FLORISTIC SURVEY OF THE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE CAMPUS, MUMBAI,

 MAHARASHTRA STATE.

T. SRINIVASU AND SATISH  PARDESHI 

Department of Botany, Institute of Science, 15, Madame Cama Road, Fort, Mumbai-32.

            The floristic survey of the Institute of Science, Mumbai was done as a part of ‘electronic herbarium and digitaldatabase preparation of Mumbai’. It consists of 73 trees, 54 shrubs, 87 herbs, 19 climbers and 1 liana belongs to various families of Angiosperms, Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes. There are many useful plants growing under different conditions have been revealed herein.

The Institute of science is located in the fort area of south Mumbai, is one of the oldest institutions in Mumbai for science. Formerly, it was known as the Royal Institute of Science. It lies geographically between 19^o L and 72^o 50’ L. The Botanical garden of Institute of Science occupies 0.2 hectares of land with rich flora and some plants are the sole representatives for entire Mumbai. The campus has some Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes too. The entire flora of institute of Science Botanical garden is not reported earlier either in ‘Flora of Maharashtra’ or ‘Flora of Maharashtra state’, which was published recently. This Institute has its own herbarium house contain many holotype species and is the one of the oldest herbaria in India, dates back to 1884. A detail study of the flora of the institute was carried out from April 2003 to April 2005 for preparation of electronic herbarium and digital database of Mumbai. The National Accreditation and Assessment Committee (2002), Bangalore has declared the Institute of Science botanical garden is well maintained one. The list of plants found in the campus is given below along with its family, habit, common names, and its socio-economic uses.

The plants of the campus were surveyed in different seasons during 2003-2005.  The plants images were taken and samples were correctly identified by usual taxonomic methods and species names were tallied with plant names given in the International plant list available in the website. The data was fed in the DELTA software package and later on bio-information was retrieved from it.

The floristic survey of the Institute of Science, Mumbai reveals the information that it consists of 73 trees, 54 shrubs, 87 herbs, 19 climbers and 1 liana  belongs to various families of Angiosperms, Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes. There are many socio-economical valuable plants growing in the campus.  Those are 77 ornamental; 60 medicinal; 4 both ornamental and medicinal; 16 edible fruit yielding; 5 spice and condiments; 4 fodder yielding, 3 timber yielding 3 vegetable plants;1 leafy vegetable; 1 oil yielding;  3 cosmetic plants, 2 bamboos; 1 fire-wood yielding plant; 1 fragrant flowered; 1 camphor, 2 cotton, 1 dye yielding plant & 5 aquatic weeds.

Out of these, 2 plants are rare and 2 are endangered.

• T – Tree; S- Shrub; H- Herb; C- Climbers; L- Liana.
• Cultivated

           2. ELECTRONIC HERBARIUM & DATABASE OF PLANTS OF MUMBAI - AT GLANCE

                                                             (under development)

From ancient times, man has been expressing his interest on flowers and plants for various reasons. One of the most interesting and pleasing facets of modern times is the increasing concern of ecotourism to see and engulf the original aesthetic beauty of flora and fauna of particular area.  Further, there is a growing awareness about existing wild and of course rare and threatened plant and animal species due to various environmental changes and other reasons.

Herbarium serves as vital link for various disciplines of biology not only to provide information about plants from the preserved specimens but also to give insight the changes occurred in the existing plant biodiversity with past ones from time to time. However, there are several disadvantages, which we feel while dealing with preserved specimens in identification. Those are common problems such as pests and insects attack as well as bio-degradation of specimen, physical damage due to improper handling of specimen, fading of colors, space problem, missing of main identification key characters in specimens, high maintenance cost, availability of plant information pertaining to herbarium specimen restricted to that centre (not freely accessible from anywhere). In addition to them, it needs regular replacement of damaged specimens which is a load on nature (wastage of living material, in case of rare and endangered specimens), needs fumigation which leads to pollution and health problems, relay on field note books for information such as habit, habitat etc., problems related to preservation of large plant parts such as fruits (in cucurbits), culms (in bamboos) etc. With the advent of computers, digital cameras, these problems can be overcome easily and can make herbarium more eco-friendly, attractive and colorful as well as much more informative.  

