Northeast region of India is blessed with marvelous biodiversity in varied landscape from plains to the gigantic mountains range of eastern Himalayans. The incredible biodiversity of wild and exotic flora and fauna, lush green cover, the tea gardens of Assam, rapids and rivers, its food and the scenic beauty never fail to mesmerize anyone who happens to visit the region. This book is the outcome of me walking into the lush green and charming forests of Northeastern region of India. It began more than seven years ago when I was posted as a Botanist in ICFRE-Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam, I always had a chance to explore dense forests, loftiest hills and scenic beauties of Northeast India.

About Northeast India A serene land tucked up in the lap of mighty Himalayas, the North East regions in India is bestowed with picturesque locale and inexorable culture. The vast stretch of land located on the foothills of Himalayas, is a glorious heritage of art, culture and festivities. The tropical beauty of India, finds itself an all new meaning when we enter this paradise of tranquility. The serene ambience and salubrious climate of the region attracts people from all over the world. It almost feels like the valley casts a magical spell upon its visitors to replenish their soul making them feel rejuvenated. The widely scattered archeological specimens in the region speak aloud about the mythological significance of this part of the country, the North East region of our country bears testimony to our rich cultural heritage.

Bitterweed, King of Bitters  BN: Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees LN: Bitterweed  DT: AS BT: An herbaceous annual plant attaining a height of 50–60 cm. Leaves are 1.5–7 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide, ovate-lanceolate, narrowly elliptic. The stem is hairless and 4-sided. Flowers are two-lipped, tubular (0.9–1.5 cm long) are white with the lower lip having purple dots. The outer surface of the tube is covered in glandular hairs. Flowers are arranged in a second raceme. Fruits are dry dehiscent fruit known as capsule. It is a flattened, oval shape, each capsule containing about 12 wrinkled seeds.