Assessment of Floristic Diversity of Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh-India

Present study was carried out in Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh to assess its floristic diversity. The sanctuary lies in between 31° 05' to 31° 75' N latitude and 77° 12' to 77° 15' E longitudes. Shimla water catchment area represents the only remaining undisturbed middle altitude forest in the lower ranges of the Western Himalayas and is the main water catchment area for Shimla. A total of 476 species of vascular plants were recorded. Of the total species, 39 species were trees, 81 shrubs, 320 herbs and the remaining 36 species were pteridophytes. Maximum species belonged to family Asteraceae (45 spp.); Lamiaceae (31 spp.) and Poaceae (30 spp.). 39 families were monotypic.