Endemic Plant Diversity in the Indian Himalaya I. Ranunculaceae and Paeoniaceae

Himalayan Ranunculaceae and Paeoniaceae are analysed for their endemic diversity. Of the total 251 represen- tative taxa of Ranunculaceae, seventy-six (30.27%) are endemic to Indian Himalaya and most of these (forty-four taxa) are confined to Trans- and North west Himalaya. In view of possessing remarkable endemic diversity and other at- tributes of sensitivity, Aconitum, Delphinium, Anemone, Aquilegia and the monotypic Beesia, Coptis and Paroxy- graphis need to be considered as focal groups of prioritized taxa for conservation. Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle, though a 'near-endemic', demands special attention for conservation.