DNA-based analytical techniques have been in use since sometime while DNA barcoding is in vogue from 2003. DNA technology and the research on analytics, ap-plications and paradigms have evolved and diversified it. At the beginning, the application of the technique was limited to animal kingdom; then, it was adapted by plant science researchers. The paper presents the domains where the technique is widely used in plant science. The general ability to use DNA-based markers for identifica-tion and discrimination between different ranks of taxa enabled the spread of its applicability in a variety of subject areas like taxonomy, phylogeny, analytical uses like biodiversity, biosafety, biosecurity, forensic and eco-logical studies at both population and community levels, etc. A brief account of DNA barcoding tools and tech-niques used are presented along with advances in the strategies for DNA barcoding and the limitations.

The phytochemical investigation of leaves of Solanum erianthum D.Don (Solanaceae) in 70% ethanol revealed the presence of 38.87% carbohydrates, 35.61% proteins, and rest are fatty acids, lipids and vitamins. Amongst the fatty acids, monounsaturated are prominent (43.16%) followed by Cis-11 eicosenoic acid (35.03%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (30.62%). The vitamin estimation with RP-HPLC showed the highest content of vitamin C (34.50 mg/100g). The FTIR assay confirmed the presence of alkyl, aldehydic and methyl groups mainly in the leaves. S. erianthum leaves are a rich source of phytoconstituents which can be therapeu-tically used in herbal medicines when tested for their efficacy.

A new dwarf succulent species of Euphorbia spina-conflata (Euphorbiaceae: Euphorbieae: Euphorbia subg. Euphorbia) from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The new taxon is allied to Euphorbia venkatara-jui Sarojin., but differs in several distinct morphological characters. A detailed description, illustration and pho-tographic documentation are provided to identify and facilitate its distinction and identification.

Henckelia indica M.Khanal, Taram & D.Borah sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) is described from Arunachal Pradesh, India, which is allied to H. pathakii G.Krishna & Lakshmin. and it can be distinguished by its prostrate to sub-erect (vs. sub-erect) habit, strongly anisophyllous (vs. equal to sub-equal) leaves, urceolate (vs. tubular to campanu-late) calyx, filaments lightly geniculate with no colour at the knee (vs. strongly geniculate with darker colouration at the knee), and disk entire (vs. shallowly 5-lobed). A detailed description, illustration and comparison with allied species alongside a preliminary conservation as-sessment are provided for easy identification and con-servation of the new species.

Crepidium malabaricum (Marg. & Szlach.) J.M.H.Shaw is a terrestrial orchid species endemic to the Southern Western Ghats, India. Until now, it was known only from the historic botanical collections from Karnataka with no further confirmed records or authentic collections since. In this study, new populations were documented for the first time from the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The finding enabled to provide a comprehensive description of the species, detailed habitat information, and high-quality images of this precious orchid. The study also emphasized the need for a critical re-exami-nation of existing herbarium specimens and literature, a reassessment of the species distribution accompanied by an updated distribution map, and an evaluation of its conservation status under the IUCN Red List criteria.

The phytochemical composition and antimicro-bial properties of ethanol and aqueous extracts of three cultigens of Capsicum annuum from Goa, namely, Harmal, Khola and Tarvotti were screened. The phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbo-hydrates, flavonoids, phenols and proteins. These were tested for their potential therapeutic activity against one of each of bacterial and fungal strains vis-à-vis controls and the standard drug. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method. The results reflected the influence of varietal differences, endowed with their phytochemical composition, in the biological activity. The study prompts future research to explore the full medicinal potential of these chilli cultigens.