herbarium of the Department of Botany, Tripura University.
However, we did not compare our collected specimen with
the isotype specimen at the Botanical Survey of India. This
study reveals that four orchid species viz., Coelogyne
flexuosa Rolfe, Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindl, Liparis odorata
(Willd) Lindl, Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl, which are
reported here as new distributional records for the state
(Table 1 & Fig.1).
Fig. 1. Map showing distribution locations of newly recorded four
orchid species of Tripura, North-East India
Table 1. List of four new recorded Orchid species along with their geographic details
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Taxonomic description1. Coelogyne flexuosa Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1892
(69): 209.
Synonyms: Coelogyne bimaculata Ridl.; Ptychogyne
bimaculata (Ridl.) Pfitzer; Ptychogyne flexuosa (Rolfe)
Pfitzer.
Description: Pseudobulb close, about 7 cm long, 3.5cm
wide near the base, ovoid, ridged, leaves2, about 25 by 5 cm,
with a short stalk, tip acute, edges slightly wavy. Inflores-
cence erect, on fully grown young pseudobulb, the scape
slender, 20 cm long, the rachis 15cm, flexous, bearing about
15 flowers all open together. Bracts 3cm long, falling. Flower
white, not widely opening. Sepals about 1.7 by 0.6 cm, petals
1.4 by 0.4cm, side lobes lip erect, rounded, mid lobe half total
length of lip, hardly widening from the base, very shortly
tipped, about 6mm wide, keels on lip 3, smooth, from near
base to apex, interrupted near base where the laterals are a
little longer, a yellow patch across middle of mid-lobe and
continued back along base of side lobes, column 7mm long,
narrowly winged (Fig. 2).
Flowering and Fruiting: April–June
Distribution: peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Bali and Java,
India, Tripura.
Status: Locally rare.
Ecology: Found in hilly forests at elevations of 700 to 900
meters high up on isolated tree trunks and branches in bright
light as a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte with
close set, ovoid, ridged pseudobulb.
Medicinal use: Paste of pseudobulb is applied to forehead to
cure headache and fever, juice is taken for indigestion.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, North district, Jampui hill, Datta and
Baishnab, TUH-1960, Dated 02-05-2017
2. Bulbophyllum lobbi Lindl., Edwards's Bot.
Reg.33:t.29. 1847.
Synonyms: Bullbophyllum claptonense Rolfe; Bullbophyllum
henshallii Lindley; Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindley var
henshallii Lindley Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindley var
siamense Rchbf ; Bulbophyllum siamense Rchbf.
Description: Rhizome usually rather long, creeper, bearing a
series of pseudobulbs. Leaves one, arise from the apex of
pseudobulb, leaf blade leathery. Scape arises from the base of
a pseudobulb and covers pseudobulb. Flowers are solitary 5-
6 cm across, yellow with thin longitudinal, brown stripes
across all floral segments. Petals and sepals are shaped like
blades. Dorsal sepal is upright and pointed. Petals are
horizontal and curve downwards towards the tip (Fig. 3).
Flowering and fruiting: March-May
Distribution: Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines at elevations of 200 to 2000 meters,
Name of the plant Accession No.
Habit Occurrence GeographicalCoordination
Coelogyne
flexuosa
Rolfe
TUH-1960
Epiphytic Jampui range, North District of
Tripura
23°49'58.0"N,092°15'30.1"E
Bulbophyllum
lobbii
Lindl.
TUH-1972
Epiphytic Chandrapur, Gomati District
of Tripura.
