Vegetation in Ranthambore National Park
The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan India has is covered with forests interspersed with lakes and watering holes. Rivers and streams run through the Ranthambore National Park, which is covered with dry deciduous forest. The hardy trees and plants withstand the heat of the harsh summer and burst into flower after the monsoon rains. The vegetation in Ranthambore National Park is characterized by its variety.
The most commonly found tree in Ranthambore is the Dhok or Anogeissus pendula. The leaves of the Dhok tree are eaten by the deer, nilgai and antelope in the forests of Ranthambore. It is therefore a very important part of the food pyramid of this wild ecosystem.
The Banyan (Ficus bengalensis) is a native of Ranthambore National Park. One of the largest specimens of Banyan trees in India is just behind the Jogi Mahal, the hunting lodge in Ranthambore national Park. Its spreading aerial roots soaring branches and immense leafy canopy are a beautiful sight. The Banyan and Peepal trees are worshipped as holy trees in India and are part of the vegetation in Ranthambore National Park.
The Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma, also called Butea frondosa), which sets the forest alight with the bright red color is a spectacular sight. The orange red flowers, which are shaped like a parrots beak and have a velvety appearance, are very beautiful and a sight worth seeing amidst the vegetation in Ranthambore National Park.
The Neem tree (Azadirachta indiaca) is valued for its medicinal properties. Its twigs are used by local villagers as a natural toothbrush and its leaves and flowers are ground to make a medicinal paste.
Fruit trees found in Ranthambore include the Mango (Magnifera indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini) known for its purple fruit, Ber (Zizyphus mauritania), the berries of which are gathered and eaten, and Tamarind (Tamarindicus indica) known for its pulpy fruit used in the preparation of pickles and as a flavoring in food.
Other plants in Ranthambore National Park include Ronj (Acacia leucophloea), khimi (Manilkara hexandra), Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), salar (Boswellia serrata), tendu (Diospyrous melanoxylon), Khair (Accacia catechu), Kulu (Sterculia urens), gurjan (Lannea coromandelica), Gum (Sterculia urens), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Kikar (Acacia nilotica), Mohua (Madhuca indica), Karel (Capparis decidua), Kakera (Flacourtia indica) and Khejda (Prosopis specigera).
You can see these species of plants and many more, on nature tours of the vegetation in Ranthambore National park with India Wildlife Tours.
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