In general, herbarium is a store house of plants specimens collected from far and wide, dried on blotting paper for a fortnight or so, treated with anti-fungal, anti-insect and antibacterial agents and mounted as well as labeled on standard size sheets, arranged according to some known system of classification and kept in pigeon holes of steel or wooden cupboards (Jain and Rao, 1977). The steps involved in the preparation of herbarium are 1) collection of different plant specimens by various methods; 2) pressing and drying of specimens; 3) preservation of specimens by poisons, fumigants etc.; 4) mounting of specimens by gluing or pasting or strapping or stitching methods; 5) labeling sheets on right lower corner, giving some details of the plant; 6) filling in pigeon steel cupboards and 7) preparation of accession (Jain and Rao, 1977).

                Electronic herbarium may be defined as “virtual images of plant specimens in digital format” (Srinivasu, 2003). This can be done by taking digital photos of plants in their habit and are processed in the computer. The digital database of the plants was developed by selecting a number of (more than two hundred) variable characters with the help of software ‘DELTA’ package.

                ‘The Flora of Presidency of Bombay’ was studied a century ago by Cooke (1903); and later on ‘The Bombay flora, Bombay’ by Dalzell and Gibson (1961). In recent times, the entire Mumbai flora was not studied in detail after industrialization and mega-metropolitan city formation. Further, there is a lot of demand for database of plants all over the world especially from bio-diversity rich countries like India, china, Brazil as there are a number of economically and medicinally important plants available, which are untapped till now. Hence, it was thought to undertake the present floristic biodiversity study and to digitalize the existing plants to fulfill the needs of various walks of life.

The electronic herbarium and digital database of plants of Mumbai (±1% area of Maharashtra) which now contains 950 dicots and 150 monocots (3025 species are recorded for entire Maharashtra) belonging to 142 families (187 families reported for State Maharashtra) with plant description in detail, family, botanical names (ICBN) and their synonyms, common and vernacular names, distribution in Mumbai, present status of the plants in nature, socio-economic (including medicinal) value of these plants and digital photographs.

Mumbai is located in the state of Maharashtra on west coast of India just south of the tropic of Cancer. It lies geographically between 19^o  L and 79^o L.  It is the largest in India and sixth populous metropolitan city in the world. The name was officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995. Mumbai is also the economic capital of India today. Major industries are chemicals, textiles, information technology and fisheries. India's film industry (Bollywood) has a strong presence in Mumbai.

Mumbai spreads over 438 km² in area and is a linear city along the coast of the Arabian Sea. The coast length is 140 km. The city is also known as the Island City as it is situated on an island - Salcette Island. The city has a warm and humid climate throughout the year and an average temperature of 32⁰ C during day and 25 ⁰ C during night. Mumbai is located at sea level. Some parts of the city are a few meters below sea level. The highest point in the city is about 450 m in the Powai - Kanheri ranges.

The city being adjacent to water, the temperature variation of this island is not as drastic as those of inland. Mumbai enjoys its monsoon showers from June to September with the annual rainfall being 216 cm (180-240 cm). Light fog is seen in the northern reaches of the city in December- January every year. The temperatures recorded in (max/min): Jan: 26/13⁰ C May: 35/28 ⁰C July: 30/26⁰ C and Oct: 38/23⁰ C.

 The most efficient transport system is local trains, which runs over 87 km connecting the Mumbai city. In the world, it is the only city to accommodate a National Park within city limits. It has 4 forts such as   Sewre, Bandra, Mahim & Worli plus ruminants of the old fort in South Bombay. It has 3 rivers. Those are Mithi (Mahim), Dahisar, and Oshiwara. It has 3 lakes namely Tulsi, Powai, Vihar. 