23°27'43.0"N,091°29'41.8"E
Liparis odorata (Willd.) Lindl. TUH-1980 Terrestrial Udaipur, Peratia 23°27'43.0"N,091°29'41.8"E
Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. TUH-1985 Epiphyte Jampui hill 23°49'58.0"N,092°15'30.1"E
FOUR NEW ADDITIONS OF ORCHID SPECIES FOR THE FLORA OF TRIPURA,NORTH EAST INDIA
B. Baishnab, B. Banik, K. Majumdar* and B.K. Datta
Plant Taxonomy & Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Botany, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Tripura, India
*Correspondence: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Orchidaceae is one of the largest and highly evolved families
of angiosperms, consisting of about 28,000 currently
accepted species, distributed in about 763 genera
(Christenhusz et al., 2016). So far about 1331 species under
186 genera have been reported from India out of which about
900 species in 165 genera are found in North East India
(Misra 2007; Rao 2007). Orchids are cultivated for their
beautiful flowers, economic importance and also for their
medicinal value. Their worldwide distribution is due to their
range of diversity in shape, size and colour of flowers and
comprising of herbaceous plants, characterized by distinct
floral morphology, pollination mechanism, association with
unique fungal partners (mycorrhizae) and miniscule seeds
they are consider to be the highly advanced family in
monocots (Singh et al., 2001). In the flora of Tripura state
there are 33 orchid species under 22 genera (Deb 1983).
Tripura is one of the eighth states of north-east India, third-
smallest state in the country and it is bordered by Bangladesh
to the north, south, and west, and the Indian states of Assam 2and Mizoram to the east. The area of Tripura is 10491 km of
2which about 17.4% that is 1825 km is under forest cover.
Tripura located on the extreme corner of the Indian
subcontinent. It extends from 22°56'N to 24°32'N, and
91°09'E to 92°20'E. Its maximum extent measures about 184
km from north to south, and 113 km east to west. This small
state divided into eight districts, these are Dhalai, Sipahijala,
Khowai, Gomati, North Tripura, South Tripura, West
Tripura, and Unakoti. Its unique ecosystem favours growth
of plants considered as Natures reservoir of plants
resources. Almost all varieties of plants relating to different
climatic conditions are found in the state where orchids are
important component of vegetation. The climate of Tripura
is typically a tropical dry and wet climate with a high level of
humidity and heavy rainfall. The four main seasons are
winter, from December to February; pre-monsoon or
summer, from March to April; monsoon, from May to
September; and post-monsoon, from October to November.
The rainy and moist environment of the state supports a
diversified flora including rich orchid diversity.
METHODOLOGY
Several field visits were made throughout the state in
different districts during 2016-2017 covering all the season
of the year. During field exploration we collected several
orchid species. Fresh orchid species were collected from the
field for taxonomical study as well as made into standard
mounted herbarium sheets following the procedure of (Jain
1977). The identity of collected specimens determined by
study of detailed taxonomic descriptions in different floras
(Hooker 1890; Chowdhery 1998, 2009) and other relevant
taxonomic study and e-floras of India and abroad
(http://www.efloras.org; https://sites.google.com/site/e
floraofindia/). The voucher specimens were deposited in the
ABSTRACT
In the present study, four additional Orchids belonging to genera, Coelogyne, Bulbophyllum, Liparis, and Dendrobium of the
family Orchidaceae were considered as new addition to the flora of Tripura, Northeast India. Present information will be
useful for future population assessment and reproductive biology studies to manage its wild stock. In Tripura, orchids suffer
large-scale extinction especially as a result of clear felling of large trees, modification preferred habitat and might due to the
effect of climate change.
Keywords: Orchids, New distribution, Conservation, Bulbophyllum.
ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017111 112
herbarium of the Department of Botany, Tripura University.
However, we did not compare our collected specimen with
the isotype specimen at the Botanical Survey of India. This
study reveals that four orchid species viz., Coelogyne
flexuosa Rolfe, Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindl, Liparis odorata
(Willd) Lindl, Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl, which are
reported here as new distributional records for the state
(Table 1 & Fig.1).
Fig. 1. Map showing distribution locations of newly recorded four
orchid species of Tripura, North-East India
Table 1. List of four new recorded Orchid species along with their geographic details
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Taxonomic description1. Coelogyne flexuosa Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1892
(69): 209.
