Patel Krima A. & Patel Kaushik C.

P. G. Centre in Botany, Smt. S. M. Panchal Science

College, Talod, Sabarkantha, Gujarat - 383215

In Vijapur taluka, Sapteshwar mahadev is one of the ancient shiva temple in Gujarat and

well known place in Gujarat for tourism. There is long history about this places and different

stories related to Sapteshwar Mahadev. The Mahadev Mandir is situated in rural area of

Sabarkantha district of Gujarat and on the river bank of Sabarmati. The river divides two

districts, Mehsana and Sabarkantha. This place also have god gifted beauties like Sabarmati

River Bank and Forest patches too. People comes here from far to have darshan of Shivalinga

of Sapteshwar and puja and different vidhis and karma kanda. The present study deals with

the floristic survey of the area i.e. Sapteshwar Temple & its surrounding. Data about flora of

this area comprises 104 Angiosperms belonging to 42 families.

SURVEY OF FLOWERING PLANTS GROWING AT

SAPTESHWAR OF VIJAPUR TALUKA IN MEHSANA

DISTRICT OF NORTH GUJARAT, INDIA

ABSTRACT

Article

Received on

3 Aug 2018

Accepted

on:

25 Sept 2018

Floristic composition is extremely necessary to study and analyze the aspects for

conservation management strategies. Floristic surveys highlight the existing pattern of

vegetation. Floristic studies are taxonomic studies of a flora, or of a major segment of a flora

from specific area. Floristic study means preparing a complete list of plants forming a

vegetation community. The study of composition of vegetation in terms of all the species of

a place taken collectively. The study comprises of identifying and listing all the plants

species present in a particular area. It always includes keys to plants of the rank of species

and above and description of all taxa that are recognized nomenclaturally.

Gujarat state is a well-marked geographic assemblage, limited by effective barriers like the

sea in west and southwest, the lofty Aravallis in northwest, Thar Desert in north, Vindhyas

and Satpura range in west, and high hills of Western Ghats in south. Among 10 biogeograhic

zones of India (Rodgers et. al. 2002), Gujarat is further sub divided into four zones- Zone 3,

4, 5 and 8. The provinces of these zones in Gujarat are province 3A-Kutchchh, 4B-Gujarat-

Rajputana, 5A-Malabar plains, 5B-Western Ghat Mountains and 8A-West coast. Gujarat has

a territory of 1,96,024sq km, and is endowed with a great diversity of natural ecosystems

ranging from desert, semi-arid, mangroves, coral reef rich coast and forest with dry

deciduous, moist deciduous and evergreen trees.

some references on the basis of floristic and biodiversity observations like: Champion &

Seth, 1916; Chowdhury, 2013a; Convention on Biological Diversity, 2013b; Cooke, 1901;

Karthikeyan, & Sharma, 1983; MOEF, 2007; Patel, 2002; Patel & Bihola, 2014; Patel, 2002;

Raghvan et. al. 1981; Saxton & Sedgwick, 1918; Singh & Parabia, 2003; Vediya & Kharadi,

2011; Yogi, 1970; were used in this floristic investigation at various levels. Documentation

of the existing flowering plants by means of sample collection, photography, proper

identification and distributional status etc. of Sapteshwar in North Gujarat.

The Earth's plants, animals, and microorganisms interacting with one another and with the

physical environment in ecosystems form the foundation of sustainable development. Biotic

resources from this wealth of life supports human livelihood and make it possible to adapt

to the changing needs and environments.

INTRODUCTION

The present research paper on floristic analysis of Sapteshwar, indicated that what extent the

vegetation in the area, it is the product of its environment and also examine the

phytogegrophic affinities of the flora. Floristic studies can provide the clear understanding

of the process and conditions, biogeogrophical, ecological and development in the growth

of vegetation.

The district derives its name from the Sabarmati river that Separates Sabarkantha from the

neighbouring districts. The district is bounded by the Rajasthan State to the north,

Banaskantha and Mehsana districts to the west, Gandhinagar, kheda and Panchmahal

districts to the south. It is a border in the eastern part of the Gujarat and is situated between

23 ̊03 ̓32” and 24 ̊29 ̓40” North latitudes and72 ̊ 43 ̓ 34” and 73 ̊39 ̒26 ” East longitudes,

covered by toposheets no. 45D, H, 46A nd E of Survey of India. Sabarkantha district is

located in east of Gujarat, comes under normal rainfall areas in Gujarat, having sub-tropical

climate with moderately low humidity. The main seasons prevailing in the district are (a)

monsoon – mid of June to October, (b) winter – November to February, and (c) summer –

March to June.

