Sudhansu Sekhar Dash

Botanical Survey of India | BSI · Ministry of Envrionment & Forest, Govt. of India

A new mycotrophic species of the genus Gastrodia (Orchidaceae), is described and illustrated from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species is unique within the genus in having two oblong–linear calli which are parallelly arranged along the margins of the claw of the labellum, and white flowers. The new species is assessed as 'Endangered' according to...

Hodgsonia tsaii (Cucurbitaceae),hitherto known only from China and Myanmar is reported for the first time from India. The plant was recently collected from East Kameng and Pakke-Kessang district of Arunachal Pradesh. A brief morphological description with photographs is provided.

Globba rahamanii Yusuf (Zingiberaceae), an endemic species of Bangladesh hitherto only known from its type locality in Chittagong Hill tracts, has been collected and recorded for the first time from the northeast Indian state of Assam, extending its known global distributional range. Taxonomic placement of this species has been ascertained and disc...

Due to its abundance of plant genetic resources, Odisha is often called a genetic refuge. However, the south Odisha tribal regions, despite their abundance of natural resources, have received scant ethnobotanical research. Human cultural diversity in Koraput is well-known, and the area is also a biodiversity hotspot for several food crops and fores...

Allelopathy is the major biological advantage of an invasive alien plant, often inhibitory to the germination and growth of other plants within their space. This study aimed to demonstrate the allelopathic effect of Chromolaena odorata extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of four commonly grown crops as test plants in Mizoram. Chromolae...

The new species Bistorta arunachalensis (Polygonaceae) is described and illustrated from Arunachal Pradesh, India. A detailed description, photographs, comparison of morphological characteristics with closely allied species and a diagnostic key to the Indian species of Bistorta are provided for easy identification.

The paper provides the vegetation account of the Kabi Sacred Grove of North Sikkim and the detail infomation regarding utilization of the plants. The different medicinal plants used in traditional treatments of different ailments by the local inhabitants of the area are appended in the tabular form.

A new species of the genus Phtheirospermum (Orobanchaceae) is described and illustrated from Mizoram, an Indo–Burma biodiversity hotspot in India. Detailed description, digital photographs, comparison of morphological characters with closely allied species is provided here for easy identification.

The long lost Henckelia peduncularis (Gesneriaceae), was hitherto known from its type specimens collected from Burma, in 1926. Recently described Henckelia dasii from Arunachal Pradesh, India; revealed substantial similarities with the aforementioned Burmese element. Morphological analyses based on the type specimens of both the names revealed H. d...

Phlogacanthus changlangensis P.Lungphi, A.V.Singh & A.P.Das and P. curviflorus var. menchanensis Barnali Dutta & Borthakur are reduced here as synonyms of P. curviflorus (Wall.) Nees and P. tubiflorus Nees respectively.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Archidendron F.Muell. is presented for the Flora of India.

The Ansupa lake is the largest fresh water lake of Odisha state and located between 20°26ʹ06˝–20°28ʹ03˝ N latitude and 85°35ʹ09˝–85°36ʹ06˝ E longitude in Banki Sub-Division of Cuttack district, Odisha. The lake covers an area of c. 231ha. It is 12 km and 10 km away from Banki and Athagarh town, respectively and 60 km from Bhubaneswar. It was declar...

Wild edible plants (WEPs) are of great important source of nutrition and ensuring food security for local tribal and rural poor communities of India. In this context, documenting wild edible plants genetic resources associated with livelihood linkages is most urgent not only for improving the socio-economic condition of the people but also for biop...

Wild edible plants (WEPs) are of great important source of nutrition and ensuring food security for local tribal and rural poor communities of India. In this context, documenting wild edible plants genetic resources associated with livelihood linkages is most urgent not only for improving the socio-economic condition of the people but also for biop...

Continued floristic surveys and plant inventories are essential for understanding plant diversity, ecosystem dynamics, and promoting both conservation efforts and sustainable development for the well-being of human societies. The current botanical expedition to the Valley of Flowers National Park (VoFNP) has documented a total of 317 (4 gymnosperms...

Paper highlights the new distributional record of Parnassia yui Z.P. Jien for India. Comments have been made on the possible threats and conservation status of a species.

