New species of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae; subfamily Nolinoideae), A. mokokchungensis D.K. Roy, N. ... more New species of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae; subfamily Nolinoideae), A. mokokchungensis D.K. Roy, N. Odyuo, R. Lytan, D.L. Biate & A.A. Mao, is described and illustrated from the state of Nagaland in North Eastern India.
To prevent extinction of threatened species, in vitro regeneration protocols for the propagation ... more To prevent extinction of threatened species, in vitro regeneration protocols for the propagation of six threatened species were standardized. The regenerated micro-shoots were rooted in nutrient medium supplemented with low concentrations of auxin. The well-developed plantlets were successfully established in field conditions, thus improving the probability of self-sustenance of the introduced populations. The success story of these six threatened species reaffirms the role of in vitro propagation in conserving plants facing the threat of extinction.
Two novel species of the asexual ascomycete genus Neosporidesmium are described as N. garoense an... more Two novel species of the asexual ascomycete genus Neosporidesmium are described as N. garoense and N. khasianum from Garo and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India, respectively. Neosporidesmium garoense growing on bamboo litter is distinguished from closely related species by the larger size of synnema and smaller conidia. Neosporidesmium khasianum growing on litter of the tree Wightia speciosissima is distinguished by the size of conidia, the presence of multiple proliferations and the size of synnema.
A taxonomic investigation of the Rhododendron formosum complex in Northeast India was carried out... more A taxonomic investigation of the Rhododendron formosum complex in Northeast India was carried out. Both Rhododendron iteophyllum Hutch. and Rhododendron inaequale Hutch. are reinstated as distinct species using taxonomic characters based on comparing living plants. Detailed taxonomic accounts of Rhododendron formosum, R. iteophyllum and R. inaequale are provided, along with photographic illustrations.
A new species,Rhododendron pseudomaddeniiA.A.Mao & M.Bhaumik (Ericaceae), is described and illust... more A new species,Rhododendron pseudomaddeniiA.A.Mao & M.Bhaumik (Ericaceae), is described and illustrated from India.
Primula sherriffiae W.W.Sm. has been collected after a gap of 74 years from Indo-Myanmar border, ... more Primula sherriffiae W.W.Sm. has been collected after a gap of 74 years from Indo-Myanmar border, near Poi village, Manipur. It was last collected from India for the same state of Manipur in 1948. The species is very unique in having longest corolla tube (c. 10 cm long) so far, in all known Primula spp. Comments have been made on the typification of the name and possible threats and its conservation status are also discussed.
Background: The study documented the wild edible plants (WEPs) used by forest dwellers in the Yan... more Background: The study documented the wild edible plants (WEPs) used by forest dwellers in the Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary (YLWLS), Manipur, India. The inhabitants of YLWLS belong to the Thadou, Meitei, and Maring communities. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out from March 2018 to February 2020. The elderly local people, local healers, forest staff, and vendors in local markets participated in the survey. The respondents were selected through snowball sampling method. The ethnobotanical information was gathered from the respondents, especially the elderly people, local healers, forest staff, and vendors through interviews. The questionnaire used was a semi-structured type. The data was collected on parameters such as vernacular name, botanical name, family, the life form or habit of the species, information on flowering and fruiting, the plant part used, mode of consumption, medicinal use, marketability, and price. The voucher specimens of the wild edible plants were collected and identified with the help of literature. Results: One hundred and eight taxa belonging to 86 genera and 50 families of WEPs were documented. Zingiberaceae was the most dominant family with seven species used as WEPs. Herbs were most dominant with 42 species. Nine species bore flowers and fruits all year round. Maximum species (49 species) were consumed after cooking. Forty-nine species out of the 108 WEP species were consumed for their medicinal values. Sixty-six species (61%) of WEPs were marketed. The highest-priced species were Asparagus racemosus (INR 180-220/kg; USD 2.41-2.95) and Cinnamomum verum (INR 150-200/kg; USD 2.01-2.68). The use of the pseudostem of Ensete glaucum as food is a new report for Manipur. Conclusions: The forest dwellers depend on the WEPs for their food, medicine, traditional ceremonies, and source of livelihood. Some species of WEPs could be propagated for conservation, management, and sustainable utilization, which would help in generating additional income for the locals.
