DIVERSITY OF ENDEMIC SUCCULENT PLANTS OF NILGIRIS, SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

The present study was done for the assessment of endemic succulent plant wealth of Nilgiris. The survey was conducted during 2017 - 2020. The survey in different localities of Nilgiris resulted in identifying a total of 48 succulent flowering plants belonging to 15 families and 27 genera. Among the different families Orchidaceae was leading by 35.4% (17 Spp.) of total endemic plant species followed by Balsaminaceae by 27 % (13 Spp.). Five endangered species explored in the genus are Impatiens neobarnesii C. E. C. Fisch., Impatiens pendula Heyne ex Wight & Arn., Impatiens nilagirica C.E.C.Fisch., Conchidium nanum (A.Rich.) Brieger and Gloriosa superba L. It is concluded that there are no previous reports on the endemic succulent flora in the Southern Western Ghats of Nilgiris, India. Hence, the locality should be further analysed to design conservation measures for the management of these endemic species with environmental quality.