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Pak. J. Bot., 44: 165-169, Special Issue March 2012.

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SOME PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CHASMOPHYTES AND EDIPHYTES OF LAHORE CITY

MAHWISH SAEED^*, ZAHEER-UD-DIN KHAN AND MUHAMMAD AJAIB

Abstract: A phytosociological Survey of chasmophytes and ediphytes of Lahore city was carried out during Dec. 2009 to Nov. 2010. Twenty stands of chasmophytic vegetation at different locations of the city were selected for sampling using 1×1m² size quadrats and a total of 52 Chasmophytes belonging to 25 families included 37 herbs, 8 shrubs and 7 trees were recorded. The chasmophytic data was analyzed by agglomerative clustering technique. Cluster analysis showed the existence of five major communities of chasmophytes with different dominants in study area. The five groups of vegetation that emerged from cluster analysis were found associated with edaphic variables such as electrical conductivity and soil organic matter, which were found particularly important in plant association constitution and distribution. On the other hand, a total of 35 species of Ediphytes belonging to 18 families were also recorded. The families Poaceae, Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Brassicaceae, Amaranthaceae and Solanaceae were found including highest number of species, causing rigorous damage to buildings and growing along the pipe lines leakage, sewerage water and water tanks.

Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore.

Corresponding author E-mail; mhwsh_saeed@yahoo.com