Ceropegia ansariana (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Ceropegieae: Chionopegia: Macranthae), a new s... more Ceropegia ansariana (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Ceropegieae: Chionopegia: Macranthae), a new species is described and illustrated from Blue mountain forests in Champhai district of Mizoram, Northeast India. The new species is superficially similar to Ceropegia khasiana Murug. et al., but it can be distinguished easily by its longer and fewer fascicled roots, 3–15-flowered cymes with 1–3 flowers open at a time, smaller greenish flowers 3.7–4.5 cm long, greenish with purplish maroon streaked and blotched on outer surface of corolla tube, greenish and shorter ovate-lanceolate corolla lobes, shorter inflated base with a few downwardly pointed hairs of different length at the throat and shorter and sparsely ciliate corona lobes. Detailed descriptions, photographic illustrations, phenology and a note on conservation status are provided here.
Sauromatum horsfieldii (Araceae – Areae) is reported here as a new record for India. A detailed d... more Sauromatum horsfieldii (Araceae – Areae) is reported here as a new record for India. A detailed description and photographic illustration are provided, along with an account and revised key of the Indian species of Sauromatum.
A new asexual fungus, Fusiconidium indicum, found growing on dried leaves of Mesua ferrea collect... more A new asexual fungus, Fusiconidium indicum, found growing on dried leaves of Mesua ferrea collected from a botanical garden in Meghalaya, India, is described and illustrated. The fungus is characterized by polyblastic, sympodial conidiogenous cells that are integrated and terminal as well as intercalary with solitary, dry, acropleurogenous, simple, ellipsoidal conidia which are formed as blown-out ends, initially with a very narrow isthmus between the conidiophore apex and young conidium. Based on combined ITS and LSU sequences data analyses, our isolate shows close affinities to the genus Fusiconidium placed in the family Melanommataceae of Pleosporales.
A reproducible and efficient callus-mediated shoot regeneration system was developed for the larg... more A reproducible and efficient callus-mediated shoot regeneration system was developed for the large-scale production of Valeriana jatamansi Jones., a highly medicinal plant species of global pharmaceutical importance. Effect of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on callus induction and production of valepotriates accumulation was studied by using different explants. In V. jatamansi, the degree of callus induction varied significantly depending on explants type and the growth regulators used. Among different explants used, rhizomes have the highest callus induction potential followed by leaf. The callus induction frequency was found to be optimum in rhizome explants on media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D. The regenerative ability of proliferated compact calli was studied by the application of cytokinins alone and in combination with auxin. MS medium fortified with 0.75 mg/l thidiazuron in combination with 0.5 mg/l NAA showed the highest regeneration frequency (88.6 %) and produced the maximum number of shoot buds (15.20 ± 0.20) capable of growing into single plants. Vigorous callus obtained from MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D, NAA and IBA were used for industrially important valepotriates [acevaltrate (ACE), valtrate (VAL) and didrovaltrate (DID)] analysis. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of callus revealed that medium with 2,4-D (1 mg/l) was found responsible for increasing ACE and DID yield, whereas VAL production was higher in case of medium supplemented with NAA (1 mg/l). However, the accumulation of valepotriates in callus decreased in logarithmic phase after 8 weeks. IBA was not beneficial for the valepotriate synthesis, as it helped to accumulate significantly lower concentration of ACE, VAL and DID. Micropropagated plantlets with well-developed root system were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse condition, in root trainers containing garden soil with a survival frequency of 100 %. As Indian valerian is a highly traded medicinal plant due to extensive use of its industrially important secondary metabolites, the present system can be utilized to obtain mass multiplication of the species as well as for the stable biomass and continuous valepotriate production for the pharmaceutical industries. Keywords Indian valerian Á Callus Á Regeneration Á Valepotriates Communicated by J. Van Huylenbroeck.
Tupistra khasiana D.K.Roy, A.A.Mao & Aver. (Asparagaceae), a new species from Meghalaya, India is... more Tupistra khasiana D.K.Roy, A.A.Mao & Aver. (Asparagaceae), a new species from Meghalaya, India is described and illustrated. It differs from similar congeners, T. pingbianensis, T. fungilliformis and T. tupistroides in having creeping rhizomatous stem, down curved peduncle, smaller, thick, fleshy, bract, to 3 mm long, obscurely tri-dentate bracteole, to 2 mm long, ca. 2 mm broad, comparatively shorter perianth, to 8.5 mm long, with externally light green tube and smaller lobes, 3.5-4 mm long, shorter style, 5 mm long and in dark purple stigma, with distinctly undulated margin. Key to the Indian Tupistra is given.
