Flora
A Riot of Color from Lowlands to High Mountains
Nepal's plant life is just as diverse and extreme as its landscapes. Due to the enormous altitude differences, we find a variety of vegetation in a very small area, ranging from subtropical jungle plants to alpine specialists that defy the eternal ice. When we are on a trekking tour, we often hike through several of these vegetation zones in a single day!
Overview of Vegetation Zones
The plant life of Nepal can be roughly divided by altitude zones:
Subtropical Zone (Terai & lower hills, up to approx. 1,000 m)
Humid-hot conditions dominate here in the south.
- Sal Forests: Characteristic of the Terai, with the mighty Sal tree (Shorea robusta).
- Riverine Forests: Along the rivers with acacia, simal (silk cotton tree), and tall grass vegetation (elephant grass).
- Agriculture: Large areas are used for rice, sugarcane, jute, and mango.
- Diversity: Many orchid species, lianas, and ferns.
Temperate Zone (Midlands, approx. 1,000 - 3,000 m)
The climate becomes cooler and the vegetation changes significantly.
- Mixed Broadleaf Forests: In lower elevations with chestnut, oak, and maple.
- Coniferous Forests: In higher elevations with pine, fir, and hemlock.
- Rhododendron: The national tree of Nepal! Especially between 2,000 and 3,500 meters, different species form vast forests that bloom spectacularly in spring (from bright red to delicate pink and white). For me, hiking through a blooming rhododendron forest is a highlight every year!
- Terraced Cultivation: Intensive agriculture is practiced here (rice, maize, millet, vegetables).
Subalpine Zone (approx. 3,000 - 4,000 m)
The tree line is reached.
- Coniferous Forests: Dominated by fir, birch, and juniper.
- Shrub Vegetation: Dense stands of rhododendron bushes and other low-growing woody plants.
- Herb-rich Meadows: Many wildflowers bloom here in summer.
Alpine Zone (approx. 4,000 - 5,000 m)
Above the tree line, it becomes barren.
- Alpine Meadows: Grasses, herbs, and dwarf shrubs characterize the landscape. Many plants form cushions to protect themselves from wind and cold.
- Flowers: Edelweiss, gentian species, primroses, and many other specialists bloom in the short summer. It's amazing what a riot of color you can find up here!
- Juniper: Often grows as a low shrub.
Nival Zone (above 5,000 m)
The zone of eternal snow and ice.
- Sparse Vegetation: Only a few, extremely hardy plants (mosses, lichens, some cushion plants) can survive in sheltered rock crevices.
- Limit of Life: The highest flowering plant in Nepal was found at over 6,400 meters – incredible!
The Rhododendron: Nepal's National Flower
No plant shapes Nepal's mountain forests in spring as much as the rhododendron (locally called "Laliguras"). There are over 30 different species in Nepal, from huge trees to small shrubs.
Medicinal Plants and Use
For centuries, people in Nepal have used the plant world for various purposes:
- Medicinal Remedies: Many plants have medicinal importance in traditional Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. On hikes, I often point out plants used by the locals.
- Food: Besides cultivated plants, many wild plants (fruits, vegetables, herbs) are also collected.
- Building Material & Firewood: Wood is still an important raw material, which unfortunately also leads to deforestation. Sustainable forestry is a major challenge.
- Religious Purposes: Certain flowers and leaves are used for religious ceremonies (pujas).
Nepal's plant life is not only beautiful to look at, it is also the basis of life for animals and humans and an important part of the culture. In the next section, we will focus on the animal inhabitants of this diverse country. Also, learn how the geography of Nepal shapes these vegetation zones.