Plant parts such as leaf, stem, and root of Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann were investigated for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Anti-inflammatory property was evaluated using heat induced albumin denaturation assay. In methanolic crude extracts, the highest anti-inflammatory activity was 76.87% in stem and the least (44.89%) in the leaf. Amongst the four fractions, the highest anti-inflammatory activity was 88.17% in Dichloromethane (DCM) fractions of leaf and the lowest was 21.77% in n-Hexane fractions of leaf. Antioxidant potentiality was determined using both methanolic crude extract and four fractions i.e. DCM, Butanol-1, nHexane, and Methanol of all the three plant parts i.e. leaf, stem, and root. In crude extract, the highest scavenging activity was 84.32% in leaf at concentration of 250 µgml-1. On the other hand, amongst four fractions, methanolic fraction of root showed the maximum scavenging activity (97.84%) at concentration of 250 µgml-1 and the least antioxidant activity was 46.31% in n-Hexane fraction of root at concentration of 50 µgml-1. To evaluate antibacterial activity, experiment was carried out against four human pathogenic bacteria i.e. gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The highest inhibition activity (17.4 mm) against S. aureus was found in stem extracts at 200 concentration. Inhibition zone of 16.2 mm was observed in stem extracts at concentration 100 against P. aeruginosa. The least inhibition activity (9.8 mm) was showed in stem extracts at 100 concentration against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The present findings revealed that Acampe praemorsa can be used as a potential source of new drug development in future.
A new variety, Nervilia simplex var. himachalensis from Himachal Pradesh, NorthWestern Himalayas, India is described and illustrated. The new variety is distinct from the typical Nervilia simplex by its 2 flowered inflorescence with purple-white fringed flowers, leaves with 13 main veins, petiole erect, about 2-6 cm long, presence of ca. 1.3 cm broad sheath at the base of flowers, and 1.5-2.0 cm long capsule.
Orchids constitute one of the largest families of flowering plants and are distributed throughout the world. The family Orchidaceae is divided into five subfamilies (Apostasioideae, Cypripedioideae, Vanilloideae, Orchidoideae, and Epidendroideae). The orchids are evergreen or deciduous herbaceous plants and show a wide range of diversity both in vegetative and reproductive characters for climatic and physiological adaptations. The present study was conducted using all vegetatively propagated 12 species and 30 hybrids of commercially grown orchid genus i.e., Cymbidium. Using 62 descriptors, morphological diversity of species and hybrids of Cymbidium was studied based upon the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) guidelines. Amongst different morphological descriptors, their diversity, diversity in shape of pseudobulbs and leaves, inflorescence variations, and floral characteristics were studied in detail.
Orchids are unique and highly evolved group of plants which belong to the family Orchidaceae, one of the most diverse and largest families of flowering plants. Apart from their extensive utility in traditional medicine systems, these plants are famous for their beautiful flowers. Due to over exploitation, habitat degradation, and continuously changing climatic conditions, the natural populations of these species are declining fast. Therefore, the present study was conducted in the district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, NorthWestern Himalayas so as to assess the orchid diversity, distribution, and their indigenous usage pattern. A total of 20 species of orchids representing 14 genera were recorded. Amongst these species, 13 were native to Himalayan region, 4 were endemic, and 1 was near endemic to Indian Himalayan Region. Most of the orchid species were found to grow in 2400-2900 m altitude. Moist shady forest, alpine meadows, grassy meadows and agricultural field bunds were the major habitats. Fifteen species were reported to be in indigenous usage and were used to cure different ailments; 5 species were in usage as vegetables or tonic. According to IUCN, 3 species i.e., Cypripedium cordigerum, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, and Malaxis muscifera and as per Conservation Assessment and Management Prioritization (CAMP), 4 species i.e., Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Habenaria intermedia, Herminium edgeworthii, and Malaxis muscifera are threatened and require conservation and management efforts.