The volatile constituents of Valeriana jatamansi Jones and V. hardwickii Wall. (Valerianaceae) co... more The volatile constituents of Valeriana jatamansi Jones and V. hardwickii Wall. (Valerianaceae) collected from the Khasi Hills of north-east India were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-seven and twenty-one compounds were characterized and identified from V. jatamansi and V. hardwickii samples, representing 90.6% and 82.7% of the total oil, respectively. Sesquiterpenes were shown to be the main constituents in both the oil samples. Maaliol (26.1%), patchouli alcohol (9.3%) and a-gurjunene (8.7%) were the major components of V. jatamansi oil, whereas valeracetate (21.3%), methyl linoleate (14.1%), bornyl acetate (13.8%) and cuparene (7.1%) were the main constituents of V. hardwickii oil. Both Indian valerian essential oils were studied for their antioxidant activities using the free radical-scavanging activity (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. V. hardwickii oil exhibited a higher antioxidant capacity than V. jatamansi in both assays. For both the valerian oil ...
Areca triandra Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (Arecaceae) distributed in Assam, North Bengal plains, Meghala... more Areca triandra Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (Arecaceae) distributed in Assam, North Bengal plains, Meghalaya andaman and Nicobar Islands is used as a substitute for A. catechu L. (Areca Nut). A. catechu is widely used as masticator in South Asia. The present study was conducted to find out the phenolic acids present in A. triandra and potential of it in inhibiting the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plant extracts obtained from leaf and nut were analyzed qualitatively, quantitatively and phenolic acids were identified and quantified using reverse phase chromatography method developed on through Hypersil Gold aQ C18 column in Thermo Scientific Dionex Ultimate 3000 UHPLC. Three antioxidant assays viz. DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assay were performed to assess the potential of A. triandra as an antioxidant. Antifungal susceptibility test was performed by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) recommended broth microdilution assay and disk diffusion susceptibility assay using Tinidazole ...
New species of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae; subfamily Nolinoideae), A. mokokchungensis D.K. Roy, N. ... more New species of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae; subfamily Nolinoideae), A. mokokchungensis D.K. Roy, N. Odyuo, R. Lytan, D.L. Biate & A.A. Mao, is described and illustrated from the state of Nagaland in North Eastern India.
To prevent extinction of threatened species, in vitro regeneration protocols for the propagation ... more To prevent extinction of threatened species, in vitro regeneration protocols for the propagation of six threatened species were standardized. The regenerated micro-shoots were rooted in nutrient medium supplemented with low concentrations of auxin. The well-developed plantlets were successfully established in field conditions, thus improving the probability of self-sustenance of the introduced populations. The success story of these six threatened species reaffirms the role of in vitro propagation in conserving plants facing the threat of extinction.
Two novel species of the asexual ascomycete genus Neosporidesmium are described as N. garoense an... more Two novel species of the asexual ascomycete genus Neosporidesmium are described as N. garoense and N. khasianum from Garo and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India, respectively. Neosporidesmium garoense growing on bamboo litter is distinguished from closely related species by the larger size of synnema and smaller conidia. Neosporidesmium khasianum growing on litter of the tree Wightia speciosissima is distinguished by the size of conidia, the presence of multiple proliferations and the size of synnema.
A taxonomic investigation of the Rhododendron formosum complex in Northeast India was carried out... more A taxonomic investigation of the Rhododendron formosum complex in Northeast India was carried out. Both Rhododendron iteophyllum Hutch. and Rhododendron inaequale Hutch. are reinstated as distinct species using taxonomic characters based on comparing living plants. Detailed taxonomic accounts of Rhododendron formosum, R. iteophyllum and R. inaequale are provided, along with photographic illustrations.
A new species,Rhododendron pseudomaddeniiA.A.Mao & M.Bhaumik (Ericaceae), is described and illust... more A new species,Rhododendron pseudomaddeniiA.A.Mao & M.Bhaumik (Ericaceae), is described and illustrated from India.