The Sanjay Gandhi or Borivali National Park has the distinction of being the only National Park in Mumbai. It is notified in 1974 as National park. It is set in hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali in Mumbai. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located in Borivali (east), at a distance of 40 km north from Mumbai. The park extends from the latitude 190°21' in the North to the longitude 720°58' in the East.  It plays host to various wildlife species like the panther, antelope, mouse deer and wild bear along with natural vegetation. In the Lion Safari Park, visitors can view lions as close as six feet away, from the special park vehicles. The park is a paradise for the lovers of flora and fauna and it is difficult for them not to be attracted by their charm here in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

The forest cover in the park can be divided into two main categories i.e. South Indian moist deciduous and Semi Evergreen. These two types can be further classified into four subcategories and they are moist teak-bearing forest, mangrove scrub, southern moist mixed deciduous forest, and western subtropical hill forest. The region has good biodiversity. During the monsoon, almost the entire park is awash with the rainbow hues of the flowers that bloom here and all over the Western Ghats. Kanheri caves are situated in the heart of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and are one of the better-known places in Mumbai.

Asia's largest slum, Maharashtra Nature Park comes across as a breath of fresh air, situated near Dharavi. The Victoria Gardens, popularly called Ranee Baug are now rechristened as ‘Jijamata Udyan’.  They are botanical gardens, sprawled over 48 acres and contain some of the oldest trees in the city, some dating back two hundred years.

The following areas of Mumbai with rich biodiversity were visited for the collections of plant specimens after taking digital images of them in their natural habit in all seasons. Those are Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali; Jijamata Udyan, Byculla; Maharashtra Nature Park, Mahim; Western Railway tracks (Churchgate to Dahisar); Central Railway tracks (CST to Mulund) and Harbour line (up to Mankhurd); Parsi Colony, Dadar; I. C. Colony, Borivali; Mahakali Caves, Andheri; Jogeshwari Caves, Jogeshwari; Kanheri Caves, Caves near I .C colony at Borivali; Sion Hill, Sion; Kurla Hill, Kurla; Hills at Powai; Amboli hill; Aarey Colony and Observation Park, Goregaon; Five Gardens, Matunga;  Wadala Garden; Mithi river, Dahisar; Creeks at  Bangurnagar, Gorai, Dahisar, Andheri-Lokhandwala, Bandra, Ghatkopar, Godreg, Charkop, Mankhurd, Navy nagar; Juhu Beach, Versova, Manori and Marvey Beach, Bandstand; Powai Lake; Sion Lake; Ponds at Bhawan’s College Campus, Andheri; marshy places at Four bungalows, Andheri; Bandra, Santacruz, Juhu, Aarey colony, Kalina university campus; Mud island; Road sides, Government and Private building premises. 

           Plants belonging to 146 families have been collected, identified and systematically listed and described along with digital images in the Electronic herbarium.  The following table shows the statistics of plants collected:

Grand total: 1050 plants  

List of Threatened Plants: 12 species.

Endangered: Crotalaria filipes.

Vulnerable:  Alysicarpus belgaumensi; C. inodora.

Lower risk:  Achyranthes coynei; Commelina hasskarlii; C paleata; Cynospermum      asperrimum; Haplanthodes tentaculata; H. verticillatus; Neanotis carnosa; Typhonium bulbiferum; Gloriosa superba

List of Endemic Plants: (33 species) Canscora diffusa var. diffusa (Vahl.)     ; Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.); Ficus Talboti King; Lindernia parviflora (Roxb.) Haines {Endemic to Asia}; Lindenbergia muraria (Roxb. ex D. Don) Brush; Lindernia crustacean (Linn.) Mueller. ( Endemic to Asia); Lindernia antipoda (Linn.) (Endemic to Asia); Limnophila dubia (L.); Pavetta indica L.; Neolamarkia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser; Morinda pubescence Sn.; Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth.; Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsd.; Alysicarpus vaginalis DC. var. stocksii; Jasminum auriculatum  Vahl.; Nymphoides hydrophylla (Lour.) O. Kuntze.; Hibiscus talbotti (Rakshit.) (Endemic to Maharashtra); Xenostegia tridentata (Linn.) Austin and Staples; Merremia vitifolia (Burm. f.) Hall.; Merremia gangetica (L.) Cufod.; Ipomoea marginata (Desr.) H. Mantz.; Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.)     ; Tricholepis glaberrima DC.; Phyllocephalum scabridum (DC.); Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schult.; Wrightia tinctoria  R. Br. ssp. tinctoria; Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mabb. (Endemic to Asia); Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Bth. ex Kurz. (Endemic to Asia); Holarrhena pubescens (Buch-Ham.) Wall. ex Don (Endemic to Asia); Cerbera manghas L.;(Endemic to India & Lakshwadweep); Achyranthes coynei Sant. (Endemic to Maharashtra); Haplanthodes verticillatus (Roxb.).

