Flora

Meghalaya
a treasure trove of nature
Meghalaya is a treasure trove of Nature, with its richly varied and dense endemic, exotic and cultivated flora. Nature, in it s generous abundance, had bestowed on Meghalaya a unique array of vegetation, ranging from tropical and sub -tropical to temperate or near temperate. This is due to the diverse topography, varied and abundant rainfall and differential climatic and edaphic conditions of the State, within sm all regions.. Biotic factors have also played an important role, at places decisive. Geographical position of Meghalaya has it appears favoured immigration and introduction of different plant species from the neighbouring s tates of the North Eastern India and also countries like China, Tibet and Burma. Geological factors, like the connection of Meghalaya with the land masses of Peninsular India, the Pacific Islands, Madagaskar and some other portions of Africa might also have influenced Meghalaya's flora and fauna to some extent. Depending on the varied scales of rainfall at different parts of the year and at different altitudes and places, both tropical and temperate vegetation occur in Meghalaya. The following four classes of Agro -climatic zones are found:

y y y y

The Upper Hill region from 1200 metre to 1500 metre in altitude and above The Middle Hill region from 600 metre to 1200 metre high The Lower Hill region between 300 metre and 600 metre in altitude The Terai or Plain region upto 300 metre from Sea Level

The Plant World The genetic constitutions of different plants or life for ms can be classified as below:

y y y

Parasites and Epiphytes Succulent Plants Trees and Shrubs known as Phanerophytes o Tall trees o Medium trees o Small trees o Shrubs o Undershrubs or Herbs o Plants with buds deeply buried in the soil o Annual Herbs o Water and Marsh plants

In Meghalaya, all the above classes of plant life are found to occur naturally, constituting its rich and varied natural vege tation. A Botanical Wonder

Meghalaya's endemic Pitcher Plant or Nepenthes khasiana Hk. remains till now an explicable phenomenon to the botanists. It occurs in the Jarain area of the Jaintia Hills and the Baghmara area of the Garo Hills. The people in the Khasi Hills where the plant grows call it Tiew-Rakot, which means demon-flower or devouring-plant. The Jaintias call it Kset Phare, Kset means net with a lid and Phare means fly. The Garos call the plant Memang-Koksi, which literally means the basket of the devil. The most interesting part of the Pitcher Plant is its leaf. The leaf is modified into different organs, such as the lamina, the tendril, the pitcher and the lid. Over the pitcher, a lid is formed. It is an outgrowth on the face of the leaf near its apex. The lid grows and then become sealed over the mouth of the pitcher. When the plant attains maturity, the lid opens up. The pitcher is designed to catch insects.

The World of Orchids

Meghalaya is a storehouse of richly varied and colorful orchids with as many as 325 species, which grow all over the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills in the meadows, hill-slopes and swamps, even on the wayside. Orchids are found in Meghalaya growing at different heights, mostly on trees, on mossy rocks and also on the ground. Meghalaya is rightly called a Land of Orchids.

Morus alba, Quercus semiserrata and a number of other tree species play a vital role in the economy of the State, being the host pl ants for rearing of silk worms for sericulture. Meghalayans in general are fond of decorating their courtyards with seasonal flowe rs and one comes across Dahlia, Canna, Gladiolus, Begonia, Tropaeolum, Aster, Polargonium, Antirrhinum, Crinum, Celosia, Kniphofia, Impatiens, Chrysanthemum, Petunias, Pansy, Calendula , Sweet peas and Salvia. Meany climbers like Bougainvillea, Rosa, Jasminum, etc are quite common. Multiplicity of orchids like Phaius, Dendrobium and Cymbidium spp. are also cultivated.

Some of t e important tree species, w ic yield valuable timber for trade are K asi Pine, Sal, Teak, Bamboos.
rubber-yielding plant of Ficus elastica Roxb. belonging to the family of Moraceae is common. Lac and Gum are obtained from forests in Meghalaya.

betel nuts
fruit bearing trees, cultivated fruit bearing plants, citrus varieties of fruits. Among the important and recognised medicinal plants found and cultivated in Meghalaya are Ipecac, Rauvolfia serpentina, Cinchona, Abromine, Chaulmoogra Oil, Croton Oil, Eucalyptus, Castor Oil, Chiretta, Solanum khasianum, Casearia vareca, Zanthoxylum armatum, Hedyotis scandens, Paederia foetida, Salix alb a, Anacardium occidentale, Cinnamomum, Taxus baccata. In Cherrapunji, the two forests - Mawsmai and Mawmluh contain the highest number of orchid species in the whole region. Sohrarim is another forest on the way to Cherrapunji which is paradise of Botanis ts. Conservation of orchids is now a matter of universal concern. There is urgent need to maintain orchid sanctuaries and special efforts must be made to protect the 'Sacred forests' of Meghalaya, hitherto preserved by religious sanction alone. 'Orchid ban ks' may be created in orchidaria or in forest nurseries by bringing endangered species from their natural habitat and displaying them for the public.

Piorpa x gigantea Deori

Cymbidium aloifolium (L) Sw.

