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— Zehneria is one of the most diverse genera in Cucurbitaceae with 75 accepted species mainly in Southeast Asia and tropical Africa. Here, we describe Zehneria neorensis, a new species from Neora Valley in the mountains of West Bengal, India, which has 7‐10 cm long twisted fruiting pedicels, the longest pedicels reported in the genus so far. Based on morphological data, we also suggest the transfer of Melothria morobensis to the genus Zehneria. With a molecular phylogenetic and global biogeographic analysis based on 3856 nucleotides of plastid and nuclear ribosomal DNA, we demonstrate that the genus Zehneria most likely originated on the African continent 24 (30‐19) million years ago and spread from there at least five times to Madagascar and three times to Asia. Zehneria neorensis represents an independent colonization event from Africa to India about 11 (15‐7) million years ago. Three lineages reached New Guinea/Australia and finally moved into Polynesia. We infer a rate of at least 20 long-distance dispersal (LDD) events per 10 million years in the genus. This high LDD frequency is most likely a result of the small berry fruits and small flattened seeds of Zehneria, which seem perfectly adapted to long-distance bird dispersal. Field observations are needed to investigate a potential effect of the newly discovered extended and coiling pedicels in Zehneria neorensis on seed dispersal efficiency. The new species adds to a growing list of rather old Cucurbitaceae lineages in the Himalayan foothills, supporting the hypothesis of long climatic stability in the region.

Ranjan, Vinay, Kumar, Anant, Krishna, Gopal (2023): Recollection, typification, and taxonomic notes on Stilbanthus scandens (Amaranthaceae). Phytotaxa 589 (2): 209-212, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.589.2.9, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.589.2.9

Garcinia stipulata (Clusiaceae) is recollected after a lapse of 53 years from Neora Valley National Park, Darjeeling, India. A taxonomic description with photograph and illustration are provided to facilitate easy identification. Also, a second-step lectotypification is discussed.

Dendrophthoe gamblei (Loranthaceae) a new species from the Peninsular India is described and illustrated along with conservation status. Apparently, new species is similar to Dendrophthoe memecylifolia (Wight and Arn.) Danser but strictly differs in respect to its morphology of vegetative and floral characters. A taxonomic key to the species of Dendrophthoe Mart. from India is also provided.

The Sal (Shorea robusta) dominated forest vegetation of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, India was explored to evaluate the diversity and vegetation structure through different phyto-sociological attributes. The knowledge of the structure and composition of the plant communities has enormous significance in conservation of managed forests, therefore, the plant species diversity, structure and importance value index (IVI) at various levels, viz., trees, shrubs and herbs were studied. A total of 153 plant species (66 trees, 30 shrubs and 57 herbs) belonging to 124 genera of 51 families were recorded from the 30 random plots marked for sampling within the sanctuary. The IVI was highest in Shorea robusta (40.87) and lowest in Syzygium salicifolium (1.08). Shannon-Weaver’s diversity index was recorded highest in herbaceous species (3.66) than in trees (3.08) and shrubs (2.66). Simpson’s index was highest in trees (0.106) than in shrubs (0.035) and herbs (0.028). Pielou’s index was found highest in herbs (0.064) than in shrubs (0.048) and trees (0.046) which was within the range reported for different Indian forests and also which indicates that the sanctuary exhibits species diverse forest. The result of plant species diversity and their quantitative features reveal that the overall community is heterogeneous.

A comparative pollen morphological study, using both LM and SEM, has been carried out in D. multiflora Hook. f. & Thomson and D. pauciflora Hook. f. & Thomson belonging to the family Ericaceae. The exine ornamentation supports the conspecific nature of both the species.

Cardamine circaeoides Hook.f. & Thomson, Codonopsis gracilis Hook.f. & Thomson, Synotis rufinervis (DC.) C. Jeffrey & Y.L. Chen and Synotis vagans (Wall. ex DC.) C. Jeffrey & Y.L. Chen from Neora Valley National Park, Darjeeling are being reported here as new distributional record for West Bengal.

