FLORISTIC STUDIES IN PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY ...

KFRI Research Report No. 246 ISSN 0970-8103 

FLORISTIC STUDIES IN PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 

N Sasidharan 

KERALA FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE 

PEECHI, THRISSUR 

November 2002

ABSTRACT OF PROJECT PROPOSAL 

Code : KFRI/301/1998 

Title : Floristic studies in Parambikulam Wildlife 

Sanctuary 

Objectives : » To make an inventory of the plants in 

the study area. 

» To make floristic analysis, with 

emphasis on dominant plant groups, 

endemics, rare and threatened 

plants. 

» To find out areas with respect to 

species richness 

Date of commencement : September, 1998 

Scheduled date of completion : August, 2001 

Funding Agency : Kerala Forest Department (Wildlife Wing) 

Investigator : N Sasidharan 

Research Fellow : P Sujanapal

CONTENTS 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................................................... 

i 

1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... ii 

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................................................................................. iii 

3. STUDY AREA ........................................................................................................................................................ iv 

3.1. Topography.............................................................................................................................................. iv 

3.2. Geological features........................................................................................................................... iv 

3.3. Climate ........................................................................................................................................................ v 

4. ETHNIC GROUPS ............................................................................................................................................... v 

5. VEGETATION........................................................................................................................................................ vi 

5.1. West coast tropical evergreen forests................................................................................ vi 

5.2. West coast semi-evergreen forests ....................................................................................... viii 

5.3. Southern moist mixed deciduous forests............................................................................ ix 

5.4. Southern dry mixed deciduous forests................................................................................. ix 

6. METHODOLOGY................................................................................................................................................ x 

7. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION ................................................................................................................ xi 

8. RESULTS.................................................................................................................................................................... xii 

8.1. Floristic analysis ...................................................................................................................................... xii 

8.2. Endemism................................................................................................................................................... xiii 

8.3. Rare and threatened plants........................................................................................................ xiv 

9. DISCUSSION......................................................................................................................................................... xviii 

10. RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................................. xx 

11. INDEX TO FAMILIES ...................................................................................................................................... xxi 

12. SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT........................................................................................................................... 1 

13. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 406

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I am grateful to Dr KSS Nair, former Director, Dr JK Sharma, Director and 

Dr R Gnanaharan, Research Co-ordinator, KFRI for their interest and support during 

the study. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Shri PK Surendranathan Asari, IFS, 

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for the initiation of floristic studies in Protected 

Areas of Kerala, Shri. TM Manoharan, IFS; Shri VK Sinha, IFS and Shri V Gopinathan, 

IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests for their support during the study. The financial 

support and facilities extended by Kerala Forest Department (Wildlife) are gratefully 

acknowledged. I also place on record of my thanks to Shri Rajan Sehgal, IFS, former 

Wildlife Warden and Shri P Pugazhendi, IFS, Wildlife Warden, Parambikulam Wildlife 

Sanctuary for providing facilities and support during the field work. Thanks are also 

due to Shri K Gopalakrishnan; Shri M Prasad; Shri Ashok Kumar and Shri Thomas 

Nelson, Assistant Wildlife Wardens for providing various helps during the field work. 

The Joint Director, Botanical Survey of India, Southern Circle, Coimbatore, provided 

facilities and help for consulting the Madras Herbarium. Thanks are due to Dr Paul 

Wilkins, Kew Herbarium; Dr Dianxiang Zhang, South China Institute of Botany; Dr JF 

Veldkamp, Leiden Herbarium; Dr Henrick Ærunlund Pederson, University of 

Copenhagen; Dr Jayasree Bhattacharya, Kew Herbarium and Dr C Sathish Kumar, 

TBGRI for their help in the identification of some doubtful specimens. Editorial 

comments received from Dr KV Sankaran, Dr K Balasubramanyan, Dr C Renuka are 

gratefully acknowledged. The help rendered by Dr Jomy Augustine; Dr KP Rajesh; Shri 

KK Sajeev; Shri MM Roy, Shri VB Sajeev and Shri Subash Kuriakose for the preparation 

of report is gratefully acknowledged. I am thankful to Shri M Karthikeyan, for his 

service during the field work. Shri Kesavan; Shri Murukesan and Shri Chinnaraj, tribes 

in the Sanctuary, are acknowledged for their assistance in the field.

ABSTRACT 

Situated on the lap of Anamalai hills, in the revenue district of Palakkad, the 

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary occupies an area of 274 km 2 . The sanctuary abodes 

all the major vegetation types of the Western Ghats. Teak is the major plantation 

species covering about 87 km 2 . During the study, specimens with 2165 field numbers 

were collected from the diverse habitats of the sanctuary representing 1434 species 

belonging to 755 genera under 142 families, including two gymnosperms. Among the 

angiosperms, dicotyledons dominate with 1119 species under 587 genera and 120 

families while monocotyledons with 313 species under 166 genera and 20 families. 

Fabaceae, represented by 116 species under 52 genera, is the largest family followed 

by Poaceae with 86 species under 58 genera. Thirty-four families and 62 genera are 

represented by a single species in each. 

The sanctuary is situated in the Anamalai-High Range centre of endemism. Three 

hundred and sixty species recorded from the sanctuary are endemic to Peninsular 

India of which 28 are exclusive to the Anamalai-High Range centre. One genus 

(Haplothismia Airy Shaw) and four species are so far known only from the sanctuary. 

Out of the 359 tree species, 25 per cent are endemic species. Among the 57 endemic 

genera of Peninsular India, 13 were recorded from the sanctuary. 

The sanctuary abodes 109 species belonging to various threatened categories of 

which 10 are considered as ‘possibly extinct’. Haplothismia exannulata Airy Shaw and 

Syzygium palghatense Gamble were collected for the first time after their type 

collections. Endangered species like Atuna travancorica (Bedd.) Kosterm., Piper barberi 

Gamble, Pothos crassipedunculatus Sivad. et al., Morinda reticulata Gamble, Smithia 

venkobarowii Gamble, considered restricted to southern Kerala, have now been 

recorded from the sanctuary. 

Two new species viz. Medinilla anamalaiana Sasidh. & Sujanapal and Pteroceras 

monsooniae Sasidh. & Sujanapal could be described from the sanctuary. Species such 

as Argyreia osyrensis (Roth) Choisy, Chlorophytum malabaricum Baker, Cocculus 

hirsutus (L.) Diels, Dalechampia scandens L. var. velutina (Wight) Muell.-Arg., 

Heliotropium bracteatum R. Br., Heterophragma roxburghii DC., Meyenia hawtayneana 

(Wall.) Nees, Monothecium aristatum (Wall. ex Nees) T. Anders. and Triumfetta 

rotundifolia Lam. are additions to the flora of Kerala. Though the sanctuary occupies 

only about 6 per cent of the total area of Palakkad district, the number of flowering 

plants collected during the study is more than the number of flowering plants 

recorded in the flora of Palakkad district. 

i

1. INTRODUCTION 

Man has surveyed remote galaxies and has stood on the surface of moon but has 

not so far come anywhere near to completing a taxonomic catalogue of the fewer than 

half a million species of higher plants that grow on our planet (Burmmit et al., 2001). 

Botanists were exploring the floristic regions of the world for several centuries and 

their efforts have succeeded only in preparing a more realistic taxonomic account of 

the plants of Europe. The gravity of the situation is so severe in the tropics due to 

variety of reasons, the foremost being habitat destruction at an alarming rate leading 

to loss of biodiversity, essential for the sustenance of life on earth. Thus, conservation 

of biodiversity has gained prime consideration all over the world since the earth 

summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The first and foremost process in ascertaining the 

biodiversity is the taxonomic treatment of living organisms. This can be achieved only 

through the process involving extensive exploration, identification and documentation. 

Earlier works in this branch of science in the Indian subcontinent resulted in the 

preparation of national and provincial floras. Further studies on local and regional 

floras paid increased attention at ecological level in addition to taxonomic treatment, 

which proved to be more beneficial in the management practices. 

In spite of the accelerated floristic studies in Peninsular India during the last three 

decades, several parts of the dense forest areas in the Western Ghats are yet to be 

thoroughly explored. The Western Ghats is one of the megadiversity centres in India 

and is also a biodiversity hotspot. The forests of Kerala are along the Southern 

Western Ghats, which is a rich region with respect to species diversity and endemism 

in the Western Ghats. This region is under severe biotic pressure and conserving the 

biodiversity is a challenging task. The state of Kerala has a relatively higher 

percentage of protected areas. About 24 per cent of the forests have been brought 

under protected areas by establishing 12 Wildlife Sanctuaries and two National Parks. 

The floras of most of the protected areas have been studied recently (Manilal, 1988; 

Sasidharan & Sivarajan, 1996; Sasidharan, 1997, 1998 and 1999; Mohanan, 1995) or 

under investigation resulting in the discovery of several new as well as threatened 

species. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is the third largest protected area in Kerala. 

Though, the flora of Palakkad district has been studied recently (Vajravelu, 1990), 

several endemic as well as threatened species reported earlier from this region could 

not be relocated. Silent Valley National Park and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary are 

the protected areas in the Palakkad district. The flora of Silent Valley National Park 

has been studied by Manilal (1988). Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the 

Anamalai Hills, one of the centres of endemism in the Western Ghats. The study on 

the flora of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was taken up with the financial support 

of the Wildlife Wing of Kerala Forest Department. The objectives of the study are i) to 

prepare an inventory of the plants in the study area, ii) to analyze the flora with 

emphasis on dominant plant groups, endemics, rare and threatened plants and iii) to 

find out areas with respect to species richness. 

ii

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 

Major contributions to the floristic studies in India were made by the Britishers. 

Among the Botanists who worked on the flora of Peninsular India, the contributions of 

Robert Wight are the most outstanding. His major publications are Illustrations of 

Indian Botany (1840) and Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis (1838-1853). Wight 

together with Arnott published Prodromus Florae Peninsulae Indiae Orientalis (1834) in 

which several new taxa were described. The other notable contributions during the 

19 th centuary were The Flora Sylvatica for Southern India (Beddome 1869-1874), Icones 

Plantarum Indiae Orientalis (Beddome, 1868-1874), Flora Indica (Roxburgh, 1820, 

1824). Flora of British India was published by J.D Hooker during 1872-1897. This 

seven volume publication dealt with the phanerogams of the erstwhile British India 

with phytogeographical information. Subsequently regional floras like Flora of the 

Presidency of Bombay (Cooke, 1901-1908) and Flora of the Presidency of Madras 

(Gamble, 1915-1936) were published and the latter work is adjudged as the best 

among the regional floras. 

The Forest Trees of Travancore by Bourdillon (1908) is the first comprehensive work 

on the tree flora of Travancore and it dealt with 582 indigenous trees. The other 

important works on the flora of Peninsular India are: Flowering Plants of Travancore 

(Rama Rao, 1914), Flora of Anamalai Hills Coimbatore District, Madras Presidency 

(Fischer, 1921) and Flora of South Indian Hill Stations (Fyson, 1932). Since then, the 

work on regional as well as local floras were undertaken with the view of preparing a 

complete and comprehensive flora of India and major work was done by the Botanical 

Survey of India. Flora of Tamil Nadu, India (Nair & Henry, 1983; Henry et. al, 1987 and 

1989) and Flora of Karnataka (Sharma, 1984) were published as part of the 

aforementioned project. A few Universities and Research Institutions also conducted 

floristic studies in South India. The floras of most of the districts and Protected areas 

in Kerala have either been completed or in the process of completion. The notable 

publications on the flora of Kerala are: Flora of Calicut (Manilal & Sivarajan, 1982), 

Flora of Cannanore (Ramachandran & Nair, 1988), Flora of Silent Valley (Manilal, 

1988), Flora of Palghat (Vajravelu, 1990), Flora of Kerala: Grasses (Sreekumar and 

Nair, 1991), Flora of Thiruvananthapuram District (Mohanan & Henry, 1994), Flora of 

Thenmala Division (Subramamiyan, 1995), Flora of Nilambur (Sivarajan & Philip 

Mathew, 1997) and Flowering Plants of Thrissur Forests (Sasidharan & Sivarajan, 

1996). Floristic studies of the following places have been completed as Ph. D. 

programmes: Flora of Quilon District (C. N. Mohanan, 1984); Flora of Kottayam District 

(Antony, 1989) and Flora of Pathanamthitta District (Anil Kumar, 1993). The flora of 

protected areas such as Agasthyamala (N. Mohanan, 1995); Shenduruny Wildlife 

Sanctuary (Sasidharan, 1997); Periyar Tiger Reserve (Sasidharan, 1998), Chinnar 

Wildlife Sanctuary (Sasidharan 1999) have been studied recently. Besides these 

general floristic studies revisionary studies of several genera and families were also 

carried out. 

The flora of Palakkad district has not been thoroughly explored in the past. Wight, 

Clerghorn, Beddome, Lawson, Barber, Fischer, Rangachariar, Jacob and Raju & 

Rathinavelu made sporadic collections from different parts of the district during the 

late 19 th and early 20 th centuries (Vajravelu 1990). During 1990’s two floras were 

iii

published on the angiosperms of Palakkad district. The Flora of Silent valley National 

park by Manilal (1988) dealt with 966 species of angiosperms. The Flora of Palghat 

(Vajravelu, 1990) dealt with 1355 species of flowering plants from the entire Palakkad 

district. From literature it is seen that the flora of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary 

has not been studied in detail when compared to other parts of the district. Some 

exiguous information is available in the form of a few publications. Airy Shaw (1952) 

described the monotypic genus Haplothismia based on the collections of KC Jacob 

from the study area. Ramamurthy & Joseph (1964) discovered a new taxon from the 

rivers of Parambikulam. Sebastine & Ramamurthy (1966) published brief accounts on 

the flora of Parambikulam and Aliyar submergible area. 

3. STUDY AREA 

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Anamalai Hills, one among the 

three centres of endemism in Kerala. The sanctuary lying between 76 0 35’ and 76 0 51’ E 

longitude and between 10 0 20’ and 10 0 32’ N latitude in the Palakkad revenue district of 

Kerala and has an area of 274 km 2 . It is the third largest protected area in Kerala and 

is best known for its faunal diversity. The sanctuary is bordered by Vazhachal forest 

division in the south, Chalakkudy in the west, Nelliyampathi Ghats continuous to the 

Palghat gap on the north and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary on the east. During 

1960s, three reservoirs at Parambikulam, Thunakadavu and Peruvarippallam, 

occupying an area of 24 km 2 were commissioned. Major part of the water from these 

reservoirs drains into Tamil Nadu. 

3.1. Topography 

The sanctuary is located immediate south of Palghat gap, exhibits undulating 

terrain interspersed with dry or moist valleys. The altitude ranges from 440 m at 

Chalakkudy river basin to 1438 m at Karimalagopuram. The conspicuous peaks are 

Kuchimudi (1180 m), Vengoli (1224 m), Pandaravarai (1190 m), Karimalagopuram 

(1438 m), Shekkal mudi (1210 m) and Peza (1200 m). 

Most of the streams originate from the forests of Nelliyampathi Ghats and drain to 

the Parambikulam river. During summer Thekkady, Tellickal, Bagapallam, Veeti and 

Pullickal rivers dry up. The perennial streams like Kuriarkutty and Thunacadavu join 

with Parambikulam river at Kuriarkutty and flow westwards. This river converges with 

Karappara river at Orukombankutty and finally drains into Chalakkudy river. 

3.2. Geological features 

Generally the mountain ridges are devoid of tree cover. Considerable extent of rocky 

blanks are found at Karimalagopuram, Vengoli, Pezha, Pandaravarai and Kuchimudi. 

Boulders are conspicuous in the hills along the eastern boundary of the sanctuary. At 

low altitude places, the rock formations are covered by grass growth. The main 

geological formations in the area are hornblende-biotite gneisses, garnetiferous-biotitegneisses, 

charnockites that had been intruded by garnitic-ortho-gyneisses and 

plagioclase porphyry-dykes. Major constituents of the rocks are quartz, biotite, 

orthoclase and plagioclase feldspar. 

iv

Soil formation differs from valleys to hills and slopes. In hilly areas soil is chocolate 

coloured, sandy loam and rich in ferrugineous minerals formed by the disintegration 

of charnokite rock. The characteristic vayal formation is due to the clayey soil in the 

vayals, which prevents the percolation of water resulting in poor drainage. 

3.3. Climate 

Physiographical features of the sanctuary strongly influence the climate. Mountain 

cliffs separate the moist windward valleys and hills from the eastern dry locality. Major 

part of the sanctuary is along the windward region and receives high rainfall. The area 

gets both the southwest and northeast monsoons, southwest being the most active. 

Life span of the herbaceous flora and phenology of arborescent species largely depend 

on the rainy season. Therefore, there are slight seasonal variations in the annual 

flowering and fruiting. The monthly distribution of rainfall during 1998-01 are given in 

Figure 1. 

Figure 1. Rainfall during 1998-2001 

600 

1998 1999 2000 2001 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

Source: PAP, Parambikulam 

The atmospheric humidity is always high in the evergreen and mixed deciduous 

forests along the slopes, than in the teak plantation. February and April are the 

hottest months and the temperature fluctuates between 24 0 C and 35 0 C. The 

minimum temperature varies between 18 0 C and 23 0 C during November and 

December. In the hills the minimum temperature is still lower during night. 

4. ETHNIC GROUPS 

The sanctuary is inhabited by four tribal groups. They are Malayar, Muthuvar, 

Kadar and Mala-malasar. Muthuvars are still residing in the interior areas of the 

sanctuary. Muthuvars consider themselves as a superior cast and do not mingle with 

v

other tribal groups. They are traditionally agriculturists. Most other tribes frequently 

go into the forests for collecting fuelwood, Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs), fishing, 

etc. They are also engaged in various forestry works carried out by the Forest 

Department. 

5. VEGETATION 

The most outstanding feature of the Western Ghats is the formation of tropical rain 

forests along the windward sides facing the Arabian Sea. The sanctuary lies along the 

Sungam and Parambikulam valleys, and these valleys are well known for the valuable 

teak. Substantial teak bearing forests have been felled for extraction of teak in the 

past. Most of the clear felled forest areas were replanted with teak subsequently. For 

the construction of Parambikulam-Aliyar dams, pristine virgin forests were also 

cleared during 1960s. The plantation activities in the Nelliyampathi Hills also caused 

further erosion to the plant diversity of the region. In spite of the large scale 

conversion of forests into plantations, the existing natural forests hold an amazingly 

rich floristic diversity. 

Following Chandrasekharan (1962) and Champion & Seth (1968) the natural 

vegetation of the sanctuary can be broadly classified into the following types (Map 1). 

⇒ West coast tropical evergreen forests 

⇒ West coast semi-evergreen forests 

⇒ Southern moist mixed deciduous forests 

⇒ Southern dry mixed deciduous forests 

Apart from the above mentioned vegetation types, certain edaphic types such as 

Reed brakes, Cane brakes, Secondary evergreen forest, Moist bamboo brakes, Tropical 

thorn forests, Grasslands (Pseudo wet temperate grasslands) and Low altitude marshy 

grasslands (Vayals) are also present. 

Moist deciduous forest is the dominant type in Sungam and Parambikulam Ranges 

and is continuous with the forests of Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Evergreen forest is 

the major vegetation type in Orukomban Range. The sanctuary doesn’t possess typical 

montane forest types such as shola and grasslands. However the evergreen forests and 

grasslands at Karimalagopuram, Pandaravarai and Kariamchola are at times referred 

to as shola forests and montane grasslands. 

5.1. West coast tropical evergreen forests 

Evergreen forests support luxuriant growth of trees and woody climbers, and the 

canopy is closed. High humidity, shade and sheltered condition provide ideal habitat 

for epiphytic as well as terrestrial orchids, ferns, mosses and other herbaceous plants. 

Epiphytes and mosses tend to increase with altitude while woody climbers decrease. 

The trees usually follow a three-tier stratification. 

Selection felling has been carried out in the past in most of the evergreen forest 

areas. Virgin forests exist only in hilly areas because of the inaccessibility or difficult 

terrain. Evergreen forest in the southern side of the sanctuary is contiguous with the 

Vazhachal forest division. Evergreen forests are also found within the moist deciduous 

vi

forests in places such as Parambikulam, Vengoli, Karianchola and Pulikkal. In 

Kottayali evergreen forests occur along the banks of the Parambikulam river. 

The important tree associations noted at higher altitudes in Orukomban and 

Karimala Ranges are Mesua-Cullenia-Calophyllum, Palaquium-Calophyllum, Mesua- 

Cullenia and Palaquium-Mesua. But at lower altitudes Vateria-Calophyllum and Hopea- 

Diospyros associations are prevailing. Dysoxylum malabaricum is dominant at low 

altitude places in Orukomban. In Parambikulam, Vengoli and Karianchola Vateria- 

Calophyllum, Palaquium-Mesua and Hopea-Diospyros-Mesua associations are the 

dominant formations. These areas are with least discernible stratification and 

generally trees attain comparatively lesser height and girth. 

The general species composition is given below. 

Top storey 

The lofty trees of the top storey attain a height of 35 m or more. Common species in 

this storey are: Palaquium ellipticum, Calophyllum polyanthum, Mesua ferrea, Mesua 

thwaitesii, Cullenia exarillata, Dipterocarpus indicus, Artocarpus hirsuta, Mangifera 

indica, Vateria indica, Hopea parviflora, Dysoxylum malabaricum, Myristica 

malabarica, Syzygium gardneri, Persea macrantha, Paracroton pendulous, etc. 

Middle storey 

Common trees in the middle stratum are: Aglaia lawii, Diospyros spp., Elaeocarpus 

serratus, Garcinia gummi-gutta, G. spicata, Hydnocarpus pentandra, Knema attenuata, 

Otonephelium stipulaceum, Actinodaphne malabarica, Drypetes oblongifolia, Glochidion 

ellipticum, Litsea spp., Mallotus spp., Meliosma simplicifolia, Paracroton pendulous, etc. 

Lower storey 

This layer usually consists of small trees and shrubs. The general composition of 

this layer is Atalantia recemosa, Baccaurea courtallensis, Meiogyne ramarowii, 

Syzygium laetum, Orophea erythrocarpa, O. uniflora, Aporusa acuminata, Ardisia 

pauciflora, Dendrocnide sinuata, Gomphandra coriacea, Lepisanthes erecta, Laportea 

crenulata, Lasianthus acuminatus, Strobilanthes spp., etc. 

Climbers 

The common climbers are: Acacia sinuata, Artabotrys zeylanicus, Derris brevipes, 

Desmos lawii, Entada rheedei, Strychnos colubrina, Ventilago bombaiensis, etc. The 

gymnosperm Gnetum edule is of rare occurrence. 

Epiphytic and herbaceous ground flora 

The epiphytes mostly belong to sciophytic group, adapted to the cooler, darker and 

moist microclimate within the forest canopy. The common epiphytes are: Huperzia 

spp., Aeschynanthus perrottetii, Remusatia vivipara and orchids. The common 

parasites are: Helixanthera intermedia, Scurrula parasitica, etc. 

vii

The species diversity among ground vegetation is poor but it is the ideal habitat of 

some interesting saprophytes like, Burmannia championii, Epipogium roseum, 

Balanophora fungosa, etc. Terrestrial orchids and aroids are common along with 

Strobilanthes spp. 

Montane forests (Pseudo shola) 

Shola forests are unique montane vegetation occupying temperate habitats in 

tropical latitude and are regarded as relectual communities restricted to valleys and 

depressions especially along the folds of hills. In this sense the forests restricted to 

Karimala hills and Pandaravarai are not typical shola forests. However it shows 

important characteristics of shola plants like, stunted, short boled, highly branched 

trees, clothed with mosses and other epiphytes. Climbers are few. There is no 

stratification for trees and generally leaves are small. Common species are 

Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Euonymus indicus, Ligustrum perrottetii, Maesa indica, 

Symplocos cochinchinensis, etc. The common epiphytes are Lycopodium phlegmaria, 

Huperzia phyllantha, Bulbophyllum fischeri, Eria reticosa, Impatiens parasitica, 

Oberonia spp., Dendrobium spp., Peperomia tetraphylla, etc. 

Reed brakes 

Reed brakes are also known as wet bamboo brakes, which are considered as 

edaphic type of evergreen forests. Important reeds in the area are Ochlandra 

travancorica and Pseudoxytenanthera bourdillonii along the slopes at Pooppara, 

Karimala and Orukomban. Dense growth of Ochlandra scriptoria occurs in riverine 

areas. Trees associated are Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Mesua ferrea, Syzygium cumini, 

Aglaia barberi, Aglaia lawii, etc 

Cane brakes 

Canes are sparsely distributed in the sanctuary and occur in the evergreen forests at 

Kothala in the Karimala Range and Kuriarkutty in Orukomban Range. Profuse growth of 

Calamus thwaitesii is found in the adjacent teak plantations of the above area. Common 

rattans in the sanctuary are Calamus thwaitesii and C. pseudotenuis. C. vattayila and C. 

gamblei are sparsely distributed in Kuriarkutty area. 

5. 2. West coast semi-evergreen forests 

The semi evergreen forest is transitional stage between evergreen and moist 

deciduous forests and dominated with evergreen trees. This forest type is restricted to 

localities such as Vengoli, Karimala and Orukomban Ranges where felling of evergreen 

trees has been carried out in the past. Reeds, canes and bamboos are comparatively 

few. Common trees are Actinodaphne malabarica, Schleichera oleosa, Xanthophyllum 

arnottianum, Atuna travancorica, Tetrameles nudiflora, Bombax insigne, Litsea spp., 

Heritiera papilio, Cinnamomum malabatrum, Bischofia javanica, Lagerstroemia 

microcarpa, Garcinia gummi-gutta, Elaeocarpus serratus, Syzygium cumini, Ixora 

brachiata, Chukrasia tabularis, Hydnocarpus pentandra, etc. 

viii

5.3. Southern moist mixed deciduous forests 

Moist deciduous forests in the sanctuary exhibit marked differences with respect to 

species composition from the western side to the east. These forests are well known for 

valuable timber yielding species including teak. Substantial moist deciduous forests in 

Parambikulam and Sungam valley were clear felled. The Kannimara Teak in the moist 

deciduous forests of Parambikulam is regarded as one of the largest teak in the world. 

The important tree associations are Terminalia-Schleichera-Lagerstroemia, Bombax- 

Terminalia and Anogeissus-Tectona-Dalbergia. Pterocarpus-Tectona. Towards the eastern 

side the dominant trees are Anogeissus latifolia, Cleistanthus collinus, Shorea roxburghii, 

Madhuca indica, Holoptelea integrifolia, Semecarpus anacardium, Lannea coromandelica, 

Cassine glauca, etc. Thorny species like Zizyphus and Catunaregam are the dominant 

undergrowth here. 

Moist bamboo brakes 

Bambusa bambos is growing profusely at Vengoli, Seechali and Padippara along the 

banks of rivers and reservoirs. Associated trees are Terminalia elliptica, Tectona 

grandis, Albizia odoratissima, etc. Keerappadi, which ia dry locality in Sungam Range, 

gregarious flowering of Bambusa bambos occurred during 2001. 

5.4. Southern dry mixed deciduous forests 

Very small area around Kuchimudi and along the eastern slopes of Pandaravarai is 

covered by dry deciduous forests. Anogeissus latifolia is the dominant tree and other 

trees are Tectona grandis, Givotia molucanna, Pterocarpus marsupium, Cleistanthus 

collinus, Strychnos potatorum, Premna tomentosa, etc. Trees like Schrebera 

swietenioides, Heterophragma roxburghii are sparsely distributed along the rocky 

slopes. 

Southern tropical thorn forests 

A small extent of area at Keerappadi in Sungam Range, which is the continuation of 

Coimbatore plateau is composed of this forest type. Areas have some degree of 

Eucalyptus coppice growth. Prosopis juliflora is the common species. Capparis sepiaria, 

C. grandis and Catunaregam spinosa, Carissa spinarum, Tarenna asiatica are the other 

dominant species in the area. 

Grasslands 

The grasslands are confined to the hilltops at Karimalagopuram, Vengoli and 

Pandaravarai. Vegetation is dominated by grasses, herbs and sub-shrubs. The palm 

Phoenix loureirii is frequent. Common grasses are Arundinella leptochloa, Chrysopogon 

hackelii, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Sacciolepis indica, Themeda triandra, Zenkeria 

elegans, etc. The herbs are Aeginetia pedunculata, Andrographis neesiana, Arisaema 

tortuosum, Cajanus lineatus, Drosera peltata, Eriocaulon spp., Habenaria spp., 

Pogostemon rotundatus, Peucedanum anamallayense etc. Sub-shrubs like Hypericum 

mysorense, Lobelia nicotianifolia var. trichandra, Osbeckia spp., etc. are also frequent. 

ix

Low altitude marshy grasslands (Vayals) 

Presence of low altitude marshy grasslands is a unique feature of the sanctuary. 

Grasses and sedges are the important components. Vayals are the feeding ground for 

the herbivores during the dry season. The important vayals are at Anakkal, Thellickal, 

Kannimara, Seechali, and Pooppara. The common species are Axonopus compressus, 

Paspalum spp., Eragrostis spp., Lipocarpha chinensis, Fuirena umbellata, Fimbristylis 

spp., Cyperus spp., etc. A non-palatable species Rhynchospora corymbosa is getting 

established in some of the vayals. Herbaceous plants like, Justicia, Ludwigia, 

Hygrophila, Ageratum, etc. are also seen in the vayals. Trees like Butea monosperma, 

Careya arborea, Mitragyna parviflora, Haldina cordifolia, Terminalia paniculata, T. 

elliptica are getting established in most of the vayals. 

Teak plantations 

Teak is the major plantation species in the sanctuary occupying an area of 87 km 2 . 

The oldest plantations were raised in 1916 and the youngest in 1983. Though 

regeneration of indigenous species is taking place in the plantations, the number of 

established seedlings and saplings is very few. However, in the plantations at Kothala 

and Kuriarkutty, regeneration of indigenous species is progressing well due to the 

proximity of the plantations to evergreen/semi-evergreen forests. In most of the 

plantations, the undergrowth is dominated by exotic weeds like Eupatorium and 

Lantana. 

6. METHODOLOGY 

Intensive seasonal floristic collections were made from different habitats of the 

sanctuary during 1998-2001. Field data including height, colour and nature of bark 

(inside and outside), colour of latex and other exudates, presence of buttress, odour 

and colour of vegetative and floral parts were recorded. Separate collections were made 

for dioecious plants. For parasites, details of the host plants were also recorded. 

Delicate materials were pressed immediately. In the absence of generative stage, live 

specimens were collected and grown in the garden of Kerala Forest Research Institute 

(KFRI). The collected specimens were preserved or pressed immediately. Flowers and 

fruits of interesting specimens were preserved in Kew mixture. The herbarium 

specimens were prepared as per the standard specification (Fosberg & Sachet, 1965; 

Bridson & Forman, 1991). Processed herbarium specimens are deposited in the Kerala 

Forest Research Institute Herbarium (KFRI). 

The specimens were critically studied with pertinent literatures and comparing with 

authentic specimens available in the Kerala Forest Research Institute Herbarium (KFRI) 

and Madras Herbarium (MH). Literature on phytogeography and endemism were 

referred to assess the distribution and endemism of each species. For confirming 

identity of doubtful specimens they were referred to concerned experts in India and 

abroad. 

x

7. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION 

The families are arranged following the classification by Bentham & Hooker (1862- 

1883) with delimitation to certain families according to Hutchinson (1959, 1964, 1967 

& 1973) and their current concept. Dichotomous parallel keys are provided for the 

identification of genera under family and species under genera. The keys were 

prepared with more emphasis on vegetative or morphological characters to facilitate 

easy identification. The genera and species are arranged in alphabetical sequence 

under respective families and genera. Illustrations and photographs are provided for 

rare and interesting species. 

The correct name of the species is followed by the author/s name and original 

publication. Basionym (if any) and relevant synonyms are also provided. Generic 

monographs/revisions are also cited. Exhaustive citation of the floras has been 

avoided due to paucity of space. The floras cited along with names are in abbreviated 

form. The description of the species is in the following sequence: ‘habit, leaves, 

inflorescence, flower, calyx, corolla, stamens, ovary, fruit and seed’. The flowering and 

fruiting periods are also given. Geographical distribution, status of the species in 

relation to conservation, occurrence in the study area and vegetation type(s) etc. are 

followed by name(s) of the collector(s) in abbreviated form with collection number(s) 

and locality(ies). Abbreviations used in the text are: FBI-Flora of British India (J. D. 

Hooker, 1872-1897), FPM-Flora of the Presidency of Madras (Gamble, 1915-1936), and 

FTSR-Flowering Plants of Thrissur Forests (Sasidharan, 1996), FPL-Flora of Palghat 

District (Vajravelu 1990). MSPI-Malvaceae of Southern Peninsular India (Sivarajan & 

Pradeep, 1996), FKG-Flora of Kerala grasses (Sreekumar & Nair, 1991), PMK-Palms of 

Kerala (Renuka,1990), JBI-Bladderworts of India, Flora of India: series 4 (Janarthanan 

& Henry, 1992), JBNHS-Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, JETB-Journal of 

Economic and Taxonomic Botany, Distr.-distribution, Fl.-Flowering, Fr.-Fruiting, KFRI- 

Kerala Forest Research Institute Herbarium, PS-P. Sujanapal, NS-N. Sasidharan. 

xi

8. RESULTS 

8.1. Floristic analysis 

The sanctuary is situated in the northern end of the Anamalai subunit of the 

Western Ghats, the most hotspot region with respect to species diversity and 

endemism. During the study 1432 species of angiosperms under 753 genera belonging 

to 140 families were collected, which form about 35 per cent of the estimated flora of 

Kerala. Dicotyledons are represented by 1119 species under 587 genera and 120 

families, while monocotyledons by 313 species under 166 genera and 20 families. 

Fabaceae, with 116 species (52 genera), is the largest family followed by Poaceae (58 

genera, 86 species); Euphorbiaceae (35 genera, 82 species); Orchidaceae (44 genera, 

77 species); Rubiaceae (36 genera, 72 species); Acanthaceae (22 genera, 53 species); 

Asteraceae (31 genera, 39 species); Cyperaceae (11 genera, 35 species); Lamiaceae (14 

genera, 30 species) and Zingiberaceae (9 genera, 26 species) [Figure 2]. 

Figure 2. Relative abundance of top 10 families in Parambikulam WLS 

140 

120 

Genera 

Species 

Genera and species 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

116 

52 

86 

58 

82 77 

38 

44 

72 

36 

53 39 

22 

31 

35 30 

26 

11 14 9 

Faba Poac Euph Orch Rubi Acan Aste Cype Lami Zing 

Families 

Among the 140 families, 31 dicot and three monocot families are represented by a 

single species each. As many as 62 genera are also represented by one species each. 

Ficus with 20 species is the largest genus followed by Impatiens with 18 species. 

Strobilanthes, Justicia and Crotalaria have 11 species in each. The family Poaceae has 

58 genera, of which 36 are represented by a single species. Most of the grasses were 

recorded from Grasslands and Vayals, which are high-density feeding ground for the 

herbivores. 

Among the 1432 species, 653 are herbs including epiphytes, parasites and 

saprophytes. Trees are represented by 359 species, shrubs are 268 and climbers with 

152 species. The endangered medicinal plant Coscinium fenestratum (Maramanjal), 

though frequent in Karimala and Orukomban Ranges, mature plants are extremely 

rare and no flowering could be observed during the study period. 

xii

Based on the number of specimens collected and exploration coefficient, maximum 

collections were recorded from the Sungam Range followed by Karimala Range, due to 

the diverse habitats in these two Ranges (Table 1). About 15 km 2 area of Sungam 

Range is occupied by dry deciduous forests and most the species recorded from this 

area do not occur elsewhere in the sanctuary. Because of the altitudinal variations 

and topographical peculiarity, the species combination in the Karimalagopuram (1438 

m) and surrounding areas is unique. Though Karimala Range abodes diverse habitats, 

about 50 per cent of the area is occupied by teak plantation. 

Table 1. Range wise analysis and number of specimens collected 

Range 

Natural forest 

(km 2 ) 

Plantation 

(km 2 ) 

Total (km 2 ) 

Number of 

collections 

Sungam 63.49 18.29 81.78 708 

Parambikulam 35.01 17.17 52.18 415 

Orukomban 54.59 17.25 71.84 450 

Karimala 33.61 34.76 68.37 592 

Total 186.70 87.47 274.14 2165 

8.2. Endemism 

The endemic species in the flora of a geographical region reveal the biogeography of 

the area, centre of speciation and adaptive evolution (Nayar, 1996 and 1997). The 

Western Ghats is considered as one among the 18 centres in the world where 

megadiversity exits. Among the 4,000 species of flowering plants in the Western 

Ghats 1,500 species are endemics. In the Western Ghats, Southern Western Ghats 

consisting Southern Karnataka, Kerala and part of Tamil Nadu is considered as the 

most species rich region with respect to endemism. Nayar (1997) recognised three 

hotspots of endemic centres in Kerala viz. Agasthyamala, Anamalai High Ranges and 

Silent valley-Wayanad. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary comes under the Anamalai- 

High Range centre. Among the 60 endemic genera of peninsular India, 13 were 

collected from the sanctuary. Haplothismia, Utleria and Pseudoglochidion are confined 

to Anamalai hills. During the study both Haplothismia and Utleria were collected and 

the former is exclusive to the study area. Proteroceras earlier considered as a 

monotypic genus of Southern Western Ghats is now treated as congeneric with 

Pteroceras. A new species, Pteroceras monsooniae was collected from the sanctuary 

during the study period. Phlebophyllum, Nilgirianthus, Taeniandra and Xenacanthus, 

the splinter genera of Strobilanthes are now merged under it following the wider 

concept of the genus. 

Nayar (1997) estimated that there are 1272 Western Ghats endemic species in 

Kerala and 94 species are exclusive to the Anamalai High Ranges. During the study 

28 species belonging to this centre have been collected from the sanctuary. Among 

the 1432 species 360 are South Indian endemics belonging to 223 genera. 

Orchidaceae has the highest number of 34 endemic species, followed by Rubiaceae 

with 26 species, Acanthaceae with 22 species, Lauraceae with 20 species and 

Euphorbiaceae with 19 species. 

xiii

The genus Impatiens has 12 endemic species Strobilanthes and Litsea have eight 

species in each, Syzygium, Osbeckia and Habenaria with six species in each. Species 

like Syzygium palghatense, Pteroceras monsooniae, Haplothismia exannulata, 

Strobilanthes dupenii are known only from the study area. Piper barberi and Pothos 

crassipedunculatus earlier considered restricted to Agasthyamala region are now 

recorded from the sanctuary. Heterophragma roxburghii considered endemic to 

northern region of Deccan plateau is also collected from the sanctuary. 

8.3. Rare and threatened plants 

Among the 460 species of rare and threatened flowering plants recorded from 

Kerala (Nayar, 1997), 109 were collected during the study. The forests in the Karimala 

and Orukomban Ranges are contiguous with the evergreen forests of Chalakkudi and 

Vazhachal forest divisions and harbor 85 species of threatened plants. Forests along 

the eastern side, bordering Tamilnadu, from north Kuchimudi to south Shekkalmudi 

is very unique. The monotypic genus Haplothismia, considered as ‘extinct’, was 

recollected from the evergreen forests of Parambikulam Range. The distribution of this 

species is very much restricted and the existing population is under threat. Species 

such as Syzygium palghatense, Desmos viridiflorus, Acranthera anamallica, Kalanchoe 

olivacea, Casearia rubescens, Ceropegia omissa, Ophiorrhiza brunonis, Osbeckia aspera 

var. travancorica, Smithia venkobarowii, Taeniophyllum scaberulum collected during 

the study belong to the category ‘possibly extinct’. Syzygium palghatense is collected 

for the first time after its type collection. The rare and threatened species recorded in 

the four Ranges of the sanctuary are provided in Tables 2, 3, 4 and 5. 

Table 2. List of rare and threatened species in Karimala Range 

No. SPECIES FAMILY STATUS REFERENCE 

1. Acranthera anamallica Bedd. RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

2. Actinodaphne malabarica Balakr. LAURACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

3. Aglaia simplicifolia (Bedd.) Harms MELIACEAE Near Threatened IUCN, 2000 

4. Anaphyllum wightii Schott ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

5. Anisochilus argenteus Gamble LAMIACEAE Vulnerable Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

6. Ardisia sonchifolia Mez MYRSINACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

7. Arisaema attenuatum Barnes & Fischer 

ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

8. Arisaema barnesii Fischer ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

9. Arisaema murrayi (Graham) Hook. ARACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

10. Belosynapsis vivipara (Dalz.) Fischer COMMELINACEAE Vulnerable Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

11. Blepharistemma serratum (Dennst.) RHIZOPHORACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

Suresh 

12. Bulbophyllum aureum (Hook. f.) Sm. ORCHIDACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

13. Ceropegia metziana Miq. ASCLEPIADACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

xiv


14. Crotalaria clarkei Gamble FABACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

15. Cyclea fissicalyx Dunn MENISPERMACEAE Rare & Threatened Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

16. Derris benthamii (Thw.) Thw. FABACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

17. Desmos viridiflorus (Bedd.) Safford ANNONACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

18. Drypetes wightii (Hook. f.) Pax & Hoffm. EUPHORBIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

19. Eugenia indica (Wight) Chithra MYRTACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

20. Glycosmis macrocarpa Wight RUTACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

21. Habenaria barnesii Summerh. ex ORCHIDACEAE Endangered Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

Fischer 

22. Impatiens acaulis Arn. BALSAMINACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

23. Impatiens herbicola Hook. f. BALSAMINACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

24. Impatiens viridiflora Wight BALSAMINACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

25. Impatiens viscosa Bedd. BALSAMINACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

26. Impatiens wightiana Bedd. BALSAMINACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

27. Isachne setosa Fischer POACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

28. Isonandra stocksii Clarke SAPOTACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

29. Lasianthus strigillosus Hook.f. RUBIACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

30. Morinda reticulata Gamble RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

31. Nostolachma crassifolia (Gamble) Deb & RUBIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

Lahiri 

32. Ophiorrhiza brunonis Wight & Arn. RUBIACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar & Sastry, 1988 

33. Orophea thomsonii Bedd. ANNONACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

34. Orophea uniflora Hook. f. & Thoms. ANNONACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

35. Pavetta laeta Bremek. RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

36. Peucedanum anamallayense Clarke APIACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

37. Pothos armatus Fischer ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

38. Premna glaberrima Wight VERBENACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

39. Psychotria anamalayana Bedd. RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

40. Sageraea laurifolia (Graham) Blatt. ANNONACEAE Near Threatened IUCN, 2000 

41. Sauropus saksenianus Manilal et al. EUPHORBIACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

42. Schizostachyum beddomei Fischer POACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

43. Semecarpus travancorica Bedd. ANACARDIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

44. Vepris bilocularis (Wight & Arn.) Engl. RUTACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

45. Zehneria maysorensis (Wight & Arn.) Arn. CUCURBITACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

var. umbellata (Chakrav.) Kumari 

1987 

xv

Table 3. List of rare and threatened species in Orukomban Range 


1. Aglaia barberi Gamble MELIACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

2. Aglaia lawii (Wight) Saldanha MELIACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

3. Aglaia perviridis Hiern MELIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

4. Allophylus concanicus Radlk. SAPINDACEAE Rare Nayar & Sastry, 1988 

5. Anaphyllum wightii Schott ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

6. Arenga wightii Griff. ARECACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

7. Atuna travancorica (Bedd.) Kosterm. CHRYSOBALANACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

8. Blachia reflexa Benth. EUPHORBIACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

9. Capparis rheedei DC. CAPPARACEAE Rare Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

10. Cryptocarya beddomei Gamble LAURACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

11. Dipterocarpus indicus Bedd. DIPTEROCARPACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

12. Dysoxylum beddomei Hiern MELIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

13. Epithema carnosum (G. Don) Benth. GESNERIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

var. hispida Clarke 

14. Euonymus paniculatus Wight ex CELASTRACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

Lawson 

15. Garcinia wightii T. Anders. CLUSIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

16. Holigarna grahamii (Wight) Kurz ANACARDIACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

17. Impatiens dasysperma Wight BALSAMINACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

18. Ixora monticola Gamble RUBIACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

19. Lasianthus rostratus Wight RUBIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

20. Litsea quinqueflora (Dennst.) Suresh LAURACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

(L. ligustrina (Nees) Hook.f.) 

21. Mallotus atrovirens Muell.-Arg. EUPHORBIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

22. Memecylon lawsonii Gamble MELASTOMATACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

23. Mycetia acuminata (Wight) O. Ktze. RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

24. Oberonia brachyphylla Blatt. & ORCHIDACEAE Rare Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

McCann 

25. Ophiorrhiza brunonis Wight & Arn. RUBIACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar & Sastry, 1988 

26. Orophea uniflora Hook. f. & Thoms. ANNONACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

27. Pavetta calophylla Bremek. RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

28. Piper barberi Gamble PIPERACEAE Rare & Threatened Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

29. Polypleurum filifolium (Ramam.& PODOSTEMACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

Joseph) Nagend. et al. 

30. Premna glaberrima Wight VERBENACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

31. Pseudoxytenanthera bourdillonii 

(Gamble) Naithani 

POACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

32. Psychotria globicephala Bedd. RUBIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

33. Psychotria johnsoni Hook.f. RUBIACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

xvi


34. Psychotria keralensis Deb & Gangop. RUBIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

35. Smilax wightii A. DC. SMILACACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

36. Smithia venkobarowii Gamble FABACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar, 1997 

37. Solenocarpus indicus Wight & Arn. ANACARDIACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

38. Syzygium occidentalis (Bourd.) MYRTACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

Gandhi 

39. Tabernaemontana gamblei Subram. & APOCYNACEAE Conservation IUCN, 2000 

Henry 

Dependent 

40. Tarenna monosperma (Wight &Arn.) RUBIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

Raju 

41. Utleria salicifolia Bedd. ex Hook. f. ASCLEPIADACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

42. Willisia selaginoides (Bedd.) Warming PODOSTEMACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

ex Willis 

Table 4. List of rare and threatened species in Parambikulam Range 


1. Aralia malabarica Bedd. ARALIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

2. Blepharistemma serratum (Dennst.) RHIZOPHORACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

Suresh 

3. Casearia rubescens Dalz. FLACOURTIACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar, 1997 

4. Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Juss. ex Gagn. VITACEAE Vulnerable Nayar, 1997 

var. glabra Gamble 

5. Ceropegia omissa Hubber ASCLEPIADACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar, 1997 

6. Cleome burmannii Wight & Arn. CAPPARACEAE Indeterminate Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

7. Cyanotis burmanniana Wight COMMELINACEAE Rare Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

8. Glochidion hohenackeri (Muell.-Arg.) EUPHORBIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

Bedd. var. johnstonei (Hook. f.) 

Chakrab. & Gangop. 

(G. johnstonei Hook.f.) 

9. Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) Juss. EUPHORBIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

var. tomentosum (Dalz.) Chakrab. & 

Gangop. 

(G. tomentosum Dalz.) 

10. Glycosmis macrocarpa Wight RUTACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

11. Haplothismia exannulata Airy Shaw BURMANNIACEAE Extinct Nayar, 1997 

12. Osbeckia aspera (L.) Blume var. MELASTOMATACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar, 1997 

travancorica (Bedd. ex Gamble) 

Hansen 

13. Pterospermum reticulatum Wight & Arn. STERCULIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

14. Smilax wightii A. DC. SMILACACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 


16. Symplocos macrophylla Wall. ex A. DC 

ssp. rosea (Bedd.) Nooteb. 

SYMPLOCACEAE Rare Gopalan & Henry, 

2000 

17. Typhonium bulbiferum Dalz. ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

xvii

Table 5. List of rare and threatened species in Sungam Range 


1. Actinodaphne malabarica Balakr. LAURACEAE Rare Nayar, 1997 

2. Aglaia barberi Gamble MELIACEAE Rare & 

Threatened 

Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

3. Aglaia lawii (Wight) Saldanha MELIACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

4. Arisaema barnesii Fischer ARACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

5. Beilschmiedia wightii (Nees) Benth. ex LAURACEAE Rare & 

Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

Hook. f. 

Threatened 

1987 

6. Casearia wynaadensis Bedd. FLACOURTIACEAE Vulnerable IUCN, 2000 

7. Commelina wightii Rao COMMELINACEAE Threatened Nayar, 1997 

8. Corymborkis veratrifolia (Reinw.) Blume ORCHIDACEAE Rare Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

9. Drypetes malabarica (Bedd.) Airy Shaw EUPHORBIACEAE Critically 

endangered 

Gopalan & Henry, 

2000 

10. Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) Juss. EUPHORBIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

var. tomentosum (Dalz.) Chakrab. & 

Gangop. 

(G. tomentosum Dalz.) 

11. Holigarna grahamii (Wight) Kurz ANACARDIACEAE Rare Ahmedullah & Nayar, 

1987 

12. Kalanchoe olivacea Dalz. & Gibs. CRASSULACEAE Endangered Nayar, 1997 

13. Nostolachma crassifolia (Gamble) Deb & RUBIACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

Lahiri 

14. Oberonia brachyphylla Blatt. & McCann ORCHIDACEAE Rare Nayar & Sastry, 1987 

15. Shorea roxburghii G. Don DIPTEROCARPACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 


17. Syzygium chavaran (Bourd.) Gamble MYRTACEAE Endangered IUCN, 2000 

18. Syzygium palghatense Gamble MYRTACEAE Critically IUCN, 2000 

endangered 

19. Taeniophyllum scaberulum Hook. f. ORCHIDACEAE Possibly extinct Nayar, 1997 

9. DISCUSSION 

Owing to the geographical location, the sanctuary experiences the Deccan plateau 

climate along the eastern side and gradually changing to wet Malabar climate in the 

western side. The sanctuary abodes all the major vegetation types of the Western 

Ghats except Montane Sholas and Grasslands. However low altitude shola and 

grassland formations are found at Karimalagopuram. The Parambikulam valley is well 

known for its valuable teak. One of the world’s largest teak ‘Kannimara Teak’ is in the 

sanctuary. In the past, large scale clearing of the teak bearing moist deciduous forests 

has been carried out for extracting timber. These clear-felled forest areas were planted 

with teak, which occupies about 87 km 2 area of the sanctuary. 

Among the 1432 species of flowering plants recorded during the study, 109 belong 

to the threatened categories. The foremost task in the implementation of conservation 

xviii

measures is the demographic evaluation of the endangered species. The population of 

the critically endangered species like Haplothismia exannulata, Syzygium palghatense 

and Desmos viridiflorus is extremely low, the former two are so far known only from 

the sanctuary. Though profuse flowering in Syzygium palghatense was observed 

during the study period, fruit setting is rare; seedlings and saplings are practically 

absent. Only three mature trees could be seen. Haplothismia exannulata occurs at 

Vengoli and Parambikualm. The evergreen forest patch near the temple at 

Parambikualm where a few individuals of Haplothismia were observed, is under severe 

biotic pressure. The distribution of the new orchid Pteroceras monsooniae is restricted 

to less than 1 km 2 area, thus it is also critically endangered. 

The evergreen forests of Karimala and Orukomban Ranges abode most of the 

species belonging to the threatened categories as well as the endemics. The forests 

along the eastern side of the sanctuary boarding Tamil Nadu have several species 

characteristic of the Deccan-Carnatic region. The two new species viz. Medinilla 

anamalaiana and Pteroceras monsooniae reported during the study were collected 

from this region. 

An analysis with respect to the occurrence of endemic as well as threatened species 

shows that eastern side of the Sungam Range, evergreen forests in Parambikulam 

Range, Karimalagopuram (Karimala Range) and evergreen forests from Pezha to 

Nelliyampathi (Orukomban Range) are crucial for conservation of the endemic and 

threatened species (Map 2). 

The construction of dams had adversely affected the aquatic flora of the river 

system. Threatened aquatic plants like Willisia selaginoides and Polypleurum filifolium 

are now seen only in the west flowering undisturbed Karappara river. Natural riparian 

vegetation along the Parambikulam river has been cleared at several places and 

planted with teak. It will be appropriate to restore the natural vegetation of the river 

banks through enrichment planting with characteristic species. 

The diverse habitats and geographic location of the sanctuary made it one of the 

faunastically rich areas in Kerala. Studies on the habitat utilization of animals 

revealed that the moist deciduous forest interspersed with marshy vayals are the most 

preferred habitats (Balakrishnan and Easa, 1986; Easa, 1998). The vayals play an 

important role with regard to fodder for herbivores. Now most of vayals are inside the 

teak plantations and these dry up with the beginning of summer. Further, the species 

composition of vayals within the natural forests and those inside the plantations is 

different. More non-palatable species are getting established in the latter. 

Like other parts of Western Ghats, the sanctuary posseses wild relatives of 

economically important plants. According to Velayudhan et al. (1999) diversity of crop 

species is higher than that of Silent Valley. The sanctuary is relatively free from 

human disturbance, the major threat being the collection of Non-Wood Forest 

Products. However the forests around settlements are under biotic pressure. In areas 

like Kothala (Karimala Range) and Kuriarkutty (Orukomban Range) regeneration of 

indigenous evergreen species is progressing well in the teak plantations, due to the 

proximity of these plantations to semi-evergreen/evergreen forests (Sasidharan et al., 

2002). 

xix

The present study has bought out the diversity of flowering plants, which is 

amazingly rich, despite large scale clearing of forests carried out in the past. It will be 

appropriate to study the Cryptogamic flora also to have a complete knowledge on the 

plant diversity of the sanctuary. 

10. RECOMMENDATIONS 

Among the 109 species belonging to the rare and threatened categories, four 

species are exclusive to the sanctuary. The population of the monotypic genus 

Haplothismia is restricted to two localities viz. Vengoli and Parambikulam. The 

evergreen forest patch around the temple at Parambikulam where a few plants of 

Haplothismia were located needs protection from firewood collection and grazing. 

The population of Syzygium palghatense and Desmos viridiflorus is extremely low. 

Only three trees of Syzygium palghatense could be located at Pandaravarai. Fruit 

setting is very rare in spite of profuse flowering. Only four plants of Desmos viridiflorus 

could be located at Pooppara. No fruit setting was noticed. Reproductive biological 

studies of these species are needed for enhancing their population. 

In the teak plantations at Kothala (Karimala Range) and Kuriarkutty (Orukomban 

Range), the regeneration of indigenous species is progressing well. Preference may be 

given to these plantations for promoting the growth of indigenous species. 

The small patch of grassland at Karimalagopuram supports several herbaceous 

rare and threatened species. Therefore, the burning of grasslands for promoting fresh 

grass growth will adversely affect the survival of rare and endangered species in the 

grasslands. 

xx

12. SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT 

RANUNCULACEAE 

1. Terminal leaflet modified into tendril; filaments ligulate ...............................................................Naravelia 

1. Terminal leaflet normal; filaments linear.......................................................................................... Clematis 

CLEMATIS Linnaeus 

Clematis gouriana Roxb. ex DC., Syst. Nat. 1: 138. 1817; FBI 1: 4. 1872; FPM 3. 1915; FPL 43. 

1990; Rau, Fl. Ind. 1:64.1993; FTSR 24. 1996. 

Climbing herbs; young branches pubescent. Leaflets 3-7, 4-6 x 1.5-3 cm, ovate, acute at apex, 

rounded at base, nerves tomentose below. Panicles drooping, terminal and axillary, tomentose. 

Flowers white, 1 cm across; sepals 7 x 4 mm, oblong, obtuse, pubescent; stamens many, 

filaments 8 mm long, glabrous; carpels 10-15, pubescent. Achenes 3 x 1 mm, ovoid, hairy; style 

persistent, ca. 30 mm long. 

Fl. & Fr. December-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19186 

Rockpoint 

NARAVELIA Adanson 

Naravelia zeylanica (L.) DC., Syst. Nat. 1: 167. 1817; FBI 1: 7. 1872; FPM 3. 1915; FPL 44. 

1990; Rau, Fl. Ind. 1:106.1993; FTSR 24. 1996. Atragene zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 542. 1753. 

Climbing tomentose shrubs. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets 9-10 x 8-9 cm, broadly ovate, 

rounded at base, acute at apex, entire or serrate, 5-ribbed from base, terminal leaflets modified 

into a trifid tendril; petiole 5-10 cm long, petiolule 2 cm long. Inflorescence a terminal or 

axillary panicles, 5-15 cm across; pedicels to 2.5 cm long; sepals 4, 6 x 6 mm, ovate, pubescent 

outside; petals 10, ca. 7 mm long, clavate, green; stamens many, filaments flat, connective 

produced beyond the anthers; carpels 8, densely hairy. Achenes few, 7 x 1 mm, stalked, 

ellipsoid, with long feathery stigma, to 5 cm long. 

Fl. & Fr. December-March 

Distr. South East Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19841 Vengoli 

DILLENIACEAE 

DILLENIA Linnaeus 

Dillenia pentagyna Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 20. 1795; FBI 1: 38. 1872; FPM 8. 1915; FPL 44. 1990; 

Majumdar, Fl. Ind. 1:156.1993; FTSR 25. 1996. 

Medium trees. Leaves alternate, 20-50 x 8-25 cm, obovate, obtuse, serrulate; nerves 40-60 

pairs, regular, parallel; petiole 6 cm long, sheathing at base. Flowers fascicled on old branches, 

to 3 cm across; pedicel 4 cm long; sepals 5, 10 mm long, obovate, glabrous; petals yellow, 10-15 x 

7-12 mm, obovate, obtuse; stamens many, filaments unequal, to 9 mm long, yellow; carpels 6- 

10, united; ovules many. Fruits 1.5 cm across, fleshy, globose, yellow, subtended by persistent 

sepals; seeds many, 5 x 3 mm, angular. 

Fl. & Fr. February-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18874 Orukomban 

ANNONACEAE 

1. Inner petals clawed, lozenge-shaped ...................................................................................................Orophea 

1. Inner petals without claw, not lozenge-shaped .............................................................................................. 2 

1

2. Carpels 3-5............................................................................................................................................Sageraea 

2. Carpels 10 or more ............................................................................................................................................ 3 

3. Flowers on hooked peduncles; inner petals constricted at base.................................................... Artabotrys 

3. Flowers not on hooked peduncles; inner petals without constriction at base.............................................. 4 

4. Connective prolonged; widened above the anther.......................................................................................... 5 

4. Connective hardly prolonged, not widened above the anther ....................................................................... 6 

5. Flowers subsessile; pedicels less than 3 mm long ............................................................................Meiogyne 

5. Flowers pedicellate; pedicels over 1 cm long....................................................................................Polyalthia 

6. Petals ovate-orbicular, connate at base..................................................................................................Uvaria 

6. Petals otherwise, free........................................................................................................................................ 7 

7. Woody climber; inner petals as long as the outer petals..................................................................... Desmos 

7. Erect shrubs or trees; inner petals much longer than the outer petals............................................. Miliusa 

ARTABOTRYS R. Brown ex Ker-Gawler 

Artabotrys zeylanicus Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 128. 1855 & Hook. f., FBI 1: 54. 1872; FPM 

14. 1915; FPL 46. 1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:253.1993; FTSR 26. 1996. 

Woody climbers. Leaves to 18 x 7 cm, oblong, acute at both ends, nerves 10-12 pairs; petiole 

striate. Flowers 1-few; pedicels 1-2 cm long, stout with 4 bracts at base; sepals 3, 8 x 6 mm, 

broadly ovate, pubescent; petals 6, similar, 2.5-3 x 0.7 cm, oblong-lanceolate, concave at base 

inside, pubescent, yellow; stamens many, anthers oblong, concealed by flat and broad 

connectives; carpels few, tomentose, ovules paired in each cell. Fruitlets sessile, globose, 15-22 

mm across, obovoid obtusely ridged, densely packed, tomentose. 

Fl. & Fr. August-November 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 18822 Parambikulam 

DESMOS Loureiro 

1. Bracts broadly ovate; petals more than 1 cm broad..................................................................D. viridiflorus 

1. Bracts narrowly ovate; petals to 5 mm broad...................................................................................... D. lawii 

Desmos lawii (Hook. f. & Thoms.) Safford, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 39: 506. 1912; Debika, Fl. Ind. 

1:261.1993; FTSR 27. 1996. Unona lawii Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 132. 1855 & Hook. f., FBI 1: 

59. 1872; FPM 15. 1915. 

Large climbers, young shoots sericeus tomentose. Leaves to 12 x 4 cm, ovate-oblong, acute at 

apex, rounded at base with two glands, glaucous below, nerves 8 pairs, hairy below. Flowers 

solitary, axillary; pedicels 4 cm long, slender, bracteate; sepals 9 x 6 mm, obovate, pubescent; 

petals 6, biseriate, similar, 5 x 0.5 cm, linear-oblong, pubescent; stamens many, 1 mm long, 

connectives produced above concealing the anthers; ovaries many, densely hairy, stigma 

globose, red. Fruitlets 7 x 6 mm, globose-oblong, stipitate, beaked; seeds 1-3, globose; stipe 1 cm 

long, slender. 

Fl. & Fr. March-September 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 30189 

Kottayali 

Desmos viridiflorus (Bedd.) Safford, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 39: 506. 1912; Debika, Fl. Ind. 

1:262.1993; FTSR 27. 1996. Unona viridiflora Bedd., Ic. t. 158. 1868-1874; FBI 1: 60. 1872; FPM 

15. 1915. 

Young shoots rufous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded or cordate, 7-15 x 3 

cm; petiole 0.6-0.8 cm long. Flowers solitary, pedicels 2-4 cm long, slender; bracts 1.5-2 cm 

across, ovate, cordate at base, attached a little below in middle on pedicel; sepals ovatelanceolate, 

2 x 1.2 cm, dark green; outer petals 4.5 x 1.5 cm; inner petals narrower, silky 

pubescent, green. 

2

Fl. March-April 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30263 Pooppara 

Note: This critically endangered species was not recorded from Palakkad district 

MEIOGYNE Miquel 

1. Petals to 2 x 0.5 cm; leaves more than 6 cm long ...................................................................... M. ramarowii 

1. Petals to 3 x 1 cm; leaves less than 5 cm long................................................................................M. pannosa 

Meiogyne pannosa (Dalz.) Sinclair, Sarawak Mus. J. 5: 604. 1951; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:266.1993; 

FTSR 27. 1996. Unona pannosa Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 3: 207. 1851; FBI 1: 

58. 1872; FPM 14. 1915. 

Small trees; branchlets hirsute. Leaves ovate, apex acuminate, base rounded, nerves 6 or 7 

pairs, hirsute below; glabrous above; petioles 5 mm long. Flowers axillary, sessile, dull yellow; 

sepals 6 x 4 mm, ovate, acute, fulvous tomentose; outer petals spreading; inner erect, ovatelanceolate, 

fulvous tomentose; carpels densely hairy. Fruitlets 12 x 8 mm, obovoid, fulvous 

tomentose; seeds 2-few, globose. 

Fl. & Fr. July-December 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19125 Kariamchola; NS 

19428 Pooppara 

Meiogyne ramarowii (Dunn) Gandhi in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 38. 1976; FPL 46. 

1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:266.1993; FTSR 27. 1996. Unona ramarowii Dunn, Kew Bull. 1914: 

183. 1914; FPM 15. 1915. Desmos ramarowii (Dunn) Das, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 5: 42. 1963. 

Large shrubs to small trees; branchlets, hirtus. Leaves oblong, acuminate, hirsute below, 

nerves to 9 pairs, nervules parallel; petiole 8 mm long. Flowers dull white, sessile; sepals 12 x 6 

mm, ovate, acute, hispid; petals lanceolate, saccate at base, densely hispid; ovaries densely 

villous. Fruitlets 1-2.5 x 1 cm, oblong, shortly stalked, tomentose, depressed between seeds; 

seeds 1-3, globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 18826 Parambikulam 

MILIUSA Leschenault ex A. P. de Candolle 

1. Trees; carpels 4-6 ovuled ............................................................................................................. M. tomentosa 

1. Shrubs; carpels 2-ovuled......................................................................................................................M. indica 

Miliusa indica Lesch. ex A. DC., Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 5: 213, t. 3, 1832; FPM 21. 1915; 

Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:217.1993; FTSR 28. 1996. Miliusa montana Gard. ex Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. 

Ind. 148. 1855. Miliusa indica var. montana (Gard. ex Hook. f. & Thoms.) Hook. f. & Thoms. in 

Hook.f., FBI 1: 86. 1872. 

Branchlets radiating, pubescent. Leaves to 9 x 4 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded to 

subcordate at base, pubescent; nerves 8-10 pairs. Flowers solitary or paired; pedicel 7 mm long, 

slender; sepals 2 x 1.5 mm, ovate, ciliate; outer petals 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute, glabrous; 

inner petals ovate, acute, saccate at base, dotted with red glands; torus hairy; anthers curved, 

filaments pubescent, glandular; ovaries curved, pubescent, 1-celled; ovules 2; style absent; 

stigma ovoid. 

Fl. April 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; NS 5662 

Karimalagopuram 

Miliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) Sinclair, Gard. Bull. Singapore 14: 378. 1955; Debika, Fl. Ind. 

1:221.1993. Uvaria tomentosa Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 35. 1795. Saccopetalum tomentosum (Roxb.) 

Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 152. 1855 & Hook. f., FBI 1: 88. 1872; FPM 22. 1915. 

3

Medium trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 14 x 6 cm, ovate, apex acute, base rounded, 

nerves 8-10 pairs; petiole 5 mm long, hispid. Flowers in axillary fascicles; pedicels 3-5 cm long; 

sepals 3, 5 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, hispid; outer petals 8 x 1.5 mm, linear-oblong, tomentose; inner 

petals ovate, acute, hispid; torus densely hispid; ovary curved, hispid, ovules 4-6; style absent; 

stigma oblong. Fruitlets 2.5 cm across, globose, glabrous; stipe 2-3 cm long. 

Fl. & Fr. December-May 

Distr. India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30456 Vengoli 

OROPHEA Blume 

1. Outer 6 stamens sterile; carpels hirsute ................................................................................ O. erythrocarpa 

1. All stamens perfect; carpels glabrous.............................................................................................................. 2 

2. Petals 5-10 mm long; leaves glabrous ............................................................................................. O. uniflora 

2. Petals less than 3 mm long; midrib tomentose beneath .............................................................O. thomsonii 

Orophea erythrocarpa Bedd., Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 20: 5. 1846 & Madras J. Lit. Sci. 22: 71. 

1861 & Ic. t. 68. 1868-1874; FBI 1: 91. 1872; FPM 24. 1915; Kessler, Blumea 33: 47. 1988; 

Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:224.1993; FTSR 29. 1996. 

Small trees. Leaves to 10 x 4 cm, ovate, acute at both ends, scarcely pubescent, nerves 8 

pairs, nervules parallel. Flowers 7 mm across, 3-7 together, in peduncled cymes; peduncles to 10 

mm long, hispid; sepals broadly ovate, ciliate; outer petals orbicular, ciliate, inner petals 

rhomboid, curved inward, pubescent at tips, nectaries, free, oblong, horizontal; stamens 12, 

curved; connective produced into short point; ovaries 6, densely strigose. Fruitlets oblong, 

reddish, tomentose. 

Fl. & Fr. February-August 

Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18835 Kottayali; NS 

19120 Kariamchola 

Orophea thomsonii Bedd., Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 20: 5. 1846 & Madras J. Lit. Sci. 22: 72. 1861 

& Ic. t. 68. 1868-1874; FBI 1: 91. 1872; FPM 24. 1915 Kessler, Blumea 33: 66. 1988; Debika, Fl. 

Ind. 1:228.1993; FTSR 32. 1996. 

Large shrubs or small trees; young shoots tomentose. Leaves ovate-oblong, obtusely 

acuminate, base acute, glabrous except on midrib beneath, to 6 x 3.5 cm; lateral nerves ca. 5 

pairs; pedicels very short. Flowers creamy white, solitary or in 2-3 flowered cymes, peduncle 

very short. Outer petals strigose, inner pubescent inside, nectaries oblong, horizontal. Stamens 

10-12. Carpels 5 or 6. Fruitlets globose, 8 mm across, stalked. 

Fl. & Fr. March-May 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30113 Karimala 

Note: 

This species was described by Beddome (1861) based on the collection from Anamalai Hills. 

After the type collection it was recently reported from Thrissur. The present collection is a 

relocation from its type locality. 

Orophea uniflora Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 111. 1855 & Hook. f., FBI 1: 90. 1872; FPM 24. 

1915; Kebler, Blumea 33: 63. 1988; FPL 47. 1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:229.1993; FTSR 32. 1996. 

Large shrubs to small trees; bark black. Leaves to 9 x 3 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, 

glabrous, pale below, nerves 7-10 pairs, faint; petiole to 4 mm long, tomentose. Flowers 8-10 

mm across, in axillary fascicles; pedicels 3-5 mm long, tomentose; sepals 1.5 mm across, 

orbicular, ciliate; outer petals 5 mm across, orbicular, ciliate; inner petals 9 x 4 mm, rhomboid, 

glabrous; stamens 9-12, glabrous; ovaries 6, glabrous. Fruitlets 8 mm across, globose, glabrous; 

seed one. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at low altitudes; PS 

30012 Kottayali; 19464 Pooppara; 18995 Orukomban; NS 19440 Pooppara 

4

POLYALTHIA Blume 

1. Young shoots and leaves tomentose below...................................................................................P. cerasoides 

1. Young shoots and leaves glabrous ................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves narrow lanceolate, margins undulate............................................................................... P. longifolia 

2. Leaves ovate-oblong or elliptic, margins not undulate .................................................................................. 3 

3. Flowers solitary or in fascicles; fruitlets stalk 1-1.15 cm.............................................................P. coffeoides 

3. Flowers in cymes; fruitlets stalks 3.5-5 cm long............................................................................ P. fragrans 

Polyalthia cerasoides (Roxb.) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 1. 1869; FPM 17. 1915; FPL 48. 1990; Debika, 

Fl. Ind. 1:270.1993. Uvaria cerasoides Roxb., Pl. Corom. 33. 19. 1795. Guatteria cerasoides 

(Roxb.) Dunal, Monogr. Anonac. 127. 1817; FBI 139. 1855. 

Small trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves 6-13 x 3-4 cm, oblong-lanceolate, pubescent, 

thinly coriaceous, apex acuminate or acute; petioles to 3 mm. Flowers axillary, solitary, 

bracteolate; pedicels 2.5 cm, pubescent; sepals 6 x 3 mm, ovate, pubescent; petals similar, 8 x 4 

mm, coriaceous, slightly inflexed, greenish-yellow; anthers flat topped; carpels stalked, 

pubescent. 

Fl. February-March 

Distr. India to South East Asia. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 19998 Kuchimudi 

Polyalthia coffeoides (Thw. ex Hook. f. & Thoms.) Hook. f. & Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 62. 1872; 

FPM 16. 1915; FPL 48. 1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:270.1993; FTSR 33. 1996. Guatteria coffeoides 

Thw. ex Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 141. 1855. 

Tall trees, bark black; young parts glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate, 

base acute, nerves 15 pairs, regular, nervules parallel; petiole 1 cm long, stout. Flowers few 

together; pedicels 3 cm long, stout; sepals 2 x 5 mm, suborbicular, glabrous; petals 5 x 1 cm, 

oblong, acuminate, hispid, greenish-yellow; stamens 1 mm long. Fruitlets 2.5 x 1.5 cm, obovoid, 

puberulus, smooth. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18859 Kanthalppara 

Polyalthia fragrans (Dalz.) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 74. 1871; FBI 1: 63. 1872; FPM 16. 1915; FPL 48. 

1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:271.1993; FTSR 33. 1996. Guatteria fragrans Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Kew 

Gard. Misc. 3: 200. 1851. 

Tall trees; bark grey; young parts pubescent. Leaves to 24 x 9 cm, elliptic, apex acute, base 

rounded, nerves 17 pairs. Pedicels stout, bracteate above the middle. Sepals 4 x 5 mm, 

orbicular, pubescent; petals 6, 5.5 x 0.5 cm, linear-oblong, with a broad, curved base, acuminate, 

greenish-yellow; ovaries hairy; stamens many, connective forms a truncate hood. Fruitlets 2.5 

cm across, globose, long-stalked. 

Fl. & Fr. January-May 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30168 

Orukomban 

Polyalthia longifolia (Sonner.) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 398.1864; FBI 1: 62. 1872; FPM 11. 1915; 

FPL 49. 1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:274.1993. Uvaria longifolia Sonner., Voy. Aux. Indes 2: 233. pl. 

131.1782. 

Large trees. Leaves to 20 x 5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded; petiole to 6 

mm, margin undulate. Inflorescence axillary, racemose or umbellate; flowers many; pedicels to 

4 cm; bracts ca. 1.5 x 0.3 cm in the middle of the pedicel, narrowly lanceolate, thinly puberulus, 

greenish-yellow; stamen 1 mm, carpels few, one ovuled; stigma sessile. Fruitlets to 2.5 x 1.5 cm, 

ovoid. 

Fl. & Fr. March-August 

Distr. Native of Sri Lanka; introduced to many Tropical countries. Planted in gardens; PS 

30289 Parambikulam 

5

SAGERAEA Dalzell 

Sageraea laurifolia (Graham) Blatt., JBNHS 34: 294. 1930; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:282.1993. 

Guatteria laurifolia Graham, Cat. 4. 1839. Sageraea laurina Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. 

Misc. 3: 207. 1851. S. dalzellii Bedd., Ic. t. 42. 1868-1874; FTSR 33. 1996. Bocagea dalzellii 

(Bedd.) Hook. f. & Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 92. 1872, p. p. 

Medium trees, greyish brow, smooth. Leaves to 35 x 12 cm, oblong, acute at apex and base, 

coriaceous, shining above, glabrous, nerves 10-14 pairs, irregular, faint; petioles 2 cm long. 

Flowers fascicled, 10-30-together, axillary or on woody tubercles; pedicels to 2.5 cm long; sepals 

3, 3 x 5 mm, orbicular, ciliate; outer petals yellow, 13 x 8 mm, orbicular, concave; inner petals 

similar but smaller than the outer, glabrous; stamens 12, anthers oblong, connectives produced, 

not concealing the anthers. Carpels 3-6, glabrous, ovules few; style absent; stigma globose. 

Fruitlets 3.5 cm across, globose, smooth.; seed one. 

Fl. & Fr. February-June 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 30183 

Kottayali 

UVARIA Linnaeus 

Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 9. 1834; FBI 1: 50. 1872; FPM 13. 1915; 

FPL 49. 1990; Debika, Fl. Ind. 1:292.1993; FTSR 34. 1996. Unona narum Dunal, Monogr. Anon. 

99. 1817, p. p. 

Scandent shrubs; branchlets sparsely hairy. Leaves 11-16 x 3-5 cm, elliptic, lanceolate, apex 

acuminate, thin coriaceous, lower surface brownish. Flowers solitary, leaf opposed; pedicels to 1 

cm, tomentose; sepals 8 x 5 mm, broadly ovate, tomentose, basally connate; petals fleshy, outer 

2 x 1.5 cm; inner 2 x 1 cm, obovate, tomentose, apex in curved, golden-brown; anthers concealed 

by connectives; carpels numerous, 5 mm, oblong, tomentose. 

Fl. & Fr. March-April 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19033 Kannimara 

MENISPERMACEAE 

1. Leaves below greyish-white pubescent; stem deep yellow inside ................................................. Coscinium 

1. Leaves surface glabrous or tomentose; stem otherwise................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves with hairy domatia in nerves axils .......................................................................................Anamirta 

2. Leaves without domatia in the nerve axils..................................................................................................... 3 

3. Inflorescence from old wood ..............................................................................................................Diploclisia 

3. Inflorescence axillary or from leaf scars.......................................................................................................... 4 

4. Male flowers in racemes .................................................................................................................... Tinospora 

4. Male flowers in axillary panicles or in umbels ............................................................................................... 5 

5. Male flowers in umbels......................................................................................................................Stephania 

5. Male flowers in panicles ................................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Female flowers 3-6 together in the axils of large orbicular bracts............................................. Cissampelos 

6. Female flowers otherwise................................................................................................................................. 7 

7. Leaves peltate; stamens connate ............................................................................................................ Cyclea 

7. Leaves not peltate; stamen free .......................................................................................................... Cocculus 

ANAMIRTA Colebrooke 

Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 446. 1834; FBI 1: 93. 1872; FPM 28. 1915; FPL 50. 

1990; Pramanik, Fl. Ind. 1:311.1993; FTSR 35. 1996. Menispermum cocculus L., Sp. Pl. 340. 

1753. Anamirta paniculata Colebr., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 13: 66. 1822. 

6

Large climbers; stem smooth. Leaves alternate, to 25 x 19 cm, broadly ovate, acute at apex, 

truncate at base, 5-ribbed, coriaceous; petiole to 13 cm long. Flowers unisexual, many, in large 

drooping panicles on old branches; sepals 6 in 2 rows, ovate, 3 x 2 mm, yellow; petals absent; 

stamens 9, combined into a globose staminal column, anthers sessile; staminodes 9 in female 

flowers, obovate, scaly; carpels 3, free; style absent; stigma recurved. Fruit of 1-3 drupes, 1 cm 

across, obliquely ovoid, gibbous, black, smooth; seeds 1, black, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. August-October 


Kuriarkutty 

CISSAMPELOS Linnaeus 

Cissampelos pareira L. var. hirsuta (Ham. ex DC.) Forman, Kew Bull. 22: 356. 1968; FPL 50. 

1990; Gangop., Fl. Ind. 1:317.1993; FTSR 35. 1996. Cissampelos hirsuta Ham. ex DC., Syst. 1: 

535. 1817. Cissampelos convolvulacea Willd. var. hirsuta (Ham. ex DC.) Hassk., Pl. Jav. Rar. 

171. 1848. Cissampelos pareira L., Sp. Pl. 1031. 1753 p.p.; FBI 1: 103. 1872; FPM 30. 1915. 

Slender climbers; stem pubescent. Leaves to 4 x 6 cm, broadly ovate, obtuse or emarginate at 

apex, cuspidate, cordate at base, petiole 5 cm long. Male flowers in axillary cymes, sessile, 3 mm 

across; sepals 4, orbicular, hairy inside; petals 4, connate into a truncate cup, glabrous; stamens 

4, connate in a peltate head. Female flowers in bracteate racemes, 3-8 together in the axial of 

each bract; bracts 1 x 1 cm, orbicular, pubescent; sepals 2; petals absent; ovary densely hairy; 

styles 3. Fruit a globose drupe, 3 mm across, glabrous; seeds 1, black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30488 Kuchimudi 

COCCULUS A. P. de Candolle 

1. Erect shrubs or small tree; peduncle glabrous ........................................................................... C. laurifolius 

1. Climbing herb; peduncle densely pubescent.................................................................................. C. hirsutus 

Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels in Engl., Pflanzenr. ser. 4. 94. 236: 1910; FPM 29. 1915; Gangop., Fl. 

Ind. 1:318.1993. Menispermum hirsutum L., Sp. Pl. 341. 1753. Cocculus villosus DC., Prodr. 1: 98. 

1824; FBI 1: 101. 1872. 

Stranglers. Leaves to 7 x 4 cm, ovate, cordate, obtuse, hirsute; petiole to 1 cm; male flowers 

in axillary panicles; sepals 6, obovate, free; petals 6, obovate bifid, free, base auricled; stamens 

6, free, included; female flowers in axillary fascicles or racemes; sepals 6, obovate, biseriate; 

petals 6, oblanceolate, hairy, carpels 3. Drupe to 8 mm, globose, purple. 

Fl. & Fr. Throughout the year 

Distr. Africa and Asia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30067 Kuchimudi 

Note: Present collection is the new record for the flora of Kerala. 

Cocculus laurifolius DC., Syst. Nat. 1: 530. 1817; FBI 1: 101. 1872; FPM 29. 1915; FPL 51. 1990; 

Gangop., Fl. Ind. 1:319.1993. 

Large shrubs to small trees with drooping branches. Leaves to 11 x 3.5 cm, oblanceolate, 3- 

ribbed, abruptly acuminate at apex, glabrous, shining above. Flowers unisexual, in axillary 

panicles; sepals 4, 1.2 x 1 mm, ovate, obtuse; petals 4, 2 x 1.5 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, 

glabrous; stamens 6 in male flowers, free, anthers ovate, dehiscence horizontal; staminodes 12 

in female flowers, 2-seriate, outer staminodes ovate, trilobed, with a small middle-lobe; inner 

smaller, cup-shaped; staminodes 6 in male flowers, broadly ovate, with incurved margins; 

ovaries 5-6, free, curved, 1-ovuled; stigma sessile, curved out. Drupes 5 mm across, globose, 

glabrous; seeds 1, ovoid, depressed at either ends, tubercled. 

Fl. & Fr. November 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and East Asia. Rare in evergreen forests; NS 30239 Pezha 

7

COSCINIUM Colebrooke 

Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 13: 65. 1822; FBI 1: 99. 

1872; Pramanik, Fl. Ind. 1:313.1993; FTSR 36. 1996. Menispermum fenestratum Gaertn., 

Fruct. 1: 219, t. 45, f.5. 1788. 

Bark surface greyish; stem deep yellow inside; young shoots hoary. Leaves ovate, acuminate, 

base truncate, deltoid, glabrous above and hoary below, to 18 x 15 cm; basally 5-7 ribbed; petiole 

8-12 cm long. 

Fl. & Fr. not observed 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30047 Kanthalppara 

CYCLEA Arnott ex R. Wight 

1. Leaves glabrous............................................................................................................................... C. fissicalyx 

1. Leaves variously hairy...................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Panicles sparsely hairy; leaves ciliate along the margin ................................................................C. arnottii 

2. Panicle densely hairy; leave not as above .........................................................................................C. peltata 

Cyclea arnottii Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, 18: 19. 1866; FPM 31. 1915. C. peltata sensu 

Hook. f. & Thoms. in Hook. f., FBI 1: 104. 1872, non Hook.f. & Thoms. 1855; Gangop., Fl. Ind. 

1: 325.1993. 

Leaves to 18 x 7.5 cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate at apex, widely cordate at base, pubescent 

below, pilose along the nerves above; petiole to 6.5 cm long, glabrous. Panicle 14 x 5 cm, 

drooping, branches adpressed hairy; flowers many-together, pedicels 1 mm long, sparsely 

hispid; sepals 1 mm long, obtuse, densely hairy; petals glabrous; ovary sparsely hairy. Drupe 

5.5 x 4.5 mm, obovoid, glabrous, brown. 

Fl. & Fr: March-April 

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19439 

Pooppara 

Cyclea fissicalyx Dunn in Gamble, FPM 31. 1915 & Kew Bull. 1916: 60. 1916; Gangop., Fl. Ind. 

1:324.1993. Cyclea peltata Miers, Contr. Bot. 3: 236. 1871, non Hook. f. & Thoms. 1855. 

Glabrous twiners; stem striate. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm, ovate, sharply long acuminate, truncate 

at base, 5-nerved, reticulate; petiole 2.5 cm long. Flowers 2 mm across, in large drooping 

panicles, glabrous, shortly pedicelled; peduncles slender; bracts foliar; calyx campanulate, 

glabrous. 

Fl. April 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30271 

Pooppara 

Cyclea peltata (Poir.) Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 201. 1855 & in Hook. f., FBI 1: 104. 1872, p.p; 

FPM 31. 1915; Gangop., Fl. India 1: 325. 1993; FTSR 36. 1996. Menispermum peltatum Poir. in 

Lam., Encycl. 4: 96. 1797. Cyclea burmannii Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. India 201. 1885. 

Young branches pubescent. Leaves to 15 x 8 cm, ovate, acute-acuminate at apex, base round 

to smoothly cordate, pubescent below, glabrous above, palmately 11-nerved. Panicles axillary, 

to 20 x 7 cm, rachis pubescent. Flowers densely packed towards the branch tips, sessile, densely 

hairy; male flowers 1.5 mm across; sepals hairy outside; petals glabrous; stamens 4-5-6. Female 

flowers smaller; sepal-1, hairy; petal-1, hairy; ovary-1, densely hairy. Drupe 4.5 x 4 mm, 

subglobose, white, pilose; seeds 4.5 x 4 mm, subglobose, tubercled along striated lines, black. 

Fl. & Fr. August-March 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests; PS 19084 

Padippara 

8

DIPLOCLISIA Miers 

Diploclisia glaucescens (Blume) Diels in Engl., Pflanzenr. 46: 226. 1910; FPM 28. 1915; 

Pramanik, Fl. Ind. 1:327.1993; FTSR 36. 1996. Cocculus glaucescens Blume, Bijdr. 25. 1825. C. 

macrocarpus Wight & Arn., Prodr. 13. 1834; FBI 1: 101. 1872. 

Lianas; old stem with 4-6 concentric rings of secondary wood. Leaves 6 x 6 cm, broadly ovate 

to orbicular, obtuse at apex, truncate at base, glaucous below, membranous; nerves few from 

the base; petiole to 3 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in large drooping panicles on old branches, 

bright yellow; sepals 6 in two whorls, 3 mm long, obovate; petals 6, smaller than sepals concave 

with incurved margins, 2 mm long, obovate, emarginate; stamens 6 in male flowers, staminodes 

absent; carpels 3 in female flowers, free; style cylindric. Drupe compressed, curved, tubercled. 

Fl. & Fr. February-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19394 Karimala 

STEPHANIA Loureiro 

Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser.3, 13: 14. 1866; FPM 29. 1915; 

Gangop., Fl. Ind. 1:335.1993; FTSR 37. 1996. Menispermum japonicum Thunb., Fl. Japan 193. 

1784. Cissampelos hernandifolia Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 861. 1806. Stephania hernandifolia (Willd.) 

Walp., Repert. 1: 96. 1842; FBI 1: 103. 1872. Cyclea hernandifolia (Willd.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 

14. 1834 [Figure 3]. 

Twining herbs. Leaves to 9 x 7 cm, truncate to cordate at base, acute at apex, palmately 9- 

nerved; petiole to 9 cm long. Umbel peduncled, axillary; peduncle 3-5 cm long, erect, slender; 

flowers many, 2 mm across, sessile; sepals 5, free, glabrous; petals 5, oblong, glabrous, greenishyellow. 

Drupe to 5 x 4 mm, curved, oblong to obovoid, shortly stalked, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. October-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and East Asia. Common in secondary forests; PS 30326 Pezha; 30515 

Orukomban 

TINOSPORA Miers 

1. Branchlets glabrous ........................................................................................................................ T. cordifolia 

1. Branchlets tomentose ....................................................................................................................... T. sinensis 

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 97. 1872; FPM 19. 1915; FPL 

52. 1990; Pramanik, Fl. Ind. 1:347.1993. Menispermum cordifolium Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 826. 1806. 

Cocculus cordifolius (Willd.) DC., Syst. 1: 517. 1817. 

Climbing shrubs, sap watery, bark corky and grooved in older branches, glabrous. Leaves 5-9 x 

5-10 cm, glabrous, 5-nerved at base, deeply cordate; petioles to 6 cm long. Racemes cauliflorus; 

male flowers-outer sepals smaller; petals shorter than the inner sepals; stamens 6, free, 

opposite to petals, female flowers-staminodes 6, carpels 3, stigma forked. Drupes 6 x 5 mm, 

sessile; seeds grooved vertically. 

Fl. & Fr. January-February 

Distr. India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19325 

Kothala 

Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr., Sunyatsenia 1:139.1934 & in Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. Philad. 

24.158.1935; FPL 52. 1990; Pramanik, Fl. Ind. 1:349.1993; FTSR 39. 1996. Campylus sinensis 

Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 113.1790. Tinospora malabarica (Lamk.) Hook. f. & Thoms. in Fl. India 

183.1855 & in Hook. f., FBI 1:96.1872. Menispermum malabaricum Lam., Encycl. 4: 96. 1797. 

Small climbing shrubs; stem succulent. Leaves to 14 x 11 cm, broadly ovate, cordate at base, 

5-7-nerved from base, scabrous above, densely white tomentose below. Flowers in racemes on 

old leafless branches, precocious, dioecious; raceme 10-25 cm long. Flowers 3-5 together, 

pedicelled; sepals 6 in 2 whorls, outer smaller, inner 2 x 1.5 mm, obovate; petals 6, smaller; 

9

Figure 3. Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers. A.- flowering branch; B. - male flower 

10

stamens 6, free, anthers orbicular. Female flowers: sepals and petals similar to male flowers; 

carpels 3; stigma bilobed; staminodes 6, clavate. Drupe 8 mm long, 1 or 2 together, ovoid, red, 

glabrous. 


Distr. India Sri Lanka, China to Cambodia. Rare in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen 

forests; PS 30796 Sungam 

BRASSICACEAE 

1. Diffuse herbs; leaves lyrate ............................................................................................................. Cardamine 

1. Erect herbs; leaves entire .....................................................................................................................Brassica 

BRASSICA Linnaeus 

Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. in Czern., Consp. Pl. Chark. 8. n. 5. 1859; FBI 1: 157. 1872; 

FPM 38. 1915; FPL 54. 1990; Hajra et al., Fl. Ind. 2:134.1993. Sinapis juncea L., Sp. Pl. 668. 

1753. 

Small herbs. Leaves alternate, lyrate, to 15 x 7 cm, glabrous. Flowers many, 8 mm across, in 

terminal racemes; sepals 4, oblong, glabrous; petals 4, yellow; stamens 6, free; ovary stipitate, 

ovules 10-20, style short, stigma capitate. Fruit a subterete siliqua. 


Distr. Central and East Asia and Europe, cultivated. Occasional in marshy areas and river 

beds; PS 30346 Vengoli 

CARDAMINE Linnaeus 

Cardamine trichocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich, Tent. Fl. Abyss. 1: 18. 1847; FPM 38. 1915; 

Debnath, Fl. Ind. 2:117.1993. Cardamine subumbellata Hook. ex Hook. f. & Anders. in Hook.f., 

FBI 1: 138. 1872. Cardamine borbonica Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 195. 1807. 

Diffuse branched herbs; stem sparsely hairy. Leaves to 5 cm long; leaflets orbicular, deeply 

crenate, sparsely hairy. Flowers white, in terminal racemes, 3 mm across, pedicels 6 mm long; 

sepals 4, oblong; stamens 4. Pods 2.5 x 0.15 cm, flat; seeds 1-seriate, 2 x 1 mm, oblong, smooth, 

brown. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in grasslands; PS 19338 Thenkudippara 

CAPPARACEAE 

1. Annuals herbs; fruit a capsule ...............................................................................................................Cleome 

1. Shrubs or trees; fruit a berry............................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves simple; stipules spinescent .....................................................................................................Capparis 

2. Leaves 3-foliolate; stipules absent ......................................................................................................Crataeva 

CAPPARIS Linnaeus 

1. Trees; unarmed; young shoots greyish-white tomentose................................................................C. grandis 

1. Erect or scandent shrubs or small trees; armed; young shoots not greyish-white tomentose.................... 2 

2. Flowers in terminal or axillary umbels........................................................................................... C. sepiaria 

2. Inflorescence otherwise..................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Flowers in supra-axillary rows ......................................................................................................C. zeylanica 

3. Flowers solitary or in axillary or terminal racemes....................................................................................... 4 

4. Flower solitary, axillary; young shoot and leaves brown tomentose ............................................. C. rheedei 

4. Flowers in apparent terminal corymbs; young shoots glabrous...................................................... C. moonii 

11

Capparis grandis L.f., Suppl. Pl. 263. 1781; FBI 1: 176. 1872; FPM 46. 1915; Sundara 

Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:274.1993. Capparis bisperma Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 568. 1832. 

Small trees; branchlets densely tomentose. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, ovate, slightly emarginate, 

tomentose on both sides; petioles 1 cm, densely tomentose. Corymbs terminal, lower with 

leaves, upper with small bracts, flowers 2 cm across, white; peduncles 3 cm, tomentose, pedicels 

2.5 cm, buds tomentose. Berry 2.5 cm across, globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30413 Kuchimudi 

Capparis moonii Wight, Ill. 1: 35. 1840; FBI 1: 175. 1872; FPM 45. 1915; FPL 56. 1990; Sundara 

Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:277.1993; FTSR 40. 1996. 

Scandent shrubs; stem glabrous, spines, conical, slightly recurved, base decurrent on either 

side of petiole. Leaves to 12 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute at both ends, glabrous, shining above; 

petiole 1.5 cm long, slender. Flowers 8-10 cm across, solitary or 3-5 together, terminal or in axils 

of upper leaves, spreading; sepals 1.8 cm across, orbicular, puberulus; petals to 5 x 3 cm, 

obovate, white, cottony hairy; filaments 7.5 cm long, glabrous. Berry 6-8 cm across, globose, 

glabrous; gynandrophore 4-10 cm long, stout. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in semi-evergreen forests; PS 18867 

Karimthalappara; 30533 Pandaravarai 

Capparis rheedei DC., Prodr. 1: 246. 1824 'rheedii'; Sundara Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:285.1993; 

FTSR 40. 1996. Capparis heyneana Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 25. 1834; FBI 1: 174. 1872; 

FPM 45. 1915. C. baducca sensu Jacobs, Blumea 12: 435. 1965, non L. 1753. 

Large shrubs to small trees; young shoots and leaves reddish brown tomentose, becoming 

glabrous. Leaves ovate or elliptic, oblong, acuminate or acute, mucronate, base acute or 

truncate, to 14 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 3 or 4 pairs; petiole 2-2.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, 

axillary. Petals pale blue changing to white, with yellow blotches at the base of upper pair. 

Stamens 80-100. Berry ovoid, ca. 4 cm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30151 Muthuvarachal 

Capparis sepiaria L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10) 2: 1071. 1759; FBI 1: 177. 1872; Sundara Raghavan, Fl. 

Ind. 2:289.1993. Capparis incanescens DC., Prodr. 1: 247. 1824. 

Stragglers; branchlets thinly pubescent. Leaves 2-3 x 0.5-2 cm, oblong, lanceolate, 

emarginate, pubescent; petioles ca. 0.5 cm, stipular spines in pairs, small recurved. Umbels 

corymbose, terminal and axillary; peduncles 1 cm; flowers 1 cm across, white; pedicels 1.5 cm; 

sepals ovate, margin ciliate. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Pantropical. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19540 Thekkady 

Capparis zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 720. 1762; FPM 46. 1915; Sundara Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 

2:298.1993. C. horrida L.f., Suppl. Pl. 264. 1781; FBI 1: 178. 1872. 

Stragglers, branchlets adpressed tomentose. Leaves 5-9 x 4-6 cm, ovate, truncate, 

mucronate, entire, pubescent; petioles to 1 cm, densely pubescent, stipular spines small, in 

pairs, recurved. Flowers in supra axillary rows, 3-4 cm across, white, buds densely pubescent; 

pedicels 4 cm, pubescent; stamens numerous, long exserted, white, turns to brown, 

gynandrophore as long as or longer than filaments; ovary 2.5 mm, ellipsoid. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30641 Vengoli 

12

CLEOME Linnaeus 

1. Leaves simple ..............................................................................................................................C. monophylla 

1. Leaves 3-9 foliolate............................................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Petiole with scattered spines on the lower side ...............................................................................C. spinosa 

2. Petiole without spines....................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Whole plant viscous; flowers yellow ..................................................................................................C. viscosa 

3. Plant not viscous; flowers bluish-purple .....................................................................................C. burmannii 

Cleome burmannii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 22. 1834; FBI 1: 170. 1872; FPM 41. 1915; Sundara 

Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:304.1993. 

Decumbent herbs. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate, leaflets 2-4 x 1.5-2 cm, obovate, acute; 

petiole to 2-3.5 cm. Flowers ca 7 mm across, solitary, axillary, pedicel 1.5-2.5 cm; stamens 6; 

gynophore to 7 mm long, ovary ca 6 mm. Capsule linear. 

Fl. & Fr. October-January 

Distr. South India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Occasional in degraded forest areas; PS 19379 

Vengoli 

Cleome monophylla L., Sp. Pl. 672. 1753; FBI 1: 168. 1872; FPM 41. 1915; FPL 57. 1990; 

Sundara Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:312.1993; FTSR 42. 1996. 

Erect herbs; densely glandular hairy. Leaves to 4.5 x 1.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute at 

apex, rounded or cordate at base, pubescent; petiole 8 mm long. Raceme terminal; bracts ovatetriangular, 

cordate at base; pedicel 1 cm long. Flowers many; sepals 6 mm long, oblong, 

acuminate; petals 4 mm long, obovate; stamens 6, filaments glabrous. Capsule 8-11 cm long, 

pubescent; seeds 2 x 1.5 mm, strongly reniform, rugose along transverse ridges. 

Fl. & Fr. November-February 

Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in wet rocky areas; NS 18971 Vengoli 

Cleome spinosa Jacq., Enum. Pl. Craib. 26. 1760; Sundara Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:321.1993; 

Sivar. & Sunil, Rheedea 5:184.1995. 

Herbs, branchlets glandular hairy. Leaves alternate, palmately 5-9 foliolate, petiole 6-10 cm, 

with scattered spines; leaflets 5-10 x 2-3 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acute, narrowed towards base, 

margin serrulate, pubescent, mid veins spiny beneath. Flowers solitary in upper axils and in 

apparent terminal bracteate racemes; bracts 2.5-4.5 cm, foliaceous, crescent shaped, sepals 4, 5- 

8 mm, lanceolate, petals 4, 1.5-2 x 1 cm, clawed, elliptic-obovate, pink; stamens 6, filaments 

equally or longer than petal; gynophore to 4 cm, pink, accrescent, ovary 8-10 mm, linear, stigma 

capitate. Capsule 4-7 cm, cylindric, seeds globose, reniform. 

Fl. & Fr. March-December 

Distr. Native of South America, cultivated in many parts of Asia. Rare along the riverine areas; 

PS 19329 Thenkudippara 

Cleome viscosa L., Sp. Pl. 672. 1753; FBI 1: 170. 1872; FPM 41. 1915; FPL 57. 1990; Sundara 

Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:317.1993; FTSR 42. 1996. Polanisia icosandra Wight & Arn., Prodr. 22. 

1834. 

Herbs. Leaves 3-5-foliolate; leaflets 2.5 x 1.5 cm, obovate, acute at apex and base, glandular 

hairy; petiole to 3 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels 1.5 cm long; sepals 4 mm long, 

oblong, glandular hairy; petals yellow, 7 mm long, obovate; stamens 12-18, filaments straight. 

Capsule 6-8 cm long terete; seeds 1.2 x 1.2 mm, striate-ridged along the margins. 

Fl. & Fr. May-December 

Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in moist habitats of rocky areas; PS 18975 Vengoli 

CRATEVA Linnaeus 

1. Leaflets abruptly acuminate; berry smooth, red ....................................................... C. adansonii ssp. odora 

1. Leaflet caudate, acuminate; berry scurfy tomentose, yellow .......................................................... C. magna 

13

Crataeva adansonii DC. ssp. odora (Buch.-Ham.) Jacobs, Blumea 12: 198. 1964; Sundara 

Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 2:322.1993. C. odora Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 15: 118. 1827. C. 

religiosa var. roxburghii (R. Br.) Hook.f. & Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 172. 1872. C. roxburghii R. 

Br. in Benth. & Clapp., Narr. Trav. Disc. Afr. App. 224. 1826. C. religiosa sensu Dunn in 

Gamble, FPM 47. 1918, non Forst.f. 1786. 

Small trees. Lateral leaflets 7-15 x 1-3.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous; petiole to 6 cm. 

Corymbs terminal, to 10 cm; pedicels 5 cm, sepals 5 mm, oblong; petals 1.5 cm, obovate, white, 

long clawed; stamens less than 30, filaments shorter than gynandrophore; ovary 3 mm, ovoid, 

many ovuled, stigma discoid. Berry 2.5 x 2 cm, globose. 


Distr. South Asia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30341, NS 30574 Keerappadi 

Crataeva magna (Lour.) DC., Prodr. 1: 243. 1824; FPL 58. 1990; Sundara Raghavan, Fl. Ind. 

2:324.1993; FTSR 42. 1996. Capparis magna Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 330. 1790. Crataeva nurvala 

Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 15: 121. 1827. C. religiosa var. nurvala (Buch.-Ham.) 

Hook. f. & Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 172. 1872. C. religiosa sensu Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 116. 1871; 

FPM 47. 1915, non G. Forst. 1786. 

Small trees; bark white. Leaflets to 11 x 5 cm, ovate, acute at apex, acute or rounded at base, 

glabrous. Flowers in terminal corymbs; pedicel to 5 cm long; sepals 4, free, 3 mm long, oblong, 

adnate to the disc; petals long-clawed, limb 2 x 1.8 cm, orbicular, white, claw 1 cm long, slender; 

stamens many, filaments 3.3 cm long, free; gynophore 4.5 cm long, slender; ovary 1-2-celled; 

stigma sessile, capitate. Berry globular, 2-2.5 cm across, rough. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common along the riverine areas; PS 19367 Pezha 

COCHLOSPERMACEAE 

COCHLOSPERMUM Humboldt, Bonpland et Kunth 

Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6 (Suppl.): 14. 1931; FPL 

58. 1990; Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:383.1993; FTSR 43. 1996. Bombax religiosum L., Sp. Pl. 512. 1753. 

Cochlospermum gossypium DC., Prodr. 1: 527. 1824; FBI 1: 90. 1872; FPM 50. 1915. 

Small trees; bark greyish-brown. Leaves to 20 cm across, palmately 5-7-lobed, lobes elliptic, 

acute to acuminate, densely tomentose below; petiole to 18 cm long, densely hairy. Flowers in 

terminal cymes, subsessile, 3-7 together; calyx 5-partite, lobes 2.5 x 1.5 cm, obtuse, densely 

tomentose; petals yellow, 5, 5 x 3 cm, obovate; stamens many, free; filaments 2.2 cm long; ovary 

1-celled, ovules many, 3-5-parietal; style-1, filiform. Capsule 8 x 5.5 cm, obovoid, 5-angled, 

many-ridged, 3-5-valved; seeds many, globose, with woolly hairs. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in rocky areas. PS 18829 Vengoli 

FLACOURTIACEAE 

1. Trunk armed with branched or unbranched thorns ...................................................................................... 2 

1. Trunk unarmed ................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Flowers unisexual; petals absent......................................................................................................Flacourtia 

2. Flowers bisexual; petals present.......................................................................................................... Scolopia 

3. Fruits large more the 4 cm dia.; hard rinded..............................................................................Hydnocarpus 

3. Fruits to 2 cm dia.; rind thin ............................................................................................................................ 4 

4. Flowers in racemes or panicles ........................................................................................................ Homalium 

4. Flowers in axillary or extra axillary clusters..................................................................................... Casearia 

14

CASEARIA N. J. Jacquin 

1. Leaves hairy; margin crenate-serrate ............................................................................................................. 2 

1. Leaves glabrous; margins entire or sub entire ............................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves coriaceous; petiole reddish; capsule yellow..................................................................... C. tomentosa 

2. Leaves membranous; petiole greenish yellow; capsule orange ...............................................C. wynadensis 

3. Leave thick coriaceous, blackish in drying; reticulation not prominent........................................... C. ovata 

3. Leaves membranous, yellowish on drying; reticulation prominent...........................................C. rubescens 

Casearia ovata (Lam.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 629. 1799; FTSR 44. 1996. Anavinga ovata Lam., 

Encycl. 1: 148. 1789. Vareca zeylanica Gaertn., Fruct. 290, t. 60. 1788. Casearia esculenta 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 422. 1832; FBI 2: 592. 1879,p.p; FPM 521. 1915; FPL 59. 1990. C. bourdillonii 

Mukherjee, Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal 19:109. 1965(1967). C. zeylanica (Gaertn.) Thw., Enum. Pl. 

Zeyl. 19. 1858. 

Small trees, young shoots glabrous. Leaves ovate or elliptic, acuminate, acumen twisted and 

folded, base acute or rounded, to 13 x 6 cm; lateral veins 6-8 pairs, reticulation faint, glabrous 

and shining; petiole ca. 0.5 cm long. Tepals glabrous. Capsule orange yellow, 1.2-1.8 cm long. 

Fl. & Fr. April-August 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, and fairly 

in plantations; PS 30344 Vengoli 

Casearia rubescens Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 108. 1852; FPM 520. 1919; 

Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:396.1993; FTSR 44. 1996. 

Medium trees, branchlets lenticellate. Leaves to 14 x 6 cm, oblong, rounded at base, acute or 

obtuse at apex, glabrous, nerves ca. 15 pairs, midrib; nerves and petiole reddish; petiole 1.5 cm 

long. Flowers 2-6 together, 5 mm across; pedicel 3.5 mm long, tomentose; sepals 2 x 1.5 mm, 

ovate obtuse, tomentose outside, ciliate; stamens 10, filaments 1 mm long, sparsely hairy; 

staminodes 0.6 x 1 mm, triangular, sparsely hairy at base; ovary 2 x 2 mm, globular, ovules 9; 

stigma hardly wider than style. Capsule 15 x 8 mm, ellipsoidal, smooth, narrowly 3-furrowed, 

not prominently ridged, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. April-May. 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 

18958 Vengoli 

Casearia tomentosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 421. 1832; FBI 2: 593. 1879; FPM 521. 1919; FPL 59. 

1990; Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:397.1993; FTSR 44. 1996. Casearia elliptica Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 628. 1800, 

nom. superfl. 

Young shoots tomentose. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, base acute, margins serrate, 

pubescent below, to 12 x 3.5 cm; lateral nerves 7 or 8 pairs, reticulation faint; petiole 1 cm long, 

pubescent. Tepals and pedicels tomentose. Capsule greenish-yellow, oblong, ribbed, to 2 x 1.2 cm. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19094 Padippara 

Casearia wynadensis Bedd., Ic. t. 160. 1868-1874; FBI 2: 594. 1879; FPM 521. 1919; FPL 60. 

1990; Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:399.1993. 

Small trees. Leaves 15-18 x 4.5-5.5 cm, acuminate, base acute, serrate, rufous below, 

glabrous above; petiole to 0.5-1 cm. Flowers 6-8, fascicled on axils of older leaves; peduncle ca 4 

mm, pubescent; calyx 5-lobed, 3 mm, ovate, glabrous within; stamens 8, staminodes hairy, ca 2 

mm; ovary oblong; style to 3 mm, hairy; stigma 4-lobed. 

Fl. & Fr. November-April 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in moist deciduous forests and fairly in plantations; 

PS 19404 Thellikkal 

15

FLACOURTIA Commerson ex L' Heritier de Brutelle 

1. Shoot apex thorny; leaves to 2 cm across, fascicled at apex ..............................................................F. indica 

1. Shoot apex not thorny; leaves more than 3 cm across, distinctly alternate................................................. 2 

2. Drupe few, purple; racemes lax.................................................................................................... F. ramontchi 

2. Drupe clustered bright red; racemes dense ...................................................................................F. montana 

Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr., Interpr. Rumph. Herb. Amb. 377. 1917; FPL 60. 1990; 

Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:402.1993. Gmelina indica Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 132. t.39, f. 5. 1768. Flacourtia 

sepiaria Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 68. 1795; FBI 1: 194. 1872; FPM 54. 1915. 

Small weak shrubs, sparsely spiny. Leaves alternate, clustered at the apex of branchlets, 5 x 

2.5 cm, obovate, margins crenulate at the apex; petiole less than 5 mm. Flowers axillary, 

greenish; sepals 4, imbricate, 1.5 x 1.5 mm, broadly ovate, ciliate; petals absent; disc lobed; 

stamens more than 20, filaments up to 3 mm; anthers versatile. 

Fl. July-September 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Rare in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19301 

Karimala; NS 19645 Vengoli 

Flacourtia montana Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 10. 1839; Fl. Ind. 1: 192. 1872; FPM 54. 1915; 

Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:406.1993; FTSR 44. 1996. 

Small trees, trunk armed with unbranched thorns. Leaves alternate, to 15 x 6 cm, elliptic, 

acuminate at either ends, crenate-serrate, nerves 4-6 pairs, erose, reticulate. Flowers unisexual, 

dioecious, densely packed in axillary congested cymes; sepals 4 or 5, 1.5 mm long, ovate, 

pubescent; stamens in male flowers many; pistillode absent; ovary in female flowers 1-celled; 

ovules few, parietal; styles 5; stigma bifid at apex. Fruit 1.5 cm across, berry, bright red; seeds 

few, reddish. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at low altitudes; PS 19115 

Kariamchola; 19354 Kariyilathodu 

Flacourtia ramontchi L’Herit., Strip. Nov. 3: 59. tt. 30 & 30 B. 1786; Hook. f. & Thoms. in Hook. 

f., FBI 1: 193. 1872; FPM 54. 1915. F. sapida Roxb., Pl. Cor. t. 69. 1796; Wight & Arn., Prodr. Fl. 

Ind. 29. 1834. 

Small armed trees, branchlets terete, pubescent, bark whitish. Leaves to 6 x 4.5 cm, ovateelliptic, 

chartaceous, 3-nerved from slightly above the base, crenate; petioles 1.5 cm, pubescent. 

Flowers yellow, 4 mm across; stamens many, disc extra-staminal, glandular, pistillode absent. 

Fl. February-May 

Distr. Paleotropics. Rare in evergreen forests at low altitudes; PS 30643 Vengoli 

HOMALIUM N. J. Jacquin 

Homalium zeylanicum (Gard.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 4: 35. 1860; FBI 2: 596. 1879; FPM 522. 

1915; FPL 61. 1990; Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:410.1993; FTSR 45. 1996. Blackwellia zeylanica Gard., 

Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 7: 452. 1847. Homalium tetrandra Wight, Ic. t. 1851. 1852. 

Medium trees; branchlets puberulus. Leaves to 14 x 7 cm, broadly elliptic abruptly 

acuminate, crenate, membranous; nerves 8 pairs; petiole to 2 cm long. Racemes 10-25 cm long, 

solitary or 2-3 together, axillary, drooping, slender. Flowers clustered, pedicellate, 5 mm across; 

sepals 4, ovate-lanceolate, pubescent; petals 4, oblanceolate, pubescent; stamens 4, 

antipetalous; staminodes globular; ovary 1-celled; ovules few; style 4. Capsule globose, 2-4- 

valved; seeds few. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30364 Kariamchola 

16

HYDNOCARPUS Gaertner 

1. Berry leathery tomentose; leaf margins entire..................................................................................H. alpina 

1. Berry glabrous; leaf margins serrate or crenate.........................................................................H. pentandra 

Hydnocarpus alpina Wight, Ic. t. 942. 1845; FBI 1: 197. 1872; FPL 61. 1990; Balakr., Fl. Ind. 

2:418.1993; FTSR 45. 1996. 

Medium trees; bark black; branchlets puberulus. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, ovate, acute at apex, 

acute or round at base, nerves 7-10 pairs; young sprouts reddish. Flowers 15 mm across in 

axillary peduncled cymes; pedicel 1.5-2 cm long, deflexed, pubescent; sepals 8 mm long, oblong, 

pubescent; petals 1 cm long narrow, glabrous; scale linear, as long as petal, sparsely hairy; 

filaments glabrous; ovary in female flowers globular, tomentose, stigma 5, free, radiating, 

recurved. Berry 7 cm across, densely tomentose, dark brown. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests at high altitudes; PS 19310 

Kothala 

Hydnocarpus pentandra (Bunch.-Ham.) Oken, Allg. Naturf. 3: 1381. 1841; FPL 61. 1990; 

Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:422.1993; FTSR 46. 1996. Chilmoria pentandra Bunch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. 

Soc. London 13. 501. 1822. Hydnocarpus laurifolia (Dennst.) Sleum., Bot. Jahrb. 69: 33. 1938. 

H. wightiana Blume, Rumph. 4: 22. 1848; FBI 1: 196. 1872; FPM 52. 1915. H. alpina sensu 

Gamble, FPM 52. 1915. 

Medium trees; bark white; branchlets puberulus. Leaves to 17 x 8 cm, elliptic, acuminate at 

apex, acute or obtuse at base, nerves 8 pairs, prominent. Flowers to 1 cm across, in peduncled 

axillary cymes; sepals broadly ovate, pubescent; petals broadly ovate, greenish yellow, obtuse, 

ciliate; scale half as long as petals, densely hairy; filaments hairy; ovary in female flowers 

globose tomentose; stigma 3-5 sessile; staminodes 5. Berry 5-7 cm across, globose, rind thick, 

rough with uneven surface. 

Fl. & Fr. February-October 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common along the riverine areas and semi-evergreen 

forests; PS 18805 Thellikkal; 18873 Orukomban 

SCOLOPIA Schreber 

Scolopia crenata (Wight & Arn.) Clos, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser 4, 8: 250. 1857; FBI 1: 191. 1872; 

FPM 52. 1915; FPL 62. 1990; Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:430.1993; FTSR 46. 1996. Phoberos crenatus 

Wight & Arn., Prodr. 29. 1834. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets with transverse lenticels. Leaves 5-9 x 3-5.5 cm, obovate, 

crenulate, abruptly acuminate, nerves erose, 4-7 pairs. Racemes upper axillary, 5-7 cm long; 

rachis ferrugineous tomentose. Flowers pedicellate; pedicel 6 mm long, puberulus; sepals 6, 3 x 

2 mm, obovate; petals 6, smaller, orbicular, white; stamens numerous, free; anthers 1 mm long, 

oblong, connective produced into a reddish hood. Ovary 1-celled, few ovuled; style 4 mm long, 

thick; stigma 3-fid. Capsule 10 x 8 mm, globose, with persistent style; seeds few. 

Fl. & Fr. March-July 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30603 Parambikulam 

PITTOSPORACEAE 

PITTOSPORUM Banks ex Solander 

Pittosporum neelgherrense Wight & Arn., Prodr. 154. 1834; FBI 1: 198. 1872, "nilghirensis"; 

FPM 55. 1915; Nayar & Giri, Fl. Ind. 2:446.1993; FTSR 47. 1996. 

17

Shrubs to 1.5 m high. Leaves to 12 x 3 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, acute at base, nerves 

indistinct; petiole 2 cm long, hirtus. Racemes 2-5-together, terminal, 2-3 cm long, stout; pedicel 

5 mm long, glabrous. Capsule globose, rugulose, brown; seeds 7-10, shining. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests at high 

altitudes; PS 30131 Karimala 

POLYGALACEAE 

POLYGALA Linnaeus 

1. Flowers yellow; bracts persistent..................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Flowers blue or violet; bracts cauducous......................................................................................................... 3 

2. Appendage forked; keel distinctly stalked ............................................................................P. rosmarinifolia 

2. Appendage of the keel fimbriate; keel sessile .................................................................................P. arvensis 

3. Caruncle with 3 winged membranous appendages..........................................................................P. sibirica 

3. Caruncle with 3 linear appendages ...........................................................................................P. telephioides 

Polygala arvensis Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 876. 1802; Banerjee, Fl. Ind. 2:460.1993; FTSR 47. 1996. 

Polygala chinensis Bennet in Hook.f., FBI 1: 204. 1872,p.p, non L. 1758; FPM 58. 1915. 

Erect or procumbent herbs. Leaves very variable. 1-5 x 0.5-1.8 cm, glabrous or densely 

pubescent. Flowers yellow, solitary or in lateral, to 2 cm long racemes. Keel petal crested with 

shortly forked or notched appendages. Style curved, hooked at apex. Capsule ciliate along the 

margins; seeds black, elliptic-obovate, pilose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Rare in grasslands; PS 19928, NS 19929 Karimala 

Polygala rosmarinifolia Wight & Arn., Prodr. 37. 1834; FBI 1: 204. 1872; FPM 58. 1915; FPL 

65. 1990; Banerjee, Fl. Ind. 2:480.1993; FTSR 47. 1996. 

Erect herbs, glabrous. Leaves to 2.5 x 0.3 cm, linear-oblong, acute, scabrous. Racemes 1.5 cm 

long, axillary, 3-5-flowered. Flowers yellow; pedicels 2 mm long, outer sepals 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, 

obtuse, ciliate, inner sepals 5 x 2 mm, curved, ciliate; wing petals 2.5 x 2 mm, oblong; dorsal 

petal 2 x 3 mm; erect, stalked, forked. Capsule 4.5 x 3 mm, pubescent; seeds 3 x 1 mm, oblong, 

pubescent, black. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 19143 Karimala; 19845, 19854, 

18967 Vengoli 

Polygala sibirica L., Sp. Pl. 702. 1753; FBI 1: 205. 1872; FPM 58. 1915; FPL 66. 1990; Banerjee, 

Fl. Ind. 2:481.1993. Polygala sibirica L. var. heyneana (Wall. ex Wight & Arn.) Bennet in 

Hook.f., FBI 1: 205. 1872. P. heyneana Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 38. 1834. 

Diffuse herbs, glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7 mm, oblong, acute at apex, glabrous. Racemes 5-10 

mm long, axillary. Flowers densely packed, blue; outer sepals broadly ovate, unequal; inner 

sepals 3 x 1.5 mm, elliptic, acuminate, glabrous; wing petals 3 mm long, obovate, dorsal petal 4 

mm long; crest fimbriate, branched. Capsule 2 x 2 mm, orbicular, glabrous, seeds 1.5 x 1 mm, 

hairy, caruncle-lobes equal. 


Distr. South East Asia and China, extending to Europe. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 

30649 Vengoli 

Polygala telephioides Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 876. 1802; FBI 1: 205. 1872; Banerjee, Fl. Ind. 

2:485.1993. P. brachystachya DC., Prodr. 1: 326. 1824, non Blume 1825. P. chinensis sensu 

Adema, Blumea 14: 269. 1966, non L. 1753. 

18

Diffuse herbs. Leaves to 1.25 x 0.5 cm, elliptic or lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, base 

cuneate, petiole ca. 6 mm. Flowers ca. 3 mm across in axillary or leaf opposed racemes, blue, 

outer sepals ca 1.5 mm long, linear-lanceolate, ciliate, inner sepals ca. 2 mm long, elliptic, 

glabrescent, wing petals 1.5 mm, obovate, keel petals ca 3 mm; filaments variously connate 

middle two free; ovary ca. 1 mm, ciliate, style curved at the middle, apex broad, stigma knob 

like. Capsule ca 2.5 x 2 mm, suborbicular, covered with wing sepals; seeds 2, villous, caruncle 3- 

lobed. 

Fl. & Fr. August-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in grasslands; PS 18923 Karimalagopuram 

XANTHOPHYLLACEAE 

XANTHOPHYLLUM Roxburgh 

Xanthophyllum arnottianum Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 50. t.23. 1840; FTSR 48. 1996. X. 

flavescens sensu Bennet in Hook.f., FBI 1: 209. 1874, non Roxb. 1814; FPM 59. 1915; FPL 66. 

1990; Banerjee & Balakr., Fl. Ind. 2:497.1993. 

Small trees; bark smooth; branchlets puberulus. Leaves alternate, simple, to 15 x 7 cm, 

ovate, lanceolate, acuminate at apex, glabrous, drying to yellow; nerves 5-7 pairs; petiole 0.5 cm 

long. Flowers in terminal or axillary panicled racemes; sepals 5, subequal, to 3 x 2 mm, ovate, 

acute; petals yellow, unequal, lower one boat-shaped, pubescent; others ovate, to 10 x 4 mm; 

stamens 8, filaments free, adhered to the base of petals in pairs; ovary 1-celled; ovules 4-16, 

style curved; disc 5-lobed. Drupe, 2 cm across, globose, rugose, 1-seeded. 

Fl. & Fr. December-June 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18824 Parambikulam 

CARYOPHYLLACEAE 

1. Prostrate glabrous herbs; leaves orbicular........................................................................................Drymaria 

1. Erect tomentose herbs; leaves linear.............................................................................................Polycarpaea 

DRYMARIA Willdenow ex J. A. Schultes 

Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Nat. (ed.16) 5: 1819; FBI 1: 244. 1874; 

FPM 63. 1915; Majundar, Fl. Ind. 2: 533.1993. Holosteum cordatum L., Sp. Pl. 88. 1753. 

Prostrate glabrous herbs; stem slender. Leaves opposite, 1 cm across, orbicular, cordate at 

base, obtuse, nerved from the base. Flowers 5 mm across, in cymes axillary or terminal; sepals 

5, 3 mm long, lanceolate, spreading; petals 2 mm long, 2-5-fid, chartaceous, white; stamens 5, 

free, anthers small. Ovary 1-celled, ovules few, basal; style 3-fid. Capsule 4 x 1 mm, 3-valved; 

seeds orbicular, minutely muricate. 

Fl. & Fr. Throughout the year. 

Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in marshy areas; PS 19018 Thunakkadavu 

POLYCARPAEA Lamarck 

Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 2: 129. 1792; FBI 1: 245. 1874; FPM 65. 1915; 

Majundar, Fl. Ind. 2:549.1993; FTSR 49. 1996. Achyranthes corymbosa L., Sp. Pl. 205. 1753. 

Much branched herbs, branchlets villous. Leaves whorled or decussate, 1 x 0.2 cm, linear, 

acute, stipule scarious, fimbriate. Cymes corymbose, terminal; flowers white; bracts and 

bracteoles 2 mm, scarious; sepals 2.5 mm, scarious, lanceolate, acute; petals 0.8 mm, 

suborbicular; stamens 5, filaments 0.5 mm. Capsule 1 mm, oblong. 


Distr. Asia. Rare in rocky areas; PS 30467 Vengoli 

PORTULACACEAE 

19

PORTULACA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves obovate or spathulate; node glabrous .......................................................... P. oleracea var. oleracea 

1. Leaves terete; node with setose hairs........................................................ P. pilosa ssp. pilosa var. tuberosa 

Portulaca oleracea L., Sp. Pl. 445. 1753, var. oleracea; FBI 1: 246. 1874; FPM 66. 1915; FPL 68. 

1990; Rao, Fl. Ind. 3:4.1993; FTSR 50. 1996. 

Erect or prostrate herbs. Leaves to 2 x 1 cm, obovate, obtuse, puberulus, alternate or pseudowhorled. 

Flowers terminal and axillary, solitary or 2-3 together; sepals 5 x 5 mm, ovate, acute, 

glabrous; petals 6 x6 mm, obovate, obtuse, white or yellow; stamens 12, filaments hairy at base. 

Capsule 7 x7 mm, ovoid, glabrous; seeds many, reniform, tubercled, black. 


Distr. Pantropical. Rare in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30104 Parambikulam 

Portulaca pilosa L. ssp. pilosa var. tuberosa (Roxb.) Sivar., JBNHS 78: 259. 1981; FTSR 50. 

1996. P. tuberosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 464. 1832; FBI 1: 247. 1874; FPM 66. 1915; Rao, Fl. Ind. 

3:7.1993. P. suffruticosa Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 356. 1834. P. pilosa L. ssp. pilosa, 

Geesink, Blumea 17: 296. 1969. 

Spreading prostrate herbs; stem densely long-hairy at nodes. Leaves to 12 x 2 mm, linear, 

subterete, acute, scabrous, densely arranged. Flowers terminal, 3-5 together; sepals 6 x 4 mm, 

acute, glabrous, membranous; petals 8 x 8 mm, obovate, red; stamens many, anthers yellow. 

Capsule 8 x 6 mm, ovoid, glabrous; seeds many, black, shining. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30633 Anappadi 

HYPERICACEAE 

HYPERICUM Linnaeus 

1. Stout shrubs; flowers more than 5 cm across ............................................................................H. mysurense 

1. Slender herbs; flowers less than 1 cm across.................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves and sepals gland dotted ................................................................................................H. wightianum 

2. Leaves and sepals otherwise........................................................................................................H. japonicum 

Hypericum japonicum Thumb. ex Murr. in L., Syst. Veg. 702. 1784; FBI 1: 256. 1874; FPM 70. 

1915; Biswas, Fl. Ind. 3: 69.1993. 

Herbs to 20 cm high. Leaves to 10 x 3 mm, lanceolate, auricled at base, 3-ribbed, glabrous. 

Flowers in terminal cymes or solitary, axillary; pedicels 5 mm long; sepals 3 x 1 mm, oblong, 

obtuse, many-ribbed; petals yellow, 4 x 1.5 mm, oblong; stamens many, free; ovary 1-celled, 

ellipsoid, styles 3, 1 mm long. Capsule 3 x 2 mm, 3-valved, smooth; seeds many, 0.5 x 0.3 mm, 

oblong 7-ribbed. 

Fl. & Fr. November-January 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and New Zealand and East Asia. Rare in grasslands; PS 18922 


Hypericum mysurense Heyne ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 99. 1834; FBI 1: 253. 1874; FPM 70. 

1915; FPL 68. 1990; Biswas, Fl. Ind. 3:71.1993; FTSR 51. 1996. Norisca mysurensis (Heyne ex 

Wight & Arn.) Wight, Ic. t. 56. 1838. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 2.5 x 0.7 cm, lanceolate, acute at both ends, closely placed, sessile. Flowers 

5-6 cm across, in terminal cymes, 2-3 together; sepals 1 cm long, lanceolate; petals 2.5 x 1 cm, 

obovate, obtuse, glabrous; stamens arranged in 5 bundles; filaments 1 cm long; ovary 5-celled; 

styles 5, 10 mm long. Capsule 15 mm long, 5-valved, glabrous. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in grasslands; NS 19304 Karimala 

20

Hypericum wightianum Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 99. 1834; FPM 70. 1915; Biswas, Fl. Ind. 

3:78.1993. H. napaulense sensu Dyer in Hook.f., FBI 1: 256. 1874, non Choisy 1824. 

Diffuse herbs. Leaves to 12 x 6 mm, obovate, obtuse, petiolate, membranous. Flowers 

terminal and axillary; sepals 4 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, margin ciliate with gland-tipped hairs; 

petals yellow, 6 x 3 mm, obovate, obtuse. Capsule 4 x 3 mm; seeds many, epidermal cells 

transversally oblong in vertical rows. 


Distr. South and South East Asia and China. Rare in grasslands; PS 19923 Karimala 

CLUSIACEAE 

1. Flowers in racemes or panicles ........................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Flowers solitary or inflorescence otherwise .................................................................................................... 3 

2. Lateral nerves inconspicuous, lamina with numerous areoles; styles 2 ................................ Poeciloneuron 

2. Lateral nerves distinct, close and parallel, lamina without areoles; style 1 ............................ Calophyllum 

3. Flowers below 2 cm across; exudate yellow; lateral nerves distinct .................................................Garcinia 

3. Flowers over 5 cm across; exudates otherwise; lateral nerves indistinct............................................Mesua 

CALOPHYLLUM Linnaeus 

1. Inflorescence brownish tomentose, leaves elliptic-lanceolate................................................. C. polyanthum 

1. Inflorescence glabrous; leaves elliptic oblong ....................................................................................C. calaba 

Calophyllum calaba L., Sp. Pl. 514. 1753; FTSR 51. 1996. C. apetalum Willd., Ges. Naturf. Fr. 

Berlin Mag. 5: 79. 1811. C. decipiens Wight, Ic. t. 106. 1839; FPM 76. 1915. C. wightianum 

Wall. ex Planch. & Triana, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 4. 15: 256. 1862; FBI 1: 274. 1874; FPM 76. 

1915. C. spurium Choisy in DC., Mem. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat. Paris 1: 299. 1823. C. calaboides G. 

Don, Gen. Hist. 1: 622. 1831. 

Small trees; bark deeply fissured, reddish brown inside; branchlets quadrangular. Leaves to 

9 x 4 cm, obovate, acute, emarginate at tip, attenuate at base. Flowers in axillary panicles, 

pedicelled; sepals white, 8 x 5 mm, obovate, obtuse; filaments 6 mm long, slender. Drupe 8 x 4 

mm, obovoid, obtuse, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in along riverbanks; PS 30301 Orukomban 

Calophyllum polyanthum Wall. ex Choisy, Descr. Guttif. Ind. 43. 1849; Singh, Fl. Ind. 

3:94.1993; FTSR 52. 1996. C. elatum Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 2. 1869; FPM 76. 1915. C. tomentosum 

sensu Hook.f., FBI 1: 274. 1874, non Wight 1839. 

Tall trees, to 35 m high; trunk straight, round; bark white, reddish brown inside. Leaves to 

10 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, petiole 2 cm long. Flowers 1.2 cm across, in axillary 

racemes; peduncle puberulus; pedicel 1.5 cm long; sepals 3 mm across, orbicular; petals 5 mm 

across, orbicular, white; stamens polyadelphous. Drupe 10 x 6 mm, ellipsoid, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in evergreen forests at high altitudes; PS 19366 Pezha 

GARCINIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves linear lanceolate; less than 3 cm wide ..................................................................................G. wightii 

1. Leaves otherwise; leave more than 4 cm wide................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves oblong, obtuse; male flowers many ...................................................................................... G. spicata 

2. Leave broadly elliptic acute at either ends; male flowers few....................................................................... 3 

21

3. Berry globose, 5-8 grooved; bright yellow............................................................................... G. gummi-gutta 

3. Berry ellipsoid, 2-3 cm, smooth; yellow with pink shades ..............................................................G. morella 

Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Robs., Brittonia 20: 103. 1968; FPL 70. 1990; Singh, Fl. Ind. 

3:110.1993; FTSR 52. 1996. Cambogia gummi-gutta L., Gen. Pl. (ed.5) 522. 1754. Garcinia 

cambogia (Gaertn.) Desv. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 701. 1792; FBI 1: 261. 1874; FPM 73. 1915. 

Mangostana cambogia Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 106. 1790. Garcinia cambogia var. conicarpa (Wight) 

Anders. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 262. 1874. G. conicarpa Wight, Ic. t. 121. 1839. 

Trees; bark black, yellow inside; twigs glabrous. Leaves 10-13 x 5-8 cm, elliptic, acute at 

either ends, nerves 10-12 pairs, oblique. Flowers terminal, umbellate; sepals 7 x 6 mm, obtuse, 

thick; petals larger, 9 x 7 mm, ovate, obtuse; stamens in male flowers connate into a central 

column. Female flowers solitary; ovary 6-12-celled, furrowed; staminodes many , in a ring 

around the ovary. Berry 4-8 cm across, glabrous, grooved, beaked. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19605 Kariamchola 

Garcinia morella (Gaertn.) Desv. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 701. 1792; FBI 1: 204. 1874; FPM 74. 1915; 

FPL 71. 1990; Singh, Fl. Ind. 3:119.1993; FTSR 52. 1996. Mangostana morella Gaertn., Fruct. 

2: 106. 1790. Garcinia pictoria Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 627. 1832. Garcinia gutta Wight, Ic. t. 44. 1840, 

excl. syn. 

Medium trees; branchlets quadrangular, glabrous. Leaves to 12 x 10 cm, broadly ovate, 

acute at both ends, nerves 10-12 pairs. Flowers axillary, solitary or 2-4 together, sessile; sepals 

4, 3 x 3 mm, orbicular, thick glabrous; petals 5.5 x 4 mm, orbicular; stamens in male flowers 10- 

12, combined into a central column; anthers transverse; ovary in female flowers 4-celled; stigma 

radiating; staminodes 10-12, basely united. Berry 2 x 1.5 cm, smooth, light pink. 

Fl. & Fr. April-July 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 18817 Parambikulam; 18860 Kanthalppara 

Garcinia spicata (Wight & Arn.) Hook. f., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 14: 486. 1875; FPM 74. 1915; FPL 

71. 1990; Singh, Fl. Ind. 3:125.1993; FTSR 53. 1996. Xanthochymus spicatus Wight & Arn., 

Prodr. 102. 1834. Garcinia ovalifolius (Roxb.) Hook.f., FBI 1: 269. 1874, incl. vars. except 

macrantha, non Oliver 1868. G. spicata (Wight & Arn.) Hook.f. var. glomerata Vesque in DC., 

Monogr. Phan. 8: 311. 1893. Xanthochymus ovalifolius Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 632. 1832. 

Trees; branchlets quadrangular, glabrous. Leaves 10-15 x 4-6 cm, oblong, obtuse at apex, 

acute at base; intramarginal vein indistinct, very close to margin; petiole 1 cm long. Male 

flowers in dense axillary spikes; sepals 3 x 4 mm, orbicular; petals 8 x 8 mm, concave; stamens 

adelphous in 5 phalanges around a pistillode; pistillode clavate, smooth. Female flowers few, 

larger than male flowers; ovary globose, terete, 4-celled; stigma 3 or 4, globose, sessile. Capsule 

4 cm across, smooth. 

Fl. & Fr. January-March 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19123 Kariamchola; 30158 

Muthuvarachal 

Garcinia wightii Anders. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 205. 1874; FPM 74. 1915; Singh, Fl. Ind. 3:129.1993; 

FTSR 53. 1996. 

Large shrubs or small trees; bark black; branchlets 4-angled. Leaves to 12 x 3 cm, lanceolate, 

acuminate, glabrous; nerves 10-12 pairs. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired, sessile; sepals and 

petals similar, 3 x 3 mm, orbicular, yellow; staminodes connate into a ring or tube; ovary 4- 

celled, terete; stigma shortly stalked, peltate. Berry 2 cm across, smooth, light pink, not ribbed; 

fruiting calyx larger. 

Fl. & Fr. September-November 

22

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare along riverbanks; PS 19342 Thenkudippara; 

30170 Orukomban 

MESUA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves oblong, over 15 cm long....................................................................................................M. thwaitesii 

1. Leaves elliptic, up to 10 cm long .........................................................................................................M. ferrea 

Mesua ferrea L., Sp. Pl. 515. 1753; FBI 1: 277. 1874; FPM 77. 1915; Singh, Fl. Ind. 3:136.1993; 

FTSR 53. 1996. M. roxburghii Wight, Ill. Ind. Bot. 1: 127. 1840. M. nagana Gard., Calcutta J. 

Nat. Hist. Soc. 8: 4. 1847. M. nagassarium Kosterm., Ceylon J. Sci. 12, 1: 71. 1976, non Burm. f. 

Tall trees; bark grey. Leaves elliptic, acuminate at apex, attenuate at base; nerves many, 

closely placed; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels 5 mm long, slender; sepals 6 

mm across, orbicular, obtuse, puberulus; petals white, 2 x 1.5 cm, obovate, obtuse; stamens 

polyadelphous. Capsule 2 cm across, ellipsoid, acute, glabrous, seeds plano-convex. 

Fl. & Fr. May & October 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19126 Kariamchola; NS 19465 


Mesua thwaitesii Planch. & Triana, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 4, 15: 305. 1861; FBI 1: 278. 1874; 

Singh, Fl. Ind. 3:143.1993. M. ferrea L. var. thwaitesii (Planch. & Triana) Vesque in DC., 

Monogr. Phan. 8: 634. 1893. 

Large trees; bark light green. Leaves oblong, acuminate at apex, acute at base, glaucous 

beneath; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers in terminal cymes, sessile; sepals 1.5 cm across, orbicular, 

glabrous; petals 3-4 x 2-3 cm, obovate; stamens polyadelphous. Capsule 5 cm across, depressed 

globose, acute, greenish yellow; seeds 2 or 3, 3 x 2 cm plano-convex or trigonous, brown. 

Fl. & Fr. March-June 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19446 Pooppara 

POECILONEURON Beddome 

Poeciloneuron indicum Bedd., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 8: 267, t. 17. 1865 & in Fl. Sylv. t. 3. 1869; FBI 

1: 278. 1874; FPM 77. 1915; FPL 72. 1990; Singh, Fl. India 3: 144. 1993; FTSR 54. 1996. 

Tall trees, branchlets terete. Leaves to 19 x 6.5 cm, oblong, abruptly acuminate, acute at 

base, nerves many, close, parallel, nervules minutely reticulate into polygonal units; petiole 1.5 

cm long. Flowers in terminal panicles, many, bisexual; pedicels 5-7 mm long; sepals 5, 2 mm 

long, ovate, acute, glabrous; petals 5, 6 mm long, obovate, white, glabrous; stamens 14, free, 

anthers linear; ovary 2-celled , glabrous; ovule 2 in each cell; style 2. Fruit a 1-seeded capsule. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional along the riverine areas in evergreen forests; NS 


THEACEAE 

CAMELLIA Linnaeus 

Camellia sinensis (L.) O.Ktze., Unsdie Erde 500. 1881; FPL 73. 1990; Chauhan & Paul, Fl. Ind. 

3:159.1993; FTSR 54. 1996. Thea sinensis L., Sp. Pl. 515. 1753. Camellia thea Link., Enum. Pl. 

Hort. Berol. 2: 72. 1822; FPM 80. 1915. C. theifera Griff., Ic. Pl. Asiat. 4: t. 602. 1854; FBI 1: 

292. 1874. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 10 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, serrate; petiole to 5 mm. Flowers 

axillary, solitary to 3 cm across, white; pedicel to 1.5 cm; bracts 2 or 3, small; sepals 5, 5 mm 

23

across, orbicular; petals 5, 2 x 1.5 cm, obovate, connate with outer whorled of stamen; stamen 

numerous, biseriate; ovary 3-celled, villous; style 3. Capsule 2 cm across, woody, subglobose. 


Distr. Cultivated in Subtropical and warm temperate zones of south-east Asia. Rare in 

evergreen forests near tea plantation; PS 30275 Pooppara 

DIPTEROCARPACEAE 

1. Stipules encircling the stem; smaller wings of the fruit ovate with undulate margin ......... Dipterocarpus 

1. Stipules not encircling the stem; smaller wings long sometime absent without undulate margin ........... 2 

2. Leaves with domatia in the nerve axils.................................................................................................. Hopea 

2. Leaves without domatia in the nerve axils..................................................................................................... 3 

3. Calyx accrescent and enclosing the fruit; fruit winged........................................................................ Shorea 

3. Calyx not accrescent, not enclosing the fruit; fruit not winged...........................................................Vateria 

DIPTEROCARPUS Gaertner f. 

Dipterocarpus indicus Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 94. 1871; FPM 81. 1915; FPL 74. 1990; Janardh., Fl. 

Ind. 3:214.1993; FTSR 55. 1996. D. turbinatus sensu Dyer in Hook.f., FBI 1: 295. 1874 p.p. 

Trees; bark smooth, grey inside. Leaves to 15 x 8 cm, ovate, acute; lateral nerves 15 pairs; 

stipule 2 x 1 cm, ovate, glabrous. Flowers pedicellate; pedicels 3 cm long; larger sepals 0.8 x 0.3 

cm, oblong, to 12 x 2.5 cm in fruit, oblong, obtuse, cordate at base, reticulate; petals 2.5-3 cm 

long, brown; anthers 5 mm long. Nut 1.5-2 cm long, ellipsoid. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19362 Pezha 

HOPEA Roxburgh 

Hopea parviflora Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 7. 1869; FBI 1: 308. 1874; FPM 82. 1915; FPL 74. 1990; 

Janardh., Fl. Ind. 3:228.1993; FTSR 56. 1996. 

Very large trees; bark splitting into tessellated rectangular flakes. Leaves to 8 x 5 cm, ovate, 

obtuse, rounded to truncate at base; nerves to 8 pairs; petiole 1 cm long. Panicle 15 cm across, 

terminal and upper axillary; branchlets 1-sided. Flowers pedicelled; sepals 3 mm long, hairy 

outside; petals 6 mm long, oblong, glabrous, fimbriate at apex; anthers orbicular, appendage 1 

mm long. Nut 8x 5 mm, terete, glabrous; wings 6 x 1.8 cm, oblong, 8-10-nerved, glabrous. 



Muthalakkuzhi 

SHOREA Roxburgh ex Gaertner f. 

Shorea roxburghii G.Don, Gen. Syst. 1: 813. 1831; Janardh., Fl. Ind. 3:239.1993. S. talura 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 618. 1832; FBI 1: 304. 1874; FPM 83. 1915. Vatica laccifera Wight & Arn., 

Prodr. 84. 1834. Shorea laccifera (Wight & Arn.) Heyne ex Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 6. 1869. 

Medium trees. Leaves 8-18 x 4-9 cm, elliptic, oblong, apex obtuse or emarginate, base slight 

cordate or truncate, glossy above, coriaceous, nerves 15-20 pairs, parallel; petiole to 1.5 cm. 

Panicles axillary and terminal, to 25 cm, glabrous; pedicels to 1 cm, jointed; outer sepals 5 mm, 

oblong, inner 2, 4 mm, ovate; petals 20 mm, ovate, villous; stamens 15; ovary 2 mm, globose, 

style 5 mm, stigma 3 fid, Fruit 1 cm, enclosed in accrescent calyx, lobes oblong, 3 longer, 7 x 1 

cm; inner 2 smaller, 4 x 1 cm. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30449 Anappadi 

24

VATERIA Linnaeus 

Vateria indica L., Sp. Pl. 513. 1753; FBI 1: 313. 1874; FPM 85. 1915; FPL 75. 1990; Janardh., 

Fl. Ind. 3:245.1993; FTSR 56. 1996. V. malabarica Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 2: 29. 1852. 

Tall trees with resinous exudation; bark smooth, grey; branchlets puberulus. Leaves 18-20 x 

10-12 cm, oblong, rounded or cordate at base, acuminate at apex, nerves 15-18 pairs, parallel, 

prominent below, nervules parallel, close; petiole 2.5-3.5 cm long. Panicles terminal, to 30 cm 

across, densely puberulus. Flowers 3 cm across, pedicellate; sepals 5, free, 1 cm long, lanceolate, 

covered with stellate hairs; petals white, 1.5 x 0.7 cm, obovate, spreading, shortly united at 

base; stamens many, free, connective produced into a filiform appendage, filaments hairy; ovary 

densely hairy, 3-celled, 2-3 ovules in each cell; style filiform. Drupe 3 x 1.5 cm, oblong, obtuse, 

coarsely puberulus brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 


ANCISTROCLADACEAE 

ANCISTROCLADUS Wallich 

Ancistrocladus heyneanus Wall. ex Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 28. 1839; FBI 1: 299. 1874; FPM 

86. 1915; FPL 76. 1990; Silpi Das, Fl. Ind. 3:254.1993; FTSR 57. 1996. 

Climbing shrubs with hooked branches; twigs glabrous. Leaves crowded at the apex of 

branchlets, to 20 x 6 cm, oblanceolate, attenuate at base, sessile. Flowers 1 cm across, in 

terminal lax panicles; sepals 5, unequal, connate into a tube and adnate to the ovary, lobes 3 

mm long; petals 5, subequal, to 6 mm long, oblong, obtuse, slightly connate at base, greenish 

yellow; stamens 10, filaments connate at base, anthers orbicular; ovary 1-celled; ovules solitary; 

style 3, free. Fruit a nut covered by large wing like sepals; wings unequal, to 5 x 2 cm, obovate, 

obtuse, reticulate, glabrous 


Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 18865 

Karimthalappara 

MALVACEAE 

1. Calyx spathaceous, split on one side............................................................................................Abelmoschus 

1. Calyx 5 lobed, not split on one side.................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Fruit schizocarpic.............................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Fruit capsular.................................................................................................................................................... 7 

3. Fruits covered with glochidiate spines....................................................................................................Urena 

3. Fruits not covered with glochidiate spines...................................................................................................... 4 

4. Style twice as many as carpels..............................................................................................................Pavonia 

4. Style as many as carpels................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Cocci one seeded ...........................................................................................................................................Sida 

5. Cocci 2-many seeded ......................................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Mericarps laterally winged, spineless ........................................................................................... Herissantia 

6. Mericarps wingless; spined ..................................................................................................................Abutilon 

7. Capsule winged ......................................................................................................................................... Fioria 

7. Capsule not winged........................................................................................................................................... 8 

8. Style 1,unbranched ............................................................................................................................ Thespesia 

8. Style 5-many branched.........................................................................................................................Hibiscus 

25

ABELMOSCHUS Medikus 

Abelmoschus moschatus Medik., Malv. 46. 1787; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:308.1993; MSPI 70. 1996. 

Hibiscus abelmoschus L., Sp. Pl. 696. 1753; FBI 1: 342. 1874; FPM 87. 1915. 

Subshrubs, 1.5 m tall; stem densely retrorsely hairy. Leaves 10-23 x 12-25 cm, deeply 3-7- 

lobed, cordate, lobes acuminate, crenate, hairy; petiole 10-15 cm long; stipule 8 mm long, ovate. 

Flowers axillary, solitary, pedicel 7 cm long; involucral bracts 15 x 2 mm, free, hispid; calyx 30 

mm long, minutely stellate hairy; corolla 9 cm across, yellow with purple centre. Capsule 7-8 cm 

long, hairy. 


Distr. South Asia to Pacific Islands. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30640 Vengoli 

ABUTILON P. Miller 

1. Carpels 5; flower axillary single, forming terminal racemes....................................................... A. persicum 

1. Carpels 20-25; flowers axillary single not forming racemes............................................................A. hirtum 

Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. (ed. 1) 53. 1826; FPM 91. 1915; FPL 77. 1990; Paul, 

Fl. Ind. 3:308.1993; MSPI 190. 1996; FTSR 58. 1996. Sida hirta Lam., Encycl. 1: 7. 1783. Sida 

graveolens Roxb. ex Hornem., Hort. Suppl. 77. 1819. Abutilon graveolens (Roxb. ex Hornem.) 

Wight & Arn. var. hirtum (Lam.) Mast. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 327. 1874. 

Erect subshrubs, 1-1.5 m tall; densely pubescent, mingled with some erect gland tipped 

hairs. Leaves 6.7 x 5-6 cm, ovate to orbicular, deeply cordate at base, acuminate, margin 

coarsely crenate, tomentose below, stipules 0.5 cm, lanceolate. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicel 

2 cm; sepals 1 x 0.5 cm, ovate, acuminate; petals 1.5 x 1.5 cm, ovate, yellow with purplish 

centre, spreading; staminal column 8 mm; ovary to 5 mm, 20-25 celled. Capsule 1.5 x 2 cm, 

densely tomentose. 


Distr. Semiarid tropics of the world; introduced in Tropical America. Common in dry deciduous 

forests; PS 30079 Kuchimudi 

Abutilon persicum (Burm.f.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 19: 364. 1921; FPL 78. 1990; Paul, Fl. Ind. 

3:269.1993; MSPI 201. 1996; FTSR 58. 1996. Sida persica Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 148. 1768. Sida 

polyandra Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 173. 1832. Abutilon polyandrum (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. ex Wight, 

Cat. 12. 1833, non G. Don 1831; FBI 1: 325. 1874; FPM 91. 1915. 

Pubescent herbs or subshrubs. Lower leaves ovate-cordate, acute to acuminate, to 15 cm 

long: upper ovate to lanceolate, crenate-dentate, velutinous below and glabrescent above, 

basally 5-9 nerved; petioles 2-10 cm long. Flowers 3.5-4.5 cm across. Calyx lobes ovatelanceolate, 

tomentose on both sides. Petals yellow, obovate. Upper part of staminal column 

stellately hairy. Mericarps 5, puberulus. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests 

PS 19133 Kariamchola; NS 19220 Vengoli 

FIORIA Mattei 

Fioria vitifolia (L.) Mattei, Bot. R. Orto. Bot. Palermo 2: 71. 1917; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:310.1993; 

MSPI 74. 1996. Hibiscus vitifolius L., Sp. Pl. 696. 1753; FBI 1: 338. 1874. H. obtusifolius Willd., 

Sp. Pl. 3: 829. 1801. H. vitifolius L. var. genuina f. indica Hochr., Ann. Cosn. Jard. Bot. Geneve 

4: 169. 1900. 

Subshrubs, tomentose. Leaves 2.5-9 x 2-9 cm, shallowly 3-5-lobed, basally 7-nerved, lobes 

triangular, apex acute, stellate pubescent; petiole 2-12 cm, stipules 2 mm, subulate. Flowers 

axillary, solitary, epicalyx slender, linear, 10 mm; calyx lobes 10 x 5 mm, lanceolate, pubescent; 

petals 4.5-5 x 4-5 cm, yellow, base purplish inside; staminal column 2 cm, ovary 5-celled, style 

branches 5. Capsule 5 celled, winged; seeds glabrous. 

26


Distr. Paleotropics. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30152 Muthuvarachal 

HERISSANTIA Medikus 

Herissantia crispa (L.) Briz., J. Arn. Arb. 49. 279. 1968; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:276.1993; MSPI 209. 

1996. Sida crispa L., Sp. Pl. 685. 1753. Abutilon crispum (L.) Medicus, Malv. 29. 1787; FBI 1: 

327. 1874; FPM 91. 1915. 

Prostrate herbs, with spreading hairs. Leaves 5 x 3.5 cm, ovate-cordate, acuminate, base 

deeply cordate, crenate; petiole to 3 cm, stipule 0.5 cm, linear. Flowers axillary, solitary, yellow; 

pedicels jointed above half. Schizocarp 1.5 x 1.5 cm, globose, drooping, mericarps 10, obtuse, 

sparsely hairy. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Australia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19542 Thekkady; 

30072 Pandaravarai 

HIBISCUS Linnaeus 

1. Flowers without epicalyx...................................................................................................................H. lobatus 

1. Flowers with epicalyx ....................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Stem and sepals armed..................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Stem and sepals unarmed................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Stipule ovate-orbicular; subsagitate.......................................................................................... H. surattensis 

3. Stipule small lanceolate or absent.........................................................................................H. hispidissimus 

4. Flowers white ..............................................................................................................................H. micranthus 

4. Flowers yellow with purple center............................................................................................... H. canescens 

Hibiscus canescens Heyne ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 49. 1834; FBI 1: 337. 1874; FPM 97. 1915; 

MSPI 132. 1996. H. calyphyllus sensu Rakshit & Kundu, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 12: 172. 1972, 

non Cav. 1787. H. purpureus sensu Paul & Nayar in Nayar et al. (eds.) Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 144. 

1988; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3: 340. 1993. 

Shrubs; branchlets tomentose. Leaves 12-17 x 6-12 cm, broadly ovate, broadly crenate, apex 

minutely apiculate, upper surface sparsely hairy, tomentose below, basally 7-nerved; petiole to 

12 cm, hairy, stipules linear, cauducous, 1.5-2 cm. Flowers axillary, solitary; bracteoles 5, 2.5 

cm, lanceolate, pubescent; sepals 1.5 cm; petals 6.5 x 3.5 cm, obovate, yellow, base inside purple; 

staminal tube shorter than corolla. Capsule 3 x 4 cm, villous. 


Distr. South Asia and Africa. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 19981 Keerappadi 

Hibiscus hispidissimus Griff., Not. Pl. Asiat. 4: 521. 1854; MSPI 106. 1996; FTSR 59. 1996. 

Hibiscus aculeatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 206. 1832; FPL 79. 1990; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:323.1993. 

Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 1: 448. 1824; FBI 1: 335. 1874; FPM 97. 1915. 

Scandent shrubs; stem reddish; prickles, retrorse. Leaves 6-10 x 5-8 cm, 3-5 lobed, lobes 

acuminate, serrate, prickled along the ribs; petiole 5-8 cm long. Flowers axillary; pedicels 5 cm 

long, prickled; involucral bracts 10-12, bifurcate, hairy; calyx 23 mm long, 10-costate, 5-lobed at 

apex, lobes acuminate, bristled; corolla 8 cm across, yellow with brown centre. Capsule 4 x 2 cm, 

ovate, acute, hirsute. 

Fl. & Fr. October-February 

Distr. Paleotropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19048 Thunakkadavu; 30234 

Karimala 

Hibiscus lobatus (Murr.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 3: 19. 1898; FPL 79. 1990; Paul, Fl. Ind. 

3:336.1993; MSPI 125. 1996; FTSR 59. 1996. Solandra lobata Murr., Comm. Soc. Reg. Sc. Gott. 

27

6: 20. t.1. 1785. Hibiscus solandra L' Herit., Strip. Nov. 1: 103. t.49. 1788; FBI 1: 336. 1874; 

FPM 98. 1915. 

Annual herbs, to 1.5 m high; stem pubescent with simple hairs. Leaves 8-9 x 7-8 cm, upper 

smaller, entire or 3-lobed, lobes lanceolate, serrate, pubescent; petiole to 7 cm long; upper leaves 

linear-oblong. Flowers solitary, axillary, become racemose; pedicels 2-4 cm long; involucral 

bracts smaller; calyx to 1 cm long, lobes deep, glabrous; petals white, 10 x 8 mm, obovate, 

obtuse, glabrous. Capsule 12 mm long, ovoid, acute, hispid; seeds 2 mm diam., trigonous, hispid. 

Fl. & Fr. August-January 

Distr. Paleotropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19856 Vengoli; NS 19036 Kannimara 

Hibiscus micranthus L.f., Suppl. Pl. 308. 1781; FBI 1: 335. 1874; FPM 97. 1915; Paul, Fl. Ind. 

3:330.1993; MSPI 97. 1996. 

Subshrubs; branchlets stellate, pubescent. Leaves 3-6.5 x 3-6 cm, broadly ovate, apex acute, 

shallowly 3-lobed, 5-nerved, dentate; petiole to 4 cm, pubescent, stipules linear, 8 mm. Flowers 

axillary, solitary; pedicels to 3 cm, jointed below the flower, curved, bracteoles 6, 2 mm; calyx 

lobes 3 mm, ovate; petals 1 x 0.5 cm, oblong, white; staminal column 6 mm; anthers yellow, 

ovary 5 celled, styles branches 5, 2 mm. Capsule 5 mm, subglobose; seeds 3-4 in each cell, 

clothed with long silky hairs. 

Fl. & Fr. December-February 

Distr. South Asia. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 19543 Thekkady 

Hibiscus surattensis L., SP. Pl. 696. 1753; FBI 1: 334. 1874; FPM 97. 1915; FPL 80. 1990; Paul, 

Fl. Ind. 3:327.1993; MSPI 119. 1996; FTSR 59. 1996. 

Scandent subshrubs; stem greenish, retrorsely prickled. Leaves 5-10 x 8-14 cm, 3-5-lobed, 

cordate at base, lobes elliptic, acuminate, serrate, pubescent; petiole 5 cm long, slender; stipules 

10-15 x 3-5 mm, lanceolate. Flowers axillary; pedicels to 7 cm long, prickled; involucral bracts 

20-25 x 2-3 mm, bifurcate, pubescent, lobes unequal, ciliate; calyx to 10 mm long, 10-costate, 5- 

lobed; corolla 6 cm across, yellow with brown centre. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19965 Karimala 

PAVONIA Cavanilles 

Pavonia odorata Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 837. 1800; FBI 1: 331. 1874; FPM 93. 1915; FPL 81. 1990; 

Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:373.1993; MSPI 171. 1996. Hibiscus odoratus (Willd.) Roxb. ex Wight & Arn., 

Prodr. 47. 1934. 

Sub-shrubs, viscid tomentose. Leaves to 5 x 5 cm, orbicular, 3-5-angled, cordate at base, 3-7- 

nerved from base, densely hairy beneath; petiole 1-3 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary, longpedicelled; 

involucral bracts 10-12, 7-8 mm long, linear, ciliate; calyx 5-lobed, 2 mm long, ovate; 

corolla to 25 mm across, yellow; staminal tube short, oblique, anthers with long filaments; ovary 

5-celled, ovule 1 in each cell, style 10-fid above; stigma capitate. Mericarps 5, 3 x 2 mm, 

trigonous, smooth. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in rocky areas; PS 19550 Thekkady 

SIDA Linnaeus 

1. Prostate or trailing herbs ................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Erect herbs or shrubs........................................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Calyx lobes longer than the tube; pedicles jointed near at apex .................................................S. beddomei 

2. Calyx lobes equal to the tube; pedicels jointed at the middle......................................................... S. cordata 

3. Stipules dissimilar, one linear-lanceolate, others subulate................................................................S. acuta 

3. Stipules similar, filiform................................................................................................................................... 4 

28

4. Leaves ovate, obovate or orbicular..............................................................................................S. mysorensis 

4. Leaves elliptic or rhomboid .............................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Mericarps mucronate at apex .......................................................................................................... S. alnifolia 

5. Mericarps awned or beaked at apex...........................................................................................S. rhombifolia 

Sida acuta Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 147. 1768, ssp. acuta: Borssum, Blumea 14: 186. 1966; FPM 90. 

1915; FPL 82. 1990; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:281.1993; MSPI 238. 1996; FTSR 61. 1996. S. lanceolata 

Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 119. 1786. S. carpinifolia sensu Mast. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 323. 1874 p.p. non 

L.f. 1781. 

Subshrubs. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, lanceolate, serrate, rounded at base, glabrate; petiole 5 mm 

long; stipule 1 x 0.5 cm, lanceolate. Flowers solitary or paired, axillary, on short lateral 

branchlets; pedicels 5 mm long; calyx 5-6 mm across, lobes subulate, ciliate; corolla 10 mm 

across, petals obovate. Mericarps 3 x 2 mm, trigonous, reticulate. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19042 Thunakkadavu 

Sida alnifolia L., Sp. Pl. 2,684. 1753. Sida retusa L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 961. 1763; MSPI 241. 1996; 

FTSR 61. 1996. S. rhombifolia var. retusa (L.) Mast. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 324. 1874; Paul, Fl. Ind. 

3:289.1993;. S. rhombifolia ssp. alnifolia Ugborogho, Bol. Soc. Bot. Brot. 54: 70. 1980. 

Woody erect herbs; branches bluish, minutely stellate-hairy. Leaves to 4 x 3 cm, obovate, 

obtuse or acute, emarginate, crenate on the upper half, densely tomentose below; petiole 5 mm 

long, stipules filiform. Flowers 12 mm across, yellow, axillary or in terminal racemes; pedicels 6 

mm long; calyx 8 mm across, lobes acute. Mericarps trigonous, with a pair of short mucro at 

apex; seeds black. 

Fl. & Fr. September-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19898 Thellikkal; NS 19804 

Kariamchola 

Sida beddomei Jacob, JBNHS 47: 50. 1950; MSPI 266. 1996; FTSR 61. 1996. S. cordata sensu 

Paul & Nayar, Fl. Ind. Fasc. 19: 206. 1988; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3: 285. 1993, non (Burm.f.) Borss., 

1966. 

Slender prostrate herbs, rooting at nodes, stem, petioles and pedicels sparsely hairy. Leaves 

ovate, acute or acuminate, base cordate, crenate-serrate along the margin, sparsely tomentose 

on both sides, to 5 x 4 cm; basally 5-7 nerved; petioles to 4.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary, 

pedicels to 4 cm long. Calyx lobes longer than the tube. Mericarps awnless. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19087 Padippara 

Sida cordata (Burm. f.) Borss., Blumea 14: 182. 1966; FPL 83. 1990; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:283.1993; 

MSPI 266. 1996. Melochia cordata Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 143. 1768. Sida veronicaefolia Lam., 

Encycl. 1: 5. 1783; FPM 89. 1915. S. humilis Cav. var. veronicaefolia (Lam.) Mast. in Hook.f., 

FBI 1: 322. 1874. 

Prostrate herbs; branches slender, pilose. Leaves to 7 x 6 cm, orbicular, abruptly acuminate, 

cordate at base, serrate, pubescent; petiole 1.5 cm long, slender, stipule 3 mm long, deflexed. 

Flowers 10 mm across, solitary, axillary; pedicels 3-4 cm long; calyx 5 mm long, widely 

campanulate, lobes ovate, acute; petals 6 x 4 mm, obovate, ciliate at base. Mericarps 3 x 2 mm, 

smooth. 

Fl. & Fr. September-January 

Distr. Pantropical. Rare in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30639 Thellikkal 

29

Sida mysorensis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 59. 1834; FBI 1: 322. 1874; Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:286.1993; 

MSPI 271. 1996; FTSR 62. 1996. S. hirta Wall., Cat. n. 1855, 1828, non Lam. 1783. S. glutinosa 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 172. 1832, non Cav. 1785; FPM 89. 1915. S. urticifolia Wight & Arn., Prodr. 

59. 1834, non St. Hill. 1828. S. wightiana D. Dietr., Syn. Pl. 4: 845. 1847. 

Erect herbs. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, ovate, acute, crenate, membranous, tomentose; petiole 4-6 

cm long. Flowers 12 mm across, solitary, axillary or in short racemes; pedicels 5-8 mm long, 

slender; calyx 5 mm long, ribbed, lobes shorter than tube, acute; petals yellow. Mericarps 5, 2.5 

x 1 mm, trigonous, smooth. 


Distr. South and South-East Asia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

19101 Peruvaripallam 

Sida rhombifolia L., Sp. Pl. 684. 1753; FBI 1: 323. 1874, in part; FPM 90. 1915. S. rhombifolia 

ssp. rhombifolia: Borss., Blumea 14: 193. 1966. S. rhombifolia ssp. rhombifolia var. rhombifolia: 

Paul & Nayar, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 214. 1988. S. alba Cav., Diss. I. 22. t. f. 3. 8. 1785, non L. 1763. 

Subshrubs or herbs with erect stem. Leaves 2-8 x 1-5 cm, ovate - oblong, rhomboid or 

lanceolate, minutely stellately hairy; petioles to 1.5 cm long. Flowers 1-1.5 cm across; pedicels 

longer than the petioles . Mericarps usually muticous or with 2 awns. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30797 

Thunakkadavu 

THESPESIA Solander ex Correa 

Thespesia lampas (Cav.) Dalz. & Gibs., Bombay Fl. 19. 1861; FBI 1: 345. 1874; FPL 84. 1990; 

Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:350.1993; MSPI 40. 1996; FTSR 63. 1996. Hibiscus lampas Cav., Diss. 3: 156. 

t.56. 1787; FPM 98. 1915. 

Shrubs, to 1.5 m tall; stem glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 14 cm; 3-5-lobed or entire, ovate, cordate or 

truncate at base, lobes acute, densely stellate pubescent beneath; petioles 3-8 cm long. Flowers 

axillary, solitary or in terminal racemes,, pedicels 2-6 cm long jointed above the middle; 

involucellar bracts 4-7, subulate, deciduous; calyx cupular, 12 mm across, stellate hairy; corolla 

6-8 cm across, rose-yellow. Capsule 25 x 20 mm, ellipsoid, glabrous, 5-valved; seeds many, 5 x 3 

mm, trigonous, glabrous, brown. 


Distr. South to South-east Asia, Tropical East Africa. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30628 

Parambikulam 

URENA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves entire or shallowly lobed......................................................................................U. lobata ssp. lobata 

1. Leaves deeply lobed.........................................................................................................U. lobata ssp. sinuata 

Urena lobata L. ssp. sinuata (L.) Borss., Blumea 14: 142. 1966; FBI 1: 329. 1874; FPL 85. 1990; 

Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:382.1993; FTSR 63. 1996. U. sinuata L., Sp. Pl. 692. 1753; FBI 1: 329. 1874; 

FPM 92. 1915; MSPI 184. 1996. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 8 x 8 cm, palmately 5-lobed; lobes again lobed, narrow, obtuse at apex, 

serrulate, minutely stellate-hairy; petiole 6 mm long. Flowers shortly pedicelled; involucral 

bracts 3 mm long, spathulate; calyx 6 mm long, divided below the middle, lobes ovate, acute 

spreading; corolla 15-20 mm across. Schizocarp 10 mm across. 



Thunakkadavu 

30

Urena lobata L., Sp. Pl. 692. 1753, ssp. lobata; FBI 1: 329. 1874; FPM 92. 1915; FPL 85. 1990; 

Paul, Fl. Ind. 3:380.1993; MSPI 180. 1996; FTSR 63. 1996. U. lobata ssp. lobata Borss., Blumea 

14: 140. 1966. 

Shrubs; stem greenish densely stellate pubescent. Leaves 3-8 x 3-9 cm, ovate, 3-5 angular or 

lobed, densely stellate hairy below; petiole 1-1.5 cm long. Flowers shortly pedicelled; bracts 

spathulate; calyx glabrous; corolla 25 mm across, petals obovate, stellate-tomentose. Schizocarp 

12 mm across, black. 


Distr. Pantropical; Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19917 Karimala 

BOMBACACEAE 

1. Leaves simple; fruits spiny...................................................................................................................Cullenia 

1. Leaves digitate; fruits smooth.............................................................................................................. Bombax 

BOMBAX Linnaeus 

1. Leaflets petiolate, to 3 cm long; petals bright red ............................................................................... B. ceiba 

1. Leaflets sessile, petal creamy yellow or pale red............................................................................. B. insigne 

Bombax ceiba L., Sp. Pl. 511. 1753; FPL 86. 1990; Nayar & Biswas, Fl. Ind. 3:398.1993; FTSR 

64. 1996. B. malabaricum DC., Prodr. 1: 479. 1824; FBI 1: 349. 1874; FPM 99. 1915. S. 

malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 35. 1832. 

Large trees. Leaflets 18 x 5 cm, elliptic, caudate-acuminate at apex, attenuate at base; 

nerves 12-15 pairs; petiolule 2-3 cm long; petiole to 20 cm long. Flowers solitary or 2-5 together; 

sepals 3 x 3 cm, campanulate, densely villous within, lobes obtuse; petals reddish, 10 x 3.5 cm, 

oblong, obtuse, stellate-hairy outside; filaments 5.5 cm long, minutely hairy. Capsule 12 x 3 cm, 

terete, downy tomentose. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and New Guinea. Common in moist deciduous forests and rocky areas; PS 


Bombax insigne Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 71. 1830; FBI 1: 349. 1784; FPM 100. 1915; FPL 87. 

1990; Nayar & Biswas, Fl. Ind. 3:398.1993; FTSR 64. 1996. Salmalia insignis (Wall.) Schott & 

Endl., Melet. Bot. 35. 1832. 

Medium to large trees, trunk and branches densely prickly; bark greyish-brown, reddish 

inside. Leaflets oblong or obovate, caudate-acuminate; leaflets subsessile; petioles to 25 cm long. 

Flowers appear before the leaves. Calyx 2-lobed, densely silky within. Petals oblong, acute, 

tomentose, creamy yellow to pale red, to 15 x 2.5 cm. Capsule 5-angled, tomentose, to 18 x 4.5 

cm. 

Fl. & Fr. November-March 

Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30751 Parambikulam 

CULLENIA R. Wight 

Cullenia exarillata Robyns, Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 40: 249. 1970; FPL 87. 1990; Nayar & 

Biswas, Fl. Ind. 3:402.1993; FTSR 64. 1996. Cullenia excelsa Wight, Ic. t. 1701,1762. 1851; FBI 

1: 350. 1874; FPM 101. 1915. C. rosayroana Kosterm., Comm. For. Res. Inst. Indonesia 51: 4, 

f.2e & 3. 1956 & in Reinwardtia 4: 72. 1956,p.p. 

Large trees; buttress prominent; older branches furnished with large tubercles; young 

branchlets and underside of leaves densely covered with peltate scales. Leaves alternate, 16 x 6 

cm, oblong, acute, nerves not visible, shining above, brownish below. Flowers densely clustered 

31

on tubercles on old branches; pedicels 3 cm long, jointed; bracteoles tubular, 1.5 cm long, 4-5- 

toothed at apex; petals absent; staminal tube 3 cm long, 5-lobed at apex with many stamens; 

ovary 5-celled, echinate, ovules 2 in each cell; style woolly, elongate. Capsule globose, 15-20 cm 

across, dehiscent, densely echinate, globose, 5-valved. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at high altitudes; PS 

19158 Karimala 

STERCULIACEAE 

1. Herbs.................................................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Shrubs or trees .................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves glabrous or sub glabrous; ovary 5-celled................................................................................Melochia 

2. Leaves white-woolly; ovary 1-celled.................................................................................................. Waltheria 

3. Follicles spirally twisted .................................................................................................................... Helicteres 

3. Follicles not spirally twisted............................................................................................................................. 4 

4. Fruit indehiscent, 1 seeded .................................................................................................................Heritiera 

4. Fruit dehiscent, 2-many seeded....................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Peduncle covered with orange-red indumentum; follicles membranous........................................ Firmiana 

5. Peduncle without orange-red indumentum; follicles coriaceous or woody................................................... 6 

6. Seeds winged ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 

6. Seeds wingless................................................................................................................................................... 9 

7. Flowers unisexual ...............................................................................................................................Pterygota 

7. Flowers bisexual................................................................................................................................................ 8 

8. Staminal tube adnate to the gynophore; petals white ............................................................Pterospermum 

8. Staminal tube not adnate to the gynophore; petal yellow ...............................................................Eriolaena 

9. Flowers in axillary cymes; flowers bisexual................................................................................. Leptonychia 

9. Flowers in panicles or racemes; flowers unisexual ...........................................................................Sterculia 

ERIOLAENA A. P. de Candolle 

Eriolaena quinquelocularis (Wight & Arn.) Wight, Ic. t. 882. 1844-45; FBI 1: 371. 1874; FPM 

110. 1915; Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:418.1993. Microchlaena quinquelocularis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 71. 

