Angiospermic Flora and Biological Spectrum of Jakaram Reserve Forest, Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Jakaram Reserve is a 200 ha mixed dry deciduous forest with 306 species of Magnoliophyta representing 61 families of Magnoliopsida and seven families of Liliopsida. Of these, 66.4% are herbs, 11.4% are shrubs and 22.2% are trees. Among the 68 tree species, 13 are planted. While Tectona grandis dominated the land in the past, Anogeissus latifolia, Chloroxylon swietenia, Gardenia resinifera and Helicteres isora are the most prevalent trees at present. Diospyros chloroxylon is the dominant shrub followed by Maytenus emarginata, Ziziphus oenoplia, Grewia flavescens and G. hirsuta. The proportions of hemicryptophytes (5%) and cryptophytes (4%) indicate a tropical climate while the phanerophytes (26%), chamaepbytes (18%) and therophytes (47%) present a desert phytoclimate. The latter scenario is due to the prevailing arid climate, deforestation and excessive grazing pressure. The cattle are found to forage on as many as 117 species (38%) though 61 species (20%) of them are of good fodder value.