Lectotypes are designated for three names in Primula: Primula deuteronana Craib, P. gracilipes Craib and P. wattii King ex Watt.

The Sundarban Biosphere Reserve is one of the renowned mangrove forests and a UNESCO heritage site, situated the in the Bay of Bengal. It is also recognised as the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest and habitat for the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger. Spreading in ca 4200 sq km, the Indian Sundarbans is endowed with 102 islands, of which 54 are k...

Recent trends in globalization, human mobility surge and global trade aggravated the expansion of alien species introduction leading to invasion by alien plants compounded by climate change. The ability to predict the spread of invasive species within the context of climate change holds significance for accurately identifying vulnerable regions and...

Recent trends in globalization, human mobility surge and global trade aggravated the expansion of alien species introduction leading to invasion by alien plants compounded by climate change. The ability to predict the spread of invasive species within the context of climate change holds significance for accurately identifying vulnerable regions and...

Maesa kurzii Mez (Primulaceae) is rediscovered from Namdapha National Park of Arunachal Pradesh in India, after a gap of nearly 150 years, after the initial collection of type material from Patkoye Mountain. The present collection extends the distributional range of the species to the northeastern region of the country. A detailed taxonomic account...

Ageratina adenophora and Chromolaena odorata belonging to the family Asteraceae are the two most noxious invasive alien plant species in the natural forests of Mizoram, a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. These two noxious invasive species should either be controlled by eradication or managed by exploiting them as a resource for bioprosp...

Abroma augustum (L.) L.f. (Malvaceae) is a potential medicinal plants cultivated and introduced in botanical gardens of India. The species is reported here as a new addition to the flora of Odisha. The medicinal properties, morphological description, taxonomy, photographsand detailed microscopic observations of reproductive structures were provided...

The name Primula concinna (Primulaceae) is lectotypified here and a threat assessment in the Indian context is also provided.

The paper enumerates 321 plant species belonging to 234 genera and 73 families collected from selected plots of Murlen national park in Mizoram along different altitudinal gradient. The ten most dominant families contributed 46.31% of total species collected; whereas the ten most dominant genera contributed more than 23.83% of total genera. Poaceae...

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) organized the second International Symposium on February 13–14, 2023, at the National Library, Kolkata. Ashiho Asosii Mao, Director, BSI, was the patron of the symposium; Sudhansu Sekhar Dash and C. Murugan, both Scientists-E, BSI, served as the organizing secretary and a joint organizing secretary, respect...

The present study aims to evaluate the ecological impact of invasion in two protected areas and provides the first authentic inventory of alien plants with their invasion status. Random sampling technique was followed along with nested quadrats to investigate the phytosociological status of invasion by the alien plants. The ecological studies revea...

Photo Plates, 1. Stylidiaceae, 2. Goodeniaceae, 3. Campanulaceae, 4. Lobeliaceae, 5. Sphenocleaceae, 6. Ericaceae, 7. Clethraceae, 8. Pyrolaceae, 9. Monotropaceae, 10. Diapensiaceae, 11. Plumbaginaceae, 12. Primulaceae, Index to Botanical names, Index to Vernacular names. 643 pages, 136 plates with colour photos; 184 b/w line drawings

ABSTRACT Background: The nutritional value, antinutritional properties, mineral and Vitamin content of six invasive Alien Plant species (IAPs) namely Ageratina adenophora, Ageratina riparia, Chromolaena odorata, Ocimum americanum, Bidens pilosa and Hyptis suaveolens which are used by the local inhabitants in Mizoram, India was analysed. Materials a...

Sarcopyramis napalensis Wall. var. bodinieri (H.Lév.) H.Lév. is collected for the first time in India from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalaya. The present communication provides the taxonomy, nomenclature and typification of the names S. bodinieri H.Lév. and S. napalensis Wall.

The name Medinilla himalayana Hook.f. ex Triana is lectotypified here.

The name Medinilla himalayana Hook.f. ex Triana is lectotypified here.

The genus Hypericum comprises approximately 500 species occur temperate regions of all over the world. In India the genus is represented by twenty five species in India and mainly distributed in Himalayas, north eastern state and Western Ghats. Members of the genus are known for its aesthetic value, its traditional uses in health care, and consider...