1834. 

Large shrubs or small trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 9 x 9 cm, broadly ovate, widely 

cordate at base, acuminate at apex, 5-nerved from base, densely pubescent below. Flowers in 

terminal or axillary peduncled cymes; bracteoles laciniate; calyx 2.5 cm long, stellate-tomentose 

outside, simple-tomentose within, lobes deflexed; petals yellow, 25 x 7 mm, oblanceolate, 

tomentose below; staminal column 15 mm long, stamens numerous, anthers oblong; ovary 5- 

celled, stellate-hairy; ovules many; style-1, 5-fid at apex. Capsule 20 x 15 mm, ellipsoid; seeds 

many, winged. 

Fl. & Fr. July-December. 

Distr. Endemic to India. Rare in rocky grasslands; PS 30692 Pandaravarai 

FIRMIANA Marsili 

Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) R. Br. in Bennet & Brown, Pl. Jav. Rar. 235. 1844; FPM 107. 1915; 

FPL 88. 1990; Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:420.1993; FTSR 65. 1996. Sterculia colorata Roxb., Pl. Corom. 

t. 25. 1795; FBI 1: 359. 1874. S. rubicunda Wall. ex Mast., Hook. f., FBI 1: 360. 1874. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 16 x 25 cm, 3-lobed, cordate at base, 7-ribbed, lobes acuminate; 

petiole to 20 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in terminal panicled racemes; calyx 2 cm long, 

tubular, reddish, tomentose outside; gynophore 25 mm long; stamens 16, filaments connate into 

32

a cup around the pistillode; carpels 5, free, flattened; style short, curved. Follicle 5-6 cm long, 

compressed; seeds 2-5, compressed. 

Fl. & Fr. February-April. 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30191 Kottayali 

HELICTERES Linnaeus 

Helicteres isora L., Sp. Pl. 963. 1753; FBI 1: 365. 1874; FPM 167. 1915; FPL 89. 1990; Malick, 

Fl. Ind. 3:426.1993; FTSR 66. 1996. 

Large shrubs. Leaves to 15 cm, orbicular, cordate at base, obtuse at apex, serrate, 3-nerved 

from base, scabrous. Flowers axillary, fascicled or solitary; calyx 15 mm long, tubular, 5- 

toothed, yellowish; petals to 3.5 cm long, unequal, reddish; gynophore 4 cm long, curved; 

stamens 5, filaments short, united at base; ovary 5-celled; ovules many; style 5. Fruit a spirally 

twisted follicle, 5 cm long; seeds many, tubercled. 

Fl. & Fr. Almost throughout the year 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19627 Vengoli 

HERITIERA W. Aiton 

Heritiera papilio Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 218. 1872; FBI 1: 363. 1874; FPM 104. 1915; Malick, Fl. Ind. 

3:430.1993; FTSR 66. 1996. H. acuminata Wall. ex Kurz, J. Bot. 12: 65, t.141. f.1. 1-3. 1874. 

Medium trees. Leaves alternate, to 9 x 4 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded or cordate at 

base, entire, 3-nerved from base, densely white scaly below. Flowers unisexual, in axillary 

panicles; peduncle tomentose; calyx 4 mm long, widely campanulate, 5-lobed, lobes acute; 

stamens 5; anthers 5, sessile on tip of staminal column; carpels 5-6, free, ovules 1-2 in each; 

styles recurved; stigmas globose. Fruit of 5 distinct winged 1-seeded samaras, 5-6 cm long. 


Distr. India and Bangladesh. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30054 Thelliyalimattukkal 

LEPTONYCHIA Turczaninow 

Leptonychia caudata (Wall. ex G. Don) Burrett, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin. 9:727. 1926; Malick, 

Fl. Ind. 3:435.1993; FTSR 66. 1996. Grewia caudata Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 1:547. 1831. 

Leptonychia moacurroides Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 114. 1871; Hook.f., FBI 1: 379. 1874; FPM 112. 

1915. 

Small slender trees. Leaves oblong or elliptic-oblong, caudate-acuminate, base rounded, 

subcoriaceous, 7-12 x 3-5 cm; lateral nerves 5-7, archingly jointed along the margin, intercostae 

reticulate, domatia present in axils of nerves; petioles to 1 cm long. Sepals 3 mm long, 

tomentose. Petals 5 mm long, white, oblong, linear. Inner staminodes subulate and outer ovate. 

Ovary depressed globose, 3-4 celled, cells few ovuled. Capsule depressed globose, 3-lobed, 

tomentose, 2.5 x 2 cm. 

Fl. & Fr. June-September 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30197, NS 30429 Kothala 

MELOCHIA Linnaeus 

Melochia corchorifolia L., Sp. Pl. 675. 1753; FBI 1: 374. 1874; FPM 110. 1915; Malick, Fl. Ind. 

3:441.1993; FTSR 67. 1996. 

Slender subglabrous herbs. Leaves to 4 x 2 cm, ovate-lanceolate, rounded at base, serrate, 

scabrid. Flowers 2-6 together, in terminal sessile cymes; sepals 3 mm long, campanulate, lobes 

subulate, petals pink, 6 mm long, obovate, glabrous; stamens 5, united at base; ovary 5-celled, 

2-ovules in each, densely hairy; styles 5, free. Capsule 5-valved, depressed globose, 5 mm across; 

seeds 1 or 2, angular. 


Distr. Pantropical. Rare in vayals and wet rocky areas; PS 30473, NS 19617 Vengoli 

33

PTEROSPERMUM Schreber 

1. Leaf base equal, dentate towards the apex...............................................................................P. reticulatum 

1. Leaf base unequal, entire ......................................................................................................... P. rubiginosum 

Pterospermum reticulatum Wight & Arn., Prodr. 69. 1834; FBI 1: 368. 1874; FPM 108. 1915; 

Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:451.1993; FTSR 67. 1996. 

Medium tree. Leaves to 15 x 10 cm, obovate; 3-7-toothed at apex; cordate at base, whitetomentose 

below; nerves 6 pairs, prominent. Flowers in terminal or axillary fascicles; bracts 

laciniate; sepals 4.5 x 0.5 cm, oblong, densely stellate-tomentose; petals 4 x 1.5 cm, obovate, 

densely stellate-hairy within; stamens 15, staminodes 5. Capsule 7 x 3 cm, oblong, acute, 

stalked, densely rugose, tomentose; seeds solitary, winged. 

Fl. & Fr. December-March. 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19886 

Velayudhankai 

Pterospermum rubiginosum Heyne ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 68. 1834; FBI 1: 368. 1874; FPM 

109. 1915; FPL 90. 1990; Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:451.1993; FTSR 69. 1996. 

Large trees. Leaves to 10 x 3 cm, ovate-lanceolate, oblique at base, acuminate at apex, 

densely tomentose below; nerves 5 pairs. Flowers axillary, 2-3 together; pedicels 1.5 cm long; 

sepals 4 cm long, linear oblong, densely tomentose; petals 3 cm long, linear-oblong, white; 

stamens 10, filaments 3 cm long, united at base into a tube; ovary tomentose; style 4-5 cm long. 

Capsule 4 x 2 cm, angular. 

Fl. & Fr. January-March. 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen and semi-evergreen 

forests; PS 30214 Kothala 

PTERYGOTA Schott & Endlicher 

Pterygota alata (Roxb.) R. Br. in Bennet & Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. 234. 1844; FPM 104. 1915; FPL 91. 

1990; Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:455.1993; FTSR 69. 1996. Sterculia alata Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 287. 1820; 

FBI 1: 360. 1874. 

Very large trees; trunk round, straight; bark smooth; branches glabrous. Leaves 15-30 x 13- 

18 cm, broadly ovate, entire, 7-ribbed, glabrous; rounded or cordate at base. Flowers in axillary 

panicles; unisexual; calyx 5-partite, lobes 1 cm long, curved out, tomentose outside; stamens 20, 

5-adelphous; carpels 5, free, sessile, ovules many in each; staminodes in female flowers 5. 

Follicle 13 x 8 cm, obovoid, oblique, 2-valved; seeds 6 x 3 cm, oblong, winged. 


Distr. South Asia and Myanmar. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30637 Kothala 

STERCULIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves entire .......................................................................................................................................S. guttata 

1. Leaves palmately lobed..................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Calyx pubescent within, lobes 3 mm long........................................................................................... S. urens 

2. Calyx glabrous within, lobes more than 5 mm long.......................................................................... S. villosa 

Sterculia guttata Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 1: 482. 1824; FBI 1: 355. 1874; FPM 106. 1915; FPL 91. 

1990; Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:462.1993; FTSR 70. 1996. 

Large trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves 22 x 13 cm, obovate, abruptly acuminate at apex, 

rounded at base, stellate-tomentose below, nerves 10 pairs. Panicles to 20 cm across, terminal. 

Flowers pedicelled; calyx 15 mm across, campanulate, lobes acuminate, densely hairy; stamens 

10, column hairy at apex. Capsule 5 x 3 cm, curved-obovoid, tomentose, reddish; seeds few, 8 x 6 

mm, ovoid, smooth, shining. 

34


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in rocky areas in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; PS 

19732 Orukomban; PS 19821, NS 30556 Karimala 

Sterculia urens Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 24. 1795; FBI 1: 355. 1874; FPM 106. 1915; FPL 91. 1990; 

Malick, Fl. Ind. 3:471.1993; FTSR 70. 1996. 

Medium trees; bark yellowish-white, smooth. Leaves 5-30 cm across, orbicular, deeply 

cordate at base, lobes ovate, acuminate, penninerved, pubescent below; petiole to 18 cm long. 

Flowers greenish yellow, in terminal and upper axillary panicles; calyx 13 mm diam., lobes 

oblong, curved outside; staminal column 8 mm long, curved. Follicles 4-5 cm long, oblong, 

sessile, bristly; seeds few, 6 x 4 mm, black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in rocky areas; PS 19226 Vengoli 

Sterculia villosa Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 1: 483. 1824; FBI 1: 355. 1874; FPM 106. 1915; Malick, Fl. 

Ind. 3:472.1993; FTSR 70. 1996. 

Medium trees; bark pale brown, fibrous. Leaves to 25 cm across, cordate at base; lobes 

caudate-acuminate at apex, penninerved, downy pubescent below; petioles 15-20 cm long. 

Panicles to 20 cm across, terminal, densely hairy. Flowers 2 cm across, greenish brown; pedicels 

5 mm long; calyx 8 mm long, lobes oblong, tomentose outside, stamens 10, anthers along the 

rim of staminal column.; column hairy at apex; staminodes 10 in female flowers. Follicles 2-7, to 

5 cm long, oblong, tomentose; seeds black, smooth. 


Distr. South Asia. Rare in rocky areas; PS 19364 Pezha 

WALTHERIA Linnaeus 

Waltheria indica L., Sp. Pl. 673. 1753; FBI 1: 374. 1874; FPM 111. 1915; FPL 92. 1990; Malick, 

Fl. Ind. 3:473.1993. W. americana L., Sp. Pl. 673. 1753. 

Herbs, to 70 cm high, densely tomentose. Leaves to 5 x 3 cm, ovate, obtuse, crenate; petiole 

1.5 cm long. Flowers 3-10-together, in axillary or terminal heads, sessile; calyx 4 mm long, 

tubular, lobes subulate; petals yellow, 4 mm long, obovate, stamens 5, monadelphous; ovary 1- 

celled, 2-ovuled, pubescent; style lateral. Capsule 2-valved; 1-seeded, hairy at apex. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in rocky areas; PS 19847 Vengoli 

TILIACEAE 

1. Shrubs or small trees; fruit a drupe ......................................................................................................Grewia 

1. Herbs or sub-shrubs; fruit a capsule................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Capsule prickly or bristly .................................................................................................................Triumfetta 

2. Capsule unarmed ...............................................................................................................................Corchorus 

CORCHORUS Linnaeus 

Corchorus aestuans L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 1079. 1759; FPL 92. 1990; FTSR 71. 1996. C. 

acutangulus Lam., Encycl. 2: 104. 1786; FBI 1: 398. 1874; FPM 121. 1915. 

Herbs. Leaves to 3.5 x 2 cm, ovate, acute at apex, base slightly cordate, membranous, 

minutely and closely crenate, sparsely strigose above and below, 3-4 nerved, basal teeth 

prolonged into long hairs. Cymes axillary, 1-3 flowered; flowers yellow, 7 mm across, 5- 

merous; bracts and bracteoles 3 mm, linear; stamens many. Capsule 2.5 cm long, oblong, 

3 toothed at apex, glabrous; seeds many, 1.5 mm, disc shaped. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30830 Thekkady 

35

GREWIA Linnaeus 

1. Drupe glabrous, 1-4 lobed....................................................................................................................G. glabra 

1. Drupe variously hairy, 2 or 4 lobed ................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves glabrous on both sides.......................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves variously hairy on both sides or below................................................................................................ 5 

3. Leaves with hairy domatia in the nerve axils................................................................................... G. obtusa 

3. Leaves without hairy domatia in the nerve axils........................................................................................... 4 

4. Peduncle shorter than the petiole; leaves 5 nerved at base........................................................... G. tiliifolia 

4. Peduncle longer than the petiole; leaves 3 nerved at base ......................................................... G. orientalis 

5. Leaves 5-nerved at base, rarely 4 nerved........................................................................................................ 6 

5. Leaves 3-nerved at base.................................................................................................................................... 7 

6. Bracts spathulate; peduncle longer than the petiole ................................................................. G. orbiculata 

6. Bracts linear or lanceolate; peduncle much shorter than the petiole..............................................G. villosa 

7. Leaves orbicular or rhomboid; stipules shorter than the petiole .............................................G. abutilifolia 

7. Leaves oblong, lanceolate or oblanceolate; stipules longer than the petiole ................................................ 8 

8. Style pilose; ovules more than 10................................................................................................. G. flavescens 

8. Style glabrous; ovules less than 8..................................................................................................... G. hirsuta 

Grewia abutilifolia Juss., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat 4: 92. 1804; FBI 1: 390. 1874; FPL 93. 1990; 

Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:493.1993; FTSR 71. 1996. G. aspera Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 591. 1832; 

FPM 119. 1915. G. macrophylla Naray. & Rao, J. Ind. Bot. Soc. 29: 187. 1950, non G.Don 1831. 

Shrubs, branches densely stellate-tomentose. Leaves 15 x 10 cm, orbicular, 3-5-toothed at 

apex, serrate, stellate-tomentose below; petiole 1.5 cm long. Peduncle 3-5 mm long, 3-5 together; 

sepals 11 x 2 mm, oblong, stellate-pubescent outside; petals white, 3.5 x 1 mm, oblong, gland 1.5 

x 1 mm, pubescent; gynandrophore glabrous. Drupe 13 x 10 mm, obscurely 4-lobed. 

Fl. & Fr. May-September 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30691 Pandaravarai 

Grewia flavescens A. .Juss., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 4: 91. 1904; FPM 119. 1915; Daniel & 

Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:498.1993. G. carpinifolia sensu Mast. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 387. 1874, non Juss. 

1804. G. commutata DC., Prodr. 1: 511. 1824. Vincentia flavescens (Juss.) Burrett, Notizbl. Bot. 

Gard., Berlin-Dahlem 9: 648. 1826. 

Shrubs; branchlets pubescent. Leaves 9 x 4 cm, elliptic, stellately pubescent above, 

tomentose below, margins finely serrate, apex acute, base obtuse, truncate, transverse nerves 

parallel, somewhat broader above the middle, then abruptly acute; petiole to 0.5 cm; stipules to 

1 cm, linear, pubescent. Flowers axillary, peduncles many in the axils, as long as the petiole; 

bracts ovate, puberulus; sepals 1.3 cm, oblong, acute; petals 1 cm, with a gland at the base; 

stamens many, to 10 mm; torus to 2 mm; ovary 2 mm, hirsute, style 1.5 cm. 

Fl.& Fr. November-March 

Distr. India and Tropical Africa. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30075 Kuchimudi 

Grewia glabra Blume, Bijdr. 115. 1825; FPL 94. 1990; FTSR 72. 1996. G. serrulata DC., Prodr. 

1: 510. 1824; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:509.1993. G. disperma sensu Dunn in Gamble, FPM 

118. 1915 non Rottl. ex Spreng. 1825. G. laevigata sensu Mast. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 389. 1874, non 

Vahl 1790. 

Erect shrubs, branchlets slender, glabrous. Leaves to 13 x 4 cm, elliptic, sharply acuminate, 

serrate, petiole 6 mm long. Peduncle 2.5 cm long, slender, glabrous; pedicel 2 cm long, sparsely 

stellate hairy; sepals 19 x 4 mm, oblong, tomentose outside; petals 3.5 x 3 mm, ovate, white; 

gynandrophore densely hairy; stigma fimbriate. Drupelets 5 x 5 mm, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Tropical Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19460 

Pooppara; 30203 Vengoli 

36

Grewia hirsuta Vahl, Symb. Bot. 1: 34. 1790; FBI 1: 391. 1874; FPM 119. 1915; FPL 94. 1990; 

Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:501.1993. G. roxburghii G.Don, Gen. Hist. 1: 548. 1831, excl. syn. 

G. tomentosa Naray. & Rao, J. Ind. Bot. Soc. 29: 179. 1950, non Juss. 1804. 

Shrubs, branches densely pilose. Leaves 5-7 x 2-3 cm, ovate, acute, rounded at base, serrate, 

hirsute-pubescent; petiole 3 mm long. Peduncle 10 mm long, hirsute; pedicels 10 mm long, 

slender; sepals 7 x 3 mm, oblong, 3-ribbed; petals 3 x 1 mm, oblong, obtuse, gland 1 x 1 mm, 

orbicular, hairy; filaments 1.5 mm long, anthers below the level of ovary; ovary densely hairy; 

style 2 mm long; stigma globose. Drupe 10 x 10 mm, obscurely 4-lobed, pilose. 


Distr. India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30073, NS 30402 

Kuchimudi 

Grewia obtusa Wall. ex Dunn in Gamble, FPM 117. 1915; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 

3:495.1993. G. bracteata auct. non Heyne ex Roth. 1821; FBI 1: 384. 1874p.p. 

Shrubs, branchlets dark, lenticellate, young ones brown tomentose. Leaves 13 x 5 cm, ovateelliptic, 

apex and base obtuse, secondary nerves arched, glabrous, with hairy domatia in the 

nerve axils, margins finely serrate; petiole to 1.5 cm; stipules lanceolate, tomentose. Cymes leaf 

opposed, many flowered; buds oblong, golden tomentose; peduncles to 1 cm; bracts 7 mm, linear; 

sepals 2 x 0.5 cm, oblong, curved when mature; petals 0.5 cm, white; torus 3 mm; filaments 

unequal, to 1.5 cm, white; ovary 4 mm, hirsute, style 1.2 cm; stigma capitate, laciniate. 

Fl. April-July 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in secondary forests; PS 18912 Karimala 

Grewia orbiculata Rotl., Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Neue Schriften 4: 205. 1803; FBI 1: 386. 

1874; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:504.1993. G. rotundifolia Juss., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 4: 

92. 1804; FPM 118. 1915. 

Shrubs; branchlets tomentose. Leaves 5 cm across, orbicular, base cordate, margins 

minutely serrate, basally, 5-nerved, glabrous above, thinly pubescent below; petiole to 1 cm, 

stipules to 1 cm, lanceolate, pubescent. Cymes many in the axils, peduncles to 1.5 cm; pedicels 8 

mm; sepals 8 x 2 mm, oblong, pubescent; petals 4 x 2 mm, gland surrounded by hairs; torus 

elonged to 2 mm; filaments to 1.5 mm; ovary hirsute, style 5 mm, stigma capitate. 

Fl. February-April 

Distr. Endemic to India. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30638 Pandaravarai 

Grewia orientalis L., Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 964. 1762; FPM 117. 1915; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 

3:506.1993. G. columnaris J.E. Smith, Rees, Cyclop. 17: 5. 1811; FBI 1: 383. 1874. 

Shrubs, branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 6 x 3.5 cm, ovate or obovate, acuminate, base 

truncate or subcordate, margins crenulate; tomentose above, glabrous beneath. Cymes axillary 

or leaf opposed; sepals 5, to 3 mm, lanceolate, pubescent; petals 5, to 7 mm, emarginate; ovary 

elongate, strigose. Fruit slightly 4-lobed, lobes to 8 mm, subglobose shortly bristly. 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Tropical Africa. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19546 Thekkady 

Grewia tiliifolia Vahl, Symb. Bot. 1: 35. 1790; FBI 1: 386. 1874, "tiliaefolia"; FPM 118. 1915; 

FPL 94. 1990; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:511.1993; FTSR 72. 1996. Grewia tiliifolia Vahl var. 

argentea Burrett, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 9: 659. 1926. 

Large trees; bark greyish-brown, rough; branchlets stellate-tomentose. Leaves to 18 x 12 cm, 

broadly ovate, acute at apex, crenate-serrate, hoary tomentose below; petiole 2 cm long. 

Peduncle axillary, 7 mm long; sepals 7 mm long, hairy at base inside; petals yellow, 3 x 1 mm, 

densely tomentose outside; filaments 3 mm long; stigma 2-3-lobed, recurved. Drupelets 1-4, to 5 

mm diam., globose, reddish 

Fl. & Fr. April-June 

Distr. Tropical Africa, India to Indo-China. Very common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19368 

Orukomban 

37

Grewia villosa Willd., Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Neue Schriften 4: 205. 1803; FBI 1: 388. 

1874; FPM 119. 1915; FPL 95. 1990; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:515.1993. G. orbiculata G. 

Don, Gen. Hist. 1: 551. 1831, non Rotl. 1803. G. corylifolia A. Rich. in Guillemin et al., Fl. Seneg. 

Tent. 95. t. 20. 1831. 

Large shrubs, branchlets villous. Leaves 8 x 9.5 cm, orbicular, serrate, transverse, nervules 

concentric, villosus, membranous, base cordate, apex rounded, pubescent; petiole to 2.5 cm. 

Cymes axillary, 1-3, peduncles to 1 cm, stout, stipules 8 mm, ovate, pubescent, pedicels to 1 cm. 

Fruit 1.5 cm across, light red, entire or somewhat 4-lobed, rind fibrous. 

Fr. & Fr. November-December 

Distr. Paleotropics. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30068 Kuchimudi 

TRIUMFETTA Linnaeus 

1. All leaves lobed............................................................................................................................T. rhomboidea 

1. Leaves not lobed, lower leaves sometimes lobed ............................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves scabrid above, orbicular or rhomboid............................................................................T. rotundifolia 

2. Leaves stellate-tomentose above, lanceolate ......................................................................................T. pilosa 

Triumfetta pilosa Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 223. 1821; FBI 1: 394. 1874; FPM 120. 1915; FPL 95. 1990; 

Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:519.1993; FTSR 73. 1996. T. oblongata Link, Enum. Hort. Berol. 

Alt. 2: 5. 1822. T. guazumaefolia Bojer, Rapp. Annuel Trav. Soc. Hist. Nat. Ile Maurice 12: 18. 

1842. T. cana Blume, Bijdr. 113. 1825; FBI 1: 396. 1874. 

Shrubs, to 2 m high; branches stellate-hairy. Leaves to 16 x 10 cm, ovate, rounded at base, 

acuminate at apex, serrate, densely stellate-hairy below, 5-nerved from base. Flowers 3-10- 

together; pedicel 3 mm long; sepals 10 x 1 mm, hairy outside; petals yellow, 7 x 2 mm, 

oblanceolate, hairy at base; stamens 10, filaments 7 mm long. Capsule densely glochidiatebristled. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Central and East Asia. Rare in rocky grasslands; PS 30544 Pandaravarai 

Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq., Enum. Pl. Carib. 22. 1760; FBI 1: 395. 1874; FPM 120. 1915; FPL 

95. 1990; Daniel & Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:520.1993; FTSR 73. 1996. Bartramia indica L., Sp. Pl. 

378. 1753, non Triumfetta indica Lam. 1792. Triumfetta bartramia L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10):1044. 

1759, nom. illeg. Triumfetta angulata Lam., Encycl. 3: 421. 1789. 

Shrubs or herbs. Leaves to 7 x 7 cm, ovate to rhomboid, 3-lobed, cordate or rounded at base, 

acuminate at apex, densely stellate-tomentose below, 3-5-ribbed from base; petiole to 3 cm long. 

Flowers 3-15 together; pedicels 5 mm long; sepals 7 x 1 mm, sparsely stellate-hairy; petals 6 x 2 

mm, oblanceolate, with two tufts of hairs at base. Capsule with stiff bristles 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 19025 

Thunakkadavu 

Triumfetta rotundifolia Lam., Encycl. 3: 421. 1792; FBI 1: 395. 1874; FPM 120. 1915; Daniel & 

Chandr., Fl. Ind. 3:521.1993;. 

Shrubs, branchlets stellate tomentose. Leaves to 3 x 2 cm, orbicular-rhomboid, obtuse, base 

cuneate, serrate; petiole to 2 cm. Racemes interrupted; sepals 5, ca 3 mm, oblong, stellate 

tomentose; petals 5, 4 mm, obovate, ciliate; ovary spherical, prickled. Capsule 5 mm across, 

ovoid, woolly. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30542 Pandaravarai 

Note: Present collection is an addition to the flora of Kerala 

38

ELAEOCARPACEAE 

ELAEOCARPUS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves densely brown tomentose on nerves below; leaves more than 15 cm long .............. E. tuberculatus 

1. Leaves glabrous or glabrescent below; leave to 15 cm long........................................................................... 2 

2. Trees without aerial roots; sepals glabrous ............................................................................. E. glandulosus 

2. Trees with reddish aerial roots on buttresses; sepals pubescent .................................................................. 3 

3. Fruit oblong-ellipsoid .................................................................................................E. serratus var. serratus 

3. Fruit globose-ovoid......................................................................................................E. serratus var. weibelii 

Elaeocarpus glandulosus Wall. ex Merr., J. Arnold Arbor. 32: 194. 1951; Murti, Fl. Ind. 

3:539.1993; FTSR 74. 1996. E. tectorius sensu Ramam. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 131. 

1974, non (Lour.) Poiret 1812. 

Large trees with broad buttresses. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, elliptic-oblong, abruptly acuminate 

with emarginate tip, base rounded, 6-8 nerved, punctuate, domatia glandular. Racemes to 8 cm 

long; pedicel 3 mm long, glabrous; sepals 7 mm long, minutely pubescent outside, glandular 

inside; petals white, 7 mm long, fimbriate, glandular; stamens many, anthers 1.5 mm long, 

puberulus; ovary densely hairy. Drupe 2.5 x 2 cm oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 19353 Kariyilathodu 

Elaeocarpus serratus L., Sp. Pl. 515. 1753, var. serratus; FBI 1: 401. 1874; FPM 124. 1915; FPL 

96. 1990; Murti, Fl. Ind. 3:553.1993; FTSR 74. 1996; Zmarzty, Kew Bull. 56: 434. 2001. E. 

oblongus Gaertn., Fruct. 1: 202. t. 43. 1788. E. cuneatus Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. t. 83. 1840. 

Large trees; twigs glabrous. Leaves to 9 x 4 cm, obovate, acute, narrowed to the base, 

serrate, 3-4-nerved; domatia glandular; petiole 1.5 cm long, glabrous. Raceme to 8 cm long; 

glabrous; pedicel 5 mm long, slender. Flowers greenish white; sepals 7 mm long,, densely 

glandulose; petals 7 mm long, glabrous; anthers 2.2 mm long, puberulus, bristles 3 or 4; ovary 

densely tomentose, 3-celled. Drupe 2.5 cm across, ovoid to oblong; pyrene tubercled. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19317 Kothala 

Elaeocarpus serratus L., Sp. Pl. 515. 1753, var. weibelii Zmarzty, Kew Bull. 56: 437. 2001. 

Medium trees, branchlets pubescent. Leaves to 14 x 7 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, base 

acuminate, margin serrate, nerves with domatia; petiole 1.5-3 cm. Racemes axillary or on leaf 

scars; pedicel 5-8 cm; sepals ca 6 x 2 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, hairy; petals 7-8 x 3 mm, 

obovate, apically divided; stamens inserted in a ring; ovary ca 2 x 1.5 mm, ovate, hairy, style ca 

4 mm. Fruit to 1.7 x 1.5 cm, ellipsoid, stone to 1.3 x 1.2 cm, ellipsoid, shallowly rugose. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18942 Kothala, NS 19705 

Karimala 

Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 594. 1832; FBI 1: 404. 1874; FPM 124. 1915; FPL 

97. 1990; Murti, Fl. Ind. 3:559.1993; FTSR 74. 1996. Monocera tuberculata (Roxb.) Wight & 

Arn., Prodr. 83. 1834. 

Large trees, prominently buttressed; bark white; branchlets stout. Leaves to 22 x 15 cm, 

obovate, obtuse, entire, 14-16-nerved, glabrous above; petiole 1.5 cm long, stout. Raceme to 12 

cm long, ferrugineous tomentose; pedicel 2 cm long deflexed. Flowers facing downwards; sepals 

15 x 3 mm, lanceolate; petals white, 18 mm long,, fimbriate, fulvous tomentose, anthers 5 mm 

long, thinly tomentose, bristle 3 mm long; ovary densely hairy; style 10 mm long, tomentose. 

Drupe 3 x 2.5 cm, ferrugineous tomentose. 

Fl. & Fr. September-February 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 19777 Shekkalmudi 

39

ERYTHROXYLACEAE 

ERYTHROXYLUM P. Browne 

Erythroxylum lanceolatum (Wight) Walp., Rep. 1: 407. 1842; FBI 1: 415. 1874; FPM 127. 1915; 

Chatterjee & Sharma, Fl. Ind. 3:590.1993. Sethia lanceolata Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 136. 1840. 

S. erythroxyloides Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 136. 1840. 

Small to medium trees, bark reddish brown. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, base acute or 

obtuse, glabrous, to 8 x 3 cm, lateral nervous slender, faint. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired. 

Petals white with an erect ligule at the base. Staminal filaments united at the base to form a 

tube. Drupe oblong, to 1.5 x 0.4 cm; seed one. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19784 Kanthalppara; 

NS 30243 Pezha 

MALPIGHIACEAE 

HIPTAGE J. Gaertner 

Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 43: 136. 1874; FPL 97. 1990; FTSR 75. 

1996; Sirvas., Fl. Ind. 4:14.1997. Banisteria benghalensis L., Sp. Pl. 427. 1753. Hiptage 

madablota Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 169,t.116. 1791; FPM 128. 1915. Gaertnera racemosa Roxb., Pl. 

Corom. t. 18. 1795 & Fl. Ind. 2: 368. 1832. 

Woody climbers. Leaves opposite, to 16 x 7 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, rounded at base, 

nerves 7 pairs, intercostae reticulate, green when dried; petiole 1 cm long, hirtus. Racemes 5-10 

cm long; pedicels 1.5-2 cm long, hispid; bracts lanceolate. Flowers white, calyx lobes ovate, 

obtuse, hispid, with a large red gland on one lobe outside; petals 5, 13 x 10 mm, obovate, obtuse, 

fimbriate; stamens 10, free; ovary densely hairy; style 1, 12 mm long. Wings of fruit 5 x 1.5 cm, 

elliptic to obovate; seeds 6 mm across, compressed. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30297 Parambikulam 

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 

TRIBULUS Linnaeus 

Tribulus terrestris L., Sp. Pl. 387. 1753; FBI 1: 423. 1874; FPM 130. 1915; Singh & Singh, Fl. 

Ind. 4:55.1997. T. lanuginosus L., Sp. Pl. 387. 1753. 

Prostrate silky herbs. Leaves opposite, imparipinnate; leaflets opposite, 4-5 pairs, 1.5 x 0.7 

cm, oblong; petiole to 7 mm, petiolule 1 mm, stipules 2-3 in cluster, persistent. Flowers axillary, 

1 or 2, golden yellow, 2 cm across; pedicels to 3 cm,; sepals 5, 5 mm, linear; petals 5, 7 x 4 mm; 

stamens 10, filaments dilated at base, disc 10-lobed; ovary 5-lobed, hirsute with bulbous hairs; 

stigmas 5. Fruit 1 cm across, globose, 5-angled, cocci 5, woody, each with a pair of divaricate 

spines. 


Distr. Tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 

30404 Kuchimudi 

OXALIDACEAE 

1. Leaves pinnate, crowded on the top of the stem............................................................................ Biophytum 

1. Leaves digitate, trifoliolate, equidistant .................................................................................................Oxalis 

40

BIOPHYTUM A. P. de Candolle 

1. Peduncle to 8 cm long; terminal leaflet large; sepals smaller than petals..............................B. reinwardtii 

1. Peduncle more than10 cm long; middle leaflet large; sepals as long as petals.......................B. sensitivum 

Biophytum reinwardtii (Zucc.) Klotzsch., Peters Reise Mossamb. Bot. 1: 85. 1861; FBI 1: 437. 

1874; FPM 133. 1915; FPL 98. 1990; FTSR 76. 1996; Manna, Fl. Ind. 4:236.1997. Oxalis 

reinwardtii Zucc., Abh. Malth.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 1: 274. 1829-1830. 

Unbranched herbs; stem to 20 cm tall. Leaves 5-12 cm long, collected at apex into a caudex; 

leaflets 10-15 pairs, oblong, slightly oblique, base truncate, glabrous. Peduncle to 15 cm long, 

glandular-hispid. Flowers to 8 per umbel; pedicels slender, glandular; sepals 4 x 1 mm, ovatelanceolate, 

acute, brown; petals yellow, 7 x 2 mm, oblanceolate, with a red line in the middle. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests and moist areas; PS 19298 

Parambikulam; 19894 Thellikkal 

Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC., Prodr. 1: 690. 1824; FBI 1: 436. 1874; FPM 133. 1915; Manna, 

Fl. Ind. 4:238.1997. Oxalis sensitiva L., Sp. Pl. 434. 1753. 

Stem simple, to 15 to 40 cm long. Leaves 7-10 cm long, rachis hirsute, leaflets 15-18 pairs, 

sparsely strigose hairy above, glaucous beneath, basal small, ovate, terminal obovate. Flowers 

yellow, in 10-18 cm long slender hirsute umbels; peduncles congested; bracts 1.8 x 0.5 mm, 

ovate, acute, villous; bracteoles 2 x 0.2 mm, linear, villous; sepals to 5 x 1 cm, linear, lanceolate, 

strigose. Seeds 1 x 0.3 mm, ovoid, tubercled. 


Distr. Widely distributed in Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and moist areas; 

PS 19895 Thellikkal 

OXALIS Linnaeus 

Oxalis corniculata L., Sp. Pl. 435. 1753; FBI 1: 436. 1874; FPM 132. 1915; FPL 98. 1990; FTSR 

76. 1996; Manna, Fl. Ind. 4:242.1997. Oxalis corniculata L. var. hispida Blatt., JBNHS 34: 898. 

1931. 

Diffuse perennial herbs, branches slender, procumbent, rooting at lower nodes, pubescent. 

Leaflets sessile, obcordate, emarginate, base cuneate, pilose, to 1.5 x 1.6 cm; petiole 2-4 cm long, 

slender. Flowers yellow, 6 mm across, 2-many-together, in peduncled umbels; peduncles 3-7 cm 

long; pedicels 2 cm long, slender; sepals lanceolate, obtuse at apex; petals 7 mm long, oblong. 

Capsule oblong, acuminate, to 1.5 cm long; seeds 5-10 per cell, flattened to ovoid, transversely 

ridged. 


Distr. Cosmopolitan. Common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 19098 

Peruvaripallam 

BALSAMINACEAE 

IMPATIENS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves radical; flowers in scape..................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Leaves cauline; flowers in leafy stem ............................................................................................................ 3 

2. Scape to 35 cm long; wing 3-lobed.................................................................................................I. scapiflora 

2. Scape to 25 cm long wing 2-lobed......................................................................................................I. acaulis 

3. Epiphytic herbs; lip with saccate spur........................................................................................................... 4 

3. Terrestrial herbs; lip without saccate spur ................................................................................................... 5 

4. Flowers completely green .............................................................................................................I. viridiflora 

4. Flower parts variously coloured................................................................................................... I. parasitica 

41

5. Leaves opposite................................................................................................................................................ 6 

5. Leaves alternate............................................................................................................................................ 12 

6 Stem and pedicel viscid glandular ....................................................................................................I. viscosa 

6. Stem and petiole otherwise ............................................................................................................................ 7 

7. Flowers in subumbellate inflorescence on upper axils; dorsal auricle of the wings filiform....... I. goughii 

7. Flowers axillary not forming subumbellate inflorescence; dorsal auricle of wings not filiform ............... 8 

8. Spur of the lip to 5 mm long ........................................................................................................................... 9 

8. Spur of the lip more than 10 mm long......................................................................................................... 11 

9. Leaves narrow; floral parts pubescent ......................................................................................... I. herbicola 

9. Leaves broad; floral parts glabrous ............................................................................................................. 10 

10. Stipule subulate; upper leaves petiolate ..................................................................................I. inconspicua 

10. Stipule setaceous or absent; leaves subsessile........................................................................ I. oppositifolia 

11. Leaves with two sessile or slaked glands on the petiole ...................................................................I. minor 

11. Leaves eglandular; subsessile ....................................................................................................... I. chinensis 

12. Shrubs ............................................................................................................................................................ 13 

12. Herbs .............................................................................................................................................................. 15 

13. Flower axillary, solitary or in fascicles; flowers white ........................................................... I. hensloviana 

13. Flower in elongate peduncled axillary racemes; flowers pink................................................................... 14 

14. Leaves hairy on both surface; spur longer than petals ...............................................................I. maculata 

14. Leaves glabrous or glabrescent; spur short hooked ...................................................................I. wightiana 

15. Capsule tomentose ....................................................................................................................... I. balsamina 

15. Capsule glabrous ........................................................................................................................................... 16 

16. Seeds glabrous; leaves crenate, setose.....................................................................................I. pulcherrima 

16. Seeds variously hairy; leaves crenate not setose........................................................................................ 17 

17. Wings bilobed with equal lobes; standard with a keel on dorsal side........................................... I. flaccida 

17. Wings bilobed, lobes sub-equal; standard without a keel on dorsal side.............................. I. dasysperma 

Impatiens acaulis Arn., Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 325. 1835; FBI 1: 443. 1874; FPM 138. 1915; FPL 

99. 1990; Pandura. & Nair, JETB 20: 699. 1996; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:111.1997. 

Stemless herbs. Leaves to 9 x 9 cm, orbicular, obtuse, cordate at base, glabrous, margins 

distantly crenate or entire; nerves 4 pairs. Scape 20 cm long, many-flowered. Flowers white, 2-3 

cm across, confined to the apex of the scape; bracts 4 mm long, ovate; pedicels 2.5 cm long, 

solitary; lip 8 mm long, broadly ovate, concave, acute; spur 3.5 cm long, slender, glabrous; 

lateral sepals 3 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, green; standard pink, 8 x 8 mm, orbicular, emarginate, 

not cuspidate; wings equally lobed, lobes 25 mm long, oblong, obtuse. Capsule 6-10 mm long, 

ellipsoid, acute, glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19590 


Impatiens balsamina L., Sp. Pl. 938. 1753; FBI 1: 453. 1874; FPM 142. 1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. 

Ind. 4:123.1997. I. dahlii Warb. in K. Schum. & Lauterb, Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Sudsee 313. 1905. 

Stem 30-40 cm high, glabrous. Leaves to 8 x 0.8 cm, narrowly lanceolate, acute at either 

ends, serrate; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels 8-10 mm long; lip 8 x 4 

mm, saccate, cuspidate, densely hairy; spur 10 mm long, curved, densely hairy; sepals minute; 

standard 6.5 x 8 mm, orbicular, emarginate and cuspidate, hairy, cusp 4-5 mm long; wings 14 x 

8 mm, 2-lobed, basal lobe 5 x 4 mm, rounded; terminal lobe notched at apex. Capsule ellipsoid, 

acute, tomentose; seeds few, rugulose, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia; introduced into may countries. Common in moist localities of semievergreen 

and moist deciduous forests; PS 19225 Vengoli 

42

Impatiens chinensis L., Sp. Pl. 2: 937. 1753; FBI 1: 444. 1874; FPM 139. 1915; FTSR 77. 1996; 

Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:131.1997. I. fasciculata Lam., Dict. 1: 359. 1873. 

Unbranched herbs, stem to 40 cm high, reddish. Leaves to 10 x 1 cm, linear-oblong, cordate 

at base, distantly crenate, glabrous. Flowers binate, axillary; lip 8 mm long, acuminate and 

curved back at apex; spur 15 mm long, slender; standard 4 x 6 mm, orbicular, emarginate; 

terminal lobe of wing 14 mm long, ovate, obtuse, pink; basal lobe 4 mm long; dorsal auricle 4.5 

mm long, slender. Capsule 10 mm long, glabrous. 


Distr. India and China. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 18996 Orukomban 

Impatiens dasysperma Wight, Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser. 1. 5: 7, t. 2. 1837; FBI 457. 1874; FPM 

143. 1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:139.1997. 

Erect herbs, 30 cm high. Leaves to 11 x 3.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, acute at base, 

crenate, hairy below; petiole 4 cm long. Flowers 20 mm across, solitary or binate, axillary; 

pedicels 3 cm long; lip 7 x 4 mm, acuminate, glabrous; spur 17 mm long, narrow, minutely 

hairy; sepals small, ovate, acute, hairy; standard 9 x 6 mm, obovate, emarginate at apex, 

sharply cuspidate, keeled, keel ciliate; wings 9 x 10 mm, equally 2-lobed, lobes obovate, 

obcordate. Capsule 12 x 6 mm, glabrous; seeds 1.5 mm ovoid, minutely hirtus. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19524 

Orukomban 

Impatiens flaccida Arn., Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 322. 1836; FBI 1: 457. 1874; FPM 143. 1915; FTSR 

78. 1996; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:146.1997. 

Erect herbs; stem 25-40 cm high, glabrous. Leaves 5-7 x 1.5-3 cm, elliptic, acute at either 

ends, crenate, eglandular, glabrous; nerves 10 pairs; petiole 2-3 cm long. Flowers solitary or 

paired, axillary; pedicels to 5 cm long; lip 6 x 3.5 cm, acute; spur 2.8-3 cm long, slender, 

glabrous; sepal 2 x 1 mm, ovate, acute; standard 8-10 mm long, broadly oblong, emarginate at 

apex, keeled; lobes of wings equal, 13 mm long, obtuse, pink, dorsal auricle short, obtuse. 

Capsule 12 x 5 mm, ellipsoid, glabrous; seeds minutely hairy. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist areas; PS 19249 Thellikkal 

Impatiens goughii Wight, Ill. 1: 160. 1840; FBI 1: 452. 1874; FPM 144. 1915; FTSR 78. 1996; 

Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:152.1997. I. anamallayensis Bedd., Ic. t. 150. 1868-1874. I. microtheca 

Hook.f. in Hook.'s Ic. Pl. 30: t. 2910. 1910. 

Herbs, stem 10-30 cm high, reddish, glabrous. Leaves opposite, 2-5 x 2-3 cm, elliptic, acute at 

either ends, serrate, with stalked glands towards base, glabrous; petiole 1-3 cm long, glabrous. 

Peduncles 4-6 cm long, glabrous. Flowers in racemes; lip boat-shaped, acute, cuspidate; spur 8- 

10 mm long, cylindric, curved, acute; sepals ovate, acute; standard 3-4 x 3 mm, orbicular; wings 

10 mm long, 3-lobed, lobes shallow, equal; dorsal auricle slender, produced into the spur. 

Capsule 6 x 4 mm, ellipsoid, acute, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. June-November 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in moist rocky areas; PS 30509 Thellikkal 

Impatiens hensloviana Arn., Comp. Bot. Mag. 1: 322. 1836; FBI 1: 458. 1874; FPM 143. 1915; 

FTSR 78. 1996; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:155.1997. I. albida Wight, Madras J. 5: 7. 1837 & Ic. t. 

743. 1844. 

Shrubs, young stem ribbed. Leaves alternate, clustered towards the apex, to 15 x 6 cm, 

elliptic, acute at either ends, pubescent above and below; petiole to 10 cm long, pubescent. 

Flowers 4 cm across, solitary or paired, axillary; pedicels to 10 cm long, hairy; lip 12 mm long, 

funnel-shaped; spur 4.5 cm long; tomentose; sepals 8 x 4 mm, elliptic, acuminate; standard 14 

43

mm long, broadly ovate, keeled; wings 20 mm long, 2-lobed; lobes subequal, obovate, white with 

red lines, glabrous. Capsule 2.5-3 cm, ellipsoid, acute; seeds many, 3 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, 

brown, rugose. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist rocky areas; PS 19936 Karimala 

Impatiens herbicola Hook. f., Kew Bull. 1911: 354. 1911; FPM 141. 1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 

4:156.1997. 

Glabrous herbs. Leaves to 4.5 x 0.5 cm, linear-oblong. Flowers paired, axillary; pedicels 1.5 

cm long, pubescent on one side along a line. Lip 5 x 2 mm, boat-shaped, cuspidate, hairy; spur 

inconspicuous; sepals 4.5 mm long, linear, pubescent; standard 3 x 3.5 mm, obovate; keel ciliate, 

produced into a short cusp; wings 5 x 2 mm, 2-lobed; basal lobe shorter, dorsal auricle minute. 

Capsule 7-10 mm long, glabrous; seeds many, glabrous, dark-brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in grasslands; PS 19676 Karimala 

Impatiens inconspicua Benth. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 139. 1834; FBI 1: 447. 1874; Vivek. et al., 

Fl. Ind. 4:158.1997. I. inconspicua Benth. ex Wight & Arn. var. filiformis (Wight & Arn.) 

Hook.f., FBI 1: 448. 1874. I. pusilla var. nematostachys Hook.f., Kew Bull. 1910: 294. 1910. I. 

pusilla Heyne ex Hook. f. & Thoms., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 4: 122. 1859; FPM 140. 1915. 

Branched herbs. Leaves 4-5 x 1.5 cm, elliptic to linear-oblong, cordate at base; petiole to 1 cm 

long; upper leaves narrower with smaller petioles. Pedicel binate, 2 cm long. Lip 4 x 2.5 mm, 

saccate near the base, spurless; sepals 4 x 0.5 mm, linear; standard 4 x 4 mm, obtusely acute at 

apex; keel ciliate; wings 6.5 x 3 mm, 2-lobed, lobes unequal, lower lobe smaller, glabrous, 

yellowish-blue. Capsule 12 x 4 mm, glabrous; seeds few, 2 x 1.5 mm, globose, black, shining. 

Fl. & Fr. July-October 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in moist areas; PS 30205 Thellikkal 

Impatiens maculata Wight, Madras J. ser.1. 5: 12. 1837; FBI 1: 465. 1875; FPM 145. 1915; 

Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:177.1997. 

Herbs; stem blotched with brown spots, ribbed. Leaves scattered, 10-15 x 3-6 cm, elliptic, 

acute at either ends, crenate-serrate, pubescent; petiole to 7 cm long;. Racemes to 17 cm long, 

axillary; pedicels to 3 cm long. Flowers 3 cm across, solitary at nodes; lip 10 mm long, cuspidate; 

spur 15 mm long, tubular; sepals 6 x 3.5 mm, ovate; standard 5 x 6 mm, orbicular; wings 15-17 

mm long; lower lobe very small, rose coloured; upper lobe 15-17 x 10-11 mm, obovate, obtuse. 

Capsule 8 x 6 mm, bulged to one side, glabrous; seeds many, ovoid, smooth, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in wet areas evergreen forests; PS 19780, NS 


Impatiens minor (DC.) Bennet, Indian J. For. 2: 283. 1979; FTSR 78. 1996; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 

4:181.1997. Balsamina minor DC., Prodr. 1: 686. 1824. Impatiens kleinii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 

140. 1834; FBI 1: 445. 1874; FPM 140. 1915. 

Slender erect herbs; stem 10-30 cm high, glabrous. Leaves opposite, 3-8 x 1-1.5 cm, ellipticoblong, 

sub-entire, acute at either ends; base with stalked glands. Flowers paired, axillary; 

pedicel 15 mm long, deflexed in fruit; lip 4 x 1.5 mm, acute; spur 10 mm long, straight, slender; 

sepals 4 mm long, ovate; standard 5 x 4 mm, concave, acute; wings 8 x 3 mm, unlobed, obovate, 

stalked, white to pink. Capsule 13 x 2 mm, linear, glabrous; seeds few, 1.5 mm long, biconvex, 

dark-brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in grasslands; PS 30653 Karimala 

44

Impatiens oppositifolia L., Sp. Pl. 937. 1753; FBI 1: 448. 1874; FPM 141. 1915; FTSR 78. 1996; 

Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:187.1997. 

Slender glabrous, erect or decumbent herbs. Leaves subsessile, linear-oblong, acute, base 

rounded, margin serrulate or subentire, to 6 x 0.7 cm. Flowers pink-purple, 1.2-1.5 cm across; 

pedicels slender, 1.5 cm long, in fruits to 2.5 cm long. Lateral sepals lanceolate, 2.5 mm long; 

lower sepal boat-shaped, spur 1-2 mm long. Standard petal cucullate, cuspidate; wings broadly 

obovate. Capsule fusiform, 1 cm long. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30508 Thellikkal 

Impatiens parasitica Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser.2. 20: 66. t.7. f.2. 1859 & Ic. t. 140. 1868- 

1874; FPM 139. 1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:191.1997. I. jerdoniae Wight var. parasitica 

(Bedd.) Hook.f., FBI 1: 460. 1874. 

Epiphytic herbs; stem succulent, unevenly thickened, reddish. Leaves to 5 x 2.5 cm, elliptic, 

acute at either ends, serrate, collected towards the apex, glabrous; petiole to 1.5 cm long. Cymes 

2-4-flowered, axillary; peduncle 2 cm long, glabrous. Flowers 2 cm long; pedicels to 1.5 cm long; 

lip greenish at mouth, rest scarlet; spur 13 x 7 mm, reddish, striate, broad, obtuse; sepals 3 mm 

long, linear, green, acute; standard 12 x 14 mm, green with yellow margins, with a strong 

midrib; wings 7 x 7 mm, 2-lobed, lower lobe larger, flat, enter into the spur of the lip, red. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests at 

higher altitudes; PS 30507 Karimala 

Impatiens pulcherrima Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 37. 1850; FBI 1: 458. 1874; 

FPM 143. 1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:198.1997. 

Herbs or subshrubs; 40-70 cm high. Leaves alternate, to 10 x 3 cm, elliptic, acuminate at 

apex, acute at base, serrate, glabrous; petiole 3 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired; 

pedicels 3.5 cm long, slender; lip 10 x 5 mm, boat-shaped, acuminate, keeled; spur 12-14 mm 

long, slender, curved; sepals minute; standard 8 x 10 mm, notched at apex, cuspidate from back, 

keeled, glabrous; wings 16 mm long, 2-lobed; lobes subequal, oblong, obtuse, light-pink. Capsule 

10 x 3 mm, glabrous; seeds few, 1.5 x 1 mm, obovoid, rugose. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 30632 

Kariamchola 

Impatiens scapiflora Heyne ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 464. 1824; FBI 1: 443. 1874; FPM 138. 1915; 

FTSR 79. 1996; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:208.1997. I. rivalis Wight, Ic. t. 751. 1844. 

Stemless herbs. Leaves to 13 x 8 cm, ovate, obtuse, cordate at base, glabrous; petiole 10-20 

cm long. Scape to 35 cm long. Flowers 4 cm across, confined towards the apex; bracts 5-8 mm 

long, ovate, acute; pedicels 4-5 cm long; lip ovate, obtuse, spur 4-5 cm long, glabrous; sepals 4 x 

3 mm, ovate, acute; standard concave at base, obtuse at apex; lobes of wings subequal, oblong, 

obtuse. Capsule 1.2 cm long, ellipsoid, glabrous; seeds glandular-hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in moist rocky areas; PS 19512 Orukomban 

Impatiens viridiflora Wight, Madras J. Lit. Sci. Ser. 1, 5: 9. 1837; FBI 1: 460. 1874; FPM 139. 

1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:226.1997. 

Stem succulent, cylindrical, reddish or greenish coloured. Leaves 3-5 x 2-3 cm, elliptic, acute 

at either ends, glabrous, usually collected towards the tip of the stem; petiole 1-2 cm long. 

Cymes 1-4 flowered, axillary or terminal; pedicels drooping. Flowers scarlet-green; lip 1 cm 

45

oad at mouth, produced into the spur, scarlet or pink, glabrous; sepals 8 x 2 mm, ovate, green 

and pink; standard broad, reddish; wings 12 mm long, 2-lobed; lobes orbicular, obtuse, red,. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests at 

higher altitudes; NS 5649 Karimala Hills 

Impatiens viscosa Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. Ser. 1, 10: 66. t.7. f.7. 1859; FBI 1: 453. 1874; FPM 

144. 1915; FPL 101. 1990; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:228.1997. I. ballardii Bedd., Ic. 44, t. 192. 

1868-74; FBI 1: 482. 1874. 

Erect annuals, 30-40 cm high. Leaves opposite, to 7 x 4 cm, acute at either ends, crenate, 

glabrous; petioles 0.8-2 cm long, eglandular. Peduncles 8-10 cm long, axillary. Flowers 

restricted to the terminal portion; pedicels 2 cm long, slender; lip 7 x 4 mm, ovate, acuminate; 

spur 15 mm long, ensiform, acute; sepals ovate, acute; standard 4 x 4 mm, rounded at apex; 

wings 15 x 8 mm, 2-lobed; lower lobe very small; dorsal auricle filiform, 10 mm long, produced 

into the spur. Capsule 10 x 4mm, glabrous; seeds many, 1 x 0.5 mm, densely hairy, dark-brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in grasslands; PS 19279 Karimala 

Impatiens wightiana Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. Ser. 2. 20: 67. 1859 & Ic. t. 146. 1868-1874; FBI 

1: 467. 1875; FPM 145. 1915; Vivek. et al., Fl. Ind. 4:229.1997. 

Erect glabrous herbs. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded or 

obtuse, margins serrate or crenate; petiole to 7 cm long with a few stipitate glands below the 

lamina. Racemes 10-15 cm long; flowers 2 cm long, white with pink shade. Sepals small. 

Standard orbicular, apiculate. Lip funnel shaped, spur short, incurved. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in moist shades of evergreen forests; PS 


RUTACEAE 

1. Rachis and petiole winged ................................................................................................................... Naringi 

1. Rachis and petiole wingless............................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves simple .................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves compound ............................................................................................................................................ 5 

3. Climbing shrubs with recurved axillary thorns ........................................................................ Paramignya 

3. Erect shrubs or trees, with or without strait axillary thorns ...................................................................... 4 

4. Petiole to 2.5 cm long; flowers in long peduncled corymbs ......................................................... Acronychia 

4. Petiole to 1 cm long; flowers in short racemes, panicles or fascicles............................................. Atalantia 

5. Climbers, armed with axially or extra-axillary prickles.............................................................................. 6 

5. Erect shrubs or trees, unarmed rarely truncate with long prickles............................................................7 

6. Leaflets entire; stamen more than 8................................................................................................. Luvunga 

6. Leaflets serrate; stamen to 6............................................................................................................. Toddalia 

7. Leaves opposite................................................................................................................................... Melicope 

7. Leaves alternate.............................................................................................................................................. 8 

8. Stamens equal to the number of sepals.....................................................................................Zanthoxylum 

8. Stamens twice to the number of sepals......................................................................................................... 9 

9. Leaflets digitate; flowers unisexual...................................................................................................... Vepris 

9. Leaflets pinnate; flowers bisexual ............................................................................................................... 10 

10. Anthers glandular; style persistent ................................................................................................ Glycosmis 

10. Anthers eglandular; style deciduous ........................................................................................................... 11 

11. Leaflets glabrous; alternating stamens longer ................................................................................ Murraya 

11. Leaflets pubescent below; stamens all equal .................................................................................. Clausena 

46

ACRONYCHIA J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq., Fl. Ind. Bot. Suppl. 532. 1861; FPL 102. 1990; FTSR 80. 

1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:392.1997. Jambolifera pedunculata L., Sp. Pl. 349. 1753. 

Acronychia laurifolia Blume, Cat. Gew. Buitenz. 63. 1823; FBI 1: 498. 1875; FPM 152. 1915. A. 

barberi Gamble, Kew Bull. 1915: 345. 1915 & FPM 152. 1915. 

Small trees. Leaves 9-15 x 3-6 cm, obovate to oblong, obtusely acute at apex, acute at base. 

Panicle 5-8 cm across, axillary; peduncle to 6 cm long. Flowers bisexual, many, pedicelled; 

sepals 4, 1.5 mm long, ovate, obtuse; petals 4, 6 x 2 mm, oblong, densely hairy within; stamens 

8, 2-seriate; filaments unequal, densely reflexed-hairy; anthers oblong; ovary 4-celled, 

tomentose; style 1, 3 mm long. Drupe 10 mm across, globose, obtusely 3-angled. 

Fl. & Fr. July-August 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19134, 19552 

Kariamchola; NS 18988 Orukomban 

ATALANTIA Correa 

1. Inflorescence corymbose; calyx cupular.....................................................................................A. monophylla 

1. Inflorescence racemose or fascicled; calyx not cupular .................................................................................. 2 

2. Fruit ellipsoid; filaments free.............................................................................................................A. wightii 

2. Fruit globose; filaments united at least in lower half ..................................... A. racemosa var. bourdillonii 

Atalantia monophylla (L.) DC., Prodr. 1: 535. 1824; FBI 1: 511. 1875; FPM 159. 1915; Nair & 

Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:266.1997. Limonia monophylla L., Mant. Pl. 2: 237. 1771. Malnaregam 

malabarica Raf., Sylv. Tellur. 143. 1838. Atalantia floribunda Wight, Ic. t. 1611. 1850. 

Small trees, spines straight, axillary, 1.5 cm. Leaves to 6 x 3 cm long, elliptic, lanceolate, 

apex emarginate. Corymbs axillary, to 1.5 cm, pedicels 1 cm long, pubescent; flowers white; 

calyx 4-lobed; petals 4, 9 x 4 mm; ovary 4-celled. Berry 3 cm across, globose. 



Atalantia racemosa Wight var. bourdillonii Nairayanan Nair & Nayar, Indian J. For. 13: 69. 

1990; FTSR 80. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:271.1997. 

Small evergreen trees. Leaves elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong, obtusely acuminate, shortly 

emarginate, base broadly cuneate, glabrous, 8-12 x 3-5 cm; lateral nerves 12-20 pairs; petiole 

0.5 to 1 cm long. Flowers shortly pedicelled, in axillary racemes. Calyx 4-lobed, ciliate along the 

margins. Petals 4, oblong. Stamens 8, staminal tube glabrous. Ovary glandular punctate; style 

short. Berry subglobose,2 cm across. 



Muthuvarachal; 19346 Puliyala; NS 30190 Kottayali 

Atalantia wightii Tanaka, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 75: 714. 1928; FPL 103. 1990; FTSR 80. 1996; 

Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:274.1997. A. ceylanica (Arn.) Oliver, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 5. Suppl. 2: 25. 

1861, p.p. excl. basionym, quoad tantum specim. Nilgiri; Hook.f., FBI 1: 512. 1875; FPM 160. 

1915. 

Shrubs to 2 m high; branchlets minutely hispid. Leaves 8-11 x 3-5 cm, ovate, acute, tip 

rounded or emarginate, acute at base; nerves 10-12 pairs, prominent below, glabrous. Raceme 

to 1 cm long, pedicels 5 mm long, hispid. Flowers 12 mm across; sepals 2 mm long, ovate, acute, 

ciliate, petals white, 9 x 2 mm, oblong, obtuse; stamens 8, filaments 4 mm long, inner ones 

smaller; style 5 mm long. 

Fl. January-March 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19425 Pooppara; NS 18834 

Kottayali 

47

CLAUSENA N. L. Burman 

1. Flowers in axillary compound racemes, tetramerous ..................................................................... C. anisata 

1. Flowers in terminal corymbs or panicles, pentamerous ................................................................................ 2 

2. Young shoots puberulus; flowers in corymbs..................................................................................... C. indica 

2. Young shoots glabrous; flowers in thyrsoid panicles...............................................................C. austroindica 

Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. in Hook., Niger Fl. 256. 1849; Nair & Nayar, Fl. 

Ind. 4:321.1997. Amyris anisata Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 337. 1799. C. willdenowii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 

96. 1834; FBI 1: 506. 1875; FPM 155. 1915. C. willdenowii Wight & Arn. var. pubescens (Wight 

& Arn.) Hook. f., FBI 1: 506. 1875. C. dentata (Willd.) Roem. var. dulcis (Bedd.) Swingle, J. 

Wash. Acad. Sci. 28: 532. 1938. C. dentata (Willd.) Roem. var. pubescens (Wt.& Arn.) Tanaka, J. 

Bot. 68:277.1930; FTSR 81. 1996. 

Shrubs to small trees; bark brown; twigs puberulus. Leaves to 25 cm long; leaflets 7-9 pairs, 

sub-opposite, to 6 x 3 cm; ovate, acute, nerves 9 pairs, pubescent below. Panicles to 10 cm long, 

axillary. Flowers pedicelled; 8-10 mm across; sepals 4, 1 mm long, oblong, obtuse; petals 5 mm 

long, obovate, concave; stamens 8, filaments unequal, glabrous. Berry 8 mm across, globose, 

glandular; seeds few, seated in yellow pulp. 


Distr. India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19534 

Thekkady 

Clausena austroindica Stone & Nair, Nordic J. Bot. 14:491. 1994; Nair & Nayar, Fl. 

Ind. 4:322.1997. Clausena heptaphylla (Roxb.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 95. 1834; FBI 1: 

504. 1875; FPM 155. 1915; FPL 103. 1990; FTSR 81. 1996. 

Shrubs. Leaf 20-40 cm long, 7 or 8 foliolate; leaflets to 15 x 6 cm, elliptic, acute at 

apex, attenuate at base; petiolule 5 mm long. Panicle 20 x 5 cm, terminal. Flowers 

shortly pedicelled, 4 mm across; sepals 4 or 5, very small, ovate, acute; petals yellow, 

3 x 2 mm, concave, glabrous; filaments shorter than anthers, thickened at base; ovary 

depressed, globose; style constricted at base. Berry to 10 x 7 mm, ovoid; seeds 1, 

ovoid, rugulose. 


Distr. Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30827 Pooppara 

Clausena indica (Dalz.) Oliver, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 5: 36. 1861; FBI 1: 505. 1875; FPM 155. 1915; 

FPL 103. 1990; FTSR 81. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:328.1997. Piptostylis indica Dalz. in 

Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 33. t.2. 1851. 

Small trees. Leaves to 23 x 10 cm, 12-16-foliolate; leaflets alternate, 7 x 4 cm, ovate, oblique 

at base, acute or obtuse at apex; lateral nerves 5 pairs; petiolule 3 mm long. Panicle to 10 cm 

across, terminal or subterminal, branches puberulus. Flowers sessile, 3 mm across; sepals 

ovate, acute, ciliate; petals greenish white, 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, glabrous; stamens 10, filaments 

glabrous, Berry 8 mm across, globose, dark blue; seeds 1-4, biconvex, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; 

PS 19219, 19562, 19564 Kariamchola; 30398 Kuchimudi; 30252 Pezha 

GLYCOSMIS Correa 

1. Flowers in short axillary cymes; ovary seated on minutes fleshy disk.............. G. cyanocarpa var. cymosa 

1. Flowers in axillary and terminal panicles; ovary seated on a distinct gynophore ...................................... 2 

2. Sepals glabrous; berry more than 1.5 cm across ......................................................................G. macrocarpa 

2. Sepals ciliate; berry to 1 cm across .................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Ovary puberulus; peduncles and branches ferrugenously pubescent ................................... G. pentaphylla 

3. Ovary glabrous; peduncles and branches rusty pubescent...................................................... G. mauritiana 

48

Glycosmis cyanocarpa (Blume) Spreng. var. cymosa Kurz, J. Bot. 14:34. 1876; Nair & Nayar, 

Fl. Ind. 4: 336.1997. Cookia cyanocarpa Blume, Bijdr. 3: 136. 1825. Glycosmis cymosa (Kurz) 

Narayana Swamy, Rec. Bot. Surv. India 14: 26. 1941. 

Small slender trees, branchlets glabrous. Leaves mostly 3-5 foliolate; leaflets lanceolate or 

elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, base acute, entire, glabrous, to 12 x 3 cm; lateral nerves ca. 10 

pairs, slender; petiolule ca. 3 mm long. Flowers creamy white, buds globose. Calyx lobes short, 

ciliolate along margins. Petals 5, glandular. Stamens 10. Ovary ovoid or oblong, glabrous, 4-5 

celled. Berry pink-red, ca. 1 cm long. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19606 Orukomban; NS 30435 

Karimala 

Glycosmis macrocarpa Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 109. 1840; FTSR 82. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. 

Ind. 4:338.1997. G. pentaphylla Hook. f. var. macrocarpa (Wight) Hook.f., FBI 1: 500. 1875. 

Shrubs, to 2 m high; leaflets 3-7, to 22 x 7 cm, elliptic, obtusely acuminate at apex, acute at 

base, pale beneath, nerves 8 pairs; petiolule 5 mm long. Panicle 4 x 3 cm, terminal, congested; 

peduncle to 3 cm long. Flowers 4 mm across, densely packed; sepals triangular, acute, 

spreading; petals 2 x 1 mm, ovate, obtuse; stamens 10, filaments equal to anthers in length; 

ovary 3-celled. Berry globose, greenish-red. 

Fl. & Fr. August-February 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 18813 Parambikulam; 


Glycosmis mauritiana (Lam.) Tanaka, Bot. Not. 1928: 159. 1928; FPL 104. 1990; Nair & Nayar, 

Fl. Ind. 4:343.1997. Limonia mauritiana Lam., Encycl. 3: 517. 1792. L. pentaphylla Roxb., Pl. 

Corom. t. 84. 1798, non Retz. 1788. Glycosmis pentaphylla sensu Narayana., Rec. Bot. Surv. 

India 14:12. 1941, excel syn. 

Shrubs to 1.5 m high; stem reddish, glabrous or puberulus. Leaves 5-foliolate, leaflets to 18 x 

7 cm, obovate, obtuse at apex, acute at base, nerves 10-12 pairs, reticulate beneath. Panicle to 

10 x 5 cm, ferrugineous tomentose. Flowers 4 mm across, sessile; sepals triangular, ciliate, 

petals white, 3 x 2 mm, obovate, obtuse, glandular; stamens 10; filaments shorter than anthers. 

Berry pale pink, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19127, NS 19553 Kariamchola 

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC., Prodr. 1: 538. 1824, quoad basionym; FBI 1: 499. 1875, p.p; 

FTSR 82. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:343.1997. Limonia pentaphylla Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 24. 

1788. L. arborea Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 85. 1798. Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) DC., Prodr. 1: 538. 

1824. G. cochinchinensis Gamble, FPM 153. 1915p.p, non (Lour.) Pierre ex Engl. 1896. 

Shrubs to small trees. Leaves pinnate; leaflets 3-7, elliptic or oblong, acute, acuminate or 

obtuse, finely serrate or entire, glabrous, 7-15 x 2.5-6 cm; lateral nerves 5-7, faint. Flowers 

creamy white. Peduncle brown tomentose. Calyx lobes minute, ciliolate along the margins. 

Stamens 10, filaments tapering towards apex. Berry globose, white, turning to dull pink. 

Fl. & Fr. September-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19030 Kannimara 

LUVUNGA Buchanan-Hamilton ex Wight & Arnott 

Luvunga eleutherandra Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 258. 1850; FBI 1: 509. 1875; 

FPM 157. 1915; FTSR 83. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:296.1997. L. sarmentosa (Blume) 

Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 39: 6. 1870. Triphasia sarmentosa Blume, Bijdr. 1: 132. 1825. 

49

Large woody climbing shrubs, thorns axillary, 2 cm long, recurved. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflet 

to 12 x 4 cm, oblong, acute or obtuse at apex, acute at base, shining above; nerves obscure; 

petiole 6 cm long; petiolule 8 mm long, thick. Cymes axillary, 3 cm across, sessile or shortly 

pedunculate. Flowers 1 cm across, shortly pedicelled; calyx cupular, shallowly 4-lobes; petals 4, 

8 x 3 mm, oblong; stamens 8, filaments 4 mm long; anthers cleft at base, oblong; ovary 4-celled; 

ovules paired in each cell; style stout; stigma terminal, capitate. Fruit a berry, 2.5 x 2 cm, 

globose-oblong, smooth; seeds 1-4-oblong, covered with mucilaginous pulp. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30245 Pezha 

MELICOPE J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

Melicope lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) Hartley, Sandakania 4: 61. 1994; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 

4:369.1997. Fagara lunu-ankenda Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 334, t. 68. f. 9. 1778. Euodia lunuankenda 

(Gaertn.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 7: 378. 1912; FPM 148. 1915; FPL 104. 1990; FTSR 82. 

1996. E. roxburghiana (Cham.) Benth., Fl. Hongk. 59. 1861; FBI 1: 487. 1875. E. lunu-ankenda 

(Gaertn.) Merr. var. tirunelvelica Henry & Chandrab., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 15: 144. 1973. 

Medium size trees; bark brown, smooth; branchlets minutely pubescent. Leaves opposite, 3- 

foliolate; leaflets to 18 x 8 cm, elliptic, abruptly acuminate at apex, acute at base; nerves 16-22 

pairs, parallel; petiole 10 cm long. Panicle 15 x 5 cm, axillary, densely pubescent. Flowers 

unisexual, polygamous, 3 mm across; sepals 4, 1 mm long, ovate, acute, tomentose; petals 4, 2 

mm long, ovate; stamens 4, free; ovary deeply 4-lobed, 4-celled; ovules 2 in each cell; stigma 4- 

lobed. Fruits 4, 1-seeded cocci, 3 mm diam.; seeds globose, rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30276 Pooppara 

MURRAYA J.G.Koenig ex Linnaeus 

Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack., Malay. Misc. 1: 31. 1820; FPL 105. 1990; FTSR 83. 1996; Nair & 

Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:352.1997. Chalcas paniculata L., Mant. Pl. 1: 68. 1767. Murraya exotica L., 

Mant. Pl. 2: 563. 1771; FBI 1: 502. 1875; FPM 155. 1915. 

Shrubs; branchlets white, glabrous. Leaves pinnately 3-5 foliolate, leaflets 3-8 x 2-4 cm, 

ovate, obtusely acuminate, crenulate, terminal the largest. Flowers 3-7 together in axillary 

cymes; sepals 5,1 mm long, ovate, acute; petals white, 17 x 6 mm, oblanceolate, clawed, 

imbricate; stamens 10, 2-seriate, filaments 8 mm long, inner smaller; anthers ovate; ovary 2- 

celled; oblong, glabrous; style slender; stigma capitate. Berry 15 x 7 mm, oblong, reddish; seeds 

planoconvex, densely white-woolly. 

Fl. & Fr. May-October 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19319 Kothala; 30171 

Kottayali 

NARINGI Adanson 

Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nicols. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl Hassan Dist. 387. 1976; FPL 106. 1990; 

FTSR 84. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:302.1997. Limonia crenulata Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 86. 

1798; FPM 157. 1915. Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.) Roem., Syn. Monogr. 1: 38. 1846. 

Limonia acidissima sensu Hook. f., FBI 1: 507. 1875, non L. 1762. 

Large shrubs or small trees, armed with axillary erect spines; branchlets angled, white. 

Leaves 3-7-foliolate; leaflets opposite, to 5 x 2 cm, elliptic-obovate, obtuse or obtusely acute, 

crenate; rachis winged. Flowers 6-8 mm across, 3-6 together in axillary cymes; pedicel 10 mm 

long; sepals 4, free or united at base; petals 4, 4 x 2 mm, oblong, white; stamens 8, filaments 

equal; anthers sagitate at base; ovary globose, 4-celled; style stout; stigma capitate. Berry 8 mm 

across, globose; seeds 1-3, ovoid, dull yellow, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Very common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19636 Vengoli 

50

PARAMIGNYA Wight 

Paramignya monophylla Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 108, t.42. 1840; FBI 1: 510. 1875; FPM 158. 

1915; FTSR 84. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:312.1997. 

Climbing shrubs, branches with recurved axillary thorns. Leaflet ovate-oblong or elliptic, 

obtuse or acute, mucronate, base rounded, coriaceous, glabrous, 5-10 x 25-5 cm; lateral nerves 

and reticulation not prominent. Flowers 1-3, axillary; calyx cupular, 5-lobed, pubescent; petals 

white, narrowly oblong, imbricate; stamens 10; ovary densely pubescent; style puberulent. 

Fl. March 

Distr. South Asia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30502 Orukomban 

TODDALIA A. L. Jussieu 

Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 2: 116. 1797; FPM 150. 1915; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 

4:403.1997. Paullinia asiatica L., Sp. Pl. 365. 1753. Toddalia aculeata (Smith) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 

249. 1805; FBI 1: 497. 1875. Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. var. floribunda (Wall.) Kurz, J. Asiat. 

Soc. Bengal pt.2, Nat. Hist. 44: 130. 1875; FPM 107. 1915; FPL 106. 1990; FTSR 85. 1996. 

Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. var. obtusifolia Gamble, FPM 151. 1915. Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. 

var. gracilis Gamble, FPM 151. 1915. 

Erect or climbing shrubs, usually armed with prickles. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets to 9 x 4 cm, 

elliptic-obovate, obtuse or obtusely acute, entire or crenulate, nerves many, closely packed. 

Panicles axillary or terminal. Flowers pedicelled, unisexual; sepals 4 or 5, united below; petals 4 

or 5, oblong, yellow; stamens in male flowers 5, filaments equal, spreading; anthers oblong, 

obtuse; ovary 4 or 5-celled, ovoid, glabrous, ovule 2 in each cell; style absent, stigma capitate, 

sessile. Berry 7 x10 mm, depressed-globose; seeds 1-4, ovoid, in fleshy pulp. 

Fl. & Fr. December-August 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19235 

Vengoli; 19430 Pooppara; NS 18915 Karimala 

VEPRIS Commerson ex A. Jussieu 

Vepris bilocularis (Wight & Arn.) Engl. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 3:178. 1896 & (ed.2) 

19a:306. 1931; FPM 151. 1915; FTSR 85. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:405.1997. Toddalia 

bilocularis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 149. 1834; FBI 1: 497. 1875. Dipetalum bioculare (Wight & 

Arn.) Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 138. 1850. 

Medium trees, bark white corky; branchlets glabrous. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets to 19 x 7 

cm, obovate-oblanceolate, abruptly acuminate, entire; nerves many, closely parallel, joining into 

an intramarginal vein; petiole to 7 cm long. Panicles 6 x 5 cm, terminal. Flowers 4 mm across, 

polygamous; pedicels 3 mm long; sepals 3, ovate, free; petals 3, orbicular; stamens 3, equal, 

filaments broad at base; anthers ovate, sagitate at base; ovary 2-celled and conical in male 

flowers, 4-celled and globose in female flowers. Fruit a berry, 15 x 12 mm, 2-4 celled; seeds 

planoconvex. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30187 Kottayali 

ZANTHOXYLUM Linnaeus 

1. Leaves digitate; branchlets unarmed or with small retrorse prickles..................................... Z. ovalifolium 

1. Leaves pinnate; trunk with woody prickles....................................................................................... Z. rhetsa 

Zanthoxylum ovalifolium Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 169. 1839; FBI 1: 492. 1875; FPM 150. 1915; 

FPL 106. 1990; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:384.1997. 

Erect shrubs; stem brownish, smooth; leaflets digitate, to 12 x 4.5 cm, elliptic-obovate, 

abruptly acuminate, glabrous, nerves 15-18 pairs with an irregular intramarginal vein; petioles 

51

5-10 cm long. Panicle 3 x 2 cm, axillary, puberulus. Flowers few; male flowers 2-3 mm long; 

sepals 4, triangular; petals 2-3 mm long, white; stamens 4; female flowers 3-4 mm long; 

staminodes 4, filiform; pedicels 5 mm long. Capsule 6 mm across, globose, dark brown, seed 1, 

globose, shining. 

Fl. & Fr. December-January 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30223 Karimala 

Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC., Prodr. 1: 728. 1824; FBI 1: 495. 1875; FPM 150. 1925; FTSR 

85. 1996; Nair & Nayar, Fl. Ind. 4:387.1997. Fagara rhetsa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 438. 1820. 

Zanthoxylum limonella (Dennst.) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceyl. 6: 37. 1931. Fagara 

budrunga Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 437. 1820. Zanthoxylum budrunga (Roxb.) DC., Prodr. 1: 728. 1824; 

FBI 495. 1875; FPM 150. 1915. 

Medium deciduous trees, armed with stout prickles. Leaves imparipinnate, clustered at the 

apex of branchlets, 25-35 cm long; leaflets 13-21, opposite, elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong, 

caudate acuminate, base oblique, entire, glabrous, to 12 x 5 cm; lateral nerves 10-12 pairs, 

slender. Flowers pedicelled, 2-3 mm across, greenish-yellow, in terminal cymose panicles. Fruit 

tubercled; seeds globose, smooth, 3 mm across. 

Fl. & Fr. December-August 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30269 Pooppara 

SIMAROUBACEAE 

AILANTHUS Desfontaines 

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., Pl. Corom. 1: 24, t. 23. 1795; FBI 1: 518. 1875; Basak, Fl. Ind. 

4:410.1997. Pongelion wightii Tieghem, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. 1: 277. 1906. 

Medium trees. Leaves pari or imparipinnate, to 1 m long; leaflets alternate to subopposite, 8- 

14 pairs, 15 x 8 cm, ovate, lanceolate, acute, base unequal, truncate, widely dentate along the 

lower half, densely tomentose on the lower side, thinly on the upper side; petiole to 3 cm. 

Panicles subterminal; flowers polygamous, pedicels 0.8 cm; sepals 5, 1 mm, ovate, pubescent; 

petals 5; stamens 10, inserted at the base of 10-lobed disc, filaments 1 mm; anthers oblong, 2 

mm. 

Fl. December-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30768 Keerappadi 

BURSERACEAE 

1. Branchlets velvety tomentose; stamens connate into a tube .........................................................Canarium 

1. Branchlets glabrous; stamen free .................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaflets ovate or oblong, apex caudate; flowers 4-merous......................................................... Commiphora 

2. Leaflets oblong-lanceolate, apex acuminate; flowers 5-merous ..........................................................Garuga 

CANARIUM Linnaeus 

Canarium strictum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 138. 1832; FBI 1: 534. 1875; FPM 172. 1915; FPL 107. 

1990; FTSR 86. 1996; Chithra & Henry, Fl. Ind. 4:440.1997. C. sikkimense King, J. Asiat. Soc. 

Bengal 62: 187, t.11,12. 1894. C. resiniferum Brace ex King, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. 

Hist. 62: 188. 1894. 

Large trees, bark white, peeling, exuding a resin; branchlets dark-fulvous-tomentose. Leaves 

alternate, imparipinnate, 30-60 cm long; leaflets 9-11 pairs, 16 x 7 cm, ovate, acuminate, 

serrulate, nerves parallel. Flowers in large terminal panicles, 3-6 together; calyx cupular, 5- 

52

lobed, densely tomentose; petals 3, white, 1 cm long, oblong, stamens 6, filaments connate at 

base; ovary 2 or 3-celled; ovules 2 in each cell; styles 1, stout; stigma capitate. Fruit a drupe, 3.5 

x 1.5 cm, ellipsoid, dark blue, 1-3-celled; seeds 1-3. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30164 Pezha 

COMMIPHORA N. J. Jacquin 

Commiphora caudata (Wight & Arn.) Engl. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 4: 27. 1883; FPM 171. 1915; 

Chithra & Henry, Fl. Ind. 4:443.1997. Protium caudatum Wight & Arn., Prodr. 176. 1834; FBI 

1: 530. 1875. P. caudatum Wight & Arn. var. roxburghiana (Wight & Arn.) Bennet in Hook. f., 

FBI 1: 530. 1875. P. roxburghiana Wight & Arn., Prodr. 176. 1834. 

Armed trees, bark green, peeling off in thin scales. Leaves 3-7-foliate, rachis 6-15 cm; leaflets 

opposite, 6 x 4.5 cm, ovate, oblong or elliptic; petiole to 6 cm. Flowers polygamous, bisexual 

flowers-sepals 4, ovate; petals 4, 4 mm, cream, reflexed; stamens 8, 1 and 2 mm; ovary ovoid, 

stigma 2-lobed. Drupe 1.5 x 1 cm, globose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30403 Kuchimudi 

GARUGA Roxburgh 

Garuga floribunda Decne., Nouv. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 3: 477. 1834, var. gamblei (W. Smith) 

Kalkam, Blumea 7: 466. 1953; Chithra & Henry, Fl. Ind. 4:448.1997. G. gamblei King ex W. 

Smith, Rec. Bot. Surv. Ind. 4: 262. 1911; FPM 169. 1915. 

Medium trees, bark white with dark spots. Leaves apically clustered, to 30 cm; leaflets 

subopposite, 7 x 2-2.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, base cuneate, oblique, serrate. Panicle axillary, to 

25 cm; flowers polygamous, bisexual flowers-calyx campanulate, lobes 5, 1.5 mm, ovate, 

tomentose; petals 4 x 2 mm, oblong, acute, yellow turns to white, disc 10-lobed, crenate; 

stamens 10, filaments 1.5 and 2 mm; anthers versatile; ovary pubescent, 5-celled, ovules 2 per 

cell, style, 2.5 mm, pubescent, stigma 5-lobed. Drupe 1.5 x 1 cm, globose, 4-lobed. 


Distr. India, Bangladesh and West China. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30731 

Keerappadi 

MELIACEAE 

1. Petiole winged................................................................................................................................. Naregamia 

1. Petiole not winged ........................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Seeds winged; cells many ovuled ................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Seeds not winged; cells one or two ovuled..................................................................................................... 4 

3. Young shoots glabrous; filaments free...................................................................................................Toona 

3. Young shoots tomentose; filaments united ................................................................................... Chukrasia 

4. Perennial herbs or subshrubs ......................................................................................................... Munronia 

4. Trees or woody shrubs .................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Leaflets entire.................................................................................................................................................. 6 

5. Leaflets toothed ............................................................................................................................................. 11 

6. Leaves with domatia in the nerve axils........................................................................ Reinwardtiodendron 

6. Leaves without domatia in the nerve axils ................................................................................................... 7 

7. Peduncle to 25 cm long; staminal tube with bilobed appendages...................................................Trichilia 

7. Peduncle to 10 cm long; staminal tube without bilobed appendages ......................................................... 8 

8. Young parts covered with stellate hairs or fimbriate scale; disc obscure.......................................... Aglaia 

8. Young parts otherwise; disc prominent......................................................................................................... 9 

9. Panicles longer than the leaves, drooping; petals 3 .................................................................Aphanamixis 

9. Panicles shorter than the leaves, erect; petals 5 ........................................................................................ 10 

53

10. Leaves trifoliolate................................................................................................................................Walsura 

10. Leaves 5-many, foliolate ................................................................................................................ Dysoxylum 

11. Leaves simple ...................................................................................................................................... Turraea 

11. Leaves trifoliolate or pinnate ....................................................................................................................... 12 

12. Leaves bipinnate ......................................................................................................................................Melia 

12. Leaves simple pinnate .................................................................................................................................. 13 

13. Branchlets tomentose; ovary 5-celled .............................................................................................Cipadessa 

13. Branchlets glabrous; ovary 3-celled.............................................................................................Azadirachta 

AGLAIA Loureiro 

1. Leaves simple.............................................................................................................A. simplicifolia 

1. Leaves 3-many foliolate.................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaf rachis and nerves below densely brown tomentose..........................................A. tomentosa 

2. Leaf rachis and nerves glabrous or scaly ....................................................................................... 3 

3. Panicle to 40 cm long.....................................................................................................A. perviridis 

3. Panicle to 15 cm long........................................................................................................................ 4 

4. Base of the leaflets unequal and oblique.............................................................................A. lawii 

4. Base of the leaflets equal and not oblique...................................................................................... 5 

5. Young shoot reddish brown tomentose; seeds with white mucilaginous aril..............A. barberi 

5. Young shoot not brownish tomentose; seeds exarillate .......................................A. elaeagnoidea 

Aglaia barberi Gamble, Kew Bull. 1915: 346. 1915 & FPM 180. 1915; FTSR 88. 1996; Jain & 

Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:457.1997. 

Small to medium trees; bark reddish brown, smooth. Leaves to 20 cm long, 7-foliolate; 

leaflets to 10 x 3 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, glabrous, nerves to 15 pairs; petiolule 3 mm 

long. Panicles to 15 x 6 cm, axillary, densely scaly. Flowers 1.5 mm across, globose; calyx rim 

ciliate; petals 4, 1 x 1 mm, orbicular; staminal tube i mm long; anthers 5, ovate. Berry 2.5 cm 

across, globose, brownish puberulus. 

Fl. & Fr. January-July 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19116 Kariamchola; 30162 

Pezha 

Aglaia elaeagnoidea (Juss.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 1: 383. 1863; Pannell, Kew Bull. (Add. ser. XVI) 

143.1992; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:461.1997. Nemedra elaeagnoidea Juss., Mem. Mus. Natl. 

Hist. Nat. 19: 259, t. 14. 1830. Aglaia roxburghiana (Wight & Arn.) Miq., Ann. Mus. Ludg.-Bat. 

4: 41. 1868; FPM 180. 1915. A. wallichii Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 555. 1875. A. roxburghiana 

(Wight & Arn.) Miq. var. beddomei Gamble, FPM 180. 1915. A. roxburghiana (Wight & Arn.) 

Miq. var. courtallensis Gamble, FPM 180. 1915. A. elaeagnoides (Juss.) Benth. var. beddomei 

(Gamble) Nair, JBNHS 78: 426. 1981; FPL 109. 1990; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:462.1997. 

Medium trees, bark red; branchlets covered with brownish scales. Leaves imparipinnate, 18- 

20 cm; leaflets 5 pairs, opposite, 8-12 x 3-3.5 cm, elliptic-obovate, apex acuminate, base crenate, 

scaly on both surface, densely so below. Panicles axillary, to 11 cm; flowers polygamo-dioecious, 

yellow; calyx campanulate, scaly; petals 5, 2 x 1 mm; staminal tube 1.5 mm, entire at apex; 

anthers included. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Pacific Islands. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19907 Kariamchola 

Aglaia lawii (Wight) Sald. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 392. 1976; FPL 109. 1990; 

Pannell, Kew Bull. (Add. ser. XVI) 97.1992; FTSR 88. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:471.1997. 

Nimmonia lawii Wight, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 7: 13. 1847. Nemedra nimmonii Dalz. & Gibs., 

Bombay Fl. 37. 1861. Amoora lawii (Wight) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 133. 1871; FBI 1: 561. 1875; FPM 

54

181. 1915. Amoora canarana (Turcz.) Hiern in Hook. f., FBI 1: 560. 1875. Aglaia jainii Viswan. 

& Ramach., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 24: 212. 1982 (1983). 

Trees; branchlets and younger parts covered with light brown fimbriate scales. Leaves 6-8 

foliolate; leaflets to 15 x 7 cm, elliptic-oblong, abruptly acuminate at apex, oblique at base, 

densely scaly; nerves 7-9 pairs, nervules indistinct; petiole 1 cm long. Panicle to 10 x 8 cm, 

axillary. Flowers 5 mm across; calyx 3 mm across, cupular, lobes obscure; petals 4 x 4 mm, 

orbicular, concave, glabrous, not spreading; staminal tube 3 mm long, globose; anthers 10. 

Berry 2 x 1.5 cm, obovoid, obtuse, smooth, brown. 

Fl. & Fr. February-July 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Pacific Islands. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19137 Kariamchola; 19371 

Orukomban 

Aglaia perviridis Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 556. 1875; Pannell, Kew Bull. (Add. ser. XVI) 

198.1992; FTSR 91. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4: 473. 1997. A. maiae Bourd., JBNHS 12: 

350. t.11. 1899; FPM 180. 1915; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:473. 1997.. A. canarensis Gamble, 

FPM 180. 1915. 

Trees, branchlets covered with reddish scales. Leaves to 45 cm long, 9-11-foliolate; leaflets to 

17 x 6 cm, ovate-oblong, acute at apex, scales on midrib only; nerves to 17 pairs, irregular; 

petiolule 8 mm long. Panicles 40 x 20 cm, axillary, sparsely scaly. Flowers 2.5 mm across, 5- 

merous; calyx lobes obtuse, ciliate; petals 2 mm long, obovate; staminal tube 1.5 mm long; 

anthers 5. Berry 2 x 1.5 cm, ovoid, brownish-red. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30242 Pezha 

Aglaia simplicifolia (Bedd.) Harms, Pflanzenf. (ed. 2) 196. 1: 146. 1940; Pannell, Kew Bull. (Add. 

ser. XVI) 306.1992; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:474.1997. Beddomea simplicifolia Bedd., Fl. Sylv. 

t. 135. 1871; FBI 1: 566. 1875; FPM 184. 1915. B. simplicifolia var. parviflora Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 

135. 1871. B. simplicifolia var. racemosa Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t.135. 1871. 

Small trees or large shrubs; branchlets stellate hairy. Leaves to 13 x 5 cm, elliptic, shortly 

acuminate, nerves 10-12 pairs, nervules parallel; petiole 2 cm long, jointed above the middle. 

Panicle 5 cm across, very hairy. Flowers 6 mm across, 5-6-merous; calyx-lobes obtuse, densely 

hairy; petals 3 x 3 mm orbicular, dull white, glabrous; anthers 5; ovary stellate hairy. Drupe 3 x 

2 cm; obovoid, acute at apex, dark brown, stellate hairy many ridged. 


Distr. Indo-Malaysia. Fairly common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30226, NS 


Aglaia tomentosa Teijsm. & Binn., Nat. Tijdsch. Ned. Ind. 27: 43. 1864; Pannell, Kew Bull. 

(Add. ser. XVI) 331.1992; FTSR 91. 1996. A. minutiflora Bedd., Ic. t. 192. 1868-1874; FPM 181. 

1915; FPL 109. 1990. A. minutiflora Bedd. var. travancorica Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 557. 1875. 

A. cordata Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 557. 1875. Aglaia exstipulata sensu Balak. in JBNHS 

67:57.1970, non (Griff.) Theobald 1883; FTM 61; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:465.1997. 

Small to medium trees, bark brown; young shoots densely brown-tomentose. Leaves to 50 cm 

long; leaflets 11-13 pairs, to 20 x 6 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded, densely 

brown-tomentose below; lateral nerves to 20 pairs, parallel; petiolule 5 mm long; rachis angled. 

Panicle 40 x 20 cm, densely stellate-hairy; pedicels 2 mm long. Flowers 1.5 mm diam.; sepals 

ovate, obtuse; petals 4, orbicular, glabrous; staminal tube 1 mm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 19764 

Pooppara 

APHANAMIXIS Blume 

55

Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) Parker, Indian For. 57: 486. 1931; FPL 110. 1990; FTSR 94. 

1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:477.1997. Aglaia polystachya Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 429. 

1824. Amoora rohituka (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. in Wight, Cat 24. 1833 & Prodr. 119. 1834; FBI 1: 

559. 1875; FPM 181. 1915. Amoora beddomei Kosterm., Acta Bot. Neerl. 31: 133. 1982. 

Shrubs or small trees. Leaves 20-65 cm long, 7-17-foliolate; leaflets 10-23 x 3-7 cm, opposite, 

ovate-oblong, acute, glabrous; nerves to 13 pairs; petiolule 5 mm long. Panicle to 70 cm long, 

drooping, many-flowered; pedicels 6 mm long. Flowers 8 mm across; sepals 5, orbicular, thick; 

petals 3, orbicular; staminal tube 4 mm long, globose; anthers 8, oblong, sessile; ovary 3-celled, 

conical; ovules 2 in each cell; style absent, stigma capitate, 3-ridged. Capsule 2.5-3 cm across, 3- 

lobed, shortly stalked, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. July-February 

Distr. India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in 

evergreen forests; PS 19789 Kanthalppara; 30375 Pandaravarai 

AZADIRACHTA A. Jussieu 

Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Mem. Mus. Par. 19: 221. 1830; FPM 177. 1915; FPL 113. 1990; 

FTSR 100. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:478.1997. Melia azadirachta L., Sp. Pl. 385. 1753; 

FBI 1: 544. 1875. Melia indica Brandis, Forest Fl. N. W. India 67. 1874. 

Medium trees. Leaves imparipinnate, 15-25 cm; leaflets 7 pairs, subopposite or opposite, 5-8 

x 2-2.5 cm, acuminate, base oblique, serrate, glabrous; petiolule to 2 cm. Panicle axillary, to 17 

cm, pedicels 0.5 cm; flowers bisexual; calyx lobes 5, ovate, ciliate; petals 5 x 1.5 mm, oblong, 

narrowed at base, pubescent; staminal tube 10-lobed, to 4 mm, glabrous; anthers slightly 

exserted; ovary 3-celled, ovules 2 per cell, stigma 3-lobed. Drupe 1.5 x 0.5 cm, oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Grown as an avenue plant; PS 30767 Parambikulam 

CHUKRASIA A. Jussieu 

Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss., Mem. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 19: 251. t.22. 1830; FBI 1: 568. 1875; 

FPM 186. 1915; FPL 110. 1990; FTSR 94. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:481.1997. C. velutina 

Roem., Fam. Nat. Syn. Monogr. 1: 135. 1846. 

Tall trees; branchlets glabrous or velvety hairy. Leaves to 30 cm long, imparipinnate; leaflets 

alternate, to 13 x 6 cm, ovate, acute, sharply unequal at base, glabrous or hairy; petiolule 1 cm 

long. Panicle to 20 cm across, terminal; bracts lanceolate. Flowers bisexual, yellowish-white, 

calyx campanulate, 6 mm across, 3 mm long, hairy or glabrous; petals 5-6, 10 mm long, oblong; 

staminal tube cylindrical, anthers 10; ovary densely hairy, 3-5-celled; ovules many in each cell, 

style stout, stigma clavate. Fruit a capsule, 5 x 4 cm, 4-5-valved, glabrous; seeds many, winged. 

Fl. & Fr. February-December 

Distr. Indo-China. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19409, 30354 Kariamchola 

CIPADESSA Blume 

Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 4: 6. 1868; FPM 176. 1915; FPL 

110. 1990; FTSR 95. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:482.1997. Melia baccifera Roth, Nov. Pl. 

Sp. 215. 1821. Ekebergia indica Roxb. ex Hoffsgg. Verz. Pfl.-Kult. (Suppl. 2) 9, 34. 1828 & Fl. 

Ind. 2: 392. 1832. Cipadessa fruticosa Blume, Bijdr. 162. 1825; FBI 1: 545. 1875. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 30 cm long, 7-9-foliolate; leaflets to 10 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute, serrate, 

hispid along the nerves below. Flowers 5 mm across, in long peduncled axillary cymes; calyx 

cupular, 5-lobed; petals 3.5 x 1 mm, oblong, pale yellow; stamens 10, filaments adnate below; 

anthers oblong; ovary truncate, 5-celled, glabrous, 5-celled; ovules 2 in each cell style one short; 

stigma clavate. Drupe 5 mm across, reddish, glabrous; seeds 1 or 2, angled. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18970 Vengoli 

DYSOXYLUM Blume 

56

1. Leaflets alternate; ovary 2 celled.................................................................................................. D. beddomei 

1. Leaflets opposite or sub-opposite; ovary 3-5 celled................................................................D. malabaricum 

Dysoxylum beddomei Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 548. 1875; FPM 178. 1915; FTSR 95. 1996; Jain 

& Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:485.1997. 

Small trees; branchlets minutely hispid. Leaves to 25 cm long; leaflets 5-9, alternate, to 13 x 

5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute at both ends, nerves to 20 pairs, parallel; petiolule 1 cm long. Panicle 

1-1.5 cm across, axillary. Flowers few; calyx 4 mm across, cupular, sub-entire, hispid; petals 4, 5 

x 2.5 mm, oblong, hispid outside; staminal tube hispid along 4 vertical lines outside; disc 

toothed. Capsule 8 x 6 cm, obovoid, stalked, acute at apex, vertically ridged, coarsely rugose. 



Orukomban 

Dysoxylum malabaricum Bedd. ex Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 548. 1875; FPM 178. 1915; FTSR 95. 

1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:489.1997. D. glandulosum Talb., Syst. List. Trees Bombay 39. 

1894. 

Tall trees; bark corky-lenticellate; branchlets densely hispid. Leaves to 40 x 20 cm; 10- 

foliolate; leaflets to 19 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, acute, rounded at base, nerves 17-19 pairs, 

prominent below; petiolule 8 mm long. Raceme 15-20 cm long, axillary. Flowers shortly 

pedicellate; calyx 1.5 mm long, deeply lobed; petals 9 x 3 mm, oblong, acute; staminal tube 7 

mm long; disk hispid at rim; style 5 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30650 Pezha 

MELIA Linnaeus 

Melia dubia Cav., Diss. 7: 364. 1789; FBI 1: 545. 1875; FPL 111. 1990; FTSR 97. 1996; Jain & 

Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:495.1997. M. composita Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 509. 1799; FPM 176. 1915. M. 

superba Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 396. 1832. M. robusta Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 397. 1832. 

Large trees; branchlets lenticellate. Leaves 3 pinnate, to 40 cm long, secondary rachis 3 

pairs; leaflets 2-5 pairs, opposite, 5-8 x 2-3 cm, ovate, lanceolate, apex acuminate, base cordate, 

serrate; petiole to 10 cm, petiolule to 1 cm. Panicles axillary, to 18 cm; flowers white; calyx lobes 

1.5-2 mm, ovate, pubescent; petals 7 x 1 mm, obovate; staminal tube 6 mm; anther exserted; 

ovary 5-celled, 1 mm, stigma capitate. Drupe 2 x 1 cm, globose. 

Fl. & Fr. March-January 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18806 Anakkalvayal 

MUNRONIA Wight 

Munronia pinnata (Wall.) Harms, Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges. 35: 78. 1917; FPL 111. 1990; FTSR 

97. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:497.1997. Turraea pinnata Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 21. t.119. 

1829. Munronia wallichii Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: t.54. 1840; FBI 1: 543. 1875; FPM 175. 1915. 

Shrubs, younger parts villous. Leaves to 30 cm long, imparipinnate; leaflets 10-14, opposite, 

to 13 x 5.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, rounded or cordate at base, hispid, below. Flowers few, in 

axillary short cymes; pedicel 1 cm long; calyx tubular, lobes 8 x 3 mm, oblanceolate, leafy; petals 

5, white, 3 cm long, spathulate, partly cohering below; staminal tube 2 cm long, 10-toothed; 

anthers 10, apiculate; ovary 5-celled; ovules 2 in each cell; style slender, longer than staminal 

tube. Capsule 1.5 cm across, depressed globose, hispid; seeds 5, 7 x 5 mm, oblong, smooth. 

Fl. & Fr. November-December 

Distr. Endemic to India. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19392 Karimala 

NAREGAMIA Wight & Arnott 

57

Naregamia alata Wight & Arn., Prodr. 117. 1834; FBI 1: 542. 1875; FPM 175. 1915; FPL 111. 

1990; FTSR 98. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:498.1997. 

Glabrous herbs. Leaves 3-foliolate, petiole winged; leaflets 5 x 3 cm, elliptic, crenate, obtuse, 

sessile. Flowers 1-3-together, in axillary fascicles, pedicellate; calyx 3 mm long campanulate, 

lobed half way down, tomentose; petals 5, white, 3 cm long, oblanceolate; staminal tube 2.5 cm 

long, slender; anthers 10; ovary 3-celled, glabrous; ovules paired; style filiform, 2 cm long; 

stigma capitate. Capsule 6 x 6 mm, depressed globose; seeds solitary, ellipsoid, transversally 

rugose. 

Fl. & Fr. January-August 

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30347 Vengoli 

REINWARDTIODENDRON Koorders 

Reinwardtiodendron anamalaiense (Bedd.) Mabb., Malayan For. 45: 452. 1982; Jain & Bennet, 

Fl. Ind. 4:498.1997. Lansium anamallayanum Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser.3, 1: 40. 1864. L. 

anamallayanum (Bedd.) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 131. 1871 & Ic. t. 104. 1868-1874; FBI 1: 558. 1875; 

FPM 82. 1915. Aglaia anamallayana (Bedd.) Kosterm., Reinwardtia 7: 257,t.10. 1966. 

Reinwardtiodendron anamallayanum (Bedd.) Sald. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 392. 

1976; FTSR 98. 1996. 

Small evergreen trees; bark greyish-brown, mottled with grey, lenticellate, 3-4 mm thick; 

young shoots minutely grey tomentose. Leaves pinnate, to 25 cm long; leaflets 5-7, ellipticacuminate, 

base cuneate, glabrous, to 12 x 5 cm; lateral nerves 5-8 pairs, domatia present in the 

axils of nerves, reticulations prominent on both surfaces. Flowers creamy yellow, in axillary 

spikes. Sepals ovate-orbicular. Anthers within the staminal tube. Berry oblong ca. 1.8 cm long; 

seeds covered with white mucilaginous aril. 

Fl. & Fr. March-November 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30244 Pezha; NS 


TOONA (Endlicher) M. Roemer 

Toona ciliata Roem., Syn. Hesper. 139. 1846; FPL 112. 1990; FTSR 98. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. 

Ind. 4:504.1997. Cedrela toona Roxb., ex Rottl. & Willd., Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Neue 

Schriften 2: 198. 1803; FBI 1: 568. 1875; FPM 186. 1915. 

Tall trees. Leaves to 60 cm long, imparipinnate, 12-16-foliolate; leaflets alternate, 15 x 6 cm, 

ovate, acuminate, glabrous; petiolules 8 mm long. Panicle to 30 x 15 cm, terminal. Flowers 7 

mm across, sessile; calyx cupular, 5-toothed, tomentose; petals dull yellow, 5 x 3 mm, oblong, 

spreading; stamens 5, free; disk pubescent; ovary 5-celled, densely hairy, style 3 mm long, 

stigma discoid. Capsule 2.5 x 1.5 cm; seeds many, winged at both ends. 


Distr. Indo-Myanmar; cultivated in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Africa and the Hawaiian Islands. 

Rare in rocky areas in moist deciduous forests; PS 19968 Parambikulam 

TRICHILIA P. Browne 

Trichilia connaroides (Wight & Arn.) Bentvelzen, Acta Bot. Neerl. 11: 13. 1962; FPL 112. 1990; 

FTSR 99. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:515.1997. Zanthoxylum connaroides Wight & Arn., 

Prodr. 148. 1834, "Zanthoxylon". Walsura trijuga (Sims) Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. 

Hist. 44: 148. 1875. Heynea trijuga Roxb. ex Sims, Bot. Mag. 41 t. 1738. 1815; FBI 1: 565. 1872; 

FPM 183. 1915. H. affinis A.Juss., Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 19: 235. 275. 1830. 

Small trees. Leaves alternate, to 35 cm long, imparipinnate; leaflets 7-9, opposite, to 15 x 7 

cm, ovate, abruptly acuminate, unequal at base; petiolules 15 mm long. Panicle axillary; 

peduncle to 25 cm long, erect. Flowers 5 mm across, many; calyx gamosepalous, 5-toothed; 

petals 3 x 1 mm, oblong, greenish white; staminal tube 3 mm long, divided to the middle, 

58

pubescent; anthers 10; ovary 3-celled, ovule 2 in each cell, style thickened above, stigma 2- 

toothed. Capsule 1 cm across, globose, glabrous, pinkish; seeds 1-3, arillate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19352 

Kariyilathodu; 30444 Karimala; NS 18893 Muthalakkuzhi 

TURRAEA Linnaeus 

Turraea villosa Bennet, Fl. Jav. Rar. 1: 182. 1840; FBI 1: 542. 1875; FPM 174. 1915; FPL 112. 

1990; FTSR 99. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:515.1997. T. virens Hiern in Hook. f., FBI 1: 

541. 1875, non L. 1771. 

Shrubs, densely villous. Leaves simple, alternate, to 13 x 8 cm, broadly ovate, abruptly 

acuminate, rounded at base, entire. Flowers 2-3-together in axillary fascicles; pedicel 3 cm long; 

sepals 5, ovate, connate at base; petals 50 x 3 mm, linear-oblong, spathulate at apex; white, 

partially connate; staminal tube 4 cm long, slender, toothed; anthers 10, projected above, disk 

tubular, 4 mm long; ovary 5-celled, ovules solitary in each cell; style 4 cm long, slender, bulged 

below the stigma. Capsule 10 mm across, depressed globose, seeds 5, reddish. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18947 Kothala; 30179 Kottayali 

WALSURA Roxburgh 

Walsura trifolia (A. Juss.) Harms in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. (ed.2) 196: 119,177. 1940; FTSR 

99. 1996; Jain & Bennet, Fl. Ind. 4:522.1997. Heynea trifolia A. Juss., Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. 19: 

235. 1830. Walsura piscidia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 387. 1832; FBI 1: 564. 1875; FPM 183. 1915. 

Small trees. Leaflets 10 x 4 cm, elliptic, entire, acute, glaucous below; petiolules 1 cm long. 

Panicle axillary, 5-10 cm across; peduncle 6 cm long. Flowers sessile, 4 mm across; calyx 

gamosepalous, tomentose; petals 5, white, 2.5 x 1 mm, oblong, hairy; stamens 10, filaments 

connate at base, pubescent; anthers ovate-cuspidate; ovary densely hairy, 3-celled; ovule 2 in 

each cell; style short; stigma obconical. Fruit 1.5 x 1 cm, obovoid, obtuse, brown-tomentose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19378 Pooppara 

DICHAPETALACEAE 

DICHAPETALUM D. Thouars 

Dichapetalum gelonioides (Roxb.) Engl. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 3: 348. 1891; FPM 188. 

1915; FTSR 100. 1996; Nair, Fl. Ind. 4:528.1997. Moacurra gelonioides Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 69. 

1832. Chailletia gelonioides (Roxb.) Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 59. Anal. Gen. t.9. f.1. 1871; FBI 1: 

570. 1875. 

Shrubs, branchlets slender. Leaves alternate, to 10 x 3 cm, elliptic, caudate-acuminate, 

entire. Flowers unisexual, in axillary short peduncled cymes, densely villous; bracts lanceolate; 

sepals 5, 1.5 mm long, ovate; petals 1.5 mm long, obovate, bilobed at apex, glabrous; stamens 5, 

filaments short; anthers ovoid, disc 4 lobed, scale like; ovary 3-celled; ovule 2 in each cell; style 

1, trifid above. Fruit a 2-lobed, drupe, 10 mm across, compressed, rugose; seeds arillate. 

Fl. & Fr. July-November 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30322 Orukomban; 30552 Karimala; 

30496 Muthuvarachal 

OLACACEAE 

1. Trees; flowers in axillary fascicles .................................................................................................. Strombosia 

1. Scandent shrubs; flowers in axillary racemes .......................................................................................... Olax 

OLAX Linnaeus 

59

Olax imbricata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1:69. 1820; Hook.f., FBI 1: 575. 1875; FTSR 101. 1996; Uniyal, Fl. 

Ind. 5: 7. 2000. O. wightiana Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 89.1834; FPM 190.1915. 

Scandent shrubs. Leaves elliptic-oblong, acute or obtuse, base rounded or truncate, 

glabrous and chartaceous, to 12 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 7-9, intercostae obscure; petiole 1 cm 

long. Petals creamy white, 1 cm long. Drupe yellow, oblong, 1.5-2 cm long. 

Fl. & Fr. January-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 18818 Parambikulam; NS 30566 

Kariamchola 

STROMBOSIA Blume 

Strombosia ceylanica Gard., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 350. 1846; FBI 1: 579. 1875; FPM 191. 

1915; FTSR 101. 1996; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 5: 14. 2000. 

Large trees, bark uneven, light pink inside; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to alternate, 18 x 6 

cm, lanceolate, rounded at base, acute at apex; nerves 6 pairs, glabrous. Flowers many, fascicled 

in axillary or lateral tubercles; pedicels 1.5 mm long; calyx 1 mm long, 2 mm across, 

campanulate, lobes 5, acute, petals 2.5 x 1 mm, lanceolate, tomentose inside; stamens 5, 

antipetalous, erect; ovary 1-celled. Berry 10 x 8 mm, obovoid, smooth, truncate at apex; seed 1. 

Fr. & Fr. March-May 

Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30693 Parambikulam 

OPILIACEAE 

1. Inflorescence a raceme; petals 5, free ......................................................................................................Opilia 

1. Inflorescence a spike; petals 4, connate.............................................................................................. Cansjera 

CANSJERA A. Jussieu 

Cansjera rheedii Gmel., Syst. 1: 280. 1791; FBI 1: 582. 1875; FPM 193. 1915; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 5: 

40. 2000. C. scandens Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 103. 1799 & Fl. Ind. 1: 441. 1832. 

Climbing shrubs. Leaves alternate, to 11 x 7 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded at base, 

rugose, shortly petiolate. Flowers bisexual, in axillary spikes; calyx minute, 4-toothed; petals 4, 

united into an urceolate tube, 4 mm long, lobes valvate, reflexed, stamens 4, free; disc 4-lobed, 

lobes erect, tridentate; ovary oblong, 1-celled, ovule 1, style cylindric; stigma capitate, 4-lobed. 

Fruit a drupe; seed 1. 


Distr. India through Malaya to Hong Kong and North Australia. Rare in dry deciduous forests. 

PS 19999 Kuchimudi 

OPILIA Roxburgh 

Opilia amentacea Roxb., Corom. Pl. 3: t.158. 1802; FBI 1: 583. 1875; FPM 192. 1915; Mathur, 

Fl. Ind. 5: 44. 2000. Ximenia olacioides Wight & Arn., Prodr. 89. 1834. 

Climbing shrubs, branchlets lenticellate, brown tomentose. Leaves 9 x 3 cm, ovate, acute, 

base obtuse or acute, coriaceous; petiole to 8 mm. Racemes axillary, 1-5 together, to 3 cm; 

flowers in groups of 2 or 3, pedicels 2 mm; sepals 5, minute; petals 2 mm, oblong, recurved; 

stamens opposite to petals, filaments 2 mm; anthers 0.5 mm, glands 5, fleshy, club shaped, 

alternating with the stamens; ovary 1-celled, 1.5 mm, oblong, style minute, ovule pendulous. 


Distr. Peninsular India through Sri Lanka to Tropical Australia and Africa. Rare in dry 

deciduous forests; PS 30295 Thellikkal; 30573 Keerappadi 

60

ICACINACEAE 

1. Trees or shrubs.................................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Climbers............................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves to 20 x 10 cm; flowers in terminal panicles...................................................................Nothapodytes 

2. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm; flowers in axillary cymes ...........................................................................Gomphandra 

3. Leaves dentate; flowers in long peduncled heads.............................................................................. Miquelia 

3. Leaves entire; flowers in elongate spikes..................................................................................... Sarcostigma 

GOMPHANDRA Wallich ex Lindley 

1. Branchlets green; cymes glabrous ...................................................................................................G. coriacea 

1. Branchlets pale green; cymes puberulus ..................................................................................... G. tetrandra 

Gomphandra coriacea Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 103. 1840; FPM 195. 1915; FPL 114. 1990; 

FTSR 102. 1996; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 5: 22. 2000. G. polymorpha Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 103. 

1840 p.p. & Ic. tt. 953,954. 1843; FBI 1: 586. 1875. 

Small trees; branchlets brown. Leaves to 12 x 5 cm, elliptic, abruptly acuminate; nerves 

obscure, 6 pairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. Cymes peduncled, extra-axillary. Flowers 5-9 together; 

calyx cup truncate; corolla 4 mm long; lobes acute; pistillode in male flowers pubescent. Drupe 

15 x 8 mm, oblong, terete. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19176 Karimala; 30315 

Pooppara; 19794 Orukomban 

Gomphandra tetrandra (Wall.) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 15: 238. 1940 & 

Blumea 17: 204. 1969; FPL 114. 1990; FTSR 102. 1996; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 5: 25. 2000. 

Lasianthera tetrandra Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 238. 1824. Gomphandra axillaris Wall. ex 

Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 61. 1870; FBI 1: 586. 1875. G. polymorpha Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 103. 1840 

p.p.; FPM 195. 1915. 

Shrubs, to 2 m high; branchlets green. Leaves to 16 x 4.5 cm, oblong, acute at base, 

acuminate at apex, nerves to 9 pairs. Cymes peduncled; peduncle 10 mm long. Flowers 3-10 

together; calyx 1 mm long, cupular; corolla 6 mm long, lobes cuspidate; filaments 8 mm long, 

connate. Drupe 13 x 6 mm, obovate, acute. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19526 Orukomban 

MIQUELIA Meissner 

Miquelia dentata Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser. 3, 1: 38. 1864; FBI 1: 593. 1875; FPM 197. 1915; 

FPL 114. 1990; FTSR 102. 1996; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 5: 29. 2000 [Figure 4]. 

Glabrous slender climbers. Leaves to 16 x 7 cm, ovate, rounded or truncate at base, acute, 

dentate, more sharply near the base; petiole 3-4 cm long. Flowers unisexual, in peduncled 

globose spike; peduncle to 6 cm long; calyx cupular, 4-toothed; petals 4, 3 mm long, oblong; 

stamens 4 or 5, in male flowers; ovary 1-celled, 4-angled; style absent; stigma 4-angled; ovules 

2, pendulous. Drupe 2 x 1 cm, 3-8 together, ovoid, sessile, yellow; seeds 1.5 x 1 cm, stalked, 

pitted. 

Fl. & Fr. April-January 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 


NOTHAPODYTES Blume 

Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb. in Manilal, Bot. Hist. Hort. Malab. 88. 1980; FPL 

115. 1990; FTSR 104. 1996; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 5: 31. 2000. Premna nimmoniana Graham, 

61

Figure 4. Miquelia dentata Bedd. A. - flowering branch; B. - male flower, C. - fruit, 

D - seed 

62

Cat. Pl. Bombay 155. 1839. Stemonurus foetidus Wight, Ic. t. 955. 1845. Mappia foetida (Wight) 

Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (ser. 2) 9: 395. 1852; 1: 589. 1875; FPM 196. 1915. Nothapodytes 

foetida (Wight) Sleumer, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 15: 247. 1940 & Blumea 17: 232. 

1969. Mappia wightiana Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, 9: 397. 1852; FPM 197. 1915. M. 

tomentosa Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, 9: 397. 1852; FBI 1: 589. 1875; FPM 196. 1915. M. 

ovata Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2. 9: 396. 1852; FBI 1: 589. 1852; FPM 197. 195. 

Small trees; branchlets prominently lenticellate. Leaves to 17 x 9 cm, broadly ovate or 

elliptic, acute or acuminate, base unequal, tomentose along the veins beneath and glabrous 

above, lateral nerves 8-10 pairs, domatia present in the axils of nerves; petiole to 6 cm long. 

Flowers creamy yellow, in terminal panicles, foul smelling; calyx cupular, 1 mm long, 5-lobed; 

petals connate, tomentose outside, villous within, apex inflexed; stamens 5, filaments as long as 

the petals; staminodes 5, hairy; ovary 1-celled, densely hairy. Drupe 8 x 4 mm, oblong, reddishbrown, 

glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19523 Orukomban 

SARCOSTIGMA Wight & Arnott 

Sarcostigma kleinii Wight & Arn., Edinb. New Phil. J. 14: 299. 1833; FBI 1: 594. 1875; FPM 

199. 1915; FPL 115. 1990; FTSR 104. 1996; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 5: 35. 2000. 

Large climbers, branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 22 x 12 cm, ovate, acute at base and apex; 

lateral nerves 8 pairs, reticulate; petiole 5-15 cm long. Spikes to 35 cm long, slender, from old 

branches. Flowers 3-6 together; calyx cupular, 2 mm across, 5-toothed; petals 3-5 mm long, 

oblong, recurved; stamens 5, anthers versatile, staminodes 5, in female flowers, hairy; ovary 1- 

celled, densely hairy; stigma sessile, discoid; pistillode in male flowers conical. Drupe 3 x 1.5 cm, 

ovoid, orange, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30097 Kottayali 

ERYTHROPALACEAE 

ERYTHROPALUM Blume 

Erythropalum scandens Blume, Bijdr. 922. 1826; FBI 1: 578. 1875; FTSR 100. 1996; Uniyal, Fl. 

Ind. 5: 5. 2000. Mackaya populifolia Arn., Jard. Mag. Zool. Bot. 2: 531. 1838. Erythropalum 

populifolium (Arn.) Mast. in Hook.f., FBI 1: 578. 1875; FPL 113. 1990. 

Weak tendrillate climbers. Leaves alternate, to 15 x 10 cm, ovate to deltoid, acuminate, 

truncate at base, 3-ribbed, glaucous below, membranous. Flowers in axillary peduncled cymes, 

drooping, pedicellate; sepals cupular, 5-toothed; petals 5, 6 x 2 mm, oblong, obtuse, yellow; 

stamens 5, filaments very short, staminodes hairy; disc surrounds the ovary; ovary 1-celled, 1-3- 

ovuled; style short, stigma 3-fid. Fruit ovoid, 8 x 6 mm, orange-red, glabrous; seed 1, black, aril 

red. 

Fl. & Fr. July-January 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19132 

Kariamchola 

CELASTRACEAE 

1. Climbing shrubs; leaves alternate.....................................................................................................Celastrus 

1. Trees; leaves opposite ....................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Flowers fascicled in axillary tubercles............................................................................................Microtropis 

2. Flowers in axillary or terminal cymes or panicles.......................................................................................... 3 

3. Fruit a drupe .......................................................................................................................................... Cassine 

3. Fruit a capsule................................................................................................................................................... 4 

63

4. Capsule obcordate, to 3 cm long; leaves with deciduous stipule ................................................... Euonymus 

4. Capsule compressed 3 valved, to 20 cm long; leaves exstipulate............................................Lophopetalum 

CASSINE Linnaeus 

1. Cymes stout, lax; flowers large, greenish-yellow....................................................... C. paniculata 

1. Cymes slender, dense; flowers small, whitish .................................................................. C. albens 

Cassine albens (Retz.) Kosterm., Gard. Bull. Sing. 39: 178. 1986; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 80. 

2000. Schrebera albens Retz., Observ. Bot. 6: 25. t. 3. 1791. Cassine glauca (Rottb.) O. Ktze., 

Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 114. 1891. Mangifera glauca Rottb., Nye Saml. Kongel. Danske Vidensk. Selsk. 

Skr. 2: 534. t. 4. f. 1. 1783. Elaeodendron glaucum (Vahl) Pers. Syn. 1: 241. 1806; FBI 1: 623. 

1875 p.p.; FPM 211. 1918. Celastrus glaucus Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 42. 1791. Elaeodendron 

roxburghii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 157. 1834. 

Trees, bark exudes watery sap when cut, blaze reddish. Leaves to 8 x 5.5 cm, broadly ovateelliptic, 

apex and base acute, crenate, subcoriaceous; petiole to 1.5 cm. Cymes dichasial, 

axillary, to 5 cm; flowers greenish; bracts to 1 cm, ovate; pedicel 3 mm; calyx lobes 1 mm, ovate; 

petals 5, 3 mm, oblong; stamens 5, inserted on the disc; filaments 5 mm; anthers subglobose; 

ovary embedded in disc; style 1 mm, stout. Drupe 1 cm long, oblong. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30447 Anappadi; 19649 

Vengoli; 30525 Pandaravarai 

Cassine paniculata (Wight & Arn.) Lobr.-Callen, Adansonia ser. 2. 15: 220. 1976; Ramamurthy, 

Fl. Ind. 5: 83. 2000. Elaeodendron paniculatum Wight & Arn., Prodr. 157. 1834; FPM 212. 1918. 

E. glaucum sensu Lawson in Hook.f., FBI 1: 623. 1875. 

Large trees, branchlets terete, slender. Leaves opposite, to 8 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, crenate, 

membranous, reddish-black; petiole 12 mm long. Inflorescence a dichasial cyme, dichotomously 

branched, 3-6 cm across; peduncle 5.5 cm long, slender; pedicels 7 mm long. Flowers 11 mm 

across; sepals 9, unequal, orbicular; petals 5 x 3 mm, oblong, greenish yellow; disk 4 x 4 mm, 

thick, spreading, glabrous; stamens 5, filaments short along the margin of the disk; anthers 0.5 

mm across, orbicular; ovary 2-5-celled, surrounded by disk; ovules 2 in each cell; style very 

short, as a small conical projection above the disk. 

Fl. & Fr. May-July 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19405 Kariamchola 

CELASTRUS Linnaeus 

Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 1125. 1797; FBI 1: 617. 1875; FPM 208. 1918; FPL 117. 

1990; FTSR 105. 1996; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 87. 2000. 

Large climbers; stem lenticellate. Leaves alternate, to 12 x 7 cm, broadly ovate, abruptly 

acuminate, membranous, crenulate; petiole 6 mm long. Panicle to 15 x 8 cm, terminal, axillary, 

oblong; pedicel 6 mm long. Flowers many, 6 mm across; sepals 5, small, imbricate, ciliate; petals 

white, 2.5 x 2 mm, ovate, obtuse; stamens 5, erect, anthers sagitate at base; ovary 3-celled, 

ovules 2 in each cell; stigmas 3, recurved. Capsule 1 x 1 cm, loculicidal, 3-celled, yellow; seeds 3, 

aril reddish. 


Distr. South Asia and Australia. Rare along the margins of semi-evergreen forests; PS 19835, 

NS 18957 Vengoli 

EUONYMUS Linnaeus 

1. Cymes to 3 flowered; capsule wall deeply obcordate........................................................................E. indicus 

1. Cyme more than 5 flowered; capsule wall slightly obcordate ....................................................................... 2 

64

2. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, margin entire or obscurely crenate................................................ E. dichotomus 

2. Leaves elliptic, margin crenate serrate.....................................................................................E. paniculatus 

Euonymus dichotomus Heyne ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 40. 1824; FBI 1: 609. 1875; FPM 203. 1918; 

FPL 117. 1990; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 97. 2000. 

Small trees, branchlets terete, slender. Leaves to 7 x 3 cm, elliptic, ovate, apex obtuse, base 

cuneate, obscurely serrate towards upper half, pale greenish beneath when dry; petiole to 8 

mm. Cymes dichasial, axillary, to 5 cm; flowers red, peduncle and pedicels slender; bracts 

minute, ovate; sepals connate at base, 2 mm, orbicular; petals 3 mm, orbicular; stamens 

inserted on disc; ovary 3-5-celled, 2-ovuled each, style to 0.5 mm. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30229 

Karimala 

Euonymus indicus Heyne ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 409. 1824; FBI 1: 608. 1875; FPM 202. 1918; 

FTSR 106. 1996; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 102. 2000. E. goughii Wight, Ic. t. 215. 1839. 

Small trees, branchlets 0.5-1 mm thick, yellow. Leaves 5-12 x 2-4 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, 

acuminate, tip rounded, entire, grey when dry; nerves obscure; petiole 7 mm long. Peduncle 6-8 

mm long, stout; pedicel 8 mm long, stout. Flowers 10 mm across; sepals 3 x 3 mm, orbicular, 

dark pink; petals 5 x 4 mm, ciliate, dark purple. Capsule 1 x 1.5 cm, obcordate, dark purple; 

seeds 7 x 6 mm, oblong, reddish, with yellow aril. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30558 Karimala 

Euonymus paniculatus Wight ex Lawson in Hook.f., FBI 1: 609. 1875; FPM 203. 1918; 

Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 105. 2000. E. crenulatus Wall. ex Wight & Arn. var. laxiflora Wight, Ic. 

t. 214. 1839. 

Large shrubs; branchlets grey. Leaves to 8 x 2.5 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, serrulate along 

upper half, attenuate to the base; petiole 7 mm long, grey. Cymes broad, on short axillary 

peduncle; secondary peduncle, 2 cm long, slender, trichotomously branched, spreading, 6-12 

flowered. Flowers 6 mm across; sepals entire, orbicular, green; petals entire, orbicular, deep 

purple, glabrous. 

Fl. April 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; 

PS 30246 Pezha 

LOPHOPETALUM Wight ex Arnott 

Lophopetalum wightianum Arn., Ann. Nat. Hist. 3: 151. 1839; FBI 1: 615. 1875; FPM 205. 

1918; FPL 119. 1990; FTSR 106. 1996; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 116. 2000. 

Large trees, branches terete, brown. Leaves opposite, 9-20 x 3-5 cm, oblong, acute, manynerved, 

entire; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers 15 mm across, in lax axillary cymes; peduncle 2-5 cm 

long, dichotomously branched, glabrous; sepals 5, orbicular; petals 5, 7 mm diam., orbicular, 

uneven, clawed, pale pink, disk prominent, spreading, 5-lobed, deep pink; stamens 5, inserted 

on the disk, filaments short erect; ovary 2-celled; cells many-ovuled, immersed in the disk. 

Capsule 15-20 cm long, flat, coriaceous, loculicidal; seeds thin, arillate. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common along the riverine areas of evergreen forests; PS 


MICROTROPIS Wallich ex Meissner 

1. Branchlets quadrangular; leaf base attenuate.......................................................M. wallichiana 

1. Branchlets terete; leaf base cuneate...............................................................................M. stocksii 

65

Microtropis stocksii Gamble, Kew Bull. 1916: 132. 1916 & FPM 206. 1918; FPL 119. 1990; 

FTSR 107. 1996; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 131. 2000. 

Large shrubs; branchlets reddish-brown. Leaves 10 x 5 cm, elliptic, obtusely acuminate, 

attenuate at the base, margins folding, green or yellow when dried; petiole 0.8 cm long, yellow. 

Flowers 2 mm across, few in axillary clusters; sepals ovate, obtuse; petals 2 x 1 mm, ovate, 

obtuse, white, glabrous. Capsule 13 x 8 mm, brown, aril red. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19450 Pooppara; 30119 

Karimala 

Microtropis wallichiana Wight ex Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 71. 1858; FBI 1: 613. 1875; FPM 206. 

1918; FTSR 107. 1996; Ramamurthy, Fl. Ind. 5: 131. 2000. 

Small trees. Leaves to 11 x 5 cm, elliptic, abruptly obtusely acuminate, nerves ca. 10 pairs, 

slender; petiole to 1 cm long, black. Cluster of flowers 8 mm across, sessile, axillary. Flowers 3 

mm across, many together; sepals obovate, obtuse; petals 2.5 x 1 mm, obovate, obtuse, white 

with brown lines. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19359 Pezha; 19792 

Orukomban 

HIPPOCRATEACEAE 

1. Fruit a berry; seeds not winged.............................................................................................Salacia 

1. Fruit a follicle; seeds winged ...................................................................................... Loeseneriella 

LOESENERIELLA A. C. Smith 

1. Petals clawed, orbicular................................................................................................................L. arnottiana 

1. Petals not clawed, triangular ........................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Branchlets quadrangular; petals puberulus within................................................................. L. bourdillonii 

2. Branchlets terete; petals glabrous within................................................................................... L. obtusifolia 

Loeseneriella arnottiana (Wight) A.C. Smith, J. Arnold Arbor. 16: 174. 1945; FPL 118. 1990; 

FTSR 108. 1996; Ramamurthy & Naithani, Fl. Ind. 5: 140. 2000. Hippocratea arnottiana 

Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 133, t. 46. f. 47. 1840; FBI 1: 624. 1875; FPM 213. 1918. 

Stragglers. Leaves 8-12 x 4-6 cm, coarsely coriaceous, elliptic, ovate, acuminate, stipules 

small. Panicles of cymes axillary or terminal; sepals 1 x 1.5 mm, ovate; petals 3-4 x 3-4 mm, 

obovate, clawed; stamens inserted on disc; ovary enclosed in the disc, 3-celled, ovule 2-10 in 

each cell. Fruit 7 x 2 cm, oblong, 3 winged. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 18898 Muthalakkuzhi 

Loeseneriella bourdillonii (Gamble) Ramam. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 315. 1976; FPL 

118. 1990; FTSR 108. 1996; Ramamurthy & Naithani, Fl. Ind. 5: 140. 2000. Hippocratea 

bourdillonii Gamble, Kew Bull. 1916: 132. 1916 & FPM 213. 1918. 

Climbing shrubs, branchlets 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves to 13 x 6 cm, oblong, abruptly 

acuminate, nerves 7-9 pairs, obscure, margins recurved. Flowers in pedunculate cymes, 

peduncle to 5 cm long, quadrangular; sepals 1.5 mm long, ovate, acute, pubescent; petals 6 x 2 

mm, lanceolate, acute, pubescent outside; disk densely hairy along the rim; filaments 1.5 mm 

long; ovary projected above the disk. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30146 Kariamchola 

66

Loeseneriella obtusifolia (Roxb.) A. C. Smith, Amer. J. Bot. 28: 440. 1941; FPL 118. 1990; 

Ramamurthy & Naithani, Fl. Ind. 5: 141. 2000. Hippocratea obtusifolia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 166. 

1820; FBI 1: 623. 1875; FPM 213. 1918. 

Climbing shrubs, branchlets stout looped. Leaves to 14 x 5 cm, ovate, acute at apex and base, 

greenish when dry; nerves 5 pairs, irregular. Panicles 8 x 6 cm, puberulus. Flowers many, 10 

mm across; pedicel 3 mm long, slender, puberulus; sepals ovate, hairy outside; petals 3.5 x 2 

mm, ovate, acute, hairy outside. 

Fl. January-April 

Distr. Paleotropics. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19987 Pandaravarai; 30172 

Kottayali 

SALACIA Linnaeus 

Salacia fruticosa Heyne ex Lawson in Hook.f., FBI 1: 628. 1875; FPM 215. 1918; FTSR 108. 

1996; Ramamurthy & Naithani, Fl. Ind. 5: 153. 2000. 

Climbing shrubs; branchlets looped with circular lenticels. Leaves to 13 x 4 cm, oblong, 

acuminate at apex, rounded at base; nerves 9 pairs, regular; petiole 4 mm long. Cymes 3-9- 

flowered; peduncle 5-7 mm long, slender. Flowers 3 mm across, sepals 0.5 x 1 mm, orbicular, 

with white margins; petals orbicular; filaments 0.5 mm long; ovary not exserted above the disk. 

Berry to 5 x 4 cm, reddish; seeds 2.5 x 1.5 cm, ovoid, tuberculate. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 30268 

Pooppara 

RHAMNACEAE 

1. Fruit winged ........................................................................................................................................ Ventilago 

1. Fruit wingless.................................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves penninerved; unarmed..........................................................................................................Maesopsis 

2. Leaves 3-5 nerved from base; Armed .................................................................................................Zizyphus 

MAESOPSIS Engler 

Maesopsis eminii Engl., Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas, C. 255. 1895. 

Medium trees; branchlets pubescent. Leaves sub-opposite, to 12 x 4 cm, lanceolate, 

acuminate, base oblique, obtuse, margin serrate; petiole to 2 cm, stipule subulate, cauducous. 

Flowers in dichasial axillary cymes, peduncle to 1.5 cm. Flowers 8 mm across, calyx 5-lobed, 

ovate, petals 5, to 2 mm, orbicular; stamens 5, inserted on disc; ovary ovoid, 1-celled; style 

small, stigma 5-furrowed. Drupe to 4 x 1.5 cm, oblong or obovoid. 


Distr. Native of Africa. Planted occasionally in premises of forest office; PS 30753 

Thunakkadavu 

VENTILAGO J.Gaertner 

Ventilago bombaiensis Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 36. 1851; FBI 1: 631. 1875; 

FPM 217. 1918; FPL 120. 1990; FTSR 110. 1996. Smythea bombaiensis (Dalz.) Banerjee & 

Mukherjee, Indian For. 96:214. 1970; Bhandari & Bhansali, Fl. Ind. 5: 210. 2000. 

Large unarmed climbers; stem ribbed; branchlets looping. Leaves to 9 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

acute at either ends, crenulate; nerves 6 pairs, nerve-axils hairy, nervules parallel. Flowers 4 

mm across, 20-30 together, in axillary clusters; pedicels to 5 mm long; sepals 5, triangular; 

petals 5, obovate, emarginate to 2-lobed, glabrous; stamens 5, disk cup-shaped; ovary 2-celled, 

densely hairy. Fruit subglobose with a long flattened style, 6.5 cm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30590 Kothala; 30258 Pezha 

67

ZIZYPHUS P. Miller 

1. Flowers in axillary and terminal, elongate, paniculate cymes.........................................................Z. rugosa 

1. Flowers in axillary condensed cymes .............................................................................................................. 2 

2. Drupes more than 2 cm diameter..................................................................................................Z. xylopyrus 

2. Drupes to 1 cm diameter .................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Leaves rusty below, orbicular, apex rounded.............................................................................Z. mauritiana 

3. Leaves not rusty below, ovate-lanceolate or oblong elliptic, apex acute or obtuse ...................................... 4 

4. Branchlets and leaves brown silky hairy ........................................................................................Z. oenoplia 

4. Branchlets tomentose, leaves without brown silky hairs ..............................................................Z. glabrata 

Zizyphus glabrata Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 159. 1821; FBI 1: 633. 1875; Bhandari & 

Bhansali, Fl. Ind. 5: 229. 2000. Z. trinervia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 606. 1832; FPM 220. 1918. 

Small unarmed trees, branchlets tomentose. Leaves 4-7 x 2-3 cm, oblong-elliptic, base 

obtuse, 3-nerved, margin crenate, petiole ca 5 mm, stipule small cauducous. Cymes axillary to 1 

cm; flowers to 20, ca 8 mm across; calyx tube ca. 2 mm, 5-lobed, lobes ovate, pubescent, petals 

greenish, obovate; stamens 5, filaments ca 2 mm. Disc 10-lobed, ovary, ovate, 2-celled. 


Distr. India and Bhutan. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30406 Keerappadi 

Zizyphus mauritiana Lam., Encycl. 3: 319. 1789; Bhandari & Bhansali, Fl. Ind. 5: 234. 2000. Z. 

jujuba Lam., Encycl. 3: 318. 1789; FBI 1: 632. 1875; FPM 219. 1918, non Mill. 1768. Rhamnus 

jujuba L., Sp. Pl. 194. 1753. 

Armed small trees; young branches, leaves and flowers white tomentose. Leaves 2.5-5 x 1.5-3 

cm, ovate, elliptic, apex rounded, base slightly oblique, coarsely crenate, basally 3-nerved, 

tomentose beneath. Flowers in fascicles, sessile; calyx lobes 1 mm, ovate; petals 1 mm, concave, 

margin strongly curved, disc of 10 grooved lobes. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30671 Thekkady 

Zizyphus oenoplia (L.) Mill., Gard. Dict. (ed. 8). 3. 1768; FBI 1: 634. 1875; FPM 220. 1918; FPL 

121. 1990; FTSR 110. 1996; Bhandari & Bhansali, Fl. Ind. 5: 238. 2000. Rhamnus oenoplia L., 

Sp. Pl. 194. 1753. 

Large rambling climbers, thorns many, stout, recurved; branchlets densely silky hairy. 

Leaves 4-6.5 x 2-3 cm, ovate, acuminate, oblique at base 3-4-ribbed from the base, densely 

fulvous hairy, sessile or shortly petioled. Flowers 3 mm across, shortly pedicelled, 6-25 in dense 

axillary clusters; sepals triangular, hispid outside; petals clawed, concave, greenish yellow; disk 

flat, glabrous. Drupe globose, 6 x 6 mm, black. 

Fl. & Fr. May-June 

Distr. Tropical Asia and Australia. Very common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest 

areas; PS 19616 Vengoli 

Zizyphus rugosa Lam., Encycl. 3: 319. 1789; FBI 1: 636. 1875; FPM 221. 1918; FPL 121. 1990; 

FTSR 110. 1996; Bhandari & Bhansali, Fl. Ind. 5: 241. 2000. 

Scandent shrubs, thorns to 6 mm long, recurved. Leaves to 12 x 7 cm, ovate-orbicular, acute, 

unequally cordate at base, fulvous-tomentose beneath, coriaceous, crenulate; petiole 1 cm long. 

Flowers 6-20 together; subsessile, 5 mm across; sepals densely tomentose outside; disk flat, 

glabrous; ovary densely tomentose, 2-celled; styles 2, curved out. Drupe 8-10 mm across, white, 

glabrous. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19231 Vengoli 

68

Zizyphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 1104. 1798; FBI 1: 636. 1875; FPM 221. 1918; FPL 

121. 1990; FTSR 111. 1996; Bhandari & Bhansali, Fl. Ind. 5: 243. 2000. Rhamnus xylopyrus 

Retz., Obs. Bot. 2: 11. 1781. 

Small unarmed trees; young branches pubescent. Leaves 6-8 x 3-4 cm, ovate, oblong, apex 

truncate, apiculate, crenate, glabrous above, tomentose below. Cymes axillary, pubescent; calyx 

5-lobed, 1.5 mm, radiating; petals 2 mm, spathulate; disc 5-lobed. Drupe woody. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist and dry deciduous forests; PS 19493 Thellikkal; 


VITACEAE 

1. Tendrils on peduncles .................................................................................................................. Ampelocissus 

1. Tendrils leaf opposed ........................................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves simple ........................................................................................................................................... Cissus 

2. Leaves 3 or more foliolate................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Stipule prominent; flowers bisexual................................................................................................... Cayratia 

3. Stipule obscure; flowers unisexual ............................................................................................... Tetrastigma 

AMPELOCISSUS Planchon 

Ampelocissus tomentosa (Heyne. ex Roth.) Planch., Vigne Amer. Eur. 8: 375. 1884; FPM 230. 

1918; FPL 122. 1990. Vitis tomentosa Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 157. 1821; FBI 1: 650. 1875. 

Scandent shrubs; branchlets and leaves densely woolly. Leaves 15 x 15 cm, broadly ovate, 3- 

5-lobed, lobes acute, base cordate, serrate, densely floccose beneath, basally 5-nerved, tendrils 

branched; petiole to 6 cm, floccose. Cymes many branched, peduncles to 7 cm; flowers 5-merous, 

reddish; calyx lobes 1 mm, triangular, woolly; petals 2 mm, ovate, glabrous, disc prominent; 

stamens 5; ovary conical, stigma sessile. 

Fl. October-January 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30651 Vengoli 

CAYRATIA A. L. Jussieu 

1. Leaves 3-foliolate, softly villous .................................................................................................. C. mollissima 

1. Leaves 5-9 foliolate, glabrous or pubescent..................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves 5-foliolate.............................................................................................................................C. tenuifolia 


3. Stem and leaves hispid tomentose.................................................................................C. pedata var. pedata 

3. Stem and leaves glabrous................................................................................................C. pedata var. glabra 

Cayratia mollissima (Wall.) Gagnep. in Lecomte, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 1: 345. 1911; FPM 237. 

1918; FTSR 112. 1996. Vitis mollissima Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 482. 1824; FBI 1: 656. 1875. 

Weak climbers; stem scabrous. Leaflets 3, 8-12 x 4-7 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, acute at 

base, distantly spineus-serrate; nerves 4 or 5 pairs, glabrous; petiole 4 cm long. Peduncle 1.5 cm 

long, extra-axillary, trichotomous cymes 2 x 3 cm. Flowers greenish-yellow; calyx a 

membranous cup, 2 mm across, entire; petals 2 x 1 mm, oblong. Berry 6 mm across, obovoid, 

glabrous; seeds pitted on sides 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30303 Vengoli; 30329 Pezha 

Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Juss. ex Gagnep. in Lecomte, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 1: 346. 1911 var. 

pedata; FPM 236. 1915; FPL 123. 1990. Cissus pedata Lam., Encycl. 1: 31. 1783. Vitis pedata 

(Lam.) Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 128. 1834; FBI 1: 661. 1875. V. canarensis Dalz. in Hook.’s 

J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 123. 1851. 

Weak climbers; stem minutely hispid. Leaflets 7-15 x 3-6 cm, ovate, acuminate, serrate, 

69

hispid, nerves 8-10 pairs, regular, prominent; rachis 9 cm long; petiolule 1 cm long, of terminal 

leaflet 3.5 cm long. Cymes 7 x 8 cm, hispid; peduncle 3 cm long. Flowers 6 mm across, greenish; 

petals 3 x 2 mm, ovate, acute; disk a fleshy rim. Berry 1 x 1 cm, 2-4 lobed, rusty tomentose; seed 

6 x 6 mm, faces rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in secondary forests; PS 30400, 30388 Kuchimudi; 30440 

Karimala 

Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Juss. ex Gagnep. var. glabra Gamble, FPM 236. 1918. 

Climbers, stem glabrous. Leaflets to 11 x 5 cm, elliptic, crenate, abruptly acuminate at apex, 

acute to round at base, nerves 7 pairs; rachis 9 cm long; petiolule of terminal leaflets 15 mm 

long, of lateral ones smaller. Peduncle 5 cm long, slender; cymes 3 x 3 mm, puberulus. Flowers 

1.5 mm across, greenish; calyx 4-lobed, lobes acute; ovary tomentose; style 1 mm long; stigma 

lobed. 

Fl. April 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19615 

Vengoli 

Cayratia tenuifolia (Wight & Arn.) Gagnep. in Lecomte, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 1: 343. 1911; FPM 

237. 1918; FPL 124. 1990; FTSR 112. 1996; Shetty & Paramjit, Fl. Ind. 5: 273. 2000. Vitis 

tenuifolia Wight & Arn., Prodr. 129. 1834p.p.; FBI 1: 660. 1875. 

Slender climbers. Leaves pedately 5-foliolate; leaflets elliptic or obovate, acute or obtuse, 

crenate, glabrous, the terminal leaflets to 4-5 x 2 cm; petiole 2.5-3 cm long. Flowers in axillary, 

dichotomous cymes; pedicels very slender. Calyx truncate. Petals white, ovate-oblong, hooded at 

apex, 2.5 mm long. Disc lobed. Berry obovoid, 1 cm across; seeds 1-4. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Japan. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19875 

Vengoli; 19510 Orukomban 

CISSUS Linnaeus 

1. Stem 4-winged.............................................................................................................................C. glyptocarpa 

1. Stem terete or angular...................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Branchlets 4-6 angular ..................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Branchlets terete............................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Leaf margins bristly serrate; branchlets 5 or 6 angled...................................................................C. discolor 

3. Leaf margins distantly crenate; branchlets quadrangular......................................................... C. heyneana 

4. Erect shrubs; berry pyriform; petals hooded...............................................................................C. arnottiana 

4. Scandent shrubs; berry globose; petals not hooded.......................................................................... C. repens 

Cissus arnottiana Shetty & Singh, Kew Bull. 44: 473. 1989; Shetty & Paramjit, Fl. Ind. 5: 281. 

2000. Vitis pallida sensu Lawson in Hook. f., FBI 1:647.1875,p.p., non Wight & Arn. Cissus 

pallida sensu Planch. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 477. 1887,p.p., non Salisb. 1796. 

Shrubs; tendrils simple. Leaves 9 x 10 cm, broadly ovate, apex acute, base cordate, margins 

glandular, dentate, basally 5-nerved, membranous; petiole to 6 cm, stipules 5 mm, ovate. Cymes 

axillary, leaf opposed, 3 x 6 cm; peduncles to 3 cm, puberulus; bracts 5 mm, ovate, pedicels to 5 

mm; calyx truncate, 4-lobed, 1.5 mm; petals 4 mm, hooded, brown outside, white inside; 

stamens 4, filaments 2 mm, disc prominent, 4-lobed; ovary embedded, style 1 mm, stout. 

Fl. April-June 

Distr. West Himalaya and India. Common in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30395 

Kuchimudi 

70

Cissus discolor Blume, Car. Gew. Buitenz. 39. 1823; FPM 235. 1918; FPL 124. 1990; FTSR 112. 

1996; Shetty & Paramjit, Fl. Ind. 5: 282. 2000. Vitis discolor (Blume) Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. 

Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 39. 1850; FBI 1: 648. 1875. Cissus javana DC., Prodr. 1: 628. 1824. 

Creeping or climbing shrubs; stem reddish, quadrangular. Leaves 6-13 x 3-7 cm, acuminate, 

cordate at base, spinous serrate, usually pink beneath; petiole 1-3 cm long. Cymes 2 cm across, 

reddish; peduncle 1 cm long. Flowers pedicelled; calyx 2 mm across, rim white; petals reddish, 

1.5 mm long; disk pubescent. Berry 4 x 3 mm, oblique-obovoid, smooth; seeds pitted. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19874 

Vengoli; 19567 Kariamchola; 19093 Amakkundu 

Cissus glyptocarpa (Thw.) Planch. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 477. 1887; FPM 235. 1918; FPL 

125. 1990; Shetty & Paramjit, Fl. Ind. 5: 285. 2000. Vitis glyptocarpa Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 62. 

1858; FBI 1: 645. 1875. 

Creepers or climbers; branches with corky wings, glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 7 cm, ovate, 

acuminate at apex, cordate at base, serrate, puberulus, nerves 4-7 pairs; petiole to 3 cm long. 

Cymes 3 x 3 cm, extra-axillary, peduncled. Flowers many, 1.5 mm long, greenish; pedicels 10 

mm long; petals 2 mm long, oblong, green. 

Fl. March 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 

PS 19105 Peruvaripallam 

Cissus heyneana (Wall. ex Lawson) Planch in DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 476. 1887; FPM 234. 1918; 

FTSR 113. 1996; Shetty & Paramjit, Fl. Ind. 5: 285. 2000. Vitis heyneana Wall. ex Lawson in 

Hook.f., FBI 1: 647. 1875. 

Weak climbers; stem terete, glaucous. Leaves to 9 x 7 cm, ovate, acuminate, cordate at base, 

6-nerved, glabrous; petiole 1-2 cm long. Cymes 10 cm long, axillary, thinly hairy; peduncle 3-6 

cm long, dichotomous; pedicels 3 mm long. Flowers 3 mm across, greenish; calyx tube 1 mm 

long, entire; petals ovate, bulged at base. Berry 8 x 6 mm, obovoid, white, smooth. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30350 Vengoli 

Cissus repens Lam., Encycl. 1: 31. 1783; FPM 233. 1918; Shetty & Paramjit, Fl. Ind. 5: 290. 

2000. Vitis repens (Lam) Wight & Arn. in Wight, Cat. 58. 1833 & Prodr. 125. 1834; FBI 1: 646. 

1872. 

Creepers; stem glaucous, terete. Leaves 10-16 x 6-11 cm, ovate, acuminate, deeply cordate at 

base, 5 nerved from base, midrib with 3 pairs of lateral nerves; petiole 4-7 cm long. Cymes 5-7 

cm across, glabrous; peduncle 6 cm long; junctions with orbicular bracts; pedicels 5-8 together, 1 

cm long. Flowers many; calyx obtusely lobed, ciliate; petals 1.5 mm long, reddish, disk glabrous. 

Drupe 4 x 3 mm, oblique-obovoid, smooth 

Fl. & Fr. September-January. 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19630 Vengoli; 30624 Thekkady 

TETRASTIGMA (Miquel) Planchon 

Tetrastigma sulcatum (Lawson) Gamble, FPM 229. 1918; FTSR 113. 1996; Shetty & Paramjit, 

Fl. Ind. 5: 319. 2000. Vitis sulcatum Lawson in Hook.f., FBI 1: 661. 1875. 

Small climbers or creepers; stem thick, tuberculate. Leaves 3-5-foliolate; leaflets ovateelliptic, 

acuminate, crenate-serrate, nerves 13-15 pairs; rachis 4 cm long. Peduncle 1-2 cm long, 

dichotomous, glabrous. Flowers 5 mm across; sepals ovate, acute; petals 3 mm long, oblong, 

obtuse. Berry 2-2.5 cm across, white, glabrous; seeds 4, 10 x 5 mm, brownish. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare along the margins of semi-evergreen forests; PS 

30652 Kottayali 

71

LEEACEAE 

LEEA D. van Royen ex Linnaeus 

1. Flowers crimson-red......................................................................................................................L. guineensis 

1. Flowers greenish-yellow or white ........................................................................................................L. indica 

Leea guineensis G. Don, Gen. Syst. 712. 1831; FTSR 114. 1996; Naithani, Fl. Ind. 5: 336. 2000. 

Leea wightii Clarke, J. Bot. 19: 105. 1881; FPM 239. 1918. L. staphylea Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 

1. t. 58. 1845 & Ic. 1: t. 78. 1854, non Roxb., 1832. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves bipinnate; leaflets 17 x 6 cm, ovate-lanceolate, caudate-acuminate, 

base truncate or acute, serrate; lateral nerves 7-10 pairs, intercostae sub-scalariform; petiolule 

5-7 mm long; rachis to 23 cm long; stipules obovate, ca. 4 cm long. Cymes 2-6 cm across. Flowers 

crimson red, densely packed, 3-5 mm across; calyx and corolla glabrous; staminal tube shortly 

notched at apex. Berry 6-lobed, 6-7 mm across. 

Fl. & Fr. April-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common in semi-evergreen and occasional in moist deciduous 


Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 14. 245. 1919; Ridsd., Blumea 22: 95. 1974; FPL 

127. 1990; FTSR 114. 1996; Naithani, Fl. Ind. 5: 337. 2000. Staphylea indica Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 

75, t. 23, f. 2. 1768. Leea sambucina Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 1177. 1798; Wight, Ic. t. 78. 1838; Lawson 

in Hook. f., FBI 1: 666. 1875; FPM 240. 1918. 

Shrubs to small trees. Leaves 2 or 3-pinnate; leaflets to 14 x 5 cm, oblong or ellipticlanceolate, 

caudate-acuminate, serrate-dentate; lateral nerves 12-15 pairs, intercostae parallel, 

curved; stipules obovate-obtuse, 5 x 4 cm. Young leaves bright-red. Cymes 6 x 8 cm; peduncles 

3-4 cm long, paired, axillary. Flowers greenish-white. Staminal tube shortly lobed at apex, 

anthers combined. Berry purple, ca. 6 mm across; seeds densely red-glandular. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, Australia and China. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19284 

Karimala 

SAPINDACEAE 

1. Herbaceous climbers; leaves biternata...................................................................................Cardiospermum 

1. Shrubs or trees; leaves simple pinnate............................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves digitate, margins serrate ..................................................................................................... Allophylus 

2. Leaves pinnate, margins entire ....................................................................................................................... 3 

3. The lowest pair of the leaflets reniform, stipule like................................................................ Otonephelium 

3. All leaflets similar ............................................................................................................................................. 4 

4. Leaf rachis broadly winged .................................................................................................................. Filicium 

4. Leaf rachis not winged...................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Fruit an inflated 2 lobed capsule; bright red on maturity ...............................................................Harpullia 

5. Fruit otherwise.................................................................................................................................................. 6 

6. Fruit sparsely muricate; petals absent...........................................................................................Schleichera 

6. Fruit smooth or tubercled; petals present....................................................................................................... 7 

7. Fruit tubercled.................................................................................................................................Dimocarpus 

7. Fruit smooth ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 

8. Drupe united at sides; petals not clawed without scales ................................................................. Sapindus 

8. Drupe united at base but diverging, petals clawed with 1 or 2 scales........................................Lepisanthes 

ALLOPHYLUS Linnaeus 

1. Thyrsus branched; leaves glabrous............................................................................A. concanicus 

1. Thyrsus unbranched; leaves pubescent..............................................................................A. cobbe 

72

Allophylus cobbe (L.) Raeusch., Nomencl. Bot. (ed. 3) 108. 1797; FBI 1: 673. 1875p.p; FPL 129. 

1990; FTSR 116. 1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 346. 2000. Rhus cobbe L., Sp. Pl. 267. 1753. Schmidelia 

rheedii Wight, Ic. t. 964. 1845. Allophylus rheedii (Wight) Radlk. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 

3:313. 1895; FPM 246. 1918. 

Erect shrubs. Leaflets to 11 x 5.5 cm, obovate, abruptly acuminate, deep brown when dried, 

sharply serrulate, pale white-tomentose beneath; nerves 9 pairs; petiole to 7.5 cm long. Raceme 

to 26 cm long, slender, hispid, 1-3-branched. Flowers 2 mm across, 1-3 together, shortly 

pedicelled or sessile; sepals orbicular, glabrous; ovary densely hairy. Drupe 3 x 2 mm, densely 

hairy 


Distr. South India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 


Allophylus concanicus Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 

Muenchen 20. 230. 1890; FPM 246. 1918; FPL 129. 1990; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 348. 2000. Sapindus 

concanicus Radlk. var. lanceolatus Gamble, FPM 246. 1918. 

Stragglers, branchlets brownish, lenticellate. Leaflets to 13 x 6 cm, ovate, acuminate, 

cuspidate; 6-nerved, serrate towards the apex, black above when dried; midrib pubescent; 

domatia hairy. Raceme branched, hispid. Flowers solitary or paired, 2 mm across; pedicel 1 mm 

long; sepals orbicular, ciliate; petals 5 mm across, densely white hairy within; filaments hairy, 

reddish, connective broad; disk lobes 4, globular. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; PS 

19783 Kanthalppara 

CARDIOSPERMUM Linnaeus 

1. Leaves densely tomentose below; fruit obscurely 3-lobed...........................................................C. canescens 

1. Leaves sub-glabrous; fruit distinctly 3-lobed.......................................................................... C. halicacabum 

Cardiospermum canescens Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 14. t. 14. 1829; FBI 1: 670. 1875; FPM 245. 

1918; FPL 130. 1990; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 355. 2000. 

Climbing herbs; branchlets pubescent. Leaves 2-ternate; leaflets lobed, terminal 5 x 2.5 cm, 

acuminate, mucronate, sparsely hairy above and pubescent below; petiole 4 cm, petiolule 1.5-2 

cm. Racemes axillary; flowers white; sepals 2 + 2, outer 1 mm, inner 2.5 mm, obovate; petals 2 + 

2, 3 mm, upper ones oblong-obovate, basal scale to 2 mm, lower ones 2.5 mm, basal scale 1 mm; 

stamens 8, filaments subequal, pilose. Capsule 3.5 x 3 cm, not winged, tomentose; seeds 3, to 5 

mm across, globose. 

Fl. & Fr. June-August 

Distr. Pantropical. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19982 Keerappadi 

Cardiospermum halicacabum L., Sp. Pl. 366. 1753; FBI 1: 670. 1875; FPM 244. 1918; FPL 130. 

1990; FTSR 116. 1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 356. 2000. 

Tendrillate climbers. Leaves bipinnate, 10 x 10 cm, 3-7-foliolate; leaflets to 4 x 2.5 cm, 

pinnatifid. Tendril trichotomous, middle one forms the cymes. Flowers 3 mm across, 3-7 

together, polygamodioecious; sepals 4, ovate, acute, free; petals 4, white, oblanceolate, obtuse, 

hooded; stamens 8, one-sided; disk one-sided, lobed; ovary obovoid, 3-celled one ovule in each 

cell; style 3-fid. Capsule membranous, saccate, 1.5 x 2 cm, obcordate; seeds 3, 3 x 3 mm, globose, 

shining. 


Distr. Tropics. Common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 19002 

Thunakkadavu 

73

DIMOCARPUS Loureiro 

Dimocarpus longan Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 233. 1790; FPL 131. 1990; FTSR 117. 1996; Pant, Fl. 

Ind. 5: 358. 2000. Euphorbia longan (Lour.) Steud. Nom. Bot. 1: 328. 1821. E. longana Lam., 

Encycl. 3: 574. 1792, nom illeg. Nephelium longana (Lam.) Camp., Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. 18: 30. 

1829; FBI 1: 688. 1875; FPM 252. 1918. 

Medium trees. Leaves paripinnate, leaflets 4-10 pairs, 10-18 x 2.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

glaucous beneath, nerves ca. 20 pairs, petiolulate. Panicle to 30 cm long, terminal. Flowers 

pedicelled, polygamous, 6 mm across; sepals 3 x 2 mm, hairy outside; petals 3 x 1 mm, 

oblanceolate, densely hairy, deflexed; stamens 8, filaments hairy; ovary 2-lobed; ovule one in 

each cell, style long; stigma bifid. Fruit of 1-2 nutlets, each 1.3 x 1 cm, oblong, densely rugose, 

tubercled, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30262 Karimala 

FILICIUM Thwaites ex J. D. Hooker 

Filicium decipiens (Wight & Arn.) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 408. 1864; FBI 1: 539. 1875; Pant, Fl. 

Ind. 5: 363. 2000. Rhus decipiens Wight & Arn., Prodr. 172. 1834. 

Large trees, branchlets angular. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 6-8 pairs, 9 x 2 cm, ellipticoblong, 

many-nerved; rachis winged. Panicle axillary and terminal, to 18 x 5 cm; branches 

glandular. Flowers polygamous, 4 mm across; sepals 2 x 1 mm, ovate, pubescent inside, ciliate; 

petals orbicular; disk densely white-hairy; stamens 5, filaments erect, glabrous; ovary 2-celled, 

glabrous; ovule one in each cell; style short. Drupe 8 x 5 mm, obovoid, glabrous; seeds 1 or 2. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19209 Kariamchola 

HARPULLIA Roxburgh 

Harpullia arborea (Blanco) Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 

Muenchen 16: 404. 1890; FPL 131. 1990; FTSR 117. 1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 365. 2000. Ptelea 

arborea Blanco, Fl. Filip. 1: 63. 1837. Harpullia imbricata (Blume) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 56. 

1858; FPM 253. 1918. H. cupanoides sensu Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 692. 1875p.p., non Roxb. 

1832. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets fulvous tomentose. Leaves paripinnate, leaflets 5 pairs, 

16 x 6 cm, elliptic-oblong, abruptly acuminate, membranous, oblique at base. Flowers in loose 

axillary panicle; pedicels to 4 cm long, slender; sepals 5 x 2.5 mm, obovate, hairy; petals yellow, 

8 x 3 mm, oblong, clawed; stamens 5; filaments free; ovary 2-celled; one ovule in each cell; style 

elongate. Capsule 5 x 7 cm, 2-lobed, inflated, saccate, red; seeds black, shining. 

Fl. & Fr. March-January 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19233 Vengoli; 19292 Karimala 

LEPISANTHES Blume 

1. Capsule triangular; flowers irregular.........................................................................................L. tetraphylla 

1. Capsule tri-lobed; flowers regular........................................................................................................L. erecta 

Lepisanthes erecta (Thw.) Leenh., Blumea 17: 69. 1969; FPL 131. 1990; FTSR 118. 1996; Pant, 

Fl. Ind. 5: 368. 2000. Nephelium erectum Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 57. 1858. Sapindus erecta 

(Thw.) Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 683. 1875, "erectus". Thraulococcus erectus (Thw.) Radlk., 

Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. Muenchen 8: 300. 1878; FPM 251. 

1918. 

Shrubs. Leaves 35-50 cm long; leaflets 4 pairs, 20-25 x 5-9 cm, oblong, acute at either ends, 

nerves 10-13 pairs; petiolule 5 mm long, smooth. Panicle 20 x 5 cm, terminal, erect. Flowers 

74

clustered, subsessile; sepals 5 x 3 mm, ovate, obtuse, pubescent outside; petals 6 x 4 mm, 

obovate, broadly clawed; scale oblong, not lobed, hairy; filaments hairy above. Capsule 1.5 x 1 

cm, oblong, obtuse, minutely fulvous-tomentose. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19388 Karimala 

Lepisanthes tetraphylla (Vahl) Radlk. Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. Bayer. Akad. 

Wiss. Muenchen 8: 276. 1878; FPM 247. 1918; FPL 132. 1990; FTSR 118. 1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 

372. 2000. Sapindus tetraphylla Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 1794. Hemigyrosa canescens (Roxb.) 

Blume, Rumphia 3: 166. 1849; FBI 1: 671. 1875. Molinaea canescens Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 60. 

1796. Lepisanthes deficiens (Wight & Arn.) Radlk., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. 

Bayer. Akad. Wiss. Muenchen 8: 276. 1878; FPM 247. 1918. Hemigyrosa deficiens (Wight & 

Arn.) Bedd., Fl. t. 231. 1872. Sapindus deficiens Wight & Arn., Prodr. 111. 1834. 

Trees, 5-9 m high. Leaves to 30 cm long; leaflets 2-4 pairs, sub-opposite, to 15 x 5 cm, oblonglanceolate; 

nerves 11 pairs, prominent; petiolule 5 mm long, transversally rugose. Panicle 

terminal or subterminal, erect or spreading, 35 x 20 cm, branches fulvous-tomentose. Flowers 

crowded; sepals 4 x 4 mm, orbicular, hairy outside; petals dull white, 7 x 4 mm, oblanceolate, 

clawed; scale 2-lobed, hairy. Capsule 2 x 1.5 cm, obovoid, obtusely trigonous, densely fulvous 

tomentose, apiculate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare along the riverine areas; PS 19763 Pooppara 

OTONEPHELIUM Radlkofer 

Otonephelium stipulaceum (Bedd.) Radlk., Sapindac. Holl. Ind. 71. 1879; FTSR 118. 1996; 

Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 378. 2000. Nephelium stipulaceum Bedd., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 25: 212. 

1865 & Ic. t. 103. 1868-1874; FBI 1: 690. 1875; FPM 252. 1918. 

Trees to 20 m high; branchlets glabrous. Leaves paripinnate, 6-8 foliolate, leaflets to 20 x 7 

cm, elliptic, acuminate at either ends, glaucous below; lowest pair small, reniform; nerves 11 

pairs. Panicle 15 x 8 cm, terminal or axillary. Flowers 3 mm across, crowded; sepals 6, ovate, 

acute, free, densely tomentose; petals absent; stamens 6, filaments free, shorter than anthers; 

pistillode globose, densely hairy; ovary 2-4-lobed, ovule 1 in each cell; style terminal. Fruit of 1-3 

drupelets, 2 x 1.4 cm, oblong, densely soft-prickled. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Very common in evergreen forests; PS 18815 

Parambikulam; NS 19355 Kariyilathodu 

SAPINDUS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves glabrous below ..................................................................................................................... S. trifoliata 

1. Leaves densely hairy below...................................................................................................... S. emarginatus 

Sapindus emarginatus Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 54. 1794; FPM 250. 1918; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 381. 2000. 

Sapindus trifoliata sensu Hiern in Hook.f., FBI 1: 682. 1875,p.p., non L. 1753. 

Trees, to 5 m high. Leaves 4-foliolate; leaflets 9 x 4 cm, obovate-oblanceolate, nerves 10 

pairs; petiolule 6 mm long. Panicles 15 x 10 cm, spreading, tomentose. Flowers 6 mm across, 

pedicellate; sepals 3 x 2 mm, obovate, tomentose; petals greenish white, 3 x 1.5 mm, oblong, 

scales hairy; filaments tomentose. 

Fl. December-May 

Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 19980 Keerappadi 

Sapindus trifoliata L., Sp. Pl. 367. 1753; FBI 1: 682. 1875; FTSR 119. 1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 382. 

2000. Sapindus laurifolius Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 54. 1794; FPM 250. 1918; FPL 132. 1990. 

75

Small to medium trees; bark smooth, grey. Leaflets 3-4 pairs, elliptic-lanceolate or elliptic, 

acuminate, glabrous, to 15 x 7 cm; lateral nerves 8-10 pairs prominent and raised below, 

intercostae reticulate. Panicles terminal, tomentose. Sepals tomentose. Petals linear-lanceolate, 

villous, 5 mm long. Ovary not lobed, tomentose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in semi-evergreen forests and rare in moist deciduous 

forests; PS 19838 Vengoli; NS 19034 Kannimara 

SCHLEICHERA Willdenow 

Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken, Allg. Naturgesch. 3:1341. 1841; FPL 133. 1990; FTSR 119. 

1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 384. 2000. Pistacia oleosa Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 615. 1790. Schleichera 

trijuga Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1096. 1805; FBI 1: 681. 1875; FPM 248. 1915. 

Large trees; branchlets puberulus. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 3-5 pairs, to 19 x 8 cm, 

sessile, oblong, acute, tomentose along the nerves below; nerves 20 pairs. Flowers 

polygamodioecious, 3 mm across, in terminal or axillary panicles; sepals 5, ovate, acute; petals 

absent; stamens 8, free, filaments 6 mm long, glabrous; ovary ovoid, 3-celled, with solitary ovule 

in each. Fruit 2 x 2cm, ovoid, globose, spiny, glabrous; seeds 3, 1.5 x 1 cm, hemispheric, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in wet localities in moist deciduous forests; PS 18889 

Muthalakkuzhi 

STAPHYLEACEAE 

TURPINIA Ventenat 

Turpinia malabarica Gamble, Kew Bull. 1917: 135. 1916. & FPM 241. 1918; FPL 128. 1990; 

FTSR 115. 1996; Pant, Fl. Ind. 5: 415. 2000. 

Trees to 20 m tall; branchlets brown. Leaves to 40 cm long; leaflets broadly elliptic, crenate, 

acuminate at apex; petiolule 0.7-2 cm long. Panicles 20 x 15 cm, glabrous, axillary; peduncle to 

10 cm long. Flowers greenish yellow, pedicelled; sepals 3 mm long, ovate, slightly connate at 

base, obtuse, ciliate; filaments villous; style 3-fid at apex. Berry globose, brown, scurfy. 

Fr. & Fr. July-December 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30306 Pezha; 

30026 Puliyala; 18879 Parambikulam 

SABIACEAE 

1. Climbing shrubs; staminodes absent .......................................................................................................Sabia 

1. Trees; staminodes present..................................................................................................................Meliosma 

MELIOSMA Blume 

1. Leaves simple ............................................................................................................................ M. simplicifolia 

1. Leaves imparipinnate............................................................................................. M. pinnata var. barbulata 

Meliosma pinnata (Roxb.) Maxim. ssp. barbulata (Cufod.) Beus. in Dassan. & Fosb., Rev. 

Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 384. 1981; FPL 133. 1990; Majumder, Fl. Ind. 5: 423. 2000. M. rhoifolia 

Maxim., ssp. barbulata Cufod., Oest. Bot. Z. 88. 254. 1939. Millingtonia arnottiana Wight, Ill. 

Indian Bot. 1: t.53. 1840. Meliosma arnottiana (Wight) Walp., Rep. 1: 423. 1842; FBI 2: 6. 1876, 

p.p.; FPM 256. 1918. M. pinnata (Roxb.) Maxim. ssp. arnottiana (Wight) Beus., Blumea 19: 499. 

1971. Millingtonia pinnata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 103. 1820. 

76

Medium trees, branchlets thickly tomentose. Leaves 10-16-foliolate; leaflets opposite, to 13 x 

3.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate, densely hairy, petiolulate; rachis bulged at base. Panicles terminal, 

30 cm across, densely tomentose. Flowers 4 mm across, sessile; sepals ovate, hairy; petals 

orbicular, pale yellow; ovary densely hairy. Drupe 7 mm across, globose 

Fl. & Fr. May-August 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in semi-evergreen forests;; PS 19461 Pooppara 

Meliosma simplicifolia (Roxb.) Walp. Rep. 1: 103. 1842; FBI 2: 5. 1876; FPM 256. 1918; FPL 

134. 1990; FTSR 120. 1996; Majumder, Fl. Ind. 5: 427. 2000. Millingtonia simplicifolia Roxb., 

Pl. Corom. 3: 50. t.254. 1820, p.p. 

Small trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 30 x 10 cm, oblanceolate, acute at apex, glabrous; 

nerves 16 pairs, regular, scabrid, young leaves crimson-red; petiole to 5 cm long. Flowers 2 mm 

across, in large axillary panicles; sepals 5, free, ovate, ciliate, petals 3, white, imbricate, 

glabrous. Drupe 5 mm across, ampulliform, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. March-October 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare in moist deciduous, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; 

PS 19293 Karimala; 19757 Pooppara 

SABIA Colebrooke 

Sabia limoniacea Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 1: 210. 1855; FTSR 120. 1996; Majumder, 

Fl. Ind. 5: 432. 2000. S. malabarica Bedd., lc. 39, t. 177. 1868-1874; FBI 2: 2. 1876; FPM 254. 

1918. 