Synonyms: Coelogyne bimaculata Ridl.; Ptychogyne
bimaculata (Ridl.) Pfitzer; Ptychogyne flexuosa (Rolfe)
Pfitzer.
Description: Pseudobulb close, about 7 cm long, 3.5cm
wide near the base, ovoid, ridged, leaves2, about 25 by 5 cm,
with a short stalk, tip acute, edges slightly wavy. Inflores-
cence erect, on fully grown young pseudobulb, the scape
slender, 20 cm long, the rachis 15cm, flexous, bearing about
15 flowers all open together. Bracts 3cm long, falling. Flower
white, not widely opening. Sepals about 1.7 by 0.6 cm, petals
1.4 by 0.4cm, side lobes lip erect, rounded, mid lobe half total
length of lip, hardly widening from the base, very shortly
tipped, about 6mm wide, keels on lip 3, smooth, from near
base to apex, interrupted near base where the laterals are a
little longer, a yellow patch across middle of mid-lobe and
continued back along base of side lobes, column 7mm long,
narrowly winged (Fig. 2).
Flowering and Fruiting: April–June
Distribution: peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Bali and Java,
India, Tripura.
Status: Locally rare.
Ecology: Found in hilly forests at elevations of 700 to 900
meters high up on isolated tree trunks and branches in bright
light as a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte with
close set, ovoid, ridged pseudobulb.
Medicinal use: Paste of pseudobulb is applied to forehead to
cure headache and fever, juice is taken for indigestion.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, North district, Jampui hill, Datta and
Baishnab, TUH-1960, Dated 02-05-2017
2. Bulbophyllum lobbi Lindl., Edwards's Bot.
Reg.33:t.29. 1847.
Synonyms: Bullbophyllum claptonense Rolfe; Bullbophyllum
henshallii Lindley; Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindley var
henshallii Lindley Bulbophyllum lobbii Lindley var
siamense Rchbf ; Bulbophyllum siamense Rchbf.
Description: Rhizome usually rather long, creeper, bearing a
series of pseudobulbs. Leaves one, arise from the apex of
pseudobulb, leaf blade leathery. Scape arises from the base of
a pseudobulb and covers pseudobulb. Flowers are solitary 5-
6 cm across, yellow with thin longitudinal, brown stripes
across all floral segments. Petals and sepals are shaped like
blades. Dorsal sepal is upright and pointed. Petals are
horizontal and curve downwards towards the tip (Fig. 3).
Flowering and fruiting: March-May
Distribution: Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines at elevations of 200 to 2000 meters,
Name of the plant Accession No.
Habit Occurrence GeographicalCoordination
Coelogyne
flexuosa
Rolfe
TUH-1960
Epiphytic Jampui range, North District of
Tripura
23°49'58.0"N,092°15'30.1"E
Bulbophyllum
lobbii
Lindl.
TUH-1972
Epiphytic Chandrapur, Gomati District
of Tripura.
23°27'43.0"N,091°29'41.8"E
Liparis odorata (Willd.) Lindl. TUH-1980 Terrestrial Udaipur, Peratia 23°27'43.0"N,091°29'41.8"E
Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. TUH-1985 Epiphyte Jampui hill 23°49'58.0"N,092°15'30.1"E
FOUR NEW ADDITIONS OF ORCHID SPECIES FOR THE FLORA OF TRIPURA,NORTH EAST INDIA
B. Baishnab, B. Banik, K. Majumdar* and B.K. Datta
Plant Taxonomy & Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Botany, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Tripura, India
*Correspondence: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Orchidaceae is one of the largest and highly evolved families
of angiosperms, consisting of about 28,000 currently
accepted species, distributed in about 763 genera
(Christenhusz et al., 2016). So far about 1331 species under
186 genera have been reported from India out of which about
900 species in 165 genera are found in North East India
(Misra 2007; Rao 2007). Orchids are cultivated for their
beautiful flowers, economic importance and also for their
medicinal value. Their worldwide distribution is due to their
range of diversity in shape, size and colour of flowers and
comprising of herbaceous plants, characterized by distinct
floral morphology, pollination mechanism, association with
unique fungal partners (mycorrhizae) and miniscule seeds
they are consider to be the highly advanced family in
monocots (Singh et al., 2001). In the flora of Tripura state
there are 33 orchid species under 22 genera (Deb 1983).
