New York Science Journal 2010:3(5) http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork newyorksci@gmail.com 78 Exotic Ornamental Flora of Kashmir Valley-An overview Shabana Aslam 1 , Khursheed Ahmad Ganaie 2 , AQ John 3 and GH Dar 1 1. Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J& K, India190006 2. Department of Botany, Islamia college of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, J& K, India 190006 3. Division of Floriculture, Medicinal and Aromatic plants, SKUAST- Kashmir, J& K, India 191121 Shabana_botany@yahoo.com ; khursheedtrali@yahoo.co.in Abstract: The Kashmir Himalaya, known for its indigenous and endemic flora, also provides home to a large number of exotic plants, which exhibit a wide taxonomical and distributional stretch. Although, some preliminary studies have been carried out in the region on some aspects of its exotic flora (Stewart 1972, Singh and Misri 1974, Singh and Kachroo,1983, Ara et al.1995, Dar et al.1995), the inventorization and documentation of its exotic ornamentals has received a little or negligible attention. There is a lot of scope for these exotic ornamentals in the floriculture industry of Kashmir, but lack of authentic identification has been as a big hurdle in their scientific management. It is in this backdrop that the present floristic study was carried out to identify, inventorize, document, and characterize the exotic ornamental plant species grown in the Valley. The present study has revealed that Kashmir Valley grows 317 exotic ornamental plant species, which belong to 209 genera in 85 families. Dicotyledons are the largest group, represented by 252 species in 163 genera and 67 families. Monocotyledons comprise 52 species in 37 genera and 13 families. Gymnosperms are the smallest group, with 13 species distributed in 9 genera and 5 families. Asteraceae is the largest family containing 33 exotic ornamental species. This is the first assessment of alien ornamental flora of the Kashmir Valley. [New York Science Journal 2010;3(5):78-82]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). Key words: exotic, ornamental plants, Kashmir, floriculture 1. Introduction Nature has nurtured man in its lap since its existence. Food, shelter and clothing were primary gifts which nature bestowed to the baby of mankind. With its development the horizontal and vertical needs which time challenged were also bestowed by nursing nature. Man landed on the zenith of development which include cultural, economic, political, social and wide array of other developments utilizing the fuel injected by nature in his inner. Cracking the contribution of nature into components, plants rank first. The plants served man with many purposes besides providing the basic life support system of food, shelter, and clothing. The Valley of Kashmir is ranked as paradise on earth. It provides home to a large number of plant and animal species (Dar, et al, 2002, Singh and Kachroo, 1983, Lambert, 1933, Naqshi, et al, 1976). This hospitable approach is not only restricted to native species but to exotics as well (Dar, et al 1995, 2002, Singh and Misri, 1974, Ara, et al, 1995). The valley hosts a large number of exotic plant species showing wide taxonomic diversity (Dar. et al, 1995, 2002, Ara. et al, 1995, Stewart, 1972, Khuroo. et al, 2007). The economy of valley is agriculture based economy (John, et al, 2007). The latest plant based industry which has taken off in the valley is floriculture (). The scope of this industry in Kashmir is tremendous owing to conducive climato-edaphic conditions (Zeerak, et al, 2007, John, et al, 1996). Exotic ornamentals grown in Kashmir show better performance in both quality and quantity attributes as compared to other regions of India (John et al, 1996, 2007). The cut flowers, essential oils, bulbs etc. witness huge production compared to other regions of India (John, et al 1996). The industry has a lot of scope to generate revenue and change fortunes of masses. There is no documentation of exotic ornamentals growing in Kashmir valley. The authentic identification and documentation of exotic ornamentals has been perceived as a hurdle for speedy growth of floriculture industry (John, et al, 1996). Besides, the economy of state being agriculture based, demands that exotic invasives be first documented and then kept under constant monitoring as invasive species are known for causing tremendous economic losses in agricultural productivity (John, et al, 1996, Khuroo, et al 2007). Exotic alien invasive species are also notoriously known for eroding native species richness and driving species to extinction (Pysek, 1998, Pysek et al, 2002, 2004). Exotic invasive species are categorized as threat to native species diversity, as the former displace the latter. It is in this backdrop that why the present study of exploration, authentic