Lichen Flora on Betel Nut (Areca catechu) Palm Tree From a Pristine Habitat in Southern Assam, India

Epiphytic lichen flora occurring on betel nut palm (Areca catechu) host tree have been investigated from an abandoned tea-garden area with sporadic human habitation in southern part of Assam, India. A total of 37 lichen species belonging to 16 genera and 10 families were enumerated in the area under study. The crustose form represented by 29 species was most dominant followed by 10 species of foliose lichens. No fruticose forms were detected. The Graphidaceous family contributed 13 species followed by 6 species of Trypetheliaceae family. Biatoraceae, Lecanoraceae, Opegraphaceae and Stereocaulaceae families were sparsely represented with single species each.