Ecology and Taxonomic Note on Zeuxine strateumatica (Linnaeus) Schlechter (Orchidaceae) from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Kadambini Das *
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
Ritika Kumari
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
Niti Kiran
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
Sanjeet Kumar
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha– 753 014, India.
Neelam Kumari
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
Poonam Sinha
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
Gaurav Pandey
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
Ranjana Kumari
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (Bihar)– 842 001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Zeuxine strateumatica (L.) Schltr.is a terrestrial orchid. It is reported from the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar state, India, as a new record for the flora of Muzaffarpur. The present study deals with morpho-taxonomical description along with its associated plant species. Field surveys were conducted during July 2024 to May 2025 across the campus of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, for the documentation of floral diversity. Specimens were photographed, and relevant morphological characters were recorded using standard taxonomic procedures. Herbarium specimens were prepared, and identification was done using regional floras. The geographical coordinates of the location were recorded using GPS, and habitat parameters such as associated flora were documented. Moreover, to record its ethnobotanical data, semi-structured interviews were conducted among the local tribes to gather information about its medicinal uses. The present finding contributes to a better understanding of the geographic range of Z. strateumatica and highlights the potential for further botanical discoveries in the Muzaffarpur district. The paper provides photographs, habitat ecology, phenology, and distributional range for this endemic orchid species to facilitate the identification and conservation measures.
Keywords: Ecology, new distribution, orchidaceae, godyerinae tribe, Zeuxine