15(2)S1: 275-282, 2020

www.thebioscan.com

FLORISTIC DIVERSITY: A CASE STUDY OF THE FLORA AT

GOVERNMENT SERCHHIP COLLEGE, SERCHHIP, MIZORAM, INDIA.

Lalhmangaihzuali Ralte1*, Malsawmtluangi2, Laldinpuia Rokhum3

1, 2 &3
Department of Botany, Government Serchhip College, Serchhip, Mizoram, India.
*Corresponding author: Department of Botany, Govt. Serchhip College, Serchhip, Mizoram, India
796181
Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS ABSTRACT
Floristic Diversity This study documents the floristic diversity associated with the flora of Government Serchhip
Government Serchhip
College
College, Serchhip, Mizoram, India. The study aimed to document plant species within the campus.
species A total of 151 plant species belonging to 131 genera and 66 families were recorded. Euphorbiaceae
habit and Moraceae emerged as the most dominant family, followed by Asteraceae. The study highlights
dominant the rich biodiversity present in the region, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
Received on :
04.01.2020

Accepted on :
04.04.2020
longitude of 92°65' East, with an elevation ranging from 912 meters
to 1281 meters above sea level. Covering an area of 1422 square
kilometres, Serchhip is situated approximately 120 kilometres east
India is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world. of the state capital, Aizawl. According to the 2011 census, Serchhip
Species identification is a fundamental requirement for has a population of 64,938, with 32,861 males and 32,086 females,
documenting biodiversity and understanding their relationships, and boasts an average literacy rate of 97.91%. The forest of Serchhip
comprehending ecological and evolutionary processes, and serving falls under Tropical wet evergreen forest which comprises valuable
as basic input for conservation and management [1,2]. Diversity species of timber and domestic resources. The forest is also
encompasses the range of variations or differences among a set of interrupted by overlapping bamboo. The climate is humid tropical,
entities; thus, biological diversity pertains to the variety within the characterized by short winters, and long summers with heavy
living world. However, the term 'biodiversity' is most commonly rainfall. The temperature mainly ranges from 110 C to 310 C. It rains
used to denote the 'variety of life.' [3,4]. The concept of biological heavily from May to September with an average rainfall of 250 cm
diversity has been employed since at least 1980, with authors such per annum.
as Lovejoy [5] defining it simply as the number of species, and Government Serchhip College has an eco-friendly campus, favoured
Norse [6] incorporating both genetic diversity and species richness. by its topography, moderate rainfall, and climatic conditions,
Species of organisms are not uniformly distributed across the resulting in high species diversity. Over 75% of the campus is green,
planet but in various spatial patterns. The level of ecological featuring a diverse range of trees, shrubs, and herbs. The college
diversity is structured and characterized by the diversity of harbours rich floral diversity including plants with ethnomedicinal
associations that species form through interactions with each other and medicinal significance. An extensive plantation drive has been
and their physical environment. Complex patterns of species added to the campus's lush green area with a full canopy, attracting
aggregation may arise from the interplay of historical, physical, a variety of fauna, including insects, birds, reptiles, and small
and functional factors. mammals.
Serchhip District, Mizoram is selected for the present study. To obtain land use data for our institution, GPS points and Google
Located in the part of Mizoram with 23∘35'N and 23∘ N latitude and Earth were employed for data geo-referencing. The creation of a
between 92∘41 'E and 93∘10' E longitude and altitude ranging from land use map involved several steps: data acquisition, geo-coding,
912 meters to 1281 meter m.s.l, occupying an area of 1422 sq km. and geo-referencing of satellite imagery. Supervised classification
The predominant forest cover type in Serchhip district is classified was conducted using ground truth data collected during a field
mainly as Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests (34.1%), followed by survey. The resulting GIS output, presented as a land use map,
Mixed Forests (32%), Bamboo Forests (20%), Montane Subtropical illustrates the various land uses within the institution's area. The
Forests (13.5%) and Temperate Forests (0.4%) of the total forest total area of the college is 164167.26 square meters. Based on the
area [7]. The study focused on understanding the forest and data analysis, the land use categories for the Government Serchhip
biodiversity of the Government Serchhip College campus, through College campus are as follows:
documentation on the floristic diversity of the campus, which will
enhance their identification, conservation, and management, as
well as contribute significantly to understanding their potential.
STUDY AREA
The present study focuses on Government Serchip College, Serchhip
District, located in Mizoram at a latitude of 23°10' North and a