Epiphytes. Pseudobulbs short, sheathed, many-leaved. Leaves linear-oblong, 30-70 cm long and 2-3 cm broad; apex obliquely 2-lobed, midrib distinct, base slightly broader and sheathing. Inflorescence lateral, shorter than the leaves, Pendulous, sheathed at base; sheaths tubular, inflated, acute; racemes ca 20 cm long, many-flowered. Flowers yellowishpurple, ca 3 cm across; bracts minute, ovate, acute; pedicelled ovary ca 1.4 cm long; sepals and petals oblong or oblanceolate, s ubacute, subequal, ca 2 cm long and ca 5 mm broad, midrib purplish; petals slightly shorter and broader; lip sessile at the base of column, purplish, erect, ca 1.5 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes short, erect, embracing the column; midlobe ovate, acute, reflexed; disk 3-lamellate, disconnected. Flowering: May-June Occurrence: Umsning, Nongpoh, Byrnihat Vanda pumila Hk.f. Stems slender, short, Leaves few, oblong. Flowers few on a short peduncle, yellowish. Flowering: June Occurrence: Nongstoin

Vanda cristata Lindl. Stems stout, erect, 10-20 cm long, leafy throughout or at apex. Leaves oblong, 8-12 cm long, coriaceous, keeled; apex 3-toothed. Inflorescence shorter than the leaves, 3-5 cm, fewflowered. Flowers ca 4 cm across, greenish yellow-purple; bracts small, ca 2 mm long, ovate, acute; pedicelled ovary ca 3 cm long, arched; sepals subequal, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, ca 2.5 cm long, ca 1 cm broad, fleshy, greenish-yellow; petals linear, as long as the sepals, ca 5 mm broad, acute; lip 3-lobed, ca 3 cm long, fleshy; sidelobes triangular, ca 1 cm long, acute; midlobe oblong, more or less concave, greenish with purple stripes; apex with 2 spindle-shaped lobes, divergent; spur short, conical.

Flowering: April Occurrence: Jowai, Pongtung, Ralliang Vanda coerulea Griff. Ex. Lindl. Stems stout, erect, 10-30 cm long, leafy throughout or towards apex. Roots long, terete, stiff. Leaves oblong, 10-20 cm long, keeled, slightly arched; apex obliquely truncate, toothed. Inflorescence 1-3, erect or sub-erect, longer than the leaves; peduncle stout, terete, pale greenish; racemes longer than the peduncle, simple or branched, many-flowered. Flowers large, fully blossoming, 8-10 cm across, pale to dark blue; bracts small, ovate, ca 3 mm long, acute; pedicelled ovary ca 4.5 cm long, terete; sepals and petals subequal, obovate, 4.2-4.5 cm long, 2-2.6 cm broad, obscurely tessellate; apex rounded; margins undulate; lip much shorter than the perianths, ca 2.2 cm long , 3-lobed, dark blue; sidelobes small, ca 2 mm long; midlobe oblong, fleshy; apex emarginate; disk with 2 thick ridges; spur short, conical, ca 5 mm long. Flowering: September-December Occurrence: Barapani, Jowai Dendrobium ochreatum Wall. Ex Lindl. Stems short, stout, erect, 12-15 cm lon g, old stems decumbent, internodes contracted in the middle, sheaths inflated, many-leaved. Leaves sessile, lanceolate, unequally acuminate, 6-7.5 cm long, ca 2.3 cm broad, 24 on short peduncle at nodes, leaf-opposed. Flowers golden yellow, mild scented, large, 2.5-4 cm across, pedicelled ovary ca 3.5 cm long, green; bracts ovate, ca 2 mm long; sepals oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-nerved, ca 3 cm long, ca 1.5 cm broad; petals ellipticlanceolate, acute, as long as sepals, 3-nerved; lip yellow with a red blotch in the middle and red lines at the base, shortly clawed,

orbicular, ca 3 cm long; margins erose, pubescent within; mentum short, ca 5 mm long, obtuse; column stoaut, ca 3 mm long, foot as long as column. Flowering: April-May Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Shillong; Jaintia Hills, Padingshin Kap; Garo Hills, Tura top Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Stems stout, curved, terete, 6-19 cm long, base sheathed. Leaves sessile, oblong, coriaceous, channeled; apex praemorse with a cuarved spine, 25-30 cm long, ca 3 cm broad. Inflorescence 1-3, lateral, drooping, as long as leaves, manyflowered; peduncle stout, sheathed. Flowers pink with deep pink spots, dense, 2-2.3 cm across; bracts membranous, obovate, acute, margin dentate, ca 3 mm long, persistent; sepals ovate, obtuse, subequal, ca 1 cm long, ca 7 mm broad; petals oblong, obtuse, ca 1 cm long, ca 4 mm broad; lip pink, erect, oblong, slightly widening upwards, ca 1.2 cm long, 5-nerved, apex white, constricted, emarginate, spurred; spur ca 7 mm long, laterally compressed without a cavity, apex round. Flowering: April May Occurrence: Bhologanj, Dawki, Ralliang
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Pleione praecox (Smith) D.Don.

