Trees of South India is a result of over fifty years of dedicated work of restoring and researching the forests and native trees of the Coromandel Coast of South India, all the way to the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, and on to the hillocks of the Eastern Ghats – a contiguous woodland until a few thousand years ago. Geographically, this range covers the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and, to some extent, Odisha. Within this vast span, there are a number of distinct forest types adapted to variations in rainfall, soil type, altitude and fauna.
Containing deep botanical knowledge and a wealth of information, this detailed and easy-to-use pictorial guide will help readers identify 190 ecologically important species of native trees and shrubs, including many rare and threatened plants such as satinwood, poplar-leaved ardour, Indian kino, red sanders and rosewood, etc. With growing awareness of the significance of native forests in the fight against climate change, this book is a powerful resource for amateur naturalists, plant explorers and conservationists interested in learning about indigenous flora and working towards their preservation.