The following are NEW RECORDS to Mumbai city and are: 17 Species. Barleria lawii T. And; Haplanthodes verticillatus (Roxb.); Achyranthes coynei Sant.; Amaranthus caturus Heyne ex Hook. f.; Spilanthes clava DC.; Xenostegia filiformis (Thunb.) Almeida; Euphorbia coccinea Roth. Urena labota L. var. lappago (Sm.) Comb. nov.; Neptunia triquetra Benth.; Alysicarpus vaginalis DC. var. stocksii.; Crotalaria nana Burm.; Mucuna minima Haines; Lindenbergia muraria (Roxb. ex D. Don) Bruehl.; Physalis longifolia Nutt.; Oxalis dehradunensis Raiz.; Cistanche tubulosa (Schrenk) Wight.; Spigelia anthelimia  L.

The list of plants recorded currently in the Mumbai is as follows: 

1. Clematis flammula L.  -- Ranunculaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-May.

Economic importance: Strongly fragrant flower, hence, it is cultivated in gardens.

 2. Delphenium ajacis L. – Ranunculaceae

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Goregaon.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-March.

Economic importance: Cultivated in gardens, used as fillers in Flower bouquet

3. Delphenium elatum L. – Ranunculaceae

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Goregaon, Sagar Upwan, Coloba.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-March.

Economic importance: It is cultivated in gardens, used as fillers in Flower bouquet

4. Dillenia indica L. -- Dilleniaceae.

Located: Vile-Parle

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental and infrequent.

Flowering & fruiting period: May-July.

Common name: Mota-karmal.

Marathi: Mota-karmal.

Hindi: Mota chalta.

Economic importance: Medicinal & the wood is used for gun-stocks & charcoal.

5. Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. -- Dilleniaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, Goregaon.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-August.

Common name: Mota-karmal.

Marathi: Karmal, Sua, Kalla, Karanbidi, Karval.

Hindi: Mota chalta.

Economic importance: Leaves used for roof making.

 6. Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Hook. f. & Thoms. -- Dilleniaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: December-January & April-June.

Economic importance: Ornamental.

7. Magnolia grandiflora L. -- Magnoliaceae.

Located: Sagar Upwan, Colaba.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-April.

Marathi: Kavathi -champa.

Economic importance: Cultivated for its large fragrant flowers.

8. Magnolia pumila Andrews -- Magnoliaceae.

Located: Institute of Science

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-April.

Marathi: Kauthi -champa.

Hindi: Kauthi -champa

Economic importance: Cultivated for its large fragrant flowers.

9. Michelia champaca L. -- Magnoliaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Institute of Science, Goregaon, Andheri, Dahisar.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: April-September.

Common name: Golden yellow champak.

Marathi: Sonchampa, Pivla champa, Kud champa.

Hindi: Champa.

Economic importance: Medicinal & cultivated for flowers to use in religious ceremony, decorating ladies hair.        

10. Michelia champaca var. alba -- Magnoliaceae.

Located: Bhawan's college nursery & campus, Andheri.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: February-March.

Hindi: Safed champa.

Economic importance: Cultivated for its strongly fragrant white flowers which are offered to gods.

