Occurrence and floral details of four new invasive alien species in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The present paper deals with the communication of four new species which are addition to the old reported species out of these 91 species which were studied. Four new invasive alien species (IAS) are Acmella radicans (Jacq. R.K. Jansen), Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Euphorbia cyathophora Murray and Senna alata (L.) Roxb. was recorded as new elements in IAS flora of Uttarakhand. The study is conducted during 2011- 2015 to compile a comprehensive list of Invasive alien species. A total of 91 Invasive Alien Species were collected from the different areas of Pantnagar. These 91 IAS belonged to 70 genera under 30 families. Dicotyledons were representing by 82 species belonging to 63 genera under 25 families, whereas monocotyledons were represented by 9 species belonging to 7 genera under 5 families. The taxonomic analysis of IAS revealed dominance of Asteraceae with 16 species in 14 genera followed by Amaranthaceae with 10 species in 7 genera, Fabaceae with 8 species in 6 genera, Malvaceae with 7 species in 6 genera, Convovlvulaceae with 7 species in 3 genera, Solanace-ae with 6 species in 4 genera, Poaceae with 4 species in 3 genera and Euphorbiaceae with 4 species in 2 genera. Results of this study clearly indicate presence of 52.60% of IAS flora of India and 55.82% of IAS flora Uttarakhand in such a small area of Pantnagar. Eradication of these species is impractical and costly; however, their population needs regular monitoring and any new introduction need eradication as early as possible.