Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. Significance of the study. Part I: Introduction to the study area. Part II: Overview. Part III: Species description. Part IV: Selected references. Part V: Appendices-I Area statement of Reserve forests in Darjeeling district. Map of the study area. Plates. Index of botanical names. Index of vernacular names.

Darjeeling, the world famous ‘Queen of hill stations’, is bestowed with profound altitudinal, climatic and habitat diversity, representing the richest floral wealth in West Bengal, India. But there is lack of a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on this biological heaven. Even the data so far published are widely scattered and difficult to obtain.

Flora of Darjeeling Himalayas and Foothills (Angiosperms) is a wonderful treasure trove that have been painstakingly researched for over two decades of study since 1993. The Botanical Survey of India certified this Project as a pioneer, outstanding and benchmark work of plant diversity record and estimation in difficult terrain of Darjeeling Himalayas. Such comprehensive records are not available except for this work.

This invaluable compendium, identification guide and seminal reference text will serve a wide range of users – foresters, botanists, ecologists, naturalists, environmentalists, conservationists, resource managers, planners, Government agencies, academic institutions, researchers, NGOs and all plant-lovers who feel beckoned by the magical calls of the colourful nature.  (jacket)