Branchlets glabrous. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, base rounded, glabrous, coriaceous, to 12 x 4 

cm; lateral nerves ca. 5 pairs, intercostae reticulate, prominent; petiole 1.5 cm long. Cymes 

solitary and axillary to new leaves or in panicled cymes in the axils of old leaves. Sepals ciliate 

along margins. Petals suborbicular, white, 1 mm across. Ovary globose, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. April-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19457 

Pooppara 

ANACARDIACEAE 

1. Leaves simple .................................................................................................................................................... 4 

1. Leaves compound .............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Drupe more than 3 x 2 cm; ovary 5-celled..........................................................................................Spondias 

2. Drupe less than 1.5 cm across; ovary 1-celled ................................................................................................ 3 

3. Leaflets crenulate; petals valvate ................................................................................................Solenocarpus 

3. Leaflets entire; petals imbricate ........................................................................................................... Lannea 

4. Leaves with petiolar appendages...................................................................................................... Holigarna 

4. Leaves without petiolar appendages ............................................................................................................... 5 

5. Drupe on fleshy hypocarp................................................................................................................................. 6 

5. Drupe not on fleshy hypocarp .......................................................................................................................... 7 

6. Leaves to 15 cm long; all stamens not fertile............................................................................... Anacardium 

6. Leaves more than 25 cm long; all stamens fertile........................................................................Semecarpus 

7. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes or small compound racemes ........................................Nothopegia 

7. Flowers in axillary or terminal large panicles................................................................................................ 8 

8. Leaves and branchlets pubescent..................................................................................................Buchanania 

8. Leaves and branchlets glabrous........................................................................................................Mangifera 

ANACARDIUM Linnaeus 

Anacardium occidentale L., Sp. Pl. 583. 1753; FBI 2: 20. 1876; FPM 260. 1918; Dali & 

Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 437. 2000. 

77

Small trees. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, obovate, obtuse, base cuneate-rotund. Panicles terminal; 

flowers unisexual and bisexual, to 1 cm; calyx 5, lanceolate; petals 5, oblong-elliptic; stamens to 

10, 1-fertile, base of the filaments connate; ovary 1-celled; style to 1 cm. Drupe reniform, 3 x 1 

cm, hypocarp pyriform, to 6 x 3 cm. 


Distr. Native of South America; now widely cultivated in Asia and Africa. Cultivated in 

settlements 

BUCHANANIA Sprengel 

Buchanania lanzan Spreng., J. Bot. (Schr.) 2: 234. 1800; FBI 2: 23. 1876; FPM 258. 1918; FPL 

136. 1990; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 443. 2000. B. latifolia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 385. 1832. 

Small trees; branchlets stout, rusty tomentose. Leaves simple, to 20 x 12 cm, oblong, obtuse 

at apex, round at base, coriaceous, densely hairy below, nerves 19 pairs, prominent; petiole 1 cm 

long, stout. Panicle to 15 x 25 cm, terminal, branches stout, densely rusty-tomentose. Flowers 

many, clustered, bisexual, 6 mm across, sessile; sepals 5, free, ovate; petals 5, 2 x 1 mm, ovateoblong, 

glabrous; fertile stamen 1, sterile ones 4; disk densely hairy; fertile carpel 1, sterile 

carpels 4; style short. Drupe 1 x 0.8 cm, oblong, dark, glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Myanmar. Common in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19230 

Vengoli 

HOLIGARNA Hamilton ex Roxburgh 

1. Leaves tomentose below; bristles on petiole 2 or 3 pairs .............................................................H. grahamii 

1. Leaves glabrous; bristles on petiole one pair .................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves obtusely acute at apex; drupe with a tuft of brown hairs at apex............................... H. arnottiana 

2. Leaves emarginate at apex; drupe without a tuft of hairs at apex............................................................... 3 

3. Leaves oblanceolate; petals obtuse ..............................................................................................H. ferruginea 

3. Leaves spathulate; petals acute........................................................................................................... H. nigra 

Holigarna arnottiana Hook. f., FBI 2: 36. 1876; FPM 268. 1918; FPL 136. 1990; FTSR 121. 

1996. H. longifolia auct. non Roxb., 1820: Wight & Arn., Prodr. 169. 1834. 

Trees; branches stout, glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 6 cm, oblanceolate, obtusely acute at apex, 

attenuate at base, nerves 12 pairs, brown beneath; petiole 1 cm long, pubescent; bristle one on 

either side. Panicle 10 x 10 cm. Flowers yellowish white, many; branches and pedicels 

puberulus; petals 5, ovate, acute, hirsute outside. Drupe 1.5 x 1 cm, obovoid-oblong, apex with a 

crown of golden brown hairs. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30839 Orukomban 

Holigarna ferruginea Marchand, Rev. Anacard. 171. 1868; FBI 2: 37. 1876; FPM 268. 1918; 

FTSR 121. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 459. 2000. 

Trees, to 25 m or more high; bark white, smooth. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, 

to emarginate, olive brown below when dried; nerves 7-10 pairs; petiole 2.5 cm long, Bristles 1or 

2, short. Panicles 10 x 10 cm, terminal; branches thick, dark purple-tomentose. Flowers 3 mm 

across, densely dark purple-tomentose; petals rose, ovate, obtuse. Drupe 2.5 x 1 cm, obovoid, 

obtuse, narrowed to the base, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30129 

Karimala; PS 19641 Orukomban 

Holigarna grahamii (Wight) Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 42: 305. 1872; FBI 2: 37. 1876; FPM 

268. 1918; FPL 136. 1990; FTSR 121. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 460. 2000. 

Semecarpus grahamii Wight, Ic. t. 235. 1839. Holigarna wightii Balakr., JBNHS 63: 327. 1966. 

78

Trees, to 30 m high; sap very acrid; branchlets stout; densely fulvous-tomentose. Leaves to 

40 x 20 cm, oblanceolate, suddenly widening above the middle, glabrous above, densely golden 

brown tomentose below, nerves more then 30 pairs, prominent, regular, parallel. Panicle 20 x 

35 cm, terminal, densely fulvous-hairy. Flowers many, sessile; sepals cupular, 4 or 5-toothed; 

petals dull white, 2.5 x 1.5 mm, densely hairy; filaments 3 mm long, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. October-March 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 19608 

Kariamchola; 30163 Pezha 

Holigarna nigra Bourd., Indian For. 30: 95. 1904; FPM 268. 1918; FPL 137. 1990; Dali & 

Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 462. 2000. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, spathulate rounded, cuneate. Racemes to 12 cm, 

sparsely branched, densely brown fulvous tomentose; flowers sessile, 8 mm across, hairy. Drupe 

4 x 1.5 cm, obovoid, glabrous. 




LANNEA A. Richard 

Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr., J. Arnold Arbor. 19: 353. 1938; FPL 137. 1990; FTSR 

122. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 463. 2000. Dialium coromandelicum Houtt., Nat. Hist. 

ser. 2. 2: 39. t. 5. f. 2. 1774. Odina wodier Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 293. 1832; FBI 2: 29. 1876; FPM 263. 

1918. 

Small deciduous trees, to 10 m high; bark reddish inside; branches glabrous. Leaves pinnate; 

leaflets opposite, 4-5 pairs, 8-10 x 4-5 cm, ovate, lanceolate, glabrous. Panicle to 15 x 15 cm, 

terminal, stellate-hairy. Flowers clustered, unisexual, monoecious, 4 mm across; sepals 4, ovate, 

acute, spreading; petals 2 x 1 mm, obovate, obtuse; stamens 8-10 in male flowers, free, all 

fertile; filaments glabrous; ovary 1-celled, ovule solitary. Fruit a drupe, 10 x 6 mm, ovoid, 

glabrous. 

Fl.& Fr. January-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19229 

Vengoli; PS 30109 Karimala 

MANGIFERA Linnaeus 

Mangifera indica L., Sp. Pl. 200. 1753; FBI 2: 13. 1876; FPM 259. 1918; FPL 138. 1990; FTSR 

122. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 466. 2000. 

Trees, to 20 m high; bark rough with vertical fissures. Leaves alternate, usually clustered 

towards the apex, to 22 x 5 cm, oblong, acute at either ends, coriaceous; nerves 30, parallel; 

petiole to 2 cm long. Panicles usually terminal, to 20 x 10 cm or larger, densely hispid. Flowers 

many, unisexual, 8 mm across; sepals 2 x 1.5 mm, triangular; petals dull yellow, 4 x 1.5 mm, 

oblong, curved; fertile stamens 1; ovary 1-celled, ovule solitary; style lateral. Drupe 5 x 3 cm, 

oblong, mesocarp fleshy; endocarp fibrous; seed sub-reniform. 


Distr. India, Myanmar, Thailand. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30300 Vengoli 

NOTHOPEGIA Blume 

1. Branchlets and petiole glabrous; raceme to 5 cm long........................................................ N. colebrookeana 

1. Branchlets and petiole variously pubescent; racemes to 1 cm long.............................................................. 2 

2. Intercostae parallel; leaf apex abruptly long acuminate ....................................................... N. travancorica 

2. Intercostae reticulate; leaf apex obtusely acute ..........................................................................N. heyneana 

79

Nothopegia colebrookeana (Wight) Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat 1: 203. 1850; FBI 2: 40. 1876; 

FPM 265. 1918; FTSR 124. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 474. 2000. Pegia colebrookeana 

Wight, Ic. t. 230. 1839. 

Trees to 5 m high; branchlets dark, lenticellate. Leaves to 12 x 4 cm, obovate, attenuate at 

base, shining above, pale white beneath; nerves 19-21 pairs, regular; petiole 1 cm long. Panicle 

5 x 2 cm, conjested, rusty tomentose. Flowers 2 mm across, densely rusty-tomentose; sepals 4, 

ovate, acute; petals oblong, puberulus inside, densely tomentose outside; stamens 4, filaments 

glabrous. Drupe 9 x 6 mm, ovoid, acute, black. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30353 Orukomban; 30222 

Karimala 

Nothopegia heyneana (Hook. f.) Gamble, FPM 265. 1918; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 476. 

2000. N. colebrookeana (Wight) Blume var. heyneana Hook.f., FBI 2: 40. 1876. 

Shrubs, branchlets slender. Leaves to 9 x 2 cm, oblong, acute at apex and base, brown when 

dried; nerves ca. 20 pairs; intercostae irregular; petiole 5 mm long. Raceme 1 cm long, axillary. 

Flowers 5-6 mm across; sepals 4, triangular, glabrous; petals 4 x 1.5 mm, oblong, acute, 

glabrous; stamens 4, filaments 1 mm long, erect; ovary conical; stigma capitate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30221 

Karimala 

Nothopegia travancorica Bedd. ex Hook.f., FBI 2: 40. 1876; FPM 265. 1918; FTSR 124. 1996; 

Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 477. 2000. 

Shrubs; branchlets lenticellate, ferrugineous tomentose. Leaves to 14 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

obtusely acuminate at apex, nerves 15 pairs, prominent; yellow; intercostae regular, closely 

parallel; petiole 1 cm long, curved. Flowers in axillary fascicles, 2-3 together; calyx ferrugineous 

tomentose; petals 1.5 mm long, ovate, acute, hairy inside, ciliate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30696 Orukomban 

SEMECARPUS Linnaeus f. 

1. Leaves below and inflorescence tomentose...............................................................................S. anacardium 

1. Leaves and inflorescence glabrous............................................................................................S. travancorica 

Semecarpus anacardium L. f., Suppl. Pl. 182. 1781; FBI 2: 30. 1876; FPM 266. 1918; FPL 139. 

1990; FTSR 124. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 500. 2000. 

Small to medium deciduous trees; bark greyish-brown, red inside; young shoots sericeous. 

Leaves oblong-elliptic or obovate, emarginate or retuse, base subcordate or acute, to 30 x 15 cm, 

lateral nerves 10-15 pairs, intercostae reticulate; petiole to 4 cm long. Flowers yellowish white; 

panicles to 20 cm long. Calyx lobes ovate, margins ciliate. Disc villous. Filaments glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Rare in dry areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30448 

Anappadi 

Semecarpus travancorica Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 232. 1872; FBI 2: 31. 1876; FPM 267. 1918; FTSR 

124. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 504. 2000. 

Large trees; bark dull brown. Leaves 20-40 x 12-20 cm, obovate, obtuse or acute at apex and 

base, coriaceous; nerves to 16 pairs, prominent, regular; petioles 5 cm long. Panicle 30 x 5 cm, 

axillary, glabrous. Flowers many, 1.5 mm across; sepals ovate, ciliate; petals white, oblong, 

acute, glabrous. Drupe 2.5 x 1.5 cm, compressed; pseudocarp 1.5 x 1 cm, globose, brown, striate. 

80


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30279 

Pooppara 

SOLENOCARPUS Wight & Arnott 

Solenocarpus indicus Wight & Arn., Prodr. 172. 1834; FTSR 125. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. 

Ind. 5: 505. 2000. Spondias indica (Wight & Arn.) Airy Shaw & Forman, Kew Bull. 21: 16. 1967- 

1968; FBI 2: 27. 1876; FPM 262. 1918; FPL 139. 1990. 

Small trees, sometimes epiphytic; bark brown, rough; branchlets slender. Leaves pinnately 

compound; leaflets 6 pairs, opposite or subopposite, 6-7 x 2-3 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 

sessile, many-nerved, base obliquely cordate. Panicle to 20 x 20 cm, axillary or terminal, 

spreading. Flowers many, bisexual, 3 mm across; calyx 5-lobed, lobes small, imbricate; petals 5, 

ovate, white; stamens 10, inserted outside the disk; ovary sessile, uni-locular; ovule solitary, 

pendulous. Drupe 8 x 5 mm, obovoid, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 

30396 Kuchimudi; NS 30501 Muthuvarachal; PS 19650 Vengoli 

SPONDIAS Linnaeus 

Spondias pinnata (L. f.) Kurz, Prelim. Rep. For. & Veg. Pegu Append. A. 44. & B. 42. 1875; FPL 

139. 1990; FTSR 125. 1996; Dali & Mukherjee, Fl. Ind. 5: 507. 2000. Mangifera pinnata L. f., 

Suppl. Pl. 156. 1781. Spondias mangifera Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 751. 1799; FBI 2: 42. 1876; FPM 261. 

1918. 

Large trees; bark yields a gum; branchlets stout, white. Leaves pinnate; leaflets 10 x 4 cm, 

opposite, oblong-acuminate; many-nerved, nerves parallel, forming an intramarginal vein. 

Panicle to 25 x 20 cm, terminal, glabrous. Flowers 6 mm across, sessile; sepals 5, triangular; 

petals 5, 3 x 1 mm, oblong, glabrous; fertile stamen 1, staminodes 9; ovary 4-5-celled; ovule 1 in 

each cell; styles 4 or 5. Drupe 4 x 2.5 cm, ovoid-oblong, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in semi-evergreen and rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19369 

Orukomban 

CONNARACEAE 

CONNARUS Linnaeus 

1. Leaflets glabrous; valves of the follicles velvety within ..........................................................C. sclerocarpus 

1. Leaflets tomentose along the nerves below; valves of follicles glabrous within.................... C. monocarpus 

Connarus monocarpus L., Sp. Pl. 675. 1753; FBI 2: 50. 1876; FPM 272. 1918; FPL 141. 1990; 

FTSR 126. 1996; Mondal, Fl. Ind. 5: 526. 2000. 

Large climbing shrubs; branchlets glabrous. Leaflets 9 x 4 cm, ovate, obtusely acuminate; 

nerves 5-7 pairs, reddish brown beneath; petiole 8 mm long. Panicles to 15 x 10 cm, terminal, 

branches fulvous-tomentose. Flowers many; pedicels hispid; sepals 4 x 1.5 mm, oblong, obtuse, 

hispid outside; petals 8 x 2 mm, acute, hispid outside; filaments glandular-hairy; ovary densely 

hairy. Capsule 5 x 2.5 cm, biconvex, stipitate, reddish, glabrous inside; seeds polished. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30241 

Pezha; NS 18866 Karimthalappara 

Connarus sclerocarpus (Wight & Arn.) Schellenb., Candollea 2: 98. 1925; FPM 273. 1918; FPL 

141. 1990; Mondal, Fl. Ind. 5: 531. 2000. Rourea sclerocarpa Wight & Arn., Prodr. 262. 1839. 

81

Large climbers. Leaflets 6-8 x 2-3.5 cm, elliptic, acute at base and apex; nerves 3 or 4 pairs, 

basal pair opposite, rib like; petiole 5 mm long. Panicles 10 x 10 cm, terminal, densely brown 

tomentose. Flowers light pink; pedicels very short; sepals yellow, 3 x 1.5 mm, densely tomentose 

outside; petals 7 x 2 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse, densely hairy; style 5 mm long, densely 

tomentose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in secondary forests; PS 30424 Pezha 

FABACEAE 

Papilionoideae 

1. Trees or lianas ................................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Herbs, shrubs or herbaceous climbers......................................................................................................... 11 

2. Pods orbicular, 1 seeded................................................................................................................Pterocarpus 

2. Pods oblong or linear many seeded................................................................................................................ 3 

3. Leaves trifoliolate............................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Leaves many foliolate ..................................................................................................................................... 7 

4. Lianas............................................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Trees................................................................................................................................................................. 6 

5. Stamens monadelphous..................................................................................................................... Pueraria 

5. Stamens diadelphous................................................................................................................... Spatholobus 

6. Keel petals much shorter than the standard................................................................................. Erythrina 

6. Keel petals longer than or equal to the standard ................................................................................. Butea 

7. Pods winged .............................................................................................................................................Derris 

7. Pods not winged............................................................................................................................................... 8 

8. Flowers in axillary racemes or an old wood...................................................................... Castanospermum 

8. Flowers in axillary or terminal panicles or cymes........................................................................................ 9 

9. Leaflets alternate; pods thin ............................................................................................................Dalbergia 

9. Leaflets opposite; pods woody ...................................................................................................................... 10 

10. Lianas...................................................................................................................................................Millettia 

10. Trees.................................................................................................................................................. Pongamia 

11. Herbaceous climbers ..................................................................................................................................... 12 

11. Erect herbs or shrubs.................................................................................................................................... 21 

12. Leaflets 8-15 pairs................................................................................................................................... Abrus 

12. Leaflets 3........................................................................................................................................................ 13 

13. Stamen monadelphous ................................................................................................................................. 14 

13. Stamens diadelphous.................................................................................................................................... 16 

14. Inflorescence rachis swollen at nodes.............................................................................................Canavalia 

14. Inflorescence rachis not swollen at nodes ................................................................................................... 15 

15. Flowers white; pods without hooked horn ...................................................................................Neonotonia 

15. Flowers red; pods with hooked horn at apex .................................................................................Teramnus 

16. Pods 1 or 2 seeded ..........................................................................................................................Rhynchosia 

16. Pods more than 4 seeded .............................................................................................................................. 17 

17. Calyx lobes obscure ............................................................................................................................Dumasia 

17. Calyx lobes distinct ....................................................................................................................................... 18 

18. Keel petal twisted; stigma oblique......................................................................................................... Vigna 

18. Keel petal not twisted; stigma strait ........................................................................................................... 19 

19. Pods glabrous or glabrescent........................................................................................................Centrosema 

19. Pods densely tomentose or bristly................................................................................................................ 20 

20. Anthers uniform ..................................................................................................................................Shuteria 

20. Anthers dimorphic............................................................................................................................... Mucuna 

82

21. Anthers dimorphic......................................................................................................................................... 22 

21. Anthers uniform ............................................................................................................................................ 25 

22. Leaves bifoliolate ................................................................................................................................... Zornia 

22. Leaves 1 or 3 foliolate.................................................................................................................................... 23 

23. Flowers axillary solitary ................................................................................................................. Goniogyna 

23. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes, cymes or umbels ....................................................................... 24 

24. Pods flat, jointed...........................................................................................................................Stylosanthes 

24. Pods turgid not jointed.....................................................................................................................Crotalaria 

25. Leaves even-pinnate ............................................................................................................................Smithia 

25. Leaves 1-foliolate or odd-pinnate................................................................................................................. 26 

26. Pods breaking into one seeded articles........................................................................................................ 27 

26. Pods not breaking into one seeded articles ................................................................................................. 29 

27. Pods twisted and encased in the calyx tube.........................................................................................Uraria 

27. Pods strait not enclosed in the calyx tube................................................................................................... 28 

28. Calyx scarious; joints of pods turgid ............................................................................................ Alysicarpus 

28. Calyx herbaceous; Joint of pods not turgid .................................................................................Desmodium 

29. Pods 1 or 2 seeded ............................................................................................................................ Flemingia 

29. Pods 3 or more seeded................................................................................................................................... 30 

30. Pods viscid glandular hairy ........................................................................................................Pseudarthria 

30. Pods not viscid glandules hairy.................................................................................................................... 31 

31. Plants covered with laterally adnated hairs..................................................................................Indigofera 

31. Plants not covered with laterally adnated hairs ........................................................................................ 32 

32. Leaves more than 3-foliolate ........................................................................................................... Tephrosia 

32. Leaves 3-foliolate........................................................................................................................................... 33 

33. Flowers axillary solitary or in 3 flowered fascicles.............................................................................. Rothia 

33. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes or panicles ........................................................................ Cajanus 

ABRUS Adanson 

1. Pods to 5 cm long; leaflets mucronate ........................................................................................A. precatorius 

1. Pods to 10 cm long; leaflets not mucronate................................................................................. A. pulchellus 

Abrus precatorius L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 12) 2: 472. 1767; FBI 2: 175. 1876; FPM 349. 1918; FPL 

145. 1990; FTSR 129. 1996. Glycine abrus L., Sp. Pl. 753. 1753. 

Twining herbs, glabrous. Leaves paripinnate, leaflets opposite, to 11 pairs, to 3 x 1 cm, 

oblong, obtuse, chartaceous, terminal leaflets larger; stipule lanceolate, deflexed. Flowers 

crowded in short tubercles, on long axillary raceme; calyx cupular, truncate; petals to 1 cm long, 

mauve, standard obovate; wings falcate, clawed; keel oblong; stamens monadelphous; ovary 

densely hairy. Pods 7 x 1 cm, oblong, slightly curved, compressed, glabrous; seeds many, 6 x 4 

mm, dark red. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30744 Thellikkal 

Abrus pulchellus Wall. ex Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 91. 1859; FBI 2: 175. 1876; FPM 350. 1918; 

FTSR 129. 1996. A. fruticulosus sensu Bret., Blumea 10: 612. 1960,p.p. 

Twining herbs, stem slender, hispid. Leaves to 12 cm long; leaflets 8-10 pairs, oblong, obtuse, 

base subcordate, glabrous, to 4 x 1.5 cm. Flowers pink, in short few-flowered axillary racemes. 

Calyx hispid. Pods to 10 x 1 cm; seeds ca. 10, orbicular, 4-5 mm across. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19900 

Kariamchola 

83

ALYSICARPUS Necker ex Desvaux 

1. Leaves ovate to orbicular................................................................................................................ A. vaginalis 

1. Leaves oblong to lanceolate.............................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Racemes interrupted............................................................................................................... A. bupleurifolius 

2. Racemes not interrupted ........................................................................................................ A. heterophyllus 

Alysicarpus bupleurifolius (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 352. 1825; FBI 2: 158. 1876; FPM 338. 1918; FPL 

146. 1990; FTSR 130. 1996. Hedysarum bupleurifolium L., Sp. Pl. 745. 1753. 

Erect herbs. Leaves to 4 x 0.9 cm, oblong, acute, cordate or rounded at base, ciliate; petiole 3 

mm long; stipule 1 cm long. Racemes 10-15 cm long, interrupted; bracts 7 x 5 mm, chaffy. 

Flowers grouped; calyx 10 mm long, lobes ciliate at apex; petals bluish violet. Pods 2 cm long; 

joints reticulate, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Polynesia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19749 Pezha; NS 19619 

Vengoli 

Alysicarpus heterophyllus (Benth. ex Baker.) Jafri & Ali, Biologia (Lahore) 12: 33. 1966. A. 

vaginalis (L.) DC. var. heterophyllus Benth. ex Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 158. 1876. 

Procumbent herbs; stem strigose along one line. Leaves to 6 x 0.5 cm, linear-oblong, acute, 

minutely hairy below, base rounded; petiole 5 mm long; stipule 2 x 0.3 cm, lanceolate, 

acuminate, straw-coloured. Raceme to 5 cm long, terminal; bracts 7 x 4 mm, ovate, acute; calyx 

10 mm long, lobes strongly ciliate at apex; standard pink, 8 mm long. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19881 

Velayudhankai 

Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 353. 1825; FBI 2: 158. 1876; FPM 338. 1918; FPL 146. 

1990; FTSR 130. 1996. Hedysarum vaginalis L., Sp. Pl. 746. 1753. Alysicarpus cylindricus 

(Lam.) Desv., Ann. Linn. Soc. Paris 4: 301. 1826. 

Procumbent herbs, stem glabrous. Leaves to 3 x 1.5 cm, ovate, obtuse, cordate at base, thinly 

villous below; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 10 x 2 mm, lanceolate. Racemes 3-6 cm long, terminal; 

bract 4 mm long, glabrous. Flowers paired; pedicels 2 mm long, slender; standard 5 mm long, 

pink. Pods 2 x 0.2 cm, jointed, joints 7, rectangular, minutely hooked-hairy. 


Distr. Old World tropics; introduced in America. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30211 

Vengoli; PS 19040, NS 18981 Thunakkadavu 

BUTEA Roxburgh ex Willdenow 

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 3: 366. 1894; FPL 147. 1990. 

Erythrina monosperma Lam., Encycl. 1: 391. 1785. Butea frondosa Koen. ex Roxb., Asiat. Res. 

3: 369. 1792 & Pl. Corom. t. 21. 1795; FBI 2: 194. 1876; FPM 357. 1918. 

Deciduous trees; branchlets densely tomentose. Terminal leaflets 14 x 15 cm, rhomboidobovate, 

emarginate at apex, pubescent on both sides when young, lateral leaflets 15 x 14 cm, 

oblique, obovate-oblong; petiole to 12 cm, petiolule 0.5 cm, jointed. Panicles axillary or terminal, 

cauliflorus; flowers bright red; calyx tube 1 cm, campanulate, tomentose, upper two connate, 

teeth 3 mm; standard petal 5 x 2.5 cm, lanceolate, clawed, 8 mm; wings falcate, 4.5 x 1.5 cm; 

keel united 4.5 x 3 cm, curved, tomentose outside; staminal tube 6 cm, hairy at the base; ovary 

2.5 cm, style 4.5 cm, pubescent. Pods 16 x 5 cm, flat, tomentose. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19141 Kariamchola 

84

CAJANUS A. P. de Candolle 

1. Erect shrubs.......................................................................................................................................C. lineatus 

1. Climbing or creeping herbs ................................................................................................................ C. heynei 

Cajanus heynei (Wight & Arn.) van der Maesen, Agri. Univ. Wagen. 85-4: 129. 1985; FTSR 131. 

1996. Dunbaria heynei Wight & Arn., Prodr. 258. 1834; FBI 2: 217. 1876; FPM 370. 1918. D. 

oblonga Arn., Nov. Acta Phys. Med. Acad. Caes. Leop. Carol. Nat. Cur. 18: 333. 1836. 

Twining herbs, stem patently hairy. Leaflets obovate, caudate-acuminate, lateral leaflets 

oblique, tomentose, to 7 x 4.5 cm, lateral nerves ca. 5 pairs, impressed above; petiole to 6 cm 

long. Flowers 2 cm long, confined to the tip of axillary racemes. Calyx red, pubescent. Petals 

yellow. Ovary pilose, style tomentose. Pods villous, 3 cm long; 4-5 seeded. 


Distr. South West India, Sri Lanka and Indo-China. Common in secondary forests; PS 30198 

Kothala; 18841 Kuriarkutty 

Cajanus lineatus (Wight & Arn.) van der Maesen, Agri. Univ. Wagen. 85-4: 143. 1985; FTSR 

131. 1996. Atylosia lineata Wight & Arn., Prodr. 258. 1834; FBI 2: 213. 1876; FPM 368. 1918; 

FPL 147. 1990. A. lawii Wight, Ic. t. 93. 1835. 

Erect shrubs, branchlets silky tomentose. Leaflets subsessile, obovate or rhomboid, 

mucronate, base acute, grey tomentose beneath, to 4 x 1.5 cm, 3-ribbed from the base; petiole to 

1.5 cm long. Flowers yellow, 1.3 cm long, in axillary pairs. Calyx tomentose, lobes deltoid, 

acuminate. Ovary densely villous. Pods densely hairy, 2 x 0.8 cm; seeds 3. 

Fl. & Fr. June-January 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in grasslands; PS 19280 Karimala; 19952 Karimala 

CANAVALIA A. P. de Candolle 

Canavalia cathartica Thouars in Desv., J. Bot. 1: 81. 1813; FTSR 132. 1996. C. virosa 

(Roxb.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 253. 1834 p.p.; FPM 359. 1918. Dolichos virosus Roxb., Fl. 

Ind. 3:301. 1832. Canavalia ensiformis DC. var. virosa (Roxb.) Baker in Hook.f., FBI 

2:196. 1876. 

Climbing shrubs. Leaflets broadly ovate, acute or acuminate at apex, base rounded or 

truncate, subcoriaceous, to 13 x 8 cm; lateral nerves ca. 7 pairs; petiole to 6 cm long. 

Flowers 2.5 cm long, in axillary, 10-15 cm long racemes. Calyx hispid. Petals lilac. Ovary 

pubescent. Pods oblong, compressed apiculate, pubescent, to 12 x 2 cm. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in deciduous forests; PS 30831 Padippara 

CASTANOSPERMUM A. Cunningham ex W. J. Hooker 

Castanospermum australe A. Cunn. & Fraser ex Hook., Bot. Misc. 1: 241, t. 51. 1830. 

Medium trees. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate, leaflets 5-7 pairs, to 10 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute, 

base rounded; petiole to 5 mm. Racemes to 10 cm, axillary or on old wood, calyx to 2 cm, 5-lobed, 

corolla to 2.5 cm, orange-red, standard obovate, orbicular, wing and keels, oblong; stamens 5, 

free. Pods to 15 x 5 cm, oblong, turgid, apicular one large; seeds subglobose. 

Fl. flowering is not observed 

Distr. Native of Australia. Planted in Rage Office campus 

CENTROSEMA (A. P. de Candolle) Bentham 

Centrosema pubescens Benth., Comm. Legum. Gen. 55. 1837; FPL 178. 1990; FTSR 133. 1996. 

C. virginianum (L.) Benth., Ann. Wien. Mus. 2: 120. 1838. Clitoria virginiana L., Sp. Pl. 753. 

1753. 

85

Twining herbs; stem covered with hooked hairs. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets to 7.5 x 3.5 cm, 

ovate-oblong, acuminate at apex, rounded at base, pubescent, stipellate; petiole 3-10 cm long; 

stipules ovate. Flowers 3-9-together, in umbellate racemes on long peduncles; bracts large, 

ovate; calyx 6 mm long, campanulate, toothed; standard 3 cm across, violet-pink, hairy on back; 

wings obovate, clawed; keel curved, acute; stamens monadelphous. Pods to 14 x 0.6 cm, sessile, 

glabrous, compressed with thick margins, cuspidate; seeds many, grey, mottled with green. 


Distr. Native of America; introduced in India. Very common in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19031 Kannimara 

CROTALARIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves trifoliolate.......................................................................................................................... C. laevigata 

1. Leaves simple .................................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Shrubs or sub shrubs ...................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Erect or prostate herbs ................................................................................................................................... 5 

3. Pods glabrous......................................................................................................................................C. retusa 

3. Pods variously hairy........................................................................................................................................ 4 

4. Corolla yellow; leaf margins ciliate...................................................................................................C. juncea 

4. Corolla bluish-white; leaves glabrous......................................................................................... C. heyneana 

5. Pods glabrous................................................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Pods hairy ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 

6. Flowers in heads or umbels............................................................................................................................ 7 

6. Flowers in racemes.......................................................................................................................................... 8 

7. Upper calyx lobes connate ................................................................................................................... C. nana 

7. Upper calyx lobes deeply divided....................................................................................................... C. dubia 

8. Pods to 1 cm, as long as the calyx ................................................................................................C. humifusa 

8. Pods more than 2 cm, longer than the calyx................................................................................................. 9 

9. Stipules lanceolate, margin ciliate; pods oblong.......................................................................C. ferruginea 

9. Stipules linear, margin not ciliate; pods obovoid.....................................................................C. mysorensis 

10. Stem quadrangular; leaf base equal................................................................................................ C. clarkei 

10. Stem terete; leaf base unequal................................................................................................C. evolvuloides 

Crotalaria clarkei Gamble, Kew Bull. 1917: 27. 1917 & FPM 296. 1918. 

Suberect herbs; stem quadrangular, pilose. Leaves to 4 x 1.3 cm, oblong, obtuse, subcordate 

at base, hairy below; petiole 1 mm long; stipule 5 x 3 mm, ovate, oblique. Raceme 6-10 cm long, 

terminal or axillary; bracts 4 x 3 mm, ovate, cordate. Flowers few; calyx 1 cm long, lobes 

acuminate, densely fulvous; standard 10 x 3 cm, hairy without; wings 9 x 3 mm, obtuse; keel 10 

mm long, ciliate. Pods 25 x 9 mm, oblong. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in grasslands; PS 19922 Karimala 

Crotalaria dubia Graham ex Benth. in Hook.'s London J. Bot. 2: 568. 1834; FBI 2: 73. 1876; 

FPM 296. 1918. 

Shrubs, branchlets silky pubescent. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, obovate, obtuse, mucronate, 

subsessile. Flowers in short terminal heads; bracts and bracteoles 4 mm, ovate, acuminate; 

calyx lobed, lobes to 4 mm; corolla yellow, standard to 1 x 0.3 cm oblong; wings 11 x 2 mm, 

linear, keels curved, ca 1 x 0.5 cm. Pods to 6 x 3 mm, 4-6 seeded; seeds 2 mm across, reniform. 


Distr. South West India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 

19029 Thunakkadavu 

86

Crotalaria evolvuloides Wight ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 188. 1834; FBI 2: 68. 1876; FPM 292. 

1918; FPL 150. 1990; FTSR 134. 1996. 

Prostrate herbs; stem pubescent. Leaves to 4 x 2 cm, ovate, obtuse, mucronate, unequal at 

base, pubescent below; stipule 3 mm long, deflexed. Racemes erect, 3-4 cm long; bracts 3 x 2 

mm, cordate at base. Flowers 3-7 in a raceme; calyx 10 mm long, lobes lanceolate; standard 8 x 

7 mm, orbicular; wings 6 x 3 mm, clawed; keel glabrous. Pods 15 x7 mm, hairy. 

Fl. & Fr. August-December- 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 

PS 19106 Peruvaripallam; 19816 Kannimara 

Crotalaria ferruginea Graham ex Benth. in Hook.f., FBI 2: 68. 1876. 

Erect branched herbs, silky pubescent. Leaves to 5.5 x 1.5 cm, oblong, obovate, apex obtuse, 

apiculate, base cuneate, pubescent; petiole 1 mm, stipule 0.5 cm, lanceolate, ciliate. Racemes 

lax, 6-8 flowered; flowers yellow, pedicels 0.5 cm; sepals connate at the base, 1.5 cm, lanceolate, 

tomentose; keel sepal linear; standard petal 17 x 8 mm, orbicular; wings 10 x 5 mm, oblong, 

obtuse; keel united, 1.5 cm long, enclosing the stamens and pistil; anthers dimorphic, larger 3 

mm, smaller 0.3 mm; ovary 4 mm, oblong, style constricted at the bent, 1.3 cm long, puberulus, 

stigma oblique. Pods 3 x 1 cm, oblong, glabrous, shining; seeds many. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous and rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 19984 

Keerappadi 

Crotalaria heyneana Graham ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 187. 1834; FBI 2: 78. 1876; FPM 297. 

1918; FPL 150. 1990; FTSR 134. 1996. 

Erect shrubs; stem 3-angled, villous. Leaves to 9 x 7 cm, ovate, obtuse, cuneate at base, 

minutely hairy below; stipule 7 mm broad, semi-lunar. Raceme to 20 cm long, terminal; bracts 

deflexed. Flowers numerous; pedicels 6-7 mm long, bracteolate at middle; calyx 8 mm long, 

lobes ovate, acuminate, thinly hairy; petals white or bluish white; standard 12 x 8 mm, 

glabrous; wings 10 x 6 mm; keel glabrous. Pods 35 x 13 mm, minutely hispid, clawed. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19052 Thunakkadavu 

Crotalaria humifusa Graham ex Benth. in Hook.’s London J. Bot. 2: 476. 1843; FBI 2: 67. 1876; 

FPM 292. 1918; FPL 150. 1990; FTSR 134. 1996. 

Prostrate herb; stem villous. Leaves to 5 x 3.5 cm, ovate, obtuse, pubescent, petiolate; stipule 

filiform. Raceme axillary, 6-12 cm long, peduncled. Flowers 5-10; pedicels 5 mm long; bracts and 

bracteoles filiform; calyx 6 mm long, lobes equal, densely fulvous hairy; standard 5 x 3 mm, 

obovate; wings 4 x 2 mm, oblanceolate; keel glabrous. Pods to 7 x 3 mm, oblong, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malaya. Occasional in grassland areas; PS 19962 Karimala 

Crotalaria juncea L., Sp. Pl. 714. 1753; FBI 2: 79. 1876; FPL 150. 1990. 

Silky pubescent subshrubs; branchlets striate. Leaves to 10 x 0.6 cm, oblong, apex obtuse, 

mucronate, base cuneate, pubescent on both sides, sessile; stipule adpressed, lanceolate, 

deciduous. Racemes terminal; flowers yellow; bracts 4 mm, linear; bracteoles cauducous; calyx 

lobes 2 and 1.5 cm long, lanceolate, densely tomentose, standard petal 3 x 2.5 cm; wings 2 x 0.9 

cm, keel 2.5 x 1 cm; staminal sheath 4 mm, filaments 8 and 16 mm; anthers dimorphic, 7 and 1 

mm; ovary 1 cm, villous, style 2 cm. Pods 3 x 1 cm, oblong, densely brownish tomentose. 


Distr. Native of India; now spread to moist tropical countries. Rare in degraded forest areas; PS 


87

Crotalaria laevigata Lam., Encycl. 2: 198. 1786; FBI 2: 83. 1876; FPM 300. 1918; FPL 151. 

1990; FTSR 134. 1996. 

Shrubs, 2-3 m tall. Leaflets obovate or oblong-obovate, obtuse or retuse, membranous, 

glabrous, glaucous below, terminal much larger than the laterals, to 3 x 1.5 cm; lateral nerves 

and reticulations faint; petiole to 3 cm long; stipule subulate, to 4 mm long. Flowers 1.5 cm 

across, in axillary, 2-5 flowered racemes; bracts minute, setaceous. Calyx lobes puberulus, 

deltoid-lanceolate, 4 mm long. Petals bright yellow, standard ovate; keels beaked. Pods 

glabrous, 1.5 x 0.5 cm; seeds ca. 10. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Madagascar. Common in rocky grassland areas; PS 30517 Pezha 

Crotalaria mysorensis Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 338. 1821; FBI 2: 70. 1876; FPM 295. 1918; FPL 151. 

1990; FTSR 134. 1996. 

Shrubs to 1 m high; stem terete, densely long-hairy. Leaves to 5.5 x 0.7 cm, linear-oblong, 

obtuse, densely fulvous hairy, stipule 1 cm long, oblong, erect. Raceme to 20 cm long, velutinous 

hairy. Flowers distant; pedicels 1 cm long; bracts 1.5 cm long, lanceolate; calyx 18 mm long, 

densely hairy; standard 17 x 12 cm, obovate, fulvous hairy on back; wings 12 x 4 mm, rugose; 

keel 15 mm long, densely pubescent on margins. Pods 2.2 x 1 cm, obovoid, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in rocky grassland areas; PS 30479 Vengoli 

Crotalaria nana Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 156,t.48. f.2. 1768; FBI 2: 71. 1876; FPL 151. 1990; FTSR 135. 

1996. C. umbellata Wight ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 191. 1834; FPM 294. 1918. C. nana Burm. f. 

var. umbellata (Wight & Arn.) Prain, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 66: 351. 1897. 

Erect herbs, to 30 cm high; stem fulvous. Leaves to 3 x 0.8 cm, oblong, acute or obtuse, 

densely hairy. Flowers 16-30-together, in terminal sessile conjested umbel; bracts 5 mm long, 

filiform; calyx lobes lanceolate, densely hairy; standard 5 x 3 mm, obovate, yellow; wings 4 x 2 

mm, verrucose; keel ciliate along the margins. Pods 5 x 4 mm, globose, glabrous, 6-10-seeded. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5734, PS 19963 Karimala 

Crotalaria retusa L., Sp. Pl. 715. 1753; FBI 2: 75. 1876; FPM 293. 1918; FPL 152. 1990. 

Erect shrubs; stem glabrous, terete. Leaves to 12 x 3 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse to retuse; 

petiole to 1 cm long; stipule minute, filiform. Raceme terminal, many-flowered; bracts and 

bracteoles filiform. Flowers yellow; pedicels 1 cm long, deflexed; calyx 12 mm long, lobes ovate, 

acute, thinly hairy; standard 2.5 x 3 cm, orbicular, retuse, glabrous; wings 2 cm long, verrucose; 

keel tomentose along the margins. Pods 5 x 1.3 cm, oblong, tomentose. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in rocky grasslands; PS 19703 Karimala 

DALBERGIA Linnaeus f. 

1. Lianas................................................................................................................................................ D. volubilis 

1. Trees................................................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaflets more than 10; stamens 10.................................................................................................................. 5 

2. Leaflets less than 10; stamens 9...................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Flowers in axillary corymbose panicles........................................................................................... D. latifolia 

3. Flowers in terminal panicles on new shoots ................................................................................................... 4 

4. Leaflets 4 or 5, sub-orbicular................................................................................................................D. sissoo 

4. Leaflets 10, obovate..........................................................................................................................D. sissoides 

5. Branchlets glabrous ..........................................................................................D. lanceolaria ssp. lanceolaria 

5. Branchlets densely pubescent.......................................................................... D. lanceolaria ssp. paniculata 

88

Dalbergia lanceolaria L. f., Suppl. Pl. 316. 1781, ssp. lanceolaria; FBI 2: 235. 1876; FPM 383. 

1918; FPL 154. 1990; FTSR 137. 1996. D. frondosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 226. 1832. 

Trees, to 25 m tall; bark greenish-white. Leaflets 12-20 pairs, 2-5 x 1-2 cm, oblong, obtuse, 

glabrous, nerves many, close. Panicles 15 x 8 cm, yellowish-hirsute. Flowers greenish white; 

calyx 3 mm long, lobes ovate, acute, hirsute; petals white; standard 10 x 7 mm, orbicular, 

glabrous; wings 8 mm long, curved; keel glabrous. Pods to 9 x 2.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, glabrous, 

acute at apex, narrowed to the base, 1-3 seeded; stalk very long. 


Distr. India, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30233, 


Dalbergia lanceolaria L.f. ssp. paniculata (Roxb.) Thoth., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 25: 171. 1985. D. 

paniculata Roxb., Corom. t. 114. 1799; FBI 2: 236. 1876; FPM 383. 1918. Amerimnon 

paniculatum (Roxb.) O. Ktze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 159. 1891. 

Small trees, branchlets pubescent. Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets alternate, 5 or 6 pairs, to 4 x 

2.5 mm, oblong, obovate, obtuse, base cuneate; petioles ca 4 mm. Panicles terminal or axillary 

on tender shoot, pubescent; flowers ca 1 cm across; calyx tube ca 4 mm, rusty tomentose; corolla 

white, standard 1 x 0.5 mm, ovate, oblong, wings and keels to 8 x 3 mm; stamens 10, 

diadelphous; ovary ca 3 mm. Pods to 7 x 11.5 cm, lanceolate, acute; seeds 1 or 2. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30392 Kuchimudi 

Dalbergia latifolia Roxb., Corom. Pl. 2: 7,t.1798; FBI 2: 231. 1876; FPM 383. 1918; FPL 154. 

1990; FTSR 137. 1996. D. emarginata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 224. 1832. 

Tall trees, to 30 m tall; branchlets slender, white. Leaves 7-11-foliolate, leaflets 3-6 cm 

across, obovate-orbicular, rounded to emarginate at apex, rounded at base, glaucous beneath; 

petiolule 6 mm long. Panicles to 10 x 4 cm, axillary, glabrous. Flowers 10 mm long, creamy 

white; calyx 5 mm long, glabrous; standard 8 mm across, clawed; wings curved; keel glabrous. 

Pods to 10 x 2 cm, oblong, obtuse, glabrous, 1-6-seeded; stalk short. 


Distr. India, Nepal and Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30483 

Kuchimudi; 19612 Vengoli 

Dalbergia sissoides Graham ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 1: 265. 1834; FBI 2: 231. 1870; FPM 383. 

1918; FPL 154. 1990; FTSR 137. 1996. D. latifolia var. sissoides (Graham ex Wight & Arn.) 

Baker in Hook. f., FBI 2: 231. 1876. D. latifolia sensu Wight, Ic. t. 1153. 1846, non Roxb. 1796. 

Tall trees, to 25 m tall. Leaves 6-9-foliolate; leaflets to 7 x 4 cm, obovate, acute at the apex 

and base; petiolule 6 mm long. Panicle 5-15 cm across, terminal or upper axillary, glabrous. 

Flowers 8 mm long, greenish yellow; pedicels 6 mm long, slender; calyx 4 mm long, lobes 

obtuse, glabrous; standard 7 x 5 mm, greenish yellow; keel glabrous. Pods to 8 x 1.5 cm, ellipticoblong, 

acute at apex, attenuate into a long stalk at base. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Indonesia. Rare in secondary forests; PS 30231 Karimala 

Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 223. 1832; FBI 2: 237. 1876; FPM 384. 1918. 

Medium trees, branchlets pilose. Leaflets alternate, 2 pairs, to 7 x 6 cm, obovate, obtuse, 

base cuneate; subsessile. Panicle lax terminal and axillary on new shoots; pedicel ca 2 mm, 

calyx tube ca 3 mm, corolla cream, standard ca 8 x 5 mm, obovate, wings and keels 6 mm; 

stamens 9, monadelphous; sheath ca 4 mm. Pods to 7.5 x 1 cm, oblong acute, apiculate; seeds 2. 

Fl. & Fr. February-March 

Distr. Native of Tropical Himalaya to North East India, cultivated in Tropical to Subtropical 

Africa, Asia. Planted in nearby areas of Keerappadi check post; NS 3213, 3212 Parambikulam 

89

Dalbergia volubilis Roxb., Corom. Pl. 2: 48. t.191. 1805; FBI 2: 235. 1876; FPM 384. 1918; FPL 

155. 1990; FTSR 137. 1996. 

Climbers. Leaves 8-10-foliolate; leaflets to 3 x 1.5 cm, obovate-oblong, obtuse at apex, 

glabrous. Panicle 25 x 10 cm, terminal. Flowers 10 mm across, blue; calyx 5 mm long, lobes 

ovate, acute, hairy; standard 8 mm across, reflexed; keel 5 x 3 mm, glabrous; stamens 

isodiadelphous. Pods to 3.5 x 1.5 cm, elliptic, obtuse at apex, shortly cuspidate, stalked, 

glabrous; seed solitary. 

Fl. & Fr. March-June. 

Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30284 

Parambikulam 

DERRIS Loureiro 

1. Leaflets 9-13, to 5 x 2 cm ................................................................................................................D. scandans 

1. Leaflets 7-9, to 9 x 4 cm .................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Branchlets softly pubescent; pods turgid over seeds.................................................................. D. benthamii 

2. Branchlets glabrous; pods compressed and flat............................................................................. D. brevipes 

Derris benthamii (Thw.) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 413. 1864; FPM 387. 1918. Brachypterum 

benthamii Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 93. 1859. Derris paniculata Benth., J. Linn. Soc. 4 (Suppl.): 

105,1860; FBI 2: 242. 1878. 

Stout climbers; branchlets densely lenticellate, minutely dark brown hispid. Leaves 7-9- 

foliolate; leaflets to 4 x 2 cm, ovate, abruptly acuminate, acumen twisted, retuse, pubescent 

along the nerves below; petiolule hispid. Panicle to 30 x 30 cm, brown-hispid. Calyx 4 mm long, 

oblique at mouth, densely hispid outside, lobes short; standard 10 x 6 mm, clawed, concave, 

white; keel 10 x 3 mm, oblong, clawed. Pods 3.5 x 2 cm, 1.5 cm thick, densely brown hispid, 

acute and hooked at apex, acute at base; seeds 1 or 2. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests and riverine areas; PS 


Derris brevipes (Benth.) Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 244. 1878; FPM 388. 1918; FTSR 138. 1996. D. 

heyneana Benth. var. brevipes Benth., J. Linn. Soc. 4 (Suppl.): 110. 1860. 

Stout climber; branchlets slender, glabrous. Leaves 3-9-foliolate; leaflets to 12 x 5 cm, 

obovate-oblong, abruptly acuminate at apex, retuse, acute at base. Panicles 10 x 10 cm, axillary, 

rusty tomentose. Calyx cupular, 4 mm long, hispid, black, lobes obtuse; standard 11 x 7 mm, 

obovate, emarginate, white, clawed; wing 9 x 3 mm, oblong; keel glabrate; stamens 

monadelphous; ovary densely hairy. Pods 5 x 2.5 cm, ovate, obtuse at either ends, dark brownhispid; 

seeds 2. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in semi-evergreen forests;; PS 19331 

Thenkudippara 

Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 4 (Suppl.) 103. 1860; FBI 2: 240. 1878; FPM 

387. 1918; FPL 155. 1990; FTSR 138. 1996. Dalbergia scandens Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 192. 1805. 

D. timorensis DC., Prodr. 2: 417. 1825. Brachypterum scandens (Roxb.) Benth., Ann. Wien Mus. 

2: 101. 1838. B. timorensis (DC.) Benth. in Miq., Pl. Jungh. 1: 253. 1852. Derris timorensis 

(DC.) Pittier, Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb. 20: 41. 1917. 

Woody climbers, stem terete, lenticellate. Leaves to 12 cm; leaflets 9-13, to 4.5 x 2 cm, 

oblong-obovate, puberulus beneath; petiolule 5 mm, stipels minute. Racemes axillary and rarely 

terminal, to 25 cm long, nodes tumid; flowers pinkish-white; pedicels to 8 mm, pubescent; 

bracteoles 2 above the middle of the pedicel; calyx 3 mm, truncate, campanulate; standard petal 

9 x 7 mm, ovate-orbicular; wings 9 x 2 mm, appendaged; keel 9 mm; staminal tube 7 mm, 

90

filaments 2 and 3 mm; ovary 7 mm, tomentose, style 5 mm, bent upwards, stigma globose. Pods 

winged on the upper suture, tapering at both ends, pubescent; seeds 1-4. 



DESMODIUM Desvaux 

1. Leaves 1-foliolate............................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Leaves 3-foliolate............................................................................................................................................. 5 

2. Petiole winged; stem 3-angled...................................................................................................D. triquetrum 

2. Petiole not winged; stem not 3-angled........................................................................................................... 3 

3. Articles long, rhomboidal...............................................................................................................D. zonatum 

3. Articles short, linear........................................................................................................................................ 4 

4. Leaves glabrous above; stipules lanceolate.............................................................................D. gangeticum 

4. Leaves velutinus above; stipules ovate......................................................................................D. velutinum 

5. Flowers in axillary umbels ....................................................................................................... D. triangulare 

5. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes or panicles .................................................................................... 6 

6. Flowers included in the large foliaceous orbicular bracts...................................................... D. pulchellum 

6. Flowers exposed without foliaceous or orbicular bracts............................................................................... 7 

7. Trailing herbs .................................................................................................................................................. 8 

7. Erect shrubs or herbs...................................................................................................................................... 9 

8. Stem glabrescent; leaflets emarginate at apex...........................................................................D. triflorum 

8. Stem hairy; leaflets rounded at apex..................................................................................D. heterophyllum 

9. Joints of pods lunar or crescentic; stamens monadelphous.....................................................D. repandum 

9. Joints of pods square; stamens diadelphous............................................................................................... 10 

10. Calyx 5 lobed, upper calyx lobes not connate......................................................................D. alysicarpoides 

10. Calyx 4 lobed, upper calyx lobes connate .................................................................................................... 11 

11. Inflorescence dense; secondary bracts absent...................................................................... D. heterocarpon 

11. Inflorescence lax; secondary bracts present..............................................................................D. laxiflorum 

Desmodium alysicarpoides van Meeuwen, Reinwardtia 6: 246. 1961. Alysicarpus parviflorus 

Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 211. 1851; FPM 339. 1918. Desmodium parviflorum 

(Dalz.) Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 172. 1876, non Mart. & Galeotti 1843. 

Erect or suberect herbs, to 30 cm high; stem villous. Leaflets 4.5 x 2 cm, elliptic acute at 

apex, rounded at base, tomentose below; laterals much smaller. Racemes to 30 cm long, 

terminal; pedicels 2 or 3-together. Flowers blue; calyx 4.5 mm long, lobes linear-lanceolate, 

densely hairy, standard 3 x 2.5 mm, glabrous. Pods curved, 6-jointed, joint 2 x 1.5 mm, straight 

along one suture, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in dry deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 30063 

Kuchimudi 

Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 327. 1825; FBI 2: 168. 1876; FPL 157. 1990; 

FTSR 139. 1996. Hedysarum gangeticum L., Sp. Pl. 746. 1753. H. maculatum L., Sp. Pl. 

1051. 1753. Desmodium collinum Wight, Ic. t. 272. 1840. 

Erect subshrubs, stem hispid, 3-angled. Leaves to 12 x 8 cm, ovate, acute at apex, 

rounded or truncate at base, glabrous above, densely tomentose below; nerves prominent 

beneath. Racemes to 30 cm long, axillary, villous; pedicels 2-5 together, 3 mm long. 

Flowers pale blue; calyx 2 mm long, lobes acute; standard 3.5 x 3 mm, acute at base, 

retuse at apex. Pods straight, 8-jointed; joints 2.5 x 2.5 mm, moniliform, glabrous, black. 


Distr. Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia. Common in deciduous forests and plantation; 

PS 30832 Padippara 

91

Desmodium heterocarpon (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 337. 1825; FPL 157. 1990; FTSR 139. 1996. 

Hedysarum heterocarpon L., Sp. Pl. 474. 1753. H. polycarpum Poir. in Lam., Encycl. 6: 431. 

1805. Desmodium polycarpum (Poir.) DC., Prodr. 2: 334. 1825; FBI 2: 171. 1876; FPM 346. 

1918. D. patens Wight, Ic. t. 407. 1840. 

Erect herbs; stem strigose. Leaflets to 7 x 3.5 cm, elliptic, obtuse at apex, rounded at base, 

pubescent below, glaucous, nervules parallel; stipules 18 mm long, lanceolate, subulate above. 

Raceme to 20 cm long, axillary, densely adpressed-strigose. Flowers densely arranged; bracts 4- 

8 x 3-5 mm, ovate, acuminate; calyx 2 mm long, lobes ovate, acute, standard 4 x 2.5 mm, 

obovate, pink. Pods 2 x 0.3 mm, 6-8 jointed; joints squarish, pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Japan. Common in moist deciduous forests and vayals; PS 


Desmodium heterophyllum (Willd.) DC., Prodr. 2: 334. 1825; FPM 347. 1918; FPL 157. 1990; 

FTSR 140. 1996. Hedysarum heterophyllum Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 1201. 1802. Desmodium triflorum 

(L.) DC. var. majus Wight & Arn., Prodr. 229. 1834. 

Trailing herbs; stem densely villous, reddish. Terminal leaflets 2.5 x 1.2 cm, elliptic, obtuse, 

glabrous above; petiole 1.5 cm long; lateral leaflets smaller, stipule 6 x 3 mm, lanceolate, ciliate. 

Racemes axillary, 1-3-flowered; pedicel 1.3 cm long, slender, villous. Flowers blue; calyx 3 mm 

long, lobes long-ciliate; standard 5 mm across; stamens diadelphous. Pods 2 x 0.4 cm, joints 

strongly reticulate, thinly pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in degraded forest areas and plantations; PS 19718 

Parambikulam; 30478 Vengoli 

Desmodium laxiflorum DC., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 4: 100. 1825 & Prodr. 2: 335. 1825; FBI 2: 

164. 1876; FPM 344. 1918; FPL 158. 1990; FTSR 140. 1996. D. diffusum DC., Ann. Sci. Nat. 

(Paris) 4: 100. 1825. D. recurvatum (Roxb.) Graham ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 226. 1834. 

Hedysarum recurvatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 358. 1832. 

Erect herbs, to 35 cm high; stem angled, adpressed-hairy. Terminal leaflet to 13 x 10 cm, 

ovate, acute at apex, rounded at base, densely hairy below, glabrate above; petiole 4 cm long; 

stipules 8 mm long, lanceolate; stipels filiform. Racemes to 35 cm long, axillary or terminal; 

rachis hairy. Flowers solitary or paired, pink; calyx 2 mm long, hairy; standard 6 x 3 mm, 

emarginate. Pods 6-9 jointed; joints 4 x 1.25 mm, oblong, longitudinally striate. 


Distr. India to Formosa, Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

30497 Muthuvarachal 

Desmodium pulchellum (L.) Benth., Fl. Hongk. 83. 1861; FBI 2: 162. 1876; FPM 344. 1918; FPL 

158. 1990; FTSR 140. 1996. Hedysarum pulchellum L., Sp. Pl. 747. 1753. Phyllodium 

pulchellum (L.) Desv., J.Bot. ser. 2, 1:124.1813. Dicerma pulchellum (L.) DC., Prodr. 2:339.1825. 

Erect shrubs, to 1.5 m tall; stem and branches arching. Leaflets 10 x 6 cm, obovate, obtuse at 

apex, acute at base, thinly hairy above, densely below. Racemes panicled, terminal or 

subterminal, to 30 cm long; floral leaves bifarious, to 12 mm across, orbicular, hispid, with one 

filiform appendage at base. Flowers 1-3 together; bracts and bracteoles minute; standard 4-5 

mm long, pale blue, glabrous. Pods 2-jointed, 7 mm long, joints orbicular, glabrous. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


Desmodium repandum (Vahl) DC., Prodr. 2: 334. 1825. Hedysarum repandum Vahl, Symb. Bot. 

2: 82. 1791. Desmodium scalpe DC., Prodr. 2: 334. 1825; FBI 2: 165. 1876; FPM 345. 1918. D. 

strangulatum Wight & Arn., Prodr. 228. 1834. 

92

Undershrubs; branches slender. Leaves few; leaflets to 20 x 6 cm, ovate, acuminate, rounded 

at base, glabrous above, adpressed pubescent below; nerves finely reticulated below; stipules 

ovate, acuminate. Flowers in panicled racemes, terminal or axillary; rachis tomentose, to 25 cm 

long; calyx 4-lobed, campanulate; standard to 10 mm across, reddish, orbicular, retuse at apex. 

Joints of pods 2 or 3, to 1.5 x 0.6 cm, falcate, densely covered with hooked hairs. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19453 Valiyathode 

Desmodium triangulare (Retz.) Merr., J. Arnold Arbor. 23: 170. 1942; FTSR 141. 1996. 

Hedysarum triangulare Retz., Obs. Bot. 3: 40. 1783. 

Shrubs; branchlets triangulare, adpressed hairy. Leaflets subequal, to 9 x 4 cm, elliptic, 

acuminate, hairy when young; nerves 8-10 pairs, regular; petiole 3 mm long; stipules 1 cm long, 

ovate, acuminate. Flowers many-together, in axillary clusters; upper calyx lobes united and 

longer than the others; petals white; standard to 8 mm across, orbicular, glabrous; wings 6 mm 

long, obovate; keels glabrous. Pods to 2.5 cm long, curved, crenate; joints 4-6, adpressed 

tomentose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests and rocky areas; PS 30465 

Vengoli 

Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 334. 1825; FBI 2: 173. 1876; FPL 159. 1990; FTSR 141. 

1996. Hedysarum triflorum L., Sp. Pl. 249. 1753. Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. var. minus 

Wight & Arn., Prodr. 229. 1834. Hedysarum stipulaceum Burm.f., Fl. Ind. t. 54. f. 2. 1768. 

Prostrate herbs; branches trailing, slender, pilose. Leaflets 4-6 x 4-5 mm, orbicular, obtuse to 

retuse, pubescent below; stipule 4 mm long, ovate. Flowers 3 mm across, 3-5 in short axillary 

raceme; calyx 2 mm long, 5-lobed; standard 3 mm across, orbicular, pink; wings obovate. Pods 

to 1 cm long, straight; joints 4-6, squarish, hooked-pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19880 Velayudhankai; 


Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 326. 1825; FBI 2: 163. 1876, p.p.; FPM 345. 

1918; FPL 159. 1990; FTSR 141. 1996. Hedysarum triquetrum L., Sp. Pl. 746. 1753. 

Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) Ohashi, Ginkgoana 1: 290. 1973. 

Erect subshrubs, to 1.5 m tall, sparsely branched; stem scabrous, triquetrous. Leaves 

to 11 x 3 cm, oblong, acuminate, cordate at base, pubescent; petiole 1.5 cm long, wing 8 

mm broad; stipule 2 cm long, lanceolate. Raceme to 40 cm long, terminal, rarely branched 

at base; bracts 1 cm long, lanceolate. Flowers subsessile; calyx 5 mm long, lobes very 

unequal; petals pink, standard 7 mm across, clawed; keel spurred, pink. Pods 2 x 0.6 cm, 

oblong, scabrous, straight. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30832 Padippara 

Desmodium velutinum (Willd.) DC., Prodr. 2: 328. 1825; FPL 159. 1990; FTSR 142. 1996. 

Hedysarum velutinum Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 1174. 1802. Desmodium latifolium (Roxb. ex Ker.) DC., 

Prodr. 2: 328. 1825; FBI 2: 168. 1876; FPM 346. 1918. Hedysarum latifolium Roxb. ex Ker., Bot. 

Reg. 5: t. 355. 1819. 

Shrubs, to 1.5 m high; stem ferrugineous-tomentose. Leaves to 13 x 10 cm, broadly ovate, 

acute or obtuse at apex, rounded at base, densely velutinus below; nerves 6-8 pairs, regular, 

prominent below; stipules 3 mm long, cordate at base, white; stipel minute, filiform. Raceme 

terminal, panicled, to 30 cm long. Flowers 4 mm across, pink; calyx 1.5 mm long, lobes ovate, 

93

acute, hairy; standard 3 x 3 mm. Pods 2 cm long, crenate along ventral suture; joints 8-10, each 

3 x 3 mm, roundish, hirsute 


Distr. South and South East Asia and Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19871 Vengoli 

Desmodium zonatum Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 1, 1: 250. 1855. D. ormocarpoides Baker in Hook. f., 

FBI 2: 164. 1876, non DC. 1828; FPM 345. 1918. 

Erect herbs, to 30 cm tall. Leaves to 10 x 4 cm, ovate, acute to acuminate, rounded at base, 

glabrous above, densely hairy below; nerves to 8 pairs; petiole to 2 cm long; stipule 10 mm long, 

lanceolate, ciliate. Raceme to 20 cm long, terminal; pedicels 1 cm long, slender. Flowers white, 5 

mm long; calyx 1.5 mm long, lobes ovate, acute; standard 5 mm across, orbicular, white. Pods 

fragile, 6-8-jointed; joints 15 x 3 mm, elliptic-oblong, densely covered with viscid hooked-hairs. 


Distr. Indo-Malaya and China. Occasional in degraded forest areas; PS 19555 Kariamchola 

DUMASIA A. P. de Candolle 

Dumasia villosa DC., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Pairs) 4: 96. 1825 & Prodr. 2: 241. 1825; FBI 2: 183. 1876; 

FPM 351. 1918; FPL 160. 1990; FTSR 142. 1996. D. congesta Graham ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 

206. 1834. 

Slender twining herbs, branches tomentose. Leaflets ovate, obtuse, tomentose on both sides 

to 6.5 x 4 cm; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs, slender; petiole to 5 cm long; stipules lanceolate, 

tomentose, 0.5 cm long. Flowers ca. 2 cm long, in axillary 6-10 cm long racemes. Calyx 

glabrescent, mouth oblique. Petals golden yellow. Pods velvety tomentose, 3 cm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Africa. Rare in grasslands; PS 5750 Karimala Hills 

ERYTHRINA Linnaeus 

1. Unarmed trees; keel petals free .....................................................................................................E. variegata 

1. Armed trees; keel petals connate........................................................................................................E. stricta 

Erythrina stricta Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3:251.1832; FBI 2:189.1876; FPM 354.1918; FTSR 142.1996. 

Tall trees; bark corky; branchlets densely prickled. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets to15 x 12 cm, 

broadly obovate-deltoid, 3-7-nerved from the base, glabrous; petiole to 20 cm long. Flowers 6 cm 

long, in stout axillary racemes; calyx 1 cm long, spathiform, split on one side; petals red, 

standard 5 x 2.5 cm, elliptic, acute; wings 8 x 4 mm, obovate; keel 2 x 2 cm; stamens 10, 

monadelphous, vexillary stamens free above; anthers uniform; ovary stalked, many-ovuled; 

style curved. Pods 15 x 1 cm, oblong, cylindrical, acuminate at apex; seeds 3-6. 


Distr. India, South East Asia and China. Occasional in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; 

PS 19381 Karimala 

Erythrina variegata L., Herb. Amb. 10. 1754; FTSR 143. 1996. E. variegata L., Stickm. Herb. 

Amboin 10. 1754 & Amoen. Acad. 4: 122. 1759. E. corollodendron L. var. orientalis L., Sp. Pl. 

706. 1753. E. variegata L. var. orientalis (L.) Merr., Interpr. Herb. Amb. 276. 1917. E. indica 

Lam., Encycl. 2: 391. 1786; FBI 2: 188. 1876; FPM 353. 1918. 

Small trees, branchlets stellately pubescent. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets to 15 cm across, 

rhomboid-ovate, acuminate; petiole to 25 cm. Racemes to 15 cm; bracts triangular; bracteoles 

subulate, 2 mm; flowers to 7.5 cm long; pedicles to 1 cm; calyx to 2 x 8 cm, spathaceous, apically 

5-toothed; corolla bright-red, standard to 6.5 x 2.5 cm, oblong-elliptic, obtuse, wings to 1.5 x 1 

94

cm, obovate; keels to 1 x 0.7 cm, oblong falcate, staminal sheath 3.5 cm; ovary ca 2 cm, 

pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Africa. Planted; PS 18900 Muthalakkuzhi 

FLEMINGIA Roxburgh ex W. Aiton et E. T. Aiton 

1. Leaves simple ............................................................................................................................... F. strobilifera 

1. Leaves 3-foliolate............................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Petioles prominently winged......................................................................................................... F. semialata 

2. Petioles not winged ........................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Leaflets black glandular beneath; leaflets elliptic...................................................................F. macrophylla 

3. Leaflets red glandular beneath; leaflets ovate......................................................................... F. grahamiana 

Flemingia grahamiana Wight & Arn., Prodr. 242. 1834; FBI 2: 228. 1876; FPM 378. 1918. 

Shrubs, stem scabrous. Leaflets 10 x 5 cm, obovate, obtusely acute, grey-tomentose beneath; 

nerves to 8 pairs, very prominent beneath, impressed above, reticulate; petiole 5-6 cm long, 

triquetrous. Racemes 3-5 cm long, 1-3 together, densely yellowish brown hairy; bracts 3 x 2 mm, 

ovate. Flowers densely arranged; calyx 8 mm long, densely red-glandular, lobes lanceolate; 

standard 9 x 6 mm, obovate, acute; wings 8 x 1.5 mm, linear-oblong; ovary densely hairy. Pods 

10 x 6 mm, oblong; seeds 4 x 2 mm. 


Distr. India and Tropical Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19095 

Peruvaripallam; 30534 Pandaravarai 

Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Prain ex Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 5: 130. 1910. Crotalaria 

macrophylla Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 982. 1802. Flemingia congesta Roxb. ex Ait. Hort. Kew (ed.2) 4. 

349. 1812; FBI 2: 228. 1876; FPM 378. 1918. Moghania macrophylla (Willd.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. 

Pl. 199. 1891. Flemingia semialata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 340. 1832; FPM 378. 1919. F. congesta var. 

semialata (Roxb.) Baker in Hook. f., FBI 2: 229. 1876, p.p. 

Shrubs, to 3 m tall; branches obtusely triquetrous, adpressed hairy. Leaflets ovate, 

lanceolate, acute, pubescent along nerves, black glandular beneath; nerves 10 pairs, lowest pair 

from the base, rib-like; petiole 8-11 cm long. Racemes to 4 cm long, axillary, densely hairy; 

bracts 4 mm long, ovate. Calyx 9 mm long, hairy, black-glandular, standard 9 x 5 mm, ovate; 

wings 7 x 2 mm, clawed; keel 9 x 3 mm, obovate. Pods 12 x 8 mm, oblong, hispid. 


Distr. India to Malesia, Australia and Africa. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19349 

Puliyala 

Flemingia semialata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 340. 1832; FPM 378. 1918; FPL 161. 1990; FTSR 143. 

1996. F. congesta Roxb. var. semialata (Roxb.) Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 229. 1876 p.p. 

Shrubs to 1.5 m tall, stem minutely villous. Leaflets to 15 x 7 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, 

scabrous along the nerves; nerves, to 7 pairs, similar to midrib; petiole to 8 cm long, winged. 

Racemes 15-20 cm long, terminal, panicled, densely velutinus; bracts 5 x 1 mm, acuminate. 

Flowers many, closely packed, calyx 10 mm long, lobes lanceolate, densely hairy; petals light 

pink; standard 9 x 4.5 mm, emarginate; wing to 7 x 1.5 mm, curved, verrucose; keel 9 x 3 mm, 

long-clawed. Pods 14 x 8 mm, obovoid. 


Distr. South Asia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30004 Anappadi 

Flemingia strobilifera (L.) R. Br. ex Ait., Hort. Kew (ed. 2) 4: 350. 1812; FBI 2: 227. 1876; FPM 

377. 1918; FTSR 143. 1996. Hedysarum strobiliferum L., Sp. Pl. 746. 1753. H. bracteatum 

95

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 351. 1832. Flemingia bracteata (Roxb.) Wight, Ic. t. 268. 1840; FPM 378. 1918. 

F. strobilifera var. bracteata (Roxb.) Baker in Hook. f., FBI 2: 227. 1876. 

Shrubs, to 2.5 m high. Leaves 1-foliolate, 15 x 6 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrate; 

nerves 8 pairs, lowest pair rib-like; nervules parallel; petiole 1 cm long. Racemes to 20 cm long, 

axillary, axis zig-zag, tomentose; floral leaves 25 x 4 mm, orbicular, cuspidate, ciliolate. Flowers 

included, 3-6-together in short cymes, pedicelled; calyx 6 mm long, hairy, one lobe larger; 

standard 5 x 6 mm, orbicular, pinkish; wings 4.5 x 1 mm, white; keel 6.5 x 2 mm, clawed. 

Fl. & Fr. December-January. 

Distr. Indian subcontinent and Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 

PS 19050 Thunakkadavu 

GONIOGYNA A. P. de Candolle 

Goniogyna hirta (Willd.) Ali., Taxon 16: 463. 1967; FPL 163. 1990. Hallia hirta Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 

1169. 1802. Heylandia latebrosa sensu Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 65. 1876, non (L. ) DC. 1825; 

FPM 280. 1918. 

Diffuse herbs, densely hispid. Leaves simple, to 1.5 cm across, ovate to orbicular, cordate at 

base. Flowers small, axillary, solitary, almost concealed by leaves; calyx tube 2 mm long, lobes 

5, lanceolate, upper 2 lobes united; petals pale yellow, standard 5 x 3 mm, obovate; wings 4 x 1 

mm, oblong, keel 4 mm long; stamens 10, monadelphous, alternately smaller and larger; 

anthers dimorphous; ovary densely hairy. Pods 6 x 3 mm, oblong, turgid, hairy, 1-seeded. 


Distr. South Asia. Rare in moist rocky areas; PS 19848 Vengoli 

INDIGOFERA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves 3-foliolate...............................................................................................................................I. trifoliata 

1. Leaves 5 or more foliolate................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Flowers solitary .................................................................................................................................. I. uniflora 

2. Flowers in racemes or spikes ........................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Racemes shorter than leaves; stipule setaceous.................................................................................I colutea 

3. Racemes longer than leaves; stipules otherwise ............................................................................................ 4 

4. Stipular base appendaged; seeds smooth...........................................................................................I. spicata 

4. Stipular base not appendaged; seeds pitted................................................................................I. astragalina 

Indigofera astragalina DC., Prodr. 2: 228. 1825; Sanjappa, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 21:20. 1995. I. hirsuta 

sensu Baker in Hook. f., FBI 2: 98. 1876,p.p. non L. 1753; FPM 312. 1918. 

Densely hairy herbs; stem woody. Leaflets 7-9 pairs, to 3 x 1 cm, elliptic, acute, stipules 

lanceolate; stipels filiform. Racemes to 4 cm long, axillary. Flowers densely arranged, 8 mm 

long, shortly pedicelled; calyx 8 mm long, lobes linear; petals pink, glabrous. Pods 1.5 x 0.3 cm, 

4-angular, densely hairy; seeds cubical, black, pitted. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in moist rocky areas; PS 19611 Vengoli 

Indigofera colutea (Burm. f.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 19: 355. 1921; Sanjappa, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 21:39. 

1995; FTSR 144. 1996. Galega colutea Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 172. 1768. Indigofera viscosa Lam., 

Encycl. 3: 247. 1789; FBI 2: 95. 1876; FPM 311. 1919. 

Erect perennial herbs. Leaves 6 cm long; leaflets 7 pairs, 12 x 7 mm, obovate, obtuse, 

cuspidate, hairy; stipules lanceolate. Racemes 5 cm long, axillary, slender. Flowers 5 mm long; 

calyx-lobes linear; petals exserted, glabrous, pink. Pods 21 x 2 mm, terete, densely glandular 

hairy; seeds 1.5 x 1.5 mm, cubical, smooth. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Rare in dry deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 30600 

Kuchimudi 

96

Indigofera spicata Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 138. 1775; FPL 164. 1990; Sanjappa, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 

21:123. 1995. I. endecaphylla Jacq. Ic. Pl. Rar. 3: t.570. 1789, "hendecaphylla"; FBI 2: 98. 1876; 

FPM 311. 1918. I. kleinii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 204. 1834. 

Undershrubs. Leaves 4 cm long; leaflets 8-10 pairs, 20 x 6 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse, shortly 

mucronate, sessile; stipules 1 cm long, subulate. Racemes 12 cm long, slender. Flowers 6 mm 

long; calyx lobes subulate; standard pink, hispid outside. Pods 20 x 2 mm, compressed, 

marginate, rugose, seeds 5-10. 


Distr. Sri Lanka, India, Africa and Madagascar. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19892 

Thellikkal; 30606 Parambikulam 

Indigofera trifoliata L. in Torner, Cent. Pl. 2: 29. 1756; FBI 2: 96. 1876,p.p.; FPM 310. 1918; 

Sanjappa, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 21:138. 1995; FTSR 145. 1996. I. trifoliata L. var. multicaulis (DC.) 

Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. I, 1: 313. 1855; FPM 310. 1918. 

Prostrate herbs with radiating branches; stem slender, reddish, glabrous; leaflets 15 x 6 mm, 

obovate, obtuse; petiole 15 mm long. Flowers 3 mm long, in axillary fascicles, 2-4 together; calyx 

lobes ovate, acuminate, hairy; standard hispid outside, pink. Pods 11 x 1 mm, linear-oblong, 

deflexed, compressed; seeds 6-8, 1.3 x 0.5 mm, oblong, deep brown, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Australia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30471 Vengoli 

Indigofera uniflora Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 374. 1832; FBI 2: 94. 1876; FPM 309. 1918; 

FPL 165. 1990; Sanjappa, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 21:151. 1995; FTSR 146. 1996. 

Prostrate herbs with slender elongated much branched glabrous stem. Leaflets 3-7, usually 

digitate, linear-oblong, minutely adpressed hairy, to 0.7 x 0.3 cm, stipules minute, cauducous. 

Flowers small, solitary on long filiform pedicels which are longer than the leaves. Calyx lobes 

lanceolate, sparsely hairy. Petals red. Pods linear, glabrous, 1-1.3 cm long; 4-6 seeded. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Occasional in degraded forest areas; PS 30601 Anappadi 

MILLETTIA R. Wight & Arnott 

Millettia rubiginosa Wight & Arn., Prodr. 263. 1834; FBI 2: 104. 1876; FPM 322. 1918; FPL 

166. 1990; FTSR 145. 1996. 

Large woody climbers; stem yellow pubescent. Leaves pinnately 3-5-foliolate; leaflets to 20 x 

8 cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate at apex; minutely golden brown hairy, petiole to 10 cm long; 

stipule ovate; stipel filiform. Flowers in axillary simple or branched racemes; bracts ovate; calyx 

campanulate, 3 mm long, minutely lobed, standard 13 x 10 mm, obovate, emarginate, densely 

fulvous hairy on back; wings 10 mm long, oblong, with two patches of golden hairs; keel similar 

to wings; stamens 9 + 1; anthers uniform; ovary sessile, few-ovuled. Pods ca. 8 x 4.5 cm, 

obovate, compressed, woody, densely hairy; seeds 1-3, compressed, ovoid. 



Kariamchola; 18940 Kothala 

MUCUNA Adanson 

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., Prodr. 2: 405. 1825; FBI 2: 187. 1876; FPL 167. 1990; FTSR 147. 

1996. Dolichos pruriens L. in Stickman, Herb. Amb. 23. 1754 & Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 1162. 1759. 

Stizolobium pruriens (L.) Medikus, Vorels. Churpfalz. Phys.-Ocon. Ges. 2: 339. 1787. Mucuna 

purita Hook.’s Bot. Misc. 2: 348. 1831; FPM 356. 1918. M. utilis Wight, Ic. t. 280. 1840. 

Twining shrubs, stem pubescent. Leaflets ovate or rhomboid, lateral ones oblique, adpressed 

pubescent, to 8 x 6 cm; petiole to 12 cm long. Flowers ca. 3.5 cm long, in axillary tomentose, 

97

pendulous racemes. Petals dark purple. Pods slightly curved at both ends, tawny bristly, 7 x 1.2 

cm; 4-6 seeded. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Occasional in secondary forests; PS 19142 Karimala 

NEONOTONIA Lackey 

Neonotonia wightii (Graham ex Wight & Arn.) Lackey var. coimbatorensis (Ajitha Sen) 

Karthik., Indian J. For. 4: 65. 1981; FTSR 147. 1996. Notonia wightii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 208. 

1834. Glycine wightii Verdc. var. coimbatorensis Ajitha Sen, JBNHS 74: 330. 1978. G. javanica 

L., Sp. Pl. 754. 1753; Baker in Hook. f., FBI 2: 183. 1876,p.p; FPM 351. 1918. 

Stout climbers. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets equal, 8 x 6 cm, ovate, acute, pubescent. Racemes 

erect, to 25 cm long, axillary. Flowers 8 mm long, densely clustered; bracts and bracteoles 

striate; calyx 5 mm long, lobes lanceolate; petals white, standard obovate; wings oblong, 

appendaged at base, keel obovate; stamens 10, monadelphous; anthers uniform; ovary densely 

hairy, 4-6 ovuled; style stout, stigma fimbriate. Pods 4 x 0.6 cm, oblong, deflexed, densely hairy, 

depressed between seeds; seeds 5 x 4 mm, oblong. 



Velayudhankai; NS 19802 Kariamchola 

PONGAMIA Ventenat 

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Fl. Forest. Cochinch. sub. t. 385. 1899; FPL 167. 1990; FTSR 148. 

1996. Cytisus pinnatus L., Sp. Pl. 741. 1753. Pongamia glabra Vent., Jard. Malm. 28. t.28. 1803; 

FBI 2: 240. 1876; FPM 385. 1918. Derris indica (Lam.) Bennet, JBNHS 68. 303. 1971. Galedupa 

indica Lam., Encycl. 2: 594. 1788. 

Trees, branchlets lenticellate. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 3-6 pairs, to 9 x 4.5 cm, elliptic, 

acuminate, nerves ca. 8 pairs; petiole to 1 cm, thick, stipules 2 mm, oblong. Racemes panicled, 

axillary and terminal, to 15 cm; flowers pinkish-white; calyx tube 4 x 5 mm, campanulate, 

truncate; standard petal 1.2 x 1 cm, obovate; wings 1.2 x 0.4 cm, oblong; keel 1 x 0.3 cm, obtuse; 

staminal tube 8 mm, filaments 3 mm; ovary 5 mm, subsessile, pubescent, style 7 mm, incurved, 

stigma capitate. Pods 4 x 3 cm, obliquely oblong, woody, indehiscent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common along the riverine areas; PS 30105 Parambikulam 

PSEUDARTHRIA R. Wight & Arnott 

Pseudarthria viscida (L.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 209. 1834; FBI 2: 154. 1876; FPM 334. 1918; 

FPL 168. 1990; FTSR 149. 1996. Hedysarum viscidum L., Sp. Pl. 747. 1753. 

Erect subshrubs, viscid pubescent. Leaves 3-foliolate, leaflets 10 x 7 cm, broadly ovate, acute, 

rounded at base, stipellate; petiole 7 cm long; stipule lanceolate. Flowers in terminal or axillary 

raceme; calyx 2-lipped, 2 mm long, lobes lanceolate; petals red; standard 6 mm diam., orbicular, 

retuse; wings 3 mm long, oblong; keel glabrous; stamens 9 + 1; ovary sessile, many-ovuled; style 

inflexed. Pods 2-3 cm long, oblong, compressed, viscid hairy; seeds 3-5, reniform. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Very common in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19795 Orukomban 

PTEROCARPUS N. J. Jacquin 

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 116. 1799; FBI 2: 239. 1876; FPM 385. 1918; FPL 

168. 1990; FTSR 149. 1996. 

98

Large trees; bark rough, black, reddish inside, exudate red. Leaves pinnate, leaflets 3-13, 

alternate, to 10 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, obtuse to retuse at apex, nerves many, close. Panicles to 

20 cm across, terminal, rusty tomentose; bracts ovate. Flowers many, 15 mm long; calyx 5 mm 

long, campanulate, shortly lobed, brown; petals yellow; standard obovate, crisped along the 

margins; wings obovate, auricled; keel similar to wings; stamens 5 + 5; ovary stalked, ovules 2, 

style incurved. Pods 5 cm across, compressed, orbicular, stalked, winged. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19656 

Vengoli 

PUERARIA A. P. de Candolle 

Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 4: 97. 1825; FBI 2: 197. 1876; 

FPM 360. 1918; FPL 168. 1990; FTSR 150. 1996. Hedysarum tuberosum Roxb. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 

3: 1197. 1803. 

Large deciduous climbing shrubs with tuberous roots. Leaflets subequal, ovate acuminate, 

base obtuse or acute, laterals oblique at base, glabrous above and glabrescent below, to 18 x 14 

cm; lateral nerves 7 or 8 pairs, reticulations prominent; petiole to 18 cm long; stipules ovate, 5 

mm long. Flowers 1.3 cm long in much branched panicles, pedicels short. Calyx brown 

tomentose, bluish-purple. Petals pale blue. Ovary densely brown-hirsute. Pods 1.5-3 cm long, 

brown-hirsute. 


Distr. India, also in Tropical Himalayas. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19370 

Anappadi 

RHYNCHOSIA Loureiro 

1. Erect sub shrubs..............................................................................................................................R. rufescens 

1. Twining herbs.................................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Racemes dense capitate; leaf margins ciliate ..............................................................................R. densiflora 

2. Racemes not capitate; leaf margins not ciliate ............................................................................................... 3 

3. Pods as long as the calyx; calyx lobes oblong....................................................................................... R. hirta 

3. Pods much longer than the calyx; calyx lobes linear-lanceolate .............................................. R. acutissima 

Rhynchosia acutissima Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 413. 1859; FBI 2: 226. 1876; FPM 375. 1918; 

FTSR 151. 1996. 

Herbaceous twiners, branches pubescent. Leaflets ovate-rhomboid, caudate-acuminate, base 

truncate, puberulent above and sericeous below, to 15 x 11 cm; basally 3-nerved, intercostae 

reticulate; petiole to 8 cm long; stipule lanceolate, striate, cauducous 0.5 cm long. Flowers, 1.2 

cm long, paired, in axillary many flowered racemes; pedicels 0.5 cm long, tomentose. Calyx 

lobes lanceolate, ciliate along the margins. Petals pale yellow with red veins. Ovary villous; 

style glabrous. Pods villous, greenish-yellow, 2 cm long; seeds bluish-black. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19910 

Kariamchola 

Rhynchosia densiflora (Roth) DC., Prodr. 2: 386. 1825; FBI 2: 226. 1876; FPM 376. 1918. 

Glycine densiflora Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 348. 1821. 

Twiners branchlets hirsute. Terminal leaflets to 9 x 6 cm, laterals 6.5 x 5 cm, obovaterhomboid, 

acute, basally, 3-nerved, inequilateral, membranous, puberulus; petiole to 7 cm, 

stipule 4 mm, ovate, pubescent. Racemes axillary, to 6 cm long, many flowered; flowers yellow; 

bracts 8 x 3 mm, lanceolate, ciliate; calyx tube 2 mm, lobes 5 and 7 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, 

glandular pubescent; standard petal 1 x 0.7 cm, obovate; wings 1 x 0.3 cm; staminal tube 7 mm, 

99

filaments subequal; ovary 2 mm, pubescent, style 5 mm, stigma terminal. Pods 1.5 x 0.5 cm, 

oblong, flat, smooth, long pilose, gland dotted; seeds bluish-black. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests and occasional in 


Rhynchosia hirta (Andr.) Meikle & Verdc., Taxon 16: 462. 1967; FPL 170. 1990. Dolichos hirtus 

Andr., Bot. Rep. t. 446. 1807. Cylista tomentosa Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 221. 1811. Rhynchosia 

cyanosperma Benth. in Oliver, Fl. Trop. Africa 2: 218. 1871; FBI 2: 222. 1876; FPM 375. 1918. 

Cyanospermum tomentosum Wight & Arn., Prodr. 260. 1834. 

Climbers, densely fulvous hairy. Leaflets to 13 x 9 cm, broadly ovate, shortly acuminate, 

rounded at base; petiole to 6 cm long; stipules ovate; stipels filiform. Racemes to 15 cm long, 

axillary, hispid; bracts 25 x 15 mm, ovate, acuminate. Flowers 2 cm long, densely arranged; 

pedicels 8 mm long; calyx 2 cm long, lobes oblong, densely hispid; petals included, yellow; 

standard 15 x 10 mm, emarginate; wings 12 x 5 mm, oblong, spurred; keel glabrous. Pods 18 x 8 

mm, oblong, acute at apex, impressed between seeds; seeds 5 mm across, smooth, shining. 


Distr. India, Africa and Sri Lanka. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19218 

Kariamchola 

Rhynchosia rufescens (Willd.) DC., Prodr. 2: 387. 1825; FBI 2: 220. 1876; FPM 373. 1918; FPL 

170. 1990; FTSR 151. 1996. Glycine rufescens Willd., Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Neue 

Schriften 4: 222. 1803. 

Subshrubs with trailing branches, glandular-hairy. Leaflets 6.5 x 2.5 cm, ovate, acute, 

rounded at base; petiole 4-5 cm long; stipules ovate. Flowers in short racemes; calyx 8 mm long, 

lobes oblong, obtuse; petals included, yellow; standard 7 mm diam., orbicular, glabrous; wings 5 

mm long, oblong. Pods 7 x 5 mm, ovoid, turgid, minutely hispid; seed-1, black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19238 Vengoli 

ROTHIA Persoon 

Rothia indica (L.) Druce, Bot. Exch. Club Soc. Brit. Isles 3: 423. 1914; FPL 170. 1990. Trigonella 

indica L., Sp. Pl. 778. 1753. Rothia trifoliata (Roth) Pers., Syn. 2: 302. 1807; FBI 2: 63. 1876; 

FPM 279. 1918. Dillwynia trifoliata Roth, Cat. Bot. 3: 71. 1806. 

Erect woody herbs, densely hispid. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets subsessile, 1.5 x 0.5 cm, 

obovate, obtuse, densely hairy; petiole to 7 mm long; stipules 3 mm long, obovate. Flowers 8 mm 

long, in small axillary racemes; calyx 5-lobed, hispid, lobes lanceolate; standard obovate, pink; 

wings oblanceolate, without auricles at base; keel similar to wings; stamens 10, monadelphous; 

ovary densely hairy, many-ovuled; style straight. Pods 5 x 0.3 cm, linear-oblong, compressed, 

densely hairy; seeds many, cubical. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Fairly common in degraded forest areas; PS 30707 Vengoli 

SHUTERIA R. Wight & Arnott 

Shuteria involucrata (Wall.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 207. 1834. Glycine involucrata Wall., Pl. 

Asiat. Rar. 3: 22. t. 241. 1832. Shuteria vestita Wight & Arn., Prodr. 207. 1834; FBI 2: 181. 

1876; FPM 350. 1918; FPL 171. 1990. 

Slender twiners, stem villous. Leaves 3-foliolate, leaflets unequal, to 4.5 x 2.5 cm, ovate, 

obtuse, rounded at base, chartaceous, villous; petiole to 6 cm long, stipules lanceolate, striate 

with a tuft of hairs at base. Racemes to 20 cm long, axillary; bracts and bracteoles similar. 

Flowers many, white, deflexed; calyx 4 mm long, lobes acuminate; petals white; standard 7 x 5 

100

mm, orbicular, wings 8 m long, spurred at base; keel 8 x 3 mm, oblong; stamens 9 + 1; ovary 

many-ovuled, densely hairy. Pods 4 x 0,5 cm, oblong, flat, densely hispid; seeds many, cubical. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19977 Keerappadi; NS 30138 

Karimala 

SMITHIA W. Aiton 

1. Flowers axillary, one or two ............................................................................................................. S. conferta 

1. Flowers in axillary racemes ............................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaflets two pairs............................................................................................................................ S. bigemina 

2. Leaflets more than three pairs......................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Leaflets glabrous; stem hirsute............................................................................................... S. venkobarowii 

3. Leaflets pilose; stem glabrescent or softy hairy............................................................................S. racemosa 

Smithia bigemina Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 208. 1851; FBI 2: 149. 1876; FPM 

329. 1918; FPL 172. 1990. 

Diffuse herbs, leaflets to 4 pairs, to 0.9 x 0.3 cm, oblong. Racemes lax; flowers yellow; 

pedicels to 0.5 cm; calyx 2-lipped, lower 3-lobed. Lomentum reticulate, papillose. 


Distr. India and Pakistan. Rare in marshy grasslands; PS 19964 Karimala 

Smithia conferta Sm. in Rees, Cyclop. 33: 2. 1819; FPM 329. 1918; FPL 172. 1990. S. 

geminiflora Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 352. 1821; FBI 2: 149. 1876, incl. var. conferta (Sm.) Baker; FPM 

329. 1918. 

Erect or scandent herbs; stem glabrous. Leaflets 5 or 6 pairs, 7-13 x 2-4 mm, oblong, acute, 

strongly bristled along margins and midribs below; rachis terminate into a bristle; stipule 13 

mm long, ovate above, 2-lobed below. Flowers solitary or paired, pedicelled; bracts 7 mm long, 

ovate, cuspidate. Calyx 8 x 5 mm, lobes undivided; petals yellow with red lineole. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Occasional in marshy areas; PS 19028 Thunakkadavu 

Smithia racemosa Heyne ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 221. 1834; FPM 330. 1918; FTSR 153. 1996. 

S. blanda Wall. ex Wight & Arn. var. racemosa (Heyne ex Wight & Arn.) Baker in Hook. f., FBI 

2: 151. 1876. p.p. S. bigemina Matthew, Ill. Fl. Tamil. Car. t. 222. 1982, non Dalz 1851. 

Straggling herbs. Leaflets 8-14 x 4-6 mm, obovate, obtuse, glabrous above, sparsely bristly 

below, ciliate, stipule 10 x 1.5 mm, acuminate at either ends, densely bristly. Racemes paired, 4- 

8-flowered; peduncles 2-3 cm long, villous; pedicel 4 mm long. Flowers yellow; calyx 4 mm long, 

smooth; standard 8 x 7 mm, emarginate, clawed; wings 8 x 3 mm, obovate; keel deeply auricled 

at base. 

Fl. & Fr. June-December 

Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands; PS 19692 Karimala 

Smithia venkobarowii Gamble, FPM 330.1918 & Kew Bull. 1919:223.1919; FTSR 153.1996. 

Erect subshrubs, to 70 cm high; stem white, yellowish villous. Leaflets 2-4 pairs 2-2.5 x 0.5 

cm, oblong, obtuse, mucronate, glaucous beneath, glabrous, rachis hairy; stipules 12 mm long, 

2-lobed at base; glabrous. Racemes 2 cm across; congested; bracts deciduous; bracteoles 3 x 1.5 

mm, obovate, bristled. Flowers few; calyx 7 mm long, lips similar, obtuse, sparsely ciliate; 

standard 1 cm across, yellow. Joints of pods 3 x 2.5 mm, orbicular, strongly reticulate, smooth, 

5-7 together. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in moist areas of grasslands; PS 30499 

Koorankuzhi 

101

SPATHOLOBUS Hasskarl 

Spatholobus parviflorus (Roxb. ex DC.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 205. 1891; FPL 172. 1990; 

FTSR 154. 1996. Butea parviflora Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 2: 415. 1825. Spatholobus roxburghii 

Benth. in Miq., Pl. Jungh. 238. 1852; FBI 2: 193. 1876; FPM 358. 1918. 

Large climbers; branches puberulus. Leaflets ovate, obtusely acute at apex, rounded at base, 

densely hairy below, lateral nerves 8 pairs; nervules parallel; petiole 3-6 cm long. Panicles 20 x 

15 cm, axillary, densely hispid. Flowers 9 mm long, 8 mm across; calyx 4 mm long, densely 

villous inside; standard 8 x 6 mm, glabrous, pale-pink; wings 6 mm long, long-clawed; keel 9 

mm long, obovoid. Pods 14 x 4.5 cm, stalked; stalk 3 cm long. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka to Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

30595 Padippara 

STYLOSANTHES O. Swartz 

Stylosanthes fruticosa (Retz.) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon, 6. (Suppl.): 77. 1931. 

Arachis fruticosa Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 26. 1789. Stylosanthes mucronata Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 1166. 

1802; FBI 2: 148. 1876; FPM 326. 1918. 

Coarse subshrubs. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets 2-3 x 0.6 cm, lanceolate, coriaceous, mucronate, 

glabrous or pubescent, strongly nerved; stipules 2 cm long, lanceolate, long-mucronate. Flowers 

in terminal or axillary cymes, covered with trilobed bracts and bracteoles; calyx 5 mm long, 

tubular; lobes obtuse, ciliate; petals pink; standard 6mm diam., orbicular; wings curved-oblong; 

keel petals incurved; stamens 10, monadelphous, anthers dimorphus; ovary sessile, ovules 3. 

Pods 3 mm long, oblong, glabrous; seeds compressed. 


Distr. Sri Lanka, India, Africa and Madagascar. Rare in moist deciduous and dry deciduous 

forests; PS 30487 Kuchimudi 

TEPHROSIA Persoon 

1. Pods glabrous................................................................................................................................... T. purpurea 

1. Pods covered with white cottony hairs ............................................................................................................ 2 

2. Stipules broadly ovate................................................................................................................T. pulcherrima 

2. Stipules linear-lanceolate .............................................................................................................T. canarensis 

Tephrosia canarensis Drum. in Gamble, FPM 319. 1918; FPL 174. 1990. Tephrosia tinctoria 

Pers. var. intermedia Baker in Hook. f., FBI 2: 112. 1876 p.p. 

Erect sub-shrubs, stem channelled, hairy. Leaflets 7 or 9, to 5.5 x 1.3 cm, oblong-elliptic, 

obtuse, mucronate, base acute, glabrous above, glaucous below; petiolule ca 3 mm, stipule ca 4 x 

3 mm, ovate. Racemes axillary, peduncle to 10 cm; bracts and bracteoles subulate; flowers red, 

calyx to 7 mm, lobes lanceolate, velvety, standard to 1.5 x 8 cm, wings obovate, to 12 x 4 mm, 

keels to 13 x 5 mm; staminal sheath ca 7 mm; ovary ca 6 mm, velvety; style ca 4 mm, 

pubescent. Pods to 7.5 x 0.6 cm, slightly curved, sparsely hairy; seeds many. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in rocky areas; PS 19756 Vengoli 

Tephrosia pulcherrima (Wight ex Baker) Gamble, FPM 319. 1918; FPL 174. 1990; FTSR 155. 

1996. T. tinctoria Pers. var. pulcherrima Wight ex Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 112. 1876. 

Shrubs; stem densely erect-hairy. Leaflets 5, to 6 x 2 cm, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, mucronate, 

glabrous above; stipule 10 x 4 mm, ovate. Racemes axillary; peduncle 8 cm long, stout. Flowers 

red; calyx 4 mm long, lobes hairy; standard 10 x 8 mm, densely hairy on back, clawed; wings 10 

x 5 mm, dark pink at apex, verrucose; keel 10 mm long, yellowish-pink. Pods to 7 x 0.5 cm, 

oblong, densely hairy. 

102


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands; PS 19690 Karimala 

Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers., Syn. 2: 329. 1807; FBI 2: 112. 1876,p.p.; FPM 320. 1918; FPL 

174. 1990; FTSR 155. 1996. Cracca purpurea L., Sp. Pl. 752. 1753. Tephrosia hamiltonii 

Drumm. ex Gamble, FPM 320. 1918. 

Shrubs, stem minutely scabrous. Leaflets 15-17, to 2.5 x 0.7 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, 

mucronate, glabrous above, stipule 6 mm long, subulate, deflexed. Raceme to 12 cm long, 

axillary. Flowers lax; pedicels 6 mm long, slender; calyx 7 mm long, one lobe much smaller than 

others; standard red, 10 x 10 mm, clawed, glabrous; wings 10 x 4 mm, curved; keel 7 mm long, 

clawed. Pods 4 x 0.4 cm, minutely velutinus; seeds 7 or 8, 4 x 3 mm, rectangular, dark-brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in rocky areas; PS 19979 Keerappadi 

TERAMNUS P. Brown 

Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 235. 1826; FBI 2: 184. 1876; FPM 352. 1918; FPL 

175. 1990; FTSR 156. 1996. Glycine labialis L.f., Suppl. Pl. 325. 1782. 

Slender climbers, branchlets glabrescent. Leaflets ovate or elliptic, acute, membranous, 

puberulent below, to 6 x 2.5 cm; petiole to 5 cm. Flowers 4 mm long, on few-flowered slender 

racemes; calyx villous; petals red. Pods linear, beaked, compressed, 4 x 0.3 cm. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19849 Vengoli 

URARIA Desvaux 

1. Racemes lax, to 30 cm long............................................................................................................ U. rufescens 

1. Racemes dense, 4-8 cm long ....................................................................................................U. lagopodioides 

Uraria lagopodioides (L.) Desv. in DC., Prodr. 2: 324. 1825; "lagopoides"; FBI 2: 156. 1876; FPM 

336. 1918. Hedysarum lagopodioides L., Sp. Pl. 1198. 1753. 

Trailing subshrubs; stem hispid. leaflets to 5 x 2.5 cm, ovate-oblong, obtuse, mucronate, 

hispid below, subcordate at base; petiole 1.5 cm long; stipule 12 mm long, filiform. Racemes 2 

cm broad; bracts 8 x 5 mm, ciliate. Flowers many, pedicelled; calyx lobes 10 mm long, bristled, 

upper lobes smaller; standard 7 x 5 mm, acute to the base; wings 5 x 2 mm, clawed; keel 6 mm 

long, auricled. Joints of pods 3.5 x 2.5 mm, reticulate, shining. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and Pacific Islands. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 


Uraria rufescens (DC.) Schind., Feddes Repert. 21: 14. 1925; FPL 175. 1990; FTSR 156. 1996. 

Desmodium rufescens DC., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 4: 101. 1825. Doodia hamosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 

367. 1882. Uraria hamosa (Roxb.) Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 222. 1834; FBI 2: 150. 1876; 

FPM 336. 1918. 

Subshrubs. Leaflets to 8.5 x 4.5 cm, elliptic, acute or obtuse at apex and base, hispid below; 

stipules 12 mm long, acuminate. Flowers distant; bracts 7 mm long, hispid; calyx 3 mm long, 

glabrous; standard 6 x 8 mm, orbicular, cuneate at base, pinkish; wings 5 x 3 mm, oblique, 

auricled at base; keel 6 x 3 mm. Joints of pods 6-8, each 2 x 2 mm, hispid, black. 


Distr. India-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30594 Karimala 

VIGNA Savi 

1. Pods glabrous................................................................................................................................. V. umbellata 

1. Pods variously hairy.......................................................................................................................................... 2 

103

2. Leaflets entire; flowers pink............................................................................................................ V. vexillata 

2. Leaflets lobed; flowers yellow........................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Stipules obovate; leaf margins ciliate............................................................................................. V. trilobata 

3. Stipules deltoid; leaf margin not ciliate................................................................... V. radiata var. sublobata 

Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek var. sublobata (Roxb.) Verdc., Kew Bull. 24: 559. 1970; FPL 176. 

1990. Phaseolus sublobatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 288. 1832; FPM 363. 1918. P. trinervius Heyne ex 

Wight & Arn., Prodr. 245. 1834; FBI 2: 203. 1876. Vigna sublobata (Roxb.) Bairiy et al., JETB 7: 

274. 1985. 

Slender climbers. Leaflets to 45. x 3 cm, laterals smaller, ovate, acute or obtuse at apex, 

sparsely hispid; petiole 4 cm long. Flowers densely packed, sessile; calyx lobes obtuse, ciliate. 

Pods 3-5 x 0.5 cm, densely brown-strigose; seeds 3 x 2.5 mm, rectangular, longitudinally rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, widely cultivated. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19166 Karimala; 

19191 Rockpoint 

Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc., Taxon 17: 172. 1968 & Kew Bull. 24: 560. 1970; FPL 176. 1990; 

FTSR 157. 1996. Dolichos trilobatus L., Mant. Pl. 1: 101. 1767. Phaseolus trilobus Baker in 

Hook. f., FBI 2: 201. 1876; FPM 362. 1918. 

Twiners, pilose. Leaflets to 3.5 x 2.5 cm, apex obtuse, acute, pilose, basally tri-nerved; petiole 

7 cm long, stipule 8 mm, oblong, acute, stipels 3 mm, linear. Racemes axillary, to 15 cm; flowers 

yellow; bracts 7 mm, lanceolate; calyx tube 1.5 mm, campanulate, lobes 5, 0.5 mm, ovate; corolla 

4 mm long; keel 6 x 2 mm, curved, produced to a beak; staminal tube to 4 mm; ovary to 5 mm, 

pubescent, style curved, bearded at the apex, stigma oblique. Pods 4 x 0.2 cm, terete, puberulus. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in secondary forests; PS 19966 Karimala 

Vigna umbellata (Thumb.) Ohwi & Ohashi, Jap. J. Bot. 44: 31. 1969; FPL 177. 1990; FTSR 158. 

1996. Dolichos umbellatus Thunb., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 2: 339. 1794. Phaseolus calcaratus 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 289. 1832; FBI 2: 203. 1876; FPM 363. 19183. 

Slender twiners; stem reflexed hairy. Leaflets 10 x 5 cm, ovate, acuminate, hispid; petiole 10 

cm long, slender, stipule 8 mm long, ovate, decurrent at base. Flowers in short axillary racemes, 

2-3-together; calyx 3 mm long, lobes ovate; petals yellow; standard 10 x 15 mm, strongly 

auricled at base; wings 8 x 6 mm, orbicular; keel 7 x 6 mm, incurved to one turn, spurred to one 

side. Pods 7 x 0.5 cm, compressed, many-seeded. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19815 Thellikkal 

Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. in Sagra, Hist. Fist. Polit. Nat. Cuba 11: 191. 1845; FBI 2: 206. 

1876; FPM 364. 1918; FPL 177. 1990. 

Slender climbers. Leaflets to 4.5 x 2 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded at base, strigose hairy; 

petiole 4 cm long; stipule cordate at base. Flowers solitary or 2-3 together; calyx 9 mm long, 

strigose hairy; lobes lanceolate; petals yellow; standard 3 x 3 cm, orbicular, wings 25 x 12 mm, 

auricled at base; keel 25-30 mm long, strongly spurred on lateral side. Pods 5.5 x 0.5 cm, 

densely brown-hispid. 


Distr. Cosmopolitan in tropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19748 Pezha 

ZORNIA J. F. Gmelin 

Zornia gibbosa Span., Linnaea 15: 192. 1841; FPL 177. 1990; FTSR 158. 1996. Z. angustifolia 

Sm. in Rees, Cyclop. 39: 200. 1819. Z. graminea Span., Linnaea 15: 192. 1841. 

104

Diffuse herbs. Leaves bifoliolate, leaflets 4 x 6 m, lanceolate, acute, sessile; stipule peltate, 

acuminate. Flowers sessile in terminal racemes; bracts paired, 15 x 5 mm, peltate, acuminate; 

calyx lobes unequal, 2 upper connate, lateral ones smaller; corolla yellow, 4 mm long; standard 

orbicular, auriculated at base, clawed; wings oblong, clawed; keel obovate; staminal tube 1.5 x 2 

mm, cleft above. Pods 2-5-jointed; joints moniliform, covered with retrorsely hispid bristles. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and China. Common in wet rocky areas and vayals; PS 30210 

Vengoli 

Caesalpinioideae 

1. Leaves simple, bilobed .........................................................................................................................Bauhinia 

1. Leaves compound, pinnate ............................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves bipinnate ............................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves simple pinnate ...................................................................................................................................... 5 

3. Trees; rachis unarmed ..................................................................................................................... Acrocarpus 

3. Shrubs or climbers; rachis armed.................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Flowers yellow; pods not apically winged ..................................................................................... Caesalpinia 

4. Flowers white; pods apically winged ............................................................................................ Pterolobium 

5. Stipule large foliaceous, appendaged ............................................................................................Humboldtia 

5. Stipule not foliaceous, un-appendaged............................................................................................................ 6 

6. Petals 4 or 5; stamens free................................................................................................................................ 7 

6. Petals 3; stamens monadelphous.................................................................................................. Tamarindus 

7. Stamens 10, lower 3 long and curved; fruit terete, woody, indehiscent; trees.................................... Cassia 

7 . Stamens 10 or less, subequal; fruit compressed or terete, not woody, dehiscent or not; herbs or shrubs ..... 8 

8. Pods indehiscent or if dehiscent valves not elastic; seed coat with closed areole; bracteoles 

absent........................................................................................................................................ Senna 

8. Pods elastically dehiscent; seed coat without areoles; bracteoles 2....................... Chamaecrista 

ACROCARPUS R. Wight ex Arnott 

Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Wight & Arn., Mag. Zool. Bot. 2: 547. 1838; FBI 2: 292. 1878; FPM 397. 

1919. 

Very large trees; bark thick, rough, pealing. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae 3-5 pairs, 4-6-foliolate; 

leaflets 7-12 x 3-6 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, petiolulate. Racemes dense, axillary, to 25 cm 

long. Flowers 2.5 cm long, deflexed, densely packed; calyx 10 mm long, tubular below, lobes 

ovate, obtuse, densely hairy; petals 5, each 7 x 2 mm, oblong, obtuse, erect, yellowish pink; 

stamens 5, free; filaments erect, 15 mm long, pink; ovary stipitate, many-ovuled, style short, 

recurved. Pods 15 x 2 cm, compressed, oblong, winged, 10-seeded, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30561 Karimala 

BAUHINIA Linnaeus 

1. Trees; flowers creamy yellow ......................................................................................................B. malabarica 

1. Climbing shrubs; flowers crimson ................................................................................................B. phoenicea 

Bauhinia phoenicea Wight & Arn., Prodr. 296. 1834; FBI 2: 283. 1878; FPM 408. 1919; FPL 

179. 1990; FTSR 159. 1996. Phanera phoenicea (Wight & Arn.) Benth. in Miq., Pl. Jungh. 262. 

1852. Bauhinia benthamii Bedd., Ic. t. 107. 1868-1874. 

Large climbing shrubs. Leaves to 10 cm across, orbicular, deeply bifid above, lobes acute, 

cordate at base, 9-ribbed from base, nervules parallel. Flowers in extra-axillary racemes, axis 

10-20-flowered; pedicel 3 cm long; calyx tube short, lobes 2 cm long, oblong, puberulus outside; 

105

petals 5, 4 x 0.8 cm, long-clawed, spreading; stamens 4 or 5, exserted, anthers linear, 6 mm 

long; style slender; stigma peltate. Pods to 16 x 2.5 cm, oblong, broadened above, densely rusty, 

pubescent, many-seeded. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19888 Velayudhankai 

Bauhinia malabarica Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 321. 1832;FBI 2: 227. 1878; FPM 407. 1919; FPL 

179. 1990; FTSR 159. 1996. Piliostigma malabaricum (Roxb.) Benth. in Miq. Pl. Jungh. 

261. 1852. 

Trees, to 10 m high, bark black, red inside. Leaves to 10 x 13 cm, orbicular, bilobed 

above; lobes obtuse, cordate at base, 9-ribbed, nervules reticulate; petiole 4 cm long; 

panicles axillary, 5 cm across. Flowers 2 cm long, few; calyx oblong, connate, rusty 

pubescent; petals 5, oblong, greenish yellow, glabrous, shortly stalked; stamens 10, inner 

5, smaller, anthers oblong; ovary oblong, many-ovuled. Pods 25 x 2 cm, compressed, 

longitudinally striate; seeds many, oblong. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19607 Kothala; 18943 

Kothala 

CAESALPINIA Linnaeus 

1. Pods winged; leaflets 3-5 pairs....................................................................................................... C. cucullata 

1. Pods not winged; leaflets more than 7 pairs ................................................................................................... 2 

2. Branchlets with reddish glandular hairs; leaflets to 1 x 0.5 cm..............................................C. mimosoides 

2. Branchlets glabrous; leaflets to 5 x 2.5 cm........................................................................................C. bonduc 

Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 362. 1832; FTSR 161. 1996. Guilandina bonduc L., Sp. 

Pl. 381. 1753. Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Flem., Asiat. Res. 11: 159. 1810; FBI 2: 254. 1878. 

Caesalpinia crista sensu Gamble, FPM 393. 1919, non L. 1753. 

Climbing shrubs, rusty, tomentose. Leaves to 70 x 40 cm, pinnules 8 pairs, leaflets 8 pairs, 5 

x 3 cm, ovate, abruptly acuminate, rachis armed with recurved spines. Racemes to 30 cm long, 

axillary, tomentose. Flowers yellow, 1.8 cm across; sepals oblong, obtuse, tomentose; petals 10 

mm long, obovate with wavy margins. Pods 12 x 5 cm, obovate-oblong, densely spiny, 2-3- 

seeded. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30096 Kottayali 

Caesalpinia cucullata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 358. 1832; FTSR 161. 1996. Mezoneuron cucullatum 

(Roxb.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 283. 1834; FBI 2: 258. 1878; FPM 395. 1919; FPL 182. 1990. 

Stout climbers; old stem covered with strong thorns with clavate thick base. Leaves to 45 cm 

long; pinnules 5 or 6 pairs; leaflets 3 pairs, to 10 x 4 cm, ovate, acuminate, glabrous; rachis with 

strong curved thorns. Racemes to 25 cm long, clustered. Flowers 2 cm across, irregular, 

cucullate; sepals unequal, lobes obtuse, glabrous; petals unequal, orbicular; filaments glabrate. 

Pods 10 x 2.5 cm, flattened, oblong, obtuse, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in moist deciduous and along the margins of evergreen 

forests; PS 18871 Orukomban 

Caesalpinia mimosoides Lam., Encycl. 1: 452. 1785; FBI 2: 256. 1878; FPM 394. 1919; 

FTSR 161. 1996. 

Rambling shrubs, densely prickly, pungent smelling when cut; stem tomentose. Leaves 

30-40 x 25 cm; pinnules 10-14 pairs; leaflets 10 x 4 mm, oblong inequilateral, obtuse. 

106

Raceme to 40 cm long, axillary or terminal, densely prickly, pedicels solitary, 2 cm long. 

Flowers 3 cm across; sepals 8 x 4 mm, oblong, obtuse; petals yellow, to 1.5 cm long, 

orbicular, wavy along the margins. Pods 5 x 2.5 cm, compressed, brown, 1 or 2 seeded. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in disturbed forest areas; PS 30834 

Thekkady 

CASSIA Linnaeus 

Cassia fistula L., Sp. Pl. 377.1753; FBI 2:201.1878; FPM 400.1919; FPL 181. 1990; FTSR 163. 

1996. C. rhombifolia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3:334.1832. 

Small to medium trees. Leaves to 30 cm long; leaflets 4-8 pairs, 10 x 4 cm, ovate, acute, 

eglandular. Racemes to 40 cm long, axillary, drooping; pedicels to 4 cm long. Flowers 4 cm 

across; bracts minute; sepals ovate, obtuse, green; petals to 2 x 2 cm, orbicular, concave; 

filaments unequal, to 3.5 cm long, anthers dimorphic. Pods to 40 cm long, septate, glabrous; 

seeds transverse, orbicular. 


Distr. South-East Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests and sparsely in plantations; PS 


CHAMAECRISTA (Breyne) Moench 

1. Leaflets 2, eglandular ...........................................................................................................................C. absus 

1. Leaflets more than 6 pairs, with gland on the petiole ................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaflets 8-10 pairs, gland on the petiole stalked...............................................................................C. kleinii 

2. Leaflets 25-40 pairs, gland on the petiole sessile .....................................................................C. mimosoides 

Chamaecrista absus (L.) Irwin & Barneby, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 664. 1982. Cassia 

absus L., Sp. Pl. 376.1753; FBI 2:255.1878; FPM 403.1919; FTSR 163. 1996. 

Scabrid herbs. Leaves to 6 cm long; leaflets 3.5 x 1.6 cm, ovate, acute, hispid; stipule 

lanceolate, deflexed. Flowers in terminal racemes, 6 mm across, shortly pedicelled; sepals 

oblong, obtuse; petals yellow, obovate, obtuse; stamens unequal; anthers dimorphic. Pods 

4.5 x 0.7 cm, oblong, flat, hispid, oblique at base; seeds 6, biconvex. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests, in open rocky areas; PS 30828 

Kannimara 

Chamaecrista kleinii (Wight & Arn.) Mathew, Kew Bull. 48: 760. 1993. Cassia kleinii Wight & 

Arn., Prodr. 293. 1834; FBI 2: 266. 1878; FPM 403. 1919. Chamaecrista kleinii (Wight & Arn.) 

Mathew, Kew Bull. 48: 760. 1993. 

Prostrate herbs. Leaves 3-6 cm; leaflets 8-13 pairs, 13 x 4 mm, falcate, mucronate, midrib 

near to upper margin, gland on the petiole stipitate, near to the lowest pair of leaflets. Flowers 

axillary, 1-3, yellow; bracts and bracteoles 2-3 mm; sepals 6-7 mm long, pubescent; petals 8-10 

mm; stamens 10, subequal. Pods 4.5 x 0.5 cm, flat, hairy, thickened on the sutures. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in plantations; PS 19820 Kannimara 

Chamaecrista mimosoides (L.) Green, Prittonia 4:27.1899. Cassia mimosoides L., Sp. Pl. 

379.1753; FBI 2:266.1878; FPM 403.1919; FPL 181. 1990; FTSR 163. Chamaecrista mimosoides 

(L.) Green, Prittonia 4: 27. 1899. 

Erect subshrubs, hirsute. Leaves to 8 cm long, leaflets 4 x 1 mm, oblong, inequilateral, 

hirsute; stipule to 1 cm long, lanceolate, subulate at apex. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired, 1 

107

cm across; sepals lanceolate, acuminate, hairy; petals obovate, yellow; all stamens with fertile 

anthers, filaments equal. Pods 6 x 0.6 cm, oblong, sparsely hairy; seeds many. 


Distr. Pantropical. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19745 Pezha 

HUMBOLDTIA Vahl 

Humboldtia vahliana Wight, Ic. tt. 1607,1608. 1850; FBI 2: 274. 1878; FPM 411. 1919; FTSR 

165. 1996. 

Small trees. Leaflets 3 pairs, 21 x 6 cm, oblong, acute; nerves 8 pairs, reticulate. Racemes 

erect, axillary, to 18 cm long; bracts ovate, obtuse, densely tomentose; bracteoles similar, paired. 

Flowers pedicelled; sepals 7 x 3 mm, oblong, obtuse; petals 9 x 5 mm, obovate, clawed; stamens 

5. Pods 13-20 x 3-5 cm, compressed, oblong, acute at base and apex, rusty tomentose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common along the riverine areas; PS 19351 

Orukomban 

PTEROLOBIUM R. Brown ex Wight & Arnott 

Pterolobium hexapetalum (Roth) Sant. & Wagh, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 5: 108. 1964; FPL 183. 

1990. Reichardia hexapetala Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 210. 1821. Caesalpinia lacerans Roxb., Fl. Ind. 

2: 367. 1832. Pterolobium indicum Rich., Fl. Abyss. 1: 247. 1847; FBI 2: 259. 1878; FPM 395. 

1919. Pterolobium lacerans Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 283. 1834. 

Stragglers. Leaves to 15 cm, pinnae 4-7 pairs; leaflets 6-10 pairs, 1.2 x 0.7 cm, oblong, 

obovate, apex rounded, base oblique, pubescent; petiole to 3 cm. Racemes axillary or terminal, 

to 15 cm; peduncles to 5 cm; flowers white; pedicel 1-1.5 cm; bracts subulate; sepals 4 and 6 

mm, hooded; petals 6 x 2 mm, obovate, clawed, subequal; stamens 10. Pods 4.5 x 1.5 cm, 

samaroid, flat, apically winged, reddish when young; seed 1, 10 x 5 mm. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30088 Keerappadi; 

19549 Thekkady 

SENNA P. Miller 

1. Branchlets and pods hirsute ..............................................................................................................S. hirsuta 

1. Branchlets and pods glabrous or glabrescent ................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaflets obovate; pods less than 3 mm broad ........................................................................................ S. tora 

2. Leaflets oblong-lanceolate; pods more than 5 mm broad......................................................... S. occidentalis 

Senna hirsuta (L.) Irwin & Barneby, Phytologia 44:499.1979. Cassia hirsuta L., Sp. Pl. 

378.1753; FBI 2:263.1878; FPM 401.1919; FPL 181. 1990; FTSR 163. 1996. Senna hirsuta (L.) 

Irwin & Barneby, Phytologia 44:499.1979. Cassia tomentosa Wight & Prodr. 286.1834, non L. 

Shrubs. Leaves 25 cm long; leaflets 4 pairs, to 7 x 3 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute. Flowers 3-7- 

together, on axillary umbel, 3 cm across; sepals 6 x 4 mm, obovate, hispid; petals 12 x 8 mm, 

obovate, entire, glabrous. Pods 15 x 0.5 cm, terete, falcate, densely hispid. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30791 Sungam 

Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, Handb. 2: 140. 1829. Cassia occidentalis L., Sp. Pl. 377. 1753; FBI 

2: 262. 1878; FPM 401. 1919; FPL 182. 1990; FTSR 163. 1996. Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, 

Handb. 2: 140. 1829. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves to 22 cm long, glandular at the base of petiole; leaflets 6 pairs, to 7 

x 2 cm, lanceolate, ciliate, shortly petiolulate. Flowers 3 cm across, pedicelled, in axillary two 

flowered umbel turning to terminal racemes; pedicels to 1.5 cm long; sepals orbicular, green; 

108

petals yellow, obovate, clawed; 3 stamens with larger anthers, 4 stamens with short anthers, 3 

staminodes. Pods 11 x 8 cm, oblong, curved, compressed, marginate, long-cuspidate. 


Distr. Native of South America; naturalised in Asia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 


Senna tora (Lam.) Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 340. 1832. Cassia tora L., Sp. Pl. 376.1753; FBI 2: 263. 

1878; FPM 401.1919; FPL 182. 1990; FTSR 164. 1996. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves to 12 cm long; rachis glandular between leaflets; leaflets 2-4 pairs, 

to 5 x 3 cm, obovate, obtuse. Flowers 3 cm across, in axillary fascicles, pedicellate; calyx ovate, 

acute, hispid; petals obovate, not clawed; 7 stamens antheriferous, 3 staminodes, anthers 

subequal. Pods to 17 x 0.3 cm; terete, glabrous. 


Distr. Pantropical. Fairly common in degraded forest areas; NS 30803 Thunakkadavu 

TAMARINDUS Linnaeus 

Tamarindus indica L., Sp. Pl. 34. 1753; Hook.f. FBI 2: 273. 1878; FPM 409. 1919; FPL 184. 

1990; FTSR 166. 1996. 

Trees; branchlets warty. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 14-17 pairs, 2 x 0.7 cm, oblong, apex 

obtuse; petiole 1 cm. Racemes terminal on short branches, 6 cm long; bracts and bracteoles 

ovate; pedicel 7 mm; calyx tube 6 mm, turbinate, lobes 4, to 1 cm, subequal; petals 3, 1.5 x 1 cm, 

oblanceolate, lateral clawed, subequal, yellow, outer one dotted with pink; staminal tube to 7 

mm, filaments 6 mm, base villous, staminodes 2; ovary 8 mm, stipitate, style 5 mm. 


Distr. Native of Tropical Africa, widespread in the Tropics. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; 

PS 30792 Keerappadi 

Mimosoideae 

1. Plants armed with prickles .............................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Plants unarmed................................................................................................................................................. 5 

2. Herbs; pods bristly .................................................................................................................................Mimosa 

2. Trees, shrubs or woody climbers; pods glabrous............................................................................................. 3 

3. Pinnae 1 or 2 pairs ............................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Pinnae more than 3 pairs ........................................................................................................................ Acacia 

4. Flowers in heads of panicled spikes..........................................................................................Pithecellobium 

4. Flowers in spike.....................................................................................................................................Prosopis 

5. Woody climbers; leaf rachis ending in hooked tendrils........................................................................Entada 

5. Trees; leaves without tendrils.......................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Pods circinate................................................................................................................................Archidendron 

6. Pods not circinate .............................................................................................................................................. 7 

7. Leaves with one pair of pinnae ..................................................................................................................Xylia 

7. Leaves with more than 4 pairs of pinnae.............................................................................................. Albizia 

ACACIA P. Miller 

1. Trees; thorns stipular ........................................................................................................................A. catechu 

1. Stranglers; thorns throughout the stem ......................................................................................................... 2 

2. Pinnae 5 or 6 pairs ............................................................................................................................... A. caesia 

2. Pinnae 7-15 pairs .............................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Pods thick; bracts ovate .....................................................................................................................A. sinuata 

3. Pods thin; bracts linear-lanceolate .................................................................................................................. 4 

4. Flowers pedicellate; leaflets glabrous..............................................................................................A. pennata 

4. Flowers sessile; leaflets pubescent beneath......................................................................................... A. torta 

109

Acacia caesia (L.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1090. 1806; FPM 428. 1919; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 

604. 1996. Mimosa caesia L., Sp. Pl. 522. 1753 p.p. Acacia intsia Willd. var. caesia (L.) Baker in 

Hook.f., FBI 2: 297. 1878. 

Stout ramblers; old stem 4-6-angled; prickles strong, recurved, bark fibrous. Leaves 20-25 

cm long, pinnae 5-8 pairs, to 7 cm long; leaflets 18-22 pairs, to 11 x 3.5 mm, oblong, truncate at 

base, apiculate at apex; thinly pubescent below, 3-nerved from base. Heads terminal, panicled. 

Pods to 13 x 2.2 cm, oblong, flat, acuminate at both ends, marginate. 


Distr. Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18966 Vengoli 

Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1079. 1806; FBI 2: 295. 1878; FPM 427. 1919; Chakrab. & 

Gangop., JETB 20: 606. 1996. Mimosa catechu L. f., Suppl. Pl. 439. 1781. 

Tress; bark and branchlets dark brown. Leaves 15-25 cm, pinnae more than 15, 4 to 5 cm; 

leaflets 7 x 1 mm, oblong, puberulus, stipular spines none or small, recurved. Spike 10-12 cm 

long; flowers yellowish-white, sepals 1 mm; petals 2 x 0.7 mm, broadly crenate. Pods 5-10 cm 

long, flat. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19547 Thekkady 

Acacia pennata (L.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1090. 1806; FBI 2: 297. 1878p.p.; FPM 429. 1919; FPL 186. 

1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 620. 1996; FTSR 167. 1996. Mimosa pennata L., Sp. Pl. 

522. 1753. 

Ramblers; branchlets slender, terete, prickles few, minute. Leaves to 20 cm long, pinnae 13 

pairs, 7 cm long; leaflets ca. 6 x 1 mm, oblong, cordate at base, inequilateral, obtuse at apex, 

overlapping. Spikes 10 mm across, in axillary cymes. Pods 11 x 2.3 cm, oblong, obtuse, flat, 

yellowish. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19913 Parambikulam 

Acacia sinuata (Lour.) Merr., Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. n.s.24: 186. 1935; FPL 186. 1990; 

Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 625. 1996. Mimosa sinuata Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 653. 1790. M. 

concinna Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1039. 1806. Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC., Prodr. 2: 464. 1825; FBI 2: 

296. 1878; FTSR 167. 1996. A. concinna var. rugata (Benth.) Baker in Hook.f., FBI 2: 297. 1878. 

A. rugata (Lam.) J. Voigt, Hort. Suburb. Calc. 263. 1845, non Benth. 1842; FPM 429. 1919. 

Coarse ramblers, densely prickly; branchlets pubescent, black. Pinnae 8-10 pairs, to 5 cm 

long; leaflets to 6 x 1 mm, oblong, truncate at base, pubescent; rachis prickled, glandular. Heads 

axillary, solitary or paired, 1 cm across; peduncle 3 cm long. Flowers numerous, 2 mm long; 

filaments 5 mm long, yellow. Pods 12 x 2 cm, dark-brown; seeds transverse. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South China, Malesia and New Guinea. Common in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 18870 Muthalakkuzhi; 19953 Parambikulam 

Acacia torta (Roxb.) Craib, Kew Bull. 1915: 410. 1915; FPM 428. 1919; FPL 186. 1990; FTSR 

167. 1996. Mimosa torta Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 566. 1832. Acacia caesia Wight & Arn., Prodr. 278. 

1834, non Willd. 1806. 

Rambling shrubs; branchlets puberulus. Leaves to 24 cm long; pinnae 12 pairs; leaflets 8 x 3 

mm, oblong, obtuse at apex, subcordate at base, slightly pubescent, 1-nerved from base. Heads 

1.5 cm across, in terminal panicles. Flowers many, 3 mm long; filaments 5.5 mm long, yellow. 

Pods 16 x 2.5 cm, flat, papery, yellowish-brown, densely glandular. 


Distr. India and Pakistan. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests and riverine areas; PS 

19382 Karimala; 19960 Parambikulam 

110

ALBIZIA Durazzini 

1. Leaflets to 0.5 cm broad............................................................................................................A. odoratissima 

1. Leaflets over 1.5 cm broad................................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Flower heads in axillary fascicles .....................................................................................................A. lebbeck 

2. Flower heads in terminal panicles.................................................................................................... A. procera 

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1066. 1806; FBI 2: 298. 1878; FPM 432. 1919; Chakrab. & 

Gangop., JETB 20: 589. 1996; FTSR 168. 1996. Mimosa lebbeck L., Sp. Pl. 516. 1753. Mimosa 

sirissa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 544. 1832. Acacia speciosa Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1066. 1806. 

Tall trees; bark smooth, dark brown. Leaves 20-30 cm long; pinnae 2 pairs; leaflets 4.5 x 2.5 

cm, oblong, obtuse, glabrate. Peduncles 10 cm long, axillary, paired; heads 4 cm across, dull 

yellow. Flowers pedicelled, 10 mm long; calyx tube 5 mm long, glabrous; corolla glabrous, lobes 

ovate, acute; filaments 3.5 cm long. Pods 20 x 3.5 cm, smooth with thick margin, yellow. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and South China. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19620 Vengoli 

Albizia odoratissima (L. f.) Benth, London J. Bot. 3: 88. 1844; FBI 2: 299. 1878; FPM 431. 1919; 

FPL 187. 1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 593. 1996; FTSR 168. 1996. Mimosa 

odoratissima L. f., Suppl. Pl. 437. 1781. Acacia odoratissima (L.f.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1063. 1806. 

Trees to 20 m high; bark dark brown, rough. Leaves to 25 cm long; pinnae to 15 cm long; 

leaflets oblong, obtuse at either ends, pubescent below. Panicle 15 cm across, axillary or 

terminal; heads 3 cm across, 15-25-flowered. Flowers 5 mm long, sessile; calyx 0.5 mm long, 

cupular; corolla 5-fid to half way down; lobes acute, hispid; staminal filaments 10 mm long. 

Pods to 21 x 2.5 cm, flat, brown, shining. 

Fl. & Fr. October-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30286 Parambikulam 

Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth., London J. Bot. 3: 89. 1844; FBI 2: 299. 1878; FPM 431. 1919; 

FTSR 169. 1996. Mimosa procera Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 121. 1798. 

Large deciduous trees; bark greyish-yellow, smooth, pinkish-red inside; young shoots silky 

pubescent. Leaves to 45 cm long, pinnae 2-4 pairs; rachis glandular near the terminal pair of 

leaflets; leaflets 6-9 pairs, oblong or oblong-obovate, obtuse, base oblique, unequal, glabrous 

above and glaucous below, to 4.5 x 2.5 cm; petiole to 15 cm with a large oblong gland near the 

base. Flower heads in terminal panicles. Calyx 2 mm long, glabrous, lobes ovate-acute. Corolla 

4 mm long, lobes lanceolate. Filaments greenish-yellow, 6 mm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, Philippines and China. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 

30798 Vengoli 

ARCHIDENDRON F. H. Jacob von Mueller 

Archidendron monadelphum (Roxb.) Nielson, Adansonia 19: 21. 1979; FTSR 169. 1996. Mimosa 

monadelpha Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 544. 1832. Pithecellobium bigeminum sensu Baker in Hook. f., 

FBI 2: 303. 1878, non (L.) Mart. ex Benth., 1844; FPM 435. 1919. P. monadelphum (Roxb.) 

Kosterm., Reinwardtia 3: 11. 1954; FPL 189. 1990. Abarema bigemina (L.) Kosterm., Bull. Org. 

Sci. Res. Indonesia 51, f. 34,35. 1954. 

Small trees, branchlets minutely hairy. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae 2, opposite; leaflets 4 pairs, 

15 x 6 cm, opposite, ovate, acuminate, oblique at base, glabrous; rachis glandular. Peduncle 3-8- 

flowered, axillary or terminal, densely rusty tomentose. Flowers 4 mm long, calyx 4-lobed, 

connate, lobes acute; petals 4, ovate, acute, united below; stamens 4, monadelphous; filaments 

10 mm long; ovary many-ovuled, sessile; stigma minute. Pods twisted, strap-shaped, 2 cm 

broad; seeds 4-8, ovoid. 

111


Distr. South West India, Eastern Himalayas, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen 

and semi-evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 30028 Puliyala; 30199 Kothala; 19330 

Thenkudippara; 18908 Karimala 

ENTADA Adanson 

Entada rheedei Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 325. 1825 “rheedii”; FPL 188. 1990; FTSR 170. 1996. 

Mimosa entada L., Sp. Pl. 518. 1753. Entada pursaetha DC., Prodr. 2: 425. 1825. E. scandens 

sensu Hook. f., FBI 2: 86. 1878, non Benth. 1841; FPM 417. 1919. 

Lianas, tendrillate, stem glabrous. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae 2 or 3 pairs, the terminal pair 

modified into a tendril; leaflets 4-7 pairs, 5 x 2.5 cm, curved-oblong, obtuse, inequilateral. 

Spikes to 35 x 0.8 cm, axillary, solitary or paired, erect. Flowers 3 mm long, densely packed, 

yellow; calyx cupular, truncate; petals 4, free, valvate; stamens 10, free; filaments 6 mm long, 

ovary many-ovuled; style slender; stigma concave. Pods to 1 m long, thick, woody, crenate on 

both sutures; seeds many, biconvex, 5 cm across, orbicular, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19406 Kariamchola 

MIMOSA Linnaeus 

1. Pinnae to 3 pairs; stamens 4 ..............................................................................................................M. pudica 

1. Pinnae more than 4 pairs; stamen 8.......................................................................................... M. diplotricha 

Mimosa diplotricha Wight & Sanvalle, Anal. Real. Acad. Ci. Habana 5: 405. 1865; FTSR 170. 

1996. M. invisa Mart., Flora 20, Biebl. 8: 121. 1837. Mimosa invisa Mart. var. inermis Adelb. in 

Reinwardtia 2(2):359.1953; FPL 190. 1990. 

Stout rambling shrubs; stem pubescent, prickles short, in 4-rows. Leaves to 10 cm long; 

pinnae opposite, to 5 cm long; leaflets to 35 pairs, to 5 x 1 mm, oblong, truncate at base, 

glabrous; rachis prickled. Spike 1 cm across, in terminal racemes, peduncled. Flowers many, 3 

mm long; stamens 10, filaments 6 mm long. Pods 2-5 cm long, bristly, black when mature. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America, now an aggressive weed in many tropical countries. 

Occasional along roadsides; PS 30793 Keerappadi 

Mimosa pudica L., Sp. Pl. 518. 1753; FBI 2: 291. 1878; FPM 421. 1919; FPL 188. 1990; FTSR 

170. 1996. 

Woody perennial herbs; prickles scattered. Pinnae to 3.5 cm long; leaflets 20-30 pairs 3 x 1 

mm, oblong, cordate at base, acute at apex, spiny along the margins; stipule scarious, 

prominently fimbriate. Spikes 2 cm across, peduncled, axillary. Flowers 1.5 mm long; calyx 

minute; corolla tube broaden above, lobes obtuse; filaments 4, 9 mm long. Pods 15-25 x 3-5 mm, 

3-5-seeded; joints strongly bristly along the margins. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America, now run wild in many tropical countries. Very common in 

moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30802 Thunakkadavu 

PITHECELLOBIUM C.F.P. Martius 

Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth., Hook. Lond. J.Bot. 3: 199. 1844; FBI 2: 302. 1878; FPM 

434. 1919; FPL 189. 1990. Mimosa dulcis Roxb., Pl. Corom. 1: 67. t.99. 1798. Inga dulcis (Roxb.) 

Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1005. 1806. 

Trees; spines straight, branchlets pubescent. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae 3 cm; leaflets 2, 3-4 x 

1.2 cm, oblong, lanceolate, inequilateral, sparsely hairy on upper side; petiole to 3 cm. Panicles 

15-20 cm, pubescent; flowers 5 mm across, creamy white; stamens numerous, filaments 4 mm, 

112

asally united; ovary 2 mm, pubescent, stigma minute. Pods 9 x 1 cm, circinate, turgid, 

pubescent. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America, cultivated in the tropics. Planted in the sanctuary; PS 18828 

Parambikulam 

PROSOPIS Linnaeus 

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., Prodr. 2: 447. 1825. Mimosa juliflora Sw., Prodr. 85. 1788. 

Small trees; crown spreading, spines 1-1.5 cm, bark dark, fissured. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae 

1 or 2 pairs; leaflets 15-20 pairs, to 15 x 2.5 mm, oblong, gland on the rachis; stipules 

spinescent. Spikes axillary, solitary or 2-3 together, 7-9 cm; peduncle 1 cm; flowers white; calyx 

lobes 0.8 mm, ovate, basally united; petals 2.5 mm, hairy within; stamens 10, free; ovary 2 mm, 

stipitate, pubescent, style 2.5 mm. Pods 15-20 x 1 cm, turgid, straight or slightly curved. 


Distr. Northern South America, C. America to Mexico and Antilles, widely naturalised in 

Tropical Asia. Very common in scrub jungles; PS 30405 Keerappadi 

XYLIA Bentham 

Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub., Bot. Centralbl. 47: 397. 1891; FPM 417. 1919; FPL 190. 1990; 

FTSR 171. Mimosa xylocarpa Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 100. 1798. 

Trees to 20 m tall; bark rough. Leaves bipinnate, pinnae 2; leaflets 5-7 pairs, to 10 x 5 cm, 

elliptic-oblong, acute, glabrous, rachis glandular between the leaflets. Spike globose, 1.5-2 cm 

across, racemose. Flowers numerous, 5 mm long, sessile, dull yellow; calyx 4 mm long, tubular, 

toothed at apex; petals 5, free or united at base, valvate; stamens 10, free, filaments 8 mm long; 

ovary many-ovuled; stigma minute. Pods 18 x 6 cm, curved-obovate, compressed, woody; seeds 

4-10, transverse, oblong. 

Fl. & Fr. February-November 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 18807 Anakkalvayal; NS 19397 

Padippara 

ROSACEAE 

1. Trees; stem unarmed ..............................................................................................................................Prunus 

1. Scandent shrubs; stem armed................................................................................................................. Rubus 

PRUNUS Linnaeus 

Prunus ceylanica (Wight) Miq., Fl. Ind. Bot. 1: 366. 1855; FPL 190. 1990; FTSR 172. 1996. 

Polydontia zeylanica Wight, Ill. Indian Bot. 1: 203. 1840, "Polyodontia". Pygeum zeylanicum 

Gaertn., Fruct. 218. t.46. 1788. P. acuminatum Colebr., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 12: 300. t.18. 

1818; FBI 2: 318. 1878; FPM 439. 1919, non Prunus acuminata (Wall.) Dietr. 1803. Pygeum 

wightianum Blume ex Muell. in Walp., Ann. 4: 642. 1857; FBI 2: 319. 1878; FPM 439. 1919. P. 

gardneri Hook.f., FBI 2: 321. 1878; FPM 439. 1919. P. sisparense Gamble, Kew Bull. 1918: 238. 

1918. 

Large trees; bark black, splitting into rectangular pieces. Leaves alternate, simple, to 12 x 5 

cm, ovate, acuminate, entire, nerves 8 pairs, prominent. Racemes to 10 cm long, axillary, erect, 

densely flowered. Flowers white, 6 mm across; pedicels to 6 mm long, slender; calyx 2 mm long, 

cupular, campanulate, lobes ovate, acute, densely hairy; petals obovate, stamens many, 

filaments 3 mm long; ovary sessile, 1-celled, glabrous; ovules 2, pendulous; style 1, subulate; 

stigma capitate. Fruit a drupe, 2-lobed, 1 x 2 cm, globose, glabrous; seeds 2, globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18876 Orukomban; NS 30227 Karimala 

113

RUBUS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves simple, 5-lobed .................................................................................................................R. glomeratus 

1. Leaves pinnate, leaflets 5-7.................................................................................................................R. niveus 

Rubus glomeratus Blume, Bijdr. 1111. 1826; FTSR 173. 1996. R. fulvus Focke, Biblioth. Bot. 17: 

81. 1911, non Sudre 1902; FPM 441. 1919. R. moluccanus sensu Hook.f., FBI 2: 330. 1878 p.p., 

non L. 1753. 

Stem reddish, densely cottony hairy. Leaves to 8 x 8 cm, shallowly 5-lobed, cordate at base, 

rugose above, densely, cottony tomentose below; petiole 4 cm long. Flowers in terminal panicles, 

bracts 8 mm long, densely hairy; bracteole bifid, filiform; pedicels 7 mm long; sepals 10 mm 

long, united below; petals 4 x 2 mm, obovate; ovaries glabrous. Drupe 2 mm across, ovoid, 

yellow. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional along the margins of grasslands; PS 19165 

Karimala 

Rubus niveus Thunb., Diss. Rub. 9. t. 1., f. 3. 1813; FPM 442. 1919; FTSR 173. 1996;. R. 

lasiocarpus Sm. in Rees, Cyclop. 30 n. 6.1815; Hook.f., FBI 2:339. 1878. 

Branchlets glabrescent. Leaves to 10 cm long, 5-7 foliolate; leaflets opposite, ovate, acute, 

serrate, glabrescent above and white hoaray-pubescent below, terminal leaflet to 4.5 x 3 cm; 

stipules lanceolate. Flowers 1 cm across in axillary solitary or terminal corymbs. Calyx lobes 

oblong, acuminate, aristate, villous, 4-5 mm long. Petals ovate, pink-red, smaller than the calyx 

lobes. Carpels ca. 50; receptacle villous. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China; in India temperate Himalayas and South India. Occasional 

along the margins of grasslands; PS 19391, 19596 Karimala 

CHRYSOBALANACEAE 

ATUNA Rafin. 

Atuna travancorica (Bedd.) Kosterm., Reinwardtia 7:423.1969; FTSR 172. 1996. Parinarium 

travancoricum Bedd., Ic. t. 189. 1868-1874; FBI 2: 311. 1878; FPM 437. 1919. 

Small to medium evergreen trees, bark thin, brownish, branchlets pubescent. Leaves 

lanceolate, acuminate, base acute, glabrous, to 15 x 4 cm. Flowers 1.5 cm across, racemes 

silky-villous, drooping; bracts ovate-lanceolate, villous. Drupe suborbicular, compressed, 3.5 

x 3 cm, brown, smooth. 



Orukomban 

CRASSULACEAE 

KALANCHOE Adanson 

1. Leaves simple, entire ........................................................................................................................K. olivacea 

1. Leaves pinnatifid....................................................................................................................K. schweinfurthii 

Kalanchoe olivacea Dalz. & Gibs., Bombay Fl. 313. 1861; FPM 450. 1919. 

Fleshy herbs. Leaves 8-10 x 4-5 cm, obovate, crenate, olive green. Cymes corymbose, axillary 

and terminal, 5 x 9 cm; flowers white; bracts, 0.5 cm, linear, glandular; calyx 4-lobed to the 

114

ase, 6 x 1 mm, elliptic, glandular, corolla tube 11 mm long, lobes 4, 8 x 3 mm, lanceolate, 

apiculate, glandular; stamens 8, in two rows at the throat of corolla lobes, carpels 9 x 3 mm, 

stigma oblique; hypogynous bristles 4, subulate. Follicle glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in moist rocky areas; PS 20000 Kuchimudi 

Kalanchoe schweinfurthii Penzig in Atti Congr. Bot. Genova 341. 1893. Kalanchoe laciniata 

sensu Wight, Ic. t. 1158. 1846, non (L.) Pers. 1805; FBI 2: 415. 1878; FPM 451. 1919; FPL 192. 

1990. 

Fleshy herbs. Leaves to 18 x 15 cm, narrowly laciniate; lobes 0.3 cm broad, thick. Flowers 

many, in corymbose cymes; pedicels 1 cm long; sepals 5 x 2 mm, lanceolate, acute; corolla tube 

10 mm long, dull pink; anthers ovate; lobes ovate, acute, villous; filaments unequal; anthers 

orbicular ovaries 5 mm long, ovoid, acute, ovules biseriate. Follicles 8 x 2 mm; seeds oblong, 

reddish brown. 


Distr. India, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar. Rare in rocky areas; PS 19224 Vengoli 

DROSERACEAE 

DROSERA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves radical, spathulate........................................................................................................... D. burmannii 

1. Leaves cauline, otherwise................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves peltate; flowers white.............................................................................................................D. peltata 

2. Leaves linear; flowers pink.................................................................................................................. D. indica 

Drosera burmannii Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 50. 1794; FBI 2: 424. 1878; FPM 452. 1919; FPL 193. 

1990; FTSR 173. 1996. 

Small herbs. Leaves to 10 x 8 mm, obovate, obtuse, prostrate, densely covered with 

glandular hairs, greenish pink; petioles absent. Flowers few in erect racemes; scape 6-8 cm 

high; calyx glandular; petals 3 mm across, white. 

Fl. December-January 

Distr. Pantropical. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 30647 Vengoli 

Drosera indica L., Sp. Pl. 282. 1753; FBI 2: 424. 1878; FPM 452. 1919; FPL 193. 1990; FTSR 

173. 1996. 

Unbranched herbs, to 8 cm high. Leaves to 3 cm long, green, curved or straight. Flowers 8 

mm across, many, in terminal racemes; pedicel 1 cm long; sepals 4 x 1 mm, glandular hairy, 

petals 5 x 5 mm, obovate, obtuse, glabrous. Capsule 5 x 3 mm, obovoid, 3-valved; seeds many, 

black, obovoid, densely muriculate. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in wet rocky areas and grasslands; PS 30631 Vengoli 

Drosera peltata Smith in Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 1546. 1797; FBI 2: 424. 1878; FPM 452. 1919; FPL 

193. 1990; FTSR 174. 1996. 

Erect herbs, to 18 cm high, unbranched. Leaves to 5 mm across, semi-circular to lunar, 

covered with glandular hairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers in terminal racemes; pedicels 1 cm 

long, sepals 5, united at base, petals white, 5 x 4 mm, obovate, obtuse; styles 3, free. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and East Asia. Common in wet rocky areas and grasslands; PS 


115

RHIZOPHORACEAE 

1. Leaves entire, thickly coriaceous; margins entire ...............................................................................Carallia 

1. Leaves crenate, membranous; margins crenate...................................................................Blepharistemma 

BLEPHARISTEMMA Wallich ex Bentham 

Blepharistemma serratum (Dennst.) Suresh in Nicols. et al., Interp. Hort. Malab. 214. 1988; 

FTSR 174. 1996. Rodschiedia serrata Dennst., Schluss. Hort. Malab. 16, 24, 31. 1818. 

Gynotroches membranifolia Miq., Anal. Bot. Ind. 3: 7. 1852. Blepharistemma corymbosum 

Benth., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 65, 78. 1858; FBI 2: 441. 1878; FPM 460. 1919. B. 

membranifolia (Miq.) Ding Hou in Steenis, Fl. Males. ser. 1, 5: 489. 1958. 

Large shrubs to small trees; branchlets lenticellate. Leaves oblong, acute or obtusely 

acuminate, crenate, glabrous, to 15 x 7 cm; lateral nerves 7 or 8 pairs, slender; petiole 1 cm 

long. Flowers 4 mm across; calyx glabrous, lobes ovate, acute; petals white. Capsule subglobose, 

acute, yellowish, 6 mm across. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19324 

Kothala; 30345 Vengoli 

CARALLIA Roxburgh 

Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 15: 249. 1919; FPL 194. 1990; FTSR 174. 1996. 

Diatoma brachiata Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 296. 1790. Carallia integerrima DC., Prodr. 3: 33. 1828; 

FPM 459. 1919. 

Trees; bark dark brown. Leaves opposite, to 11 x 7 cm, obovate, obtuse at apex, attenuate at 

base, coriaceous, nerves indistinct; stipule interpetiolar, ovate. Flowers in axillary resinous, 

peduncled cymes with dichotomous branches, 5 mm across; sepals 8, ovate, acute; petals 8, 

smaller, reddish, orbicular, lacerate; stamens 16, filaments villous, free; ovary half inferior, 4- 

celled; ovule 2 in each cell; style slender, 3-5 fid, above. Drupe, 8 x 6 mm, 1-seeded, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19267 Anakkalvayal 

COMBRETACEAE 

1. Scandent or climbing shrubs............................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Trees................................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves tomentose; flowers in axillary and terminal panicles .................................................... Calycopteris 

2. Leaves glabrous; flowers in elongated spikes ...............................................................................Combretum 

3. Flowers in panicles or spikes........................................................................................................... Terminalia 

3. Flowers in globose heads ................................................................................................................. Anogeissus 

ANOGEISSUS (A. P. de Candolle) Guillemen, Perrottet & A. Richard 

Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill. & Perr., Fl. Seneg. Tent. 7: 280. 1832; FBI 2: 

450. 1878; FPM 466. 1919; FPL 195. 1990; FTSR 176. 1996; Gangop. & Chakrab., JETB 21: 

288. 1997. Conocarpus latifolia Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 3: 16. 1828. 

Medium trees; bark surface uneven, white. Leaves alternate and subopposite, to 9 x 6.5 cm, 

broadly ovate, obtuse at apex and base, nerves 8-10 pairs, glabrous; petioles 1 cm long, 

glabrous. Flowers small, 10-20-together in globose spikes, axillary, shortly pedicelled; calyx 3 

mm across, cupular, lobes 5, triangular, acute; petals absent; stamens 10, free, filaments 

glabrous; ovary 1-celled; ovules 1 or 2, pendulous; style subulate. Fruit a biconvex drupe, 4 x 2 

mm, in dense heads. 

116


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Very common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19184 

Rockpoint 

CALYCOPTERIS Lamarck 

Calycopteris floribunda Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 2: 485. t. 357. 1793; FBI 2: 449. 1878; FPM 467. 

1919; FPL 195. 1990; FTSR 176. 1996; Gangop. & Chakrab., JETB 21: 294. 1997. Getonia 

floribunda (Lam.) Roxb., Fl. Corom. t.87. 1795. 

Stragglers. Leaves opposite, to 10 x 6 cm, ovate, acuminate, entire, punctuate and tomentose 

below; nerves 6-8 pairs, nervules reticulate; petioles 1 cm long. Panicles axillary and terminal, 

5-10 x 5 cm; bracts leafy, hispid. Flowers sessile; calyx tube 5 mm long, campanulate, enlarging 

in fruit, lobes oblong; stamens 10, filaments glabrous; ovary 5-ribbed, densely hispid; 1-celled; 

ovules 1-3, pendulous. Fruit an ellipsoid drupe, 10 x 2.5 cm; fruiting sepals 18 x 6 mm, 

yellowish, persistent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19187 Rockpoint; NS 19408 

Kariamchola 

COMBRETUM Loefling 

Combretum albidum G. Don, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 15: 429. 1827; Gangop. & Chakrab., 

JETB 21: 301. 1997. C. ovalifolius Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 226. 1832; FBI 2: 458. 1878; FPM 469. 1919; 

FPL 196. 1990. 

Climbers. Leaves opposite, to 14 x 7 cm, ovate, acute at base and apex, entire, glabrous, 

domatia glandular; petiole 1 cm long, glandular at base. Flowers polygamodioecious, in 

drooping cylindrical spikes. Spikes to 10 x 2 cm, unbranched. Calyx tube 5 mm long, constricted 

above the ovary, widening above, lobes 4, ovate, acute; petals 4 or 5, much smaller; stamens 8 or 

10; filaments 6 mm long; ovary 5-angled, inferior, 1-celled; ovules 2-5, pendulous, style 

subulate. Fruit a 5-winged drupe, 3.5 x 3.5 cm, wings broad, leathery, yellow. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30658 

Keerappadi 

TERMINALIA Linnaeus 

1. Fruits winged..................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Fruits not winged .............................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Fruits large with 4-5 equal wings.................................................................................................... T. elliptica 

2. Fruits small with 3 unequal wings..............................................................................................T. paniculata 

3. Leaves opposite or subopposite; fruits ridged......................................................................T. travancorensis 

3. Leaves alternate; fruit without ridges............................................................................................. T. bellirica 

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 198. 1805; FBI 2: 445. 1878; FPM 463. 1919; 

FPL 196. 1990; FTSR 177. 1996; Gangop. & Chakrab., JETB 21: 338. 1997. Myrobalanus 

bellirica Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 90. t. 97. ff. a-d.1791, "bellerica". 

Large trees; bark smooth, white; branchlets thinly fulvous-hairy. Leaves alternate, to 16 x 8 

cm, obtusely acuminate at apex, attenuate to the base; nerves 7 or 8 pairs, prominent, 

reticulate; petioles to 8 cm long, eglandular. Spikes axillary, to 16 cm long. Flowers sessile, 6 

mm across; calyx tube campanulate, lobes triangular, densely villous inside, hispid outside; 

stamens 5. Drupe 2.5 x 1.8 cm, obovoid, stalked, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, sparsely in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 19320 Kothala 

117

Terminalia elliptica Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 969. 1806; Gangop. & Chakrab., JETB 21: 351. 1997. T. 

alata Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 379. 1821. T. crenulata Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 380. 1821; FPM 

465. 1919; FPL 197. 1990; FTSR 178. 1996. T. coriacea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 315. 1834; 

FPM 465. 1919. Pentaptera coriacea Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 438. 1832. Terminalia tomentosa (Roxb. 

ex DC.) Wight & Arn. var. crenulata (Roth) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 448. 1878. Pentaptera 

crenulata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 438. 1832. 

Large trees, bark black, split into rectangular pieces, red inside. Leaves subopposite, to 20 x 

9 cm, oblong, acute, eglandular, nervules parallel; petiole 2 cm long, eglandular. Panicles 15 x 

10 cm, terminal, glabrous. Flowers 5 mm across; calyx lobes triangular, densely villous inside; 

stamens 5, filaments 5 mm long, glabrous; ovary densely long-villous. Drupe 3.5 x 5.5 cm, wings 

5 broad, coriaceous, reddish brown. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19817 Anakkalvayal; 19488 

Thellikkal 

Terminalia paniculata Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 383. 1821; FBI 2: 448. 1878; FPM 465. 1919; FPL 197. 

1990; FTSR 178. 1996; Gangop. & Chakrab., JETB 21: 357. 1997. Pentaptera paniculata (Roth.) 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 442. 1832. 

Large trees; bark pale brown, pink inside; branchlets reddish. Leaves to 18 x 7 cm, ovate, 

oblong, minutely hirsute below; nerves to 10 pairs, nervules reticulate; glands one on either side 

of the midrib at base; petiole 1.5 cm long. Panicles to 20 cm across, densely tomentose. Flowers 

8 mm across, white, closely packed; sepals ovate, densely villous inside; stamens 5, filaments 

glabrous. Drupe 13 x 12 mm, puberulus, reddish brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Very common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19079 

Padippara 

Terminalia travancorensis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 314. 1834; FPM 464. 1919; FTSR 178. 1996; 

Gangop. & Chakrab., JETB 21: 361. 1997. Terminalia angustifolia sensu Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 437. 

1832, non Jacq. 1776; FBI 2: 449. 1878. 

Large trees; bark smooth, white; branchlets glabrous. Leaves opposite, to 14 x 4.5 cm, 

elliptic-oblong, acuminate at apex, glabrous; petiole 1 cm long. Panicles 10 x 10 cm, terminal, 

branches hispid. Flowers 2.5 mm across; sepals hispid outside, densely villous inside; stamens 

10, filaments 4 mm long; ovary densely tomentose. Drupe 3 x 1.3 cm, ellipsoid, 5-ridged, 

glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30735 Kariamchola 

MYRTACEAE 

1. Leaves alternate................................................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Leaves opposite.................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Inflorescence a spike; petals free ...................................................................................................Callistemon 

2. Inflorescence otherwise; petals fused ............................................................................................. Eucalyptus 

3. Fruits more than 4 cm across; calyx limb closed in bud .................................................................... Psidium 

3. Fruits to 3 cm across; calyx limb open in bud................................................................................................. 4 

4. Calyx tube produced above the ovary................................................................................................Syzygium 

4. Calyx tube not produced above the ovary ........................................................................................... Eugenia 

CALLISTEMON R. Brown 

Callistemon citrinus (Curt.) Skeels, U.S. Dept. Agric. Bur.Pl.Ind., Bull. 282: 49. 1913. 

Metrosideros citrina Curt., Bot. Mag. 8, t.260. 1794. M. lanceolata Smith, Trans. Linn. Soc. 

London 3: 272. 1797. Callistemon lanceolatus (Smith) Sweet, Fl. Austral. sub. t. 29. 1828. 

118

Shrubs or small trees, branchlets tomentose, drooping. Leaves to 8 x 1 cm, linear-lanceolate, 

acuminate, base alternate. Spike to 10 cm, terminal; corolla 5, ca 4 mm, sparsely hairy; stamens 

numerous; filaments free, to 2.5 cm, red; hypanthium ca 4 mm, pubescent; ovary 3-celled. 

Capsule 9 mm, clustered. 


Distr. Native in East Australia, widely cultivated. Planted in Parambikulam; PS 30290 

Parambikulam 

EUCALYPTUS L’Heritier de Brutelle 

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Cat. Pl. Hort. Camald. (ed. 2) 61: 20. 1832. 

Trees, bark decorticating. Leaves to 2.5 x 3.5 cm, lanceolate often falcate, concolorous; petiole 

to 1.5 mm. Hypanthium ca 6 mm, hemispherical, operculam ca 4 mm across, conical; ovule 

numerous; stigma capitate. Fruit 1 x 0.7 cm, hemispherical, valves exerted, seeds cuboid. 


Distr. Native of Australia. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30599 Kuchimudi 

EUGENIA Linnaeus 

1. Young shoots and inflorescence glabrous......................................................................................E thwaitesii 

1. Young shoots and inflorescence brown tomentose ......................................................................................... 2 

2. Pedicels more than 1 cm long; leaves oblanceolate ........................................................................... E. indica 

2. Pedicels to 0.5 cm long; leaves elliptic or ovate.............................................................................E. bracteata 

Eugenia bracteata (Willd.) Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 3: 264. 1828; FBI 2: 502. 1879; FPM 484. 1919; 

FTSR 180. 1996. Myrtus bracteata Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 969. 1799. Eugenia willdenowii Wight, Ic. t. 

545. 1842 & Ill. 2: 13. 1850, non DC. 1828. Syzygium bracteatum (Willd.) Raizada, Indian For. 

74: 336. 1948, non Korth. 1847. Eugenia rothii Panigrahi, JETB 5: 994. 1984. Myrtus latifolia 

Heyne in Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 332. 1821. 

Shrubs; branchlets slender. Leaves to 7 x 3.5 cm, elliptic, obtusely acute at apex, acute at 

base, pale below; nerves 10-13 pairs, sub-prominent below; petiole 3 mm long. Flowers in 

axillary fascicles, 8 mm across, densely fulvous hairy; pedicels 5 mm long, densely hairy; 

bracteoles 2, lanceolate; calyx tube short, globose, lobes 5, orbicular; petals 5, 4 x 4 mm, 

orbicular, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30314 Pooppara 

Eugenia indica (Wight) Chithra in Nair & Henry, Fl. Tamil Nadu India 1: 153. 1983; FPL 197. 

1990. Jossinia indica Wight, Ic. t. 523. 1842. Eugenia jossinia Duthie in Hook. f., FBI 2: 500. 

1879; FPM 484. 1919. 

Small trees, branchlets terete, pubescent. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, base, 

acute; petiole to 7 mm. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired, pedicels to 2.2 cm, tomentose; calyx 

tube 4 mm, campanulate, lobes 4, 5 mm across, orbicular, tomentose, glabrous within; petals 10 

mm across, orbicular, white; stamens numerous; filaments to 8 mm; disc broad. Berry 7 mm 

across, globose, rusty crowned with persistent calyx. 




Eugenia thwaitesii Duthie in Hook.f., FBI 2: 506. 1879; FTSR 180. 1996. Eugenia mooniana 

Wight, Ic. t. 551. 1842 & Ill. 2: 13. 1850, non Gard. 1843; FBI 2: 505. 1879; FPM 484. 1919. 

Shrubs; branchlets slender. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, ovate, caudate-acuminate at apex, rounded 

at base, pale below, glabrous; nerves few, obscure; petiole 2 mm long. Flowers 2-3 together, 6 

119

mm across, in axillary fascicles; pedicels fulvous hairy; calyx tube short, hairy; sepals orbicular; 

petals white; filaments 6 mm long. Berry 1 x 1.5 cm, glabrous, reddish; seeds 3, globose. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19124 Kariamchola 

PSIDIUM Linnaeus 

Psidium guajava L., Sp. Pl. 470. 1753; FBI 2: 468. 1878, "guayava"; FPM 472. 1919; FPL 201. 

1990. 

Small trees, bark decorticating; branchlets appressed tomentose. Leaves decussate, oblong, 

to 10 x 5 cm, acute, base cuneate, tomentose below, gland dotted. Flowers ca. 3.5 cm across, 

axillary, solitary or in pairs; peduncle to 1.5 cm; calyx tube urceolate, tomentose persistent, 

ovate-lanceolate, unequal; petals 4, white, ovate, ca. 3 x 2 cm. Disc broad; stamens numerous, 

filaments white; ovary globose, cell numerous; style to 1.5 cm. Berry globose, to 8 cm across. 


Distr. Originally from Tropical America; now naturalised in the tropics. Fairly common around 

the settlements; PS 30292 Parambikulam 

SYZYGIUM R. Brown ex Gaertner 

1. Calyx tube funnel shaped................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Calyx tube turbinate......................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves elliptic-oblong with few or without glands .................................................................. S. lanceolatum 

2. Leaves obovate, prominently glandular................................................................................... S. palghatense 

3. Flowers more than 1 cm across........................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Flowers less than 1 cm across .......................................................................................................................... 7 

4. Leaves cordate at base...................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Leaves acute or acuminate at base.................................................................................................................. 6 

5. Branchlets distinctly tetragonous; leaf apex acuminate.............................................................. S. munronii 

5. Branchlets terete or subterete; leaf apex acute .........................................................................S. mundagam 

6. Leaves linear lanceolate, to 15 x 2.5 cm; filaments yellow coloured....................................... S. occidentalis 

6. Leaves elliptic or ovate, to 11 x 5 cm; filaments crimson coloured ................................................. S. laetum 

7. Leaves membranous; cymes slender, terminal and axillary of upper leaves.............................. S. gardneri 

7. Leaves coriaceous; cymes stout, axillary and on the scars of fallen leaves .................................................. 8 

8. Cymes mostly from the axils; leaves thickly coriaceous with undulate margin; berry obliquely 

ventricose ......................................................................................................................................... S. chavaran 

8. Cymes mostly from the leafy scars; leaves coriaceous; berry globose or oblong ............................ S. cumini 

Syzygium chavaran (Bourd.) Gamble, FPM 480. 1919; FTSR 181. 1996. Eugenia chavaran 

Bourd., For. Trees Travancore 188. 1908. 

Large trees; bark greyish-brown, to 2 cm thick, reddish inside. Leaves oblong or ellipticoblong, 

obtusely acuminate, base obtuse, coriaceous, glossy above, to 18 x 8 cm; lateral nerves 

numerous, close and parallel, very slender; petiole, to 2.5 cm long. Cymes 4-5 cm long, axillary 

to leaves or leafscars; flowers 1 cm across; pedicels not distinct. Petals calyptrate. Berry 

ellipsoid, obliquely ventricose, purple, to 3-4 x 2-2.5 cm, crowned by the 5 mm long calyx limb. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30150 

Kariamchola 

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, U. S. DA. Bur. Pl. Industr. Bull. 248: 2. 1912; FPL 199. 1990; 

FTSR 181. 1996. Myrtus cumini L., Sp. Pl. 471. 1753. Eugenia jambolana Lam., Encycl. 3: 198. 

1789; FBI 2: 499. 1879. Syzygium jambolanum (Lam.) DC., Prodr. 3: 259. 1828; FPM 481. 1919. 

Medium trees; bark grey, light pink inside. Leaves to 18 x 8 cm, ovate, oblong, longacuminate 

at apex, acute at base; nerves many, close, shining above; petiole 1.5-2 cm long. 

120

Panicles to 10 cm across, on leafless branchlets. Flowers 6-9 mm across, subsessile; calyx tube 3 

mm broad, turbinate; filaments 7 mm long. Berry 10 x 7 mm, obovoid, deep blue. 



Parambikulam; 19283 Karimala 

Syzygium gardneri Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 117. 1859; FPM 479. 1919; FTSR 181. 1996. Eugenia 

gardneri (Thw.) Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 108. 1874; FBI 2: 489. 1878. E. cymosa Lam. var. rostrata 

Duthie in Hook.f., FBI 2: 482. 1878. 

Large trees; bark white, smooth; branchlets terete. Leaves 10 x 6 cm, elliptic, caudateacuminate 

at apex, acute at base; nerves many, close, intramarginal vein 2 mm away from the 

margin; petiole 1.5 cm long. Cymes 7 x 8 cm, lax, terminal and axillary; branches slender. 

Flowers globose; pedicels 2-5 mm long; calyx tube 2 x 3 mm, obconical, lobes obtuse; petals 

calyptrate; filaments 4 mm long. 

Fl. December-February 

Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30093 Kottayali; 19840 

Vengoli; 30166 Pezha 

Syzygium laetum (Buch.-Ham.) Gandhi in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 282. 1976; FPL 200. 

1990; FTSR 181. 1996. Eugenia laeta Buch.-Ham., Mem. Wern., Nat. Hist. Soc. 5: 338. 1826; 

FBI 2: 479. 1878. Jambosa laeta (Buch.-Ham) Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 1: 104. 1849; FPM 

474. 1919. Eugenia pauciflora Wight, Ic. t. 526. 1842. 

Small trees, branchlets terete, slender. Leaves to 12 x 5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at both ends, 

pale below; nerves to 12 pairs, intramarginal nerves obscure; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers to 6 

cm across, solitary or 2-5-together, on axillary or terminal cymes; pedicels 2.5 cm long; calyx 

tube 15 mm long, obconical; sepals 8 x 8 mm, orbicular, persistent; petals 10 x 10 mm, glabrous; 

stamens 2-3 cm long, yellow or pink. Berry 25 x 15 mm, oblong, truncate at apex. 



Kanjirakuthu; 19161 Karimala 

Syzygium lanceolatum (Lam.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 330. 1834; FPL 200. 1990; FTSR 183. 1996. 

Eugenia lanceolata Lam., Encycl. 3: 200. 1789. Syzygium wightianum Wall. ex Wight & Arn., 

Prodr. 330. 1834; FPM 478. 1919. Eugenia wightiana (Wall. ex Wight & Arn.) Wight, Ic. t. 529. 

1842; FBI 2: 485. 1878. 

Trees, branchlets terete. Leaves to 11 x 4 cm, elliptic, lanceolate, obliquely acuminate, base 

cuneate, thinly coriaceous, nerves close, parallel; petiole to 8 mm. Racemes axillary; peduncle to 

3 cm; flowers white, 5 mm across; pedicels to 2 mm; calyx tube elongate, to 1.5 cm, widened. 

Fruit scarlet red. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 


Syzygium mundagam (Bourd.) Chithra in Henry et al., Fl. Tamilnadu 1: 157. 1983; FPL 200. 

1990; FTSR 183. 1996. Eugenia mundagam Bourd., For. Trees Travancore 182. 1908. Jambosa 

mundagam (Bourd.) Gamble, FPM 473. 1919. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets quadrangular. Leaves to 25 x 10 cm, oblong, obtuse, 

coriaceous; nerves to 20 pairs, irregular, intramarginal nerves indistinct. Cymes terminal, 

corymbose. Flowers few to many, 3 cm across; pedicels 5 mm long; calyx tube funnel shaped, 

lobes 6 mm across, orbicular; petals 12 mm diam., white; filaments 2 cm long, glabrous, white. 



Pezha; 30283 Kothala; NS 18914 Karimala 

121

Syzygium munronii (Wight) Chandrab., Biol. Mem. 2:58. 1977; FPL 201. 1990; FTSR 183. 1996. 

Eugenia munronii Wight, Ic. t. 546. 1842; FBI 2: 472. 1878. Jambosa munronii (Wight) Walp., 

Rep. 2: 191. 1843; FPM 473. 1919. 

Large shrubs or small trees; branchlets quadrangular. Leaves to 22 x 7 cm, lanceolate, 

subsessile, glabrous, nerves and intramarginal veins prominent. Cymes 5-10 cm broad, 

terminal. Flowers few, 4 cm across; pedicels 1 cm long; calyx 2.5 cm long, funnel-shaped; lobes 1 

x 1 cm, orbicular; petals larger, 15 x15 mm, yellowish white; filaments 2.5 cm long, white. Berry 

25 x 15 mm, ellipsoid, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30266 Pooppara 

Syzygium occidentalis (Bourd.) Gandhi in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 282. 1976; FTSR 

185. 1996. Eugenia occidentalis Bourd., Indian For. 30: 195. t.3. 1904. Jambosa occidentalis 

(Bourd.) Gamble, FPM 474. 1919. 

Large shrubs. Leaves to 14 x 2.5 cm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate at both ends, nerves 

indistinct; petiole 1 cm long. Cymes 10 cm broad, terminal. Flowers yellow; calyx tube 15 mm 

long, funnel shaped; lobes ovate, obtuse, 6 mm across; petals 4, 8 mm broad, orbicular; 

filaments 25 mm long, yellow; style 3.5 cm long. Berry 2 x 1.5 cm, obovoid to globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common along the riverine areas of evergreen 

forests; PS 19328 Thenkudippara 

Syzygium palghatense Gamble, Kew Bull. 1918: 240. 1918 & FPM 480. 1919 [Figure 5]. 