Castanopsis pathakii (Fagaceae), a new species is described and illustrated based on the study of specimens collected from Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, housed at CAL. Detailed notes on its diagnostic traits and morphology are provided. Its relationship with the morphologically allied species C. fleuryi Hickel & A.Camus is discussed. The new species is also compared with C. echinocarpa Miq. and C. brevispinula Hickel & A.Camus.

To ascertain the floristic (angiosperms) diversity in Gorumara National Park,Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, field surveys (with GPS) were undertaken between 2008 to 2012. Study revealed the occurrence of 343 species, 3 subspecies and 4 varieties under 260 genera belonging to 90 families of angiosperms.RET & CITES plants, plants animals interactions and factors affecting management of protected area are also discussed.

Fimbristylis clarkei, a new species, from the Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary is described and illustrated. Its affinity with F. griffithii is discussed.

Two new records (Ixora subsessilis and Luculia pinceana) for the flora of West Bengal have been reported.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to record the changes in floristic composition in Parasnath hill during the past 150 years. In all 568 taxa belonging to 360 genera and 101 families are reported from the area, out of those 188 taxa (33.09%) recorded on or before 1955 have diminished or untraceable and 136 taxa (23.94%) are reported as new additions during present survey. The possible reasons for the changes are also discussed.

Parasnath Hill is situated in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The extensive plant collections between 2003-2006 revealed that 568 species under 360 genera belonging to 101 families as floristic composition of Parasnath Hill (Wildlife Sanctuary). Out of these, 138 species under 105 genera of 49 families are reported to be new additions to the flora of Parasnath Hill. The present communication includes the enumeration of 109 species belonging to 81 genera of 38 families. Correct nomenclature with a brief description, phenology of each taxon is given.

Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Giridih District of Jharkhand State. The Sanctuary covers an area of about 48 km2 with many irregularly shaped rocky peaks (4480ft) the Parasnath hill in the Jharkhand State. After the notification of Parasnath hill as a Wildlife Sanctuary, a comprehensive flora of the Sanctuary was felt essential for sustainable utilization and effective conservation measures. The extensive plant collections during 2003-2006 revealed 538 species under 346 genera belonging to 98 families as floristic composition of Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary.

In the present communication the taxa of family Gentianaceae occurring in the West Bengal are enumerated along with their distribution, phenology and ecology. A total of 27 species, one subspecies under 10 genera occurs in the State. Tripterospermum volubile subsp. longipes Aitken & Long is endemic to Darjeeling.

In the present study, 568 species of higher plants have been classified into different life forms and biological spectrum of the flora of Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary (Parasnath hill), Chota Nagpur Plateau, Jharkhand, India has been prepared and compared with Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum that depicts Thero-Phanerophytic phyto-climate of the area.

A lectotype is designated for Senecio biligulatus W. W. Sm. (Asteraceae).

Prunus ceylanica (Wight) Miq. (Rosaceae) a species under endangered categories of IUCN is collected after eight decades from West Bengal from the protected areas of North Bengal.

The present paper deals with new distributional record of Scurrula gracilifolia (Roxb. ex Schult.f.) Danser (Loranthaceae) for the state of West Bengal.

The present paper deals with new distributional record of Hedyotis angustifolia Cham. & Schltdl. and Paederialanuginosa Wall. (Rubiaceae) for West Bengal. Detailed taxonomic descriptions along with habit sketches as are provided.

Dendrophthoe glabrescens (Blakely) Barlow is being reported for the first time from Tamil Nadu. Detailed taxonomic description, illustration and scanned images of specimens are also given.

The present paper deals with the new distributional record of Habenaria pantlingiana Kraenzl. (Orchidaceae) from Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Jharkhand. Detailed taxonomic description along with illustration is provided.

The occurrence of Swertia teres (G. Don) J. Shah (Gentianaceae) has been recorded for the first time from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Detailed taxonomic description along with illustration is provided.

Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub. is reported first time from West Bengal, India. The detailed description along with illustration is provided.

Paper deals with the phytogeographical analysis of the flora and shows that the native flora is composed of 12 various phytogeographical elements and predominant elements are Indian wides, tropical and subtropical and Indian.