Highlights:
  • Visit our online plant database, http://plantdatabase.kath.gov.np/

Cryptogams Section (Algae, Fungi, Lichen)

This section focuses on the collection, identification and documentation of lower group of plants: Algae, Fungi and Lichens found in different parts of Nepal. A total of 998 species of algae have been reported from Nepal. "Algal Flora of Nepal: Vol. 1 Cyanobacteria" (2020) have been published that describes the exporation history and present status of cyanobacteria in Nepal as well as the provinces, ecological regions and development regions of Nepal. It provides a list of 315 cyanobacteria of Nepal belonging to 90 genera and 29 families and 6 orders including 19 new species.

A total of  1,129 taxa of lichens have been reported from Nepal. About 1,700 samples of lichens including nine holotype and one isotype collected from different parts of Nepal have been preserved in this section.

Similarly, 2,467 species of fungi are found in Nepal, among which 131 species are endemic to Nepal. Out of 1,291 species of recorded macro fungi,159 species are edible and 73 species are medicinally important. About 3,500 well labelled fungi specimens have been preserved in the Mycology Section of KATH. Based upon these specimens, ‘Fungi of Nepal’ part 1,2,3 and ‘Fungi of Lalitpur’ have been already published. Furthermore, 'Catalogue of fungi' (2014) has also been published which includes the brief information about the fungi preserved at KATH.

Subhash Khatri
Subhash Khatri Chief, Senior Research Officer [ View all officials ]