Podaxis pistillaris (L.) Fr., a secotioid fungus belonging to the family Agaricaceae, is commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions across India and other parts of the world. This study reports, for the first time, the occurrence of P. pistillaris from the Eastern Ghats region of Odisha, India. The specimens were collected during a macrofungal survey conducted in 2024 from open, sandy patches within dry deciduous forest zones of Khordha district. Morphological identification was confirmed through standard taxonomic keys, and diagnostic features matched previous descriptions, including the presence of a cylindrical stipe, ovoid cap, and a dark, powdery gleba. This finding represents a significant eastward extension of the species’ known distribution and suggests a broader ecological adaptability than previously recognized. The report contributes to the growing inventory of macro-fungi in the Eastern Ghats and highlights the need for continued mycological exploration in under-documented forest regions

Eastern Ghats, India, Odisha, Podaxis

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Malay Prithwiraj Sahoo, Prabhat Kumar Das, Yasaswinee Rout, Samarendra Narayan Mallick, Priyajeet Sinha and Sitaram Prasad Panda (2025). First Report of Podaxis pistillaris (L.) Fr. from the Eastern Ghats, Odisha, India. Biological Forum, 17(5): 158-162.