Assessment of diversity in the genus Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) in Pindari Valley, Uttarakhand

Abstract

Pindari Valley, a part of the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, is situated in Uttarakhand and covers an area of about 339.36 km2. The genus Berberis L. comprises of ca 622 taxa distributed worldwide, 55 taxa in India out of which 32 taxa are reported from Uttarakhand. Ongoing studies on the floristic diversity of Pindari Valley in Uttarakhand revealed a total of 12 species of Berberis viz. B. affinis, B. asiatica, B. aristata, B. chitria, B. canadensis, B. floribunda, B. glaucocarpa, B. jaeschkeana, B. kunawurensis, B. lycium, B. pseudumbellata and B. umbellata from the Valley, which represents highest diversity in Uttarakhand. A brief description, updated nomenclature, key to the species, phenology, habitat, distribution, IUCN conservation status and representative photographs are provided in the present communication.