Floristic structure, composition and regeneration status of medicinal plants in Kalbetta State Forest, Mysuru, Karnataka

Abstract

Tropical forests are rich repositories of medicinal plants and are known for their diverse use. Medicinal plants used in industries as raw materials are mainly collected from forests, cultivated lands, home gardens, waste lands and open spaces. Tremendous pressure on these forests to collect medicinal plants for herbal medicines has led to their substantial depletion. The present study aims at assessing the structure, composition, regeneration status. Utility index of the medicinal plants based on their usage has also been analyzed. Present study indicated a Shannon diversity index of 3.23 for trees and 3.427 for shrubs. Temporal Shannon diversity index among the regeneration showed a higher diversity in Post monsoon season with 4.066 followed by monsoon with 3.898 and summer with 3.893. Dominant species with higher Importance value index were Eucalyptus tereticornis, Anogeissus latifolia, Chloroxylon swietenia, Cassia siamea, Erythroxylon monogynum. Utility index showed the dominance of herbaceous species over that of shrubs and trees.