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 AREA COVER Figure 2. 81 tree species have been identified which fall under
Sl. three types mainly evergreen, which shows the most occurrence,
LAND USE
No. deciduous and semi-evergreen (Figure 3).
(Square Meter)

1. Built up Area 31042.26

Dense Forest
2. 75048
Cover

Open Forest
3. 50109
Cover

4. Teak Plantation 7968

Total Area
164167.26
Coverage
Figure 2: Different habit of the recorded species.
Table 1: Land Use Area Coverage of Government Serchhip
College.

Figure 3: Different tree types

Floristic Diversity
Floristic diversity identified from the study site comprises 151
species of plants under 131 genera belonging to 66 families (Table
2). The dominant families in the campus representing the maximum
number of species were Euphorbiaceae (9 species) and Moraceae (9
species), Asteraceae (7 species), Lauraceae (6), Solanaceae (6),
Verbanaceae (6), Rutaceae (5), Fabaceae (5), Rutaceae (5),
Arecaceae (4), Ceasalpinaceae (4), Mimaceae (4), Poaceae (4),
Zingiberaceae (3), Rutaceae (3), Fagaceae (3), Clusiaceae (3) and
the remaining families were represented by 2 and 1 species each
(Figure 4). The number of genera recorded ranges from 7 to 1,
where the dominant genera are Ficus sp. (7 species) followed by
Solanum sp. (4 species) and Syzygium sp. (3 species). The rest are
within 2 or 1 genera (Figure 5).
Figure 1: Land Use Land Cover Map of Government Serchhip
College. Family Genera Species
MATERIALS AND METHOD
The study was carried out extensively for six months from June to
66 131 151
December 2019, involving weekly observations to collect and
identify plant species. The following data were recorded for each Table 2: Floristic Diversity of the Campus
species: habit, botanical name, family, and habit, classified
according to the Bentham and Hooker system. Herbariums were
collected for further species identification and verification. Plant
species were identified with the help of Regional Flora and
Herbaria of Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Shillong, Meghalaya.
The primary objective of this study is to document the wide
distribution of plants within the institute campus. An effective
analysis has been performed to identify the diversity of species
with the available plants.
RESULTS
Habit:
The study area consists of 151 species categorised under various
habits, tree being dominant (82) followed by herb (31), shrub (23),
climber (9), under shrub (3) and grass (3). The comparative account
of the habits of plant species reported from the study is given in Figure 4: Dominant families with numbers of species.

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 Figure 5: Dominant genera with number of species.

The institution’s vegetation featured a multi-layered structure, with

herbs, shrubs, and trees forming three to four distinct vertical
strata, showcasing a diverse and heterogeneous mix of species.
During the assessment, a complete list of the floristic diversity of
the study site was identified and documented. Their scientific
names, families, common names, local names, tree types and habits
were listed. The list of flora on the campus is highlighted in the
tables (Tables 3 & 4) given below.