11. Annona reticulata L.  -- Annonaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, road sides, Institute of Science, Marine Lines, Dadar,  

                 Vikhroli, Andheri, Vile-Parle, Fort, Churchgate, Bhawan’s college nursery & campus, Andheri, Charni

                  road,  Grant road.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-October.

Common name: Bullock's heart.

Marathi: Ramphal.

Hindi: Ramphal.

Economic importance: Medicinal plant & fruit is edible.

 12. Annona squamosa L. -- Annonaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park and its vicinities, Maharashtra Nature Park and its vicinities,

                 Byculla, Central railway track sides, road sides, Institute of Science.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: June-August.

Common name: Custard apple.

Marathi & Hindi: Sita phal.

Economic importance: Medicinal plant & fruit is edible.

13. Cananga odorata (Lamk.) Hook. & Thorn. -- Annonaceae.

Located: Maharashtra Nature Park, Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Ornamental. 

Flowering & fruiting period: March-August.

Common name: Ylang-Ylang tree.

Economic importance: Medicinal & grown in gardens for its fragrant flowers.

14. Artabotrys hexapetalous (L. f.) Bhandari -- Annonaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Institute of Science, Borivali, TIFR.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-August.

Common name: Green champa.

Marathi: Hirva champa.

Hindi: Hara champa.

Economic importance: Medicinal & oil from flower is used in herbal cosmetic.

15. Milliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) Sinclair -- Annonaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: February-May.

Common name: Humb.

Marathi: Thoska.

Hindi: Minmara, Hoom.

Economic importance: fruit eaten by natives.

16. Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.)Thw. -- Annonaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental (Avenue) tree.

Flowering & fruiting period:  March-June.

Common names: False Ashoka, Mast tree Asopalav.

Marathi: Asok, debdari.

Economic importance: Planted in gardens, building compounds as avenue tree, leaves used for decorative

                                        purpose on auspicious occasions, straight long stem used for ship-mast.

Horticultural varieties: Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula.

17. Cissampelos pareira L. -- Menispermaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra Nature Park, Central railway track sides, Andheri,  

                Bandra, University campus, Kalina, Gorai creek, Malabar hill (Raj Bhavan).

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-September.

Marathi: Pahadvel, Pahad-mul.

Hindi: Bhatvel, Kurupahad.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

18. Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob. -- Menispermaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra Nature Park, Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan,

               Byculla, Central railway track sides, Western railway track sides, Parel,   Dadar, Mahakali caves, 

               Andheri, Jogeshwari (W).

Status of plant in nature: Wild and common.

Flowering & fruiting period: December-February.

Marathi: Vasan-vel.

Hindi: Para-vel, Karrom, Jaljamni.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

19. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Meirs ex Hook. f. Thoms. -- Menispermaceae.

Located:  Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Ismail Yusuf College, Jogeshwari, Mud-island, Gorai creek.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and common.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-February, April-May and June-August.

Marathi: Gul vel, Giroti.

Hindi: Amrut-vel.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

20. Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. var. cyanea (Hook. f. Thoms) Almeida -- Nympheaceae.

Located: Powai lake.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-October, throughout year at some places.

Common name: Lotus.

Marathi: Upila-kamal.

Hindi: Kamal.

Economic importance: Medicinal as well as ornamental; rhizomes, petioles, peduncles and seeds are eaten.

21. Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex. Salisb. -- Nympheaceae.

 Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Powai lake, Marve &  Manori island, 

                  Malad, Goregaon, Andheri, Mulund, Vihar lake, Bhawan’s college nursery &   campus, Andheri.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and ornamental in Ponds and lakes.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common names: Water lily, Egyptian lotus.

Marathi: Kumud, Saluk.

Hindi: Kamal.

Economic importance: Grown in ponds for its large & beautiful flowers.

22. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. -- Nelumbonaceae.

Located: Powai lake.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and aquatic weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: May-October.

Common name: Sacred lotus.

Marathi: Kamal.

Hindi: Padma.

Economic importance: Medicinal and ornamental; flowers used in religious ceremonies, seeds used as tonic.

