Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 Floristic studies on some rare plants in Western Ghats of Nasik District, M. S. Estudios florísticos sobre algunas plantas raras en Western Ghats del distrito de Nasik, M.S. Sangale M. P. 1, Kshirsagar S.R.2, Shinde H. P.1* 1- Department of Botany, K. V. N. Naik Arts, Commerce and Science College Nashik. 2 Post Graduate Department of Botany. S.S.V.P.S.L.K. Dr. P.R. Ghogrey, Science College, Dhule (M.S.) India. * Author for correspondence: shindehemant79@gmail.com ABSTRACT The present study deals with taxonomical aspects along with the observation regarding threats, flowering and fruiting period, precise locations of some rare plants of Western Ghats in Nasik District of Maharashtra. Extensive field visits and botanical excursions were conducted during period of investigation i. e. from 2013-2019 in and around the forest area of Nashik district. The major areas that were explored during study are mainly forest pockets and hills regions of Trimbakeshwar, Brahmhagiri mountains, Anjaneri hills, Adwadi hills, Sinnar and environs hilly ranges, Kelzar hilly areas, Mulher, Salher, etc. During the study: more than 150 species of rare plants belonging to 46 families were recorded. The probable reasons that were observed from the decrease of rare plant species population are destruction of natural habitats due to increasing illegal acquiring of forest land, massive deforestation and rapid urbanization. Also, ex-situ conservation of some plant species within the college botanical garden was attempted. However: the present study highlights an effective and purposeful conservation strategy to be adopted for the sustainable use and conservation of important rare plants in the region. Keywords: Nasik, Rare plants, Western Ghats. 1 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 RESUMEN El presente estudio aborda aspectos taxonómicos junto con la observación de amenazas, período de floración y fructificación, ubicaciones precisas de algunas plantas raras de Western Ghats en el distrito Nasik de Maharashtra. Se realizaron extensas visitas de campo y excursiones botánicas durante el período de investigación i. mi. desde 2013-2019 en y alrededor del área forestal del distrito de Nashik. Las principales áreas que se exploraron durante el estudio son principalmente bolsas de bosques y regiones montañosas de Trimbakeshwar, montañas Brahmhagiri, colinas Anjaneri, colinas Adwadi, Sinnar y cordilleras montañosas circundantes, áreas montañosas de Kelzar, Mulher, Salher, etc. Durante el estudio: más de 150 Se registraron especies de plantas raras pertenecientes a 46 familias. Las razones probables que se observaron de la disminución de la población de especies de plantas raras son la destrucción de hábitats naturales debido a la creciente adquisición ilegal de tierras forestales, la deforestación masiva y la rápida urbanización. Además, se intentó la conservación ex situ de algunas especies de plantas dentro del jardín botánico de la universidad. Sin embargo: el presente estudio destaca una estrategia de conservación eficaz y decidida que se adoptará para el uso sostenible y la conservación de importantes plantas raras en la región. Palabras clave: Nasik, Plantas raras, Western Ghats. INTRODUCTION The Western Ghats range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of the Tapti river, and runs approximately 1,600 km through the state of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala ending at Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India. (Daniels 2008). Western Ghats in India is well known and has some ‘hot spots’ characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss. These include Mahabaleshwar-Khandala, Agumbe-Phonda and Ratnagiri-Kolaba ranges from Maharashtra. (Myers; 1988;Raju and Reddy et.al.; 2010). The climate and rain fall pattern have led to a variety of unique plant species. It is also recognized as a center for origin of several cultivated plants and houses a variety of medicinal plants. There are 159 flowering plant taxa belonging to 81 genera and 31families found to be strictly endemic to the Sahyadri Ranges. (Gaikwad; 2014). 