The present study conducted in the Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR), Wardha, documented a total of 131 climber plant species, providing insights into their taxonomic diversity, habitat preferences, and climbing mechanisms. The taxonomic analysis revealed that climbing angiosperms in BTR belong to 40 families and 91 genera, with dicotyledons dominating the flora (123 species, 93.89%) compared to monocotyledons (8 species, 6.11%). Among these, 35 families and 86 genera were dicots, while only 5 families and 5 genera were monocots, highlighting the predominance of dicot climbers in the region. Habitat classification showed that herbaceous vines were the most abundant (74 species, 56.49%), followed by woody vines (55 species, 41.98%), while parasitic vines were rare (2 species, 1.53%). This distribution suggests that herbaceous climbers thrive better in the ecological conditions of BTR, possibly due to their adaptability to varying environmental factors. The study also categorized climbing mechanisms into four primary types. Stem twiners were the most prevalent (79 species, 60.30%), utilizing stem twining as their primary mode of ascent. Tendril climbers constituted the second-largest group (35 species, 26.72%), employing leaf or stem tendrils for support. Stragglers, both armed (4 species, 3.05%) and unarmed (10 species, 7.64%), relied on scrambling growth, whereas hook climbers (3 species, 2.29%) were the least common, using thorns or hooks for anchorage. The 昀椀ndings underscore the ecological adaptability and structural diversity of climbers in BTR, with stem twiners and herbaceous vines being the dominant forms. This study contributes to the understanding of climbing plant ecology in tropical dry deciduous forests and highlights the need for further research on their role in forest dynamics and conservation. The data can serve as a baseline for future biodiversity assessments, climbers’ conservation and habitat management strategies in protected areas like Bor Tiger Reserve.

Keywords:Angiosperm Climbers; Bor Tiger Reserve; Floristic Diversity; Ecological Distribution; Maharashtra