Trees, to 15 m tall; bark smooth, greyish outside and muddy brown inside; branchlets 

subtetragonus, become terete on maturity. Leaves opposite or subopposite, 3.5-8 x 2-3.5 cm, 

elliptic to elliptic-oblong, base acute, apex acute sometimes obtusely acuminate, chartaceous, 

sparsely gland dotted on lower surface, lateral nerves slender, many, 2-4 mm apart with 

numerous secondary laterals, intramarginal nerve close to the margin; petiole 3-5 mm long, 

slender. Flowers in terminal or axillary, 2-3 cm long, cymes; pedicel to 2 mm long. Calyx tube 

funnel shaped, 8-12 mm long, 5 mm at mouth, petals 2.5 mm across, creamy white, calyptrate, 

cauducous at early stage. Stamens to 8 mm long. Berry 10-13 x 4-5 mm, obconic with a hollow 

depression at apex, crowned by the calyx limb, prominently ribbed on drying. 

Fl. & Fr. January-June 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Very rare in evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 30379, 30527, NS 30615 Pandaravarai 

Note: 

This species was first collected by Beddome from Palghat hills. The present collection is the 

rediscovery after a gap of 140 years. 

LECYTHIDACEAE 

1. Flowers in small erect spikes; fruit globose ......................................................................................... Careya 

1. Flowers in long pendent racemes; fruit angular......................................................................... Barringtonia 

BARRINGTONIA J.R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 97, t.101. 1790; FBI 2: 508. 1879; FPM 487. 

1919 FTSR 185. 1996. Eugenia acutangula L., Sp. Pl. 471. 1753. 

Small trees. Leaves obovate, subacute, base cuneate, subcoriaceous, finely serrate, to 11 x 

4.5 cm; lateral nerves 8-10 pairs, slender; petiole to 0.6 cm long. Flowers 1 cm across, in 

pendulous, to 30 cm long racemes. Calyx campanulate, lobes 4, ovate, acute. Petals ovate, 

obtuse, 4 mm long. Filaments pink, 1 cm long. Fruit oblong, 4-angled, to 2.5 x 0.8 cm. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Along the riverine areas; PS 30169 Orukomban 

122

Figure 5. Syzygium palghatense Gamble A. flowering twig; B. flower bud with 

calyptra; C. flower; D. flower L.S.; E. fruit; F. leaf a portion enlarged 

123

CAREYA Roxburgh 

Careya arborea Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 218. 1811; FBI 2: 511. 1879; FPM 488. 1919; FPL 201. 

1990; FTSR 185. 1996. 

Small trees; branchlets puberulus; bark thick, pink inside. Leaves alternate, to 20 x 13 cm, 

obovate, obtuse, cuneate to the base; petiole 1.5 cm long, channelled. Flowers 6-7 cm across, in 

axillary small racemes on old branches; sepals 4, orbicular, 2 cm across; petals 4, white, 3 cm 

across, orbicular; stamens many, filaments long, connate at base; ovary 4-5-celled inferior, 

ovule; numerous on axils placentation; style 4 cm long. Fruit a berry 5-7 cm across, globose, 

crowned by sepals. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30794 Anappadi 

MELASTOMATACEAE 

1. Leaves penninerved some times faint; flowers blue; ovary 1-celled ............................................Memecylon 

1. Leaves 3 or more ribbed at base; flowers purple pink or white; ovary many celled.................................... 2 

2. Inflorescence scorpioid; flowers tri-merous......................................................................................... Sonerila 

2. Inflorescence otherwise; flowers tetra or pentamerous ................................................................................. 3 

3. Epiphytic shrubs; tender shoot fleshy ............................................................................................... Medinilla 

3. Terrestrial herbs or shrubs; leaves not fleshy ................................................................................................ 4 

4. Flowers white in axillary cymes; leaves crenate ...............................................................................Clidemia 

4. Flowers pink or purple in terminal cymes; leaves entire..................................................................Osbeckia 

CLIDEMIA D. Don 

Clidemia hirta L., D. Don Mem. Wern. Soc. 4: 309. 1823. 

Shrubs, to 1.5 m high; stem pilose. Leaves to 14 x 7 cm, ovate, acuminate, cordate at base, 5- 

ribbed, regular, hispid-tomentose, crenate, intercostae parallel; petiole 2 cm long. Cymes 

axillary. Flowers 2 cm across; pedicels slender, pilose; calyx tube 3 mm long, densely covered 

with simple bristles, lobes 5, acute; petals 7 mm long, ovate, acute, white, glabrous; stamens 10, 

all fertile; anthers not appendaged. Ovary many-celled, many-ovuled. Berry 7 x 5 mm, ovate, 

hispid; seeds many, 0.5 mm long, ovoid, brown, muriculate, glabrous. 


Distr. Native of South America; naturalised in old world tropics. Rare in degraded forest areas; 

PS 30667 Anakkalvayal 

MEDINILLA Gaudinchaud 

1. Leaves orbicular, to 3 cm across; stem terete; tender shoot greenish ......................................M. beddomei 

1. Leaves elliptic oblong; stem subquadrangular or quadrangular; tender shoot crimson coloured ............... 

.................................................................................................................................................. M. anamalaiana 

Medinilla anamalaiana Sasidh. & Sujanapal, Sida 20: 109. 2002 [Figure 6]. 

Epiphytic subshrubs; branches fleshy, acutely quadrangular or subquadrangular, sparingly 

branched, sometimes rooting from lower nodes, smooth, on drying forms a winged appearance; 

stem 20-35 cm long, young shoots reddish-brown. Leaves membranous, opposite pairs unequal, 

sometimes equal, larger one 7-11.5 x 3-5 cm, smaller 4-6 x 2.5-3.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, base 

subcordate or obtuse, apex obtusely acuminate, acumen sometimes twisted, margin entire, 3- 

nerved, lateral nerves ribs near the margins, faint towards apex; petiole 2-4 mm, flattened, 

glabrous. Flowers 4-merous, 2-5 in axils or from leafless nodes in horizontal row, sometimes 2 

or 3 on a short stalk (1-2 mm); pedicel with 2 minute bracteoles at base, jointed, 2 mm at 

anthesis, elongating to 4 mm in fruit; hypanthium obovate, subquadrangular, 3 mm across, 

thinly puberulus, shortly narrowed at mouth with 8 minute teeth; petals 5-7 x 4 mm, rose-pink, 

124

obliquely obovate, minutely apiculate; stamens 8, filaments 3 mm long; anthers 2 mm long; 

ovary 1.5 mm across, obovoid, 4-celled, connected to hypanthium with 8 membranous 

appendages; style to 7 mm long; stigma minutely capitate, papillate. Berries 4 mm across, 

globose, glabrous; crowned by a small hypanthial limb; seeds many, yellowish-brown, 1.5 x 1 

mm, smooth, ovoid, concave on the side of raphe. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 19431 Shekkal mudi; 30043 Puliyala 

Medinilla beddomei Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 548. 1879; FPM 496. 1919; FPL 202. 1990; FTSR 

186. 1996. M. radicans sensu Bedd., Ic. t. 184. 1868-1874, non Blume 1831. 

Epiphytic shrubs; branches terete, pendulous. Leaves 2.5 cm across, obtuse at base and 

apex, very succulent, ribs indistinct; petiole 5 mm long. Cymes axillary, 1-3 flowered; pedicels 2 

cm long, glabrous. Flowers white; calyx tube 7 mm long, wavy along the rim; petals white, 1.5 x 

1.2 cm, obovate, spreading; stamens 10, anthers 8 mm long, acuminate, spur at the base of the 

anther, 1.5 mm long, curved up. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; 

PS 30309 Puliyala; 30664 Orukomban 

MEMECYLON Linnaeus 

1. Leaves sessile; base cordate or rounded....................................................................................M. deccanense 

1. Leaves petioled; base acute .............................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Flowers sessile in fascicles...............................................................................................................M. lawsonii 

2. Flowers pedicellate in a distinct peduncle ...................................................................................................... 3 

3. Berry yellow; leaves yellowish dry; calyx campanulate......................................................... M. umbellatum 

3. Berry purple; leaves black when dry; calyx saucer shaped ................................................ M. angustifolium 

Memecylon angustifolium Wight, Ic. t. 276. 1840; FBI 2: 562. 1879; FPM 504. 1919. 

Shrubs; branchlets terete. Leaves to 8 x 2 cm, obtusely acuminate, acute at base; nerves 

indistinct. Cymes 2 cm across, many-branched; peduncle 3-5 mm long; pedicels slender. Berry 4 

mm across, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30308 Pezha 

Memecylon deccanense Clarke in Hook. f., FBI 2: 560. 1879; FPM 505. 1919. M. wightianum 

Triana, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 28: 158. 1871. 

Large shrubs to small slender trees, branchlets subterete. Leaves oblong-lanceolate or 

elliptic-oblong, acute or acuminate, base rounded, glabrous, brown on drying, to 12 x 4.5 cm; 

lateral nerves ca. 15 pairs, slender, faint. Flowers mostly fascicled on tubercles; pedicels 

slender, 2.5 mm long; calyx cupular, lobes obscure, pink; petals blue. 



Pezha 

Memecylon lawsonii Gamble, Kew Bull. 1919: 226. 1919 & FPM 503. 1919; FTSR 187. 1996. 

Shrubs; branches few, terete. Leaves to 18 x 3.5 cm, lanceolate, acuminate; nerves 10-12 

pairs, pale; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers 1-3, axillary; calyx 1 mm long, lobes ovate, acute, pale 

pink; petals 2.5 mm long, obovate-oblong, keeled, blue. Berry 8 x 9 mm; yellow, sessile. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; 

PS 19788 Kanthalppara 

125

Figure 6. Medinilla anamalaiana Sasidharan & Sujanapal. A. flowering twig; B. 

flower; C. hypanthium; D. hypanthium cut open; E. flower L.S; F. anther; 

G. pistil; H. fruit; I. seed 

126

Memecylon umbellatum Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 87. 1768; FPM 504. 1919; FPL 202. 1990; FTSR 187. 

1996. M. edule Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 82. 1798; FBI 2: 563. 1879p.p.; FPM 504. 1919. 

Small trees, branchlets terete. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, elliptic, apex obtuse or emarginate, 

cuneate at base, shining above, nerves faint, dark green when dry; petiole to 3 mm. Umbels 

axillary; calyx 1.5 mm across, lobes short; petals orbicular, blue. Berry 0.5 mm across, yellow. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19836 Vengoli 

OSBECKIA Linnaeus 

1. Flowers tetramerous......................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Flowers pentamerous........................................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Calyx tube covered with simple hairs only ....................................................................................... O gracilis 

2. Calyx tube covered with simple and stalled stellate hairs ............................................................ O. muralis 

3. Calyx tube with few large peltate scales or hairs........................................................................................... 4 

3. Calyx tube densely bristled or hairy................................................................................................................ 5 

4. Flowers many in terminal panicled cymes; leaves 5-ribbed, to 18 x 3 cm..............................O. wynadensis 

4. Flowers few in terminal cymes; leaves 3-ribbed, to 5 x 2 cm.......................................................... O. virgata 

5. Branchlets reddish pilose; leaves sessile, to 3 x 1 cm........................................................O. leschenaultiana 

5. Branchlets otherwise; leaves petiolate, more than 5 x 2 cm ......................................................................... 6 

6. Leaves 3-ribbed; leaves to 5 x 2 cm................................................................................ O. aspera var. aspera 

6. Leaves 5-7 ribbed, to 15 x 3 cm ............................................................................ O. aspera var. travancorica 

Osbeckia aspera (L.) Blume, Bijdr. Natuurk. Wetensch. 6: 220. 1831 var. aspera, Hansen, 

Ginkgoana 4: 82. 1977; FPL 203. 1990; FTSR 189. 1996. Melastoma asperum L., Sp. Pl. 389. 

1753. Osbeckia kleinii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 323. 1834. O. courtallensis Gamble, Kew Bull. 

1918: 242. 1918. O. kewensis Fischer, Kew Bull. 1938: 34. 1938. O. lawsonii Gamble, Kew Bull. 

1918: 242. 1918 & FPM 503. 1919. 

Shrubs; branches shortly atrorsely scabrid. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute at both 

ends, hairy; hairs half adnated; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers 3-9-together, in terminal cymes, 

sessile; calyx tube 8 x 12 mm, densely covered with stalked tufts of bristles; stalk 1 mm long, 

with about 30 bristles, bristles 1-3 mm long; sepals 4 x 2.5 mm, oblong, retuse, ciliate and 

bristled; petals 17 x 12 mm, obovate, pink, ciliate; anthers 8 mm long. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in degraded forest areas; PS 19831 Vengoli 

Osbeckia aspera (L.) Blume var. travancorica (Bedd. ex Gamble) Hansen, Ginkgoana, 4: 84. 

1977; FTSR 190. 1996. O. travancorica Bedd. ex Gamble, Kew Bull. 1919: 404. 1919 & FPM 

493. 1919 [Figure 7]. 

Shrubs or perennial herbs; branches covered with reddish retrose bristles. Leaves to 15 x 5 

cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate, 7-ribbed, covered with adpressed hairs above and below; petiole 1 

cm long. Flowers 6 cm across, 5-15 together in terminal cymes, bracts 1 cm across, orbicular; 

calyx cup 13 mm long, densely covered with stalked bristles, lobes 7 x 4 mm, obovate, 

emarginate, bristled; intersepalar emergences with stellate bristles; petals 3.5 x 2.5 cm, 

obovate, pink; filaments 13 mm long, anthers 9 mm long, acuminate, constricted at base. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in wet rocky areas; PS 19652 

Vengoli 

Osbeckia gracilis Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser. 3, 1: 45. 1864; FBI 2: 518. 1879. O. sublaevis 

Cogn. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 7: 321. 1891; FPM 492. 1919. O. lineolata Gamble, Kew Bull. 

1918: 241. 1918 & FPM 492. 1919. O. lineolata Gamble var. anamalayana Giri & Nayar, Bull. 

Bot. Surv. India 25: 241-245. 1983. 

127

Figure 7. Osbeckia aspera (L.) Blume var. travancorica (Bedd. ex Gamble) Hansen A- 

flowering branch, B- flower, C-hypanthium with sepals, D- stamens 

128

Stout shrubs; branches glaucous, glabrous. Leaves to 3.5 x 2 cm, elliptic-oblong, obtuse at 

apex and base, cuspidate, yellowish green, densely covered with half-adnated hairs spreading 

from midrib, 3-ribbed; petiole 3 mm long. Flowers in terminal cymes, pedicelled; calyx tube 7 

mm long, densely simple-hairy, lobes 4 x 3 mm, ovate-oblong, obtuse, ciliate; petals 15 x 12 mm, 

obovate, ciliate, pink; anthers 5 mm long. 

Fl. September 


Osbeckia leschenaultiana DC., Prodr. 3: 142. 1828; FBI 2: 520. 1879; FPM 493. 1919. O. 

gardneriana Wight, Ic. t. 997. 1843-45. 

Shrubs; branchlets reddish, pilose. Leaves 1.5-3 x 1 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded at 

base, 3-ribbed, hairy; hairs and lineoles parallel to the midrib, black above, pale green below. 

Flowers 3-5-together, sessile in terminal clusters; calyx tube 7 mm long, densely covered with 

stalked bristles, stalk 1.5 mm long, to 15-bristled; lobes 4 x 3 mm, ovate, obtuse, with a tuft of 3- 

9 bristles at apex, ciliate; petals 15 x 17 mm, orbicular, ciliate; anthers 9 mm long, acuminate; 

filaments clavate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in wet rocky areas; PS 30666 Karimala 

Osbeckia muralis Naud., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser.3, 14: 456. 1850; FTSR 190. 1996. O. truncata 

D. Don ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 322. 1834, p.p.; FBI 2: 514. 1879; FPM 494. 1919. O. truncata 

var. kurzii Clarke in Hook. f., FBI 2: 514. 1879. 

Erect annual herbs, stem patently hairy. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-oblong, acute, to 4 x 2 cm, 

3-5 ribbed; petiole 2-3 mm. Flowers 0.6 cm across, in terminal clusters. Hypanthium with 

simple hairs only. Calyx lobes and intersepalar emergences bristly at apex; petals light purple, 

3 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in rocky areas; PS 30710 Vengoli; 30665 

Vengoli 

Osbeckia virgata D. Don ex Wight et Arn., Prodr. 1: 323. 1834; FTSR 190. 1996. O. octandra 

auct. non (L.) DC., 1828: Hook. f., FBI 2: 521. 1879; FPM 493. 1919. 

Shrubs; branchlets quadrangular, sparsely adpressed hairy. Leaves to 5-9 cm, elliptic, acute 

at both ends; hairs adnate its major length above, free below; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers 15 mm 

across, in terminal cymes, 3-9 together; calyx cup 6 mm long, emergences 2 mm long, 2-4- 

bristled at tip; sepals 4 mm long, acuminate, bristled; petals 7 x 6 mm, anthers 4 mm long, 

acuminate. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in degraded forest areas; PS 18880 Parambikulam; 

18962 Vengoli 

Osbeckia wynaadensis Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 521. 1879; FPM 493. 1919; FTSR 190. 1996. 

Tall shrubs; branches densely scabrid. Leaves to 18 x 3 cm, lanceolate, acute, 3-5-nerved, 

hairy; hairs adnated and spreading from the midrib. Flowers many, in terminal panicled cymes; 

pedicels 4 mm long; calyx tube 8 mm long, bristles 4 or 5 in a tuft, to 3 mm long; lobes 11 x 5 

mm, lanceolate, ciliate; petals 20 x 10 mm, obovate, anthers 7 mm long. Seeds 0.5 x0.3 mm 

obovoid, minutely muriculate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in moist localities in moist deciduous 

forests; PS 19266 Anakkalvayal 

129

SONERILA Roxburgh 

1. Scapigerous herbs ............................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Caulescent herbs ............................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves and calyx glabrous.......................................................................................................... S. rotundifolia 

2. Leaves and calyx sparsely crispate hairy........................................................................................S. wallichii 

3. Capsule with a corky rim; sepals glandular hairy ........................................................................... S. rheedii 

3. Capsule without a corky rim; sepals otherwise .............................................................................S. brunonis 

Sonerila brunonis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 321. 1834; FBI 2: 531. 1879; FPM 499. 1919. S. 

arnottiana Thw. var. tenella Bedd., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 25: 217. 1865; FBI 2: 532. 1879. 

Stem to 20 cm high, reddish, glandular. Leaves 1.5-2.5 x 1-2 cm, ovate, acute at either ends, 

5-nerved from base, serrulate, pilose above; petiole 1 cm long. Peduncle to 3 cm long, slender; 

raceme 3-6-flowered. Flowers 1 cm across; sepals ovate, acute, puberulus outside; petals 

obovate, obtusely acute, pink; anthers 2 mm long. Capsule 7 mm long, oblong; seeds curved, 

dark brown, glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in wet rocks in evergreen forests; PS 30663 Karimala 

Sonerila rheedii Wight & Arn., Prodr. 321. 1834; FPM 500. 1919; FTSR 193. 1996. Sonerila 

wallichii sensu Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 538. 1879 p.p., non Bennet 1844. 

Stem to 15 cm high, quadrangular, hispid. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, ovate, penninerved, acute at 

apex; rounded or cordate at base, hirtus, green; nerves 4 pairs; petiole 4 cm long, hispid. 

Peduncle terminal or upper axillary, 8-12-flowered. Flowers 1 cm across; pedicel 8 mm long; 

sepals triangular, glandular hairy; petals 4 x 3 mm, elliptic, with a hairy midrib; pink; anthers 

3 mm long, acute. Capsule 4 x 3 mm, glandular hairy; seeds obovoid, brown, glandular. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in wet rocks in evergreen forests; PS 19736 

Pezha 

Sonerila rotundifolia Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser. 2, 22: 74. 1861 & Ic. t. 169. 1868-1874; FBI 

2: 538. 1879; FPM 500. 1919; FPL 204. 1990; FTSR 193. 1996. 

Stemless herbs. Leaves few, 6.5-8 cm across, orbicular, deeply cordate at base, crenate, 9- 

ribbed from base, pilose along the nerves, reddish brown, petiole to 12 cm long. Peduncle to 15 

cm long, 8-10 flowered. Flowers 2.5 cm across, confined to the apex of the scape in scorpioidal 

cyme; pedicel 1 cm long, pink; sepals 1.5 x 3 mm, triangular; petals 12 x 9 mm, obovate, pink; 

anthers 6 mm long, acuminate, deeply cleft at base; filaments 7 mm long; style 11 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in wet rocks in evergreen forests at 

higher altitudes; PS 19582 Karimalagopuram 

Sonerila wallichii Bennet, Pl. Jav. Rar. 215. 1844; FBI 2: 538. 1879,p.p.; FPM 500. 1919; FTSR 

193. 1996. 

Leaves one or very few; 5 x 3 cm, ovate, acute, cordate at base, serrulate, crispate hairy 

above, 3 pairs of nerves from the base; petiole 1-3 cm long. Peduncles to 9 cm long, glandular 

hairy; 4-6 flowered. Flowers 10 mm across; pedicels 5 mm long; sepals triangular, hairy; petals 

5 x 4 mm, elliptic, acute, pink; anther 2 mm long, acute; style 5 mm long, glabrous. Capsule 2.5 

x 2.5 mm, hemispheric, glandular hairy. 




130

LYTHRACEAE 

1. Trees; petals clawed....................................................................................................................Lagerstroemia 

1. Herbs; petals not clawed................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Flower axillary, solitary........................................................................................................................... Rotala 

2. Flowers in axillary clusters ............................................................................................................. Ammannia 

AMMANNIA Linnaeus 

Ammannia baccifera L., Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 175. 1762, ssp. baccifera Koehne in Engl., Bot. Jahrb. 1: 

260. 1880; FPL 204. 1990. A. vesicatoria Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 426. 1832. 

Herbs. Leaves to 6 x 1 mm, oblong-elliptic, acute, cuneate. Cymes axillary, dichasial, subsessile, 

flowers ca 3 mm; calyx tube ca 1 mm, campanulate, lobes 4; petals absent; stamens 4, ca 

1 mm long; ovary 4-celled. Capsule ca 2 mm across; seed globose, turgid. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19103 

Peruvaripallam; 30143 Kariamchola 

LAGERSTROEMIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves to 20 cm long; flowers to 5 cm across ....................................................................................L. hirsuta 

1. Leaves to 10 cm long; flowers to 0.8 cm across ..........................................................................L. microcarpa 

Lagerstroemia hirsuta (Lam.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 1178. 1799; FTSR 195. 1996. Adambea hirsuta 

Lam., Encycl. 1: 39. 1783. Lagerstroemia reginae Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 65. 1796. L. flos-reginae 

Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 25. 1788; FBI 2: 577. 1879; FPM 513. 1919. L. speciosa (L.) Pers., Syn. 2: 72. 

1806. 

Medium trees; bark smooth, yellowish-grey, peels off in thin small linear flakes. Leaves 

subopposite, elliptic-oblong, acute or acuminate, base obtuse, coriaceous, to 20 x 8.5 cm; lateral 

nerves 15-18 pairs, joining along the margins; petiole 0.5 cm. Calyx tube many-ribbed, lobes 

ovate-acuminate, glabrous. Petals mauve to pink, rhomboid, prominently veined, 2.5 x 2 cm. 

Capsule globose, 6-valved, 2 cm across. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common along the riverine areas; PS 18937 Kothala 

Lagerstroemia microcarpa Wight, Ic. t. 109. 1839; FPL 205. 1990; FTSR 195. 1996. L. 

lanceolata Wall. ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 576. 1879; FPM 513. 1919. L. thomsonii Koehne in 

Engl., Pflanzenr. 17: 251. 1903; FPM 513. 1919. 

Large trees; bark smooth, white; branchlets terete. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, 

glaucous below; nerves 8 pairs; petiole to 1 cm long, subopposite. Flowers pedicellate; calyx 

lobes triangular, pubescent; petals 3 mm long, obovate, white, clawed; filaments erect, ovary 5- 

6-celled. Capsule 10 x 6 mm, obovoid, 6-valved; seeds 3-4 in each cell, 8 x 3 mm, flat. 

Fl. & Fr. November-May 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19080 Padippara 

ROTALA Linnaeus 

1. Capsule 4-valved; bracts cordate at base ..................................................................................R. rotundifolia 

1. Capsule 2-valved; bracts acute at base............................................................................................... R. indica 

Rotala indica (Willd.) Koehne, Bot. Jahrb. 1: 172. 1880; FPM 508. 1919; FPL 206. 1990; FTSR 

196. 1996. Peplis indica Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 244. 1799. Ameletia indica (Willd.) DC., Mem. Soc. 

Phys. Geneva 3: 82. t. 3. f. A. 1826. Ammannia peploides Spreng., Syst. 1: 444. 1825; FBI 2: 566. 

1879. A. nana Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 427. 1832. 

131

Erect or procumbent herbs; stem winged. Leaves to 10 x 7 mm, obovate-oblong, obtusely 

acute, 5-nerved. Flowers in lax racemes; bracts 8 x 2 mm, oblanceolate, glabrous; bracteoles 3 

mm long, linear; calyx 3 mm long, campanulate, lobes ovate, acuminate; petals 0.5 mm long, 

elliptic, acute; filaments attached at the middle of calyx tube. 


Distr. Tropical Asia; naturalised in Europe, Africa and America. Fairly common in degraded 

forest areas; PS 30128 Karimala 

Rotala rotundifolia (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Koehne, Bot. Jahrb. 1: 175. 1880; FPM 509. 1919. A. 

rotundifolia Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. (ed. 1) 1: 446. 1820; FBI 2: 566. 1879. 

Erect herbs, to 15 cm high; stem reddish, 4-angled. Leaves to 8 x 6 mm, oblong-orbicular, 

sessile, glabrous, 5-nerved. Racemes 1-1.5 cm long, bracteoles 2 mm long, lanceolate; calyx tube 

2.5 mm long, lobes triangular, acute; intersepalar appendages absent; petals 1.5 x 1 mm, 

obovate; filaments attached near the base of calyx tube; ovary 1 x 1 mm, obovoid, truncate, 

obtuse, 4-angled; style 1 mm long. 


Distr. South and South East Asia and also in Japan. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; 

PS 19967 Vengoli 

ONAGRACEAE 

LUDWIGIA Linnaeus 

1. Branchlets hirsute; flowers more than 2 cm................................................................................L. peruviana 

1. Branchlets glabrous or puberulus; flowers to 1 cm across............................................................................. 2 

2. Branchlets glabrous; stamens 8.................................................................................................L. hyssopifolia 

2. Branchlets puberulus at least on apices; stamens 4 ..................................................................... L. perennis 

Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G. Don) Exell, Garcia de Orta 5: 471. 1957; FPL 208. 1990; FTSR 197. 

1996. Jussiaea hyssopifolia G. Don, Gen. Syst. 2: 693. 1832. J. linifolia Vahl, Ecolg. Amer. 2: 32. 

1798, non L. linifolia Poir., 1813; FPM 1875. 1936. Jussiaea suffruticosa Ridley, J. Bot. 59: 257. 

1921, non L. Fissendocarpa linifolia (Vahl) Bennet., JBNHS 67: 126. 1970. 

Herbs or subshrubs, branchlets angled or winged. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, base cuneate, 

glabrous, membranous, to 6 x 2 cm; petiole to 1 cm. Flowers solitary, axillary. Calyx lobes 4, 

lanceolate, 3 mm long, persistent. Petals 4, yellow, obovate. Stamens 8. Capsule to 2 x 0.2 cm; 

seeds dimorphic, upper ones larger. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30762 Vengoli 

Ludwigia perennis L., Sp. Pl. 119. 1753; FPL 208. 1990. L. parviflora Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 440. 

1820; FBI 2: 588. 1879; FPM 517. 1919. Jussiaea perennis (L.) Brenan., Kew Bull. 8: 163. 1953. 

Erect herbs with spreading roots, stem narrowly winged. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, elliptic, acute at 

apex, attenuate to the petiole, nerves many, close; petiole 2.5 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary, 

subsessile; calyx lobes 4, 4 x 1 mm, lanceolate; petals 6 x 3 mm, obovate, yellow; stamens 4, 

equal; ovary 4-celled, inferior; ovules many, style 1, stigma capitate. Capsule 2 x 0.2 cm, terete, 

glabrous. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19027 

Thunakkadavu 

Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H. Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 28: 293. 1953; FPL 208. 1990. Jussiaea peruviana 

L., Sp. Pl. 388. 1753. J. speciosa Ridley, J. Bot. 59. 1921; FPM 1875. 1936. 

132

Subshrubs, branchlets hirsute. Leaves to 12 x 4 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute, base attenuate, 

hirsute; petiole to 1.5 cm. Flowers ca. 5 cm across; bracteoles to 1 cm, deciduous; pedicel to 2 cm; 

calyx tube ca 2 cm, hirsute, 4-lobed, 1 x 0.5 cm, lanceolate; petals 4, to 3 x 2 cm, sub-orbicular, 

yellow; stamens 8; ovary 4-celled, ovules numerous. Capsule oblong, 3 cm, slightly 4-angled. 


Distr. Originally from America now naturalised throughout the Old World. Rare along riverine 

areas; PS 19733 Orukomban 

PASSIFLORACEAE 

1. Stem glabrous; flowers unisexual .......................................................................................................... Adenia 

1. Stem glandular hispid; flowers bisexual ...........................................................................................Passiflora 

ADENIA Forsskal 

Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) Wilde, Blumea 15: 265. 1967; FPL 210. 1990; FTSR 197. 1996. 

Granadilla hondala Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 480. t.180. f.10. 1791. Adenia palmata (Lam.) Engl., Bot. 

Jahrb. Syst. 14: 375. 1892; FPM 525. 1919. Modecca palmata Lam. Encycl. 4: 209. 1797; FBI 2: 

603. 1879. 

Climbers with tuberous roots, tendrils simple. Leaves palmately 3-5-lobed, lobes to 16 x 6 

cm, oblong, membranous, with large circular sessile glands between lobes; petiole to 8 cm long. 

Flowers monoceous, in axillary cymes, 10 mm across; calyx gamosepalous, 13 mm long, lobes 5, 

ovate; petals 5, 13 x 2 mm, linear-oblong, ciliate, attached at the rim of calyx tube; stamens 5, 

free, staminodes in female flowers 5, free; ovary stipitate, globular, superior, 1-celled; ovules 

many, parietal, style 1, 3-fid at apex. Capsule 5 cm across, globose, 3-valved. 


Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30742 Karimala 

PASSIFLORA Linnaeus 

Passiflora foetida L., Sp. Pl. 959. 1753; FPM 524. 1919; FPL 210. 1990; FTSR 198. 1996. 

Densely pilose climber; tendrils leaf-opposed. Leaves to 10 x 9.5 cm, shallowly, 3-lobed, 

cordate at base; lobes triangular, acute; petiole to 5 cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; 

bracteoles much divided into linear lobes, glandular; sepals 1.5 x 1 cm, ovate, acute, hairy 

outside; petals 1.8 x 1 cm, ovate, acute, white, glabrous; corona 4-seriate, pale violet; 

gynandrophore 0.8 cm long, stout. Berry 1.5 cm across, yellow; seeds black. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; now naturalised in India, China and Africa. Common in 

degraded forest areas; PS 18976 Vengoli 

CUCURBITACEAE 

1. Tendrils simple.................................................................................................................................................. 3 

1. Tendrils branched ............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Petals laciniate ............................................................................................................................ Trichosanthes 

2. Petals entire...................................................................................................................................... Diplocyclos 

3. Male flowers with large spathaceous bracts .................................................................................. Momordica 

3. Male flowers without spathaceous bracts ....................................................................................................... 4 

4. Stem glabrous; all stamens 2-celled ................................................................................................... Zehneria 

4. Stem scabrid or variously pubescent; all stamens not 2-celled..................................................................... 5 

5. Leaves lobed or angled...................................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Leaves neither lobed nor angled ...............................................................................................Cerasiocarpum 

133

6. Leaves amplexicaule................................................................................................................................Solena 

6. Leaves not amplexicaule................................................................................................................................... 7 

7. Female flowers in axillary fascicles; berry globose................................................................................ Mukia 

7. Female flowers solitary; berry fusiform or ellipsoid....................................................................................... 8 

8. Stem angular, pilose; fruits fusiform not beaked ........................................................................... Cucumella 

8. Stem terete, globose; fruits ellipsoid beaked..............................................................................Corallocarpus 

CERASIOCARPUM Hooker f. 

Cerasiocarpum bennettii (Miq.) Cogn. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 729. 1881; FPM 541. 1919; 

Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 18. 1982. Bryonopsis bennettii Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 1: 657. 1855. 

Cerasiocarpum zeylanicum (Thw.) Hook. f., Gen. Pl. 1: 832. 1862 & Hook. f., FBI 2: 629. 1879. 

Scabrous creeper. Leaves to 13 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, entire, distantly denticulate, acuminate 

at apex, cordate at base, coarsely scabrous. Flowers monoecious; male flowers in axillary 

racemes, female flowers axillary, solitary, 3 mm across; calyx tube campanulate; petals 5, 

obovate, free; stamens in male flowers 3, free, anthers straight; ovary in female flowers 

globular, 1-celled; ovules 5-6; style columnar, stigma 3-fid. Fruit globose, 8 mm across. smooth; 

seeds ovoid, marginate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common along the margins of evergreen forests at lower altitudes; PS 


CORALLOCARPUS Welwitsch ex Hooker f. 

Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottl. & Willd.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 628. 1879; FPM 541. 1919; 

Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 28. 1982. Bryonia epigaea Rottl. & Willd., Ges. Naturf. Freunde 

Berlin Neue Schriften ser. 4. 212. 1803. 

Vines. Leaves 3-5 angled, to 8 x 8 cm, pubescent, apex acute, base cordate, dentate; petiole to 

3 cm. Flowers monoecious, yellow; male flowers in racemes, to 1 cm; peduncles to 5 cm, stout; 

corolla 2 mm across, pubescent; stamens 3, erect; female flowers solitary, 2 mm across; ovary 4 

mm, oblong, beaked. Fruit 1.5 x 1 cm, ellipsoid, beaked, circumscissile at base; seeds ca. 8. 


Distr. India, Tropical Africa and West Asia. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30489 Kuchimudi 

CUCUMELLA Chiovenda 

Cucumella silentvalleyii Manilal et al., Acta. Bot. India 13: 283. 1985; FTSR 199. 1996. 

Creepers, stem scabrid. Leaves to 4.5 x 5.5 cm, obtusely 5-angular, cordate at base crenate, 

scabrid; petiole 6 cm long. Flowers monoecious, axillary, solitary, pedicellate; calyx tube 

tubular; lobes ovate, acute; petals 5, 10 x 6 mm, obovate, obtuse, yellow. Stamens 3, free, erect, 

connective produced into a hood; anthers flexuous, hispid; ovary fusiform, hispid. Fruit 1.5 x 0.8 

cm, ellipsoid, hispid; seeds 3.5 x 2 mm, obovate, compressed, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Common in degraded forest areas; PS 


DIPLOCYCLOS Post & O. Kuntze 

Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) Jeffrey, Kew Bull. 15: 352. 1962; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 48. 1982; 

FPL 212. 1990; FTSR 202. 1996. Bryonia palmata L., Sp. Pl. 1012. 1753. B. laciniosa L., Sp. Pl. 

1013. 1753,p.p. excl. typus; Wight, Ic. t. 500. 1841; FBI 2: 622. 1879. Bryonopsis laciniosa sensu 

Naucl., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Ser. 4. 12: 141. 1859; FPM 534. 1919. 

Slender climbers, tendrils bifid. Leaves to 12 cm across, palmately deeply 5-lobed, serrate, 

lobes scabrous; petiole 3-5 cm long. Flowers monoecious, fascicled, axillary, 3-7-together; pedicel 

1.5 cm long; calyx tube 3 mm long, campanulate, lobes subulate; petals 5, 7 x 4 mm, obovate, 3 

134

mm long; stamens 3, anthers conduplicate, 3 mm long; pistillode clavate, 3-lobed above; ovary 

globose, ovules horizontal; style slender; stigmas 3. Berry, 2 cm across, globose, red with white 

lines; seeds 6 x 7 mm, pyriform, compressed, thinly rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Africa. Fairly common along the margins of evergreen forests; 

PS 19566 Kariamchola 

MOMORDICA Linnaeus 

1. Branchlets and leaves villous; plant monoecious ....................................................................... M. charantia 

1. Branchlets and leaves glabrous or glabrescent; plant dioecious................................................................... 2 

2. Calyx lobes liner-lanceolate, acute......................................................................................................M. dioica 

2. Calyx lobes ovate-oblong, obtuse..............................................................................................M. subangulata 

Momordica charantia L., Sp. Pl. 1009. 1753; FBI 2: 616. 1879; FPM 532. 1919; Chakrav., Fasc. 

Fl. Ind. 2: 89. 1982; FPL 214. 1990. 

Stem puberulus. Leaves 5-7 lobed to 7-12 cm across, lobes ovate to 5 cm, oblong, base 

cordate, margin dentate, pubescent below, petiole pubescent; tendrils simple. Bracts to 1 x 8 cm, 

reniform-orbicular on the base of the peduncle, pedicel to 7 cm; male flowers 1.5-2 cm across, 

solitary, axillary, calyx to 12 mm, lobes ovate, petals to 1.5 x 1 cm, obovate, rounded; stamens 3, 

pistillode 3-lobed; ovary 1 cm, fusiform, mucronate. Fruit 8-15 cm, oblong, tubercled, seeds 

ovoid. 


Distr. Old World tropics; widely cultivated in the Tropical countries. Common in degraded 

forest areas; PS 19076 Amakkundu 

Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 605. 1805; FBI 2: 617. 1879; FPM 531. 1919; 

Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 94. 1982; FPL 214. 1990; FTSR 204. 1996. 

Slender climbers. Leaves to 8 x 7 cm, ovate, cordate at base, entire or shallowly 3-lobed, 

distantly glandular-toothed, scabrous below; petiole 2 cm long; tendrils simple. Flowers 

dioecious, solitary, axillary; pedicels 4-6 cm long, bracteate at middle; bracts of male flowers 1.5 

cm across; calyx tube short, campanulate, lobes 10 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate; petals 27 x 18 mm, 

obovate, yellow; stamens 3, anthers free, conduplicate. Female flowers few; ovary densely 

muricate, ovules horizontal; stigma 3-lobed. Fruit 5 x 2 cm, ellipsoid, densely echinate, red; 

seeds 8 x 7 mm, irregular, rugose, black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18986 Orukomban 

Momordica subangulata Blume, Bijdr. 928. 1826; FPM 532. 1919; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 95. 

1982. 

Branchlets glabrescent. Leaves 5-9 x 4-8 cm, broadly ovate, deeply 3-5 lobed, acuminate, 

base cordate, margin denticulate, petiole 2-4 cm, glabrescent; tendrils simple glabrous. Male 

flowers solitary, pedicel 5-10 cm long, slender, villous, apex bracteate, bract sessile, cucullate, 

reniform, 5 mm across, margin ciliate, calyx lobes to 8 x 4 mm, ovate, oblong, obtuse, densely 

villous; corolla 4-6 cm, broad yellow, female flowers solitary, axillary, pedicel to 7 cm, minutely 

bracteate at base. Fruit to 7 x 4 cm, ovoid, densely echinate; seeds 10-12 mm long, oblong. 

Fl. & Fr. June-October 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19906 Kariamchola 

MUKIA Arnott 

1. Leaves villous below; mature fruits reddish, shortly peduncled............................................. M. leiosperma 

1. Leaves scabrid below; mature fruits yellowish, sessile.................................................... M. maderaspatana 

135

Mukia leiosperma (Wight & Arn.) Wight, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Ser. 8: 208. 1842; FBI 2: 623. 

1879. Bryonia leiosperma Wight & Arn., Prodr. 1: 345. 1834. Melothria leiosperma (Wight & 

Arn.) Cogn. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 622. 1881; FPM 539. 1919; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 81. 

1982. 

Climbers, stem densely pilose. Leaves 6 x 6 cm, shallowly 5-lobed, lobes obtuse, cuspidate, 

spineus serrate along the margins, coarsely scabrous above, densely tomentose below; petiole 3 

cm long, densely villous. Male flowers 2-3 together, fascicled; pedicel 1 cm long, villous; calyx 

tube 5 mm long, densely villous; petals yellow, glabrous. Berry 8 mm across, globose, glabrous; 

seeds few, 5 x 2.5 mm, obovate, smooth, emarginate, yellow. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. m. Rare in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest 

areas; PS 30307 Pezha 

Mukia maderaspatana (L.) Roem., Syn. Monogr. 2: 47. 1846; FTSR 204. 1996. Cucumis 

maderaspatanus L., Sp. Pl. 1012. 1753. Bryonia cordifolia L., Sp. Pl. Pl. 1012. 1753. B. scabrella 

L.f., Suppl. Pl. 424. 1781. Mukia scabrella (L. f.) Arn. in Hook.’s J. Bot. 3: 276. 1841; FBI 2: 623. 

1879. Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn. in A. DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 623. 1881; FPM 539. 

1919; FPL 213. 1990. 

Stem coarsely scabrous. Leaves to 9 x 7 cm, ovate, cordate at base; entire or shallowly 5- 

lobed; spineus serrate, densely scabrous from peltate tubercles; petiole 6 cm long. Male flowers 

8-12 together, 4 mm across, yellow; pedicel 6 mm long; calyx densely hairy outside, lobes 

subulate; petals 2.5 mm long, obovate, yellow; anthers 1 mm long. Female flowers solitary or 2- 

3 together. Berry 1 cm across; seeds 5 x 3 mm, obovate, marginate, yellowish white, rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia, China, New Zealand and Africa. Rare in moist deciduous 

forests; PS 30648 Padippara 

SOLENA Lourerio 

Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 179. 1976; FPL 215. 

1990. Bryonia amplexicaulis Lam., Encycl. 1: 496. 1785. Solena heterophylla Lour., Fl. 

Cochinch. 514. 1790. Bryonia umbellata Klein in Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 618. 1805. Zehneria 

umbellata (Klein) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 125. 1859; FBI 2: 625. 1879. Melothria amplexicaulis 

(Lam.) Cogn. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 621. 1881. M. heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn. in DC., Monogr. 

Phan. 3: 618. 1881; FPM 539. 1919. 

Slender climbers; stem scabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7.5 cm, ovate, hastate and amplexicaule at 

base, coriaceous, scabrous. Flowers dioecious. Male flowers in axillary racemes; pedicels 8 mm 

long, bracteate at middle; calyx tube 6 mm long, campanulate, lobes minute; petals 1.5 mm 

long, triangular; stamens 3, erect, anthers transverse, connective produced into a globose hood. 

Female flowers solitary, pedicellate. Berry 2 x 2.5 cm, globose, smooth; seeds 8 x 8 mm, globose, 

rugose along the margins, dark brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Rare in open rocky grasslands; PS 30380 Pandaravarai 

TRICHOSANTHES Linnaeus 

1. Leaves unlobed; ovate.....................................................................................................................T. nervifolia 

1. Leaves palmately lobed.............................................................................................................. T. tricuspidata 

Trichosanthes nervifolia L., Sp. Pl. 1008. 1753; FPM 529. 1919; Chakrav., Fasc. Fl. Ind. 2: 119. 

1982; FTSR 206. 1996. T. cuspidata Lam., Encycl. 1: 190. 1789; FPM 529. 1919. 

Slender climber. Leaves to 15 x 9 cm, ovate, acute, cordate at base, distantly denticulate, 

coarsely reticulate, glabrous; petiole 2 cm long. Male racemes 5 cm long, zig-zag, many flowered, 

136

glabrous; pedicel 1.5 cm long; calyx tube 3.5 cm long, narrow; petals 2 cm long, fimbriate into 

narrow lobes. Female flowers solitary. Berry to 11 x 7 cm, ellipsoid, smooth, yellow; seeds many, 

10 x 10 mm, irregularly lobed; dark brown. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen 

forests; PS 30660 Padikkundu 

Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 589. 1790. T. bracteata (Lam.) Voigt, Hort. 

Sub.Calc. 58. 1845; FPL 215. 1990. Modecca bracteata Lam., Encycl. 4: 210. 1797. 

Trichosanthes palmata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 704. 1832; FBI 2: 606. 1879; FPM 529. 1919. T. 

lepiniana (Naud.) Cogn. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 377. 1881; FPM 530. 1919. Involucraria 

lepiniana Naud. in Huber, Cat. 11. 1868. 

Glabrous climbers. Leaves to 12 x 15 cm, palmately 3-lobed, lobes oblong, acuminate; petiole 

1 cm long. Male flowers in peduncled cymes; peduncle 6 cm long; bracts 3 x 2 cm, obovate, 

coarsely fimbriate; calyx tube 2.5 cm long, lobes lanceolate, 1.8 cm long. 

Fl. June 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and East Asia. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 


ZEHNERIA Endlicher 

1. Petals glabrous; plant monoecious................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Petals villous within; plant dioecious .............................................................................................................. 3 

2. Female flowers solitary, axillary................................................................. Z. maysorensis var. maysorensis 

2. Female flowers in axillary clusters................................................................. Z. maysorensis var. umbellata 

3. Leaves triangular base cordate........................................................................................................... Z. scabra 

3. Leaves deltoid base truncate......................................................................................................... Z. thwaitesii 

Zehneria maysorensis (Wight & Arn.) Arn. in Hook.’s, J. Bot. 3: 275. 1841, var. maysorensis; 

FPL 216. 1990; FTSR 206. 1996. Bryonia maysorensis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 345. 1834. 

Melothria mucronata sensu Chakrav. Monogr. Indian Cucurb. 148. 1959, non (Blume) Cogn. 

1881. M. perpusilla var. subtruncata Cogn. in DC., Monogr. Phan 3: 606. 1881; FPM 538. 1919. 

M. perpusilla sensu Gamble, FPM 538. 1919, non (Blume) Cogn. 1881. 

Branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 8 cm, widely cordate at base, shallowly 5-lobed, lobes 

glandular-serrate, glabrous; petiole to 5 cm long. Female flowers solitary, 5 mm across; pedicels 

3 cm long; petals 2.5 x 1.5 mm, densely hispid; staminodes subulate; style 3-fid at apex. Male 

flowers 3-10, on peduncled umbels, 6 mm across; filaments bearded. Berry 13 x 6 mm, oblong, 

cylindrical, reddish; seeds 1.7 x 1.2 mm, obovoid, smooth, white. 


Distr. India to South East Asia. Rare in grasslands; PS 30204 Karimala 

Zehneria maysorensis (Wight & Arn.) Arn. var. umbellata (Chakrav.) Kumari in Nair & Henry, 

Fl. Tamil Nadu I, 1: 175. 1983. Melothria mucronata var. umbellata Chakrav., Monogr. Indian 

Cucurb. 150. 1959. 

Branches scabrous. Leaves to 7 x 6 cm, ovate-deltoid, truncate or shallowly cordate at base, 

acuminate at apex, glabrous, coarsely toothed; petiole 1.5 cm long. Male flowers 6 mm across, 2- 

6 in umbels, pedicellate; peduncles 1.5 cm long; pedicel 3-5 mm long; petals white, glabrous. 

Female flowers in axillary fascicles; pedicel to 1 cm long. Berry 8 mm across, globose; seeds 

obovoid, smooth, white. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in grasslands; PS 19576 Karimalagopuram 

137

Zehneria scabra (L. f.) Sond. in Harv. & Sond., Fl. Cap. 2: 486. 1862; FPL 217. 1990. Bryonia 

scabra L. f., Suppl. Pl. 423. 1781. Zehneria hookeriana Arn. in Hook., J. Bot. 3: 275. 1841; FBI 2: 

624. 1879. Melothria perpusilla sensu Chakrav., Monogr. Indian Cucurb. 146. 1959 p.p., M. 

mucronata sensu Gamble, FPM 538. 1919, non (Blume) Cogn. 1881. 

Glabrous climbers. Leaves to 7 x 7 cm, triangular, cordate at base, 3-lobed or entire, 

glandular toothed; petiole to 3 cm long. Umbel 3-5 flowered; peduncle 1.5 cm long. Female 

flowers 5 mm across; calyx tube 2 mm long, campanulate; petals 2.5 x 2 mm, obovate; stigma 3- 

lobed. Male flowers larger, 8 mm across; petals ovate, acute; anthers 1 mm long, connective 

pubescent. Berry 7 mm across, globose; seeds 5 x 4 mm, obovate, biconvex, smooth, not 

marginate. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, India and South East Asia. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; 


Zehneria thwaitesii (Schweinf.) Jeffrey, Kew Bull. 15: 371. 1962; FPL 217. 1990. Melothria 

thwaitesii Schweinf. Relique. Kotschy 44. t. 29. 1868. M. zeylanica Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 

626. 1879; FPM 538. 1919. 

Creeping prostrate herbs; stem sulcate; tendrils undivided. Leaves to 4 x 5 cm, deltoid, 

acute, truncate at base, distantly glandular-toothed, scabrous above; petiole 1 cm long. Male 

flowers axillary, fascicled, 8 mm across; petals ovate, acute, spreading, glabrous; anthers 2 mm 

long. Female flowers solitary. Berry 4 x 1.5 cm, ribbed. 


Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen and moist deciduous forests; PS 30374 

Pandaravarai; 30513 Karimala 

BEGONIACEAE 

BEGONIA Linnaeus 

1. Scapigerous herbs ............................................................................................................................B. floccifera 

1. Caulescent herbs ............................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Capsule more the 2.5 cm across; male sepals 4 .................................................................................. B. fallax 

2. Capsule less than 2 cm across; male sepals 2............................................................................B. malabarica 

Begonia fallax A. DC., Prodr. 15: 329. 1864; Clarke in Hook.f. FBI 2: 645. 1879; Ansari, Nair & 

Nair, JETB 5: 125. 1984; FTSR 207. 1996. Diploclinium lindleyanum Wight, Ic. t. 1817. 1852. 

Shrubs; stem reddish, glabrous. Leaves to 18 x 10 cm, ovate, unequally cordate at base, 

entire or shallowly and broadly dentate, glabrous, nerves prominent, reddish, dividing after the 

middle of the lamina; petiole 2-5 cm long; stipules 2.5 x 0.8 cm, oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, 

whitish. peduncle 3-4 cm long, axillary, dichotomously branched; cymes 5 cm across. Flowers 

few; pedicels 1 cm long; male sepals 4, outer 10 mm across, orbicular, pale pink; inner smaller, 

anthers truncate. Capsule 2 x 3.5 cm, obovate, 3-winged; wing horizontal at apex; placentas 2- 

fid; seeds many, minute, oblong, cylindrical, ridged and reticulate at one end. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in moist localities of evergreen forests; PS 


Begonia floccifera Bedd., Ic. t. 11. 1868-1874; FBI 2: 654. 1879; FPM 546. 1919; FPL 218. 1990; 

FTSR 207. 1996. 

Leaves to 18 cm across, reniform or orbicular, obliquely cordate, distantly toothed, floccosepubescent 

below, nerves 11, prominent; petiole to 30 cm long. Peduncle solitary or 2-3 together, 

pubescent; cymes 10 cm across, branched; pedicels filiform. Flowers many; male sepals 4, outer 

138

sepals 7 x 7 mm, orbicular; anthers truncate at apex; female sepals 2, 6 x7 mm, orbicular; styles 

3, stigmas branched. Capsule 12 x 15 mm; seeds many, vertically ridged 0.5 x 0.25 mm, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30027 Puliyala 

Begonia malabarica Lam., Encycl. 1: 393. 1785; FPM 546. 1919; FPL 219. 1990; FTSR 207. 

1996. 

Shrubs, to 2 m high; stem terete, glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 8 cm, ovate, strongly unequal at 

base, toothed and serrate along the margins, hispid; petiole to 6 cm long; stipule 13 x 5 mm, 

lanceolate. Peduncles to 3 cm, axillary; cymes 5-10 cm across, dichotomous. Flowers many; male 

sepals 2, 15 mm across, orbicular, pink; anthers 2 mm long, connective produced into a 

orbicular appendage; female sepals 7 x 13 mm, reniform. Capsule 2 x 1.5 cm, wings obtuse. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common along the riverine areas of evergreen forests; PS 

19311 Kothala; NS 19842 Vengoli 

DATISCACEAE 

TETRAMELES R. Brown 

Tetrameles nudiflora R. Br. in Bennet, Pl. Jav. Rar. 79. t.17. 1638; FBI 2: 627. 1879; FPM 544. 

1919; FPL 217. 1990; FTSR 208. 1996. T. grahamiana Wight, Ic. t. 1956. 1853. 

Tall trees with large buttresses; bark greyish-white, smooth. Leaves alternate, 15 cm across, 

orbicular, cordate at base, 2-3 lobed, glandular-serrate, densely pubescent below; petiole 5-10 

cm long. Flowers dioecious in panicled drooping racemes. Male flowers 4 mm across; sepals 4, 

ovate, united at base, stamens 4, free. Female flowers 4 mm long, 3 mm across; ovary 1-celled; 

inferior; ovules many, on 4-parietals placentas, styles 4, free, bulged at tip. Fruit a capsule, 6 x 

4 mm, ovoid, opening by terminal pore; seeds brown. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30765 Vengoli 

CACTACEAE 

OPUNTIA P. Miller 

Opuntia striata Haw. var. dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) L., Benso, Car. Succ. J. (Los Angles) 41: 126. 

1969. Cactus strictus Haw., Misc. Nat. 188. 1803. Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw., Suppl. Pl. 

Succ. 79. 1819; FBI 2: 657. 1879; FPM 548. 1919; FPL 219. 1990. Cactus dillenii Ker-Gawl. in 

Edwards, Bot. Reg. 3: t. 255. 1818. C. indica Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 475. 1832. 

Shrubs, fleshy, areoles woolly, spines 1-4 cm. Leaves linear, deciduous. Flowers solitary, 

sessile; calyx lobes to 7 mm, broadly ovate, acuminate; corolla to 7 cm across, lobes mucronate, 

yellow; stamens many, filaments to 1.5 cm; ovary inferior, ovules many, style 1.5 cm, stigma 

branched, stout. Berry 6 x 4 cm, obovoid. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America. Occasional in rocky areas of dry deciduous and moist 

deciduous forests; PS 30057 Anappadi 

MOLLUGINACEAE 

1. Flowers in terminal and axillary cymes or in panicles .......................................................................Mollugo 

1. Flowers in terminal and axillary clusters.............................................................................................. Glinus 

139

GLINUS Linnaeus 

1. Plants glabrous.........................................................................................................................G. oppositifolius 

1. Plants densely covered with stellate hairs.......................................................................................G. lotoides 

Glinus lotoides L., Sp. Pl. 463. 1753; FPL 220. 1990. Mollugo lotoides (L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 

1: 214. 1891; FPM 552. 1919. M. hirta Thumb., Prodr. Fl. Cap. 24. 1794; FBI 2: 662. 1879. 

Glinus dictamnoides L., Mant. Pl. 2: 243. 1771. 

Prostrate herbs. Leaves whorled, 3 or 4 at each node, to 3 x 1.5 cm, obovate to orbicular, 

obtuse, penninerved; petiole 5-10 mm long. Flowers in greenish-white, axillary fascicles of 3-5; 

pedicels 5-10 mm long; sepals 6 x 3 mm, densely stellate hairy, keeled; stamens 10-15, mixed 

with staminodes; ovary 3-celled, ellipsoidal, glabrous; styles 3, short. 


Distr. Widespread in tropics and subtropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 18983 

Thunakkadavu 

Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DC., Bull. Herb. Boissier ser. 2, 1: 552. 1901; FPL 220. 1990; FTSR 

208. 1996. Mollugo oppositifolia L., Sp. Pl. 89. 1753; FPM 552. 1919. M. spergula L., Syst. Nat. 

(ed. 10) 881. 1759; FBI 2: 662. 1879. 

Prostrate herbs, rooting at nodes. Leaves fascicled at nodes, to 4 x 2 cm, oblanceolate, acute 

or obtuse at apex. Flowers 3-6 together; pedicels to 1 cm long; sepals 3 mm long, ovate, acute; 

stamens 5; ovary 5-celled, oblong; styles 3. Capsule 3 mm long, oblong, glabrous; seeds 

subreniform, muricate, dark brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19334 Thenkudippara 

MOLLUGO Linnaeus 

1. Cymes in axillary umbels or in whorls............................................................ M. cerviana var. spathulifolia 

1. Cymes in elongate racemes .......................................................................................................M. pentaphylla 

Mollugo cerviana (L.) Ser. in DC., Prodr. 1: 392. 1824, var. spathulifolia Fenzl, Ann. Wiener 

Mus. Naturgesh 1: 379. 1836. Pharnaceum cerviana L., Sp. Pl. 272. 1753. 

Prostrate herbs, branchlets, glaucous. Radical leaves to 1.3 cm, spathulate, obtuse, rosulate, 

cauline leaves 1.5 cm, leaner, apiculate, subsessile. Cymes terminal, polycasial, umbellate; 

bracts subulate; flowers ca 3 mm across; pedicel ca 5 mm; sepals 5, ca. 2 mm, elliptic, obtuse 

subequal; stamens 6-8; ovary 3-lobed, 3-celled; styles 3. Capsule to 3 mm across, ellipsoid; seeds 

many, ovoid. 


Distr. Widespread in tropics and subtropics of the Old World. Rare in moist localities of 

disturbed forest areas; PS 30421 Parambikulam 

Mollugo pentaphylla L., Sp. Pl. 89. 1753; FPM 553. 1919; FPL 221. 1990; FTSR 209. 1996. M. 

stricta sensu Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 663. 1879 p.p., non L. 1762. 

Erect herbs, to 20 cm high; stem quadrangular. Leaves whorled, 3-5 at each node, to 3 x 1 

cm, obovate to lanceolate, obtuse or acute. Flowers 3 mm across, greenish-white, in terminal 

panicled cymes; pedicels 5-10 mm long, filiform; sepals 5, 2 x 1 mm, obovate, obtuse, glabrous, 

white turning green; stamens 3, free; ovary 3-5 celled, ovules many, axile, styles 3, free. Capsule 

ellipsoid, glabrous; seeds many, sub-reniform, muriculate, dark brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist localities of moist deciduous forests and degraded forest 


140

APIACEAE 

1. Prostrate herbs; leaves simple ......................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Erect herbs; leaves pinnate .............................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves digitately lobed ...................................................................................................................Hydrocotyle 

2. Leaves not lobed .................................................................................................................................... Centella 

3. Mericarps subglobose, not winged...................................................................................................Pimpinella 

3. Mericarps dorsally compressed, laterally winged .......................................................................................... 4 

4. Leaflets linear-lanceolate; petals radiant.................................................................................... Peucedanum 

4. Leaflets ovate; petals not radiant ....................................................................................................Heracleum 

CENTELLA Linnaeus 

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban in Mart., Fl. Bras. 11: 287. t. 78. f. 1879; FPM 556. 1919; FPL 222. 

1990; Mukh. & Const., Umbell. India 15.1993; FTSR 209. 1996. Hydrocotyle asiatica L., Sp. Pl. 

234. 1753. 

Herbs, rooting at nodes. Leaves orbicular-reniform, crenate or sub-entire, glabrous, to 5 cm 

across, nerves radiating; petiole to 12 cm long, sheathing at base. Flowers sessile, pink, in 2-5 

flowered umbels; peduncles 1-2 cm long, axillary; calyx tube 1 mm long, adnate to the ovary, 

lobes minute; petals 4, 1 mm long, oblong, recurved at apex, pink; stamens 4, filaments erect; 

ovary 2-celled, ovule solitary in each cell; style erect, bilobed at apex. Fruit ovoid, 3-4 mm long, 

reticulate-rugose, 7-9-ribbed. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Africa. Fairly common in moist deciduous and secondary forests; PS 

19197 Vengoli 

HERACLEUM Linnaeus 

Heracleum candolleanum (Wight & Arn.) Gamble, FPM 565. 1919; Mukh. & Const., Umbell. 

India 243.1993; FTSR 209. 1996. Pastinaca candolleana Wight & Arn., Prodr. 372. 1834. 

Heracleum rigens Wall. ex DC. var. candolleana (Wight & Arn.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 715. 

1879,p.p. H. rigens var. ligusticifolium (Wight) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 716. 1879. H. 

courtallense Gamble, FPM 565. 1919. 

Shrubs; stem ridged, branched. Leaves to 45 x 25 cm, 1 or 2 pinnate; leaflets 7-9 or more, to 

15 x 10 cm, lobed, acute, serrate, scabrous, coriaceous. Umbels compound, terminal, corymbose; 

secondary peduncles to 6 cm long; rays 13, each 3-5 cm long, spreading; pedicels 6-10 mm long, 

many-together, spreading. Flowers 5-merous, 2 mm across, calyx 5-toothed; petals 3, ovate, 

acuminate, with a strong midrib, glabrous; stamens 5, free, anthers ovate; ovary compressed. 

Fruit 7-10 x 4-7 mm, biconvex, dorsally compressed, winged, glabrous. 



HYDROCOTYLE Linnaeus 

Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb., Diss. Hydroc. n. 17. t. 2. 1798; FPM 556. 1919; FPL 222. 1990; 

Mukh. & Const., Umbell. India 11.1993; FTSR 210. 1996. H. hispida Buch.-Ham ex D. Don, 

Prodr. Fl. Nepal 182. 1825. H. polycephala Wight & Arn., Prodr. 366. 1834. 

Creepers, stem villous, rooting at nodes. Leaves 9-lobed, crenate, obtuse, 9-ribbed from base; 

sparsely villous. Umbels fascicled; peduncles 1.5 cm long. Flowers 20-30 together, pedicellate; 

petals 0.6 mm long, ovate, acute. Fruit 1.5 x 2 mm, mericarps compressed, hemispherical, 

smooth. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in moist localities in evergreen forests; PS 19179 Karimala 

141

PEUCEDANUM Linnaeus 

Peucedanum anamallayense Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 710. 1879; FPM 563. 1919; FPL 222. 

1990; Mukh. & Const., Umbell. India 218.1993; FTSR 210. 1996. 

Decumbent herbs with tuberous rootstock, to 40 cm high. Leaves decompound, to 20 x 15 cm, 

leaflets 4 x 0.7 cm, oblong, acute, penninerved, serrulate; rachis widely sheathing at base. 

Umbels terminal, compound; rays 5-7, each 3 cm long. Flowers polygamous, 1.5 mm across, 

pedicels 1 cm long, villous; calyx shortly 5 toothed; petals yellow, ovate, cuspidate with a strong 

midrib; stamens 5, erect, filaments 1 mm long; pistillode biglobose; ovary glabrous, 2-celled, 

compressed. Mericarps orbicular, 8 mm across, biconvex, striate, winged. 

Fl. & Fr. November-January. 


PIMPINELLA Linnaeus 

Pimpinella heyneana (DC.) Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 46: 115. 1877; FPM 560. 1919; FPL 223. 

1990; Mukh. & Const., Umbell. India 145.1993; FTSR 212. 1996. Helosciadium heyneanum 

DC., Prodr. 4: 106. 1830. 

Erect or decumbent herbs, to 65 cm high; stem terete. Leaves alternate, 5-7 cm across, lower 

leaves orbicular, upper ones 3-lobed, cordate at base, toothed; petiole 1-6 cm long, sheathing at 

base. Umbels terminal, panicled; rays 10; secondary rays many, each 3 cm long. Flowers 9-16 in 

an umbellule, 1.5 mm across, white; pedicels 5 mm long; calyx shortly 5-toothed; petals 5, 1 mm 

long, orbicular; stamens 5. Fruit 3 x 2 mm, ovate, densely villous, rugose. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in moist deciduous and secondary 

forests; PS 30014 Parambikulam 

ARALIACEAE 

1. Stem and leaves armed; leaves bipinnate...............................................................................................Aralia 

1. Stem and leaves unarmed; leaves digitate....................................................................................... Schefflera 

ARALIA Linnaeus 

Aralia malabarica Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 15. 1871; FBI 2: 722. 1879; FPM 567. 1919; FPL 223. 1990; 

FTSR 212. 1996. 

Large prickly shrubs. Leaves to 1 m long, bipinnately compound; leaflets opposite, to 18 x 7 

cm, ovate, oblique at base, acuminate, sharply serrate, penninerved, sessile; rachis prickly, 

sheathing at base. Inflorescence large panicled umbels, 30 cm across; bracts ovate, acuminate. 

Flowers 3-4 mm across; 12-16 together; pedicels 1 cm long; sepals 5, ovate, acute; petals ovateoblong, 

obtuse, spreading, yellow; stamens 5, inflexed in bud; ovary inferior, 5-celled, globose; 

ovule 1 in each cell; styles 5, free. Berry 7 x 7 mm, 5-angled, rugose; seeds five, 3 mm across, 3- 

angled, light brown. 

Fl. & Fr. August-September 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous 

forests; PS 30458 Parambikulam 

SCHEFFLERA J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

1. Panicle slender; flowers to 5 per umbel.......................................................................................... S. venulosa 

1. Panicle stout; flowers more than 6 per umbel .......................................................................... S. wallichiana 

Schefflera venulosa (Wight & Arn.) Harms in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 3: 39. 1894; FPM 570. 

1919; FPL 224. 1990; FTSR 212. 1996. Paratropia venulosa Wight & Arn., Prodr. 377. 1834. 

Heptapleurum venulosum (Wight & Arn.) Seem., J. Bot. 3: 80. 1865; FBI 2: 729. 1879, p.p. 

142

Small trees; branchlets 0.5-0.7 cm thick. Leaves 5 or 6 foliolate; leaflets to 14 x 8 cm, ovateoblong, 

abruptly acuminate, rounded at base; nervules prominently reticulate; petiolule 7-10 cm 

long; stipule 5 mm broad, black. Panicles 20 cm across, glabrous; umbels 2 cm across, 3-12- 

flowered. Flowers brown; pedicel 8-12 mm long; calyx truncate; petals 2 x 2.5 mm, triangular. 

Berry 4 x 4 mm, globose, 5-angled. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Indo-China. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30337 Orukomban 

Schefflera wallichiana (Wight & Arn.) Harms in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 3: 38. 1894; FPM 

570. 1919; FTSR 212. 1996. Paratropia wallichiana Wight & Arn., Prodr. 77. 1834. 

Heptapleurum wallichianum (Wight & Arn.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 730. 1879. 

Small trees or robust epiphytes; branchlets 2 cm thick. Leaves 5-8-foliolate, leaflets 20 x 10 

cm, oblong, acute at apex, rounded at base, nervules not prominent; petiolule 5 cm long; stipule 

1.5 cm broad, hyaline. Panicles large, terminal; umbels 20-30-flowered, peduncled; peduncle 2 

cm long. Flowers 6 mm across; pedicels 0.7 cm long; calyx truncate; petals 5, 3 x 3 mm, 

triangular; style absent; stigma sessile. Berry 6 x 6 mm, 5-angled. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19433 Shekkalmudi 

CORNACEAE 

MASTIXIA Blume 

Mastixia arborea (Wight) Bedd. var. meziana (Wang.) Matthew, Blumea 23: 89. 1976 & Fasc. 

Fl. Ind. 19: 27. 1988; FPL 225. 1990; FTSR 213. 1996. M. meziana Wang., Feddes Repert 4: 336. 

1907. M. pentandra sensu Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 2: 746. 1879, non Blume 1826; FPM 574. 1919. 

Large trees. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, cuneate at base, nerves 5-7 pairs, pale beneath; nervules 

parallel; petiole 3 cm long. Panicles densely tomentose. Flowers sessile, 7 mm across; petals 

villous. Drupe 3 x 1.5 cm, oblong, glabrous. 



Orukomban 

ALANGIACEAE 

ALANGIUM Lamarck 

1. Trees; leaves oblong lanceolate, appressed tomentose...................................A. salvifolium ssp. salvifolium 

1. Scandent shrubs; leaves obovate-oblong, glabrous......................................... A. salvifolium ssp. sundanum 

Alangium salvifolium (L. f.) Wang. ssp. sundanum (Miq.) Bloem., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. Ill, 

16: 156. 1939; FTSR 213. 1996. A. salvifolium (L.f.) Wang. ssp. hexapetalum (Lam.) Wang. in 

Engl., Pflanzenr. 41: 9. 1910; FPM 572. 1919. A. glandulosum Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 133. 1859. 

Leaves to 18 x 7 cm, obovate-oblong, acuminate at apex, round to subcordate at base, nerves 

5 pairs, lowest pair from the base, rib-like; nervules reticulate, subparallel; petiole to 1 cm long. 

Flowers 2 cm long, in axillary fascicles; pedicels 8 mm long pubescent; calyx cupular, 5 mm 

across, 7-teethed, densely tomentose; petals 7, each 17 x 2 mm, linear-oblong, tomentose; 

stamens 14, filaments 8 mm long, ciliate below; anthers 7 mm long, linear; ovary inferior, 1- 

celled, ovule solitary; style 1, elongate, stigma capitate. Berry 2 x 1.3 cm, ellipsoid, tomentose 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19551 Kariamchola 

143

Alangium salvifolium (L. f.) Wang. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 41: 9. 1910, ssp. salvifolium; FPM 572. 

1919; FPL 224. 1990. Grewia salvifolia L. f., Suppl. Pl. 409. 1781. A. lamarckii Thw., Enum. Pl. 

Zeyl. 133. 1859; FBI 2: 741. 1879. 

Small trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 15 x 4 cm, oblong, ovate or elliptic, acute, base 

oblique, obtuse, puberulus below; petiole to 1 cm, tomentose. Flowers in axillary cymes or 

clusters, pedicel to 4 mm, jointed; bracts 4 mm, ovate; calyx ca 3 mm, cupular, adnate to the 

ovary, tomentose, lobes 10, triangular-ovate; petals to 2.5 x 5 cm, linear oblong, white, 

tomentose; stamens to 20; filaments to 1 cm, base fleshy, villous; ovary to 2 mm, turbinate, 1- 

celled; style to 2 cm; stigma capitate. Berry 3 x 1 cm, globose, crowned with calyx lobes. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Africa. Common in dry deciduous 

forests; PS 19208, 30399 Keerappadi 

CAPRIFOLIACEAE 

VIBURNUM Linnaeus 

Viburnum punctatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 142. 1825; FBI 3: 5. 1880. V. 

acuminatum Wall. ex DC., Prodr. 4: 325. 1830; FPM 575. 1919. 

Small evergreen trees. Leaves to 13 x 5 cm, elliptic, acuminate, punctuate below, nerves 8 

pairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. Panicle 8 cm across. Flowers 5 mm across, pedicelled; calyx tube 2 

mm long, lobes obtuse; corolla 2.5 mm long, white, lobes ovate, obtuse; ovary 1-celled. Drupe 8 x 

5 mm, oblong, compressed, 1-seeded, reddish brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare along riverine areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30532 

Pandaravarai 

RUBIACEAE 

1. Herbs or herbaceous climbers......................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Shrubs, lianas or trees................................................................................................................................... 14 

2. Herbaceous climbers; leaves whorled .................................................................................................... Rubia 

2. Erect diffuse or prostrate herbs; leaves opposite .......................................................................................... 3 

3. Prostrate herbs, rooting at nodes ................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Erect or diffuse herbs ...................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Leaves obovate or spathulate, subsessile ..........................................................................................Dentella 

4. Leaves cordate, long petioled............................................................................................................. Geophila 

5. Cells of ovary 1-ovuled..................................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Cells of ovary 2 or more ovuled....................................................................................................................... 8 

6. Flowers in dense or lax terminal corymbs........................................................................................... Knoxia 

6. Flowers in axillary fascicles or umbels .......................................................................................................... 7 

7. Fruits dehiscence apical................................................................................................................ Spermacoce 

7. Fruits dehiscence circumscissile.................................................................................................. Mitracarpus 

8. Fruit a fleshy berry.......................................................................................................................................... 9 

8. Fruit capsular ................................................................................................................................................ 10 

9. Inflorescence terminal; flowers large ............................................................................................Acranthera 

9. Inflorescence axillary; flowers small ...................................................................................................Mycetia 

10. Flowers in axillary pendulous racemes ........................................................................................ Neurocalyx 

10. Inflorescence otherwise ................................................................................................................................. 11 

11. Leaves opposite or in whorls, to 3 pairs......................................................................................Argostemma 

11. Leaves opposite, many .................................................................................................................................. 12 

144

12. Calyx lobes 5; fruits compressed, obcordate ................................................................................Ophiorrhiza 

12. Calyx lobes 4; fruits subglobose or 4 angled................................................................................................ 13 

13. Capsule to 5 seeded; seeds with a ventral cavity ............................................................................. Neanotis 

13. Capsule many seeded; seeds without a ventral cavity .................................................................... Hedyotis 

14. Flowers in globose heads............................................................................................................................... 15 

14. Inflorescence otherwise ................................................................................................................................. 18 

15. Calyx tube confluent............................................................................................................................Morinda 

15. Calyx tube not confluent ............................................................................................................................... 16 

16. Flowers ebracteate; calyx lobes imbricate ................................................................................Neolamarckia 

16. Flowers bracteate; calyx lobes valvate......................................................................................................... 17 

17. Leaf base cordate; calyx lobed..............................................................................................................Haldina 

17. Leaf base truncate; calyx entire ..................................................................................................... Mitragyna 

18. Leaves whorled ..............................................................................................................................Wendlandia 

18. Leaves opposite.............................................................................................................................................. 19 

19. Cells of ovary 2 or more ovuled..................................................................................................................... 20 

19. Cells of ovary 1 ovuled................................................................................................................................... 25 

20. Inflorescence spicate; seeds winged .......................................................................................Hymenodictyon 

20. Inflorescence otherwise; seeds not winged .................................................................................................. 21 

21. One calyx lobe enlarged, petalloid.................................................................................................Mussaenda 

21. Calyx lobes equal ........................................................................................................................................... 22 

22. Climbing shrubs..................................................................................................................................Oxyceros 

22. Shrubs or small trees..................................................................................................................................... 23 

23. Plants unarmed ................................................................................................................................. Gardenia 

23. Plants armed with spines ............................................................................................................................. 24 

24. Spine short, one or two pairs at the end of arrested branches....................................................Tamilnadia 

24. Spines long, axillary, solitary ....................................................................................................Catunaregam 

25. Flowers axillary, solitary or fascicled, cyme or umbels .............................................................................. 26 

25. Inflorescence terminal, corymbs; panicles or cymes ................................................................................... 30 

26. Corolla lobes valvate in bud.......................................................................................................................... 27 

26. Corolla lobes twisted in bud.......................................................................................................................... 29 

27. Corolla tube without deflexed hairs inside; ovary 3 or more celled............................................ Lasianthus 

27. Corolla tube with a row of deflexed hairs inside; ovary 2 celled................................................................ 28 

28. Leaves coriaceous; style two or more times longer than the corolla................................................ Psydrax 

28. Leaves membranous; style equal to the length of the corolla .......................................................Canthium 

29. Corolla 4-lobed; tube 5 mm long................................................................................................. Nostolachma 

29. Corolla 5-lobed; tube to 1.5 cm long ............................................................................................... Psilanthus 

30. Corolla lobes valvate in bud.......................................................................................................................... 31 

30. Corolla lobes twisted in bud.......................................................................................................................... 33 

31. Flowers solitary or a few in cymes; plants with foetid smell ........................................................ Saprosma 

31. Flowers in corymbs or panicles; plants without foetid smell ..................................................................... 32 

32. Corolla elongated, curved..................................................................................................................Chassalia 

32. Corolla short, strait.......................................................................................................................... Psychotria 

33. Corolla 5-lobed ............................................................................................................................................... 34 

33. Corolla 4-lobed ............................................................................................................................................... 35 

34. Style glabrous; stigma bilobed................................................................................................. Prismatomeris 

34. Style hairy; stigma fusiform ...............................................................................................................Tarenna 

35. Style much longer than the corolla; stigma entire............................................................................. Pavetta 

35. Style equal to the corolla; stigma two ..................................................................................................... Ixora 

ACRANTHERA Arnott 

Acranthera anamallica Bedd., Ic. t. 25. 1868-1874; FBI 3: 93. 1880; FPM 611. 1921. 

145

Herbs. Leaves 12-15 x 3-5 cm, obovate-obtuse, base attenuate, pubescent on veins beneath, 

sparsely hairy above; petiole 2-3 cm long, stipules ovate, acute, 5-8 x 3 cm, cymes terminal, 

sessile; bracts ca 5 mm, linear. Flowers blue, pedicel 2-3 cm; calyx cup shaped, lobes 5, ca. 8 

mm, obovate, glabrous within, corolla 2.5-3.5 cm, tawny villous outside, lobes 5, broadly oblong; 

stamens 5, included in the corolla tube, filaments ca 2 cm; ovary 1-celled, style ca 2 cm, filiform, 

stigma clavate. Berry oblong. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19451 Valiyathode 

ARGOSTEMMA Wallich 

1. Opposite pairs of leaves unequal; calyx larger than the corolla..................................................A. anupama 

1. Opposite pairs of leaves equal; calyx much smaller than the corolla .................................... A. courtallense 

Argostemma anupama Sivar., J. Indian Bot. Soc. 63: 462. 1984; FTSR 216. 1996. A. 

courtallense sensu Deb & Basu, JBNHS 87: 332. 1990, in part, non Arn., 1839. 

Erect delicate annual herbs, puberulus on the young parts, base tuberous. Leaves usually 6, 

sometimes 4, pairs unequal, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, base cuneate, sparsely scabrous on 

both sides, to 7 x 1.8 cm; lateral nerves 4 or 5 pairs; peduncle usually solitary; pedicels ca. 1 cm 

long; calyx campanulate, sparsely hairy outside; corolla white, 0.5 cm across. Seeds angled, 

minutely tuberculate. 

Fl. & Fr. July-September 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Common in wet shades of evergreen 

forests; PS 18985 Orukomban 

Argostemma courtallense Arn., Ann. Nat. Hist. 3: 22. 1839; FBI 3: 42. 1880; FPM 590. 1921; 

FPL 227. 1990; FTSR 216. 1996. 

Erect herbs with a tuberous root stock. Leaves to 8 cm across, few, orbicular, cordate at base, 

villous above; petiole 0-2 cm; stipule 8 mm long, ovate, entire. Cymes terminal, 1-3 cm across; 

peduncle 3-6 cm long, 1-3 together. Flowers few, 10 mm long, pedicelled; calyx tube turbinate, 

lobes 4, ovate; corolla tube broad, glabrous; lobes 4, ovate, white; stamens 4, included, anthers 

lanceolate; ovary 2-celled; ovules many; style slender, stigma terminal, globose. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Common in wet shades of evergreen forests; PS 30007, NS 


CANTHIUM Lamarck 

1. Plants unarmed......................................................................................................................C. travancoricum 

1. Plants armed with supra-axillary thorns........................................................................................................ 2 

2. Flowers in lax cymes; stamens 4........................................................................................C. coromandelicum 

2. Flowers in fascicles; stamens 5 ......................................................................................................... C. rheedei 

Canthium coromandelicum (Burm. f.) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon (Suppl.) 6: 152. 

1903. Gmelina coromandelica Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 132. 1768. Canthium parviflorum Lam., Encycl. 

1: 602. 1788; FBI 3: 136. 1880. Plectronia parviflora (Lam.) Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 134/5. 1872; 

FPM 625. 1921. 

Armed small trees, spines supra axillary, straight. Leaves to 6 x 4.5 cm, obovateoblanceolate 

or sub-orbicular, membranous. Cymes axillary; flowers white; pedicels 5 mm, 

filiform; calyx lobes curved; corolla tube 2 mm long, with hairs inside, lobes 3 mm, ovate, 

acuminate, reflexed; ovary 2-celled, 0.7 mm long, style 2 mm. Drupe 0.8 x 1 cm, globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30732 Vengoli 

146

Canthium rheedei DC., Prodr. 4: 474. 1830; FBI 3: 134. 1880; FPL 229. 1990; FTSR 217. 1996. 

Plectronia rheedii (DC.) Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 134/5. 1872; FPM 625. 1921. 

Stout shrubs with scandent branches; stem strigose, thorn 1-2 cm long, stout, recurved. 

Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, broadly ovate, acute at apex; nerves 4-6 pairs, domatia hairy; petiole short, 3 

mm long, hairy. Flowers 12 mm long, in axillary fascicles; calyx obconical, teeth minute; corolla 

tube 4 mm long, globose, with a row of hairs inside; lobes 7 x 3 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, 

spreading; anthers with a hispid beak; style 5 mm long, densely bearded at middle. Drupe 15 x 

12 mm, obovoid, black; seeds rugose, hard. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 


Canthium travancoricum (Bedd.) Hook.f., FBI 3: 134. 1880; FPL 229. 1990; FTSR 217. 1996. 

Plectronia travancorica Bedd., Ic. t. 239. 1868. 1874; FPM 625. 1921. 

Unarmed shrubs or small trees with scandent branches. Leaves on short arrested 

branchlets, 7 x 4.5 cm, ovate, acute, membranous; nerves 4-7 pairs; petiole 1-1.5 cm long; 

stipule orbicular, densely villous inside. Cymes 1-3 cm across, peduncled, with many slender 

villous branches. Flowers 6 mm long; calyx 2 mm long, teeth acute, glabrous; corolla tube 

densely villous near the mouth, lobes ovate, acute; style glabrous, 4 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 

18961 Vengoli 

CATUNAREGAM Adanson 

Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng., Bull. Must. Hist. Nat. (Paris) ser. 3, 35: 13. 

1978; FPL 230. 1990; FTSR 218. 1996. Gardenia spinosa Thunb., Diss. Gard. 7: 16. t.2. 

f.4. 1780. Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Poir. in Lam., Encycl. Suppl. 2: 829. 1811; FBI 3: 

110. 1880; FPM 615. 1921. R. dumetorum (Retz.) Poir. var. floribunda (DC.) Gamble, FPM 

616. 1921. R. floribunda DC., Prodr. 4: 386. 1830. R. longispina (Roxb.) DC., Prodr. 4: 386. 

1830; FPM 616. 1921. R. spinosa (Thunb.) Poir. in Lam., Encycl. Suppl. 2: 329. 1811; FBI 

3: 110. 1880. Xeromphis spinosa (Thunb.) Keay, Bull. Jard. Bot. Etat. 28: 37-38. 1958. 

Small trees with short straight axillary spines. Leaves on short lateral branchlets, to 

4.5 x 2 cm, obovate, obtuse, tomentose below, petiolate; stipule ovate, cuspidate. Flowers 

solitary, terminal on lateral branches, pedicellate; calyx tube 5 mm long, lobes obovate, 

hispid; corolla tube 6 mm long, broad, densely villous at the base inside; lobes 5, 12 mm 

long, obovate, twisted, white; stamens 5, anthers sessile at the mouth of the corolla; ovary 

2-6-celled; ovules many; style 12 mm long, stout; stigma fusiform, ribbed. Fruit an 

obovoid berry, 4 x 3 cm, glabrous; seeds many, embedded in pulp. 

Fl. & Fr. May-November 

Distr. Tropical Asia and Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18955 Vengoli; 

19496 Thellikkal 

CHASSALIA Commerson ex Poiret 

Chassalia curviflora (Wall. ex Kurz) Thw. var. ophioxyloides (Wall.) Deb. & Krishna, Bull. Bot. 

Surv. India 24: 222. 1982(1983); FTSR 218. 1996. Psychotria ophioxyloides Wall. in Roxb., Fl. 

Ind. 2: 167. 1824. Chassalia curviflora Wall. ex Kurz, For. Fl. Burma 2: 14. 1877; FBI 3: 176. 

1880, p.p; FPM 643. 1921. C. ophioxyloides (Wall.) Craib, Gard. Bul. s.s. 6: 474. 1930, var. 

ophioxyloides. Psychotria curviflora Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 167. 1824. 

Shrubs, to 1.5 m tall. Leaves to 22 x 8 cm, oblanceolate, abruptly acuminate; nerves 12 pairs, 

regular; petiole to 3 cm long, stipule connate, ovate, membranous, 2-fid. Cymes 7 x 4 cm, 

147

terminal, panicled, glabrous. Flowers 15 mm long, subsessile; calyx 1.5 mm long, globose, lobes 

5, ovate; corolla 8 mm long, curved, lobes ovate, obtuse; stamens 5, included; anthers linear. 

Ovary 2-celled, ovule one in each cell; style 2-fid at apex. Fruit 6 mm across, globose, glabrous, 

2-seeded. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in disturbed areas of all types of forests; PS 30674 Orukomban; 


DENTELLA J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

Dentella repens (L.) J. R. & G. Forst., Char. Gen. Pl. 26. t.13. 1776; FBI 3: 42. 1880; FPM 590. 

1921; FPL 230. 1990; FTSR 219. 1996. Oldenlandia repens L., Mant. Pl. 1: 40. 1767. 

Prostrate branching herbs; stem villous. Leaves to 5 x 2.5 mm, obovate, petiolate; stipule 

connate, chartaceous, toothed. Flowers 6-8 mm long, axillary, solitary, sessile; calyx lobes 5, 

lanceolate, hispid; corolla tube 5 mm long, ovate, dentate, white; stamens 5, inserted in the tube 

below the middle; filaments very short, anthers linear; ovary 2-celled; ovules many, style short, 

stigmas 2, filiform. Fruit a capsule, 5 x 2 mm, oblong, indehiscent; seeds many, angled. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in reservoirs beds; PS 30422 Parambikulam 

GARDENIA J. Ellis 

Gardenia resinifera Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 150. 1821; FPL 231. 1990. Gardenia lucida Roxb., Fl. Ind. 

1: 707. 1832; FBI 3: 115. 1880; FPM 618. 1921. 

Resiniferous trees. Leaves to 15 x 9 cm, elliptic, obtuse at apex, hairy in the leaf axils below, 

nerves 20-22 pairs, subsessile. Flowers axillary, solitary, or in lax cymes, white turns to yellow; 

calyx tube 0.7 cm, lobes 5, 1 cm, triangular, acuminate; corolla tube 3 cm long, lobes 3 x 2 cm 

long, obovate, puberulus without; anthers 1.5 cm long, oblong, exserted; ovary 6 mm, style 3.5 

cm. Berry 2 x 1.5 cm, ellipsoid. 


Distr. India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30065 

Kuchimudi 

GEOPHILA D. Don 

Geophila repens (L.) Johnst., Sargentia 8: 281. 1949; FPL 231. 1990; FTSR 219. 1996. 

Rondeletia repens L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10) 928. 1759. Geophila reniformis D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 

136. 1825; FBI 3: 178. 1880; FPM 643. 1921. Geophila herbacea (Jacq.) K. Schum. in Engl. & 

Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4199. 1891. 

Prostrate herbs; stem stoloniferous, rooting at nodes. Leaves 2.5 cm across, orbicular, 

cordate at base; petiole 2.5 cm long, hispid; stipules ovate, entire. Flowers 8 mm long, in 1-3 

flowered axillary peduncled cymes; calyx tube globose, lobes 4, lanceolate, fimbriate; corolla 

tube 6 mm long, villous inside, lobes 4 or 5, 6 mm long, spreading, white; stamens included; 

anthers linear; ovary 2-celled, ovule one in each cell; style slender 2-fid at apex. Drupe 0.8 cm 

across, red, globose; seeds 2, 4 x 3 mm, plano-convex, rugose. 


Distr. Pantropical. Fairly common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19521 

Orukomban 

HALDINA Ridsdale 

Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsd., Blumea 24: 361. 1978; FPL 231. 1990; FTSR 219. 1996. 

Nauclea cordifolia Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 53. 1796. Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. ex Brand., For. 

Fl. 263. t.33. 1874; FBI 3: 24. 1880; FPM 584. 1921. 

Large trees; bark pale brown; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 15 cm across, orbicular, 

cordate at base, tomentose below; petiole 5-8 cm long; stipule 13 mm long, obovate, obtuse. 

148

Heads 2 cm across, globose, 2-3 together, axillary, peduncled; receptacle hispid. Flowers 9 mm 

long, sessile; calyx tube obovoid, lobes 1.5 mm long, spathulate; corolla tube 8 mm long, 5- 

ridged; lobes 5, ovate, acute, small; stamens 5, exserted; ovules many; style 12 mm long, stigma 

globose. Capsule 5 x 3 mm, obovoid; seeds with tail at one end and a bifid wings at other end. 

Fl. & Fr. April-November 

Distr. India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Indo-China. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 

19257 Thellikkal; NS 30451 Vengoli 

HEDYOTIS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves linear, less than 5 mm broad............................................................................................................... 2 

1. Leaves ovate, elliptic or oblong; more than 1 cm broad ................................................................................. 5 

2. Erect herbs......................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Prostrate herbs.................................................................................................................................................. 4 

3. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired; leaves to 5 mm broad..........................................................H. herbacea 

3. Flowers in terminal dichotomous cymes; leaves 1 mm broad ..........................................................H. affinis 

4. Flowers solitary or few flowered cymes, sessile or subsessile .................................................H. brachypoda 

4. Flowers in axillary umbel, pedicelled......................................................................................... H. corymbosa 

5. Lateral nerves of the leaves obscure; branchlets scabrous............................................................... H. nitida 

5. Lateral nerves of the leaves prominent; branchlets pubescent..................................................................... 6 

6. Leaves sessile, fascicled at apex of stem; flowers in terminal paniculate cymes.......................H. ovatifolia 

6. Leaves petiolate, equidistant on stem; flowers in axillary fascicles ....................................... H. auricularia 

Hedyotis affinis Roem. & Schult., Syst. 3: 194. 1818. Oldenlandia affinis (Roem. & Schult.) DC., 

Prodr. 4: 428. 1830. Hedyotis dichotoma Koen. ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 93. 1821, non Cav., 1801. 

Oldenlandia. dichotoma (Koen. ex Roth) Hook. f., FBI 3: 67. 1880, non Spreng. 1850; FPM 601. 

1921. 

Erect herbs with slender filiform branches, to 30 cm high, glabrous. Leaves to 25 x 1 mm, 

linear, entire, sessile; stipule ovate, entire or 2-3 toothed. Flowers 2 mm long, in terminal 

dichotomous cymes; pedicel and peduncles filiform, 1.5-2 cm long; calyx 1 mm long, lobes acute, 

scabrid; corolla white, tube villous inside. Capsule 2 x 1.5 mm, obovoid, truncate at apex. 


Distr. South Western India. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30076 Kuchimudi; 19919 

Karimala 

Hedyotis auricularia L., Sp. Pl. 101. 1753; FBI 3: 58. 1880; FTSR 220. 1996. Oldenlandia 

auricularia (L.) K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4:25. 1891; FPM 597. 1921. Exallage 

auricularia (L.) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. Sect. 2, 48: 142. 1952. 

Herbs to 50 cm high; branches pubescent. Leaves to 8 x 3 cm, elliptic, acute, scabrous below; 

nerves 5 pairs, prominent; petiole 5 mm long; stipules obovate, teeth 7, 3-5 mm long, hairy. 

Cymes axillary, 1 cm across. Flowers 10-20 together, to 3 mm long; calyx lobes spreading; 

corolla white. Capsule 2 mm across, globose; glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30293 Parambikulam 

Hedyotis brachypoda (DC.) Sivar. & Biju, Taxon 39: 672. 1990. Oldenlandia brachypoda DC., 

Prodr. 4: 424. 1830. O. diffusa sensu Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 444. 1820; FBI 3: 65. 1880; FPM 601. 

1921, non Hedyotis diffusa Willd., 1768. 

Creeping herbs; stem terete, glabrous. Leaves to 3 x 0.2 cm, linear-lanceolate, serrulate; 

stipule triangular, 2-3-bristled. Flowers 4 mm long, axillary, solitary, sessile or shortly 

pedicelled; calyx lobes ovate, acute, serrulate; corolla white, lobes acute, spreading, glabrous; 

stigma deeply bifid to the base. Capsule 3 mm across, glabrous, opening apically; seeds black. 

149


Distr. Tropical and Subtropical Asia. Very common in disturbed areas and vayals; PS 30669 

Anakkalvayal 

Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam. Encycl. 1: 272. 1792. Oldenlandia corymbosa L., Sp. Pl. 119. 

1753; FBI 3: 64. 1880; FPM 600. 1921. 

Diffuse herbs, stem 4-angled, scabrous. Leaves to 25 x 4 mm, lanceolate, acute, lineolateserrate, 

subsessile. Umbels axillary; peduncle to 1.5 cm long, slender. Flowers 2-3, 5 mm long; 

pedicels to 7 mm long, slender; calyx 3 mm long, lobes ovate, serrate; corolla white, capsule 3 x 

3 mm, globose, opening apically; seeds many, angled. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in open areas of moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30417 

Parambikulam; NS 18982, 19064 Thunakkadavu 

Hedyotis herbacea L., Sp. Pl. 102. 1753; R.Rao. & Hemadri, Indian For. 99: 376. 1973; FTSR 

221. 1996. Oldenlandia herbacea (L.) Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 495. 1820; FPM 601. 1921; FPL 240. 

1990. O. heynei R. Br. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 531. 1834; FBI 3: 65. 1880. 

Erect herbs, to 30 cm high; stem 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves to 30 x 2-5 mm, linear-oblong, 

acute, serrulate, sessile; stipule triangular, shortly toothed. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicel 

1.5-2 cm long, filiform; calyx 2 mm long; lobes lanceolate, toothed. Capsule 2 x 1.5 mm, 

septicidal at apex; seeds angled, black. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Asia. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 19624 Vengoli; NS 30630 

Thellikkal 

Hedyotis nitida Wight & Arn., Prodr. 412. 1834; FBI 3: 61. 1880; FTSR 221. 1996. H. glabella R. 

Br. ex Bedd., Ic. t. 36. 1868-74. Oldenlandia nitida (Wight & Arn.) Gamble, FPM 597. 1921. 

Prostrate woody herbs; stem 4-angled, coarsely scabrid. Leaves to 7 x 1 cm, linear-lanceolate 

to elliptic, coriaceous, pale below; stipule 8 mm long, ovate, rounded at apex, strongly longtoothed, 

villous. Flowers sessile in axillary clusters, 1-3 together; calyx 4 mm long, lobes acute, 

ciliate; corolla 4-5 mm long, lobes spreading, white. Capsule 3 x 2 mm, ovoid, glabrous; seeds 

angled; deep brown, ovoid, glabrous; seeds angled, deep brown. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in open areas of all types of forests; PS 18999 

Orukomban; NS 18906 Karimalagopuram 

Hedyotis ovatifolia Cav., Ic. 6:52. 1801. Oldenlandia nudicaulis Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 95. 1821; 

Hook.f., FBI 3:70. 1880; FPM 602. 1921. Hedyotis nudicaulis (Roth) Wight & Arn., Prodr. 416. 

1834. Thecagonum ovatifolium (Cav.) Babu, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 11:214. 1971. 

Annual small slender herbs, stem 4-angled. Leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, acute, base obtuse, 

minutely hispid, to 5 x 2.5 cm; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, petiole to 0.5 cm long; upper leaves 

sessile and fascicled. Peduncles terminal, 2 or 3, slender, dichotomous branched, to 7 cm long, 

pedicels slender, 1 cm long. Corolla white, with a ring of hairs at mouth, 1 mm long. Capsule 

subglobose, 2.5 x 3 mm, calyx lobes indistinct. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; NS 30795 

Anappadi 

HYMENODICTYON Wallich 

150

Hymenodictyon orixense (Roxb.) Mabb., Taxon 31: 66. 1982; FTSR 223. 1996. Cinchona 

orixensis Roxb., Bot. Descr. Swietenia 21. 1793 & in Med. Facts Obs. 6: 152. 1795. Cinchona 

excelsa Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 106. 1799. Hymenodictyon excelsum (Roxb.) Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 

2: 149. 1824; FBI 3: 35. 1880; FPM 589. 1921. 

Large trees. Leaves to 20 x 12 cm, abruptly acuminate at apex, pubescent below; nerves 10 

pairs; petiole 2-6 cm long; stipule ovate, obtuse. Panicle cylindrical, contracted, densely 

tomentose. Flowers 7 mm long; calyx tube hispid; lobes ovate, acute; corolla tube slender, lobes 

triangular, tomentose outside; stamens exserted, anthers mucronate; style 7 mm long, stigma 

globose. Capsule 22 x 13 mm, ellipsoid, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30384 Kuchimudi; NS 30459 

Vengoli 

IXORA Linnaeus 

1. Peduncles more than 10 cm long ..................................................................................................... I. elongata 

1. Peduncles to 5 cm long...................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Calyx lobes equal to the tube ........................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Calyx lobes minute............................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Corolla tube to 10 mm long ............................................................................................................ I. monticola 

3. Corolla tube more than 15 mm long...............................................................................................I. cuneifolia 

4. Calyx 4-lobed; leaves membranous................................................................................................. I. nigricans 

4. Calyx 4-toothed; leaves coriaceous................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Leaves subsessile; flower buds ellipsoid............................................................................................ I. pavetta 

5. Leaves petiolate, petiole to 2 cm; flower buds globose ..................................................................I. brachiata 

Ixora brachiata Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 4: 488. 1830; FBI 3: 142. 1880; FPM 631. 1921; FPL 233. 

1990; FTSR 225. 1996. 

Trees, to 5 m tall; branchlets terete, glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, oblong to oblanceolate, 

obtusely acute; nerves 8-10 pairs, reticulate, pale above; petiole 1.5 cm long; stipule triangular, 

acute. Cymes to 20 x 15 cm, peduncled, puberulus; bracts and bracteoles minute. Flowers 

sessile; calyx 1 mm long, shortly 4-thoothed; corolla tube 6 mm long, slender, lobes 2 x 1 mm, 

oblong; style 7 mm long, pubescent. Berry 5 mm across, globose, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. November-January. 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in all types of forests; PS 18819 Parambikulam; 

19111 Kariamchola; 18945 Kothala 

Ixora cuneifolia Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 4: 487. 1830; FBI 3: 144. 1880; FPM 631. 1921; FPL 234. 

1990. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves to 14 x 4.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, acute at base; nerves 6-9 

pairs, irregular; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 8 mm long, ovate, acuminate into a long mucro, 

glabrous. Cymes 5-7 cm across, sessile or subsessile, trichotomously branched with a pair of 

large basal bracts. Flowers 21 mm long, sessile, 3-9 together; bracts and bracteoles filiform, 

hispid; calyx 4 mm long, hispid, lobes ovate; corolla tube 18 mm long, slender, lobes 3.5 x 1.5 

mm, oblong, puberulus; anthers 4 mm long, tailed at base; style 20 mm long, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in evergreen forests at higher elevations; PS 19710 

Karimala 

Ixora elongata Heyne ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 572. 1834; FBI 3: 141. 1880; FPM 630. 1921; FPL 

234. 1990; FTSR 225. 1996. 

Large shrubs, young shoots glabrous. Leaves elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate, acute, base 

151

acute, chartaceous, glabrous, to 15 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 12-15 pairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. 

Flowers in densely congested corymbs, peduncle to 15 cm long, sparsely pubescent. Calyx tube 

and lobes pubescent, lobes lanceolate. Corolla tube 1 cm long, lobes reflexed. 

Fl. November 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19363 Pezha; 30035 

Meenkara; NS 19515 Orukomban 

Ixora monticola Gamble, Kew Bull. 1920: 247. 1920 & FPM 631. 1921; FPL 234. 1990. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves to 8 x 3 cm, ovate, acute-acuminate, rounded at base; nerves to 10 

pairs, prominently reticulate; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 5 mm long, ovate, acuminate. Cymes 4-5 

cm across, trichotomous, glabrous. Flowers 10 mm long, sessile, 3-together; bracts and 

bracteoles subulate; calyx tube 1.5 mm long, lobes 1.5 mm long, ovate; corolla tube 8 mm long, 

slender, lobes 2.5 x 1 mm, oblong, deflexed; anthers 2 mm long, acute; style 8 mm long. Berry 6 

x 7 mm, biglobose, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30672 Orukomban 

Ixora nigricans R. Br. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 428. 1834; FBI 3: 148. 1880; FPM 631. 1921; FPL 

234. 1990; FTSR 225. 1996. 

Shrubs, glabrous. Leaves to 13 x 4 cm, elliptic to oblanceolate, long-acuminate, attenuate at 

base; nerves 8-10 pairs, reticulate; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 7 mm long, ovate, acuminate. 

Cymes 10 cm across; peduncles 4-6 cm long. Flowers pedicelled, many; calyx 2.5 mm long, lobes 

1.5 mm long, acuminate; corolla tube 11 mm long, slender; lobes 5 x 2 mm, ovate, acute; style 16 

mm long. 

Fl. December-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18846, 30049 Kanthalppara; 19530 

Orukomban; NS 30030, 19345 Puliyala 

Ixora pavetta Andrews, Bot. Rep. t. 78. 1799. I. arborea Roxb. ex Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 19: 5. 

1811. I. parviflora Vahl, Symb. 3: 11. t.52. 1794, non Lam. 1791; FBI 2: 142. 1880; FPM 631. 

1921. 

Trees; branchlets woody. Leaves to 14 x 7 cm, elliptic-oblong, apex obtuse, glossy, subsessile; 

stipules ovate-acuminate. Cymes 10-12 cm long; calyx 1 mm, truncate, teeth 4, minute; corolla 

tube 6 mm, lobes 4 x 2 mm, oblong, spreading; ovary 1.7 mm, style 7 mm; stigma 2 fid. 

Fl. December-January 

Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30070 

Kuchimudi 

KNOXIA Linnaeus 

Knoxia sumatrensis (Retz.) DC., Prodr. 4: 570. 1830; FPL 235. 1990; FTSR 226. 1996. 

Spermacoce sumatrensis Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 23. 1786. Knoxia corymbosa sensu Wight, Ill. 

Indian Bot. t.126. 1850, non Willd. 1798; FBI 3: 128. 1880; FPM 622. 1921. 

Erect subshrubs; stem white-tomentose. Leaves to 13 x 3 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, hispid; 

nerves 10-13 pairs; petiole 5-10 cm long; stipules orbicular, membranous, long-toothed. Cymes 

5-15 cm across, pilose. Flowers 6 mm long, sessile; calyx lobes ovate, acute, hispid; corolla tube 3 

mm long, narrow, densely villous at mouth, lobes ovate, obtuse, lilac or pink; style 5 mm long. 

Capsule 2 x 1 mm, oblong, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous and secondary forests; PS 


LASIANTHUS W. Jack 

152

1. Branchlets glabrous ....................................................................................................................L. acuminatus 

1. Branchlets hairy................................................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Transverse nervules of leaves close; calyx teeth hispid .......................................................... L. strigillosus 

2. Transverse nervules distant; calyx teeth villous.......................................................................... L. rostratus 

Lasianthus acuminatus Wight, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 511. 1846; FBI 3: 185. 1880, p.p.; FPM 

647. 1921; Deb & Gangop., JETB 15: 274. 1991. L. coffeoides Fyson, Kew Bull. 1914: 185. 1914. 

Large shrubs. Leaves to 9 x 4 cm, elliptic, oblong, apiculate, glabrous; nerves 4 pairs, 

prominent; nervules closely parallel; petiole 5-7 mm long; stipule triangular, acute, glabrous. 

Flowers 1-3 together, sessile; calyx lobes acute, triangular, villous; corolla 8 mm long, tube 

slender, lobes ovate, obtuse, densely villous. Drupe 5 x 5 mm, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19426, 19762 

Pooppara 

Lasianthus rostratus Wight, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 510. 1846; FPM 647. 1921; FTSR 226. 

1996. L. ciliatus Wight var. rostratus (Wight) Hook. f., FBI 3: 185. 1880. 

Shrubs, branchlets densely brown hirsute. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, caudate-acuminate, 

base obtuse, glabrous above, tomentose beneath, to 12 x 4.5 cm; lateral nerves 7 or 8 pairs, 

intercostae scalariform; petiole to 1 cm. Flowers sessile, in axillary fascicles; calyx lobes 4, 

triangular, acute, villous; corolla white, 4 mm long, lobes 4, tomentose outside; ovary 3-celled; 

style glabrous. Drupe globose, 0.6 cm across. 



Karappara; 19514 Orukomban 

Lasianthus strigillosus Hook.f., FBI 3: 185. 1880; FPM 647. 1921; Deb & Gangop., JETB 15: 

300. 1991. 

Large shrubs, stem densely strigose-hairy. Leaves to 12 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate at 

apex, acute at base; nerves 6 pairs, oblique, nervules closely parallel, 1-2 mm apart; petiole 5-10 

mm long; stipule 3 mm long, ovate, obtuse, densely hairy. Flowers 5 mm long in axillary 

fascicles, sessile; calyx hirsute; corolla tube short, lobes densely hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30622 Pooppara 

MITRACARPUS Zuccarini 

Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) DC., Prodr. 4: 572. 1830; FTSR 227. 1996. Spermacoce villosa Sw., 

Prodr. 29. 1788. Mitracarpus verticillatus (Schum. & Thonn.) Vatke, Linnaea 40: 196. 1876. M. 

hirtus (L.) DC., Prodr. 4: 572. 1830. Staurospermum verticillatum Schum. & Thonn., Beskr. 

Guin. Pl. 73. 1827. 

Erect herbs, to 50 cm high, little or not branched; stem 4-angled. Leaves to 3.5 x 1.5 cm, 

elliptic, acute, sessile, 3-5-nerved, plicate; stipules connate, membranous, fimbriate. Flowers 

minute, in axillary clusters; calyx lobes 4, unequal; corolla 2.5 mm long, tube slender, lobes 

ovate, obtuse; stamens 4, anthers sessile at mouth of corolla tube; ovary 2-celled; ovule solitary 

in each cell; style 2-fid at apex. Capsule 2 mm long, obovoid, with persistent calyx lobes, hirtus, 

circumscissile; seeds 2, 1 x 0.5 mm, oblong, rugose. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and America; now common in South India. Common in degraded forest 

areas; PS 19857, 19626 Vengoli 

MITRAGYNA P. W. Korthals 

1. Leaf apex rounded or obtuse; corolla truncate.............................................................................. M. tubulosa 

153

1. Leaf apex acuminate or acute; corolla 4 or 5 lobed......................................................................M. parvifolia 

Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth., Obs. Naucl. Ind. 19. 1839; FPM 585. 1921; FPL 236. 1990; 

FTSR 227. 1996. Nauclea parvifolia Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 52. 1796. Stephegyne parvifolia (Roxb.) 

Korth., Verh. Nat. Gesch. Ned. Bezitt. Bot. 161. 1842; FBI 3: 25. 1880. 

Large trees. Leaves to 17 x 12 cm, ovate, acute, rounded at base nerves 7-9 pairs, regular, 

villous below, nervules parallel, domatia hairy; petiole 2-5 cm long; stipule large, lanceolate, 

entire. Heads 3 cm across, terminal, solitary; bracteoles spathulate. Flowers 12 mm long, 

shortly pedicelled, calyx tube truncate; corolla tube 8 mm long, villous inside, lobes 4, oblong, 

deflexed; anthers sessile; ovules many; style 12 mm long, filiform. Capsule 6 x 4 mm, 6-ribbed, 

ellipsoid. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19808 Anakkalvayal 

Mitragyna tubulosa (Arn.) Hav., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 33: 71. 1897; FPM 585. 1921; FPL 237. 1990; 

FTSR 227. 1996. Nauclea tubulosa Arn. in Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 137. 1859. Stephegyne 

tubulosa (Arn.) Hook.f. ex Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 29. f.1. 1869; FBI 3: 25. 1880. 

Medium deciduous trees; bark greyish, branches horizontal. Leaves ovate-oblong or ovate, 

acute to acuminate, base truncate or obtuse, to 20 x 8 cm; lateral nerves ca. 10 pairs, domatia 

absent; petiole to 3 cm long; stipules oblong, obtuse 0.8 cm long. Flower heads 2 cm across. 

Calyx tube truncate, glabrous. Corolla funnel-shaped, yellow with purple tinge, tube 3 mm long, 

lobes reflexed. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30729 

Vengoli 

MORINDA Linnaeus 

1. Trees; heads simple.......................................................................................................................M. pubescens 

1. Climbing shrubs; heads umbellate .............................................................................................. M. reticulata 

Morinda pubescens J. E. Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 24: 3. 1813; FPL 237. 1990; FTSR 228. 1996. M. 

tinctoria Roxb. ex DC., Prodr. 4: 447. 1130; FBI 3: 156. 1880; FPM 651. 1921. M. exserta Roxb., 

Fl. Ind. 1: 545. 1832. M. coreia Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 13: 537. 1822. 

Small trees; bark pale-brown, thick, vertically fissured and irregularly cracked, turmericyellow 

inside. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate or oblanceolate, acuminate, to 13 x 5.5 cm; lateral 

nerves 7 or 8 pairs; petiole 1 cm long; stipules bifid at apex. Flowers white, in globose heads. 

Calyx limb truncate. Corolla 2 cm long, mouth hairy. Syncarpium globose, 2.5 cm across. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30081 Kuchimudi; NS 30282 

Thunakkadavu 

Morinda reticulata Gamble, Kew Bull. 1920: 248. 1920 & FPM 652. 1921. 

Climbing shrubs, branches yellowish-white. Leaves oblong or oblanceolate, caudate-acuminate, 

glabrous, shining, nerves and nervules very prominent, to 13 x 4.5 cm. Flowers white, in 

umbellate heads. Calyx annular, fleshy. Corolla hairy inside. Syncarpium orange-yellow, 1.5 cm 

across. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30184 Kottayali 

MUSSAENDA Linnaeus 

1. Cymes lax; berry obovoid.................................................................................................................... M. belilla 

154

1. Cymes congested; berry globose.............................................................................................. M. hirsutissima 

Mussaenda belilla Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 203. 1824; FPL 237. 1990; FTSR 

228. 1996. M. laxa (Hook. f.) Hutch. ex Gamble, FPM 610. 1921. M. frondosa L. var. laxa 

Hook.f., FBI 3: 89. 1880. 

Climbing shrubs. Leaves to 10 x 8 cm, broadly ovate, acuminate, rounded at base, thinly 

hairy; nerves 10-12 pairs, parallel; petiole 5 cm long, slender; stipule 12 mm long. Flowers 

pedicelled; larger calyx lobes 8-9 cm across, orbicular, hirsute, white; other calyx lobes 10 mm 

long, linear; corolla tube 28 mm long, slender, adpressed hairy; petals yellow, densely villous 

inside. Fruits 8 x 6 mm, ovoid. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19474 Thellikkal 

Mussaenda hirsutissima (Hook. f.) Hutch. ex Gamble, FPM 610. 1921. M. frondosa L. var. 

hirsutissima Hook.f., FBI 3: 90. 1880. 

Scandent shrubs; branchlets densely white-hispid. Leaves to 11 x 5 cm, broadly elliptic, 

acuminate at either ends, densely hispid; nerves 6-8 pairs, not prominent; petiole 1-3 cm long; 

stipule 12 mm long, densely hispid. Cymes terminal, congested. Flowers densely arranged; 

larger calyx lobes, 8 x 4.5 cm, elliptic, acute, long-clawed; corolla tube 30 mm long, narrow, 

densely hispid, lobes 12 x 10 mm, cuspidate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional along the margins of evergreen forests 

at higher altitudes; PS 30436 Karimala 

MYCETIA Reinwardt 

Mycetia acuminata (Wight) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 289. 1891; FPM 612. 1921; FPL 238. 1990; 

FTSR 299. 1996. Lawia acuminata Wight, Ic. t. 1070. 1846. Adenosacme lawii Hook.f., FBI 3: 

96. 1880. 

Erect fleshy herbs. Leaves to 27 x 10 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate at apex; nerves to 20 

pairs, prominent, parallel; petiole 5-8 cm long, stipule 12 mm long, ovate, acute, membranous. 

Cymes 5-7 cm across, axillary, peduncled. Flowers 6 mm long, pedicelled; calyx 6 mm long, 

lobes 5, acuminate; corolla blue, spreading, tube short, lobes 5, ovate, spreading; stamens 

adnate to the corolla tube, anthers linear; ovules many on peltate placentas; style short; 

stigmas linear. Berry, 8 mm across, white, fleshy; seeds many, angular. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests and moist shady areas; PS 30042 

Meenkara 

NEANOTIS W. H. Lewis 

1. Flowers in fascicles...........................................................................................................................N. tubulosa 

1. Flowers in cymes .............................................................................................................................N. decipiens 

Neanotis decipiens (Hook. f.) Lewis, Ann. Miss. Bot. Gard. 53: 37. 1966; FTSR 230. 1996. Anotis 

decipiens Hook.f., FBI 3: 72. 1880; FPM 604. 1921. 

Procumbent herbs, rooting at lower nodes; stem glabrous. Leaves ovate, acuminate, sparsely 

villous; nerves 7-9 pairs; petiole 3 cm long, hairy. Cymes 3-5 cm across, terminal; branches 

glabrous, slender. Flowers 5-6 mm long, blue or pink, subsessile; calyx lobes ovate, ciliate; 

corolla tube slender, shortly villous inside, lobes ovate, villous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30108, NS 19672 Karimala 

Neanotis tubulosa (G. Don) Mabb. in Manilal, Bot. Hist. Hort. Malab. 92. 1980; FTSR 230. 

1996. Oldenlandia tubulosa G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 531. 1834p.p. Anotis quadrilocularis (Thw.) 

155

Hook.f., FBI 3: 74. 1880; FPM 605. 1921. Hedyotis quadrilocularis Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 144. 

1859. Neanotis quadrilocularis (Thw.) Lewis, Ann.Miss. Bot. Gard. 53. 40. 1966. 

Procumbent annual herbs; stem glabrous. Leaves ovate, acute at both ends, minutely villous; 

nerves 3-4 pairs; petiole 5 mm long; stipule orbicular, ciliate, membranous. Flowers 2-5 

together; calyx lobes ovate, acute, glabrous, corolla tube 3 mm long, lobes 2 x 1 mm, ovate. 

Capsule 3 x 2 mm, glabrous, 3-celled; seeds 2-5 in each cell, pitted, concave on faces. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands; PS 19698 Karimala 

NEOLAMARCKIA Bosser 

Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, Adansonia ser. 4. 6: 247. 1984; FTSR 232. 1996. 

Nauclea cadamba Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 121. 1824. Anthocephalus chinensis sensu A. Rich ex Walp. 

Repert. 2: 491. 1843, non Cephalanthus chinensis Lam. 1785, Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) 

Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. 2: 135. 1850; FBI 3: 23. 1880. A. indicus A. Rich., Mem. Rubiac. 157. 1830; 

FPM 583. 1921. 

Large trees. Leaves opposite, to 22 x 12 cm, oblong, obtuse, apiculate, tomentose when 

young; nerves ca. 14 pairs, nervules parallel; stipule lanceolate, entire. Heads 4-6 cm across, 

terminal, peduncled. Flowers sessile, densely packed; calyx lobes 5, each 6 mm long, oblong; 

corolla tube 10 mm long, slender, glabrous, lobes oblong, 6 mm long; anthers 3 mm long, sessile, 

sagittate at base, apiculate; ovary 2 or 4 celled; ovules numerous; style entire, stigma clavate. 

Capsule membranous; seeds many, compressed. 


Distr. Asia, Pacific and Australia. Rare along the riverine areas; PS 19723 Parambikulam 

NEUROCALYX Hooker 

Neurocalyx calycinus (R. Br. ex Bennet) Robins., Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 45: 402. 1910; FPL 

238. 1990. Argostemma calycinum R. Br. ex Bennet, Pl. Jaw. Rar. 97. 1838. Neurocalyx 

hookeriana Wight, Ic. t. 52. 1838. N. wightii Arn., Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 1. 3: 22. 1839; FBI 3: 47. 

1880; FPM 591. 1921. 

Large herbs, pubescent. Leaves to 26 x 7 cm, oblanceolate, acute at apex, rusty puberulus; 

nerves to 18 pairs, prominent below; stipule 2 cm long, obovate, 2-fid at apex. Racemes 10-13 

cm long, axillary, rarely branched; bracts lanceolate. Flowers white, pedicelled; calyx tube 

hemispherical, lobes 5, 8 x 5 mm, ovate; corolla tube absent, lobes 5 x 3 mm, ovate, twisted; 

stamens 5, anthers connate into a conical tube; ovary 2-celled, ovules many, style slender. 

Capsule irregularly bursting, 4 x 4 mm; seeds many, pitted. 


Distr. South West India. Common in moist shades of evergreen forests; PS 19454 Valiyathode 

NOSTOLACHMA Durand 

Nostolachma crassifolia (Gamble) Deb & Lahiri, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 17: 162. 1975(1978). 

Coffea crassifolia Gamble, Kew Bull. 1920: 248. 1920 & FPM 637. 1921. 

Small trees, branchlets compressed, becoming terete, glabrous. Leaves elliptic, obtusely 

acute, base acute, to 9 x 4 cm. Flowers white, in subsessile axillary cymes. Corolla 5-6 mm long, 

mouth hairy. Fruit ellipsoid. 

Fl. & Fr. January-October 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 

30213, 30130, 30133 Karimala; NS 30373 Pandaravarai; 

OPHIORRHIZA Linnaeus 

1. Flowers deep pink ...........................................................................................................................O. pectinata 

156

1. Flowers white .................................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Procumbent herbs; leaves to 5 x 2.5 cm ....................................................................O. rugosa var. prostrata 

2. Erect herbs or subshrubs; leaves to 10 x 5 cm................................................................................................ 3 

3. Flowers ebracteate ............................................................................................................................ O. mungos 

3. Flowers bracteate............................................................................................................................ O. brunonis 

Ophiorrhiza brunonis Wight & Arn., Prodr. 404. 1834; FBI 3: 79. 1880; FPM 608. 1921; FTSR 

232. 1996. 

Small subshrubs; branches pubescent. Leaves to 20 x 7 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous 

except the nerves; nerves 10-12 pairs, arching; petiole 2-4 cm long, hispid; stipule 10 mm long, 

lanceolate, glabrous. Cymes 5-7 cm broad, terminal, corymbose; peduncle 2-6 cm long, hispid. 

Flowers 15 mm long, densely arranged; bracteoles 13 mm long, filiform, villous; calyx lobes 2 

mm long, hairy; corolla tube 8 mm long, hispid, lobes ovate, obtuse; anthers 2.5 mm long, linear. 

Fl. Almost throughout the year 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19434, 30676 

Pooppara; 30257 Pezha 

Ophiorrhiza mungos L., Sp. Pl. 150. 1753; FBI 3: 77. 1880; FPM 607. 1921; FPL 241. 1990; 

FTSR 232. 1996. 

Erect subshrubs; stem scabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, decurrent or 

cuneate at base; nerves 14 pairs, regular, parallel, scabrid below; petiole 2-3 cm long; stipule 

triangular, acute. Cymes 5-8 cm broad, spreading, branches rusty tomentose. Flowers 

pedicelled; calyx glabrous; corolla tube, villous in a ring at mouth. Capsule 4 x 8 mm, glabrous; 

seeds angled, brown. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 

19503 Orukomban; 19462 Pooppara 

Ophiorrhiza pectinata Arn., Acta Phys.-Med. Acad. Caes. Leop. Carol. Nat. Cur. 18: 338. 1836; 

FBI 3: 81. 1880; FPM 608. 1921. 

Erect herbs, to 40 cm high, glabrous. Leaves to 17 x 5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate at 

both ends; nerves ca. 8 pairs; petiole to 5 cm long; stipule ovate, acute. Cymes 2-5 cm broad; 

peduncle to 6 cm long. Flowers densely packed; bracteoles 8 x 4 mm, curved-oblong, acute; calyx 

lobes ovate, glabrous; corolla tube 8 mm long with a ring of erect hairs at throat, lobes ovate, 

acute; anthers nearly sessile. Capsule 5 x 1 2 mm, 2-winged, glabrous; seeds squarish, brown. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30677 Karimala 

Ophiorrhiza rugosa Wall. var. prostrata (D. Don) Deb. & Mondal, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 24: 228. 

1982. Ophiorrhiza prostrata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 136. 1825; FPL 241. 1990. Ophiorrhiza 

harrisonii G. Don, Gen. Syst. 3: 523. 1834; FBI 3: 78. 1880; FPM 607. 1921. 

Procumbent herbs. Leaves ovate, obtusely acute at apex, rounded at base, pubescent along 

the nerves below, chartaceous; nerves 4-6 pairs; petiole 1-2 cm long; stipule triangular, hairy. 

Cymes 1-2 cm across, congested; peduncle 5 cm long. Flowers minute, white; calyx 1 mm long, 

lobes ovate; corolla 3 mm long, white. Capsule 2.5 mm across, compressed; seeds 3-5, rugose, 

folded. 


Distr. Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Myanmar. Common in evergreen forests at lower altitudes; 

PS 19519 Orukomban 

OXYCEROS Loureiro 

157

Oxyceros rugulosus (Thw.) Tirveng., Nord. J. Bot. 3: 466. 1983. Griffithia rugulosa Thw., Enum. 

Pl. Zeyl. 159. 1859. Randia rugulosa (Thw.) Hook. f., FBI 3: 113. 1880; FPM 617. 1921. Aidia 

rugulosa (Thw.) Swamin., Boil. Mem. 2: 67. 1977. 

Climbing shrubs. Leaves to 16 x 7 cm, elliptic, acuminate, glabrous; nerves 8-10 pairs; 

petiole 1.5 cm long, thick; stipule 6 mm long, ovate, acuminate. Cymes lateral or axillary, 5-8 

cm across; shortly peduncled; calyx tube 6 mm long, obconical, teeth 5, obsolete; corolla tube 12 

mm long, densely villous in a ring inside; lobes 13 mm long, oblong, deflexed, white; stamens 5, 

filaments short, inserted at the mouth of corolla tube; anthers 8 mm long, linear, apiculate; 

ovary 2-celled; ovules many, sunken in the axile placentae; style 18 mm long, stigma clavate. 

Berry 10 x 10 mm; seeds few, rugose. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in open areas of evergreen forests; PS 30033 Meenkara 

PAVETTA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves glabrous and glabrescent..................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Leaves variously pubescent.............................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves elliptic; calyx lobes keeled.................................................................................................P. calophylla 

2. Leaves oblong-obovate; calyx lobes not keeled....................................................................................P. indica 

3. Branchlets sub-tetragonous; corolla tube greenish white, to 1 cm long ................................... P. tomentosa 

3. Branchlets terete; corolla white, to 2 cm long............................................................................... P. hispidula 

Pavetta calophylla Bremek., Feddes Repert. 37: 90. 1934; FPM 1879. 1936; FTSR 232. 1996. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves elliptic, acuminate, attenuate at base and apex; nerves 9 pairs, 

hispid below; petiole 2 cm long; stipule 7-8 mm long, ovate, acuminate. Cymes 6-10 cm broad, 

hispidulous. Flowers pedicelled; calyx 2 mm long, obconical, lobes ciliate; corolla tube 18 mm 

long, slender, glabrous outside, villous inside, lobes 9 x 4 mm, oblong, white; anthers 7 mm long; 

style 6.5 cm long. 

Fl. & Fr. January 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30041 Meenkara 

Pavetta hispidula Wight & Arn., Prodr. 431. 1834; FBI 3: 151. 1880; FPM 633. 1921; FPL 241. 

1990; FTSR 233. 1996. Pavetta siphonantha Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 133. 

1850; FPM 1878. 1936. 

Small shrubs; stem hispid. Leaves to 15 x 4.5 cm, oblanceolate, acuminate, narrowed to the 

base, glabrous above, hispid below; nerves 6-8 pairs, looping below the margins; petiole 2 cm 

long; stipules ovate, mucronate. Cymes 5-8 cm broad, lax, hispidulous. Flowers white, pedicels 8 

mm long; calyx 3 mm long, teeth short, recurved, hispid; corolla tube 15 mm long, thinly hispid, 

lobes 8 x 3 mm, oblong, glabrous; style 37 mm long. 


Distr. Western Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30255 Pezha; 

NS 30359 Kariamchola 

Pavetta indica L., Sp. Pl. 110. 1753; FBI 3: 150. 1880; FPM 633. 1921; FPL 242. 1990. 

Shrubs, branchlets glabrescent. Leaves 13-16 x 7-9 cm, obovate or oblanceolate, acuminate, 

base acute, glabrescent in both surface; petiole to 2 cm. Cymes corymbose, axillary and 

terminal; calyx ca 3 mm, lobes obovate; stamens 4; ovary 2 mm, style ca 3 cm. Berry 6 mm 

across, subglobose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous and secondary forests; PS 30219 

Karimala;19837 Vengoli 

158

Pavetta tomentosa Roxb. ex J. E. Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 26: n.52. 1813; FPM 1879. 1936; FPL 

242. 1990; FTSR 233. 1996. P. indica L. var. tomentosa (Roxb. ex J. E. Smith) Hook.f., FBI 3: 

150. 1880. 

Large shrubs; stem densely white-tomentose. Leaves to 13 x 7 cm, ovate, acuminate, 

tomentose; nerves 10 pairs, reticulate; petiole 3 cm long; stipule triangular, cuspidate, 

tomentose. Cymes 10 cm broad, terminal, densely tomentose, shortly peduncled. Flowers 

pedicelled; pedicels 6 mm long; calyx 2.5 mm long, retrose hairy, 4-toothed; corolla tube 12 mm 

long, glabrous, lobes 7 x 1.5 mm, oblong, hairy at base; anthers 7 mm long, linear; style 28 mm 

long, glabrous. 


Distr. India and Indo-China. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19883 Velayudhankai; 

19644 Vengoli; 30431 Karimala 

PRISMATOMERIS Thwaites 

Prismatomeris tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4:1381. 1891; FTSR 

233. 1996. Prismatomeris albidiflora Thw. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 8: 286. t.7A.1856 

& Enum. Pl. 154. 1859; FBI 3: 159. 1880; FPM 653. 1921. 

Small trees; bark grey, fissured. Leaves obovate or oblong, abruptly acuminate, base 

cuneate, glabrous, and glossy, to 15 x 5 cm; lateral nerves 7-9 pairs, reticulations thin, 

prominent; petiole to 1.2 cm long; stipules glabrous, shining. Flowers, white, slightly fragrant, 

2.5 cm long. Calyx limb truncate. Berry crowned by the calyx limb. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19358 Pezha; 19793 

Orukomban 

PSILANTHUS Hooker f. 

Psilanthus wightianus (Wight & Arn.) Leroy, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. (Paris) ser.4, 3. Sect. B. 

Adansonia 3: 252. 1981. Coffea wightiana Wight & Arn., Prodr. 436. 1834; FBI 3: 154. 1880; 

FPM 636. 1921. 

Shrubs; with spinescent branches and branchlets. Leaves to 3 x 1.5 cm, elliptic-ovate, apex 

obtuse, membranous; petiole 5 mm, stipule broad, ovate-acuminate. Flowers solitary or in 

cymes, white; bracteoles form a calyculus; calyx irregularly many toothed, 1.5 mm; corolla tube 

6 mm, lobes 8 mm long, twisted, elliptic-oblong; stamens 4 mm, oblong; style 3 mm, bifid at 

apex, linear. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30569 Keerappadi 

PSYCHOTRIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves in whorls of three; stipules more than 25 cm long...................................................P. anamallayana 

1. Leaves opposite; stipules to 2 cm long............................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves with domatia......................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves without domatia ................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Cymes racemose........................................................................................................................... P. glandulosa 

3. Cymes globose ........................................................................................................................................P. nigra 

4. Flowers mixed with rufous hairs ..............................................................................................P. globicephala 

4. Flowers not mixed with rufous hairs............................................................................................................... 5 

5. Branches of inflorescence opposite or subopposite.........................................................................P. johnsoni 

5. Branches of inflorescence whorled................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Corolla tube glabrous within.......................................................................................................... P. nudiflora 

6. Corolla tube villous within ............................................................................................................P. keralensis 

159

Psychotria anamallayana Bedd., Ic. t. 236. 1868-1874; FBI 3: 171. 1880; FPM 641. 1921; FTSR 

236. 1996. 

Shrubs, 2.5 m tall; branchlets stout. Leaves 15-20 x 6-7 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, apiculate, 

attenuate to the base, coriaceous; nerves 10-12 pairs, regular, 12-13 mm apart, reticulate 

towards the margins; domatia absent; petiole to 4.5 cm long, stipule 3 cm long, lanceolate, 

glabrous within. Cymes 3-6 cm across, glabrous. Flowers 5 mm long, sessile; calyx 4-toothed; 

corolla tube villous at the base. Drupe 13 x 7 mm, obovoid, 4-angled, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19386 Karimala 

Psychotria glandulosa (Dennst.) Suresh in Nicols. et al., An Interpr. Hort. Malab. 229. 1988. 

Baldingera glandulosa Dennst., Schluss. Hort. Malab. 9, 19, 31. 1818. Grumilea elongata 

Wight, Ic. t. 1036. 1845. Psychotria elongata (Wight) Hook.f., FBI 3: 163. 1880; FPM 641. 1921. 

Shrubs, to 2.5 m high. Leaves 10 x 6 cm, obovate, obtusely acute, nerves 12-15 pairs, 5 mm 

apart, parallel, nervules reticulate, domatia glandular; petiole 1 cm long; stipule ovate, acute, 

rufous hairy inside. Cymes 5-7 x 1-1.5 cm, hispid. Flowers 7 mm long, grouped; calyx 2 mm 

long, lobes ovate, acuminate, ciliate; corolla tube 4 mm long, broadly villous inside, lobes 5, 

ovate, acute. Drupe 6 x 5 mm, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common along the margins of evergreen forests at 

higher altitudes; PS 30334 Pezha; NS 18907 Karimalagopuram 

Psychotria globicephala Gamble, Kew Bull. 1920: 249. 1920 & FPM 640. 1921. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, oblanceolate, acuminate, acute, base attenuate, nerves looped 

near the margin, petiole 5-1 cm, stipule with long hairs. Flowers in terminal globose heads 

mixed rufous hairs; calyx ca 1.5 mm, ciliate, lobes 5, style ca 4 mm, stigma bifid. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19365 Pezha 

Psychotria johnsonii Hook.f., FBI 3: 175. 1880; FPM 640. 1921. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 8 x 3 cm, obovate-oblanceolate, abruptly acuminate, base attenuate, 

nerves with domatia; petiole to 5 mm; stipule ca 5 mm, broadly ovate, acute. Cymes terminal, 

branches opposite, calyx ca 1 mm, 5 toothed, ciliate along the margin, corolla ca 3 mm, throat 

densely hairy interspersed with 5 stamens, lobes 5, acute; style 2 mm, stigma bifid. Drupe ca 5 

mm across. 

Fl. & Fr. August--December 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats; Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30249 Pezha 

Psychotria keralensis Deb & Gangop., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 25: 213. 1983 (1985) & JETB Addl. 

ser. 7: 48. 1989. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, obovate, obtusely acuminate, cuneate at base; nerves 11-13 

pairs, intercostae, reticulate, distinct; stipules 11 x 9 mm, ovate, densely rufous hairy inside. 

Cymes 4 x 4 cm, branches opposite, glabrous. Flowers 7 mm long, sessile; calyx 2 mm long, 

lobes ovate, glabrous; corolla tube equal to the lobes, lobes 4, deflexed. Pyrene 17 x 10 mm, 

ellipsoid, glabrous. 



Orukomban 

Psychotria nigra (Gaertn.) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6 (Suppl.):152. 1931; FPL 243. 

1990; FTSR 236. 1996. Grumilea nigra Gaertn., Fruct. 1: 138. t.28. 1788. Psychotria thwaitesii 

Hook. f., FBI 3: 162. 1880, p.p; FPM 640. 1921. 

160

Large shrubs, 2-3 m tall. Leaves to 19 x 8.5 cm, obovate, obtuse, broadly apiculate, nerves to 

16 pairs, regular, 8-10 mm apart, domatia glandular; stipule 12 mm long, ovate, strongly 

mucronate. Cymes 1-1.5 cm across, 3-6-together, globose, densely fulvous hairy; peduncle 2-3 

cm long, stout. Flowers many, densely packed, 5 mm long; calyx 1.5 mm long, campanulate, 5- 

toothed, ciliate; corolla white, 3 mm long, tube hairy at mouth, lobes reflexed. Drupe 6 mm 

across, subglobose, pyrenes smooth. 



higher altitudes; PS 30338 Pezha;18916 Karimala 

Psychotria nudiflora Wight & Arn., Prodr. 434. 1834; FBI 3: 175. 1880; FPM 641. 1921; FTSR 

236. 1996. Psychotria sekharana Ramam. & Rajan, JBNHS 80: 621. 1983. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 13 x 4 cm, elliptic to oblanceolate, acuminate, narrowed to the base, 

reddish brown when dried; nerves 10-13 pairs, reticulate; petiole 1 cm long, slender; stipule 

ovate, obtuse. Cymes 4 cm across, peduncled, rusty puberulus, branches whorled. Flowers 

sessile; calyx 1 mm long, membranous; corolla 5.5 mm long, lobes 4, short; style 2-fid at apex. 

Fl. & Fr December-January 


Orukomban 

PSYDRAX J. Gaertner 

Psydrax umbellata (Wight) Bridson, Kew Bull. 48: 762. 1993. Canthium umbellatum Wight, Ic. 

t. 1034. 1845; FBI 3: 132. 1880. Plectronia didyma (Gaertn. f.) Kurz var. umbellata (Wight) 

Gamble, FPM 624. 1921. Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn.) Teijsm. & Binn., var. umbellatum 

(Wight) Sant. & Merch., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3: 107. 1961; FPL 229. 1990; FTSR 217. 1996. 

Small to medium evergreen trees; bark yellowish-grey, shallowly fissured, pale brown inside; 

branchlets tetragonous Leaves elliptic-oblong or obovate, caudate-acuminate, base cuneate, 

glabrous and glossy, to 15 x 6 cm; lateral nerves ca. 5 pairs, slender; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers 3 

mm across in few-flowered, short umbels. Calyx glabrous, shortly 5-lobed. Corolla greenishyellow, 

lobes oblong, acute, 1.5 mm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30122 Karimala; 18964 

Vengoli; NS 30618 Kariamchola 

RUBIA Linnaeus 

Rubia cordifolia L., Syst. Nat. (ed.12) 3: 229. 1768; FBI 3: 202. 1880; FPM 655. 1921; FPL 243. 

1990. R. munjista Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 383. 1820. 

Scabrous climber, stem 4-angled, articulate. Leaves whorled, 4 in each node, equal or 

unequal, to 7 x 3 cm, ovate, cordate at base, acuminate at apex, 3-5-ribbed from base; petiole 2-5 

cm long. Flowers 3 mm across; in axillary dichotomous cymes; calyx tube turbinate, lobes 4, 

minute; corolla lobes ovate, valvate, spreading, white; anthers globose; ovules solitary in each 

cell, styles 2, stigmas capitate. 


Distr. Asia, Africa and Europe. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19113 Kariamchola 

SAPROSMA Blume 

Saprosma glomerata (Gard.) Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 134/11. 1872; FPL 243. 1990; Gangop., 

JETB 15: 86. 1991 FTSR 237. 1996. Dysodidendron glomeratum Gard., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 7: 

3. 1847. Saprosma indicum Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 37. 1851; FBI 3: 192. 

1880; FPM 649. 1921. Serissa glomerata (Gard.) Bedd., Ic. t.16. 1868-1874. 

161

Shrubs, to 1.5 m tall. Leaves to 12 x 5 cm, ovate-oblong, acute, subcordate at base; domatia 

glandular; nerves 10-15 pairs. Flowers 3-6 together, in terminal clusters, 7 mm long, shortly 

pedicelled; calyx 2 mm long, lobes 4, ovate, acute; corolla white, densely hairy within; anthers 

sessile. Berry 1 cm across, globose, emarginate, deep blue. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18858 Kanthalppara; 


SPERMACOCE Linnaeus 

1. Stem angle ciliate; calyx lobes 2..................................................................................................S. mauritiana 

1. Stem angle not ciliate; calyx lobes 4 ................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Stem winged; leaves more than 4 cm long....................................................................................... S. latifolia 

2. Stem not winged; leaves to 3 cm long.......................................................................................... S. articularis 

Spermacoce articularis L. f., Suppl. Pl. 119. 1781; FTSR 238. 1996. Borreria articularis (L.f.) 

F.N. Will., Bull. Herb. Borss. 2. ser.5: 956. 1905. Borreria articularis (L.f.) F.N. Will. var. 

articularis Sivar. & Manilal, New Botanist II:2: 88-90. 1975. Spermacoce hispida Hook.f., FBI 3: 

200. 1881, non L. 1753. 

Erect woody herbs, stem 4-angld, scabrid. Leaves to 6 x 1.3 cm, acute at both ends, 

mucronate at apex, glabrous; nerves 6 or 7 pairs, very oblique; petiole 5-10 mm long, slender; 

stipule membranous, teeth, 5-7, to 7 mm long, glabrous. Flowers many; calyx lobes acute, 

glabrous; corolla white. Capsule 2 x 2 mm, obcordate, glabrous; seeds black. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Africa. Common in wet rocky and disturbed areas; PS 30468 Vengoli 

Spermacoce latifolia Aublet, Hist. Pl. Guinea Fr. 1: 55. t.19/1. 1775; FTSR 238. 1996. Borreria 

latifolia (Aubl.) K. Schum. in Mart., Fl. Bras. 4:61. 1888. B. articularis Mukerjee, Rec. Bot. 

Surv. India 20: 116. 1973, non K. Schum. 1888. B. eradii Ravi, JBNHS 6: 539. 1970. 

Decumbent herbs; stem 4-angled, scabrous. Leaves to 5 x 2.5 cm, acute, scabrous; nerves 5 

pairs; petiole very short, broad; stipular teeth 4-6, hispid. Flowers in clusters of 2-5, axillary, 

sessile; calyx tube 2 mm long, lobes hispid; corolla tube short, lobes erect. Capsule 4 x 3 mm, 

compressed, hispid; seeds ellipsoid, minutely pitted, dark brown. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; now established in Tropical Africa and Asia. Common in 

degraded forest areas; PS 18952 Vengoli 

Spermacoce mauritiana Osea Gideon ex Verdc., Kew Bull. 37: 547. 1983; FTSR 238. 1996. S. 

ocymoides sensu Hook. f., FBI 3: 200. 1881, p.p., non Burm. f. 1708. Borreria ocymoides 

Gamble, FPM 654. 1921, non (Burm. f.) DC. 1830. Spermacoce decandollei Deb & Dutta, JETB 

5: 1044. 1984. 

Diffuse herbs; stem hispid. Leaves to 2.5 x 1.5 cm, ovate, acute, cuneate at base, subsessile, 

glabrous; stipule membranous, bristled. Flowers minute, many-together, densely packed; calyx 

lobes linear; corolla white, lobes erect, glabrous. Capsule 1 x 1 mm, with wings like persistent 

sepals; seeds 1 x 0.5 mm, oblong, minutely pitted, dark brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30294 Parambikulam 

TARENNA Gaertner 

1. Cells of ovary many ovuled; plant with sticky exudation ...............................................................T. asiatica 

1. Cells of ovary one ovuled; plant without sticky exudation ....................................................T. monosperma 

162

Tarenna asiatica (L.) O.Ktze. ex K. Schum., Bot. Tidsskr. 24: 332. 1902; FPL 244. 1990. 

Rondeletia asiatica L., Sp. Pl. 172. 1753; FBI 3: 102. 1880. Webera corymbosa Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 

1224. 1798. W. asiatica (L.) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. S. India, Anal. Gen. 16. f. 2. 1869. Chomelia asiatica 

(L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 278. 1891; FPM 613. 1921. Stylocoryne webera A. Rich., Mem. Soc. 

Hist. Nat. Paris 5: 248. 1834. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves to 17 x 6 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate at apex and base, nerves 13 

pairs; petiole 3-4 cm long. Cymes peduncled, axillary, 10 cm across; peduncle to 6 cm long; 

branches slender. Drupe 6 mm across, globose; seeds 2, black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19994 Kuchimudi; 19545 Thekkady 

Tarenna monosperma (Wight & Arn.) Raju, Sci. & Cult. 32: 554. 1966; FTSR 240. 1996. 

Stylocoryne monosperma Wight & Arn., Prodr. 401. 1834; FPM 635. 1921. Webera monosperma 

(Wight & Arn.) Hook. f., FBI 3: 103. 1880. 

Shrubs to 2 m high. Leaves to 18 x 6.5 cm, elliptic-oblanceolate, acuminate at apex; nerves 

12-14 pairs, regular, petiole 1.5 cm long, stout. Cymes peduncled, to 15 cm across, corymbose. 

Flowers 3.5 cm long; calyx 3 mm long, hispid; corolla tube glabrous, white; style entire, hairy 

towards the base. Drupe 1 x 1 cm, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats; Common in evergreen forests; PS 19518 

Orukomban;30250 Pezha 

TAMILNADIA Trivengadum 

Tamilnadia uliginosa (Retz.) Tirveng. & Sastry, Mauritius Inst. Bull. 8: 85. 1979; FTSR 

239. 1996. Gardenia uliginosa Retz., Obs. Bot. 2:14. 1781. Randia uliginosa (Retz.) DC., 

Prodr. 4:386. 1830; FBI 3: 110. 1880; FPM 615. 1921. Xeromphis uliginosa (Retz.) Mahes., 

Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3:92. 1961. 

Small trees; branchlets 4-angled, terminating with 1 or 2 pairs of sharp thorns. Leaves 

mostly confined to the apex of branchlets, obovate or oblong, obtuse, base narrowed, 

coriaceous, glabrous above and pubescent below, to 10 x 5 cm; lateral nerves 6-8 pairs; 

petiole to 3 mm long. Flowers solitary at the end of branchlets, to 5 cm across. Calyx tube 

2.5 cm long, lobes 6, rounded. Corolla white, lobes 6, orbicular, imbricate. Berry ovoid or 

ellipsoid, smooth, yellow, 5 cm long. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Occasional along the sides of vayals. PS 30836 Thellikkal 

WENDLANDIA Bartling ex A. P. de Candolle 

Wendlandia thyrsoidea (Schult.) Steud. Nomencl. (ed. 2) 2: 786. 1841; FPL 244. 1990. 

Canthium thyrsoideum Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 6: 207. 1820. Wendlandia 

notoniana Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Prodr. 403. 1834; FBI 3: 40. 1880; FPM 588. 1921. 

Large stiff shrubs; stem terete, tomentose. Leaves ternate, to 12 x 4.5 cm, elliptic, acute, 

tomentose beneath; nerves 5-12, regular; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 6 mm long, ovate, acute. 

Panicle terminal, ca. 15 cm across, hispid. Flowers 6 mm long, many, sessile; calyx globose, 

hispid, lobe 5, ovate; corolla tube slender, villous within, lobes orbicular, spreading; stamens 5, 

exserted; ovary 2-celled; ovules many, on globose placentas; style slender, stigma bifid. Capsule 

globose, 2 valved; seeds many, reticulate. 



higher altitudes and grasslands; PS 19305 Karimala 

163

ASTERACEAE 

1. Capitula dimorphic; unisexual ........................................................................................................ Xanthium 

1. Capitula nor dimorphic; bisexual ................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Capitula homogamous..................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Capitula heterogamous ................................................................................................................................. 17 


3. Leaves alternate ............................................................................................................................................ 10 

4. Capitula 1-flowered ................................................................................................................... Lagascea (p.p) 

4. Capitula many flowered.................................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Weak climbing shrubs......................................................................................................................... Mikania 

5. Erect or prostrate herbs or shrubs ................................................................................................................. 6 

6. Receptacle condensed, spicate ........................................................................................................ Spilanthes 

6. Receptacle not spicate ..................................................................................................................................... 7 

7. Pappus to 3, bristle like.............................................................................................................Adenostemma 

7. Pappus 5 to many, setaceous.......................................................................................................................... 8 

8. Weak annual herbs; anthers appendaged at apex......................................................................... Ageratum 

8. Perennial subshrubs; anthers not appendaged at apex ............................................................................... 9 

9. Branches and petiole pale purple; ovary glabrous......................................................................... Ageratina 

9. Branches and petiole green; ovary scaly................................................................................... Chromolaena 

10. Leaves radical; capitula supported by spathes ........................................................................Elephantopus 

10. Leaves cauline; capitula not supported by spathes .................................................................................... 11 

11. Capitula long peduncled................................................................................................................................ 12 

11. Capitula short peduncled.............................................................................................................................. 15 

12. Capitula 1-flowered .................................................................................................................. Lagascea (p.p.) 

12. Capitula many flowered................................................................................................................................ 13 

13. Capitula bracteate; flowers yellow or white ....................................................................................... Gynura 

13. Capitula not bracteate; flowers pink............................................................................................................ 14 

14. Capitula in racemes; achenes 10 ribbed .............................................................................. Crassocephalum 

14. Capitula corymbose; achenes 5-ribbed..................................................................................................Emilia 

15. Pappus in two series, dissimilar........................................................................................................Vernonia 

15. Pappus uniseriate, similar............................................................................................................................ 16 

16. Flowers yellow; bracts 1 or 2 seriate ....................................................................................................Senecio 

16. Flowers otherwise; bracts many seriate ...............................................................................Phyllocephalum 

17. Leaves opposite, rarely upper only alternate .............................................................................................. 18 

17. Leaves all alternate ....................................................................................................................................... 23 

18. Capitula axillary, sessile............................................................................................................................... 19 

18. Capitula terminal or axillary, peduncled..................................................................................................... 20 

19. Achenes densely covered with hooked spines.................................................................... Acanthospermum 

19. Achenes not covered with hooked spines....................................................................................... Synedrella 

20. Leaves pinnately compound or pinnatifid ............................................................................................Bidens 

20. Leaves simple, entire..................................................................................................................................... 21 

21. Pappus absent or reduced into minute teeth ...................................................................................... Eclipta 

21. Pappus well developed .................................................................................................................................. 22 

22. Corolla white; leaf margins serrate not pinnatisect .....................................................................Blainvillea 

22. Corolla yellow; leaves pinnatisect at least lower ones......................................................................... Tridax 

23. Capitula more than 4 cm across; large shrubs..................................................................................Tithonia 

23. Capitula less than 2 cm across; hers or subshrubs..................................................................................... 24 

24. Leaves pinnatifid ...........................................................................................................................Parthenium 

24. Leaves not pinnatifid..................................................................................................................................... 25 

25. Anthers bases tailed ...................................................................................................................................... 26 

25. Anthers bases not tailed................................................................................................................................ 28 

26. Bracts spreading; bisexual flowers all sterile.................................................................................Anaphalis 

26. Bracts not spreading; bisexual flowers usually fertile................................................................................ 27 

164

27. Bracts hyaline; plants aromatic ..................................................................................................Gnaphalium 

27. Bracts green; plants not aromatic ....................................................................................................... Blumea 

28. Capitula solitary ..................................................................................................................................Grangea 

28. Capitula cymose or panicled......................................................................................................................... 29 

29. Anther bases sagitate.................................................................................................................................... 30 

29. Anther bases obtuse or entire....................................................................................................................... 31 

30. Leaf base decurrent; flowers pink ...................................................................................................... Laggera 

30. Leaf base amplexicaule not decurrent; flowers yellow .......................................................................... Vicoa 

31. Pappus present ......................................................................................................................................Conyza 

31. Pappus absent............................................................................................................................Dichrocephala 

ACANTHOSPERMUM Shrank 

Acanthospermum hispidum DC., Prodr. 5: 522. 1836; FPM 704. 1921; FPL 247. 1990; 

Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:361.1995; FTSR 243. 1996. 

Erect, densely hispid herbs. Leaves 2-4 x 1-2 cm, ovate, acute, entire. Heads 4-5 mm long, 

axillary, sessile; receptacle paleate; bracts 1-seriate, 5 mm long. Outer row of flowers female, 

ligulate, yellow, 3-lobed at apex. Inner flowers bisexual; corolla 2 mm long, tubular, 5-toothed at 

apex, yellow. Achenes 5 x 3 mm, obovate, with two diverging long spines at apex, compressed; 

pappus absent. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19001 Thunakkadavu 

ADENOSTEMMA J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

Adenostemma lavenia (L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 1: 304. 1891; FPM 677. 1921; FPL 247. 1990; 

Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 12:346.1995; FTSR 244. 1996. Verbesina lavenia L., Sp. Pl. 902. 1753. 

Adenostemma latifolium D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 181. 1825. A. viscosum Forst., Char. Gen. 90. 

t. 45. 1776. A. viscosum Forst. var. lavenia Hook. f., FBI 3: 242. 1881, p.p. 

Herbs, 30-90 cm high; stem viscid, glandular. Leaves 6-12 x 5-7 cm, broadly ovate, acute at 

apex, cuneate at base, crenate-serrate; nerves scabrous below. Heads many, 7-8 x 5 mm, 

hemispherical, pedunculate; bracts 4 mm long, obovate, obtuse, brown, glabrous. Flowers many, 

white; corolla 2.5 mm long; tube puberulus; lobes hairy. Achenes 4 mm long, curved-obovoid, 3- 

angled, black; pappus 3-4 glandular bristles. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in moist deciduous and secondary forests; PS 19152 Karimala 

AGERATINA Spach 

Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) King & Robins., Phytologia 19: 211. 1970; FTSR 244. 1996. 

Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng., Syst. Veg. (ed. 16) 3: 420. 1826; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 

12:350.1995. E. glandulosum Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 4: 122, t. 346. 1820. 

Subshrubs, glandular hairy; stem violet-blue. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, ovate, acute, serrate; 

petiole 2 cm long. Heads 7 mm across, 5 mm long, packed, in terminal corymbose panicle; bracts 

3-seriate, 4 x 1 mm, lanceolate, strongly 3-ribbed. Outer florets bisexual; corolla white, 5-lobed, 

hispid. Inner florets female. Achenes 2 mm long, curved, ellipsoid, 5-angled, brown, smooth; 

pappus 5-10, 4 mm long, white, barbed. 


Distr. Originally from South America; now introduced in Peninsular India. Common along the 

margins of evergreen forests at higher altitudes and grasslands; PS 30124 Karimala 

AGERATUM Linnaeus 

Ageratum conyzoides L., Sp. Pl. 839. 1753; Clarke, Comp. Ind. 30. 1876; FBI 3: 243. 1881; FPM 

677. 1921; FPL 248. 1990; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 12:348.1995; FTSR 244. 1996. 

165

Herbs, viscid hairy. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, ovate, acute at apex, crenate, rounded at base; 

petiole 1-3 cm long. Heads white, to 7 mm across, in terminal corymbose panicle; bracts 1-3- 

seriate, 3-4 mm long, elliptic, toothed at apex, 3-ribbed. Flowers all similar, bisexual; corolla 2.5 

mm long, tubular, white, glabrous, 5-lobed at apex; stamens 5, anthers linear. Achenes 2 mm 

long, linear, 5-angled, hirsute along the angles; pappus 3-4 mm long, many, setaceous. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19058 Thunakkadavu; 19393 

Karimala 

ANAPHALIS A. P. de Candolle 

Anaphalis lawii (Hook. f.) Gamble, FPM 696. 1921; Pant, Fl. Ind. 13:66.1995; FTSR 245. 1996. 

A. oblonga DC. var. lawii Hook.f., FBI 3: 283. 1881. 

Branched herbs; stem white wooly. Leaves 4-5 x 0.7 cm, oblong, acute at apex, amplexicaule 

at base. Heads 4 x 4 mm, in densely branched corymbose cymes; bracts 3-seriate, 3-4 mm long, 

elliptic, acute, dentate at apex; brown at lower part; outer ones wooly. Bisexual flowers 5-7, 

central; corolla 2.5 mm long, white, 5-toothed at apex. Achenes 1 mm long, cylindrical, scaly, 

brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in grasslands; PS 30511 Karimala 

BIDENS Linnaeus 

Bidens pilosa L., Sp. Pl. 832.1753, var. minor (Blume) Sherff, Bot. Gaz. 80:387.1925; FPL 248. 

1990; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:373.1995. 

Herbs, stem quadrangular. Leaves opposite, to 18 cm, pinnate; lobes to 6 x 3 cm, ovatelanceolate, 

acute, base truncate, serrate, hairy. Heads to 1 cm across; peduncles to 8 cm, 

flexuous involucral bracts biseriate, outer ca 3 x 1 mm, linear, spathulate, inner to 5 x 2 mm, 

ovate, obtuse; rays 2-5, corolla bilobed, yellow; disc many. Achenes ca 2.5 mm, setae 2-4,ca 3 

mm long. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19011 

Thunakkadavu 

BLAINVILLEA Cassini 

Blainvillea acmella (L.) Philip, Blumea 6: 350. 1950; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:377.1995; FTSR 

246. 1996. Verbesina acmella L., Sp. Pl. 901. 1753. Blainvillea latifolia (L. f.) DC. in Wight, 

Contrib. 17. 1834; FBI 3: 305. 1880. Eclipta latifolia L. f., Suppl. 378. 1781. Blainvillea 

rhomboidea Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat. 29: 494. 1823; FPM 706. 1921. 

Erect branching annual herbs, pilose. Upper leaves alternate, to 8 x 3.5, ovate, crenate, 

pubescent, tri-nerved; petiole 1 cm, pilose. Capitulum solitary, 4-5 mm across; palea 5-6 mm; 

peduncles to 1.5 cm; phyllaries 5 x 2 mm, ovate-oblong, pubescent; ray florets 2 mm across; disc 

florets 2 mm across. Achenes truncate, 3.5 mm, black; pappus of 3-4 bristles, 1 mm. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30083 Kuchimudi 

BLUMEA A. P. de Candolle 

1. Prostrate herbs.............................................................................................................................. B. oxyodonta 

1. Erect herbs or subshrubs.................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves white silky beneath .............................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves glabrescent beneath ........................................................................................................B. lanceolaria 

3. Heads few in axillary and terminal corymbs......................................................................... B. belangeriana 

3. Heads in close spiciform cymes or panicles..................................................................................... B. barbata 

166

Blumea barbata DC. in Wight, Contrib. 14. 1834; FBI 3: 262. 1881; FPM 687. 1921; Kumar, Fl. 

Ind. 13:119.1995. 

Stiff herbs, 1 m high, stem reddish, hispid. Leaves to 7 x 3 mm, obovate-oblanceolate, obtuse, 

distantly serrate, glabrous above, fulvous-tomentose below, nearly sessile. Heads 7 x 6 mm, in 

terminal and axillary congested cymes; bracts 7 x 0.5 mm, linear-lanceolate, silky hairy. 

Flowers many; corolla 4 mm long, glabrous; bisexual corolla broader. Achenes 1 mm long, 

ribbed, hairy, brown. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands; PS 19930 Karimala 

Blumea belangeriana DC., Prodr. 5: 444. 1836; FBI 3: 266. 1881; FPM 686. 1921; FPL 249. 

1990; FTSR 246. 1996; Kumar, Fl. Ind. 13:119.1995. 

Stem reddish-brown, young shoots villous, mixed with gland-tipped hairs. Leaves sessile, 

elliptic or obovate, acute or obtuse, base attenuate, irregularly dentate, to 6.5 x 4.5 cm; lateral 

nerves 6-8 pairs. Heads 7 mm across, peduncles and phyllaries villous, mixed with gland-tipped 

hairs. Corolla yellow. Achenes ribbed, hairy along the ribs. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands; PS 19148 Karimala 

Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce, Bot. Soc. Exch. Club. Brit. Isles 4: 609. 1917; Kumar, Fl. Ind. 

13:130.1995; FTSR 247. 1996. Conyza lanceolaria Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 432. 1832. Blumea 

myriocephala DC., Prodr. 5:445.1836; FBI 3:269.1881. B. wallichii Clarke, Comp. Ind. 87.1876. 

Subshrubs, to 1.5 m tall. Leaves clustered towards the apex of branches, oblanceolate or 

lanceolate, acuminate, base attenuate, distantly serrate or subentire, glabrescent, to 18 x 4 cm; 

lateral nerves ca. 10 pairs. Heads 8 mm across, in large terminal pyramidal panicles; phyllaries 

pubescent. Receptacle pilose. Achenes ribbed, hairy. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in disturbed forest areas; PS 30022 Karappara 

Blumea oxyodonta DC. in Wight, Contrib. 15. 1834; FBI 3: 266. 1881; FPM 686. 1921; Kumar, 

Fl. Ind. 13:139.1995; FTSR 247. 1996. 

Prostrate herbs; stem slender, radiating from the root stock, pubescent. Radical leaves 8 x 3 

cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, dentate; cauline leaves sessile, smaller. Heads few, 8 mm long, 

globose, in terminal panicles; bracts densely tomentose; outer 3 x 0.3 mm, lanceolate; inner 6 x 

0.3 mm, linear. Female flowers yellow, many; corolla 3 mm long, lobes glandular hairy. 

Bisexual flowers few; corolla 4 mm long, broad. Achenes 3 mm long, ribbed, pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and South China. Very common in disturbed forest areas and reservoir 

beds; PS 19065 Thunakkadavu 

CHROMOLAENA A. P. de Candolle 

Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robins., Phytologia 20: 204. 1970; FPL 250. 1990; FTSR 248. 

1996. Eupatorium odoratum L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 1205. 1759; FBI 3: 244. 1881. 

Shrubs, glandular hairy. Leaves to 12 x 8 cm, ovate, acute at apex, cuneate at base, crenate, 

hispid; petiole 2-3 cm long, cylindrical-oblong. Heads to 10 mm long, in terminal corymbose 

cymes; bracts 3-5-seriate, to 8 mm long, ovate, obtuse; outer smaller, inner linear, acute, 3- 

ribbed. Flowers few to many, similar, bisexual; corolla 5 mm long, white, tubular, 5-lobed, 

pubescent at apex. Achenes 4 mm long, linear, 5-angled, scabrous, black; pappus many, 4-7 mm 

long, setaceous, yellowish. 


Distr. Native of America; naturalised in Tropical Asia. Very common weeds in the disturbed 

areas of all forests types; PS 19041 Thunakkadavu 

167

CISSAMPELOPSIS (A. P. de Candolle) Miquel 

Cissampelopsis corymbosa (Wall. ex DC.) Jeffrey & Chen., Kew Bull. 39: 341. 1984; Mathur, Fl. 

Ind. 13:199.1995. Senecio corymbosus Wall. ex DC. in Wight, Contrib. 22. 1834; FBI 3: 351. 

1881; FPM 723. 1921. 

Large climbing shrubs; stem covered with fulvous-woolly hairs. Leaves 6-8 x 6-8 cm, broadly 

ovate, cordate at base, 5-7-ribbed, glabrous above, distantly serrulate; petiole 3-4 cm long. 

Heads 9 x 6 mm, in woolly panicles, axillary or terminal; bracts 1-seriate, 6 x 1.5 mm, oblong, 

with thick midrib, glabrous. Corolla 7 mm long; lobes acute, yellow; anthers tailed at base. 

Achenes oblong, glabrous, brown; pappus 7 mm long. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in secondary forests; PS 19180 Karimala 

CONYZA Lessing 

1. Leaves petiolate; capitula bright yellow.............................................................................................C. stricta 

1. Leaves subsessile; capitula green .............................................................................................. C. bonariensis 

Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 70. 632. 1943; FPL 251. 1990; Hajra, Fl. 

Ind. 12:104.1995. Erigeron bonariensis L., Sp. Pl. 863. 1753. E. linifolius Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 1955. 

1803; FBI 3: 254. 1881. Conyza ambigua DC., Fl. Fr. 6: 468. 1815; FPM 683. 1921. 

Stout erect herbs; stem ribbed, hispid. Leaves 8-20 x 1-3 cm, linear-elliptic to oblanceolate, 

distantly serrate, hispid; petiole 1-2 cm long. Panicle 30-60 cm long, oblong, leafy. Heads 7 x 2 

mm, oblong, cylindrical; bracts oblong, obtuse, 4 x 0.5 mm, glabrous; outer bracts smaller, 

hispid; corolla of female flowers 3 mm long, slender. Bisexual flowers inner, few; corolla 4 mm 

long, widening upward. Achenes 1.5 mm long, biconvex, truncate, hairy, yellow; pappus 4 mm 

long, yellow. 


Distr. Originally from America; now Pantropical. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 18954 

Vengoli 

Conyza stricta Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 1922. 1803; FBI 3: 258. 1881; FPM 683. 1921; Hajra, Fl. Ind. 

12:109.1995; FTSR 248. 1996. 

Erect woody herbs; stem terete or ridged, pubescent. Leaves to 2-5 x 1 cm, oblanceolate to 

spathulate, obtuse, entire or serrate, pubescent. Heads 3 x 3 mm, in dense corymbose panicle; 

bracts lanceolate, acute, pubescent outside. Corolla similar, 2.5 mm long, bright yellow. 

Achenes 1 mm long, ribbed, hairy; pappus 3 mm long, yellow. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 18953 Vengoli 

CRASSOCEPHALUM Moench 

Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore, J. Bot. 50: 211. 1912; FPL 251. 1990; Mathur, 

Fl. Ind. 13:201.1995; FTSR 248. 1996. Gynura crepidioides Benth in Hook., Niger Fl. 438. 1849. 

Erechtites valerianifolia sensu Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1882. 1936, non (Wolf.) DC. 1838. 

Tall herbs. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, lower ones lyrate pinnatifid, elliptic, oblanceolate, apex 

acute, dentate, sparsely pubescent; petiole to 3 cm. Racemes terminal; phyllaries 1-seriate, 8 

mm, lanceolate. Calyculus free at base of the phyllaries, to 3 mm; flowers yellow, 9-10 mm long; 

ovary 2 mm, oblong, style 9 mm, bifid at apex. Achenes 4 mm, brown; pappus numerous, 8 mm 

long, white. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka, China, Africa and Madagascar. Occasional in marshy areas of 

grasslands; PS 19159 Karimala 

DICHROCEPHALA L’ Heritier ex A. P. de Candolle 

168

Dichrocephala integrifolia (L. f.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 333. 1891; FPL 251. 1990; Hajra, Fl. 

Ind. 12:114.1995; FTSR 249. 1996. Hippia integrifolia L. f., Suppl. Pl. 389. 1781. Grangea 

latifolia (Pers.) Lam., Encycl. t. 699. f. 1. 1796. Dichrocephala latifolia (Pers.) DC. in Wight, 

Contrib. 11. 1834; FBI 3: 245. 1881; FPM 679. 1921. Cotula latifolia Pers., Syn. 2: 464. 1805; 

FBI 3: 245. 1881. Dichrocephala bicolor (Roth) Schlecht in Linnaea 25: 209. 1952. 

Diffuse herbs, hispid. Leaves alternate, to 4 x 3 cm, ovate, obtuse, irregularly lobed. Heads 3- 

4 mm across, globose, in terminal panicles; bracts 1-seriate, lanceolate, acute, ciliate. Flowers 

two types. Female flowers in several outer rows; corolla tubular, 2-4-toothed at apex, glabrous. 

Bisexual flowers few, central; corolla 4-lobed at apex, white; anthers 4, connate, included. 

Achenes 1 mm long, obovate, compressed, 4-ribbed, glabrous; pappus 4 deciduous bristles. 


Distr. Tropical and Subtropical Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands and Australia. Occasional in 

grasslands; PS 19946 Karimala 

ECLIPTA Linnaeus 

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Mant. Pl. 286. 1771; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:381.1995; FTSR 249. 

1996. Verbesina prostrata L., Sp. Pl. 902. 1753. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk., Pl. Jav. Rar. 528. 1848; 

FBI 3: 304. 1881; FPM 705. 1921. Verbesina alba L., Sp. Pl. 902. 1753. 

Erect or prostrate annual herbs, stem strigose. Leaves to 2 x 0.8 cm, alternate, entire, 

elliptic, acute at either ends, hispid. Heads 8 x 10 mm, depressed, conical, solitary, axillary, 

peduncled; bracts elliptic, acute, biseriate; receptacle covered with slender paleae. Female 

flowers usually in outer 2 rows; corolla slender; limb 2 mm long, 2-lobed, white. Bisexual 

flowers central, tubular; corolla slender, 4-5-toothed at apex; anthers obtuse at base. Achenes of 

outer flowers compressed, inner 3-angled, truncate, warted; pappus of 2 or 3 minute scales. 


Distr. Pantropical. Rare in disturbed forest areas; PS 19071 Thunakkadavu 

ELEPHANTOPUS Linnaeus 

Elephantopus scaber L., Sp. Pl. 814. 1753; FBI 3: 242. 1881; FPM 676. 1921; FPL 252. 1990; 

Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 13:333.1995; FTSR 249. 1996. 

Stout perennial herbs. Leaves basal, rosetted, 10-15 x 4-5 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse at apex, 

decurrent along the petiole. Heads 5-6-flowered, 3-5 together, supported by cucullate spathes in 

lax cymes. Involucral bracts 10 x 2 mm, lanceolate, calycine. Flowers similar, bisexual; corolla 

tubular, 8-10 mm long, 5-lobed; pink. Achenes 4 mm long, obovoid, ribbed, hairy; pappus 6, 

bristle-like, scabrid, connate at base. 


Distr. Pantropical. Very common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, and degraded 

forest areas; PS 19088 Padippara 

EMILIA Cassini 

1. Leaves crisped pubescent; stigma truncate .......................................................................................E. scabra 

1. Leaves glabrescent; stigma acute ................................................................................................E. sonchifolia 

Emilia scabra DC., Prodr. 6: 303. 1838; FPM 716. 1921; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 13:211.1995; FTSR 

251. 1996. E. sonchifolia (L.) DC. var. scabra (DC.) Hook.f., FBI 3: 336. 1881. 

Herbs, decumbent at base, crisped-pubescent. Leaves usually basal, few are cauline, 2.5-4 x 

1-1.5 cm, oblong, entire or lyrate, crenate, base auricled, crispately pubescent. Heads few, 1.2- 

1.5 cm long; bracts 8 x 1 mm, oblong, herbaceous, acute, glabrous. Flowers many; corolla 7 mm 

long, glandular, pink, lobes acute. Achenes 3 mm long, ribbed, hispid along the angles. 


Distr. India. Occasional on wet rocky areas; PS 19145 Karimala 

169

Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. in Wight, Contrib. 24. 1884; FBI 3: 336. 1881; FPM 716. 1921; FPL 

252. 1990; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 13:212.1995; FTSR 251. 1996. Cacalia sonchifolia L., Sp. Pl. 835. 

1753. 

Herbs, to 30 cm high. Leaves 3-8 cm long, ovate-oblong, entire or lyrate, pinnatisect, crenate 

with large terminal lobe. Heads 1.2 cm long, few, on long terminal peduncles; bracts 7 mm long, 

oblong, with hyaline margins, acute; receptacle rugose. Flowers many; corolla 8 m long; lobes 

oblong, glandular; anthers 1 mm long, entire at base. Achenes 2 mm long, tetrangular, hispid 

along the angles; pappus 13 mm long, white. 


Distr. Tropical and Subtropical Africa and Asia. Occasional in wet rocky areas; PS 19864 

Vengoli 

GNAPHALIUM Linnaeus 

Gnaphalium pulvinatum Delile, Fl. Egypt. 266, t. 44. 1812; FBI 3: 289. 1881; FPM 698. 1921; 

Pant, Fl. Ind. 13:92.1995. 

Prostrate branched woolly herbs, 10-25 cm long. Leaves to 4 x 0.6 cm, oblanceolate, acute at 

apex, narrowed at base into a petiole. Heads 3 x 3 mm, globose, in terminal leafy branched 

spikes; peduncle short or absent; bracts 2.5 x 0.5 mm, oblanceolate, acute, cottony hairy; outer 

bracts brown; inner bracts hyaline. Bisexual flowers 9-10, central; corolla 1.5 mm long, reddish. 

Female flowers numerous; corolla 1.5 mm long, lobes glandular. Achenes terete, brown. 


Distr. India, Pakistan, China, Egypt and Sinai. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30103 

Parambikulam 

GRANGEA Adanson 

Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Poir. in Lam, Encycl. Suppl. 2: 825. 1812; FBI 3: 247. 1881; FPM 

680. 1921; Hajra, Fl. Ind. 12:127.1995; FTSR 251. 1996. Artemisia maderaspatana L., Sp. Pl. 

849. 1753. 

