Flora of Telangana
Telangana has special climatic conditions due to its unique location in the heart of the Deccan Plateau. It is considered suitable for the developing flora and fauna. There are wildlife sanctuaries across the region. The state of Telangana harbors a total of 2,800 taxa belonging to 1,051 genera under 185 families.[1] The state's flora encompasses a wide range of plant species, including both native and cultivated varieties. Telangana tropical rainy type of climate is most common; Telangana has a wide variety of soils which form three broad categories – red, black, and laterite.[2]
Flora
The forests of Telangana are home to a wide variety of tree species. Among these, Tectona grandis, commonly known as teak, and Anogeissus latifolia are widely distributed throughout the forests. Teak is sought after for its durable timber and for ornamental purposes.
Other tree species include Boswellia serrata, known as Indian frankincense, noted for its resin, which is used in traditional medicine and perfumery. Butea monosperma, the flame-of-the-forest, displays striking red or orange flowers and is revered for its cultural and aesthetic importance.
Cochlospermum religiosum, commonly called silk cotton tree or golden silk, is a tall species featuring yellow flowers and distinctive seed pods. Diospyros melanoxylon, known as ebony, is valued for its dark, dense wood. Gardenia latifolia features fragrant white flowers. Givotia rottleriformis has a stout trunk and large leaves.
Other Telangana species include Gyrocarpus americanus, Lannea coromandelica, Sterculia urens, Strychnos potatorum, Ziziphus xylopyrus, along with various species of Terminalia. Chloroxylon swietenia, commonly called satinwood, has a yellow hue in its timber. Pterocarpus marsupium, known as Indian kino tree, has medicinal properties. Albizia odoratissima, Haldina cordifolia, Cassia fistula, and Diospyros melanoxylon are further examples of the region's diverse tree species.
Recent Discoveries
Twenty species are reported here as new additions to the flora of Telangana state from Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Kinnerasani and Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuaries[3], and floristic explorations in Bhadradri Kothagudem district yielded three flowering plants as additions to the flora of Telangana state.
References
- ↑ "TS BIODIVERSITY". www.tsbiodiversity.org. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ↑ Pulliah, T. (2015). "FLORA OF TELANGANA – THE 29TH STATE OF INDIA" (PDF). Journal of the Indian Botanical Society. 94: 1–8.
- ↑ Swamy, J.; Rasingam, L. (2022-08-02). "Twenty New Additions to the Flora of Telangana State, India". Nelumbo. 64 (1): 255–269. doi:10.20324/nelumbo/v64/2022/170160. ISSN 2455-376X.