Floral diversity of Deomali hills, Koraput, Odisha, India

Deomali hill, situated in Koraput district of Odisha state, India which rises to 1,672 metres above sea level, making it the highest peak in the state. Forming part of the Eastern Ghats, it is characterised by a unique high-elevation tableland with gently undulating, grass-clad plateaus, rocky exposures, sharp escarpments and sweeping views of surrounding valleys (Figure 1). The hill’s cool weather, windy conditions and diverse mix of grasslands, montane forests and seasonal watercourses sustain a rich and varied floral diversity including several threatened species. Deomali hills areas also holds strong cultural and spiritual importance for indigenous communities, whose traditions, beliefs and folklore are deeply connected to this landscape (Kumar et al., 2025). Author has visited Deomali areas in the year 2025 and enumerated available plant species.