Prostrate herbs, densely hispid. Leaves alternate, 2-3 x 1.5 cm, oblanceolate, irregularly 

pinnate-lobed, auricled at base, sessile. Heads 8 mm across, globose, axillary, solitary, 

pedunculate; bracts 2-3 seriate; 5 mm long, oblong, obtuse, hairy; receptacle convex, naked. 

Outer few rows of flowers female; corolla 2 mm long, slender, tubular, yellow. Inner flowers 

bisexual; corolla 2 mm long, campanulate, 5-lobed; anthers obtuse at base. Achenes obovate, 

compressed, hispid along margins; pappus a fimbriate crown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common in reservoir beds; PS 30419 Parambikulam 

GYNURA Cassini 

Gynura nitida DC. in Wight, Contrib. 24. 1834; FBI 3: 333. 1881; FPM 714. 1921; FPL 253. 

1990; Mathur, Fl. Ind. 13:221.1995; FTSR 251. 1996. 

Stout herbs; stem furrowed, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline, similar, 10-15 x 3-4 cm, 

oblanceolate, entire, obtusely acute at apex, narrowed and amplexicaule at base. Heads 16 x 12 

mm, cylindrical, 10-20 together, in panicled cymes; bracts 10 x 2 mm, lanceolate, acute; 

receptacle rugose. Flowers not all fertile; corolla 10 mm long, lobes obtuse, glandular. Achenes 

3.5 x 1 mm, ellipsoid, 11-ribbed, truncate, black; pappus 14 mm long, white. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30512 Karimala 

LAGASCEA Cavanilles 

Lagascea mollis Cav., Ann. Sci. Nat. 6: 331. t. 44. 1803, “Lagasca”; FBI 3: 302. 1881; FPM 703. 

1921; FPL 254. 1990; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:397.1995. 

170

Herbs, pubescent. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, ovate-lanceolate, opposite or alternate, acuminate, 

base acute, pubescent; petiole to 2 cm. Head terminal, 1.5 cm, across, pubescent, subtended by 

bracts, phyllaries 4 or 5, to 5 mm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, connate below; florets bisexual, 

white; corolla 4 mm, tubular campanulate, lobes 5, ovate; ovary 2.5 mm, oblong, pubescent 

above; style ca 7 mm, bifid; stigma pubescent. Achenes compressed. 

Fl. & Fr. April-November 

Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19556 Padippara 

LAGGERA C. H. Schultz-B.p. ex K.H. E. Koch 

Laggera crispata (Vahl) Hepper & Wood in Kew Bull. 38: 83. 1983; Kumar, Fl. Ind. 13: 151. 

1995. Conyza crispata Vahl, Symb. Bot. 1: 71. 1790. Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Sch.-Bip. ex 

Oliver in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 29: 94. 1873; Hook. f. FBI 3: 271. 1881; FPM 689. 1921. 

Tall herbs, pubescent, branchlets winged, interrupted. Leaves to 8 x 2.5 cm, oblanceolate, 

apex acute, serrate, membranous, puberulus, subsessile. Capitula in panicles; phyllaries manyseriate, 

unequal, inner longer, to 9 mm, lanceolate; bisexual florets 5 mm; ovary 0.5 mm, 

pubescent. Achenes 1 mm, black, puberulus. 


Distr. Africa, Sri Lanka, India Himalaya, China Thailand Indo China. Common in open areas 

of moist deciduous forests; PS 30804 Keerappadi 

MIKANIA Willdenow 

Mikania micrantha Kunth in HBK, Nov. Gen. Sp. 4: 134. 1820; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 12:357.1995. M. 

scandens Clarke, Comp. Ind. 34. 1876, non L.; FBI 3: 144. 1881. M. cordata (Burm. f.) Robins., 

Contrib. Gray Herb. 104: 65. 1934; Nair, Rubb. Board.f. Bull. 9: 28-29. 1967. Eupatorium 

cordatum Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 176. t. 58. 1768. 

Climbers; stem glandular-hispid. Leaves opposite, to 8 x 6 cm, ovate, acute at apex, cordate 

at base, crenate, glabrate; petiole 2-4 cm long. Heads 5 mm long, in axillary panicles; bracts 

biseriate, outer 2 smaller, inner 3-5, 4 x 1.5 mm, ovate, obtuse. Flowers 3-5, similar, bisexual; 

corolla 3 mm long, tubular, lobes 5, glandular, white; anthers linear. Achenes 2 mm long, 5- 

ribbed, black, glabrous; pappus 4 mm long, many, hispid. 


Distr. Pantropical. A fast growing weed in the plantations and secondary forests; PS 19019 

Thunakkadavu 

PARTHENIUM Linnaeus 

Parthenium hysterophorus L., Sp. Pl. 988. 1753; FPL 259. 1990; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 

12:403.1995. 

Erect herbs. Leaves alternate, deeply pinnatisect, lobes to 10 x 1 cm, oblong-lanceolate, 

entire, acute at apex, pubescent, base decurrent. Heads in terminal, lax panicles; bracts 2- 

seriate, to 3 x 1.5 mm, ovate, obtuse, ciliate. Florets dissimilar; outer florets 5, rayed, female; 

corolla ligulate; limb short, entire; inner florets male; corolla tubular, white; anthers obtuse at 

base. Achenes 2 x 1.5 mm; pappus absent or with two short hooks. 


Distr. Native of America; now naturalised in India. Fairly common in degraded forest areas; PS 


PHYLLOCEPHALUM Blume 

Phyllocephalum scabridum (DC.) Kirkman, Rhodora 83: 10. 1981; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 13:344.1995; 

FTSR 252. 1996. D. scabridum DC. in Wight, Contrib. 7. 1834. Centratherum molle (DC.) 

Benth. in Benth. & Hook. f., Gen. Pl. 2: 225. 1873; FBI 3: 227. 1881; FPM 666. 1921. C. 

courtallense (Wight) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 3: 227. 1881. Decaneurum molle DC., Prodr. 5: 67. 

1836. Phyllocephalum courtallense (Wight) Narayana, Curr. Sci. 51: 438. 1982. 

171

Fleshy herbs. Leaves 15 x 6.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at both ends, thinly scabrid above, 

deeply serrate. Peduncles 1.5 cm long, tomentose. Heads 1.3 x 1 cm, few; inner bracts 9 x 2 mm; 

outer bracts 8 x 4 mm, white-tomentose, ciliate along the margins. Flowers 12-15; corolla 8 mm 

long; lobes oblong, glabrous. Achenes 1.5 mm long; pappus few, 2.5 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19740 Pezha; NS 19281 Karimala 

SPILANTHES N. J. Jacquin 

Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC., Prodr. 5: 625. 1836; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:410.1995; 

FTSR 254.1996. S. acmella var. paniculata (DC.) Clarke, Comp. Ind. 139.1876; FBI 3:307. 1881. 

Procumbent herbs, stem scabrid. Leaves to 4 x 2.5 cm, ovate, acute, scabrous above and 

below; petiole 1 cm long. Heads 10 x 7 mm, solitary, conical; peduncles to 10 cm long, bracts 4 x 

2 mm, ovate, obtuse, glandular; receptacle spicate, paleaceous. Flowers similar; corolla tubular, 

2.5 mm long, campanulate above; lobes 0.5 mm long, ovate, acute, glabrous; anthers black. 

Achenes 2 x 1 mm, obovate, biconvex, dark brown, glandular. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, America and New Guinea. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19009 

Thunakkadavu 

SYNEDRELLA J. Gaertner. 

Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 456. t. 171. 1791; FBI 3: 308. 1881; FPM 708. 1921; 

FPL 256. 1990; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:413.1995; FTSR 254. 1996. Verbesina nodiflora L., Cent. 

Pl. 1: 28. 1755 & Ameon. Acad. 4: 290. 1759. 

Subshrubs. Leaves opposite, to 8 x 5 cm, ovate, acute, membranous, serrulate; nerves 2- 

pairs; petiole 1-3 cm long. Heads 1-3 together, axillary, sessile; bracts biseriate, 4-6 mm long, 

lanceolate, acute, hyaline, coriaceous. Flowers yellow, dissimilar. Female flowers few, 

peripheral, ligulate; corolla limb 1 mm long, 4-lobed at apex. Bisexual flowers central, few; 

corolla 4 mm long, tube narrow, lobes 5, oblong; anthers linear, sagittate at base. Achenes 

compressed, shortly winged; of bisexual florets trigonous. 


Distr. Native of West Indies; naturalised in India, China, Malesia and Polynesia. Very common 

in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19010 Thunakkadavu 

TITHONIA Desfontaines ex A. L. Jussieu 

Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. Sci. 19: 5. 1883; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 

12:416.1995. Mirasolia diversifolia Hemsl. Biol. Contrib. Amer. 2: 168. t. 47. 1881. 

Shrubs. Leaves alternate, 10-25 cm long, 3-5 lobed; lobes acute to acuminate, crenulate, 

decurrent at base, tomentose below. Heads 8-12 cm across, solitary, axillary, on long hollow 

peduncle; bracts 4-seriate, outer smaller, obtuse, puberulus; inner 10-14 mm long, oblong, 

obtuse. Flowers 2-types; outer female, ligulate; limb 3-5 x 1.5 cm, oblong, entire or 2-toothed, 

yellow. Inner flowers tubular, bisexual; corolla 8-10 mm long, 5-lobed, yellow; anthers erect, 

base obtuse, black. Achenes 6 mm long, dark brown, hairy; pappus of two bristles. 


Distr. Cosmopolitan. Planted in settlement areas; PS 19032 Kannimara 

TRIDAX Linnaeus 

Tridax procumbens L., Sp. Pl. 900. 1753; FBI 3: 311. 1881; FPM 711. 1921; FPL 256. 1990; 

Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:418.1995; FTSR 255. 1996. 

Procumbent herbs. Leaves 3-6 x 1.5-3 cm, ovate, acute, serrate, bulbous-based hairy; petiole 

5-10 mm long. Heads 1.3 x 1.5 cm, solitary, on long peduncles; bracts in 3-series, lanceolate, 

172

hairy. Outer row of flowers ligulate, female, limb 3 x 2 mm, 3-toothed, white; inner flowers 

bisexual, tubular; corolla 6 mm long, 5-lobed at apex, yellow. Achenes 2 mm long, obovoid, 

densely hairy; pappus many, setaceous. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; now widespread throughout tropics and subtropics. PS 19066 

Thunakkadavu 

VERNONIA Schreber 

1. Trees....................................................................................................................................................V. arborea 

1. Herbs or shrubs ................................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Achenes ribbed ............................................................................................................................... V. divergens 

2. Achenes not ribbed............................................................................................................................................ 3 

3. Leaves obtuse, densely tomentose ...................................................................................................V. albicans 

3. Leaves acute, glabrous or thinly pubescent..................................................................................... V. cinerea 

Vernonia albicans DC. in Wight, Contrib. 6. 1834; FPM 676. 1921; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 13:351.1995. 

V. cinerea sensu Hook.f., FBI 3: 233. 1881, p. p. non Less. 1829. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, broadly ovate, rounded or cordate at base, crenate. Heads 12 x 7 

mm, in large terminal panicle, peduncled; bracts 5 mm long, elliptic, acute, tomentose outside; 

corolla 5 mm long, 5-toothed at apex, glabrous; anthers 1.5 mm long. Achenes 2 mm long, 

densely adpressed hairy; outer pappus paleaceous, fimbriate; inner pappus 4 mm long, white. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 18963 Vengoli 

Vernonia arborea Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 218. 1824; FBI 3: 239. 1881; FPL 

257. 1990; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 13:359.1995; FTSR 256. 1996. Monosis wightiana DC. in Wight, 

Contrib. 1. 1834 & Ic. t. 1085. 1846. Vernonia monosis Benth. ex Clarke, Comp. Ind. 24. 1876, 

non Schultz.-Bip., 1847; FPM 672. 1921. 

Trees; branchlets brown silky hairy. Leaves 15-17 x 7-10 mm, obovate, abruptly acuminate, 

densely pubescent, nerves 10-12 pairs, regular, prominent; petioles 1-2 cm long, stout. Panicle 

25 x 20 cm, terminal, densely pubescent. Heads many, 10 x 2 mm; bracts similar, 4 x 2 mm, 

ovate, obtuse, inner bracts acute, pubescent. Flower solitary; corolla 9 mm long, glabrous; lobes 

acute. Achenes 4 mm long, 10-ribbed, hairy between the ribs; pappus similar, setaceous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in semi-evergreen and evergreen forests; PS 19169 Karimala 

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less., Linnaea 4: 291. 1829; FBI 3: 233. 1881; FPM 676. 1921; FPL 257. 

1990; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 13:367.1995; FTSR 256. 1996. Conyza cinerea L., Sp. Pl. 862. 1753. 

Annuals or perennial herbs; stem ribbed, smooth or puberulus. Leaves variable, 2-8 x 1-3 

cm, ovate, acute at apex and base, thinly hairy below; petiole 1-2 cm long, slender. Heads 5 x 3 

mm, in terminal corymbose cymes, peduncled; outer bracts minute, inner oblong, acute, 

cuspidate, hairy. Flowers 5-10, similar; corolla 3 mm long, glabrous. Achenes 1.5 mm long, 

hairy; outer pappus 1 mm long, setaceous, inner 3 mm long. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas and moist deciduous forests; PS 19023 

Thunakkadavu 

Vernonia divergens (Roxb.) Edgew., J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 21: 172. 1853; FBI 3: 234. 1881; FPM 

673. 1921; FPL 258. 1990; Uniyal, Fl. Ind. 13:370.1995; FTSR 256. 1996. Eupatorium divergens 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 414. 1832. 

Erect shrubs; stem reddish, grey-tomentose. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute at both ends, 

serrate, scabrous above, pubescent beneath; nerves 6-8 pairs, regular; petiole 1-2 cm long. 

173

Heads 6 x 4 mm, globose; bracts oblong, acute, grey tomentose. Flowers few, corolla 12 mm 

long, glabrous. Achenes 2 mm long, glandular; pappus all setaceous, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19147 Karimala; NS 18872 

Orukomban 

VICOA Cassini 

Vicoa indica (L.) DC. in Wight, Contrib. 10. 1834; FPM 701. 1921; FTSR 256. 1996. Inula 

indica L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 2: 1237. 1763. Vicoa auriculata Cass., Ann. Sci. Nat. Ser. 1, 17: 

418. 1829; FBI 3: 297. 1881. 

Erect herbs. Leaves 6 x 1-2 cm, elliptic, acute at apex, amplexicaule and auricled at 

base. Heads 10-12 x 0.8 cm, depressed-globose, solitary, usually on lateral small 

branches; bracts many, linear, acuminate. Flowers outer ligulate, female; inner bisexual, 

tubular; corolla linear-oblong, yellow; anthers sagittate at base. Achenes 1 mm long, 

cylindric, hairy; pappus of 10-12 bristles, 3 mm long, setaceous. 


Distr. Indo-China and Tropical Africa. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30829 

Keerappadi 

XANTHIUM Linnaeus 

Xanthium indicum Koen. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 601. 1832; Chowdhery, Fl. Ind. 12:427.1995; 

FTSR 256. 1996. X. strumarium L., Sp. Pl. 987. 1753, p. p; FBI 3: 303. 1881; FPM 703. 1921. 

Stiff erect herbs; stem terete, scabrid. Leaves 8-15 x 9-10 cm, broadly ovate, shallowly lobed, 

cordate at base, 3-veined from the base, scabrous; petiole 8-10 cm long. Heads axillary; bisexual 

heads in upper axils and sterile female heads in lower axils; bracts few, free in bisexual heads, 

united into a two horned utricle in female heads, covered with hooks; corolla absent in female 

flowers, tubular in bisexual flowers; anthers free, filaments connate; bases obtuse. Achenes 1.5 

x 0.7 cm, paired on each head, enclosed in a 2-beaked utricle; pappus absent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in the openings of dry deciduous forests; PS 19978 Keerappadi 

CAMPANULACEAE 

1. Stigma bifid; corolla zygomorphic..........................................................................................................Lobelia 

1. Stigma trifid; corolla actinomorphic ...........................................................................................Wahlenbergia 

LOBELIA Linnaeus 

1. Tall erect herbs; stem terete............................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Small decumbent herbs; stem angled or winged............................................................................................ 3 

2. Leaves softly villous; racemes dense, un-branching .........................................................L. leschenaultiana 

2. Leaves glabrescent; racemes lax, branching................................................L. nicotianifolia var. trichandra 

3. All anthers penicillate at tip; seeds trigonous .............................................................................L. alsinoides 

3. Two anthers only penicillate at tip; seeds not trigonous ............................................................................... 4 

4. Flowers axillary solitary; leaves ovate or elliptic ........................................................................ L. heyneana 

4. Flowers in terminal short racemes; leaves oblong or rhomboid................................................ L. dichotoma 

Lobelia alsinoides Lam., Encycl. 3: 588. 1792; Haridasan & Mukherjee, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 42. 

1988; FPL 260. 1990; FTSR 257. 1996. L. trigona Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 111. 1824; FBI 3: 423. 1881; 

FPM 736. 1921. 

Decumbent herbs, rooting from lower nodes; stem 3-winged. Leaves 1-2 x 1-1.5 cm, ovateorbicular, 

crenate, obtuse, petiolate; petiole 3 mm broad; upper leaves sessile, elliptic, acute, 

174

smaller. Flowers in terminal raceme; sepals 5 mm long, lanceolate; corolla blue,10 mm long, 

upper 3 lobes obovate, lower 2 lobes narrower. Capsule 6 mm long, glabrous; seeds trigonous, 

brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in marshy areas; PS 19877 Velayudhankai; NS 19070 

Thunakkadavu 

Lobelia dichotoma Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 2: 576. 1856; Haridasan & Mukherjee, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 

47. 1988. L. zeylanica Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 425. 1881, incl. var. walkeri, p.p.; FPM 736. 

1921. 

Diffuse herbs, to 20 cm high; stem 3-winged, glabrous. Leaves obovate, obtuse or acute, base 

narrowly winged on the petiole, crenate-serrate; nerves 4 pairs; upper leaves sessile. Flowers in 

terminal, short raceme; sepals 4.5 x 1 mm, lanceolate, glabrous; corolla blue, 10 mm long, 

ventral lobe broader; lateral and dorsal lobes lanceolate; anthers 2.5 mm long, 2 anthers with 

penicillate black hairs at apex; style stout, curved; stigma with a ring of hairs below. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in marshy areas; PS 30645 Kariamchola 

Lobelia heyneana Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 5: 50. 1819; Haridasan & Mukherjee, 

Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 51. 1988; FTSR 257. 1996. L. trialata Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 

157. 1825; FBI 3: 425. 1881, incl. var. lamifolia; FPM 736. 1921. L. zeylanica sensu Hook.f., FBI 

3: 425. 1881,p.p., non L. 1753; FPM 736. 1921. 

Erect or decumbent herbs, rooting at lower nodes; stem triangular, winged. Leaves ovate, 

acute, serrate; petioles 2-3 mm long. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicel 7 mm long, slender, 

glabrous; calyx lobes 2 mm long, subulate; corolla 3-4 mm long, blue; two anthers with 

penicillate black hairs at apex. Capsule 2.5 mm long, obconical, truncate; seeds biconvex, ovoid, 

glabrous, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Africa. Rare in grasslands; PS 19945 Karimala 

Lobelia leschenaultiana (Presl) Skottsb., Acta Horti Gothob. 4: 4. ff. 3-7. 1928; Haridasan & 

Mukherjee, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 52. 1988; FPL 260. 1990. Rapuntium leschenaultianum Presl, 

Prodr. Monogr. Lobel. 24. 1836. Lobelia excelsa Lesch. ex Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 114. 1824; 

FBI 3: 427. 1881; FPM 737. 1921. L. beddomeana Wimmer in Engl., Pflanzenr. 2: 645. 1953. 

Stout erect shrubs, usually unbranched. Leaves 15-25 x 3-6 cm, linear-elliptic, densely 

pubescent below, shortly and broadly petiolate. Racemes terminal, 25-60 cm long; bracts 2.5 cm 

long, linear, pubescent; flowers numerous, densely packed; pedicel pubescent; bracts 2.5 cm 

long, linear; sepals 14 x 2 mm, linear, acuminate, serrate, pubescent; corolla pale pink, 25 mm 

long, lobes linear; staminal tube narrow, 2.5 cm long, anthers 7 mm long, all glabrous. Capsule 

8 x 8 mm, depressed globose, scabrid; seeds biconvex, brown. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in grasslands; PS 30111 Karimala 

Lobelia nicotianifolia Roth ex Roem. & Schult. var. trichandra (Wight) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 

427. 1881; FPM 737. 1921; FPL 260. 1990. L. trichandra Wight, Ic. t. 1171. 1848. 

Herbs. Leaves 5-20 x 3-7 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, puberulent below, crenate. Racemes large, to 

20 cm, terminal or axillary, glabrescent, sepals to 10 mm long, elliptic, corolla to 2.5 cm, ventral 

lobe ovate, white with violet tinge; anthers with white spreading hairs on back. Capsule to 10 

mm across, globose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in grasslands; PS 30228 Karimala 

175

WAHLENBERGIA H. A. Schrader ex A. W. Roth 

Wahlenbergia erecta (Roth ex Schult.) Tuyn in Steenis, Fl. Males. I, 6: 113. 1960; FPL 261. 

1990; FTSR 258. 1996. Dentella erecta Roth ex Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 5: 25. 

1819. Cephalostigma schimperi Hochst. ex Rich., Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 2. 1851; FBI 3: 428. 1881; 

FPM 738. 1921. 

Small herbs, hirsute. Leaves to 3 x 0.8 cm, oblong, lanceolate, apex acute, puberulus, sessile. 

Flowers solitary, axillary and terminal; pedicels filiform; calyx lobes 3 mm long, lanceolate, 

hirsute, persistent; corolla deeply 5-lobed, lobes 3 mm long, oblong, blue; ovary 2-3-celled, style 

dilated, 2 mm. Capsule 4 x 3 mm, hirsute, tip pointed; seeds many, oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Tropical East Africa. Rare in grasslands; PS 19950 Karimala 

PLUMBAGINACEAE 

PLUMBAGO Linnaeus 

Plumbago zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 151. 1753; FBI 3: 480. 1882; FPM 744. 1921; FPL 262. 1990. 

Subscandent subshrubs; stem striate. Leaves alternate, to 6 x 4 cm, ovate, acute at apex, 

cuneate at base; petiole 1-2 cm long, sheathing at base. Flowers white, in terminal racemes; 

bracts broadly ovate, bracteoles smaller; calyx 11 mm long, tubular, 5-ribbed, lobes small, 

obtuse, glandular hairy; corolla tube 2.5 cm long, slender, lobes 5, obovate, spreading; stamens 

5, included, filaments adnate at the base of corolla tube; ovary 1-celled, ellipsoid; ovules solitary, 

pendulous, style 1, 5-fid at apex. Capsule 2 mm long, circumscissile at base, glandular hairy. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19008 Thunakkadavu 

MYRSINACEAE 

1. Climbing or scandent shrubs ............................................................................................................... Embelia 

1. Erect shrubs or small tree ................................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Flowers densely clustered in fascicles ................................................................................................ Rapanea 

2. Flowers in panicles, umbels or racemes.......................................................................................................... 3 

3. Flowers in umbels or racemes; corolla pink..........................................................................................Ardisia 

3. Flowers in terminal and axillary short panicles; corolla white............................................................ Maesa 

ARDISIA O. Swartz 

1. Flowers in paniculate umbels; leaves margin crenulate ...........................................................A. sonchifolia 

1. Flowers in racemes; leaves margin entire....................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves lanceolate; flowers to 1 cm across ....................................................................................A. pauciflora 

2. Leaves obovate or oblanceolate; flowers more than 2 cm across................................................ A. solanacea 

Ardisia pauciflora Heyne ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 279. 1824; FBI 3: 529. 1882; FPM 755. 1928; FPL 

263. 1990; FTSR 259. 1996. 

Shrubs, branchlets radiate, densely punctuate with red glands. Leaves elliptic, acuminate at 

both ends, densely punctuate with black glands below; nerves indistinct; petiole 5 mm long. 

Racemes umbellate, axillary; peduncles to 1.5 cm long. Flowers few-together; pedicels short; 

sepals ovate, acute, hairy, punctate; corolla lobes 2.5 mm long, ovate, acute, reddish brown, 

glabrous; anthers apiculate. Berry 6 mm across, globose, black, smooth. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19177 Karimala; 19444, 

19463 Pooppara; 19516 Orukomban 

176

Ardisia solanacea Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 27. 1795 & Fl. Ind. 1: 580. 1832; FPM 756. 1921; FPL 

263. 1990; FTSR 259. 1996. A. humilis sensu Wight, Ic.t.1212. 1848, non Vahl. 1794; FBI 3: 529. 

1882. 

Shrubs to small trees. Leaves broadly lanceolate or obovate, acuminate, base cuneate, 

coriaceous, punctate, to 18 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 15-20 pairs, slender; petiole to 1 cm long. 

Peduncles axillary, to 5 cm long; bracts concave, 1.5-2 mm long, deciduous. Calyx lobes broadly 

ovate, obtuse, 3 mm long. Corolla pink, punctate. Berry globose, 8 mm across. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and West China. Rare in the sides of streams; PS 19402 Padippara 

Ardisia sonchifolia Mez in Engl., Pflanzenr. 9: 116. 1902; FPM 755. 1921; FTSR 259. 1996. A. 

villosa Roxb. var. obtusa Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 525. 1882. 

Shrubs; branchlets gland-dotted. Leaves 10-22 x 4-6 cm, oblanceolate, acute to acuminate at 

apex, attenuate and auricled at base, entire; nerves ca. 16 pairs, strongly punctuate along the 

margins; petiole 5 mm long. Umbels terminal, 5 x 5 cm, tomentose, peduncled; pedicels 5-6 mm 

long, rusty-tomentose. Flowers 5-15 in an umbel, pale pink; sepals 3 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute, 

hairy; corolla lobes 4 mm long, ovate, acute, punctate. 



Valiyathode 

EMBELIA N. L. Burman 

1. Leaf margins entire; flowers in large terminal panicles..................................................................... E. ribes 

1. Leaf margins serrulate; flowers in short axillary racemes...............................................E. tsjeriam-cottam 

Embelia ribes Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 62. t.23. 1768; FBI 3: 513. 1882; FPM 752. 1921; FPL 264. 1990; 

FTSR 263. 1996. Embelia glandulifera Wight, Ic. t. 1207. 1948. 

Climbers; branchlets slender, white, without lenticellate. Leaves to 7 x 3 cm, elliptic, acute at 

both ends; nerves many, parallel, faint; petiole 1 cm long. Panicles 15 x 15 cm, glabrous, 

branches long, slender racemose; pedicels 1.5 cm long. Flowers white, many; sepals small, 

triangular, tomentose; petals 2 mm long, ovate, acute, densely tomentose. Berry 2.5 mm across, 

globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and South China. Rare along the margins of semi-evergreen forests; PS 


Embelia tsjeriam-cottam (Roem. & Schult.) DC., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17: 131. 1834; FPM 

753. 1921; FTSR 263. 1996. Ardisia tsjeriam-cottam Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 4: 518. 1819. 

Embelia villosa Wall. ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 289. 1824; FPM 753. 1921. E. robusta sensu Clarke in 

Hook.f., FBI 3: 515. 1882, non Roxb. 1832. 

Scandent deciduous shrubs with short spinescent branches. Leaves elliptic, acuminate, base 

acute, margin serrulate, glabrous, to 9 x 4.5 cm; lateral nerves and reticulations prominent, 

impressed above and raised below; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers appear along with leaves; 

racemes glabrous. Calyx lobes ovate-acuminate. Petals yellow with a thick callous at base 

inside. Anthers with red gland at the back. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30659 Padippara 

MAESA Forsskal 

Maesa indica (Roxb.) DC., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17: 134. 1834; FPL 264. 1990; FTSR 263. 

1996. Baeobotrys indica Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 230. 1824. Maesa dubia (Wall.) DC., Trans. Linn. Soc. 

177

London 17: 134. 1834; FBI 3: 510. 1882; FPM 749. 1921. M. perrottetiana A. DC. in DC., Prodr. 

8: 80. 1844; FPM 749. 1921. M. indica (Roxb.) DC. var. perrottetiana (A. DC.) Clarke in Hook.f., 

FBI 3: 509. 1882. 

Large shrubs; branchlets glandular. Leaves 10-15 x 4-8 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded 

and cuneate at base, serrate, glandular, membranous, with many glandular lines; nerves 10 

pairs, regular; petiole 1.5-3 cm long. Flowers in axillary, 3-6 cm long racemes; pedicels 2 mm 

long; bracteoles 2, opposite, inserted, below the calyx; calyx, lobes 5, orbicular, 0.5 mm long; 

corolla white, 4 mm across, lobes obovate; stamens 5; anthers orbicular; ovary 1-celled, ovules 

many, immersed in globose placenta, stigma capitate. Berry 4 mm across; seeds few, angular, 

black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Pakistan. Common in evergreen and secondary forests. PS 30716 

Vengoli 

RAPANEA Aublet 

Rapanea daphnoides Mez in Engl., Pflanzenr. 9: 357. 1902; FPM 751. 1921. 

Shrubs, branchlets slender, rough with persistent leafscars. Leaves to 7 x 1.5 cm, linearlanceolate, 

obtuse at apex, glabrous, subcoriaceous; petiole 5-10 mm long. Flowers densely 

fascicled; sepals 1 mm long, ovate, glandulose; corolla 3 mm long, densely papillose, glandular 

lineolate. Berry 5 mm across, globose, densely covered with glands. 



30114, 30136 Karimala 

SAPOTACEAE 

1. Corolla lobes 18-24 .............................................................................................................................Mimusops 

1. Corolla lobes to 12 ............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Older branches thorny; staminodes present....................................................................................... Xantolis 

2. Branches unarmed; staminodes absent .......................................................................................................... 3 

3. Tender shoots brown tomentose; lateral nerves close and parallel ...................................... Chrysophyllum 

3. Tender shoots otherwise; lateral nerves distant............................................................................................. 4 

4. Calyx lobes 6......................................................................................................................................Palaquium 

4. Calyx lobes 4...................................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Stamens more than 16; ovary 6-8 celled ........................................................................................... Madhuca 

5. Stamens 8; ovary 4-celled ..................................................................................................................Isonandra 

CHRYSOPHYLLUM Linnaeus 

Chrysophyllum roxburghii G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 33. 1838; FBI 3: 535. 1882; FPL 265. 1990; 

FTSR 264. 1996. Donella roxburghii (Don) Pierre ex Lecomte, Fl. Indo-China 3: 897. 1930. 

Chrysophyllum lanceolatum (Blume) DC., Prodr. 8: 162. 1844. Nycterisition lanceolatum 

Blume, Bijdr. 676. 1826. 

Large trees; branchlets slender, rusty tomentose. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, oblong, abruptly 

acuminate at base and apex, glabrous, nerves many, closely placed, parallel, forming an 

intramarginal vein; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers in axillary fascicles; pedicel 5 mm long, slender; 

sepals 2.5 x 2 mm, ovate, obtuse; corolla white, 3 mm long, lobed to the middle; lobes obtuse, 

glabrous, white; stamens 5, filaments 1 mm long, anthers acute, sagittate at base; ovary 

globose, densely hairy; style conical. Berry 4-5 cm across, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30619 Kariamchola 

178

ISONANDRA Wight 

1. Branchlets stout; lateral nerves inconspicuous; leaf apex obtuse-emarginate .............................. I. stocksii 

1. Branchlets slender; lateral nerves prominent; leaf apex caudate-acuminate ...........................I. lanceolata 

Isonandra lanceolata Wight, Ic. t. 359. 1840, forma lanceolata; FBI 3: 539. 1882; FPM 761. 

1921; FPL 266. 1990; FTSR 264. 1996. I. wightiana DC., Prodr. 8: 187. 1844; FBI 3: 539. 1882. 

Small trees or large shrubs. Leaves thin, to 16 x 7 cm, abruptly acuminate at apex, cuneate 

at base, 9-13-nerved, distinct below; petiole 10 mm long. Flowers in axillary fascicles, shortly 

pedicelled; bracts acute; bracteoles rounded; sepals 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, tomentose; corolla 

greenish yellow or dull white, 7 mm long, lobes acute; stamens 8, anthers cuspidate at apex. 

Berry 1.5 x 1 cm, ellipsoid, smooth, reddish. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30110 Karimala; 30339 

Pezha 

Isonandra stocksii Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 539. 1882; FPM 761. 1921; FTSR 264. 1996. 

Small trees. Leaves to 9 x 5 cm, obovate, obtusely acute, acute at base; lateral nerves 7 pairs, 

regular, nervules not prominent; petiole 7 mm long. Flowers in the axils of fallen leaves, 

fascicled, sessile; sepals 2 x 2 mm, orbicular, obtuse, hairy outside; corolla dull yellow, 5 mm 

long, lobes oblong, emarginate, curved in; stamens 8, anthers oblong, acute; ovary tomentose. 

Fl. January 



MADHUCA Hamilton ex J. F. Gmelin 

1. Pedicels and calyx fulvous tomentose ................................................................................................M. indica 

1. Pedicels and calyx glabrous ...........................................................................................................M. neriifolia 

Madhuca indica J. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 2:799. 1791. M. longifolia (Koenig) Macbr. var. latifolia A. 

Chev., Rev. Int. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. 23:149.1943; FPL 267. 1990. Bassia longifolia Koen. in 

L., Mant. Pl. 563. 1771; FBI 3: 544. 1882; FPM 763. 1921. 

Medium trees, exudation milky. Leaves to 20 x 10 cm, broadly elliptic, apex acute, clustered 

mostly at apex of branchlets, coriaceous, nerves ca. 12 pairs. Flowers crowded at the tip of 

branchlets or rarely from the scars of fallen leaves, pedicels tomentose, stout 3-4 cm; calyx lobes 

11 x 6 cm, obovate, acuminate, densely brown tomentose; corolla lobes 12, 5 x 2 mm, twisted; 

stamens 3 series, sessile; anthers apiculate, hairy on back; ovary tomentose, 6-celled, 6-ovuled. 


Distr. Sri Lanka, India and Tropical Himalaya. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30697 

Anappadi 

Madhuca neriifolia (Moon) H. J. Lam, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. ser. 3, 7. 182, 265. 1925; FTSR 

265. 1996. Bassia neriifolia Moon, Cat. Pl. Ceylon 36. 1824. B. malabarica Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 

140. 1872; FBI 3: 544. 1882; FPM 763. 1921. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets stout. Leaves closely packed, to 15 x 4 cm, oblong, acute 

or obtuse at apex, entire, 12-15-nerved. Flowers in axillary fascicles; pedicels 2-3 cm long, thinly 

tomentose; sepals 4, biseriate, outer sepals 8 x 4 mm, ovate, hairy, inner smaller; corolla 

yellowish red, 15 mm long, campanulate; densely hairy within, lobes equal to the tube, oblong, 

obtuse; stamens 20, filaments short, densely hairy; anthers lanceolate, long-ciliate at base, 

connective produced; ovary densely hairy, 8-celled; style 2 cm long. Berry ellipsoid. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common along the river banks; PS 18888 Muthalakkuzhi; 30610 

Anappadi 

179

MIMUSOPS Linnaeus 

Mimusops elengi L., Sp. Pl. 349. 1753; FBI 3: 548. 1882; FPM 765. 1921; FTSR 267. 1996. 

Medium trees; branchlets rusty tomentose. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, broadly elliptic, abruptly 

acuminate, glabrous, glossy above; nerves many, close, parallel; petioles to 2.5 cm long. Flowers 

2-5 together, in axillary fascicles; rusty tomentose; sepals 4 + 4; outer sepals 8 x 4 mm, ovate, 

acute, brown-tomentose, inner smaller, white, tomentose; corolla yellowish brown, to 12 mm 

across, tube short, lobes biseriate; stamens 8, filaments densely hairy, anthers villous on back, 

staminodes lanceolate, tomentose; ovary ridged, tomentose. Berry 4 x 2.5 cm, ovoid, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. December & May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30177 Kottayali; 30370 Kariamchola 

PALAQUIUM Blanco 

Palaquium ellipticum (Dalz.) Baill., Traite, Bot. Med. Phan. 1500. 1884; FPM 764. 1921; FPL 

267. 1990; FTSR 267. 1996. Bassia elliptica Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 36. 1851. 

Dichopsis ellipticum (Dalz.) Benth., Gen. Pl. 2: 658. 1876; FBI 3: 542. 1882. 

Large trees; bark reddish inside; branches glabrous. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, elliptic, abruptly 

acuminate at apex, attenuate at base; lateral nerves 9 pairs. Flowers in axillary fascicles; 

pedicels 1.5 cm long, slender; outer sepals 7 x 5 mm, ovate, acute, pubescent, inner smaller; 

corolla yellowish brown, 10 mm long, tube cylindrical, hairy inside, lobes 6, ovate, acute; 

stamens 16-20, attached at the base of the corolla tube; anthers tomentose, crested; ovary 

white-tomentose. Berry 3 x 1 cm, ellipsoid, ridged, curved, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19436, 19772 Pooppara 

XANTOLIS Rafinesque-Schmaltz 

Xantolis tomentosa (Roxb.) Rafin. var. elengioides (DC.) Vajrav., Biol. Mem. 20: 86. 1977; FPL 

267. 1990. Sideroxylon tomentosum Roxb. var. elengioides (DC.) Gamble, FPM 759. 1923. 

Sapota elengioides DC., Prodr. 8: 176. 1844. Achras elengioides (DC.) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 235. 

1872. 

Small trees, older parts with stout thorns, branchlets thinly pubescent, reddish when young. 

Leaves to 6 x 3 cm, obovate, acute, base attenuate, nerves hairy below, petiole ca 5 mm. Flowers 

fascicled in the axils of fallen leaves, sepals 6, biseriate, ovate, acute, hairy, inner small, corolla 

to 10 mm, campanulate, throat densely hairy, lobes lanceolate; stamens 6, filaments hairy at 

base; style to 10 mm long. Berry 2.5-3 x 1.5 cm, ovoid, apiculate. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30378 

Pandaravarai; 30528 Pandaravarai 

EBENACEAE 

DIOSPYROS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves under 5 cm long; ciliate along margins..............................................................................D. buxifolia 

1. Leaves more than 6 cm long; not ciliate along the margin............................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves tomentose on both sides.....................................................................................................D. cordifolia 

2. Leaves otherwise............................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Calyx 4-lobed ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Calyx 5-lobed ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 

4. Branchlets glabrous; stamens 24................................................................................................... D. sylvatica 

4. Branchlets or leaves below tomentose; stamens to 16 ................................................................................... 5 

5. Corolla urceolate; leaf apex acute; stamens 16 in 8 pairs............................................................ D. montana 

5. Corolla tubular; leaf apex acuminate; stamens 14........................................................................D. assimilis 

180

6. Female flowers on old stem; calyx lobes erect in fruit..............................................................D. bourdillonii 

6. Female flowers axillary or just below the leaves; calyx lobes deflexed in fruit............................................ 7 

7. Female flowers fascicled; male flowers without large bracts ................................................. D. candolleana 

7. Female flowers solitary; male flowers with large bracts .......................................................... D. paniculata 

Diospyros assimilis Bedd., Madras For. Rep. 20. t.1. 1866-1867; FBI 3: 558. 1882; FPM 775. 

1923. 

Large trees; branchlets thinly tomentose. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 

base acute or rounded, glabrous; nerves 5-7 pairs; nervules obscure, reticulate; petiole 1 cm 

long. Flowers in dense axillary cymes, sessile; peduncles 3-5 mm long, covered with imbricating 

bracts; calyx 2 mm long, cupular, lobes 4, ovate, obtuse, densely tomentose; corolla 10 mm long, 

salver-shaped, broaden at base, densely minutely tomentose, lobes 6 x 4 mm, ovate, acute, 

tomentose outside; stamens 14, filaments unequal, glabrous, anthers shortly unequal, acute, 

connective thinly villous along the back. 

Fl. March 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30123 Karimala 

Diospyros bourdillonii Brandis, Indian Trees 435. 1906; FPM 777. 1923; FPL 268. 1990; FTSR 

269. 1996. 

Medium trees; bark black, smooth, pale pink inside; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 17 x 8 

cm, ovate-oblong, abruptly acuminate, tip pointed, rounded at base; nerves 5-8 pairs, parallel; 

nervules subparallel, prominent; petiole 8 mm long. Male flowers in shortly peduncled axillary 

cymes; calyx 10 mm long, brown-tomentose outside, lobes 5, ovate; corolla tube 13 mm long, 

urceolate, hispid, lobes orbicular, 7 mm across, deflexed; stamens 20; filaments equal, anthers 

cuspidate. Female flowers solitary or clustered on old branches or on trunks. Berry 4 cm across, 

globose, calyx accrescent, 3.5 cm across, not deflexed. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 18896 

Muthalakkuzhi; 19361 Pezha 

Diospyros buxifolia (Blume) Hiern, Trans. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 12: 218. 1873; FPL 269. 1990; 

FTSR 270. 1996. Leucoxylum buxifolium Blume, Bijdr. 1169. 1827. Diospyros microphylla 

Bedd., Ic. t. 133. 1868-1874; FBI 3: 559. 1882; FPM 776. 1923. 

Large trees with whorled branches on juvenile trees; bark brownish red, smooth; branchlets 

densely hispid. Leaves 1-4.5 x 1-1.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, densely hispid below, subsessile. 

Cymes axillary, shortly peduncled, densely hispid, 3-flowered; calyx 2 mm long campanulate, 

hairy; lobes 4, orbicular; corolla greenish yellow, 3 mm long, campanulate, lobes orbicular, 

obtuse, hairy outside; stamens 16, paired, filaments unequal, hairy. Drupe 15 x 8 mm, ellipticoblong, 

reddish-brown, glabrous; seed 1. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30260 Pezha 

Diospyros candolleana Wight, Ic. t. 1221 & 1222. 1848; FBI 3: 566. 1882; FPM 773. 1923; FPL 

269. 1990. D. canarica Bedd., Ic. t.134. 1868-1874. 

Large trees; branchlets glabrous, black. Leaves to 15 x 6.5 mm, oblong, obtusely acuminate, 

base acute, glabrous; nerves obscure, pale beneath; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers in axillary 

fascicles, 3-15 together, densely fulvous tomentose; calyx 5 mm long, lobes 5, ovate, acute; 

corolla urceolate, 8 mm long, lobes 5, ovate, acute; anthers unequal, filaments glabrous. Berry 

2.5 cm across, globose, yellowish brown; seeds 15 x 8 mm, oblong, black, shining. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common along the river banks in evergreen forests; PS 

30020 Karappara 

181

Diospyros cordifolia Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 50. 1795; FPM 776. 1923. D. montana Roxb. var. 

cordifolia (Roxb.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 555. 1882. 

Trees, spinous at base, especially when young; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 8 x 3.5 cm, 

oblong-lanceolate, apex obtuse, base truncate or cordate, pubescent; petiole 0.5 cm. Racemes 

axillary, pubescent; flowers greenish-yellow, tetra-merous; male flowers-calyx tube 2 mm, lobes 

3 mm, villous; corolla 6 mm, urceolate, lobes twisted, broadly ovate, acute; stamens 16, in pairs 

of unequal size, longer 7 mm, smaller 5 mm, acuminate. Berry 2 cm across, yellow, fruiting 

calyx enlarged to 1.5 cm, ovate, cordate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30393 Kuchimudi 

Diospyros montana Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 48. 1795; FBI 3: 555. 1882; FPM 776. 1923; FTSR 271. 

1996. 

Medium trees; bark greyish or reddish brown, thin, smooth, yellowish inside; trunk 

sometimes thorny when young. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, ovate-oblong, acute at apex, base rounded, 

subcoriaceous; nerves 7-10 pairs, minutely reticulate. Male flowers in axillary cymes, sessile, 6 

mm across; calyx 3 mm long, lobes 4, ovate, acute, ciliate; corolla greenish yellow, 6 mm long, 

urceolate, glabrous, lobes shorter than the tube; stamens 16. Female flowers usually solitary, 

axillary. Berry 1.5 cm across, globose, smooth, yellow; fruiting calyx 2 cm across, flat or reflexed. 

Fl. & Fr. April-February 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Fairly common in moist and dry deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19782 Kanthalppara; 19806 Anakkalvayal 

Diospyros paniculata Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 109. 1852; FBI 3: 570. 1882; 

FPM 775. 1923; FPL 269. 1990; FTSR 271. 1996. 

Small to medium trees; bark black, smooth. Leaves to 16 x 5 cm, oblong, acute, base round or 

cuneate; nerves 5 or 6 pairs, strongly reticulate, glossy above; petiole 8 mm long. Male flowers 

3-5 together in long peduncled cymes; calyx 10 x 12 mm, globose, 5-angled, minutely hispid, 

lobes ovate or orbicular, margins revolute; corolla dull or creamy white, tube 12 mm long, 

narrowed above; lobes 8 x 4 mm, oblong; stamens 16-20 in 2-3 series, filaments paired, unequal. 

Female flowers axillary, solitary. Berry 4 x 3 cm, ovoid to obovoid, obtuse, obtusely 5-angled, 

yellowish brown, puberulus; seeds few, 2 x 0.8 cm, ellipsoid; fruiting calyx 1.5 x 3 cm, saccate. 

Fl. & Fr. January-August 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19350 Neyyandanchira 

Diospyros sylvatica Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 47. 1795; FBI 3: 559. 1882; FPM 773. 1923; FPL 270. 

1990; FTSR 271. 1996. 

Large trees; bark light brown, smooth; branchlets adpressed-hairy. Leaves 7-13 x 2-5 cm, 

elliptic, acuminate, base acute or narrowed, black when dry, membranous; nerves 7-9 pairs, 

obscure; petiole 6 mm long. Flowers 6 mm across, in short axillary cymes; peduncle 5 mm long, 

glabrous; calyx 3 mm long, campanulate, lobes ovate, acute, pubescent outside; corolla 6 mm 

long, campanulate, lobes triangular, obtuse; stamens about 24, filaments ciliate at apex. Female 

flowers 8-10 mm across; ovary globular, glabrous, styles 4 or 5, free, staminodes absent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 18883 Orukomban 

SYMPLOCACEAE 

SYMPLOCOS N. J. Jacquin 

1. Petals white; fruits ampulliform, ribbed ...................................................... S. cochinchinensis ssp. laurina 

1. Petals pink; fruits cylindric, entire ........................................................................ S. macrophylla ssp. rosea 

182

Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) Moore ssp. laurina Nooteb., Rev. Symplocac. 156. 1975 & in 

Dassan & Fosb., Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 458. 1981; FPL 271. 1990; FTSR 272. 1996. 

Drupatris cochinchinensis Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 314. 1790. Symplocos spicata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 

542. 1832; FBI 3: 573. 1882. S. spicata Roxb. var. laurina (Retz.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 573. 

1882; FPM 782. 1921. S. spicata Roxb. var. malasica Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 573. 1882. S. 

spicata Roxb. var. attenuata (A.DC.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 3: 573. 1882. S. laurina (Retz.) Wall. 

ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 3. 1837. 

Small trees. Leaves to 13 x 6 cm, elliptic, acute at base and apex, dentate-crenulate, 

coriaceous, glabrous; lateral nerves 7-10 pairs, intercostae reticulate; petiole 1.5 cm long, 

glabrous. Spikes to 7 cm long, solitary or branched, axis hispid. Flowers white, sessile, many, 

sepals rounded, 1 mm across, hairy; corolla 7 mm across, glabrous, lobes orbicular; stamens 

numerous, equal, arranged in 5 groups; style glabrous. Drupe 5 mm long, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common along the margins of evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 19383 Karimala; 19508 Orukomban; 19594 Karimalagopuram 

Symplocos macrophylla Wall. ex A. DC ssp. rosea (Bedd.) Nooteb., Rev. Symplocac. 229. 1975; 

FPL 272. 1990; FTSR 272. 1996. S. rosea Bedd., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 25: 219. 1866; FBI 3: 

583. 1882; FPM 783. 1921. S. barberi Gamble, Kew Bull. 1921: 219. 1921 & FPM 783. 1921. 

Shrubs 3 m high; branchlets hispid. Leaves oblanceolate, bluntly acuminate, spineus 

serrate, coriaceous, glabrous; nerves 4 or 5 pairs, midrib hairy below; petiole 1 cm long. Spikes 4 

cm long, unbranched, hispid; bracts ovate, acute, hispid. Flowers few, shortly pedicelled; sepals 

rounded, densely hairy; corolla 10 mm across, glabrous, lobes rounded; stamens 50, unequal; 

disk hairy. Drupe 15 x 4 mm, cylindrical, blue, glabrous. 



PS 18820 Parambikulam 

OLEACEAE 

1. Stem quadrangular; leaves 3-ribbed .............................................................................................Myxopyrum 

1. Stem terete; leaves not 3-ribbed ...................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Climbers............................................................................................................................................. Jasminum 

2. Scandent shrubs or trees .................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Seeds winged; leaves imparipinnate, leaflets 7-9............................................................................ Schrebera 

3. Seeds not winged; leaves simple ...................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Corolla deeply divided to the base or free; fruit ribbed.............................................................. Chionanthus 

4. Corolla divided to half of the length; fruit smooth ......................................................................................... 5 

5. Panicles terminal; corolla lobes as long as the tube....................................................................... Ligustrum 

5. Panicles axillary or from leaf scars; corolla lobes 1/3 of length of the tube .............................................Olea 

CHIONANTHUS Linnaeus 

Chionanthus mala-elengi (Dennst.) Green, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 26. 124. 1984; FPL 273. 1990; 

Srivastava & Kapoor, JETB 15: 133. 1991; FTSR 273. 1996. Forsythia mala-elengi Dennst., 

Schluss. Hort. Malab. 12,21&31. 1818. Linociera malabarica Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 53. 

1847; FBI 3: 607. 1882. Chionanthus malabaricus (Wall. ex G. Don) Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 239. 1872. 

Small trees; branchlets thinly tomentose. Leaves to 10 x 5.5 cm, obovate, abruptly 

acuminate, acumen twisted, glabrous, glaucous beneath; nerves 11-13 pairs; petiole 1 cm long. 

Cymes congested, pedunculate. Flowers sessile; calyx lobes 1.5 mm long, ovate, obtuse; corolla 7 

mm long, lobes attached in pairs, linear acuminate, glabrous; ovary densely hairy. Drupe 10 x 5 

mm, ellipsoid, slightly curved ,acute, ridged. 

183


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in evergreen and moist localities of moist 

deciduous forests; PS 19934 Karimala 

JASMINUM Linnaeus 

1. Leaves 3-foliolate............................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Leaves simple .................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Lateral leaflets much smaller than the terminal leaflet ........................................................ J. auriculatum 

2. Lateral leaflets similar to the terminal leaflet ..............................................................................J. azoricum 

3. Calyx and leaves glabrous........................................................................................................... J. cordifolium 

3. Calyx pubescent; leaves variously hairy ......................................................................................................... 4 

4. Bracts ovate, white.....................................................................................................................J. rottlerianum 

4. Bracts lanceolate, green..............................................................................................................J. multiflorum 

Jasminum auriculatum Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 1. 1794; FBI 3: 600. 1882; FPM 790. 1923; FPL 274. 

1990. J. affine Wight, Ic. t. 1255. 1848. J. ovalifolium Wight, Ic. t. 1256. 1848. 

Climbing shrubs, pubescent. Lower leaves smaller 1 x 0.5 cm, ovate, mucronate, larger 4 x 3 

cm. Cymes panicled, axillary and terminal; bracts 0.5 cm, ovate, bracteoles 2, linear; flowers 

white; calyx 5-lobed, 2 mm; corolla lobes 8, 8 mm long, twisted, lanceolate, shortly mucronate; 

ovary 1 mm, oblong; style 4.5 mm, stigma bifid. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in scrub jungles; PS 30493 Kuchimudi 

Jasminum azoricum L., Sp. Pl. 7. 1753; FPL 274. 1990. J. flexile Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 1. 1794 & 

Enum. Pl. 1: 31. 1804; FBI 3: 601. 1882; FPM 791. 1923. 

Climbing shrubs. Terminal leaflet to 6 x 4 cm ovate, mucronate, subcoriaceous; petiole 2 cm. 

Cymes axillary and terminal, bracteoles 2 mm, linear; flowers white; calyx 5 lobed, 2 mm, 

puberulus; corolla tube 2 cm long, lobes twisted, 1 cm long, lanceolate; ovary 2 mm, oblong; style 

2.5 cm, stigma 2-fid. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 

19704, 30115 Karimala; 19114 Kariamchola 

Jasminum cordifolium Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 60. 1837-38; FBI 3: 596. 1882; FPM 790. 

1923. 

Scandent shrubs. Leaves to 10 x 6.5 cm, broadly ovate, acuminate, truncate or cordate at 

base; nerves 3 or 4 pairs, nearly basal, glabrous; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers many, in terminal 

or axillary cymes; bracts 6 mm long, subulate; calyx tube 3 mm long, lobes 13 mm long, narrow, 

glabrous; corolla tube 12 mm long, lobes 5, 8 x 3 mm, oblong, acute, glabrous, white. Berry 12 x 

8 mm, oblong, obtuse, glabrous. 



Kamamudi 

Jasminum multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andr., Bot. Repos. 8,t.496. 1807; FPL 275. 1990; FTSR 274. 

1996. Nyctanthes multiflora Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 5. t.3. f.1. 1768. Jasminum pubescens Willd., Sp. 

Pl. 1: 37. 1797; FBI 3: 592. 1882; FPM 789. 1923. J. bracteatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 92. 1820. 

Climbing shrubs; stem densely pubescent. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, ovate, acute to acuminate, 

round or cordate at base; petiole 1 cm long, hairy. Cymes terminal, congested, pubescent; 

peduncle 4-8 cm long; bracts 15 x 5 cm, acuminate, hispid. Flowers densely packed; calyx tube 

184

short, lobes 8 mm long, subulate, hairy; corolla tube 15 mm long, lobes 5-8, to 10 mm long, 

oblong, acute, white. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30256 

Pezha 

Jasminum rottlerianum Wall. ex DC., Prodr. 8: 305. 1844; FBI 3: 593. 1882; FPM 789. 1923; 

FPL 275. 1990; FTSR 274. 1996. 

Climbing shrubs; stem pubescent. Leaves 7-10 x 4 cm, oblong, acuminate, base rounded; 

nerves 4 pairs; petiole 1 cm long. Cymes terminal, congested; peduncle 1.5-2 cm long, 

tomentose; bracts 8 x 3 mm, hairy. Flowers many, densely packed; calyx tube 2 mm long, lobes 

4 mm long, subulate, densely hairy; corolla tube 2 cm long, lobes 7, to 8 mm long, oblong, 

obtuse, white with pink tinge, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare in secondary forests; PS 19344 Thenkudippara 

LIGUSTRUM Linnaeus 

Ligustrum perrottetii DC., Prodr. 8: 294. 1844; FBI 3: 615. 1882; FPM 797. 1923; Srivastava, 

JETB 22: 624. 1998. L. neilgherrense Wight, Ic. t. 1243. 1848. 

Large shrubs or smaller trees; branchlets with circular lenticels. Leaves 7-10 x 2-5 cm, acute 

to acuminate, glabrous; nerves 6-8 pairs, regular faint towards the margins; petiole 1 cm long. 

Panicle effuse, pubescent. Flowers many, closely packed; pedicel 1-2 mm long; calyx 2 mm long, 

lobes obovate; corolla white, 3-5 mm across, lobes ovate, obtuse, white; ovary conical, style 

short. Drupe 6-7 mm long, obovoid, obtuse. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in grasslands and margins of evergreen forests; PS 


MYXOPYRUM Blume 

Myxopyrum smilacifolium (Wall.) Blume, Mus. Bot. Ludg.-Bat. 1: 320. 1851; FBI 3: 618. 1882; 

FTSR 275. 1996. M. serratulum Hill., Kew Bull. 1910: 41. 1910; FPM 798. 1923. Chionanthus 

smilacifolia Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 108. 1820. 

Climbing shrubs; stem quadrangular, scabrous. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute at either 

ends, sharply serrulate, glabrous; petiole 1 cm long. Panicle axillary, 5 x 5 cm. Flowers sessile; 

calyx deeply 4-lobed, lobes triangular, acute; corolla tube 2 mm long, cylindrical, lobes 3 mm 

long, oblanceolate, terete; stamens 2, anthers cleft at base; ovary 2-celled, style absent, stigma 

2-toothed. Berry 1 x 1 cm, smooth, yellowish brown; seeds 2, spherical, black, rough. 


Distr. South East Asia and India. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18917 Karimala 

OLEA Linnaeus 

Olea dioica Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 105. 1820; FBI 3: 612. 1882; FPM 796. 1923; FPL 276. 1990; FTSR 

275. 1996. 

Small to medium trees; bark rough. Leaves 10-15 x 3-6 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, serrate or 

entire, glabrous; nerves 8-10 pairs; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers many, in axillary panicles; 

pedicel 3 mm long; calyx campanulate; lobes 4, obtuse, ciliate; corolla 2.5 mm long, lobes 4, 

shorter than the tube, triangular, obtuse, hairy within; anthers sessile; ovary 2-celled, 4-ovuled; 

style short, stigma capitate. Drupe ellipsoid, 8 x 6 mm; seeds 6 x 4 mm, muriculate. 


Distr. Endemic to India. Common in all types of forests; PS 19207 Kariamchola 

SCHREBERA Roxburgh 

185

Schrebera swietenioides Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 101. 1798; FBI 3: 604. 1882; FPM 792. 1923. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 16 cm long, imparipinnate, leaflets 7-9, opposite, to 5-6 x 2-2.5 cm, 

elliptic-lanceolate, acute, base cuneate. Cymes terminal, trichotomous, flowers ca 1 cm, 

yellowish, calyx puberulent, obscurely 6 toothed, accrescent, corolla salver shaped, lobes 6, ca 4 

mm across, rounded; stamens 2; ovary 2-celled, cells 3 or 4 ovuled, style ca. 6 mm long. Capsule 

woody, 5 x 2.5 cm, obovoid, loculicidally 2-valved; seeds pendulous, winged. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30387 Kuchimudi 

APOCYNACEAE 

1. Annual erect herbs .................................................................................................................... Catharanthus 

1. Erect or scandent shrubs, climbers or trees .................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves whorled ................................................................................................................................................ 3 


3. Fruit linear follicles; seeds comose..................................................................................................... Alstonia 

3. Fruit drupaceous; seeds without coma ............................................................................................ Rauvolfia 

4. Plants with axillary spines .................................................................................................................. Carissa 

4. Plants without axillary spines........................................................................................................................ 5 

5. Erect or scandent shrubs or trees................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Climbers ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 

6. Fruit a drupe.......................................................................................................................................Hunteria 

6. Fruit a follicle................................................................................................................................................... 7 

7. Follicles divaricate, obliquely ovoid, to 4 cm long ............................................................Tabernaemontana 

7. Follicles not divaricate, elongate, cylindric, to 30 cm long ........................................................................... 8 

8. Corolla with several coronal scales ...............................................................................................Holarrhena 

8. Corolla without scales ........................................................................................................................ Wrightia 

9. Flowers large, more than 6 cm across...................................................................................... Chonemorpha 

9. Flowers small, to 2 cm across ....................................................................................................................... 10 

10. Anthers exserted; staminal filaments twisted ................................................................................Parsonsia 

10. Anthers included; staminal filaments not twisted...................................................................................... 11 

11. Tips of the corolla lobes deflexed or twisted ................................................................................Ichnocarpus 

11. Tips of the corolla lobes not deflexed or twisted.......................................................................................... 12 

12. Branchlets tomentose; corolla tube beared behind the anthers ...................................................Aganosma 

12. Branchlets glabrous; corolla tube not bearded behind the anthers........................................................... 13 

13. Disc cupular; seeds comose ...........................................................................................................Anodendron 

13. Disc absent; seeds winged............................................................................................................... Kammetia 

AGANOSMA G. Don 

Aganosma cymosa (Roxb.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 77. 1837-1838; FPL 277. 1990; FTSR 276. 1996. 

Echites cymosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 16. 1832. A. elegans G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 77. 1837. A. doniana 

Wight, Ic. t. 1306. 1848. 

Twining climber, stem adpressed-hairy. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic, obtuse or acute, 

glabrous; lateral nerves 6 pairs, reddish brown, nervules reticulate; petiole hairy. Flowers in 

terminal peduncled congested cymes; pedicels 3 mm long, hairy; sepals 7 mm long, lanceolate, 

acuminate, pubescent; corolla tube 8 mm long, inflated below the middle, lobes ovate, 5 mm 

long, acute, pubescent outside; stamens included; anthers sagitate; ovary hairy at apex. Follicle 

20 cm long, oblong, acuminate, densely tomentose; seeds 15 x 5 mm, long-comose. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19800, 30360 

Kariamchola 

ALSTONIA R. Brown 

186

1. Flowers in umbellate cymes; follicles to 35 cm long......................................................................A. scholaris 

1. Flowers in corymbose cymes; follicles to 15 cm long ....................................................................A. venenata 

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 76. 1811; FPL 278. 1990; FTSR 

277. 1996. Echites scholaris L., Mant. Pl. 53. 1767. 

Large trees; bark grey, corky. Leaves to 18 x 6 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, glabrous; lateral 

nerves 40, parallel; petiole to 1 cm long. Cymes globose, in panicled umbels, pedicels short, 

puberulus; sepals ovate, obtuse, puberulus; corolla tube broad, lobes 4 mm across, obovate to 

orbicular, creamy yellow. Follicle terete; seeds elliptic-oblong, papillose. 


Distr. South and South East Asia to Australia. Common in all types of forests; PS 30678 

Parambikulam 

Alstonia venenata R. Br., Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 77. 1811; FPL 278. 1990; FTSR 277. 

1996. 

Shrubs or small trees. Leaves 12-20 x 1.2-3 cm, linear-oblong, acuminate at both ends, 5 at 

each node; lateral nerves many, very close. Cymes terminal, to 20 cm across, corymbose. 

Flowers many; pedicels stout; sepals 1 mm long, ovate, acute, ciliate; corolla tube slender, hairy 

inside; lobes 13 mm long, oblong, acute, white. Follicle 2-angled, acute; seeds smooth. 


Distr. Peninsular India. Common along the sides of streams; PS 18944 Kothala 

ANODENDRON A.P. de Candolle 

1. Leaves narrow to 3 cm broad; sepals obtuse...........................................................................A. rhinosporum 

1. Leaves broad more than 5 cm broad; sepals acute...............................................................A. manubriatum 

Anodendron manubriatum Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 7: 333. 1912; FTSR 277. 1996. A. paniculatum 

(Roxb.) A. DC. in DC., Prodr. 8: 444. 1844. Echites paniculata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 17. 1832, non 

Poir. 1812. 

Large climbers. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, elliptic-oblong, abruptly acuminate at apex, rounded at 

base; nerves 12-16 pairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. Panicles axillary and terminal; bracts ovate, acute, 

white. Flowers yellow; sepals 1 mm long, ovate, glabrous, white; corolla tube 2 mm long, lobes 3 

mm long, spreading, oblong, obtuse; anthers penicillate at apex. Follicle to 13 x 2.5 cm, terete, 

glabrous; seeds to 2.5 cm long, linear elliptic, beaked 



Anodendron rhinosporum Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 194. 1860; FPL 279. 1990; FTSR 278. 1996. 

Large climbers. Leaves to 10 x 3 cm, oblanceolate, obtusely acuminate at apex, acute to 

cuneate at base; lateral nerves 9-11 pairs, irregular; petiole 0.7 cm long. Panicles terminal, 

glabrous. Flowers shortly pedicelled, yellow; sepals ovate, acute, follicle to 10 x 1.2 cm, terete, 

glabrous; seeds to 4 cm long, linear. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19118 Kariamchola 

CARISSA Linnaeus 

1. Spines strait, forked....................................................................................................................... C. spinarum 

1. Spines carved not forked ...................................................................................................................C. inermis 

Carissa inermis Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 43. 17w94; FPM 805. 1923; FPL 279. 1990; FTSR 278. 

1996. C. macrophylla Wall. ex A. DC. in DC., Prodr. 8: 332. 1844; FBI 3: 691. 1882. 

187

Stout woody climbing shrubs; thorns 1-3 cm long. Leaves 5-8 x 3-4 cm, ovate, acuminate at 

apex, rounded at base, glabrous; lateral nerves 6 or 7 pairs; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers in 

sessile or peduncled terminal cymes; pedicel 3 mm long, stout; sepals 4 mm long, lanceolate, 

reddish, pubescent; corolla white, tube 2 cm long, cylindric, curved, bulged towards the apex, 

lobes 9 mm long, oblong, acute; anthers lanceolate, inserted near the mouth of the corolla tube; 

carpels united; ovules 1-4 in each. Berry 2 cm across, globose; seeds compressed. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in secondary forests; PS 30049 Kanthalppara 

Carissa spinarum L., Mant. Plant. 559. 1771; FBI 3: 631. 1882; FPM 805. 1923. C. diffusa 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 524. 1824, var. macrophylla Gamble, FPM 805. 1923. 

Armed shrubs, spines to 3 cm, often forked. Leaves to 5 x 3 cm, ovate-orbicular, acute, 

mucronate; petiole ca 4 mm. Cymes terminal, to 7-flowered; calyx lobes 3 mm, lanceolate, 

acuminate; corolla 1.5 cm; lobes 1 cm, oblong, acute; stamens 5, to 5 mm; ovary 1 mm, style 4 

mm, stigma forked. Berry globose, 1.5-2 cm across. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30695 Keerappadi 

CATHARANTHUS G. Don 

Catharanthus pusillus (Murr.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 95. 1837; FPL 279. 1990; FTSR 278. 1996. 

Vinca pusilla Murr., Comment. Goetting. 3: 66. t. 2, f. 1. 1773; FBI 3: 640. 1882. Lochnera 

pusilla (Murr.) K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4: 145. 1895; FPM 809. 1923. 

Annual small erect herbs. Leaves lanceolate, acute at both ends, 3-7 x 0.5-2 cm; lateral 

nerves 6-8 pairs, slender, faint; petiole 3-5 mm long, axils glandular. Corolla white, tube 7 mm 

long, mouth pilose, lobes obovate 2 mm long. Follicles 2-3 cm long; seeds black. 

Fl. & Fr. April-October 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 18974 Vengoli; 30679 Anappadi 

CHONEMORPHA G. Don 

Chonemorpha fragrans (Moon) Alston, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Peradeniya) 11: 203. 1929. Echites 

fragrans Moon, Cat. 20. 1824. E. grandiflora Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 136. 1821. E. macrophylla Roxb., 

Fl. Ind. 2: 13. 1832. Chonemorpha macrophylla (Roxb.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 76. 1837; FBI 3: 

661. 1882; FPM 818. 1923. C. grandiflora (Roth) M. R. & S. M. Almeida, JBNHS 90: 427. 1993; 

FTSR 279. 1996. 

Leaves broadly elliptic or ovate-orbicular, shortly acuminate, base cordate, pubescent above 

and tomentose beneath, 20-25 x 15-22 cm. Flowers white, in terminal tomentose paniculate 

cymes. Calyx 1 cm long, glabrous. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Common in semievergreen 


HOLARRHENA R. Brown 

Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.) Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 78. 1837; FPL 280. 1990; 

FTSR 280. 1996. Echites pubescens Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 13: 521. 1821. E. 

antidysenterica Roth in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 4: 394. 1819, non (L.) Roxb. ex Flem. 1810. 

Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC. in DC., Prodr. 8: 413. 1844; FBI 3: 644. 1882; FPM 

811. 1923. Chonemorpha antidysenterica (L.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 76. 1837. 

Large shrubs or small trees. Leaves 10-18 x 5-10 cm, ovate-oblong, abruptly acuminate at 

apex, rounded and oblique at base; nerves 10-13 pairs; petiole to 5 mm long. Flowers in 

terminal or axillary cymes; bracts lanceolate; calyx 3 mm long, lobes lanceolate; corolla 

yellowish white, tube 10 mm long, pubescent outside; lobes 13 x 6 mm, oblong, obtuse; stamens 

188

included, anthers linear, mucronate; carpels free; ovules many, stigma oblong, bifid above. 

Mericarps 40 x 0.5 cm, terete; seeds 1-2 cm long, linear oblong, acute, concave, comose. 


Distr. Tropical Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Indo-China and Malaya. Common in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 19403 Padippara 

HUNTERIA Roxburgh 

Hunteria zeylanica (Retz.) Gard. ex Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 191. 1860; FTSR 280. 1996. 

Cameraria zeylanica Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 24. 1786. Hunteria corymbosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 695. 

1832; FBI 3: 637. 1882; FPM 808. 1923; FPL 281. 1990. H. roxburghiana Wight, Ic. t. 1294. 

1848. 

Small evergreen trees, young shoots glabrous; bark, thick, yellowish-grey, with small 

lenticular tubercles. Leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, base obtuse or rounded, 

glabrous, coriaceous, to 15 x 4 cm; petiole to 1.5 cm long. Calyx lobes 1.5 mm long, glabrous. 

Corolla creamy white, tube 0.8 mm long, lobes acuminate. Drupes 2.5 cm long, yellow. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30503 Orukomban 

ICHNOCARPUS R. Brown 

Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. in Ait., Hort. Kew. (ed. 2) 2: 69. 1811; FBI 3: 669. 1882; FPM 

820. 1923; FPL 281. 1990; FTSR 280. 1996. Apocynum frutescens L., Sp. Pl. 213. 1753. 

Climbers, branchlets brown-tomentose. Leaves to 6 x 3 cm, ovate, obtusely acute, rounded at 

base; nerves 5 pairs, brown-pubescent below; petiole to 5 mm long. Flowers 3.5 mm long, in 

terminal or axillary panicled cymes; pedicels 3 mm long; calyx 1 mm long, lobes ovate, acute, 

pubescent; corolla white, salver shaped, contracted at mouth, tube 2 mm long, hairy inside, 

throat densely white-villous; lobes twisted, oblong, acuminate; stamens included, anthers 

deeply sagitate at base, apiculate at apex; carpels free, stigma columnar. Mericarps follicular, to 

15 cm long, slender, rusty puberulus; seeds many, compressed, crowned with long silky coma. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous and secondary forests; PS 

19629 Vengoli 

KAMMETIA Kosteletzky 

Kammetia caryophyllata (Roxb.) Nicols. & Suresh, Taxon 35: 354. 1986. Echites caryophyllata 

Roxb., Hort. Beng. 20. 1814. Kammetia malabarica Kostel., All. Med. -Pharm. Fl. 3: 1062. 1834. 

Ellertonia rheedii Wight, Ic. t.1295. 1848. 

Large climbers, glabrous; tender stem reddish. Leaves 3-4 at nodes, 12 x 4 cm, oblong, 

abruptly acuminate; nerves to 14 pairs; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers in terminal peduncled 

cymes; bracts subulate; calyx 2 mm long, lobes acuminate, glabrous, reddish; corolla tube 10 

mm long, curved; lobes 5 mm long, oblong, obtuse; stamens included; anthers penicillate at 

apex; carpels free, style filiform, stigma oblong, 2-fid at apex. Follicles 8-11 cm long, divaricate, 

linear, terete; seeds many, 2 cm long, oblanceolate, winged. 



PARSONSIA R. Brown 

Parsonsia inodora (Lour.) M.R. & S.M. Almeida, JBNHS 90:428.1993; FTSR 281. 1996. 

Cynanchum inodorum Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 166. 1790. Parsonsia alboflavescens (Dennst.) 

Mabb., Taxon 26:532.1977; FPL 282. 1990. Periploca alboflavescens Dennst., Schluss. Hort. 

Malab.12,23, 35.1818. 

189

Young shoots glabrous. Leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded or 

subcordate, glabrous, subcoriaceous, to 13 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 6-8 pairs; petiole to 2 cm long. 

Flowers in axillary corymbose cymes. Corolla greenish-yellow, tube 5mm long, lobes 6 mm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to South China. Fairly common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30824 

Kariamchola 

RAUVOLFIA Linnaeus 

1. Drupe slightly connate; obliquely ovoid, peduncles red.............................................................R. serpentina 

1. Drupe distinct; ellipsoid, peduncles green ................................................................................. R. verticillata 

Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz, For. Fl. Burma 2: 171. 1877; FBI 3: 632. 1882; FPM 

807. 1923; FPL 282. 1990; FTSR 282. 1996. Ophioxylon serpentinum L., Sp. Pl. 1043. 1753. 

Subshrubs; rootstock thick, sap watery. Leaves to 10 x 3 cm, oblanceolate, acuminate at 

either ends, glabrous; lateral nerves to 12 pairs. Cymes axillary and terminal, densely flowered; 

peduncles to 5 cm long. Flowers white; sepals 4 mm long, oblong, acute; corolla white, tube 15 

mm long, lobes 5 mm long, oblong, obtuse. Capsules 5 mm, ovoid, obtuse, black; fruiting calyx 

crimson. 


Distr. India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. Occasional in openings of moist 

deciduous forests and plantation; PS 19015 Thunakkadavu 

Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill., Bull. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 768. 1888; FTSR 282. 1996. 

Dissolena verticillata Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 137. 1790. Tabernaemontana densiflora Wall., 

Edward's Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1273. 1829. Rauvolfia densiflora (Wall.) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 3: 633. 

1882; FPM 808. 1923. Ophioxylon neilgherrense Wight, Ic. t. 1292. 1848. O. ceylanicum Wight, 

Ic. t. 1291. 1848. 

Shrubs with milky latex, to 1.5 m high. Leaves to 14 x 6 cm, obovate, abruptly acuminate, 

base acute to attenuate, subcoriaceous; lateral nerves 14 pairs, prominent, nervules slender; 

petiole 2 cm long. Cymes terminal or axillary; peduncles 5-8 cm long. Flowers white; pedicels 1 

cm long; calyx lobes acuminate, glabrous, reddish; corolla 1 cm long, lobes ovate, acute. Capsule 

10 x 7 mm, oblong, black. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. Occasional in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19286 

Karimala 

TABERNAEMONTANA Linnaeus 

1. Calyx lobes ciliate along margins; capsule 1-seeded........................................................................ T. gamblei 

1. Calyx shortly lobed not ciliate along the margins; capsule many seeded ................................... T. heyneana 

Tabernaemontana gamblei Subram. & Henry, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 12: 1. 1970; FPL 283. 1990; 

FTSR 282. 1996. Ervatamia caudata Gamble, Kew Bull. 1921: 310. 1921 & FPM 813. 1923, non 

Tabernaemontana caudata Merr. 1909. 

Shrubs, to 1.5 m high; branchlets white. Leaves opposite, often unequal, to 10 x 4 cm, 

elliptic, caudate acuminate, acute at base, lateral nerves 7 pairs, petiole 1 cm long. Cymes 

terminal. Flowers white; pedicels stout, 1 cm long; sepals ovate, obtuse; corolla tube to 17 mm 

long, cylindrical; lobes 15 mm long, oblong, obtuse. Capsule 3 x 1.25 cm, not curved; aril red. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19422 Pooppara; 

30053 Thelliyalimattukkal 

190

Tabernaemontana heyneana Wall. in Edward's Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1273. 1829; FBI 3: 646. 1882; 

FPL 283. 1990; FTSR 283. 1996. Ervatamia heyneana (Wall.) Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bombay 2: 134. 

1904; FPM 813. 1923. 

Large shrubs or small trees; bark corky with shallow fissures. Leaves to 18 x 7 cm, ellipticoblong, 

acuminate at apex, acute at base; lateral nerves 12-15 pairs; petiole 2 cm long. Cymes 

terminal or axillary; peduncles to 4 cm long. Flowers pedicellate; calyx 4 mm long, lobes short, 

oblong, obtuse; corolla white, tube 25 mm long; lobes 15 mm long, oblong, obtuse, apex crisped. 

Capsule yellow, 5 x 1.5 cm, beak acuminate; aril red. 



PS 19348 Puliyala 

WRIGHTIA R. Brown 

1. Branchlets tomentose; follicles fused...............................................................................................W. arborea 

1. Branchlets glabrous; follicles fused at the tip only....................................................................... W. tinctoria 

Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mabb., Taxon 26: 533. 1977; FTSR 283. 1996. Periploca arborea 

Dennst., Schluss. 13: 23 & 25. 1818. Wrightia tomentosa Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 4: 414. 

1819; FBI 3: 653. 1882; FPM 816. 1923. 

Small trees. Leaves to 10 x 6 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, base acute, scabrous above; 

nerves 9 or 10 pairs, regular; petiole 5 mm long. Cymes terminal, sessile. Flowers reddish 

brown; pedicels 1 cm long, stout; sepals 4 mm long, obtuse, hairy; corolla tube 5 mm long, lobes 

15 x 10 mm, obovate, puberulus; corona thick, erect, toothed, reddish brown; anthers conical, 8 

mm long, hairy. Follicles to 16 x 2 cm, subterete, sparsely white-tubercled. 

Fl. & Fr. April-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in semi-evergreen forests;; PS 18909 Karimala 

Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br., Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 47. 1811; FBI 3: 653. 1882; 

FPM 815. 1923; FPL 283. 1990; FTSR 283. 1996. Nerium tinctorium Roxb., Orient. Repert. 1: 

39. 1791. 

Small trees. Leaves 8-10 x 3.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, base acute; nerves 7-10 pairs; 

petiole 3-5 mm long. Cymes peduncled, terminal; pedicels 10-12 mm long, slender; bracts ovate. 

Flowers white; sepals ovate, obtuse, ciliate; corolla tube 4 mm long, broad, lobes 12 x 5 mm, 

oblong, obtuse; corona many, erect, linear; anthers acuminate, coriaceous, 6 mm long. 

Mericarps 30 cm long, terete, joined at apex, glabrous; seeds oblong. 

Fl. & Fr. February-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Very common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18973 Vengoli 

ASCLEPIADACEAE 

1. Erect herbs or shrubs ...................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Twiners............................................................................................................................................................. 6 

2. Plant leafless; stem succulent......................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Plant leafy; stem not succulent....................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Branchlets angled............................................................................................................................ Caralluma 

3. Branchlets terete ........................................................................................................................ Sarcostemma 

4. Leaves sessile, auricled at base .......................................................................................................Calotropis 

4. Leaves petioled, not auricled at base ............................................................................................................. 5 

5. Flowers bright red; petioles to 1.5 cm long...................................................................................... Asclepias 

5. Flowers white; petioles more than 2.5 cm long ................................................................................... Utleria 

6. Epiphytes; leaves thick, fleshy ................................................................................................................ Hoya 

6. Terrestrial plants; leave not thick and fleshy ............................................................................................... 7 

191

7. Corolla tube inflated basally, lobes connate at tip......................................................................... Ceropegia 

7. Corolla tube not inflated or absent................................................................................................................. 8 

8. Inflorescence an umbel or subumbellate cymes............................................................................................ 9 

8. Flowers in branched or branched cymes, racemes or in axillary fascicles................................................ 11 

9. Stipular leaves present; pollinia pendulous ................................................................................Cynanchum 

9. Stipular leaves absent; pollinia erect or horizontal .................................................................................... 10 

10. Leaves glabrous; staminal column shorter than the corolla tube ................................................ Tylophora 

10. Leaves tomentose; staminal column as long or longer than the corolla tube..............................Gymnema 

11. Leaf base cordate to hastate; corona reduced to a fleshy annulus ...........................................Holostemma 

11. Leaf base acute, truncate or rounded; corona well developed.................................................................... 12 

12. Follicle oblong or lanceolate, more than 3 cm dia ....................................................................................... 13 

12. Follicle linear or linear-lanceolate, less than 2 cm dia ............................................................................... 15 

13. Corona processes connate with corolla .........................................................................................Cryptolepis 

13. Corona processes connate with stamens ..................................................................................................... 14 

14. Leaves membranous; style apex flat, 5 angled with a wavy rim............................................ Cosmostigma 

14. Leaves coriaceous; style apex convex, 5 grooved without a wavy rim........................................... Decalepis 

15. Flowers in sub-sessile axillary fascicles; style included ...........................................................Hemidesmus 

15. Flowers in axillary dichotomus or trichotomous cymes; style exerted......................................... Secamone 

ASCLEPIAS Linnaeus 

Asclepias curassavica L., Sp. Pl. 215. 1753; FBI 4: 18. 1883; FPM 833. 1923; FPL 293. 1990; 

FTSR 284. 1996. 

Herbs, to 1 m tall; stem terete, glaucous. Leaves lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, to 10 x 3 cm, 

glabrous; nerves 8-13 pairs, narrow; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers in axillary peduncled cyme; 

peduncle to 5 cm long, solitary, erect, dichotomous; pedicels 6-15 together, 1.5-2 cm long, 

slender; sepals 2.5 mm long, ovate; corolla ca. 1.2 cm across, tube short, lobes oblong, yellow, 

deflexed; coronal lobes yellow, 7 mm long. Follicle to 7 x 1.5 cm, terete or fusiform; seeds many. 

Fl. Fr.: March-November 

Distr. Originally from Tropical America; now naturalised throughout the tropics. Common in 

wet open areas; PS 19017 Thunakkadavu 

CALOTROPIS R. Brown 

Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. in Ait., Hort. Kew (ed. 2) 2: 78. 1811; FBI 4: 17. 1883; FPM 832. 

1923; FPL 285. 1990; FTSR 285. 1996. Asclepias gigantea L., Sp. Pl. 214. 1753. 

Shrubs, to 1.5 m tall; stem rounded. Leaves to 16 x 10 cm, of branchlets much smaller; 

elliptic-ovate to obovate, acute or obtuse, base cordate; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, adpressed 

pubescent when young, becoming glabrous on maturity. Flowers pale purple or greenish-white, 

3 cm across; pedicels to 3 cm long, stout; calyx lobes to 3 mm long; corolla campanulate, tube 

short, lobes ovate to oblong, recurved; staminal corona of 5 vertical lobes, 1 cm long. Fruit 

saccate, to 6 x 3 cm, ovoid; seeds many. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19097 Peruvaripallam 

CARALLUMA R. Brown 

Caralluma umbellata Haw., Syn. Pl. Succ. 47. 1812; FPM 861. 1923. Boucerosia 

umbellata (Haw.) Wight & Arn. in Wight, Contrib. 34. 1834; FBI 4: 77. 1883. Caralluma 

campanulata (Wight) N. E. Br. in Gard. Chron. 2: 369. 1892; FPM 861. 1923; FPL 285. 

1990. Boucerosia campanulata Wight, Ic. t. 1287. 1848. 

Tall fleshy leafless herbs, leaf scars spiny. Umbels terminal, more than 20-flowered; 

pedicels 3.5 cm, flat; calyx lobes 4 mm, lanceolate, ciliate; corolla recurved, lanceolate, 

192

concentrically ringed with fine red lines; pollinal bags 0.5 mm; ovaries 2. Follicle 15 x 0.7 

cm, terete, hooked at apex. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30578 Keerappadi 

CEROPEGIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves fleshy; outer corona lobes minute...................................................................... C. bulbosa var. lushii 

1. Leaves membranous; outer corona lobes well developed............................................................................... 2 

2. Flowers 5-7 cm long; outer corona deltoid, bifid ...........................................................................C. metziana 

2. Flowers to 3 cm long; outer corona truncate or capsular............................................................................... 3 

3. Corolla beaked, outer corona truncate ................................................................................... C. candelabrum 

3. Corolla not beaked, outer corona cupular .........................................................................................C. omissa 

Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. var. lushii (Grah.) Hook. f., FBI 4: 68. 1883; FPM 857. 1923. C. lushii 

Grah. in Bot. Mag. t. 3300. 1834. C. acuminata Roxb., Pl. Corom. 1: 12, t. 8. 1795; FBI 4: 70. 

1883. C. tuberosa Dalz. & Gibs., Bombay Fl. 154. 1861. C. bulbosa var. esculenta (Edgew.) 

Hook. f., FBI 68. 1883. 

Twiners. Leaves 6-8 x 7-1.3 cm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, base acute; petiole to 1 cm. 

Cymes axillary, umbellate; peduncle to 1.5 cm; bracts 3 mm, linear; pedicel 5 mm; calyx 5-lobed, 

to 5 mm, beaked, dark purple, tube yellow with dark blotches. Pollinia 3, obovoid-circular, 

caudicle minute, receptacle small; outer corolla ca 1mm, cupular, membranous, inner corona 5, 

ca 2 mm, spathulate, connivent. 


Distr. India and Pakistan. Rare in moist deciduous forests; NS 5520 Parambikulam 

Ceropegia candelabrum L., Sp. Pl. 211. 1753; FBI 4: 70. 1883; FPM 857. 1923; FPL 286. 1990; 

FTSR 286. 1996; Bruyns, Rheedea 7:109.1997. C. tuberosa Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 9. 1795; FBI 4: 

70. 1883; FPM 857. 1923. 

Glabrous twining herbs. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, linear-elliptic to ovate-orbicular, obtuse to 

apiculate, base acute or rounded, nerves 3 pairs, reticulate; petiole to 1.5 cm long. Cymes few to 

many flowered; peduncles longer than the petioles; pedicels 11 mm long; sepals 3 x 0.5 mm, 

lanceolate; corolla 26 mm long, tube slightly inflated below, greenish-white with purple streaks, 

hispid, lobes 6 x3 mm, yellow, hairy within, beak purplish; outer corona 3 x 1.5 mm, of 5 entire 

or truncate hairy lobes; inner corona erect, linear-spathulate, glabrous. 

Fl. & Fr. September-November. 


Parambikulam; 19823 Kannimara 

Ceropegia metziana Miq., Anal. Bot. Ind. 3: 11. 1852; Sasidh. & Swarup., JETB 18: 633.1994; 

FTSR 286. 1996. C. brevicollis Hook.f., FBI 4: 74. 1883, p. p.; FPM 859. 1923. C. stocksii sensu 

Gamble, FPM 859. 1923. 

Twining herbs, stem pubescent at nodes. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, ovate or ovate-oblong, acute or 

acuminate, mucronate, base acute; petiole 2-3 cm long. Peduncle to 2 cm long, glabrous or hairy. 

Flowers few together; pedicels 2-2.5 cm long, stout; sepals 7 mm long, linear; corolla to 7.5 cm 

long, base inflated, funnel-shaped above, lobes 3.5 cm long, ovate-deltoid, dull pink with purple 

dots; outer corona 6 mm across, lobes deltoid, bifid, hairy; inner corona 2.5 mm long, glabrous. 

Follicle 23-28 cm long, 5 mm thick, terete, with a 5 cm long beak; seeds 10 x 3 mm, oblong; 

coma 15 mm long. 

Fl & Fr. September-November 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; NS 5729 Karimala Hills 

193

Ceropegia omissa H.Hubber in Mem. Soc. Brot. 12:67.1957; Ansari, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 16: 27. 1984. 

C. intermedia Wight var. wightii Hook.f., FBI 4: 71. 1883; FPM 5: 858. 1923. 

Twiners. Leaves to 11 x 2 cm, lanceolate, acute, base obtuse, membranous; petiole 1.3 cm. 

Cymes axillary; peduncles 1.5 cm; pedicels 1.5 cm; flowers purplish; calyx 5-lobed, 3.5 mm, 

linear lanceolate; corolla curved, base bulbous, tube 2.3 cm, lobes fused at apex, lobes 8 mm, 

ciliate; outer corona cupular, 5-lobed, 1 mm, inner 2 mm, spathulate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30825 Parambikulam 

COSMOSTIGMA R. Wight 

Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight, Contrib. 42.1834 & Ic. t. 591.1842; FBI 4:46.1883; 

FPM 846.1923; FTSR 288. 1996. Asclepias racemosa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 32. 1832. Cosmostigma 

acuminatum Wight, Ic. t. 1270. 1848. 

Climbers; stem glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm, ovate, acute or acuminate, base rounded or 

subcordate, glabrous, with a few small black glandular papillae at base; lateral nerves 3 pairs, 

basally 5-nerved; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Racemes to 2.5 cm long. Flowers 8 mm across, many 

together; pedicels 1 cm long, slender, pubescent; sepals small, ovate to orbicular, ciliate; corolla 

greenish-yellow with brown dots, 4 mm long, lobes ovate; gynostegium 2 mm across, outer 

corona lobes orbicular, emarginate, membranous; inner corona similar to outer. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30805 Orukomban 

CRYPTOLEPIS R. Brown 

Cryptolepis buchananii Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 4: 409. 1819; FBI 4: 5. 1883; FPM 826. 

1923; FPL 288. 1990; FTSR 288. 1996. Nerium reticulatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 8. 1832. 

Glabrous twiners. Leaves 10-20 x 5-8 cm, elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse or apiculate, 

base acute, glabrous and glossy; lateral nerves many, parallel; petiole 1-3 cm long. Flowers in 3 

cm broad axillary cymes, few together; peduncles to 2 cm long, glabrous; pedicels 3-5 mm long; 

sepals free, 2 mm long, ovate, obtuse, with a small scale at the base inside; corolla campanulate, 

greenish-yellow, tube 2 mm long, lobes linear-lanceolate, 8 x 2 mm, imbricate; coronal lobes 1- 

seriate, clavate, 2 mm long, connate with corolla tube. Follicle 9 x 1 cm, divaricate, lanceolate. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19499 Thellikkal 

CYNANCHUM Linnaeus 

Cynanchum callialatum Ham. ex Wt., Contrb. Bot. India 56.1834 & Ic. t. 1274.1848; FBI 

4:24.1883; FPM 836.1923; FTSR 288. 1996. 

Glabrous twining herbs. Leaves elliptic-oblong or linear-oblong, acute, base cordate, 

glabrous, glaucous below, to 8 x 4.5 cm; lateral nerves 7-9 pairs, intercostae faint; petiole to 2 

cm long. Peduncles 3-4 cm long. Corolla white, 0.5 cm long, divided nearly to the base, lobes 

oblong, acute; corona of 5 erect obtuse, bifid lobes, with shorter lobes between them. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Rare in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30783 Kariamchola 

DECALEPIS R. Wight et Arnott 

Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. in Wight, Contrib. 64. 1834; FBI 4: 11. 1883; FPM 828. 1923 

[Figure 8]. 

Twining shrubs; branchlets jointed. Leaves to 6 x 4.5 cm, obovate-elliptic or orbicular, apex 

obtuse, base cuneate, membranous; petiole to 1.5 cm. Cymes trichotomously branched; calyx 

deeply 5 lobed, 2 mm, oblong; corolla tube 1 mm, lobes 3 x 2 mm, oblong, recurved, white 

194

Figure 8. Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. A - flowering branch, B - flower, C - calyx, 

D - corolla lobe, E - a portion of corolla split open, F - stamen, G - stamen 

with staminal corona, H – pistil 

195

pubescent inside; corona of 10 scales, alternately long hooked and short; filaments 1 mm, 

anthers attached to style apex; ovaries 1 mm. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in rocky areas of dry deciduous forests; PS 30078 

Kuchimudi 

GYMNEMA R. Brown 

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 6: 57. 1820; FBI 4: 

29. 1883; FPM 839. 1923; FPL 289. 1990; FTSR 289. 1996. Periploca sylvestris Retz., Obs. Bot. 

2: 15. 1781. 

Climbers; branchlets fulvous-tomentose. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, often much smaller, elliptic to 

ovate or obovate, obtusely acute, base truncate or obtuse, subcoriaceous, densely tomentose 

below; nerves 3 pairs; petiole 1-3 cm long. Flowers 4 mm across, umbellate, many together; 

peduncle to 1 cm long, hispid; pedicels 6 mm long, slender; sepals 2 mm long, ovate; corolla 

campanulate, yellow, 2.5 mm long, tube globose, lobes triangular; corolline corona 5 vertical 

pairs of pubescent ridges; gynostegium 1.5 x 1 mm, cylindrical. Follicle 7.5 x 0.8 cm, lanceolate, 

seeds 10 x 5 mm, much compressed. 



HEMIDESMUS R. Brown 

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. in Ait., Hort. Kew (ed. 2) 2: 75. 1811; FBI 4: 5. 1883; FPL 290. 

1990; FTSR 289. 1996. Periploca indica L., Sp. Pl. 211. 1753. 

Slender twining herbs, stem slender, usually brownish. Leaves very variable, 4-15 x 0.7-2 

cm, elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, pale below, young leaves often 

variegated; nerves 10-15 pairs. Flowers in axillary shortly peduncled cymes; pedicels short, 

bracteate; sepals 1 mm long, ovate, free; corolla mostly yellow, sometimes purple, 8 mm across, 

lobes ovate, acute, valvate; corona 5, scale-like, connate with corolla tube; stamens 5, filaments 

adnate at base: pollinia in pairs; gynostegium obovoid. Follicles 2, slender, terete. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Very common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; 


HOLOSTEMMA R. Brown 

Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 6:95.1820; FPL 290. 1990; FTSR 

291. 1996. Sarcostemma annulare Roth, Nov. Pl. Spec. 178.1821. Holostemma rheedei Spreng. 

ex Wall., Pl. As. Rar. 2:51.1831; FBI 4:21.1883. H. annulare (Roxb.) K. Schum. in Engl. & 

Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4(2):250.1895; FPM 834.1923. Asclepias annularis Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2:37.1832. 

Glabrous twiners. Leaves to 12 x 8 cm, oblong or ovate, acute to cuspidate, base widely and 

deeply cordate; lateral nerves ca. 4-7 pairs, lower 2 pairs basal, base with few papillate glands; 

petiole to 4-5 cm long. Flowers few to many in axillary peduncled cymes; peduncles shorter than 

the petioles, stout; pedicels 1.5 cm long; calyx lobes ovate, 4 mm long; corolla 2.5 cm across, 

campanulate, pale purple, lobes 8 x 6 mm, ovate, obtuse; gynostegium 8 x 6 mm, outer corona 

short, truncate; inner corona 5, ovate, acute, glabrous. 

Fl. September-November 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30818 Kottayali 

HOYA R. Brown 

1. Leaves narrow, linear ................................................................................................................... H. pauciflora 

1. Leaves elliptic..................................................................................................................................H. ovalifolia 

196

Hoya ovalifolia Wight & Arn. in Wight, Contrib. 37. 1834; FBI 4: 60. 1883; FPM 849. 1923; FPL 

290. 1990; FTSR 293. 1996. 

Climbing shrubs; stem pendulous, glabrous, terete, usually rooting from nodes. Leaves 6-8.5 

x 2-3 cm, elliptic or rhomboid, acute or obtuse, base acute, margins undulate; nerves not clear; 

petiole ca. 0.8 cm long. Flowers 6-12, in axillary peduncled umbel; peduncles stout, to 3.5 cm 

long; pedicels slender, ca. 1.5 cm long; sepals 1.5 mm long, oblong; corolla 1 cm across, creamywhite, 

lobes ovate, acute; corona purplish, 4 x 4 mm, lobes acute. Follicles 9 x 1 cm, lanceolate. 

Fl Fr. November-December 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30343 Vengoli 

Hoya pauciflora Wight, Ic. t. 1269. 1848; FBI 4: 56. 1883; FPM 849. 1923; FTSR 293. 1996. 

Slender epiphytic glabrous climbers; stem sometimes rooting from nodes. Leaves 4-6 x 0.7- 

0.9 cm, linear-lanceolate, obtuse, base truncate; petiole to 3 mm long. Flowers in few-flowered 

subsessile umbellate cymes, terminal on lateral smaller branches or axillary; pedicels 1.5-2 cm 

long, slander; sepals 1.5 mm long, ovate; corolla white, 1.2-2 cm across, campanulate, lobes 

shallow, triangular; corona 4 mm across, lobes rounded at apex. 

Fl. November-December 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30003 

Pooppara; 30381 Pandaravarai 

SARCOSTEMMA R. Brown 

Sarcostemma brunonianum Wight & Arn. in Wight, Contrib. 59. 1834; FBI 4: 27. 1883; FPM 

838. 1923. 

Leafless twiners, latex milky, dark green. Umbels lateral, 10-15 flowered, green; calyx lobes 

1 mm, ovate; corolla deeply lobed, valvate, 5 x 2.5 mm, oblong, obtuse at apex, fleshy; pollinia 

pendulous; corona double, outer cupular, 10 lobed, wavy; inner staminal, lobes 5, fleshy; ovaries 

1.5 mm, distinct, basally connate. Follicles 2, 13 cm long. 


Distr. Peninsula and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30838 Keerappdi 

SECAMONE R. Brown 

Secamone emetica (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 6: 124. 1820; FBI 4: 

13. 1883; FPM 829. 1923; Jens, Kew Bull. 47: 598. 1992. Periploca emetica Retz., Obs. Bot. 2: 

14. 1781. 

Scandent subshrubs. Leaves to 5.5 x 1 cm., linear-elliptic, apex acute, base decurrent, 

margins recurved, pubescent beneath, lateral nerves indistinct, subsessile. Cymes axillary, 

trichotomously branched; peduncles 0.5 cm; calyx lobes 0.5 mm, ovate, ciliate; corolla lobes 

twisted either to the left or right, 2 x 1 mm, oblong, ovate or acute at apex; corona staminal, of 5 

scales; ovary 0.7 mm. Follicles paired, 7.5 x 0.8 cm, blunt at base and tapering at apex. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30481 Keerappadi 

TYLOPHORA R. Brown 

Tylophora tetrapetala (Dennst.) Suresh in Nicols, Suresh & Manilal, An Interpr. Hort. Malab. 

64.1988. Asclepias tetrapetala Dennst., Schussel 14, 18, 35. 1818. Tylophora tenuis Blume, 

Bijdr. 1062. 1827; FBI 4: 42. 1883; FPM 843. 1923. Tylophora carnosa Wall. ex Wight, Contrib. 

49. 1834. 

Slender glabrous herbs. Leaves linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acute, apiculate, base 

acute or rounded, to 6 x 1.5 cm; petiole ca. 5 mm long. Cymes umbellate, laxly dichasially 

branched. Calyx lobes ovate-acute, 5 mm long. Corolla 4 mm across, purplish-brown. 

Fl. May-June 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30799 Padippara 

197

UTLERIA Beddome 

Utleria salicifolia Bedd. ex Hook.f., FBI 4: 7. 1883; FPM 827. 1923; Sasidh. & Swarup., JETB 

18: 636.1994. 

Subshrubs. Leaves to 15-19 x 2-3 cm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, base acute, crowded at 

the end of branches. Cymes dichotomous axillary, peduncle 4.5-6 cm; bracts linear-lanceolate, 

ca 3 mm; flowers ca 6 mm across; pedicel to 4 mm; calyx lobes ca 2 mm, glandular; corolla 

rotate, 2 mm, lobes ovate, corona scales 5, rounded; stamens basely in corolla tube, anthers 

ovate; ovary oblong. Mericarps divaricate, lanceolate, to 5 cm long. 

Fl. June-July 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in the rocky slopes of grasslands; NS 5699 

Thoothampara 

LOGANIACEAE 

1. Herbs................................................................................................................................................ Mitrasacme 

1. Trees, lianas or shrubs...................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves 3-5 ribbed from base, coriaceous; berry globose.................................................................. Strychnos 

2. Leaves penninerved, thickly coriaceous; berry ellipsoid.................................................................... Fagraea 

FAGRAEA Thunberg 

Fagraea ceylanica Thumb., Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 3: 132. 1782; FBI 4: 83. 1883 "zeylanica"; 

FPM 865. 1923l; FPL 294. 1990; FTSR 295. 1996. F. obovata Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 33. 1824; 

FBI 4: 83. 1883; FPM 865. 1923. F. coromandelica Wight, Ic. t. 1316. 1848. F. malabarica 

Wight, Ic. t. 1317. 1848. 

Small trees or shrubs, terrestrial or epiphytic. Leaves to 20 x 8 cm, obovate, obtuse, base 

cuneate, entire, fleshy, glossy above; petiole to 2.5 cm, united by stipular sheath at base. 

Flowers few to many, large, in terminal cymes, 5-merous; branches of cyme stout; calyx tube 5 

mm long, lobes 8 mm long, obovate, obtuse, imbricate; corolla 4-7 cm long, creamy yellow, 

funnel shaped, lobes obovate, obtuse, twisted; stamens 5, exserted, filaments 2 cm long, 

inserted on the throat of corolla tube; ovary 2-celled, ovule numerous; style 4 cm long; stigma 

capitate. Berry 4 cm long, ellipsoid, obtuse, glabrous, glossy. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18959 Vengoli; 19327 Thenkudippara 

MITRASACME Labillardiere 

Mitrasacme indica Wight, Ic. t. 1601. 1850; FTSR 295. 1996. M. alsinoides auct. non R. Br., 

1810; Hook.f., FBI 4:80. 1883; FPM 864. 1923. 

Leaves linear-lanceolate, to 5 x 1 mm, sessile, nerves indistinct. Flowers solitary or in 

fascicles of 2 or 3; pedicels filiform to 8 mm long. Calyx tube 1 mm long, lobes as long as the 

tube. Corolla white, 1.5 mm long, sparsely hairy at base. Capsule globose, 2 mm across. 

Fl. & Fr. September-October 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30784 

Thunakkadavu 

STRYCHNOS Linnaeus 

1. Climbing shrubs, stigma entire ..................................................................................................... S. colubrina 

1. Trees; stigma bifid............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Berry to 2 cm diameter; corolla tube and lobes equal in length................................................ S. potatorum 

2. Berry more than 4 cm diameter; corolla tube longer than the lobes ...................................... S. nux-vomica 

198

Strychnos colubrina L., Sp. Pl. 189. 1753; FTSR 297. 1996. S. wallichiana Steud. ex DC., Prodr. 

9: 13. 1845. S. rheedei Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 87. 1883. S. cinnamomifolia Thw., Enum. Pl. 

Zeyl. 201. 1860, var. wightii Hill, Kew Bull. 1917: 194. 1917; FPM 869. 1923. 

Tendrillate climbers. Leaves 5-8 x 3-5 cm, broadly elliptic, abruptly acuminate, shining, 

green or black when dry; nervules prominent, irregular. Cymes peduncled, 5-6 cm across. 

Flowers many; pedicels 2 mm long; calyx 1.5 mm long, lobes ovate, obtuse, ciliate; corolla 

greenish yellow, tube 10 mm long, hairy inside, lobes 4 x 2 mm, oblong, obtuse; anthers sessile; 

style 12 mm long, stigmas bilobed, globose. Berry 2 cm across, globose, glabrous, greenish. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18885 Orukomban 

Strychnos nux-vomica L., Sp. Pl. 189. 1753; FBI 4: 90. 1883; FPM 868. 1923; FPL 296. 1990; 

FTSR 297. 1996. 

Small to medium trees. Leaves 8-15 x 5-9 cm, broadly ovate, obtuse at apex, acute at base, 5- 

ribbed, prominent beneath; nervules irregular; petiole 1 cm long. Cymes 2-3 cm across, 

terminal. Flowers sessile; calyx 1 mm long, lobes triangular, acute, pubescent; corolla greenish 

yellow, tube 10 mm long, hairy within; lobes 4 x 1.5 mm, oblong, acute; anthers sessile, inserted 

at the throat of corolla tube. Berry 3-4 cm across, red, glabrous; seeds 3 or 4, orbicular, flat. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19214 Kariamchola 

Strychnos potatorum L.f., Suppl. Pl. 148. 1781; FBI 4: 90. 1883; FPM 868. 1923; FPL 296. 1990. 

Small to medium trees. Leaves opposite to 7 x 4 cm ovate, apex acute, base obtuse or 

rounded, membranous, 5 nerved, subsessile. Cymes from the axils of leafscars, 3 cm across, 

flowers white; calyx 5 lobed, 1.5 cm, ovate; corolla tubular, 3 mm, lobes 3 mm, oblong, pubescent 

inside; anthers oblong, 1.5 mm; ovary 1.5 mm, style 5 mm, stigma bifid. Berry ca. 1.5 cm across, 

blue when ripe. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30390 Kuchimudi 

GENTIANACEAE 

1. Flowers blue or lilac; ovary 2-locular................................................................................................... Exacum 

1. Flowers other than blue; ovary 1-locular ........................................................................................................ 2 

2. Flowers sessile, yellowish...................................................................................................................... Hoppea 

2. Flowers stalked, pink or white............................................................................................................Canscora 

CANSCORA Lamarck 

1. Bracts of the inflorescence perfoliate; calyx prominently winged.............................................. C. perfoliata 

1. Bracts of the inflorescence not perfoliate; calyx not winged............................................................ C. diffusa 

Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 3: 301. 1820; FBI 4: 103. 1883; 

FPM 878. 1923; FPL 298. 1990; FTSR 298. 1996. Gentiana diffusa Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 47. 1794. 

Canscora lawii Wight,Ic.t.1327.1848. 

Annual herbs; stem 4-angular. Lower leaves elliptic, petiolate; upper ones ovate, sessile, 3- 

ribbed, glabrous. Cymes terminal; bracts ovate. Flowers many; pedicel 1 cm long, filiform; calyx 

6 mm long, wingless, 5-toothed, glabrous; corolla white, 9 mm long, tube cylindrical, lobes 

lanceolate, acute; two stamens fertile, two sterile; capsule 5 mm long, linear-oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, Australia and Africa. Common wet rocky areas and moist deciduous 

forests; PS 19089 Amakkundu 

199

Canscora perfoliata Lam., Encycl. 1: 601. 1785; FBI 4: 1094. 1884; FPM 879. 1923; FPL 298. 

1990; FTSR 298. 1996. C. grandiflora Wight, Ic. t. 1326. 1848. 

Branched annual herbs, 40-55 cm high. Leaves to 4 x 1.5 cm, ovate, acute, upper ones 

sessile, lower petiolate. Cymes terminal; bracts 10 mm across, membranous. Flowers many; 

pedicel 13 mm long, winged towards apex; calyx 15 mm long, 8-winged, lobes acuminate, wings 

strongly nerved; corolla 18-20 mm long, glabrous, lobes unequal. Capsule 8 x 2 mm, oblong; 

seeds irregular, brown, glassy. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 19144, 19940 Karimala 

EXACUM Linnaeus 

1. Flowers 5-merous; leaves 5-8 cm long ......................................................................................E. wightianum 

1. Flowers 4-merous; leaves to 3 cm long ............................................................................................................ 2 

2. Calyx not winged; leaves to 1 cm long................................................................................................E. sessile 

2. Calyx winged; leaves more than 1.5 cm long ................................................................................................. 3 

3. Leaves petiolate, rhomboid to elliptic..........................................................................................E. carinatum 

3. Leaves sessile, ovate-lanceolate ..................................................................................................... E. pumilum 

Exacum carinatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 415. 1820; FPL 299. 1990. E. petiolare Griseb. in DC., 

Prodr. 9: 46. 1845; FBI 4: 98. 1883; FPM 874. 1923. 

Erect herbs, stem 4-angled. Leaves 3 x 2 cm, rhomboid to elliptic, acute to acuminate, 

narrowed in petiole at base; nerves 5, basal. Flowers few, 1 cm across, in terminal cymes; calyx 

0.5 cm long, 5-winged; wings prominently nerved, lobes acuminate; corolla 10 mm long, lobes 

obovate; anthers 3.5 mm long, bottle shaped. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in wet rocks of evergreen forests; PS 19969 Pandaravarai 

Exacum pumilum Griseb. in DC., Prodr. 9: 46. 1845; FBI 4: 98. 1883; FPM 875. 1923; FPL 300. 

1990; FTSR 299. 1996. 

Slender herbs, stem 4-angled. Leaves sessile, ovate lanceolate, to 1.2 x 0.6 cm, lower much 

smaller, 1-nerved; upper 3-nerved from base. Flowers mostly solitary or in few flowered lax 

cymes; pedicel to 1.5 cm, enlarges in fruits. Calyx lobes 1 mm long, wings narrow. Corolla 

bluish-white, lobes oblong-obovate, 5 x 3.5 mm. Capsule 4 x 3 mm. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common on wet rocks in evergreen and moist deciduous 

forests; PS 30005 Vengoli 

Exacum sessile L., Sp. Pl. 112. 1753; FBI 4: 98. 1883; FPM 874. 1923; FPL 300. 1990; FTSR 

299. 1996. 

Erect herbs, to 20 cm high; stem narrowly winged. Leaves to 10 x 8 mm, broadly ovate, 

cordate at base, acute or obtuse at apex, 3-ribbed, sessile. Flowers few, in drooping terminal 

cymes, sessile and pedicelled, tetramerous; calyx 6 mm long, lobes oblong, acute; corolla violet 

or light blue, lobes deltoid; anthers 1.5 mm long. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common on wet rocks; PS 19744 Pezha 

Exacum wightianum Arn., Ann. Sci. Nat Bot. 11: 176. 1839; FBI 4: 97. 1883; FPM 873. 1923. E. 

atropurpureum Bedd. var. palghatense Gamble, FPM 874. 1923. 

Erect woody herbs; stem scarcely dichotomous or unbranched. Leaves 5-8 x 3-5 cm, ovate, 

acute, cordate at base, 5-ribbed. Cymes terminal, peduncled; bracts linear lanceolate. Flowers 

few; pedicels deflexed in fruit; calyx 14 mm long, lobes lanceolate, acuminate, wings 3 mm 

200

oad, obtuse to subcordate at base, nerves not prominent; corolla tube 4 mm long, lobes 

obovate, glandular; anthers 4.5 mm long, black-glandular at apex. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare along the margins of grasslands; PS 19935 

Karimala 

HOPPEA Willdenow 

Hoppea fastigiata (Griseb.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 100. 1883; FPM 877. 1923; FPL 300. 1990; 

FTSR 299. 1996. Cicendia fastigiata Griseb., Gen. Sp. Gent. 158. 1839. 

Small branched herbs. Leaves opposite, 4-8 x 2-5 mm, ovate, subsessile. Cymes terminal and 

axillary; peduncles to 5 mm, calyx tube 4 mm, teeth 2 mm, lanceolate, acuminate; corolla tube 4 

mm, lobes unequal, lanceolate; stamen 1 perfect, 3 sterile; ovary ellipsoid, one celled, many 

ovuled, stigma 2 lobed. 


Distr. Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 

30755 Vengoli 

HYDROPHYLLACEAE 

HYDROLEA Linnaeus 

Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 46. 1791; FBI 4: 133. 1883; FPM 884. 1923; FPL 

301. 1990; FTSR 300. 1996. Nama zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 226. 1753. 

Annual herbs, rooting at nodes. Leaves alternate, to 7 x 1.5 cm, elliptic or lanceolate, apex 

acute, base cuneate, membranous, young parts partly hirsute. Racemes axillary and terminal, 

pedicels to 0.5 cm; calyx lobes 6 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, glandular, acute; corolla lobes 6.5 mm, 

ovate, obtuse, deep blue; stamens 5, filaments basally dialated; ovary 2.5 mm, oblong, many 

ovuled, sparsely hispid, styles 2, 3 mm, stigma globose. Capsule 5 x 2 mm, ovoid. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 19069 Thunakkadavu 

BORAGINACEAE 

1. Fruits covered with glochidiate bristles ......................................................................................Cynoglossum 

1. Fruits without glochidiate bristles................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Prostrate herbs; leaves crisped ........................................................................................................... Coldenia 

2. Erect herbs, shrubs or trees; leaves not crisped ............................................................................................. 3 

3. Flowers in one sided spike or racemes ............................................................................................................ 4 

3. Flowers solitary or in cymes or panicles ......................................................................................................... 5 

4. Scandent shrubs; pyrenes 2 celled, cells 2-ovuled .......................................................................Tournefortia 

4. Herbs; pyrenes 4-celled, cells 1-ovuled ........................................................................................Heliotropium 

5. Scabrid herbs; anthers connate into a cone around the style.................................................... Trichodesma 

5. Scandent or trailing shrubs or trees; anthers free ......................................................................................... 6 

6. Flowers solitary, axillary, pink ............................................................................................................... Rotula 

6. Flowers in cymes or panicles, white or yellow................................................................................................ 7 

7. Drupe more than 1.5 cm across; style 4 branched.................................................................................Cordia 

7. Drupe less than 0.7 cm across; style 2 branched................................................................................. Ehretia 

COLDENIA Linnaeus 

Coldenia procumbens L., Sp. Pl. 125. 1753; FBI 4: 144. 1883; FPM 892. 1923; FPL 302. 1990; 

FTSR 351. 1996. 

201

Prostrate herbs with radiating branches; stem hispid. Leaves 2-4 x 2 cm, oblong with wavy 

margins, obtuse, densely hispid, nerves deeply impressed; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers axillary, 

solitary, sessile; sepals 5, 1 mm long, ovate, acute; corolla pale green, 2 mm long, 5-lobed, tube 

short; stamens 5, inserted inside the tube; ovary 4-lobed, 2-celled, 2-ovules in each cell; styles 2, 

free, stigmas capitate. Drupe 2 mm across, 4, 1-seeded pyrenes; seeds globose. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in reservoir beds; PS 18979 Thunakkadavu 

CORDIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves scabrous; filaments glabrous at base..................................................................................C. monoica 

1. Leaves not scabrous; filaments villous at base.............................................................................. C. wallichii 

Cordia monoica Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 58. 1796; FBI 4: 137. 1883; FPM 888. 1923. 

Small trees, branchlets lenticellate, tomentose. Leaves alternate, 8-10 x 5-7 cm, ovateelliptic, 

nerves 4-5 pairs, basal pair opposite, upper surface scabrous, puberulus beneath; petiole 

to 2 cm. Corymbs terminal, pubescent; calyx tube 5 mm, tomentose, lobes 2 mm, hairy; corolla 

tube 8mm, lobes 5mm, white; filaments attached to the mouth of corolla tube, 3mm, anthers 

1.5mm; ovary 4-celled, hairy, stigma clavate. Drupe 2.5 x 1.5 cm ovoid with mucronate tip. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30482 Kuchimudi; 


Cordia wallichii G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 379. 1837; FPM 887. 1923; FPL 302. 1990; FTSR 301. 

1996. C. tomentosa Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 339. 1824, non Roem. & Schult. 1819. C. obliqua 

Willd. var. wallichii (G. Don) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 137. 1883. C. obliqua Willd. var. 

tomentosa Kazmi, J. Arnold. Arbor. 51. 143. 1970. 

Trees, to 15 m high; bark white corky; branchlets densely pubescent. Leaves to 14 x 8 cm, 

elliptic, acute at base and apex, densely pubescent below, scarcely above; nerves to 5 pairs, 

prominent; petiole 3 cm long. Cymes 8 x 8 cm, terminal, corymbose. Flowers creamy white; 

calyx 9 mm long, lobes 3, ovate, acute, hairy; corolla 15 mm long; lobes 6, oblong, acute; stamens 

6, filaments villous at base. Drupe 2 x 2 cm, depressed-globose, yellow, shining. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


CYNOGLOSSUM Linnaeus 

Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Hornem.) Thumb. ex Lehm., Neue Schriften Naturf. Gen. Halle 3:20. 

1817; FPL 303. 1990; FTSR 303. 1996. Anchusa zeylanica Vahl ex Hornem., Enum. Pl. Hort. 

Hafn. 3. 1807. Cynoglossum denticulatum A.DC. var. zeylanicum (Vahl ex Hornem.) Clarke in 

Hook.f., FBI 4: 157. 1883; FPM 900. 1923. C. furcatum Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 6. 1824; FBI 4: 

155. 1883; FPM 900. 1923. 

Erect herbs, whole plant softly adpressed pubescent. Leaves alternate, 10-25 x 3-7 cm, 

oblong-lanceolate, acute at apex, cuneate at base; nerves to 5 pairs, prominent, arching, upper 

leaves smaller; petiole to 1 cm long, flat. Racemes 10-35 cm long, straight or arching. Flowers 

sessile, many; sepals 2 mm long, spreading; corolla 3-5 mm across, blue, campanulate; stamens 

inserted at the throat of the corolla tube; ovary 4-celled, style gynobasic. Fruit of 4 nutlets, 3-5 

mm across, glochidiate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19075 Peruvaripallam; 

19489 Thellikkal; 19591 Karimalagopuram 

202

EHRETIA P. Browne 

Ehretia canarensis (Clarke) Gamble, FPM 891. 1923. E. laevis Roxb. var. canarensis Clarke in 

Hook.f., FBI 4:142.1883. E. indica (Dennst. ex Kostel.) M.R.& S.M. Almeida, JBNHS 90. 424. 

1993; FTSR 303.1996. Bruxanella indica Dennst.ex Kostel., Allig. Med. Pharm. Fl. 5:2002.1836. 

Trees, to 8 m high; branchlets glabrous. Leaves alternate, to 13 x 5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at 

apex, base acute; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs; domatia glandular; petiole 1.5 cm long. Cymes 

terminal and axillary, 5-10 cm across,. Flowers sessile; sepals 1 mm long, obtuse, ciliate; corolla 

white, 4 mm long, lobes oblong, obtuse; stamens 5, exserted; ovary ovoid, 2-celled, ovules 2 in 

each cell, style terminal, 3 mm long. Berry, 3-4 mm across, globose, reddish; seeds 4. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19785 

Kanthalppara; 30462 Vengoli 

HELIOTROPIUM Linnaeus 

1. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm; nutlets free, obtuse.....................................................................................H. bracteatum 

1. Leaves more than 7 x 5 cm; nutlets connate in pairs, beaked....................................................................... 2 

2. Flowers pale violet or pink .............................................................................................................. H. indicum 

2. Flowers white .................................................................................................................................H. keralense 

Heliotropium bracteatum R. Br., Prodr. 493. 1810; FBI 4: 151. 1883; FPM 897. 1923. H. 

laxiflorum Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 102. 1821. 

Herbs, branchlets pubescent. Leaves to 4 x 0.5 cm, linear-lanceolate, acute, base cuneate, 

margin revolute; petiole to 4 mm; calyx lobes 5, 2.5 mm, ovate-obovate; corolla 2.5 mm across, 

salver form, lobes to 1.5 mm, broadly ovate; stamens 5; anthers to 1 mm, ovate-cordate; ovary 

globose. Drupe 2 mm across, 4-lobed, hirsute; seeds globose. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Australia. Common in open rocky areas; PS 30454 Vengoli 


Heliotropium indicum L., Sp. Pl. 130. 1753; FBI 4: 152. 1883; FPM 896. 1923; FPL 303. 1990. 

Tiaridium indicum (L.) Lehm., Pl. Asperif. Nucif. 14. 1818. 

Erect herbs. Leaves 8-12 x 4-7 cm, ovate, obtuse at apex, rounded at base, entire, hispid. 

Calyx 1.5 mm long, lanceolate, hispid outside; corolla white, 3 mm long, bottle shaped, white; 

lobes 5, rounded; stamens 5, anthers sessile, inserted inside the corolla tube; ovary 4-celled; 

style terminal, stigma capitate. Drupe 4 x 3 mm, 4-lobed, glabrous; seeds subglobose. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in reservoir beds and marshy areas; PS 30457 Parambikulam 

Heliotropium keralense Sivar. & Manilal, J. Indian Bot. Soc. 51: 348. 1972; FTSR 303. 1996. 

Erect pubescent herbs. Leaves to 10 x 4 cm, ovate-obtuse, base cuneate, subentire, 

membranous, petiole to 8 cm long. Cymes 15 cm long. Calyx 2.5 mm long, white strigose. 

Corolla white, villous, 3 mm long; ovary 4-celled; sty;e twisted; stigma capitate. Drupe 5 x 3 

mm, 4-lobed; seeds 4, globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Occasional in the banks of river and 

reservoir along with H. indicum; PS 19472, 19492 Thellikkal 

ROTULA Loureiro 

Rotula aquatica Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 121. 1790; FPM 893. 1923; FPL 304. 1990; FTSR 304. 

1996. Rhabdia lycioides Mart. & Zucc. Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 136. 1827; FBI 4: 145. 1883. Ehretia 

cuneata Wight, Ic. t. 1385. 1848. 

203

Stout branching shrubs; branched virgate, usually pinkish, glabrous. Leaves alternate or 

fascicled, 1-2 x 0.5 cm, oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse, sessile. Flowers solitary or in few flowered 

cymes axillary; calyx 3.5 mm long 5-partite, lobes lanceolate; corolla pink, 5 mm long, 7 mm 

across, campanulate, 5-lobed; stamens 5, anthers sagitate at base; ovary 4-celled, style filiform, 

stigma capitate. Drupe with 4, 1-seeded pyrenes, free, yellowish, smooth. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in rocky riverine areas; PS 18803 Kannimara 

TOURNEFORTIA Linnaeus 

Tournefortia heyneana Wall. ex G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 369. 1837; FBI 4: 145. 1883; FPM 893. 

1923; FTSR 304. 1996. T. reticosa Wight, Ic. t. 1386. 1848; FBI 4: 146. 1883; FPM 893. 1923. 

Scandent shrubs, branches glabrous. Leaves alternate, to 15 x 4 cm elliptic, oblong, 

acuminate at apex, acute to rounded at base, entire; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers in dichotomous 

scorpioid cymes, terminal, pedicelled; calyx 5-lobed, 2 mm long, ovate, acute; corolla 7 mm long, 

bottle-shaped, tubular, lobes 5, very short; stamens 5, included; anthers sessile, oblong; ovary 4- 

celled. style terminal, bifid at apex. Drupe 4 x 3 mm, dehiscent into 2 pyrenes. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common along the margins of evergreen 

forests; PS 30006 Pooppara 

TRICHODESMA R. Brown 

Trichodesma zeylanicum (Burm. f.) R. Br., Prodr. 496. 1810; FBI 4: 154. 1883; FPM 899. 1923; 

FPL 305. 1990; FTSR 305. 1996. Borago zeylanica Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 41. 1768. 

Coarsely hispid erect herbs, to 50 cm high. Leaves 8-10 x 2 cm, lanceolate, acute at base and 

apex, tubercled hairy above, tomentose below; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers axillary or in 

terminal cymes, pedicelled; sepals 10 x 5 mm, enlarging in fruit; corolla blue, 8 mm long, 

campanulate, lobes 5, triangular with twisted narrow tip; stamens 5, anthers sessile, connivent, 

connective produced in twisted threads; ovary 4-lobbed and 4-celled; style terminal. Nutlets, 

rugose on the inner surface. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19077 Amakkundu 

CONVOLVULACEAE 

1. Corolla urceolate ............................................................................................................................. Lepistemon 

1. Corolla otherwise............................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Styles two or three ............................................................................................................................. Evolvulus 

2. Style one............................................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Corolla deeply 5 lobed each with two lobules....................................................................................... Erycibe 

3. Corolla entire..................................................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Outer two or three lobes of the sepals accrescent, foliosus............................................................... Hewittia 

4. Lobes of the sepals equal or sub-equal not accrescent ................................................................................... 5 

5. Pollengrains smooth........................................................................................................................... Merremia 

5. Pollengrains spinulose...................................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Fruit dehiscent ......................................................................................................................................Ipomoea 

6. Fruit indehiscent............................................................................................................................................... 7 

7. Stigma linear-oblong..................................................................................................................................Rivea 

7. Stigma capitate or biglobose............................................................................................................................. 8 

8. Calyx accrescent larger than fruit ................................................................................................. Stictocardia 

8. Calyx not accrescent smaller than fruit ..............................................................................................Argyreia 

204

ARGYREIA Loureiro 

1. Ovary 2-celled; fruits red .................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Ovary 4-celled; fruits not red............................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Leaves strigose villous above ........................................................................................................ A. imbricata 

2. Leaves glabrous or glabrescent above ...........................................................................................A. osyrensis 

3. Leaves cordate at base....................................................................................................................... A. hirsuta 

3. Leaves acute at base ......................................................................................................................... A. elliptica 

Argyreia elliptica (Roth) Choisy, Convolv. Orient. 35. 1834. Ipomoea elliptica Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 

113.1821. Lettsomia elliptica (Roth) Wight, Ic. t. 1356.1848; FBI 4:192.1883; FPM 911. 1923. 

Branchlets sparsely pubescent. Leaves 5-9 x 3-5 cm, elliptic-ovate to obovate, acute, base 

rounded to truncate. Cymes lax, corymbose, to 8 cm; bracts deciduous; calyx lobes 5, subequal, 4 

x 3 mm, ovate, obtuse; corolla pink to rose, 3-4 cm across; stamens 5; anthers 3mm; ovary 1.5 

mm, 2-loculare; ovules 2 per cell, style 1.5 cm. Berry 0.7 cm across, orange. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests and bamboo brakes; PS 

19639 Vengoli; 18849 Kanthalppara 

Argyreia hirsuta Wight & Arn., Nov. Acta Phys. Med. Acad. Caes. Leop. Carol. Nat. Cur. 18: 

356. 1836; FBI 4: 189. 1883; FPM 909. 1923; FPL 306. 1990; FTSR 305. 1996. Rivea hirsuta 

(Wight & Arn.) Wight, Ic. t. 891. 1845. 

Climbers; stem hirsute along one side. Leaves 18-20 cm across, broadly ovate, cordate at 

base, acute at apex, densely pubescent with adpressed hairs; nerves 8-13 pairs, prominent 

below; petiole 15-18 cm long. Peduncles axillary, to 10 cm long; bracts leafy, 3-4 cm long, elliptic, 

shortly petioled; sepals equal, ovate, obtuse, sparsely hairy; corolla 7 cm long, 6 cm broad, 

campanulate, hispid outside, pink. Berry 13 mm across, depressed-globose, yellow, glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests and bamboo areas; PS 

30464 Vengoli; NS 19887 Velayudhankai 

Argyreia imbricata (Roth.) Sant. & Patel, Trans. Bose-Res. Inst. Calcutta 22: 40. 1958. Ipomoea 

imbricata Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 112. 1821. Lettsomia aggregata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 76. 1824; FBI 4: 

191. 1883; FPM 910. 1923. L. mysorensis Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 192. 1883. 

Large climbers; stem white-woolly. Leaves 8-12 x 6 cm, ovate, obtusely acute, apiculate, 

rounded or subcordate at base, strigose above, white-tomentose beneath, nerves impressed 

above; petiole 3 cm long. Cymes terminal; peduncles 5 cm long; bracts and bracteoles small. 

Flowers few, shortly pedicelled; calyx lobe orbicular, 10 x 7 mm, densely hairy outside, reddish 

inside; corolla 2 cm long, pink. Berry 5 x 5 mm, reddish, densely hairy outside. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30608 Anappadi 

Argyreia osyrensis (Roth) Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 6: 427. 1843 ‘orixensis’. Ipomoea 

osyrensis Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 117. 1821. Lettsomia aggregata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 76. 1824; FBI 4: 

191. 1883; FPM 910. 1923. L. mysorensis Clarke in Hook. f., FBI 4: 192. 1883. 

Climbing shrubs, branchlets white, tomentose. Leaves 5-10 x 4-8 cm, broadly ovate, thinly 

pubescent above and tawny tomentose below, acute, base subcordate, petiole to 4 cm, 

tomentose. Cymes densely white tomentose, peduncle 5-8 cm, bracts sub-orbicular, calyx 5, 

unequal, ovate, to 8 x 5 mm, corolla 1 cm, pink, tube to 1.5 cm; stamens exerted; ovary 2-locular, 

ovules 2 per cell, style 2 cm. Berry ca 1 cm across, red, enclosed by ovate-orbicular bracts. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional along the margins of grasslands; PS 30681 Kuchimudi 


205

ERYCIBE Roxburgh 

Erycibe paniculata Roxb., Pl. Corom. 2:31.t.159. 1798; FBI 4: 180. 1883; FPM 930. 1923; FPL 

307. 1990; FTSR 306. 1996. E. wightiana Graham, Cat. Pl. Bomb. 137. 1839; FPM 930. 1923. 

Woody climbers, bark covered with warty tubercles; branchlets brown tomentose. Leaves 

alternate, to 11 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute at base and apex, entire, coriaceous, glabrous, nerves 6-8 

pairs; petiole 1 cm long, rusty tomentose. Flowers in axillary or terminal panicles; bracts and 

bracteoles minute; calyx 3 mm long, densely hairy; lobes obovate; corolla yellow, 7 mm long, 

tube campanulate, lobes obcordate, spreading, glabrous; stamens 5, filaments broaden below; 

ovary 1-celled, ovules 4, basal; stigma sessile, globose. Berry, 5-8 mm across, obovoid. 


Distr. India, Himalayas and Andaman Islands. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19119 

Kariamchola; 30192 Kottayali 

EVOLVULUS Linnaeus 

1. Leaves sericeous on either side; corolla blue................................................................................E. alsinoides 

1. Leaves glabrous; corolla white ..................................................................................................E. nummularis 

Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 1: 392. 1762; FBI 4: 220. 1883; FPM 922. 1923. 

Convolvulus alsinoides L., Sp. Pl. 157. 1753. 

Diffuse herbs, stem villous. Leaves to 18 x 8 mm; elliptic oblong, acute, base rounded, 

densely villous, cuspidate. Flowers in axillary 1-3 flowered cymes, peduncles slender, 2 cm long; 

pedicels 1 cm long, bracts and bracteoles similar, lanceolate; sepals 5, 3 x 1 mm, lanceolate, 

hairy; corolla blue, campanulate, 8 mm across; lobes shallow; stamens 5, included; ovary 2- 

celled, ovules 4, styles 2, free, forked, stigmas linear. Capsule 3 mm across, globose, glabrous; 

seeds 4, ellipsoid, acute, black. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30069 Kuchimudi 

Evolvulus nummularis (L.) L., Sp. Pl. (ed.2) 391. 1762; FPL 307. 1990; FTSR 307. 1996. 

Convolvulus nummularis L., Sp. Pl. 175. 1753. Volvulopsis nummularis (L.) Roberty, Candollea 

14: 28. 1952. 

Stem glabrescent. Leaves broadly ovate to orbicular, base cordate, to 1.2 x 1 cm; petiole 0.5 

cm long. Flowers solitary or in pairs, axillary; pedicels to 3 mm long. Calyx lobes 5, acute, 

ciliate, 2.5 mm long. Corolla campanulate, 6 mm across. Capsule globose, 3-4 mm across. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30682 Parambikulam 

HEWITTIA R. Wight & Arnott 

Hewittia malabarica (L.) Suresh in Nicols. et al., Interp. Hort. Malab. 88. 1988; FTSR 307. 

1996. Convolvulus malabaricus L., Sp. Pl. 155. 1753. C. sublobatus L. f., Suppl. Pl. 135. 1781. C. 

bicolor Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 25. 1974, non Desr. 1792. Hewittia bicolor (Vahl) Wight & Arn., 

Madras J. Lit. Sci. 1: 22. 1837; FBI 4: 216. 1883; FPM 924. 1923. H. sublobata (L. f.) O. Ktze., 

Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 441. 1891. 

Creepers; stem densely hispid. Leaves to 7 x 6 cm, ovate, truncate or cordate at base, entire, 

acute, hispid; petiole 4 cm long. Flowers axillary, 2-3 together, in peduncled cymes; bracts and 

bracteoles lanceolate, hairy; pedicels short, 2-3 mm long; sepals unequal, enlarging in fruit, to 

15 x 5 mm, acute, hairy, inner smaller, lanceolate; corolla 25 mm long, lobed; yellow with brown 

eye; stamens equal; filaments glabrous; ovary and style tomentose; stigmas 2, clavate, papillose. 

Capsule 7 x 9 mm, depressed globose; hairy; seeds 4 x 3.5 mm, obovoid, dark brown. 


Distr. Asia, Africa and South America. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

19037 Kannimara 

206

IPOMOEA Linnaeus 

1. Corolla red, salver shaped .............................................................................................................I. hederifolia 

1. Corolla others than red, infundibular or campanulate.................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaf blade divided ............................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaf blade entire................................................................................................................................................ 6 

3. Leaves glabrous.....................................................................................................................................I. cairica 

3. Leaves variously tomentose ............................................................................................................................. 4 

4. Leaves 7-9 lobed ............................................................................................................................I. pes-tigridis 

4. Leaves 3-lobed ................................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Inflorescence with one large bract ...................................................................................................... I. pileata 

5. Inflorescence with two large bracts, overlapping at base ............................................................... I. deccana 

6. Leaves pubescent .................................................................................................................................I. wightii 

6. Leaves glabrous................................................................................................................................................. 7 

7. Corolla to 15 cm long, infundibular .........................................................................................................I. alba 

7. Corolla to 5 cm long, campanulate.....................................................................................................I. obscura 

Ipomoea alba L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753; FPL 309. 1990; FTSR 308. 1996. I. bona-nox L., Sp. Pl. 

(2):228. 1762; FBI 4: 197. 1883. Calonyction bona-nox (L.) Boj., Hort. Maurit. 227. 1837; FPM 

920. 1923. C. speciosum Choisy, Convolv. Orient. 58. t. 1. f. 4. 1834. 

Perennial climbers; stem stout, glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 12 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, 

cordate at base, 11-nerved from base; petiole to 9 cm long. Peduncles 12-16 cm long, stout. 

Flowers 1-3 together, but usually solitary; pedicels 2 cm long; sepals 1.5 cm long, lanceolate, 

strongly aristate, glabrous; corolla white, 8-10 cm broad, funnel shaped, lobes spreading, 

glabrous. Capsule 2.5 x 1.5 cm, glabrous; seeds glabrous. 


Distr. Native Tropical America; introduced and naturalised in many Asian countries. 

Occasional in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19896 Thellikkal 

Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. (ed. 1) 287. 1827; FPM 918. 1923. Convolvulus cairicus 

L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10) 922. 1759. Ipomoea pulchella sensu Wight, Ic. t. 156. 1839, non Roth 1821. 

I. palmata Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 43. 1775; FBI 4: 214. 1883. 

Glabrous climbers. Leaves divided below the middle, lobes elliptic, chartaceous, acute at 

apex; petiole to 4 cm long. Flowers solitary or in few flowered cymes; calyx lobes subequal, to 7 x 

3.5 mm, apiculate; corolla pink, 5 cm across; capsule 7 mm across, globose; seeds pubescent. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in openings and road cuttings; PS 19373 Parambikulam; 30342 

Vengoli 

Ipomoea deccana Austin, Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 1: 324. 1980; FPL 310. 1990; FTSR 308. 1996. 

I. bracteata Wight, Ic. t. 1374. 1848, non Cav. 1799; FBI 4: 203. 1883; FPM 918. 1923. I. 

deccana var. lobata (Clarke) Johri, JETB 5: 432. 1984. 

Hispid creepers. Leaves to 4 x 4 cm, 5-lobed, cordate at base; lobes rhomboid, acute; petiole 

4-5 cm long. Peduncle 2.5-5 cm long; bracts ovate, obtuse, 2-5 together, forming a capitate head; 

flowers 3 together; sessile; sepals unequal, to 9 x 3 mm, acute, hairy; inner smaller; corolla 

purple, 15 mm long, campanulate; filaments unequal, inserted near the base of corolla tube. 

Capsule 6 x 6 mm, globose, puberulus in vertical lines; seeds pubescent, black. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in openings of moist deciduous forests; PS 19232 Vengoli 

Ipomoea hederifolia L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 925. 1759; FPL 311. 1990; FTSR 309. 1996. 

Quamoclit phoenicea (Roxb.) Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 6: 433. 1834; FPM 919. 1923. 

207

Ipomoea angulata Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 464. 1791. I. phoenicea Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 92. 1824. I. 

coccinea sensu Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 199. 1883. 

Slender climbers. Leaves to 10 x 8 cm, ovate, acuminate, cordate at base, entire or shallowly 

3-lobed, membranous; petiole to 15 cm long. Peduncle to 16 cm long, slender, erect. Flowers 2-6 

together; pedicels 5-7 mm long; sepals 7 mm long, ovate, long-cuspidate; corolla red, 4 cm long, 

tubular to funneliform, lobes acute; stamens equal, inserted inside the tube. Capsule 6 x 6 mm, 

globose, transparent; seeds 5 x 3 mm, trigonous, hairy. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; now naturalised in Tropical Asia. Fairly common in rocky 

areas of moist deciduous and evergreen forests; PS 19109 Peruvaripallam; 19635 Vengoli 

Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker-Gawl., Bot. Reg. 3. t.239. 1817; FBI 4: 207. 1883; FPM 916. 1923; 

FTSR 310. 1996. Convolvulus obscurus L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 220. 1762. 

Slender creepers; stem glabrous. Leaves to 5 x 3.5 cm, broadly ovate, acuminate, base 

cordate; petiole to 4 cm long. Peduncle axillary, 4-5 cm long, tomentose. Flowers 1 or 2 on each 

peduncle; sepals 5 mm long, ovate, acute, glandular, outer 2 smaller; corolla 25 mm long, 25 

mm broad, white with pink eye; anthers sagitate at base. Capsule 10 x 8 mm, globose; seeds 6 x 

4 mm, compressed, brown, thinly pubescent. 


Distr. China, Tropical Asia and Tropical Africa. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19983 

Keerappadi 

Ipomoea pes-tigridis L., Sp. Pl. 162. 1753; FBI 4: 204. 1883; FPM 918. 1923; FPL 311. 1990; 

FTSR 310. 1996. I. pes-tigridis L. var. hepaticifolia (L.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 204. 1883. I. 

hepaticifolia L., Sp. Pl. 161. 1753. 

Slender twiners. Leaves to 10 x 12 cm, lobes obovate, acuminate; petiole to 7 cm long. 

Flowers 3-5 together, in bracteate heads; bracts densely bristly, foliaceous; sepals 10 mm long, 

pubescent; corolla 3 cm long, pink, funnel shaped/ Capsule globose; seeds black, grey pubescent. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30080 Kuchimudi 

Ipomoea pileata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 94. 1824; FBI 4: 203. 1883; FPM 918. 1923; FTSR 310. 1996. 

Twining herbs, stem puberulus. Leaves ovate-acuminate, mucronate, base cordate, 

glabrescent above and pubescent below, to 8 x 9 cm; petiole to 7 cm long. Flowers enclosed in a 

boat-shaped, to 5 cm broad involucre; peduncle often longer than the petiole. Sepals ovate, 

obtuse, 1.2 cm long, tomentose. Corolla pinkish-white, narrowly, funnel-shaped, tube 2 cm long 

and 2 mm wide, limb 1.2 cm across. Capsule ovoid, 5 mm long; seeds ovoid, black. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in opening of moist deciduous forests; 


Ipomoea wightii (Wall.) Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 6: 470. 1834; FBI 4: 203. 1883; FPM 

917. 1923; FPL 312. 1990. Convolvulus wightii Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 55. t. 171. 1831. 

Small twiners; stem hirsute. Leaves to 10 x 9 cm, orbicular in outline, cordate at base, 

shallowly 3-lobed, lobes acute, distantly toothed, hirsute above, petiole 5 cm long. Peduncle 10 

cm long; bracts many, linear-lanceolate, yellowish hispid. Flowers 3-5 together, sessile; sepals 

20 x 5 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, densely hispid; corolla 3 cm long, campanulate, purple. 

Capsule 5 x 5 mm, globose, glabrous; seeds hairy on angles. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and India. Common in grasslands; PS 30541 

Pandaravarai 

LEPISTEMON Blume 

208

Lepistemon verdcourtii Mathew & Biju, Kew Bull. 46: 560. 1991; FTSR 311. 1996. 

Herbaceous velutinous twiners. Leaves ovate-acuminate, mucronate, base cordate or 

hastate, tomentose on both sides, to 9 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 6-8; petiole to 7.5 cm long. Flowers 

in many-flowered dense, umbellate, peduncled cymes, peduncle ca. 3 cm long; pedicels 7 or 8 

mm long. Sepals ovate, obtuse, subequal, outer 3 x 3 mm; inner two 3.5 x 3 mm. Corolla 

urceolate, pale yellow 1.5 cm long, shortly lobed, lobes plaited, glabrous; scales obovoid, concave, 

hirsute outside. Stamens attached to the base of scales. Ovary glabrous, conical; style short, 

stigma 2-lobed, papillose. Capsule dorsiventrally compressed, deeply 4-lobed, glabrous, 2-3.5 x 

5-6 mm; seeds 4, ovoid, greyish-brown tomentose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Occasional in evergreen and reed brakes; 

PS 19314 Kothala 

MERREMIA Dennstedt ex Endlicher 

1. Leaves entire .................................................................................................................................M. umbellata 

1. Leaves lobed or basely auricled........................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Branchlets hairy; corolla more to 4 cm long....................................................................................M. vitifolia 

2. Branchlets glabrous; corolla to 2 cm long........................................................................................................ 3 

3. Leaf base auricled and toothed; seeds hairy ................................................................................M tridentata 

3. Leaf base auricled and toothed; seeds glabrous..........................................................................M. hederacea 

Merremia hederacea (Burm. f.) Hall. f., Bot. Jahrb. 18: 118. 1893; FTSR 311. 1996. Evolvulus 

hederaceus Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 77. t.30. 1768. Ipomoea chryseides Ker-Gawl., Bot. Reg. 4: t. 270. 

1818; FBI 4: 206. 1883. Merremia chryseides (Ker-Gawl.) Hall. f., Bot. Jahrb. 16: 552. 1893; 

FPM 929. 1923. 

Creeping herbs, stem puberulus. Leaves 2.5 x 2.5 cm, shallowly 3-lobed, cordate at base, 

chartaceous, 5-7-nerved from base, glabrous, lobes sub-orbicular; petiole 1-4 cm long, hispid. 

Flowers many, on axillary dichasial cyme to 10 cm long: sepals unequal, to 5 x 4 mm, obovate, 

truncate at apex, cuspidate; corolla 10 mm long, 15 mm across, yellow, filaments glandular 

hairy below. Capsule 5 x 5 mm, glabrous; seeds hairy. 


Distr. Old World tropics. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19400 Padippara 

Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f., Bot. Jahrb. 16: 552. 1893, ssp. tridentata; FPM 928. 1923; 

FPL 313. 1990. Convolvulus tridentatus L., Sp. Pl. 157. 1753. Ipomoea tridentata (L.) Roth in 

Roem. Arab. Bot. 1: 38. 1797; FBI 4: 205. 1883. 

Trailing herbs. Leaves to 3 x 1 cm, lanceolate to oblong, hastate at base, acute at apex, 

mucronate, chartaceous, penninerved, glabrate; petiole 5 mm long, hairy. Flowers solitary, 

axillary; pedicels to 2.5 cm long, slender; sepals subequal, to 6 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, cuspidate, 

inner ones acuminate; corolla 12 mm long, 15 mm across, white or yellowish, throat usually 

pale purple. Capsule 6 x 6 mm, glabrous; seeds 3 x 3 mm, glabrous, black. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 19223 Vengoli 

Merremia umbellata (L.) Hall. f., Bot. Jahrb. 16: 552. 1893; FPM 928. 1923; FPL 313. 1990; 

FTSR 312. 1996. Convolvulus umbellatus L., Sp. Pl. 155. 1753. Ipomoea cymosa Roem. & 

Schult., Syst. Nat. 4: 241. 1819; FBI 4: 211. 1883. 

Prostrate or twining herbs, stem sparsely hairy. Leaves to 8 x 5 cm, oblong, acuminate at 

apex, entire, membranous, glabrous above, sparsely hairy below; petiole 1 cm long, hairy. 

Peduncle 3 cm long, hispid. Flowers subumbellate; pedicels 1 cm long; sepals 8 x 6 mm, 

209

suborbicular, obtuse; corolla 3.5 cm long, campanulate, white, lobes hairy at apex; filaments 

broadened and glandular below. Capsule 2 cm across, globose, seeds angular, black, pubescent 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 18839 Kuriarkutty 

Merremia vitifolia (Burm. f.) Hall. f., Bot. Jahrb. 16: 552. 1893; FPM 928. 1923; FPL 314. 1990; 

FTSR 312. 1996. Convolvulus vitifolius Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 45. t.18. 1768. Ipomoea vitifolia 

(Burm. f.) Blume, Bijdr. 709. 1826; FBI 4: 213. 1883. 

Aggressive climbers; stem brownish, hirsute or glabrous. Leaves membranous, to 8 x 9 cm, 

5-7-lobed, lobes acute, distantly dentate, petiole to 7 cm long. Peduncle 8 cm long, hirsute or 

glabrous. Flowers few, racemose; pedicels 1.5 cm long; sepals 1.5 cm long, ovate, obtuse, 

emarginate, sparsely bristled; corolla yellow, 5 cm broad, funnel-shaped; stamens 5, equal, 

filaments broadened and glandular at base. Capsule 1.5 x 1.5 cm, glabrous; seeds 8 x 6 mm, 

trigonous, dark brown; fruiting calyx lobes 2.5 x 1.5 cm. 


Distr. Indo-China and China. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 18899 Muthalakkuzhi 

RIVEA Choisy 

Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 6:408.1834; FBI 4:184.1883; 

FPM 908.1923; FPL 314. 1990. Convolvulus hypocrateriformis Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 561. 

1792. 

Leaves 3-4 x 3-6 cm, cordiform, subcoriaceous, base cordate, apex obtuse’; petiole to 6 cm. 

Flowers axillary, solitary or in cymes; bracts lanceolate; corolla white, 7 cm across, salver-form; 

stamens 5, unequal, to 1.8 cm; anthers oblong, 4 mm; ovary oblong, 4 mm, 4-locular, each 1- 

ovulate, style 3.5 cm. Capsule conical, indehiscent, 1.5 x 1 cm, 1-celled; seeds 4 or a few. 


Distr. India and Nepal. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19970 Thekkady 

STICTOCARDIA H.G. Hallier 

Stictocardia tiliifolia (Desr.) Hallier f., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 18: 159. 1894; FPM 904. 1923. 

Convolvulus tiliifolius Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 544. 1792. Argyreia tiliifolius (Desr.) Wight, Ic. 

t. 1358. 1848; FBI 4: 184. 1883. 

Leaves 5-9 x 6-9 cm, broadly ovate to cordiform, chartaceous, base cordate, margin entire; 

petiole to 8 cm. Flower axillary, solitary; bracts cauducous; corolla pink, 7 cm across, funnelform; 

stamens 5, unequal, to 3.5 cm; ovary conical, 1.5 mm, 4-locular, each 1-ovuled; style 3.5 

cm; stigma biglobose. Capsule indehiscent; accrescent calyx enlarged and fleshy. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in the near by areas of reservoir; PS 19107 


SOLANACEAE 

1. Calyx accrescent, completely enclosing the fruit................................................................................Physalis 

1. Calyx rarely accrescent not enclosing the fruit .............................................................................................. 2 

2. Fruit echinate .......................................................................................................................................... Datura 

2. Fruit not echinate ............................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Flowers in extra-axillary racemes or cymes; stamens attached to throat of corolla tube............. Solanum 

3. Flowers in axillary fascicles; stamens attached to base of corolla tube........................................Lycianthes 

DATURA Linnaeus 

210

Datura metel L., Sp. Pl. 179. 1753; FPL 315. 1990. D. fastuosa L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10) 932. 1759; 

FBI 4: 242. 1883; FPM 941. 1923. D. fastuosa L. var. alba (Nees) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 243. 

1883; FPM 941. 1924. Datura alba Nees, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17: 73. 1834. 

Shrubs, stem terete. Leaves alternate, 10-20 x 6-12 cm, ovate, acute at apex, unequal at 

base, glabrous, membranous; petiole to 10 cm long. Flowers erect, solitary, axillary, pedicellate; 

calyx green, to 6 cm long, tubular, lobes 5, erect, acute, glabrous; corolla to 15 cm long, white 

with violet shades, glabrous, lobes 5, erect, truncate with short linear appendage; stamens 5, 

included, filaments equal, hairy at base, anthers oblong; ovary 2-celled; style filiform; stigma 2- 

lobed. Capsule 3.5 cm across, globose, prickly; seeds compressed, glabrous. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30087 Kuchimudi 

LYCIANTHES Hassler 

1. Branches zig-zag; calyx cup without appendages .................................................. L. laevis ssp. bigeminata 

1. Branches straight; calyx cup with vermiform appendages ............................................L. laevis ssp. laevis 

Lycianthes laevis (Dunal) Bitter, Abh. Nat. Ver. Bremen 24: 484. 1920, ssp. laevis; FPL 315. 

1990; FTSR 315. 1996. Solanum laeve Dunal, Solan. Synop. 22. 1816; Clarke in Hook. f., FBI 4: 

231. 1883; FPM 936. 1923. 

Subshrubs; branches glabrous or scabrous. Leaves 8-18 x 2-5 cm, alternate or fascicled, 

elliptic, acuminate at either ends, entire, petiolate. Flowers solitary or fascicled; sepals a 

truncate cup-like rim with or without appendages; corolla spreading, tube very short, lobes 

oblong, glabrous white with violet shade; stamens 5, erect, anthers ovate, filaments very short; 

ovary conical; style glabrous, stigma terminal. Berry 6 x 6 mm, globose; seeds yellow, flat, 

concentricity reticulate. 


Distr. South India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Common along the grassland slopes; PS 19420 

Pooppara; 30433 Karimala 

Lycianthes laevis (Dunal) Bitter ssp. bigeminata (Nees) Deb Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 76. 193. 1978; 

FTSR 315. 1996. Solanum bigeminatum Nees, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17: 42. 1837; Clarke in 

Hook. f., FBI 4: 231. 1883. 

Subshrubs, branchlets glabrous. Leaves 18-25 x 6-8 cm, alternate or fascicled, elliptic, 

acuminate. Flowers fascicled; sepals cupular; corolla spreading, lobes oblong; stamens 5; 

anthers ovate; ovary conical. Berry 6 x 6 mm, globose; seeds red. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in reed areas; PS 19742 Pezha 

PHYSALIS Linnaeus 

Physalis angulata L., Sp. Pl. 183. 1753; Hook.f., FBI 4:238. 1883; FPM 939. 1923; FTSR 316. 

1996. P. minima L., Sp. Pl. 183. 1753; FPL 316. 1990. 

Annual herbs, branches angular. Leaves ovate, acuminate, base cuneate, unequal sided, 

margins dentate or sinuate, sometimes entire, to 6 x 3 cm; petiole to 5 cm long. Flowers solitary, 

pedicels 1 cm long. Calyx 5-toothed, in fruit 2.5 cm across. Corolla pale-yellow, 0.8 cm across. 

Berry 0.7 mm across; seeds minutely rugose. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; naturalized in many Asian countries. Fairly common in open 

forest lands; PS 30785 Thunakkadavu 

SOLANUM Linnaeus 

1. Climbing shrubs ..................................................................................................................... S. seaforthianum 

211

1. Erect herbs or shrubs........................................................................................................................................ 2 


2. Plants armed with strong prickles................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Herbs; leaves glabrous...............................................................................................................S. americanum 

3. Shrubs or small trees; leaves tomentose.....................................................................................S. erianthum 

4. Leaves with prickles ......................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Leaves without prickles.................................................................................................................................... 8 

5. Berry less than 1 cm diameter, orange-red..................................................................................................... 6 

5. Berry more than 1.5 cm diameter, yellow or white with greenish lines....................................................... 7 

6. Racemes lax; pedicels to 2 cm.......................................................................................S. anguivi var. anguivi 

6. Racemes dense; pedicels to 0.7 cm...........................................................................S. anguivi var. multiflora 

7. Leaves covered with simple hairs; prickle to 2 cm long..........................................................S. virginianum 

7. Leaves covered with stellate hairs; prickles to 1 cm long ..................................S. melongena var. insanum 

8. Flowers white; berry greenish-yellow................................................................................................S. torvum 

8. Flowers violet; berry red...............................................................................................................S. giganteum 

Solanum americanum Mill., Gard. Dict. (ed. 8) 5. 1768; FTSR 316. 1996. Solanum nigrum sensu 

Gamble, FPM 936. 1923, non L. 1753. 

Herbs. Leaves 4-8 x 1.5-4 cm, ovate to broadly ovate, attenuate at base, entire or serrate, 

membranous. Peduncle 1 cm long. Flowers umbelled; pedicels 1 cm long, filiform, glabrous; 

calyx deeply 5-partite, corolla white with bluish shade, 5 mm across, lobes oblong. Berry 6 mm 

across, black, smooth, glossy; seeds 1 x 1 mm, orbicular, yellow, pitted. 


Distr. Cosmopolitan. Common around the settlements; PS 19038 Thunakkadavu; 30621 

Pandaravarai 

Solanum anguivi Lam., Encycl. 2: 23. 1794, var. anguivi. S. indicum Hook. f., FBI 4: 234. 1883, 

non L. 1753; FPM 938. 1923. S. violaceum Hepper in Dassan. & Fosb., Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 

6: 378. 1987. 

Erect armed herbs; prickles 5 mm long, straight with a broaden base. Leaves to 9 x 5 cm, 

shallowly lobed, densely hairy below, sparsely above; petiole 3-5 cm long. Raceme axillary, 8-12- 

flowered, peduncled. Flowers blue; pedicels 1.5 cm long, straight, erect; corolla 20 mm across, 

densely stellate hairy outside; style hairy. Berry 7 x 7 mm, orange-yellow, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30819 

Parambikulam 

Solanum anguivi Lam. var. multiflora (Roth ex Roem. & Schult.) Chithra in Henry et al., Fl. 

Tamil Nadu 2: 115. 1987. S. multiflorum Roth ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 4: 669. 1819. S. 

indicum var. multiflora (Roth ex Roem. & Schult.) Clarke in Hook.f., Hook. f., FBI 4: 235. 1883; 

FPM 938. 1923. S. ferox L. var. minus Wight, Ic. t. 1400. 1848. 

Erect woody herbs; stem prickled; prickles stout, broaden towards the base. Leaves to 15 x 

12 cm, shallowly lobed, densely stellate hairy; petiole 3 cm long. Raceme 12-25-flowered, very 

shortly peduncled. Flowers blue, densely packed; pedicels 1.2 cm long, curved; corolla 22 mm 

across, glabrous or hairy. Berry 8 mm across, orange-red, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 


212

Solanum erianthum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 96. 1825; FPL 318. 1990. S. verbascifolium sensu 

Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 230. 1883, non L. 1753. S. pubescens Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 244. 1824, non 

Willd. S. verbascifolium var. adulterinum (Buch.-Ham.) G. Don, Gen. Syst. 4: 415. 1838. 

Large shrubs or small trees, unarmed. Leaves 15-25 x 5-10 cm, elliptic, entire, densely hairy 

below, sparsely above; nerves prominent; stellate hairs with equal arms; petioles 4 cm long. 

Cymes terminal or subterminal; peduncle 5 cm long, stout. Flowers many, erect, densely 

packed; pedicels 1 cm long; corolla white, densely pubescent outside. Berry 8 x 8 mm, orangeyellow, 

hairy when young. 


Distr. South East Asia and North Australia. Common in secondary forests; PS 19221 Vengoli 

Solanum giganteum Jacq., Coll. Bot. 4: 125. 1791; FBI 4: 233. 1883; FPM 937. 1923; FPL 318. 

1990. S. niveum Vahl, Symb. 2: 41. 1791. S. farinosum Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 255. 1824. 

Large shrubs, stem and leaves covered with minute stellate hairs; prickles on stem, stout. 

Leaves 20-25 x 5-7 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, entire, membranous; petiole to 5 cm long. 

Cymes terminal or subterminal; peduncle 4-5 cm long. Flowers densely packed; pedicel 1 cm 

long, densely white-stellate hairy; corolla blue, hairy outside. Berry 7 x 7 mm, red, glabrous; 

seeds smooth. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19421 Pooppara 

Solanum melongena L., Sp. Pl. 186. 1753, var. insanum (L.) Prain, Bengal Pl. 746. 1903; FPM 

937. 1923. S. insanum L., Mant. Pl. 46. 1767. S. coagulans Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 47. 1775; FBI 

4: 236. 1883. 

Shrubs; stem usually bluish; prickles to 1 cm long, on stem, petiole and leaves, flattened 

with bluish base. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, shallowly lobed; stellate hairs equally armed; petiole 3-6 

cm long. Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels 2.5 cm long, deflexed in flowers and fruits; calyx 

hairy or with scattered prickles; corolla blue, 1.5 cm across, hairy outside. Berry yellow, 2.5 cm 

across, globose, smooth. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19006 Thunakkadavu 

Solanum seaforthianum Andr., Bot. Repos. 8: t.504. 1808. 

Scandent shrubs. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, petiolate. Peduncle 5 cm long. Flowers in corymbose 

cymes; pedicel 1 cm long, narrow; corolla 1.5 cm across, not spreading, blue. Berry globose, 7 x 7 

mm, reddish. 


Distr. Native of Brazil; now widely naturalised. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 


Solanum torvum Sw., Prodr. 47. 1788; FBI 4: 234. 1883; FPM 937. 1923; FPL 320. 1990; FTSR 

317. 1996. S. stramoniifolium Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 572. 1832, non Jacq. S. indicum L., Sp. Pl. 187. 

1753, p.p. S. inclusum Stahl, Eat. 6: 133. 1888. 

Shrubs, to 2.5 m high, sparsely prickled; prickles stout, broaden at base. Leaves to 18 x 13 

cm, entire or shallowly lobed; petiole to 4 cm long. Peduncle short; cymes congested, axillary. 

Flowers many; pedicel 1 cm long, narrow; corolla white, 1.5 cm across, stellate hairy outside, 

style glabrous. Berry 13 x 13 mm, globose, yellow; seeds pitted. 


Distr. Throughout the tropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19155 Karimala 

213

Solanum virginianum L., Sp. Pl. 187. 1753. S. surattense Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 57. 1768; FPL 320. 

1990. S. xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl., sert. Hannov. 1: 8. t.2. 1795; FBI 4: 236. 1883; FPM 

938. 1923. S. jacquinii Willd.,Sp.Pl.1:1041.1798. S. diffusum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 568. 1832. 

Branched diffuse herbs, stem glandular hairy; prickles 2 cm long, spinescent, gradually or 

not broaden towards the base, present on all parts except berries. Leaves to 13 x 10 cm, lyrate, 

membranous; petioles to 8 cm long. Peduncle absent. Flowers 2-4 together, axillary; pedicel 2 

cm long, stout; corolla 18 mm across, sparsely hispid. Berry 25 mm across, yellowish, smooth; 

seeds flat, not pitted. 


Distr. India, Himalaya, South East Asia, Malesia, Australia, Polynesia. Common in degraded 

forest areas and roadsides; PS 19251 Thellikkal 

SCROPHULARIACEAE 

1. Flowers regular....................................................................................................................................Scoparia 

1. Flowers irregular ............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. All leaves divided into linear lobes......................................................................................................Sopubia 

2. Leaves entire or toothed, not all leaves divided into linear lobes................................................................ 3 

3. Upper leaves alternate, lower opposite.......................................................................................................... 4 

3. All leave opposite or whorled.......................................................................................................................... 6 

4. Calyx spathaceous, split on one side......................................................................................... Centranthera 

4. Calyx not spathaceous..................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Leaves linear, to 0.5 cm broad ................................................................................................................Striga 

5. Leaves elliptic, to 3 cm broad............................................................................................................Buchnera 

6. Filaments of lower stamens appendaged ...................................................................................................... 7 

6. Filaments of lower stamens not appendaged................................................................................................ 8 

7. Erect herbs; capsule depressed globose .......................................................................................... Artanema 

7. Prostrate herbs; capsule oblong........................................................................................................... Torenia 

8. Anthers stalked................................................................................................................................................ 9 

8. Anthers sessile ...................................................................................................................................Lindernia 

9. Anthers confluent, one celled......................................................................................................... Microcarpa 

9. Anthers not confluent.................................................................................................................................... 10 

10. Calyx lobes foliaceous.................................................................................................................... Mecardonia 

10. Calyx lobes not foliaceous ............................................................................................................................. 11 

11. Fertile stamens 4 ............................................................................................................................Limnophila 

11. Fertile stamens 2 .............................................................................................................................Dopatrium 

ARTANEMA D. Don 

Artanema longifolium (L.) Vatke, Linnaea 43: 207. 1881; FPL 321. 1990; FTSR 318. 1996. 

Columnea longifolia L., Mant. Pl. 1: 90. 1767. Achimenes sesamoides Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 71. 

1791. Artanema sesamoides (Vahl) Benth., Scroph. Ind. 39. 1835; FBI 4: 274. 1884; FPM 955. 

1923. 

Undershrubs. Leaves to 20 x 8 cm, elliptic, acuminate, serrate, attenuate at base, glabrous; 

nerves to 6 pairs, distinct below; petiole short or absent. Racemes terminal, to 20 cm long; 

bracts leafy. Calyx 12 mm long, campanulate, divided to the middle, lobes acuminate, glabrous; 

corolla 2.5 cm long, 2-lipped, deep violet, upper lip round or emarginate, lower lip 3-lobed; 

stamens 4, filaments of longer stamen curved or arched, with an orbicular basal appendage, 

anthers connate in pairs; ovary 2-furrowed; style long, slender, stigma spathulate. Capsule 7 x 

8 mm, depressed globose; seeds cylindrical, puberulus, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in grasslands; PS 19265 Anakkalvayal 

214

BUCHNERA Linnaeus 

Buchnera hispida Bunch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 91. 1825; FBI 4: 298. 1884; FPM 

966. 1923; FPL 322. 1990. 

Rigid hispid erect herbs, to 60 cm high, usually not branched. Lower leaves opposite, 5 x 1 

cm, elliptic, obtuse, serrate, attenuate at base; upper leaves alternate, narrower, densely hispid. 

Flowers in terminal lax spike to 20 cm long; bracts ovate, acute, hispid; sepals 5-6 mm long, 

tubular, acutely lobed; corolla tube 8 mm long, narrow, hairy inside; lobes equal, spreading, 

blue; stamens 4, filaments short; style stout, stigma terminal. Capsule 5 x 3 mm, oblong, 

loculicidal, opening by apical slits, glabrous; seeds 0.5 mm long, curved-obovoid, black, angled. 


Distr. India, Madagascar, Tropical Africa. Common in grasslands; PS 19149 Karimala 

CENTRANTHERA R. Brown 

Centranthera indica (L.) Gamble, FPM 971. 1924; FTSR 319. 1996. Rhinanthus indica L., Sp. 

Pl. 603. 1753. Purshia ciliata Dennst., Schluss. Hort. Malab. 11, 24, 35. 1818. Centranthera 

procumbens Benth. in DC., Prodr. 10: 525. 1846; FBI 4: 301. 1884. C. hispida R. Br., Prodr. 438. 

1810; FBI 4: 301. 1885; FPM 971. 1924. 

Coarsely scabrid erect herbs, 10-20 cm high, roots reddish; stem terete. Lower leaves 

opposite, 4 x 0.6 cm, linear oblong, obtuse, densely bulbous based hairy. Flowers axillary, 

solitary, sessile or some times in terminal raceme; calyx 13 mm long, spathaceous, split at one 

side, ribbed, lobes acute; corolla 25 mm long, pale yellow with brown lines, 2-lipped, tube 

ventricose, lobes equal, orbicular; stamens 4, filaments densely hairy; one anther lobe fertile, 

other sterile and tailed; ovary many-ovuled; style dialated above, stigma obovate. Capsule 8 x 5 

mm, ovoid; seeds spirally reticulate. 


Distr. South India, Burma, Malesia and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests and wet 

rocky areas; PS 30786 Pooppara 

DOPATRIUM Buchanan-Hamilton ex Bentham 

Dopatrium nudicaule (Willd.) Benth., Scroph. Ind. 31.1835; Hook.f., FBI 4:274. 1884; FPM 

954.1923. Gratiola nudicaulis Willd., Ges. Naturf. Fr. Neue Schr. 4:193. 1803. 

Stem branched from the base. Leaves mostly basal, obovate, obtuse, subamplexicaule at 

base, to 7 x 3 mm; cauline leaves 2 or 3 pairs, linear, minute. Pedicels to 1 cm long, slender. 

Calyx lobes linear-lanceolate. Corolla pale blue, 6 mm long, throat shortly hairy. Capsule 

linear-oblong, 3 mm long; seeds rugose; fruiting pedicels deflexed. 


Distr. South India, Sri Lanka and Philippines. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 


LIMNOPHILA R. Brown 

Limnophila repens (Benth.) Benth. in DC., Prodr. 10. 387. 1846; FTSR 320. 1996. Stemodia 

repens Benth. in Edward’s Bot. Reg. 17: sub t. 1470. 1832. L. conferta Benth. in DC., Prodr. 10: 

386.1846; FBI 4:265.1884; FPM 952.1923. L. sessilis (Benth.) Fischer, Kew Bull. 1932: 62. 1932. 

Procumbent hispid herbs, to 40 cm long. Leaves to 3 x 1 cm, oblanceolate, acute, serrate, 

sessile, gland-dotted. Flowers axillary, solitary or in terminal raceme, pedicelled; sepals 7 x 1 

mm, oblong, acute, hirtus, basely connate; corolla 13 mm long, yellow, hairy, bilabiate, upper lip 

emarginate, lower lip 3-lobed, lobes equal, obtuse; anthers stalked; stigma with two small 

lateral projections. Capsule 5 x 2 mm, ovoid; seeds round, black. 

Fl. & Fr. August-April 

Distr. Tropical Asia. PS 19722 Parambikulam; 30699 Pillakkalvayal 

215

LINDERNIA Allioni 

1. Fertile stamens 4.............................................................................................................................L. crustacea 

1. Fertile stamens 2............................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Capsule much longer than the calyx ........................................................................................... L. ruellioides 

2. Capsule equaling or shorter than the calyx..............................................................................L. rotundifolia 

Lindernia crustacea (L.) F. Muell., Syst. Cens. Austral. Pl. 1:97.1882; FPL 324. 1990; FTSR 322. 

1996. Capraria crustacea L., Mant. Pl. 87.1767. Vandellia crustacea (L.) Benth., Scroph. Ind. 

35.1835; FBI 4:274.1884; FPM 959.1923. 

Erect branched herbs, 5-15 cm high, rooting from lower nodes; stem bluish, glabrous. Leaves 

to 1.5 x 1 cm, broadly ovate, obtusely acute, serrate; nerves 4 pairs; petioles to 5 mm long. 

Racemes terminal or sometimes flowers axillary; pedicels to 1.5 cm long; calyx 3 mm long, 5-fid 

to below the middle, lobes acute, glabrous; corolla 5 mm long, purple; staminal filament of lower 

stamen appendaged at middle. Capsule 3.5 mm, globose, glabrous; seeds 0.5 mm long, obovoid, 

rugose, yellow. 


Distr. Paleotropic. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30822 Parambikulam 

Lindernia rotundifolia (L.) Mukerjee, J. Indian Bot. Soc. 24: 132. 1945; FTSR 323. 1996. 

Gratiola rotundifolia L., Mant. Pl. 1: 274. 1767.Ilysanthes rotundifolia (L.) Benth. in DC., Prodr. 

10: 420. 1846; FBI 4: 254. 1885; FPM 962. 1923. 

Prostrate branched herbs, rooting from nodes, glabrous. Leaves to 10 mm, orbicular, 

glabrous, sessile, serrate or entire, 3-ribbed from base. Flowers axillary; pedicels 1.6 cm long , 

slender, solitary; sepals 2.5 mm, elliptic, glandular-hairy; corolla 11 mm long; upper lip notched 

at apex, lower lip 3-lobed, hairy at the throat; staminodes 4 mm long, filiform, appendaged; 

stigmas hairy. Capsule 3 mm long, globose; seeds curved, striate, pale brown. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in wet rocky areas; PS 30700 Vengoli 

Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.) Pennell, Brittonia 2: 182. 1936. Gratiola ruellioides Colsm., 

Prodr. Desc. Grat. 12. 1793. Bonnaya reptans Spreng., Syst. 1: 41. 1824; FBI 4: 284. 1884. 

Gratiola repens Roxb.,Fl.Ind.1:140.1820. Ilysanthes reptans (Spreng.) Urban, Berl. Deutsch. 

Bot. Ges. 2: 436. 1884; FPM 962. 1923.Bonnaya veronicaefolia Wight, Ic. t. 1411. 1849, non 

Sprengl. 

Creeping herbs with erect branches, lower nodes rooting. Leaves to 5 x 1.8 cm, ellipticoblong, 

obtuse at apex, coarsely dentate-serrate; nerves 3-5 pairs; petiole 0.5-1 cm long. Raceme 

terminal. Flowers opposite; pedicels 1 cm long, slender, perpendicular to axis; sepals 6 mm long, 

lanceolate, basely connate, glabrous; corolla blue, 2-lipped, lobes round. Capsule 1.7 cm long, 

linear, acuminate; seeds trigonous, 0.5 mm long, rugose, brown. 


Distr. Tropical and Subtropical Asia. Rare in the openings of evergreen forests; PS 19905 

Kariamchola 

MECARDONIA Ruiz & Pavon 

Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Small, Fl. Southeast. U.S. 1065 & 1338. 1903; FTSR 324. 1996. 

