New Distributional Record of Gaultheria Griffithiana Wight in Singalila National Park, Darjeeling District, West Bengal

This study reports the first confirmed new distributional record of Gaultheria griffithiana Wight (Ericaceae), a medicinally crucial evergreen shrub, in the Singalila National Park of Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India. Though earlier records mentioned the presence of this species in the Darjeeling region, the data for the precise location were lacking. The post-2017 administrative reorganisation has elucidated that previous findings fall within the Neora Valley National Park of Kalimpong district in West Bengal. This species was collected during the field survey conducted in May 2024 at Sano Gairi, near Jarayo Lake, with elevations ranging from 2,638.47 to 2,675 m in Singalila National Park. It led to the identification of the collected species as G. griffithiana, confirmed through morphological analysis and comparison with the eKew herbarium image and the North Bengal University herbarium specimen. For authentication, the prepared herbarium specimens were deposited in the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Sikkim Himalayan Regional Centre (accession no. 0306), and Llyod Botanical Garden (accession nos. LB014682 and LB014684). Comparative studies with specimens from Neora Valley National Park in Kalimpong district revealed notable variation in leaf size and distribution density. This finding extends the known distribution of G. griffithiana within West Bengal and fills a significant biogeographical gap in its range. Given its ethnomedicinal importance, it is used in treating rheumatoid arthritis; it is also the source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. This new record underscores the rich biodiversity of Singalila National Park and highlights the importance of continued floristic exploration for conservation and bioprospecting efforts in fragile Himalayan ecosystems.