Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND SEASONALITY OF A TEMPERATE GRASSLAND OF KASHMIR HIMALAYA

Masood Majaz Ganaie and Zafar Reshi

Abstract

Periodic surveys from March 2000 to March 2001 in a temperate grassland of Kashmir, Himalaya resulted in identification of 49 plant species belonging to 44 genera and 20 angiospermic families. Graminoids were represented by 1 I species while leguminous and non-leguminous forbs were represented by 7 and 31 species, respectively.The species richness reflected a seasonal pattern with maximum species occurrence observed during spring (44 jr' March 2001) and minimum during winter (12 in January). Among the climatic variables, precipitation seemed significantly influence this seasonal pattern of species richness with very minimal influence of temperature. The constituent species also showed variable growth pattern during the study period. Species like Cichorium intybus, Hypericum perforatum and Plantago lanceolata occurred throughout the year while Drabopsis verna, and Erophilc Yerna were ephemeral in nature. Majority of the species occurred in most, if not all, months.