Additions to the Orchid Flora of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India

A study was conducted in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), in the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, to document the wide range of wild orchids in the area and evaluate their conservation status. The ATR, known for its high species diversity, is a protected region spanning a core area of 958.59 km2 and a buffer area of 521.28 km2. The main objective of the study was to investigate and assess the diversity of orchids within the reserve, providing essential information for their conservation. The present study revealed the presence of 137 orchid species belonging to 56 genera in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Among them, 37 species forms an addition to the orchid flora of the reserve. The dominant genus in ATR is Dendrobium followed by Habenaria, and Oberonia.