Notes on the Botanical Expedition to Makalu-Barun National Park (Eastern Nepal), with Two New Records for the Flora of Nepal

Abstract

A botanical exploration was carried out in August 2021 in the Arun and Barun Valleys of Makalu Barun National Park, Sankhuwasabha District, Koshi Province, Eastern Nepal, to document the gymnosperm and angiosperm diversity along an elevational gradient from 700 to 4,800 meters. A total of 179 plant specimens were collected, representing 150 species of gymnosperms and angiosperms, belonging to 39 families and 89 genera. The flora was dominated by Cyperaceae, Orchidaceae, Asteraceae, and Gentianaceae. Notably, two species endemic to Nepal (Carex esbirajbhandarii and Swertia barunensis) were collected, along with the Himalayan endemic Begonia flagellaris (Balsaminaceae). Two rare mycoheterotrophic orchids (Cyrtosia lindleyana and Epipogium aphyllum) and several protected species (Abies spectabilis, Gnetum montanum and Neottia tenuis) were also collected. The expedition resulted in two taxa newly reported for the flora of Nepal: Hoya globulosa (Apocynaceae) and Neottia alternifolia (Orchidaceae), extending their known geographical ranges. These findings update floristic information of the Makalu Barun National Park, highlighting its conservation importance, and emphasize the need for continued botanical exploration to support initiatives such as the Flora of Nepal project.