Tripura is one of the eighth states of north-east India, third-
smallest state in the country and it is bordered by Bangladesh
to the north, south, and west, and the Indian states of Assam 2and Mizoram to the east. The area of Tripura is 10491 km of
2which about 17.4% that is 1825 km is under forest cover.
Tripura located on the extreme corner of the Indian
subcontinent. It extends from 22°56'N to 24°32'N, and
91°09'E to 92°20'E. Its maximum extent measures about 184
km from north to south, and 113 km east to west. This small
state divided into eight districts, these are Dhalai, Sipahijala,
Khowai, Gomati, North Tripura, South Tripura, West
Tripura, and Unakoti. Its unique ecosystem favours growth
of plants considered as Natures reservoir of plants
resources. Almost all varieties of plants relating to different
climatic conditions are found in the state where orchids are
important component of vegetation. The climate of Tripura
is typically a tropical dry and wet climate with a high level of
humidity and heavy rainfall. The four main seasons are
winter, from December to February; pre-monsoon or
summer, from March to April; monsoon, from May to
September; and post-monsoon, from October to November.
The rainy and moist environment of the state supports a
diversified flora including rich orchid diversity.
METHODOLOGY
Several field visits were made throughout the state in
different districts during 2016-2017 covering all the season
of the year. During field exploration we collected several
orchid species. Fresh orchid species were collected from the
field for taxonomical study as well as made into standard
mounted herbarium sheets following the procedure of (Jain
1977). The identity of collected specimens determined by
study of detailed taxonomic descriptions in different floras
(Hooker 1890; Chowdhery 1998, 2009) and other relevant
taxonomic study and e-floras of India and abroad
(http://www.efloras.org; https://sites.google.com/site/e
floraofindia/). The voucher specimens were deposited in the
ABSTRACT
In the present study, four additional Orchids belonging to genera, Coelogyne, Bulbophyllum, Liparis, and Dendrobium of the
family Orchidaceae were considered as new addition to the flora of Tripura, Northeast India. Present information will be
useful for future population assessment and reproductive biology studies to manage its wild stock. In Tripura, orchids suffer
large-scale extinction especially as a result of clear felling of large trees, modification preferred habitat and might due to the
effect of climate change.
Keywords: Orchids, New distribution, Conservation, Bulbophyllum.
ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017111 112
sub truncate and emarginate. Column 4.5 mm, with narrow
wings on both sides, wings gradually widened toward
column apex. Capsules are ellipsoid, 1-1.5 cm. (Fig. 4).
Flowering and Fruiting: June-August
Distribution: Japan, China, Taiwan, eastern Himalayas,
Nepal, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, India (Kerala,
Tripura, Assam).
Status: Locally rare
Ecology: Warm to cool growing terrestrial orchid.
Medicinal use: The decoction prepared from dried
pseudobulb is used in treatment of cancerous ulcers,
gangrene, lever as well as dropsy.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, Gomati district, Peratia, Udaipur,
Datta and Baishnab, TUH -1980; Dated 21-6-2017
4. Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar.
1: 34 1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 748 1890.
Synonyms: Callista densiflora (Lindl.) Kuntze;
Epidendrum dumunsuttu Buch. Ham.ex Lindl.;
Dendrobium clavatum Roxb.; Endeisaflava Raf., Fl.Tellur.;
Dendrobium schroederi B.S.Williams; Dendrobium
densiflorum f. parviflorum Regel.
Description: Stems strongly clavate, swollen, 25–40 cm.
