Flora of Nepal

A Biodiversity Treasure of the Himalayas
Nepal may be small in size, but it is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of flora and biodiversity. From tropical jungles in the south to alpine meadows in the north, Nepal's vertical elevation - ranging from 60 meters to 8,848 meters - creates diverse ecological zones supporting more than 6,500 species of flowering plants, many of which are endemic.

Conservation Efforts

Nepal is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Protected Areas like Chitwan National Park, Langtang, Sagarmatha, and Makalu-Barun help conserve rare and endemic flora
Botanical Gardens like Godawari (Lalitpur) and Tistung help preserve highland and lowland species
NGOs and herbal research centers promote medicinal plant cultivation and education

Flagship Flora of Nepal

Buttercup family (Ranunculacae)

Alpine Temperate

Chitwan, Bardia, Parsa, Banke NPs, ~235 individuals

Poppy family (Papaveraceae)

Alpine

Chitwan, Bardia, Parsa, Shuklaphanta, ~752

Mustard family (Cruciferae)

Temperate Alpine

Chitwan, Bardia, Shuklaphanta, ~100-150

Pansy family (Violaceae)

Temperate

Shey Phoksundo, Sagarmatha, Kanchenjunga, ~300-500

Pink family (Caryophyllaceae)

Alpine

Langtang, Kanchenjunga, Makalu-Barun, ~300-500

Geranium family (Geraniaceae)

Subtropical Temperate

Mid-hills, Langtang, Annapurna, Makalu-Barun, Rare (unknown)

Pea family (Papilionaceae)

Tropical Temperate

Mid-hills, Langtang, Annapurna, Makalu-Barun, Rare (unknown)

Rose family (Rosaceae)

Subtropical Temperate

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, ~440

Saxifraga family (Saxifragaceae)

Sub-Alpine Alpine

Karnali, Sapta Koshi, Narayani Rivers, less than 30

Crassula family (Crassulaceae)

Alpine

Mid-hill forests (eastern Nepal), Rare (no solid estimate)

Evening Primrose family (Onagraceae)

Subtropical Temperate

High Himalayas - Mustang, Dolpa, Widespread, unknown

Carrot family (Umbelliferae)

Temperate Alpine

Eastern & Central mid-hill forests, Rare (no reliable data)

Sunflower family (Compositae)

Endangered

Alpine zones - Langtang, Sagarmatha, Annapurna, Rare (heavily poached)

Heath family (Ericaceae)

Sub-Alpine Alpine

Terai lowlands and forest edges, Extremely rare