Sapteshwar mahadev is one of the ancient shiv temple in Gujarat, India and well known

place in Gujarat for tourism. There is long history about this places and different stories

related to Sapteshwar Mahadev. The Mahadev Mandir is situated in rural area of

Sabarkantha district of Gujarat and on the river bank of Sabarmati. Also this place has god

gifted beauties like Sabarmati River Bank and Small Forest too. People comes here from far

to have darshan of Shivalinga of Sapteshwar and di puja and different vidhis and karma

kanda.

The study on angiosperms family from the Sapteshwar, is based on the results obtained from

both extensive and intensive studies of the vegetation of area under study. Field survey was

carried out collection of plants . Identification of plant species during field work was done

by compiling floras (Shah, 1978) available and authenticated by experts from college

STUDY AREA

METHODOLOGY

department and research institutes. The photograph of all the plants species were taken

during field trip. This piece of work is survey based. The collected plants were categorised

according to their systematic position on the levels of scientific name, family following

Bentham & Hookers classification system. The list of plant species Family, Analytical data

represent in this description.

On the basis of floristic and biodiversity observations total 104 plant species were studied

from these villages, which belonging to 92 genera and 42 families. Photo plates shows the

collected species, whether it is in vegetative, flowering or fruiting stage. Checklist of plant

species arranged according to Flora of Gujarat State by Shah, authority with scientific name

is not provided:

Sr. Botanical Name Family Photo

1. Cocculus hirsutus Menispermaceae Plate 01 A

2. Argemone mexicana Papaveraceae Plate 01 B

3. Cadaba fruticose Capparaceae Plate 01 C

4. Capparis decidua Capparaceae Plate 01 D

5. Cleome gynandra Capparaceae Plate 01 E

6. Hybanthus enneaspermus Violaceae Plate 01 F

7. Tamarix ericoides Tamaricaceae Plate 02 A

8. Gossypium herbaceum Malvaceae Plate 02 B

9. Abutilon indicum Malvaceae Plate 02 C

10. Sida cordata Malvaceae Plate 02 D

11. Sida cordifolia Malvaceae Plate 02 E

12. Sida glutinosa Malvaceae Plate 02 F

13. Guazuma ulmifolia Sterculiaceae Plate 03 A

14. Corchorus aestuans Tiliaceae Plate 03 B

15. Triumfetta rhomboidea Tiliaceae Plate 03 C

16. Ailanthus excelsa Simaroubaceae Plate 03 D

OBSERVATIONS

17. Balanites aegyptiaca Balanitaceae Plate 03 E

18. Azadirachta indica Meliaceae Plate 03 F

19. Zizyphus horrida Rhamnaceae Plate 04 A

20. Zizyphus nummularia Rhamnaceae Plate 04 B

21. Zizyphus oenoplia Rhamnaceae Plate 04 C

22. Alysicarpus monilifer Papilionaceae Plate 04 D

23. Clitoria ternatea Papilionaceae Plate 04 E

24. Crotalaria burhia Papilionaceae Plate 04 F

25. Crotalaria medicaginia Papilionaceae Plate 05 A

26. Indigofera cordifolia Papilionaceae Plate 05 B

27. Indigofera linnaei Papilionaceae Plate 05 C

28. Indigofera prostrata Papilionaceae Plate 05 D

29. Melilotus alba Papilionaceae Plate 05 E

30. Melilotus indica Papilionaceae Plate 05 F

31. Rhynchosia minima Papilionaceae Plate 06 A

32. Tephrosia hamiltonii Papilionaceae Plate 06 B

33. Tephrosia purpurea Papilionaceae Plate 06 C

34. Caesalpinia crista Caesalpiniaceae Plate 06 D

35. Cassia auriculata Caesalpiniaceae Plate 06 E

36. Cassia occidentalis Caesalpiniaceae Plate 06 F

37. Acacia nilotica Mimosaceae Plate 07 A

38. Dichrostachys cinerea Mimosaceae Plate 07 B

39. Prosopis juliflora Mimosaceae Plate 07 C

40. Pithecellobium dulce Mimosaceae Plate 07 D

41. Ammannia baccifera Lythraceae Plate 07 E

42. Blastania fimbristipula Cucurbitaceae Plate 07 F

43. Mukia maderaspatana Cucurbitaceae Plate 08 A

44. Luffa acutangula Cucurbitaceae Plate 08 B

45. Mollugo pentaphylla Molluginaceae Plate 08 C

46. Zaleya decandra Aizoaceae Plate 08 D

47. Cuminum cyminum Apiaceae Plate 08 E

48. Foeniculum vulgare Apiaceae Plate 08 F

49. Oldenlandia corymbosa Rubiaceae Plate 09 A

50. Ageratum conyzoides Asteraceae Plate 09 B

51. Conyza stricta Asteraceae Plate 09 C

52. Echinops echinatus Asteraceae Plate 09 D

53. Gnaphalium luteo-album Asteraceae Plate 09 E

54. Grangea maderaspatana Asteraceae Plate 09 F

55. Launaea procumbens Asteraceae Plate 10 A

56. Pulicaria angustifolia Asteraceae Plate 10 B

57. Parthenium hysterophorus Asteraceae Plate 10 C

58. Sonchus oleraceus Asteraceae Plate 10 D

59. Tridax procumbens Asteraceae Plate 10 E

60. Vernonia cinerea Asteraceae Plate 10 F

61. Anagalis arvensis Primulaceae Plate 11 A

62. Diospyros cordifolia Ebenaceae Plate 11 B

63. Thevetia peruviana Apocynaceae Plate 11 C

64. Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae Plate 11 D

65. Pergularia daemia Asclepiadaceae Plate 11 E

66. Convolvulus microphyllus Convolvulaceae Plate 11 F

67. Ipomoea obscura Convolvulaceae Plate 12 A

68. Datura metel Solanaceae Plate 12 B

69. Nicotiana tabacum Solanaceae Plate 12 C

70. Physalis minima Solanaceae Plate 12 D

71. Solanum surattense Solanaceae Plate 12 E

72. Bacopa monnieri Scrophulariaceae Plate 12 F

73. Lindenbergia muraria Scrophulariaceae Plate 13 A

74. Verbascum chinense Scrophulariaceae Plate 13 B

75. Justicia simplex Acanthaceae Plate 13 C

76. Lepidagathis trinervis. Acanthaceae Plate 13 D

77. Peristrophe bicalyculata Acanthaceae Plate 13 E

78. Clerodendrum phlomidis Verbenaceae Plate 13 F

79. Lantana camara Verbenaceae Plate 14 A

80. Phyla nodiflora Verbenaceae Plate 14 B

81. Hyptis suaveolens Lamiaceae Plate 14 C

82. Ocimum gratissimum Lamiaceae Plate 14 D

83. Bougainvillea glabra Nyctaginaceae Plate 14 E

84. Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae Plate 14 F

85. Aerva javanica Amaranthaceae Plate 15 A

86. Alternanthera sessilis Amaranthaceae Plate 15 B

87. Amaranthus lividus Amaranthaceae Plate 15 C

88. Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae Plate 15 D

89. Pupalia lappacea Amaranthaceae Plate 15 E

90. Chenopodium album Chenopodiaceae Plate 15 F

91. Chenopodium murale Chenopodiaceae Plate 16 A

92. Euphorbia hirta Euphorbiaceae Plate 16 B

93. Euphorbia nivulia Euphorbiaceae Plate 16 C

94. Euphorbia orbiculata Euphorbiaceae Plate 16 D

95. Kirganelia reticulata Euphorbiaceae Plate 16 E

96. Phyllathus fraternus Euphorbiaceae Plate 16 F

97. Holoptelea integrifolia Ulmaceae Plate 17 A

98. Ficus benghalensis Moraceae Plate 17 B

99. Allium cepa Liliaceae Plate 17 C

100. Asparagus racemosus Liliaceae Plate 17 D

101. Commelina benghalensis Commelinaceae Plate 17 E

102. Cyperus sp. Cyperaceae Plate 17 F

103. Pennisetum typhoides Poaceae Plate 18 A

104. Triticum aestivum Poaceae Plate 18 B

105. View from Sapteshwar temple showing Sabarmati river Plate 18 (bottom)

The analysis of the plant species in the area gives the result that the total Angiosperm flora