Pseudobu lbs green, purple mottled, covered by a net work remnant of old s eat s, ca 3 cm long; apex

depresse d; 2leaved. Leaves s ortly petioled, elliptic or ellipticlanceolat e, acute, 10-15 cm long, ca 3.5 cm broad; s eat s pink, greenmottled. Scapes ca 3 cm long, green, purple mottled, one or rarely two flowered. Flowers rosepurple, large, 5-9 cm across; bracts green, lanceolat e, ca 3.5 cm long, deciduous , sepals oblonglanceolat e, 7 nerved, subequal,

ca 7 cm long, ca 1.5 cm broad; petals lanceolat e, 3nerved, ca 6 cm long, ca 8 mm broad; lip pink, purple spotted, ca 5.5 cm long, ca 3 cm broad; margin dentate; apex bifid, entire or obscurely 3-lobed; disk 3-5 dentate ridged.
Flowering: OctoberNovember Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Dingling, Dumpep, Mawphlong, Serrarim, Shillong, Peak forest, Upper Shillong

Pleione maculata (Lindl.) Lindl.

Pseudobulbs crowded, green, purple mottled, covered by fibrous net work of old sheaths with their scattered shell like remnants; apex depressed, 2leaved. Leaves shortly petioled,lanceolate, acute, 10-15 cm long, ca 2 cm broad; sheaths few, short, tubular, inflated. Scapes ca 2 cm long, 1floweredc. Flowers white, ca 6 cm across; bracts convolute, emerginate, enveloping the pedicelled ovary, ca 2 cm long; sepals and petals oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-nerved, ca 3 cm long; lip white with purple streaks at base and yellow patches at apex, retuse, ca 3 cm long, ca 2.5 cm broad; disk with 5 ciliate lamellae. Flowering: October-November Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Jowai, Nongstoin, Pongtung Phaius tankervilliae (Ait.) Bl.

Psuedobulbs conical, 4-10 cm high, ca 5 cm thick, close. Roots stout, long. Stems formed of long leaf sheaths, ca 30 cm long, fewleaved. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, many-nerved, 25-40 cm long, 10-15 cm broad. Inflorescence from the base of pseudobulbs with or without an envelope of long sheaths, very tall, 80-120 cm long, erect, terete,; peduncle terete, sheathed; sheaths tubular, ca 10 cm long; recemes many-flowered. Flowers white without, brownish within, fully open, ca 10 cm across; bracts spathaceous dirty white or bluish white, lanceolate, acuminate, ca 5 cm long, ca 2.5 cm broad, caducous; sepals and petals lanceolate, acuminate, subequal, ca 6 cm long, 1.5-2 cm broad; lip sessile at the base of the column, ca 5 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes short, round; midlobe short, acute, crisped; spur short, ca 1 cm long, retuse; column erect. Flowering: April-June Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Nongpoh, Pynursla-Dawki. Phaius flavus (Bl.) Lindl. Psuedobulbs broadly ovoid, close, 6-12 cm high, 3-5 cm thich, sheathed. Sheaths 1-3, membranous, acuminate. Stems slender, erect, 20-35 cm long, few-leaved. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, many-nerved, 2535 cm long, 4-7 cm broad; base tapering to the petoile, sometimes yellow-spotted, sheathing. Inflorescence from base of pseudobulbs, stout, erect, 15-20 cm long, sheathed; sheaths 2-4, tubular, acute, ca 3.5 cm long, pale green. Flowers few, yellow, crowded at apex, ca 4 cm across; bracts pale green, longer than the pedicelled ovary, cymbiform, acute, ca 3 cm long; sepals and petals oblong-lanceolate, acute, subequal, ca 3.5 cm long, ca 1.4 cm broad; sepals 7-nerved; lip yellow with orange-brown apex, ca 3 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes small, round; midlobe short, broad, crumpled; disk with 5-

6 brown veins, spurred; spur ca 1.5 cm long, conical, straight. Flowering: March-April Occurrence: Cherrapunji Phaius longipes (Hook.f.) Holtt. Stems tall, slender, erect, 20-35 cm long, many-noded, sheathed below; internodes long, cylindric; sheaths few, tubular, acuminate. Leaves few, lanceolate, acuminate, folded, manynerved, base sheathing. Inflorescence lateral, slender, erect, many-flowered, sheathed; sheaths few, lanceolate, acute. Flowers greenish-yellow, ca 1.3 cm across; bracts linear, acuminate, longer than the pedicelled ovary, caducous; pedicelled ovary straight, ca 1. cm long, hairy; sepals and petals ovate, acuminate, subequal, ca 1.3 cm long; petals slightly narrower than the speals; lip erect, ca 1 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes small, oblong, acute, incurved; midlobe broad, crisped retuse; spur absent; column short, stout, ca 5 mm long. Flowering: November Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Mawsmai forest, Jarain, Pynursla-Dawki, Sohrarim Phreatia elegans Lindl. Pseubulbous stems short, tufted, few-leaved. Leaves linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, acute, or obliquely acute, 8-15 cm long, 1.1-2 cm broad, 1-nerved, distrinct; base sheathing; sheaths equitant, many-nerved. Inflorescence a raceme, from the base of pseudobulbs, longer than the leaves, slender, erect, 20-30 cm long; peduncle slender, 2-3, tubular sheathed; racemes decurved, many-flowered. Flowers tiny, white, ca 2 mm across; bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, longer than the pedicelled ovary ca 3 mm long; sepals triangular, acute, subequal, ca 2 mm long, ca 1.8 mm broad; petals ovate, ca 1.5 mm long, ca 0.9 mm broad; lip shortly clawed, incurved, acute, ca

