Taxonomic studies on the family Asteraceae of MECON colony, Ranchi.

M. Kerketta^a & S. K. Gupta^b
aDepartment of Botany, Ranchi College (Ranchi University)  Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
^bDepartment of Biology, JVM, Shyamali (MECON Colony), Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

Received 5th January, 2012; Revised 21st February, 2012

Abstract : Taxonomic investigation of the family Asteraceae growing throughout the MECON colony was carried out from February 2010 to February 2012. A total of 55species under 39  genera of the family Asteraceae were collected and identified. A list of species is given with valid names. Amongst the total number of species Ageratum conyzoidesL., Blumea lacera (Burm. f.) DC., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Gnaphalium purpureumL., Tridax procumbens L., Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. and Xanthium indicum Koeing are much populated and found in roadside areas. Out of these species Vernonia elaeagnifolia is the only one climbing(vine) species found all over the study area and Parthenium hysterophorus is the most common roadside weed.