Novel Distributional Records for Asteraceae: Expanding the Flora of Maharashtra, India

This research records the first confirmed observations of Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Dillile) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) in Maharashtra, India. Field surveys conducted in the Jalgaon District of Maharashtra in 2024 discovered populations of many species, establishing new distributional records for the State's flora. Thorough morphological analyses and environmental evaluations were performed to confirm species identification and clarify the ecological context of these findings. The discovery of the two new species augments the acknowledged biodiversity richness of Maharashtra and underscores the imperative for continuous floristic surveys to fully catalogue and understand the region’s plant diversity. This article addresses the taxonomy, phenology, and distribution, of the new species records, accompanied by colour photographs for easier identification.