An endophytic fungus, Gibberella moniliformis from Lawsonia inermis L. produces lawsone, an orange-red pigment.

Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1, 4-napthoquinone), also known as hennotannic acid, is an orange red dye used as a popular skin and hair colorant. The dye is produced in the leaves of Lawsonia inermis L, often referred to as the "henna" tree. In this study, we report the production of lawsone by an endophytic fungus, Gibberella moniliformis isolated from the leaf tissues of Lawsonia inermis.

Fungal assemblages in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of grasses of the subfamily Panicoideae in the Lakkavalli region of Karnataka, India.

Fungal communities associated with roots play an important role in nutrient cycling, supporting plant growth and the biocontrol of plant diseases. Experiments were conducted in 2004-2006 to isolate and characterize, based on their morphological features, rhizosphere and rhizoplane fungi from perennial grasses of the subfamily Panicoideae growing in forests of the Western Ghats in India. Fungal species were isolated on potato dextrose, czapeck dox and water agar, in different locations and seasons.