2 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 The forest pockets of Western Ghats of Maharashtra have great potentiality both from economical and botanical point of view. (Lakshminarayana et al. 2001). Western Ghats in several locations of Maharashtra and India; is under huge human pressure and numbers of species are rare, endangered and threatened (RET). (Kumar et.al. 2012; Chandore;2015). Many threatened plants are found growing naturally in the areas like Dhule, Jalgaon and Nandurbar and Nasik district. (Patil;2003; Kshirsagar and Patil; 2008). Moreover; large number of these plant species are rare and have been found to be used for curing various diseases by traditional healers. However; their uprooting, harvesting, grazing, shifting cultivation etc. for the purpose of food, fodder and medicines by tribal and local people have been found to be the major threats to them. (Daniels;1997; Jagatap et.al.2008). A rare species is one with small population that is not presently endangered but is at risk. Among a set of ecologically similar species, those that are rare will have a greater extinction risk than those that are common (Johnson 1998; Matthies et. al. 2004). Thus; species are considered rare if their area of occupancy or their numbers are small when compared to the other species that are taxonomically or ecologically comparable. Understanding the causes of rarity is fundamental to developing strategies to reduce extinction threats associated with species rarity. (Flather and Sieg; 2007). The current trends of ever-increasing commercialization, industrialization along with anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in overharvesting and making them rare plant species of Western Ghats. Thus; this vanishing flora needs to be protected and conserved due to their key role as an essential commodity for health care (Gustafsson et al., 2002; Kala, 2002). In order to evolve suitable strategies for conservation; the domestic cultivation of rare plants must be adopted. Therefore; attempts are needed towards the cultivation and ex situ conservation of selected plant species within college botanic gardens. (Khsirsagar;2012). MATERIAL AND METHODS Study area: The Nashik district of Maharashtra (19º35' 20º50' and 73º30' 74º55') is prominently represented by the eastwardly flowing the Godavari river with its tributaries; and Western Ghats region with peaks like Kalsubai (1646 meters) and Trimbak (1294 meters). (Fig.1 and 2). The forest vegetation of Nasik district is dry deciduous. Annual rainfall is around 750 mm and temperature in a year is varying between 5ºC and 45ºC. (www.nashiknic.in). 3 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 Fig. 1. Satellite map of Nasik district in Maharashtra, India. 4 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 Fig. 2. Location map of Nasik district in Maharashtra, India. (Map source: Official website of Nasik district) Identification, documentation and systematic enumeration of collected plant species from different areas, forest pockets of Western Ghats of Nashik district; was done by referring standard flora (Lakshminarasimhan 1991, Pradhan and Singh 2005). Also, collection, transplantation of propagating structures like rhizomes, tubers and seeds etc. was attempted in so as to conserve the rare plant species within the college botanical garden. The floristic diversity of selected rare plant species is illustrated using digital photographs. (Fig. 2). