Krishna Kumar Rawat

Seed Sterility in Rauvolfia serpentina: An Endangered Medicinal Plant

Evidence of seed sterility in wild and cultivated Rauvolfia serpentina growing in different provenances of India were studied. Because selfing is common in R. serpentina, inbreeding depression is generally most likely responsible for the seed sterility. The present study revealed that seed sterility was comparatively high in all the seed samples of cultivated taxa. Prolonged application of asexual mode of propagation in cultivated taxa leading to weak genetic diversity might be responsible for high seed sterility.

Degrading population of Cajanus lineatus (Wight et Arn.) Maesen, in parts of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract The current distribution of Cajanus lineatus in the forest area of the Western Ghats including Kumbharli Ghat, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala, Khandala and Sinhgarh, from where the species was reported earlier, was estimated. The extensive exploration of these areas revealed that Cajanus lineatus is facing severe threat of habitat loss/fragmentation due to anthropogenic activities. Very few fragmented populations with a small number of plants such as one or two individuals were found and most of them had vanished when visited subsequently. The species almost disappeared from most of the native places as urbanization and road constructions have increased importantly. Cajanus lineatus prefers open places, mainly targeted by these activities. Hence, the present situation of the habitat-specific C. lineatus in these areas is alarming and very soon the species will be at the verge of extinction.

Anthoceros subtilis Steph: A Rare Disjunct Species, New to North East India from Brahmaputra Valley

A rare bryophyte, Anthoceros subtilis Steph., earlier reported in India only from Western Ghats, (Karnataka and Maharashtra), Gujarat, Rajasthan and elsewhere in world from China, Thailand and Vietnam, has been discovered from southern Brahmaputra flood plains of Assam.