Thailand is the home to 178 genera and about 1,300 orchid species which are the major tropical orchids in the world. Many genera, namely Aerides, Ascocentrum, Bulbophyllum, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Rhynchostylis, Spathoglottis, and Vanda are popular for growing and highly contribute to Thai orchid industry for as cut-flower and potted plants. The improvement of the orchids which have outstanding horticultural characteristics is well-developed through breeding with the support of tissue culture, cultural practices, technology application, extension, and further research. Orchids will continue to dominate other ornamental crops in Thailand due to orchid diversity, better technology know-how from research, suitable climatic conditions, experienced and skillful growers, and exporters, as well as their nationwide popularity.
Nervilia infundibulifolia Blatt. & McCann (Orchidaceae) collected from East Khasi Hills is reported here as an addition to the orchid flora of Meghalaya. The detailed taxonomic description, photo plate, and other relevant notes are provided for easy identification of the species.
Two rare terrestrial orchids namely, Zeuxine clandestina Blume and Zeuxine parvifolia (Ridl.) K.Schum. & Fedde, have been reported for the first time from Sikkim, India. The present communication briefly describes their taxonomic description along with photographs; habitat notes have also been provided for an easy identification of these orchid species.
Liquid overlays culture system improves shoot proliferation during micropropagation in many plant species including orchids. The present study reports the development of a protocol for the development of enhanced shoot regeneration from embryo derived protocorms, using casein hydrolysate (CH) as an organic additive, for the in vitro production in a threatened tropical epiphytic orchid species, Dendrobium ovatum. Organic additive (CH: 0.05%) mediated dual phase culture system (DPS) was performed using MS medium and yielded a maximum of 11.60±0.10 shoots per explant. Multiplication of protocorms via this method led to high frequency formation of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs). Plantlets thus developed may be used for large scale multiplication and conservation of D. ovatum. Replacing the CH with 5% banana homogenate in the culture medium improved plantlet development and 89% of these survived after transplantation, under greenhouse conditions.
https://doi.org/10.64873/JOSI.v38.i1-2.45-54
Presently, an attempt has been made to study some of the important orchids and list their ethnobotanical uses in Narsinghpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. A total of seventeen important species of orchids belonging to 10 genera namely, Acanthophippium, Aerides, Bulbophyllum, Crepidium, Dendrobium, Eulophia, Habenaria, Peristylus, Rhynchostylis, and Vanda are briefly described in this paper. During the surveys, frequent interaction with urban, rural, and tribal people was made in the studied area and their ethnobotanical uses were listed.
The distribution of Bulbophyllum picturatum (Lodd.) Rchb.f. at Manipur has been authenticated with fresh collections from Tamenglong district. The species has been assessed as endangered in Indian perspective following the IUCN guidelines. The threats were identified and conservation measures were proposed for the same.
Environmental adaptations necessitate the modulation of photosynthetic processes and water vapor exchange in plant species, thereby influencing key biochemical and physiological processes that govern overall plant function and productivity. Alpine plant communities are particularly susceptible to these environmental perturbations, requiring intricate adaptive mechanisms to sustain their ecological viability. Given the heightened sensitivity of high-altitude flora to climate-induced shifts, it is crucial to elucidate species-specific responses to these changes. The present study investigates the eco-physiological and biochemical variations in Dactylorhiza hatagirea along an altitudinal gradient, providing insights into the adaptive strategies of high-elevation species under climate warming scenarios.
The present study reports the occurrence of raphides in the floral parts of wild orchids from the Western Ghats of Goa. A total number of 21 orchid species, including 15 epiphytic and 6 terrestrial species were examined for the presence of raphides in their floral tissues. All the presently studied species exhibited the presence of raphides, which were characterized by their pointed, needle-like shape, with lengths ranging from 15 µm to 90 µm.