Primula sherriffiae W.W.Sm. has been collected after a gap of 74 years from Indo-Myanmar border, ... more Primula sherriffiae W.W.Sm. has been collected after a gap of 74 years from Indo-Myanmar border, near Poi village, Manipur. It was last collected from India for the same state of Manipur in 1948. The species is very unique in having longest corolla tube (c. 10 cm long) so far, in all known Primula spp. Comments have been made on the typification of the name and possible threats and its conservation status are also discussed.
Background: The study documented the wild edible plants (WEPs) used by forest dwellers in the Yan... more Background: The study documented the wild edible plants (WEPs) used by forest dwellers in the Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary (YLWLS), Manipur, India. The inhabitants of YLWLS belong to the Thadou, Meitei, and Maring communities. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out from March 2018 to February 2020. The elderly local people, local healers, forest staff, and vendors in local markets participated in the survey. The respondents were selected through snowball sampling method. The ethnobotanical information was gathered from the respondents, especially the elderly people, local healers, forest staff, and vendors through interviews. The questionnaire used was a semi-structured type. The data was collected on parameters such as vernacular name, botanical name, family, the life form or habit of the species, information on flowering and fruiting, the plant part used, mode of consumption, medicinal use, marketability, and price. The voucher specimens of the wild edible plants were collected and identified with the help of literature. Results: One hundred and eight taxa belonging to 86 genera and 50 families of WEPs were documented. Zingiberaceae was the most dominant family with seven species used as WEPs. Herbs were most dominant with 42 species. Nine species bore flowers and fruits all year round. Maximum species (49 species) were consumed after cooking. Forty-nine species out of the 108 WEP species were consumed for their medicinal values. Sixty-six species (61%) of WEPs were marketed. The highest-priced species were Asparagus racemosus (INR 180-220/kg; USD 2.41-2.95) and Cinnamomum verum (INR 150-200/kg; USD 2.01-2.68). The use of the pseudostem of Ensete glaucum as food is a new report for Manipur. Conclusions: The forest dwellers depend on the WEPs for their food, medicine, traditional ceremonies, and source of livelihood. Some species of WEPs could be propagated for conservation, management, and sustainable utilization, which would help in generating additional income for the locals.
Ceropegia ansariana (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Ceropegieae: Chionopegia: Macranthae), a new s... more Ceropegia ansariana (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Ceropegieae: Chionopegia: Macranthae), a new species is described and illustrated from Blue mountain forests in Champhai district of Mizoram, Northeast India. The new species is superficially similar to Ceropegia khasiana Murug. et al., but it can be distinguished easily by its longer and fewer fascicled roots, 3–15-flowered cymes with 1–3 flowers open at a time, smaller greenish flowers 3.7–4.5 cm long, greenish with purplish maroon streaked and blotched on outer surface of corolla tube, greenish and shorter ovate-lanceolate corolla lobes, shorter inflated base with a few downwardly pointed hairs of different length at the throat and shorter and sparsely ciliate corona lobes. Detailed descriptions, photographic illustrations, phenology and a note on conservation status are provided here.
Sauromatum horsfieldii (Araceae – Areae) is reported here as a new record for India. A detailed d... more Sauromatum horsfieldii (Araceae – Areae) is reported here as a new record for India. A detailed description and photographic illustration are provided, along with an account and revised key of the Indian species of Sauromatum.
A new asexual fungus, Fusiconidium indicum, found growing on dried leaves of Mesua ferrea collect... more A new asexual fungus, Fusiconidium indicum, found growing on dried leaves of Mesua ferrea collected from a botanical garden in Meghalaya, India, is described and illustrated. The fungus is characterized by polyblastic, sympodial conidiogenous cells that are integrated and terminal as well as intercalary with solitary, dry, acropleurogenous, simple, ellipsoidal conidia which are formed as blown-out ends, initially with a very narrow isthmus between the conidiophore apex and young conidium. Based on combined ITS and LSU sequences data analyses, our isolate shows close affinities to the genus Fusiconidium placed in the family Melanommataceae of Pleosporales.