23. Argemone mexicana L. -- Papaveraceae.    

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common names: Mexican prickly poppy, yellow thistle.

Marathi: Pivala-dhotara.

Hindi: Kate dhotra.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

24. Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. -- Brassicaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common names: Brown and Indian mustard.

Marathi: Rai.

Hindi:  Rai, Mohari, Sarson.

Economic importance: Medicinal and oil yielding crop.

25. Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus.  -- Brassicaceae.

Located: Central railway track sides, Kurla, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: November-April.

Common name: Radish.

Marathi: Mula, Mulangi.

Hindi: Muli.

Economic importance: Medicinal & also grown as vegetable crop.

26. Rorippa indica (L.) -- Brassicaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: October - November.

27. Sisymbrium irio L. -- Brassicaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: February-March.

28. Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce -- Capparaceae.

Located:  Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mud-island, Gorai creek.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: December-May.

Marathi: Kali takali, Kalasakal.

Hindi: Kalitaka, Habab.

29. Capparis sepiaria L. -- Capparaceae.

Located:  Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Malabar hill (Raj Bhavan)

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: February-May.

Marathi: Kanthtara, Pachra, Pachuda.

Hindi: Kanther.

30. Capparis zeylanica L. -- Capparaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mud-island, Gorai creek.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: November-January.

Marathi: Tarati, Wagoti, Wag, Govindi.

Hindi: Govindphal.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

31. Crateva adansonii ssp. odora (Buch. -Ham.) Jacobs -- Capparaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Bhawan's college nursery & campus, Andheri.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: November-December.

Common names: The sacred barna, Caper, Holy garter pear gartic pear, Three leaves caper.

Marathi: Vai-varna, Wairoda.

Hindi: Nirvala.

Economic importance: Medicinal and sacred plant

32. Cleome gynandra L. -- Cleomaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-November.

Marathi: Pandri tilwan.           

Economic importance: Medicinal.

33. Cleome rutidosperma DC. -- Cleomaceae.

Located: Byculla, Central, Western and Harbour railway track sides, road sides, Institute of Science, 

                Malad, Goregaon, Borivali, Matunga, Sion, Kurla.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period:  August-September.

34. Cleome viscosa L. -- Cleomaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-December.

Common names: Wild mustard, sticky cleome.

Marathi: Kaanaphodi.

Hindi: Hurhur, Piwali tilwan.

Economic importance:  Medicinal.

35. Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F.V. Meull. -- Violaceae.

Located: Western railway track sides, Parel, Dadar.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-November.

Marathi: Ratan-Paras.           

Hindi: Ratan-Paras

Economic importance: Medicinal.

36. Casearia graveolens Dalz. -- Flacourtiaceae.

Located:  Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: February-July.

Marathi: Pandhri-Karai, Bokhanda.

Hindi: Kirmira, Rivil.

37. Casearia elliptica Willd.  -- Flacourtiaceae.

Located:  Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Goregaon, Dadar Parsi Colony.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-May.

Marathi: Chari, Bheri, Modi, Modgi Tordi, Kesa, Kali-Karal.

Hindi: Chilla.

38. Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merrill. -- Flacourtiaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-July.

Marathi: Tambat, Paker, Bhekal, Gurgati, Girgot.

Hindi: Panavla.

39. Bixa orellana L. -- Bixaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Institute of Science, Ismail Yusuf College, Jogeshwari.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-December.

Common names: Saffron tree, Annatto.

Marathi: Shendri, Sinduri, Gowpurgee, Japhar, Latkan.

Hindi: Kesri.

Economic importance: Ornamental and medicinal.

40. Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston. -- Cochlospermaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Goregaon.

Status of plant in nature: Ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: December-February.

Marathi: Chaor, Ganeri.

Hindi: Gogal.

Economic importance: Ornamental-cultivated for its large bright coloured flowers.

41. Polycarpon prostratum (Forsk.) Asch. Sweinf. -- Caryophyllaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Gorai Island.

Status of plant in nature: Wild, common around dried areas of lakes and river beds.

Flowering & fruiting period: May-June.

