Passiflora foetida var. foetida (Passifloraceae): A New Addition to the Flora of Maharashtra, India
Dilipkumar N. Undirwade
*
B. P. Arts, S. M. A. Science & K. K. C. Commerce College, Chalisgaon. (M. S.), India.
Anil S. Bhuktar
Vivekanand Arts, Sardar Dalipsingh Commerce and Science College, Sambhajinagar (M. S.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The presence of Passiflora foetida var. foetida (Passifloraceae), a climbing hirsute herb known for its ecological and ethnobotanical significance, is reported for the first time in Maharashtra, India. During floristic surveys conducted in Chalisgaon tahsil of district Jalgaon. This discovery provides insights into its distribution, habitat preferences, phenology, and conservational note accompanied by color photo plate. This species was identified based on morphological and taxonomic analysis. The newly added species contribute to the understanding of regional biodiversity. Such new species underscores the importance of regional floristic surveys in uncovering overlooked or newly introduced species and the need for further surveys and conservation efforts to protect lesser-known plant species in Maharashtra's diverse ecosystems.
Keywords: Passiflora foetida, var. foetida, taxonomy, flora of Maharashtra, new addition