Taxonomic Studies on Indian Guttiferae I. the Genus Calophyllum L

This revision of the genus CalophyllumL. is precursory to the treatment of the family of Guttiferae as occurring in India. No particular attention was paid of late years to this important timber plant in India. It was, therefore, thought necessary to undertake taxonomic their studies on the genus.

Nine species occur in India, of which three are restricted to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The rest occur in Southern and Eastern India. These are described in detail and their synonymy, distribution, uses, vernacular names, etc. are ascertained.

The nomenclature of plants have been adjusted to the latest findings in botanical literature, and aims to be completely in accordance with the 1956 edition of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. For one species of Calophyllum, viz., C. apetalum Willd. (Syn. C. wighfianum Wall, ex Pl. et Tr.), Wallich 4847 (in Herb. Calc.) is selected as the neotype of the species. This is done in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of 1956 edition of the Code.

The present treatment of the genus differs in some respects regarding the circumscription of species, from that of T. Anderson (1874) in the Flora of British India. T. Anderson has united C. amoenum Wall, with C. retusum Wall., and C. elatum Bedd. with C. tomentosum Wight. However, a careful study leads me to conclude that these species should be kept separate and of these only C. amoenum Wall., and C. elatum Bedd. occur in India. The details are discussed in this paper.