Abstract
The present study deals with comprehensive list of Invasive alien plants of Indian Himalayan Region with background information on family, habit and nativity. A total of 190 invasive alien species under 112 genera, belonging to 47 families have been recorded. Among these, the dicotyledons represent by 40 families, 95 genera and 170 species; monocotyledons represent by 7 families, 17 genera and 20 species. The analysis of invasive species reveals that 18 species have been introduced intentionally, while the remaining species established unintentionally through trade. In terms of nativity, amongst 13 geographic regions, the majority of invasive plants reported from American continent (73%). While in life form analysis, the herbs (148 species) are dominant, followed by shrubs (19 species), Grass (11 species), Trees (4 species), sedges and climber (3 species each). Most of the invasive species are annual habit (63%). Apart from these, 90 species (47%) are being used by locals for medicinal purposes. A better planning is needed for early detection to control and reporting of infestations of spread of new and naturalized weeds to be monitored.
Highlights
The Himalaya, is an enchantment territory of the nature where the magnificence of the world’s highest mountains is mirrored in the rugged beauty and unique culture of the people who live in their shadow
A total of 190 species distributed in 112 genera and 47 families recorded as invasive alien in the flora of Indian Himalayan Region (Table 1)
Herbs constitute 77% (148 plants), whereas trees were represented by only four species viz., Acacia dealbata, A. farnesiana, Borassus flabellifer and Leucaena latisiliqua; three climbers namely, Antigonon leptopus and Merremia aegyptia, Solanum seaforthianum have been recorded apart from 19 Shrubs (Table 1 and Figure 1)
Summary
The Himalaya, is an enchantment territory of the nature where the magnificence of the world’s highest mountains is mirrored in the rugged beauty and unique culture of the people who live in their shadow. The Indian part of Himalayas covering an area about 5 lakh km (about 16.2% of country’s total geographical area) and forms the northern boundary of the country. It extends between latitudes 26 ̊20' and 35 ̊40' North, and between longitudes 74 ̊50' and 95 ̊40' East. Starting from foot-hills in the south (Siwaliks) the region extends to Tibetan plateau in the north (trans-Himalaya) comprising about 95 districts of the country and contributes about 16.2% of India’s total geographical area [1]. The most of IHR area is covered by snow-clad peaks, glaciers of higher Himalaya, dense forest cover of midHimalaya. There is no record about the invasive species found in IHR
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