An updated checklist of vascular epiphytes in the Darjeeling Himalaya, India

Abstract

The Darjeeling Himalaya, located in eastern part of the Himalaya biodiversity hotspot in India, is known for its diverse vegetation. The varying climatic conditions along the elevational gradient provide suitable habitats for supporting a rich flora in the region. We provide an updated checklist of vascular epiphytes in Darjeeling Himalaya. A total of 239 vascular epiphyte species belonging to 93 genera and 38 families have been recorded from the region, which include holoepiphytes, hemiepiphytes, facultative and accidental epiphytes. Orchidaceae was the largest family with 70 species, followed by Polypodiaceae comprising 42 species. We make available base-line biodiversity information on vascular epiphytes of the study area and provide details on taxonomic diversity and distribution in terms of vegetation types and along the elevational gradient. We also provide photographs to facilitate field identification.