Flora of Kolar (Kolar and Chikballapura Districts)

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The diversity of plant life on earth has provided for man’s need over thousands of years. This diversity forms a support system which has been used by each civilization for its growth and development. Those who used this bounty of nature have carefully and sustainably survived. Those who over used or misused it have disintegrated. Science has attempted to categorize the variability in the nature over a century. This has led to an understanding of its organization into communities of plants. The information has helped in utilizing the plant wealth for the benefit of humanity and has been integral to the process of development. This includes better health care, better crops and the use of these plants as raw materials for industrial growth which has led to a higher standard of living. To achieve this goal, floristic works of smaller regions play an essential role.

Kolar district (recently bifurcated into Kolar district and Chikballapura district) is located in the interior part of Karnataka which is mainly dry throughout the year but encompasses its own characteristic floristic components.

The primary objective of this work was to bring out a comprehensive Flora of the flowering plants of the district after critically studying all the Angiosperm plants and to provide the correct identity and nomenclature of the same. The occurrence of several important medicinal plants in the district compelled us to provide information if the plant is medicinal, their chief phyto- constituents and main uses in Ayurveda and Siddha. This information will be useful to all those interested in understanding the plants and their importance of this economically and industrially backward district of Karnataka state.

The Flora deals with a total number of 854 species, spread over 467 genera and 118 families. Out of this, 550 species are found to possess medicinal property.

This Flora is useful to students of botany, pharmacy, forestry, medicinal plants, environmentalists, agricultural scientists, pharmaceutical industry and to all those interested in conservation, preservation and sustainable utilization of plant wealth of these districts.

The authors are indebted to all those who have helped and extended support during the preparation of this book. We are immensely thankful to M/s. Divyachandra Prakashana, Bangalore, who deserve our appreciation for printing and publishing this flora.