42. Portulaca grandiflora (Hook.) Geesink. -- Portulacaceae.

 Located: TIFR, Institute of Science, Bhawan’s college Nursery, Andheri.

 Status of plant in nature: Commonly Cultivated ornamental.

43. Portulaca oleracea L. -- Portulacaceae.

Located: Gorai creek, Bhandup, Andheri, Dadar, Borivali.

Status of plant in nature: Common weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: February-April.

44. Portulaca oleracea var. sativa L. -- Portulacaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-September.

Common name: Rose Moss.

45. Portulaca meridiana L. -- Portulacaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Western railway track sides, Institute of Science, Dadar.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: October-May.

46. Clusia rosea Jacq. -- Cluciaceae. 

Located: Malabar hill, Bhawan’s College Nursery, Andheri.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-September.

Common name: Balsam tree.

Economic importance: Grown in gardens as ornamental plant.

47. Calophyllum inophyllum L. – Cluciaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Malabar hill, Institute of Science.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-March.

Common name: Alexandrian Laurel.

Marathi: Undi.

Hindi: Sultan champa.

Economic importance: The timber is used for railway sleepers and ship building. Domda -oil and

                                        Lamp oil is extracted from seeds and it also has medicinal importance.

48.Garcinia indica (Du Petit- Thou.) Choiss -- Cluciaceae.

Located: Bhawan's college nursery, Andheri, Dadar Parsi Colony.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-March.

Common name: Butter tree.

Marathi: Kokam, Amsol, Bhinda, Bhirand, Katambi.

Hindi: Kokam, Ratamba, Bhiran, Bhinda.

Economic importance: The ripe fruit is edible & used for making syrups; the seeds yield an oil or butter   

                                        (Kokum ghee) -- used for healing chaps on the body.

49. Garcinia livingstonei T. Anderson. -- Annonaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-May.

50. Garcinia xanthochymus Hook. f. ex Anders -- Cluciaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: November-August.

Economic importance: Grown in gardens, Fruit edible.

51. Mesua ferrea L. -- Cluciaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-November.

Common names: Ceylon iron wood, Mesua.

Marathi: Nag-champa, Thorla champa.

Hindi: Nag-champa, Nag-keshar.

Economic importance: Medicinal & planted near temples and gardens for flowers. It yields strong perfume, fruit is edible.

52. Althea rosea (L.) Cav.  -- Malvaceae.

Located: Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla, Western railway track sides, Byculla, Bombay central.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-April.

Common name: Common Hollyhock.

Economic importance: Cultivated in gardens as ornamental for its large showy flowers.

53. Abelmoschus moschatus Medicus. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park and its vicinities, Maharashtra Nature Park and its vicinities, Byculla, 

             Central, Western and Harbour railway track sides, Mazgaon, Mulund.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Marathi: Kasturi bhendi.

Hindi: Jangli bhendi.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

54. Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic. Ssp. tetraphyllus (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Borss. var. pungens (Roxb.) Borssum. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-October.

Marathi: Ran-bhendi.

Hindi: Jangli-bhendi.

55. Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medicus ssp. tetraphyllus (Roxb. ex Hornem.) var. tetraphyllus -- Malvaceae.

Located: Andheri.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-January.

Marathi: Ran-bhendi.

Hindi: Ran-bhendi.

56. Abutilon bidentatum Hoechst. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Central railway track sides, Ghatkopar.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and rare.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-April.

57. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet. Ssp. guineese (Schum.) Borss. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: June-September.

Common name: Country mallow.

Hindi: Atibala.

58. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet. Ssp. indicum -- Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-April.

Common names: Indian mallow, Country mallow.

Marathi: Petari, Mudra.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

59. Abutilon persicum (Burm. f.) Merrill. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Ismail Yusuf College, Jogeshwari.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: November-January.

Marathi: Maddam.

Hindi: Madan mast.

60. Azanza lampas (Cav.) Alef. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-October.

Marathi: Ranbhendi.

Hindi: Chichindur.