Leaves 3 or 4, subterminal, oblong- lanceolate, 8–17 × 2.6–6
cm, leathery, base not decurrent into clasping sheath, apex
acute. Inflorescence subterminal, pendulous, densely many
flowered. Flowers spreading, 3–4 cm across; sepals and
petals pale yellow, lip golden yellow, column and anther cap
orange-yellow (Fig. 5).
Flowering: April-July
Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in evergreen broad-leaved
forests,
Fig. 4. Liparis odorata (a) habitat (b) inflorescence (c) flower
(d) sepal and petal (e) column and ovary (f) seed
Fig. 5. Dendrobium densiflorum (a) habitat (b) (c) inflorescence
(d) flower (e) floral parts (lip sepal petal petiole and column bract)
Burma, India (Arunachal pradesh. Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura)Status: Locally rare.
Ecology: This unifoliate, small to medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphytic species. Found in lowland and montane forests on trunks and main branches of trees. Bulbophyllum lobbii prefers cool to cold temperatures, filtered light, and to be kept evenly moist.
Medicinal use: Fever and inflammation, leaves are used to treat burns.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, Gomati district, Chandrapur, Udaipur, Datta and Baishnab, TUH-1972, Dated 04-04-2017.
3. Liparis odorata (Willd.) Lindl. Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 26. 1830.
Synonyms: Empusa paradoxa Lindley; Leptorkis odorata (Willdenow) Kuntze; Liparis longiscapa (Rolfe ex Downie) Gagnepain & Guillaumin; L. odorata var. longiscapa Rolfe
ex Downie; L. paradoxa (Lindley) H. G. Reichenbach; L. paradoxa var. parishii ; L. parishii Hooker.
Description: Herbs, terrestrial. Pseudobulbs subovoid, 1.3-
2.2 × 1-1.5 cm, noded, ± enclosed by white membranous
sheaths. Leaves 2 or 3; petiole sheathlike, 2.5-10 cm, not
articulate; blade narrowly elliptic, ovate-oblong, linear-
lanceolate, 6-17 × 2.5-6 cm, membranous or herbaceous,
base contracted into petiole, margin entire, apex acuminate.
Inflorescence 14-40 cm, conspicuously exceeding leaves;
rachis laxly several to 10-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate,
4-6 mm. Flowers greenish yellow or greenish brownish;
pedicel and ovary 6-8 mm. Dorsal sepal linear, 7-8 × ca. 1.5
mm, inconspicuously 3-veined, margin revolute, apex
obtuse; lateral sepals ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, 6-7 ×
ca. 2.5 mm, 3(or 4)-veined. Petals nearly narrowly linear, 6-7
× ca. 0.8 mm, widened toward apex, 1-veined, margin
revolute; lip obovate-oblong, ca. 5.5 × 3.5-4.5 mm, with 2
triangular calli near base, apical margin denticulate, apex
Fig. 2. Coelogyne flexuosa (a) habitat (b) and
(c) inflorescence twigs (d) flower (e) flower parts
(lip, sepal, petal, column) (f) capsule. (f) fruit
Fig. 3. Bulbophyllum lobbi (a) white scape covering
pseudobulb (b) leaf (c) and (d) pseudobulb (e) flower
ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017113 114
sub truncate and emarginate. Column 4.5 mm, with narrow
wings on both sides, wings gradually widened toward
column apex. Capsules are ellipsoid, 1-1.5 cm. (Fig. 4).
Flowering and Fruiting: June-August
Distribution: Japan, China, Taiwan, eastern Himalayas,
Nepal, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, India (Kerala,
Tripura, Assam).
Status: Locally rare
Ecology: Warm to cool growing terrestrial orchid.
Medicinal use: The decoction prepared from dried
pseudobulb is used in treatment of cancerous ulcers,
gangrene, lever as well as dropsy.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, Gomati district, Peratia, Udaipur,
Datta and Baishnab, TUH -1980; Dated 21-6-2017
4. Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar.
