Bioscience Discovery 3(2): 207-213, June 2012 ISSN: 2229-3469 (Print) GENETIC DIVERSITY RESOURCES, DISTRIBUTION AND PRESENT ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF FIFTEEN NEW RECORDS OF ORCHID SPECIES TO ASSAM OF EASTERN HIMALAYA Khyanjeet Gogoi¹, R. L. Borah², G. C. Sharma³ and Rajendra Yonzone4 ¹ Daisa Bordoloi Nagar, Talap, Tinsukia - 786156, Assam, India ² Dept. of Botany, DHSK College, Dibrugarh - 786001, Assam, India ³ Dept. of Botany Guwahati University-781014, Assam, India. 4Dept. of Botany, St. Joseph’s College, North Point, Darjeeling, W. B., India 734104
[email protected] ABSTRACT Present paper deals 15 Orchid species with 12 genera viz., Bryobium pudicum, Bulbophyllum apodum, Chrysoglossum ornatum, Cleisostoma linearilobatum, C. simondii, Collabium chinense, Diploprora championii, Eria connate, E. ferruginea, Taeniophyllum crepidiforme, Tainia wrayana, Thelasis pygmaea, Thrixspermum acuminatissimum, T. pygmaeum, and Z. glandulosa were recorded from Dibrugarh district of Assam of Eastern Himalaya for the first time and reported as new distributional records to the state. Out of 15 species 11 species are epiphytic and the rest 4 are terrestrial in habitat. All the species are enumerated with latest citation, brief description, phonology, present ecological status and local distribution within Assam. Key words: New records, orchid species, distribution, ecological status, Assam. INTRODUCTION and general distribution. Colour photographs for all The Indian state, Assam is the gateway of the North the species are also provided. East region of Eastern Himalaya bears a separate identity phytogeographically and represents a MATERIALS AND METHODS number of types of plant communities. Its unique STUDY AREA ecosystem favors the luxuriant growth of plants Dibrugarh District is located in eastern part considered natures reservoir of plants resources- of upper Assam with an area of 3381 sq.