The lectotype for three names viz., Lonicera angustifolia Wall. ex DC., Lonicera myrtillus Hook.f. & Thomson and Lonicera tomentella Hook.f. & Thomson are designated in the current communication.

The paper deals with a review of 62 different uses of 78 plant species belonging to 32 families for the treatment of 32 major ailments among rural communities of Sikkim Himalaya. During the different exploration of plants in Dzongri-Goche La region of Sikkim Himalaya, the different traditional uses association with the plants were collected from se...

In the present paper an attempt has been made to evaluate the status of stage-based alien plant invasion in the natural forests of Mizoram and Tripura, a part of Indo-Burma hotspot regions of India. Occurrence of 163 alien plants in Mizoram and 186 alien plants in Tripura (Cumulatively 194 from both the states) were recorded during the study. Maxim...

The species Ainsliaea fulvipes Jeffrey et W. W. Sm. (Asteraceae) erstwhile considered as endemic to China is reported here first time from Zemithang, Arunachal Pradesh (India). Detailed descriptions, along with habitat photographs are provided to facilitate its easy identification.

Phlogacanthus jenkinsii C.B. Clarke (Acanthaceae: Andrographideae), a poorly known species in India, is recollected after 140 years from Mizoram. A detailed taxonomic description along with a photo plate, illustration and comparative diagnostic characters with closely allied species are provided in the present communication.

Designated types of three pre-1958 validly published names in the family Gentianaceae are reassessed and lectotypes are designated for the names viz.: Gentiana micans C.B.Clarke, Gentiana phyllocalyx C.B.Clarke, and Swertia hookeri C.B.Clarke.

India with 2.4% of the total geographical area of the world harbours nearly 8% of the globally known floral species. The Indian flora is concentrated in four regions Indo-Burma, Himalayas, Western Ghats and the Sundaland identified among the thirty-six global bio-diversity hotspots. Encompassing an area of about 329 million hectares it demonstrates...

India’s rich and unique biodiversity represents 11.4% of all species on Earth. The range of ecological habitats and environmental conditions in India have produced all possible types and extremities of climatic conditions suitable for supporting wide varied types of ecosystems. As per the current estimate, about 50,012 species of plants form the ve...

A total of 254 plant species belonging to 151 genera and 47 families were collected from alpine and subalpine regions of Dzongri Goecha La area. Of the total species collected, the first ten dominating family contributed more than 52.75% while the first ten dominating genera contributed 37.74 % of total genera of the studied area. 22 taxa have been...

The present communication enumerates 104 of invasive alien plant species (IAPs) under 83 genera and evaluates the various socioeconomic use patterns among the indigenous community of Mizoram. Based on growth form, herbs are most dominant and 39% of total traditional use is based on leaves. Decoction is the most favoured method of preparation of dos...

Bistorta emodi (Meisn.) H. Hara and Koenigia islandica L. are herewith reported for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The detailed description along with information on the pollen morphology, flowering and fruiting, distribution, relevant notes and illustrations are provided for easy identification.

Lamiaceae Martinov, is the sixth largest angiosperm family and the largest within the order Lamiales, comprising of over 230 genera and more than 7000 species worldwide (Harley et al., 2004; Olmstead, 2016; APG IV, 2016). In flora of India, the family is one of the ten largest families represented by 67 genera and 399 species (Sampath Kumar et al.,...

The present proposal deals with the amendment of Rec. 40A.5 of ICN (Shenzhen Code) and incorporating it as a new rule under Art. 40 to lead the authors describing new species or intraspecific taxa to strictly adhere with Art. 40.7 for valid publication and to deposit type specimens in public herbaria for better access to the type specimens in futur...

Four lesser-known species viz. Alangium alpinum (C.B. Clarke) W.W. Sm. & Cave (Cornaceae), Euphrasia officinalis L. (Orobanchaceae), Geranium refractum Edgew. & Hook.f. (Geraniaceae) and Sedum filipes F.B. Forbes & Hemsl. (Crassulaceae) are collected from Zemithang and Bumla area of the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh and reported here first t...

