used in traditional medicines despite its lethal toxicity if incorrectly dosed. Habitat loss and excessive harvest for criminal purposes pose major threat to remaining populations.
Bhojpatra (Betula utilis)
Bhojpatra or Himalayan birch is a medium-sized deciduous tree species found between altitudes of 3000-4000 meters in the higher Western Himalayas. It is critically endangered with small isolated populations occurring in protected areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Bhojpatra holds special religious significance in Hindu tradition and its bark was used anciently for writing scriptures. Deforestation has severely impacted regeneration of Betula utilis which also faces threat from cattle grazing and illegal felling.
Brahmi (Centella asiatica)
Brahmi is a small creeping herb commonly known as a Medhya Rasayana- rejuvenator of neurological functions in Ayurveda. Promotes memory and healing. Found near streams and wetlands across India up to 1800 m altitude.
Salam Panja or Hath Panja / Salep orchid (Dactylorhiza hatagirea )
Salep orchid is a threatened terrestrial orchid endemic to the temperate Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. It grows at altitudes between 2800-4000 meters in grasslands and marshy meadows. Salep orchid has been exploited for its nutritious tubers to produce salep, a popular drink and folk medicine.
Kuth (Saussurea costus)
Kuth is a critically endangered, high value medicinal herb that grows exclusively at high altitudes between 2800-4000 meters in the North Western Himalaya. Its range spans across cold desert areas of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Kuth possesses immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The snowball shaped thistle has suffered severe overexploitation due to which its survival now depends on conservation actions in protected areas of the Himalayas.
Orchids
The butterfly orchid (Orchis latifolia) and Blue Poppy (Meconopsis aculeata) are protected species under Indian laws due to rarity. The Brahmakamal (Saussurea obvallata) is the state flower of Uttarakhand revered for its mythological connections. Tagar or Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora) has aromatic underground stems valued in medicines and food.
Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata)
The rare Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata) is a critically endangered flowering plant endemic to some high altitude swampy meadows between 3500-4500 meter elevations in Uttarakhand. Belonging to sunflower family Asteraceae, it is the state flower of Uttarakhand where local mythology has accorded Brahma Kamal with much reverence.
Insectivorous Plants
Eastern Himalayas are also home to several species of insectivorous plants. Some of them are as follows:
Butterworts (Pinguicula spp.)
Small herbaceous plants with sticky glandular leaves that trap and digest insects. Some species found in Himalayas such as- P. alpina, P. vulgaris, P. nepalensis.
Indian pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana)
Carnivorous vine endemic to khasi hills in Meghalaya state. Pitcher-shaped leaves with slippery rim filled with fluid traps insects inside. Listed as endangered species. Found above 1200m elevation.
Sundews (Drosera spp.)
Insectivorous plants with leaves covered in reddish glandular hairs that entangle and digest insects for nutrients. Two Himalayan sundews – D. peltata and D. burmannii reported from Northeast India.
Bladderworts
Genus Utricularia has species like U. aurea, U. bifida, U. caerulea, U. minor with specialized underwater bladders that capture tiny aquatic organisms. Widespread across India, found up to 3600m in Kashmir and Sikkim Himalayas.
