Flora in Ranthambore National Park
Famous for its wildlife population, especially tigers, the Ranthambore National Park is also rich in flora.
As the park has six man made lakes and many perennial streams, there is a plenty of water available to support a variety of flora and fauna in the Ranthambore National Park. According to estimates, there are around 300 plant species in the Ranthambore National Park. Due to its proximity to the Thar, the region receives very scanty rainfalls and so the vegetation in the park mainly comprises of the dry deciduous type.
The most noticeable tree in the Ranthambore National Park is the 'Dhok' (Anogeissus pendula). The leaves of the Dhok trees form a favorite diet for the Deer, Nilgai and Antelope. Another most prominent trees in the park are the Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) and Pipal. The largest Banyan tree of India stands just behind the Jogi Mahal, the hunting lodge in Ranthambore national Park.
The Neem tree, which is universally known for its medicinal properties, grows abundantly in the Ranthambore National Park.
Among the fruit trees found in the Ranthambore National Park, the most prominent include the Mango (Magnifera indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini) also known as the Indian blackberry, Ber (Zizyphus mauritania), and Tamarind (Tamarindicus indica- popularly called Imli) known for its pulpy fruit used in the preparation of pickles. In addition, there are many trees such as palas (Butea monosperma, the flame of the forest), which sets the forest alight with the bright orange red color, offering a spectacular sight to park's visitors
Other important flora in the Ranthambore National Park include the Babul (Accasia nilotica), Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica), Gum (Sterculia urens), Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Khair (Accacia catechu), Kakera (Flacourtia indica), Karel (Capparis decidua), Khimi (Manilkara hexandra), Kikar (Acacia nilotica), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Kulu (Sterculia urens), Ronj (Acacia leucophloea), Salar (Boswellia serrata) and Tendu (Diospyrous melanoxylon). The aquatic flora in the Ranthambore National Park includes a variety of lovely flowers such as lotus and water lilies.
The prominent trees seen in Ranthambore National Park are:
1. Indian Name Botanical Name
2. Aam Mangifera Indica
3. Babul Acacia Nilotica
4. Banyan Ficus Benghalensis
5. Ber Zizyphus Mauritania
6. Dhak or Chila Butea Monosperma
7. Dhok Anogeissus pendula
8. Imli Tamarindicus Indica
9. Jamun Syzygium Cumini
10. Kadam Anthocephalus Cadamba
11. Khajur Phoenix Sylvestris
12. Khair Acacia Catechu
13. Karel Capparis Decidua
14. Khejda Prosopis Specigera
15. Kakera Flacourtia Indica
16. Mohua Madhuca Indica
17. Neem Azadirachta Indica
18. Pipal Ficus Religiosa
19. Khus Grass Vetivaria Zizznioides
20. Karaya Gum Tree Sterculia Urens
21. Tendu Diospyros Melanoxylon