New distributional record of Gentiana tetrasepala Biswas (Gentianales: Gentianaceae) from the Valley of Flowers National Park, Garhwal Himalaya

A rare and threatened Himalayan herb, Gentiana tetrasepala Biswas (Gentianaceae), has been rediscovered in the Valley of Flowers National Park (VoFNP). This discovery marks its first recorded presence in VoFNP, extending its known distribution after a 123-year gap since its last documentation. The study, conducted during an investigation of climatic and glacial variations within the park, highlights the species' vulnerability due to habitat shifts caused by recent environmental changes, including upward vegetational adjustments. The research provides a taxonomic description and discusses conservation concerns, emphasizing the potential for G. tetrasepala's disappearance if current trends persist. This finding contributes critical data for botanists and environmentalists working in the region.

Rana, C. S., Rana, V., & Bisht, M. P. S. (2011). New distributional record of Gentiana tetrasepala Biswas (Gentianales: Gentianaceae) from the Valley of Flowers National Park, Garhwal Himalaya. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 3(9), 2100–2103. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.o2572.2100-3