Checklist of the tree flora of the Balaghat Ranges, Maharashtra, India

A detailed inventory of all indigenous and exotic species of trees from the Balaghat Ranges of Maharashtra, India is provided. About 228 tree taxa belonging to 44 families and 132 genera have been recorded from the study region, of which 174 are indigenous and 53 are exotic. The families Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Bignoniaceae, Rubiaceae and Moraceae are dominant in the arborescent flora. Acacia Mill. is the largest genus with 19 tree taxa. Vegetation type and the months of flowering and fruiting are given for each tree taxon. Trees of Balaghat Ranges have many potential uses like sources of food, fodder, timber, fuel wood, dye, essential oils, medicines etc. However, forests of Balaghat Ranges have been declining due to anthropogenic activities and tourism. Hence, the present study was undertaken to generate baseline data, which will prove helpful for the conservation and protection the forest of Balaghat Ranges.