Orchid species diversity of Darjeeling Himalaya of India

Abstract

Present paper deals with the diversity of Orchid species in Darjeeling Himalaya of India. A total of 311 Orchids species under 85 genera have been recorded from the region. Of them, 17 species with 6 genera are semi saprophytic, 77 species with 29 genera are terrestrial and the rest 217 species with 52 genera are epiphytic. 42 species found in the regions are medicinally important. This attempt is the first step to correct taxonomic identification to workout currently accepted botanical names, habitat, altitudinal ranges, phenology and locality of Orchid species occurring in Darjeeling Himalaya of India.