The research was carried out in the Aravalli Forests of Nahargarh (NWLS) and Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuaries (JRWLS) of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. The vegetation structure, composition, biodiversity and plant community types were assessed across the five forest stands viz Nahargarh biological park (S1), Nahargarh Sanctuary (S2) in NWLS and Ramgarh (S3), Raisar (S4), and Digota (S5) of JRWLS, respectively. A total of 164 qaudrats of 20*20 m2 were laid to assess the vegetation data including frequency, basal area, density, importance value index (IVI), biodiversity indices (Shannon-weiner, Simpson, Pielou and Margalef’s) and plant community types. The tree basal area ranged between 18.56 -34.36 m2/ha while stand density was 923-1433 tree/ha. Our study indicated the dominance of family Fabaceae with 20 species and 11 genera with Anogeissus pendula showing the maximum frequency, density, mean basal area and IVI. Further, the agglomerative hierarchal clustering showed five types of plant communities with Anogeissus-Adhatoda as the most widely spread community in these forests. Among the two sanctuaries, species diversity was higher for JRWLS (2.83) than NWLS (2.80). The current study provides important baseline data for forthcoming research on monitoring and preserving these forest’s biological diversity. The significance of present study will provide insight into the structure and variety of tree species in tropical dry deciduous forests.

A new species of Emblica Gaertn. (Phyllanthaceae), E. chakrabartyi sp. nov. from the southern part of the Western Ghats, India is described here along with data on distribution, phenology and colour photographs. A key to the species of Emblica in India is also provided. The new species is allied to Emblica anamalayana, but differs in habit, urceolate staminate flowers with short pedicel, inner tepals of staminate flower larger than outer, short anthers which are equal in length to its column, three distinct deeply bifid styles, shape of capsule and its styles and black lineolate smooth seeds.

Rubus fairholmianus Gardner and R. micropetalus Gardner are the two closely allied taxa, collected from different localities of southern Western Ghats, India. Because of the absence of detailed description and the existence of morphological similarities, these taxa have been misidentified in many herbaria and other published floras. The present study discusses the major delineating features of both the taxa based on the conventional taxonomic studies and along with seed morphological analysis and also provides a note on the occurrence of R. moluccanus L. in Western Ghats. During the study, the name R. fairholmianus is also neotypified.

The genus Premna Linnaeus (1771: 587) (subfamily Premnoideae) is one of the largest woody genera of the mint family (Lamiaceae) (Li et al. 2016). Premna has been recently transferred from the family Verbenaceae to Lamiaceae (Li & Olmstead 2017, Harley et al. 2004, Bramley et al. 2010, Olmstead 2010, 2012) based on molecular evidence. The genus is mainly distributed in Old World tropical and subtropical regions (Govaerts et al. 2008), and comprises about 129 species in the world (POWO 2023). Though some regional revisions of Premna have been done (Munir 1984, Ho 1999, Rajendran & Daniel 2002, Mabberley & de Kok 2004, Leeratiwong et al. 2009, de Kok 2013), the complete revision of the genus is missing. So it still ranks among the most taxonomically difficult and complicated genera of Lamiaceae (Tan & Li 2014). In India, the genus is represented by 32 species (Rajendran & Daniel 2002), out of which nine are recorded so far from Kerala region (Prabhukumar et al. 2013) with five endemics (Sasidharan 2013). In a floristic exploration trip, the authors collected an unknown species of Premna on the road sides of Bodymettu forest ranges of Idukki district, Kerala. The specimen is distinct from the other taxa distributed in Western Ghats in its thyrsus inflorescence. Perusal of literature (Wight 1849, Clarke 1885, Gamble 1924, Moldenke & Moldenke 1983, Rajendran & Daniel 2002) and types, its identity was confirmed as P. wightiana Schauer (1847: 635), which was earlier thought as endemic to southern part of Western Ghats until Rajendran and Daniel reported its occurrence from Sri Lanka based on the herbarium specimens housed at PDA (Daniel & Rajendran, 1993). In India, this species was earlier known to occur in Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Eastern Ghats of Orissa (Balachandran et al. 2015) (Figure 1). While revising the family Verbenaceae for India, Rajendran and Daniel (2002) noted that "this species has never been re-collected in Kerala after Bourdillon who collected it in Quilon 1894". Hence the present collection of this specimen from Idukki District of Kerala is a re-collection after 123 years for the state (Figure 2). During the study, we realized the need of typification of the name P. wightiana and a lectotype was designated here according to the Art. 9.3 of Shenzhen Code (Turland et al. 2018).