including naturalized and indigenous plants comprises of about 105 species belong to 92

genera of 42 families. Of the 104 species, 96 species belong to Dicotyledons and 8 species

belonging to Monocotyledons .Of the 92 genera 84 genera belong to Dicotyledons and 8

genera belong to Monocotyledons .Of the 42 families 38 families belong to Dicotyledons

and 4 families belong to Monocotyledons.The dominant families of Dicotyledon are

Papilionaceae with 12 spp., Asteraceae with 11 spp., Amaranthaceae with 6 spp.,

Euphorbiaceae with 5 spp., Malvaceae with 5 spp.The dominant families of the

Monocotyledos are Poaceae . There are total 21 monogeneric families, 20 belonging to

Dicotyledons and 1 belonging to Monocotyledons. There are total 19 monospecies families,

19 belonging to Dicotyledons and 1 belonging to Monocotyledons.

Plant Species, Great value for the species indicate great diversity and importance of the

particular habitat or ecosystem. It is indicated by total number of species in an area. This is

the number of individuals of plant species per study area of occurrence. Total 105 species

present in the study area. The dominance of the plant species especially of semi-arid zone

type species and presence of different life forms like herbs, shrubs, climbers and trees in a

particular ratio shows clear structural vegetation of the semi-arid to arid zone.

Champion, HG. & Seth, SK. 1916. A revised survey of forest types of India, FRI, Dehradun.

Chowdhury, S (Ed.). 2013a. Ecosystem Diversity: Understanding biodiversity and

conservation approaches at the ecosystem level, with an emphasis on Indian ecoregions.

Available from: http://www.biomeindia.org/ecosystemdiversity.html.

Convention on Biological Diversity. 2013b. Article 8. In-situ Conservation. Available

from:http://www.cbd.int/convention/articles/default.shtml?a=cbd-08.

Cooke, T. 1901. Flora of the Presidency of Bombay. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,

Dehradun.

Karthikeyan, S. & Sharma, BD. 1983. Notes relating to the flora of Western India. J. Econ.

Tax. Bot. 4: 357-376.

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

Maitreya, BB. 2015. Floristic analysis of Riparian Angiosperms form Sabarmati river of

Gujarat state india, Life science Leaflets ISSN 2277- 4297, Page no 122 to 143.

MOEF. 2007. Conservation of Wetlands in India: A Profile (Approach and Guidelines).

Conservation Division- I. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of

India, New Dellhi, 42 pp.

Patel, KC. 2002. Floristic and Ethnobotanical studies on Danta Forest of North Gujarat.

Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar.

Patel, MM. & Bihola, DD. 2014. Floristic diversity in Satalasana Forest Area of Mahesana

District, Gujarat, India Life science Leaflets, ISSN 2277- 4297, 143 To 154

Patel, RS. 2002. Floristic and Ethnobotanical studies on Ambaji Forest of North Gujarat.

Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar.

Raghvan, RS., Wadhwa, BM., Ansari MY., & Rao, RS. 1981. A check list of plants of

Gujarat. Rec. Bot. Surv. India 21 (2):1 -127.

Rodgers, WA., Panwar, HS., and Mathur, VB. 2000. Wildlife Protected Area Network

in India: A review, Executive Summary. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

Saxton, WT. & Sedgwick, LJ. 1918. Plants of Northen Gujarat. Rec. Bot. Surv., India.6

Shah, GL. 1978. Flora of Gujarat state. Vol. I and II, University press, Vallabh

VidhyaNagar., Gujarat.

Singh, AP. & Parabia, MH. 2003. The floral diversity of Gujarat State: A review. Indian

Forester 129 (12): 1461-1469.

Vediya, SD. & Kharadi, HS. 2011. Study of plant diversity in Meghraj range forest District

Sabarkantha, North Gujarat, India, International journal of Pharmacy & Forest District, ISSN

0976- 7126

Yogi, DV. 1970. A contribution to the flora of North Gujarat (Ph.D. Thesis)- Submitted to

the Sardar Patel university, Gujarat, India.