Abstract

A STUDY ON THE FLORISTIC DIVERSITY, ETHNOBOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND MEDICINAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT SPECIES IN GM UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, DAVANGERE, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Manjunath Swamy K. S., Ashwini H. V., Vennila S., Pooja S. K., Gurumurthy H.*

Abstract

The study presents a detailed field studies of the plant species inhabiting the large green campus of 57 acres at GM University. The GM University in the Davangere district of Karnataka State in India is in an area well known for its rich floral diversity. The total number of 117 plant species in 48 different families was found using random sampling, visual survey, and transect walk techniques. The dominant plant species in this field studies; planted trees and shrubs, reflecting their ornamental, medicinal ethnobotanical importance. Field studies were conducted between February to April 2026. Plant species identification was done using both the national and state floras, field manuals, and floristic keys; difficult identifications were additionally verified by a local botanist. In the process of the field studies, we have conducted detailed field studies including plant species enumeration, morphological description, and phenology (periods of flowering and fruiting). Also, we provide the global and local distribution, common name in English and Vernacular names in Kannada of each of the studied species. Furthermore, all of the recorded plant species were thoroughly reviewed in terms of their medicinal and ethnobotanical importance, using scientific literature. The inclusion of line drawings and photographs makes this document a valuable reference for biodiversity research, conservation, ethnobotanical studies, and environmental education.

Keywords: Floristic diversity, Botanical names, Plant taxonomy, Phenology, Species enumeration, Ethnobotanical importance, Campus Checklist, GM University.