VERBENA INCOMPTA: INSIGHTS INTO ITS FIRST RECORDED PRESENCE IN THE DOON VALLEY'S RIVERINE HABITATS

The Doon Valley is well known for its diverse biodiversity, shaped by its distinctive geography and climate, which supports numerous rivers and streams, creating moist habitats throughout the region.In 2023, Verbena incompta, a species native to the New World, was reported in India for the first time.This paper documents the first recorded occurrence of Verbena incompta in the Uttarakhand Valley, specifically in riverine habitats, and includes photographs, a taxonomic key, and a detailed description of the species.