Botanical
Sl No Family Common Name Local Name Type
Name
Albizia
1. Mimosaceae Chinese Albizia Vang Deciduous
chinensis
Alstonia
2. Apocynaceae Devil Tree Thuamriat Evergreen
scholaris
Anogeissus
3. Combretaceae Yon Zairum Deciduous
acuminata
Aralia
4. Araliaceae Chimchawk Evergreen
foliosa
Araucaria
5. Araucariaceae Christmas Tree Far zarmawi Evergreen
cookii
Areca
6. Arecaceae Betel nut palm Kuhva kung Evergreen
catechu
Artocarpus
7. heterophyl Moraceae Jack fruit Lamkhuang Evergreen
la
Artocarpus
8. Moraceae Monkey Jack Theitat Deciduous
lakoocha
Averrhoa Carambola -
9. Oxilidaceae Theiherawt Evergreen
carambola tree
Azaridacht Semi-
10. Meliaceae Neem tree Neem
a indica evergreen
Baccaurea Euphorbiacea
11. Bhooby Tree Pangkai Evergreen
ramiflora e
Balakata Euphorbiacea Mouse Deer Thingvawkpu
12. Evergreen
baccata e Rubber Tree i
Bauhinia Caesalpinacea
13. Mountain Ebony Vaube Deciduous
variegata e
Bischofia Euphorbiacea
14. Bishop wood Khuangthli Evergreen
javanica e
Bombax Showy Silk
15. Bombacaceae Pang Deciduous
insigne Cotton Tree
Callicarpa
16. Verbanaceae Hnahkiah Evergreen
arborea
Callophyll
um
17. Clusiaceae Spar Tree Sentezel Evergreen
polyanthu
m
Canarium Evergreen
East Indian
18. resiniferu Burseraceae Beraw or
Copal
m Deciduous
Carallia Rhizophorace
19. Corkwood Theiria Evergreen
brachiata ae
Caryota Burmese Fish
20. Aracaceae Meihle Evergreen
mitis tail Palm
Caryota Solitary Fishtail
21. Arecaceae Tum Evergreen
urens - palm
Cassia Caesalpiniace Pink and White Makpazangka
22. Evergreen
nodosa ae Shower ng
Castanopsi
23. s Fagaceae Chestnut Thingsia Evergreen
tribuloides
Cerasus Wild Himalayan
24. Rosaceae Tlaizawng Deciduous
cerasoides Cherry
Cinnamom
25. Lauraceae Bay leaf Tespatta Evergreen
um tamala

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 Citrus
26. Rutaceae Pumelo Sertawk Evergreen
grandis
Citrus
27. macropter Rutaceae Hatkora Evergreen
a
Cocos
28. Arecaceae Coconut Palm Coconut Evergreen
nucifera
Cordia
29. fragrantiss Boraginaceae Muk Deciduous
ima
Cordyline
30. Asparagaceae Blue Draceana Evergreen
indivisa
Cycas
31. Cycadaceae Cycad Cycas Evergreen
pectinata
Delonix Caesalpiniace
32. May Flower April par Deciduous
regia ae
Derris
33. Fabaceae Thingkha Deciduous
robusta
Dimocarpu Theifeihmun
34. Sapindaceae Eye Ball Tree Evergreen
s longan g
Duabanga
Sonneratiacea Semi -
35. grandiflor Duabanga Zuang
e evergreen
a
Eleocarpus Elaeocarpacea
36. Umkhal Evergreen
tectorius e
Engelhardt
37. Juglandaceae Hnum Deciduous
ia spicata
Erythrina Indian Coral
38. Fabaceae Fartuah Deciduous
stricta Tree
Eucalyptus Nawhalh
39. Myrtaceae Blue Gum Evergreen
globulus thingg
Eurya
40. Theaceae Sihneh Evergreen
acuminata
Ficus
41. Moraceae Sacred Fig Rihnim Evergreen
benjanima
Ficus
42. Moraceae Blunt Leaf fig Hnahhlun Evergreen
curtipes
Ficus
43. Moraceae Indian Rubber Hmawng Evergreen
elastica
44. Ficus hirta Moraceae Hairy fig Sazutheipui Deciduous
Ficus Indian Laurel
45. Moraceae Bung Deciduous
retusa Fig
Ficus
46. semicordat Moraceae Drooping fig Theipui Evergreen
a
Ficus
47. Moraceae White Fig Zaihri Deciduous
virens
Flueggea Euphorbiacea White Berry
48. Saisiak Evergreen
virosa e Bush
Glochiodio
n Euphorbiacea Velvety melon Thingpawnch
49. Evergreen
heyneanu e Feather Foil hia
m
Gmelina
50. Verbenaceae Beech wood Thlanvawng Deciduous
arborea
Haldina
51. Rubiaceae Yellow Teak Lungkhup Deciduous
cordifolia
Lagerstroe
52. mia Lythraceae Queen’s Flower Chawnpui Deciduous
speciosa
Ligustrum
53. Oleaceae Wild Privet Chawmzil Evergreen
robustum
Lithocarpu
54. s Fagaceae Spike Oak Fah Evergreen
dealbatus
Litsea
55. Lauraceae Cubeba Sernam Deciduous
cubeba
Litsea
Common Grey
56. monopelat Lauraceae Nauthak Evergreen
Mango Laurel
a
Macaranga Euphorbiacea
57. Papri Hnahkhar Evergreen
indica e