A reproducible and efficient callus-mediated shoot regeneration system was developed for the larg... more A reproducible and efficient callus-mediated shoot regeneration system was developed for the large-scale production of Valeriana jatamansi Jones., a highly medicinal plant species of global pharmaceutical importance. Effect of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on callus induction and production of valepotriates accumulation was studied by using different explants. In V. jatamansi, the degree of callus induction varied significantly depending on explants type and the growth regulators used. Among different explants used, rhizomes have the highest callus induction potential followed by leaf. The callus induction frequency was found to be optimum in rhizome explants on media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D. The regenerative ability of proliferated compact calli was studied by the application of cytokinins alone and in combination with auxin. MS medium fortified with 0.75 mg/l thidiazuron in combination with 0.5 mg/l NAA showed the highest regeneration frequency (88.6 %) and produced the maximum number of shoot buds (15.20 ± 0.20) capable of growing into single plants. Vigorous callus obtained from MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D, NAA and IBA were used for industrially important valepotriates [acevaltrate (ACE), valtrate (VAL) and didrovaltrate (DID)] analysis. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of callus revealed that medium with 2,4-D (1 mg/l) was found responsible for increasing ACE and DID yield, whereas VAL production was higher in case of medium supplemented with NAA (1 mg/l). However, the accumulation of valepotriates in callus decreased in logarithmic phase after 8 weeks. IBA was not beneficial for the valepotriate synthesis, as it helped to accumulate significantly lower concentration of ACE, VAL and DID. Micropropagated plantlets with well-developed root system were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse condition, in root trainers containing garden soil with a survival frequency of 100 %. As Indian valerian is a highly traded medicinal plant due to extensive use of its industrially important secondary metabolites, the present system can be utilized to obtain mass multiplication of the species as well as for the stable biomass and continuous valepotriate production for the pharmaceutical industries. Keywords Indian valerian Á Callus Á Regeneration Á Valepotriates Communicated by J. Van Huylenbroeck.
Tupistra khasiana D.K.Roy, A.A.Mao & Aver. (Asparagaceae), a new species from Meghalaya, India is... more Tupistra khasiana D.K.Roy, A.A.Mao & Aver. (Asparagaceae), a new species from Meghalaya, India is described and illustrated. It differs from similar congeners, T. pingbianensis, T. fungilliformis and T. tupistroides in having creeping rhizomatous stem, down curved peduncle, smaller, thick, fleshy, bract, to 3 mm long, obscurely tri-dentate bracteole, to 2 mm long, ca. 2 mm broad, comparatively shorter perianth, to 8.5 mm long, with externally light green tube and smaller lobes, 3.5-4 mm long, shorter style, 5 mm long and in dark purple stigma, with distinctly undulated margin. Key to the Indian Tupistra is given.
The volatile constituents of Valeriana jatamansi Jones and V. hardwickii Wall. (Valerianaceae) co... more The volatile constituents of Valeriana jatamansi Jones and V. hardwickii Wall. (Valerianaceae) collected from the Khasi Hills of north-east India were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-seven and twenty-one compounds were characterized and identified from V. jatamansi and V. hardwickii samples, representing 90.6% and 82.7% of the total oil, respectively. Sesquiterpenes were shown to be the main constituents in both the oil samples. Maaliol (26.1%), patchouli alcohol (9.3%) and a-gurjunene (8.7%) were the major components of V. jatamansi oil, whereas valeracetate (21.3%), methyl linoleate (14.1%), bornyl acetate (13.8%) and cuparene (7.1%) were the main constituents of V. hardwickii oil. Both Indian valerian essential oils were studied for their antioxidant activities using the free radical-scavanging activity (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. V. hardwickii oil exhibited a higher antioxidant capacity than V. jatamansi in both assays. For both the valerian oil ...
Areca triandra Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (Arecaceae) distributed in Assam, North Bengal plains, Meghala... more Areca triandra Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (Arecaceae) distributed in Assam, North Bengal plains, Meghalaya andaman and Nicobar Islands is used as a substitute for A. catechu L. (Areca Nut). A. catechu is widely used as masticator in South Asia. The present study was conducted to find out the phenolic acids present in A. triandra and potential of it in inhibiting the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plant extracts obtained from leaf and nut were analyzed qualitatively, quantitatively and phenolic acids were identified and quantified using reverse phase chromatography method developed on through Hypersil Gold aQ C18 column in Thermo Scientific Dionex Ultimate 3000 UHPLC. Three antioxidant assays viz. DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assay were performed to assess the potential of A. triandra as an antioxidant. Antifungal susceptibility test was performed by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) recommended broth microdilution assay and disk diffusion susceptibility assay using Tinidazole ...
Uploads
Papers by Ashiho Mao