2.2 mm long, hairy within, margin incurved. Flowering : July-August Occurrence : Cherrapunji, Mawsmai forest, Sohrarim Paphiopedilum venustum (Wall. ex. Sims.) Pftiz. Leaves 4-10, elliptic-oblong, acute or acutely bifid, 12-18 cm long, 3-4 cm broad; midrib distinct; dorsal surface mottled with dark green; ventral surface purple spotted. Scapes terete, purple, puberulous, 16-25 cm long, 1, rarely 2-flowered. Flowers large, spreading, 7-8 cm across; bracts ovate, acute, ca 2 cm long, pubescent; dorsal sepal erect, broadly ovate, acute, ca 3.5 cm long, ca 3 cm broad, greenish-white with dark green veins; margin ciliate; lateral sepals connate, ovate, acute, many-nerved, ca 3 cm long, ca 1.8 cm broad, margin ciliate; petals spreading, oblanceolate, 7-nerved, hairy, ca 5 cm long, ca 1.3 cm broad, purplish-green, warted; warts few, scattered, black; lip sessile, sub-cylindric; sidelobes small incurved; midlobe saccate, oblong, greenish-white, reticulated; apex round. Flowering: December-February Occurrence: Jarain, Pynursla, Syndai

Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr Stems long, slender, erect or arched, manynoded, cylindric, green; internodes ca 2-3 cm long. Roots long, simple or branched. Leaves terete, 8-12 cm long, ca 5 mm thick, straight or arched. Inflorescence lateral, sub-erect, as long as or longer than the leaves; peduncle

stout, terete, ca 6 cm long; racemes zigzag, 3-5flowered, lax. Flowers large, 5-8 cm across, pink; bracts ovate, ca 3 mm long, acute; pedicelled ovary ca 1.8 cm long; dorsal sepal obvate, ca 2.6 cm long, ca 1.7 cm broad; apex rounded; lateral sepals shortly clawed, ca 2.6 cm long, and ca 2 cm broad, pink with pale tips; petals sub-orbicular, ca 3 cm long, 2.7 cm broad; apex rounded; lip 3lobed, ca 4 cm long, ca 5 cm broad (spread out), pale pink with crimson spotted lines; sidelobes infolded over column, 15-18 mm broad; apex rounded; midlobe ca 2 cm long, ca 1.5 cm broad; apex 2-fid; spur conical, ca 2.5 cm long. Flowering: February-March Occurrence: Bholaganj, Dawki, Burnihat, Mairang Oberonia iridifolia (Roxb.) Lindl.

Stems short. Leaves few, radical, ensiform, 10-20 cm long, ca 15 mm broad, acute. Inflorescence from amongst the leaves, longer than the leaves; peduncle devoid of sheaths, narrowly winged; racemes slender, decurvedk dense-flowered. Flowers yellowish or greenish, ca 2 mm long, sub-sessile; bracts lanceolate, ca 2 mm long, erose, acute; sepals oblong or ovate, acute, entire; dorsal sepal narrower than the laterals; petals ovate, acute, erose; lip obscurely 3lobed, longer than the sepals; margin deeply toothed; column short, stout. Flowering: OctoberNovember Occurrence: Bholaganj, Cherrapunji, Mawmluh Habenaria acuifera Wall. ex Lindl. Roots tubers 2, unequal. Stems slender or stout, erect, 8-20 cm long, few-leaved. Leaves sessile, linearlanceolate acuminate, 4-10 cm long, ca 1 cm broad, upper ones linear. Inflorescence a raceme, erect, 5-10 cm long, few-or

many-flowered. Flowers golden yellow, ca 1.5 cm across; bracts lanceolate, acuminate, as long as or shorter than the beaked pedicelled ovary; dorsal sepal broadly oblong, concave, obtuse, ca 7 mm long; lateral sepals ovate-oblong, concave, ca 9 mm long; petals linearoblong, ca 6 mm long; lip erect, ca 1.1 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes short, subulate; midlobe much longer than the sidelobes, linear; spur clavate, as long as or shorter than the pedicelled ovary. Flowering: July Occurrence: Barapani, Cherrapunji, Jowai, Garmapani-Jowai, Jarain, Mairenkhneng, Waldien Fide Eria ferruginea Lindl. Rhizomes creeping, stout, ca 6 mm thick. Roots long, branched. Stems short. Leaves 2, rarely 4, lanceolate, acuminate, thickly coriaceous, 7-20 cm long, 2.2-5 cm broad, acuminate. Inflorescence a raceme, browntomentose, lateral, as long as leaves, base sheathed; sheaths few, short, broad, acute. Flowers white, lip

pink, 5-6, ca 3 cm across, pubescent; bracts reflexed, broadly lanceolate, ca 1.4 cm long, ca 7 mm broad, acute, hairy; dorsal sepal broadly oblong, ca 2 cm long, 8 mm broad, acute; lateral sepals ovate, 1.5 cm long, 1.5 cm broad, acute, joined with the foot of the column forming a sac; petals oblanceolate, ca 1.8 cm long, obtuse; lip shortly clawed at the apex of the foot, ca 1.3 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes short, erect, truncate; midlobe oblong, retuse; disk with a thick ridge. Flowering: June Occurrence: Cherrapunji. Eria coronaria (Lindl.) Reichb.f. Stems tufted, cylindric, 6-15 cm long, naked, 2leaved, sheathed at base. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, 10-15 cm long, ca 2.3 cm broad, sessile. Inflorescence terminal 2-5 cm long, 24-flowered. Flowers white, lip streaked with purple, scented, large, ca 3.5 cm across; sepals and petals spreading, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, 5-nerved, sub-equal, ca 2 cm long, ca 8 mm broad; lateral sepals adnate to the foot forming a short conical mentum; lip sessile at the apex of the foot, erect, ca 1.5 cm long, 3lobed; sidelobes short,

