Nelumbo - The Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India

R. V. Kammathy ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Western Circle, Poona, IN

Abstract

A chromosomal count of Hypochoeris plants collected at Ootacamund indicated the identity of those plants as H. radicata L., thus pointing to its presence in the Nilgiris, in addition to H. glabra L. reported in earlier works. This is confirmed by a detailed morphological study of living plants and herbarium specimens. A gradation in morphological characters between the two species leading to a possibility of interspecific hybridization is suggested. This may also account for the earlier misidentification of H. radicata with H. glabra. A table showing distinctive characters of the two species is provided.

Full Text

   

R. V. Kammathy ¹, Seshagiri Rao Rolla ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Poona, IN

Abstract

Chromosome numbers of 12 Species of Commelina have been worked out of which the chromosome numbers of 6 species and one variety are reported for the first time. In view of the misidentification of many species by earlier workers, reinvestigation of the chromosome numbers of some of the species has been suggested to confirm their earlier reports. A few new combinations are also added.

Full Text

   

R. V. Kammathy ¹, Seshagiri Rao Rolla ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Poona, IN

Abstract

Chromosome numbers of 18 species under 4 genera are studied of which the chromosome numbers of 6 species are recarded for the first time. Four species show variation from earlier reports. Aneuploidy and polyploidy are noted in Cyanotis and Murdannia. Reinvestigation of chromosome numbers of some of the species by earlier workers has been suggested to confirm their earlier reports. Possibility of a separate generic status has been suggested for the Ochreaeflora section of Cyanotis. A few new combinations are also added.

Full Text

   

R. V. Kammathy ¹, R. S. Rao ²

Affiliations
1 C. S. I. R., Botanical Survey of India, Poona, IN
2 Botanical Survey of India, Western Circle, Poona, IN

Abstract

Chromosome numbers of 29 species and one variety under six genera have been studied of which the chromosome numbers of 9 species and one variety are recorded for the first time. Five species show different chromosome number from previous reports. Further cyto-taxonomic evidence confirm that Aneilema (sensu stricto) is distinct from Murdannia. Majority of the Indian species of Commelina and Cyanotis (sensu stricto) show x=15 and 12 respectively. A new genus name Amis-chophacelus Rolla et Kammathy has been proposed for the ochraeflora section of Cyanotis (sensu lato) on the basis of clear cyto-taxonomic evidence. Aneuploidy, euploidy and intra-specific polyploidy have been observed in different species of Murdamia. Both morphological as well as cytological evidence do not suggest the separation of Aclisia from Pollia. Consideration of the hairy form of Streptolirion as S. volubile var. khasiana seems to be approprate. A new combination is proposed.

Full Text

   

R. V. Kammathy ¹, A. S. Rao ², R. S. Rao ³

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, IN
2 Botanical Survey of India, Shillong, IN
3 Botanical Survey of India, Poona, IN

Abstract

Biligirirangan hills in Mysore State are somewhat isolated from the other hill ranges in the Western ghats, and the Nilgiris. This sketch of the vegetation is based on detailed collections made by the authors as well as the collections made some 28 years ago by Barnes. The enumeration includes 825 species of vascular plants under 484 genera and 133 families.

Full Text

   

R. V. Kammathy ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, IN

Abstract

Vegetative anatomy of the ischolar_main, stem and leaf of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash has been studied. Air cavities in the leaf-sheath and blade show stellate cells representing diaphragm interspersed by sclerotic strands which earlier have not been reported. The origin and structure of the diaphragm and the sclerotic strand have also been worked out.

Full Text

   

R. V. Kammathy ¹, Rai H. N. Chaudhuri ¹, K. N. Kayal ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, IN

Abstract

The pharmacognostic anatomical studies on the high solasodine yielding berries of Solanum viarum Dunal, S. elaeagnifolium Cav. and also the leaves of S. trilobatum Linn., S. nigrum Linn. ischolar_main, of S. trilobatum Linn. which are used in the indigenous system of medicine are presented.

Full Text

   

Rolla Seshagiri Rao ¹, R. Sundara Raghavan ², R. V. Kammathy ³

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Shillong, IN
2 Botanical Survey of India, Poona, IN
3 Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, AF

Abstract

At present the family Commelinaceae in India comprises 80 species under 10 genera excluding, however, all ornamental, and cultivated species which are mostly exotic. While revising the family an attempt has been made to blend classical taxonomy with experimental taxonomy and to analyse as to how far the other allied fields help for a better understanding and interpretation of the many ambiguities and "species complex" that could not be solved by the earlier herbarium methods of study. This coordinated approach has certainly indicated the splitting up of Cyanotis (sensu lato) into three distinct genera, separation of Murdannia from Aneilema, retention of Aclisia under Pollia and possibly justifies the resurrection of Dictyospermum and creation of a new genus Tricarpelema. Further, the studies have thrown light on the evolutionary trends in progress in Commelina, Cyanotis, Murdannia and Aneilema, the role of aneuploidy in speciation and as to how the polyploids through genetic isolation have played a major role in the evolution of new taxa thus enabling to invade new territories. The cosmopolitan Commelina erecta that is widespread from N. Australia to Africa through Malaysia, India and Ceylon exhibits a wide range of polyploidy (n = 30, 45 to 60) which perhaps accounts for its extreme diversity. The close similarity of the diploids and polyploids possibly suggests autopolyploidy but at least in some species of Murdannnia, as in M. vaginata, M. loriformis and M. simplex, the presence of dissimilar bivalents suggests allopolyploidy. In Cyanotis (sensu stricto) genetic and geographical isolation have permitted accumulation of differences leading to taxonomic diversification and new species have evolved mostly through aneuploidy. The genus Belosynapsis which is an off-shoot from a Cyanolis ancestor has a different habitat altogether and all the three species of the genus (two Indian and one Malesian) are distinctly epiphytic or lithophytic. In some cases the new gene combinations have been successfully retained by vegetative propagation either by proliferating at the nodes (as in Cyanotis adscendens) or through development of underground bulles (as in Cyanotis arachnoidea var. thwaitesii and Murdannia juncoides) and as a result, the annuals have turned into perennials. A tentative phylogenetic chart is presented indicating possible lines of evolution within the family.

Full Text