Distribution of Gymnosperms in Pakistan
                     DISTRIBUTION OF GYMNOSPERMS IN PAKISTAN
INTRODUCTION
In West Pakistan, 17 gymnosperm 
spp. are found wild. Of these, 13 
belong to the conifers and 4 to 
Ephedra.
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INDIGENOUS TO THE 
WESTERN HIMALAYAS
In the Plains only Ephedra foliata Boiss. if found. 
In the outer ranges of Kashmir, Murree Hills, 
Hazara, Swat, and Dir, which are under the 
dominant influence of summer monsoon rains, only 
conifers consisting of Pinus roxburgii Sarg. P. 
wallichiana A. B. Jacks, Picea smithiana Boiss, 
Taxus baccata L., Abies pindrow Spach, A. 
spectabilis Royle are found and are indigenous to 
the western Himalayas, with the exception of T. 
baccata. 
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RELATION
These spp. show a relationship with those 
found in the Mediterranean and temperate 
central European regions. 
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NOT MUCH 
RESEMBLANCE
There is not much resemblance between 
these and the conifers of the adjoining 
eastern Himalayas. 
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REGIONS
The conifers and the Ephedra spp. found in 
Quetta, Waziristan, Kurram, Chitral, Gilgit, 
Indus Kohistan and upper parts of Dir, Swat, 
Kaghan, and Kishan Ganga, which are under 
the dominant influence of winter rains, are 
inhibited by elements of the Pak-Turanio 
floristic region.
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CATEGORY
The spp. belonging to this category are 
Cedrus deodara Loud, Pinus gerardiana 
Wall., Juniperus macropoda Boiss, J. 
communis L., Ephedra gerardiana Wall, and 
E. intermedia Sabr et C.A. May. Plants of this 
region show clear affinities with the flora of 
the Mediterranean region. 
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NORTHERN PARTS
In the northern parts like Chitral and Gilgit 
central Asian elements are represented by 
Ephedra przewalskii Stapf and Juniperus 
turkestanica Kom.
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WHAT IS THE DISTRIBUTION 
OF GYMNOSPERM?
Of the 1014 gymnosperms species, 342 
(33.7%) are mostly distributed in the 
Southern Hemisphere and 672 (66.3%) 
mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. A total 
of 506 species (50%) are present between 
the tropics (i.e. between 23.5° N and 23.5° 
S). 
Source: eurekamag.com
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