Thladiantha Bunge (Cucurbitaceae): A new Genus from Odisha and Central India
Misra R. C.*, Sahoo H. K.1
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Exploration Base Centre, CRRI Campus, Cuttack, Odisha-753006, India
1Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post, Bengaluru-560064, India Camp office: Vasundhara, KIIT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751024, India
*Corresponding author E-mail: rcmisranbpgr@gmail.com
Thladiantha cordifolia (Blume) Cogn., a wild cucurbit used as vegetable by local tribes, was discovered from semi-evergreen forests of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha within Mahanadian east-coastal bio-geographical region of India. After critical review of published literature on distribution, its wild occurrence is found to be a new genus record for the flora of Odisha extending to central India. Present report deals with its taxonomic description, ecology and relevant ethno-botanical information for further economic utilization.
