Four new additions to the angiosperm flora of Manipur, India

Field surveys and exploration studies in natural forest vegetations in the hill and the central valley areas of Manipur led to documentation of four species under four genera and four families of Angiosperms. The species reported as new records to the flora of Manipur are Epithema carnosum Benth. (Gesneriaceae), Flemingia latifolia Benth. (Fabaceae), Persicaria chinensis var. hispida (Hook.f.) Kantachot (Polygonaceae), and Solanum diphyllum L. (Solanaceae). Detailed taxonomic descriptions, illustrations, nomenclature, phenology, and conservation status of the four species are described. Based on the findings of the present study, it is concluded that further floristic exploratory studies of the natural vegetation in the valley and hill regions of the state could lead to documentation of several new records, including the discovery of species previously unknown to the world.