Title : Diversity in the genus Geranium from Pangi Valley, an unexplored trans Himalayan region alongwith new records for Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya, India
Abstract:
Introduction: The genus Geranium L. belongs to the tribe Geranieae Benth. of the family Geraniaceae and comprises ca. 430 species distributed in tropical, temperate and alpine regions of the world. The first systematic account of the Indian Geranium is available in “Flora of British India” in which 18 species were recorded from the British India out of which 17 species were found within India's current political borders. Pangi Valley which is concealed between the Pir Panjal and Zanskar mountains of the Western Himalaya is one of the most remote territories in Western Himalaya. Pir Panjal range is well connected with Zanskar Mountains in Trans Himalayan region, so, the floral elements can migrate from Zanskar to Pir Panjal region. Its geological history, physiographic diversity and climatic complexity have provided the environment to support a rich flora as well as angiosperm endemism.
Aims of the Study: New distribution range of two species of the genus Geranium (family Geraniaceae) has been reported for the first time from the Western Himalaya of India i.e., Geranium swatense and G. rubifolium for the state Himachal Pradesh. Geranium swatense has so far been known to occur in the Swat Valley of Pakistan and subsequently known through the Kashmir Himalaya in India; likewise, G. rubifolium was previously known from Kashmir Himalaya. Hence, the present report of those taxa brings new additions to the flora of Himachal Pradesh, thus extending the distribution from the Kashmir Himalaya to Himachal Pradesh of Western Himalaya.
Material and Methods: Interesting specimens of Geranium and the field data were collected during fieldworks, since the last 4 years (2021-2024), conducted as a part of floristic studies from Pangi Valley, Indian Himalayan region. Further critical studies have been carried out based on the available data and relevant material housed in various regional, international herbaria and virtual databases i.e., JSTOR, POWO, GBIF, NY, K, P. Leica S8 APO stereo zoom microscope was utilised to measure floral parts, while a Micro-morphological data pertaining to various plant parts were documented using a Scanning Electron Microscope. A distribution map was generated based on geographical coordinates and validated through the utilization of QGIS 3.32 Lima Software. The voucher specimens have been deposited and accessioned at LWG herbarium for future reference.
Results: We confirmed the identity of these specimens as Geranium swatense Schönb.-Tem., G. rubifolium Lindl., G. himalayense Klotzsch, G. pratense L., G. nepalense Sweet, G. wallichianum D.Don ex Sweet.
Conclusions: We now have a better understanding of the total diversity of the genus Geranium in Pangi Valley. In addition, an updated distribution map of the above taxa is also provided.
