Volume 27, Issue 80, July - December, 2026

New Distributional Record of Magnolia x alba (Magnoliaceae) for the Arboreal Flora of West Bengal, India

Soumya Das ¹, Biswajit Roy^2♦

¹Plant Systematics Laboratory, PG Department of Botany, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, Kolkata‒700118, West Bengal, India
²Plant Systematics Laboratory, PG Department of Botany, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, Kolkata‒700118, West Bengal, India

^♦Corresponding Author
Biswajit Roy, Plant Systematics Laboratory, PG Department of Botany, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, Kolkata‒700118, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT

During several field trips from 2023 to 2025 across the Gangetic plain of West Bengal, a tree species was discovered; the specimen was collected and photographed. Detailed morphological study was done following relevant taxonomic literatures and examination of herbarium specimen from different world herbaria. A photographic plate and a diagnostic description were provided for proper identification. The taxon was identified as Magnolia x alba (DC.) Figlar which is an addition to exotic arboreal flora of West Bengal. Apparently, the species was close in appearance to Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. Ex Pierre, however, distinguishable in leaf shape, stipule scar on petiole; shape and length of tepal, gynoecium.

Keywords: Exotic plant, Hybrid taxa, Ornamental tree, Lower Gangetic Plain

Species, 2026, 27(80), e25s3302

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Published: 27 September 2026