1: 34 1830; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 748 1890.
Synonyms: Callista densiflora (Lindl.) Kuntze;
Epidendrum dumunsuttu Buch. Ham.ex Lindl.;
Dendrobium clavatum Roxb.; Endeisaflava Raf., Fl.Tellur.;
Dendrobium schroederi B.S.Williams; Dendrobium
densiflorum f. parviflorum Regel.
Description: Stems strongly clavate, swollen, 25–40 cm.
Leaves 3 or 4, subterminal, oblong- lanceolate, 8–17 × 2.6–6
cm, leathery, base not decurrent into clasping sheath, apex
acute. Inflorescence subterminal, pendulous, densely many
flowered. Flowers spreading, 3–4 cm across; sepals and
petals pale yellow, lip golden yellow, column and anther cap
orange-yellow (Fig. 5).
Flowering: April-July
Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in evergreen broad-leaved
forests,
Fig. 4. Liparis odorata (a) habitat (b) inflorescence (c) flower
(d) sepal and petal (e) column and ovary (f) seed
Fig. 5. Dendrobium densiflorum (a) habitat (b) (c) inflorescence
(d) flower (e) floral parts (lip sepal petal petiole and column bract)
Burma, India (Arunachal pradesh. Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura)Status: Locally rare.
Ecology: This unifoliate, small to medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphytic species. Found in lowland and montane forests on trunks and main branches of trees. Bulbophyllum lobbii prefers cool to cold temperatures, filtered light, and to be kept evenly moist.
Medicinal use: Fever and inflammation, leaves are used to treat burns.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, Gomati district, Chandrapur, Udaipur, Datta and Baishnab, TUH-1972, Dated 04-04-2017.
3. Liparis odorata (Willd.) Lindl. Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 26. 1830.
Synonyms: Empusa paradoxa Lindley; Leptorkis odorata (Willdenow) Kuntze; Liparis longiscapa (Rolfe ex Downie) Gagnepain & Guillaumin; L. odorata var. longiscapa Rolfe
ex Downie; L. paradoxa (Lindley) H. G. Reichenbach; L. paradoxa var. parishii ; L. parishii Hooker.
Description: Herbs, terrestrial. Pseudobulbs subovoid, 1.3-
2.2 × 1-1.5 cm, noded, ± enclosed by white membranous
sheaths. Leaves 2 or 3; petiole sheathlike, 2.5-10 cm, not
articulate; blade narrowly elliptic, ovate-oblong, linear-
lanceolate, 6-17 × 2.5-6 cm, membranous or herbaceous,
base contracted into petiole, margin entire, apex acuminate.
Inflorescence 14-40 cm, conspicuously exceeding leaves;
rachis laxly several to 10-flowered; floral bracts lanceolate,
4-6 mm. Flowers greenish yellow or greenish brownish;
pedicel and ovary 6-8 mm. Dorsal sepal linear, 7-8 × ca. 1.5
mm, inconspicuously 3-veined, margin revolute, apex
obtuse; lateral sepals ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, 6-7 ×
ca. 2.5 mm, 3(or 4)-veined. Petals nearly narrowly linear, 6-7
× ca. 0.8 mm, widened toward apex, 1-veined, margin
revolute; lip obovate-oblong, ca. 5.5 × 3.5-4.5 mm, with 2
triangular calli near base, apical margin denticulate, apex
Fig. 2. Coelogyne flexuosa (a) habitat (b) and
(c) inflorescence twigs (d) flower (e) flower parts
(lip, sepal, petal, column) (f) capsule. (f) fruit
Fig. 3. Bulbophyllum lobbi (a) white scape covering
pseudobulb (b) leaf (c) and (d) pseudobulb (e) flower
ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017113 114
INTRODUCTION
Betula utilis D. Don (common name: Himalayan silver birch,
Hindi name: Bhojpatra; Family: Betulaceae) is the
broadleaved deciduous angiosperm and native to Himalayan
region (Nadakarni 1976). The birch forest is referred as
primary vegetation due to being in original and natural state.
