Traditional use of organic materials as soaps and detergents indicates the wisdom of people about utilization of biodiversity in their surroundings. Himachal Himalaya represents a wide range of agro-ecological conditions where altitude varies from 900m to over 3000 m. The three districts included in the study represent almost all conditions. A total of 23 plant species and two animal byproducts had been used by the people as soaps and detergents. The processing techniques and chemical basis of some 17 materials have been mentioned. These materials may find way to develop skin- and environment- friendly natural products in future.

In the present communication seedling morphology of Sida acuta Burm. f., a well known medicinal weed of tropics and subtropics have been highlighted. Seedlings have been observed for 24 days up to 5^th leaf stage to record their morpho-taxonomic attributes and illustrated at different leaf stages. Seedling germination was Macaranga type.  Paracotyledons were opposite, isocotylar, foliaceous, exstipulate, petiolate and persistent up to 7^th leaf stage. Paracotyledon blade was deltoid-ovate, base rounded, apex obtuse, margins entire, both surface green and glabrous, venation acrodromous. First leaf single, simple, alternate, exstipulate and petiolate. Leaf petiole was green and pubescent, terete and channelled in cross section. Leaf blade was oval, base cuneate, apex acute, margins dentate, both surface sparsely hairy and venation cladodromous. Subsequent leaves same as that of first leaf  but stipulate; stipules two,  unequal in length.

In order to select better seed sources for improved genetic gain and quality production of Sapindus mukorossi, (Ritha) twenty four seed sources and two D.B.H. classes from Himachal Pradesh were evaluated for fruits and seeds morphometric traits. The study revealed significant variation among different seed sources for all traits. Over all Banjar seed source was found to be superior followed by Garsa seed source for all morphometric traits. All traits found genetically controlled as revealed by high heritabilities.

Variability and diversity of the medicinal plant Leucas lavandulifolia Sm. in its natural habitats in Kerala was analyzed based on the observations on eleven salient morphological characters recorded from thirty populations of the species distributed across Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts of Kerala state, India.  All the eleven characters studied such as plant height, number of branches per plant, length of branches, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, internodal length, number of inflorescences per plant, number of flowers per inflorescence and fresh weight of plants showed statistically significant variations between the populations.  The interrelationship between the characters and their association was also studied.  Number of inflorescences per plant showed significant positive correlation with maximum number of characters.  By factor analysis based on the characters studied, three factors could be extracted and leaf breadth, length of branches and number of leaves per plant were found to be the lead characters.  Significant variability with regard to morphological characters indicates the strong genetic base of the plant species in the field.  However, drastic alterations in its habitat for various reasons can pose serious threat to its survival and hence measures to protect and conserve the natural habitats of this species are essential.

Economically valuable wild plant resources of the Nawabgunj Bird Sanctuary belonging to 85 taxa are listed along with their multifarious utility. The studies illuminated the worth of these plants in daily life sustenance of the local inhabitants dwelling near the Sanctuary as well as their potential large scale value in pharmaceutical industry.

Author has prepared a list of 80 plants species which are grown naturally in the forest have fulfilled the needs of local people.  The plants provide renewable plant resources such as timber, fuel, gum, resin, food, etc. and also helps for the conservation of biodiversity, control soil erosion, maintain humidity and regulate environmental pollution.  The present study was conducted with a view to protect biodiversity.

The Savaras of Andhra Pradesh employ 27 plant species belonging to 24 genera and 21 families for curing diabetes. One plant species and 14 practices were found to be new. Habit-wise analysis showed the prevalence of trees (10) followed by herbs (8), shrubs (7) and climbers (2).

In the present paper, 71 plant species under 61 genera belonging to 35 families used in folk medicines to treat 51diseases and conditions have been documented. Over half of all species reported are used for skin diseases, fever and stomachache. Leaves and the roots are the most commonly used plant parts, with almost half of all plants reported. The most common methods of remedy preparation are decoction and powder. Some wild plants are also used as vegetables, fruits, fibre, ceremonial, sacred, traditional beliefs and other various purposes.

In this paper highlights a brief description of Adenocalymma alliaceum (Lam.) Miers is provided along with its medicinal uses to cure gastric trouble.

The paper presents observations on phenological studies conducted on 112 plant species of tarai region between 2008-2011.

The present report on the ethnomedicinal uses of plants among the tribals of Jashpur, Chhattisgarh deals with the 37 species belonging to 36 genera and 32 families, some of which were not reported eairlier including new uses from the area and difference in the use of parts of plants.  These plants are traditionally utilized by the tribal people for the cure of ailments such as diarrhoea, rheumatism, spermatorrhoea, dysentery, fever, jaundice, leucorrhoea, ulcers, arthrites, skin disease, as tonic, as aphrodisiac, etc. In enumeration, the species have been arranged alphabetically with their family, local name in inverted comma followed by uses, localities, collector name and number.  Details about parts of the plant used, exact dosage, mode of administration, duration and the name of ailments, etc. are provided.