The present study was carried out to assess the mycorrhizal associations in the roots of eight terrestrial orchid species [Crepidium versicolor (Lindl.) Sushil K.Singh, Agrawala & Jalal, Eulophia picta (R.Br.) Ormerod, Habenaria crinifera Lindl., H. diphylla (Nimmo) Dalzell, H. marginata Colebr., Nervilia concolor (Blume) Schltr., Pecteilis gigantea (Sm.) Raf., and Peristylus plantagineus (Lindl.) Lindl.] from the Western Ghats of Goa. The present communication revealed the occurrence of mycorrhizal associations in the roots of eight selected terrestrial orchid species from Western Ghats of Goa. The colonization was characterized by the presence of pelotons in the root cortical cells.
The family Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse and ecologically significant plant families, with blooming patterns intricately linked to climate and humidity. The present communication explores how climate variability and humidity influence orchid blooming, highlighting important implications for conservation and horticulture. Climate change is disrupting the delicate conditions necessary for orchid growth and flowering. Variations in temperature, precipitation, and humidity are causing reduced flowering, altered bloom timings, and lower reproductive success, especially in tropical and sub-tropical orchids. These disruptions not only threaten individual orchid species but also the broader ecosystems, they support. In horticulture, understanding the effects of climate and humidity on orchid blooming is essential for successful cultivation. Controlled environments, such as greenhouses, aim to replicate ideal conditions, but even slight deviations in humidity and temperature can negatively impact blooming and plant health. The present paper reviews the strategies to mitigate these impacts, including advanced climate control and humidity regulation; this also discusses conservation strategies, emphasizing habitat protection, ex situ conservation methods like seed banks and adaptive management practices. Continued researches in this field are required so as to track climate impacts and refine conservation approaches, ensuring the long-term survival of orchid populations and the ecosystems these sustain.
Orchid flowers employ a bewildering array of clever strategies aimed at maintaining pollinator interest. These include visual and olfactory cues (e.g., colours, patterns, chemical fragrances etc.) and a reward that consists of sugar-rich nectar, oils, and/or waxes. Information on orchid nectar has been scanty especially concerning the types of sugars present and their percentages. The present paper reports the chemical compounds present in a rare North American terrestrial orchid, Platanthera integrilabia (Correll) Luer, for the first time. In August of 2023, during peak flowering, nectar samples from two different natural populations were collected in Kentucky and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three sugars were detected: sucrose, fructose, and glucose. The ratio of sucrose to fructose to glucose was 45.1:4.6:1.0, respectively. For sucrose to hexose, the ratio was 8:1, and for fructose to glucose the ratio was 4.6:1.0. Using GC/MS, the presence of other compounds, namely ribitol and gluconic acid was detected. An assessment of amino acids by HPLC-DAD demonstrated the presence of glutamic acid, glycine, and leucine. The morphology of P. integrilabia floral parts, coupled with lower sugar content, and low sucrose/hexose ratios recorded by the present study, clearly point to Lepidoptera pollination especially by hawk moths (Sphingidae), and to a lesser extent, larger butterflies (Hesperiidae, Papilionidae).
The associated microbiota of every organism profoundly influences and nurtures the existence of its hosts through various mechanisms. Plant associated microbiota is no exception to this phenomenon. Plants host the phytomicrobiome that include bacteria, fungi, algae, and nematodes. These are reported to be rich source of extracellular enzymes that may be hydrolases, lyases, oxidoreductases, or transferases. The quest for microbial assemblages capable of producing extracellular enzymes of industrial application is currently being thoroughly investigated. The present study reported the capability of the bacterial associates of the wild epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium ovatum to produce amylase, cellulase, laccase, lipase, pectinase, protease, and tyrosinase. Screening for extracellular enzymatic activities of the isolates revealed that 76.19 % of the bacterial isolates produced protease, followed by pectinase (52.38 %), amylase (47.62 %), cellulase (19.05 %), and lipase (14.29 %). All the isolates tested negative for laccase and tyrosinase enzyme production. These extracellular enzymes of microbial origin help in symbiosis process, penetrate the plant tissues, and understand their substrate utilization pattern. The stability of microbial enzymes over plant or animal enzymes is one of the striking features that make them a perfect option for industrial purposes. Hence, the bacterial associates of D. ovatum emerge as rich source of industrially important extracellular enzymes