Floristic diversity, distribution and Ethno-taxonomical studies on Arboreal members of Family Rosaceae in District Poonch (J. & K.), India

Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir have diverse climatic zones ranging from sub-tropical to temperate climate and rich in biodiversity. The objective of this research was to explore the distribution, taxonomical as well as ethnobotanical significance of different arboreal members of the family Rosaceae of this region. The distribution of this woody angiospermic floral group was found with an altitude range between 900 and 3500 m above sea level. The plant habit of this group varied from the shrub e.g., Cotoneaster microphyllus (0.5 to 1 m tall) up-to the tall tree e.g., Prunus domestica (12 m tall). Authors collected a sum of twelve (12) genera with twenty six (26) species consisting 13 shrubs and 13 tree species. Furthermore, out of 26 species, only Cotoneaster microphyllus, Eriobotrya japonica and Rubus ellipticus were evergreen, while the rest all deciduous with an account of 9 species as native and 17 species as exotic.