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The present research work is an outcome of frequent field visits and surveys carried out during the period from July 2013 to December 2019 so as to record occurrence and distribution of rare plant species. The results of the study have revealed that 150 plant species belonging to 46 families having 115 genera and 07 varieties. Among them 68 were herbs, 30 5 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 were trees, 12 were climbers and 32 shrubs, 06 twiners, 02 parasites, 01 epiphytes. Familywise distribution of recorded plant species revealed that plant families like Fabaceae was found to be represented by maximum i.e. 21 plant species followed by Malvaceae, Asteraceae, Orchideae, and Liliaceae that represented 07 plant species each. (Table 1; Fig. 3). 1 6 12 2 68 30 33 Herb Shrub Tree Climber Twiner Epiphyte Parasite Fig. 3. Habit wise distribution of recorded rare plant species. Table 1. List of Plant species life forms (habit) of the categories under study Sr. No. Botanical Name Family Habit Rananculaceae Climber Annonaceae Tree 1 Clematis wightiana Wall 2 Miliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) Sinclair 3 Cocculus pendulus (J. R. & G. Forest.) Diel. Menispermaceae Shrub 4 Capparis aphylla Roth. Capparaceae Shrub 5 Cleome feline L. f. Herb 6 Cleome monophylla L. Herb 7 Cleome simplicifolia (Comb.) Hook. f. & Thoms Herb 8 Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) Muell. Violaceae 6 Herb Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 9 Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alst. Cochlosperimiaceae (Bixaceae) Tree Tamariscineae Shrub 10 Tamarix ericoides Rottler & Willd. 11 Abutilon persicum (Burm.f.) Merr. Shrub 12 Hibiscus hirtus L. var. talbotii (Rakshit) Shrub 13 Hibiscus vitifolius L. 14 Kydia calycina Roxb. 15 Triumfetta pentandra A. Rich Shrub 16 Urena lobbata L. var. sinuate Shrub 17 Waltheria indica L. Shrub 18 Melochia corchorifolia L. 19 Sterculia colorata Roxb. Tree 20 Sterculia villosa Roxb. Tree 21 Sterculia urens Roxb. 22 Corchorus depresses (L.) Stock 23 Corchorus olitorius L. 24 Grewia serrulata DC. 25 Garuga pinnata Roxb. Burseraceae Tree 26 Cassine albens (Retz.) Kosterm. Celastrineae Tree 28 Celastrus paniculatus Willd. 29 Scutia indica Brongn. 30 Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. 31 Vitis auriculata Wall. Ex Wight & Arn. 32 Rhus sinuata Thunb. 33 Alysicarpus pubescences var. vasavedae Law. 34 Clitoria biflora Dalz. Herb 35 Crotalaria pusilla Heyne ex Roth Herb 36 Crotolaria retusa L. 37 Delonix elata (L.) Gamble Tree 38 Erythrina suberosa Roxb. Tree Malvaceae Shrub Tree Sterculaceae Sterculaceae Herb Tree Herb Tiliaceae Herb Tree Shrub Rhamnaceae Shrub Ampelideae (Vitaceae) Climber Climber Anacardiaceae Shrub Fabaceae Herb Shrub 7 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 39 Flemingia strobilifera var. fruticulosa (Benth.) Baker. Shrub 40 Indigofera trifoliata L. var. duthiei (Drum. ex Naik) Sanjappa 41 Mucana pruriens (L.) DC. 42 Ougeinia oojeinensis (Roxb.) Hocher. 43 Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb.ex Willd.) DC. 44 Psoralea corylifolia L. Herb 45 Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. var. acuminatus Prain Tree 46 Rhynchosia capitata (Heyne ex Roth) DC. Herb 47 Smithia conferta J. E. Sm. Herb 48 Smithia purpurea Hook. Herb 49 Smithia sensitiva Aiton. var. Sensitive Herb Climber Tree Shrub Herb Fabaceae 50 Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng. Herb 51 Uraria picta (Jacq.) Desv. 52 Uraria refescens (DC.) Schindl. Herb 53 Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc. Herb 54 Couroupita guianensis Aubl. 55 Cucumis setosus Cogn. 56 Kedrostis rostrata Cogn. Climber 57 Centella asiatica (l.) Urb. Herb 58 Pimpinella adscendens Dalz. Herb 59 Pimpinella heyneana (DC.) Kurz 60 Pimpinella tomentosa (Dalz. & Gibs.) C.B. Herb 61 Anthocephalus indicus A. Rich. Tree 62 Hymenodictyon orixense (Roxb.) Mabberley Tree 63 Ixora pavetta Andr. 64 Pavetta indica L. 65 Cyathocline purpurea Cass. 66 Kleinia grandiflora (Wall. Ex DC.) Rani 67 Pentanema indicum (L.) L. Shrub Myrtaceae Tree Cucurbitaceae Climber Umbelliferae Rubiaceae Herb Tree Shrub Asteraceae Herb Shrub Herb 8 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 68 Sphaeranthus indicus L. Herb 69 Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Herb 70 Tricholepis amplexicaulis C.B.Clarke Herb 71 Tricholepis radicans DC. Herb 72 Plumbago zeylanica L. 73 Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. 