Phytodiversity in the Madukkarai Hills of South Western Ghats

Qualitative floristic surveys were carried out to assess the floristic diversity of the Madukkarai Hills in the Southern Western Ghats of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. A total of 300 plant species belonging to 206 genera distributed among 72 families were enumerated. Poaceae were most dominant in surveys, with 24 genera and 35 species, followed by Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae (18 species each), Amaranthaceae (13 species) and Acanthaceae (12 species). Documenting the patterns of species diversity and distribution creates a valuable database; useful for implementing better management and conservation of tropical forests.