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 Machilus
58. glaucescen Lauraceae Bulbawr Evergreen
s
Mangifera Anacardiacea
59. Mango tree Theihai Evergreen
indica e
Messua
60. Clusiaceae Iron wood tree Herhse Evergreen
ferrea
Michelia
61. Magnoliaceae Champ Ngiau Evergreen
oblonga
Murraya
62. Rutaceae Curry leaf Tree Karipata Deciduous
koenigii
Olea Widow leaved
63. Oleaceae Thingthiang Evergreen
salicifolia olive tree
Oroxylum Archangkaw
64. Bignoniaceae Trumpet flower Deciduous
indicum m
Parkia
65. Mimosaceae Tree Bean Zawngtah Deciduous
roxburghii
Persea
66. Lauraceae Avocado Butter Fruit Evergreen
americana
Persea
Nghalengluta
67. minutiflor Lauraceae Evergreen
r
a
Phyllanthu Phyllanthacea Indian
68. Sunhlu Deciduous
s emblica e Gooseberry
Phyllanthu Phyllanthacea Star
69. Kawlsunhlu Deciduous
s acidus e Gooseberry
Pinus
70. Pinaceae Khasi pine Far Evergreen
kesiya
Psidium
71. Myrtaceae Guava Kawlthei Evergreen
guajava
Quercus
72. Fagaceae Hlai Evergreen
helferiana
Schima
73. Theaceae Needle wood Khiang Evergreen
wallichi
Semecarpu
s Anacardiacea Marking Nut
74. Kawhtebel Deciduous
anacardiu e Tree
m
Syzygium
Trumpet
75. clavifloru Myrtaceae Lenhmui Evergreen
Satinash
m
Syzygium
76. Myrtaceae Black berry Hmuipui Evergreen
cumini
Syzygium
77. Myrtaceae Theichhawl Evergreen
grande
Tectona
78. Verbanaceae Teak Teak Deciduous
grandis
Terminalli
a
79. Combretaceae Hollock Char Evergreen
myriocarp
a
Toona
80. Meliaceea Red Cedar Tei Deciduous
ciliata
Vitex
81. Verbenaceae Thingkhawilu Deciduous
glabrata
Wendlandi
a
82. Rubiaceae Batling Evergreen
budleioide
s

Table 4: List of climbers, shrubs, grass and herbs in the College Campus:

Sl. No. Botanical Name Family Common Name Local Name Habit
1. Amomum Zingeberaceae Java cardamon Aidu Herb
maximum
2. Ananas comosus Bromeliaceae Pineapple Lakhuih Herb
3. Begonia dioica Begoniaceae Sekhupthur Herb
4. Bidens pilosa Asteraceae Spanish Needle Vawkpuithal Herb
5. Bougainvillae Nyctaginaceae Bougainvillea Saron Shrub
spectabilis
6. Cajanas cajan Fabaceae Lentil Behliang Shrub
7. Calocasia Araceae Taro Dawl Herb