ovate, acute, sheathed with purple; lines; midlobe sub-orbicular, acute, margin undulate; apex purple; lip at base prominently riged of which 2 are thick stretching from the base of the disk and flanged on either sides, 4 faint undulate ridges. Flowering: November Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Laitkor, Mawphlang Eria carinata Lindl. Pseudobulbs close, ovoid or ovoid-oblong, sulcate, ca 3 cm high, 1-leaved. Leaf petioled, lanceolate, 10-12 cm long and ca 2.5 cm broad, coriaceous, acute. Inflorescence lateral, ca 10 cm long, sheathed; sheaths few, the upper sheath long (which produces the leaf afterwards), sword shaped; peduncle terete, included; racemes compressed, 3-4flowered. Flowers pale pink, large, ca 3 cm long, drooping; bracts lanceolate, longer than the pedicelled ovary, 2-3 cm long, acuminate; sepals subequal, ovate-lanceolate, 2.22.5 cm long, kelled; apex serrate; lateral sepals forming the short obtuse mentum; petals rhomb ca 2 cm long, acute; lip shortly clawed at the apex of the foot, oblong, ca 2 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes narrow; midlobe ovate-oblong, ca 1.5 cm long, acute, reflexed; disk 3-lamellate. Flowering: November Occurrence: Dawki-Pynursla,

Pongtung Dendrobium williamsonii Day & Reichb.f. Stems stout, close, fusiform, 15-20 cm long, few-noded; internodes ca 3 cm long, sheathed; sheaths striate, covered with black deciduous hairs. Leaves few towards apex only, oblong or lanceolate, 5-7 cm long, ca 2 cm broad, puberulous at base; apex obliquely 2lobed. Flowers pale yellow, 1-2 terminal on a short bracteate peduncle, ca 4 cm across; bracts very small, ca 2 mm long, membranous; pedicelled ovary ca 2.2 cm long, curved, greenishwhite; sepals ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 5nerved, 2.5-3 cm long; lateral sepals joined with the foot forming a conical mentum; mentum straight, ca 1.5 cm long; petals oblanceolate, acute, 5nerved, ca 2.3 cm long, ca 8 mm broad; lip yellow with red lines on the sidelobes, 3 cm long, ca 8 mm broad; lip yellow with red lines on the sidelobes, 3 cm long, 3lobed; sidelobes short, broad, crisped; midlobe oblong or orbicular, undulate or crisped, hairy within; disk 3-ridged; column ca 1 cm long; apex undulate; opercolum orbicular; base ciliate. Flowering: April-May Occurrence: Jowai, Shillong, Peak forest Dendrobium falconery Hook

One of the finest orchids occurs in the other parts of N.E. India. It was recorded from Khasi Hills (Meghalaya). So far, it could not be collected. Flowering: May-June

Dendrobium nobile Lindl. Stems erect or suberect, compressed, 30-60 cm long, many-noded; internodes ca 4 cm long, ribbed, sheathed; sheaths broad, truncate, shorter than the internodes, whitish. Leaves few, towards apex, coriaceous, oblong, sessile, 10-13 cm long, 2-3 cm broad; apex obliquely notched. Flowers purplish white, 2-3 on a short peduncle at nodes on leafy or leafless stems, ca 6 cm across; bracts short, ovate, acute, ca 2 mm long; pedicelled ovary purplish white, ca 3.5 cm long; sepals oblong obtuse or acute, subequal, ca 3.5 cm long, ca 1 cm broad; lateral sepals joined with the foot forming a mentum; mentum short, broad, obtuse; petals elliptic, ca 2 cm broad and as long as sepals; lip shortly clawed, ovate, ca 3.5 cm long, apex acute, reflexed; base convolute; margin erose; disk dark purple, pubescent; column short, stout, ca 5 mm long; opercolum oblong, pubescent. Flowering: April-May Occurrence: Barapani, Nongstoin Dendrobium moschatum Sw.

Stems cylindric, erect, close, 90150 cm long (sometimes reached 2-3 m in height), greenish-purple or dark purple, many-noded; internodes 3-4 cm long, ribbed. Leaves sessile, coriaceous, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute or notched, 8-15 cm long, 24 cm broad, many-nerved. Inflorescence a raceme 1-3, lateral on leafy or leafless stems, 10-20 cm long; racemes stout, pendulous, many-flowered. Flowers purplishyellow, or pinkish-purple, large, 58 cm across, scented; bracts oblong, acute, 1.5-2 cm long, many-nerved, pale brown; pedicelled ovary 3.5-4.5 cm long, curved; sepals subequal, ellipticoblong, spreading, ca 4 cm long, ca 1.5 cm broad; many-nerved, reticulate; lateral sepals joined with the foot forming a short obtuse mentum; petals suborbicular, broader than sepals, 3.54.5 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm broad; lip hemispheric, ca 3-4.5 cm long; margin incurved fimbriate pubescent all over; column short, stout, ca 4 mm long. Flowering: June-July Occurrence: Nongpoh, Jaintiapur Dendrobium hookerianum Lindl. Stems cylindric, 4070 (150) cm long, pendulous, narrower towards base, purplish, many-noded; internodes ca 4 cm long, covered with leaf-sheaths. Leaves many,

