The plant resources of Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary for family acanthaceae were studied and analyzed. During the study 17 genera and 20 species of this were recorded. The sanctuary is characterized by herbs dominate the flora followed by trees, climbers and shrubs. Dominance of phanerophytes indicates the tropical moist and humid climate. Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. and Carvia callosa (Nees) Bremek is rare species in this sanctuary while most frequent occurring species is Barleria cristata L. Species such as Eranthemum purpurascens Wight ex Nees is localized along the river corners. The medicinal uses by tribes of this family were also recorded. Proper conservation and management plans are needed to save the natural resources, especially medicinal plants, of this sanctuary.

The present collection of Scleria lithosperma (L.) Sw. subsp. linearis (Benth.) T. Koyama in Malwa region of forms a new record for Rajasthan of India. It is earlier known to occur in Maharashtra. The present paper deals with brief citation, description, illustrations, photographs, ecological notes, followed by flowering and fruiting time, critical notes, specimens examined and distribution.

Neem oil is well known for its application in the field of agriculture, medicine, energy, toiletries, cosmetics and others. Investigations have shown that the oil content as well as qualitative characters of fatty oils of oil seed species is highly influenced by agro climatic and phytogeographic conditions to which they are exposed. In order to identify good provenances yielding better quality seeds, the seed oil of different provenances was examined for its physico—chemical studies. The present work deals with the studies regarding variability in physico—chemical constants such as refractive index, acid value, saponification value and percentage of unsaponifiable matter of Neem oil obtained from the seeds of different provenances.

Exacum pumilum Griseb. is newly recorded from Mirzapur District of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. A detailed description including seedlings, images, sketches and notes are provided.

Exhaustive explorations of the forests of Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district of Odisha resulted in extension of range of Meyna laxiflora Robyns (Rubiaceae). After careful examinations the identity has been confirmed and the taxon is described as a new record both for the flora of Odisha and Bhitarkanika National Park as well in this communication. Brief description of the species along with correct nomenclature, ecology, phenology of flowering and distribution etc were provided.

Due to serious, acute, chronic and genetic health hazards associated with common synthetic insecticides, the global tendency today is to search for herbal insecticides and insect repellents which are non-hazardous to human and domestic animals. Some herbal insecticides like Pyro-dust and Rotenone are already in use. Nicotine sulfate is another one but with significant toxicity. Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil is safe and useful insecticide but has a limited range of application. Based on our medico-ethno-botanical exploration in Uttarakhand, a state in the Himalayan region in India, the information was collected on potential insecticidal and insect repellent plants of the region. The present paper documents the occurrence of 17 such plants along the various altitudinal zones of Uttarakhand Himalaya in India. Significant botanical characters of plants with local names and their habitat have also been indicated.