The present study evaluated the plant diversity growing wild in the Pragati Estate area which is extended to about 2500 acres in Proddatur village, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. The study area comprises three sites, viz., Pragati Green Meadows (1000 acres), Pragati Green Heights (700 acres) and Pragati Green Valley (800 acres). Two-year exploration in Pragat Estate resulted in the collection of 485 wild plant taxa comprising 61 species of trees, shrubs (32), climbers (58), herbs (333) and one parasite, Dendropthoe falcata. The species documented from the study area represent 21.82% taxa of the Telangana state.
The largest family is Poaceae (81 species), followed by Fabaceae (79), Asteraceae (30) and Malvaceae (24). The dominant genus is Cyperus (11 species). Endemic plant species encountered in the study area are: Commiphora wightii, Chloroxylon swietenia, Acalypha malabarica, Alysicarpus hamosus, Crotalaria pusilla, Cyanotis fasciculata, Leucas lavandulifolia, Cleome felina etc. Three species from the study area Erigeron canadensis, Erigeron sumatrensis, Stemodia verticillata, are reported as new records to the flora of Telangana state. Among 485 species, 74.63% are having medicinal value, 4.12% with edible value, 21.23% have fibre, ornamental, forage and other miscellaneous uses.
