Flora of Lahaul-Spiti: A Cold Desert in North West Himalaya

The present book describes the vegetational wealth of one of the most beautiful but botanically least known areas of the country, perched high up in the north-west Himalayas at altitudes 2400 m and above. Lahaul-Spiti is one of the largest districts in Himachal Pradesh (over 12,210 sq kms). Hidden behind the lofty Rohtang Pass and snow bound for over half the year, it is one of the most inaccessible areas in the region. During the short summer months, however, the alpine passes, mountain slopes, meadows, morains, etc., present a spectacular display of colours as the dormant vegetation bursts into life under the shy sun presenting a sight fit for the gods and the few lucky adventurous visitors who dare that far. To a botanist it is just fascinating though, surprisingly little worthwhile survey work has so far been carried out in this area. The monograph is in this regard, the first comprehensive account of the flora of Lahaul-Spiti being an outcome of well over ten years of painstaking field surveys combined with critical literature appraisal and laborious herbarium research by the senior author. The monograph covers 985 taxa belonging to 353 genera of 79 angiosperm and gymnosperm families with the latest updated nomenclatural status of the taxa described. It is divided into three chapters: Introduction dealing with topography, soil, climate, history, culture and allied topices; General observations include vegetation, cultigens, rare, threatened and endemic taxa, morphological adaptations, relationships and affinities, etc. and Taxonomic accounts describe the methodology adopted, taxonomic keys, systematic treatment of the families, selected bibliography and index to botanical names."The area explored is rich in medicinal and other economic plants, many of which, unfortunately, are now endangered or threatened. The book is, therefore, very timely, enumerating and describing the rare species before many of these are lost to the mankind. Plant taxonomists, environmental biologists, foresters, naturalists and phytochemists will, thus, find the book indispensible. It will be equally useful for plant management agencies and policy planners.