The study provides descriptive information of the floristic composition of tropical dry deciduous forest of Kaiwara Reserve forest, Chintamani, Karnataka, Southern India. Sampling plots of 20 × 100 m2 (2000 m2, 0.2 ha) were surveyed in twenty different locations within a large patch, giving a total sample area of approximately 2 ha. All individual stems (≥ 1 cm dbh) of trees, shrubs and lianas from these plots were identified to species level and counted. A total of 2117 individuals (≥ 10 cm dbh) comprising 134 species, 75 genera and 65 families were included. Mimosaceae, Caesalpinaceae and Rubiaceae were the most dominant families. Moreover, the study shows that two-hectare floristic inventories of dry deciduous forest can provide a useful tool for assessing plant biodiversity, and provide useful information for effective conservation and management of nature reserves.