Erinus procumbens Mill., Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 92. 1788. Bacopa procumbens (Mill.) Green, 

Publ. Field. Columb. Mus. Bot. ser. 2: 261. 1907. Mecardonia dianthera (Swartz) Pennell, Proc. 

Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 98: 87. 1940. 

Diffuse herbs, stem 4-angled. Leaves opposite, sessile, to 1.5 x 0.6 cm, ovate-lanceolate, base 

acute, crenate-serrate, penninerved. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels 1 cm long; bracteoles 

216

oblong, 0.5 cm long; calyx deeply 5-partiate, inner 2 lobes much narrower, 4 x 0.5 cm; outer 

ovate-lanceolate; corolla yellow, 7 mm long, slightly 2-lipped with subequal lobes; stamens 4, 

didynamous, anthers stalked, ovary oblong with short style; stigma lamellate. Capsule 2- 

valved; seeds reticulate. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; Introduced and naturalised in India. Common in disturbed 

areas and vayals; PS 19340 Thenkudippara; 30418 Parambikulam 

MICROCARPAEA R. Brown 

Microcarpaea minima (Koenig ex Retz.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 7: 100. 1912. Paederota minima 

Koenig ex Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 10. 1788. Microcarpaea muscosa R. Br., Prodr. 436. 1810; FBI 4: 

286. 1884; FPM 963. 1924. 

Herbs. Leaves 2-4 x 0.5-1 mm, narrowly oblong, apex obtuse. Flower axillary, solitary; 

corolla purplish, 1.2 mm across, cauducous; stamens 2, exserted, filaments filiform, 1 mm; 

anthers 1-celled, confluent, 0.2 mm; ovary oblong-cylindric, 1 mm; style 1 mm; stigma capitate, 

papillose, deflexed. Capsule oblong-globose, enclosed by calyx-base, 2 mm; seeds ellipsoid. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in wet rocky areas; PS 19335 Thenkudippara 

SCOPARIA Linnaeus 

Scoparia dulcis L., Sp. Pl. 116. 1753; FBI 4: 289. 1884; FPM 964. 1924; FPL 326. 1990; FTSR 

324. 1996. 

Erect herbs; stem ridged. Leaves whorled, 3.5 x 1.5 cm, elliptic to obovate, acute, serrate; 

petiole 7 mm long. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels erect, slender; calyx 3 mm long, deeply 4- 

lobed, lobes ovate, obtuse; corolla rotate, 4-lobed, white, throat densely hairy, lobes 3 mm long; 

stamens 4, subequal. Capsule globose, longer than the calyx, 2-valved; seeds many, pitted. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; now Pantropical. Very common along the roadsides, moist 

deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19045 Thunakkadavu 

SOPUBIA F. Hamilton ex D. Don 

1. Corolla pink; anthers not beared .............................................................................................S. delphiniifolia 

1. Corolla yellow with purple centre; anthers beared ........................................................................... S. trifida 

Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don, Gen., Syst. 4: 560. 1837 "delphinifolia"; FBI 4: 302. 1885; 

FPM 970. 1924; FPL 326. 1990; FTSR 325. 1996. Gerardia delphiniifolia L., Cent. Pl. 2: 21. 

1756. 

Annuals or perennials; stem hispid. Leaves 2-3.5 cm long, lobes narrow, filiform, hirtus. 

Flowers axillary; pedicels 2-3 cm long, slender; calyx 9 mm long, tube ribbed, lobes acuminate, 

scabrid; corolla 2.5 cm long, tube ventricose, lobes subequal, obovate, obtuse; stamens 4, one 

anther lobe sterile, spurred. Capsule 5 x 3.5 mm, truncate at apex; seeds oblong, pitted. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands and wet rocky areas; PS 19647 Vengoli 

Sopubia trifida Bunch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 88. 1825; FBI 4: 302. 1884; FPM 970. 

1924; FPL 326. 1990; FTSR 325. 1996. 

Stout rigid herbs; stem hispid. Leaves 3-fid or upper ones entire; lobes 1-2 cm long, linearoblong, 

coriaceous, covered with tubercle based hairs. Flowers axillary or in terminal racemes; 

pedicels 7 mm long; calyx 3.5 mm long, campanulate, lobes triangular, glandular; corolla 12 mm 

across, lobes rotate, subequal; anthers bearded at base. Capsule 3 x 2.5 mm, emarginate at 

apex; seeds brown. 

217


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in grasslands; PS 18934 Karimalagopuram; 19931 

Karimala 

STRIGA Loureiro 

1. Flowers yellow; calyx tube 10-ribbed................................................................................................S. asiatica 

1. Flowers white; calyx tube 15-ribbed..........................................................................................S. angustifolia 

Striga angustifolia (D. Don) Sald., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 5: 70. 1963; FPL 327. 1990; FTSR 325. 

1996. Buchnera angustifolia D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 91. 1825. Striga euphrasioides auct. non 

Vahl, 1794: Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 32. 1832. 

Erect, little or not branched scabrid herbs. Leaves 2-4 x 0.4 cm, linear-lanceolate. Flowers in 

terminal spikes; bracts lanceolate; sepals 10 mm long; corolla 14 mm long, 2-lipped, upper lip 

orbicular, lower lip 3-lobed. Capsule 4 x 3 mm, obovoid, cuspidate; seeds cylindrical, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in grasslands; PS 18927 Karimalagopuram 

Striga asiatica (L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 466. 1981; FTSR 326. 1996. Buchnera asiatica L., 

Sp. Pl. 1630. 1753. Striga lutea Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 22. 1790; FBI 4: 299. 1884; FPM 968. 1924. 

Herbs, stem tubercled hairy. Leaves to 4 x 0.5 cm, lanceolate to oblanceolate, thickly scabrid. 

Flowers sessile in terminal spike; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate; sepals 1 cm long, oblong, 

glabrous, united to near the tip, tubercled hairy; corolla 14 mm long, tube slender; upper lip 

orbicular, entire. Capsule 4 x 3 mm, oblong; seeds angular, pitted 


Distr. South East Asia and Africa. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30469 Vengoli 

TORENIA Linnaeus 

Torenia bicolor Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc.3: 38. 1851; FBI 4: 278. 1884; FPM 957. 

1923; FPL 327. 1990; FTSR 326. 1996. 

Prostrate herbs. Leaves to 3 x 2 cm, ovate, acute, serrate, base truncate to subcordate, thinly 

hairy; nerves to 4 pairs; petiole to 2 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels 4-5 cm long, 

slender; calyx 1.5 cm long, ribbed with brown line, narrowly winged, glabrous, wing decurrent 

at base into the pedicel; lobes acuminate; corolla 2.5 cm long, deep-violet, with pale lower lip, 

lobes obtuse, glabrous; appendages of lower filament shortly subulate. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in the openings of evergreen forests; PS 19210 

Kariamchola 

OROBANCHACEAE 

1. Calyx tubular, 5 lobed.....................................................................................................................Christisonia 

1. Calyx spathaceous, split on one side.................................................................................................. Aeginetia 

AEGINETIA Linnaeus 

1. Scape unbranched, one flowered; corolla tube deep purple.............................................................. A. indica 

1. Scape branched, many flowered; corolla tube yellow..............................................................A. pedunculata 

Aeginetia indica L., Sp. Pl. 632. 1753; FBI 4: 320. 1884; FPM 974. 1924; FPL 328. 1990; FTSR 

327. 1996. 

Root stock short, horizontal; scapes many, erect, unbranched, glabrous, deep pink or brown, 

15-30 cm long. Flowers solitary; bracts and bracteoles absent; calyx 2 cm long, glabrous, 

reddish; corolla 3 cm long, dark purple, tube broad, lobes equal, rounded, glabrous; upper 

218

stamens with one anther lobe; lower stamen with one sterile and one fertile lobes. Capsule 2 cm 

long, dehisce apically; seeds many, white, rugose 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Japan. Fairly common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19878 

Velayudhankai 

Aeginetia pedunculata Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: t.219. 1831; FBI 4: 320. 1884; FPM 974. 1924; 

FPL 329. 1990; FTSR 327. 1996. Orobanche pedunculata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 29. 1832. 

Rootstock erect, glabrous or scabrid. Scapes branched, 10-20 cm long, glabrous, pink or 

brownish yellow. Flowers many; calyx 4 cm long, split along one side, puberulus, acute. pale 

orange; corolla 6 cm long, 4 cm across; tube widening above, yellowish pink; lobes rounded, 

purple to blue; sterile anthers with fleshy acute horn; stigma peltate, prominent, glabrous, 

white. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in the rocky grasslands and openings in the evergreen forests; PS 


CHRISTISONIA Gardner 

1. Stem glandular hairy; bracteoles two, large......................................................................................C. bicolor 

1. Stem not glandular hairy; bracteoles absent.................................................................................C. tubulosa 

Christisonia bicolor Gard., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 8: 159. 1847; FBI 4: 322. 1884; FPM 976. 1924; 

FTSR 327. 1996. Christisonia aurantiaca Wight, Ic. t. 1486. 1849. 

Stem 8-12 cm long, pubescent; scales few, distant. Flowers peduncled and pedicellate; 

bracteoles 2, 8 x 3 mm, lanceolate, acute, pubescent; calyx 18 mm long, brick-red, lobes short, 

triangular, acuminate, glandular pubescent; corolla 6 cm long, tube narrow below, widening 

above, lobes yellow, orbicular, glandular hairy; filaments 25 mm long, sterile, anther lobes 3 

mm long, spur-like, acuminate; placenta lobed; style to 4.5 cm long, stigma with a large pit at 

centre. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in reed areas; NS 5624 Karimala Hills 

Christisonia tubulosa (Wight) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 4: 321. 1884; FPM 975. 1924. Oligopholis 

tubulosa Wight, Ic. t. 1422. 1849. 

Stem reddish, to 40 cm high, glabrous. Peduncle 3 cm long, stout; bracts 8 mm long, ovate, 

acute; calyx 2 cm long, orange coloured, glabrous, lobes unequal, acute; corolla to 5 cm long; 

tube slightly curved, 1.5-2 cm broad, yellowish white, lobes equal, 1.5 cm across, thinly 

tomentose, pink; stamens equal, filaments hairy; sterile anther lobe hooked; stigma papillose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in reed areas and evergreen forests at 

higher elevations; PS 18925 Karimalagopuram 

LENTIBULARIACEAE 

UTRICULARIA Linnaeus 

1. Flowers rose pink; lower lip 5 lobed................................................................................................U. striatula 

1. Flowers blue, violet or yellow; lower lip entire or 3-lobed.............................................................................. 2 

2. Bracts and scales medifixed ............................................................................................................U. caerulea 

2. Bracts and scales basifixed............................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Pedicels recurved in fruit; spur strait.......................................................................................U. polygaloides 

3. Pedicels not recurved in fruit; spur curved upwards ..................................................................................... 4 

219

4. Capsule wall uniformly thickened; testa cells isodiametric ........................................................U. uliginosa 

4. Capsule wall thickened along dehiscent margins; testa cells elongated...............................U. graminifolia 

Utricularia caerulea L., Sp. Pl. 18. 1753; FPM 983. 1924; JBI 43. 1992; FPL 330. 1990; FTSR 

328. 1996. U. nivea Vahl, Enum. Pl. 1: 203. 1804. U. racemosa Wall. ex Walp. in Meyen, Obs. 

Bot. 19: 401. 1843. 

Foliar organs spathulate, revolute, up to 8 mm long, traps ovoid, mouth terminal. Racemes 

up to 40 cm long, erect; bracts medifixed, rhomboid. Flowers bluish purple; calyx lobes 

subequal, broadly ovate, obtuse; upper lip of corolla oblong, lower lip broadly ovate, larger than 

lower lip. Capsule subglobose; seeds ovoid, reticulate, cells elongate. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in the moist areas of grasslands; NS 5756 Karimala Hills 

Utricularia graminifolia Vahl, Enum. Pl. 1: 195. 1804; FPM 981. 1924; JBI 57. 1992; FPL 330. 

1990. U. smithiana Wight in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 373. 1849; FPM 982. 1924. U. 

squamosa Wight in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 373. 1849; FPM 982. 1924. U. uliginoides 

Wight in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 372. 1849 & Ic, t. 1575. 1850. U. conferta Wight, Ic. 

t. 1575. 1850. U. pedicellata Wight in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 373. 1849 & Ic. t. 1578. 

f. 2. 1850. U. caerulea sensu Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 331. 1884, non L. 1753. 

Foliar organs, linear, obtuse, 3-nerved, up to 2 cm long. Traps subglobose, mouth basal, 

appendages 2, subulate, simple. Racemes to 30 cm long; bracts basifixed, ovate, lanceolate. 

Flowers blue to purple; calyx lobes unequal, ovate, acute, upper lip 4 x 2.5 mm, lower lip 3 x 2 

mm; upper lip of corolla linear, oblong, lower lip obovate. Capsules ovoid, thickened along 

dehiscent margins; seeds subglobose, reticulate. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in wet areas of grasslands with Drosera and Eriocaulon; 


Utricularia polygaloides Edgew., Proc. Linn. Soc. London 1: 351. 1848; JBI 79. 1992. U. 

reticulata Smith var. uliginosa sensu Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 331. 1884 p.p. U. stricticaulis 

(Kon. ex Oliver) Stapf ex Gamble, FPM 981. 1924. U. reticulata Smith var. stricticaulis Koen. 

ex Oliver, J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 180. 1859. 

Rhizoids glandular, branches papillose. Foliar organs to 1 x 0.4 cm, linear acute, Trap ca 1 

mm, globose, glandular hairy. Racemes to 25 cm, scale 1 mm, ovate-lanceolate, basifixed; bracts 

ca 3 mm, ovate, acute; bracteoles 2 mm, subulate, basifixed; calyx, upper to 7 x 4 mm, ovate, 

acute, lower tridentate; corolla violet, upper lip ca 4 x 3 mm, oblong, obtuse, lower lip ca 6 x 4 

mm, obovate, rounded; spur equal to calyx, conical; stamens ca 2 mm; pistil 2 mm, ovary ovoid. 

Capsule to 6 x 3.5 mm, ovoid. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common the wet rocky areas; PS 30011 Karimala 

Utricularia striatula Smith, Res. Cyclop. 37: n.17. 1819; FPM 983. 1924; JBI 106. 1992; FPL 

331. 1990; FTSR 328. 1996. U. pusilla Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 165. 1839, non Vahl 1804. U. 

orbiculata Wall. ex A. DC. in DC., Prodr. 8: 18. 1844; FBI 4: 334. 1884. U. glochidiata Wight in 

Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 373. 1849 & Ic. t. 1581. 1850. 

Foliar organs to 4 x 3 mm, orbicular, rostrate at base; scape scattered on stolen, filiform. 

Traps globose, mouth lateral; scape 8 cm long, erect, 3-5-flowered; bracts medifixed. Flowers 

rose pink; calyx unequal, papillose, upper lip 2 x 2 mm, orbicular, lower lip 1 x 0.9 mm, ovate, 

rounded; corolla bluish violet with yellow throat; upper lip suborbicular, lower lip 5-lobed, 

throat hairy, spur cylindrical, acute. Capsule ovoid; seeds oblong, clavate, glochidiate. 


220

Distr. Paleotropics. Rare on wet rocks; PS 19728 Parambikulam 

Utricularia uliginosa Vahl, Enum. Pl. 1: 203. 1804; FPM 981. 1924; JBI 113. 1992; FPL 331. 

1990; FTSR 328. 1996. U. affinis Wight in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 373. 1849; FBI 4: 

330. 1884. 

Foliar organs linear, rounded, up to 5 cm. Traps subglobose, glandular, mouth basal 

appendages 2, subulate. Racemes up to 30 cm long, erect; bracts basifixed. Flowers 3-6 in a 

raceme; calyx lobes unequal, upper lip blue, ovate, acute; calyx elliptic, acuminate or bidentate; 

corolla bluish purple, 8 mm long, upper lip oblong, emarginate, lower lip obovate or elliptic. 

Capsule ovoid; seeds subglobose, testa reticulate, cells isodiametric. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Australia. Common in moist localities in grasslands; PS 19681 

Karimala 

GESNERIACEAE 

1. Epiphytic subshrubs; fruit to 15 cm ........................................................................................ Aeschynanthus 

1. Terrestrial herbs or shrubs; fruit to 8 cm........................................................................................................ 2 

2. Fruit a linear capsule; leaves radical.........................................................................................Didymocarpus 

2. Fruits ovoid or ellipsoid; leaves cauline........................................................................................................... 3 

3. Leaves unequal at base; flowers blue ....................................................................................Rhynchoglossum 

3. Leaves equal to base; flowers white or pale blue............................................................................................ 4 

4. Leaves oblanceolate; flowers white; staminodes absent .......................................................Rhynchotechum 

4. Leaves ovate-orbicular; flowers pale blue, small; staminodes 2......................................................Epithema 

AESCHYNANTHUS Jack 

Aeschynanthus perrottetii A.DC. in DC., Prodr. 9: 261. 1845; FBI 4: 339. 1884; FPM 985. 1924; 

FPL 332. 1990; FTSR 329. 1996. A. ceylanica sensu Wight, Ic. t.1347. 1846. A. perrottetii A. DC. 

var. planiculmis Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 340. 1884, 'platyculmis'. A. planiculmis (Clarke) 

Gamble, FPM 985. 1924. 

Epiphytic subshrubs; stem terete, scandent. Leaves to 8 x 1.5 cm, elliptic, succulent, acute, 

pale below; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers axillary, solitary or rarely paired; pedicels 1 cm long; 

sepals 8 x 1 mm, free, lanceolate; corolla pink, 4.5 cm long, tubular, curved, oblique at mouth, 

lobes 5, subequal, glandular-ciliate; stamens 4, all perfect, inserted at the middle of the corolla 

tube; upper stamens with smaller anthers, confluent in pairs; ovary long-stipitate; linear, 1- 

celled, ovules many; style slender, stigma terminal. Capsule to 15 cm long, linear; seeds linear. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19761 Pooppara 

DIDYMOCARPUS Wallich 

1. Leaves spathulate; scape slender ............................................................................................D. innominatus 

1. Leaves ovate or orbicular; scape stout.......................................................................................D. tomentosus 

Didymocarpus innominatus Burtt, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 21: 201. 1954; FTSR 329. 1996. 

D. rottleriana sensu Clarke in DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 101. 1883; FBI 4: 353. 1884; FPM 989. 

1924. 

Scapigerous herbs. Leaves spathulate, acute, base attenuate and shortly decurrent on the 

petiole, thickly coriaceous, margin irregularly shallowly lobed, densely white strigose above and 

villous below, to 9 x 6.5 cm; petiole of basal leaves to 3 cm long. Scapes several, dichotomously 

branched, many flowered; pedicels 1.2-1.5 cm long. Sepals tomentose. Corolla 1 cm long, pale 

blue. Capsule 2 cm long; seeds boat-shaped, reticulate-pitted. 

Fl. & Fr. September-May 

221

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common on rocks in grasslands; NS 5633 

Karimala 

Didymocarpus tomentosus Wight, Ic. t. 1349. 1848; FBI 4: 353. 1884; FPM 989. 1924; FPL 332. 

1990. D. rottleriana var. tomentosa (Wight) Clarke in A. & C. DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 101. 1883. 

Scapigerous herbs. Leaves 6-7 x 4 cm, ovate or orbicular, acute, irregularly crenate-serrate, 

densely bullate above, fulvous tomentose below, prominently reticulate below; petiole 1-3 cm 

long, 5 mm broad; central leaves sessile. Scapes few, to 12 cm long. Cymes glandular-hairy; 

pedicels 1 cm long. Flowers blue, subumbellate; sepals 2.5 x 1 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse, longhairy; 

corolla 11 mm long, glandular-hairy, lobes obovate to orbicular; staminodes straight, 

bristle-like; ovary densely glandular, hairy. Capsule 2 x 0.2 cm, linear, densely glandular hairy 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsula India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 18904 Karimalagopuram 

EPITHEMA Blume 

Epithema carnosum (G. Don) Benth. var. hispida Clarke in DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 178. 1883 & 

Hook.f., FBI 4: 369. 1884; FPM 992. 1924; FPL 333. 1990; FTSR 330. 1996. E. ceylanicum 

Wight, Ic. t. 1354. 1848, non Gard. 1846. 

Erect leafy herbs; stem succulent, pilose. Leaves opposite and alternate, 7-14 x 6-10 cm, 

ovate, rounded or cordate at base, obtuse at apex, upper ones sessile, hairy above and below; 

nerves 6-8 pairs. Flowers small, in terminal or axillary scorpioid cymes; pedicels 6 mm long, 

hairy; calyx 5 mm long, campanulate, lobes 5, acuminate, united above the middle; corolla 7 

mm long, 2-lipped, lobes 5, subequal, white; stamens 2, free; staminodes 3 or 4; ovary ovoid, 1- 

celled, ovules many, placenta parietal; style 1, stigma minute. Capsule 5 x 3 mm, ovoid, 

circumscissile; seeds twisted, brown, ridged. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in moist shades of evergreen forests; PS 19522 

Orukomban; 19714 Karimala 

RHYNCHOGLOSSUM Blume 

Rhynchoglossum notonianum (Wall.) Burtt, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 24: 170. 1962 & Rev. 

Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 99. 1981; FPL 333. 1990; FTSR 330. 1996. Wulfenia notoniana Wall., Tent. 

Fl. Nepal 46. 1826. Klugia notoniana (Wall.) A. DC. in DC., Prodr. 9: 276. 1845; FBI 4: 366. 

1889; FPM 990. 1924. 

Fleshy herbs. Leaves alternate and opposite, to 17 x 11 cm, ovate, acute at apex, cordate at 

base, inequilateral, acute on one side; nerves 17-20 pairs, prominent below. Flowers in terminal 

racemes; bracts ovate, acute; pedicels to 5 mm long; sepals 8 mm long, lanceolate; corolla blue, 

1-2.5 cm long, bilabiate; stamens 4, anthers connate in pairs; ovary 1-celled, ovules many, on 2- 

parietal placentae; stigma oblique. Capsule 6 x 4 mm, ovoid, loculicidal; seeds reticulate. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist localities in all types of forests; PS 


RHYNCHOTECHUM Blume 

Rhynchotechum permolle (Nees) Burtt, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 24: 39. 1962; FPL 333. 

1990; FTSR 331. 1996. Isanthera permollis Nees, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 17: 82. 1834; FBI 4: 

372. 1884; FPM 992. 1924. 

Young stem tawny, woolly-tomentose. Leaves oblanceolate, base attenuate, serrate at apex, 

woolly-tomentose when young, becoming glabrescent on maturity, to 18 x 8 cm; lateral nerves 

15-20 pairs; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Peduncle to 1 cm long. Calyx lobes lanceolate 5 mm long, 

woolly-tomentose. Corolla white, 5 mm long, lobes ovate, subequal. 


222

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30240 Pezha 

BIGNONIACEAE 


1. Leaves multi-pinnate........................................................................................................................................ 5 

2. Fruit linear angled or terete.................................................................................................... Stereospermum 

2. Fruit broadly flat............................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Calyx spathaceous; flowers red........................................................................................................ Spathodea 

3. Calyx not spathaceous; flowers rose or pinkish white ................................................................................... 4 

4. Leaflets to 20 x 12 cm, clearly oblique; capsule winged................................................................... Pajanelia 

4. Leaflets to 7 x 3 cm, slightly oblique or not; capsule not winged ......................................... Heterophragma 

5. Fruit with warty tubercles; 4 stamens fertile.......................................................................... Radermachera 

5. Fruit compressed smooth; 5 stamens fertile.................................................................................... Oroxylum 

HETEROPHRAGMA A. P. de Candolle 

Heterophragma roxburghii DC., Prodr. 9: 210. 1845; FBI 4: 381. 1884; FPM 997. 1924. Bignonia 

quadricularis Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 145. 1798. 

Medium trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 7-11, opposite or sub-opposite, 4-5 x 1.8-2.3 

cm, elliptic, obtuse, margin crenate; petiole ca 4 mm. Panicle woolly, corymbose terminal; 

pedicel to 5 mm, stout; calyx to 2 cm, tubular, irregularly 5-lobed; corolla to 3.5 cm, floccose, 

bilipped, lobes crisped, pale rose; stamens 4, didymous, included; anthers elliptic, divaricate; 

ovary ovate, style to 3 cm, stigma 2-lobed. Capsule 25-28 x 5-6.5 cm, elongate-oblong 

compressed, 2-valved, dissepiments spongy; seeds on the central suture, ca 2 x 6 cm, winged. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in dry deciduous forests; PS 30598 Kuchimudi 

Note: This species hitherto not reported from Tamil Nadu and Kerala has been collected from the 

sanctuary. 

OROXYLUM Ventenat 

Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth. ex Kurz, For. Fl. Burma 2: 238. 1877; FBI 4: 378. 1884; FPM 

994. 1924; FPL 335. 1990; FTSR 331. 1996. Bignonia indica L., Sp. Pl. 625. 1753. Spathodea 

indica (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 173. 1806. 

Small to medium deciduous trees; bark grey, smooth, dull yellow inside. Leaves to 1 m long, 

pinnae opposite, leaflets 2-4 pairs per pinnae, to 12 x 9 cm, ovate or elliptic, acuminate, base 

rounded or cordate. Racemes 30-50 cm long; pedicels 1-2 cm long. Calyx 2.5 cm long, coriaceous, 

glabrous. Corolla ca. 10 cm long, lobes 3 cm long, pale-purple streaked. Four stamens exserted, 

filaments hairy at base. Capsule 40-75 x 5-8 cm, tapering at both ends; seeds 5-6 cm long, 

winged all around except at the base. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19272 Karimala 

PAJANELIA A. P. de Candolle 

Pajanelia longifolia (Willd.) K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4: 244. 1895; FPL 335. 

1990; FTSR 332. 1996. Bignonia longifolia Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 306. 1800. Pajanelia rheedii Wight, 

Ic. tt. 1343,1344. 1848; FBI 4: 384. 1884; FPM 1000. 1924. 

Medium trees, usually unbranched. Leaves to 1 m long, leaflets 8-10 pairs, to 20 x 12 cm, 

ovate, inequilateral, oblique at base, subsessile, acute to acuminate at apex. Flowers in terminal 

racemose panicles; calyx 4.5 cm long, campanulate, rusty tomentose; corolla 9 cm long and 8 cm 

broad, tube broadly ventricose, lobes subequal, hispid, pinkish white; stamens 4, free, filaments 

223

arching, anthers equal, oblong; ovary oblong, ovules many; placenta thin at centre; style 6 cm 

long, stigma spoon shaped. Capsule to 30 x 6 cm; winged; seeds flat, papery, winged. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30754 Thunakkadavu 

RADERMACHERA Zollinger & Moritzi 

Radermachera xylocarpa (Roxb.) K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 4: 243. 1895; FPM 

999. 1924; FPL 335. 1990; FTSR 332. 1996. Bignonia xylocarpa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 108. 1832. 

Stereospermum xylocarpum (Roxb.) Benth. in Benth. & Hook.f., Gen. Pl. 2: 1047. 1876; FBI 4: 

383. 1884. 

Medium trees, bark grey-corky. Leaves to 60 cm long, bipinnate; leaflets opposite, to 8 x 5 

cm, ovate, acute to acuminate, glabrous; nerves 5-7 pairs. Flowers in terminal panicled cymes, 

pedicelled, 5-8 together; calyx 1 cm long, campanulate, irregularly 5-lobed, corolla 4.5 cm long 

and 4 cm across, white, campanulate, bilabiate, lobes equal, obtuse, crisped; stamens 4, 

included, anthers divaricate; staminodes filiform; ovary oblong, glabrous; ovules multiseriate, 

style slender; stigma spoon-shaped. Capsule 40 x 2 cm, woody, warty tubercled, bivalved; seeds 

winged, 1.5 cm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19376 Karimala 

SPATHODEA Palisot de Beauvois 

Spathodea campanulata Beauv., Fl. Owar. 1: 47. tt. 27-28. 1805; FTSR 333. 1996. 

Trees; twigs tomentose. Leaves 1-pinnate, to 40 cm long; leaflets many, opposite, to 12 x 7 

cm, oblong-obovate, obtuse. Flowers large, few to many, in terminal cyme; calyx spathaceous, 

brown-tomentose; corolla scarlet to red, 5-8 cm across, campanulate, ventricose; stamens 4, 

anthers divaricate; ovary glabrous; stigma spoon-shaped. Capsule to 20 cm long, erect, 

compressed, woody; seeds flat, winged 1-1.5 cm across, white. 

Fl. & Fr. November-May. 

Distr. Native in Tropical Africa. Planted in gardens; PS 19665 Parambikulam 

STEREOSPERMUM Chamisso 

Stereospermum colais (Buch.-Ham. ex Dillw.) Mabb., Taxon 27: 553. 1979; FPL 336. 1990; 

FTSR 332. 1996. Bignonia colais Buch.-Ham. ex Dillw., Rev. Hort. Malab. 28. 1839. 

Stereospermum tetragonum DC., Prodr. 9: 210. 1845; FPM 998. 1924. S. chelonoides sensu 

Wight, Ic. t. 1341. 1845, non (L. f.) DC.1838; FBI 4: 383. 1884. S. personatum (Hassk.) Chatter., 

Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal 2: 70. 1948. Dipterosperma personatum Hassk., Flora 25: Biebl. 28. 1842. 

Large trees, bark transversally rugose, grey. Leaves to 35 cm long, 1-pinnate; leaflets to 12 x 

4.5 cm, 4-6 pairs, ovate, entire of serrate, caudate-acuminate, obtuse at base, slightly unequalsided, 

petiolulate; nerves 8-10 pairs. Flowers in terminal panicles; calyx 6 mm long, 

campanulate, shallowly lobed, lobes obtuse; corolla yellow, 2 cm long, 1.5 cm broad, bilabiate, 

lobes subequal, crisped; stamens 5, included, filaments pubescent at base; ovary sessile, oblong, 

2-celled, ovules many, 1-seriate, style slender, stigmas 2, spoon shaped. Capsule to 35 x 0.7 cm, 

subtetragonous, spirally splitting; seeds 8 mm long, with membranous wings on both sides. 


Distr. Indo-China and Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18969 Vengoli 

PEDALIACEAE 

SESAMUM Linnaeus 

224

Sesamum orientale L., Sp. Pl. 634. 1753; FPL 337. 1990; FTSR 333. 1996. S indicum L., Sp. Pl. 

634. 1753; FBI 4: 387. 1884; FPM 1002. 1924. 

Erect herbs, young shoots 4-angled, puberulus. Leaves opposite below, alternate above, basal 

leaves often 3-foliolate, elliptic-lanceolate, variable in size, pubescent on both sides. Flowers 

solitary, axillary, terminating into a leafy raceme above; calyx 5-lobed; lobes unequal; corolla 

purple, 3.5 x 2 cm, tube ventricose, 2-lipped above, lobes 5; stamens 4, included. Capsule to 1.8 x 

0.5 cm, oblong, beaked, compressed, medianly grooved, pubescent; seeds compressed, black. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Asia. Fairly common in the marshy areas; PS 30766 Anakkalvayal 

ACANTHACEAE 

1. Climbers; calyx reduced .................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Erect or prostrate herbs or stragglers; calyx well developed ....................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves petiolate; anthers glabrous or basally beard .................................................................. Thunbergia 

2. Leaves sub-sessile; anthers apically beard........................................................................................Meyenia 

3. Flowers in axillary clusters or sub-capitate peduncled clusters.................................................................. 4 

3. Flowers in spike, racemes or panicles............................................................................................................ 6 

4. Flowers in axillary whorls, armed with sharp thorns at nodes.................................................. Hygrophila 

4. Flowers in few flowered clusters or capitate peduncled clusters, unarmed ............................................... 5 

5. Prostrate herbs; leaves sessile; fertile anther cell 1........................................................................Blepharis 

5. Erect herbs; leaves petiolate; fertile anther cells 2........................................................................ Dicliptera 

6. Corolla lobes twisted to left in bud................................................................................................................. 7 

6. Corolla lobes imbricate in bud ........................................................................................................................ 9 

7. Placentas separating elastically from the base of the ripe capsule .............................................Phaulopsis 

7. Placentas not separating elastically from the base of the ripe capsule.......................................................8 

8. Corolla tube short, ventricose.................................................................................................... Strobilanthes 

8. Corolla tube slender, not ventricose.......................................................................................... Eranthemum 

9. Ovules more than 3 in each cell; capsule more than 6 seeded................................................................... 10 

9. Ovules 1 or 2 in each cell; capsule to 4 seeded ............................................................................................ 12 

10. Capsule sub-terete................................................................................................................ Gymnostachyum 

10. Capsule compressed at right angles to the septum ................................................................................... 11 

11. Flowers in whorls among axillary cladodes..............................................................................Haplanthodes 

11. Flowers in spikes, racemes or panicles .....................................................................................Andrographis 

12. Corolla lobes 5, equal or sub-equal............................................................................................................... 13 

12. Corolla distinctly two lipped ......................................................................................................................... 16 

13. Spike 4 angled; anthers one celled ................................................................................................Crossandra 

13. Spike terete or lax; anthers two celled......................................................................................................... 14 

14. Calyx 4-partite ..................................................................................................................................... Barleria 

14. Calyx 5-partite ............................................................................................................................................... 15 

15. Stamens 4; corolla tube cylindric below...........................................................................................Asystasia 

15. Stamens 2; corolla tube long and slender ........................................................................Pseuderanthemum 

16. Bracts spinosus; stamens 4......................................................................................................... Lepidagathis 

16. Bracts not spinosus; stamens 2 .................................................................................................................... 17 

17. Bracteoles linear, setaceous; anthers 1-celled..........................................................................Monothecium 

17. Bracteoles otherwise; anthers 2-celled......................................................................................................... 18 

18. Spike one-sided; placenta separating elastically from the valve ....................................................... Rungia 

18. Spike otherwise; placentas not separating elastically from the valve ...................................................... 19 

19. Bracts large, on dense spikes; anther cells sub-equal .................................................................... Ecbolium 

19. Bracts smaller, absent on lax spike or panicles; anther cells one higher ................................................. 20 

20. Corolla tube broad; anther cells with white appendage....................................................................Justicia 

20. Corolla tube slender; anther cells without white appendage..................................................................... 21 

21. Corolla white; bracts and bracteoles similar ........................................................................... Rhinacanthus 

21. Corolla pink; bracteoles smaller than the bracts .........................................................................Peristrophe 

225

ANDROGRAPHIS Wallich ex C.G.D. Nees 

1. Panicle congested; staminal filaments glabrous............................................................................A. neesiana 

1. Panicle lax; staminal filaments hairy.......................................................................................A. macrobotrys 

Andrographis macrobotrys Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 516. 1847; FBI 4: 503. 1884; FPM 1048. 

1924; FPL 342. 1990; FTSR 335. 1996. 

Erect or scandent undershrubs; stem stout, glabrous. Leaves to 13 x 3 cm, elliptic, 

lanceolate, coriaceous, glabrous; nerves to 10 pairs; petiole 6 mm long. Racemes to 19 cm long, 

upper axillary; calyx lobes 3 mm long, glandular hairy; corolla 20 mm long, tube ventricose; 

upper lip entire, midlobe of the lower lip broader than laterals, hairy; filaments bulged at base. 

Capsule 25 mm long, linear oblong, glandular hairy, retinacula acute; seeds 8, glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in semi-evergreen and openings of evergreen 

forests; PS 19648 Vengoli 

Andrographis neesiana Wight, Ic. t. 1561. 1850; FBI 4: 504. 1884; FPM 1049. 1924; FTSR 335. 

1996. 

Unbranched herbs, 30-45 cm high; branches strigose. Leaves 2-4 x 2 cm, ovate-elliptic, acute 

at both ends, glabrous, ciliate, nearly sessile; nerves 5 pairs. Panicle 2-5 x 4 cm, congested, 

terminal, strigose. Flowers densely arranged; calyx lobes 6 mm long, acuminate, glandular 

hairy, connate at base; corolla 14 mm long, tube not ventricose, upper lip emarginate; lobes of 

lower lip obtuse, hairy; filaments broaden below, anthers attenuate at base; style hairy. 

Capsule 16 x 3 mm, oblong, acute, hairy; seeds 6, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in grasslands; PS 19938 Karimala 

ASYSTASIA Blume 

Asystasia gangetica (L.) Anders. in Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 235. 1860; FBI 4: 493. 1884; FPM 

1063. 1924. Justicia gangetica L., Cent. Pl. 2: 3. 1756. Asystasia coromandeliana Wight ex Nees 

in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 89. 1832; FPM 1063. 1924. 

Erect or diffuse herbs, 20-35 cm high. Leaves to 5 x 3 cm, obovate, acuminate at apex, base 

rounded, pubescent; petiole 1 cm long, densely tomentose. Racemes terminal. Flowers distant; 

pedicels 3 mm long; calyx lobes 7 mm long, linear, acuminate, glandular hairy, free to the base; 

corolla 25 mm long, yellow; tube ventricose, lobes orbicular; anthers cuspidate at base. Capsule 

25 mm long, puberulus; seeds 4, compressed, rugose. 


Distr. Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Arabia and Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 


BARLERIA Linnaeus 

1. Plants armed ................................................................................................................................B. mysorensis 


2. Branchlets tawny pubescent; corolla salver from........................................................................................... 3 

2. Branchlets glabrescent; corolla infundibular.................................................................................................. 4 

3. Corolla white; leaf base truncate to rounded..............................................................................B. acuminata 

3. Corolla pink; leaf base acuminate................................................................................................ B. tomentosa 

4. Inflorescence a terminal spike; stamens 4 ..................................................................................B. courtallica 

4. Inflorescence an axillary or terminal helicoids cyme; stamens 5............................................ B. involucrata 

226

Barleria acuminata Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 93. 1832; FBI 4: 484. 1884; FPM 1059. 

1924; FTSR 336. 1996. B. tomentosa Roth var. acuminata (Nees) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 485. 

1884. 

Tawny pubescent shrubs. Leaves to 4-5 x 2.5-3 cm, ovate, orbicular, apex acute, apiculate, 

base rounded, tomentose; petiole to 3.5 cm, pubescent. Racemes axillary and terminal; bracts 

1.3 cm long, lanceolate, glandular, pubescent, acute; outer calyx lobes larger, 13 x 2 mm; inner 

smaller to 6 x 2 mm, lanceolate, pubescent; corolla tube to 3 cm, lobes 1 cm, obovate, obtuse, 

imbricate; filaments 7 mm; ovary 3 mm, ovoid, style 3.5 cm long, hairy at the base. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30086, 30494 

Kuchimudi 

Barleria courtallica Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 226. 1847; FPL 344. 1990; FTSR 336. 1996. 

Shrubs to 1 m high; branchlets glabrous. Leaves 15-20 x 6-8 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, 

base attenuate, glabrous; nerves 7-9 pairs; petiole 1-4 cm long. Spike 3-10 cm long; bracts and 

bracteoles similar, 5 mm long, lanceolate. Flowers closely packed; outer sepals 18-20 x 6.5 mm, 

elliptic, acuminate, pubescent; inner sepals 15 mm long, linear, acuminate, hairy; corolla 4-5 cm 

long, tube and throat yellow or white; lobes 1.5 cm long, obovate, blue; filaments villous at base. 

Capsule 2.3 x 0.9 cm, elliptic, glabrous; seeds 4, 5 x 5 mm, orbicular, hairy, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30037 Meenkara; 


Barleria involucrata Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 92. 1832, var. elata (Dalz.) Hook. f., FBI 4: 

486. 1884; FPM 1060. 1924; FPL 345. 1990. B. elata Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 3: 

227. 1851. 

Shrubs, 2-4 m high; branchlets quadrangular, tawny pubescent. Leaves 10-15 x 4-6 cm, 

elliptic, acuminate at both ends, thinly pubescent above; nerves 7 pairs, prominent; petiole 1-1.5 

cm long. Cymes densely pubescent; bracts linear to oblanceolate. Flowers many, outer sepals 3- 

3.5 x 1-1.3 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute, densely tawny pubescent, one shortly bifid at apex, 

inner sepals 15 x 3 mm, lanceolate, pubescent; corolla 7-8 cm long, tube 4-6 cm long, cylindrical, 

thinly hairy out, lobes spreading, blue; filaments villous at base. 



Meenkara; 30520 Koorankuzhi 

Barleria mysorensis Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 313. 1821; FBI 4: 484. 1884. 

Spinescent silky pubescent shrubs. Leaves to 2.5 x 1.8 cm, obovate, elliptic, apex obtuse, 

mucronate, base cuneate, ca. 5 nerved; petiole 0.5 cm. Flowers solitary, axillary, subsessile, 

blue; outer two calyx lobes 1.2 x 0.8 cm, ovate, silky pubescent, inner 0.5 cm, lanceolate; corolla 

tube to 2 cm, lobes 1 cm, obovate; filaments 1 cm; ovary ovoid, acute at apex. 


Distr. Pantropical. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19548 Thekkady 

Barleria tomentosa Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 314. 1821; FBI 4: 485. 1884; FPM 1059. 1924. 

Shrubs, branchlets pubescent. Leaves to 6 x 3 cm, ovate, acuminate, base acute, tomentose 

below; petiole to 3 cm. Flowers subsessile in short axillary racemes; bracts spathulate; calyx 

lobes 4, to 1.5 x 0.7 cm, subequal, obovate; corolla 3 mm across, salviform, pink, tube to 7 cm; 

stamens 2. Capsule 4-seeded; seed hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19873 Vengoli 

BLEPHARIS Jussieu 

227

Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 320. 1821; FBI 4: 478. 1884; FPM 1013. 1924; 

FPL 346. 1990. Acanthus maderaspatensis L., Sp. Pl. 639. 1753. Blepharis boerhaviifolia Pers., 

Syn. Pl. 2: 180. 1806. 

Prostrate herbs. Leaves ternate, unequal, to 5 x 2.2 cm, obovate, apiculate, puberulus, 

margins distantly serrate; petiole to 3 cm. Flowers axillary; bracts 4 pairs, obovate, margins 

dentate with stiff elongated hairs, bracteoles 1.5 cm, spathulate; outer calyx lobes 1.3 cm and 

1.8 cm, oblong, 2 and 3 veined, inner 8 mm; corolla tube urceolate, 5 mm, lower lip reduced, 

upper lip 3 lobed, 18 x 12 mm, white with pink nerves; filaments 4 and 5 mm, anthers 1-celled, 

apiculate, bearded; ovary 2.5 mm, oblong, style 1 cm, with a basal ring. 


Distr. Tropical Africa to India. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19972 Keerappadi 

CROSSANDRA R. A. Salisbury 

Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 98. 1832. Justicia 

infundibuliformis L., Sp. Pl. 21. 1753. Crossandra undulaefolia Salisb., Parad. Lond. t. 12. 1805; 

FBI 4: 492. 1884; FPM 1055. 1924. C. axillaris Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 98. 1832. 

Subshrubs, 1-2 m high. Leaves 6-9 x 2-4 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, usually crowded 

towards the apex; petiole to 4 cm long. Spike terminal or rarely axillary, dense, to 7 cm long; 

peduncle 5-10 cm long; bracts in 4 rows, 15 x 5 mm, lanceolate; bracteoles 15 x 3 mm, linear, 

acuminate, pubescent. Flowers many, densely packed; calyx lobes 5, unequal, to 9 mm long, 

glandular-hairy, outer one sometimes 2-fid at apex; corolla bluish green, tube 2.5 cm long, 

narrow, lobes 5, subequal, 1 cm long, oblong, spreading; stamens 4, inserted at the middle of 

corolla tube, included, filaments unequal, anthers bearded; ovary oblong, 4-ovuled; style 

narrow, stigma fimbriate. Capsule 10 x 5 mm, oblong; seeds 4, orbicular. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Planted in settlements; PS 19072 Thunakkadavu 

DICLIPTERA A. L. Jussieu 

Dicliptera cuneata Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3:111.1832; FBI 4:552.1884; FPM 1073.1924. 

Subshrubs. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, elliptic, acuminate, base rounded or cuneate, hispid; petiole 

2-3 cm long. Cymes sessile or shortly peduncled, subcapitate; bracts 18 x 12 mm, obovate, 

obtuse, mucronate, hispid; bracteoles 5 mm long, lanceolate, subulate. Flowers to 13 together; 

sepals 7 mm long, lanceolate, hispid; corolla pink, 8 mm long, tube slender; filaments hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19956 Karimala 

ECBOLIUM S. Kurz 

Ecbolium ligustrinum (Vahl) Vollesen, Kew Bull. 44: 651. 1989; FTSR 338. 1996. Justicia 

ligustrina Vahl, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 1: 118. 1804. Ecbolium linneanum Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 

40: 75. 1871; FBI 4: 544. 1885, p. p.; FPM 1074. 1924. E. linneanum var. dentatum (Klein ex 

Link) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 545. 1885. E. linneanum var. laetevirens (Vahl) Clarke in 

Hook.f., FBI 4: 545. 1885; FPL 348. 1990. E. viride (Forssk.) Alston var. laetevirens (Vahl) 

Raizada, Indian For. Rec. 84: 482. 1958; FPL 348. 1990. 

Glabrous shrubs; stem terete. Leaves to 22 x 6 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate on both 

ends; lateral nerves 7 pairs; petiole 3.5 cm long. Spikes terminal, to 12 cm long; bracts 23 x 12 

mm, elliptic, glabrous; bracteoles filiform. Flowers many; sepals 5 mm long, linear, acuminate, 

hirtus, united at base, corolla bluish-green, bilabiate, tube 27 mm long, narrow, upper lip 

linear-oblong, shortly bifid; lower lip deeply 3-lobed; tube 25 mm long, narrow, hairy; stamens 

2; style slender; stigma 2-lobed, clavate. Capsule 23 x 10 mm, clavate, thinly hairy; seeds one in 

each chamber, 8 x 8 mm, orbicular, compressed, white, rugulose. 


228

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18814 Parambikulam; 19234 

Vengoli 

ERANTHEMUM Linnaeus 

Eranthemum capense L., Sp. Pl. 9. 1753; FBI 4: 525. 1885; FPM 1078. 1924; FPL 348. 1990; 

FTSR 338. 1996. E. montanum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 100. 1820; FPM 1025. 1924. Justicia montana 

Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 176. 1798. Daedalacanthus montanus (Roxb.) Anders. in Thw., Enum. Pl. 

Zeyl. 229. 1860. 

Subshrubs; branchlets glandular-pubescent. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at both 

ends, entire, glabrous; nerves 5-7 pairs; petioles to 3 cm long. Spikes 3-7 cm long, terminal; 

bracts 20 x 5 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, glandular hairy; bracteoles linear; sepals 5, united at 

the base, lanceolate, acuminate, hairy; corolla blue, tube 3 cm long, slender, glabrous, blue, 

lobes equal, 12 mm long, obovate, obtuse; stamens 2, anther cells subequal, parallel; staminodes 

2, basely united; ovary 2-4-ovuled. Capsule oblong; seeds 2, orbicular, densely hairy. 



Thunakkadavu; PS 19604 Kothala 

GYMNOSTACHYUM C. G. D. Nees 

Gymnostachyum canescens (Nees) Anders., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 9: 505. 1867; FBI 4: 509. 1884; 

FPM 1053. 1924; FPL 349. 1990; FTSR 339. 1996. Cryptophragmium canescens Nees in Wall., 

Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 100. 1832. 

Subshrubs, stem hirsute. Leaves 15-20 x 10-12 cm, broadly elliptic, acute to acuminate at 

either ends. Cymes axillary, panicled, hirsute; bracts and bracteoles similar, 2 mm long, ovate. 

Flowers many, densely packed; sepals 5 mm long, glandular hairy; corolla greenish white, 15 

mm long, tube 10 mm long, narrow, lobes obtuse, hispid; anthers unequal, glabrous. Capsule 16 

x 2 mm, oblong, acute, hirsute; seeds many, orbicular, golden brown. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Common in moist areas of evergreen forests; PS 30044 

Kamamudi 

HAPLANTHODES O. Kuntze 

Haplanthodes neilgherryensis (Wight) Majumdar, Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal 25: 76. 1971; FPL 349. 

1990; FTSR 339. 1996. Haplanthus neilgherryensis Wight, Ic. t. 1556. 1850; FBI 4: 507. 1884; 

FPM 1052. 1924. H. tentaculatus Nees. var. neilgherryensis (Wight) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 

507. 1884. 

Profusely branched herbs, branches quadrangular, glabrous. Leaves to 7 x 3 cm, elliptic, 

acuminate at both ends, glabrous, attenuate and decurrent at base into a petiole of 4-9 cm long. 

Spikes terminal, to 5 cm long, cylindrical, densely covered with hairy cladodes; bracts and 

bracteoles minute. Flowers in whorls; calyx 2 mm long, lobes filiform, hairy; corolla 10 mm long; 

upper lip 2-lobed and lower lip 3-lobed, hairy; stamens 2, free, anthers unequal, appendaged; 

ovary oblong, ovule 4-6 in each cell, style slender, stigma linear. Capsule 7 mm long, oblong; 

seeds 6-12, thinly hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19215 Kariamchola 

HYGROPHILA R. Brown 

Hygrophila schulli (Ham.) M. R. & S. M. Almeida, JBNHS 83(Suppl.): 221. 1986; FTSR 340. 

1996. Bahell schulli Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 289. 1825. Barleria auriculata K. 

Schum. in Schum. & Thonn., Besker Guin. Pl. 285. 1827. Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees in 

Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 90. 1832; FBI 4: 408. 1884; FPM 1015. 1924. Hygrophila auriculata (K. 

Schum.) Heine, Kew Bull. 16: 172. 1962; FPL 350. 1990. 

229

Subshrubs, strigose-hispid, with sharp thorns. Leaves in whorls of 8, unequal, linearlanceolate, 

base cuneate, margins dentate and wavy, larger pair to 10 x 2 cm, sessile. Thorns 2- 

3 cm long. Bracts and bracteoles leafy, 1.2 cm long. Calyx lobes 4, larger lobe 1 cm long. Corolla 

pink, 1.5 cm long, lobes obtuse, ciliate. Capsule 1 cm long; seeds orbicular, 3 mm across. 

Fl. & Fr. September-April 

Distr. India, Myanmar and Indo-China. Common in marshy areas; PS 19253 Thellikkal 

JUSTICIA Linnaeus 

1. Shrubs............................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Herbs................................................................................................................................................................. 5 

2. Bracts white with green nerves...................................................................................................... J. betonica 

2. Bracts green ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Branchlets dark purple; capsule glabrous................................................................................J. gendarussa 

3. Branchlets otherwise....................................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Branchlets obtusely 4 angled; corolla 2 cm long ......................................................................... J santapaui 

4. Branchlets terete; corolla to 15 mm long............................................................................... J. wynaadensis 

5. Inflorescence cymose; flowers pedicelled ...........................................................................................J. glabra 

5. Inflorescence spicate........................................................................................................................................ 6 

6. Bracts longer than the calyx............................................................................................ J. tranquebariensis 

6. Bracts as long as or shorter than the calyx ................................................................................................... 7 

7. Bracteoles similar; fruiting spike intact ........................................................................................................ 8 

7. Bracteoles dissimilar; fruiting spikes not intact ......................................................................................... 10 

8. Petiole to 2 cm; bracteoles with bulbous based hairs.........................................................................J. neesii 

8. Petiole to 0.5 cm; bracteoles with simple hairs ............................................................................................. 9 

9. Spike to 2.5 cm long; bracts obovate ........................................................................................J. procumbens 

9. Spike more than 4 cm long; bracts ovate....................................................................................... J. japonica 

10. Bracts ovate; calyx lobes glabrescent................................................................................................J. diffusa 

10. Bracts lanceolate; calyx lobes ciliate .............................................................................................J. prostrata 

Justicia betonica L., Sp. Pl. 15. 1753; FBI 4: 525. 1885; FPM 1078. 1924; FPL 351. 1990; FTSR 

341. 1996. Adhatoda betonica (L.) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 103. 1832. 

Shrubs, 1-3 m high; stem terete, glabrous. Leaves 5-15 x 4 cm, elliptic, acuminate at either 

ends, glabrous; nerves 10-12 pairs; petiole 4 cm long. Spike to 10 cm long, terminal and upper 

axillary; bracts 13-15 x 5 mm, ovate, acuminate. Flowers bluish-white; calyx 5 mm long, lobes 

oblong, hairy, 3-ribbed; corolla white with bluish streaks, 12 mm long, hairy; style hairy. 

Capsule 14 x 5 mm, hairy; seeds 3 x 2 mm, orbicular. 


Distr. Old World Tropics. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30206 Karimala 

Justicia diffusa Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 87. 1797; FBI 4: 538. 1885; FPM 1081. 1924; FPL 352. 1990. 

Rostellularia diffusa (Willd.) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 100. 1832. 

Herbs. Leaves to 5 x 3 cm, elliptic-ovate, subacute, base rounded; petiole to 1 cm. Spike 

axillary, to 6 cm; bracts and bracteoles to 2 cm, ovate, acute, calyx lobes to 4 mm, lanceolate, 

acute, subequal, margin ciliate; corolla ca 5 x 2 mm across; stamen 2; ovary 1 mm, style 3 mm, 

hairy. Capsule to 5 mm, hairy above; seeds ovate, papillose. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


Justicia gendarussa Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 10. 1768; FBI 4: 532. 1885; FPM 1079. 1924; FTSR 341. 

1996. Gendarussa vulgaris Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 104. 1832. 

230

Shrubs, branches dark purple, terete, smooth. Leaves linear or oblong-lanceolate, acute or 

obtuse, base acute, chartaceous, glabrous, to 10 x 1.8 cm; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, bluish; petiole 

2-3 mm long. Spikes terminal, to 8 cm long, narrow; bracts linear, 4 mm long. Flowers white; 

calyx lobes linear-lanceolate, 5 mm long; corolla white with purple streaks, 1.5 cm long. Ovary 

and style puberulus. Capsule 12 mm long, glabrous 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Asia. Planted in gardens; PS 30288 Parambikulam 

Justicia glabra Koen. ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 132. 1820; FBI 4: 535. 1885; FPM 1079. 1924. 

Rhaphidospora glabra (Koen. ex Roxb.) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 115. 1832. 

Large herbs. Leaves to 10 x 6.5 cm, broadly ovate, apex acute, base rounded or cuneate, 

upper sessile; petiole 3 cm. Panicles axillary and terminal, to 15 cm long, glandular pubescent; 

bracts and bracteoles 1.5 mm, linear; calyx lobes 4 mm, lanceolate, puberulus; corolla tube to 4 

mm, pubescent, bilabiate, upper 5 mm, lower 8 mm, white with reddish blotches; filaments 4 

mm; ovary 1.5 mm, style 6 mm, hairy. 


Distr. India and Tropical Africa. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30085 Kuchimudi 

Justicia japonica Thunb., Fl. Jap. 20.1784; FTSR 342. 1996. Rostellularia japonica (Thunb.) 

Ellis in Bull. Bot. Surv. 22:196.1980 (1982). Justicia simplex D. Don., Prodr. Fl. Nepal 118.1825; 

FBI 4:539.1855; FPM 1080.1924. Rostellularia mollissima (Nees) Nees in DC., Prodr. 

11:373.1847. 

Erect or decumbent herbs, branchlets strigose-hispid. Leaves ovate or linear, acute, to 2 x 1.5 

cm, sparsely scabrous above and strigose below; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs; petiole to 2 mm long. 

Bracts and bracteoles ovate, scarious-margined, softly hairy, 4 mm long. Calyx lobes linear, 

margins scarious, ciliate, 4 mm long. Corolla 4 mm long, pink. Capsule pubescent, 4 mm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, East Asia and Tropical Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 30787 Parambikulam 

Justicia neesii Ramam. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 551. 1976; FPL 352. 1990. 

Rostellularia crinita Nees Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 101. 1832, non Justicia crinita Thunb. 1784. 

Justicia micrantha Wall. ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 536. 1885; FPM 1080. 1924. 

Subshrubs, 40-80 cm high; stem hispid. Leaves to 3.5 x 2 cm, ovate, acute at apex, round or 

acute at base, glabrous; nerves 4 pairs; petiole 7 mm long. Spikes 5 x 0.6 cm, terminal; bracts 4 

mm long, lanceolate, acuminate. Flowers densely packed; calyx lobes 5 mm long, linear, 

acuminate; corolla 6 mm long, lilac with pink spots. Capsule 6 mm long, oblong, acute, glabrous; 

seeds orbicular, rugose, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19190 Rockpoint 

Justicia procumbens L., Sp. Pl. 15. 1753; FBI 4: 539. 1885; FPM 1080. 1924; FTSR 342. 1996. 

Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 371. 1847. 

Diffuse herbs, profusely branched. Leaves 4-6 x 2-3 cm, ovate, acute at either ends, hispid; 

nerves 5 pairs; petioles 1 cm long, hirtus. Spikes 1-2.5 x 1 cm, terminal, oblong; bracts 5 x 1.5 

mm, oblanceolate, cuspidate, ciliate, with green midrib; bracteoles linear. Flowers many; calyx 

lobes 3.5 mm long, lanceolate, ciliate; corolla 7 mm long, hairy with pink lines, upper lip 2- 

lobed. Capsule 5 x 2 mm, glabrous; seeds 1 x 1 mm. orbicular, brown, striately rugose. 

Fl. & Fr. June-November 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


231

Justicia prostrata (Roxb. ex Clarke) Gamble, FPM 1081. 1924. J. diffusa Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 87. 

1800, var. prostrata Roxb. ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 538. 1885. Rostellularia prostrata (Roxb. 

ex Clarke) Majumdar, Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal 25: 75. 1971. 

Erect or prostrate herbs; stem puberulus. Leaves to 1.7 x 1 cm, ovate, obtuse or acute, base 

rounded; nerves 4 pairs; petioles 7 mm long. Spikes 1.5 cm long, terminal, cylindrical to ovoid; 

bracts and bracteoles similar, 2 mm long. Flowers lax; calyx lobes 3 mm long, lanceolate, 

glabrous; corolla 4 mm long, white, glabrous; ovary glabrous. Capsule 3 mm long, glabrous; 

seeds triangular, rugose, puberulus, reddish brown. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist and dry deciduous forests; PS 30098 

Thekkady 

Justicia santapaui Bennet, JBNHS 67: 358. 1970; FPL 352. 1990; FTSR 342. 1996. J. montana 

(Nees) Wall. ex Anders., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 9: 509. 1867; FPM 1078. 1924. Hemichoriste montana 

Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 102. 1832. Justicia andersonii Ramam. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. 

Hassan Dist. 551. 1976. 

Shrubs, 1-2.5 m high; branches terete or obtusely 4-angled, glabrous. Leaves 25-40 x 7-10 

cm, oblanceolate, acute at apex, base attenuate, glabrous; nerves 8 pairs, prominent; petioles 5- 

6 cm long. Spike 20 cm long, axillary, peduncled, simple or branched; bracts and bracteoles 

similar, 5 x 1.5 mm, oblong, pubescent. Flowers lax; calyx lobes 9 mm long, lanceolate, 

puberulus; corolla white with pink spots, villous at the base between the filaments; ovary 

densely hairy. Capsule 25 mm long, clavate, glabrous 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30040 

Meenkara; 30567 Kariamchola 

Justicia tranquebariensis L. f., Suppl. Pl. 85. 1781; FBI 4: 530. 1885; FPM 1079. 1924. 

Gendarussa tranquebariensis (L. f.) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 105. 1832. 

Subshrubs. Leaves 2.5-3 x 2 cm, obovate, orbicular, apex obtuse, base cuneate, membranous, 

pubescent; petiole 1.5 cm. Spikes terminal and axillary, to 10 cm; bracts 1 x 0.7 cm, broadly 

ovate; calyx teeth 5 mm, lanceolate, 3-nerved; corolla bilabiate, tube 5 mm, villous inside, upper 

lobe 7 x 5 mm, lower narrow, white with pink blotches; filaments dilated, 2 mm; ovary 1.5 mm, 

ciliate along the margins, style ciliate. Capsule 8 mm, widened above the middle, puberulus. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30066 Kuchimudi 

Justicia wynaadensis (Nees) Heyne ex Anders., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 9: 515. 1867; FBI 4: 533. 1885; 

FPM 1079. 1924; FPL 353. 1990; FTSR 342. 1996. Gendarussa wynaadensis Nees in Wall., Pl. 

Asiat. Rar. 3: 105. 1832. Adhatoda wynaadensis (Nees) Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 406. 1847. 

Erect subshrubs; stem terete, smooth. Leaves to 18 x 6 cm, lanceolate, acuminate at either 

ends, glabrous; lateral nerves 7 pairs; petioles 1-3.5 cm long. Spike 10 cm long, axillary and 

terminal, slender; rachis pubescent, sometimes branched. Flowers in distant pairs; bracts 3 x 1 

mm, hairy; corolla 12 mm long, throat hairy; ovary glabrous. Capsule 17 mm long, pubescent; 

seeds obovoid, oblique, minutely rugulose, dark brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional along the margins of evergreen forests; 

PS 30207 Parambikulam; 30019 Karappara 

LEPIDAGATHIS Willdenow 

232

Lepidagathis incurva Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 119. 1825; FTSR 343. 1996. L. 

hyalina Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 95. 1832; FBI 4: 521. 1884; FPM 1068. 1924. 

Prostrate herbs; stem angular, strigose. Leaves 6-8 x 3 cm, ovate, acute at apex, cuneate at 

base, hispid; nerves to 7 pairs. Spikes terminal and axillary, clustered; bracts and bracteoles 

similar, 3.5 x 2 mm, lanceolate, ciliate, hyaline. Flowers densely packed; sepals 5, 5 mm long, 

linear-lanceolate, ciliate, glandular-hairy at apex; corolla 6 mm long, bilabiate, tube short, 

slender, upper lip entire, lower lip 3-lobed, hairy outside; stamens 4, didynamous, anthers softly 

hairy; ovary ovoid, thinly hairy, style curved, stigma capitate. Capsule 4 mm long, ellipsoid, 

hairy at apex; seeds 4, compressed, rugose, brown. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and China. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


MEYENIA C. G. D. Nees 

Meyenia hawtayneana (Wall.) Nees in Wall., Pl. As. Rar. 3: 78. 1832; FPM 1009. 1924. 

Thunbergia hawtayneana Wall., Tent. Fl. Nap. 49. 1826 & Pl. As. Rar. 2: 52. t. 164. 1831; FBI 4: 

391. 1884 

Climbers, branchlets tetragonous. Leaves to 9 x 4.5 cm, ovate acuminate, base 3-5 nerved, 

cordate, pedicles to 1.5 cm. Flowers solitary, axillary; bracteoles ca 1.5 x 0.5 cm, calyx to 2.5 cm, 

obscurely 5-lobed; corolla 5 x 4 cm across, violet, lobes ovate, to 1 cm, villous below the stamen; 

stamens 4, in pairs, included; filaments to 1.8 cm. Ovary ca 3 x 2 mm, conical; ovules 2 in each 

cell; style to 3 cm; stigma bilamellate, incurved. Capsule to 3 x 1.5 cm, globose, beaked; seeds 4, 

ca 4 mm across, orbicular. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in rocky areas of dry deciduous forests; PS 18950 Vengoli 


MONOTHECIUM Hochst 

Monothecium aristatum (Wall. ex Nees) T. Anders. in Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 234. 1860; FBI 

4:524.1885; FPM 1068.1924. Justicia aristata Wall. ex Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3:115.1832. 

Herbs; branchlets puberulus. Leaves 5-6 x 2.3 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, base acute; 

petiole to 2 mm. Spike to 4 cm, lax, terminal or on upper axils; bracts linear setaceous ca 1 cm; 

sepals 5, to 8 mm, linear, setaceous; corolla to 1.5 cm, white, brown spotted. Capsule ca 6 mm, 

oblong 4-seeded; seeds orbicular. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 19996 

Kuchimudi 


PERISTROPHE C. G. D. Nees 

1. Branchlets terete, glabrous: ............................................................................................................P. montana 

1. Branchlets angled; hispid.............................................................................................................P. paniculata 

Peristrophe montana Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 113. 1832; FBI 4: 556. 1885; FPM 1084. 

1924; FPL 357. 1990; FTSR 344. 1996. 

Erect shrubs; stem quadrangular. Leaves to 17 x 6 cm, ovate, acuminate, glabrous; nerves 7 

pairs; petiole to 6 cm long. Cymes axillary and terminal, trichotomous; bracts 2, opposite, 2.5 x 

1.5 cm, ovate, obtuse; bracteoles 6 mm long, linear. Flowers pink; calyx lobes 5, 4 mm long, 

linear, united below the middle; corolla tube 30 mm long, slender, 2-lipped above; lower lip 3- 

lobed, upper 15 mm long, orbicular, emarginate; stamens 2, filaments hairy, attached at the 

233

throat of corolla tube; anthers linear, curved, ovary glabrous, style filiform, stigma 2-lobed. 

Capsule 13 mm long, stipitate, tomentose. 

Fl. & Fr. September-March 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19181 Karimala; 19662 Vengoli; 

19832 Vengoli 

Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.) Brummitt, Kew Bull. 38: 451. 1984; FTSR 344. 1996. 

Dianthera paniculata Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 7. 1775. Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees in 

Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 113. 1832; FBI 4: 554. 1885; FPM 1084. 1924. Dianthera bicalyculata 

Retz., Acta Holm. 1775: 297, t. 9. 1776. 

Erect branched herbs. Leaves 4.5-2 x 0.5-1 cm, ovate, apex acute, hirsute. Panicles axillary; 

pedicels to 2 cm; bracts 2, unequal, 11 and 8 mm, bracteoles 4, 6 mm, linear, hirsute; calyx lobes 

4 mm, linear; corolla tube 5 mm, hairy, lobes 7 mm; filaments 5 mm, hairy, cells muticous; 

ovary 1 mm, oblong. Capsule ellipsoid. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Tropical Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19024 

Thunakkadavu 

PHAULOPSIS Willdenow 

Phaulopsis imbricata (Forssk.) Sweet., Hort. Brit. (ed. 1) 327. 1827; FTSR 345. 1996. Ruellia 

imbricata Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 113. 1775. Micranthus oppositifolius Wendl., Bot. Beobacht 

39. 1798. Phaulopsis parviflora Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 342. 1800. P. dorsiflora (Retz.) Sant., Kew Bull. 

2: 276. 1948; FPL 358. 1990. 

Diffuse herbs, branches glandular hairy. Leaves in unequal pairs, up to 5 x 2 cm, elliptic, 

acuminate at both ends; nerves 4 pairs; petiole 2.5 cm long. Spikes axillary, 2 x 1 cm, 1-sided; 

bracts paired, 6 x 7 mm, orbicular, hairy and long ciliate along the margins; bracteoles absent. 

Flowers small, scarcely seen above the bracts; calyx lobes 5, unequal; corolla 8 mm long, 

bilabiate, tube slender, lobes obtuse, white with pink spots; stamens 4, filaments united into an 

adnated sheath below. Capsule 3 mm long, glabrous; seeds 4, compressed. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, China and Africa. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19043 

Thunakkadavu 

PSEUDERANTHEMUM Radlkfer 

Pseuderanthemum malabaricum (Clarke) Gamble, FPM 1064. 1924; FPL 359. 1990; FTSR 345. 

1996. Eranthemum malabaricum Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 497. 1884. 

Shrubs; stem terete, white, smooth. Leaves to 10 x 4 cm, elliptic, acuminate to base and 

apex, glabrous, glaucous below; nerves 5 pairs; petiole to 2 cm long. Spike 3-8 cm long, terminal, 

slender; bracts and bracteoles similar, 3 mm long, linear. Flowers in small interrupted clusters; 

calyx 6 mm long, lobes united at base, acuminate; corolla tube 30 mm long, slender; lobes 10 

mm long, obovate, equal; stamens 2, free, anthers oblong; stigma bilobed. Capsule 18 x 5 mm, 

clavate, basal portion solid; seeds 5 x 3 mm, compressed, reticulate. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19739 Pezha 

RHINACANTHUS C.G.D. Nees 

Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 39: 79. 1870; FPL 359. 1990; FTSR 346. 

1996. Justicia nasuta L., Sp. Pl. 16. 1753. Rhinacanthus communis Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. 

Rar. 3: 109. 1832; FBI 4: 541. 1885; FPM 1083. 1924. 

Erect shrubs; stem terete, tomentose. Leaves to 12 x 8 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, 

crenulate, minutely pubescent; nerves 7-10 pairs. Cymes terminal, panicled; flowers sessile; 

234

acts and bracteoles similar, 2 mm long, hispid; sepals 5, 5 mm long, linear-lanceolate, hispid; 

corolla white, tube 25 mm long, slender, hispid; upper lip entire, oblong, acuminate; lower lip 

broad, 3-lobed, obtuse; stamens 2, inserted near the throat of the tube, equal; one anther lobe 

lower than other, glabrous; ovules paired in each cell of the ovary, style slender. Capsule 2 cm 

long, clavate, with a lower solid slender stalk, glabrous; seeds 1 or 2 in each cell, rugose. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka, Java and Madagascar. Common in moist deciduous forests and road 

cuttings; PS 19188 Rockpoint 

RUNGIA C.G.D. Nees 

1. Barren bracts and flowering bracts similar; stem zigzag ................................................................ R. repens 

1. Barren bracts and flowering bracts dissimilar; stem not zigzag................................................................... 2 

2. Bracts prominently white scarious margined; glabrous.............................................................R. wightiana 

2. Bracts narrowly hyaline on the margins; ciliate ............................................................................................ 3 

3. Subshrubs; corolla more than 1.5 cm long ..........................................................................................R. laetas 

3. Herbs; corolla to 0.5 cm long ............................................................................................................................ 4 

4. Floral bracts villous; leaves to 6 x 2.5 cm......................................................................................R. pectinata 

4. Floral bracts glabrous or glabrescent; leaves to 3 x 1.5 cm ............................................................R. muralis 

Rungia laeta Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4:546.1885; FPM 1071.1924. 

Stem terete, glabrous. Leaves 6-8 x 3-5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, glabrous; nerves 6-8 

pairs; petiole 2 cm long. Spikes 3-6 x 2 cm, oblong, peduncled, floral bracts white, 16 x 7 mm, 

lateral ones empty, elliptic to obovate, acute, ciliate; bracteoles 10 x 2 mm, linear. Flowers 

white; sepals 7 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, aristate; corolla 18 mm long, white with brown spots, 

thinly hairy, upper lip emarginate; filaments glabrous. Capsule 9 mm long, pubescent; seeds 4, 

rugose, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30788 

Keerappadi 

Rungia muralis Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 470. 1847. Rungia parviflora Nees var. muralis (Nees) 

Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 550. 1885; FPM 1072. 1924. 

Herbs. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, ovate-elliptic, acute, membranous. Spike to 2 cm, dense, terminal 

and axillary, barren bract 4-5 x 2.5 mm, ovate, acute, fertile 3.5-4.5 x 2 mm, ovate, emarginate, 

mucronate, margin ciliate; bracteoles 2 mm, elliptic, acute; calyx 2 mm, lobes 5, linear, ciliate; 

corolla bluish-white, 5 mm; stamens 2, lower cell spurred. Capsule ca 2.5 mm, ovoid; seeds 4. 

Fl. & Fr. April-January 

Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous and degraded forest areas; PS 30217 

Karimala 

Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 469. 1847; FPL 360. 1990; FTSR 346. 1996. 

Justicia pectinata L., Amoen. Acad. 4: 299. 1759. Rungia parviflora Nees var. pectinata (L.) 

Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 550. 1885; FPM 1071. 1924. 

Profusely branched herbs; stem hairy. Leaves to 6 x 2 cm, ovate to linear-oblong or obovate. 

Spikes 2 x 0.7 cm, 2-5 together, axillary, sessile; sterile bracts 4 x 2 mm, elliptic, narrowly 

winged on one side; fertile bracts 3 x 2 mm, obovate, broadly winged on either sides, 

emarginate, pubescent; bracteoles similar to bracts. Flowers small, densely packed; sepals 

linear, acuminate, hyaline, hairy; corolla 4 mm long, upper lip entire, white; upper anthers 

hairy. Capsule 2.5 mm long, glabrous; seeds orbicular, rugose, brown. 


235

Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


Rungia repens (L.) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 110. 1832; FBI 4: 549. 1885; FPM 1070. 

1924. Justicia repens L., Sp. Pl. 15. 1753. 

Decumbent herbs. Leaves to 5 x 1.5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acute at both ends, puberulus; 

petiole to 0.5 mm. Spike to 6 mm, terminal; bracts 4-farious, 2 rows barren, similar to 7 x 3 mm, 

elliptic-lanceolate, thinly pubescent, margin scarious; bracteoles ca 4 x 0.7 mm, lanceolate, 

acuminate, ciliate; calyx 3.5 x 5 mm, lobes 5, subequal, lanceolate; corolla to 5 x 2 mm, pinkish 

with white striations; stamens 2, on the throat of the corolla tube; filaments puberulus; anthers 

cells unequal, appendaged; ovary globose, 1 mm, puberulus; style hairy; stigma hispid. Capsule 

to 5 mm, elliptic-oblong, pubescent; seeds suborbicular. 

Fl. & Fr. June-July 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests and marshy areas; PS 19495 

Thellikkal 

Rungia wightiana Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 110. 1832; FBI 4: 546. 1885; FPM 1071. 1924; 

FTSR 346. 1996. 

Herbs, stem glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, elliptic, acute, glabrous; lateral nerves 6-7 pairs; 

petiole 3-4 cm long. Spikes 6-9 x 0.8 cm, terminal, 3-8 together, shortly peduncled or sessile, 

basal bracts lanceolate, acute; sterile bracts 7 x 5 mm, obovate, emarginate, cuspidate; fertile 

bracts 5 x 2 mm, acute, aristate; bracteoles linear, acuminate. Flowers pale blue; sepals 5 mm 

long, glabrous; corolla 11 mm long, upper lip bifid at apex, lower lip with brown transverse 

lines. Capsule 8-10 mm long, hairy; seeds brown with white tuberculations. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common along the margins of evergreen forests at 

higher altitudes; PS 19924, 19156, 30120 Karimala 

STROBILANTHES Blume 

1. Fertile stamens 2 .............................................................................................................................S. lawsonii 

1. Fertile stamens 4 ............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Stamens equal....................................................................................................................................S. luridus 

2. Stamens unequal ............................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Seeds hairy when wetted ................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Seeds glabrous ................................................................................................................................................. 6 

4. Spikes sub-tetragonus, terminal and on old wood......................................................................... S. dupenii 

4. Spike not sub-tetragonus, terminal or axillary............................................................................................. 5 

5. Flowers in deflexed heads with two pairs of large involucral bracts...............................................S. tristis 

5. Flowers in spikes without distinct involucral bracts.........................................................................S. asper 

6. Bracts and bracteoles glabrous....................................................................................................................... 7 

6. Bracts and bracteoles variously hairy.......................................................................................................... 10 

7. Spike solitary or paired ................................................................................................................................... 8 

7. Spike 3-6 together............................................................................................................................................ 9 

8. Spike closed, strobilate; stamens exserted ......................................................................................S. ciliatus 

8. Spike spreading; stamens included........................................................................................ S. adenophorus 

9. Leaves glabrous ...........................................................................................................................S. heyneanus 

9. Leaves covered with bulbous based hairs.................................................................................S. asperrimus 

10. Leaves coriaceous with bulbous based hairs .......................................................................S. neilgherrensis 

10. Leaves membranous; glandular hairy ..............................................................................................S. anceps 

Strobilanthes adenophorus Bedd., Ic. t. 225. 1868-1874; FBI 4: 440. 1884; FPM 1040. 1924; 

FTSR 348. 1996. Didyplosandra lanceolata (Hook. ex Nees) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. 

236

Natuurk. Sect 2, 41: 178. 1944. Nilgirianthus beddomei Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. 

Natuurk. Sect. 2, 41: 172. 1944; FPL 356. 1990. 

Shrubs, to 2 m tall, branchlets slender. Leaves linear or oblanceolate, caudate-acuminate, 

base cuneate, chartaceous, subentire or serrulate, to 10 x 2.5 cm; lateral nerves ca. 6 pairs; 

petiole to 3.5 cm long. Spikes axillary, to 3 cm; peduncle to 2 cm; bracts obovate, acute, to 1 cm 

long; bracteoles narrow. Corolla 2 cm long, funnel-shaped, pale lavender. 



PS 30050 Kamamudi 

Strobilanthes anceps Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 189. 1847; FTSR 348. 1996. Nilgirianthus 

punctatus (Nees) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. Sect 2, 41: 174. 1944. 

Shrubs, 1.5-2 m high; branches obscurely 4-angled; hairy along the angles. Leaves to 14 x 5 

cm, elliptic, caudate-acuminate; nerves 6-7 pairs, glandular-pubescent; petiole 3-4 cm long. 

Spikes globose, 2-2.5 cm across, peduncled; involucral bracts 6 x 6 mm, orbicular, ciliate; floral 

bracts 10 x 8 mm, orbicular, glandular-ciliate along margins; bracteoles 7 x 2 mm, oblanceolate. 

Flowers several, densely packed; sepals 5, 4 mm long, lanceolate; corolla white or blue, 18-20 

mm long, hairy outside, tube narrow below, ventricose above; staminal sheath glabrous. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30604 Parambikulam 

Strobilanthes asper Wight, Ic. t. 1518. 1850; FBI 4: 452. 1884; FPM 1041. 1924. Nilgirianthus 

asper (Wight) Sant., Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay 2: 42. 1951; FPL 355. 1990. 

Shrubs, branchlets softly hairy. Leaves ovate, acute or shortly acuminate, base cuneate, 

crenate, to 10 x 4.5 cm. Spikes axillary, oblong, to 3 cm; bracts obovate, to 1 cm long; bracteoles 

linear. Corolla pale blue, 2 cm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests and reed areas; PS 


Strobilanthes asperrimus Nees in DC., Prodr. 11:183.1847; FBI 4:443.1884; FPM 730.1924. 

Stout bushy shrubs; branches hirtus. Leaves to 10 x 7 cm, broadly elliptic, bluntly acuminate 

at apex, attenuate to base, crenate, covered with bulbous based hairs; lateral nerves 8-9 pairs; 

petiole 3-4.5 cm long. Spikes 3-4 together, 2 x 1.5 cm, axillary, on trichotomous peduncles, ovoid; 

involucral bracts 8 x 6 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse; floral bracts 13 x 10 mm, ovate, concave, 

obtuse, glabrous; bracteoles absent. Flowers few to many; sepals 6 x 2.5 mm, oblong, 

emarginate, connate a little above the base; corolla blue, 25 mm long; tube stout, with a patch of 

hairs inside above the stamens; staminal filaments and sheath hairy; style bulged below the 

stigma, hairy. Capsule 9 x 4 mm, glabrous; seeds winged. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 19925 

Karimala 

Strobilanthes ciliatus Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 85. 1832; FBI 4: 439. 1884; FPM 1039. 

1924; FTSR 348. 1996. Nilgirianthus ciliatus (Nees) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. 

Sect 2, 41: 172. 1944. 

Shrubs, 1-2 m high; branches terete, glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, acuminate at either 

ends, glabrous; nerves 5 pairs, raised above, scabrid; petiole 2 cm long. Spikes 1.5 cm long, 

axillary, solitary, peduncled; bracts 6 x 4 mm, obovate; bracteoles 5 x 1 mm, linear-oblong. 

Flowers 5-15; calyx 5 mm long, lobes oblong, connate below the middle; corolla 15 mm long, 

white with pink patches on lower lobes; staminal sheath hairy. 


237

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30704 Karimala 

Strobilanthes dupenii Bedd. ex C.B. Clarke in Hook. f., FBI 4: 453. 1884; FPM 1043. 1924. 

Shrubs. Leaves 10-12 x 3.5-5.5 cm, ovate, acuminate, base truncate or subcordate, crenate, 

pubescent, coriaceous; petiole to 4 cm. Spikes to 7.5 cm, sub-tetragonous, oblong, terminal and 

lateral on peduncle to 2 cm; bracts to 2.3 x 1.7 cm, ovate, obtuse, closely imbricate, decurrent at 

base, viscous, reddish; bracts lanceolate; calyx to 1.5 cm, 5-lobed, linear, acuminate, green; 

corolla 3-2 cm, blue; stamens 4, connate, margin free. Capsule to 1 cm, ellipsoid, beaked, sessile; 

seeds 4, ca 3 mm diameter, hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in the rocky openings of evergreen forests; PS 

30045 Kamamudi 

Strobilanthes heyneanus Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 85. 1832; FBI 4: 443. 1884; FPM 1041. 

1924; FTSR 348. 1996. Nilgirianthus heyneanus (Nees) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. 

Natuurk. Sect. 2, 41: 173. 1944; FPL 357. 1990. Strobilanthes rugosus Wight, Ic. t. 1619. 1850. 

Shrubs; branches glabrous. Leaves 8-13 x 6 cm, elliptic, acuminate, attenuate to the base, 

glabrous. Spikes 2 x 1.5 cm, axillary, 2-3 together on trichotomous peduncle, ovoid or globose; 

bracts 14 x 11 mm, orbicular or obovate, concave, glabrous. Flowers 4-10 in each spike; sepals 6 

x 2 mm, united to the middle, glabrous; corolla 2.5 cm long, white; staminal sheath ciliate. 

Capsule 10 x 5 mm, glabrous; seeds 3 mm, biconvex, hairy along the margins. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30101 Pooppara 

Strobilanthes lawsonii Gamble, Kew Bull. 1923: 374. 1923 & FPM 1037. 1924; FTSR 348. 1996. 

Phlebophyllum lawsonii (Gamble) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. Sect. 2, 41: 169. 

1944. 

Shrubs; branches tawny-pubescent. Leaves to 11 x 6 cm, broadly elliptic, acuminate at either 

ends; lateral nerves 12 pairs. Spikes 8-10 cm long, slender, tawny villous, interrupted, axillary, 

solitary or panicled; bracts lanceolate, glabrous within. Flowers scattered; calyx tubular below 

the middle, lobes acuminate, villous; corolla 2 cm long, blue, glabrous; staminal filaments hairy. 




Strobilanthes luridus Wight, Ic. t. 1515, 1516. 1850; FBI 4: 450. 1884; FPM 1042. 1924. 

Didyplosandra lurida (Wight) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. Sect. 2, 41: 178. 1944. 

Large shrubs; branchlets terete, grey-puberulus. Leaves to 25 x 15 cm, broadly elliptic, acute 

at both ends, hispid, serrulate; lateral nerves 8-9 pairs. Spikes 8-15 x 2-5 cm oblong, 2-3 

together, axillary on old branches; peduncle deflexed; bracts 2.5 x 3 cm, orbicular, reddish 

brown; bracteoles 2 x 0.4 cm, linear. Flowers densely packed; calyx 23 mm long, lobes elliptic, 

ciliate along margins, white; corolla 35 mm long, campanulate, dark blue; lobes deflexed, 

orbicular; staminal filaments glabrous. Capsule 20 x 6 mm, glabrous; seeds 4 mm, orbicular, 

yellowish. 



Strobilanthes neilgherrensis Bedd., Ic. t. 196. 1868-1874; FBI 4: 438. 1884; FPM 1038. 1924. 

Nilgirianthus neilgherrensis (Bedd.) Bremek., Verh. Acad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. Sect. 2, 41: 174. 

1944; FPL 357. 1990. 

238

Shrubs. Leaves to 11 x 7 cm, ovate, acuminate, base rounded, crenate, hispid above, sparsely 

pubescent below. Head to 3 cm, ovoid; bract to 2 cm, oblong; bracteoles 1.2 cm, linear, setaceous; 

calyx to 1 cm, lanceolate, scarious; corolla to 3 cm, cylindrical, pale violet; stamens 4, subequal, 

filaments pilose; style to 2.5 cm, hairy. Capsule to 1 cm, ellipsoid; seed 4 obovate. 

Fl. & Fr. May-November 



Strobilanthes tristis (Wight) Anders., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 9: 470. 1867; FBI 4: 441. 1885; FPM 

1040. 1924; FPL 361. 1990. Goldfussia tristis Wight, Ic. t. 1508. 1850. 

Shrubs; branchlets glabrous. Leaves 15-25 x 4-10 cm, acuminate at either ends, glabrous; 

petiole 4-8 cm long. Spikes 2.5-4 cm long, lanceolate, acuminate, 1-2-flowered, deflexed, in 

axillary clusters, glabrous; bracts 2.5 x 0.5 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, ciliate along the margins. 

Sepals 17 x 2.5 mm, acuminate, hairy; corolla 30 mm long, narrowed to the base, glabrous, 

white; staminal sheath glabrous. Capsule 11 x 3 mm; seeds orbicular. 



THUNBERGIA Retzius 

1. Flowers in pendent racemes; corolla yellow...............................................................................T. mysorensis 

1. Flowers solitary; corolla white ........................................................................................................ T. fragrans 

Thunbergia fragrans Roxb., Pl. Corm. t. 67. 1795; FPL 362. 1990; FTSR 350. 1996. T. fragrans 

Roxb. var. laevis (Nees) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 391. 1884; FPM 1007. 1924. T. laevis Nees in 

Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 77. 1832. 

Scabrous climber. Leaves to 8 x 6 cm, ovate, entire, acute, base truncate to subcordate, 

scabrid, 5-nerved from base; petiole 4 cm long. Flowers solitary; pedicels 3 cm long; bracteoles 

1.5 cm long, ovate-oblong, obtuse, mucronate; sepals of 8-16 fibrils; corolla white, 4 cm across, 

tube 3 cm long, lobes 3.5 cm; filaments glandular hispid at base. Capsule 1 cm across, glabrous, 

beak 1.5 cm long, acute. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


Thunbergia mysorensis (Wight) Anders., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 9: 448. 1967; FBI 4: 393. 1884; FPM 

1008. 1924; FPL 362. 1990; FTSR 350. 1996. Hexacentris mysorensis Wight, Ic. t. 871. 1844. 

Climbers. Leaves to 14 x 8 cm, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, acute to acuminate, base truncate 

or hastate, scabrid, coarsely nerved, dentate; petiole 1-5 cm long. Racemes axillary, to 50 cm 

long, drooping. Flowers many; bracteoles 15-25 x 5-12 mm, ovate-oblong-lanceolate, pedicels 2-3 

cm long, opposite; calyx obscure; corolla yellow, to 4 cm long, 6 cm across, tube ventricose, lobes 

obovate, glabrous; filaments ciliate, anthers spurred. Capsule 3 cm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 19153 

Karimala 

VERBENACEAE 

1. Woody climbers; bracts forming an involucre ...........................................................................Symphorema 

1. Herbs, shrubs or trees; bracts not forming involucre ................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves palmately 3-5 foliolate ................................................................................................................. Vitex 

2. Leaves simple................................................................................................................................................... 3 

239

2. Inflorescence a spike........................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Inflorescence a raceme, cyme or panicle........................................................................................................ 7 

4. Spikes capitate, axillary.................................................................................................................................. 5 

4. Spikes elongate, terminal................................................................................................................................ 6 

5. Prostrate herbs; fruit dry .........................................................................................................................Phyla 

5. Strangling shrubs; fruit fleshy............................................................................................................Lantana 

6. Flowers embedded in excavations of dense spike; stamens 2..............................................Stachytarpheta 

6. Flowers free, spike lax; stamens 4........................................................................................................... Priva 

7. Corolla regular; young parts stellate hairy ................................................................................................... 8 

7. Corolla irregular; young parts not stellate hairy .......................................................................................... 9 

8. Inflorescence terminal panicle; flowers 6-merous..............................................................................Tectona 

8. Inflorescence an axillary corymbose cyme; flowers 4-merous.......................................................Callicarpa 

9. Flowers in corymbose cymes; corolla less than 8 mm across ............................................................Premna 

9. Flowers in condensed paniculate racemes................................................................................................... 10 

10. Calyx with glands; fruits with one pyrene.........................................................................................Gmelina 

10. Calyx without glands; fruits with four pyrenes ......................................................................Clerodendrum 

CALLICARPA Linnaeus 

Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) Murr., Syst. Veg. (ed. 13) 130. 1774; FPL 364. 1990; FTSR 351. 1996. 

Tomex tomentosa L., Sp. Pl. 118. 1753. Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 

507. 1885, non Roxb. 1832. C. lanata L., Mant. Pl. 2: 331. 1771; FPM 1092. 1924. 

Small trees, branchlets densely grey-pubescent. Leaves to 25 x 15 cm, broadly ovate, 

acuminate at apex, rounded at base, entire, densely covered with stellate hairs below; nerves 7 

pairs; petiole to 5 cm long. Flowers in axillary corymbose cymes, branched, densely tomentose; 

pedicels absent; calyx 2 mm long, campanulate, lobes 5, obtuse; corolla 4 mm long, tube short; 

lobes 4, spreading; stamens 4; filaments glandular, anthers sagittate; ovary pubescent; style 

slender, stigma capitate. Berry 3 mm across, globose, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Very common in secondary forests; PS 19289 Karimala 

CLERODENDRUM Burman ex Linnaeus 

1. Leaves whorled; base acute............................................................................................................C. serratum 

1. Leaves opposite; base cordate or rounded....................................................................................................... 2 

2. Corolla double; calyx red............................................................................................................C. philippinum 

2. Corolla single; calyx green.............................................................................................................. C. viscosum 

Clerodendrum philippinum Schauer in DC., Prodr. 11: 667. 1847; Sivar. & Manilal, JETB 3: 

815. 1982; FPL 365. 1990. Volkameria fragrans Vent., Jard. Malm. t. 70. 1804. Clerodendrum 

fragrans Hort. ex Vent., Jard. Mal. 2: t. 70. 1804 pro syn; FPM 1100. 1924. C. japonicum 

(Thunb.) Sweet var. planiflorum Schauer in DC., Prodr. 11: 666. 1847. 

Shrubs, branchlets angled, hirsute. Leaves 10-30 x 8-20 cm, broadly ovate, acute, base 

cordate, margins serrate; petiole to 20 cm. Inflorescence terminal, conjested cymes; flowers 

double, fragrant; calyx campanulate, pinkish; corolla to 2 cm wide, white; stamens 4; filaments 

flattened; style 1 cm. 


Distr. Native of China. Common in wastelands around the settlements; PS 30291 Parambikulam 

Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon, Cat. Pl. Ceylon 46. n.382. 1824; FBI 4: 592. 1885; FPM 

1100. 1924; FPL 365. 1990; FTSR 351. 1996. Volkameria serrata L., Mant. Pl. 1: 90. 1767. 

Shrubs; branchlets 4-angled. Leaves to 35 x 25 cm, obovate, acuminate at both ends, serrate, 

scabrous, nerves 8-10 pairs; petiole 1-3 cm long. Panicles terminal, to 30 x 10 cm, pubescent. 

240

Flowers blue, shortly pedicelled; calyx 4 mm long, lobes obtuse, hairy; corolla 15-20 mm long, 

hairy below, lobes round. Berry 1 cm across, 2-4-lobed, depressed globose; seeds 2-4, rugose, 

black. 


Distr. India, Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; PS 18924 


Clerodendrum viscosum Vent., Jard. Mal. 1: t.25. 1803; FPL 365. 1990; FTSR 351. 1996. C. 

infortunatum Wight, Ic. t. 1471. 1849, "infortunata", non L.; FBI 4: 594. 1885; FPM 1100. 1924. 

C. petasites auct. non. (Lour.) S. Moore. Meeuse, Blumea 5: 77. 1942. 

Large shrubs; stem sub-tetragonous, pubescent. Leaves to 20 x 20 cm, orbicular, cordate at 

base, acute at apex, densely glandular-pubescent, nerves 4-6 pairs; lower pairs basal; petiole to 

8 cm long, pubescent. Flowers white, in large panicled cymes; calyx 12 mm long, lobes 

acuminate; corolla tube 2 cm long, slender, lobes 1 x 0.5 cm, obovate, pubescent; filaments hairy 

at base. Berry 0.8-1 cm across, 1-3-lobed, black, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in secondary forests; PS 19170 Karimala 

GMELINA Linnaeus 

Gmelina arborea Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 246. 1815; FBI 4: 581. 1885; FPM 1097. 1924; FPL 365. 

1990; FTSR 352. 1996. 

Trees; bark white, branchlets stout, tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 18 cm, broadly ovate, cordate 

or truncate at base, acute at apex, densely fulvous tomentose beneath, glabrous above; nerves 3- 

4 pairs, lowest pair from base; petiole 5-10 cm long, tomentose. Flowers in terminal racemes, 

subsessile; calyx 6 mm long, campanulate, 5-toothed, tomentose; corolla brownish-yellow, 3 cm 

across, bilabiate, tube ventricose, lobes subequal, obovate, obtuse, densely hairy; stamens 4, 

didynamous, anthers divaricate; ovary glabrous, globose, style 1, slender, glabrous. Berry 2 x 

1.5 cm, ovoid, yellow, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30230 Karimala 

LANTANA Linnaeus 

1. Armed shrubs; bracts lanceolate....................................................................................................... L. camara 

1. Unarmed shrubs; bracts ovate.............................................................................................................L. indica 

Lantana camara L., Sp. Pl. 627. 1753; FBI 4: 562. 1885. L. aculeata L., Sp. Pl. 627. 1753; FPM 

1087. 1924. L. camara L. var. aculeata (L) Moldenke, Torreya 34: 9. 1934; FBI 4: 562. 1885; FPL 

366. 1990; FTSR 353. 1996. 

Rambling shrubs; stem with retrorse prickles especially along the angles. Leaves to 6 x 3.5 

cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded or cordate at base, scabrous, rugose, crenate; petiole 1-2.5 cm 

long. Spikes 1.5 cm across, globose, axillary, solitary, peduncled; bracts 8 x 3 mm, ovate, obtuse, 

floral bracts smaller. Flowers densely packed; calyx 1 mm long truncate, ciliate; corolla reddish, 

4 mm broad, tube 8 mm long, curved, slender. Berry 4 x 4 mm, dark blue, smooth. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America, widely naturalised in the tropics and subtropics. Very 

common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forests areas; PS 19057 Thunakkadavu 

Lantana indica Roxb., Fl. India 3:89.1832; FBI 4:562.1885; FPM 1087.1924. 

Shrubs. Leaves to 5.5 x 3.5 cm, broadly ovate, acute, base truncate, crenate, puberulus 

above, tomentose below; petiole to 1.5 cm. Spikes axillary, to 2.5 cm; peduncles to 5 cm; bracts 

to 1 cm, broadly ovate, pubescent; calyx tube 1.5 mm, entire, ciliate; corolla tube to 7 mm, 

curved, lobes to 2.5 mm, violet. Berry 5 mm long, ovoid, enclosed by the bracts. 


241

Distr. India, Nepal and Thailand. Rare in the rocky areas; PS 18951 Vengoli 

PHYLA Loureiro 

Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene, Pittonia 4: 46. 1899; FPL 367. 1990. Verbena nodiflora L., Sp. Pl. 

20. 1753. Lippia nodiflora (L.) A.Rich. in Michx., Fl. Bor. Amer. 2: 15. 1803; FBI 4: 563. 1885; 

FPM 1088. 1924. 

Prostrate herbs. Leaves 0.7-1.5 x 0.6-0.8 cm, orbicular to obovate-spathulate, base cuneate, 

apex obtuse. Flowers 5-merous, sessile; bracts broadly ovate, thick, concave; corolla purplish 

white, 2.5 mm across, salver-form; stamens 4, attached in 2 pairs at the throat of tube; 

filaments curved, 0.4 mm; anthers ovate, 0.2 mm; ovary globose, 0.5 mm; style 0.5 mm; stigma 

oblique. Drupe subglobose, 1 mm, endocarp hard, enclosing 2, 1-celled pyrenes; seeds minute. 


Distr. Tropics and subtropics. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19085 Padippara 

PREMNA Linnaeus 

1. Climbing shrubs; leaves coriaceous ................................................................................................. P. coriacea 

1. Erect shrubs or trees; leaves membranous..................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves densely stellately-tomentose; drupe subglobose ............................................................ P. tomentosa 

2. Leaves glabrous or softly pubescent; drupe globose....................................................................................... 3 

3. Corolla greenish-yellow, lobes elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate.................................................. P. glaberrima 

3. Corolla white, lobes broadly ovate to suborbicular..........................................................................P. latifolia 

Premna coriacea Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 4: 573. 1885; FPM 1095. 1923; FPL 367. 1990; FTSR 

353. 1996. 

Large climbing shrubs; branchlets pilose, lenticellate. Leaves to 18 x 10 cm, ovate-oblong, 

abruptly acuminate at apex, cordate at base, entire, glabrous; nerves 4-5 pairs, very prominent 

beneath. Cymes to 15 cm across, corymbose, terminal; branches pilose; peduncles to 12 cm long, 

erect; bracts 3 mm long, ovate. Flowers many, creamy white; pedicels 1 mm long hispid; calyx 1 

mm long, truncate, pinkish brown, puberulus; corolla 3.5 mm long, hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30410 Kuchimudi 

Premna glaberrima Wight, Ic. t. 1484. 1849; FBI 4: 577. 1885; FPM 1096. 1923; FPL 368. 1990; 

Pandurangan, & Nair, JETB 17: 180. 1993; FTSR 353. 1996. 

Erect shrubs; branchlets scandent, puberulus. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, elliptic-oblong, abruptly 

acuminate, rounded at base, entire or distantly serrulate, glabrous; nerves 6-7 pairs; petiole 1.5 

cm long. Cymes 5 x 5 cm, terminal, corymbose; pedicels 2 mm long, hairy; calyx 2 mm long, 

shortly bilipped, hispid; corolla greenish white or cream, 5 mm long, throat hairy. Drupes 3 x 3 

mm, hispid; seed 1, rugose, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in secondary forests; PS 30188 

Kottayali; 30248 Pezha 

Premna latifolia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 76. 1832; FBI 4: 577. 1885; FPM 1096. 1924. 

Trees. Leaves to 8 x 5 cm, ovate, apex abruptly acuminate, base rounded or cordate, entire or 

serrate; petiole 3-3.5 cm long. Corymbs terminal, to 7 cm long; calyx obscurely 2-lipped, 1.5 mm; 

corolla tube 2 mm, densely villous inside; stamens exserted. Pyrenes 4 mm across. 


Distr. India and Bangladesh. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30623 Thekkady; 30397 

Kuchimudi 

242

Premna tomentosa Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 314. 1800; FBI 4: 576. 1885; FPM 1095. 1924; FPL 368. 

1990. Cornutia corymbosa Lam., Encycl. 1: 54. 1783, non Burm.f. 1768. 

Trees; young branchlets tomentose. Leaves 6-18 x 5-15 cm, ovate cordate, acuminate, thick, 

densely tomentose below. Corymbs axillary and terminal, to 7 cm long; flowers yellow; calyx 2 

mm long, pubescent; corolla 4 mm long, hairy at throat, bilabiate; stamens 2 mm long; ovary 

hairy at apex, style 3 mm. Fruit 4 mm across, pubescent. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in dry and moist deciduous forests; PS 19974 

Keerappadi 

PRIVA Adans 

Priva cordifolia (L.f.) Druce, Bot. Exch. Club. Soc. Brit. Isles 4: 641. 1917; FPL 368. 1990. 

Buchnera cordifolia L.f., Suppl. Pl. 287. 1781. Priva leptostachya A.Juss., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. 

Nat. 7: 70. 1806; FBI 4: 565. 1883; FPM 1091. 1924. Streptium asperum Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 

146. 1800. 

Erect herbs; stem quadrangular. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, broadly ovate, apex acute, base 

truncate, crenate, membranous, pilose; petiole to 4 cm. Racemes terminal, to 15 cm; bracts 2 

mm, lanceolate; flowers white; calyx 6 mm, 5-ribbed, pubescent; corolla tube obscurely 2-lipped, 

8 mm, curved, lobes 4 mm, orbicular; filaments subequal; ovary oblong,. Fruit enclosed in calyx 

tube, sticky, pubescent. 


Distr. India, Pakistan and Nepal. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30084 Kuchimudi 

STACHYTARPHETA Vahl 

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 1:206.1804; FPL 369. 1990. Verbena 

jamaicensis L., Sp. Pl. 19.1753. Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl var. jamaicensis (L.) Moon, Cat. 

Pl. Ceylon 68.1885 & Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3:348.1895; FPM 1090.1924. S. indica sensu Clarke in 

Hook. f., FBI 4:564.1885,p.p.; non (L.) Vahl 1804. 

Erect glabrous shrubs. Leaves opposite, to 10 x 6 cm, ovate, acute, crenate, serrate, base 

cuneate; lateral nerves 5 or 6 pairs, reticulate, nervules impressed above; petiole 1-3 cm long. 

Spikes terminal, to 20 cm long, linear; bracts 6 mm long, linear-ovate; calyx tubular, 6 mm long, 

ridged; lobes acuminate; corolla blue, 7 mm long; tube cylindrical, lobes 5, obtuse, spreading, 

stamens 2, included; ovary glabrous, 2-celled; style slender, stigma globose. Fruit separating 

into 2, 1-seeded pyrenes; seeds oblong. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19374 Parambikulam 

SYMPHOREMA Roxburgh 

Symphorema involucratum Roxb., Pl. Corom. t.186. 1798; FBI 4: 559. 1885; FPM 1104. 1924; 

FTSR 357. 1996. 

Woody climbers, stem with warty tubercles; branchlets yellow-tomentose. Leaves to 10 x 6 

cm, elliptic or oblong, acute to acuminate, rounded at base, inequilateral, entire or serrate; 

lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, reticulate. Flowers 6 or 7, in peduncled capitate cymes; peduncle 2.5 cm 

long; involucral bracts 6, 7 x 2 mm, elliptic-oblong, enlarged in fruit; calyx 6 mm long, 

campanulate, 4-8-lobed, tomentose; corolla 6 mm long, white, campanulate, 6-8-lobed, sparsely 

hairy; stamens 6-8; ovary 2 or imperfectly 4-celled. Fruit 1-seeded. enclosed by the calyx. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30597 Kuchimudi 

TECTONA Linnaeus f. 

243

Tectona grandis L. f., Suppl. Pl. 151. 1781; FBI 4: 570. 1885; FPM 1092. 1924; FPL 369. 1990; 

FTSR 354. 1996. 

Large trees; branchlets 4-angled, puberulus. Leaves to 45 x 35 cm, obovate, obtuse at apex; 

attenuate to the base, pubescent with minute red glands below; nerves 8-10 pairs, prominent; 

nervules parallel or scalariform; petiole 1-2 cm long. Cymes panicled, terminal, to 50 x 40 cm, 

puberulus. Flowers to 7 mm across, white; calyx 5 mm long, lobes 6, ovate, white, tomentose; 

corolla 6 mm long, lobes 6, oblong, spreading; stamens 6, equal, erect; ovary densely hairy, 4- 

celled; style slender, bifid at apex. Drupes 1.5-2 cm across; globose, densely floccose hairy, 

covered by the inflated calyx. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Very common in plantations and moist deciduous forests; PS 

30789 Anappadi 

Note: This species is spread over 90 km 2 plantation area in the sanctuary. 

VITEX Linnaeus 

1. Leaves 3-foliolate, petiole winged .................................................................................................. V. altissima 

1. Leaves 5-7 foliolate, petiole not winged.......................................................................................V. leucoxylon 

Vitex altissima L. f., Suppl. Pl. 294. 1781; FBI 4: 584. 1885; FPM 1102. 1924; FPL 370. 1990; 

FTSR 355. 1996. V. alata Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 316. 1821; FBI 4: 584. 1885. 

Large trees; bark grey, branchlets lenticellate, minutely tomentose. Leaflets sessile, to 15 x 5 

cm, elliptic, acuminate, entire; lateral nerves 12 pairs; petiole to 10 cm long, winged. Panicles to 

25 x 15 cm, branches tomentose. Flowers 3-10 together; calyx 3 mm long, campanulate, lobes 

ovate, white, tomentose; corolla 5 mm long, blue, throat villous, lobes obtuse; filaments hairy at 

base; ovary densely hairy. Drupes 5 x 5 mm, glabrous, blue. 


Distr. India, Indo-China, Malesia and Sri Lanka; cultivated in Europe and U.S.A. Common in 

all forest types; PS 18965 Vengoli; NS 18994 Orukomban 

Vitex leucoxylon L. f., Suppl. Pl. 293. 1781; FBI 3: 587. 1885; FPM 1103. 1923; FTSR 355. 1996. 

Wallrothia leucoxylon (L. f.) Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 391. 1821. 

Shrubs, branchlets glabrous. Leaflets to 14 x 4 cm, elliptic, acute at both ends, glabrous, 

lateral nerves 12-14 pairs; petiolule 2 cm long; petiole to 8 cm long. Cymes axillary, 

dichotomous, long-peduncled, hispid; peduncle to 8 cm long. Flowers few to many; pedicels 5 

mm long, calyx 5 mm long, sub-bilabiate, tomentose, lobes acute; corolla 14 mm long, lobes, 

oblong to orbicular, curved, white, throat hairy; filaments unequal, hairy at base. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common along the riverine areas; PS 19341 

Thenkudippara; NS 30155 Muthuvarachal 

LAMIACEAE 

1. Calyx lobes equal or subequal ........................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Calyx lobes distinctly bilipped........................................................................................................................ 8 

2. Plants stellately pubescent; flowers yellow ......................................................................... Gomphostemma 

2. Plants not stellately pubescent; flowers otherwise....................................................................................... 3 

3. Leaves in whorls of three; calyx tube much shorter than the lobes ......................................... Colebrookea 

3. Leaves opposite; calyx tube longer than lobes............................................................................................... 4 

4. Flowers in axillary clusters, cymes or globose heads.................................................................................... 5 

4. Flowers in elongated spikes, racemes or panicles......................................................................................... 7 

5. Calyx 5-toothed; corolla blue..................................................................................................................Hyptis 

244

5. Calyx 8-10 toothed; corolla white or orange .................................................................................................. 6 

6. Calyx teeth spinescent; corolla orange...............................................................................................Leonotis 

6. Calyx teeth not spinescent; corolla white ............................................................................................ Leucas 

7. Corolla 4-lobed; stamens equal or subequal................................................................................Pogostemon 

7. Corolla 5-lobed; stamens didynamous .........................................................................................Anisomeles 

8. Flowers in dense uninterrupted spike forming oblong or ovoid heads ....................................................... 9 

8. Flowers in interrupted whorls forming lax spike or thyrsus ..................................................................... 10 

9. Disc entire; upper lip of corolla longer than the lower lip ........................................................Acrocephalus 

9. Disc lobed; upper lip of corolla shorter than the lower lip...........................................................Anisochilus 

10. Ovary 4-lobed; corolla 1-lipped .........................................................................................................Teucrium 

10. Ovary 4 partite; corolla 2-lipped................................................................................................................... 11 

11. Upper lip of the corolla equal to or longer than the lower lip .................................................................... 12 

11. Upper lip of the corolla shorter than the lower lip...................................................................................... 13 

12. Stigma entire; corolla tube narrow.............................................................................................. Orthosiphon 

12. Stigma bifid; corolla tube broad..........................................................................................................Ocimum 

13. Lips of calyx deeply saccate at base; flowers paired at nodes of racemes ...................................Scutellaria 

13. Lips of calyx not saccate; flowers not paired at nodes .............................................................. Plectranthus 

ACROCEPHALUS Bentham 

Acrocephalus hispidus (L.) Nicols. & Sivad., Taxon 29: 324. 1980; FPL 372. 1990; FTSR 358. 

1996. Gomphrena hispida L., Sp. Pl. 1: 326. 1762. Prunella indica Burm.f.,Fl.Ind.130.1768. 

Acrocephalus indicus (Burm.f.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 511. 1891; FPM 1115. 1924. A. capitatus 

(Roth) Benth., Edward's Bot. Reg. 15. sub t.1282. 1829; FBI 4: 611. 1885. Ocimum capitatum 

Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 276. 1871. 

Erect or diffuse branched herbs. Leaves 2-3 x 1 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, crenate, 

glabrous. Inflorescence an ovoid head, 1.5 x 0.8 cm; basal bracts 2, foliar; floral bracts 3 mm 

across, deltoid. Flowers densely packed; calyx 5-6 mm long, bilabiate; upper lip entire, obovate; 

lower lip 4-toothed, scabrous; corolla white, 2.5 mm long, bilabiate; upper lip entire, lower lip 4- 

toothed, glabrous; stamens 4, didynamous; ovary 4-partite, glabrous; style slender, stigma 2- 

lobed. Nutlets 1 mm long, oblong, smooth; seeds yellowish white, smooth. 



ANISOCHILUS Wallich ex Bentham 

1. Leaf base cordate; corolla pale purple ............................................................................................A. carnosus 

1. Leaf base acute or attenuate; corolla yellow or white .................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaf margins crenulate; lower lip of fruiting calyx obscurely toothed.............................................A. scaber 

2. Leaf margin entire; lower tip of fruiting calyx truncate .............................................................A. argenteus 

Anisochilus argenteus Gamble, Kew Bull. 1924: 265. 1924 & FPM 1127. 1924. 

Stout herbs; stem silvery white tomentose. Leaves to 1.5 x 1 cm, obovate, acute at apex, 

entire, densely hairy, closely packed on stem, sessile. Spikes to 8 cm long, 0.5-1 cm broad, 

cylindrical to tetragonous; bracts and calyx densely villous; corolla small, yellowish. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19937 Karimala 

Anisochilus carnosus (L.f.) Wall. ex Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2:18.1830; FBI 4:627.1885; 

FPM 1127. 1924; FPL 372. 1990; FTSR 358. 1996. Lavandula carnosa L. f., Suppl. Pl. 273. 1781. 

Fleshy herbs; stem quadrangular, puberulus. Leaves to 5 x 4.5 cm, broadly ovate, obtuse, 

cordate at base, crenate scabrous; petiole 5 cm long. Spikes 2-4 x 1 cm, cylindrical, oblong, 

panicled; peduncle 5-7 cm long. Flowers densely packed; bracts minute; calyx 5 mm long, red 

245

glandular, upper lip entire, declined, lower lip orbicular; corolla 5 mm long, blue, upper lip 

oblanceolate, lower lip obtusely 4-lobed; filaments glabrous. Nutlets triangular, smooth, brown. 


Distr. South India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests and wet rocky 


Anisochilus scaber Benth. in DC., Prodr. 12: 81. 1848; FBI 4: 629. 1885; FPM 1127. 1924; FPL 

373. 1990. 

Herbs. Leaves to 6 x 4 cm, ovate, acute, base attenuate, margin crenate, puberulus; petiole to 

2 mm. Spikes terminal to 2 cm; calyx tube ca 2 mm, bilipped, pubescent, lobes acute, lower lip 

reduced; corolla 5 mm, white-pinkish, bilipped, pubescent; stamens 4, filaments ca 3 mm in 

pair; ovary globose, style ca 6 mm. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30074 Kuchimudi 

ANISOMELES R. Brown 

Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 512. 1891; FPM 1140. 1924. Nepeta indica L., Sp. 

Pl. 571. 1753; FPL 373. 1990; FTSR 359. 1996. Anisomeles ovata R. Br. in Ait., Hort. Kew. (ed. 

2) 3: 364. 1811; FBI 4: 672. 1885. 

Shrubs; stem densely woolly. Leaves to 13 x 7 cm, broadly ovate, acuminate at apex, densely 

woolly, unequally crenate; petiole 2-3 cm long. Racemes 5-12 x 3 cm, terminal; bracts foliar, 2 x 

1 cm. Flowers closely packed in globose thyrse; calyx 10 mm long, lobes equal, acuminate, 

hispid; corolla violet or purple, 1.4 cm long, upper lip entire, acute, lower lip 4-lobed, white or 

lilac, covered with purple hairs, lobes obtuse; stamens 4, filaments erect, hairy; stigma 2-lobed; 

nutlets 2 x 1.5 mm, plano-convex, light brown. 

Fl & Fr.: June-September 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19686 Karimala 

COLEBROOKEA J. J. Smith 

Colebrookea oppositifolia Smith, Exot. Bot. 2: 111, t.115. 1805; FBI 4: 642. 1885; FPM 1138. 

1924; FPL 374. 1990; FTSR 359. 1996. C. tenuifolia Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 245. 1815. 

Large shrubs; stem and leaves densely tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 6 cm, elliptic, acuminate, 

crenulate, base acute to acuminate, nerves ca.10 pairs, oblique. Spikes to 10 x 0.5 cm, panicled, 

terminal, densely hairy. Flowers in close whorls; calyx 1.5 mm long; tube very short, densely 

white-hairy, lobes subulate; corolla 2 mm long, equally 4-lobed; stamens 4, exserted in male 

flowers, included in female flowers, filaments glabrous; style 2-fid at tip. Nutlets hairy at apex; 

fruiting calyx larger. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19167 Karimala 

GOMPHOSTEMMA Wallich 

1. Flowers in terminal cylindrical spikes; filaments glabrous.................................................... G. heyneanum 

1. Flowers in axillary whorls; filaments hairy................................................................................G. keralensis 

Gomphostemma heyneanum Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 12. 1830; FPM 1167. 1924; FTSR 

360. 1996. G. strobilinum Wall. ex Benth var. heyneanum (Benth.) Hook.f., FBI 4: 696. 1885. 

Subshrubs; stem obtusely 4-angular, stellate tomentose. Leaves to 25 x 15 cm, broadly 

elliptic, acute at both ends, stellate tomentose below, sparsely hairy above, crenate, nerves 5-7 

pairs; petiole 4-6 cm long. Racemes 18 x 2.5 cm. Flowers 10 to 20 together; bracts elliptic, acute. 

Calyx 12 mm long, lobes lanceolate; corolla 15 mm long, tube 7 mm broad, cylindric, midlobe of 

lower lip obtuse, emarginate; filaments unequal, glabrous. Nutlets glabrous. 

246


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. very common in moist deciduous forests and 


Gomphostemma keralensis Vivek. et al., Kew Bull. 38: 189. 1984. 

Subshrubs; stem quadrangular, stellately tomentose. Leaves 26 x 10 cm, ellipticoblanceolate, 

dentate, acuminate; petiole to 10.6 cm long. Flowers 10-15, sessile, axillary; bracts 

elliptic, acute; calyx 12 mm long, lobed to the middle; lobes ovate, subulate; corolla 8 mm long; 

upper lip ovate, rounded; lower lip 3-lobed, lobes oblong, rounded, midlobe smaller than the 

lateral lobes, filaments hairy. Nutlets oblong-ellipsoid, pubescent. 

Fl. & Fr. October-November 


Pooppara 

HYPTIS N. J. Jacquin 

Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 7: 472. t.27. f.2. 1806; FBI 4: 630. 1885; FPM 

1129. 1924; FPL 376. 1990; FTSR 360. 1996. Ballota suaveolens L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 1100. 

1759. 

Shrubs; stem obtusely 4-angular, thinly hairy. Leaves ovate, acute, hispid below, glabrate 

above; petiole to 5 cm long. Flowers in clusters of 1-12; calyx tube 8 mm long, tubular, 10- 

ribbed, glandular hairy, teeth spinulose, 4 mm long; corolla 5 mm long, lobes short, glabrous 

inside, blue. Nutlets 4 x 2.5 mm, compressed, with a ridge on dorsal surface, pubescent, deep 

brown, mucilaginous when wet. 


Distr. Originally from America now Pantropical. Common in degraded areas; PS 19618 Vengoli 

LEONOTIS (Persoon) R. Brown 

Leonotis nepetiifolia (L.) R. Br., Prodr. 504. 1810; FBI 4: 691. 1885; FPM 1155. 1924; FPL 376. 

1990. Phlomis nepetiifolia L., Sp. Pl. 586. 1753. 

Shrubs, pilose. Leaves to 11 x 8 cm, ovate, apex acute, base truncate, deeply crenate, 

minutely punctuate, pubescent, basally tri-nerved; petiole to 9 cm. Thyrsus axillary and 

terminal, 5 cm across; flowers red; bracts 1.5 cm, linear, spinescent, pubescent; calyx oblique, 

tube 1.3 cm long, 7-toothed, spinescent; corolla tube 1 cm long, lower lip 1.5 cm, concave, 

densely villous; filaments 3 and 4 mm, flattened; ovary 1 mm, style 2 cm. 

Fl. November-March 

Distr. Native of Tropical Africa; naturalised in many parts of the tropics. Occasional in dry 

deciduous forests and roadsides; PS 19083 Padippara 

LEUCAS R. Brown 

1. Flowers to 4; not aggregated in verticals ...........................................................................................L. biflora 

1. Flowers 6 to many, aggregated in verticals .................................................................................................... 2 

2. Mouth of the calyx oblique; leaves to 1 cm broad ...............................................................................L aspera 

2. Mouth of calyx not oblique; leaves more than 1.5 cm broad.......................................................................... 3 

3. Verticils axillary; calyx throat naked ............................................................................................ L. chinensis 

3. Verticils terminal, calyx throat villous............................................................................................................ 4 

4. Leaves ovate; bracts glabrous ............................................................................................................. L. ciliata 

4. Leaves oblong; bracts pubescent........................................................................................................... L. hirta 

Leucas aspera (Willd.) Spreng., Syst. 2: 743. 1825; FBI 4: 690. 1885; FPM 1150. 1924; FPL 377. 

1990. Phlomis aspera Willd. in Link, Enum. Pl. Hort. Berol. 2: 621. 1822. Leucas plukenetii 

247

(Roth) Spreng., Linn. Syst. Veg. (ed.16) 2: 743. 1825. Phlomis plukenetii Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 261. 

1821. 

Herbs, pubescent. Leaves to 5.5 x 0.8 cm, elliptic, apex obtuse, base cuneate, distantly 

serrate, membranous, pubescent. Whorls axillary and terminal, 2 cm across; flowers white; 

bracts 8 mm long, linear, ciliate, acute; calyx mouth oblique, 5 mm, 10-toothed, ciliate with 

bulbous based hairs at apex; corolla tube 8 mm, upper lobe 4 mm, lower 8 mm; filaments 4 and 

5 mm, pubescent; ovary 1 mm, style 8 mm. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in wet rocky areas; PS 19640 Vengoli 

Leucas biflora (Vahl) R. Br., Prodr. 504. 1810; FBI 4: 683. 1885; FPM 1150. 1924; FPL 377. 

1990; FTSR 361. 1996. Phlomis biflora Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 42. 1794. 

Diffuse or scandent herbs; branches finely pubescent. Leaves broadly ovate, acute, base 

obtuse, membranous, crenate, to 3.5 x 2 cm; petiole 0.5 cm long. Flowers solitary; calyx tubular, 

7 mm long, finely strigose; corolla white, 1.4 cm long, annulate-villous inside at middle. Nutlets 

oblong, truncate. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in wet areas of moist deciduous forests; 

PS 19533 Thekkady 

Leucas chinensis (Retz.) R. Br., Prodr. 504. 1810; FBI 4: 681. 1885; FPM 1151. 1924; FTSR 361. 

1996. Phlomis chinensis Retz., Obs. Bot. 2: 19. 1781. 

Erect or scandent herbs, branches sericeus. Leaves ovate, obtuse, base truncate or obtuse, 

crenate, to 3.5 x 2.5 cm; petiole to 0.5 cm long. Calyx funnel-shaped, sericeus, 1 cm long. Corolla 

1 cm long, obliquely annulate-villous inside; lower lip glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and China. Very common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 


Leucas ciliata Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 61. 1830; FBI 4: 687. 1885; FPM 1153. 1924; 

FPL 378. 1990. 

Subscandent herbs with few hispid branches. Leaves to 8 x 3 cm, ovate, acute at both ends, 

densely hispid; petiole 1 cm long. Heads terminal, 3 cm across, globose; bracts 15 x 1 mm, 

strongly ciliate. Flowers 30-40 in a head; calyx tube 12 mm long, not ribbed, teeth 5 mm long, 

ciliate; corolla tube 10 mm long, upper lip obovate, concave, brown hairy, lower lip white, 10 x 8 

mm, 3-lobed, midlobe orbicular, glabrous. Nutlets 3 x 1.5 mm, 3-angled brown, smooth. 


Distr. India and Himalayas. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19600 Karimalagopuram 

Leucas hirta (Heyne ex Roth) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 743. 1825; FBI 4: 687. 1885; FPM 1153. 

1924; FPL 378. 1990; FTSR 361. 1996. Phlomis hirta Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 264. 1821. 

Erect herbs; branches covered with reflexed hairs. Leaves 5-6 x 1.5 cm, elliptic, obtuse, acute 

at base, distantly crenate, hirsute above, densely tomentose beneath; petiole 8 mm long. Heads 

terminal; bracts 10 x 1 mm, linear, bristly. Flowers 15-30 in a head; calyx tube 7 mm long, 

white, densely hairy outside; corolla tube 5 mm long, upper lip emarginate, white, hairy, 

midlobe of lower lip emarginate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19592, 19466 


OCIMUM Linnaeus 

1. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm; wet seed not mucilaginous ....................................................................O. gratissimum 

248

1. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm; wet seed heavily mucilaginous................................................................O. americanum 

Ocimum americanum L., Cent. Pl. 1: 15. 1755; FPL 380. 1990; FTSR 352. 1996. O. canum Sims, 

Bot. Mag. 51: t.2452. 1824; FBI 4: 607. 1885; FPM 1111. 1924. 

Herbs, stem hirtus. Leaves elliptic, acute to acuminate, base truncate or obtuse, subentire, 

sparsely hairy or glabrous. Racemes 13 cm long, densely pubescent. Flowers 5-7 in each whorl; 

calyx 3 x 5 mm, upper lip 3 x 3 mm, orbicular, densely hairy, corolla white, 5 mm long, 

glabrous; filaments glabrous. Nutlets 1.5 mm long, sub-trigonous, minutely pitted, dark brown 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in wet rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30607 Anappadi 

Ocimum gratissimum L., Sp. Pl. 1197. 1753; FBI 4: 608. 1885; FPM 1111. 1924; FPL 380. 1990; 

FTSR 362. 1996. 

Shrubs, glandular-scabrid. Leaves elliptic to obovate, base attenuate serrate, acuminate at 

apex; nerves 6-pairs; thinly tomentose below; petiole to 6 cm long. Racemes terminal, panicled; 

bracts oblanceolate. Flowers 4-6 at each node; pedicel 4 mm long; calyx 5 mm long, glabrous; 

upper lip ovate, obtuse, lobes of lower lip acuminate, glandular; corolla white, tube 2-3 mm long, 

lobes obtuse; filaments glabrous or villous at base. Nutlets 1.5 x 1 mm, pitted, brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19063 Thunakkadavu 

ORTHOSIPHON Bentham 

1. Leaves glabrous; stamen much longer than the corolla............................................................... O. aristatus 

1. Leaves puberulus along the nerves; stamen as long as the corolla ........................................O. thymiflorus 

Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 2: 943. 1858; FTSR 363. 1996. Ocimum 

aristatum Blume, Bijdr. 833. 1826. Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 

15. 1830; FBI 4: 615. 1885; FPM 1115. 1924. 

Diffusely branched glabrous herbs. Leaves to 7 x 4 cm, broadly elliptic, obtusely acute or 

acuminate, base acute, serrate, glabrous, glaucous below; lateral nerves ca. 5 pairs; petiole to 3 

cm long. Racemes to 8 cm long. Calyx tube 4 mm long, puberulus, lower lobes aristate. Corolla 

1.8 cm long, linear, sparsely strigose, pale-lilac. Filaments 4 cm long. Nutlets oblong-orbicular 

or subtrigonous, smooth or tuberculate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19904 Kariamchola 

Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth) Sleensen, Reinwardtia 5: 42. 1959; FPL 380. 1990; FTSR 363. 

1996. Ocimum thymiflorum Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 269. 1821. O. tomentosus Benth. in Wall., Pl. 

Asiat. Rar. 2: 14. 1830; FBI 4: 613. 1885. O. glabratus Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 14. 

1830; FPM 1114. 1924. O. viscosus Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 41. 1830; FPM 1114. 1924. 

O. diffusus (Benth.) Benth. in DC., Prodr. 12: 50. 1848; FBI 4: 613. 1885; FPM 1113. 1924. 

Erect herbs; stem hirtus. Leaves 5 x 3 cm, ovate, base rounded or cordate, acute at apex, 

thinly tomentose below; nerves 6-8 pairs. Racemes 15-20 cm long, terminal, with distant whorls 

of flowers. Flowers 5-6 in a whorl; pedicels 2-3 mm long; calyx 6-7 mm long, deflexed, 2-lipped; 

upper lip broad, entire, lower lip 4-lobed, lobes subulate, hairy; corolla 13 mm long, 2-lipped, 

tube 9 mm long, cylindric, upper lip 4-lobed, lower lip cup-shaped; stamens 4, included, 

declinate, style slender, stigma terminal, capitate. Nutlets 2-4, orbicular, pitted. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in wet areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30715 Vengoli 

PLECTRANTHUS L' Heritier 

1. Filaments connate into a sheath around the style......................................................................................... 2 

1. Filaments free.................................................................................................................................................... 3 

249

2. Leaves glabrous; flowers pedicellate.........................................................................................P. malabaricus 

2. Leaves densely villous; flowers sessile ...........................................................................................P. barbatus 

3. Fruiting calyx densely woolly; wet nutlets mucilaginous....................................................... P. nilgherricus 

3. Fruity calyx minutely scabrous; wet nutlets not mucilaginous ......................................................P. wightii 

Plectranthus barbatus Andr., Bot. Repos. t. 594. 1809. Coleus barbatus (Andr.) Benth. in Wall., 

Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 15. 1830; FBI 4: 625. 1885; FPM 1124. 1924. C. forskohlii (Willd.) Briq., 

Pflanzenf. 4:359. 1897; FPL 374. 1990. Plectranthus forskohlii Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 169. 1800. 

Stout herbs; stem densely villous. Leaves ovate, acute or obtuse, densely long-villous, usually 

folded. Spike 15-25 cm long, terminal with distant whorls of flowers; bracts 10 x 8 mm, broadly 

ovate, acuminate. Flowers 8-12 in each whorl, sessile; calyx 5 mm long; upper lip entire; lower 

lip narrowly 4-lobed; corolla tube 6 mm long, exserted, lower lobe blue, boat-shaped, upper 4- 

lobed. Nutlets globose, black, smooth. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Tropical East Africa. Occasional in grasslands and evergreen 

forests; PS 19746 Pezha 

Plectranthus malabaricus (Benth.) Willemse, Blumea 25: 509. 1979. Coleus malabaricus Benth. 

in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 16. 1830; FBI 4: 626. 1885; FPM 1124. 1924; FPL 375. 1990; FTSR 

359. 1996. 

Herbs. Leaves broadly ovate, acute, base truncate or subcordate, crenate, puberulus, nerves 

4 pairs; petiole to 10 cm long. Racemes in terminal to 30 cm long panicles, with distant whorls 

of flowers; bracts 5 x 3 mm, ovate. Flowers 5-10 in each whorl; calyx 8 mm long, striate, upper 

lip obtuse; lower lip unequally toothed, glabrous; corolla 1.5 cm long, pink; filaments glabrous. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19766 Pooppara; 19706, 30135 

Karimala; NS 30543 Pandaravarai 

Plectranthus nilgherricus Benth. in DC., Prodr. 12: 57. 1848; FBI 4: 619. 1885; FPM 1121. 

1924; FTSR 363. 1996. Rabdosia nilgherrica (Benth.) Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 47: 198. 1972. 

Shrubs; whole plant glandular hirtus. Leaves 5-10 x 3-6 cm, rounded or cordate at base, 

serrate; upper ones sessile, acuminate, densely hairy below; nerves 4 pairs; petioles 3-5 cm long. 

Panicle 20-30 cm long. Flowers 3-5 together, pedicelled; calyx 3.5-4 mm long, strongly ribbed, 

subequally 5-lobed, hirtus; corolla 7 mm long, white with red spot, glandular, lobes ciliate, 

midlobe larger than sidelobes; filaments glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19687 Karimala 

Plectranthus wightii Benth., Labiat. Gen. Sp. 41. 1832; FBI 4: 619. 1855; FPM 1120. 1924; 

FTSR 364. 1996. P. pulneyensis Hook.f., FBI 4: 617. 1855. P. nepetaefolius Benth. in DC., 

Prodr. 12: 57. 1848; FBI 4: 619. 1855. Robdosia wightii (Benth.) Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 47: 203. 1972; 

FPL 383. 1990. 

Subshrubs, branchlets glabrescent. Leaves ovate, acute, base cordate, deeply serrate, 

membranous, sparsely hispid, to 7.5 x 6 cm; lateral nerves ca. 5 pairs; petiole to 7 cm long. 

Thyrsus to 20 cm long. Calyx hirtellous, prominently red gland-dotted. Corolla lobes glabrous. 

Stamens exserted. 



Vengoli 

POGOSTEMON Desfontaines 

250

1. Inflorescence branched ..................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Inflorescence unbranched................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Inflorescence 1-sided; leaves glabrous or glabrescent..............................................................P. paniculatus 

2. Inflorescence otherwise; leaves tomentose..............................................................................P. benghalensis 

3. Leaves orbicular; corolla lobes unequal......................................................................................P. rotundatus 

3. Leaves ovate; corolla lobes equal ............................................................................................... P auricularius 

Pogostemon auricularius (L.) Hassk., Tijdschr. Natuurl. Gesch. Physiol. 10: 127. 1843. Mentha 

auricularia L., Mant. Pl. 81. 1767. Dysophylla auricularia (L.) Blume, Bijdr. 826. 1826; FBI 4: 

638. 1885; FPM 1136. 1924. 

Herbs. Leaves 2-8 x 1-3 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, chartaceous, base truncate to attenuate, 

margin irregularly crenate-serrate, apex acute; petiole to 0.5 cm. Racemes dense, terminal; 

corolla violet, 2 mm across; stamens 4, subequal; filaments 5 mm; anthers 0.4 mm; ovary 0.2 

mm; style 5 mm. 


Distr. South East Asia. Fairly common in marshy areas; PS 30521 Pillackalvayal 

Pogostemon benghalensis (Burm. f.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 517. 1891; FPL 381. 1990; FTSR 

364. 1996. Origanum benghalense Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 128,t.38, f. 3. 1768. Pogostemon 

plectranthoides Desf., Ann Mus. Hist. Nat. 2: 156. t. 6. 1808; FBI 4: 632. 1885; FPM 1133. 1924. 

Shrubs, to 2 cm high; stem hoary pubescent, subterete, reddish. Leaves 12-15 x 6 cm, ovate 

to lanceolate, acute, base attenuate, nerves 3-5 pairs. Panicle large, 15-25 cm long, with many 

congested and 1-sided cymes; bracteoles ovate, acute, hairy. Flowers many, densely packed; 

calyx 4 mm long, pubescent outside, glabrous inside; lobes acuminate; corolla pink, 7 mm long, 

lobes acute, hairy, pink; staminal filaments unequal. purple, bearded with moniliform hairs. 


Distr. Endemic to India; Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19146 Karimala 

Pogostemon paniculatus (Willd.) Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 30. 1830; FBI 4: 631. 1885; 

FPM 1132. 1924; FPL 382. 1990; FTSR 364. 1996. Elsholtzia paniculata Willd., Sp. Pl. 3: 59. 

1800. 

Subshrubs. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, ovate, acuminate at either ends, irregularly dentate, hirtustomentose; 

lateral nerves 3-4 pairs; petiole 2 cm long, tomentose. Panicle large, branches 5-10- 

flowered, 1-sided; bracteoles 5 x 3 mm, oblique, falcate, imbricating. Flowers densely packed; 

calyx 4 mm long, 5-ribbed; lobes acuminate, hirtus; corolla purplish, 6 mm long; pubescent 

outside; filaments bearded. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Myanmar. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


Pogostemon rotundatus Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 31. 1830; FBI 4: 636. 1885; FPM 

1134. 1924; FTSR 365. 1996. 

Profusely branched herbs; stem villous. Leaves 3 x 2.5 cm, villous above and below, crenate 

along the margins; nerves 3 pairs; petiole to 1 cm long. Spike 6-12 x 1 cm, terminal solitary, 

cylindrical, continuous; bracts and bracteoles minute. Flowers densely packed; calyx 4 mm long, 

densely hairy, lobes acuminate; corolla white or yellow, 6.5 mm long; lobes obtuse; filaments 

bearded. Nutlets biconvex, obovoid, minutely reticulate, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19151, NS 19306 Karimala 

SCUTELLARIA Linnaeus 

251

1. Leaf base cordate; nutlets spinulose................................................................................................ S. violacea 

1. Leaf base cuneate; nutlets tuberculate .................................................................................S. colebrookeana 

Scutellaria colebrookeana Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 67. 1830; FPM 1142. 1924. S. 

violacea Heyne ex Benth. var. colebrookeana (Benth.) Hook.f., FBI 4: 668. 1885, 'colebrookiana'. 

Puberulus herbs. Leaves to 3 x 3 cm, deltoid, acute, base truncate, dentate, nerves 4 pairs; 

petioles 2.5 cm long. Racemes 12 cm long, bracts 3 x 1 mm, ovate, acute. Flowers paired, calyx 5 

x 5 mm, upper lip and lower lip equal, white, glabrous; corolla 12 mm long, pale purple, lower 

lip broader; filaments glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30323 Pezha 

Scutellaria violacea Heyne ex Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 66. 1830; FBI 4: 668. 1885; FPM 

1142. 1924; FTSR 365. 1996. S. violacea var. sikkimensis Hook.f., FBI 4: 668. 1885. 

Erect herbs; stem hispid. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, ovate, acute, crenate, base cordate, hispid; 

petiole 4-5 cm long. Racemes 15 cm long, glandular hispid; bracts ovate, 3 mm long. Flowers 

paired, long-pedicelled; calyx glabrous, upper lobe saccate; corolla pale blue, 15 mm long, lateral 

lobes of lower lip shorter, glabrous; filaments fimbriate at base; anthers bearded, confluent. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19843 Vengoli; 

NS 19427 Pooppara 

TEUCRIUM Linnaeus 

Teucrium tomentosum Heyne ex Benth. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 58. 1830; FBI 4: 700. 1885; 

FPM 1158. 1924; FTSR 365. 1996. 

Erect shrubs; branchlets tomentose. Leaves 11 x 6 cm, ovate, acute at apex, rounded at base, 

crenate, hairy along nerves; petiole 1-3 cm long. Racemes panicled, terminal and axillary; 

bracts 3 mm long, ovate, small. Flowers pedicellate; calyx 6 mm long, lobed near the apex, lobes 

acute, hairy; corolla yellow to white, 11 mm long, upper lip absent, lower lip 3-lobed, lateral 

lobes smaller; stamens didynamous, filaments glabrous; anthers reniform; stigma bifid. Nutlets 

4, basely united, globular, reticulately pitted, glandular. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19708 Karimala 

NYCTAGINACEAE 

1. Diffuse herbs; flowers bisexual .........................................................................................................Boerhavia 

1. Scandent shrubs; flowers unisexual ......................................................................................................Pisonia 

BOERHAVIA Linnaeus 

1. Flowers pedicelled; branchlets slender..........................................................................................B. chinensis 

1. Flowers sessile; branchlets stout ....................................................................................................... B. diffusa 

Boerhavia chinensis (L.) Asch. & Schweinf. in Schweinf., Beitr. Fl. Aethiop. 1: 167. 1867, 

"Boerhaavia". Valeriana chinensis L., Sp. Pl. 33. 1753. B. repanda Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 22. 1797; 

FBI 4: 709. 1885; FPM 1163. 1925. 

Diffuse herbs with divaricate scandent glabrous branches. Leaves equal, ovate, acute, 

shallowly lobed, cordate at base, lineolate; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Flowers 1 cm long, 3-6 

together in panicled umbel; pedicels 13 mm long, capillary; bracts 3 mm long, glandular; 

perianth 8 mm long, pink. Capsule 8 x 1.5 mm, oblanceolate, densely lineolate, glandular. 


252

Distr. West Asia, India and Myanmar. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19988 

Keerappadi 

Boerhavia diffusa L., Sp. Pl. 3. 1753; FPM 1162. 1925; FPL 383. 1990; FTSR 366. 1996. B. 

repens L., Sp. Pl. 3. 1753; FBI 4: 709. 1885. B. procumbens Banks ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 148. 

1820. 

Herbs with long trailing branches; stem reddish, tomentose. Leaves unequal, ovate, obtuse, 

undulate along margins, truncate to subcordate at base, tomentose; petiole to 1 cm long. 

Flowers 4 mm long, 4-10 together, in axillary or terminal, peduncled umbels; bracts 5, ovate, 

glandular, perianth pink, stamens 3, capsule 3 x 1 mm, clavate, 5-ribbed, glandular. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19206 Rockpoint; 19541 Thekkady 

PISONIA Linnaeus 

Pisonia aculeata L., Sp. Pl. 1026. 1753; FBI 4: 711. 1885; FPM 1163. 1925; FTSR 366. 1996. 

Spines axillary, recurved, branchlets adpressed, pubescent. Leaves opposite and alternate, to 

8 x 4 cm, ovate, obtuse, base cuneate, chartaceous; petiole to 2 cm. Umbels axillary; peduncles 

to 2 cm, pubescent; bracteoles 1 mm, ovate, pubescent; perianth 4 mm across, funnel shaped, 

10-lobed, alternately long and short; stamens 4-5-8, filaments 5 mm; ovary 0.5 mm, seated on a 

disc, 1-celled, one ovuled. 


Distr. Pantropical. Rare along the riverine areas; PS 30571 Keerappadi 

AMARANTHACEAE 


1. Leaves alternate .............................................................................................................................................. 7 

2. Inflorescence an elongated, slender spike ..................................................................................................... 3 

2. Inflorescence otherwise ................................................................................................................................... 5 

3. Flowers all fertile, solitary; bracteole spinescent.......................................................................Achyranthes 

3. Flowers fertile and sterile, in groups; bracteoles not spinescent................................................................. 4 

4. Sterile flowers with hooked hairs........................................................................................................ Pupalia 

4. Sterile flowers without hooked hairs ................................................................................................Cyathula 

5. Prostrate or decumbent herbs; anthers 1-celled .....................................................................Alternanthera 

5. Erect herbs; anthers 2-celled .......................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Leaves lanceolate, obovate or spathulate; style bifid at middle ................................................ Gomphrena 

6. Leaves ovate or deltoid; style not forked.....................................................................................Psilotrichum 

7. Flowers in globose heads....................................................................................................................Allmania 

7. Flowers in simple or paniculate spikes.......................................................................................................... 8 

8. Spike simple, lax, glabrous ................................................................................................................... Celosia 

8. Spike paniculate or in axillary clusters ......................................................................................................... 9 

9. Spike in axillary clusters, white tomentose........................................................................................... Aerva 

9. Spike paniculate; glabrous............................................................................................................................ 10 

10. Spike dense; flowers unisexual....................................................................................................Amaranthus 

10. Spike lax; flowers bisexual............................................................................................................Indobanalia 

ACHYRANTHES Linnaeus 

1. Leaves linear-lanceolate to 16 cm, membranous; staminal tube truncate................................ A. bidentata 

1. Leaves ovate-elliptic to 10 cm, coriaceous; staminal tube semicircular ......................................... A. aspera 

Achyranthes aspera L., Sp. Pl. 204.1753; FBI 4: 730. 1885; FPM 1176. 1925; FTSR 367. 1996. 

Erect herbs; stem tomentose. Leaves to 10 x 6 cm, broadly elliptic to obovate, abruptly 

253

acuminate, tomentose, nerves 6 pairs; petiole 5 mm long. Spike to 20 cm long, hispid; bracts 6 

mm long, lanceolate, aristate; bracteoles entire, aristate. Flowers deflexed; tepals 7.5 x 2 mm, 

elliptic, acute, glabrous, equal; ovary truncate at apex. Achenes 3 mm long, ovoid, brown. 



Thunakkadavu 

Achyranthes bidentata Blume, Bijdr. 545. 1826; FPM 1176. 1925; FPL 385. 1990; FTSR 367. 

1996. 

Erect herbs; stem glabrous. Leaves lanceolate, to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, thinly 

pubescent, nerves 7-9 pairs; petiole 5 mm long. Spike axillary and terminal, 15-30 cm long, 

narrow, glabrous; bracts 4 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, long-aristate; bracteoles 3 mm long, entire, 

aristate. Flowers distant; tepals equal, 7 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. Achenes 3 

x 1.5 mm, cylindrical, longitudinally striate, reddish-brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and East Asia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19787 

Kanthalppara 

AERVA Forsskal 

Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 11: 131. 1808; FBI 4: 728. 1885; 

FPM 1178. 1925; FPL 385. 1990; FTSR 368. 1996. Achyranthes lanata L., Sp. Pl. 204. 1753. 

Aerva floribunda Wight, Ic. t. 723. 1840. 

Woolly herbs. Leaves to 3 x 2.5 cm, orbicular, ovate, apex obtuse, mucronate, pubescent 

above, densely woolly below, membranous; petiole 1 cm. Spikes axillary, to 1 cm, densely 

tomentose; bracts and bracteoles 1 mm, ovate; tepals 1.5 mm, oblong, woolly mucronate; 

filaments basally connate, 0.5 mm, staminodes subulate; ovary 0.4 mm, stigma 2 fid. 

Fl. November-March 

Distr. Widespread in tropic and subtropics. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 18877 

Parambikulam 

ALLMANIA R. Brown ex Wight 

Allmania nodiflora (L.) R. Br. ex Wight in Hook. J. Bot. 1: 226, t. 128. 1834; FBI 4: 716. 1885; 

FPM 1167. 1925; FTSR 368. 1996. 

Diffuse herbs, stem puberulus. Leaves alternate, 2-6 x 1-1.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, entire, 

glabrous. Flowers in terminal and axillary globose congested cymes, pedicelled; bracts and 

bracteoles 4 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate with filiform tips; tepals 5, equal, 5 x 1 mm, 

lanceolate, acute, free to the base, 1-nerved, glabrous; stamens 5, filaments united below into a 

membranous cup, glabrous; ovary obovoid, 1-celled, 1-ovuled; style 1, slender; stigma 2-toothed. 

Achenes 3 x 2 mm, ellipsoid with a long beak, biconvex, black. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30335 Pezha 

ALTERNANTHERA Forsskal 

1. Bracts and bracteoles glabrous ........................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Bracts and bracteoles hairy.............................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves reddish; pseudo-staminodes as long as the filaments .........................................................A. sessilis 

2. Leaves greenish; pseudo-staminodes shorter than the filaments................................................ A. pungens 

3. Outer tepals mucronate; pseudo-staminodes shorter than the filaments........................ A. paronychioides 

3. Outers tepals spinescent; pseudo-staminodes longer than the filaments...................................... A. tenella 

254

Alternanthera paronychioides A. St. Hill, Voy. Bres. 2: 439. 1833; FTSR 369. 1996. A. 

polygonoides sensu Standley, N. Amer. Fl. 21: 136. 1917, non L. 1753. 

Prostrate herbs; stem sparsely covered with long crisped hairs. Leaves to 3 x 0.7 cm, 

oblanceolate to spathulate, acute, glabrous. Spike 5 x 3 mm, solitary, axillary, few-flowered, 

sessile; bracts and bracteoles similar, 1.5 mm long, hyaline, apiculate. Flowers densely packed; 

tepals 5, outer three larger, 2.5 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, inner smaller, all hairy; stamens 3-5; 

ovary obovoid, compressed, stigma bilobed. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America, getting established in Tropical Asia. Common in moist 

deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30423 Parambikulam 

Alternanthera pungens Kunth in HBK, Nov. Gen. Sp. 2: 206. 1817. A. echinata J. E. Smith in 

Rees, Cyclop. 39: 10. 1819. 

Prostrate herbs. Leaves to 1.5 x 1 cm, deltoid to obovate, obtuse, base narrowed, short, 

glabrous. Spikes to 10 x 6 mm, 2-3 together, axillary, sessile; bracts and bracteoles equal, 5 mm 

long, scarious, aristate. Flowers densely packed; tepals 5, outer three larger, 5 mm long, 

lanceolate, aristate, one oblong, obtuse, inner smaller, boat shaped, keeled, aristate, all 3- 

ribbed, barbed at base; stamens 5, filaments united at base; ovary obovoid; stigma capitate. 


Distr. Native of American continent; now wide spread as a weed in the tropics and subtropics of 

the Old World. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 19993 Kuchimudi 

Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex. DC., Cat. Hort. 4: 77. 1813; FPL 386. 1990. Gomphrena 

sessilis L., Sp. Pl. 225. 1753. Alternanthera triandra Lam., Encycl. 1: 95. 1785; FPM 1179. 1925. 

Erect or prostrate herbs; stem glabrous. Leaves to 4 x 1 cm, elliptic-oblong to oblanceolate, 

obtuse, crenate, attenuate at base into a petiole, glabrous. Spike 7-12 x 5 mm, sessile, solitary or 

2-3 together; bracts and bracteoles similar, 1 mm long, broadly ovate, acute, glabrous. Flowers 

yellowish red; tepals equal, 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute, glabrous, 3-nerved at base; stamens 3. 

Achenes 2 x 2 mm, obovoid, emarginate at apex; seed orbicular, compressed, brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 19490 Thellikkal 

Alternanthera tenella Moq. in DC., Prodr. 13: 355. 1849. 

Prostrate herbs, stem white villous. Leaves to 4.5 x 2 cm, elliptic-oblong, sub-acute, hairy 

above, subsessile, ovoid. Head axillary, to 4, ovoid, sessile; bracts and bracteoles ca 2.5 mm, 

elliptic-lanceolate, spinescent; Tepals outer 3 ca 4 mm, lanceolate, spinescent, inner two 

smaller. Fertile stamens 5; filaments 1.5 mm; anthers oblong, pseudostaminodes strap shaped, 

longer than the filaments; ovary ovoid; style short. Seeds brownish, discoid. 


Distr. Tropics and subtropics. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19004 

Thunakkadavu 

AMARANTHUS Linnaeus 

1. Plants with axillary spines.............................................................................................................. A. spinosus 

1. Plants unarmed....................................................................................................................................A. viridis 

Amaranthus spinosus L., Sp. Pl. 991. 1753; FBI 4: 718. 1885; FPM 1170. 1925; FPL 387. 1990; 

FTSR 369. 1996. 

Armed subshrubs, spines axillary, to 1.5 cm. Leaves to 7 x 3 cm, ovate, oblong, obtuse, base 

cuneate, mucronate, membranous; petiole to7 cm. Spikes axillary and terminal, dense, to 15 cm; 

bracts and bracteoles 1.5 mm, curved; male flowers-tepals 1.5 and 2 mm, lanceolate; stamens 5, 

female flowers-tepals 1.5 mm, oblong, subequal; ovary 0.6 mm, styles 2. 

255


Distr. Originally from America; now found throughout the warmer regions of the world. 

Common in degraded forest areas and roadsides; PS 18809 Thellikkal 

Amaranthus viridis L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 1405. 1763; FBI 4: 720. 1885; FPM 1171. 1925; FPL 387. 

1990; FTSR 369. 1996. Chenopodium caudatum Jacq., Coll. Bot. 2: 235. 1788, non Amaranthus 

caudatus L. 1753. Amaranthus gracilis Desf., Tabl. Ecole Bot. 43. 1804. 

Glabrous herbs, stem green or sometimes reddish. Leaves 5-10 x 2-5 cm, alternate, ovate, 

acute, truncate at base; nerves 3-6 pairs. Spikes terminal and axillary, interrupted. Flowers 

unisexual, mixed, densely arranged; bracts and bracteoles similar, ovate, acuminate; tepals 3, 

1.5 mm long, obovate, obtuse; stamens 3, free; ovary obovoid, styles 2, free. Achenes 2 x 1 mm, 

ovoid, acute, membranous; seeds biconvex, dark brown, shining with hexagonal epidermal cells. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas and roadsides; PS 30642 Anappadi 

CELOSIA Linnaeus 

Celosia pulchella Moq. in DC., Prodr. 13: 238. 1849; FBI 4: 715. 1885; FPM 1166. 1925. 

Erect glabrous herbs. Leaves to 9 x 5 cm, alternate, ovate, acuminate, base truncate and 

shortly cuneate; nerves 5 pairs; petioles 2-4 cm long. Spike terminal, 5-15 cm long, slender. 

Flowers clustered, all fertile; bracts and bracteoles similar, 1 mm long, ovate, acute, hyaline; 

tepals 5, 2.5 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, hyaline; stamens 5, filaments united at base; ovary globose, 

style absent; stigmas 2, curved, pilose. Utricles 4 x 3 mm, ovoid; circumscissile; seeds many, 

reniform, black, muricate. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in bamboo areas; PS 30545 Pandaravarai 

CYATHULA Blume 

Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume, Bijdr. 549. 1826; FBI 4: 722. 1885; FPM 1172. 1925; FTSR 370. 

1996. Achyranthes prostrata L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2. 1: 296. 1761. Desmochaeta prostrata (L.) DC., Cat. 

Hort. Monsp. 102. 1813. 

Decumbent herbs. Leaves opposite, 7 x 3.5 cm, rhomboid, acute at either ends, thinly 

pubescent; petiole 5-15 mm long. Spike terminal, to 18 cm long, slender, solitary. Flowers in 

groups of 3-5 of which one perfect and others neutor flowers; bracts and bracteoles similar, 1.5 

mm long, lanceolate, acuminate, pubescent; sepals 5, free, 3 x 1 mm, elliptic, acute, hooked awn 

like in neutor flowers; stamens 5, filaments united into a membranous truncate cup; 

staminodes membranous, alternate with stamens, fimbriate; ovary ovoid, style simple, stigma 

capitellate. Achenes 2 x 1 mm, obovoid, compressed, golden brown. 

Fl. & Fr. September-August 


Thunakkadavu 

GOMPHRENA Linnaeus 

Gomphrena celosioides Mart., Beitr. Amar. 93. 1825; FPL 388. 1990. G. decumbens sensu 

Gamble, FPM 1179. 1925, non Jacq. 1805. 

Prostrate herbs, younger parts woolly. Leaves to 3 x 1 cm, elliptic, obovate, apex acute, 

mucronate, spathulate, woolly beneath. Spikes terminal and sometimes axillary, to 8 cm long; 

bracts 3 mm, scarious, mucronate, ciliate at apex; bracteoles 2, 2.5 mm, ovate, mucronate; 

tepals 5, 4.5 mm, lanceolate, acute at apex, woolly at the back of the inner 3 tepals; stamens 5, 

tube to 2.5 mm; ovary 1 mm, 1-ovuled, style 0.4 mm, stigma 2-fid. 


Distr. Originally from South America; now widespread in the tropics. Occasional in wet rocky 


256

INDOBANALIA A. N. Henry et R. Roy 

Indobanalia thyrsiflora (Moq.) Henry & Roy, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 10: 274. 1968; FPL 388. 

1990; FTSR 370. 1996. Banalia thyrsiflora Moq. in DC., Prodr. 13: 278. 1849; FPM 1167. 1925. 

Erect herbs; stem glabrous, ribbed. Leaves alternate, to 10 x 5 cm, ovate, acuminate, cuneate 

at base, hairy below; lateral nerves 8 pairs; petiole 2 cm long. Spikes thyrsoid, panicled, narrow, 

terminal and axillary; bracts and bracteoles similar, broadly ovate. Flowers 2-3 together; sepals 

free, equal, 3 x 1 mm, 3-nerved, glabrous; stamens 5, filaments jointed into a tube; ovary 

ellipsoid, compressed, 1-ovuled, style-1, slender; stigmas 2, linear, papillose. Achenes globose; 

seed orbicular, black. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 

30215 Kothala 

PSILOTRICHUM Blume 

Psilotrichum elliotii Baker & Clarke in Dyer, Fl. Trop. Africa 6: 58. 1909. P. calceolatum Moq. 

ex Hook.f., FBI 4: 725. 1885. P. nudum sensu Wight, Ic. t. 1775. 1852, non (Heyne ex Wall.) 

Moq. 1849. 

Herbs. Leaves to 4 x 2 cm, ovate, acute at apex, obtuse at base, pubescent; petiole 3 mm. 

Spikes axillary, to 2 cm; bracts 1.5 mm, ovate, acute, pubescent; bracteoles 2, 1.5 x 1.2 mm, 

broadly ovate, acute, pubescent; tepals 5, 5 and 4 mm, prominently nerved, silky pubescent 

lanceolate, acute; stamens 5, connate at base, filaments 1.5 mm; ovary 0.5 mm, globose, 1- 

ovuled, style 0.5 mm, stigma capitellate. Utricle 2 mm long. 


Distr. South India and Tropical Africa. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 19544 Thekkady 

PUPALIA A. L. Jussieu 

Pupalia lappacea (L.) Juss., Ann. Mus. Nat. Hist. Nat. 2: 132. 1803; FBI 4: 724. 1885; FPM 

1173. 1925. Achyranthes lappacea L., Sp. Pl. 204. 1753. A. atropurpurea Lam., Encycl. 1: 546. 

1785. Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq. in DC., Prodr. 13: 331. 1849. 

Straggling herbs; stem densely hispid. Leaves 2-5 x 2-3 cm, obovate, obtuse, fulvous 

tomentose; petiole to 1 cm long. Spike 15-25 cm long, terminal, usually unbranched. Flowers 

sterile and fertile together in distant clusters; bracts 3 mm across, orbicular; bracteoles smaller; 

sepals 5, 5 x 2 mm, elliptic, acute, densely covered with hooked bristles, woody; stamens 5, 

filaments united into short tube at base; ovary obovoid, compressed; style simple; stigma 

capitate. Achenes 2 x 2 mm, biconvex, brown, smooth. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and East Africa. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19975 

Keerappadi 

CHENOPODIACEAE 

CHENOPODIUM Linnaeus 

Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Sp. Pl. 219.1753; FBI 5:4.1886; FPM 1181.1925; FPL 389.1990. 

Erect pungent smelling herbs, profusely branching. Leaves alternate, to 8 x 3 cm, elliptic to 

lanceolate, entire to deeply lobed, base attenuate, glabrous, membranous; upper leaves smaller. 

Flowers bisexual, minute, sessile, clustered in terminal and axillary cymes; perianth 5-lobed, 

herbaceous, green; stamens 5, free; ovary 1-celled, with solitary ovule; styles 3; stigmas 3. Fruit 

a utricle enclosed by the persistent perianth. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; widely introduced, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and 

Malesia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19337 Thenkudippara 

257

BASELLACEAE 

BASELLA Linnaeus 

Basella alba L., Sp. Pl. 272.1753. B. rubra L., Sp. Pl. 272.1753; FBI 5:20.1886; FPM 1185.1925. 

Twining fleshy herbs; stem terete, glabrous. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, ovate, acute or obtuse, 

rounded at base, thick, fleshy, glabrous; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers in axillary, stout, erect, 3-10 

cm long spikes; bracts ovate, bracteoles orbicular; perianth calycine, lobes 5, 4 mm long, united 

at base; stamens 5, antitepalous, free; ovary glabrous, 1-celled; ovule 1, styles 3, stigma linear. 

Utricle globose, 5 mm across, fleshy, white, glabrous. 


Distr. Native of Tropical Asia and Africa, often cultivated. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 

19985 Keerappadi 

POLYGONACEAE 

1. Prostrate herbs; flowers in axillary clusters .................................................................................. Polygonum 

1. Erect or scandent herbs; flowers in heads, racemes or spikes ....................................................... Persicaria 

PERSICARIA P. Miller 

1. Scandent herbs; flowers in heads................................................................................................... P. chinensis 

1. Erect herbs; flowers in elongated spikes or racemes...................................................................................... 2 

2. Ochrea truncate, glabrous at mouth .................................................................................................. P. glabra 

2. Ochrea obliquely clefted, long ciliate at mouth................................................................................P. barbata 

Persicaria barbata (L.) Hara, Fl. E. Himal. 1: 70. 1966. Polygonum barbatum L., Sp. Pl. 362. 

1753; FBI 5: 37. 1886; FPM 1189. 1925; FPL 390. 1990; FTSR 371. 1996. 

Erect stout herbs. Leaves 6-12 x 2-3 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate at either ends, 

glabrate or pubescent, subsessile; nerves many, slender; ochrea 15 mm long, strigose, mouth 

oblique, shortly bristled, pubescent. Spike 2-4 cm long, shortly peduncled, stout, in 15-20 cm 

long panicles; bracts obovate, obtuse, long-ciliate. Flowers white, 4-10 in each bracts, longpedicelled; 

pedicels persistent; tepals 5, free, 2.5 mm long, oblong, obtuse, glandular; stamens 8; 

styles 3. Nut trigonous, acute, glabrous. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in marshy areas; PS 30764 Vengoli 

Persicaria chinensis (L.) Gross., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49: 269,277,315. 1913. Polygonum chinense 

L., Sp. Pl. 363. 1753; FBI 5: 44. 1886; FPM 1190. 1925; FPL 390. 1990; FTSR 371. 1996. 

Trailing or scandent shrubs; stem glabrous. Leaves ovate, cordate at base, oblique, abruptly 

acuminate, punctuate, glabrous except the midrib below; nerves many; petiole 1.5 cm long; 

ochrea 2-3 cm long, membranous, ribbed, oblique at mouth, glabrous. Spike 7 x 7 mm, panicled, 

globose; peduncles glandular-hairy; bracts ovate, obtuse, 1-flowered. Flowers pedicelled; tepals 

4, white, 5 x 2.5 mm, oblong, obtuse, glabrous; stamens 8, styles 3. Nut 5 x 2.5 mm, trigonous, 

glabrous, acute, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in secondary forests; PS 19160 Karimala 

Persicaria glabra (Willd.) Gomez, Ann. Inst. Segunda Ensef. Habana 2: 278. 1896. Polygonum 

glabrum Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 447. 1799; FBI 5: 34. 1886; FPM 1189. 1925; FPL 391. 1990. 

Stout erect herbs, glabrous, to 100 cm high. Leaves to 16 x 3 cm, linear-lanceolate, 

acuminate at both ends, punctuate.; petiole 2 cm long; ochrea tubular, mouth truncate, 

glabrous. Racemes stout, long peduncled; bracts obovate, obtuse, glabrous. Flowers few-several 

258

in each bract; tepals 4, oblong, obtuse, eglandular; stamens 8; style 2-fid. Nuts 2 x 1.5 mm, 

biconvex, acute, brown. 


Distr. India, Africa, Eastward to Malesia. Occasional in marshy areas; PS 19016 

Thunakkadavu 

POLYGONUM Linnaeus 

Polygonum plebeium R. Br., Prodr. 420. 1810. "plebejum; FBI 5: 27. 1886; FPM 1188. 1925; 

FPL 391. 1990; FTSR 371. 1996. P. indicum Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 208. 1821. 

Prostrate woody herbs with radiate branches; stem glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 4 mm, oblong, 

sessile, acute, glabrous; ochrea chartaceous, white, ciliate. Flowers 3-7 together, sessile, 

axillary; tepals 5, ovate, acute, glabrous; stamens 5. Nut 1.5 mm long, trigonous, acute, 

glabrous, brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in reservoir beds; PS 30452 Vengoli 

PODOSTEMACEAE 

1. Secondary shoots thread like, free floating................................................................................. Indotristicha 

1. Secondary shoots otherwise, appressed, erect or free floating ...................................................................... 2 

2. Secondary shoots erect with 4 ranked leaves ...................................................................................... Willisia 

2. Secondary shoots not erect, without 4 ranked leaves .................................................................................... 3 

3. Secondary shoots appressed, crustaceous; capsule anisolobous.................................................Zeylanidium 

3. Secondary shoots free floating, ribbon like or filiform; capsule isolobous ................................ Polypleurum 

INDOTRISTICHA van Royen 

Indotristicha ramosissima (Wight) van Royen, Acta Bot. Neerl., 8: 474. 1959; FTSR 372. 1996. 

Dalzellia ramosissima Wight, Ic. t.1920. f.1. 1852. Terniola ramosissima (Wight) Willis, Ann. 

Roy. Bot. Gard. (Peradeniya) 1: 208, 293, 306 tt. 5-9, f.29. 1902; FPM 1194. 1925. Tristicha 

ramosissima (Wight) Willis, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Peradeniya) 1: 208. 1902 & 1:293-306. ff. 5-9. 

1902; FPM 1194. 1925. 

Stem free floating, branched, to 60 cm long, attached to rock by base, stem with 1.5-2.5 cm 

long ramuli and scale leaves. Flowers 1-6 mm long, axillary along the stem; pedicels 1-2.5 cm 

long, slender, erect; perianth 3, free, 2 mm long, ovate; stamens 3; ovary 2.5 mm long, ellipsoid, 

stigma 3-lobed. 



Kanthalppara 

POLYPLEURUM Warming 

1. Secondary shoots filiform ................................................................................................................P. filifolium 

1. Secondary shoots ribbon like, branched or unbranched ............................................................................... 2 

2. Thallus narrow; pedicels to 2 cm long ......................................................................................P. dichotomum 

2. Thallus broad; pedicels to 4 cm long...............................................................................................P. stylosum 

Polypleurum dichotomum (Gard.) Hall, Kew Bull. 26: 131. 1972; FPL 392. 1990. Podostemon 

dichotomum Gard., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 7: 185. 1846; FBI 5: 64. 1886. Dicraea dichotoma 

(Gard.) Tul., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 3. 2: 101. 1849; FPM 1196. 1925. 

Thallus to 20 x 0.5 cm, branched, ribbon like, free floating, base attached on rocks; secondary 

shoots marginal. Leaves to 3 x 0.5 mm, 2, unequal; floral bracts 6, distichous, keeled; flowers 

solitary on secondary shoot; stamens 2, monadelphous, staminodes ca. 3 mm long, 2, linear; 

style ca 1 mm long, lanceolate. Fruit ca 3 mm, ellipsoid, 8-ribbed, isolobous. 

259


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in streams of evergreen forests; PS 

30311 Karappara 

Polypleurum filifolium (Ramam. & Joseph) Nagendran et al., Pl. Syst. Evol. 128. 217. 1977; 

FPL 392. 1990. Dicraea filifolia Ramam. & Joseph, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 6: 333. 1964. 

Thallus crustaceous, reddish or green; secondary shoots filiform to 1.5-2 cm, 3 pairs. Leaves 

decussate, spathulate, upper most leaves with filaments. Flowers terminal, subsessile; stamens 

2, ca 1.5 mm, subequal with pistil, staminodes ca 1.5 mm, filiform; ovary 1.5 mm, ellipsoid, style 

absent, stigma two papillate. Fruit to 2.5 x 1 mm, ellipsoid, 8-ribbed, isolobous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Common in Parambikulam river; PS 


Polypleurum stylosum (Wight) Hall, Kew Bull. 26: 131. 1971; FPL 393. 1990; FTSR 373. 1996. 

Dicraea stylosa Wight, Ic. t. 1917. f.2. 1852; FPM 1196. 1925. Podostemon stylosus (Wight) 

Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 5: 64. 1886. P. algaeformis (Bedd.) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 5: 65. 1886. 

Dicraea algaeformis Bedd., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 25: 223. t. 24. 1865. 

Thallus ribbon like, branched, 15-20 cm long; attached at base; bracts 4-6, alternate, 

distichous. Spathella splitting into 4 or 5 lobes; pedicel 10 mm long. Tepals 2 mm long; stamens 

and andropodium 4 mm long; ovary 3 x 1 mm, 6-ribbed, stigma lobes subequal. Capsule 3 x 1.5 

mm, ovoid, 6-ribbed, pedicel 1.2-1.5 cm long; seeds many. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in streams of evergreen forests; PS 30140 

Karappara; NS 19778 Pooppara 

WILLISIA Warming 

Willisia selaginoides (Bedd.) Warming ex Willis, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Peradeniya) 1: 235. 

1902; FPM 1198.1925; FPL 393.1990. Mniopsis selaginoides Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. ser.3, 54. 

1864. Podostemon selaginoides Benth. in Benth. & Hook.f., Gen. Pl. 3:113.1880; FBI 5: 68. 1886. 

Thallus crustaceous, secondary shoot erect 5-10 cm, covered with 4 rows of triquetrous 

scales, crowded on the dorsal surface. Flowers sessile, solitary on a secondary shoot; stamens 2, 

ca 5.5 mm, equal or longer than ovary; ovary ca 4 mm, ellipsoid, style absent, stigma 2. Capsule 

4-5 x 2.5 mm, smooth, sessile, anisolobous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in streams of evergreen forests; PS 30031 

Karappara 

ZEYLANIDIUM Engler 

Zeylanidium lichenoides (Kurz) Engl. in Engl. & Prantl., Nat. Pflanzenf. (ed. 2) 18a:62. 1928. 

Podostemon acuminatus Wedd. in DC., Prodr. 17: 75. 1873; FBI 65: 66. 1884. P. microcarpus 

Wedd. in DC., Prodr. 17: 76. 1873; FBI 5: 66. 1886. Hydrobryum lichenoides Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. 

Bengal 42:103. 1873; FPM 1199. 1925. 

Thallus ribbon like, lower smaller; upper larger. Spathella 2 x 1 mm, prostrate. Flowers 2.5 x 

1 mm, zygomorphic; tepals 2, 1 mm long, scarious, subulate; stamens 2, monadelphous, 

andropodium 1.2 x 0.3 mm; anthers bilobed, lobes unequal; ovary 1.5 x 0.9 mm, ellipsoid, 

smooth; stigma bilobed, lobes unequal, smooth. Capsule 2 x 1 mm, anisolobous, ellipsoid, ribs 8; 

one lobe persistent, stalk 2 mm, long. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Very common in streams; PS 30646 Karappara 

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE 

260

1. Erect shrubs; flowers actinomorphic .................................................................................................... Thottea 

1. Climbers; flowers zygomorphic ......................................................................................................Aristolochia 

ARISTOLOCHIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves deeply cordate at base, to 18 x 10 cm..................................................................................... A. tagala 

1. Leaves subcordate or truncate at base, to 13 x 6 cm......................................................................... A. indica 

Aristolochia indica L., Sp. Pl. 960. 1753; FBI 5: 75. 1886; FPM 1202. 1925; FPL 394. 1990; 

FTSR 373. 1996. A. lanceolata Wight, Ic. t. 1858. 1852. 

Twiners; stem glabrous. Leaves to 13 x 6 cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate at apex, 5-ribbed from 

the flat or subcordate base, midrib with 3 or 4 pairs of lateral nerves; petiole 2 cm long. Flowers 

to 4.5 cm long, 3-5 together in axillary cymes, greenish-brown; pedicels 1.5 cm long, perianth 

tube 1.5 cm long, globose at base, hairy inside, glabrous outside, limbs obovate, brown, 

glabrous; stamens 6, filaments short, anthers adnate to the columnar style; ovary 6-celled. 

Capsule obovoid, glabrous; seeds to 10 x 7 mm, brown, samaroid. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30064 Kuchimudi 

Aristolochia tagala Cham., Linnaea 7: 207. t. 5. f. 3. 1832; FPM 1202. 1925; FPL 394. 1990; 

FTSR 374. 1996. A. roxburghiana Klotzsch, Monatsber Koenigl. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 596. 

1859; FBI 5: 75. 1886. A. acuminata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 489. 1832, non Lam. 1783. 

Twiners; stem glabrous. Leaves to 18 x 10 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, glabrous, 5-7- 

nerved from deeply cordate base; petiole 4-5 cm long. Flowers 6.5 cm long, in axillary raceme; 

bracts 5 mm long, ovate; perianth tube 1 cm long, hairy inside, glabrous outside; limb 4.5 cm 

long, 1 cm broad, brown, tomentose; stamens 12, biseriate; connective broad, anthers oblong; 

style 6-7-fid, short. Capsule obovoid, stalked, 6-celled. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30644 Kanthalppara 

THOTTEA Rottboell 

Thottea siliquosa (Lam.) Ding Hou., Blumea 27: 327. 1981; FPL 395. 1990; FTSR 374. 1996. 

Apama siliquosa Lam., Encycl. 1: 91. 1783; FPM 1200. 1925. Bragantia wallichii R. Br. ex 

Wight & Arn., Edinb. New Phil. J. 15: 181. 1833; FBI 5: 73. 1886. 