61. Fioria vitifolia (L.) Mattei -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: October - November.

Marathi: Van-Kapus.

62. Gossypium herbaceum L. -- Malvaceae.

Located:  Institute of Science.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-February.

Common name: East India Cotton Tree.

Marathi: Kapuse.

Hindi: Kapas.

Economic importance: Medicinal & cotton (fibre) yielding plant.

63. Hibiscus solandra L. Herit. -- Malvaceae.

Located:  Mud-island.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-November.

64. Hibiscus cannabinus L.--Malvaceae.

Located: University campus, Kalina.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: October-November.

Common names: Bimlipatnam jute, Ambaari hemp, Kenaf, Mesta, Deccan hemp.

Marathi: Ambaadi.

65. Hibiscus hispidissimus Griff. -- Malvaceae.

Located:  Kanheri caves, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: October-December.

66. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common names: Shoe flower, Chinese hibiscus.

Marathi: Jasvand.

Hindi: Java.

Economic importance: Medicinal & ornamental; leaves and flowers used for blackening of hairs and shoes.

67. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Kurla.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated.

Flowering & fruiting period: January-March.

Common names: Rozelle, Red Sorrel.

Marathi: Tambdi - Ambadu.

Hindi: Lal-ambadi, Patwa.

Economic importance: Fibre yielding plant & the succulent fleshy calyx is edible.

68. Hibiscus schizopetalus (Masters) Hook. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Through out Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common names: Coral hibiscus.

Marathi: Jasvand.

Economic importance: Ornamental.

69. Hibiscus talbotti (Rakshit.)Paul & Nayar -- Malvaceae.

Located: Kanheri caves, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and Endemic to Maharashtra & Karnataka only.

Flowering & fruiting period: November-January.

Marathi: Dupari , Narivi.

70. Hibiscus tiliaceus L. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Grant road.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and cultivated, found along the sea shores.

Flowering & fruiting period: March-July.

Marathi: Belapata.

Economic importance: Grown in gardens as ornamental plant.

71. Kydia calycina Roxb. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-November.

Marathi: Varang, Potari.

Hindi: Illya.

Economic importance: The leaves are applied on the body for pain and chewed in deficiency of saliva.

72. Malachra capitata L.--Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: August-November.

Marathi: Ran-bhendi.

Hindi: Van bhendi.

Economic importance: Fibre-yielding plant.

73. Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garke. --Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

74. Malvaviscus arboreus var. Drummondii Schery -- Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common name: Chinese lantern.

Economic importance: Ornamental.

75. Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. var. penduliflorus (Mocino & Sesse ex DC.)Schery -- Malvaceae.

Located: Institute of Science. Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, Byculla.

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated ornamental.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Economic importance: Cultivated in the garden for its showy flowers.

76. Sida acuta Burm. f. -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park and its vicinities, Borivali, Navi Mumbai, Ismail Yusuf College,

                Jogeshwari.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Economic importance: Medicinal plant.

77. Sida cordifolia L.  -- Malvaceae.

Located: Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Common name: Country-mallow.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

78. Sida mysorensis Wight. & Arn. -- Malvaceae.

Located:  Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Status of plant in nature: Wild.

Flowering & fruiting period: October-November.

79. Sida rhombifolia var. rhombifolia L.  -- Malvaceae.

Located: Western railway track sides, Parel, Dadar.

Status of plant in nature: Wild and weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: September-February.

Marathi: Tupkati.

Hindi: Chikna, Atibala.

80. Sida rhombifolia var. retusa L.  --Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai.

Status of plant in nature: Weed.

Flowering & fruiting period: July-December.

Marathi: Atibala.

Hindi: Bala, Jungli-methi.

Economic importance: Medicinal.

81. Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland. ex Correa -- Malvaceae.

Located: Throughout Mumbai

Status of plant in nature: Cultivated, found in marshy areas as mangrove associate.

Flowering & fruiting period: Throughout year.

Common names: Tulip or Portia tree, False rosewood, Umbrella tree.

Marathi: Paras pimpal.

Hindi: Paras bhendi.