74 Diospyros chloxylon Roxb. 75 Catharanthus pussilus (MarMur.) G. Don 76 Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mabb. Tree 77 Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) var. fimbriata (Wall.) Grav. & Mayur Herb 78 Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. Plumbaginaceae Shrub Tree Ebenaceae Tree Apocynaceae Herb Shrub Asclepiadaceae 79 Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. Twiner 80 Tylophora dalzellii 81 Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr. 82 Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. Loganiaceae Tree 83 Centaurium meyeri (Bunge) Druce Gentianaceae Herb 84 Adelocaryum lambertianum (C. B. Clarke) R. R. Mill. 85 Arnebia hispidissima DC., Prodr. 86 Cynoglossum wallichii G. Don 87 Argyreia sericea Dalz. 88 Argyreia strigosa (Roth) Roberty 89 Ipomoea campanulata L. 90 Solanum ferox L. 91 Solanum wrightii Benth. Tree 92 Buchnera hispida Buch. Ham ex D. Don Herb 93 Kickxia ramosissima (Wall.) Janchan Herb 94 Striga angustifolia (Don) Saldanha 95 Striga densiflora (Benth.) Benth. Herb 96 Verbascum chinens (L.) Santapau, Herb Hook. Climber Climber Herb Boraginaceae Herb Shrub Twinner Convolvulaceae Climber Climber Solanaceae Scrophulariaceae 9 Herb Herb Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 97 Aeginetia indica L. Parasite 98 Orobanche cernua Loefl. 99 Heterophragma quadriloculare (Roxb.) K. Schum. Orobanchaceae Parasite Tree 100 Oroxylum indicum Vent. Bignoniaceae Tree 101 Radermachera xylocarpa (Roxb.) K. Tree 102 Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. Tree 103 Barleria cristata Linn. Var. dichotoma (Roxb.) Brain Shrub 104 Barleria lawaii T. Anders Shrub 105 Hemigraphis latebrosa (Heyne ex Roth) Nees Herb Acanthaceae 106 Lepidagathis cuspidate Nees Shrub 107 Neuracanthus sphaerostachys (Nees) Dalz. Shrub 108 Petalidium barlerioides Nees Shrub 109 Thunbergia fragrans Roxb. var. Laevis Nees 110 Gmelina arborea Roxb. 111 Symphorema involucratum 112 Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Kuntze 113 Anisomeles malabarica R. Br. 114 Colebrookea oppositifolia J.E. Sm. 115 Lavandula bipinnata (Roth.) O. Ktze Herb 116 Leonotis nepetifolia (L). R. Br. Herb 117 Pogostemon deccanensis (Panijgr.) Press Herb 118 Dendropthoe falcate (L. f.) Ettingsh 119 Euphorbia rothiana Spreng. 120 Casearia graveolens Dalz. 121 Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. 122 Flacourtia montana Grah. Tree 123 Habenaria grandifloriformis Blatt. & McCann Herb 124 Habenaria heyneana Lindl. Herb 125 Habenaria marginata Colebr. Climber Verbenaceae Tree Shrub Herb Shrub Lamiaceae Shrub Loranthaceae Shrub Euphorbiaceae Herb Shrub Salicineae Orchideae 10 Tree Herb Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 126 Habenaria furcifera Lindl Herb 127 Habenaria rariflora A. Rich. Herb 128 Vanda parviflora Lindl 129 Zeuxine strateumatica (L.) Schecht. 130 Costus speciosus (Koen.) E. Sm. 131 Curcuma caesia Roxb. Herb 132 Curcuma pseudomontana J.Graham. Herb 133 Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. 134 Hypoxis aurea Lour. 135 Dioscorea belophylla (Prain.) Haines Twiner 136 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Twiner 137 Dioscorea hispida Dennst. 138 Dioscorea oppositifolia L. Climber 139 Dioscorea pentaphylla L. Twiner 140 Asparagus racemosus Willd. 