A study on diversity and distribution of Ficus L. (Dicotyledonae: Moraceae) species at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India

Ficus L., commonly known as Fig, is a member of the family Moraceae (mulberry family) comprises 37 genera and approximately 1,100 species distributed in diverse ecosystems, especially in tropical and temperate regions of the world. The Ficus genus stands out as a keystone resource provider in many tropical forests, which is probably because of continuous non-seasonal fruiting in many species. It is one of the largest genera in the angiosperms about 750 species. The present study was carried out in the Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India. The phytodiversity of Ficus L. and their socio-economic values worked out during the investigation, religious-spiritual attachment, food of wild animals, ethnomedicinal and timber significance. There were 16 species of Ficus L. recorded from New Forest, FRI, Dehradun based on the morphological observations of taxonomically significant characteristics. The species found in FRI New Forest Dehradun were, Ficus benjamina, F. religiosa, F. racemosa, F. rumphii, F. retusa, F. krishnae, F. elastica, F. virens, F. semicordata, F. auriculata, F. hispida, F. pumila, F. palmata, F. drupacea, F. benghalensis, F. pomifera. Out of the notified 16 species of Ficus, 11 species were trees, 3 shrubs and 2 climbers in nature. The maximum leaf size (30×27cm2) was reported in F. auriculata, followed by F. semicordata (28×10cm2), F. benghalensis (25×11cm2). However, minimum leaf size was noticed in F. benjamina (4×2cm2) and F. retusa (4×3cm2). Among, 15 species, axillary fig (fruit) arrangement was observed, while one species (F. racemosa) has stem position of fruits. The current finding is itself a pioneer study to present a glimpse of such immense species diversity of single genera from sub-valley areas and will be a milestone for future studies in conservation and management of these wild varieties

Moss flora of Rajasthan and Punjab plains

An updated account of 51 taxa of mosses of Rajasthan and Punjab plains is provided along with a note on delimitation of boundaries of this unique bryo-geographical zone. Family Pottiaceae is most dominant and diversified with 17 taxa under 11 genera while genus Fissidens (Fissidentaceae) has the maximum diversity with 7 species followed by Physcomitrium (Funariaceae) and Bryum (Bryaceae) with 6 species each

Nomenclatural updates in Kashyap’s ‘Liverwort flora of western Himalayas and Panjab Plains’

An updated taxonomic status of various taxa described in the ‘Liverworts of western Himalayas and Panjab plains’, a monumental work of Prof. S.R. Kashyap, is provided in the light of numerous taxonomical changes occurred during course of time, with relevant references and/or annotations

Plagiochila sisparensis Steph. - a vulnerable liverwort from Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats

Plagiochila sisparensis Steph., an endemic liverwort of Western Ghats - Sri Lanka hot spot, is recently rediscovered from Avalanche in Nilgiri hills (Tamil Nadu), the area is adjacent to its home place. The species was only recorded from India in 1921 from Sispara (Kerala). After more than 90 years gap it has been rediscovered. The species is easily separable from other species of Plagiochila sect. Tayloriae, and characterized by moderately imbricate leaves which are oblong in shape, spinose teeth, mostly restricted to ventral margin of the leaves. Detailed information is given on its morphology and ecology, and a comparison of similar species of the same section is also discussed

A brief study on Strebulus Asper L. -A Review

Streblus asper L. is a small tree found in tropical countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand belonging to family moraceae. Various parts of this plant are used in Ayurveda and other folk medicines for the treatment of different ailments such as filariasis, leprosy, toothache, diarrhea, dysentery and cancer. Research carried out using different in vitro and in vivo techniques of biological evaluation support most of these claims. This review presents the botany, chemistry, traditional uses and pharmacology of this medicinal plant

Mosses of Nilgiri Hills ARCHIVE FOR BRYOLOGY 102 (2011) Status of Mosses in Nilgiri Hills (Western Ghats), India

Abstract: The present paper deals with the current status of mosses of Nilgiri hills. There is total of 157 taxa reported so far on the basis of all earlier records. In which 22 taxa new to Nilgiri hills. The socio-ecology of mosses of the Nilgiri hills is also discussed in the text

An ethnobotanical study of plants used by forest fringe communities of Lwali village (Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand)

The paper provides information on traditional knowledge of plants used by fringe forest communities of village Lwali (District Pauri Garhwal). The paper deals with 35 plant species belonging to 34 genera of 29 families, that find mention in the local folklore. The plants have been provided with botanical names, vernacular names, parts used and ethnobotanical uses

Computational Insights into Pharmacokinetic Profiling of Amygdalin: An In-Silico Study

Amygdalin is a naturally occurring cyanogenic glycoside which has been used as an alternative anti-cancer agent despite controversies surrounding its efficacy and safety. This study utilized computational approaches to investigate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties of amygdalin based on its molecular structure. Amygdalin was modeled in ChemBio3D and submitted to SwissADME and admetSAR servers for ADMET parameter prediction. The in-silico simulations indicated suboptimal pharmacological properties for amygdalin, including low lipophilicity, poor bioavailability, minimal blood-brain barrier permeability and non-compliance with drug-likeness criteria. Additional pharmacokinetic modeling through Simcyp suggested rapid clearance and short half-life after intravenous administration.While toxicity was predicted to be low at regular dosages, the overall pharmacological limitations may pose challenges for amygdalin’s efficacy as an anti-cancer therapy. The computational findings provide comprehensive insights into amygdalin’s drug-like behavior and can inform future in vitro/in vivo investigations on this naturally derived compound

Checklist of family Poaceae in Lahaul and Spiti district (Cold Desert), Himachal Pradesh, India

The present study provides an overview of the diversity and distribution of grass species in Lahaul- Spiti district (cold desert) situated in the Trans-Himalayan region i.e. Himachal Pradesh, India. From the study area 141 taxa (138 species and 3 subspecies) belonging to 14 tribes were recorded. The largest tribe was Festuceae followed by Agrostideae having 48 and 20 species, respectively. Two species Poa koelzii and P. Lahaulensis are endemic to Lahaul- Spiti. Puccinellia kashmiriana is rare as per IUCN status. The present study on the grass floral wealth of Lahaul-Spiti provides an important baseline data on grasses for further quantitative and qualitative investigations like their nutritive values, crop improvement programmes and shall also help in the identification of priority conservation areas in the region