Abstract

The three campuses of Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi (Headquarters), Nilambur (Subcentre) and Velupadam (Field Research Station) cover an area of 118.96 ha in Trichur (Thrissur) and Malappuram districts, Kerala State. In total, the flora of the three campuses is composed of 565 taxa of angiosperms (flowering plants) and 3 species of gymnosperms. The angiosperm flora is of 404 taxa of dicotyledons and 161 species of nonocotyledons. The flora enumerates both natural elements and also the introduced or cultivated species growing in the three campuses. For each of the natural element of the flora, up-to-date nomenclature, diagnositic description, flowering and fruiting period and brief note on the occurrence in the campus(es) are given. Forintroduced or cultivated species appended towards the end of each family, up-to-date name and details of their distribution in the campus(es) are provided. Among the total 568 taxa, about 150 are tree species, excluding several bamboos, arborescent in habit. A campus-wise analysis of the flora had shown that in Peechi campus there are 438 taxa of angiosperms and 3 species of gymnosperms. Out of the total 441 taxa, 356 are natural elements of the flora and the remaining 65 taxa are introduced or cultivated species. From Nilambur campus, the total number of species recorded is 268, of which 202 taxa are of natural occurrence and 66 species are introductions. At Velupadam, out of the total 202 taxa reported, 157 species are natural elements of the flora and the remaining 45 taxa are either introduced, cultivated or grown as part of the bamboo germplasm bank