Due to several overlaps of the primary pollen morphological attributes (viz., aperture type and exine sculpturing) throughout the subfamilies and tribes of Rubiaceae, they are of less importance in delineating majority of the taxa at the subfamilial and tribal levels than at generic and specific levels. This in turn renders difficulties in the iden...

The present study was conducted in the Namdapha National Park (NNP), eastern Himalaya which is India’s largest Dipterocarpus dominant lowland tropical rainforest. The aim of this study was to examine the spatial pattern of climber species composition and its relationship with tree and environment attributes. Field data was collected by establishing...

Fagopyrum urophyllum (Bureau & Franch.) H.Gross (Polygonaceae), is reported here as a new record to the Indian flora. The species, earlier known only from China, has been collected from the Namchi and Tendong region of the South district, Sikkim, India at an altitude of 1845 m. A description along with illustration, photo plate of dissected flower...

𝘗𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴 T. Anderson ex Burkill (Acanthaceae) has been reduced here as a heterotypic synonym of 𝘗𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘶𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘮 (C.B. Clarke) Lindau. Lectotype for the name 𝘗𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴 T. Anderson ex Burkill is also designated here.

Proposal to amend an article of ICN (Shenzhen Code, 2018) to eliminate arbitrary formation of, and future use of hyphens in, specific epithets.

The present paper provides scientific information about some valuable threatened plants of economic importance as per the CAMP, 2003/IUCN, 2021 status found in Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, a “UNESCO” declared World heritage site of Western Himalaya. A total number of 37 plant species belonging to 28 genera under 24 famili...

The present paper is the outcome of an extensive floristic survey conducted in two phases by the authors in Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, East Sikkim, India. During the study 411 taxa (400 species, 04 subspecies and 07 varieties) belonging to 173 genera and 54 families were recorded. The most dominating family was Asteraceae with 44 species followed...

Habitat destruction, over exploitation, monoculture are major reasons for loss of primary forests in Himalaya. Tree population, composition and diversity particularly in the temperate Himalaya play a key role in the maintenance of many ecosystem services and natural biogeochemical cycles. The present study explores composition and regeneration stat...

Habitat destruction, over exploitation, monoculture are major reasons for loss of primary forests in Himalaya. Tree population, composition and diversity particularly in the temperate Himalaya play a key role in the maintenance of many ecosystem services and natural biogeochemical cycles. The present study explores composition and regeneration stat...

Seventeen species of Rhododendron L. (Ericaceae) were recorded from Dzongri Gocha La region of Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve a UNESCO world heritage site. A brief description, information on phenology and altitudinal distribution of each of these species has been provided here along with a key for easy identification.

The present paper provides a comprehensive inventory of 186 alien plant species of Tripura, their invasion status on natural forested areas. Asteraceae is the most dominant family with 31 species followed by 56.98 % of the alien species reported from PAs of Tripura were of American origin. Life form analysis revealed the presence of 56.98% herbs, 1...

Veratrilla burkilliana (W.W. Sm.) Harry Sm. (Gentianaceae), hitherto known only from type locality has been rediscovered after at least a lapse of 108 years. Comments on its population and conservation status, distribution range and typification of the name Swertia burkilliana are provided, together with a distribution map where the threat status h...

A new species of Sauromatum (Araceae: Areae) is described here from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Detailed description, digital photographs, comparison of morphological characters with closely allied species and artificial key for globally found species is provided for easy identification.

Rehderodendron microcarpum Hu (Styracaceae) is reported here as a new addition to the India flora from Arunachal Pradesh. A detailed description along with a photo illustration is provided in the paper for easy identification.

A Botanical Survey of India (BSI), established in 1890, serves the nation by providing scientific basis for conservation and sustainable utilization of wild plants through survey, inventory, documentation, taxonomic research and creating environmental awareness. The book enumerates the plants discovered during 2019 from India

To understand regeneration dynamics and population structure of tree species in west Himalayan conifer forests, we investigated phytosociological data from an old growth Abies pindrow dominant forest (2200–3000 m amsl) of Sainj valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. A total of 20 quadrats (size 400 m2) were established following random stratified metho...

Lectotypes are designated for three names in Phlogacanthus: P. albiflorus Bedd., P. grandis Bedd., and P. tubiflorus Nees.

