~ 1 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine 2024; 12(3): 01-11 E-ISSN: 2321-2187 P-ISSN: 2394-0514 www.florajournal.com IJHM 2024; 12(3): 01-11 Received: 04-02-2024 Accepted: 10-03-2024 Chandrima Debi, Ph.D. Woodstock School, Landour, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India Corresponding Author: Chandrima Debi, Ph.D. Woodstock School, Landour, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India Floristic diversity and medicinally important plant species in the hillside of Landour, Mussoorie Chandrima Debi DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/flora.2024.v12.i3a.929 Abstract Himalayan region is well recognized for a plethora of medicinal plants. Landour is located at an altitude of about 6,800 to 7,798 ft in the Lower Western Himalaya, in the Mussoorie Range. It encompasses a considerable forested area, of Banj Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) with intermittent Deodars, Pines and Rhododendrons. The present paper reveals the floristic diversity and medicinally important plant species present in the hillside of Landour, Mussoorie. During the study 97 species of vascular plants (Angiosperms and Gymnosperms) belonging to 54 families were recorded from the study area. There were 24 tree species, 44 species of herbs, 24 species of shrubs, 5 species of climbers. The major families of Angiosperms in the region are Asteraceae (8 genera, 9 species), followed by Rosaceae (5 genera, 6 species), Lamiaceae (3 genera, 4 species) and 4 genera of Pinaceae, Acanthaceae, Polygonaceae, 3 genera of Cornaceae, Sapindaceae, Urticaceae. The majority percentage of the ground cover is comprised of herbs. A total of 74 plant species were identified in the region which have medicinal properties among which 20 plant species are trees, 16 plant species are shrubs, 36 plant species are herbs and 2 climbers. All plants with botanical names, common names, family, habit, and medicinal properties were listed and tabulated. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Landour, Mussoorie Introduction The Himalayas are one of richest floristic zone of India and provide thousands of species of medicinal plants. Since ancient times, the Himalayan flora has been sought after for a myriad of purposes, including its many scientifically proven therapeutic benefits. Ancient Indian texts such as the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, and Charka Sanhita, have extensively detailed the vast array of uses for plants found in the Himalayan region. Medicinal plants are one of the most important components of the forests of Himalaya and are well known for their efficacy in coping with various diseases [1] . Landour, Mussoorie, is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. Major part of Landour comprises of old forest growth consisting mainly of Deodar, Banj Oak, Chir Pine, Blue Pine, West Himalayan Fir, Himalayan Maple, Rhododendron, and other tree species. A considerable area (330 acres appx.) of Landour, lies under the property of Woodstock School, Mussoorie, India. Major forest tree species in the school campus comprise of Banj Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Rhododendron, Maple, Chir Pine. The flora of the region has been extensively studied by botanists over the years, revealing a wide range of plant species belonging to various families and genera. These species occupy diverse habitats, including temperate forests, mixed deciduous forests and rocky outcrops. The region's unique geography and climatic conditions have fostered the evolution of a wide array of endemic and threatened species. 'Flora Indica' [2] and 'Flora of British India' spanning seven volumes provides extensive information on the region’s flora. The first documented collection of plants from Mussoorie was done in 1824 followed by subsequent researchers who also delved into the region's floristic diversity [3] . In the past various studies were conducted on region’s flora [4] and ferns [5] . Various other work including supplementation of Duthie's flora of the Upper Gangetic plains, as well as the adjacent Shiwalik and sub-Himalayan regions [6] and examination of the herbaceous flora of Dehradun and the flora of Mussoorie [7] was carried by different researchers. Raizada (1977) documented the floristic diversity of the Mussoorie region, describing approximately 1331 plants, including Phanerogams, Ferns, and Fern Allies.. Fleming (1930-1950), identified and recorded biodiversity in Woodstock School, Landour, Mussoorie [8, 9, 103] .