Included here is the Indus Plain comprising the Province of Sind (Pakistan), the plains of Punjab, the Thar Desert, Hariana, western Rajasthan and Northern Gujarat. In less arid areas with annual rainfall up to 750 mm species of Acacia dominate the landscape. These are mainly Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, A. nilotica subsp. cupressiformis, and the near endemic Acacia leucophloea (Fabaceae) together with Capparis decidua. These usually have a wide-open canopy with a ground layer of tall grasses such as Apluda mutica, Cenchrus ciliaris, Dichanthium annulatum, Eleusine compressa, Eremopogon faveolatus and the endemic or near endemic Dactyloctenium sindicum and Lasiurus sindicus (Poaceae).

References

Ahmad, I., Arshad, M. & Bibi, H. 2001. Phytogeographical distribution of vegetation in desert areas of Islamia University, Bahawalpur. Online Journal of Biological Sciences, 8: 768-771.

Arshad, M., Salah-ud-Din, Rao, A. 2002. Phytosociological assessment of natural reserve of National Park Lalsuhanra (Punjab, Pakistan). Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 1: 174-175.

Bhandari, M. M. 1978. Flora of the Indian Desert. Scientific Publishers Jodhpur.

Bhandari, M. M. 1979. Phytogeography of the tropical flora of the Indian Desert. In: Tropical Botany. Eds. K. Larsen and L. B. Holm-Nielsen. Academic Press.

Chaghtai, S. M. & Yusaf, M. 1976. The ecology of the native vegetation of Kohat, NWFP, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 8: 27-36.

Gupta, R. & Prakash, I. 1975. Environmental analysis of the Thar Desert. English Book Depot, Dehra Dun.

Qureshi, R. &  Bhatti, G. R. 2008. Diversity of micro-habitats and their plant resources in Nara Desert, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 40: 979-992.

Qureshi, R. 2008. Vegetation assessment of Sawan Wari of Nara Desert, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 40: 1885-1895.