German chamomile (M. chamomilla) is recognized as a star herb due to its medicinal and aromatic properties. This plant is found across a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Both the flower heads and blue essential oils of German chamomile possess several pharmacological properties of an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative, etc., nature, which makes it a highly sought after herb for use in many pharma and aroma industries. Chamomile tea, prepared from its flower heads, is also a well-known herbal tea for mind and body relaxation. Though it is a high-demand herb, farmers have not adopted this plant for large scale cultivation as a crop, which could improve their livelihood, due to the high cost in flower heads harvesting, loss in over mature and immature flower heads picking during harvesting, unavailability of varieties and agrotechnologies for machine harvesting, a lack of efficient process development of oil extraction and in the lack of improved stable varieties. There are many studies that have reported on the phytochemistry and pharmacological uses of chamomile, which further explore its importance in the medicine industry. Several studies are also present in the literature on its cultivation practices and plant ecology. However, studies on breeding behavior, genetic improvement, varietal development and mechanical harvesting are scarce in German chamomile. Hence, keeping in mind various aspects of farmers’ and researchers’ interest, earlier reports on taxonomy, floral biology, processing of oil extraction, active constituents, uses, agronomy, breeding challenges and opportunities in German chamomile are summarized in this review.

Manipur is one of the eight states of North-East India placed inside square area 23°83’–25°68’N and 93°03’–94°78’E. The natural vegetation of the state falls under the Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot area with rich flora and fauna. In the present paper, 389 taxa of orchids (including 7 new records to Manipur) belonging to 90 genera, are listed and analysed. Various threats for the depletion of orchid species in the natural habitats of Manipur have been discussed and necessary conservation measures for their conservation are suggested. Манипур – один из восьми штатов Северо-Восточной Индии, расположенный на площади между 23°83’–25°68’ с.ш. и 93°03’–94°78’ в.д. Естественная растительность штата попадает в область “Indo Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot” с богатой флорой и фауной. В настоящей статье перечислены и проанализированы 389 таксонов орхидных (включая 7 новых находок для Манипура) из 90 родов. Обсуждаются различные лимитирующие факторы, приводящие к сокращению видов орхидных в естественных местообитаниях Манипура, и предлагаются необходимые меры по сохранению орхидных.

Cremanthodium dibangii Vik. Kumar & Rahul Kumar (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Dibang Valley District in Arunachal Pradesh, India. It morphologically resembles C. reniforme, but differs from it by several characters of leaves, involucres, and ray laminae, as well as the style length of ray florets, etc. We additionally report C. oblanciligulatum for the first time from India, collected from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a threatened species and until now was only known from China. An identification key to Indian species of Cremanthodium sect. Cremanthodium is provided.

Cremanthodium nepalense Kitam. (Asteraceae) is reported for the first time from India. It is endemic to the Himalayas and has only been reported from Nepal and China. It was found growing in alpine meadows near river bank in North Sikkim at an elevation of ca 4370 m. In the present report, the diagnostic features, morphological variations and coloured photo-plate are provided. Besides conservation, status ‘Vulnerable’ has also been evaluated using IUCN Red listing guidelines.

Cremanthodium kalaiselviae Vik. Kumar & Rahul Kumar (Asteraceae) is described as a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, Indian Himalayan region. It belongs to ser. Campanulata of sect. Cremanthodium, and resembles C. wardii and C. campanulatum, but differs from them in the cordate to cordate-reniform leaves, tomentose, pale yellow phyllaries, and larger disc florets.