all along stem, oblonglanceolate, cuneately acuminate, 910 cm long, 2.5-3 cm broad, lower surface of young leaves purplish green. Inflorescence a raceme, leaf-opposed, drooping; peduncle short, sheathed; racemes 3-5 flowered. Flowers yellow, large, ca 6.5 cm across; bracts small, green, ca 3 mm long; pedicelled ovary 2.5-3 cm long, purplish green; sepals and petals sub-equal, ovate-oblong, acute, 7nerved, ca 4 cm long; lateral sepals joined with the foot forming a short obtuse mentum; petals elliptic, erose; lip yellow with 2 purple blotches on the disk,

shortly clawed, orbicular, ca 4 cm long, and reddish lines at base; margin deeply fimbriate; column short, stout, ca 3 mm long. Flowering: April-May Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Elephant falls, Mawphlang, Peak forest, Pynursla Dendrobium formosum Roxb. Stems erect or suberect, stout, cylindric, 20-40 cm long, many-noded internodes ca 2.5 cm long, grooved, sheathed; sheaths pubescent; hairs black, deciduous. Leaves broadly oblong, 7-12 cm long and 3.5-4 cm broad, subamplexicaul, 7-nerved, apex obliquely 2-lobed; young leaves pubescent on ventral side. Racemes short, terminal or subterminal, 3-4 cm long, stout, 3-5 flowered. Flowers white, large, drooping, ca 6 cm across; bracts lanceolate, acute, ca 8 mm long, coriaceous, pale brown, pubescent; pedicelled ovary stout, ca 4.5 cm long, white; sepals subequal, oblong lanceolate, acuminate, 5-nerved, 5-5.5 cm long and 1.5-2 cm broad, keeled; petals suborbicular, ca 5.5 cm long and ca 4.5 cm broad, many-nerved, margin undulated; lip white with a yellow patch from middle to the base, obvate, ca 6.5 cm long, obscurely 3-lobed; sidelobes short, round; midlobe dilated, retuse, many-nerved; disk pubescent; mentum 2.5 cm long, conical; column stout, ca 8 mm long, white.

Flowering: May-June Occurrence: Nongpoh, Nongstoin Dendrobium fimbriatum Hk.var. oculatum Hk. Stems cylindric, erect, grooved, close, 25-35 cm long, many-noded, manyleaved. Leaves sessile, lanceolate, 6-9 cm long, ca 2 cm broad, shortly acuminate, deciduous. Inflorescence 1-3 on leafy or leafless stems; peduncle short, sheathed; racemes pendulous, many-flowered. Flowers yellow, ca 4 cm across, slightly scented; pedicelled ovary ca 3 cm long, greenish-yellow; bracts small, ca 2 mm long, obtuse; sepals subequal, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5nerved, 2-2.3 cm long, ca 1.3 cm broad; lateral sepals joined with the foot of the column forming a short obtuse mentum; petals obovate, ca 2.2 cm long, ca 1.6 cm broad; apex round; margin erose; lip yellow with a deep purple blotch, clawed, orbicular, base infolded, ca 3 cm long, ca 2.2 cm broad; margin fimbriate; blotch in the middle; column short, stout, ca 4 mm long; opercolum oblong, white. Flowering: April-May Occurrence: Shillong, Wah Kammari Dendrobium chrysanthum Lindl. Stems pendulous, 30-60 cm long, green, new stems leafy all along, many-noded, old stems covered with tubular sheaths, internodes 2.5-3.5 cm long. Leaves sessile, lanceolate,10-15 cm long, 2-3.5 cm broad, sheathing deciduous. Flowers yellow, 2-4, on a short sheathed peduncle at nodes on leafy or leafless stems, ca 3.5 cm across; bracts very small, ca 2 mm long, membranous; pedicelled ovary 3-4.5 cm long, greenish-white; sepals subequal, broadly ovate, concave, ca 2 cm long, ca 1.2 cm broad, obtuse; lateral sepals joined at base forming a mentum; mentum short, broad, obtuse; petals ovate-

orbicular, concave, obtuse, ca 2 cm long, ca 1.8 cm broad at apex, lip yellow with 2 brownishpurple patches, shortly clawed, ca 2 cm long, orbicular, margins ciliate, disk pubescent; column short, stout, ca 6 mm long. Flowering: July-October Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Pynursla, Sohrarim Cymbidium iridioides D. Don Epiphytes. Pseudobulbs short, sheathed. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 30-50 cm long and 2-3 cm broad, midrib distinct, acuminate, base sheathing. Inflorescence lateral, stout, sub-erect, or arched; peduncle 10-15 cm long, sheathed; sheaths few, lanceolate, acuminate, inflated; racemes 1220 cm long, stout, green, many-flowered. Flowers lax, purplish-red, large, 8-10 cm across; bracts very small, ca 3 mm long, broad at base; pedicelled ovary stout, terete, ca 3 cm long; sepals and petals yellowishgreen with dark purple nerves, oblonglanceolate, shortly acuminate, ca 4.5 cm long; sepals ca 1.5 cm broad; petals ca 8 mm broad; lip sessile at the base of column, ca 3 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes erect, streaked with purple lines, ovate, acute, embracing the column; midlobe yellowishgreen with large purple blothes, large, orbicular or ovate, reflexed, ca 1.5 cm long, acute; margin undulate; disk 2-ridged, pubescent. Flowering: October-November Occurrence: Mawryngkneng, Barapani, Bhoilymbong Criptochilus sanguinea Wall.

