Observations on the flowering plant diversity of Madayippara, a southern Indian lateritic plateau from Kerala, India

Northern Kerala of southern India is characterized by widely spread lateritic plateaus which provide an extremely harsh physical environment for life leading to the development specialized plant communities with a large number endemic and habitat specific species. Madayippara, midland plateau located in Kannur District northern icon rich floristic diversity endemism. The forms microhabitats due difference geographic terrain soil cover, thus forming complex habitats diverse plants, mainly ephemeral herbs. Out 636 flowering taxa recorded from plateau, within limited area 3.65km2, 160 (c. 25%) are endemics. Most species occur microhabitats. type locality 11 taxa. Lateritic India, associated characteristic biodiversity, now under varied types anthropogenic threats such as scale mining bricks clay, they need urgent attention conservation biodiversity.