Shrubs; branchlets angled. Leaves to 25 x 8 cm, elliptic-oblong, inequilateral, acuminate at 

apex, tomentose below; nerves 5-8 pairs, basal pair rib-like, extending above the middle, 

nervules parallel; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers in axillary fascicles, 1-5 together, 1.5 cm across; 

perianth lobed, united into a cup, acute, yellow or brown, lined inside; stamens 12, united in 3 

groups; stigma peltate, many-lobed. Capsule to 12 cm long, 5 mm broad, cylindrical; seeds 2 

mm long, trigonous, rugose. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Very common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; 

PS 18856 Kanthalppara 

PIPERACEAE 

1. Climbers with nodal roots; spike leaf opposed......................................................................................... Piper 

1. Erect herbs or shrubs without nodal roots; spike terminal or axillary......................................................... 2 

2. Spikes in axillary umbels ................................................................................................................ Lepianthes 

2. Spikes terminal, solitary or panicled............................................................................................... Peperomia 

LEPIANTHES Rafinesque 

261

Lepianthes umbellata (L.) Raf., Sylva Tellur. 85. 1838; FPL 395. 1990; FTSR 374. 1996. Piper 

umbellatum L., Sp. Pl. 30. 1753. P. subpeltatum Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 166. 1797; FBI 5: 95. 1886. 

Hackeria subpeltata (Willd.) Kunth, Linnaea 13: 571. 1839; FPM 1208. 1925. Pothomorphe 

subpeltata (Willd.) Miq., Comm. Phyt. 37. 1840. 

Erect herbs, to 1.5 m high; stem ridged. Leaves 20-40 cm, orbicular, rounded at apex, cordate 

at base, entire, pubescent above and below; nerves palmately radiating from base; petiole 

sheathing at base, to 20 cm long. Spikes 8-15 x 0.3 cm, cylindric, 3-7 together, umbellate, 

peduncled, axillary, bracts peltate, triangular, ciliate. Flowers densely packed; stamens 3, 

filaments short; ovary obovoid, truncate, stigmas 3, sessile, curved out. Berry trigonous, minute. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in secondary forests; PS 19288 Karimala 

PEPEROMIA Ruiz & Pavon 

1. All leaves in whorls of 4; spike pubescent..................................................................................P. tetraphylla 

1. Leaves otherwise; spikes glabrous................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Spikes to 10 cm long; nutlets black punctate...............................................................................P. thomsonii 

2. Spikes to 5 cm long;; nutlets not black punctate ............................................................................................ 3 

3. Leaves cordate at base, 5-7 ribbed, membranous..........................................................................P. pellucida 

3. Leaves cuneate or rounded at base, thickly coriaceous ................................................................................. 4 

4. Leaves rounded at base; nutlets rugose and scurfy .................................................................... P. heyneana 

4. Leaves cuneate at base; nutlets minutely scaly .................................................................... P. portulacoides 

Peperomia heyneana Miq., Syst. Piperac. 123. 1843. P. wightiana Miq. in Hook.’s London J. 

Bot. 5: 548. 1846; FBI 5: 98. 1886; FPM 1210. 1925. 

Terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic herbs, to 20 cm high. Leaves to 2 x 1.75 cm, orbicular, 

obtuse or shortly acute at apex, rounded at base, 5-ribbed, usually alternate; petiole 3 mm long. 

Spike 5 cm long, terminal or upper axillary, slender, glabrous, usually 2 or 3 together; bracts 

ovate, peltate. Nutlets 1 x 0.5 mm, ellipsoid, rugose, dark brown. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in rocky areas of evergreen forests; PS 30506 

Orukomban 

Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 64. 1815; FPM 1210. 1925; FPL 396. 1990. 

Piper pellucidum L., Sp. Pl. 30. 1753. Peperomia exigua (Blume) Miq., Syst. Piperac. 77. 1843; 

FBI 5: 97. 1886. 

Fleshy herbs, to 20 cm high. Leaves alternate, to 3 x 2 cm, ovate, cordate at base, acute, 

glabrous, 5-ribed, fleshy, shortly petioled. Spikes axillary, solitary, to 3 cm long, slender. 

Fl. & Fr. Throughout the year except the dry seasons 

Distr. Native of Tropical America; now Pantropical. Common in openings of moist deciduous 

forests; PS 19021 Thunakkadavu 

Peperomia portulacoides (Lam.) Dietr., Sp. Pl. (ed. 6) 1: 172.1831; FBI 5:98.1886; FPM 1210. 

1925; FPL 396. 1990; FTSR 375. 1996. Piper portulacoides Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 82. 1791. 

Glabrous terrestrial herbs, 15-20 cm high. Leaves to 3.5 x 2.5 cm, obovate-rhomboid, obtuse 

at apex, cuneate at base, glabrous, upper opposite; lower alternate, smaller, 3-nerved from base. 

Spike terminal and axillary, 5 cm long, slender, glabrous; peduncle 2 cm long; bracts orbicular, 

sessile, margins white. Nut partially embedded in the rachis. 


Distr. Madagascar and South West India. Common in wet rocky areas of evergreen forests; PS 


262

Peperomia tetraphylla (Forst.) Hook. & Arn., Bot. Beech Voy. 97. 1841; FPL 397. 1990. Piper 

tetraphylla Forst., Prod. 5. 1759. Peperomia reflexa (L. f.) Dietr., Sp. Pl. 1: 180. 1839; FBI 5: 99. 

1886; FPM 1209. 1925. Piper reflexum L.f., Suppl. Pl. 91. 1781. 

Epiphytic herbs; branches diffuse to procumbent; stem and leaves thinly pubescent. Leaves 

7-10 x 5-7 mm, orbicular, obtuse. Spike 1.5 cm long, erect, stout; peduncle 0.8 cm long; bracts 

peltate, sessile, with white margins. Flowers densely arranged; stamens 2; stigmas 3-toothed. 

Nutlets 0.8 x 0.4 mm, ovoid, beaked, brown, glabrous. 


Distr. Africa, India, Sri Lanka, China, Indo-China, Malesia and America. Common in evergreen 

forests at higher altitudes; PS 19270 Karimala 

Peperomia thomsonii Hook.f., FBI 5: 97. 1886; FPM 1210. 1925. 

Epiphytes on rock or tree crevices to 25 cm high. Leaves to 5 x 2 cm, elliptic, acute, base 

cuneate, petiole to 1.5 cm, 5 nerved from base. Spike terminal, to 6 cm, slender, flowers lax. 

Nutlets ca 1 x 1.5 mm, globose, scurfy. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in the wet shades of evergreen forests; PS 19216 

Kariamchola 

PIPER Linnaeus 

1. Spike erect ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Spike pendulous ................................................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Leaves obliquely cordate at base; female spike to 3 cm long.......................................................... P. longum 

2. Leaves acute at base; female spike to 1 cm long........................................................................... P. mullesua 

3. Leaves penninerved; peduncles more than 7 cm long......................................................................P. barberi 

3. Leaves 3-7 nerved from base; peduncles to 5 cm long.................................................................................... 4 

4. Branchlets and leaves pubescent; berries ovoid ............................................................... P. hymenophyllum 

4. Branchlets and leaves glabrous; berries otherwise........................................................................................ 5 

5. Spikes more than 15 cm long ................................................................................................P. argyrophyllum 

5. Spikes less than 12 cm long.............................................................................................................................. 6 

6. Bracts cupular ................................................................................................................................................... 7 

6. Bracts otherwise................................................................................................................................................ 8 

7. Receptacle distant; spikes glabrous...............................................................................................P. galeatum 

7. Receptacle close; spikes minutely pubescent .......................................................................P. trichostachyon 

8. Cupular bract hooded on one side; berry more than 0.5 cm across.................................................P. wightii 

8. Cupular bract not hooded; berry less than 0.5 cm across ............................................................... P. nigrum 

Piper argyrophyllum Miq., Syst. Piperac. 330. 1844; FBI 5: 93. 1886; FPM 1207. 1925; FTSR 

375. 1996. 

Climbing shrubs. Leaves 8-13 x 5-6 cm, ovate or elliptic, acuminate at apex, acute or 

rounded at base, oblique, lower side usually covered with white scales, glabrous, basely 7 

nerved; petiole 1 cm long; stipule to 1.5 cm long, lanceolate. Spikes slender, leaf-opposed, 

drooping; peduncle 2-3 cm long; bracts oblong, adnate to the rachis with free margins, ciliate; 

stamens 2. Berry 3 x 3 mm, globose, stigma 4, curved. 


Distr. Sri Lanka and Western Ghats. Common in semi-evergreen forests;; PS 30701 

Orukomban 

Piper barberi Gamble, Kew Bull. 387. 1924 & FPM 1206. 1925; FTSR 375. 1996. 

Slender climbing shrubs. Leaves 10-15 x 2-6 cm, oblong-lanceolate, abruptly acuminate at 

apex, acute or obtuse at base; lateral nerves 6-pairs, looped below the margins, glabrous and 

263

glossy above; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 1.5 cm long, lanceolate. Spike to 15 cm long, glabrous, 

slender, pendulous; peduncles puberulus; bracts peltate, orbicular, entire. Flowers densely 

arranged; stamen 1. Berry 3.5 x 3.5 mm, globose; stigma 3-lobed. 



Note: This endangered species was considered restricted to the evergreen forests of Kannikatty in 

Tamil Nadu. It has been recently reported from Shenduruny, Achencoil, Thekkady and Thrissur. 

The present collection from the sanctuary demonstrates the continuous distribution up to the 

Palghat gap of Western Ghats. 

Piper galeatum Cas. in DC., Prodr. 16: 242. 1869; FBI 5: 80. 1886; FPM 1205. 1925; FPL 397. 

1990. 

Stout climbing shrubs, glabrous. Leaves 10-16 x 3-6 cm, elliptic, acuminate, acute at base, 5- 

ribbed; petiole 1-1.5 cm long. Spike to 9 cm long, leaf-opposed, drooping, slender, male spike 

longer and slender; peduncle 1 cm long, reddish, glabrous; bracts formed into a fleshy globose 

cup. Flowers distant; stamens 2. Berry 8 x 8 mm, globose, smooth, yellow. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 18851 Kanthalppara; 

NS 30548 Kariamchola; PS 30563 Karimala 

Piper hymenophyllum Miq. in Hook.’s. Lond. J. Bot. 5: 554. 1846; FBI 5: 93. 1886; FPM 1207. 

1925; FPL 398. 1990. Piper nilghirianum C. DC. in DC., Prodr. 16: 364. 1869. 

Slender climbers. Leaves to 13 x 6 cm, ovate, rounded to subcordate at base, often unequal 

sided, acuminate at apex, 7-ribbed, membranous; petiole 1 cm long. Spike 20 cm long, slender, 

drooping; male spike shorter; bracts oblong, adnate to the rachis with free margins, hairy; 

stamens 2 or 3. Berry 5 mm long, ovoid, beaked; stigma 3-lobed. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in semi-evergreen forests;; PS 30278 Pooppara 

Piper longum L., Sp. Pl. 29. 1753; FBI 5: 83. 1886; FPM 1205. 1925; FTSR 376. 1996. Chavica 

roxburghii Miq. Syst. Piperac. 239. 1843. 

Scandent or straggling shrubs, sometimes ascending and climbing. Leaves to 8 x 4 cm, ovate, 

acute at apex, cordate and strongly oblique at base, 7-nerved, membranous, shining above; 

nerves impressed; petiole 1-3 cm long. Female spike stout, erect; peduncle 1.5 cm long; bracts 

peltate, orbicular. Male spike to 7 cm long, erect, slender; stamens 2. Berry 2 mm across, 

glabrous, black or deep red. 



Muthalakkuzhi 

Piper mullesua Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. 20. 1825. P. brachystachyum Wall. ex 

Hook.f., FBI 5: 87. 1886; FPM 1206. 1925. Chavica sphaerostachya Miq., Syst. Piperac. 239. 

1843. 

Slender climbers. Leaves to 9 x 4 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, acute at base, 3-5 ribbed 

from base, secondary nerves prominent, glabrous. Female spike to 7 x 4 mm, erect, oblong; 

peduncle 3 mm long; male spike to 4 cm long, erect, slender; bracts peltate, orbicular; stamens 

3. Berry 1.5 mm across, red; stigmas 3, spreading. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30273, 


264

Piper nigrum L., Sp. Pl. 28. 1753; FBI 5: 90. 1886; FPM 1206. 1925; FPL 398. 1990; FTSR 376. 

1996. 

Glabrous climbers. Leaves to 16 x 10 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, acute, rounded or 

truncate at base, 7-nerved, nervules subparallel; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Spikes to 12 cm long, 

slender; peduncles to 2.5 cm long; bracts united forming a cup below the flower. Flowers closely 

placed; stamens 2. Drupes 5 mm across, globose, smooth, deep red; stigmas 3-5, recurved. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; 

PS 30319 Pooppara 

Piper trichostachyon (Miq.) C. DC. in DC., Prodr. 16:242. 1869; FBI 5: 80. 1886; FPM 1205. 

1925; FPL 399. 1990. Muldera trichostachyon Miq. in Hook.’s London J. Bot. 5: 556. 1846. 

Stout climbers. Leaves 8-12 x 3-6 cm, elliptic-ovate, acuminate at apex, oblique and acute at 

base, 3-5-ribbed; petiole 1-2 cm long. Spikes to 10 cm long, stout, drooping; bracts pubescent, 

formed into a fleshy cup; stamens 2. Berry 6 x 6, globose, yellowish red; stigmatic lobes 3. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30702 Karimala 

Piper wightii Miq. in Hook.'s London J. Bot. 5: 552. 1846; FBI 5: 94. 1886; FPM 1207. 1925; 

FTSR 376. 1996. 

Stout glabrous climbers. Leaves 14-17 x 6-8 cm, ovate, acuminate at apex, round to 

subcordate at base, 3-5-ribbed, coriaceous, midrib with 2-3 lateral nerves similar to ribs, 

nervules reticulate; petiole 2 cm long. Spike 8 cm long stout, drooping; peduncle 2 cm long; 

bracts curved and hooded at one side. Flowers distantly arranged; stamens 2. Berry reddish, to 

7 mm across, globose, smooth; stigmatic lobes 3 or 4. 



Karimala 

CHLORANTHACEAE 

SARCANDRA Gardner 

Sarcandra chloranthoides Gard., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 348. 1846; FPL 399. 1990; FTSR 376. 

1996. Chloranthus brachystachya sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 100. 1886,p.p., non Blume 1829; FPM 

1211. 1925. Sarcandra grandifolia (Miq.) Subram. & Henry, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 12: 5. 1972. 

Chloranthus grandifolius Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 1: 802. 1856. 

Evergreen shrubs; branchlets glabrous, terete. Leaves opposite, to 17 x 6.5 cm, elliptic, acute 

at base and apex, serrate, glabrous; nerves 7 or 8 pairs. Flowers in terminal, trichotomous to 10 

cm long spike, unisexual, clustered; bracts yellow, petalloid, 6 mm long, perianth absent; 

stamen 1, filaments and connectives broad, thick; ovary 1-ovuled; stigma sessile, truncate. 

Berry 8 x 4 mm, ovoid, purplish-black, smooth. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 19415 

Pooppara 

MYRISTICACEAE 

1. Staminal column peltate, reddish..........................................................................................................Knema 

265

1. Staminal column not peltate, yellowish ............................................................................................ Myristica 

KNEMA Loureiro 

Knema attenuata (Hook. f. & Thoms.) Warb., Monogr. Myris. 590. 1897; FPM 1215. 1925; FPL 

400. 1990; FTSR 377. 1996. Myristica attenuata Wall. ex Hook. f. & Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 5: 

110. 1886. M. corticosa Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 278. 1872. 

Trees with radiating branches and reddish exudation; bark greyish black; branchlets rusty 

tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 7.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate at apex, rounded at base; fulvous 

tomentose below; nerves to 18 pairs, parallel; petiole to 1 cm long. Cymes axillary, peduncled, 

densely fulvous-tomentose; pedicels 7-8 mm long. Male flowers 7 mm across; perianth 3-lobed to 

the base; lobes triangular; spreading; stamens 12-14, arranged along the rim of the stipitate 

disc, anthers vertical; ovary 1-celled; style short; stigmas 2, laciniate. Capsule 4 x 2 cm, 

ellipsoid, cuspidate at apex, 2-valved; seed 1, ellipsoidal. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18823 Parambikulam; NS 

30091 Kottayali; PS 18984 Orukomban 

MYRISTICA Gronovius 

Myristica dactyloides Gaertn., Fruct. 1: 195, t. 41. f.202. 1788; FPL 400. 1990; FTSR 378. 1996. 

M. laurifolia Hook. f. & Thoms., Fl. Ind. 163. 1855; FBI 5: 103. 1886. M. laurifolia var. 

lanceolata Hook.f., FBI 5: 103. 1866. M. beddomei King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 3: 291, 

t. 118. f.1-8,1891; FPM 1214. 1915. M. contorta Warb., Monogr. Myris. 5-7. 1897; FPM 1214. 

1925. 

Medium trees; bark brownish black, often with grey blotches, smooth with linear pustular 

lenticels, reddish inside, exudation red, scanty. Branches nearly horizontal. Leaves oblong, 

acute, base acute, coriaceous, glabrous above and glaucous below, to 25 x 7 cm; lateral nerves 

15-20 pairs; petiole to 2 cm long. Perianth 6 mm long, yellow, tomentose outside. Anthers 10-15. 

Female flowers usually solitary. Capsule ovoid or subglobose, 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19318 Kothala 

LAURACEAE 

1. Leaves 3-ribbed at base or little above from the base .................................................................................... 2 

1. Leaves penninerved .......................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves alternate; flowers in axillary or extra-axillary umbellules................................................. Neolitsea 

2. Leaves opposite or sub-opposite; flower in cymes or panicles .................................................Cinnamomum 

3. Leaves in whorls or pseudo-whorls.............................................................................................Actinodaphne 

3. Leaves alternate sometime crowded at apex.................................................................................................. 4 

4. Flowers in axillary or extra-axillary simple or compound racemose umbels.......................................Litsea 


5. Anthers 2 celled................................................................................................................................................. 6 

5. Anthers 4 celled................................................................................................................................................. 7 

6. Drupe with persisting perianth tube; branchlets rusty puberulus............................................ Cryptocarya 

6. Drupe without perianth tube; branchlets glabrous.................................................................. Beilschmiedia 

7. Leaves alternate, equidistant; panicles many flowered........................................................................Persea 

7. Leaves alternate fascicled at apex of branchlets; panicles few flowered......................................................8 

8. Staminal glands stipitate ....................................................................................................................... Phoebe 

8. Staminal glands sessile .................................................................................................................Alseodaphne 

266

ACTINODAPHNE Nees 

1. Flowers in sessile clusters nervules of leaves prominent ......................................................A. tadulingamii 

1. Flowers in racemes; nervules of leaves obscure ........................................................................A. malabarica 

Actinodaphne malabarica Balakr., JBNHS 63: 329. 1967; FPL 402. 1990; FTSR 379. 1996. A. 

hirsuta Hook.f., FBI 5: 152. 1886, non Blume 1851; FPM 1231. 1925. A. hookeri sensu Bedd., Fl. 

Sylv. t. 296. 1873 p.p., non Meisner 1864. 

Medium trees; branchlets densely dark hispid. Leaves to 18 x 6 cm, elliptic, acuminate, base 

acute; nerves 12-14 pairs, obscure towards margins; nervules parallel, obscure, densely hispid 

below, glabrous above; petiole 2 cm long. Racemes 2.5 cm long, densely tomentose; bracts 10 x 7 

mm, orbicular. Flowers pedicelled; tepals 4 mm long, oblong, obtuse, densely hispid; filaments 

2-glandular at base. Female flowers in short racemes; pedicels 12 mm long, slender. Berry 1 cm 

across, globose; fruiting calyx entire. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common evergreen forests and riverine areas; PS 

19479 Thellikkal;19163 Karimala 

Actinodaphne tadulingamii Gamble, Kew Bull. 1925: 130. 1925 & FPM 1231. 1925; FPL 402. 

1990; Pandurangan, & Nair, JETB 17: 173. 1993. 

Medium trees; branchlets rusty tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, 

acuminate, base acute; nerves to 15 pairs, nervules parallel, prominent, densely hispid below, 

glabrate above; petiole to 1.5 cm long. Female flowers 3-5 together on lateral tubercles, sessile. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30149 Kariamchola; 

NS 30094 Kottayali 

ALSEODAPHNE Nees 

Alseodaphne semecarpifolia Nees var. parvifolia Hook.f., FBI 5: 144. 1886; FPM 1226. 1925; 

FTSR 379. 1996. A. semecarpifolia sensu Wight, Ic. t. 1827. 1852, non Nees 1831. 

Small trees, branchlets stout. Leaves 7-15 x 3-7 cm, obovate, obtuse, attenuate to base, 

glabrous; nerves 7 pairs. Panicle 5 x 3 cm, axillary; peduncle to 5 cm long, slender. Flowers 3-4 

mm across, bisexual, pedicellate; tepals 6, obovate, glabrous without, densely rusty tomentose 

inside; stamens 9, in 3 rows; anthers of inner most row extrorse; filaments rusty tomentose; 

staminodes cordate, stalked; ovary ovoid, glabrous. Drupes 23 x 18 mm, ellipsoid to globose. 

Fl. & Fr. April-February 


Vengoli; NS 30175 Kottayali 

BEILSCHMIEDIA Nees 

1. Leaves alternate; panicle to 3 cm long ...................................................................................... B. bourdillonii 

1. Leaves opposite or subopposite panicle more than 10 cm ...............................................................B. wightii 

Beilschmiedia bourdillonii Brandis, Indian Trees 528. 1906; FPM 1221. 1925; FTSR 380. 1996. 

B. fagifolia Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 263. 1872, non Nees 1831. 

Large trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic, acute at base and apex, 

glabrous; nerves 8-10 pairs, irregular, nervules reticulate; petiole 1.5 cm long. Panicles to 3 cm 

across, axillary, tomentose; bracts many, ovate, pubescent. Flowers bisexual, 3 mm across, 

shortly pedicelled; perianth lobes 6, equal, 2 x 1 mm, ovate, tomentose outside; stamens 9, in 3 

rows; outer filaments with 2 glands at the base; anthers of innermost row extrorse, staminodes 

3, inner to stamens; ovary tomentose. 


267

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30565 Kariamchola 

Beilschmiedia wightii (Nees) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 5: 124. 1886; FPM 1221. 1925; FTSR 380. 

1996. Haasia wightii Nees, Syst. Laurin. 676. 1836. 

Medium trees; branchlets rough, glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 6 cm, broadly ovate, obtusely 

acuminate at apex, acute at base, coriaceous; nerves to 8 pairs, nervules, coarsely reticulate, 

glabrous; petiole to 1 cm long; panicles axillary and terminal, branches slender. Berry 3 x 2 cm, 

ovoid, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; 

PS 30616 Pandaravarai 

CINNAMOMUM Schaeffer 

1. Leaves yellowish brown tomentose below.............................................................................. C. sulphuratum 

1. Leaves glabrous................................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves more the 15 cm long, ribs reaching to apex................................................................ C. malabatrum 

2. Leaves to 12 cm long, ribes not reaching to apex ........................................................................................... 3 

3. Panicles glabrous or glabrescent; petiole to 2.5 cm long........................................................... C. keralaense 

3. Panicles fulvous tomentose; petiole to 1.5 cm long...........................................................................C. wightii 

Cinnamomum keralaense Kosterm., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 25: 98. 1983. C. litseaefolium sensu 

Hook.f., FBI 5: 133. 1886. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 11 x 5 cm, ovate, acute-acuminate at apex, cuneate at base, ribes 

from 1 cm above the base; nervules not prominent, subparallel; petiole 2.5 cm long. Panicle 5-10 

cm long, axillary; peduncle 7 cm long, slender. Flowers 6 mm across; pedicels 4 mm long, 

slender, pubescent; tepals 5, ovate, obtuse, densely tomentose; fertile stamens in second and 

fourth whorls, filaments sparsely tomentose; staminodes in first and third whorls, hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 


Cinnamomum malabatrum (Burm. f.) Blume, Bijdr. 568. 1826; FPL 403. 1990; FTSR 380. 1996. 

Laurus malabatrum Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 92. 1768. Cinnamomum iners sensu Gamble, FPM 1224. 

1925. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 22 x 8 cm, oblong, acute at base and 

apex, ribbed from or 1.5 cm above the base; petiole 2 cm long. Panicle 10-20 x 3-5 cm, upper 

axillary, densely yellow-tomentose. Flowers 3-4 mm across; pedicels 3 mm long; tepals ovate, 

acute; stamens in first and forth whorls; filaments tomentose; staminodes in second and third 

whorls; ovary glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in moist deciduous and evergreen forests; 

PS 18864 Karimthalappara; 19992 Anakkalvayal 

Cinnamomum sulphuratum Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 74. 1830; FBI 5: 132. 1886; FPM 

1225. 1925; FPL 403. 1990; FTSR 381. 1996. 

Medium trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves 8-15 x 2-5 cm, elliptic to linear-elliptic, acute at 

either ends, yellowish-tomentose below; ribs from the base reaching the apex; nervules regular, 

sub-parallel; petiole 7-15 mm long. Panicle 3 x 3 cm, axillary, tomentose; peduncle ca. 7 cm long. 

Flowers 5 mm long; pedicels hairy; sepals 5, oblong, densely hairy; stamens in 3 whorls; glands 

globose; staminodes triangular. 


268

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30224 

Karimala; 30526 Pandaravarai 

Cinnamomum wightii Meisner in DC., Prodr. 15: 11. 1864; FBI 5: 132. 1886; FPM 1224. 1925; 

FPL 403. 1990. 

Small trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 9 x 4 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, glabrous, 

glaucous below; ribs 1 cm above the base, nervules parallel, regular, distinct; petiole 12 mm 

long, stout, glabrous. Cymes to 3 cm long, to 10-flowered. Flowers 6 mm long, closely packed; 

pedicels 5 mm long; tepals oblong, obtuse. 




CRYPTOCARYA R. Brown 

1. Leaves to 10 cm long; drupe oblong, puberulus........................................................................... C. beddomei 

1. Leaves more than 10 cm long; drupe globose, glabrous........................................................... C. bourdillonii 

Cryptocarya beddomei Gamble, Kew Bull. 1925: 127. 1925 & FPM 1218. 1925. 

Medium trees; branchlets rusty puberulus. Leaves to 12 x 6.5 cm, ovate-oblong, shortly 

acuminate at apex, rounded at base, glabrous; nerves 9 pairs, nervules sub-parallel, pinkish 

brown beneath; petiole 1 cm long, stout. Panicle to 12 x 4 cm, axillary, rusty puberulus; 

peduncles short. Drupes 10 x 6 mm, puberulus. 




Cryptocarya bourdillonii Gamble, Kew Bull. 1925: 125. 1925 &, FPM 1218. 1925; FTSR 381. 

1996. C. wightiana sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 120. 1886. 

Large trees; branchlets rusty puberulus. Leaves to 16 x 7 cm, abruptly acute to acuminate, 

glabrous; nerves 9 or 10 pairs; nervules sub-parallel, prominent beneath; petiole 2 cm long, 

tomentose. Panicle 5-7 cm across, axillary, rusty tomentose. Flowers 3-4 mm across, shortly 

pedicelled; perianth lobes 6, 3 mm long, ovate, tomentose; stamens 12, filaments pubescent, 

outer ones with glands; ovary glabrous. Drupes globose with an obtuse beak, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 

30008, 30434, 19666 Karimala 

LITSEA Lamarck 

1. Branchlets and leaves glabrous ....................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Branchlets and leaves hairy............................................................................................................................. 6 

2. Umbellules solitary or fascicled ....................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Umbellules in racemes...................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Leaves pseudoverticillate; umbellules peduncled .................................................................. L. quinqueflora 

3. Leaves equidistant; umbellules sessile............................................................................................ L. coriacea 

4. Berry depressed globose, to 2.5 cm across, deep red .......................................................................L. oleoides 

4. Berry ellipsoid or ovoid, to 1.5 cm long, reddish-brown or green .................................................................. 5 

5. Leaves white-glaucous beneath; perianth tube cup shaped...............................L. stocksii var. glabrescens 

5. Leaves not as above; perianth tube obscure ...................................................................................L. glabrata 

6. Umbellules solitary .....................................................................................................................L. deccanensis 

6. Umbellules in fascicles, cymes, spikes or racemes ......................................................................................... 7 

7. Umbellules sessile....................................................................................................................... L. bourdillonii 

7. Umbellules peduncled....................................................................................................................................... 8 

269

8. Leaves to 10 cm long, margins recurved ......................................................................................L. wightiana 

8. Leaves to 20 cm long, margins not recurved............................................................................... L. floribunda 

Litsea bourdillonii Gamble in Kew Bull. 1925:131.1925 & FPM 1237.1925; FTSR 382. 1996. 

Medium trees; branchlets dark brown-tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 9 cm, obovate, abruptly 

acute at apex, cuneate at base; nerves to 15 pairs, parallel, pale white beneath, punctate below; 

petiole 1.5 cm long, stout, tomentose. Umbellules 2-5 together, axillary, fascicled; bracts 

orbicular, densely white-tomentose. Flowers 4-6 in an umbellule, densely hairy; stamens 12, 

filaments glabrous, outer ones with short glands at base. 

Fl. December 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 30790 Pezha 

Litsea coriacea (Heyne ex Meisner) Hook.f., FBI 5: 166. 1886; FPM 1236. 1925; FPL 404. 1990; 

FTSR 382. 1996. Tetranthera coriacea Heyne ex Meisner in DC., Prodr. 15: 186. 1864. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 16 x 5 cm, elliptic to obovate, acute at 

base, acuminate at apex, coriaceous; nerves 4-6 pairs; intercostae faint; petiole 1 cm long. 

Umbellules 3-6 together, sessile, axillary on leafscars. Flowers 8-10 in an umbellule; perianth 

lobes oblong, finely hirsute; stamens 12. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in evergreen and occasional in moist deciduous 

forests; PS 19916 Karimala; 19805 Thellikkal; 19664 Kuriarkutty 

Litsea deccanensis Gamble, FPM 1235. 1925. L. tomentosa Heyne ex Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. 

Rar. 2: 65. 1830, non Blume 1826; FBI 5: 157. 1886. Tetranthera tomentosa Roxb. ex Wight, Ic. 

t. 1834. 1852. 

Small trees; young branchlets and leaves fulvous tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 9 cm, ovate, 

elliptic, apex acute, base cuneate; petiole to 4 cm. Umbellules solitary, axillary; peduncles to 1.5 

cm; involucral bracts 4, concave, tomentose outside; female flowers 6-8 per umbellule; pedicels 3 

mm, pubescent, perianth absent, staminodes many, linear; ovary 1 mm, 1-ovuled, style 3 mm. 



Litsea floribunda (Blume) Gamble, Hook. f., FBI 1238. 1925; FPL 405. 1990; FTSR 382. 1996. 

Cylicodaphne floribunda Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 1: 387. 1851. Tetranthera wightiana 

sensu Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 293. 1873, non Nees 1836. Litsea wightiana Hook.f., FBI 5: 177. 1886. 

Tall trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 18 x 9 cm, obovate, obtuse, acute at base, fulvoustomentose 

below; nerves to 13 pairs, prominent below, nervules subparallel; petiole 1 cm long. 

Racemes to 4 cm long, axillary. Umbellules few, peduncle 8 mm long; bracts orbicular, densely 

tomentose. Flowers 6-8 in an umbellule; perianth lobes silky tomentose; stamens 12. Female 

umbellules panicled. Drupes 1 cm across, obovoid; fruiting calyx 1 cm across, cupular. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30092 Kottayali; 30267 

Pooppara 

Litsea glabrata (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f., FBI 5: 174. 1886; FPM 1237. 1925; FPL 405. 1990. 

Tetranthera glabrata Wall. ex Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 67. 1830. 

Medium trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 18 x 5 cm, elliptic to linear oblong, acute at 

base and apex, coriaceous; nerves 7 pairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. Racemes 2-6 cm long, axillary. 

Flowers 3-6 together; tepals ovate, hispid outside, filaments glandular hairy. Berry ovoid; 

fruiting perianth obconic. 


270


Karimala 

Litsea oleoides (Meisner) Hook.f., FBI 5: 175. 1886; FPM 1236. 1925; FPL 405. 1990; FTSR 383. 

1996. Tetranthera oleoides Meisner in DC., Prodr. 15: 195. 1864. 

Large trees; branchlets angled, glabrous. Leaves to 18 x 6 cm, oblong, acute at both ends, 

pale beneath; nerves ca. 12 pairs, not prominent; petiole 2.5 cm long. Umbellule 6 mm across, in 

long axillary raceme, peduncles 6 mm long; bracts orbicular, pubescent. Flowers 3-6 in an 

umbellule, pedicelled; stamens 9, all filaments with sessile glands at base, filaments hairy. 

Staminodes in female flowers 3-seriate, glandular at base. Berry glabrous, 2-2.5 cm across, red 

with white spots. 



Orukomban 

Litsea quinqueflora (Dennst.) Suresh in Nicols. et al., Interpr. Hort. Malab. 158. 1988. Darwinia 

quinqueflora Dennst., Schluss. Hort. Malab. 12, 20, 31. 1818. Tetranthera ligustrina Nees in 

Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 65. 1830. Litsea ligustrina (Nees) Hook.f., FBI 5: 158. 1886; FPM 1235. 

1925. 

Small trees; branchlets densely tomentose. Leaves to 20 x 9 cm, obovate, obtuse at apex, 

acute to the base; nerves 9-11 pairs, reticulate; petiole 2.5 cm long. Peduncle 1.5-2 cm long. 

Umbellules 10-20 mm across; bracts orbicular, densely tomentose outside. Flowers to 25 in an 

umbellule, pedicels 4 mm long; perianth lobes 3-5 or absent, 2 mm long, densely hairy; stamens 

25-30, filaments bearded. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in stream sides of evergreen forests; PS 30330 

Pezha 

Litsea stocksii (Meisner) Hook. f. var. glabrescens (Meisner) Hook. f., FBI 5: 176. 1886; FPM 

1236. 1925. Cylicodaphne wightiana Nees var. glabrescens Meisner in DC., Prodr. 15:201. 1864. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 13 x 5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, lateral nerves obscure, white 

glaucous below; petiole to 1 cm. Racemes to 5 cm, umbellule to 5 mm; flowers pedicelled; 

fruiting calyx ca 10 mm across, crenate. Drupe 10 x 6 cm, ellipsoid, reddish-brown. 



Karimala 

Litsea wightiana (Nees) Hook. f. in Benth. & Hook. f., Gen. Pl. 3: 162. 1880; FPM 1238. 1925. 

Cylicodaphne wightiana Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 68. 1830. 

Large trees. Leaves to 11 x 4 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acute, cuneate at base, coriaceous, 

reddish brown beneath, tomentose, later becomes glabrous; nerves ca. 8 pairs, transverse 

nervules faint, margins thick; petiole to 2 cm. Racemes axillary, to 7 cm; umbellules 8 mm 

across, globose, ferrugineus, tomentose. 



Karimalagopuram; NS 19918, PS 30437 Karimala 

NEOLITSEA (Bentham) Merrill 

1. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate; fruiting calyx to 3 mm across.................................................................. N. cassia 

1. Leaves ovate; fruiting calyx to 7 mm across ............................................................................N. scrobiculata 

271

Neolitsea cassia (L.) Kosterm., J. Sci. Res.(Jakarta) 1: 85. 1952; FTSR 383. 1996. Laurus cassia 

L., Sp. Pl. 369. 1753. Neolitsea zeylanica (Nees) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. Suppl. 1: 57. 1906; FPM 

1239. 1925; FPL 406. 1990. Litsea zeylanica Nees, Amoen. Bot. Benn. Fasc. 1: 58. t.5. 1823; FBI 

5: 178. 1886. 

Large shrubs to small trees; branchlets slender, glabrous. Leaves to 9 x 3 cm, ellipticlanceolate, 

acuminate at apex, attenuate to the base, glaucous beneath, thin, subcoriaceous; 

ribs from above the base, nervules indistinct; petiole 8 mm long. Umbellule 6-8 mm across, 

sessile, in fascicles of 3-5; bracts 4 mm long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous. Berry 1.5 x 1 cm, ellipsoid, 

smooth, black; calyx cup toothed. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19429 Pooppara; 30142 Kariamchola 

Neolitsea scrobiculata (Meisner) Gamble, FPM 1240. 1925; FPL 406. 1990. Litsea scrobiculata 

Meisner in DC., Prodr. 15: 223. 1864. L. zeylanica sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 178. 1886, p.p., non 

Nees 1823. 

Medium trees; branchlets glabrous, black. Leaves to 9 x 6 cm, ovate, abruptly obtusely acute 

or acuminate, attenuate at base, densely scrobiculate, 3-ribbed from the base, midribs with 1-3 

pairs of lateral nerves. Peduncle 8 mm long. Berry 12 x 10 mm, obovoid to globose; calyx cup 

obconic, entire. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30116, 30438, 30441, 

30200 Karimala; NS 30362 Kariamchola; PS 30377 Pandaravarai 

PERSEA P. Miller 

Persea macrantha (Nees) Kosterm., Reinwardtia 6: 193. 1962; FPL 407. 1990; FTSR 383. 1996. 

Machilus macrantha Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 70. 1830; FBI 5: 140. 1886; FPM 1227. 

1925. M. glaucescens Wight, Ic. t. 1825. 

Large trees; bark granular, smelling; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 10 cm, ovateoblong, 

obtuse or obtusely acute, glaucous beneath; nerves 10-12 pairs; petiole 3-4 cm long. 

Panicle to 20 x 10 cm, axillary or terminal; branches white, thinly pubescent. Flowers 8-10 mm 

across, shortly pedicelled; perianth lobes 6, greenish white, 6 mm long, ovate; stamens 9, 3- 

seriate, innermost row with extrorse anthers, filaments pubescent; ovary conical, 1-celled, 

pubescent. Drupes 1.2 cm across, globose, black, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 


PHOEBE Nees 

1. Branchlets densely rusty tomentose..................................................................................................P. wightii 

1. Branchlets glabrous .......................................................................................................................P. lanceolata 

Phoebe lanceolata Nees, Syst. Laurin. 109. 1836; FBI 5: 141. 1886; FPM 1228. 1925. 

Small trees; branchlets slender. Leaves to 18 x 6 cm, oblanceolate, long-acuminate, 

attenuate to the base; nerves 9-11 pairs; nervules subparallel; petiole 1.5 cm long. Peduncle 6-8 

cm long, slender, axillary; pedicels 5-10 mm long, glabrous. Flowers 5 mm across; perianth 

lobes 2.5 mm long, ovate, glabrous, connate at base; stamens 9; filaments 1.5 mm long, 

pubescent with two reniform appendages at base. Berry 15 x 8 mm, ellipsoid, glabrous, black. 

Fruiting perianth lobes 5 x 3 mm. 


272

Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19154 Karimala; 19315 Kothala; 

NS 19758 Pooppara 

Phoebe wightii Meisner in DC., Prodr. 15: 38. 1864; FPM 1228. 1925. P. paniculata Hook.f., FBI 

5: 142. 1886, non Nees 1836. 

Small to medium trees; branchlets stout. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, obovate, shortly acuminate, 

acute at base, glabrous above, tomentose below; nerves 9-11 pairs, prominent beneath, nervules 

subparallel; petiole 1 cm long, stout. Peduncle 5 cm long, axillary, slender, pubescent, 6-12- 

flowered. Flowers 6 mm across; perianth lobes 3 mm long, ovate, densely hairy; ovary thinly 

pubescent; stamens 12, outer filaments 2-glandular at base; ovary thinly hairy. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30371 Kariamchola 

HERNANDIACEAE 

GYROCARPUS N.J. Jacquin 

Gyrocarpus asiaticus Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 982. 1806. G. jacquinii Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 1. 1795 p.p.; 

FBI 5: 461. 1878. G. americanus sensu Gamble, FPM 1242. 1925, non Jacq. 1763. 

Deciduous trees, bark silver coloured, shining. Leaves mostly crowded at apex of branches, 

sometimes lobed, to 15 x 15 cm, broadly ovate, apex acuminate, base subcordate or truncate; 

petiole to 15 cm. Panicles of cymes subterminal, to 4 cm, tomentose; flowers polygamous, 

greenish-yellow; tepals 7, to 1.5 mm, ovate, concave, pubescent; stamens 4, filaments 2 mm; 

staminodes glandular, obtuse, fleshy; ovary inferior. Fruit 1 x 0.8 cm, ovoid, pubescent, wings 2, 

spathulate, to 5 cm. 


Distr. Tropical West and East Africa, Tropical Asia and Polynesia. Common in dry deciduous 

forests; PS 30486 Kuchimudi; NS 30071 Pandaravarai 

THYMELEACEAE 

GNIDIA Linnaeus 

Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg, Bot. Jahrb. 19: 265. 1894. Lasiosiphon glaucus Fresen., Flora 21: 

603. 1838. Gnidia eriocephala Meisner in Denkschr., Koenigl.-Baier. Bot. Ges. Regensburg 3: 

292. 1841. Lasiosiphon eriocephalus (Meisner) Decne. in Jacq., Voy. 148. 1844; FBI 5: 197. 

1886; FPM 1244. 1925 

Small trees or large shrubs; branchlets glabrous. Leaves spiral, to 9 x 1.5 cm, oblong, acute 

at apex, rounded at base, entire, glabrous, penninerved; petiole 2-3 mm long. Flowers many, in 

terminal heads surrounded by leafy bracts; pedicels 3 mm long; perianth 15 mm long, tubular, 

silky hairy at the middle, lobes 5, short; stamens 10, biseriate, free, filaments attached to the 

perianth tube; ovary 1-celled, ovule solitary; stigma capitate. Capsule 4 x 1 mm, ellipsoid, thinly 

hairy, covered by the persisting base of the perianth tube. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Africa. Common in rocky areas at higher altitudes; PS 19237 Vengoli 

ELAEAGNACEAE 

ELAEAGNUS Linnaeus 

Elaeagnus indica Serv., Bull. Herb. Boiss. (Ser.2) 8: 393. 1908; FPM 1246. 1925. 

Thorny climbers, densely covered with silvery scales; thorns axillary, straight, 1-2 cm long. 

Leaves to 14 x 7.5 cm, ovate, acute, glabrous above, silvery-white below; nerves 5-7 pairs, 

273

indistinct. Flowers bisexual, 3-6 in axillary fascicles, pedicelled; perianth greenish white, 1 cm 

long, urceolate, gamotepalous, lobes 4, ovate; stamens 4, filaments free, broadened below; 

anthers transverse; ovary 1-celled; inferior; ovules solitary; style filiform, stigma lateral. Fruit a 

nut covered with thickened perianth base, 2.6 x 1.2 cm, reddish, fleshy. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19110 Erumappara 

LORANTHACEAE 

1. Leaves alternate.....................................................................................................................................Taxillus 

1. Leaves opposite or sub-opposite....................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Petals 4............................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Petals 5 or 6 ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Flowers in cymes or fascicles; corolla gamopetalous..........................................................................Scurrula 

3. Flowers in spikes or racemes; corolla polypetalous....................................................................Helixanthera 

4. Flowers bracteate and bracteolate..................................................................................................Macrosolen 

4. Flowers ebracteolate ......................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Flowers sessile; leaves 3-5 ribbed from base.................................................................................Helicanthes 

5. Flowers pedicelled; leaves penninerved .................................................................................... Dendrophthoe 

DENDROPHTHOE C. F. P. Martius 

1. Branchlets trigonous; leaves fleshy .................................................................................................. D. trigona 

1. Branchlets terete; leaves coriaceous................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Bracts and calyx pubescent; leaves acute at base ..................................................D. falcata var. pubescens 

2. Bracts and calyx glabrous; leaves obliquely cordate at base.......................................D. falcata var. falcata 

Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Etting., Denkschr. Kaiserl. Akad. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 32: 

52,53,58. t.13. 1872, var. falcata; FPL 409. 1990; FTSR 385. 1996. Loranthus falcatus L. f., 

Suppl. Pl. 211. 1781. L. longiflorus Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 598. 1792; FBI 5: 214. 1886; FPM 

1253. 1925. L. longiflorus Desr. var. falcata (L. f.) Kurz, For. Fl. Burma 2: 321. 1877; FBI 5: 215. 

1886; FPM 1253. 1925. L. longiflorus Desr. var. amplexifolia (DC.) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 134. 

1859; FBI 5: 215. 1886; FPM 1253. 1925. 

Branches stout, smooth. Leaves to 20 x 10 cm, ovate-falcate, acute or obtuse at apex or 

orbicular, cordate at base, glabrous, coriaceous. Racemes to 8 cm long, axillary, drooping, 

glabrous. Flowers many, closely packed; pedicel 3 mm long; calyx cupular; corolla 5 cm long, 

pink with greenish lobes; style glabrous, stigma slightly wider than style. Berry 10 mm across, 

ovoid, crimson, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Common parasite on deciduous trees; PS 19609 Vengoli 

Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Etting. var. pubescens (Hook. f.) Chandrab. in Henry et al., Fl. 

Tamil Nadu 2: 215. 1987. Loranthus longiflorus Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 598. 1792, var. 

pubescens Hook.f., FBI 5: 215. 1886; FPM 1253. 1925. 

Branches stout, smooth. Leaves 6-15 x 2-4 cm, elliptic-oblong, obtusely acute, base truncate 

to sub-cordate, glabrous; nerves 3-5 pairs, sub-prominent; petiole 2-3 mm long, flattened. 

Racemes 2-3 cm long, pubescent; pedicel 3 mm long. Flowers many; corolla pink, 3 cm long, 

pubescent outside, lobes 7 mm long, curved; tube inflated above the middle, white below, pink 

middle and green above. 


274

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common parasite on deciduous trees; PS 19081 Padippara; 

30090 Orukomban; 30609 Anappadi 

Dendrophthoe trigona (Wight & Arn.) Danser ex Sant., Rec. Bot. Surv. India 16: 163. 1953. 

Loranthus trigonus Wight & Arn., Prodr. 386. 1834; FBI 5: 219. 1886; FPM 1253. 1925. 

Parasitic shrubs; branches to 15 mm thick, rugose, glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 13 cm, ovate, 

obtuse, acute at base, coriaceous; petiole 1.5 cm long, flattened or winged. Racemes to 3 cm long; 

bracts cup shaped. Flowers pink; calyx cupular, truncate, glabrous; corolla 15-20 mm long, split 

to the middle. Berry 1 x 0.5 cm, obovoid. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common parasite on deciduous trees; PS 19653 Vengoli 

HELICANTHES Danser 

Helicanthes elastica (Desr.) Danser, Verh. Akad. Wet. afd. Natuurk. Sect. 2. 29: 55. 1933; FPL 

410. 1990; FTSR 385. 1996. Loranthus elasticus Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 599. 1792; FBI 5: 216. 

1886; FPM 1254. 1925. L. euphorbiae Wight, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 363. 1846 & Ic. t. 1063. 

1846. Dendrophthoe elasticus (Desr.) Danser, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. ser. 3, 10: 308. 1929. 

Branches woody, thickened at nodes, glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm, opposite, ovate, obtuse, 

ribbed from base; base obtuse or truncate, glabrous. Flowers axillary, fascicled, 1-3 together, 

sessile; bracts minute; calyx tube cupular, truncate; corolla 2.5 cm long, lobes 5, spirally twisted, 

pale pink, tube lined with vertical pubescence inside; stamens 5; filaments and style slender, 

crimson; stigma globose. Berry 5 mm across, globose, red. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in deciduous forests; PS 19260 Thellikkal 

HELIXANTHERA Loureiro 

1. Leaves to 12 cm long; petals to 7 mm long................................................................................H. wallichiana 

1. Leaves to 7 cm long; petals to 18 mm long.................................................................................H. intermedia 

Helixanthera intermedia (Wight) Danser, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. ser. 3, 10: 317. 1929; FPL 

410. 1990. Loranthus intermedius Wight, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 361. 1846; FBI 5: 205. 1886; 

FPM 1251. 1925. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves ovate, obtuse, coriaceous, base obtuse, truncate, or sub-cordate; 

petiole 1 cm long. Racemes 7 cm long, axillary, many-flowered; pedicel 7 mm long, slender, 

glabrous. Flower buds 4-angled and curved; corolla lobes 4, straight, purplish pink, free to the 

base; stamens 4; filaments attached below the middle of the corolla; stigma globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common parasites on evergreen trees; PS 19494 

Thellikkal; NS 19432 Shekkalmudi 

Helixanthera wallichiana (Schult.) Danser, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. ser. 3, 10: 319. 1929; FPL 

410. 1990; FTSR 386. 1996. Loranthus wallichianus Schult. in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 7: 

100. 1829; FBI 5: 205. 1886; FPM 1251. 1925. 

Branchlets rugose or lenticellate. Leaves ovate, obtuse, base acute or rounded glabrous; 

nerves 2 or 3 pairs; petiole 5 mm long. Racemes 3 cm long, slender, glabrous; pedicel 3 mm long, 

corolla reddish, terete in bud, lobes 4, glabrous. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common parasite on evergreen trees; PS 19258 Thellikkal; 

NS 19412 Pooppara; PS 19536 Thekkady 

MACROSOLEN (Blume) Blume 

275

Macrosolen capitellatus (Wight & Arn.) Danser, Blumea 2: 36. 1936; FPL 411. 1990. Loranthus 

capitellatus Wight & Arn., Prodr. 382. 1834; FBI 5: 221. 1886. Elytranthe capitellata (Wight & 

Arn.) Engl. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 3:189. 1889; FPM 1255. 1925. 

Branches 2-angulr, glabrous. Leaves 5-8 x 2-3 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acute, cuneate at base, 

coriaceous; nerves 2 or 3 pairs, obscure; petiole to 7 mm long. Peduncle to 10 mm long; bracts 

and bracteoles similar, ovate to orbicular, keeled. Flowers few together; calyx tube 4 mm long, 

truncate with short rounded lobes; corolla yellow to white or pale scarlet with base and apex 

green, split below the middle. Berry 6 x 5 mm, beaked with persistent calyx tube. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common parasite on evergreen trees; PS 18956 

Vengoli 

SCURRULA Linnaeus 

Scurrula parasitica L., Sp. Pl. 110. 1753; FPL 412. 1990; FTSR 386. 1996. Loranthus 

buddleioides Desr. in Lam., Encycl. 3: 660. 1792; FPM 1251. 1925. L. scurrula L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 2) 

1: 472. 1762; FBI 5: 208. 1886. 

Parasitic shrubs; branches erect, tomentose. Leaves 5-9 x 3-5 cm, ovate, rounded at base and 

apex; golden tomentose below; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers in axillary fascicles or shortly 

peduncled cymes, 16-20 together; bract ovate, densely tomentose; calyx cupular; corolla 15 mm 

long, slender, densely tomentose; lobes 4, ovate, acute; stamens 4, filaments glabrous; stigma 

clavate. Berry obovoid, densely hairy. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common parasite on evergreen trees; PS 18840 Kuriarkutty; 

NS 19282 Karimala 

TAXILLUS van Tieghem 

1. Branchlets, corolla and young leaves reddish-brown tomentose ............................................ T. tomentosus 

1. Branchlets, corolla and young leaves glabrous..............................................................................T. cuneatus 

Taxillus cuneatus (Heyne ex Roth) Danser, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. ser. 3, 10: 354. 1929; FTSR 

387. 1996. Loranthus cuneatus Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 193. 1821; FBI 5: 214. 1886; FPM 

1253. 1925. 

Branches slender, rugulose, glabrous. Leaves to 3 x 1.5 cm, obovate, rounded or retuse at 

apex; nerves obscure; petiole 2-4 mm long. Racemes axillary, shortly peduncled; bracts 1 mm 

long, obovate. Flowers few; calyx 1.5 mm long, irregularly toothed, pubescent; corolla 2 cm long, 

tube inflated at middle, curved, greenish-white. Berry 8 mm long, ovoid, crimson. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common parasite on deciduous trees; PS 30485 

Kuchimudi; 30626 Thekkady 

Taxillus tomentosus (Heyne ex Roth) Tieghem, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 42: 256. 1895; FPL 412. 

1990; FTSR 387. 1996. Loranthus tomentosus Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 191. 1821; FBI 5: 

212. 1886; FPM 1252. 1925. 

Branches lenticellate, young shoots fulvous tomentose. Leaves to 5 x 2.5 cm, obovate to 

oblong, obtuse, glabrous above; nerves 4-5 pairs. Flowers 3-8, fascicled; pedicels 2 mm long; 

calyx 2 mm long, lobes triangular; corolla greenish white, pink at base, to 16 mm long, densely 

hairy, tube gibbous, lobes spreading; stigma hemispheric. Berry sub-globose, tomentose. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Common parasite on evergreen trees; PS 19171 

Karimala 

276

VISCACEAE 

VISCUM Linnaeus 

1. Stem leafy .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Stem leafless...................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Flowers sessile; leaves obovate .......................................................................................................V. orientale 

2. Flowers pedicelled; leaves elliptic ..............................................................................................V. heyneanum 

3. Branchlets quadrangular, internodes uniform..........................................................................V. angulatum 

3. Branchlets flattered, internodes broad above.............................................V. articulatum var. dichotomum 

Viscum angulatum Heyne ex DC., Prodr. 4: 283. 1830; FBI 5: 225. 1886; FPM 1259. 1925; FPL 

413. 1990; FTSR 388. 1996. 

Branches 4-angled, drooping, slightly broadened near the apex of the internode, smooth. 

Flowers solitary or 3-together, axillary, all female, all male or middle one female and laterals 

male; perianth lobes in male flowers 4, triangular, connate below; stamens 4, epiphyllous; 

anthers sessile; ovary obovoid, style short or absent. Berry 5 x 5 mm, globose, yellowish. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common parasite on deciduous trees; PS 30694 Pandaravarai 

Viscum articulatum Burm. f. var. dichotomum Kurz, Forest. Fl. Burma 2: 325. 1877; FBI 5: 

226. 1886; FPM 1259. 1925. 

Subshrubs, internodes to 4.5 cm, flattened upwards. Flowers in axillary clusters, tepals 4, 

1.5 mm ovate; stamens 4, filaments 1 mm; female flowers-tepals 4, 1 mm, ovate. Berry 0.4 mm 

across, ovoid, glossy. 



Viscum heyneanum DC., Prodr. 4: 278. 1830. V. verruculosum Wight & Arn., Prodr. 379. 1834; 

FBI 5: 224. 1886; FPM 1258. 1925. V. orbiculatum Wight, Ic. t. 1016. 1845; FBI 5: 224. 1886; 

FPM 1258. 1925. V. heyneanum DC. var. liocarpum Danser, Blumea 4: 305. 1941. 

Branchlets terete, suberect. Leaves 4 x 1-2 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, tip rounded, 

3-5-nerved from base, glandular, narrowing into a small petiole. Flowers in peduncled cymes. 

Peduncles 5 mm long, 3-flowered, 3-8 in the axils, slender. Flowers in each triad all male, all 

female, or middle one female and laterals male, sessile. Berry 5 x 2 mm, ellipsoid, acute. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common on deciduous trees; PS 30024 Puliyala 

Viscum orientale Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 737. 1805; FBI 5: 224. 1886; FPM 1258. 1925; FTSR 388. 

1996. 

Branchlets erect or drooping; internodes terete, angled towards apex. Leaves to 4 x 2.5 cm, 

obovate, acute at base, 3-5-ribbed, shortly petioled. Flowers sessile or sub-sessile, axillary, 3- 

together, middle one female, laterals male; bracts cupular. Berry obovoid, truncate, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Fairly common on deciduous trees; PS 30757 Vengoli 

SANTALACEAE 

SANTALUM Linnaeus 

Santalum album L., Sp. Pl. 349. 1753; FBI 5: 231. 1886; FPM 1261. 1925; FPL 414. 1990; FTSR 

388. 1996. 

277

Small trees. Leaves opposite, to 7 x 4 cm, elliptic, acute at apex, rounded at base; nerves 10- 

12 pairs; petiole to 1.5 cm long. Inflorescence of panicled cymes, 5 cm across, terminal and 

axillary. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous, 6 mm across, perianth lobes equal, connate into a 

campanulate tube; mouth with 5 fleshy appendages, pink; stamens free, inserted on the mouth 

of perianth tube; ovary half inferior, 1-celled; ovules 2 or 3 pendulous; stigma 3-lobed. Drupe 1 x 

0.8 cm, obovoid, smooth, black. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Malesia. PS 18869 Karimthalappara 

BALANOPHORACEAE 

BALANOPHORA J.R. Forster et J.G.A. Forster 

Balanophora fungosa J. R. & G. Forst., Char. Gen. Pl. 100. t. 50. 1776, ssp. indica (Arn.) Hansen 

in Dansk., Bot. Ark 28: 100. ff. 20 & 21. 1972; FPL 414. 1990. B. indica (Arn.) ex Griff., Trans. 

Linn. Soc. London 20: 95. 1846; FBI 5: 237. 1886; FPM 1263. 1925. Langsdorffia indica Arn., 

Ann. Nat. Hist. 2: 37. 1838. 

Herbs; root parasite, fleshy; root stock globular; peduncle stout, to 15 cm long, 2 cm thick, 

yellowish inside; covered by imbricating sheathing leaves. Flowers dioecious, densely packed in 

globose or oblong, heads; male and female flowers dissimilar. Male perianth lobes 5, valvate, 

erect, yellowish; stamens 5, filaments united into a column; anthers horse-shoe-shaped. Female 

perianth absent; ovary 1-celled; style long, slender, ovules solitary. Fruit a 1-seeded capsule. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18854 Kanthalppara 

EUPHORBIACEAE 

1. Herbaceous climbers........................................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Herbs, shrubs, trees or lianas......................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves entire; flowers in spikes............................................................................................................. Tragia 

2. Leaves 3 or 5-lobed; flowers in involucral clusters....................................................................Dalechampia 

3. Leaves 3-foliolate ................................................................................................................................Bischofia 

3. Leaves simple................................................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Flowers in cyathea; stamen 1 ......................................................................................................... Euphorbia 

4. Flowers not in cyathea; stamens 2 or more................................................................................................... 5 

5. Racemes densely clustered on trunk...............................................................................................Baccaurea 

5. Inflorescence axillary or terminal .................................................................................................................. 6 

6. Leaves apposite................................................................................................................................Excoecaria 

6. Leaves alternate ............................................................................................................................................. 7 

7. Leaves distichous............................................................................................................................................. 8 

7. Leaves spirally alternating, rarely sub-distichous ..................................................................................... 13 

8. Leaves with white patches; tepals gland dotted ............................................................................. Sauropus 

8. Leaves without white patches; tepals not gland dotted ............................................................................... 9 

9. Filaments and anthers free........................................................................................................................... 10 

9. Filaments and anthers connate.................................................................................................................... 11 

10. Trees; monoecious..........................................................................................................................Cleistanthus 

10. Shrubs; dioecious ............................................................................................................................ Securinega 

11. Branchlets zigzag............................................................................................................................. Glochidion 

11. Branchlets phyllanthoid................................................................................................................................ 12 

12. Fruiting perianth accrescent; disc absent...........................................................................................Breynia 

12. Fruiting perianth not accrescent; disc present........................................................................... Phyllanthus 

13. Cells of ovary 2-ovuled................................................................................................................................... 14 

278

13. Cells of ovary 1-ovuled................................................................................................................................... 19 

14. Perianth biseriate .................................................................................................................................Bridelia 

14. Perianth uniseriate........................................................................................................................................ 15 

15. Branchlets phyllanthoid...................................................................................................................Meineckia 

15. Branchlets otherwise..................................................................................................................................... 16 

16. Flowers solitary or in fascicles...................................................................................................................... 17 

16. Flowers in elongated racemes, spikes or cymes .......................................................................................... 18 

17. Fruits dry dehiscent .................................................................................................................... Margaritaria 

17. Fruits fleshy indehiscent....................................................................................................................Drypetes 

18. Fruit dehiscent; ovary 1-celled .......................................................................................................Antidesma 

18. Fruit capsular; ovary 2-4-celled.......................................................................................................... Aporusa 

19. Plant with milky latex; petiole glandular........................................................................................... Sapium 

19. Plant without milky latex; petiole eglandular............................................................................................. 20 

20. Perianth in male flowers uniseriate............................................................................................................. 21 

20. Perianth in male flowers biseriate ............................................................................................................... 25 

21. Leaves with sessile or stalked glands at base of the lamina...............................................................Croton 

21. Leaves without glands at the base............................................................................................................... 22 

22. Male flowers in umbels ........................................................................................................................ Blachia 

22. Male flowers not in umbels........................................................................................................................... 23 

23. Female sepals enlarged in fruit...............................................................................................Dimorphocalyx 

23. Female sepals not enlarged in fruit ............................................................................................................. 24 

24. Leaves sessile or subsessile...................................................................................................... Agrostistachys 

24. Petioles to 7 cm long ........................................................................................................................Paracroton 

25. Plants monoecious ......................................................................................................................................... 26 

25. Plants dioecious ............................................................................................................................................. 31 

26. Stamens to 5................................................................................................................................................... 27 

26. Stamens 8 or more......................................................................................................................................... 29 

27. Capsule cocci with two rows of echinate processes.......................................................................Sebastiana 

27. Capsule without echinate process ................................................................................................................ 28 

28. Shrubs; raceme to 12 cm long...........................................................................................................Claoxylon 

28. Herbs; raceme to 7 cm long.............................................................................................................Micrococca 

29. Trees .................................................................................................................................................. Epiprinus 

29. Herbs or sub shrubs....................................................................................................................................... 30 

30. Disc absent ..........................................................................................................................................Acalypha 

30. Disc present............................................................................................................................... Baliospermum 

31. Capsule wall echinate or glandular hairy ................................................................................................... 32 

31. Capsule wall without appendages or hairy ................................................................................................. 35 

32. Shrubs.....................................................................................................................................................Ricinus 

32. Trees ............................................................................................................................................................... 33 

33. Leaves sub-orbicular; ovary 1-locular ........................................................................................... Macaranga 

33. Leaves otherwise; ovary 3-locular ................................................................................................................ 34 

34. Drupe fulvous tomentose; perianth biseriate......................................................................................Givotia 

34. Drupe echinate or red glandular; perianth uniseriate .................................................................... Mallotus 

35. Trees ............................................................................................................................................................... 36 

35. Shrubs............................................................................................................................................................. 37 

36. Fruit fleshy, unlobed ............................................................................................................................. Trewia 

36. Fruit capsule, bilobed .......................................................................................................................... Cleidion 

37. Leaves penninerved, cordiform or peltate ........................................................................................Jatropha 

37. Leaves penninerved, linear-lanceolate ...........................................................................................Homonoia 

ACALYPHA Linnaeus 

279

1. Racemes unisexual............................................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Racemes bisexual .............................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Female spike branched; bracts smaller than the flower..............................................................A. racemosa 

2. Female spikes unbranched; bracts larger than the flower ............................................................A. alnifolia 

3. Petiole shorter than the lamina ......................................................................................................A. fruticosa 

3. Petiole longer than the lamina......................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Bracts 3-5 fid........................................................................................................................... A. brachystachya 

4. Bracts entire ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Bracts aciculate; capsule glabrous...................................................................................................... A. ciliata 

5. Bracts dentate; capsule hispid ............................................................................................................ A. indica 

Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 525. 1805; FBI 5: 415. 1887; FPM 1330. 1925; FPL 

418. 1990. 

Shrubs, branchlets densely hispid. Leaves 2-2.5 x 1.5-2 cm, ovate, acute, base cuneate, 

margin crenate to serrate. Male flowers in axillary cylindric spike to 8 cm, anthers 

vermiculiform, sessile; female spike to 1.5 cm, upper axillary, bracts cupular, dentate, enclosing 

the ovary, ovary ca 2 mm across, tomentose, styles 3, to 7 mm with filiform bases. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in secondary forests; PS 19712 Karimala 

Acalypha brachystachya Hornem., Hort. Hafn. 1. 1807; FBI 5: 416. 1887; FPM 1330. 1925; 

FTSR 391. 1996. 

Prostrate or procumbent herbs; stem striate, puberulus. Leaves ovate, acute, rounded to 

cordate at base, 3-5-nerved from base, sparsely hairy; petiole 0.5-2 cm long. Racemes to 1.5 cm 

long, bisexual, axillary. Female flowers 1-4 at the base of the raceme, sessile, sepals 3-5, oblong, 

glandular-ciliate; styles 3, bifid above. Male flowers many, towards the upper part of raceme; 

perianth lobes glandular pubescent; stamens 8, free, on a dome-shaped receptacle. Capsule 2 x 

2 mm, hispid; seeds ovoid with hilum at one end. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and West Asia. Common in rocky areas; PS 30461 Vengoli 

Acalypha ciliata Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 162. 1775; FBI 5: 417. 1887; FPM 1330. 1925; FPL 418. 

1990. 

Subshrubs, branches pubescent. Leaves to 7 x 4 cm, ovate, cuneate, membranous, acuminate 

at apex, base rounded, puberulus, margin ciliate. Spikes axillary, to 2 cm; sepals 4, pubescent; 

female flowers crowded below; bracts 5 mm, campanulate, pubescent ca. 12-15 toothed, ciliate, 

ovary 1.5 mm; male flowers on the upper half minute. Capsule 3 mm across, smooth 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 19531 Thekkady 

Acalypha fruticosa Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 161. 1775; FBI 5: 415. 1887; FPM 1331. 1925; FPL 

418. 1990. 

Subshrubs, branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 4 x 2 cm, ovate, apex acute to acuminate, base 

oblique, crenate, puberulus above, tawny pubescent and yellow glandular below; petiole 1.5 cm, 

tomentose; Spikes axillary, pubescent; sepals 4, 1.5 mm, tomentose; ovary 0.6 mm. Capsule 2 

mm across. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30394 Keerappadi 

Acalypha indica L., Sp. Pl. 1003. 1753; FBI 5: 416. 1887; FPM 1330. 1925. 

280

Herbs. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, ovate, apex acute to acuminate, base cuneate, serrate, pubescent; 

petiole 4 cm. Spikes axillary, to 3.5 cm; female flowers below; bracts 3 x 5 mm, campanulate, 

folded, many nerved, pubescent; male flowers minute. Capsule 2 mm across, pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Tropical Africa. Occasional in dry and moist deciduous forests; PS 


Acalypha racemosa Heyne ex Baill., Etud. Gen. Euphorb.443. 1858; FPL 418. 1990; FTSR 391. 

1996. A. paniculata Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 1: 406. 1859; FBI 5: 415. 1887; FPM 1330. 1925. 

Large herbs or subshrubs, stem pubescent. Leaves to 7 x 5 cm, ovate, apex acuminate to 

acute, base rounded to cordate, serrate, membranous, puberulus; petiole to 5.5 cm. Male flowers 

in axillary spikes, to 9 cm, pubescent; tepals 4, stamens minute; female flowers in terminal 

panicles; bracts minute; ovary 5 mm, style branches 6-12. Capsule 2.5 mm across, pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Tropical Africa. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19198 

Vengoli 

AGROSTISTACHYS Dalzell 

Agrostistachys borneensis Becc., Nelle For. Borneo 331. 1902; FPL 419. 1990; FTSR 391. 1996. 

A. longifolia (Wight) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 5: 407. 1887 p.p. Sarcoclinium longifolium Wight, 

Ic. tt. 1887, 1888. 1852 p.p. Agrostistachys meeboldii Pax & Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenf. 57: 100. 

1912; FPM 1318. 1925. 

Small to medium trees with white latex. Leaves to 30 x 7 cm, oblanceolate, acute, base longattenuate, 

coriaceous; nerves to 14 pairs, regular, nervules indistinct; petiole flat. Male racemes 

axillary, slender; bracts broadly ovate, ciliate; sepals 3 mm long, ovate; petals smaller, oblong; 

stamens 8, pistillode present. Female flowers lax in shorter racemes; sepals and petals similar 

to male flowers. Capsule 15 mm across; cocci globose, reddish; seeds globose, brown, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malaya. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30220 Karimala 

ANTIDESMA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves rotund to elliptic; densely pubescent below............................................................... A. ghaesembilla 

1. Leaves otherwise, glabrous or glabrescent ..................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves to 6 cm long, obtusely acute apex; stamen 2 ....................................................................... A. acidum 

2. Leaves 8-15 cm long, apex acuminate; stamens 3-5....................................................................................... 3 

3. Female flowers sessile in close clusters.........................................................................................A. alexiteria 

3. Female flowers pedicellate in distant clusters...........................................................................A. montanum 

Antidesma acidum Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 30. 1788; FPL 420. 1990; FTSR 392. 1996; Chakrab. & 

Gangop., JETB 24: 8. 2000. Stilago diandra Roxb., Pl. Corom. 2: 35, t. 166. 1802 & Fl. Ind. 3: 

759. 1832. Antidesma diandrum (Roxb.) Roth., Nov. Pl. Sp. 369. 1821; FBI 5: 361. 1887; FPM 

1298. 1925. 

Shrubs; branchlets glabrous. Leaves 2.5-6 x 2-4 cm, broadly elliptic, hispid below; nerves 5-7 

pairs, looping; petioles 2-3 mm long; stipule minute. Male racemes simple or branched, 3-5 cm 

long; tepals 4, to 1.5 mm long, free; disk prominent; stamens 5. Flowers closely packed, sessile. 

Female racemes 2-4 cm long. Flowers many; pedicels 3 mm long; sepals 2 mm across, ovate, 

fimbriate, greenish yellow. Drupes 5 mm across, oblong, red, smooth. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and South China. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18938 Kothala; 

NS 30428 Vengoli 

281

Antidesma alexiteria L., Sp. Pl. 1027. 1753p.p., Hook. f., FBI 5: 359. 1887; Chakrab. & Gangop., 

JETB 24: 11. 2000. A. zeylanicum Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 207. 1792; FPM 1297. 1925. 

Small trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 10 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, long-acuminate, 

mucronate at apex, acute at base, glabrous; nerves 7-9 pairs, sub-prominent, shining above; 

petiole 5 mm long, stipule ovate, hairy. Female spikes 3 cm long, axillary, densely hairy; bracts 

ovate, acute. Flowers closely packed; sepals 4, ovate, acute, hispid; ovary beaked, stigma 

recurved, glabrous. 

Fl. March-September 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30181 Kottayali 

Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn., Fruct. 1: 189. 1788; FBI 5: 357. 1887; FPM 1298. 1925; 

Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 24: 17. 2000. A. pubescens Roxb., Pl. Corom. 2: 35, t.167. 1802. A. 

paniculatum Roxb. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 764. 1806. 

Small trees, branchlets pubescent. Leaves 4-8 x 4-6 cm, rotund to ovate, obtuse, base 

truncate, densely pubescent below; male spike terminal to 7 cm, woolly, flowers 2 mm across; 

female spike terminal and upper axillary, flowers 1.5 mm across. Tepals 5 or 6 ca 4 mm, ovatelanceolate, 

basally connate, acute, ciliate; stamens 4, filaments 1 mm, inserted within disc, 

pistillode 1 mm, linear; ovary globose ca 2 mm. Drupe 4 mm across, globose. 

Fl. & Fr. January-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 19537 Thekkady 

Antidesma montanum Blume, Bijdr. 1124. 1825. A. pubescens Blume, Bijdr. 1123. 1825, non 

Roxb. 1802. A. pubescens Roxb. var. menasu Tul., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Ser. 3. 15: 215. 1851. A. 

acuminatum Wight, Ic. t. 1991. 1853; FBI 5: 363. 1887. A. moritzii (Tul.) Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 

34: 67. 1865 & in DC., Prodr. 15: 252. 1866; FBI 5: 362. 1887. A. menasu (Tul.) Miq. ex Muell.- 

Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15:257. 1866p.p., Hook. f., FBI 5: 364. 1887p.p,; FPM 1297. 1925; FPL 420. 

1990. A. menasu var. linearifolia Hook.f., FBI 5: 364. 1887. 

Small trees. Leaves to 17 x 8 cm, ovate-oblong, abruptly acuminate at apex, acute to the 

base; nerves 7-9 pairs, regular, looping, prominent; petiole 5 mm long, hispid. Female racemes 

7-12 cm long, terminal, usually branched, minutely hispid. Flowers 2 mm across; sepals ovate, 

free, concave, hispid. Male racemes shorter, axillary or terminal. Flowers sub-sessile; stamens 

3. Drupes 5 x 3 mm, glabrous, reddish. 

Fl. & Fr. January-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia and East Himalayas. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19385 Karimala 

APORUSA Blume 

1. Male spikes to 2 cm lon; capsule sparsely villous.......................................................................A. acuminata 

1. Male spikes 3-4 cm long; capsule glabrous .................................................................................A. lindleyana 

Aporusa acuminata Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 288. 1861; FBI 5: 348. 1887; FPM 1309. 1925; FPL 

421. 1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 17: 158. 1993; FTSR 393. 1996. 

Slender shrubs with weak branchlets. Leaves to 12 x 4 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute at base, 

entire, glabrous; nerves 7 or 8 pairs, irregular; intercostae reticulate; petiole 1 cm long, stipule 2 

mm long, ovate, tomentose. Male flowers in 1.5 cm long spike, densely packed; stamens 3. 

Female flowers 1-3 together, axillary, fascicled; bracts ovate, tomentose; sepals 4, 1 mm long, 

ovate, tomentose; styles bifid. Capsule 12 x 10 mm, ovoid, glabrous or hairy; seeds 7 x 6 mm, 

obovoid; glabrous; aril red. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 18832 

Kottayali; NS 19443 Pooppara 

282

Aporusa lindleyana (Wight) Baill., Etud. Gen. Euphorb. 645. 1858; FBI 5: 349. 1887; FPM 1309. 

1925; FPL 421. 1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 17: 164. 1993; FTSR 393. 1996. Scepa 

lindleyana Wight, Ic. t. 361. 1840. 

Small to medium trees. Leaves to 18 x 8 cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate at apex, acute at base, 

coriaceous; nerves 7 pairs, prominent; petiole 2 cm long. Male spike solitary or fascicled; bracts 

ovate, ciliate; flowers 1-3 in each bract; sepals 4, ovate, ciliate; stamens 2. Female flowers 3-15, 

in small racemes, densely tomentose, pedicellate; sepals ovate, ciliate; ovary thinly hispid. 

Capsule 10 mm across, aril orange-yellow. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Very common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; 


BACCAUREA Loureiro 

Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 459. 1866; FBI 5: 367. 1887; FPL 

421. 1990; FTSR 393. 1996; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 21: 527. 1997. Pierardia courtallensis 

Wight, Ic. t. 1912. 1852. Baccaurea sapida Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 280. 1872. 

Trees, bole uneven with tubercles. Leaves alternate, often clustered towards the branch tips, 

to 17 x 7 cm, oblanceolate, abruptly acuminate, base acute; nerves 4-6 pairs; petiole 1-3 cm long. 

Flowers dioecious, in densely clustered to 15 cm long slender racemes, on old stem. Male flowers 

2 mm across; sepals 5, ovate, obtuse, ciliate; stamens 5, free. Female flowers larger, sepals 

oblong, tomentose; ovary 3-celled, conical, fulvous tomentose, style absent, stigmas stout. 

Capsule 2.5-4 cm across, globose, 3-valved, tomentose, red; seeds 3, oblong, arillate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Very common in evergreen forests; PS 18831 

Kottayali 

BALIOSPERMUM Blume 

Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 1125. 1866; FPM 1342. 1925; 

FPL 422. 1990; Chakra. & Balakr., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 32: 5. 1990. Jatropha montana Willd., 

Sp. Pl. 4: 565. 1805. Baliospermum solanifolium (Burm.f.) Suresh in Nicols. et al., Interp. Hort. 

Malab. 106. 1988; FTSR 395. 1996. B. axillare Blume, Bijdr. 604. 1826; FBI 5: 461. 1887. B. 

polyandrum Wight, Ic. t. 1885. 1852. 

Subshrubs, to 1.5 m tall. Leaves broadly ovate, or 3-lobed, acute or acuminate, base rounded, 

glabrous or sparsely hispid above and tomentose along the nerves beneath, inciso-crenate, with 

a pair of glands at base of lamina, to 10 x 15 cm; basally 3-5 nerved with 7-8 other lateral 

nerves; petiole to 6 cm long. Perianth lobes 4, concave, 1.5 mm long, pubescent. Ovary densely 

tomentose; style 2-fid. Capsule 3-lobed, 1.2 cm long; seeds ovoid. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19074 


BISCHOFIA Blume 

Bischofia javanica Blume, Bijdr. 1169. 1827; FBI 5: 345. 1887; FPM 1312. 1925; FPL 422. 1990; 

FTSR 395. 1996. Microelus roeperianus Wight & Arn., Edinb. New Phil. J. 14: 298. 1833. 

Large trees with reddish exudations; bark thinly peeling, red inside, fibrous. Leaves 3- 

foliolate; leaflets to 16 x 9 cm, equal, ovate, acuminate, serrate or entire; petiole to 15 cm long. 

Flowers dioecious, in axillary panicled 15-20 cm long racemes; sepals 5, 1 mm long, recurved; 

stamens 5, free; ovary 3-celled, globose, glabrous, styles 2, hairy, spreading. Fruit a globose 

berry, 7 mm across; seeds 3, trigonous. 


283

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Pacific Islands. Occasional in evergreen and moist deciduous forests; PS 

19290 Karimala; NS 30148 Kariamchola 

BLACHIA Baillon 

1. Peduncle more than 3 cm long ..................................................................................................... B. umbellata 

1. Peduncle to 2 cm long ......................................................................................................................... B. reflexa 

Blachia reflexa Benth., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 17: 226. 1880; FBI 5: 402. 1887; FPM 1338. 1925. 

Large shrubs. Leaves to 15 x 6.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate, base acute; nerves 10-12 pairs, 

irregular, intercostae reticulate; petiole 0.5 cm long. Female flowers in terminal peduncled 

umbel; pedicel 1 cm long, glabrous; sepals 5, 4 x 1 mm, oblong, acute, glabrous; styles 3 mm 

long. Capsule 1 cm across, glabrous; seeds 6 x 5 mm, globose, smooth, mottled with red. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 18842 Kuriarkutty 

Blachia umbellata (Willd.) Baill., Etud. Gen. Euphorb. 387. t.19. 1858; FBI 5: 402. 1887; FPM 

1338. 1925; FTSR 396. 1996. Croton umbellatus Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 545. 1805. 

Shrubs; branchlets slender. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic, acuminate at apex, base acute; 

nerves 10-13 pairs, irregular, looping; petiole 1 cm long. Male flowers 5 mm across, 5-10 

together in a terminal umbel; pedicel 1.5 cm long; sepals 2.5 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, glabrous; 

stamens 15-20. Female flowers 8 mm across; 3-5, on stout peduncle, sepals 5, 4 x 2 mm, oblong, 

acute, glabrous; ovary glabrous; styles 3, 8 mm long, bifid. Capsule 18 mm across, 3-lobed. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30185 Kottayali; 19661 

Vengoli 

BREYNIA J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

1. Leaves to 4.5 x 2.5 cm; capsule to 1.5 cm across.........................................................................B. vitis-idaea 

1. Leaves to 2 x 1.3 cm; capsule to 0.5 cm across...................................................................................B. retusa 

Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Peradeniya) 11: 204. 1929; FPL 422. 

1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 505. 1996; FTSR 396. 1996. Phyllanthus retusus Dennst. 

Schluss. 24. 1818. Breynia patens (Roxb.) Rolfe, J. Bot. 11: 359. 1882; FBI 5: 329. 1887; FPM 

1304. 1925. Phyllanthus patens Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 667. 1832. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves ovate, glaucous below, base rounded, black when dried; nerves 6 

pairs; petiole 3 mm long; stipule ovate, cordate at base. Female flowers 3 mm across, solitary; 

pedicels 5 mm long; sepals 6, obovate, obtuse, united with disk into a glandular tube; styles 

united at base, stigma bifid. Male flowers solitary, axillary; sepals 6, retuse or bilobed at apex; 

stamens 3. Capsule globose, pink; seeds 6, 5 x 3 mm, trigonous, white. 


Distr. Sri Lanka to Indo-China; Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19438 Pooppara 

Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm. f.) Fischer, Kew Bull. 1932: 65. 1932; FPL 423. 1990; Chakrab. & 

Gangop., JETB 20: 509. 1996; FTSR 396. 1996. Rhamnus vitis-idaea Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 61. 1768. 

Breynia rhamnoides (Retz.) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15:440. 1866; FBI 5: 330. 1887; FPM 

1304. 1925. Phyllanthus rhamnoides Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 30. 1788. 

Shrubs. Leaves ovate, rounded at base, glabrous; nerves 5-8 pairs, reticulate, black when 

dried; petiole 3 mm long; stipule ovate, obtuse. Female flowers axillary; pedicels 4 mm long; 

perianth 2 mm across, lobes ovate, acute. Male flowers 2-5 together, fascicled; perianth lobes 1.5 

mm long. Capsule globose, red; seeds 6, 4 x 2 mm, trigonous, white, glabrous. 


284

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19136 Kariamchola; 18910 

Karimala 

BRIDELIA Willdenow 

1. Trees; flowers fascicled in terminal paniculate spikes......................................................................B. retusa 

1. Scandent shrubs; flowers in axillary fascicles .............................................................................. B. scandens 

Bridelia retusa (L.) Spreng. in L., Syst. Veg. (ed. 16) 3: 48. 1826, non A. Juss. 1824; FBI 5: 268. 

1887p.p.; FPM 1280. 1925; FPL 423. 1990; Chakrab. et al., JETB 26: 321. 2002. Bridelia airyshawii 

P. T. Li, Acta Phyt. Sin. 20: 117. 1982; FTSR 397. 1996.. Cluytia retusa L., Sp. Pl. 1042. 

1753. C. spinosa Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 172. 1802. Bridelia spinosa (Roxb.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4:979. 

1805. 

Medium trees; branchlets thinly hairy. Leaves to 22 x 11 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, obtuse or 

retuse at apex, round or cordate at base, tomentose, below; nerves 23-25 pairs, prominent, 

dichotomous near the margins; nervules parallel. Flowers grouped in terminal branched spikes, 

monoecious, 6 mm across; sepals 5, reddish brown, 3 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, acute, hispid outside; 

petals small, yellow, obovate; styles 3, dichotomous. Capsule 8 mm across, glabrous, black. 


Distr. Indo-Malaya. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19638 Vengoli 

Bridelia scandens (Roxb.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 979. 1805; FPM 1281. 1925; FPL 424. 1990; FTSR 

397. 1996. Cluytia scandens Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 173. 1802. Bridelia stipularis (L.) Blume, Bijdr. 

597. 1826; FBI 5: 270. 1887,p.p.; FPM 1281. 1925. 

Scandent shrubs; branchlets hispid. Leaves to 11.5 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, obtuse, hispid, 

below; nerves 8-10 pairs, prominent, dichotomous near the margins. Flowers 8 mm across, in 

axillary sessile clusters passing into terminal spike, pinkish; sepals 5, triangular, acute, hispid 

outside; petals obovate to orbicular, retuse, hispid; staminal column, slender; stamens 3-5; 

ovary depressed globose, styles 3, bifid at apex. Capsule 7 x 6 mm, obovoid; seeds 2, with a large 

depression on one side and a deep furrow on the other side. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest 

areas; PS 19131 Kariamchola; 19646 Vengoli 

CLAOXYLON A. Jussieu 

Claoxylon beddomei Hook.f., FBI 5: 413. 1887. Micrococca beddomei (Hook.f.) Prain, Ann. Bot. 

(London) 25: 630. 1911; FPM 1328. 1925; FTSR 410. 1996. 

Slender herbs, glabrous. Leaves to 17 x 5 cm, elliptic-oblong, serrate; petiole 3-6 cm long, 

slender. Flowers dioecious. Male flowers in distant clusters on slender racemes, pedicellate with 

many imbricating bracts; sepals 5, orbicular, pubescent; stamens many, free. Female flowers 1- 

few on axillary raceme; bracts few; sepals 5, 2 x 1 mm, ovate, ciliate; ovary densely bristled 

hairy; styles 3, free, radiating. Capsule 3-lobed, 5 mm broad. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19456 Pooppara 

CLEIDION Blume 

Cleidion javanicum Blume, Bijdr. 613. 1826; FBI 5: 444. 1887; FPM 1325. 1925; FTSR 398. 

1996. C. spiciflorum (Burm. f.) Merr., Interpr. Rumph. Herb. Amb. 322. 1917; FPL 424. 1990. 

Small to medium dioecious trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

obtusely acuminate at apex, acute at base, serrate, penninerved; petiole to 4 cm long; stipule 

ovate, acute, entire. Male flowers in axillary 16 cm long slender racemes; sepals 3, ovate, acute; 

stamens 30-50, free. Female flowers axillary, solitary; pedicel 4-5 cm long, slender; ovary 2- 

285

celled, styles 2, connate at base, 2-fid above, linear. Fruit a 2-lobbed capsule, lobe 1 x 1 cm, 

globose; seeds 1 in each cell, globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 18810 Parambikulam; 19121 

Kariamchola 

CLEISTANTHUS J.D. Hooker ex Planchon 

Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 5: 274. 1887; FPM 1282. 1925; FPL 425. 

1990; FTSR 398. 1996. Cluytia collina Roxb., Pl. Corom. t.169. 1802. 

Medium trees; bark dark brown, rough, flaking off in rounded thick scales, reddish inside. 

Leaves obovate or orbicular, obtuse or retuse, base rounded or obtuse, to 6.5 x 4 cm; lateral 

nerves 5-8 pairs, slender; petiole 0.3 cm long. Corolla lobes unequal, ovate lanceolate, 5 mm 

long, yellow. Capsule ovoid-oblong, 2 cm long; seeds globose, smooth. 

Fl. & Fr. December-November 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30061 Kuchimudi 

CROTON Linnaeus 

1. Herbs.....................................................................................................................................C. bonplandianum 

1. Shrubs or small trees........................................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves silvery white beneath........................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves not silvery white beneath .................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Leaves opposite or whorled ..........................................................................................................C. zeylanicus 

3. Leaves alternate.........................................................................................................................C. malabaricus 

4. Small trees; capsule to 1 cm across....................................................................................................C. laccifer 

4. Scandent shrubs; capsule 1.5-2.5 cm across ...................................................... C. caudatus var. obovoideus 

Croton bonplandianum Baill., Adansonia 4: 339. 1864; FPL 426. 1990; FTSR 399. 1996. Croton 

sparsiflorus Morong. in Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 7: 221. 1893; FPM 1316. 1925. 

Erect undershrubs; branches stellate-scaly. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate at 

apex, base rounded, glabrous; nerves 10 pairs. Racemes to 7 cm long, terminal. Female flowers 

basal few, 3 mm across; sepals 5, triangular, glabrous; petals oblong, longer than sepals; torus 

densely villous; ovary densely hairy, styles 3, divided, lobes curled. Male flowers above the 

female ones in the raceme; stamens 10-15. Capsule obovoid, stellate hairy; seeds 4.5 x 2.5 mm, 

minutely pitted. 


Distr. Native of South America; now naturalised in Old World Tropics. Common in degraded 

forest areas; PS 30352 Parambikulam 

Croton caudatus Geisel. var. obovoideus Balakr. & Chakrab., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 25: 190. 

1983; FTSR 399. 1996. 

Large scandent shrubs; bark rough, brown, branchlets stellate tomentose. Leaves ovate, 

caudate-acuminate, base cordate, margin toothed and stalked glandular, stellate pubescent on 

both sides, leaf base with ca. 5 stalked glands on either side to 12 x 8 cm; basally 3-5-nerved; 

petiole to 3 cm long. Racemes to 22 cm long, stellate pubescent. Calyx lobes ovate-acute 5 mm 

long, white tomentose. Capsule oblong, apically depressed, scabrid, 2 x 1.5 cm. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Common along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19554 

Kariamchola 

Croton laccifer L., Sp. Pl. 1005. 1753, “lacciferum”; FPM 1315. 1925; FTSR 399. 1996. C. 

aromaticus sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 338. 1887,p.p. non L. 1753; FPL 425. 1990. 

Shrubs, branchlets stellate, brown tomentose. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, ovate, acuminate, cordate 

at base, 3-ribbed from base, glands 2 pairs; upper leaves with acute base; petiole 2-3 cm long. 

286

Racemes 10 cm long, solitary or paired, densely stellate hairy; female flowers 7 mm across; 

sepals ovate, acute; petals obovate, ciliate; styles 3, each dichotomously divided, glabrous. Male 

flowers many, similar to female flowers; stamens 20, filaments bearded. Capsule 1 cm across, 

globose, densely stellate hairy. 



higher altitudes; PS 18911 Karimala 

Croton malabaricus Bedd., Ic. t. 181. 1868-1874; FBI 5: 386. 1887; FPM 1314. 1925; FPL 426. 

1990; FTSR 399. 1996. 

Small to medium trees, stellately scaly. Leaves to 18 x 12 cm, ovate, rounded at base, 

acuminate, silvery white, below; nerves 7 or 8 pairs; glands sessile; petiole 6-8 cm long; stipule 

15 mm long, filiform. Racemes 10 cm long, terminal. Female flowers pedicelled, 10 mm across; 

sepals ovate, obtuse, silky tomentose; petals obovate; ovary stellate hairy. Male flowers smaller; 

stamens 10, filaments bearded. Capsule 2 x 2 cm, obovoid, emarginate, densely brown scaly; 

seeds 13 x 8 mm, oblong, mottled with brown. 



Pezha 

Croton zeylanicus Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 107. 1865 & in DC., Prodr. 15: 581. 1866; FPL 426. 

1990; FTSR 400. 1996. C. reticulatus Heyne ex Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 580. 1866; FBI 5: 

380. 1887; FPM 1314. 1925. 

Shrubs, densely covered with brown, fimbriate scales. Leaves to 20 x 6 cm, ovate-lanceolate, 

acuminate, rounded at base, white-scaly below; lateral nerves 6-10 pairs, glands 1 pairs, sessile; 

petiole 1-3 cm long. Racemes to 6 cm long. Female flowers pedicelled, 4 mm across; sepals ovate, 

obtuse; petals obovate, smaller, tomentose; ovary brown stellate hairy; styles 3, glabrous. Male 

flowers smaller; stamens many, filaments glabrous Capsule 1.3 x 1 cm, ovoid; seeds 8 x7 mm, 

oblong, mottled with brown. 

Fl. & Fr. August 


higher altitudes; PS 19423 Pooppara; 19571 Kariamchola 

DALECHAMPIA Linnaeus 

Dalechampia scandens L., Sp. Pl. 1054. 1753, var. velutina (Wight) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 

15: 1245. 1866. D. velutina Wight, Ic. t. 1881. 1852; FBI 5: 467. 1888; FPM 1336. 1925. 

Climbers with stinging hairs. Leaves tri-lobed, base cordate, thinly pubescent, middle lobe 6- 

10 x 3-5 cm, obovate, acute, margin entire or serrulate, lateral ones small and oblique, yellowish 

green, petiole to 7 cm. Flowers in peduncled clusters to 10 cm. Involucral bracts to 5 x 4 cm, trilobed, 

distinctly veined, membranous; male flowers ca 5 mm across, tepals 3 or 4 , ca 3.5 mm, 

obovate, acute, filaments to 7 mm, connective apiculate; female flowers 6 mm across, tepals 6 , 

to 5 mm, oblong, pinnatifid, pilose, ovary 5 mm across, style to 1 cm. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in rocky areas; PS 19872 Vengoli 


DIMORPHOCALYX Thwaites 

Dimorphocalyx lawianus (Muell.-Arg.) Hook.f., FBI 5: 404. 1887; FPM 1337. 1925; FTSR 400. 

1996. Trigonostemon lawianus Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 212. 1865 p.p. Dimorphocalyx glabellus 

Thw. var. lawianus (Muell.-Arg.) Chakrab. & Balakr., Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Pl. Sci.) 100: 296. 

1990. 

287

Trees, branchlets slender, white. Leaves to 16 x 7 cm, elliptic, acuminate, base acute; nerves 

13 pairs, petiole 2 cm long; stipule ovate, acute. Male flowers in 5 cm long axillary raceme, 8-10 

mm across; calyx 5-toothed above; petals 5, 10 x 5 mm, obovate, white; stamens many, 

combined into a branched column. Female flowers few, in short racemes; sepals 5, 2.5 cm long, 

oblanceolate; corolla similar to male flowers; ovary 3-celled, densely hispid; styles 3, connate at 

base, bifid, spreading. Capsule 3-lobed, to 20 x 22 mm. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19803, 30356 

Kariamchola;19509 Orukomban 

DRYPETES Vahl 

1. Ovary 3-celled................................................................................................................................D. roxburghii 

1. Ovary 1-celled.................................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves to 15 cm long ......................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves more than 20 cm long........................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Branchlets and petiole tomentose......................................................................................................D. wightii 

3. Branchlets glabrous .......................................................................................................................... D. venusta 

4. Female flowers pedicelled, 3-20 together .................................................................................. D. malabarica 

4. Female flowers sessile, 1 or 2 together......................................................................................D. oblongifolia 

Drypetes malabarica (Bedd.) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 56. 1969; FTSR 401. 1996; Chakrab. et 

al., JETB 21: 269. 1997. Cyclostemon malabaricus Bedd., For. Man. Bot. 199. 1873; FBI 5: 341. 

1887; FPM 1302. 1925. 

Medium trees with horizontal branches; branchlets angled, densely villous. Leaves to 26 x 

8.5 cm; oblong, unequally obtuse at base, abruptly acuminate at apex; nerves 8 pairs, reticulate; 

petiole 1 cm long, hispid. Female flowers 18 mm across, clustered on old wood; pedicels 14 mm 

long, stout, densely fulvous tomentose; sepals 4, 7 x 4 mm, oblong, densely tomentose outside; 

ovary globose, densely hispid; stigma 4-lobed, peltate, black. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30625, NS 


Drypetes oblongifolia (Bedd.) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 23: 57. 1969; FPL 427. 1990; FTSR 401. 

1996; Chakrab. et al., JETB 21: 270. 1997. Laneasagum oblongifolium Bedd., Madras J. Lit Sci. 

6: 71. 1861. Cyclostemon macrophyllus Blume, Bijdr. 598. 1826; FPM 1302. 1925. C. 

macrophyllus Blume var. sessiliflora Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 278. 1872. C. macrophyllus Blume var. 

peninsularis Hook.f., FBI 5: 341. 1887. 

Medium trees with horizontal branches; branchlets scabrous. Leaves to 23 x 10 cm, oblong, 

rounded at base, acuminate at apex; nerves 9-11 pairs, prominent below, strongly reticulate. 

Female flowers 6.5 mm across, sessile, solitary or paired; bracts minute, orbicular; sepals 4, 6.5 

mm across, orbicular, densely fulvous hairy outside; ovary globose, densely hairy; stigma 

discoid, shortly lobed, glabrous. Male flowers subsessile; sepals ovate; stamens many. Drupes 2 

x 1.5 cm, obovoid, densely hispid, rind hard. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Very common in evergreen forests; PS 18821 Parambikulam; PS 18836 

Kottayali 

Drypetes roxburghii (Wall.) Hurusawa, J. Fac. Sci. Univ. Tokyo, Sect. 3. Bot. 6: 337. 1954; 

Chakrab. et al., JETB 21: 271. 1997. Putranjiva roxburghii Wall., Tent. Fl. Nap. 61. 1826; FBI 

5: 336. 1887; FPM 1311. 1925. 

Small trees; branches drooping. Leaves 8-12 x 3.5-4.5cm, elliptic-oblong, apex obtuse, base 

slightly oblique, coriaceous, shining; petiole 0.5 cm. Female flowers axillary, in groups of 3-4; 

288

sepals 5, 2 x 1.5 mm, ovate, ciliate; ovary 3 mm, ovate, 3-celled, densely pubescent, style 7 mm, 

tomentose, dilated at apex. Drupe ovoid, 2 x 1 cm. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in the sides of streams in dry deciduous forests; PS 30340 

Keerappadi 

Drypetes venusta (Wight) Pax & Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenf. 81: 268. 1922; Chakrab. et al., 

JETB 21: 277. 1997. Astylis venusta Wight, Ic. t. 1992. 1853. Hemicyclia venusta (Wight) Thw. 

in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 7: 272. 1855; FBI 5: 339. 1887; FPM 1300. 1925. Drypetes 

elata (Bedd.) Pax. & Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenf. 81: 268. 1922; FPL 427. 1990; FTSR 401. 1996. 

Hemicyclia elata Bedd., Fl. Sylv. t. 279. 1872; FBI 5: 339. 1887; FPM 1300. 1925. 

Trees with fluted bole and drooping branches; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 9 x 3.5 cm, 

elliptic, abruptly acuminate, base acute; nerves 7-10 pairs, reticulate; petiole 5 mm long. Male 

flowers 8 mm across, fascicled, axillary; pedicels 3-6-together, 5-8 mm long, slender, minutely 

hispid; tepals 4, 4 x 2 mm, oblong, obtuse, hispid outside; stamens 10, filaments 3 mm long, 

glabrous; disk densely villous. 

Fl. January 


Karimala 

Drypetes wightii (Hook. f.) Pax & Hoffm. in Engl., Pflanzenf. 81: 273. 1922; Chakrab. et al., 

JETB 21: 277. 1997. Hemicyclia wightii Hook.f., FBI 5: 339. 1887; FPM 1300. 1925. 

Small trees; bole fluted; branches drooping; bark white, smooth; branchlets tomentose. 

Leaves 4-7 x 2.5 cm, elliptic, acuminate, glabrous; nerves many, irregular, prominently 

reticulate; petiole 5 mm long, tomentose. Male flowers sub-sessile, solitary or fascicled; calyx 

lobes 4, ovate, acute, 2 mm long, densely hispid, connate at base; stamens few, filaments 

glabrous. Female pedicel 1 cm long, densely hispid. Capsule 13 x 0.8 cm, obovoid, glabrous. 



PS 19174 Karimala;19441 Pooppara 

EPIPRINUS Griffith 

Epiprinus mallotiformis (Muell.-Arg.) Croizat, J. Arnold Arbor. 23: 53. 1942; FPL 427. 1990; 

FTSR 403. 1996. Symphyllia mallotiformis Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 156. 1865; FPM 1323. 

1925. Adenochlaena indica (Bedd.) Bedd. ex Hook.f., FBI 5: 418. 1887. 

Small trees; tender parts stellate-tomentose. Leaves to 17 x 8 cm, elliptic, acute; nerves 6 

pairs, prominent, nervules reticulate; petioles unequal, to 6 cm long, upper leaves nearly 

sessile. Flowers in long axillary raceme. Female flowers 2-4, at basal parts of the raceme; sepals 

5, 3 mm long, lanceolate, densely tomentose; ovary densely hairy, styles 3, to 15 mm long, twice 

bifid, glandular. Male flowers many, densely clustered along the upper part of the raceme; 

sepals 5, ovate, acute, thinly tomentose; stamens 5, free. Capsule 2.5 cm across, 3-lobed, lobes 

globular, densely stellate hairy; seeds 3, globose. 



Pooppara; 30304 Pezha; 30546 Pandaravarai 

EUPHORBIA Linnaeus 

1. Shrub or small trees; leaves reduced and early caduceus ............................................................................. 2 

1. Herbs; leaves well developed............................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Branchlets cylindric ............................................................................................................................E. nivulia 

2. Branchlets 3 angled ........................................................................................................................... E. trigona 

289

3. Leaves alternate below; opposite to whorled above....................................................................... E. rothiana 

3. Leaves opposite only ......................................................................................................................................... 4 

4. Erect herbs......................................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Prostrate herbs.................................................................................................................................................. 6 

5. Cyathia stalked; leaves glaucous below ............................................................................................. E. indica 

5. Cyathia subsessile; leaves not glaucous below .................................................................................... E. hirta 

6. Leaf margins serrulate; involucre campanulate......................................................................... E. thymifolia 

6. Leaf margins entire; involucre tubular .........................................................................................E. prostrata 

Euphorbia hirta L., Sp. Pl. 454. 1753; FPM 1275. 1925; FPL 428. 1990; FTSR 403. 1996. 

Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millisp., Publ. Field Columb. Mus. Bor. Ser. 2: 303. 1909. Euphorbia 

pilulifera L., Sp. Pl. 454. 1753; FBI 5: 250. 1887. 

Erect herbs; stem villous, white or reddish. Leaves opposite, to 4 x 1.5 cm, ovate, unequal at 

base, acute at apex, serrate, hirsute below, 3-ribbed from base; petiole 3 mm long. Cyathea 20- 

50 together, 1-2 mm across, densely packed in shortly peduncled cymes, involucral bracts 

obconical, hispid, glands 5, reddish. male florets 4-6; ovary glabrous; styles 3, bifid from the 

base. Capsule 1 x 1.5 mm, 3-lobed, lobes acute, hispid; seeds 1 x 0.5 mm, 3-angular, rugose. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; now Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 


Euphorbia indica Lam., Encycl. 2: 423. 1788. Euphorbia hypericifolia sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 249. 

1887, non L. 1753; FPM 1275. 1925. 

Erect herbs, hispid. Leaves to 2 x 1.5 cm, oblong, ovate, apex obtuse, base, oblique, crenulate, 

glaucous beneath; petiole 3 mm, pubescent. Cyathia in stalked clusters, ca. 15, axillary; stalk to 

1.5 cm, pubescent. involucre campanulate, 8 mm long, pubescent; glands 5, minute, appendages 

0.5 mm long; male flowers 4-5; stalk 0.5 mm; female laterally pendulous; ovary 8 mm, 

pubescent. Capsule 2 x 1.5 mm, pubescent. 


Distr. Tropics of both hemispheres except Australia and Pacific Islands. Fairly common in the 

reservoir beds; PS 19731 Parambikulam 

Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 286. 1824; FBI 5: 255. 1887; FPM 

1277. 1925; FTSR 403. 1996. Euphorbia neriifolia L., Sp. Pl. 451. 1753. 

Deciduous trees, to 6 m tall. Spines paired, short. Leaves alternate, elliptic-oblong or 

obovate, obtuse, base cuneate, glabrous, subsucculent, to 15 x 5 cm; lateral nerves obscure. 

Cyathia paired in subterminal lax cymes. Involucre broadly cupular, 0.5 x 1 cm; glands 5, 

oblong. Male florets in five fascicles. Female laterally pendulous; style stout, erect, branched, 

stigma broad, fimbriate. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Occasional in degraded forest areas; PS 19228 Vengoli 

Euphorbia prostrata Ait., Hort. Kew 2: 139. 1789; FBI 5: 266. 1887; FPM 1276. 1925; FPL 428. 

1990. 

Prostrate herbs, branchlets pubescent. Leaves distichous, to 6 x 4 mm, elliptic-obovate, 

obtuse, base obliquely rounded, margin crenulate, stipulate. Cyathia axillary, involucre ca 1 x 

0.7 mm, tubular glands 4; male ebracteolate, subsessile, anthers 1 mm, dehiscence transverse; 

female laterally pendulous, ovary 5 mm across, style 3.5 mm, forked from base, stigma obtuse. 

Capsule prominently beaked angles with spreading hairs; seeds 4-angled. 


290

Distr. Native of West Indies; now Pantropical weed. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 


Euphorbia rothiana Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 796. 1826; FBI 5: 263. 1887; FPM 1278. 1925. E. 

laeta Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 230. 1821, non Ait. 1789. 

Subshrubs, to 2.5 m tall, stem glaucous, glabrous. Leaves alternate, opposite or whorled, to 

10 x 1.5 cm, acute at apex, entire, glabrous, glaucous below; base attenuate into a short petiole. 

Cyathium 2 x 2 mm, in terminal panicled cymes, 5-glandular around the rim of involucre. Male 

florets many, filaments glabrous; ovary long-stalked. Capsule 3 x 3 mm, cocci 3, globular, 

smooth; seeds 2.5 x 2 mm, obovoid, smooth. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30208 Karimala; PS 19575 


Euphorbia thymifolia L., Sp. Pl. 454. 1753; FBI 5: 252. 1887; FPM 1276. 1925; FPL 429. 1990; 

FTSR 404. 1996. Chamaesyce thymifolia (L.) Millsp., Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Bor. ser. 2: 

412. 1916. 

Prostrate herbs; branches radiating, slender, reddish, pubescent. Leaves opposite, oblong, 

obtuse, obliquely cordate at base, serrate, ciliate, subsessile, nervules aeriolate. Cyathium 

axillary, solitary or 2-5 together, 0.5 mm across; involucre 0.8 mm long, campanulate, 4- 

glandular. Male flowers 1-4; ovary tomentose, styles 3, Capsule 1.5 mm across, minutely 

adpressed pubescent; seeds 1 x 0.5 mm, 3-angled, transversally rugose. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30668 Thunakkadavu 

Euphorbia trigona Mill., Gard. Dict. (ed. 8) 1768; FBI 5: 256. 1887. E. hermentiana Lem., Ill. 

Hort. Misc. 5: 63. 1858. 

Armed succulents with milky latex, branchlets 3-angled, spines 2 mm, divergent, cauducous. 

Leaves to 2.5 mm, ovate, cauducous. Cyathia solitary or in groups, bracts paired to 3.5 x 4 mm, 

ovate, obtuse, dentate, glands 5 to 2.2 mm, bracteoles ca 2.5 mm, obovate, apex fringed; 

stamens numerous, filaments jointed, 2.6 mm; female flowers erect, ovary ca 3.7 mm across, 3- 

celled, style 3, ovule 1. Capsule to 7 mm, 3-lobed, 3.5 mm, obovoid. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in rocky areas in moist and dry deciduous forests; PS 19227 

Vengoli 

EXCOECARIA Linnaeus 

Excoecaria oppositifolia Griff. var. crenulata (Wight) Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 18: 208. 1994. 

E. crenulata Wight, Ic. t. 1865. 1852; FBI 5: 473. 1888; FPM 1345. 1925; FPL 429. 1990. E. 

robusta Hook.f., FBI 5: 474. 1888; FPM 1345. 1925. E. borneensis Pax & Hoffm. in Engl., 

Pflanzenr. (Euphorb.-Addit.) 5: 422. 1914. 

Large shrubs; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 6 cm, oblanceolate, acuminate, narrowed 

to the base; nerves 10-15 pairs, regular; petiole 3 cm long; stipules 15 mm long, lanceolate. Male 

racemes 8 cm long, slender, bracts orbicular, 3 mm across, ciliate. Flowers solitary; sepals 3, 1 

mm long, oblong; stamens 3, free, anthers sessile, pistillode present. Female flowers 2-5 on 

short terminal raceme; bracts similar to male flowers; sepals larger; styles 3-fid, recurved. 

Capsule 12 mm across, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19213 Kariamchola; 

NS 30180 Kottayali 

FLUEGGEA Willdenow 

291

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Baill., Etud. Gen. Euphorb. 593. 1858; FPM 1296. 1925. 

Securinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Baill., Adansonia 6: 334. 1866; FPL 439. 1990; FTSR 415. 

1996. Phyllanthus virosus Roxb. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 578. 1805. Flueggea microcarpa Blume, 

Bijdr. 580. 1826; FBI 5: 328. 1887. 

Branched shrubs, unarmed; branchlets often thorny. Leaves alternate, 1.5-5 x 2.5 cm, 

obovate, obtuse, glabrous; nerves 5-7 pairs, reticulate; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers dioecious, in 

axillary fascicles, 5-20 together, pedicels 6 mm long, slender; calyx lobes 5, 1.5 x 1 mm, oblong, 

white; stamens in male flowers 5, free, disk 5-lobed, staminode-like; ovary in female flowers 

conical, glabrous; styles 3, free, 2-fid; pistillode in male flowers 3 fid. Capsule 4 x 4 mm, 

depressed globose, glabrous, 3-valved; seeds 3, trigonous, rough. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. Common in the moist localities of moist deciduous 

forests; PS 30348, NS 30806 Vengoli 

GIVOTIA Griffith 

Givotia moluccana (L.) Sreem., Taxon 24: 696. 1975; Matthew, Kew Bull. 46: 545. 1991. Croton 

moluccanum L., Sp. Pl. 1005. 1753. Givotia rottleriformis Griff., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 4: 388. 

1844; FBI 5: 395. 1887; FPM 1342. 1925; FPL 430. 1990. 

Medium trees; branchlets densely stellate-tomentose. Leaves alternate, 17 x 15 cm, broadly 

ovate, acute, cordate at base, dentate, glabrous above, densely stellate tomentose below; petiole 

to 10 cm long. Male flowers in axillary to 20 cm long, paniculate cymes; sepals 5, obovate, 

obtuse; stamens 20, free. Female flowers few in shorter panicles; styles 3, spreading, 2-fid. 

Capsule 3 cm across, globose, densely tomentose; seeds 3, oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist and dry deciduous forests; PS 19973 Keerappadi 

GLOCHIDION J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

1. Leaves cordate at base; anthers 4 or more...................................................................................................... 2 

1. Leaves acute at base; anthers 3 ....................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves densely tomentose below ................................................... Glochidion zeylanicum var. tomentosum 

2. Leaves glabrous below ......................................................................Glochidion zeylanicum var. zeylanicum 

3. Branchlets and leaves glabrous ................................................................................................... G. ellipticum 

3. Branchlets and leaves densely tomentose....................................................................................................... 4 

4. Terminal leaves to 9 x 3 cm....................................................................................................... G. heyneanum 

4. Terminal leaves to 15 x 6 cm............................................................ Glochidion hohenackeri var. johnstonei 

Glochidion ellipticum Wight, Ic. t. 1906. 1852; FBI 5: 321. 1887; FPM 1308. 1925; FPL 430. 

1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 19: 199. 1995; FTSR 404. 1996. G. malabaricum Bedd., For. 

Man. Bot. 194. 1873; FBI 5: 319. 1887; FPM 1308. 1925. 

Small glabrous trees. Leaves to 11 x 3.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, abruptly acuminate, acute and 

oblique at base; nerves 5-7 pairs, narrow; petiole 5 mm long. Female flowers 2 mm across, 6-10 

together in an axil; pedicels 6 mm long; sepals 6, 2 mm long, obovate, obtuse, hispid inside; 

ovary densely hispid, 8-celled; style column 1 mm long, 5-toothed at apex. Capsule 1 cm across, 

depressed above; hirsute; seeds 8, glabrous, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common along the sides of vayals; PS 30656 Parambikulam 

Glochidion heyneanum (Wight & Arn.) Wight, Ic. t. 1908. 1852; FBI 5: 323. 1887; Chakrab. & 

Gangop., JETB 19: 205. 1995. Gynoon heyneanum Wight & Arn., Edinb. New Phil. J. 14: 300. 

1833 & in Dietr., Syn. Pl. 5: 388. 1852. Glochidion velutinum Wight, Ic. t. 1707. f.2. 1852; FBI 5: 

322. 1887; FPM 1307. 1925. 

292

Small trees. Leaves elliptic, acute at both ends, densely velutinous-tomentose; nerves 7 

pairs, nervules subparallel; petiole 5 mm long, tomentose. Flowers solitary or 2-3 together, 

pedicels 5 mm long; female sepals 5, ovate, acute, densely tomentose; ovary ovoid, style 1 mm 

long, 5-toothed at apex. Male flowers 4 mm across, 2 or 3 together; stamens 3. Capsule 8 mm 

across, tomentose; seeds 5-7, 2 x 2.5 mm, grey, smooth. 


Distr. India, Himalaya, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; 


Glochidion hohenackeri (Muell.-Arg.) Bedd. var. johnstonei (Hook. f.) Chakrab. & Gangop., 

JETB 19: 210. 1995. G. johnstonei Hook.f., FBI 5: 314. 1887. 

Small trees, branchlets villous. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, ovate-oblong, acuminate at apex; 

unequal at base, thinly tomentose below, especially along the midrib; nerves 6-8 pairs, nervules 

prominently reticulate; petiole 2-3 mm long. Flowers in axillary clusters, densely tomentose. 

Fl. March 


Vengoli 

Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) Juss., Euphorb. Gen. Tent. 107. 1824, var. zeylanicum; FBI 5: 

310. 1887; FPM 1306. 1925; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 19: 226. 1995; FTSR 405. 1996. 

Small glabrous trees. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, ovate, obtusely acuminate, base round or cordate; 

nerves 8 pairs, nervules prominently reticulate; petiole 5 mm long. Flowers 3-5, in axillary 

umbels, peduncle 8 mm long, adnate to the stem; pedicels 4 mm long; sepals 4 or 5, ovate, 

obtuse, connate at base; style toothed at apex. Capsule 7 mm across, glabrous, beaked. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common along the sides of vayals; PS 30714 Vengoli 

Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) Juss. var. tomentosum (Dalz.) Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 19: 

229. 1995. G. tomentosum Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 38. 1850; FBI 5: 309. 

1887; FPM 1306. 1925. 

Small trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, acute, base round to 

cordate, glabrous above; nerves 8 pairs, nervules parallel, prominent; petiole to 5 mm long. 

Flowers 4-6 together, in axillary umbel, peduncles adnate to the stem; pedicels 6-8 mm long; 

sepals 5, 3 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, tomentose, shortly toothed at apex; style 3 mm long, densely 

hispid. Capsule 10 mm across, depressed globose, beaked, hispid. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19720 

Parambikulam; 19810 Anakkalvayal; 19204 Rockpoint 

HOMONOIA Loureiro 

Homonoia riparia Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 637. 1790; FBI 5: 455. 1887; FPM 1333. 1925; FPL 431. 

1990; FTSR 405. 1996. Adelia neriifolia Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 375. 1821. 

Large shrubs; branchlets pubescent, reddish. Leaves spiral, closely packed, to 18 x 2 cm, 

linear-oblong, acute at either ends, penninerved, covered with yellow scales below and 

pubescent along nerves; petiole 1 cm long, tomentose; stipule filiform. Flowers in axillary 10-15 

cm long racemes. Male flowers 3 mm across, sepals 2-5, glabrous, ciliate along the margins, 

yellowish red; stamens many, free. Female flowers sessile, densely packed; bracts ovate; sepals 

2 mm long, lanceolate, ciliate; ovary densely hairy; styles 3, spreading, linear. Capsule 5 mm 

across, globose, hairy. 


293

Distr. Indo-Malesia and South China. Common along the riverine areas; PS 18878 

Parambikulam 

JATROPHA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves glandular hairy, young leaves dark brownish .............................................................J. glandulifera 

1. Leaves eglandular, young leaves not brownish................................................................................. J. villosa 

Jatropha glandulifera Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 688. 1832; FBI 5: 382. 1887; FPM 1340. 1925. 

Shrubs. Leaves deeply 3-5 lobed, 6-10 x 6-8 cm, base cordate, margins serrate, gland tipped, 

apex shortly acuminate; petiole 6-10 cm, stipules filiform, branched, to 1.5 cm. Cymes to 12 cm; 

bracts 1.5 cm, linear-lanceolate, glandular hairy; flowers unisexual, 8 mm across; tepals villous 

at base; stamens 8 (5+3), filaments 3 mm. Capsule 3-lobes, 2 x 1.5 cm. 


Distr. Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Tropical Africa. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 


Jatropha villosa Wight, Ic. t. 1159. 1846. J. wightiana Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 1080. 1866; 

FBI 5: 383. 1887; FPM 1340. 1925. J. peltata Wight, Ic. t. 1169. 1848. 

Undershrubs, white tomentose. Leaves to 10 x 11 cm, broadly ovate, orbicular, lobes shallow, 

linear, basally 3-5 nerved, puberulus above, densely white tomentose below. Cymes terminal, to 

5 cm; bracts 3 mm, linear, pubescent; calyx tube 1 mm, lobes 5 mm, oblong, imbricate, 

pubescent; corolla tube 4 mm, lobes 5 mm, oblong, pubescent; stamens 7-8, filaments connate, 3 

mm, branched above, anthers 2 mm, oblong; disc of 5 glands, 0.5 mm, oblong. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30391 

Kuchimudi 

MACARANGA Du Petit-Thouars 

Macaranga peltata (Roxb.) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 1010. 1866; FPM 1326. 1925; FPL 

432. 1990; FTSR 405. 1996. Osyris peltata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 755. 1832. Mappa peltata (Roxb.) 

Wight, Ic. t. 817. 1844-45. Macaranga roxburghii Wight, Ic. t. 1949, f.4. 1853; FBI 5: 448. 1887. 

M. tomentosa Wight, Ic. t. 1949, f.1. 1853. 

Medium trees; bark brown, reddish inside, exudation red, gummy; branchlets thick, terete. 

Leaves ovate-orbicular, acuminate, peltate, to 20 x 15 cm; lateral nerves 8-10, radiating from 

the centre, puberulus below; petiole, to 18 cm long. Panicles to 5 cm long, tomentose; bracts 

concave 3 mm long. Stamens 3, free, filaments 5 mm long. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Andamans. Common in moist deciduous and secondary forests; PS 


MALLOTUS Loureiro 

1. Capsule smooth ................................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Capsule echinate or muricate .......................................................................................................................... 4 

2. Capsule prominently red glandular......................................................................................... M. philippensis 

2. Capsule not red glandular................................................................................................................................ 3 

3. Leaves fulvous tomentose below.......................................................................................................M. distans 

3. Leaves glabrous below ................................................................................................................. M. atrovirens 

4. Leaves alternate, peltate ............................................................................................................M. tetracoccus 

4. Leaves opposite, not peltate ..............................................................................................M. aureo-punctatus 

294

Mallotus atrovirens Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 195. 1865; FBI 5: 440. 1887; FPM 1322. 1925; 

FTSR 406. 1996. 

Small trees; bark ash-grey, dull yellow inside; branchlets glabrous. Leaves opposite, elliptic 

to obovate, acute to shortly acuminate, base acute, glabrous, yellow glandular, densely below, 

entire or subentire, to 12 x 6 cm; lateral nerves 7-9 pairs, basal pair opposite, sessile glands 

absent; petiole 0.3-2 cm. Racemes to 10 cm long, pedicels 0.5 cm long, yellow glandular. 

Perianth lobes ovate-lanceolate, 2 mm long. Ovary glabrescent, densely glandular; stigma 

sessile, 2, plumose. Capsule 2-lobed, 5 x 7 mm, smooth, yellow glandular; style deciduous; seeds 

2, plano convex or hemispherical, 3.5 x 4 mm; smooth. 



Muthalakkuzhi 

Mallotus aureo-punctatus (Dalz.) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 973. 1866; FPM 1323. 1925; 

FTSR 406. 1996. Rottlera aureo-punctata Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 122. 1851. 

Mallotus lawii Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 192. 1865; FBI 5: 438. 1887 p.p. 

Large shrubs; branchlets minutely pubescent. Leaves opposite, oblong or obovate, 

acuminate, base obtuse or subtruncate, shortly sinuate crenate, margin recurved, to 15 x 5 cm; 

lateral nerves 7-10 pairs, prominently reticulate; petiole to 1.5 cm long. Male racemes to 8 cm 

long, pubescent; female to 7 cm, flowers few, distant. Perianth lobes of male broadly ovate, 

obtuse, densely tomentose, 2 mm long. Ovary with soft echinate processes; style short, stigma 2, 

plumose. Capsule to 1 cm across. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in the margins of evergreen forests; PS 19741 

Pezha; 19507 Orukomban 

Mallotus distans Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 194. 1865; FBI 5: 441. 1887; FPM 1322. 1925; FTSR 

406. 1996. 

Shrubs to small trees, branchlets pubescent. Leaves opposite and alternate, ovate-lanceolate 

or oblong, acute or acuminate, base rounded, sessile glands at base prominent, pubescent or 

glabrous above, fulvous tomentose below, to 18 x 8 cm; lateral nerves 5-7 pairs, basal pair 

opposite; intercostae, scalariform; petiole to 5 cm, densely tomentose. Flowers sessile, fascicled 

on spikes. Perianth tomentose. Capsule 3-lobed, 1 cm across, brown stellate-tomentose. 

Fl. & Fr. July-March 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 18920 Karimala 

Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 196. 1865; FBI 5: 442. 1887; FPM 1322. 

1925; FPL 433. 1990; FTSR 408. 1996. 

Small trees; branchlets rusty tomentose. Leaves to 18 x 8 cm, ovate, acuminate, 3-ribbed 

from the obtuse base, densely red-glandular beneath; nerves 6 pairs, nervules parallel, 

prominent; petiole 3-6 cm long, densely rusty puberulus. Flowers in terminal rusty puberulus 

panicle. Male flowers 4 mm across, sepals 3, ovate, acute, hairy; stamens many. Capsule 7 mm 

across, globose, densely red-glandular; seeds 1-4, globose, glabrous, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Australia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19183 Rockpoint; 19991 

Keerappadi; 19217 Kariamchola 

Mallotus tetracoccus (Roxb.) Kurz, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 16: 245. 1873; FPL 434. 1990; FTSR 

408. 1996. Rottlera tetracocca Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 827. 1832. R. peltata Wight, Ic. t. 1873. 1852. 

Mallotus albus sensu Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 188. 1865 excl. basionym. Rottlera albus var. 

occidentalis Hook.f., FBI 5: 429. 1887; FPM 1321. 1925. 

295

Small trees; branchlets tomentose. Leaves to 18 x 16 cm, broadly ovate to orbicular, entire or 

shortly toothed; nerves 7 pairs, prominent, nervules parallel, brownish beneath; petioles 

unequal, to 20 cm long. Female flowers in branched terminal panicles; sepals 5-6, ovate, 

stellate-tomentose; ovary globose, densely hairy, styles 3, bifid, spreading. Capsule 15 mm 

across, 4-lobed, densely stellate hairy. Male flowers in groups of 3-6, sessile, sepals 4 or 5, 

orbicular, densely hairy; stamens many, free. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and China. Common in secondary forests; PS 19291 Karimala 

MARGARITARIA Linnaeus f. 

Margaritaria indica (Dalz.) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 20: 387. 1966; FTSR 408. 1996. Prosorus 

indicus Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 346. 1852; FPM 1294. 1925. Phyllanthus 

indicus (Dalz.) Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 32: 52. 1863; FBI 5: 305. 1887. 

Deciduous dioecious trees, bark brown, smooth. Leaves bifarious, to 10 x 5 cm, obovate, 

obtusely acuminate, glaucous beneath, membranous. Male flowers fascicled, many together; 

perianth lobes 4, ovate, acute; stamens 4, free; pistillode clavate. Female flowers solitary or a 

few together, axillary; pedicels 8-10 mm long, slender; perianth 1-seriate; lobes 4, 2 mm long, 

ovate, acute; capsule 8 mm across, depressed globose, 3-lobed; seeds trigonous, arillate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19411 Kariamchola; 


MEINECKIA Baillon 

Meineckia parvifolia (Wight) Webster, Acta Bot. Neerl. 14: 342. 1965; FTSR 410. 1996. 

Peltandra parvifolia Wight, Ic. t. 1892. 1852. Neopeltandra suberosa (Muell.-Arg.) Gamble, 

FPM 1286. 1925. Phyllanthus suberosus Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 32: 10. 1863; FBI 5: 287. 1887. 

Leaves ovate, acute, base truncate or rounded, membranous, glabrous, to 3 x 2.5 cm; lateral 

nerves 3-4 pairs, slender; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Perianth lobes ovate or obovate, obtuse, 

margins hyaline. Capsule 3 mm across; seeds brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30657 

Padikkundu 

MICROCOCCA Bentham 

Micrococca mercurialis (L.) Benth. in Hook., Niger. Fl. 503. 1849; FPM 1328. 1925; FTSR 410. 

1996. Tragia mercurialis L., Sp. Pl. (ed. 3) 1391. 1794. Claoxylon mercuriale Thw., Enum. Pl. 

Zeyl. 271. 1861; FBI 5: 412. 1887; Susila et al., Rheedea 5:131.1995. 

Annual herbs. Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, base acute, serrate, puberulus, to 4 x 2.5 cm; 

lateral nerves ca. 4 pairs; petiole to 2 cm. Spikes lax, slender, to 5 cm long; bracts minute. 

Perianth lobes of male ovate; of female 3, lanceolate. Capsule 3-lobed, 5 mm across, glabrescent; 

seeds 1.2 mm across. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Arabia, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Common in degraded forest 

areas; PS 30157 Muthuvarachal 

PARACROTON Miquel 

1. Leaves and racemes to 15 cm long, erect or suberect.............................................................. P. integrifolius 

1. Leaves and racemes more than 20 cm long pendulous......................................P. pendulus var. zeylanicus 

296

Paracroton integrifolius (Airy Shaw.) Balakr. & Chakrab., Kew Bull. 48: 718. 1993. Ostodes 

integrifolius Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 16: 362. 1963. O. zeylanicum var. minor sensu Gamble, FPM 

1336. 1925, non (Thw.) Hook.f. 1887. Fahrenheitia integrifolia (Airy Shaw) Airy Shaw, Kew 

Bull. 20: 410. 1966. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, broadly elliptic, acuminate, distantly serrulate or entire. 

Racemes pubescent to 20 cm, flowers fascicled, male tepals ovate ca 2 mm, biseriate; stamens 

10-20, filaments partially united, ca 2 mm; female tepals equal, ovary glabrous 4 mm across, 

strigose, styles 2, short. Capsule to 2 cm across, tomentose. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19313 Kothala 

Paracroton pendulus (Hassk.) Miq. ssp. zeylanicus (Thw.) Balakr. & Chakrab., Kew Bull. 48: 

719. 1993; FTSR 411. 1996. Desmostemon zeylanicus Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 278. 1861. Ostodes 

zeylanica (Thw.) Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 34: 214. 1865; FBI 5: 400. 1887; FPM 1336. 1925. 

Fahrenheitia zeylanica (Thw.) Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 20: 410. 1966; FPL 429. 1990. 

Medium trees. Leaves to 12 x 5 cm, obovate, acuminate, glabrous; nerves 6 pairs, nervules 

horizontal. Flowers in elongate pendulous racemes; male flowers 3-8 together, clustered, shortly 

pedicellate; bracts ovate, ciliate; sepals 5, equal, 2 mm long, ovate, glabrous, acute; petals 5, 

longer than calyx lobe, white; stamens many, filaments free; ovary 3-celled, ovule one in each 

cell; styles 3. Fruit a globose capsule, 3 cm across, rusty tomentose. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19236 

Vengoli; 19416 Pooppara 

PHYLLANTHUS Linnaeus 

1. Fruits baccate .................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Fruits capsular .................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Trees; stamens 3.................................................................................................................................P. emblica 

2. Erect or scandent shrubs; stamens 5...........................................................................................P. reticulatus 

3. Annuals; stem single......................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Perennials with woody rootstock; stem branched .......................................................................................... 5 

4. Leaves oblong-lanceolate; perianth 5-lobed ....................................................................................P. virgatus 

4. Leaves broadly elliptic; perianth 6-lobed ...............................................................................P. gardnerianus 

5. Leaves reddish; capsule densely muricate......................................................................................P. urinaria 

5. Leaves green; capsule smooth...........................................................................................................P. amarus 

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn., Kongel. Danske Vidensk.-Selsk Skr. 4: 195. 1829; FPL 

435. 1990; FTSR 412. 1996. P. fraternus Webster, Contr. Gray. Herb. 176. 53. 1955. P. niruri 

sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 298. 1887, non L. 1753; FPM 1290. 1925. 

Erect glabrous herbs; leafy branchlets to 4 cm long. Leaves to 8 x 3 mm, oblong, obtuse, 

chartaceous; nerves indistinct, glaucous beneath, stipule not peltate, lanceolate. Female flowers 

solitary; pedicels 2 mm long; sepals 5, oblong, obtuse with hyaline margins, glabrous; stamens 

3, filaments connate. Capsule 2 x 2 mm, smooth; seeds 6, 1 x 1 mm, trigonous, prominently 6- 

ridged on outer face, rugose along concentric lines on lateral faces. 


Distr. Originally from America; now naturalised in the tropics. Fairly common in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 30015 Parambikulam; NS 19014 Thunakkadavu 

Phyllanthus emblica L., Sp. Pl. 982. 1753; FBI 5: 289. 1887; FPL 436. 1990; FTSR 412. 1996. 

Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Fruct. 2: 122. 1791; FPM 1295. 1925. 

297

Small to medium trees; leafy branchlets 8-18 cm long, villous. Leaves to 1 x 0.25 cm, 

numerous on lateral branchlets, oblong, obtuse, shortly apiculate, glabrous; nerves indistinct; 

stipules lanceolate, ciliate. Flowers densely clustered in leaf axils, pedicelled; sepals 6, 2 mm 

long, oblong, glabrous; stamens 3, filaments combined into a column. Capsule 1-2.5 cm across, 

subglobose, fleshy with 1 nut, glabrous. 


Distr. Throughout the tropics. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19247 Thellikkal 

Phyllanthus gardnerianus (Wight) Baill., Etud. Gen. Euphorb. 628. 1858; FPM 1290. 1925; FPL 

436. 1990; FTSR 412. 1996. Macraea gardneriana Wight, Ic. t. 1902. f.3. 1852. Phyllanthus 

simplex Retz. var. gardneriana (Wight) Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 32: 32. 1863; FBI 5: 295. 1887. 

Erect herbs or subshrubs, without short leafy lateral branchlets. Leaves to 4 x 1.5 cm, 

oblong, obtuse at both ends, glabrous; nerves 6-9 pairs, reticulate; petiole 1 mm long, stipule 

peltate, acuminate, chartaceous. Female flowers axillary, solitary; sepals 4, 2 x 1 mm, ovate, 

acute. Male flowers 2-3 together, shortly pedicelled, 2 mm across; stamens 3, free, erect. 

Capsule 5 x 5 mm, depressed globose, glabrous; seeds trigonous, minutely reticulate. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19738 Pezha; NS 18926 Karimalagopuram 

Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. in Lam., Encycl. 5: 298. 1804; FBI 5: 288. 1887; FTSR 413. 1996. 

Kirganelia reticulata (Poir.) Baill., Etud. Gen. Euphorb. 613. 1858; FPM 1294. 1925. 

Densely branched shrubs, branchlets rough, villous, reddish brown. Leaves to 3 x 1.3 cm, 

elliptic-oblong, obtusely acute, entire, glabrous, shortly petiolate; stipule lanceolate, sometimes 

spinescent. Flowers fascicled on leaf axils; pedicels 5-8 mm long; male sepals 5, 2 mm long, 

orbicular, reddish; stamens 5, outer filaments free, inner ones combined. Capsule 4 mm across, 

fleshy; seeds 1.5 x 1 mm, trigonous, brown, reticulate. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30285 Parambikulam 

Phyllanthus urinaria L., Sp. Pl. 982. 1753; FBI 5: 293. 1887; FPM 1289. 1925; FPL 437. 1990; 

FTSR 413. 1996. P. leprocarpus Wight, Ic. t. 1895. f. 4. 1852. 

Erect herbs, leafy branchlets scabrid, to 7 cm long. Leaves to 1.5 x 0.7 cm, oblong, obtuse, 

pinkish, serrulate, sessile; nerves 4-6 pairs, stipule ovate, cordate at base, acuminate. Flowers 

subsessile, axillary, fascicled; sepals 5 or 6, oblong or orbicular, obtuse; disk in male flowers 6- 

lobed, entire in female flowers. Capsule 2.5 mm across, depressed globose, coarsely verrucose; 

seeds 6, 1 mm long, transversally prominently ridged. 


Distr. Native of Tropical East Asia; now a Circumtropical weed. Fairly common in moist 

localities; PS 19059 Thunakkadavu 

Phyllanthus virgatus Forst. f., Ins. Austr. Prod. 65. 1786; FPL 437. 1990; FTSR 413. 1996. P. 

simplex Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 29. 1788; FBI 5: 295. 1887; FPM 1289. 1925. P. oblongifolia Wight, 

Ic. t. 1902, f.1. 1852. 

Erect herbs, glabrous; leafy branchlets scabrous. Leaves to 18 x 6 mm, 21-30 pairs on lateral 

branchlets, oblong, acute at either ends, serrulate; nerves 8-10 pairs; petiole to 1 mm long; 

stipule ovate, cordate at base, decurrent on either sides. Female flowers sessile, solitary; sepals 

5 or 6, 1 mm long, ovate, acute. Male flowers solitary, subsessile; sepals ovate. Capsule 3 x 3 

mm, rugose; seeds 6, 2 x 1.5 mm, trigonous, transversally strongly ridged connected with 

minute parallel crossbars. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Polynesia and China. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5639 Karimala Hills 

298

RICINUS Linnaeus 

Ricinus communis L., Sp. Pl. 1007. 1753; FBI 5: 457. 1887; FPM 1335. 1925; FPL 440. 1990. 

Shrubs, stem glaucous. Leaves to 40 cm across, peltate, palmately 6-9-lobed, lobes 

lanceolate, serrate; nerves palmate, strongly reticulate; petiole to 20 cm long; stipule sheathing, 

large. Flowers in long terminal racemes. Male flowers at the base of the raceme, 7 mm across; 

sepals 9, ovate; stamens many, free. Female flowers terminal in the racemes, many, sepals 

similar to male flowers; ovary densely bristly; styles 3, free, bifid. Capsule 12 mm across, 3- 

valved; seeds oblong, carunculate, mottled with white and brown. 


Distr. Native of Tropical Africa; now cultivated throughout tropics. Fairly common near 

settlements; PS 19201 Rockpoint 

SAPIUM Jacqumount 

Sapium insigne (Royle) Benth. in Benth. & Hook. f., Gen. Pl. 3: 335. 1880; FBI 5: 471. 1888; 

FPM 1346. 1925; FPL 437. 1990; FTSR 413. 1996. Falconeria insignis Royle, Ill. 354. t.98. f.2. 

1839. F. malabarica Wight, Ic. t. 1866. 1852. 

Small trees; branchlets stout, latex milky. Leaves alternate, 18 x 7 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

acuminate, crenate, serrate, base with 2-sessile glands; nerves to 15 pairs, parallel; petiole to 5 

cm long. Flowers monoecious; male and female flowers on separate spikes. Male spike to 25 cm 

long, stout, glandular; bracts distinct, ovate. Male flowers 5-10 together in each bracts, 1 mm 

across; sepals orbicular, stamens 2 or 3, free. Female spike shorter; flowers solitary in the bract; 

stigmas 3, sessile. Capsule 3-celled, subglobose; seeds 3, globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19384 Karimala 

SAUROPUS Blume 

1. Leaves to 2.5 x 1.5 cm, obtuse at apex.................................................................................S. quadrangularis 

1. Leaves more than 5 x 2.5 cm, acuminate at apex........................................................................................... 2 

2. Fruits 2-2.5 cm across................................................................................................................S. saksenianus 

2. Fruits 1 cm across ....................................................................................................................... S. androgynus 

Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr., Bull. Bur. Forest. Philipp. Islands 1: 30. 1903; FPM 1303. 

1925; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 519. 1996. Clutia androgyna L., Mant. Pl. 1: 128. 1767. 

Sauropus albicans Blume, Bijdr. 596. 1826; FBI 5: 332. 1887. S. indicus Wight, Ic. t. 1952. f.2. 

1853. 

Erect shrubs; branchlets glabrous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, truncate at base, glaucous 

below, glabrous; nerves 4-6 pairs, prominent below; petiole 2 mm long, slender; stipules 

lanceolate, 3 mm long. Female flowers solitary, axillary; pedicel 1 cm long. Capsule 1 cm across, 

violet, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malaya. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19797 Orukomban 

Sauropus quadrangularis (Willd.) Muell.-Arg., Linnaea 32: 73. 1863; FBI 5: 335. 1887; FPM 

1303. 1925; FPL 438. 1990; Chakrab. & Gangop., JETB 20: 534. 1996; FTSR 414. 1996. 

Phyllanthus quadrangularis Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 585. 1805. 

Glabrous shrubs. Leaves ovate-obtuse, emarginate at apex, glaucous below, black when 

dried; nerves 5 pairs, prominent; petiole 2 mm long; stipules cordate at base. Flowers solitary, 

axillary, pedicelled. Male flowers 3 mm across; sepals ovate, acute; stamens 3, anthers sessile 

on erect staminal column. Female sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, emarginate, united by the disk; 

styles 3, 2-fid at apex. Capsule 1.2 cm across, smooth, glabrous. 

299


Distr. India, China and Indo-China. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 

PS 19819 Kannimara; 18977 Padippara 

Sauropus saksenianus Manilal et al., J. Indian Bot. Soc. 64: 294. 1985; Chakrab. & Gangop., 

JETB 20: 531. 1996; FTSR 414. 1996. 

Shrubs to 2 m tall. Leaves shortly petiolate, ovate or oblong lanceolate, acuminate, 

mucronate, base obtuse or rounded, glabrous, glaucous below, to 13 x 4.5 cm; lateral nerves 6-8 

pairs, slender; stipules lanceolate, 5 mm long. Flowers solitary. Perianth lobes oblong, unequal, 

alternate long, obovoid, larger lobe 3 mm long; smaller ones 2 mm long. Fruits depressed 

obovoid, creamy white, to 2.2 x 2.5 cm; pericarp 5 mm thick; seeds 6, trigonous, smooth, 8-10 x 5 

mm; fruit pedicels 1.5 cm long, perianth scarcely enlarged. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 


SEBASTIANA Sprengel 

Sebastiana chamaelea (L.) Muell.-Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15: 1175. 1866; FBI 5: 475. 1888; FPM 

1344. 1925; FPL 438. 1990; FTSR 414. 1996. Tragia chamaelea L., Sp. Pl. 981. 1753. 

Erect herbs with milky latex. Leaves to 6 x 0.7 cm, linear-oblong, obtuse, mucronate, 

lineolate along the margins, glabrous. Male flowers in short axillary raceme; bracts ovate, 

carries 1-3 flowers; sepals 4 or 5, ovate, ciliate; stamens 4 or 5, free. Female flowers solitary, 

axillary; sepals 4 or 5, larger than male flowers, oblong, ciliate; styles 3, recurved, glabrous. 

Capsule 6 x 6 mm, 3-lobed, cocci with 2 vertical rows of tubercles; seeds 3, oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Common in rocky areas of deciduous forests; PS 19642 Vengoli 

TRAGIA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves cordate at base....................................................................................................................... T. hispida 

1. Leaves not cordate at base ..........................................................................................................T. involucrata 

Tragia hispida Willd., Sp. Pl. 323. 1803; FBI 5: 465. 1888; FPM 1332. 1925. T. involucrata sensu 

Hook.f., FBI 5: 465. 1887, p.p. 

Climbers with stinging hairs. Leaves to 15 x 10 cm, ovate, acuminate, base acute, margin 

serrate. Spike axillary to l5 cm; female flowers 3 mm across 1 or 2 at base and male above; male 

tepals 3, 2 mm, ovate, obtuse, glabrous, stamens 3, free; female tepals 6-lobed, hispid; style 3- 

gonous, stout, stigma 3. Capsule 3-lobed; seed glutinosa, glandular papillose. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forest; PS 30009 

Parambikulam 

Tragia involucrata L., Sp. Pl. 980. 1753; FBI 5: 465. 1888,p.p.; FPM 1332. 1925; FTSR 415. 

1996. 

Leaves ovate or elliptic, caudate-acuminate, base acute or rounded, serrate, hispidulous to 

10 x 6.5 cm; lateral nerves 6-8 pairs, basal pair opposite; petiole to 3 cm long. Spikes to 2 cm 

long; bract of male flowers spathulate; female flowers ebracteate. Capsule 0.6 x 1 cm, hispid. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19054 Thunakkadavu 

300

TREWIA Linnaeus 

Trewia nudiflora L., Sp. Pl. 1193. 1753; FBI 5: 423. 1887; FPM 1319. 1925; FPL 440. 1990. 

Medium trees; bark yellowish-grey, smooth; branchlets glabrous. Leaves opposite, to 18 x 12 

cm, broadly ovate, acuminate at apex, cordate at base, nerves 3 from the base; petioles unequal, 

3-12 cm long. Male flowers in 15 cm long racemes, appears along with new leaves, 5 mm across, 

sepals 5, united; stamens many, free. Female flowers axillary, solitary or paired, long-pedicels 

4-5 cm long; calyx lobes truncate, tomentose; ovary densely stellate-tomentose; styles 3, connate 

below, 2 cm long, papillose. Capsule 2 cm across, globose, tomentose; seeds 3, ovoid. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous and river banks; PS 19193 Rockpoint 

BUXACEAE 

SARCOCOCCA Lindley 

Sarcococca coriacea (Hook.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. 491. 1827; FTSR 416. 1996. Pachysandra 

coriacea Hook., Exotic Fl. 2: t.128. 1825. 

Scandent shrubs. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-oblong, caudate-acuminate, base acute, 

coriaceous, to 12 x 5 cm; lateral nerves many, joining intramarginally, slender. Racemes to 1.5 

cm long, bract ovate, 1.5 mm long; bracteoles 4. Perianth lobes 4, unequal pairs, 1.5 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19157 Karimala 

URTICACEAE 

1. Leaves 3-7 lobed; stipule foliaceous................................................................................................ Girardinia 

1. Leaves not lobed; stipules lanceolate or inconspicuous................................................................................ 2 

2. Plants with stinging hairs............................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Plants without stinging hairs ......................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Shrubs or small trees; leaves penninerved.................................................................................Dendrocnide 

3. Herbs or sub-shrubs; leaves 3-ribbed at base...................................................................................Laportea 

4. Female flowers aggregated on fleshy receptacle........................................................................................... 5 

4. Female flowers not aggregated on fleshy receptacle .................................................................................... 7 

5. Leaves opposite; receptacle long peduncled ...................................................................................Lecanthus 

5. Leaves alternate; receptacle sessile or shortly peduncled............................................................................ 6 

6. Male and female flowers on fleshy receptacle ..............................................................................Elatostema 

6. Male flowers in cymes; female aggregated on receptacle................................................................... Procris 

7. Leaves opposite or opposite and alternate..................................................................................................... 8 

7. Leaves alternate .............................................................................................................................................. 9 

8. Fruiting perianth wingless .......................................................................................................................Pilea 

8. Fruiting perianth winged.................................................................................................................. Pouzolzia 

9. Leaf base unequally cordate, three ribbed, entire ........................................................................... Pellionia 

9. Leaf base equal, penninerved, dentate, serrate or sub-entire ................................................................... 10 

10. Leaves white tomentose below .................................................................................................... Debregeasia 

10. Leaves not white tomentose below............................................................................................................... 11 

11. Flowers in sessile globose clusters .................................................................................................Boehmeria 

11. Flowers in short cymes..................................................................................................................... Oreocnide 

BOEHMERIA N. J. Jacquin 

Boehmeria glomerulifera Miq. in Zoll., Syst. Veg. Ind. Archip. 101,104. 1854; FPL 451. 1990; 

FTSR 417. 1996. B. malabarica Wall., Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. 8: 350. 1855-56; FBI 5: 575. 1888; 

FPM 1387. 1928. 

301

Shrubs; stem pilose. Leaves to 15 x 8 cm, ovate, acuminate, serrulate, base rounded, 

pubescent below, glabrous above; lateral nerves 5-6 pairs, lowest pairs opposite, rib-like; petiole 

to 5 cm long. Flowers 10-20 together, axillary; male flowers 2 mm across; perianth lobes 4, 

united below, glabrous; stamens 4, free. Female perianth lobes 4 or 5, hispid. Achenes 1.2 x 1 

mm, obovoid, glabrous, stigma 2 mm long, persistent. 

Fl & Fr. October-December 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist localities of evergreen forests; PS 19912 Karimala;19312 

Kothala 

DEBREGEASIA Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

1. Leaves orbicular; spikes lateral paniculate ..............................................................................D. wallichiana 

1. Leaves linear or oblong-lanceolate; spike lateral cymose ............................................................D. longifolia 

Debregeasia longifolia (Burm. f.) Wedd. in DC., Prodr. 16:235. 1869; FPL 451. 1990; FTSR 418. 

1996. Urtica longifolia Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 197. 1768. Debregeasia velutina Gaud., Voy. Bonite 

Bot. t. 90. 1844-46; FBI 5: 590. 1888; FPM 1389. 1928. 

Shrubs; branchlets slender, densely shaggy-pubescent. Leaves to 16 x 5 cm, ovate to oblonglanceolate, 

acuminate, base acute or obtuse, serrulate, 3-ribbed, midrib with 4 pairs of lateral 

nerves, nervules reticulate, densely white tomentose below, scabrous above; petiole 3 cm long; 

stipules linear-lanceolate. Spike 4 mm across; peduncles 5 mm long; bracts and bracteoles 

ovate, ciliate; male perianth lobes 4, free, 1 mm long, ovate, densely woolly; stamens 4, free. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30134 Karimala 

Debregeasia wallichiana (Wedd.) Wedd., Monogr. Utric. 464, t. 14. 1857; FBI 5: 591. 1888. 

Missiessya wallichiana Wedd., Ann. Sci. Nat. 1: 195. 1854. Debregeasia ceylanica Hook.f., FBI 

5: 592. 1888; FPM 1389. 1928; FTSR 417. 1996. 

Small trees; branchlets stout. Leaves to 25 cm across, subentire, densely white-tomentose 

beneath, base rounded, 3-ribbed, secondary nerves 8-11 pairs, curved below the margins, 

nervules prominent, parallel, regular; petiole to 15 cm long; stipule ovate, bifid above. Spike 6 

mm across, globose; peduncled. Female flowers densely packed; perianth tubular, narrowed at 

apex, 3-5 toothed. Achenes 0.5 mm long, ellipsoid. 


Distr. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30333 Pezha 

DENDROCNIDE Miquel 

Dendrocnide sinuata (Blume) Chew, Gard. Bull. s.s. 21: 206. 1965; FTSR 418. 1996. Urtica 

sinuata Blume, Bijdr. 505. 1826. Urtica crenulata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 591. 1832. Laportea 

crenulata (Roxb.) Gaud. in Freye., Voy. Bont. Bot. 498. 1826; FBI 5: 550. 1888; FPM 1373. 1928. 

Large shrubs to small trees; branchlets terete, white, covered with soft stinging hairs. 

Leaves to 20 x 10 cm, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, acute at either ends, entire or crenate, lateral 

nerves 9 pairs; petiole to 6 cm long. Inflorescence axillary, peduncled cymes, branches 

dichotomous, to 20 x 20 cm. Male perianth lobes 4 or 5, ovate, cupular; female perianth lobes 4, 

ovate, free, pubescent; stamens 4, free; pistillode clavate; ovary 1-celled, ovules solitary; style 4 

mm long, puberulus, persistent. Achenes 6 mm, ovoid, white, glabrous. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 


ELATOSTEMA J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

1. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, base slightly oblique .....................................................................E. acuminatum 

1. Leaves asymmetrically elliptic, base very oblique ......................................................................................... 2 

2. Branchlets glabrous; leaves to 15 x 5 cm .......................................................E. Lineolatum var. lineolatum 

302

2. Branchlets yellowish tomentose; leaves to 7 x 1.5 cm........................................ E. lineolatum var. falcigera 

Elatostema acuminatum (Poir.) Brongn. in Duper., Voy. Bot. 211. 1834; FBI 5: 566. 1888; FPM 

1377. 1928; FPL 452. 1990; FTSR 418. 1996. Procris acuminata Poir. in Lam., Encycl. 5: 629. 

1804. 

Glabrous herbs with elongated stem. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, caudate-acuminate, base 

rounded, slightly oblique, coarsely crenate-toothed, to 15 x 3 cm; lateral nerves 7-9 pairs, 

slender, archingly joining along margin. Receptacle sessile, solitary; bracts obovate-obtuse; 

bracteoles linear. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19458 Pooppara 

Elatostema lineolatum Wight, Ic. t. 1984. 1853, var. lineolatum; FBI 5: 565. 1888; FPM 1376. 

1928; FPL 452. 1990; FTSR 419. 1996. 

Subshrubs; branches scandent, pilose. Leaves to 7 x 2.5 cm, linear, acuminate at apex, 

gibbous at one side, crenate, 3-ribbed from base, sessile, shortly hispid; lateral nerves 4 pairs 

from the midrib; cystolith scattered. Receptacle 0.5-1.5 cm across, 2-3 together, axillary. Male 

flowers pedicellate; bracteoles 3 mm long, oblanceolate; perianth lobes 4, 1.5 x 1 mm, hairy at 

apex, red-glandular; stamens 4, anthers deeply cleft at base. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Occasional along the sides of streams in evergreen 

forests; PS 30516 Pooppara 

Elatostema lineolatum Wight var. falcigera Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 260. 1861; FBI 5: 565. 1888; 

FPM 1377. 1928; FTSR 419. 1996. 

Perennial herbs, branchlets yellowish tomentose. Leaves unequally elliptic, to 7 x 1.5 cm 

caudate acuminate, base oblique, variously crenate, cystolith scarce. Receptacle solitary or few 

together, sessile. Achenes ribbed, ellipsoid. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in the moist localities of evergreen forests; PS 


GIRARDINIA Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis, Kew Bull. 36: 145. 1981; FPL 453. 1990; FTSR 419. 1996. 

Urtica diversifolia Link, Enum. Pl. Hort. Berol. 2: 385. 1822. Girardinia heterophylla Decne. in 

Jacq., Voy. 4: 151. t.153. 1844; FBI 5: 551. 1888 incl. var. palmata. G. leschenaultiana Decne. in 

Jacq., Voy. 4: 152. 1844; FPM 1372. 1928. G. zeylanica Decne. in Jacq., Voy. 4: 152. 1844; FPM 

1373. 1928. G. heterophylla Decne. var. zeylanica (Decne.) Hook.f., FBI 5: 551. 1888. 

Erect shrubs with sharp stinging hairs and prickles. Leaves alternate, to 18 x 22 cm, deeply 

palmately lobed, irregularly dentate, densely pubescent below; petiole to 12 cm long, prickly; 

stipule 15 x 6 mm, connate, lanceolate. Spikes simple or branched of 6 x 6 cm, curved. Female 

perianth lobes 2, opposite, 2 x 2 mm, keeled, bristled, male perianth lobes 4 or 5, free, valvate; 

stamens 4 or 5; ovary 1-celled, ovule solitary; stigma penicillate, papillose, 10 mm long. Achenes 

2.5 x 2.5 mm, biconvex, orbicular, yellow, smooth. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Fairly common in the openings of evergreen forests; PS 19321 Kothala 

LAPORTEA Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

1. Inflorescence paniculate; pedicels broadly winged........................................................................L. bulbifera 

1. Flowers in interrupted clusters in long spike; pedicel wingless................................................ L. interrupta 

303

Laportea bulbifera (Sieb. & Zucc.) Wedd., Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. 9: 139. 1856. Urtica bulbifera 

Sieb. & Zucc., Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Koenigl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. Muenchen 4: 214. 1846. 

Laportea terminalis Wight, Ic. t. 1972. 1853; FBI 5: 549. 1888; FPM 1373. 1928. 

Prickly herbs. Leaves 10-16 x 5-8 cm, ovate, acute at apex, cordate at base, serrate, densely 

bristled above; nerves to 4 pairs, reticulate; petiole to 8 cm long. Cymes terminal to 10 cm 

across; pedicels flattened. Achenes 2 mm across, compressed, obovoid, black. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 19774 Pooppara 

Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew, Gard. Bull. s.s. 21: 200. 1965; FPL 453. 1990; FTSR 420. 1996. 

Urtica interrupta L., Sp. Pl. 985. 1753. Fleurya interrupta (L.) Gaudich., Voy. Uranie 12: 497. 

t.8. 1830; FBI 5: 548. 1888; FPM 1372. 1928. 

Herbs with stinging hairs. Leaves 9-15 x 7-10 cm, broadly ovate, acuminate, rounded at 

base, coarsely serrulate; nerves 6 pairs, reticulate; petiole 6 cm long. Spikes to 22 cm long, 

interrupted, axillary; erect or horizontal. Female perianth lobes 1 mm long, ovate, hispid, 

keeled; ovary compressed; style 1 mm long; ovary compressed; male perianth lobes 4, 1 mm 

long, curved, hirtus; stamens 4. Achenes 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, rugose at margins. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19505 Orukomban 

LECANTHUS Weddell 

Lecanthus peduncularis (Wall. ex Royle) Wedd. in DC., Prodr. 16: 164. 1869; FPL 454. 1990; 

FTSR 420. 1996. Procris peduncularis Wall. ex Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. t.83. f.2. 1836. Lecanthus 

wightii Wedd., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 4, 1: 187. 1854; FBI 5: 559. 1888; FPM 1374. 1928. 

Fleshy herbs, sometimes rooting at nodes. Leaves in unequal pairs, 4 x 1.5 cm and 1 x 0.5 

cm, ovate, base oblique, serrate, membranous, pilose; petiole to 1 cm, slender. Receptacle to 1 

cm across; peduncles to 1.5 cm; female flowers-perianth of 3 unequal lobes, one hooded, to 2 mm 

and the rest small, flat. Achenes oblong, red, flat. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19711 Karimala 

OREOCNIDE Miquel 

Oreocnide integrifolia (Gaud.) Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 4: 306. 1869; FPL 454. 1990; 

FTSR 420. 1996. Villebrunea integrifolia Gaud., Voy. Bonite Bot. t. 91. 1844; FBI 5: 589. 1888; 

FPM 1388. 1928. 

Small trees. Leaves to 17 x 6 cm, oblong-oblanceolate, entire, acuminate, base acute; nerves 

4-6 pairs, lowest pairs basal, punctate, glabrous; stipule 1 cm long, lanceolate. Flowers in 

axillary fascicles; male perianth 1.5 mm long, 4-lobed, united below; female perianth 2 mm 

long, tubular, narrowed above, toothed; stamens 3-5; pistillode obovate; ovary adnate to 

perianth tube, 1-celled, ovule basal; style absent; stigma discoid, fimbriate. Achenes adnate to 

the perianth, embraced by fleshy bracteoles, to 4 mm across. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19287 Karimala; 

19435, 19776 Pooppara 

PELLIONIA Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

Pellionia heyneana Wedd., Monogr. Urtic. 287. t.5. 1856; FBI 5: 561. 1888; FPM 1380. 1928; 

FPL 455. 1990; FTSR 421. 1996. 

Herbs; stem arched, angled, densely lineolate. Leaves distichous, lamina to 20 x 6 cm, 

falcate-elliptic, inequilateral, acuminate, acute at base, 3-ribbed; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers in 

axillary peduncled cymes; peduncles to 15 cm long. Male flowers pedicelled, perianth reddish, 

lobes 4, equal, 2 mm long, oblong; stamens 4, free. Female flowers pedicelled, in short lateral 

304

congested cymes; peduncle to 1.5 cm long; perianth reddish, lobes 5, unequal, oblong to 1.5 mm 

long. Achenes 0.6 x 0.5 mm, obovate, acute, biconvex, tubercled. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19413 Pooppara 

PILEA Lindley 

1. Flowers obovate lanceolate, more the 1.5 cm long ..............................................................P. melastomoides 

1. Leaves elliptic obovate, less than 1 cm long..............................................................................P. microphylla 

Pilea melastomoides (Poir.) Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 2: 54. 1856; FPL 455. 1990; FTSR 421. 

1996. Urtica melastomoides Poir. in Lam., Encycl. Suppl. 4: 223. 1816. Pilea trinervia (Roxb.) 

Wight, Ic. t. 1973. 1853; FBI 5: 557. 1888; FPM 1379. 1928. Urtica trinervia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 

582. 1832. 

Dioecious glabrous herbs. Leaves to 19 x 9 cm, ovate, acuminate, rounded at base, serrate, 3- 

ribbed, nervules parallel, pubescent along nervules below; lineoles crowded; petiole unequal in 

opposite pairs, to 10 cm long. Male panicle 10 cm across, axillary; flowers sessile, 4 mm across; 

perianth lobes 4, ovate, acute; stamens 4. Female panicle 2 cm across, shortly peduncled. 

Flowers smaller than male flowers; perianth lobes 1 mm long, stigmas 3-fid. Achenes 1 mm 

across, biconvex. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19588 Karimalagopuram 

Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., Vidensk. Selsk. Skr. 5:296. 1851; FPM 1379. 1928. Parietaria 

microphylla L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10):1308. 1759. Pilea muscosa (L.) Lindl., Coll. Bot. t. 4. 1821; FBI 

5: 551. 1888. 

Herbs. Leaves to 0.4 x 0.2 mm, elliptic-ovate, subsucculent, 1-nerved, base acute, margin 

entire, apex subacute to obtuse; petiole to 1 mm. Flowers in stalked, umbellate clusters; tepals 

4, free, concave, 0.7 mm, obtuse; stamens 4; filaments 0.7 mm; anthers 0.3 mm; ovary ellipsoid, 

0.5 mm. Achenes ellipsoid, 1 mm. 


Distr. South America; introduced into other tropical countries. Common on the wet rocks in 

degraded forests; PS 19044 Thunakkadavu 

POUZOLZIA Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

1. Flowers in axillary clusters .............................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes ......................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves 3-ribbed from base; flowers 4-merous............................................................................... P. zeylanica 

2. Leaves 5-ribbed from base; flowers 5-merous............................................................................. P. auriculata 

3. Racemes axillary .............................................................................................................................P. meeboldii 

3. Racemes terminal.............................................................................................................................................. 4 

4. Leaves glabrous.............................................................................................................P. wightii var. caudata 

4. Leaves variously hairy...................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Leaves scabrid ................................................................................................................. P. wightii var. scabra 

5. Leaves hispid or pubescent............................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Leaf apex acute....................................................................................................... P. wightii var. nilghirensis 

6. Leaf apex acuminate...................................................................................................... P. wightii var. wightii 

Pouzolzia auriculata Wight, Ic. tt. 1980, 1099. 1853; FBI 5: 582. 1888; FPM 1383. 1928; FPL 

456. 1990. 

Erect herbs; stem adpressed scabrous. Leaves alternate, to 5 x 2 cm, lanceolate, acute at 

base and apex; midrib with 2 pairs of lateral nerves, densely pilose below; petiole to 1.5 cm long; 

305

stipule 7-10 mm long, lanceolate with filiform tip. Cymes dense, sessile. Male and female 

flowers together; bracteoles filiform; male perianth lobes 1.5 mm long, oblanceolate, hispid 

above; filament 2 mm long, glabrous. Female flowers sessile; perianth tube 2-toothed at apex, 

pubescent; ovary 2-winged; stigma 3-4 mm long. Achenes 1.5 x 1 mm, ovoid, polished. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist localities of deciduous forests; PS 

19990 Keerappadi; NS 19846 Vengoli 

Pouzolzia meeboldii W. W. Smith & Ramaswami, Rec. Bot. Surv. India 6: 40. 1914; FPM 1383. 

1928; FPL 456. 1990; FTSR 422. 1996. 

Erect shrubs; stem glaucous. Leaves ternate, to 18 x 4 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate at 

apex, base rounded or cordate, sessile; intercostae parallel. Racemes to 12 cm long, axillary. 

Flowers 3-5 together; bracts 6 x 3 mm, ovate. Male flowers 2 mm across, truncate at apex; 

perianth lobes 4, transversally plicate. Female flowers smaller; perianth lobe 0.5 mm long, 

ciliate at apex, stigma 2 mm long. Achenes 1 mm long, ridged, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 19621 Vengoli 

Pouzolzia wightii Bennet var. caudata (Bennet) Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1384. 1928; FPL 457. 

1990. P. caudata Bennet Pl. Jav. Rar. 66. 1848; FBI 5: 585. 1888. P. courtallensis Wight, Ic. t. 

2093. 1853. 

Glabrous herbs. Leaves to 14 x 4 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, base acute, sessile or sub 

sessile. Spike slender, paniculate, axillary and terminal, bracts to 5 x 3 mm, ovate. Male flowers 

hemispherical. Achenes 2 winged. 



Pouzolzia wightii Bennet var. nilghirensis (Wight) Hook.f., FBI 5: 584. 1888; FPM 1383. 1928. 

P. nilghirensis Wight, Ic. t. 2097. 1863. Memoralis neilgherrensis (Wight) Wedd., Monogr. Urtic. 

420. 1857. 

Subshrubs, branchlets and leaves pubescent. Leaves to 5 x 3 cm, broadly ovate, lanceolate, 

apex acute, base truncate to cordate, pubescent below, reduced to bracts towards the apex, 

subsessile. Flowers in axillary clusters, transferred to terminal spikes; male flowers-tepals 4, 

incurved at the middle, 2.5 mm, obovate, mucronate, pilose above; stamens 5, filaments 2 mm, 

anthers oblong. 

Fl. December-March 

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in the margins of grasslands; PS 19670 

Karimala 

Pouzolzia wightii Bennet, Pl. Jav. Rar. 66. 1838, var. scabra (Wight) Fischer in Gamble, FPM 

1384. 1928. Pouzolzia scabra Wight, Ic. t. 1097. 1853; FBI 5: 584. 1888. 

Scabrous herbs. Leaves opposite or whorled, to 10 x 2.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, base 

rounded. Spike terminal and axillary, pedunculate, bracts to 6 x 3 mm, ovate, acuminate base 

cordate. Male flowers ovate, perianth lobes 4, to 3mm. Achenes winged. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional along the margins of grasslands; PS 30013 Karimala 

Pouzolzia wightii Bennet, Pl. Jav. Rar. 1: 66. 1838, var. wightii Wight, Ic. t. 2093. f. 8. 1853; FBI 

5: 584. 1888; FPM 1383. 1928; FPL 457. 1990. 

Herbs; stem pilose. Leaves to 6.5 x 2.5 cm, ovate to elliptic, acuminate, 3-ribbed, hispid; 

stipule 8 x 6 mm, ovate. Spike to 35 cm long, terminal; bracts 12 x 8 mm, ovate, cordate at base. 

306

Flowers 3-6 together in the axils of bracts. Male and female flowers mixed. Male flowers 

hemispherical, truncate above, shortly pedicelled; perianth lobes 4, 2.5 mm long, ciliate; 

filaments puberulus. Female flowers sessile; perianth tube striate, hispid. Achenes 1.5 x 1 mm, 

ovoid, wingless. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in opening of evergreen forests; PS 


Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Bennet, Pl. Jav. Rar. 1: 67. 1838; FPL 457. 1990; FTSR 422. 1996. 

Parietaria zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 1052. 1753. Parietaria indica L., Mant. Pl. 1: 128. 1767. 

Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud., Voy. Uranie 12: 503. 1830; FBI 5: 581. 1888; FPM 1382. 1928. 

Slender procumbent herbs. Leaves alternate or opposite, to 5 x 2.5 cm, ovate or elliptic, acute 

to acuminate, base rounded, entire, membranous; lateral nerves 3 or 4 pairs, basal pairs 

opposite; petiole to 2 cm. Flowers in axillary clusters; bracts 2, concave, scarious. Tepals 4, 

ovate-lanceolate, 1.5 mm long, sparsely villous. Achenes 2-winged. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 18804 Kannimara; 19099 


PROCRIS Commerson ex Jussieu 

Procris crenata Robins., Philipp. J. Sci. 5: 507. 1911; FTSR 422. 1996. P. wightiana Wall. ex 

Wedd., Monogr. Urtic. 336. 1856; FPM 1378. 1928. P. laevigata sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 575. 1888, 

non Blume 1825-1826. 

Succulent herbs, usually epiphytic, stem erect or scandent. Leaves to 8 x 2.5 cm, ellipticlanceolate, 

crenate, penninerved, cystolith linear; petiole 3 mm long; lower part of the stem with 

small orbicular nanophylls. Flowers in axils of leaf scars; male flowers in small cymes; female 

flowers in peduncled receptacle; male perianth lobes 5, free, fleshy; female perianth lobes 3-5, 

free, fleshy, cucullate; stamens 5; ovary 1-celled, ovoid; ovule 1, basal; stigma sessile, globose. 

Achenes 1 mm long, ovoid, apiculate, rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19702 Karimala 

ULMACEAE 

1. Flowers fascicled in axils of leafscars; fruit winged ....................................................................... Holoptelea 

1. Flower s in axillary cymes; fruit not winged................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves entire, base rounded......................................................................................................................Celtis 

2. Leaves serrulate, base obliquely cordate................................................................................................ Trema 

CELTIS Linnaeus 

Celtis philippensis Blanco var. wightii (Planch.) Soep. in Steenis, Fl. Males. ser. 1. 8: 62. 1977; 

FTSR 424. 1996. C. wightii Planch., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 3, 10: 307. 1948; FBI 5: 483. 1888; 

FPM 1349. 1928. 

Trees; bark grey, white with black streaks inside; branchlets lenticellate, pubescent. Leaves 

to 9 x 5 cm, ovate, long-acuminate, entire, base rounded, coriaceous, pubescent along the 

nerves, reddish brown below when dry, petiole 7-15 mm long. Cymes 3 x 2 cm, axillary, usually 

on new shoots. Flowers few to many; sepals 2 x 1 mm, ovate, ciliate; disk villous; ovary ovoid, 

style 8 mm long, pubescent; male sepals same as female sepals; stamens 5, free. Drupes 7 x 5 

mm, ovoid, smooth. 


307

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia and Tropical Africa. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 


HOLOPTELEA Planchon 

Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 3, 10: 259. 1848; FBI 5: 481. 

1888; FPM 1348. 1928; FPL 441. 1990; FTSR 424. 1996. Ulmus integrifolius Roxb., Pl. Corom. 

t. 78. 1798. 

Deciduous polygamous trees. Leaves to 10 x 6 cm, ovate, entire, abruptly acuminate at apex, 

rounded or subcordate at base, punctate below, nerves 9 pairs; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers 

appear before leaves, in axillary congested 12 mm long cymes, monoecious or bisexual; sepals 4 

or 5, free, 2 mm long, oblong, hispid; stamens 5, free; anthers pubescent. Female flowers with 

longer pedicels; ovary compressed, long-stipitate, 2-winged; 1-celled; ovule 1, style 2-fid. Fruit 3 

cm across, samaroid, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 30568 Keerappadi 

TREMA Loureiro 

Trema orientalis (L.) Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 2: 62. 1856; FBI 5: 484. 1888; FPM 1350. 

1928; FPL 442. 1990; FTSR 424. 1996. Celtis orientalis L., Sp. Pl. 1044. 1753. 

Small dioecious trees; branchlets scabrous to adpressed pubescent. Leaves to 15 x 5 cm, 

alternate, ovate, acuminate, serrulate, cordate at base, 3-5-ribbed from base, tomentose below, 

scabrous above; lateral nerves 5 or 6 pairs; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers in axillary fascicles or 

cymes. Male flowers usually sessile; sepals 4 or 5, equal, 2 mm long, curved; stamens 5. Female 

flowers in cymes; sepals unequal, ciliate; ovary ovate, 1-celled, style 2-fid, curved, stigmas 

plumose. Fruit a drupe, 3 mm across, globose. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. Fairly common in secondary forests; PS 18868 

Karimthalappara; 19297 Parambikulam 

MORACEAE 

1. Herbs; female flowers aggregated in fleshy receptacle ....................................................................Dorstenia 

1. Trees, stranglers or woody climbers ................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Flowers enclosed in syconia....................................................................................................................... Ficus 

2. Flowers not enclosed in syconia ....................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Male flowers on globose or oblong beads; fruits sorosis ................................................................ Artocarpus 

3. Male flowers on disciform receptacle or cylindrical spike; fruit otherwise...................................................4 

4. Female flowers solitary......................................................................................................................... Antiaris 

4. Female flowers on globose heads ................................................................................................. Broussonetia 

ANTIARIS Leschenault 

Antiaris toxicaria Lesch., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 16: 478,t.22. 1820; FBI 5: 537. 1888; FPM 

1367. 1928; FTSR 425. 1996. A. innoxia Blume, Rumphia 1: 172,t.54. 1835. A. saccidora Dalz. in 

Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 232. 1851. 

Lofty deciduous trees with large buttresses, exudation sticky; bark greyish white, smooth 

pale white inside, strongly fibrous. Leaves bifarious, to 15 x 5 cm, elliptic-oblong, obtusely 

acuminate, base rounded or cordate, entire or distantly crenulate, subsessile; lateral nerves 6-8 

pairs, coarsely reticulate below. Male flowers 3-5, crowded on an axillary peduncled 1.5 cm 

broad receptacle surrounded by imbricating bracts; sepals 3 or 4, oblanceolate to spathulate; 

308

stamens 3-8. Female flowers solitary in an involucre of few connate bracts; sepals absent; ovary 

1-celled, uni-ovulate. Drupes 1.5-2.5 x 1-2 cm, pyriform or obovoid, fleshy, scarlet. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30761 Orukomban 

ARTOCARPUS J. R. Forster & J. G. A. Forster 

1. Fruit smooth, to 5 cm long............................................................................... A. gomezianus ssp. zeylanicus 

1. Fruit echinate, more than 10 cm long ............................................................................................................. 2 

2. Male spike more than 10 cm long; leaves below and young shoots hirsute .................................. A. hirsuta 

2. Male spike to 5 cm long; leaves and young shoots glabrous................................................ A. heterophyllus 

Artocarpus gomezianus Wall. ex Trecul ssp. zeylanicus Jarrett, J. Arnold Arbor. 41: 90. 1960; 

FPL 443. 1990; FTSR 425. 1996. A. lakoocha sensu Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1369. 1928, non 

Roxb. 1832. 