The present study deals with first-hand information on quantitative assessments of different vegetation layers (viz. trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbs) collected from 57 permanent plots (size 400 m 2), established for long-term monitoring of biodiversity and study of functional aspects in Namdapha National Park (NPP), Arunachal Pradesh,...

Trigonostemon viridissimus var. chatterjii (Deb & G.K. Deka) N.P. Balakr. & Chakrab. (Euphorbiaceae), a rare and endemic taxon is reported here as a new distributional record for the state Arunachal Pradesh. It was earlier known only from two localities of Meghalaya in India. Detailed taxonomic description along with field photographs are provided...

Four names in the genus Phlogacanthus (Acanthaceae) viz., Phlogacanthus jenkinsii C.B. Clarke, Phlogacanthus lambertii Raizada, Phlogacanthus parviflorus T. Anders., and Phlogacanthus pubinervius T. Anders. are lectotypified in the present communication. In addition, three other names i.e., Justicia curviflora Wall. [basionym of Phlogacanthus curvi...

A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY AND ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ALIEN PLANT INVASION IN MIZORAM, INDIA. Invasion by alien plants has a detrimental effect on the natural forest plant community, leading to the loss of native species. An inventory of alien plants facilitates in determining the potential threats to the natural plant biodiversity. This present p...

In the present paper history of invasion/introduction, brief descriptions, and quantitative assessment of three alien species of Asteraceae namely Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M.King & H.Rob., Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob have been provided. These species, native to Mexico and tropical S...

Two lesser known species of Codonopsis Wall. (Campanulaceae), viz. C. benthamii Hook.f. & Thomson and C. subsimplex Hook.f. & Thomson were collected after a lapse of more than a century from Sikkim Himalaya, India. The authors evaluated the phenology of the above species in the last hundred years which shows a significance alteration. In this paper...

Terrestrial mosses which retain moisture provide a suitable ambience for diatoms colonization and suitable experimental platforms for observing climate change impact. The distribution and diversity patterns of such epibryic diatom communities are governed by various biotic and abiotic factors of moss habitats. The present study is first of ever att...

Lectotypes have been designated for Gentiana recurvata C. B. Clarke, G. sikkimensis C. B. Clarke and G. stylophora C. B. Clarke. The choice of lectotypes are discussed and photograph of each type has also been provided.

Didymocarpus bhutanicus W.T. Wang (Gesneriaceae), an uncommon mossy herb species from the eastern Himalaya is reported here as a new record for Indian flora. The species was earlier known only from Bhutan and listed as ‘Least Concern’ in the IUCN Red List (Bhutan Endemic Flowering Plants Workshop 2017). A detailed description along with an image of...

A plant life-form in a particular ecosystem is the sum of its all life processes and evolved directly in response to the prevailing environment. It is considered as a potential indicator of phytoclimatic conditions of the ecosystem in which it populates. The spatial distribution patterns of life-forms vary from one ecosystem to another due to varia...

The book contains an updated census of Indian Orchids with all important synonyms and literature citation. It also include information on life form, phenology and distribution of all species in India. 775 species have been represented by nearly 2000 photographs.

Splachnobryum obtusum (Brid.) C. Muell. (Splachnobryaceae A.K. Kop.) has been recently collected from Dzongri regions of west district of Sikkim at an altitude of 3732 msl. The collection of this species from such a higher elevation in Sikkim indicates its greater adaptability to survive in a varied range of habitats in Sikkim Himalaya and also an...

Splachnobryum obtusum (Brid.) C. Muell. (Splachnobryaceae A.K. Kop.) has been recently collected from Dzongri regions of west district of Sikkim at an altitude of 3732 msl. The collection of this species from such a higher elevation in Sikkim indicates its greater adaptability to survive in a varied range of habitats in Eastern Himalaya and also an...

Ormosia fordiana Oliv. (Leguminosae subfamily papilionoideae) is reported here as a new record to Arunachal Pradesh and collected after a gap of 79 years from India. Lectotype of the name Ormosia fordiana is also designated here.

Codonopsis bhutanica Ludlow, a lesser-known endemic species to central and eastern Himalaya, collected for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species was previously known only from Bhutan and Nepal. The species is reported here with a detailed taxonomic description along with habitat image, a photo-plate illustrating different featur...