Floristic Inventory of Tracheophytes from Abbottabad Hazara Region, North Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was aimed to explore the floristic composition of Tracheophytes growing in the Abbottabad region, North Pakistan. Field visits were carried out from November 2021 till June 2022. During that period, Tracheophytes were collected, and field observations were recorded, like habit, habitat, life form, elevation and distribution in different localities within study area. Collected specimens were poisoned, preserved, identified, and deposited in herbarium. Analysis of data revealed that 243 plant species distributed in 198 genera and 77 families were reported from the study area. 226 plant species of Angiosperms belonging to 65 families, 3 species of Gymnosperms belonging to 3 families, and 14 species of Pteridophytes belonging to 9 families were recorded from the research area. Perennials were dominated by 172 species. Annuals were 65 species, while 7 species were Biennial. Based on the habit, vegetation was dominated by herbs as 127 (52 %) species, followed by trees 51 (20.9%), shrubs 42 (17.2%) and climbers 9 (3.6%).  Among 77 families, Asteraceae was the dominant family, represented by 17 plant species, followed by Leguminosae with 16 species, Lamiaceae with 15 species, and Rosaceae with 13 species, Poaceae with 12 species, while Apiaceae and Brassicaceae were represented by 10 species each. Other families were represented by less than 9 species each from the study area. The study showed that although the area is rich in biodiversity, it is still unexplored. The present study will be helpful in future investigations in the area.