This ethnobotanical study explores the traditional medicinal practices in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. It highlights the utilization of various plant species by local communities for disease treatment, sacred rituals and magico-religious beliefs. The study underlines the importance of preserving this ethnomedicinal knowledge and integrating it with modern medicine. It also emphasizes the significance of sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation. The findings shed light on the profound connection between people, plants and the environment, offering insights into traditional and modern healthcare approaches.

Strobilanthes lawsonii was described by Gamble based on a collection made from Sispara Ghat of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu. Later researchers reported its distribution in Kerala, and S. gamblei and S. pushpangadanii, two endemic species of the Western Ghats, were synonymised with S. lawsonii during the genus revision in southern India in 2006. During a recent expedition to Muthikulam forest of Palakkad, Kerala the authors collected typical S. lawsonii. After comparing the new collections with S. gamblei and S. pushpangadanii, it was found that both taxa are distinct from S. lawsonii, with the most notable morphological differences being partially fused corolla lobes and exserted stamens. A detailed comparison of the three taxa is provided here, along with color photographs and a taxonomic key for easy species identification.

Gentiana sasidharanii, a new species of Gentianaceae, from Western Ghats of Kerala, India, is here described and illustrated. Species distribution, phenology and colour photographs of the new species are provided. A comparative table of the new species with G. kurumba, and a key to allied species are also presented.

Bulbostylis maritima (Cyperaceae) is described as a new species along with colour photograph, illustration and SEM micrographs of achene surface. It is closely allied to B. subspinescens and B. barbata, but differs by a combination of characters, mainly by the densely tubercled achenes, presence of prominent cavities on the rachilla, prominently ciliate bracteoles at the base of spikelets and a knee-like swelling towards base of the glumes.

Hedyotis shoolamudianus, a new species of Rubiaceae is described here. The paper provides distribution, phenology and colour photographs of the new species along with comparison chart of its allied taxa.

Hedyotis shoolamudianus, a new species of Rubiaceae is described here. The paper provides distribution, phenology and colour photographs of the new species along with comparison chart of its allied taxa.

Hedyotis indirae, a new shrubby species of Rubiaceae from Muthikulam forest of Palakkad district, Kerala is described and illustrated here. The species shows similarities with its closely allied taxa H. hirsutissima and H. beddomei, but differs in many qualitative attributes. Detailed description, phenology and distribution notes are provided along with photographs.

The present paper discusses the identity and distribution of Vasconcellea pubescens (Caricaceae) in Asian countries with detailed description and colour photographs. Here we also designate the lectotypes for the names Vasconcellea cestriflora and Carica candamarcensis .

Utricularia sunilii, a new species of Utricularia Sect. Oligocista from Kerala state of Western Ghats is described here. The new species shows similarities with U. graminifolia in having 3-nerved foliar organs and thickened capsule wall along the margin of dehiscence but differs by deeply 3-lobed lower lip of corolla.

Impatiens brevicornis (Barnes) Bhaskar (Balsaminaceae), a localised endemic species of southern Western Ghats has been rediscovered from Chinnar forest regions of Idukki district. A taxonomic treatment, distribution, ecology and phenology of the species are provided along with a colour photograph for the first time.

E. tuberiferum is reported here for the first time from south India with a detailed description, distribution, illustration and colour photographs.

Fimbristylis griffithii Boeckeler (Cyperaceae) is reported for the first time from Peninsular India. In India, this species was earlier reported only from northeastern state of Assam and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A brief description and photo plate are provided for facilitating easy identification.

Ischaemum sreenarayanii, a new species of Ischaemum L. is described andillustrated with detailed notes on distribution, conservation status and phenology. The new species is similar to I. santapaui and I. nairii but differs in number of attributes having up to 1.3 cm long filiform tip of the leaf apex, villous pseudopetiole of upper leaves and 4-6 conspicuous annular transverse ridges and winged margins of the sessile spikelet.Keywords: Ischaemum; New species; Poaceae; Kerala; India.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24(1): 33–38, 2017 (June)