Pseudotrachys M. Anil Kumar and B. Ravi Prasad Rao, a new genus is proposed in the tribe Paniceae, subfamily Panicoideae of Poaceae. Taxonomic account, technical description, comparative account with allied genus, comparative illustrations and critical notes are provided.

The ‘Wadi’ model of tribal development is based on agro-horti-forestry system in the central Indian forest landscape to enhance the ecosystem services. We conducted a detailed survey of ‘Wadi’ project sites in Budhni area of Madhya Pradesh. The study revealed the presence of forty-three tree species around 120 households in the study area. Tree species richness per ‘Wadi’ ranged from two to nine based on the size of the area. The agroforestry intervention has resulted into compound increase (83.33%) in the existing agroforestry biodiversity of majority of households. The species richness and the number of trees showed positive correlation with the increase in size of the Homegarden (Wadi). Such intervention in the fringe villages of forested area could prove to be one of the effective strategies to compliment forest landscape restoration apart from increasing biodiversity. The study also suggested the need of the supply of good quality planting materials especially of fruit yielding trees.

Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston is a medium-sized threatened tree that mainly occupies the low-elevation evergreen patches of the Western Ghats (India) - Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot. The present study predicts the potential habitats of Syzygium caryophyllatum at the ecoregion level for prioritising its conservation and restoration area. The bioclimatic species distribution modelling (SDM) using 19 bioclimatic parameters of World Clim used here to elucidate fundamental niche of the species. The standardised vegetation and landuse layer used in this model for the prediction of potential niche of the species incorporating biotic factors. The incorporation of standardised vegetation layer for the inclusion of Eltonian factors along with MaxEnt based Ecological Niche Modelling helped to refine its predicted area from 10,824 km² to 8,595 km² within the Western Ghats. The model adopted with the MaxEnt SDM with additional biotic layers to better accommodate the Grinnellian and Eltonian niche factors. The ecoregion level prediction for the potential habitat of the threatened tree species provides adequate information for the niche specific conservation and ecorestoration planning ensuring ecosystem-based approach (EbA).

The experiments were carried out to study the effect of growing media on seed germination and seedling growth of Magnolia gustavii King. – accredited as a Critically Endangered tree species naturally occurring in Assam, India. The trials were conducted in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three (03) different treatments with different combinations viz. T₁ – Soil: Sand (1:1), T₂ – Coarse Sand and T₃ – Soil: Sand: FYM (1:1:1). The seed germination data were recorded on a daily basis and germination parameters viz.- final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), first day of germination (FDG), last day of germination (LDG), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), germination rate index (GRI), germination index (GI), time spread of germination (TSG), and peak value of mean germination (PVMG) were estimated and data were statistically analyzed. Synergistic weightage given to all the parameters led to the conclusion that Coarse Sand is the most appropriate medium with respect to seed germination and seedling vigour in M. gustavii King.

During botanical explorations in the state of Jammu & Kashmir (India), two tree species viz., Chionanthus ramiflorus Roxb. (Oleaceae) and Daphniphyllum himalense (Benth.) Müll.Arg. (Daphniphyllaceae), were collected, besides several other woody and herbaceous plants.. Scrutiny of the literature reveals that these species have not been recorded from the state so far. In this communication we report these species as additions to the flora of Jammu & Kashmir.

An interesting specimen of the genus Biophytum (Oxalidaceae) collected from Pechiparai of Kanyakumari district is confirmed as Biophytum veldkampii. This note reports the occurrence of this species in the state of Tamil Nadu as a new record. A detailed description and photo to facilitate field identification of this species are provided here.

We assessed tree species diversity and regeneration status in the Binsar wildlife sanctuary, Uttarakhand. Six major forest sites were selected for sampling ranging from 1600-2400m asl in north and south aspects. In each forest stand a 100 x 100m plot was laid and trees, saplings and seedlings were recorded following standard ecological methods.The overall tree density ranged from 663 to 1066 individuals ha^-1 among the identified forest communities and total basal area from 40.24-71.20 m² ha^-1. Good regeneration was observed in higher altitudinal community.

Ficus species (Moraceae), play a pivotal role as keystone species within the forest ecosystem. They serve as a source of food for the frugivores in the forest, throughout the year. We conducted a survey of the frugivores in the protected area of Kariyanshola forest in Topslip and recorded the avian frugivores that feed on the fruits of fig trees. The study brought to light 31 species of birds from 7 families feeding on the figs of 7 different species of Ficus. Accentuating the richness of frugivores in the forest ecosystem helps in emphasizing the value of the keystone resources for those frugivores, which is the Ficus species. These fig trees that attract the various avian frugivores are suggested to be introduced in forest restoration activities to enrich the biodiversity of the area and enhance the health of the ecosystem.

Passiflora suberosa L. (Passifloraceae) has been documented from the lower region of the Gangetic plain in eastern India’s West Bengal. This account offers an intricate portrayal encompassing comprehensive description, nomenclature, vivid colour photographs, illustrative depictions, insight into phenology, and an extensive overview of its distribution.

In the present paper, the occurrence of Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. in Uttar Pradesh, is being reported first time for the flora of Uttar Pradesh. A brief description with updated nomenclature, locality and photographs have been provided.