141 Chlorophytum bharuchii Ansari Herb 142 Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker Herb 143 Gloriosa superba L. Herb 144 Iphigenia magnifica Ansari & Rolla Herb 145 Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop. Herb 146 Scilla hyacinthiana (Roth)Macbr. Herb 147 Commelina hasskarlii B. Clarke Herb 148 Cyanotis fasciculata (Heyne ex Roth) J.A. & J. H. Schult 149 Cyanotis tuberosa (Roxb.) Shult. & Schult.f. 150 Arisaema murrayi (Grab.) Hook. f. Epiphyte Herb Scitamineae Hypoxidaceae Shrub Herb Herb Dioscoreaceae Liliaceae Commelinaceae Twiner Shrub Herb Herb Araceae 11 Herb Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 Fig. 4. Photo plate showing floral diversity of recorded rare plant species. Row I: left to right A-Habenaria grandifloriformis, B- H. heyneana, C- H. rariflora, D- H. marginate. Row II: left to right E-Barleria cristata, F- B. lawaii, G- Alysicarpus pubescences var. vasavedae, H-Gloriosa superba. Row III: left to right I- Aeginetia indica, J- Plumbago zeylanica, K- Woodfordia fruticosa , L- Abutilon persicum The major causes of getting plant species rare from the study area are trade, overexploitation, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, over grazing, soil erosion, climate changes, loss of reproduction, lower rates seed germination capacity and shifting cultivation practices of the tribal people along with heavy encroachment. The present study revealed 150 rare flowering plant species from the study area and these have been critically analyzed 12 Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, (ISSN: 0719-3726), 11(X), 2023: http://dx.doi.org/10.7770/safer-V11N1-art2543 following the IUCN (Mace and Stuart 1994, 2000) guidelines. Fabaceae family; the 4th largest plant family of angiospermic plants in India, (Raju and Reddy et.al.; 2010) which has a wider geographical distribution in other parts of Western Ghats as well as in Eastern Ghats. (Rampilla and Khasim; 2016). However; during the present study; the family Fabaceae is found with maximum number of plant species observed throughout the study area. Out of the recorded rare plant species; some tree species like Cochlospermum religiosum, Sterculia urens, Garuga pinnata, Erythrina suberosa, Gmelina arborea etc. found at forest pockets and outskirts Peith, Kalwan and Surgana tehsils which have been utilized ethnomedicinally for the sustainable development of the local tribal people. (Yadav;1997,Deshmukh 2010, Khairnar;2010, Khairnar et.al.2012). The plant species which are found quite frequently throughout the area of study; are Barleria cristata, Urena lobata, Cleome simplicifolia Sterculia urens etc. (Rathoure; 2020). Similarly; plant species belonging to families like Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Lamiaceae have shown their periodic/regular occurrence around the places like Baglan, Sinnar and Chandwad areas of Nasik district. Such observations are in accordance to the earlier works in these areas. (Pawar;2020; Jadhav; 2016). Also, apart from their rarity; some plant species found climate-high altitude specific which are Abutilon persicum Smithia purpurea, Vigna trilobata, Pimpinella tomentosa, Arisaema murrayi, Habenaria heyneana etc. (Auti et.al. 2020). Attempts are being made towards the protection and ex situ conservation of selected plant species within college botanic garden and in particular, reserved areas. However, there is an urgent need to evolve a sound strategy for the management and conservation of these plants on a long-term basis. To evolve suitable strategies for conservation the domestic cultivation of rare plants must be adopted. REFERENCES Almeida, M. R. 2003. Flora of Maharashtra. (Acanthaceae to Ceratophyllaceae). Volume 4A and B. Mumbai: Blatter Herbarium, St. Xavier’s College. 471 pp. Almeida, M.R. 1996. Flora of Maharashtra (Ranunculaceae to Connaraceae). Volume 1, Mumbai: Blatter Herbarium, St. Xavier’s College. 294 pp. Almeida, M.R. 1998. 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