279
 esculata
8. Canavalia Fabaceae Broad Bean Broad beans Climber
ensiformis
9. Capscicum annum Solanaceae Red Pepper Hmarchate Shrub
10. Capscicum Solanaceae Chilli Hmarchapui Shrub
frutesens
11. Celosia argentea Amaranthaceae Cock’s Comb Zamzo Herb
12. Centella asiatica Apiaceae Indian Hnahbial Herb
Pennywort
13. Cheilocostus Zingiberaceae Crepe Ginger Sumbul Herb
speciosus
14. Chromolaena Asteraceae Christmas Bush Tlangsam Shrub
odorata
15. Chrysopogon Poaceae Love Grass Phul Grass
aciculatus
16. Clerodendrum Verbanaceae Bridal Veil Phuihnam Shrub
wallichi
17. Conyza leucantha Astertaceae Fleabane Buar Herb
18. Curcuma ceasia Zingeberaceae Black Turmeric Ailaidum Herb
19. Dendrocnide Urticaceae Devil Nettle Thakpui Shrub
sinuata
20. Dioscorea alata Dioscoreaceae White Yam Bachhim Herb
21. Diplazium Athyriaceae Vegetable Fern Chakawk Herb
esculentum
22. Drymaria cordata Caryophyllaceae Tropical Changkalrit Herb
Chickweed
23. Eleagnus Eleagnaceae Sarzuk Shrub
pyriformis
24. Eleagnus Elaeagnaceae Sarzuk Shrub
pyriformis
25. Elsholtzia Lamiaceae Lengser Herb
communis
26. Enatda Mimosaceae Match Box Bean Kawi hrui Climber
phaseoloides
27. Eryngium Apiaceae Wild coriander Bahkhawr Herb
foetidum
28. Euphiorbia hirta Euphorbiaceae Asthma Plant Zawhte hlo Herb
29. Euphorbia milii Euphorbiaceae Christ Plant Hling Shrub
lukhum
30. Garcinia Clusiaceae Chengkek Shrub
lanceifolia
31. Girardinia Urticaceae Himalayan Kangthai Under
diversioflora Nettle Shrub
32. Gnetum gnemone Verbanaceae Joint Fir Pelh Under
shrub
33. Heliconia Heliconiaceae False Bird of Changel Herb
rostrata Paradise pangpar
34. Hibiscus rosa Malvaceae China Rose Midum Shrub
sinensis pangpar
35. Homalomena Araceae Homalomena Anchiri Herb
aromatica
36. Imperata Poaceae Blady Grass Di Grass
cylindrica
37. Ipomea batatas Covulvulaceae Sweet Potato Kawlbahra Herb
38. Ipomoea Convulvulaceae Cypree Vine Rimenhawii Climber
quamoclit
39. Justica adhatoda Acanthaceae Malabar Nut Kawldai Shrub
40. Lobelia angulata Campanulaceae Blue Star Choakathi Herb
Creeper
41. Manihot Euphorbiaceae Tapioca Pangbal Shurb
esculenta
42. Maranta Marantaceae Arrowroot Hnahthial Herb
arundinaceae
43. Melastoma Melastomaceae Malabar Builukham Shrub
malabathricum Blackmouth
44. Mikania Asteraceae Bitter Vine Japan hlo Climber
micrantha
45. Mimosa pudica Mimosaceae Touch- me -not Hlo nuar Shrub
46. Mucuna bracteata Fabaceae Elephant Hruiduk Climber
cowitch
47. Musa acuminata Musaceae Cavendish Balhla Herb

280
 Banana
48. Mussaendra Rubiaceae Tropical Vakep Shrub
glabra Dogwood
49. Ocimum Lamiaceae Wild Basil Runhmui Herb
americanum
50. Paederia foetida Rubiaceae Skunk Vine Vawihuih Climber
hrui
51. Piper betel Piperaceae Betel Vine Panhnah Climber
52. Plantago major Plantaginaceae Broad Leaf Kelbe an Herb
Plantain
53. Renanthera Orchidaceae Red Vanda Senhripar Herb
imschootiana
54. Rubus birmanicus Rosaceae Sialinuchhu Shrub
55. Saccharum Poaceae Luang Herb
longisetosum
56. Schefflera Araliaceae Dwarf Umbrella Shrub
venulosa Plant
57. Senna alata Caesalpiniaceae Ringworm Tuihlo Shrub
Shrub
58. Solanum anguivi Solanaceae Indian Night Tawkte Shrub
shade
59. Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Black Night Anhling Herb
shade
60. Solanum Solanaceae Turkey Berry Tawkpui Shrub
rudepannum
61. Solanum viarum Solanaceae Athlo Under
shrub
62. Spemacoce Rubiaceae Shaggy Button Congres hlo Herb
hispida weed
63. Stevia rebaudiana Asteraceae Candy leaf Hnahthlum Herb
64. Tabernaemontana Apocynaceae Wax Flower Kelte Shrub
divaricata bengbeh
65. Tagetes erecta Asteraceae African Derhken Herb
Marigold
66. Tinospora Menispermaceae Moonseed Hruivankai Climber
cordifolia
67. Thunbergia alata Acanthaceae Blue Trumpet Vako Climber
Vine
68. Thysanolaena Poaceae Broom Grass Hmunphiah Grass
maxima
69. Xanthium Asteraceae Common Chabet Herb
strumarium Cocklebur
preservation of the campus's floristic diversity.

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