Exotic Flora of Allahabad district

In recent years a large number of publications on the floristics of our country–including regional and local floras have appeared. Whereas wild and naturalised plants have been fairly dealt with, it is a pity that exotics in the Indian floras have not received the attention they deserve at the hands of Indian taxonomists. Many of the exotics have either naturalised or are in the way of naturalization in various parts of our country. The exotics have been introduced to boost the economy and help providing additional plant resources for food, fodder, fibre, fruits, flowers, drugs, etc. The new entrants to Indian flora have considerable impact on the flora and some of the elements particularly obnoxious weeds, have created health hazards besides adversely upsetting the ecological balance. Allahabad being one of the most important pilgrimage centres attracts people from all over the world, and with them come many exotics. It was once the capital city during the Moghal period and also a cantonment of British rulers who advertently or inadvertently introduced many exotics. In the present work an attempt has been made to bring out a consolidated account of the exotic flora of Allahabad district dealing with plants of agri-horticultural and economic importance, either cultivated or wild. A total number of 458 species spread over 325 genera and 100 families have been inventorised. Details such as habit, common names, local names, native country, possible time, place and source of introduction, flowering and fruiting time, state of cultivation, etc. have been given in a tabular form. Some black and white photographs are given for important plants.