The Epiphytic Flowering Plants of Darjeeling Hills, Other than Orchids

Abundance of Epiphytes has been observed in the hilly region of Darjeeling Districy. As many as 34 species, of epiphytes falling under 22 genera and 15 different families are found to be epiphytic flowering plants other than orchids growing in the region in question between 305 to 3,660 meters.The abundance of epiphytes may be attributable to various factors viz. topography, altitude, rainfall and humidity prevailing in the District.The flowering epiphyta have been classified into two main Classes-Total type and Partial, type in accordance with their mode of epiphytism.Nature of epiphytism, short description of morphology flowering time, distribution within the district and also the occurrence in other regions of all the said 34 species have been described in short with reference to Hooker's Flora of British India.