Flora in Rajasthan :
Rajasthan has a rich and varied flora . The natural vegetation is classed as Northern Desert Thorn Forest. These occur in small clumps scattered in a more or less open form. The density and size of patches increase from west to east following the increase in rainfall.
Creeper, shrubs, herbs and bushes dot the shallow wetland landscape in Eastern Rajasthan. Khejri and babul are seen in Keoladeo National Park. More than seventy species of trees can be seen in the Ranthambore National Park. Some prominent species are peepal, Dhak, ber , banyan and khajur. 13 shrub varieties, 30 grass species and more than 100 medicinal species can be seen here. In Mount Abu which is a hill area, species like bamboo, salar , dhavand jamun are found. Rare species of wild roses, ferns and orchids can also be seen here.
The unique ecosystem harbors 480 species of plants including 107 of trees, 55 of shrubs, 215 of herbs, 45 of climbers, 40 of grass and 15 species of lower plants.(all numbers approx.) Modad, khair, dhavado, saledi, kadaya, timru, khakhara, bor, desi bavalia, bili, dudhi, golar, karanj, arjun sadad, jamun, behda etc. are some local names for common species found here. The common & scientific names for species found here are - Aam (Magnifera Indica), Imli (Tamarindicus indica), Babul (Accasia nilotica), Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Ber (Zizyphus mauritania), Dhak or Chila (flame of the forest), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Khair (Accacia catechu), Karel (Capparis decidua), Khejda (Prosopis specigera), Kakera (Flacourtia indica), Mohua (Madhuca indica), Neem (Azadirachta indica), etc.
Important medicinal plants : Rajasthan has rich biodiversity consisting of a large number of plants, some of which are used for their medicinal value. A large number of medicinally important tree species are present on Aravalli hill range and other areas including less hopitable North–West Rajasthan.
Chirmi : Decoction of root is given with almonds to increase vigour and vitality. Leaves are used for various skin diseases.
Babul : Gum of the tree is highly nutritive and is useful for pregnant mothers. Raw fruits have medicinal values in women diseases, also used in tooth paste.
Pili kateli : Root is used for chronic skin diseases, eye and mouth wash. Leaves for gonorrhoea, dropsy, jaundice, scabies, other skin diseases. The yellow juice is used in eye infection. The juice rubbed on the body relieves rheumatic pain. The oil from the seed is used externally for skin diseases, joint pains.
Neem : The stem bark is bitter tonic, used to cure chronic fever. Bark is also used for wound.
Akara : Flowers of this plant are used in piles and asthmatic problems. Latex used in tooth–ache and ringworm, and also for removing face darkness. Roots is used for spleen complaints, elephantiasis, rheumatism, protracted labour (given with black pepper). Bark is used for diaphoretic, expectorant, emetic in dysentery hempologia. Leaves are used on sores, skin disease , inflammation and rheumatic joints.
Dhatura : The dried leaves and twigs of the plant are smoked as an antispasmodic in asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis etc.
Sarphanko : Plant is used as tonic, laxatic, diuretic and deobstruent. Root and seeds are insecticidal and pesticidal. Decoction of pods used as vermifuge and to stop vomiting.
Rukhari : Whole plant checks bleeding when applied on cut wounds. Leaf juice is insecticidal, pesticidal, checks heamorrhage, removes stones from urinary bladder, diarrhoea, dysentery.
Aadha–Shishi : Seeds are used for the disease Aadha–shishi, generally known as migrene pain.
Jhari–Bor : Leaves placed on to boils and scabies fruit are used for biliousness, astringent and cooling.
The most prolific vegetation seen in this state is Kejri or prosopis cineraria. This is found majorly in arid zone. Its shape is bean like and is known as sangria. It is not only used as fodder but also consumed as vegetable. It is considered as a delicacy in Rajasthan. Another popular desert vegetable is ker. Variety of shrubs and akaro (scientific name- calotropis precera) are also found in abundance. Since this is desert vegetation, the shrubs have a lot of thorns.