Taxonomic studies and new distribution records of three grass species from Himachal Pradesh, North-West Himalaya

Comprehensive documentation of regional floristic diversity is essential for advancing botanical knowledge. The present study enhances the agrostological and ecological understanding of Trans-Himalayan region by documenting the taxonomic identification and new distribution records of Poa eleanorae , Poa palustris , and Secale segetale from Himachal Pradesh for the first time. These documentations significantly extend the known distribution ranges of these grasses and underscore the critical role of field-based exploration in under-surveyed alpine landscapes such as the Pangi Valley. While Poa eleanorae has been successively collected across Bhutan, Nepal, Uttarakhand, and now Himachal Pradesh, Poa palustris demonstrates naturalization patterns in remote areas with minimal anthropogenic influence, suggesting ecological adaptability and dispersal through unintentional pathways. The recollection of Secale segetale , last documented 53 years ago, highlights its fragmented and restricted populations in India, calling for systematic surveys and conservation interventions. Through detailed taxonomic descriptions, habitat observations and distributional notes, this study contributes to clarifying species’ occurrences while emphasizing the broader implications of climate change, human-mediated dispersal, and habitat vulnerability in Himalayan ecosystem. The findings highlight the need for sustained botanical exploration in Himalaya, reveal notable gaps in knowledge of its grass flora, and illustrate the process by which an introduced species can become naturalized.