Pseudobulbs ovoid, 2.5-3.5 cm long, 2.5-cm broad, rusty broad, rusty brown, sheathed, 1-2 leaved. Leaves lanceolate or linear-oblong, coriaceous, 10-18 cm long, 2.3-4.3 cm broad. Inflorescence erect, 12-20 cm long; peduncle stout, greenish-purple. Flowers red, close, pubescent, ca 1.2 cm long; bracts dull brownish, ca 2 cm long, acuminate, pubescent; sepals connate, ca 1.8 cm long, apex free acute; petals pinkish-yellow, oblong, ca 8 mm long, 3 mm broad, acute; lip pale yellow, adnate to the short foot of the column, incumbent, recurved, ca 1 cm long, apex retuse. Flowering: June Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Mawsmai forest, Dawki-Pynursla, Jowai-Jarain Coelogyne corymbosa Lindl. Pseudobulbs ovoid, obovoid, or sub-rhomboid, crowded on a stout rhizome, ca 2.5 cm high, sheathed, 2-leaved. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, 6-16 cm long, ca 2.5 cm broad, acute, sub-sessile. Inflorescence a raceme, from the base of pseudobulbs, erect or arched, as long as the leaves; peduncle sheathed at base; racemes few-flowered. Flowers white, scented, ca 5 cm across; bracts lanceolate, ca 2 cm long, acute, caducous; sepals and petals lanceolate, ca 3 cm long, ca 1 cm broad, acute, 5-nerved; lip white with 4 yellow eyes bordered with orange, sessile at the base of the column, ca 3 cm long, 3-lobed; sidelobes small, rounded; midlobe ovate, acute; disk 3-lamellate. Flowering: March-May Occurrence: Dympep, Mawphlang, Sohrarim
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Aerides multiflorum Roxb.

Stems semi-erect, short, stout, 10 -15 cm long, leafy towards apex. Leaves green, frequently flushed with pink, flat oblong, 10-20 cm ling, 2-3 cm broad, midrib distinct, channeled; apex unequally 2-lobed; base keeled. Inflorescence a raceme, axillary, 1-3 arched or dropping, longer than le aves; penduncle stout, terete, sheathed; sheaths 2-3, tubular; racemes dense, many flowered. Flowers pink, ca 4 cm across; bracts short; ca sepals and petals subequal, oblong, fleshy, ca 1.2 cm long, pink or sometimes dark pink spotted; lip adnate to the b ase of column, ca 1.5 cm long; midlobe ovate, acute, margins erose, base with a fleshy 2-lobed callus; spurred; spur short, conical, straight, ca 2 mm long. Flowering: May-June Occurrence: Bholaganj, Byrnihat, Dawki, Nongpoh, Umsning-Noonmati, Pynursla

Anthogonum gracile Lindl. Pseudobulbs underground, ca 7 mm across. Stems 2-5 cm long, sheathed; sheaths few, tubular. Leaves 15-25 cm long, ca 14 mm broad, nerves 5, distinct. Inflorescence 25-40 cm long, shorter or longer than the leaves. Flowers pale to dark pink, c a2 cm long; bracts ca 3 mm long, acuminate; pedicelled ovary ca 1.3 cm long, slender; sepals connate forming a long slender tube, almost twice as long the free ends; dorsal sepal oblong, obtuse, erect, ca 7 mm long; lateral sepals broad, revolute; petals pinkish-white, clawed, linear, falcate, ca 1.5 cm long, ca 1.2 cm wide, embracing the column. Flowering: August-September Occurrence: Cherrapunji, Mawmluh forest, Jarain, Laitlyngkot, Matem, Pynursla, Shillong, Elephant falls, Sohrarim
Forest

The State is basically an agricultural State. It has a total geographical area of 22,429 sq. kms. with a population of 17,74, 778 (as per the 1991 Census). The total estimated forest area of the State is 8,514 sq. kms. of which only 722.36 sq. kms. are dire ctly under the control of the State Forest Department. The remaining areas are managed by the respective District Councils of Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. Except the reserve d forest areas and protected forests in and around Shillong (being managed by the department in arrangement with the District Councils), the rest of the forest areas are subjected to th e primitive agricultural practice of shifting cultivation or slash and burn method especially in Garo Hills. However, there are few pockets of undisturbed natural forests still in existence, comprising about 1000 sq. kms. being protected by the tribals as 'Sacred Groves'. Essenti ally they are located in strategic watershades and still play an important role.

The State, however, contain areas of very beautiful scenery with evergreen forests and waterfalls as well as areas of unique floral and faunal varieties. The reserve forests are managed under prescriptions of the working plan prepared for such forests by the Working Plan Unit of the Department. The protected forests are managed for preservation of the catchment areas of water sources.