It consist of three layers; birch trees as the main component
(Fig.1 a), scattered conifers, singly or in small groups present
in upper story layer (Fig. 1 b), and the under story may be
formed by shrubs particularly evergreen Rhododendron
species namely, Rhododendron campanulatum, R.
lapidotum, R. anthopogon, etc (Fig.1 c). This species also
forms treeline in the Himalaya due to its freezing tolerance
(Zobel et al., 1997). The growth appearance of birch trees is
unique due to its typical bent like growth caused by snow
weight that forms Krummholz (Fig.1 d). The name B. utilis
is indicative of its various uses of different plant parts
ranging from paper, textile, building construction to
medicinal value. However, due to excessive exploitation of
its multipurpose use, it is considered as Critically
Endangered.
Fig. 1. Betula utilis population (a) Pure population (b) mixed population with Abies pindrow (c) mixed population with Rhododendron campanulatum (d) vent like growth of Betula utilis due to snow pressure
HIMALAYAN SILVER BIRCH (BETULA UTILIS D. DON): A MULTIPURPOSE AND CRITICALLY ENDANGERED TREE SPECIES FOR BIOPROSPECTION
1 1 2K. Dasila , S.S. Samant * and A. Pandey
1G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Himachal Unit, Mohal–Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India2G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
*Correspondence: [email protected]
Distribution: China, Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, Nepal,
northern Thailand
Status: Locally rare.
Ecology: Small to medium sized, cool growing epiphyte on
moss covered trunks or branches of trees.
Medicinal use: Pulps of the pseudobulbs are used in boils
and pimples and other skin eruption.
Exsiccatae: Tripura, North district, Jampui hill, Datta and
Baishnab, TUH- 1985; Dated 08-04-2017
CONCLUSION
The genus Bulbophyllum is reported first time from Tripura.
Proper floristic study may reveal more species from Tripura.
There is urgent need for conservation of wild orchids as their
habitat is changing and preferred host plants are decreasing
drastically.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study was funded by the DBT Twinning Project No.
BCIL/NER-BPMC/2016. Authors are thankful to Mr.
Mantosh Roy for helping during field survey.
REFERENCES
Chowdhery HJ (1998). Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh,
Dehra Dun, India, 2 (1): 1-392.
Chowdhery HJ (2009). Orchid Diversity in North-Eastern
States, Journal of Orchid Society of India, 23 (1-2): 17-
25.
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ABSTRACT
Betula utilis is a multipurpose, broad leaved deciduous tree and native of the Himalaya region. It is one of the dominant tree
species of the Himalayan tree line. In some places, it is also found in association with Abies pindrow, A. spectabilis, Prunus
cornuta, Acer accuminatum, Sorbus foliolosa, Pinus wallichiana and Rhododendron campanulatum. The bark is the striking
feature of B. utilis due to its shining, reddish-white or white with white horizontal smooth lenticels. B. utilis is a basis of many
biochemical compounds which possesses anti-cancerous, anti-HIV, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti- fertility activities.
The tree species exerts a suppressive effect on the microbial communities of the rhizosphere. Many endophytic structures have
been observed in the roots of B. utilis. Anthropogenic pressure such as over exploitation, deforestation, overgrazing and natural
calamities such as erosion, snow drift, forest fire and landslides are the factors that affect the regeneration of B. utilis. The
Protected Area Network (PAN) has helped in the in-situ conservation of the species. In addition, development of conventional
and in-vitro propagation protocols and establishment and maintenance of plantlets/seedlings of the species would help in ex-
situ and in-situ conservation of the species.
Keywords: Himalayan silver birch, Betula utilis, Bioprospection, Rhizosphere, Anthropogenic pressure, Conservation.
ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology ENVIS Bulletin Himalayan Ecology, Vol 25, 2017115 116
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