Pak. J. Bot., 47(SI): 57-70, 2015.

FIRST FLORISTIC EXPLORATION OF THE DISTRICT TORGHAR,

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

AZHAR MEHMOOD1,2, SHUJAUL MULK KHAN3*, AZHAR HUSSAIN SHAH1,

ABBAS HUSSAIN SHAH2 AND HABIB AHMAD4

1Department of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan

2Department of Botany GPGC Mandian Abbottabad Pakistan

3Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad

4Department of Genetics, Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan

*Corresponding author’s e-mail address: shuja60@gmail.com

Abstract

District Tor Ghar lies on the western most edge of the Himalayas Range of Mountains. Plant scientists have explored

most parts of Pakistan but still certain regions including Tor Ghar are un-explored. Thus it is imperative to introduce region

in floristic terms for the first time. The study was initiated to not only provide first inventory of vascular plants but also to

evaluate floristic diversity of the region. The research area was extensively visited during flowering and fruiting seasons of

plants during the summers of 2012 and 2013. Plants were collected from various localities, voucher numbers were given to

specimens and other relevant data pertaining to locality i.e., habitat, habit, family, scientific and local names were recorded

for each species. Mounted copy of each voucher specimens were deposited to the Herbarium of Hazara University

Mansehra. Results of this study were arranged according to Benthum & Hooker (1862-1883) system of classification. This

first exploration revealed a total of 331 vascular plant species belonging to 246 genera and 101 families. These include 12

species of Pteridophytes, 6 gymnosperms and 313 Angiosperms. The dicotyledons were represented by 79 families, 197

genera and 267 species, while monocotyledons by 14 families, 38 genera and 46 species. Families Asteraceae and

Leguminosae were the richest families with 25 & 24 species followed by Poaceae (21 species), Lamiaceae (17 species) and

Rosaceae (14 species). Families Ranunculaceae and Brasicaceae were represented by 10 species and Euphorbiaceae had 9

species. Moraceae, Apiaceae and Polygonaceae each had 8 species. Remaining families either included 7 or less than 7

species. It is believed that this very first check list of vascular plants of Tor Ghar District is a comprehensive picture of

floristic diversity and will serve as a base line for future studies. This exploration is a part of an ongoing project in which we

will explore plant communities and ecological as well as anthropogenic gradients of the regional flora in near future.

Keywords: Floristic Exploration, Diversity, Vascular Plant, Torghar,