The forests, which are not reserved forests are managed by the respective Councils. Un der them, they have three kinds of forests, the old unclassed state forests which are directly under their control, the forests owned by the clans or communities and the private forests. For the and third categories, the District Councils have very little control except for collection of royalty when they export the timber outside their own area for trade. Forest administration came to these areas,now constituted into the State of Meghalaya, sometime in the 1870s. As per records available, the th first reserved forest to be notified was the Saipung Reserved Forest which was declared vide Notification No. 26 dated 25 July, 1876, and the last Reserve to be notified, after Meghalaya has come into being, is the Tura Peak Reserved Forest which was notified vide Notification No. rd FOR. 10/75/32 dated 23 June, 1982. Following is the list of existing reserved forests and the date of their Notification alongwith the present area. Status of forest cover of Meghalaya Total area: 22,429sq. km

District
East Khasi Hills West Khasi Hills Jaintia Hills West Garo Hills South Garo Hills East Garo Hills Ri Bhoi

Area
2748 sq. km 5247 sq. km 3819 sq. km 3714 sq. km 1850 sq. km 2603 sq. km 2448 sq. km

Forest
35.34% 53.52% 46.13% 54.45% 64.11% 58.38% 50.24%

Forest type and density The forests of Meghalaya can broadly be grouped under the tropical type and the temperate type, mainly based on the altitude, rainfall and dominant species composition. Tropical Forests These forests are met within areas upto an elevation of 1200m and with an average rainfall of about 100 -250cm. There are numerous subtypes within this category such as evergreen, semi -evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forest, etc. Tropical evergreen forests These forests usually occur in high rainfall areas as well as near catchment areas. They seldom form continuous belts due to various exogenous factors. But still, they harbour very rich species divers ity, where nature is at its extravaganza forming a closed evergreen canopy. The trees exhibit clear zonation with dense and impenetrable herbaceous undergrowth. Tropical semi-evergreen forests This category of forests occupies the north -eastern and northern slopes of the State, typically upto elevations of 1200m, where annual rainfall is 150-200cm with a comparatively cooler winter. The numbers of species here are fewer than the evergreen zone. There are also a few species in these forests which are deciduous in nature, such as Careya arborea, Dillenia pentagyna and Callicarpa arborea. Ag ain there is a clear stratification of the trees in these forests.

Tropical moist and dry deciduous forests This type of forests occurs where annual rainfall is below 150cm and at comparatively low elevations. Typical natural deciduou s forests do not occur anywhere in Meghalaya but are only subclimax or man -made forests. These forests are characterised by seasona l leaf shedding and profuse flowering of the trees. Recurrent forest fires are a common phenomenon here. Deciduous forests are much more extensiv e in their distribution in the State and include a host of economically important trees like Shorea robusta, Te ctona grandis, Terminalia myriocarpa, Sterculia villosa, Logerstroemia flos-reginae, L. Porviflora, Morus laevigatus, Artocarpus chaplasha, and Gmelina arborea both as natural and as plantations. Schima wallichii, Artocarpus gameziana, Tetrameles mudiflora, Lannea coromandelica, Salmalia malabarica Erythrina stricta, Premna milliflora, Vitex peduncularis, Albizia lebbeck. Lucida, Terminalia bellirica etc is also in abundance. These trees of the deciduous canopy are always lofty and straight bole and with sp reading crown. Grass and Savannas Grasslands of Meghalaya are also not a climax type but are only as a result of removal of original forest cover. The rolling grasslands covering large areas can be seen throughout the Shillong plateau, around Riangdo, Ranikor, Weiloi, Mawphlang, Mawsynram, Cherrapunji, Shillong, Jowai, Jarain, and Sutnga in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and major parts of west Garo Hills. Temperate Forests The temperate forests occupy the higher elevations about 1000m, mostly along the south ern slope of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. The rainfall here is very high 200-500cm with a severe winter during November to March. Ground frost is also common during December to January. Sacred Groves

The scared groves of Meghalaya largely fall under the tem perate type and are the relic type evolved through millions of years. These are rich storehouse of vegetation wealth incomparable to any other type of forests in the State. These isolated pockets are untouched due to the religious beliefs and myths attribu ted to them. Many of the endangered species of the State are presently confined to these pockets only. Fagacaea members dominate over others in these sacred forests. Epiphytic flora is quite abundant and again dominated over by ferns and orchids.

Khasi pine
It is a tree reac ing up to 30-35 m tall wit straig t, cylindrical trunk. T e bark is t ick, dark brown, wit deep longitudinal fissures. T e branc es are robust, red brown from t e second year, t e branc lets orizontal to drooping. T e leaves are needle-like, dark green, usually 3 per fascicle, 1520 cm long, t e fascicle s eat 1-2 cm long and persistent. T e cones are ovoid, 5-9 cm long, often curved downwards, sometimes slig tly distorted; t e scales of second-year cones are dense, t e umbo a little convex, sometimes acutely spinous. T e scales ave transverse and longitudinal ridges across t e middle of t e scale surface. T e seeds are winged, 6-7 mm long wit a 1.5-2.5 cm wing. Pollination is in mid spring, wit t e cones maturing 18-20 mont s after.

Khasi Pine