Abstract: Extensive collections from fresh water ponds and lakes of Shimoga District in Karnataka State (India) were made during Nov-Dec 1987.This districts extends between 13°17'&14°39' N latitude and 78°38'&76°04' E longitude. The average temperature varies from 9°C to 38°C and the rainfall reaches 8275mm in the region of Agumbe, which is known as southern Chirapunji. The samples collected contained five new taxa of desmids i.e., Closterium prescottii, C. shimogaense, Pleurotaenium verrucosum, Cosmarium miyajimence Hindu variety papillatum, and Staurastum galeatum.