Assessment of Plant Diversity: A Medicinal, Conservational and Environmental Study

An assessment study of the plant diversity in the campus of Prananath College (Autonomous), Khordha was carried out during 2019-20 and a checklist was prepared. A total of 241 vascular plant species belonging to 72 different families were recorded including four species of Gymnosperms. Among the families, Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae were the dominating families of the vascular plants in the study area. Aquatic plants, medicinal plants and ornamental plants are included in the study area. The floristic composition also include occurrence of invasive alien species such as Parthenium, Ageratum, Cassia, Croton sparsiflorus. The study also gives attention towards the conservation of bio-resources of the campus, toxic effects of the plants along with their medicinal values, proper utilization of bio-wealth in research and academic activities. Documentation of flora check list will be helpful in the environmental study too.