Cortinariaceae represents one of the most species-rich and taxonomically diverse families within the order Agaricales. As a part of the ongoing efforts to document its hidden diversity, extensive macrofungal surveys were conducted in two different states of India, viz., Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, resulting in the discovery of two noteworthy species belonging to the genera Cortinarius and Phlegmacium. Cortinarius himachalensis is readily distinguished by a prominently umbonate pileus, a slightly curved stipe with a tapered base, and elliptical to pip-shaped basidiospores. In contrast, Phlegmacium subalpinum is characterized by a dry pileus surface, amygdaliform to citriform shaped basidiospores, and a double-layered pileipellis lacking a gluten layer. Species delimitation was supported by detailed morpho-taxonomic analyses in combination with molecular phylogenetic inferences using nuclear markers, nrITS and nrLSU. Phlegmacium subalpinum was resolved using a two-locus dataset (nrITS and LSU), whereas C. himachalensis was established based on nrITS sequence data alone. These findings contribute to the growing understanding of Cortinariaceae diversity in the Indian Himalaya.

In the present study, fifteen genotypes of soapnut (Sapindus trifoliatus L.) were selected from gardens, home gardens, avenue plantation in and around Navsari, South Gujarat. The result shows that there was a significant variation (P<0.05) among 15 genotypes for fruit and seed traits, viz., fruit length, fruit weight, seed length, seed thickness and seed weight. Individual rind (pericarp) weight of soapnut varied significantly and it ranged from 0.76 (SNVS-1) to 1.86g (SNVS-16). A positive correlation was recorded among fruit weight, seed weight with rind weight; hence, fruit weight could be used as an improvement trait while selecting trees. Among selected genotypes, SNVS-16, SNVS-13, SNVS-19, SNVS-14 and SNVS-18 performed better for their fruit & seed traits, and rind weight. Hence, these genotypes can be used for raising quality seedlings for plantation programmes.

Eriolaena lushingtonii Dunn is an endemic and vulnerable tree species of Eastern Ghats, India. Algorithms of species distribution models analyze the relationships between species occurrence and environmental variables to generate predictive maps. The present study aimed to model the potential habitats to identify the environmental factors that determine distribution of E. lushingtonii using ‘MaxEnt’ machine learning model. We used seven bioclimatic variables, and two non-bioclimatic variables (elevation, slope), and species occurrence points to predict suitable habitats. The study used shared Socio-economic Pathways SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios for the 2070s, relying on data from the HadGEM3-GC31-LL climate model. MaxEnt result shows that AUC value of 0.989, indicating exceptional model accuracy. Key factors influencing E. lushingtonii habitat included precipitation of the driest month (Bio-14; 52.4%), elevation (28.3%), Precipitation of the wettest quarter (Bio 16; 13.2%), mean diurnal range (Bio-2; 1.8%), and Precipitation seasonality (Bio 15; 1.2%) were major contributors. The study predicts a decline in E. lushingtonii habitat suitability under future climate change scenarios, providing valuable guidance for conservation efforts.

The present study documents the socio-economic uses of invasive alien plant species by rural communities in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. A total of 142 invasive alien plant species belonging to 110 genera and 45 families were documented. Asteraceae was the dominant family (30 species), followed by Fabaceae (13) and Euphorbiaceae (7). Herbs constituted the majority (62%) compared to trees, shrubs, climbers, and aquatic plants. Fifty-seven species showed high invasive potential, posing serious threats to native plant diversity. Socio-economic status of the traditional uses of invasive alien plant species revealed that around 41 plants have been used for medicinal purposes, > 39 for ornamental, > 32 for fodder , and > 18 for food purposes. It is also observed that alien plant species have created a havoc in the study area and drastically effecting the native plant diversity in the invaded habitats. These species need attention of the researchers to save the structure, composition and dynamics of the native habitats and species diversity.

Myrtaceae is considered an important plant family in India in terms of endemism and economic significance. The endemism is aggregated into two genera namely Syzygium Gaertn. and Eugenia L. Range-restricted endemic Eugenia species such as E. agasthiyamalayana Gopalan & Murugan, E. manickamiana Murugan, E. seithurensis Gopalan & S.R. Sriniv. and E. shettyana Murugan & Gopalan are distributed in southern Western Ghats. The threat status of these species was assessed using IUCN Red list criteria based on the available occurrence records. All species selected here are placed under threatened categories and the population of these species are experiencing various threats in their habitats. This suggests an urgent need to initiate conservation actions and monitor the populations of these narrowly distributed endemic taxa of the genus Eugenia in the wild.

Three new records of the wood rotting corticioid fungal genus Peniophora, i.e., P. meridionalis, P. piceae and P. versicolor are reported for the first time from India based on specimens collected from Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The updated taxonomic key to the Peniophora species from the study area along with morphological description, illustrations, distribution and habitat of these species is also provided.

Goodyera schlechtendaliana var. robusta (Hook.f.) Av. Bhattacharjee & H.J.Chowdhery is being reported here for the first time for West Bengal from Kalimpong. Taxonomic description along with photoplate, notes on habitat, phenology and distribution have been provided here for easy identification of the species.

Gisekia pharnaceoides L. is reported here as a new distributional record for the Western Himalaya from Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve, Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The species is earlier reported from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil, Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal in India. A brief taxonomic description and a field photograph are provided here for its easier identification and further collection in field.

The present communication deals with the species Spigelia anthelmia of family Loganiaceae,  an addition to the flora of Uttar Pradesh. Nomenclature, detailed description, ecology, distribution, geographical location along with a field photograph is provided for easy identification.

A new distributional record of Hylodesmum laxum (DC. ex D.Don) H.Ohashi & R.R.Mill (Fabaceae) is reported from in the forests of Koteranka, Rajouri district (J&K), India. A detailed description, herbarium specimen and photographic plate are provided in this manuscript as reference material for future studies. This finding extends the known geographic range of H. laxum, which has not previously been documented from this part of the Western Himalaya. A brief description, habitat details, and photographic evidence are provided to validate the identification. This record contributes to the floristic diversity of the Jammu & Kashmir region and highlights the need for further botanical exploration in understudied areas.

Bassia prostrata (L.) A.J.Scott was recorded for the first time from Indian desert and addition to the flora of Rajasthan. The present paper deals with its taxonomy, photoplate, habitat and distribution for its easy identification.

This study aims to comprehensively examine the taxonomy of eight species of Costus. The selected taxa for this investigation encompass Costus arabicus, C. dubius, C. erythrophyllus, C. guanaiensis, C. elegans, C. pictus, C. stenophyllus and C. woodsonii. Detailed description of each taxon based on fresh materials have been prepared along with illustrations.