Medium to large trees, bark brownish black, pinkish inside; twigs grey adpressed tomentose. 

Leaves to 16 x 8 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, base truncate or subcordate, subscabrous below; 

lateral nerves 9-15 pairs, regularly arching below the margins, intercostae reticulate; petiole 1- 

2.5 cm long. Male spike globose, 8 mm across, peduncles 1 cm long. Syncarp subglobose, 

uneven, fleshy, greenish yellow. 


Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30165 Pezha 

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Encycl. 3: 209. 1789; FPL 443. 1990; FTSR 426. 1996. A. 

integrifolius Wight, Ic. t. 678. 1840; FBI 5: 541. 1888, non L.f. 1781; FPM 1369. 1928. 

Large trees with white sticky sap, bark dark greyish-brown, trunk with warty tubercles; 

branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, obovate or oblong-obovate, acute or obtuse, base 

cuneate, entire (seedling and coppice leaves often lobed); nerves 6-8 pairs, prominent, nervules 

reticulate; petioles 1-2 cm long; stipules 3-5 cm long, ovate-lanceolate. Spikes enclosed by 

spathe-like bracts; male from young branches; female from the trunk and mature branches. 

Perianth fleshy in fruit. Sorosis to 30 x 25 cm; seeds oblong, smooth. 


Distr. Widely cultivated in the tropics, origin is probably South India. Common in evergreen 

forests; PS 18862 Karimthalappara 

Artocarpus hirsuta Lam., Encycl. 3: 210. 1789; FBI 5: 541. 1888; FPM 1369. 1928; FPL 443. 

1990; FTSR 426. 1996. 

Very large trees with white sticky latex; bark brownish-black. Leaves to 18 x 12 cm, broadly 

ovate or elliptic, acuminate, base truncate or rounded, entire, coriaceous; nerves 8-12 pairs, 

prominent, regularly arched below the margins; nervules parallel; petiole 1-2.5 cm long; stipule 

3-5 cm long, lanceolate, densely hirsute. Male spikes linear-oblong, to 15 cm long, cylindrical; 

peduncle to 4 cm long. Syncarp echinate, tomentose, to 12 x 8 cm, yellow when ripe. 



Kanthalppara 

BROUSSONETIA Ventenat 

Broussonetia papyrifera Vent., Table Regne Veg. 3: 547. 1799; FBI 5: 490. 1888; FPL 458. 1990. 

Small trees. Leaves to 20 x 11 cm, ovate, acuminate, base truncate, serrate, tomentose 

below, scabrid above, petiole to 10 cm, stipule ca 1.5 cm, ovate acuminate. Male spike axillary, 

309

cylindric, perianth 4-lobed; stamens 4; female heads to 2.5 cm across, perianth tubular 1 cm; 

style slender feathery. Achenes pendulous. 

Malesia, China and Japan; introduced in India 


Distr. Malesia, China and Japan, introduced in India. Common along the sides of reservoir; PS 

19302 Kuriarkutty 

DORSTENIA Linnaeus 

Dorstenia indica Wall. ex Wight, Ic.t.1964. 1853; FBI 5: 494. 1988; FPM 1370. 1928; FPL 444. 

1990; FTSR 426. 1996. 

Herbs. Leaves alternate, to 9 x 2.5 cm, obovate or oblanceolate, acute, base attenuate or 

cuneate, membranous, distantly toothed, sparsely hirsute along the nerves beneath; petiole 1 

cm long. Receptacle axillary, solitary, discoid, 5-angled, to 1.5 cm across, marginal lobes to 0.5 

cm long; peduncles to 2 cm long. Male flowers towards the periphery of the receptacle; perianth 

connate and adnate with receptacle; stamens 3. Female flowers grouped at the centre; ovary 

sunken in the tissue of the receptacle; style lateral, stigmas 2. Fruit an achene. 



FICUS Linnaeus 

1. Climbers or scandent shrubs .......................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Independent or epiphytic trees....................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Branchlets triangular; receptacles in axillary pairs................................................ F. rigida var. bracteata 

2. Branchlets terete; receptacles fascicled on the naked branches............................................ F. amplocarpa 

3. Figs cauliflorus or on trailing leafless branches............................................................................................ 4 

3. Figs not cauliflorus .......................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Leaves opposite, hispid pubescent................................................................................................... F. hispida 

4. Leaves alternate, glabrous............................................................................................................F. racemosa 

5. Receptacle more than two per axil ................................................................................................. F. tsjahela 

5. Receptacle solitary or paired........................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Receptacle sessile............................................................................................................................................. 7 

6. Receptacle peduncled .................................................................................................................................... 12 

7. Leaves beneath and branchlets densely tomentose...................................................................................... 8 

7. Leaves and branchlets glabrous ..................................................................................................................... 9 

8. Fig solitary, more than 1.5 cm across ................................................................ F. drupacea var. pubescens 

8. Fig paired or clustered, to 1 cm across...............................................................................................F. mollis 

9. Leaves broadly ovate, cusp more than 4 cm long..........................................................................F. religiosa 

9. Leaves otherwise, cusp to 2 cm long ............................................................................................................ 10 

10. Leaves cordate at base ...................................................................................................... F. arnottiana (p.p.) 

10 Leaves rounded or acute at base .................................................................................................................. 11 

11. Leaves strongly nerved above the base, obtuse at apex ..........................................................F. microcarpa 

11. Leaves without such nerves, acuminate to caudate at apex..........................................................F. talbotii 

12. Leaf base asymmetric, one side gibbose or rounded other side cuneate................................................... 13 

12. Leaf base equal .............................................................................................................................................. 14 

13. Leaf apex obtuse or acute, minutely glabrous..................................................... F. tinctoria ssp. parasitica 

13. Leaf apex cuspidate; glabrous on both surface.............................F. tinctoria ssp. gibbosa var. cuspidifera 

14. Upper surface of leaves very glabrous, margin serrate or sub-entire .................................... F. exasperata 

14. Upper surface of leaves glabrous or glabrescent, margins entire.............................................................. 15 

310

15. Peduncle to 2 mm long; figs to 6 mm across..................................................................... F. arnottiana (p.p) 

15. Peduncle more than 5 mm long; figs more than 8 mm across ................................................................... 16 

16. Figs with three persistent bracts at base .................................................................................................... 17 

16. Figs without persistent bracts...................................................................................................................... 20 

17. Leaves to 13 x 6 cm; petiole to 5 cm long ..................................................................................................... 18 

17. Leaves more than 18 x 12 cm; petiole more than 10 cm long .................................................................... 19 

18. Figs reddish; basal bracts glabrous..............................................................................................F. beddomei 

18. Figs yellow; basal bracts tomentose...........................................................................................F. dalhousiae 

19. Receptacle to 15 mm across; leaf base rounded ......................................................F. virens var. wightiana 

19. Receptacle to 7 mm across; leaf base subcordate............................................................................F. costata 

20. Figs solitary, green, more than 2 cm across .................................................................................... F. callosa 

20. Figs paired, red, less than 1.5 cm across ........................................................................................F. nervosa 

Ficus amplocarpa Govindarajalu & Masilamoney, Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Pl. Sci.) 91: 117. 

1982. Pogonotrophe macrocarpa Miq., London J. Bot. 7: 74. 1848. Ficus macrocarpa (Miq.) 

Wight ex King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 166, t. 208. 1888 & in Hook. f., FBI 5: 534. 

1888, non Bl., 1825: Gamble, FPM 1365. 1928. 

Large climber; stem rounded, rooting; branchlets subglabrous. Leaves to 15 x 10 cm, ovate, 

cordate but sometimes unequal at base, abruptly acuminate at apex, 3-nerved from base, hispid 

below; lateral nerves 2 or 3 pairs, minutely hispid; petiole 7 cm long. Receptacle many together 

on lateral tubercles on old stem, globose, mottled with pink, pubescent; peduncle 1 cm long, 

bracteolate at the middle. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen and moist deciduous forests; PS 


Ficus arnottiana (Miq.) Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 3: 287. 1867; FBI 5: 513. 1888; FPM 

1363. 1928; FTSR 428. 1996. Urostigma arnottiana Miq., London J. Bot. 6: 564. 1847. 

Small trees; bark grey, reddish inside; branchlets glabrous, slender. Leaves to 17 x 10 cm, 

ovate, caudately acuminate at apex, acumen 4 cm long, deeply cordate at base; margins 

sometimes uneven; lateral nerves 10 pairs; intercostae reticulate; petiole 6-10 cm long; stipules 

6 mm long, ovate, acuminate. Receptacle 6 mm across; sessile or very shortly peduncled, in axils 

of leaf scars or axillary, yellowish brown; bracteoles at the base of the fig. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 30202 Vengoli; 30484 Kuchimudi 

Ficus beddomei King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 26. tt. 24 & 81 M. 1887; FBI 5: 513. 

1888; FPM 1364. 1928; FPL 446. 1990; FTSR 428. 1996. 

Tall trees; bark smooth, brown; branchlets with prominent stipular scars. Leaves to 18 x 12 

cm, ovate, abruptly sharply acuminate, rounded to truncate at base; nerves 15 pairs, parallel, 

regularly looped below the margins, lowest pairs from base, nervules joined at the middle into a 

median vain; petiole 6 cm long; stipule 5 cm long, lanceolate, glabrous. Peduncle 1.5 cm long, 

stout, angled; bracteoles 6 x 3 mm, ovate. Receptacle globose, glabrous, green. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 19768 Pooppara; 19885 

Velayudhankai 

Ficus callosa Willd., Mem. Acad. Roy. Sci. Hist. (Berlin) 102. 1798; FBI 5: 516. 1888; FPM 1364. 

1928; FPL 446. 1990. 

Medium trees; bark dark grey, pale white inside; branchlets scabrous. Leaves to 20 x 12 cm, 

elliptic-oblong, obtusely acute at apex, rounded to cordate at base, minutely scabrous beneath, 

coriaceous, glossy above; nerves 10 pairs, prominent, regularly arched below the margins; 

311

petiole 3-7 cm long; stipule 1 cm long, broadly ovate. Receptacle 2.5 cm across, axillary, globose, 

scabrous, yellow; peduncle 2.5 cm long, slender; bracteoles below the apex. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30161 Pezha 

Ficus costata Ait., Hort. Kew. 3: 452. 1789; Sasidh. & Jomy, Rheedea 9:79.1999. F. caudiculata 

Trimen, J. Bot. 23: 243. 1885; FBI 5: 510. 1888. F. mooniana King in Hook.f., FBI 5: 514. 1888. 

Medium trees, rarely epiphytic; branchlets slender, glabrous. Leaves to 13 x 6 cm, ovateoblong, 

abruptly, sharply acuminate at apex, acumen 1 cm long, subcordate at base, reddish 

brown when dry, subcoriaceous; lateral nerves 16-18 pairs, joined below the margin into a 

narrow intramarginal vain, intercostae reticulate; petiole 3 cm long. Receptacle 8 mm across, 

smooth, yellowish; peduncle 5 mm long, glabrous; bracteoles 3, at apex of the peduncle. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in rocky areas of deciduous forests; PS 19532 

Thekkady; 30327 Pezha 

Note: This species was considered endemic to Sri Lanka, recently reported from Thrissur and Periyar 

Tiger Reserve. Present collection from the sanctuary extends its range of distribution in Kerala. 

Ficus dalhousiae Miq. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 6: 571. 1854; FBI 5: 499. 1888; FPM 

1364. 1928; FPL 446. 1990; FTSR 428. 1996. 

Medium trees, young parts pubescent. Leaves 25-30 x 12-18 cm, broadly ovate-oblong, apex 

acute, base cordate, basally 5-nerved, nerves 10-12 pairs, subcoriaceous; petiole 4-10 cm, 

stipules 2 cm. Receptacles in pairs, axillary, 1 x 0.8 cm, obovoid, pubescent; peduncles to 8 mm, 

pubescent. 

Fl. & Fr. October-April 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19798 

Kariamchola 

Ficus drupacea Thunb. var. pubescens (Roth) Corner, Gard. Bull. Straits Settlem. 17: 381. 1960 

& 21: 13. 1965; FPL 446. 1990; FTSR 428. 1996. F. mysorensis Heyne ex Roth in Roem. & 

Schult., Syst. Veg. 1: 508. 1817; FBI 5: 500. 1888; FPM 1361. 1928. F. mysorensis Heyne ex 

Roth var. pubescens Roth in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 1: 508. 1817; FBI 5: 500. 1888; FPM 

1361. 1928. 

Large trees; bark dark brown, branchlets thick, fulvous tomentose. Leaves to 17 x 10 cm, 

ovate, acute; rounded to subcordate at base; lateral nerves to 17 pairs, parallel, looping below 

the margins forming an intramarginal vain; lowest pair narrow; petiole 3 cm long; stipule 2 cm 

long, glabrous towards the apex. Receptacle 2 cm across, paired, densely fulvous pubescent 

when young, glabrous when mature, yellow; bracteoles 3, ovate, tomentose towards the apex. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Laos. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 18827 

Parambikulam 

Ficus exasperata Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 197. 1806; FPL 447. 1990; FTSR 429. 1996. F. asperrima 


Small trees; bark thick, greyish brown; branchlets scabrous. Leaves to 20 x 12 cm, ovate to 

obovate, acute to acuminate at apex, base acute to round, coarsely scabrous; lateral nerves 4 

pairs, basal pair opposite, intercostae coarsely reticulate; leaves of saplings and coppice often 

lobed; petiole 5 cm long. Receptacle solitary, 15 mm across, globose, yellow, deep pink when 

ripe, coarsely scabrid; peduncle 1 cm long, bracteoles 6 or 7, above the base, ovate. 

312

Fl & Fr. January-March 

Distr. East Africa, Arabia, India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in the streams of deciduous forests; 


Ficus hispida L. f., Suppl. Pl. 442. 1781; FBI 5: 522. 1888; FPM 1367. 1928; FPL 447. 1990; 

FTSR 429. 1996. 

Small trees; branchlets hollow, cylindrical. Leaves to 18 x 10 cm, ovate-oblong or obovateoblong, 

abruptly acuminate; base round to subcordate; lateral nerves 5 pairs, lowest pairs 

opposite, basal; intercostae subparallel; petiole 2 cm long; stipule 1.5 cm long, ovate, acute. 

Receptacles 2 cm across, many, fascicled, on slender drooping long leafless branches, obovoidglobose, 

hispid, greenish yellow; peduncles very short or absent 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 18808 Thellikkal 

Ficus microcarpa L. f., Suppl. Pl. 442. 1781; FPL 448. 1990; FTSR 429. 1996. F. retusa King, 

Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 50. tt.61 & 84 P.1887, non L. 1767; FBI 5: 511. 1888; FPM 

1362. 1928. F. retusa var. nitida sensu Hook. f., FBI 5: 511. 1888, non Thunb. 1781-1801; FPM 

1362. 1928. 

Medium trees with few aerial roots; bark smooth; branchlets angled, glabrous. Leaves 4-10 x 

2-4 cm, elliptic to obovate, acute at base, coriaceous; lateral nerves to 11 pairs, lowest pair above 

the base, rib-like; petiole 1 cm long; stipule 1 cm long, ovate, glabrous. Receptacle 8 mm across, 

paired, sessile, globose, smooth, yellow; bracteoles 3, ovate, obtuse. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Pacific Islands and South China. Occasional in moist deciduous forests 

and grasslands; PS 19239 Vengoli; 19903 Kariamchola 

Ficus mollis Vahl, Symb. Bot. 1: 82. 1790. Ficus tomentosa Roxb. ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 1136. 

1806; FBI 5: 501. 1888; FPM 1361. 1928. 

Large trees. Leaves to 11 x 6 cm, elliptic-ovate, apex obtuse, base cordate, densely 

tomentose, beneath with a gland at the base of the midrib, basally 5-nerved, nerves ca. 6 pairs; 

petiole 3.5 cm, densely fulvous tomentose, later glabrous, stipules 2.5 cm, lanceolate, tomentose. 

Receptacles in pairs, axillary, sessile, 0.5 cm across, tomentose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30062 Kuchimudi 

Ficus nervosa Heyne ex Roth in Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 1: 513. 1817; FBI 5: 512. 1888; 

FPM 1364. 1928; FPL 448. 1990; FTSR 429. 1996. F. angustifolia Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 554. 1832. 

Large trees; bark greyish brown to black; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 7 cm, ovateoblong, 

obtusely shortly acuminate, rounded at base, coriaceous; lateral nerves to 12 pairs, 

lower ones opposite, forming an intramarginal vein; petiole 2.5 cm long; stipule 1 cm long, 

lanceolate. Receptacle 1.5 cm across, paired, axillary, reddish-brown, smooth; peduncle 1 cm 

long, bracteoles minute at the base of the peduncle. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Occasional in secondary forests; PS 30025 Puliyala 

Ficus racemosa L., Sp. Pl. 1060. 1753; FPL 448. 1990; FTSR 430. 1996. F. glomerata Roxb., Pl. 

Corom. t. 123. 1799; FBI 5: 535. 1888; FPM 1364. 1928. 

Small trees without aerial roots; branchlets puberulus, slender. Leaves to 15 x 6 cm, ellipticoblong 

to lanceolate, acute at apex; acute to rounded at base; lateral nerves 8 pairs, lowest pair 

from the base, opposite, ribbed; intercostae reticulate; petiole 3 cm long; stipule 15 mm long, 

313

glabrous. Tubercles branched, drooping, to 20 cm long; receptacles 2 cm across, globose, ashypuberulus; 

peduncles 7 mm long; bracteoles 3, at the base of the peduncle. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Rare in the riverine areas; PS 30106 Kuriarkutty 

Ficus religiosa L., Sp. Pl. 1059. 1753; FBI 5: 513. 1888; FPM 1363. 1928; FPL 450. 1990. 

Urostigma religiosum (L.) Gasp. Ric. Caprifico 82. t. 7. ff.1-5. 1845. 

Strangles. Leaves to 13 x 11 cm, broadly ovate, caudate, cusp to 8 cm, base truncate, 3- 

nerved; petiole to 12 cm, stipule to 1.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute; figs , ca 8 mm across, 

monoecious, axillary paired; basal bract ca 4 mm, cupular, puberulus, apical bract 3; tepals 4, 

linear lanceolate; ovary 1 mm, ovoid-oblong. 


Distr. East Himalayas; planted and naturalised in India and neighbouring countries. Planted 

as avenue tree; PS 19100 Peruvaripallam 

Ficus rigida Jack, Malay. Misc. 2: 7-12. 1822, var. bracteata (Corner) Bennet, Indian J. For. 

5:326. 1982; FPL 449. 1990. F. glaberrima Blume var. bracteata Corner, Gard. Bull. Straits 

Settlem. 17: 388. 1959(1960). F. travancorica King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 28. tt.26 

& 820. 1887; FBI 5: 503. 1888; FPM 1365. 1928. 

Large scandent epiphytic shrubs; branchlets angled, glabrous, stipular scars prominent. 

Leaves to 20 x 6 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, acute at base, reddish when dry; lateral 

nerves 14-16 pairs, prominent, regularly looping below the margins; lowest pair from the base, 

rib-like; petiole 3 cm long; stipule 4 cm long, glabrous. Receptacle 8-12 mm across, axillary, 

paired, globose, glabrous; peduncle 5 mm long; bracteoles 3, ovate, at the apex of the peduncle. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19343 Thenkudippara, 19801 

Kariamchola 

Ficus talbotii King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 51. tt.63 & 84. 1887; FBI 5: 512. 1888; 

FPM 1363. 1928; FPL 449. 1990. 

Large trees; branchlets glabrous, reddish. Leaves to 10 x 5 cm, ovate, acuminate to shortly 

caudate, acute to cuneate at base; lateral nerves 10-12 pairs, regularly looping below the 

margins, reddish brown when dry; petiole 2 cm long; stipule 6 mm long, ovate, pubescent. 

Receptacle paired, 6 mm across, obovoid, sessile; bracteoles ovate, obtuse, at base of the fig. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Indo-China. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 19852 Vengoli 

Ficus tinctoria Forst. f. ssp. gibbosa (Blume) Corner var. cuspidifera (Miq.) Chithra in Henry et 

al., Fl. Tamil Nadu 2: 255. 1987. F. cuspidifera Miq., London J. Bot. 7: 434. 1848; FBI 5: 497. 

1888. F. gibbosa Blume var. cuspidifera (Miq.) King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 6. 

t.2A.1887; FPM 1366. 1928. 

Epiphytic or independent trees; aerial roots many, interlacing; bark smooth, white; 

branchlets slender, scabrous. Leaves 6-8 x 3-5 cm, elliptic-ovate or oblanceolate, gibbous to one 

side, acute at apex and base, scabrous; lateral nerves 3-5 pairs, distinct; petiole 6 mm long; 

stipule lanceolate, glabrous. Receptacle paired, 7 mm across, orange-yellow, globose, scabrous; 

peduncle 6 mm long, slender; bracteoles 3, at the base of the peduncle. 


Distr. India, China and Sri Lanka. Occasional in all forest types at higher altitudes; PS 30232 

Karimala 

314

Ficus tinctoria Forst.f. ssp. parasitica (Koen. ex Willd.) Corner, Gard. Bulll. s.s. 17: 476. 1960; 

FPL 449. 1990; FTSR 430. 1996. F. parasitica Koen. ex Willd., Mem. Acad. Roy. Sci Hist. 

(Berlin) 2: 102. 1798. F. gibbosa Blume var. parasitica (Koen. ex Willd.) King, Ann. Roy. Bot. 

Gard. (Calcutta) 1: t.2,16. 1887; FBI 5: 497. 1888; FPM 1365. 1928. 

Large shrubs to small trees. Leaves 6-11 x 3-5.5 cm, ovate, acuminate or obtuse at apex, base 

acute, oblique, coriaceous, scabrid, nerves 4-7 pairs; petiole 1 cm. Receptacles in pairs or in 

clusters, axillary; peduncles 8 mm, pubescent. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in the rocky areas at higher altitudes; PS 30386 Kuchimudi; 30412 

Kuchimudi 

Ficus tsjahela Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 227. 1768; FBI 5: 514. 1888, "tjakela"; FPM 1362. 1928; FPL 

450. 1990; FTSR 430. 1996. 

Large deciduous trees, sometimes epiphytic; bark black, smooth, light pink inside, fibrous; 

branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 18 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, abruptly acuminate, rounded at base, 

shining above, coriaceous; lateral nerves 10-12 pairs, regular, lowest pair opposite, very oblique, 

rib-like, nervules coarsely reticulate; petiole to 7 cm long; stipule to 6 cm long, lanceolate, 

yellowish red. Receptacle 5 mm across, in clusters of 3-6, sessile, globose, yellow; bracteoles 3, 

glabrous, yellow. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19295 Parambikulam 

Ficus virens Ait. var. wightiana (Miq.) Chithra in Henry et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu ser 1, 2: 256. 

1987. Urostigma wightianum Miq., London J. Bot. 6: 566. 1847. F. infectoria Roxb. var. 

wightiana (Miq.) King, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 1: 63. t.77. 1887; FPM 1362. 1928. F. 

wightiana (Miq.) ex Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 3: 286. 1867; FBI 5: 516. 1888. 

Medium trees; branchlets glabrous. Leaves to 12 x 6 cm, ovate-oblong, bluntly acuminate at 

apex, rounded at base; lateral nerves 10 pairs, parallel, indistinct towards the margins, lowest 

pairs from the base, opposite, erose; petiole 3.5 cm long; stipule to 8 mm long, ovate. Receptacle 

14 mm across, white; peduncles 5 mm long; bracteoles 3, at the apex of the peduncle, ovate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30698 Kariamchola 

SALICACEAE 

SALIX Linnaeus 

Salix tetrasperma Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 97. 1798; FBI 5: 626. 1888; FPM 1390. 1928; FPL 458. 

1990. 

Small trees, bark fissured, reddish; young shoots silky pubescent. Leaves to 15 x 3.5 cm, 

ovate, lanceolate, acuminate, rounded at base, crenate; petiole to 2.5 cm, stipules subulate. 

Catkin axillary, to 8 cm, silky villous; bracts ovate; female flowers-disc yellow, clasping the 

pedicel at the base; ovary ovoid, 4-6 ovuled, stigma 2, branched again. Capsule to 4 mm; seeds 

with long deciduous hairs. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and South China. Fairly common in the riverine areas; PS 30310 

Orukomban 

BURMANNIACEAE 

1. Perianth lobes uniseriate, hairy.................................................................................................. Haplothismia 

1. Perianth lobes biseriate, glabrous ..................................................................................................Burmannia 

315

BURMANNIA Linnaeus 

1. Perianth tube winged; flowers violet or purplish-blue...................................................................B. coelestis 

1. Perianth tube not winged; flowers greyish white......................................................................B. championii 

Burmannia championii Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 325. 1864; FBI 5: 666. 1888; Hajra, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 

19: 9. 1988; FPL 461. 1990. B. dalzieli Rendle, J. Bot. 40: 311. 1902 [Figure 9]. 

Saprophytes to 10 cm, stem simple or branched. Scales to 5 x 2.5 mm, lanceolate, spirally 

alternating. Cymes terminal, flowers to 7, ca 1 cm long, white, subsessile, bracts 4-5 x 2 mm, 

triangular, lanceolate, acute, perianth tube trigonous, lobes biseriate, outer lobe lanceolate, 2- 

2.5 x 1.5 mm, inner lobe spathulate or ligulate, acute, 1 x 0.5 mm; stamens 3, opposite to inner 

perianth lobe; ovary trigonous ellipsoid, style branched at apex, stigma funnel shaped. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in evergreen forests; NS 19736, PS 30477 Parambikulam 

Note: 

In India, this species was first reported from Silent Valley. The present collection from 

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a new distribution locality. 

Burmannia coelestis D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 44. 1825; FBI 5: 665. 1888; FPM 1399. 1928; 

Hajra, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 9. 1988; FPL 462. 1990; FTSR 431. 1996. Gonyanthes pusilla Wall. ex 

Miers, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 18: 537. t. 38. f. 3. 1841. Burmannia pusilla (Wall. ex Miers.) 

Thw., Encycl. 325. 1864; FBI 5: 665. 1888. B. coelestis var. pusilla (Miers) Trimen, Fl. Ceylon 4: 

131. 1898. 

Autophytes, to 30 cm high, stem much reduced. Leaves absent. Flowers regular, on long 

terminal peduncle, 1-3 together; calyx tube 3-winged, 1 cm long, retuse at apex, bright pink; 

petals absent; stamens 3, anthers sessile, ovate, erect; ovary winged, ovules many, style 3-lobed. 

Fruit a winged capsule; seeds numerous, minute, reticulate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in grasslands; PS 19754 Pezha 

HAPLOTHISMIA Airy Shaw 

Haplothismia exannulata Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 1952: 277. 1952; Hajra, Fasc. Fl. Ind. 19: 15. 

1988; Sasidh. & Sujanapal, Rheedea 10: 131. 2000 [Figure 10]. 

Saprophytic herbs, stem 7-15 cm long, slender, simple or branched, muddy brown coloured; 

roots tuberous, clustered, up to 3.5 cm long, thickened towards the apex; leaves reduced to 

scales, many, more or less sheathing the stem, distichous, membranous, lower ones smaller and 

glabrous, ca. 0.5 x 0.4 cm, ovate, upper ones to 1.2 x 0.5 cm, puberulus, spathaceous, 

membranous; inflorescence pseudo-recemose, puberulus, 2-6 flowered; pedicels 4-5.5 cm long, 

from the axils of upper scales; flowers 1.5 cm long, perianth tube infundibular, base adnate to 

the ovary, 1 cm across at mouth, free at apex, limbs uniseriate up to 0.7 cm, persistent; stamens 

6, opposite to the perianth segments; filaments basally attached to the perianth-hypanthium 

tube and free at apex, 1-1.5 mm long, incurved towards the base of the flower, alternate with 

teeth like projections and small ciliate structures on either side; anthers 1 mm, pendulous, 

ovate, basifixed, extrorse; ovary 0.5 cm, inferior, obovate, unilocular; ovules numerous, 

anatropous, placentae three, parietal; style very short, ca. 2 mm long; stigma trilobed, papillate, 

4 mm long, base of the lobes slightly upcurved; fruit a capsule, loculicidal; seeds many, dark 

brown. 

Fl. & Fr. October 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30387, NS 


Note: Present collections from the type locality dispels the view on its existence. This narrow endemic 

species was considered as extinct due to habitat lose. 

316

Figure 9. Burmannia championii Thw. A. habit; B. perianth tube split open; 

C. stigma; D. stamen without anther cells; E. cross section of ovary 

317

Figure 10. Haplothismia exannulata Airy Shaw. a. Habit; b. Scale; c. Single flower; d. 

Longitudinal section of flower; e. Anther; f. Stigma; g. Cross section of 

ovary 

318

ORCHIDACEAE 

1. Epiphytic or lithophytic................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Terrestrial ...................................................................................................................................................... 30 

2. Leaves equitant...................................................................................................................................Oberonia 

2. Leaves not equitant ......................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Leaves terete .................................................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Leaves flat ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 

4. Lip spurred................................................................................................................................. Papilionanthe 

4. Lip not spurred ........................................................................................................................................Luisia 

5. Lip spurred ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Lip not spurred, sometimes saccate ............................................................................................................. 18 

6. Spur double .................................................................................................................................Diplocentrum 

6. Spur single........................................................................................................................................................ 7 

7. Plants leafless during flowering ..................................................................................................................... 8 

7. Plants leafy during flowering ......................................................................................................................... 9 

8. Column without foot.................................................................................................................Taeniophyllum 

8. Column with distinct foot bearing lateral sepals........................................................................Chiloschista 

9. Column foot present ...................................................................................................................................... 10 

9. Column foot absent........................................................................................................................................ 11 

10. Inflorescence paniculate, racemes many-flowered............................................................................. Aerides 

10. Inflorescence unbranched, racemes to 4-flowered ........................................................................ Pteroceras 

11. Spur longitudinally septate ..........................................................................................................Cleisostoma 

11. Spur not longitudinally septate.................................................................................................................... 12 

12. Inflorescence dense, drooping; spur distant from the base of the lip .................................... Rhynchostylis 

12. Inflorescence otherwise; spur at the base of the lip.................................................................................... 13 

13. Mouth of the spur closed by a horizontal plate ..........................................................................Trichoglottis 

13. Mouth of the spur open ................................................................................................................................. 14 

14. Midlobe of the lip ending in a backwardly pointed knob.........................................................Xenikophyton 

14. Midlob of the lip not ending in a knob ......................................................................................................... 15 

15. Leaf apex 3-toothed, teeth acute ........................................................................................................... Vanda 

15. Leaf apex unequally 2 lobed, lobes rounded................................................................................................ 16 

16. Stem elongated to 30 cm long; flowers in leaf opposed corymbs.......................................................Acampe 

16. Stem under 3 cm long; flowers in terminal in axillary racemes................................................................ 17 

17. Leaves articulated at base; spur conical.......................................................................................Smithsonia 

17. Leaves not articulated at base; spur saccate..............................................................................Gastrochilus 

18. Flowers with a mentum ................................................................................................................................ 19 

18. Flowers without a mentum........................................................................................................................... 21 

19. Midlobe of lip with two awns at base ............................................................................................. Kingidium 

19. Midlobe of the lip not awned......................................................................................................................... 20 

20. Rhizome long; flowers 1-3 terminal..............................................................................................Flickingeria 

20. Rhizome short; flowers in racemes or in lobed fascicles............................................................Dendrobium 

21. Column foot present ...................................................................................................................................... 22 

21. Column foot absent........................................................................................................................................ 25 

22. Lip clawed, joined to the foot ........................................................................................................................ 23 

22. Lip sessile ....................................................................................................................................................Eria 

23. Scape lateral, racemose or umbellate .......................................................................................................... 24 

23. Scape terminal, flowers panicled..................................................................................................Polystachya 

24. Flowers to 2 or in racemes ........................................................................................................ Bulbophyllum 

24. Flowers in umbels..................................................................................................................... Cirrhopetalum 

25. Bracts imbricating, convolute, concealing the flower ..................................................................... Pholidota 

25. Bracts not imbricating, not concealing the flowers..................................................................................... 26 

319

26. Scape terminal; column long, curved ................................................................................................... Liparis 

26. Scape lateral; column very short .................................................................................................................. 27 

27. Pseudobulb absent......................................................................................................................................... 28 

27. Pseudobulb present; ovoid or subglobose..................................................................................................... 29 

28. Small plants; leaves basal, not keeled ...........................................................................................Sirhookera 

28. Robust plants; leaves equidistant on stem, keeled ...........................................................................Cottonia 

29. Sepals and petals similar; pinkish brown.................................................................................... Cymbidium 

29. Sepals and petals unequal; white....................................................................................................Coelogyne 

30. Plants leafless; saprophytes............................................................................................................Epipogium 

30. Plants leafy; autophytes................................................................................................................................ 31 

31. Plants without pseudobulbs or underground rhizome and tubers............................................................ 32 

31. Plants with pseudobulbs or underground rhizome..................................................................................... 35 

32. Stem up to 1 m high; leaves plaited ........................................................................................... Corymborkis 

32. Stem to 50 cm; leaves not plaited................................................................................................................. 33 

33. Stem woody ..........................................................................................................................................Tropidia 

33. Stem fleshy..................................................................................................................................................... 34 

34. Lip spurred; spur exerted beyond the base of the sepals ........................................................Anoectochilus 

34. Lip saccate; spur not exerted beyond the base of the sepals.............................................................Zeuxine 

35. Plants with pseudobulb................................................................................................................................. 36 

35. Plants with underground tubers; rhizome erect or creeping ..................................................................... 39 

36. Inflorescence few flowered, lateral, to 10 cm long.............................................................Acanthephippium 

36. Inflorescence many flowered, terminal........................................................................................................ 37 

37. Racemes 70-80 cm long; lip spurred..................................................................................................Calanthe 

37. Racemes to 20 cm long; lip not spurred ....................................................................................................... 38 

38. Midlobe of the lip pectinate; side lobes obscure................................................................................Seidenfia 

38. Midlobe of the lip not pectinate; side lobes will developed........................................................... Crepidium 

39. Leaf one or two; leafless during flowering ................................................................................................... 40 

39. Leaves 2-many; leafy during glowering....................................................................................................... 41 

40. Leaves linear, acute.......................................................................................................................Pachystoma 

40. Leaves cordate, orbicular .....................................................................................................................Nervilia 

41. Spur absent; lateral sepals connate ................................................................................................... Disperis 

41. Spur present; lateral sepals free................................................................................................................... 42 

42. Flowers pink; lip obcordate......................................................................................................Brachycorythis 

42. Flowers white, cream or greenish; lip otherwise......................................................................................... 43 

43. Stigma lobes free; ovary and capsule spreading ........................................................................... Habenaria 

43. Stigma lobes confluent; ovary and capsule appressed to flowering axis...................................... Peristylus 

ACAMPE Lindley 

1. Leaf apex with a mucro between the lobes; flowers yellow with reddish brown bands..........A. praemorsa 

1. Leaf apex without a mucro; flowers yellow....................................................................................A. ochracea 

Acampe ochracea (Lindl.) Hochr., Bull. New York Bot. Gard. 6: 270. 1910. Saccolabium 

ochraceum Lindl., Bot. Reg. Misc. 2. 1842; FBI 6: 62. 1890. 

Leaves 16-19 x 2 cm, oblong, keeled, obliquely bilobulate at apex. Panicles racemose, to 10 x 

20 cm long; flowers yellow, 1.5 x 1.5 cm; dorsal sepal 7 x 2 mm, obovate, obtuse, 5-veined; 

lateral sepals 6 x 1-2 cm, obliquely oblong, acute, 3-veined; petals 7 x 1-2 mm, obovate-oblong or 

spathulate, 6-veined; lip 4 x 2 mm, triangular, obtuse, papillate, with 5 x 1 mm, cylindrical 

spur. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30100 Velayudhankai 

320

Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35: 495. 1932; FPL 465. 1990; FTSR 433. 

1996. Epidendrum praemorsum Roxb., Pl. Corom. 34, t.43. 1795. Saccolabium praemorsum 

(Roxb.) Hook. f., FBI 6: 62. 1890. Vanda wightiana Lindl. ex Wight, Ic. t. 1670. 1851. Acampe 

wightiana (Lindl. ex Wight) Lindl., Folia Orch. Acampe 2. 1853; FPM 1447. 1928. Saccolabium 

wightianum (Lindl. ex Wight) Hook.f. Hook. f., FBI 6: 62. 1890. 

Leaves to 20 x 3 cm, linear, thick, coriaceous; midrib impressed above. Corymbs leafopposed, 

to 6 cm long; flowers 1 cm across. Sepals and petals creamy yellow with reddish-brown 

transverse bands. Lip creamy white with narrow red streaks; midlobe ovate-obtuse, margins 

crispate, lateral lobes small, entire, spur short. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

19851 Vengoli 

ACANTHEPHIPPIUM Blume ex Lindley 

Acanthephippium bicolor Lindl., Bot. Reg. 20: t. 1730; FBI 5: 815. 1890; FPM 1426. 1928; FPL 

466. 1990. 

Pseudobulbs ovoid, 5-14 x 2-5 cm. Leaves 2 or 3, 20-40 x 6-12 cm, broadly lanceolate, 

acuminate. Flowers yellow with purplish red, 3.5 cm across, in 2-5-flowered racemes from the 

top of new pseudobulbs; bracts 3.5 x 3, cymbiform; sepals fused to form gibbous tube; dorsal 

sepals 3.2 x 1.1 cm, oblong, obtuse; lateral sepals as long as or broader than dorsal sepal, fused 

with the foot along their inner edges forming the base of the pitcher, obtuse, recurved at apex; 

petals 3.1 x 1.5 cm, spathulate, obtuse; lip 3-lobed, 1.5 x 2 cm, lateral lobes erect, rounded; 

midlob recurved, oblong-spathulate, obtuse, disc 3-lamellate. 

Fl. June-July 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30772 Orukomban 

AERIDES Loureiro 

Aerides ringens (Lindl.) Fischer, Kew Bull. 1928: 284. 1928 & FPM 1442. 1928; FTSR 433. 

1996. Saccolabium ringens Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 221. 1833. Aerides radicosa A. Rich., Ann. Sci. 

Nat. Bot. ser.2, 15: 65. 1841; FBI 6: 46. 1890. A. linearis Hook.f., FBI 6: 47. 1890. Saccolabium 

rubrum Wight, Ic. t. 1673. 1851, non Lindley. 

Leaves 13-15 x 0.5 cm, linear, keeled, obliquely bilobulate. Flowers white with pink shades, 2 

x 1.5 cm, in about 20 cm long, lax racemes; dorsal sepal 8 x 3 mm, oblong-ovate, acute, 5-veined; 

laterals 5 x 3.5 mm, broadly ovate, acute, 5-veined; petals 6 x 3 mm, oblong, obtuse, 5-veined; 

lip 6 x 2 mm, ovate, acute, side lobes oblong or orbicular small, midlobe linear-oblong, acute; 

disc with fleshy callus; spur 6 x 2 mm, cylindrical. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30299 Vengoli; 30415 

Kuchimudi 

ANOECTOCHILUS Blume 

Anoectochilus elatus Lindl., Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 1: 178. 1857; FBI 6: 95. 1890 'elatior'; FPM 

1453. 1928; FTSR 434. 1996. 

Rhizome creeping. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, ovate or elliptic, acute, dark maroon with golden 

netted veins; petiole 1.5 cm long. Flowers white, 2.5 x 1 cm, in about 20 cm long raceme; dorsal 

sepal ovate, acuminate, 1-veined; lateral sepals obovate-oblong, subacuminate, 1-veined; petals 

obliquely oblong, acuminate, 1-veined, connate with dorsal sepal; lip 3-lobed, 20 x 20 mm, side 

lobes 10 x 3 mm, oblong, retuse, curved, mesochile with 5-7 pairs of long fimbriate epichile, 

bilobed; spur bilobulate with spindle-shaped gland. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests; PS 


321

BRACHYCORYTHIS Lindley 

Brachycorythis iantha (Wight) Summerh., Kew Bull. 10: 238. 1955; FPL 468. 1990. Platanthera 

iantha Wight, Ic. t. 1692. 1851. P. affinis Wight, Ic. t. 1693. 1851. Habenaria galeandra Benth. 

in Hook. f., FBI 6: 163. 1890. Phyllomphax obcordata (D. Don) Schltr., Report 16: 119. 1906; 

FPM 1476. 1928. 

Unbranched herbs. Leaves 2.5-3 x 0.9-11 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, 3-nerved, well spaced. 

Flowers pink, 1.5 x 1 cm; dorsal sepal 4.5 x 2 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, 3-veined; lateral 

sepals 7 x 2.5 mm, falcate, ovate-oblong, acute, 3-veined; petals 5 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, 

obliquely acute at apex, 1 or 2-veined; lip 14 x 12 mm, obcordate with a large sinus, sac ovate, 

obtuse, 2 x 2 mm, biparted. 

Fl. June-August 

Distr. India and China. Rare in grasslands; PS 30771 Karimala 

BULBOPHYLLUM Du Petit-Thouars 

1. Inflorescence racemose ........................................................................................................... B. neilgherrense 

1. Inflorescence umbellate .................................................................................................................... B. aureum 

Bulbophyllum aureum (Hook. f.) J.J. Sm., Bull. Buitz. 2, 8: 22. 1912; FTSR 435. 1996. 

Cirrhopetalum aureum Hook. f., FBI 5: 777. 1890; Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1420. 1928. 

Pseudobulb ovoid, 1.5 x 1 cm, tapering towards apex, ridged, distantly placed on stout 

rhizomes. Leaves solitary, to 5 x 1.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, base subacuminate to form 1 cm long 

petiole, apex obtuse-emarginate. Flowers 1 or 2, golden yellow, 3 x 1 cm, in about 4 cm long 

slender peduncle; bract 4.8 x 1.6 mm, lanceolate, acute, 3-veined; dorsal sepals elliptic, obtuse 

at apex, 5-veined; lateral sepals oblong, lanceolate, acute, 5-veined; petals ovate, oblong, broad 

at base, 3-veined; lip ovate-oblong, obtuse, curved, fleshy. 


Distr. Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30773 


Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wight, Ic. t. 1650. 1851; FBI 5: 761. 1890; FPM 1418. 1928; FPL 

468. 1990; FTSR 435. 1996. B. sterile (Lam.) Suresh in Nicols. et al., Interpr. Hort. Malab. 298. 

1988. Epidendrum sterile Lam., Encycl. 1: 189. 1783. 

Pseudobulb ovoid, ridged, to 3.5 x 2 cm. Leaves solitary, to 16 x 4 cm, oblong, base subacute 

with 1 cm long petiole, apex acute. Flowers brownish-yellow to brown, 12 x 8 mm, in 18-20 cm 

long dense raceme; dorsal sepal 5 x 1.1 mm, ovate, acute-apiculate, 5-veined, hooded; lateral 

sepals falcately elliptic-acuminate, 5-veined; petals ovate, acute, apiculate, 1-veined, glandular; 

lip 4 x 1-2 mm, acute, side lobes falcate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30017 Puliyala 

CALANTHE R. Brown 

Calanthe sylvatica (Thouars) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 250. 1833. Centrosis sylvatica Thouars, 

Aust. Afri. t. 35,36. 1822. Bletia masuca D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 30. 1825. Calanthe masuca 

(D. Don) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 249. 1833; FBI 5: 850. 1890; FPM 1432. 1928; FPL 469. 1990; 

FTSR 436. 1996. C. emarginata (Blume) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 249. 1833. 

Robust herbs to 40 cm tall. Leaves to 35 x 15 cm, puberulus, broadly elliptic, acuminate. 

Flowers pale blue, 3-4 cm across, in large terminal racemes, scape to 40 cm long, tomentose. 

Sepals oblong, acute, to 2 x 1.2 cm. Petals little smaller than the petals. Lip white with purple 

shades, spur 4 cm long. 

Fl. October-November 

Distr. Widespread from in Africa, Madagascar and Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen 

forests at higher altitudes; PS 30060 Kanthalppara 

322

CHILOSCHISTA Lindley 

Chiloschista glandulosa Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35. 488. 1932. 

Small leafless epiphytes, roots to 2 mm thick. Scape 5 cm long, narrowed to base, thickening 

upwards, glandular pubescent. Flowers 3 or 4, brownish yellow; bracts 2.5 x 2 mm, ovate, 

apiculate; dorsal sepal 5 x 2 mm, obovate-oblong, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals 4 x 2.5 mm, 

oblong, subacute; petals 5 x 3 mm, ovate, acute; lip 3-lobed, lateral lobes 3 x 3, oblong acute; mid 

lobe 1.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in deciduous forests; PS 18886 

Muthalakkuzhi 

CIRRHOPETALUM Lindley 

Cirrhopetalum gamblei Hook.f., FBI 5: 778. 1890; FPM 1420. 1928. C. macraei sensu Wight, Ic. 

t. 1652. 1851, non Lindl. 1820. Bulbophyllum gamblei (Hook. f.) J.J. Smith, Bull. Jard. Bot. 

Buitenz. ser. 2, 8: 24. 1912, non Hook. f. 1890. B. fischeri Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. 29: 202. 

1973; FPL 468. 1990; FTSR 435. 1996. 

Rhizomes stout, pseudobulbs ovoid. Leaves to 5.5 x 1.5 cm, oblong. Scape slender, to 7.5 cm 

long, flowers dull maroon, 1.2 cm long, to 8 in umbels. Lateral sepals to 1.2 x 0.25 cm, papillose, 

dorsal sepal 0.5 cm long. Petals oblong 3 mm long. Lip spathulate, recurved. 


Distr. South India, Sri Lanka and Laos. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30236 

Karimala 

CLEISOSTOMA Blume 

Cleisostoma tenuifolium (L.) Garay, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard 23: 175. 1972; FTSR 436. 1996. 

Epidendrum tenuifolium L., Sp. Pl. 952. 1753. Sarcanthus pauciflorus Wight, Ic. t. 1747. 1851. 

S. peninsularis Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 343. 1851; FBI 6: 67. 1890; FPM 

1447. 1928. 

Pendulous epiphytes, 20-30 cm long. Leaves 10-12 x 0.5 cm, linear, strongly keeled, acute. 

Flowers yellow, in 3-6 cm long, leaf-opposed racemes; dorsal sepal 4.5 x 1.2 mm, obovate-oblong, 

lanceolate, acute, 3-veined; lateral sepals 3 x 1 mm, elliptic, acute, 3-veined; petals 3 x 0.8 mm, 

falcately-oblong, truncate, 1-veined; lip 2 x 4 mm, 3-lobed, side lobes 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, 

apiculate, midlobe, 2 x 1 mm, ovate, with 2 fleshy calli; spur 3 x 1 mm, oblong-ovoid. 


Distr. South West India and Thailand. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19908 

Kariamchola 

COELOGYNE Lindley 

1. Pseudobulbs subglobose, corrugated ............................................................................................... C. nervosa 

1. Pseudobulbs ovoid, not corrugated ..............................................................................................C. breviscapa 

Coelogyne breviscapa Lindl., Fol. Orch. Coelogyne 4. 1854; FBI 5: 833. 1890; FPM 1430. 1928; 

FPL 470. 1990; FTSR 437. 1996. Coelogyne angustifolia Wight, Ic. t.1641. 1851. 

Pseudobulb ovoid, ridged, 4 x 1 cm, tapering towards apex. Leaves 2 per pseudobulb, 15-17 x 

1-1.5 cm, linear, acute. Flowers white, in 10-13 cm long, 4-6-flowered, raceme from the rhizome; 

floral bracts 2-3 x 1 cm, lanceolate, acute; dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-veined; lateral 

sepals oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-veined; petals linear, acute, 3-veined; lip 12 x 7-8 mm, 3- 

lobed, middle ovate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; 

PS 30160 Pezha 

323

Coelogyne nervosa A. Rich., Ann. Sci. Nat. (ser. 2) 15: 16. 1841; FPM 1430. 1928; FTSR 437. 

1996. C. corrugata Wight, Ic. t. 1639. 1851; FBI 5: 835. 1890. 

Pseudobulb, wrinkled. Leaves 2 per pseudobulb, 6-15 x 2-2.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute; 

petiole 2-3 cm long. Flowers white, in 8-12 cm long, 3-4-flowered raceme from the middle of 

leaves; bracts 12 x 19 mm, ovate, acute; dorsal sepal oblong or elliptic, acute, to apiculate, 9- 

veined; lateral sepals oblong-elliptic, acute, apiculate, 9-veined; petals elliptic, acute at both 

ends, 5-veined; lip 24 x 7-15 mm, ovate, acute, trilobed, side lobes, obliquely ovate. 




CORYMBORKIS Du Petit-Thouars 

Corymborkis veratrifolia (Reinw.) Blume, Coll. Orch. Arch. Ind. 125. Pl. 42-43. 1859; FPM 1452. 

1928. Hysteria veratrifolia Reinw., Nov. Pl. Ind. Gen.-Syll. Pl. Nov. 2: 5. 1825-26. Corymbis 

veratrifolia (Reinw.) Reichb. f., Flora 48: 184. 1865; FBI 6: 91. 1890. 

Terrestrial, monopodial herbs. Leaves to 40 x 8 cm, plaited, elliptic-lanceolate, caudateacuminate, 

sessile. Panicles axillary, to 12 cm, bracts ovate-lanceolate, to 1 cm; flowers ca 2.5 

cm across, white, sepals and petals ca 1.5-2 cm, linear-lanceolate, lip unguiculate; column 

elongate, terete, rostellum bifid, foot absent, pollinia 2, clavate. 


Distr. India to Samoa. rare in evergreen forests; PS 30305 Padikutty 

COTTONIA Wight 

Cottonia peduncularis (Lindl.) Reichb. f., Cat. Orch. Schiller 52. 1857; FPL 471. 1990; FTSR 

437. 1996. Vanda peduncularis Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 216. 1833. Cottonia macrostachya Wight, 

Ic. t. 1755. 1851; FBI 6: 26. 1890; FPM 1439. 1928. 

Epiphytes, 10-20 cm tall. Leaves few, spiral, closely packed, 8-10 x 1 cm, oblong, keeled, 

bilobed at apex. Flowers brown, in 20-40 cm long peduncle; dorsal sepal 9 x 4 mm, obovateoblong, 

obtuse, 7-veined; lateral sepals 8 x 4.5 mm, obovate-oblong, obtuse, 7-veined; petals 8 x 

3 mm, linear-oblong, obliquely truncate, 3-veined; lip 1.2 x 10 mm, subpanduriformis, 2-auricled 

at base with interposed calli, lateral lobes orbicular, midlobe trifid, lateral lobules orbicular. 

Fl. March-May 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in deciduous forests; PS 30193 Kottayali 

CREPIDIUM Szlachetko 

Crepidium acuminatum (D.Don) Szlach., Syst. Orch. 123. 1995. Malaxis acuminata D. Don, 

Prodr. Fl. Nepal 29. 1825; FPL 484. 1990; FTSR 448. 1996. Microstylis wallichii Lindl., Gen. Sp. 

Orch. 20. 1830; FBI 5: 686. 1888; FPM 1407. 1928. 

Plants without distinct pseudobulbs. Leaves 3-5, to 12 x 5, elliptic, glabrous. Scape to 10 cm 

long; bracts linear, 6 mm long, deflexed. Flowers 1.2 cm across, greenish-yellow, confined to the 

upper half of the scape. Lateral sepals ovate, acute, 3 mm long; dorsal oblong acuminate, 4 mm 

long. Petals linear, obtuse, 4 mm long. Midlobe of the lip 2-lobuled. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in wet areas of evergreen forests; NS 5634 Karimala Hills 

CYMBIDIUM Swartz 

Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw., Nov. Act. Sc. Upsal. 6: 73. 1799; FBI 6: 8. 1890p.p.; FPM 1436. 

1928; FPL 471. 1990; FTSR 437. 1996. Epidendrum aloifolium L., Sp. Pl. 953. 1753. E. 

pendulum Roxb., Pl. Corom. 1: 35. t. 44. 1795. Cymbidium pendulum (Roxb.) Sw. & Lindl., 

Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal. 6: 73. 1799; FPM 1436. 1928. 

324

Robust epiphytes; roots numerous, densely covering the base. Leaves 30-35 x 1.5 x 2 cm, 

oblong, obtuse at apex. Flowers in 30-40 cm long, pendulous, lax slender racemes; sepals 

similar, 25 x 5 mm, linear-lanceolate, acute, 7-veined; petals 20 x 6 mm, oblong-lanceolate, 

acute, 5-veined; lip 17 x 10 mm, trilobed, lateral lobes obliquely oblong, obtuse, less than 

column; midlobe ovate, acute, disc with 2 fleshy calli at the mouth of the small saccate base. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19902 Kariamchola; 30581 

Thoothanppara 

DENDROBIUM Swartz 

1. Stem short reduced to single pseudobulb......................................................................................... D. nanum 

1. Stem long with many nodes ............................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Inflorescence terminal ............................................................................................................... D. heyneanum 

2. Flowers on leafless nodes ................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Flowers fascicles on short tubercles on nodes................................................................................................. 4 

3. Flowers racemose .............................................................................................................................................. 5 

4. Stem clavate; operculum hairy ..............................................................................................D. heterocarpum 

4. Stem not clavate; operculum not hairy ............................................................................. D. macrostachyum 

5. Stem many branched; lip unlobed ..............................................................................................D. herbaceum 

5. Stem unbranched; lip 3-lobed............................................................................................................D. ovatum 

Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl., Bot. Misc. 69. 1840; FBI 5: 719. 1890; FPM 1416. 1928; FPL 

473. 1990; FTSR 438. 1996. D. ramosissimum Wight, Ic. t. 1648. 1851. 

Stem 30-40 cm long, branched, terete, leafless when flowering. Leaves 3-8 cm long, narrowly 

linear. Flowers white, in 4-6-flowered, 1-1.5 cm long, slender racemes; dorsal sepal oblonglanceolate, 

acute, 3-veined; lateral sepals oblong, subacute, apiculate, falcate, 3-veined; petals 

subfalcately oblong, apiculate, 1-veined; lip 3 x 2 mm, side lobes ovate-orbicular; midlobe thick, 

orbicular, obtuse. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 

30139, NS 30554 Karimala 

Dendrobium heterocarpum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 78. 1830; FBI 5: 737. 1890; FPM 1416. 1928; 

FPL 473. 1990. D. aureum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 77. 1830. 

Stem 20-35 cm, clavate. Leaves 8-10 x 2 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute at both ends, 2 or 3 

towards the tip. Flowers white, in short, 2-4 flowered raceme on leafless stem; dorsal sepal 23 x 

9 mm, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals obliquely ovate-oblong, lanceolate, 

subacute, 7-veined; petals obliquely elliptic, apiculate, 7-veined; lip 21 x 10-15 mm, quadrately 

ovate, apiculate, hairy within; side lobes ovate, obtuse; midlobe ovate, acute, apiculate, margins, 

crenulate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare on trees in the margins of grasslands; PS 30414 Kuchimudi 

Dendrobium heyneanum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 78. 1830; FBI 5: 718. 1890; FPM 1415. 1928; 

FPL 474. 1990; FTSR 438. 1996. 

Stem 15-20 cm long. Leaves 8-10 x 0.6-0.8 cm, linear, acute, sessile, sheathed at base. 

Flowers white, in 8-10 cm long, 10-12 flowered, slender axillary or terminal racemes; dorsal 

sepal 9 x 2 mm, oblong-lanceolate; acute, 5-veined; lateral sepals 9 x 2.5 x 3 mm, obliquely 

ovate-lanceolate, acute; petals oblanceolate-linear, acute; lip 12.5 x 4-6.5 mm, obovate, side 

lobes oblong-lanceolate, acute; midlobe, ovate, subacute, apiculate, margins dentate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30272 Pooppara 

325

Dendrobium macrostachyum Lindl., Gen., Sp. Orch. 78. 1830; FBI 5: 735. 1890; FPM 1416. 

1928; FPL 474. 1990; FTSR 439. 1996. 

Stem pendulous, terete, 25-40 cm long. Leaves sessile, 6-7 x 1-1.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, 

acute. Flowers on short tubercles of leafless nodes; pedicel 2 cm long; dorsal sepal 13-14 x 3 mm, 

oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-veined; lateral sepals obliquely oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-veined; 

petals 14 x 4 mm, lanceolate, acute, 3-veined; lip 17 x 9-10 mm, quadrate, crenulate, ciliate, 

apiculate at apex. 

Fl. April 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. March-April. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; 

PS 30383 Kariamchola; NS 19484 Thellikkal; PS 30178 Kottayali 

Dendrobium nanum Hook.f., Ic. Pl. t. 19. 1853; FBI 5: 717. 1890; FPM 1415. 1928; FPL 474. 

1990. D. mabelae Gammie, JBNHS 16: 567. 1905. 

Small herbs; pseudobulbs ovoid, covered with basal portion of leaves. Leaves 3 or 4, 3 x 1.2 

cm, lanceolate-elliptic. Racemes to 8 cm; flowers 6-8, pinkish white; bracts 0.5 cm, lanceolate; 

sepals to 8 mm; mentum to 5 mm; lip tri-lobed, narrowed to a short stalk; lateral lobes narrow, 

shortly pectinate; ovary with pedicels to 1 cm. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in the evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 30408 Kuchimudi; NS 18993 Orukomban 

Dendrobium ovatum (L.) Kranz. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 45: 71. 1910; FPM 1416. 1928; FPL 474. 

1990; FTSR 439. 1996. Epidendrum ovatum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 952. 1753. Dendrobium chlorops 

Lindl., Bot. Reg. Misc. 44. 1844; FBI 5: 719. 1890. D. barbatulum Wight, Ic. t. 910. 1845, non 

Lindl. 1830. 

Stem 20-40 cm long; leafless when flowering. Flowers white, in 15-20 cm long terminal and 

axillary racemes; dorsal sepal 10 x 3-3.5 mm, oblong, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals ellipticoblong, 

acute, subfalcate, 5-veined; petals 11 x 7.5 mm, obovate, orbicular, 3-veined; lip 13 x 6- 

7.5 mm, obovate; side lobes falcately ovate-orbicular; midlobe obovate, acute; disc with a tuft of 

green hairs. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30612 Pezha 

DIPLOCENTRUM Lindley 

1. Lip oblong, rounded; petals oblong, truncate...............................................................................D. recurvum 

1. Lip lanceolate, truncate; petals ovate, subacute........................................................................ D. congestum 

Diplocentrum congestum Wight, Ic. t. 1682. 1851; FBI 6: 78. 1890; FPM 1449. 1928; FTSR 439. 

1996. 

Stem 2-4 cm long. Leaves 10-15 x 0.4 cm, linear, keeled, bilobed at apex. Flowers pink, in 10- 

20 cm long, rarely branched racemes; dorsal sepal 3-3.5 x 2 mm, elliptic, bimucronate at apex, 

3-veined; lateral sepals broadly obovate, acute, 3-veined; petals 3 x 1.5 mm, oblong-elliptic, 

obtuse, 3-veined; lip 6 x 3 mm, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, 5-veined, with 2 collateral spurs. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30613 Kuchimudi 

Diplocentrum recurvum Lindl., Bot. Reg. sub t. 1522. 1832. & Gen. Sp. Orch. 218. 1833; FBI 6: 

78. 1890; FPM 1449. 1928. D. longifolium Wight, Ic. t. 1681. 1852. 

Stem 6-8 cm long. Leaves linear, 15-20 x 0.4 cm, keeled, or subterete, obtuse, mucronate. 

Flowers pink, in branched 25-35 cm long racemes; dorsal sepal 3 x 1.1 mm, oblanceolate, 

bimucronate, 3-veined; lateral sepals 4 x 2 mm, falcately oblong, lanceolate, obtuse, 3-veined; 

326

petals 3 x 1.5 mm, oblong-lanceolate, subacute, 3-veined; lip 6.9 x 3 mm, oblong-lanceolate, 

obtuse, 7-veined, with 2 collateral spurs; disc with a fleshy ridge, forking at apex. 

Fl. May-June 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30389 Kuchimudi 

DISPERIS Swartz 

Disperis neilgherrensis Wight, Ic. t. 1719. 1851; FBI 6: 169. 1890; FPM 1478. 1928. D. zeylanica 

Trimen, J. Bot. 23: 245. 1885; FBI 6: 169. 1890; FPL 475. 1990. D. monophylla Blatt. ex Fischer 

in Gamble, FPM 1478. 1928. 

Terrestrial herbs with a tuber, stem 10-15 cm tall. Leaves to 10 x 9 mm, ovate, cordate, 

acute, sessile. Flowers pale-pink or rose, one or two in terminal raceme. Dorsal sepal and petals 

connate to form a hood over the column; dorsal sepal 9 x 2 mm, linear-lanceolate, 3-veined; 

lateral sepals obliquely obovate, obtuse, many-veined; petals 10 x 6 mm, obliquely obovate or 

elliptic, subacute, 3-veined; lip 5 x 5 mm, anchor shaped, bifid, with two long linear recurved 

arms with yellow papillae. 

Fl. May-June 


Kariamchola 

EPIPOGIUM R. Brown 

Epipogium roseum (D. Don) Lindl., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 1: 177. 1857; FPL 476. 1990; FTSR 440. 

1996. Limodorum roseum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 30. 1825. Epipogium nutans Reichb. f., 

Bonplandia 5: 36. 1836; FBI 6: 124. 1890; FPM 1460. 1928 'Epipogum'. Podanthera pallida 

Wight, Ic. t. 1759. 1851. 

Saprophytic tuberous herbs, 15-25 cm tall; tuber 2-3 x 2 cm, ovoid or oblong. Flowers white, 

speckled with pink spots, racemose; dorsal sepal 9 x 1.4 mm, linear, subacute, obtuse, 3-veined; 

lateral sepals 10 x 1 mm, linear, subacute, 3-veined; petals 9.5 x 2 mm, oblong-lanceolate, 

obtuse. disc with 2 rows of tubercles; spur 3 x 2 mm, saccate; column 4 x 1.2 mm; ovary 3.5 x 1.2 

mm. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Africa through Asia to Australia and New Guinea. Common in evergreen forests; PS 

18861 Karimthalappara; NS 19418 Pooppara 

ERIA Lindley 

1. Stem reduced to small discoid or globular pseudobulbs ................................................................................ 2 

1. Stem elongate, plurinodal pseudobulb .........................................................................................E. pauciflora 

2. Inflorescence one-flowered; lip 3-lobed.............................................................................................E. reticosa 

2. Inflorescence many flowered; lip unlobed ....................................................................................................... 3 

3. Flowers second................................................................................................................................... E. dalzellii 

3. Flowers not second.................................................................................................................................E. tiagii 

Eria dalzellii (Hook.) Lindl., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 47. 1859; FBI 5: 789. 1890; FPM 1425. 1928; 

FPL 477. 1990. Dendrobium dalzellii Hook. ex Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 4: 292. 

1852. D. fimbriatum Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 292. 1852. 

Pseudobulbs 1.5 cm in diameter. Leaves 3 or 4, 7 x 1 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, mucronate. 

Racemes to 10 cm long. Flowers greenish-yellow; sepals subsimilar, lanceolate, acuminate, 

margins with stalked glands, 3-veined; petals slightly, narrower than sepals; lip 3 x 1 mm, 

falcate panduriform, minutely papillate; disc with 2 thick yellowish orange ridges. 

Fl. September-October 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30629 Kothala 

327

Eria pauciflora Wight, Ic. t. 1636. 1851; FBI 5: 779. 1890; FPM 1425. 1928. 

Stem clavate, 8-10 cm tall. Leaves 2, 4-6 x 1 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Flowers white, in 

1.5-2 cm long, 2-flowered, terminal raceme; dorsal sepal 7.5 x 2.8 mm, obovate-oblong, acute, 3- 

veined; lateral sepals 10 x 5.5-7 mm, obliquely ovate, acute; petals 8.5 x 2 mm, oblonglanceolate, 

subacute-obtuse, 3-veined; lip 6.5 x 3.6 mm, quadrate, emarginate at apex; disc with 

fleshy bilobed calli; midlobe with 3 fleshy ridges. 

Fl. August-September 


Kariamchola 

Eria reticosa Wight, Ic. t. 1637. 1851; FBI 5: 787. 1890; FPL 477. 1990; FTSR 440. 1996. E. 

braccata sensu Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1425. 1928, non Lindl. 

Pseudobulbs discoid, 6-10 mm diameter, reticulated. Leaves 2 per pseudobulb, 2-7 x 0.5-1.5 

cm, oblanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, acute-apiculate, membranous. Flowers white, tinged with 

pink, solitary on 2-4 cm long slender scape from the pseudobulb; dorsal sepal 16-19 x 6-7 mm, 

oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 7-veined; lateral sepals 16-20 x 6-11 mm, obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 

acute, 7-veined; petals 15-19 x 6 mm, oblong-lanceolate, subacute, 5-veined; lip 16-19 x 5-9 mm, 

elliptic-oblong or ovate, obtuse emarginate at apex; disc with 2 white ridges reaching 

subapically. 

Fl. May-October 


Pezha 

Eria tiagii Manilal et al., JETB 5: 483. 1984. 

Pseudobulbs compressed, ca 4 mm, dia. often sheathed. Leaves 2 or 3, to 2.5 x 0.5 cm, 

oblanceolate, apiculate sessile. Racemes zigzag to 5 cm, terminal, bracts ca 2 mm, acuminate. 

Flowers white, ca 6 mm, sepals lanceolate ca 5 x 2.5 mm, petals 4 x 2 mm, lanceolate, lip 3 x 1 

mm, base clawed; disc with two linear calli at base ,distal end crenulate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 19743 Pezha 

FLICKINGERIA Hawkes 

Flickingeria nodosa (Dalz.) Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. 34: 41. 1980; FTSR 442. 1996. 

Dendrobium nodosum Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 292. 1852. D. macraei Hook. f. 

in Hook.f., FBI 5: 714. 1890, non Lindl. 1830. Desmotrichum fimbriatum Fischer in Gamble, 

FPM 1412. 1928, non Blume 1825. Ephemerantha macraei sensu Joseph, Orch. Nilgiris 88. 

1982, (Lindl.) Hunt & Summerh. 1961. 

Tufted epiphytes with creeping root stock and sympodially branched stem, 20-30 cm long, 

each branch ends in a fusiform pseudobulb. Leaves one per pseudobulb, 7-10 x 2 cm, oblonglanceolate, 

obtuse. Flowers white, 1-3 from the tip of a pseudobulb; bracts 1.8 x 2.5 mm, ovate, 

acuminate, 3-veined; dorsal sepal 10.5 x 3.5 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-veined; lateral 

sepals 10 x 4.5 mm, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, acute, 7-veined; petals 9.5 x 2.5 mm, 

lanceolate, acute, 3-veined; lip 12 x 6 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong, obtuse; midlobe sub 

quadrate, recurved, crenulate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in the margins of evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 30194 Kottayali; NS 30382 Pandaravarai 

GASTROCHILUS D. Don 

Gastrochilus flabelliformis (Baltt.&McCann) Sald., Fl. Hassan Dist. 830. 1976. Saccolabium 

flabelliformis Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35: 722. 1931. 

328

Leaves to 4.5 x 1 cm, falcate with purple tinges, unequally bilobed at apex. Racemes to 1.5 

cm long; flowers ca 5 mm across, sepals ca 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, petals ca 1 x 0.5 mm, spathulate 

yellow with red spots, lip 3-lobed, saccate, 3 x 2 mm, side lobes obtuse, midlobe fan shaped, 

crenate, white; column ca 1 mm dia, winged purple coloured, rostellum bifid, pollinia 2, 

glandular, 0.1 mm, stipe narrow. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30201 Kariamchola 

HABENARIA Willdenow 

1. Petals 2-paritite................................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Petals entire....................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves basal; inflorescence 1 or 2 flowered.................................................................................... H. rariflora 

2. Leaves cauline; inflorescence many flowered ....................................................................... H. multicaudata 

3. Inflorescence secund or subsecund; bracts cucullate .....................................................................H. barnesii 

3. Inflorescence not secund; bracts not cucullate................................................................................................ 4 

4. Sidelobes of lip linear-oblong..........................................................................................................H. ovalifolia 

4. Sidelobes of lip semi-ovate to recurved, cuneate or fimbriate ....................................................................... 5 

5. Ovary long pedicelled; flowers 1-3 ................................................................................... H. longicorniculata 

5. Ovary sessile; flowers more than 5 ................................................................................................................ 6 

6. Sidelobes of lip obovate, oblong................................................................................................... H. longicornu 

6. Sidelobes of lip ovate, obtuse..................................................................................................... H. plantaginea 

Habenaria barnesii Summerh. ex Fischer in Gamble, FPM 187. 1936; FTSR 443. 1996. 

Stem to 20 cm high. Leaves to 2.5 x o.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Flowers in secund 

spikes; bracts 2.5 x 1 cm, cucullate, foliaceous, almost concealing flowers; dorsal sepal 3.5 x 2 

mm, ovate, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals 5 x 2.5 mm, falcately ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, 5- 

veined; petals 4 x 1.5 mm, falcately linear-lanceolate, obtuse, 2-veined; lip 10 x 15 mm, 3-lobed; 

lateral lobes linear; midlobe oblong, obtuse; spur 1.5 cm long, cylindric, obtuse, shorter than 

ovary. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in wet areas of grasslands; PS 19677 

Karimala 

Habenaria longicorniculata Grah., Cat. Bombay Pl. 202. 1839; FPL 482. 1990; FTSR 444. 1996. 

H. longicalcarata A. Rich., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Ser. 2) 15: 71, t. 3B. 1841; FBI 6: 141. 1890; Fischer in 

Gamble, FPM 1470. 1928. 

Stem 20-60 cm high. Leaves clustered towards base of stem, to 15 x 2 cm, oblong-lanceolate 

or linear-lanceolate, acute. Scape to 40 cm long. Flowers white, 2.5 cm across; sepals 1 x 0.6 cm, 

obliquely ovate; dorsal sepal concave; petals 1 x 0.3 cm, spathulate, obtuse; lip 3-partite, side 

lobes 1 x 0.6 cm, oblong, subcuneate, oblique at apex, subentire, 1 x 0.6 cm; midlobe linearoblong, 

little shorter than the side lobes, narrower; spur to 12 cm long, linear, subclavate, to 12 

cm long. 

Fl. July-August 

Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in wet areas of grasslands; PS 30774 

Vengoli 

Habenaria longicornu Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 322. 1835; FBI 6. 139. 1890; FPM 1470. 1928; FPL 

482. 1990; FTSR 444. 1996. H. montana A. Rich., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. 15: t. 4A.1841. 

Stem 10-40 cm high. Leaves to 12 x 2.5 cm, clustered towards the middle of the stem, linearoblong, 

lanceolate, acute or acuminate. Scape to 25 cm tall. Flowers to 8, 2.5 cm across; bracts 

shorter than the 2.5 cm long ovary; sepals ovate, acute; petals linear-oblong, narrower; lip 3- 

329

partite; side lobes 1.2 x 0.5 cm, cuneate, apex obliquely truncate, fimbriate; midlobe linear, 

shorter; spur to 10 cm long, apex clavate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Fairly common in deciduous forests; PS 30480 Vengoli 

Habenaria multicaudata Sedgw., Rec. Bot. Surv. India 6: 352. 1919; FPM 1469. 1928; FPL 482. 

1990. 

Stem 2-30 cm high. Leaves cauline, 6-20 x 2-5 cm, elliptic-oblong, clustered near the middle 

of the stem. Flowers greenish-white, in many flowered, 30 cm long racemes; bracts shorter than 

ovary, sheathing; lateral sepals falcate; petals bilobed, lobes filiform; lip 3-lobed, lobes filiform; 

lateral lobes arched; midlobe shorted; spur shorter than the ovary, curved, swollen at apex. 

Fl. August-November 


Habenaria ovalifolia Wight, Ic. t. 1708. 1851; FBI 6: 149. 1890; FPM 1471. 1928; FTSR 444. 

1996. 

Stem 30-60 cm high, robust. Leaves 15-18 x 4-5.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute, clustered to the 

middle of the stem. Flowers greenish-white, in 45-50 cm long, lax raceme, peduncle 30-35 cm 

long; bracts 11-12 x 2.5-3 mm, lanceolate, acuminate; dorsal sepal 4 x 5 mm, broadly elliptic, 

obtuse; lateral sepals 4 x 2.5 mm, obliquely elliptic-oblong, subacute to obtuse, 3-veined; petals 

5 x 2.5 mm, obliquely oblong-obtuse; lip, 6 x 11 mm, 3-lobed; lobes unequal, lateral lobes 6 x 1 

mm, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, obtuse; spur 16 x 8 mm, cylindrical, subacute. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 30082 Kuchimudi 

Habenaria plantaginea Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 323. 1835; FBI 6: 141. 1890; Fischer in Gamble, 

FPM 1470. 1928; FPL 483. 1990; FTSR 444. 1996. 

Stem 6-20 cm high. Leaves 3 or 4, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, acute, adpressed to the ground. 

Flowers white, lax raceme; dorsal sepal 5 x 4 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, hooded; lateral sepals 

6 x 3.5 mm, obliquely elliptic, obtuse; petals 4 x 2 mm, obliquely elliptic-oblong, obtuse, 1- 

veined; lip 3-lobed; lateral lobes 6 x 7 mm, ovate, subacute, crenate; midlobe 6 x 2 mm, 

spathulate, subacute; spur 33 mm long, cylindric, acute. 


Distr. India, Burma and Sri Lanka. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30807 

Velayudhankai 

Habenaria rariflora A. Rich., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Ser. 2) 15: 70, t. 2 D. 1841; FBI 6: 136. 1890; 

Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1460. 1928. 

Stem 10-12 cm high. Leaves 2.5-3.5 x 0.4 cm, linear, acute. Flowers white, 1 or 2, in 5-10 cm 

long, terminal raceme; dorsal sepal 6 x 6 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals 7.5 

x 3 mm, obliquely elliptic-oblong, subacute; petals 6 x 3 mm, unequally biparted, larger lobe 6 x 

3 mm, ovate, acute; smaller lobe 11 x 0.5 mm, linear acute; lip 15 x 3 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes 

11 x 0.5 mm, linear, acute, midlobe, 6 x 1 mm, oblong, obtuse; spur 40 x 2 mm, cylindric, obtuse. 


Distr. Peninsular India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30813 Karimala 

KINGIDIUM P. F. Hunt 

Kingidium niveum Sathish in Sathish & Manilal, Cat. India Orch. 53. t.16. 1994; FTSR 445. 

1996. 

Leaves to 7 x 2 cm, oblong-elliptic, coriaceous, acute. Flowers white, 2-4, in 3-5 cm long, 

slender raceme; dorsal sepal 6 x 3.5 mm, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals 5 x 4.5, 

330

ovate, obtuse; petals 4.5 x 3 mm, obovate, obtuse; lip 4.5 x 6.5 mm, 3-lobed; side lobes, 2 x 1.5 

mm, obovate, toothed along margins, fleshy, bilobulate, lamellate; midlobe 4 x 6.5 mm, 

triangular, base with fleshy callus, margins subentire, disc with 2 pairs of unequal antennae. 

Fl. October-November 



LIPARIS L.C. Richard 

1. Leaves linear or linear-oblong; pseudobulbs elongated ..............................................................L. viridiflora 

1. Leaves elliptic; pseudobulbs small................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Lip obovate-orbicular, 3-lobed.......................................................................................................... L. elliptica 

2. Lip sub-pandurate, emarginate, 2-lobed............................................................................................ L. wrayii 

Liparis elliptica Wight, Ic. t. 1735. 1851; FTSR 446. 1996. L. viridiflora sensu Hook.f., FBI 5: 

704. 1890, non Lindl. 1830; FPM 1411. 1928. 

Pseudobulb 2 x 1.5 cm, ovoid, laterally compressed, 2-leaved. Leaves 10-11 x 2.5-3 cm, linearelliptic, 

acute; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers white, in about 20 cm long, terminal raceme; dorsal 

sepal elliptic, obtuse, 1-veined; lateral sepals elliptic-oblong, apiculate, 1-veined; petals linear, 

subacute; lip 3 x 2 mm, ovate, subacuminate, with an ear like folding subapically. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in evergreen forests; NS 5748 Karimala Hills 

Liparis viridiflora (Blume) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 31. 1830; FPL 483. 1990; FTSR 446. 1996. 

Malaxis viridiflora Blume, Bijdr. 392. 1825. Liparis longipes Lindl. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 

31,t.35. 1830; FBI 5: 703. 1890; FPM 1411. 1928. 

Pseudobulb 8 x 2 cm, tapering towards apex. Leaves 2 per pseudobulb, 20-25 x 2 cm, linear, 

acuminate. Flowers creamy, in 20 mm long raceme; dorsal sepal oblong acute, 1-veined; lateral 

sepals obliquely oblong, obtuse, 1-veined; petals linear, acute, 1-veined; lip 2.5 x 2 mm, oblong, 

acute, obtuse. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19786 

Kanthalppara 

Liparis wrayii Hook.f., FBI 6: 181. 1890. L. indiraii Manilal & Sathish Kumar, Pl. Syst. Evol. 

145: 155-158. 1984. 

Terrestrial herbs, base swollen. Leaves 3 or 4 to 8 x 3 cm, elliptic, acute, sessile, margin 

undulate. Racemes terminal, bracts 3 mm, deltoid, flowers creamy-yellow, sepals ca 5 x 2 mm, 

lanceolate, acute, petals to 5 x 1 mm, linear, lip 5 x 3 mm, subpandurate, emarginate, apex 

shortly pectinate; disc with two calli at base, column ca 3 x 2 mm, covered, foot absent, pollinia 

ovoid, waxy. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 18990 Orukomban 

LUISIA Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

1. Slender pendent herbs; lip apex with two divergent lobes ......................................................L. evangelinae 

1. Erect tufted herbs; lip apex ovate-acute........................................................................................ L. zeylanica 

Luisia evangelinae Blatt. & McCann, Rev. Fl. Pres. Bombay 16: 493. 1932; FTSR 447. 1996. L. 

tenuifolia Blume var. evangelinae (Blatt. & McCann) Sant. & Kapad., Orch. Bombay 214. 1966. 

331

Stem pendent, to 20 cm long. Leaves 15 x 0.2 cm. Peduncle short, to 1.5 cm long. Flowers 3 

cm long. Sepals creamy white, oblong, 1.2 x 0.4 cm. Petals linear, creamy white with purple 

blotches, 2 x 0.2 cm. Lip pandurate, 2.2 x 1 cm, white with purple blotches. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common evergreen forests; PS 30144 Kariamchola 

Luisia zeylanica Lindl., Fol. Orch. Luisia 3. 1853; FTSR 447. 1996. Cymbidium triste Wight, Ic. 

Pl. Ind. Orient. t. 911. 1845 & t. 1689. 1851. C. tenuifolium sensu Wight, Ic. t. 1689. 1851, non 

Willd. 1805-1806. Luisia teretifolia Hook.f., FBI 6: 22. 1890, Gaud. 1826; FPM 1438. 1928. 

Stem erect, to 20 cm tall. Leaves to 15 cm long, linear, obtuse. Flowers yellow, in short leafopposed 

clusters; dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals oblong, obtuse, 

keeled, 5-veined; petals oblong, acute, 5-veined; lip 6 x 2-4 mm, 3-lobed; side lobes small, 

obliquely ovate, obtuse; midlobe 4 x 2.5, cordately ovate, obtuse, saccate at base. 

Fl. March-August 

Distr. South Asia. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 30298 Vengoli 

NERVILIA Commerson ex Gaudichaud-Beaupre 

1. Petiole long; leaves raised above the ground; scape more the 5-flowered ................................. N. aragoana 

1. Petiole small; leaves adpressed to the ground; flowers 1-3 on scape ............................................................ 2 

2. Leaves green; scape one flowered ...............................................................................................N. crociformis 

2. Leaves green with purple blotches; scape two flowered ..................................................................N. plicata 

Nervilia aragoana Gaud., Freyc. Voy. Bot. 422, t.35. 1829; FPM 1459. 1928; FTSR 448. 1996. 

Pogonia carinata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 414. 1840; FBI 6: 120. 1890. P. flabelliformis Lindl., 

Gen. Sp. Orch. 415. 1840; FBI 6: 121. 1890. 

Tubers ca. 2 cm across, subglobose, white. Leaf 12 x 8 cm, cordate, broadly ovate, acuminate, 

with 15-20 cm long petiole. Scape 20 cm tall, lax-flowered. Flowers greenish; sepals 20 x 4 mm, 

oblanceolate, acute; petals 20 x 5 mm, similar to sepals; lip 22 x 5 mm, 3-lobed, obovate; lateral 

lobes oblong, acute; midlobe ovate, acute, crenulate, crimped, incurved, 8 mm long. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. Indo-Malesia, China to Australia and the Pacific. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30367 

Kariamchola 

Nervilia crociformis (Zoll. & Mor.) Seidenf., Dansk. Bot. Ark. 32: 151. 1978. Bolborchis 

crociformis Zoll. & Mor. in Moritzi, Syst. Verg. Pl. Zoll. 89. 1846. Nervilia crispata (Blume) 

Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. 45: 402. 1911. Pogonia crispata Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 1: 32. 1849. 

Nervilia monantha Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35: 724. 1932. N. prainiana (King & Pantl.) 

Seidenf., Dansk. Bot. Ark. 32: 149. 1978; FTSR 449. 1996. Pogonia prainiana King & Pantl., J. 

Asiat. Soc. Bengal (Pt. 2) 65: 129. 1896. 

Tubers ca. 2 cm across, subglobose. Leaves green, 6-7 x 7 cm, orbicular, cordate, velvety with 

short greenish white hairs on upper surface. Flowers pink, solitary; scape 10 cm long; sepals 

and petals similar, 30 x 5 mm, linear-oblanceolate, acute; petals slightly narrower; lip 20 x 15 

mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong, obtuse; midlobe truncate, crisped; disc with purplish hairs. 

Fl. May-June 

Distr. Indo-Malesia, China, New Guinea and Australia. Fairly common in evergreen and 

deciduous forests; PS 19569 Kariamchola; 30504 Karimala 

Nervilia plicata (Andr.) Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. 45: 403. 1911; FPM 1548. 1928; FPL 485. 1990; 

FTSR 449. 1996. Arethusa plicata Andr., Bot. Rep. 5. t.321. 1803. Cordyla discolor Blume , 

Bydr. 417. 1825. Epipactis plicata Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 454. 1832. Pogonia plicata (Roxb.) Lindl., 

Gen. Sp. Orch. 415. 1840; FBI 6: 119. 1890. P. discolor (Blume) Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat. 1: 

332

32. 1849. Nervilia discolor (Blume) Schltr. In Engl., Bot. Jahb. 45: 403. 1911. Pogonia biflora 

Wight, Ic. t. 1758. 1851; FBI 6: 119. 1890 Nervilia biflora (Wight) Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. 45: 403. 

1911; FPM 1549. 1928. 

Tubers 1.5 x 2 cm across, subglobose, white. Leaf green with purple blotches, 7 x 6 cm, 

sessile, cordate, orbicular, obtuse, hairy, margins wavy. Scape to 16 cm long, 2-flowered; bracts 

5 x 2 mm, ovate-lanceolate; sepals and petals brownish, similar, 20 x 4 mm, oblong, lanceolate, 

acute; lip dark violet, 18 x 10 mm, elliptic, obtuse, margin wavy. 


Distr. India to Thailand. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19570, 30355 Kariamchola 

OBERONIA Lindley 

1. Flowers non-resupinate, opening inwards.........................................................................................O. tenuis 

1. Flowers resupinate, opening outwards ........................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves not articulated at base ......................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves articulated at base................................................................................................................................ 4 

3. Petals toothed ........................................................................................................................... O. brachyphylla 

3. Petals entire........................................................................................................................................O. recurva 

4. Scape terete, not winged laterally .............................................................................................. O. verticillata 

4. Scape flattened or two winged laterally .......................................................................................................... 5 

5. Leaves dull brown, oblong, obtuse ............................................................................................... O. santapaui 

5. Leaves green or yellowish-green, ensiform..................................................................................................... 6 

6. Disc of lip saccate ......................................................................................................................... O. sebastiana 

6. Disc of lip not saccate................................................................................................................... O. mucronata 

Oberonia brachyphylla Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35: 257. 1931; Ansari & Bal., Orch. Monogr. 

4:38.1990; FPL 486. 1990. 

Leaves to 4 x 0.6 cm, oblong-ensiform, acuminate. Scape terete. Spike to 7 cm long. Flowers 

2 x 1 mm, greenish-orange yellow, scattered; dorsal sepals ovate, acute; lateral sepals obliquely 

ovate, subacuminate; petals oblong, obtuse, dentate; lip 3-lobed; lateral lobes ear-like, dentate; 

midlobe obovate, 2-lobuled; lobules oblong, dentate at apex, sinus without any protuberance; 

disc obovate-orbicular, concave. 

Fl. January-April 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common evergreen and deciduous forests; PS 

19501 Orukomban; NS 19827 Kannimara; PS 19407 Kariamchola 

Oberonia mucronata (D. Don) Ormerod & Seiden. in Seiden., Contrib. Orchid. Fl. Thailand 13: 

20. 1997. Stelis mucronata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 32. 1825. Oberonia iridifolia Lindl. var. 

denticulata (Wight) Hook.f., FBI 5: 675. 1888; FPM 1406. 1928. O. denticulata Wight, Ic. t. 

1625. 1851; Ansari & Bal., Orch. Monogr. 4:21.1990; FPL 487. 1990; FTSR 450. 1996. 

Leaves to 20 x 2 cm, oblong-ensiform, acute. Scape flattened. Spike to 30 cm long. Flowers 

brownish yellow, 2.5 x 1 mm, in verticils; bracts 1.3 x 0.8 mm, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 

denticulate; sepals similar, ovate, acute; petals ovate, acute, denticulate; lip 1.5 x 1.5 mm, 

quadrate, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong, dentate; midlobe 2-lobuled; lobules oblong-ovate, acute, 

deeply dentate, diverging; disc ovate, indistinct. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Pacific. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19826, 

NS 19828, PS 19829 Kannimara 

Oberonia recurva Lindl., Bot. Reg. 25,8. 1839 & Fol. Orch. Oberonia 5. 1859; FBI 5: 680. 1888; 

Ansari & Bal., Orch. Monogr. 4:38.1990; FTSR 450. 1996. O. lingmalensis Blatt. & McCann, 

JBNHS 35: 255. 1931. 

333

Leaves to 2.5 x 0.6 cm, linear-ensiform, acute. Scape terete. Spike to 6 cm long. Flowers 1.5 x 

1 mm, orange-yellow, in verticils; dorsal sepal oblong or ovate, obtuse; lateral sepals ovate, 

acuminate; petals oblong-ovate or oblanceolate, acute; lip 3-lobed; lateral lobes ear-like, curved 

upwards; midlobe oblong, 2-lobuled; lobules oblong-ligulate, diverging, sinus narrow, without 

any protuberance; disc obovate, concave. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. India to Thailand and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19357 Pezha 

Oberonia santapaui Kapad., JBNHS 57: 265. 1960; Ansari & Bal., Orch. Monogr. 4:18.1990; 

FPL 487. 1990; FTSR 450. 1996. O. lindleyana Wight, Ic. t. 1624. 1851, non Brongn. ex Duperr. 

1834; FBI 5: 681. 1888; FPM 1407. 1928. 

Leaves to 17 x 2.5 cm, oblong, obtuse, dull brown. Scape flattened. Spike to 19 cm long, thick. 

Flowers 3 x 1.5 mm, reddish-brown, in verticils; dorsal sepal oblong, obtuse; lateral sepals 

oblong-ovate, subacute; petals linear, truncate, reflexed; lip 3-lobed; lateral lobes longitudinally 

elongated, subcrenate; midlobe 2-lobuled; lobules oblong, crenate, converging, sinus broad, with 

a conical protuberance; disc ovate, crescent-shaped, cushion like band. 



PS 30372 Pandaravarai; NS 30411 Kuchimudi 

Oberonia sebastiana Shetty & Vivek., Bull. Bot. Surv. India 17: 157. 1975; Ansari & Bal., Orch. 

Monogr. 4:11.1990. 

Leaves to 20 x 1.5 cm, ensiform, acute. Scape flattened. Spike to 30 cm long. Flowers 2.5 x 1 

mm, yellow, subverticillate; dorsal sepal oblong, obtuse; lateral sepals ovate, subacute; petals 

oblong, obtuse; lip semi-orbicular, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong-obovate, wing-like; midlobe, 2- 

lobuled; lobules obovate, cuneate, diverging; disc crescent-shaped, saccate. 

Fl. October-December 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen 

forests; PS 19879 Velayudhankai 

Oberonia tenuis Lindl., Fol. Orch. Oberonia 4. 1859; FBI 5: 682. 1888. Malaxis tenuis (Lindl.) 

Reichb. f., Walp. Ann. 6: 211. 1861. Iridorchis tenuis (Lindl.) Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 669. 1981. 

Leaves to 6 x 8 cm, sub-falcate, linear-lanceolate, acute. Inflorescence to 12 cm terete, scape 

to 5 mm, bracts 3 mm, small subulate, gland dotted. Flowers ca 3 mm, brownish-red, sepal ca 1 

x 0.5 mm, lanceolate, ovate, acuminate, subequal, gland dotted, petals ca 1 x 0.3 mm, linear, 

gland dotted, lip 3-lobed, lateral lobes erect, surrounding the column, gland doted, midlobe 

obscurely 3-lobulate, column short, pollinia 4. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19300 Orukomban 

Oberonia verticillata Wight, Ic. t. 1626. 1851; FBI 5: 677. 1888; FPM 1405. 1928; Ansari & Bal., 

Orch. Monogr. 4:28.1990. O. verticillata var. longibracteata Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35: 255. 

1931. O. spiralis Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 35: 256. 1931, non Griff. 1851, nec. Lindl. 1852. 

Leaves to 15 x 1.2 cm, oblong-ensiform, acute. Scape terete; spike to 27 cm long. Flowers 

orange-yellow, 4.5 x 2 mm, in verticils; dorsal sepal oblong-ovate, obtuse; lateral sepals 

obliquely ovate, acute; petals oblong or ovate, obtuse; lip 3-lobed; lateral lobes rounded, auricled; 

midlobe 2-lobuled; lobules orbicular or obovate, serrate, overlapping each other, sinus narrow; 

disc indistinct. 

Fl. September-January 

Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional in evergreen and moist deciduous forests; PS 30453 

Vengoli 

334

PACHYSTOMA Blume 

Pachystoma pubescens Blume, Bijdr. 376. 1825; FTSR 451. 1996. Apaturia senilis Lindl., Gen. 

Sp. Orch. 130. 1831. Pachystoma senile (Lindl.) Reichb. f., Bonplandia 3: 251. 1855; FBI 5: 812. 

1890; FPM 1426. 1928; FPL 488. 1990. 

Terrestrial herbs, with 'V'-shaped tuber, leafless when flowering. Leaves 1 or 2, linear, to 20 

x 1.5 cm; scape above ground portion 25-40 cm long. Flowers 3-8, towards the apex of scape, 

pink-purple; bracts 1.5-2.5 x 4 mm, ovate, acuminate; sepals pubescent outside, subsimilar, 

elliptic-oblong, acute, 5-veined; petals 13 x 1-2.5 mm, oblanceolate-oblong, obliquely acute, 3-5- 

veined; lip 11 x 4-8 mm, 3-lobed; side lobes obliquely ovate, obtuse; midlobe 4.5 x 4 mm, oblong, 

obtuse; disc ridged, base saccate. 

Fl. January 

Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in grasslands’; PS 19308 Karimala 

PAPILIONANTHE Schlechter 

Papilionanthe cylindrica (Lindl.) Seidenf., Descr. Epidendr. Koing 1791:33.1995; Aerides 

cylindricum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 240.1833; FBI 6.44.1890; FPM 1442.1928. Papilionanthe 

subulata auct. non (Willd.) Garay: Pradhan, Indian Orch. 563. 1979; FPL 488. 1990. 

Epiphytes, to 40 cm high; stem woody. Leaves scattered, 6-8 x 0.3 cm, linear, terete, acute. 

Flowers white, one or two in 1.5-2 cm long, short, leaf opposed racemes; dorsal sepal 11 x 8 mm, 

ovate, obtuse, 5-7-veined; lateral sepals 13 x 8 mm, obliquely ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, 7-veined; 

petals 11 x 9 mm, ovate, obtuse, 7-veined; lip 15 x 12 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong, obtuse; 

midlobe tongue-shaped, recurved, obtuse; disc with 2-longitudinal calli. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in semi-evergreen forests; PS 30815 Karimala 

PERISTYLUS Blume 

1. Side lobes of lip filiform, distinct from the midlob.........................................................................P. aristatus 

1. Side lobes of lip not filiform, similar to the midlob.................................................................P. plantagineus 

Peristylus aristatus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 300. 1835; FPM 1474. 1928; FPL 489. 1990. 

Habenaria aristata (Lindl.) Hook. f. in Trimen, Cat. Ceylon Pl. 91. 1885; FBI 6: 158. 1890, non 

King & Pantl, 1898. 

Leaves 4-7 x 2 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, subacuminate. Flowers white, in 10-18 cm long, lax 

spike, peduncle 12-15 cm long; bracts lanceolate, margins finely erose; dorsal sepal 5 x 1.8 mm, 

elliptic-oblong, obtuse; lateral sepals 4.1 x 1.8 mm, obliquely ovate-oblong, obtuse; petals 5.5 x 

2.1-2.5 mm, oblanceolate-oblong, obtuse; lip 5 x 2 mm, 3-lobed; lobes very unequal; lateral lobes 

7.5-8 x 0.5 mm, linear, acute, midlobe 2.5 x 0.9 mm, oblong, obtuse; spur 3.2 x 1.5 mm, ellipsoid, 

acute, with cylindric stalk. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19734 Pezha 

Peristylus plantagineus Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 300. 1835; FPM 1475. 1928; FTSR 452. 1996. 

Habenaria wightii Trimen, Cat. Pl. Ceylon 91. 1885; FBI 6: 162. 1890. 

Leaves to 16 x 4.5 cm, oblong or broadly elliptic, acute, glabrous and glossy. Flowers creamy, 

many, in 20-25 cm long spikes; bracts 8-10 x 2 mm, linear-lanceolate; sepals pale brown, oblong, 

obtuse; petals 2.5 x 2 mm, orbicular; lip white, 2 x 2 mm, obscurely 3-lobed, broadly ovate-oblong. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19876 Velayudhankai 

PHOLIDOTA Lindley ex W. J. Hooker 

Pholidota imbricata Hook., Exot. Fl. t. 138. 1825; FPM 1431. 1928. P. pallida Abraham & 

Vatsala, Intr. Orch. 288. 1981, non Lindl. 1836; FPL 490. 1990; FTSR 452. 1996. 

335

Epiphytes, to 35 cm long. Pseudobulb 5 x 2 cm, sheathed, ovoid, subtetragonal smooth, 

crowded. Leaves to 40 x 5.5, solitary, oblanceolate-oblong, acute, coriaceous, shallowly plicate. 

Flowers creamy orange, in 50-60 cm long, terminal, pendulous racemes; bracts 6-9 x 5-6 mm, 

ovate or orbicular, acute, imbricating distichous; dorsal sepal ovate, obtuse, 3-5-veined; lateral 

sepals ovate, cymbiform, connate at base, acute, 3-5-veined; petals linear, subacute, 1-veined; 

lip 8 x 8.4 mm; saccate 5-veined; midlobe bifid, lobules rounded. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30156 Muthuvarachal 

POLYSTACHYA W. J. Hooker 

Polystachya concreta (Jacq.) Garay & H.R. Sweet, Revista Soc. Colomb. Orquideol. 9: 206. 1974; 

FTSR 453. 1996. Epidendrum concretum Jacq., Enum. Pl. Carib. 30. 1760. Polystachya 

purpurea Wight, Ic. t. 1679. 1851; FBI 6: 21. 1890; FPM 1437. 1928. P. wightii Reichb. f. in 

Walp., Ann. 6: 640. 1861; Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1437. 1928. Onychium flavescens Bl., Bijdr. 

325. 1825. P. flavescens (Bl.) J. J. Sm., Fl. Buitenz. 6: 284, f. 218. 1905; FPL 490. 1990. 

Epiphytes, to 15 cm high with globose pseudobulb, 1 x 1 cm. Leaves 6-10 x 0.9-1 cm, linearlanceolate, 

obtuse, 3-4 per pseudobulb. Flowers pinkish-brown, in 10-15 cm long dense terminal 

raceme, flowers bearing portion about 2-3 cm long; dorsal sepal ovate, acute, 3-veined; lateral 

sepals ovate, acute, basally connated and jointed with the column foot, 3-veined; petals linear, 

obtuse, apiculate, 1-veined; lip 2 x 1.5-2.8 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes obliquely oblong, acute; 

midlobe orbicular-ovate, truncate at apex; disc with a longitudinal callus; column short 

continued into a long foot; pollinia 2, globose. 

Fl.: July-August 


PTEROCERAS Hasskarl 

Pteroceras monsooniae Sasidh. & Sujanapal sp. nov. (in press) [Figure 11]. 

Epiphytic herbs, stem to 2 cm tall erect, unbranched, Leaves 3(4), distichously alternate, to 

4-8 x 1-2 cm, sessile, articulate, linear or elliptic-lanceolate, slightly wider towards the apex, 

unequally bilobed, lobes rounded; leaf sheath imbricate, glabrous, covering the internodes. 

Inflorescence racemose, from the axils of older leaf sheath, 2-7, unbranched, at right angles to 

the stem, 1-3 cm long; peduncle terete, ca. 4 mm diameter, grey, densely covered with soft 

brown prickles; bracts ca. 6 mm long, persistent, broadly ovate, spinulose at apex, prickly on 

abaxial side; base 6 mm wide, more or less sheathing the peduncle; flowers 2-4, sessile, spirally 

alternating (one opens at a time). Sepals and petals free, spreading, sparsely prickly on abaxial 

side, greyish-white; median sepal ca. 1.8 x 1 cm, laterals adnate to the column foot, ellipticobovate, 

apex acute; petals ca. 1.4 x 0.8 cm, oblong-obovate, apex rounded, glabrous or slightly 

muricate on abaxial side. Labellum to 6 mm long, distinctly stalked, stalk ca. 4 mm long, side 

lobes 4 x 3 mm, embracing the column before anthesis and spreading (open) after anthesis, 

apical part widened, apex obliquely rounded, midlob small, with a porrect spur. spur sac like, 

ca. 3 mm across and 2 toothed at mouth, apex rounded with 2 dorsal ridges, lower ridge 

yellowish ca. 2 mm; rostellum ca. 3, mm deeply bifid 3 mm, clinandrium 3 mm diameter, 

apiculum 2 mm long. Anther terminal, triangular with a caudate apex, strongly incumbent, 

dehiscing ventrally, to form 2 flaps; pollinia 2, obovoid, 1.5-1.8 x 1 mm, cleft deeply, ‘L’ shaped, 

stipe ca. 2 mm long, narrowed to the base, bilobed at apex, lobes rounded, viscidium obovate, to 

1 mm long, broader than the stipe. Ovary ca. 1 cm, terete, twisted to left, faintly 6-ribbed, 

sparsely echinate. Capsule ellipsoid, to 2.8 x 1.6 cm, 6 ribbed depressed at apex. 


Distr. Known only from the type locality. Rare in the margins of deciduous forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 30407, NS 30596 Kuchumudi 

336

Figure 11. Pteroceras monsooniae Sasidharan & Sujanapal. A. habit; B. flower; C. & 

D. column with lip (dorsal and ventral view); E. flower L.S. (sepals and 

petals removed); F. column; G. bract; H. sepal; I. petal; J. & K. stipe with 

viscidium (dorsal and ventral view); L. & M. pollinia 

337

RHYNCHOSTYLIS Blume 

Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Bl., Bijdr. 286, t. 49. 1825; FBI 6: 32. 1890; FPM 1440. 1928; FPL 492. 

1990; FTSR 454. 1996. Epidendrum retusum L., Sp. Pl. 953. 1753. 

Epiphytes, to 40 cm tall; stem stout, woody. Leaves to 30 x 2 cm, lorate, obliquely bilobed at 

apex with a mucro in between, lobules rounded. Flowers violet pink, closely packed in 30-40 cm 

long, stout, compact, pendulous axillary raceme; sepals and petals similar; dorsal sepal ovate or 

ovate-oblong, obtuse; lateral sepals 8 x 7 mm, obliquely ovate, subacute; petals 6 x 3 mm, 

oblong-ovate, obtuse; lip entire, oblong, pink; clawed; claw deflexed, deeply inflexed, cuneiform; 

disc 2-lobed; spur 5 mm long, laterally compressed, tip emarginate; puberulus inside; column 

short; foot very short; pollinia 2, globose, with long caudicle. 

Fl. June-July 

Distr. India to Philippine Islands. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

30808 Sungam 

SEIDENFIA Szlachetko 

Seidenfia rheedei (Sw.) Szlach., Syst. Orch. 122. 1995. Malaxis rheedei Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. 

Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 235. 1800; FTSR 448. 1996. Microstylis versicolor Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 

21. 1830; FPM 1408. 1928. M. rheedei (Sw.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 21. 1830p.p.; FBI 5: 690. 

1890. Malaxis versicolor (Lindl.) Abeywickr., Ceylon J. Sci. Biol. Sci. 2:147.1959; FPL 484. 1990. 

Terrestrial herbs, to 40 cm tall. Leaves 15-18 x 5-6 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate. 

Flowers orange-yellow, turning purplish, 8 x 3.5 mm, in about 15-25 cm long terminal dense 

racemes; dorsal sepal linear, obtuse, 3-veined; lateral sepals linear, obtuse, 3-veined; petals 

lanceolate, obliquely truncate, 1-veined; lip 1.6 x 3 mm, subquadrate, pectinate, 9-10 toothed. 


Distr. India to Thailand, China and Sri Lanka. Common in moist localities of evergreen and 

semi-evergreen forests; PS 18989, 19528 Orukomban; NS 30443 Karimala 

SIRHOOKERA O. Kuntze 

Sirhookera latifolia (Wight) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 681. 1891; FPL 493. 1990; FTSR 454. 1996. 

Josephia latifolia Wight, Ic. t. 1743. 1851; FBI 5: 823. 1890; FPM 1428. 1928. 

Epiphytes with very short stem and vermiform roots. Leaves 9-10 x 2-2.5 cm, oblong, acute. 

Flowers white, in 15-20 cm long branched racemes; dorsal sepal obovate, obtuse, 3-veined; 

lateral sepals elliptic-oblong, obtuse, 3-veined; petals oblong, obtuse, 1-veined; lip 4 x 2 mm, 3- 

lobed; lateral lobes smaller, oblong, obtuse, incurved; midlobe ovate, obtuse or acute. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19747 Pezha 

SMITHSONIA Saldanha 

1. Inflorescence longer than leaves; lip sac with tuft of hairs.......................................................... S. maculata 

1. Inflorescence shorter than leaves; lip sac naked within .............................................................S. straminea 

Smithsonia maculata (Dalz.) Sald., JBNHS 71: 74. 1974. Micropera maculata Dalz., Hook.'s J. 

Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 282. 1851. Saccolabium maculatum (Dalz.) Hook.f., FBI 6: 64. 1890. 

Gastrochilus maculatus (Dalz.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 661. 1891. 

Leaves 2 or 3, to 10 x 3 cm, oblanceolate, apex unequally bilobed, base sheathed. Racemes 

lateral; flowers ca 10 x 8 mm, sessile, yellowish with purple bands; bracts ca 2.5 x 2 mm, 

persistent, broadly ovate, sepals and petals 5-6 x 3.5 mm, obovate, oblong rounded, lip fleshy, 3- 

lobed, lateral lobes ca 2.5 mm long, midlobe ca 2.5 x 2 mm, obscurely 3-lobed, rounded; spur 

conical ca 5 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19781 Kanthalppara; 30363 

Kariamchola 

338

Smithsonia straminea Sald., JBNHS 71: 74. 1974 & in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 850. 

1976; FPL 493. 1990; FTSR 454. 1996. 

Leaves to 4 x 0. 6 cm, oblong, unequally lobed at apex. Racemes to 1.5 cm long; flowers to 5, 

pale yellow; sepals 3 x 1 mm; dorsal ovate-acute concave, laterals obovate-acute. Lip white, 2.5 

x 1 mm; midlobe with short lateral wings; spur purple, 1.5 mm long. 

Fl. May 

Distr. Endemic to South India. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 19299 Pezha 

TAENIOPHYLLUM Blume 

Taeniophyllum scaberulum Hook.f., FBI 6: 77. 1890; FPM 1448. 1928; Rajesh et al., Rheedea 

7:43.1997. 

Leafless epiphytic herbs, roots subterete, 5-8 x 0.1 cm. Flowers creamy white, 4 x 2 mm, in 

1.5-2 cm long, flexuous spikes; bracts 0.9 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, persistent; sepals and petals 

united into a 6 toothed tube; lobes ovate, acute; lip ovate, acute, tip recurved, base saccate. 

Fl. February-June 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 19497 

Thellikkal 

Note: This endangered tiny orchid was recently rediscovered after 140 years from Periyar Tiger Reserve. 

The present collection from the sanctuary is a new distribution locality. 

TRICHOGLOTTIS Blume 

Trichoglottis tenera (Lindl.) Reichb.f., Gard. Chron. 699. 1872; FTSR 455. 1996. Oeceoclades 

tenera Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 236. 1833. Cleisostoma tenerum (Lindl.) Hook.f., FBI 6: 73. 1890; 

FPM 1448. 1928. 

Scandent epiphytes. Leaves 3 x 1-1.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, obtuse. Flowers yellow, in fewflowered, 

stout raceme; dorsal sepal elliptic, obtuse, 5-veined; lateral sepals oblanceolate, 

falcate, obtuse, 3-veined; petals smaller than sepals, oblong, obtuse, 5-veined; lip adnate to the 

base of column, 7 x 7.5 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes oblong, lanceolate, obtuse; midlobe ovate, 

obtuse, 3-lobuled, rounded; spur 3 x 1 mm, cylindrical. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare along the margins of evergreen forest at higher 


TROPIDIA Lindley 

Tropidia angulosa (Lindl) Blume, Coll. Orch. Arch. Ind. 122. 1858; FBI 6: 92. 1890; FPM 1452. 

1928; FPL 494. 1990. Cnemidia angulosa Lindl., Bot. Reg. t. 1618. 1833. Govindooia nervosa 

Wight, Ic. t. 2090. 1853. 

Terrestrial woody herbs, to 30 cm tall; stem sheathed below the leaves. Leaves 2 or 3, 

towards apex, 10 x 6 cm, elliptic, acute, sessile, membranous. Flowers white, in 8-10 cm long, in 

many-flowered terminal spike; bracts 21 x 1 mm, linear, 3-veined, spreading; dorsal sepal 

narrowly oblong, acute; lateral sepals oblong, acute, connate nearly to the apex forming a 

mentum enclosing the lip; petals oblong, obtuse; lip 20 x 1 mm, obpanduratus, obtuse; spur 

cylindric; column short; pollinia 2, clavate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30016 Pezha 

VANDA Jones ex R. Brown 

1. Flowers to 5 cm long; petals tessellated ........................................................................................V. tessellata 

1. Flowers to 2 cm long; petals not tessellated....................................................................................V. testacea 

339

Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook. ex D. Don in Loud., Hort. Brit. 372. 1830; FPM 1445. 1928. 

Epidendrum tessellatum Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 42. 1795. Vanda roxburghii R.Br., Bot. Reg. 6. 

t.506. 1820; FBI 6: 52. 1890. 

Scandent epiphytic shrubs. Leaves 2-ranked, to 15 x 2.2 cm, oblong, recurved conduplicate, 

2-lobed at apex, with a central acute tip, base sheathing, coriaceous, closely packed. Racemes 

axillary; flowers 5 cm across, white outside, inner tessellate with brown spots; petals to 5 cm; lip 

bluish dotted with purple, 3-lobed, side lobes 7 mm; spur 5 mm, conical; column 5 mm. 


Distr. India, Myanmar, China and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 


Vanda testacea (Lindl.) Reichb. f., Gard. Chron. 2: 166. 1877; FPL 495. 1990; FTSR 456. 1996. 

Aerides testacea Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 238. 1833. Vanda parviflora Lindley, Edward's Bot. Reg. 

30: Misc. 57. 1844; FBI 6: 50. 1890; FPM 1444. 1928. 

Stout herbs. Leaves 9-16 x 1 cm, strap-shaped, keeled, unequally lobed at apex. Flowers 

pinkish, in 10-15 cm long, raceme; dorsal sepal obovate-oblong or spathulate, obtuse, 5-veined; 

lateral sepals elliptic-subacute, 5-veined; petals spathulate, obtuse, 5-veined; lip 10 x 5 mm, 3- 

lobed; lateral lobes 3 x 1.5 mm, oblong, obliquely lanceolate, obtuse; midlobe 6.5 x 5 mm, 

obconical, emarginate, margins finely close-dentate, with 2 parallel fleshy ridges; spur 

cylindrical. 

Fl. April-May 

Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Common in deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19825 

Kannimara; 30296 Parambikulam 

XENIKOPHYTON Garay 

Xenikophyton smeeanum (Reichb. f.) Garay, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harvard Univ. 23: 374. 1974. 

Saccolabium smeeanum Reichb. f., Gard. Chron. ser 3, 2: 214. 1887. Rhynchostylis latifolia 

Fischer, Kew Bull. 1927: 358. 1927; FPM 1440. 1928. 

Erect epiphytes. Leaves 5-7.5 x 1.5-2.5 cm, oblong, apex unequally bilobed, channelled above. 

Raceme simple or branched to 10 cm long; bracts ca 2 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, sepal 

and petal ca 3 x 2 mm, ovate-oblong, obtuse, lip obscurely 3-lobed, arched, base spurred, column 

short, pollinia 2. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 30376 Pandaravarai 

ZEUXINE Lindley 

1. Lobules of lip irregularly toothed................................................................................................. Z. longilabris 

1. Lobules of lip not toothed........................................................................................................................Z. flava 

Zeuxine flava (Wall ex Lindl.) Benth. ex Hook.f., FBI 6: 108. 1890. Etaeria flava Wall. ex Lindl., 

Wall. Cat. 7380. A & B, non c, 1832. nom nud. Monochilus flavum Wall. ex Lindl., Gen. & Sp. 

Orch. 437. 1840. 

Stem to 36 cm high, rhizome creeping, 5-10 cm long. Leaves 5 x 2 cm, elliptic, acute; petiole 2 

cm long, sheathed. Flowers white with orange base, in 5-10 cm long, dense spike; peduncle 15- 

18 cm long; bracts 10 x 45 mm, ovate, acuminate; dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, 1- 

veined; lateral sepals elliptic, obtuse, 3-veined; petals subfalcate, oblong, obtuse, 1-veined; lip 3 

x 1.5-3.5 mm; midlobe 2-lobuled, each 1.5 x 1-1.8 mm, `T' shaped on spreading, squarish; 

hypochile saccate, with backwardly curved glands; margins of mesochile incurved. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30611 Orukomban 

340

Zeuxine longilabris (Lindl.) Benth. ex Hook. f., Gen. Sp. Pl. 3: 600. 1883; FBI 6: 107. 1890; FPM 

1456. 1928; FPL 495. 1990. Monochilus longilabris Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 478. 1840. Monochilus 

affine Wight, Ic. t. 1728. 1858, non Lindl. 

Stem to 30 cm tall, rhizome creeping, 5-10 cm long. Leaves 3-4.5 x 1-1.5 cm, ovate or elliptic, 

acute with sheathing base. Flowers white, in 15-25 cm long, lax spike; peduncle 10-18 cm long, 

hairy; bracts 8 x 3 mm, ovate, acuminate, pubescent outside; dorsal sepal ovate, acute, 3-veined; 

lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, obtuse, 3-veined; petals subfalcate, oblong, 

elliptic, acute, 2-veined; lip 12 x 1.5-9 mm, saccate at base with, bilobed, backwardly curved 

glands inside; epichile 8 x 3.5 mm, 2-lobuled, each elliptic-oblong, falcate, with dentate margins. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30620 Kariamchola 

ZINGIBERACEAE 


1. Flowers in spike................................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Inflorescence terminal on leafy stem...................................................................................................... Alpina 

2. Inflorescence lateral from the rhizome............................................................................................... Elettaria 

3. Leaves spirally alternating; strobilus bright red...................................................................................Costus 

3. Leaves distichous; strobilus otherwise............................................................................................................ 4 

4. Bracts pouched, basally connate.........................................................................................................Curcuma 

4. Bracts not as above ........................................................................................................................................... 5 

5. Spike terminal on leafy stem ........................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Spike lateral from the rhizome ........................................................................................................................ 8 

6. Ovary unilocular with parietal placentation ........................................................................................ Globba 

6. Ovary trilocular with axile placentation ......................................................................................................... 7 

7. Inflorescence enclosed by the leaf sheath; flowers few and exerted .........................................Boesenbergia 

7. Inflorescence not enclosed in the leaf sheath; flowers many with distinct imbricating bracts..... Hedychium 

8. Anther connective broad crest-like ....................................................................................................Amomum 

8. Anther connective produced into long tail at apex ............................................................................. Zingiber 

ALPINIA Roxburgh 

Alpinia smithiae Sabu & Mangaly, Edinb. J. Bot. 48: 69. 1991; Sabu & Mangaly, Rheedea 2: 

50.1992; FTSR 457. 1996. 

Leafy stem to 3 m tall. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, base oblique, densely pubescent 

below and glabrous above, to 60 x 10 cm; ligule to 1 cm long, entire. Panicle to 20 cm long; 

pedicels 0.5-1 cm long, densely pubescent. Bracts towards the apex, 3.5 x 1.2 cm; bracteoles 

white, larger than the bracts. Corolla white, tube 1 cm long; dorsal lobe 2.5 x 1.5 cm; laterals 2.5 

x 1 cm. Lip orange-yellow with dark red veins, 3.5-4 x 3.5 cm, orbicular, slightly narrowed 

towards base; lateral lobes subulate. Anther 1.2 cm long, hairy at back; crest rounded, 4 x 3 mm. 



30580 Thoothanppara 

AMOMUM Roxburgh 

1. Leaves silvery silky below; inflorescence to 3 flowered........................................................... A. hypoleucum 

1. Leaves not silvery silky below; inflorescence more than 8 flowered............................................................. 2 

2. Ligule bifid; ovary and capsule ribbed.....................................................................................A. pterocarpum 

2. Ligule entire; ovary and capsule echinate....................................................................................................... 3 

3. Capsule muricate; calyx lobes strongly cuspidate.....................................................................A. muricatum 

3. Capsule echinate; calyx lobes obtuse...................................................................................... A. cannicarpum 

341

Amomum cannicarpum (Wight) Benth., Gen. Pl. 3: 644. 1876; FBI 240. 1892; FPM 1487. 1928; 

FTSR 458. 1996. Elettaria cannicarpum Wight, Ic. t. 2007. 1853. 

Leafy stem 2-3 m high, erect, straight, loosely clumped; rootstock horizontal, much 

branched, reddish outside, light pink inside. Leaves 50 x 8 cm, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, 

glabrous, nearly sessile, lower leaves smaller; ligule 1 cm long, orbicular, reddish. Spike 1-few, 

to 16 cm long, obovoid; peduncles covered with imbricating bracts; basal empty bracts 3.5 cm 

long, ovate, obtuse, formed into sheath at base, reddish brown; bracteoles 2 cm long, tubular. 

Flowers one or two in a bract; calyx lobes obtuse; corolla lobes equal, 2 x 1 cm, obtuse, glabrous. 

Capsule 1.5 cm across, dark brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Fairly common in evergreen and moist deciduous forests 


Amomum hypoleucum Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 318. 1861; FBI 6: 240. 1892; FPM 1487. 1928. 

Leafy stem to 2 m tall, rhizome creeping. Leaves petiolate, to 65 x 11 cm, oblong-lanceolate, 

acuminate, silvery pubescent below, ligule short. Inflorescence on creeping runners; peduncle to 

7 cm, spike to 5 cm, narrow, to 3 flowered; bracts to 3 x 1 cm, oblong, glabrous; bracteoles longer 

than bracts; calyx trilobed; corolla white; labellum yellow, lateral stamens reduced, filaments to 

8 mm long; anthers to 1 cm, connective prolonged, epigynous glands 2. Capsule globose, to 2 cm 

diameter, with 7-8 ridges; seeds 5 x 3 mm, ovate, black, aril white. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30747 Kariamchola 

Amomum muricatum Bedd., Madras J. Sci. ser. 3, 1: 59. 1864; FPM 1487. 1928; FTSR 458. 

1996. 

Leafy stem 1.5-3 m high, densely clumped, erect, straight. Leaves 30 x 7 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

acuminate, sessile, glabrous; ligule 3 mm long, truncate, Spike 2-5-together, 14-15 cm long, 

shortly peduncled; floral bracts 3.5 x 1.5 cm, obovate, obtuse, ciliate; yellow with brown lines; 

bracteoles 2 cm long, lobes obtuse. Flowers densely packed; calyx tube 2.5 cm long, lobes obtuse, 

cuspidate; corolla tube 2.8 cm long, lobes unequal, to 3 x 1.8 cm, oblong, obtuse, yellow with red 

lines; anthers 9 mm long, crest, 15 mm broad, auriculate; lip 4 x 3 cm; middle lobes emarginate, 

yellow, with brown streaks. Capsule 1.5-2 cm across, brown. 



PS 18905 Karimalagopuram 

Amomum pterocarpum Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 317. 1861; FBI 6: 241. 1892. A. microstephanum 

Baker in Hook. f., FBI 6: 239. 1892; FPM 1487. 1928; FPL 497. 1990; FTSR 458. 1996. 

Leafy stem to 2 m high, clumped, erect; rhizome to 4 cm thick, old ones blue inside. Leaves 

to 50 x 12 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute at either ends, glabrous, usually clustered towards the apex; 

petiole 3 cm long; ligule 3 mm long, whitish. Spikes 5-15 cm long, 3-4 together, bracts 6-7 x 4 

cm, broadly elliptic, obtuse, pale pink. Flowers solitary in a bract; lip 4 x 3 cm, obovate, white 

with yellow centre. Capsule 3 cm long, glabrous; wings 3-8 mm broad, entire. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist deciduous forests; NS 30775 Kuchumudi 

BOESENBERGIA O. Kuntze 

Boesenbergia pulcherrima (Wall.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 685. 1891; FPL 498. 1990; FTSR 

458. 1996. Gastrochilus pulcherrima Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 22,t.24. 1829; FBI 6: 217. 1890. 

Leafy stem to 15-25 cm long. Leaves few, scattered, to 13 x 6 cm, broadly elliptic, acute at 

both ends, thinly tomentose beneath; petiole to 2 cm long; sheath saccate. Spike to 5 cm long, 

terminal, one sided; bracts 20 x 8 mm, obovate, obtuse; bracteoles tubular, deeply cleft to the 

342

ase. Flowers solitary in each bracts; calyx tube short, truncate; corolla tube 15 mm long; lobes 

equal, 10 x 4 mm, oblong; lip 20 x 15 mm, obovate, acute, white with brown spots; lateral 

staminodes 10 x 5 mm obovate; filaments 2 mm long; anthers parallel, not crested; ovary 3- 

celled, oblong; ovules few; style filiform. Fruit an oblong capsule. 


Distr. Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; PS 


COSTUS Linnaeus 

Costus speciosus (Koenig) Smith, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 1: 249. 1791; FBI 6: 249. 1892; FPM 

1490. 1928; FPL 498. 1990; FTSR 459. 1996. Banksea speciosa Koenig in Retz., Obs. Bot. 3: 75. 

1783. Costus nepalensis Rosc., Monandr. Pl. t. 80. 1828. 

Leafy stem 1-2 m tall, fleshy; rhizome horizontal, cylindrical. Leaves spiral, to 25 x 6 cm, 

oblong, acute, sessile, glabrous. Spike strobilioid, terminal, to 10 x 7 cm; bracts 3 cm long, 

oblong, mucronate, bright red. Flowers solitary in each bract, calyx 2 cm long, tubular; corolla 3- 

lobed, pinkish-white; lip 5 cm across, orbicular, white with yellow centre, entire; staminal 

filaments petalloid; anthers parallel. Capsule globose, reddish; seeds few, angled. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19628 Vengoli 

CURCUMA Roxburgh 

1. Inflorescence both lateral and terminal .......................................................................................................... 2 

1. Inflorescence either terminal or lateral........................................................................................................... 4 

2. Pseudostem more than 30 cm tall; rhizome yellow in centre white towards periphery ............................... 

...............................................................................................................................................C. pseudomontana 

2. Pseudostem to 15 cm tall; rhizome either yellow or white ............................................................................ 3 

3. Inflorescence without a coma; rhizome yellow............................................................ C. oligantha var. lutea 

3. Inflorescence with a coma; rhizome white ................................................................................C. nilghirensis 

4. Inflorescence terminal ...................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Inflorescence lateral.......................................................................................................................................... 7 

5. Leaves glabrous; rhizome orange coloured .....................................................................................C. vamana 

5. Leaves pubescent below at least on tip; rhizome yellow coloured................................................................. 6 

6. Sessile tubers absent; anther lobes without a spur.................................................................... C. ecalcarata 

6. Sessile tubers many, branched; anther lobes with a spur ..................................................................C. longa 

7. Leaves with a purple patch along the midrib ................................................................................ C. zedoaria 

7. Leaves without a purple patch along the midrib............................................................................................ 8 

8. Rhizome aromatic; lateral staminodes without a patch of glandular hair................................C. aromatica 

8. Rhizome not aromatic; lateral staminodes with a patch of glandular hairs at the centre ..........C. haritha 

Curcuma aromatica Salisb., Parad. Lond. t.96. 1807; FBI 6: 216. 1890; FPM 1483. 1928; Jose & 

Sabu, Rheedea 3:145.1993. C. zedoaria sensu Roxb., Asiat. Res. 11: 333. 1810, non (Christm.) 

Rosc. 

Rhizome orange yellow inside. Leaves to 65 x 20 cm, elliptic, acute at either ends; petiole to 

30 cm long; ligule membranous, obtuse. Spike 15-17 x 7 cm; crown purplish blue; bracts 4 x 3 

cm, orbicular or obovate, yellowish green, tomentose. Flowers brownish-yellow; calyx 1.5 cm 

long, lobes obtuse, corolla lobes 1.2 x 0.8 cm, glabrous, brownish; anthers 4 mm long; tail 3.5 

mm long, divaricating; lip yellowish, 1.5 x 1.5 cm, shallowly 3-lobed; midlobe emarginate; 

lateral staminode 1.2 x 1 cm. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and China. Rare in moist localities of moist deciduous forests; PS 19445 

Pooppara 

343

Curcuma ecalcarata Sivar. & Indu Balachandran, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 41: 321. 1983; 

Jose & Sabu, Rheedea 3:151.1993; FTSR 459. 1996. 

Rhizome branching, yellow inside. Leaves elliptic oblong to lanceolate, acuminate, to 20 x 8 

cm; ligule acute. Spike from the centre of the leaves; lower bracts green, oblong-obtuse; coma 

yellow or yellowish-white. Calyx truncate at apex, 1 cm long. Corolla about 2 cm long, dorsal 

lobe, larger, concave, hooded. Staminodes bright yellow. Lip 3-lobed, midlobe larger. Anthers 

not spurred. 

Fl. July-October 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Very common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

30416 Vengoli 

Curcuma haritha Mangaly & Sabu, Rheedea 3: 152. 1993. 

Rhizome pale yellow or white inside, branching with root tubers. Leaves 20-40 cm long, 

elliptic, acuminate, pubescent beneath. Spikes lateral, 15-18 x 4 cm, appearing before the 

leaves; peduncle ca. 14 cm long; bracts 4 x 2.5 cm, rounded at apex, pubescent, corona purple. 

Flowers few in each bracts; calyx 1.4 cm long, pubescent, lobes acute; corolla tube 3 cm long, 

glabrous, lobes 1.5 x 0.9 cm, oblong, obtuse, hairy, pale yellow; lip 2 x 1.7 cm, emarginate, or 

very obscurely 3-lobed, glabrous; lateral staminodes 2 x 1 cm, oblong, with a patch of glandular 

hairs at centre; anthers 6 mm long, glandular hairy; spur 3 mm long, acute, curved; ovary 

pubescent. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 19560 

Padippara 

Curcuma longa L., Sp. Pl. 2. 1753; FBI 6: 214. 1890; FPM 1483. 1928; Jose & Sabu, Rheedea 

3:155.1993; FTSR 464. 1996. Curcuma domestica Valeton, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. ser. 2. 27: 

31. 1981. 

Rhizome conical, deep yellow inside, sessile tubers many, shoots to 130 cm tall. Leaves 4-6, 

to 50 x 15 cm, oblong-lanceolate, tapering at both ends. Inflorescence terminal, to 30 cm, white 

or greenish, fertile bracts to 30, compactly arranged; flowers to 5 cm; bracteoles 3-2 cm, ovateoblong; 

calyx truncate, 3-lobed, labellum trilobed, yellow, lateral staminodes linear, style 

filiform, stigma bilipped; ovary 5 mm. 

Fl. September 

Distr. Cultivated throughout the tropics. Cultivated in settlements; PS 30756 Vengoli 

Curcuma neilgherrensis Wight, Ic. t. 2006. 1853; FBI 6: 210. 1892; FPM 1482. 1928; Jose & 

Sabu, Rheedea 3:160.1993. C. angustifolia sensu Dalz. & Gibs., Bombay Fl. 274. 1861, non 

Roxb. 

Rhizome to 3 x 1 cm, conical, white inside, roots ending in fusiform tubers, shoots to 25 cm. 

Leaves 6-9, to 18 x 8 cm, ovate-elliptic, acute, sparsely pubescent. Inflorescence lateral, to 15 x 5 

cm; coma oblong-lanceolate, pink; flowers to 5 cm long, light yellow; labellum 2 cm across, 

yellow with medium cleft; lateral staminodes longer than corolla, connective prolonged, 

glandular hairy, style filiform, stigma bilipped; ovary 4 mm. 

Fl. April-June 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in grasslands; PS 19390 Karimala; NS 30368 

Pandaravarai 

Curcuma oligantha Trin. var. lutea (Ansari et al) Bhat, Indian J. For. 10:68. 1987; Jose & Sabu, 

Rheedea 3:163.1993. C. cannanorensis Ansari et al var. lutea Ansari et al., Curr. Sci. 51: 294. 

1981. 

Rhizome yellow inside, conical, shoots to 30 cm. Leaves to 15 x 8 cm, ovate-elliptic, 

acuminate, glabrous or glabrescent. Inflorescence lateral, to 15 cm; fertile bracts lanceolate, 

344

pinkish-green; flowers to 5 cm; labellum to 2 x 1.5 cm, shortly 3-lobed, orange yellow; lateral 

staminodes 2 x 1 cm, tip acute. 

Fl. May-June 


Curcuma pseudomontana Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 210. 1839; FPM 1483. 1928; FPL 499. 

1990; Mangaly & Sabu, Rheedea 3:165.1993; FTSR 459. 1996. C. montana sensu Baker in 

Hook.f., FBI 6: 214. 1890 p.p., non Rosc. 1807. 

Rhizome small, roots without tubers. Leaves 3-5, oblong, acuminate, base narrowed, to 28 x 

8 cm; petiole and sheath to 18 cm long. Spikes terminal, to 13 cm long; bract ovate-oblong, 

obtuse, 4 cm long. Coma purple. Flowers exserted, to 3.5 cm long, yellow; calyx tube 1.5 cm long; 

corolla lobes lanceolate, to 1.2 cm long; staminodes oblong, to 2 cm. Lip broadly ovate, to 3 cm. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in the margins of evergreen forests; PS 30369 

Kariamchola 

Curcuma vamana Sabu & Mangaly, JETB 10: 307. 1988; Jose & Sabu, Rheedea 3:167.1993; 

FTSR 460. 1996. C. peethapushpa Sasidh. & Sivar., Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 45: 425. 1989. 

Rhizome short, roots fibrous, some of them terminating in tubers. Leaves 3-5, oblongacuminate, 

glabrous, 12-15 x 4-8 cm; petiole above sheath 8-12 cm. Spikes terminal, peduncle 4- 

5 cm, 5-7 bracteate; bracts ovate-orbicular, 2 cm across. Calyx glabrous, tube 3-4 mm long, lobes 

subequal. Corolla funnel-like, dorsal lobe concave; laterals ovate-oblong. Lateral staminodes 

spathulate, pale yellow, 5 x 4 mm. Lip yellow, fan-shaped, crenulate along margins, shortly 2- 

fid apex, pubescent below. Filaments 2 cm long, anther white, basal appendage short and 

straight. Fruits oblong, 1 cm long; seeds 8-10, smooth, aril white, laciniate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 

30425 Vengoli 

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Rosc., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 8: 354. 1807; FBI 6: 210. 1890; 

FPM 1482. 1928; Jose & Sabu, Rheedea 3:168.1993; FTSR 460. 1996. Amomum zedoaria 

Christm. in Chrstm. & Panzer, Linn. Pflanzenf. Syst. 5: 12. 1779. Curcuma zerumbet Roxb., 

Asiat. Res. 11: 332. 1810. 

Rhizome orange yellow inside; tubers ellipsoidal. Leafy stem 50-80 cm high. Leaves to 35 x 

15 cm, elliptic, acute at both ends, deep blue patches along the midrib on both surfaces; petiole 

obscure; ligule 1 mm wide, membranous; sheath round. Spike lateral, 20-22 cm long, with a 

purple corona; peduncle to 10 cm long; bracts 5 x 3.5 cm, obovate, obtusely acute, deep purple at 

apex, glabrous; crown with acute bracts. Calyx 1.2 cm long, lobes obtuse; corolla lobes apiculate, 

pale yellow; lip 1.5 x 1.5 cm, orbicular, emarginate. 


Distr. Cultivated and naturalised in Indo-Malaya. Rare along the margins of vayals in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 30749 Parambikulam 

ELETTARIA Maton 

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 10: 254. 1811; FBI 6: 251. 1892; 

FPM 1491. 1928; FPL 499. 1990; FTSR 460. 1996. Amomum cardamomum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 1. 

1753. Alpinia cardamomum (L.) Roxb., Asiat. Res. 11: 355. 1810 & Pl. Corom. 3: 19. t. 226. 

1819. 

Rhizome branched, thick. Leafy shoots to 2 m high, tufted. Leaves bifarious, to 60 x 10 cm, 

elliptic-lanceolate, acute at either ends. Flowers in prostrate or erect, 30-50 cm long, panicles; 

bracts scarius, 3-4 cm long, carrying 2-7 flowers; calyx tubular, 1 cm long, split on 1 side; corolla 

345

white, lobes unequal, to 2 cm long, oblong; labellum 1 x 0.5 cm, obovate, white with red lines; 

anther cells parallel, shortly spurred; staminodes short; style filiform, stigma funnel shaped. 

Capsule ca. 13 x 8 mm, ellipsoid, striate; seeds many, angular, fragrant. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Occasional in evergreen forests at higher altitudes, also 

cultivated; PS 30317 Pooppara 

GLOBBA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves glabrous; bracts persistent ............................................................................................. G. marantina 

1. Leaves pubescent; bracts deciduous ..........................................................................................G. ophioglossa 

Globba marantina L., Mant. Pl. 2: 170. 1771; FBI 6: 206. 1890; FTSR 462. 1996. G. bulbifera 

Roxb., Asiat. Res. 11: 358. 1810; FBI 6: 206. 1890; FPM 1481. 1928. G. marantinoides Wight, Ic. 

t. 6: 15. t. 2001. 1853. 

Stem to 50 cm high, usually solitary, stem slender. Leaves bifarious, to 20 x 5 cm, oblonglanceolate, 

acute at apex, sessile, glabrous. Spike terminal, to 10 cm long, often with bulbils 

towards the base; bracts 1-2 cm long, broadly ovate, greenish. Flowers solitary in each bracts; 

calyx 5 mm long, funnel shaped, 3-lobed; corolla 14 mm long, lobes short, yellow; lip as long as 

the corolla, deeply 2-lobed; anthers broadly winged; lateral staminodes oblong; ovary 1-celled; 

ovules many on 3-parietal placentas; stigma turbinate. Capsule 1 x 6 mm, oblong, glabrous, 

coarsely rugose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19890 Thellikkal 

Globba ophioglossa Wight, Ic. t. 2002. 1853; FBI 6: 202. 1890; FPM 1480. 1928; FPL 500. 1990; 

FTSR 462. 1996. 

Stem to 60 cm tall. Leaves linear or ovate-lanceolate, finely caudate-acuminate, to 18 x 5 cm. 

Panicles to 8 cm long; oblong, 5 x 2 cm, deciduous. Calyx 4 mm long. Corolla yellow, 1.5 cm long, 

tube narrow, 8 mm long. Lobes ovate-acute. Lip obovate. Filaments unappendaged. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 

18987 Orukomban; NS 30366 Kariamchola 

HEDYCHIUM Koenig 

1. Bracts ciliate on margin, sparsely pubescent; stamens longer than the lip.............................H. flavescens 

1. Bracts not ciliate on margin, glabrous; stamens shorter than the lip ....................................H. coronarium 

Hedychium coronarium Koenig in Retz., Obs. Bot. 3: 73. 1783; FBI 6: 225. 1892; FPM 1485. 

1928. 

Stem to 1.5 m high, robust, densely clumped; rhizome horizontal. Leaves to 30 x 10 cm, 

oblong, acuminate, glabrate; ligule 2 cm long, acuminate. Spike 15 x 7 cm, ovoid; bracts 5 x 2 

cm, oblong, obtuse, glabrous. Flowers 2-4 in each bracts; calyx 4 cm long, not split, glabrous; 

corolla tube 9 cm long, narrow, glabrous, lobes 3.5 cm long, slender, glabrous; lip 6 x 6 cm; lobes 

emarginate, white; anthers 1.5 cm long, filaments shorter than lip. 

Fl. & Fr. All the season 

Distr. Widely cultivated and naturalised in the tropics. Occasional in the sides of streams in 

evergreen forests; PS 30745 Parambikulam 

Hedychium flavescens Carey ex Rosc., Monandr. t. 50. 1825; FPM 1485. 1928; FPL 501. 1990; 

FTSR 462. 1996. H. coronarium Koenig var. flavescens Baker in Hook.f., FBI 6: 226. 1892. H. 

subditum Turrill, Kew Bull. 1914: 370. 1914. 

346

Stem to 1.5 m high, robust, densely clumped. Leaves 40-50 x 8 cm, lanceolate, acuminate at 

apex, glabrous above; ligule acute, sparsely hairy. Spike 17 x 11 cm, ovoid; bracts 5 x 2.5 cm, 

closely imbricating. Flowers 2-6 in each bracts; calyx 4.5 cm long, split along one side; corolla 

tube 8 cm long, narrow, lobes linear oblong; anther curved; lip 6 x 6 cm, lobes emarginate, 

sulphur yellow; lateral staminodes 5-6 x 2 cm, glabrous. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in the sides of streams in evergreen forests; PS 30325 Pezha 

ZINGIBER Boehmer apud Ludwig 

1. Peduncle less than 5 cm long or sessile........................................................................................................... 2 

1. Peduncle over 10 cm long ................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. Leaves linear, to 30 x 5 cm; outer bract ovate ......................................................................... Z. wightianum 

2. Leaves broad, to 40 x 15 cm; bracts linear-oblong.........................................................................Z. cernuum 

3. Spike globose or oblong, to 5 cm diameter ....................................................................................Z. zerumbet 

3. Spikes narrowly cylindric, to 2 cm diameter................................................................................................... 4 

4. Leaves glabrous; rhizome fragrant.................................................................................................Z. officinale 

4. Leaves pubescent; rhizome not fragrant......................................................................................Z. neesanum 

Zingiber cernuum Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 342. 1852; FBI 6: 245. 1892; FTSR 

463. 1996. Z. nimmonii Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 341. 1852; FBI 6: 244. 1892; 

FPM 1489. 1928. 

Leafy stem 60-100 cm high, erect; rhizome erect and branching, violet inside. Leaves to 30 x 

8 cm, elliptic, acuminate, pubescent below, sessile; ligule 7 x 5 mm, ovate. Spikes 2-3, 7-12 cm 

long, ovoid; floral bracts 5-6 x 1.5 cm, oblong, obtuse, curved, green or white with red lines, 

glabrous. Flowers densely packed; calyx 2 cm long, lobes truncate, ciliate; corolla tube 5 cm 

long, white; lobes 3.5 x 1.5 cm, lanceolate, white with red lines; anthers 1.5 cm long; lip 4 x 3 

cm, yellow with reddish brown lines, side lobes very short, rounded; ovary densely hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in semi-evergreen forests; PS 19513 Orukomban 

Zingiber neesanum (Graham) Ramam. in Sald. & Nicols., Fl. Hassan Dist. 769. 1976; FTSR 

463. 1996. Alpinia neesiana Graham, Cat Pl. Bombay 2-7. 1139. Zingiber macrostachyum Dalz. 

in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 342. 1852; FBI 6: 247. 1892; FPM 1490. 1928. 

Leafy stem 40-70 cm high, solitary or 2-4 together, erect, rhizome creeping, yellow inside. 

Leaves 25-35 x 3.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute at base, sessile; ligule 8 mm long, ovate. Spikes to 

25 cm long, enlarging in fruit, terete on erect peduncle of 30-35 cm long; floral bracts 3 x 1.4 cm, 

obtuse, reddish. Flowers solitary in each bract; calyx 2 cm long, glabrous; corolla tube 2 cm long, 

lobes unequal, larger lobe 3.5 x 1.5 cm, elliptic, acute, glabrous; lip 3.5 x 3.5 cm, 3-lobed; lobes 

obtuse, glabrous, middle lobe emarginate; ovary glabrous. Capsule 3-4 cm long, ellipsoid, 

smooth, red inside, 3-valved. 



Kariamchola 

Zingiber officinale Rosc., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 8: 348. 1807; FBI 6: 246. 1892; FPM 1489. 

1928. Amomum zingiber L., Sp. Pl. 1: 1. 1753. 

Leafy stem to 60 cm high, rhizome thick, dull yellow. Leaves to 25 x 2 cm, elliptic-oblong, 

acuminate. Peduncles to 30 cm long, erect; spike 3-5 x 3 cm, obovoid; bracts 2.5 x 2 cm, obovate, 

green. Flowers few; calyx 2 cm long; corolla white, tube small; labellum 3 x 2.5 cm, white, obovate. 


Distr. Cultivated in Tropical countries. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30474 Vengoli 

347

Zingiber wightianum Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 315. 1861; FBI 6: 244. 1892; FPM 1489. 1928; 

FTSR 463. 1996. Z. squarrosum Wight, Ic. t. 2004. 1853, Roxb. 1832. 

Leafy stem to 1 m tall, rhizome thick, fleshy, white to pale yellow inside. Leaves oblonglanceolate, 

acuminate, glabrous, to 30 x 6 cm; ligule to 5 mm long. Peduncle to 3 cm long, 

sheath membranous, deciduous. Spikes to 8 x 5 cm, bracts lanceolate, acuminate, to 5 x 1 cm. 

Calyx tubular, 2 cm long. Corolla greenish-yellow, 2.5 cm long. Lip obovate, yellow with purplered 

streaks, 3 cm long; lateral lobes oblong, 1 cm long. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common in the rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; 


Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, Exot. Bot. 2: 105,t.112. 1804; FBI 6: 247. 1892; FPM 1490. 1928; 

FTSR 464. 1996. Amomum zerumbet L., Sp. Pl. 1. 1753. 

Leafy stem 40-90 cm high, rhizome thick, fragrant, yellowish inside. Leaves 30 x 8 cm, 

oblong, acute at either ends, sessile, pubescent below. Spike to 15 cm long, cylindrical, on erect 

peduncle 30-45 cm long, floral bracts 3.5 x 3 cm, obovate, thinly pubescent above, green, 

changing to red. Flowers white, solitary in each bract; corolla 2-3 cm long; lip 2.5 x 2 cm, white 

or pale yellow; midlobe orbicular. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 30748 Thunakkadavu 

MARANTACEAE 

1. Shrubs; inflorescence a terminal panicle ...........................................................................Schumannianthus 

1. Herbs; inflorescence a small spike from the rhizome...........................................................Stachyphrynium 

SCHUMANNIANTHUS Gagnepain 

Schumannianthus virgatus (Roxb.) Rolfe, J. Bot. 14: 244. 1907; FPM 1494. 1928; FPL 502. 

1990; FTSR 464. 1996. Phrynium virgatum Roxb., Asiat. Res. 11: 324. 1810. Maranta virgata 

(Roxb.) Wall. ex Wight, Ic. t. 2015. 1853. Clinogyne virgata (Roxb.) Benth. ex Baker n Hook.f., 

FBI 6: 258. 1892. 

Erect shrubs, to 3 m high; stem thickened at nodes. Leaves bifarious, to 40 x 18 cm, ovateoblong, 

cuspidate at apex, rounded at base; petiole to 1 cm long. Panicle to 50 cm long, branches 

slender, dichotomous; bracts 3-5 x 0.6 cm, lanceolate. Flowers paired in each bract; corolla 

white, tube short; lobes oblong; stamens 1, outer staminodes petalloid, white, to 1.5 cm long; 

inner staminodes smaller; ovary densely hairy. Berry obovoid, rugose. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Common along the moist areas in moist deciduous and 

evergreen forests; PS 19459 Pooppara 

STACHYPHRYNIUM Schumann 

Stachyphrynium spicatum (Roxb.) Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 11: 46. 1902; FPM 1494. 1928; 

FPL 502. 1990; FTSR 464. 1996. Phrynium spicatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 5. 1820. 

Herbs, rhizome creeping, nodose. Leaves 2-5 together, lamina to 20 x 7 cm, ovate-oblong, 

abruptly acuminate at apex, rounded at base; petiole to 30 cm long, sheathing at base. Spike 1 

or 2, basal, 3-5 cm long, sessile or shortly peduncled. Flowers 3-8, sessile; bracts 15 x 7 mm, 

ovate; corolla dull white, 2.5 cm long; lobes oblong; stamen 1, petalloid; anthers adnate on the 

margin; staminodes obovate, clawed. Capsule 8 x 6 mm, ovoid; seeds wrinkled. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Common in moist deciduous and evergreen forests; PS 30336 

Orukomban 

348

MUSACEAE 

ENSETE Bruce ex Horan 

Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman., Kew Bull. 3: 100. 1948; FPL 503. 1990; FTSR 465. 1996. 

Musa superba Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 223. 1811; FBI 6: 261. 1892; FPM 1497. 1928. 

Erect shrubs with unbranched globose leafsheaths formed into a pseudostem of 50-100 cm 

diam. Leaves spirally arranged, to 3 x 0.8 m, oblong, entire with channelled midrib. Spadix 50- 

100 cm long, with 3-5 spathes at base; bracts several, to 20 x 14 cm, ovate, obtuse, brown. 

Flowers many on each bracts; unisexual, female flowers towards the base and male flowers 

above; sepals and 2 petals united into a sheath, 3.5 cm long, 5-lobed; third petals forms into a 

membranous sheath; stamens 5, perfect. Fruit oblong; seeds few, subglobose, black. 


Distr. Peninsular India. Occasional in rocky areas of grasslands; PS 30737 Karimala 

HAEMODORACEAE 

1. Leaves linear flat; filaments free .................................................................................................. Ophiopogon 

1. Leaves elliptic plicate; filaments united ......................................................................................Peliosanthes 

OPHIOPOGON Ker-Gawler 

Ophiopogon intermedius D. Don, D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 48. 1825; FBI 6: 209. 1892; FPM 

1499. 1928; FPL 503. 1990; FTSR 465. 1996. O. indicus Wight, Ic. t.2050. 1853. 

Densely tufted scapigerous perennial herbs; rootstock rhizomatous. Leaves clustered, 25-40 

x 0.7 cm, linear-oblong, ribbed, narrowed to the base into a petiole. Scape to 35 cm long. Flowers 

4-10 in raceme, pedicel 5 mm long; tepals 6, white with pink shades, 6 x 4 mm, oblong, obtuse; 

stamens 6, filaments free, shorter than tepals; anthers sagittate at base; ovary 3-celled; ovules 

one in each cell. Berry 7 mm across, globose, glabrous, blue; seeds 1-3, globose or trigonous. 


Distr. Endemic to India. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 19568 

Kariamchola 

PELIOSANTHES Andrews 

Peliosanthes teta Andr. ssp. humilis (Andr.) Jessop, Blumea 23: 155. 1976 & in Steenis, Fl. 

Males. I. 9: 299. 1979; FTSR 466. 1996. P. humilis Andr., Bot. Rep. 10,t.634. 1811. P. 

neilgherrensis Wight, Ic. t. 2052. 1853; FBI 6: 266. 1892; FPM 1498. 1928. P. courtallensis 

Wight, Ic. t. 2051. 1853; FBI 6: 266. 1892; FPM 1498. 1928. 

Scapigerous perennial herbs; stem solitary or loosely tufted. Leaves few, clustered, to 32 x 10 

cm, elliptic, acute at either ends, plicate; petiole to 38 cm long. Racemes to 20 cm long, manyflowered; 

bracts 1 cm long, lanceolate. Flowers purple, many, 6-8 mm across, 1-few in each 

bract; tepals 6, oblong, connate at base; stamens 6, filaments shorter than tepals, united at base 

into a ring. Berry 8 x 8 mm, top-shaped, glabrous, bluish black; seeds 1-3, globose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 30195 Kothala 

DIOSCOREACEAE 

DIOSCOREA Linnaeus 

1. Leaves simple .................................................................................................................................................... 2 


2. Leaves opposite or sub-opposite, base truncate or rounded, coriaceous....................................................... 3 

2. Leaves alternate, base cordate, membranous................................................................................................. 4 

349

3. Inflorescence brown pubescent ....................................................................D. oppositifolia var. oppositifolia 

3. Inflorescence glabrous...................................................................................D. oppositifolia var. dukumensis 

4. Leaves to 30 cm across; perianth lobes linear-oblong .................................................................. D. bulbifera 

4. Leaves to 14 cm across; perianth lobes ovate-obtuse .................................................................... D. wallichii 

5. Stem unarmed...............................................................................................................................D. tomentosa 

5. Stem prickly....................................................................................................................................................... 6 

6. Leaves with prominent ribs; fertile stamens 6 ................................................................................D. hispida 

6. Leaves without prominent ribs; fertile stamens 3................................................................... D. pentaphylla 

Dioscorea bulbifera L., Sp. Pl. 1033. 1753; FBI 6: 296. 1892; FPM 1511. 1928; FPL 507. 1990; 

FTSR 468. 1996. D. sativa sensu Hook.f., FBI 6: 295. 1892, non L. 1753. 

Stem ridged, twining to left, glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 15 cm, broadly ovate, acuminate, 11- 

nerved from the base; intercostae parallel; petiole 10-20 cm long; lower leaves much larger, to 

32 cm across. Spike 4-8 cm long, slender, pendulous, 2-3 together or solitary; peduncle to 20 cm 

long, axillary. Flowers distant; bracts lanceolate, subulate at apex; tepals 1.5 x 0.5 mm, oblong, 

acute, glabrous; stamens 6, free. 

Fl. November-January 

Distr. Paleotropics. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30002 Pezha 

Dioscorea hispida Dennst., Schluss. 15. 1818; FPM 1511. 1928; FPL 508. 1990; FTSR 469. 1996. 

D. daemona Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 805. 1832; FBI 6: 289. 1892. 

Stem twining to the left, glabrous. Leaflets subequal, to 17 x 12 cm, obovate, abruptly 

sharply acuminate at apex, cuneate to the base, shortly petiolulate, ribs 5, prominent 

intercostae coarsely reticulate, thinly hispid; lateral leaflets gibbous at base; petiole 12 cm long. 

Panicles to 45 cm long, axillary. Racemes fascicled, shortly peduncled, to 1 cm long. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30450 Vengoli 

Dioscorea oppositifolia L., Sp. Pl. 1033. 1753, var. oppositifolia; FBI 6: 292. 1892; FPM 1512. 

1928; FPL 508. 1990; FTSR 469. 1996. D. oppositifolia L. var. linnaei Prain & Burkill, Asiat. 

Soc. Bengal 10: 30. 1914. 

Stem turning to right, glabrescent. Leaves opposite or sub-opposite, to 13 x 4 cm, ovate or 

rounded, abruptly acuminate, base rounded. Spike pubescent, to 10 cm, male tepals ovate, 

obtuse, pubescent, female tepals orbicular, pubescent. Capsule 2 x 3 cm, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19839 Vengoli; 30491 Kuchimudi 

Dioscorea oppositifolia L. var. dukumensis Prain & Burkill, J. & Proc. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 10: 30. 

1914; FPM 1512. 1928; FBI 6: 292. 1892. 

Stem terete, twining to right, glabrous. Leaves 8-15 x 2-5 cm, opposite, elliptic, ovate or 

oblong, rounded or acute at base, 3-5 nerved; margins coriaceous; petiole to 3 cm long. Spike 2-6 

cm long, slender, 3-6 together along the peduncle; peduncle 15-20 cm long; bracts lanceolate. 

Male tepals ovate, obtuse; stamens 6. Female Flowers distant; tepals 1mm long, orbicular, 

glabrous. Capsule 20 x 30 mm, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Rare in moist deciduous forests; PS 30826 Vengoli 

Dioscorea pentaphylla L., Sp. Pl. 132. 1753; FBI 6: 281. 1892; FPM 1511. 1928; FPL 508. 1990; 

FTSR 469. 1996. D. pentaphylla L. var. linnaei Prain & Burkill, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 10: 23. 

1914; FPM 1511. 1928. 

Stem twining to the left, terete, glabrous. Leaves 5-foliolate, alternate, middle leaflets larger, 

to 10 x 4 cm, elliptic, acute at both ends, rusty tomentose or glabrous; petiole 6-7 cm long. Spike 

10-30 cm long; bracts minute. Female tepals 2 x 1.5 mm, acute, tomentose. Male spike slender, 

350

panicled; flowers closely packed; tepals 1 mm long, oblong; stamens 3. Capsule 25 x 13 mm, 

oblique at base, truncate at apex. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 30460 Vengoli; 30492 

Kuchimudi 

Dioscorea tomentosa Koen. ex Spreng., Pl. Min. Cogn. Pug. 2: 92. 1815; FBI 6: 289. 1892; FPM 

1511. 1928; FPL 509. 1990; FTSR 469. 1996. 

Stem twining to the left, terete, tomentose. Leaves 3-foliolate, leaflets subequal, to 13 x 10 

cm, broadly ovate, oblique at base, abruptly acuminate; petiole 15-18 cm long. Spikes to 30 cm 

long, densely tomentose, distantly flowered fascicles at nodes on long peduncle. Female flowers 

sessile; bracts 4 mm long, ovate; tepals 2 x 1 mm, oblong, acute, hairy. Capsule 25 x 15 mm, 

oblong, tomentose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in the deciduous forests; PS 19755 Pooppara 

Dioscorea wallichii Hook.f., FBI 6: 295. 1892; FPM 1512. 1928; FPL 509. 1990; FTSR 469. 1996. 

D. aculeata L., Sp. Pl. 1033. 1753 p. p.; FBI 6: 296. 1892. 

Stem twining to the right, smooth or scarcely prickly towards the base. Leaves to 12 x 12 cm, 

orbicular, bluntly acuminate, widely cordate at base; nerves 12 pairs from the base, glabrous, 

intercostae parallel; petiole to 14 cm long. Spikes 7-10 cm long, 3-6 together at nodes on 30-40 

cm long peduncle; bracts and bracteoles ovate, acuminate. Male tepals 1 x 1 mm, ovate, acute; 

stamens 6. 

Fl. November-January 

Distr. India, Myanmar and Thailand. Common in deciduous and semi-evergreen forests; PS 

30733 Vengoli 

SMILACACEAE 

SMILAX Linnaeus 

1. Peduncles to 10 cm long; berry globose ............................................................................................. S. wightii 

1. Peduncles to 4 cm long; berry ovoid............................................................................................... S. zeylanica 

Smilax wightii A. DC., Monogr. Phan. 1: 174. 1878; FBI 6: 310. 1892; FPM 1519. 1928. 

Branchlets terete, armed with prickles. Leaves to 15 x 13 cm, broadly ovate, obtuse, 

cuspidate, cordate at base, 5-ribbed; petiole 1-3 cm long, sheath narrow, flagellate. Peduncle to 

10 cm long; umbels alternate, 2 or 3. Flowers many; pedicels 1.5 cm long, 2 cm in fruit. Berry 7 

x 7 mm, globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Rare in deciduous forests; PS 30209 Vengoli; 30247 

Pezha 

Smilax zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 1029. 1753; FBI 6: 309. 1892; FPM 1518. 1928; FPL 511. 1990; 

FTSR 471. 1996. S. macrophylla Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 793. 1832; FBI 6: 310. 1892. S. ovalifolia 

Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 794. 1832. 

Branchlets angular. Leaves 10-20 x 3-15 cm, ovate, oblong, orbicular, elliptic or lanceolate, 

acuminate, acute or obtuse. Umbels solitary or 2-3; peduncle 1-4 cm long; pedicels many, 0.7 cm 

long. Drupes 8 x 6 mm, ovoid, acute, glabrous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 18844 Kuriarkutty 

351

AGAVACEAE 

1. Leaves basal, thick fleshy, base terete or subterete..................................................................... Sansevieria 

1. Leaves cauline, coriaceous, flat..........................................................................................................Dracaena 

DRACAENA Vandelli ex Linnaeus 

Dracaena terniflora Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 159. 1832; FPL 506. 1990; FTSR 466. 1996. D. terminalis 

Wight, Ic. t. 2054. 1853. 

Stout perennial subshrubs; stem covered with annular leaf scars. Leaves spiral, closely 

packed, to 24 x 5.5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate; petiole 5 cm long. Racemes terminal, 15- 

25 cm long, erect. Flowers many, closely packed; perianth lobes 6, biseriate, similar, united into 

a tube below, 2 cm long; stamens 6, free, epitepalous; anthers oblong. Fruit a berry. 1.5 cm 

across, 3-lobed. 


Distr. India and South East Asia. Common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 18843 

Kuriarkutty; 18919 Karimala 

SANSEVIERIA Thunberg 

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. f., Syst. 7: 357. Fl. 12D & E. 1829; FBI 6: 271. 1892. 

S. zeylanica Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. Syst. Veg. 7: 357. f. 12 D & E. 1829. 

Perennial herbs. Leaves basal, 30-60 x 1-1.5 cm, sessile, subterete at base, apex flat, fleshy, 

base sheathing, sessile. Racemes to 40 cm long; bracts 6 x 3 mm, lanceolate; flowers 3-5 in a 

cluster; perianth tube to 1 cm, lobes 6, 1 x 0.5 mm, greenish, tinged purple, 1-nerved, base 

tapering; stamens attached near the middle of the perianth lobes. Berry 5 mm across, globose. 


Distr. Coromandel coast. Rare in the rocky areas of deciduous forests; PS 19986 Pandaravarai 

HYPOXIDACEAE 

1. Rhizome small; leaves linear, flat; fruit dehiscent ..............................................................................Hypoxis 

1. Rhizome elongate; leaves elliptic-lanceolate; fruit indehiscent..................................................................... 2 

2. Flowers to 3; stamen perigynous .......................................................................................................Curculigo 

2. Flowers more than 5; stamens epigynous.........................................................................................Molineria 

CURCULIGO Gaertner 

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Fruct. 1: 63. t. 16. f.11. 1788; FBI 6: 279. 1892; FPM 1502. 1928; 

FPL 505. 1990; FTSR 467. 1996. C. malabarica Wight, Ic. t. 2043A.1853. C. brevifolia Dryander 

in Ait., Hort. Kew (ed. 2) 253. 1811. 

Rhizome oblong, to 15 cm long. Leaves subsessile, lanceolate, plicate, base sheathing, to 15 x 

1.5 cm, pilose. Perianth yellow, 1.5 cm across; tube 3 cm long, narrow, sparsely pilose. Ovary 

villous. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in all forest types; PS 18903 Anakkalvayal 

HYPOXIS Linnaeus 

Hypoxis aurea Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 200. 1790; FBI 6: 277. 1892; FPM 1501. 1928; FTSR 468. 

1996. 

Rhizome globose, 1 cm long, roots fleshy. Leaves linear, to 15 x 0.5 cm. Scapes 2 or 3, 

slender, to 10 cm long; flowers 1 or 2. Perianth yellow, 1 cm long, pilose, lobes elliptic-lanceolate. 

Capsule cylindric-turbinate, 1 cm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30510 Karimala 

352

MOLINERIA Colla 

Molineria trichocarpa (Wight) Balakr., JBNHS 63: 330. 1966; FPL 505. 1990. Hypoxis 

trichocarpa Wight, Ic. t. 2045. 1853. H. latifolia Wight, Ic. t. 2044. 1853. H. leptostachya Wight, 

Ic. t. 2045. 1853. H. pauciflora Wight, Ic. t. 2046. 1853. Molineria finlaysoniana Baker, J. Linn. 

Soc. Bot. 17: 121. 1878; FPM 1502. 1928. Curculigo finlaysoniana (Baker) Wall. ex. Hook.f., FBI 

6: 279. 1892. C. trichocarpa (Wight) Bennet & Raizada, Indian J. For. 4: 61. 1981; FTSR 467. 

1996. 

Rhizome narrowly oblong, to 10 cm long. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, base 

attenuate, plicate, glabrous, to 30 x 5 cm; petiole to 30 cm. Racemes to 8 cm long; bracts linear, 

1 cm long. Bisexual flowers towards base of racemes; male towards the apex. Perianth yellow, 

pubescent, 1 cm across, lobes oblong-obtuse. Ovary pilose. Fruit narrowly oblong. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 19455, NS 30312 

Pooppara 

AMARYLLIDACEAE 

1. Flowers sessile; staminal filaments free .............................................................................................. Crinum 

1. Flowers pedicelled; staminal filaments basally united................................................................ Pancratium 

CRINUM Linnaeus 

Crinum latifolium L., Sp. Pl. 291. 1753; FBI 6: 283. 1892; FPM 1504. 1928; FPL 504. 1990. 

Herbs; rootstock bulbous, ca. 6 cm across. Leaves many, densely clustered, 30-45 x 7-8 cm, 

flat or widely channelled, oblong, curved, acute or obtuse; sheath closed, membranous. Flowers 

sessile, 12-16 together, on stout peduncled umbel; peduncle 50-60 cm high, thick; spathe 

membranous; perianth tube 7 cm long, narrow, lobes 6, 8 x 2.5 cm, oblong, acute, pinkish white, 

spreading or deflexed; stamens 6, filaments long, attached at the throat of perianth tube; 

anthers 12 mm long, linear. Capsule oblong; seeds many. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Africa. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30349 Vengoli 

PANCRATIUM Linnaeus 

Pancratium triflorum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 126. 1832; FBI 6: 285. 1892; FPM 1505. 1928; FPL 505. 

1990; FTSR 466. 1996. P. verecundum Wight, Ic. t. 2023. 1853, non Ait. 1789; FBI 6: 286. 1892. 

Herbs, rootstock a bulb formed by leaf sheaths, 4 cm across. Leaves clustered, to 30 x 2 cm, 

linear-oblong, flat, acute, glabrous; sheath membranous. Flowers umbellate, on 35 cm long 

scape, 3-7 together, covered by a membranous spathe; pedicels to 2 cm long; perianth funnelshaped, 

tube 5 cm long, lobes 6, 2 cm long, linear-oblong; stamens 6, inserted at the mouth of 

perianth tube, filaments webbed by membranous white corona; anthers linear. Capsule 

subglobose; seeds many. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common in rocky areas of deciduous forests; PS 30349 Vengoli; NS 

30176 Kottayali 

LILIACEAE 

1. Cladodes present; leaves reduced to spines ..............................................................................Protasparagus 

1. Cladodes absent; leaves normal....................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Climbers; leaf tip tendrilled.................................................................................................................. Gloriosa 

2. Scapigerous herbs; leaf tip not tendrilled........................................................................................................ 3 

3. Rootstock tuberous; perianth tube present...............................................................................Chlorophytum 

353

3. Rootstock bulbous; perianth tube absent.................................................................................................Scilla 

CHLOROPHYTUM Ker-Gawler 

1. Racemes lax, paniculate ................................................................................................................ C. nimmonii 

1. Racemes dense, unbranched ............................................................................................................................ 2 

2. Scape shorter than the leaves; filaments glabrous................................................................ C. malabaricum 

2. Scape as long as or longer the leaver; filaments papillose...................................................... C. attenuatum 

Chlorophytum attenuatum (Wight) Baker, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 15: 332. 1876; FBI 6: 335. 1892; 

FPM 1526. 1928; FPL 510. 1990. Phalangium attenuatum Wight, Ic. t. 2037. 1853. 

Tuberous herbs. Leaves many, to 50 x 1 cm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, with a 

white patch along the midrib. Raceme terminal, to 30 cm long, slender, unbranched. Flowers 

many, densely packed; bracts ovate, acute, glabrous; perianth lobes white, to 8 x 3 mm, oblong, 

obtuse, spreading. Capsule to 7 x 7 mm, obovoid, obtusely 3-winged, glabrous; seeds many, 

orbicular, flat, black. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; PS 30741 Karimala 

Chlorophytum malabaricum Baker, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 15: 331. 1876; FBI 6: 335. 1892; FPM 

1526. 1928. 

Tuberous herbs. Leaves to 20 x 1.5 cm, linear, obtuse, subacute. Scape terminal to 3, 

racemes simple or paniculate, to 15 cm; flowers lax, paired, often solitary; bracts 8 mm, 

lanceolate; bracteole 3 mm, linear, 4.5 x 0.5 mm, pedicel, 6 mm joined; flowers ca. 3 cm across, 

perianth lobes oblong, subequal, white; stamens 6, to 3 mm; ovary 6-lobed. Capsule 6 mm 

across, globose, 3-winged; seeds ca 3 x 2 mm, ovoid. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Rare in grasslands; PS 19574 Karimalagopuram 


Chlorophytum nimmonii (Graham) Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 142. 1850; FTSR 

471. 1996. Anthericum nimmonii Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 220. 1839. Chlorophytum 

orchidastrum sensu Hook.f., FBI 6: 336. 1892p.p., non Lindl. 1824; FPM 1526. 1928. 

Roots tuberous. Leaves to 35 x 5 cm, lanceolate, about 25-nerved, glabrous. Scape to 60 cm 

long; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 8 mm long; flowers often paired; pedicels 1 cm long. Flowers 

white, 1.5 cm across. Perianth lobes oblong, obtuse, 8 mm long. Capsule 2-lobed, 3rd lobe 

aborted. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Tropical Africa. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19558 

Padippara 

GLORIOSA Linnaeus 

Gloriosa superba L., Sp. Pl. 305. 1753; FBI 6: 358. 1892; FPM 1519. 1928; FPL 510. 1990; FTSR 

471. 1996. 

Climbing herbs, tuber horizontal. Leaves scattered, to 20 x 4 cm, lanceolate, acuminate into 

a tendril. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels 15 cm long, reflexed at tip; tepals 6, similar, 7 cm 

long, oblong, petalloid, variegated with uneven margins, yellow at lower half, red above. 

Capsule septicidal, many-seeded. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 19140 

Kariamchola 

SCILLA Linnaeus 

354

Scilla hyacinthina (Roth) Macbr., Contr. Gray Herb. 56: 14. 1918; FPL 511. 1990. Ledebouria 

hyacinthina Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 195. 1821. Barnardia indica Wight, Ic. t. 2041. 1853. Scilla indica 

(Wight) Baker, Sunders Refug. Bot. 3: 12. 1870, non Roxb. 1832; FBI 6: 348. 1892; FPM 1527. 

1928. 

Perennial bulbous herbs. Leaves to 15 x 3 cm, radical. Scapes to 3, racemes to 20 cm, 

flexuous; peduncle, pink; flowers 8 mm across, perianth deeply six lobed, lobes to 4 x 1 mm, 

oblong, obtuse, pink; pedicel pink, to 1.5 cm; stamens 6, adnate to the base of the perianth; 

ovary 3-lobed ca 1.5 mm; style to 3 mm. Capsule to 7 x 4 mm, globose, loculicidal. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Abyssinia. Common in rocky areas of deciduous forests; PS 18949 

Vengoli 

PROTASPARAGUS Obermeyer 

Protasparagus racemosus (Willd.) Oberm., S. Afr. J. Bot. 2: 244. 1983. Asparagus racemosus 

Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 152. 1799; FBI 6: 316. 1892; FPM 1517. 1928; FTSR 470. 1996. 

Perennial climbers, root tuberous, cladodes 3-angled, compressed, curved, 2-7 together; 

branches angled. Racemes 2-4 cm long; bracts minute, ovate; pedicel 4 mm long; tepals obovate, 

white. Berry 7 mm across, globose, smooth. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19090 Amakkundu 

PONTEDERIACEAE 

MONOCHORIA K. B. Presl 

Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 128. 1827; FPM 1529. 1931; FPL 512. 

1990. Pontederia vaginalis Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 80. 1768. P. plantaginea Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 123. 

1832. 

Marshy herbs; stem erect. Leaves few to several, lamina to 6 x 4 cm, ovate, acute at apex, 

cordate to hastate at base; petiole to 30 cm long. Flowers in racemes from upper nodes of 

emergent stem; bracts lanceolate; perianth lobes free, similar, petalloid, blue, to 15 mm long; 

stamens 6, one larger than others; ovary ellipsoid; style 1, filiform. Capsule 8 x 6 mm, oblong; 

seeds many, ribbed. 


Distr. India to China, Malesia and Japan. Occasional in wet rocky areas; PS 19625 Vengoli 

COMMELINACEAE 

1. Epiphytic herbs; branchlets prostrate......................................................................................... Belosynapsis 

1. Terrestrial herbs; branchlets erect .................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Flowers enclosed in spathes or bracteoles....................................................................................................... 3 

2. Flowers not enclosed in spathes or bracteoles ................................................................................................ 4 

3. Bracteoles in closely inbricating pairs; stamens 6............................................................................. Cyanotis 

3. Bracteoles absent; stamens 3 ..........................................................................................................Commelina 

4. Inflorescence dense; fertile stamens 6.................................................................................................Floscopa 

4. Inflorescence lax; fertile stamens 3.................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Flowers secund; fruit indehiscent.............................................................................................................Pollia 

5. Flowers not secund; fruit dehiscent................................................................................................................. 6 

6. Panicle long peduncled, to 20 cm; flowers regular ........................................................................... Aneilema 

6. Panicle shortly peduncled, to 5 cm; flowers irregular................................................................... Murdannia 

355

ANEILEMA R. Brown 

1. Inflorescence glabrous; staminodes absent....................................................................................A. montana 

1. Inflorescence glandular hairy; staminodes 2 ......................................................................... A. scaberrimum 

Aneilema montana (Wight) Clarke in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 217. 1881; FBI 6: 382. 1892; FPM 

1546. 1931; FPL 513. 1990; FTSR 472. 1996. Dictyospermum montanum Wight, Ic. t. 2069. 

1853. 

Erect or subscandent herbs. Stem 30-70 cm long, glabrous. Leaves to 18 x 4 cm, clustered 

towards the apex, elliptic-lanceolate, scabrid above; sheath to 2.5 cm long, pubescent on one 

side; mouth truncate. Panicle very lax, to 30 cm long; branches pubescent. Flowers 6 mm 

across, solitary, pedicelled; sepals oblong, obtuse, glabrous; petals white, 5 x 3 mm, obovate, 

obtuse; filaments glabrous. Capsule 3-4 mm long, globose; seeds planoconvex, rugose, brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in moist localities in deciduous forests; PS 19573 

Kariamchola; 30514 Parambikulam; 19417 Pooppara 

Aneilema scaberrimum (Blume) Kunth, Enum. 4: 69. 1843; FBI 6: 382. 1892; FPM 1546. 1931; 

FPL 514. 1990; FTSR 473. 1996. Commelina scaberrima Blume, Enum. Pl. Jav. 1: 4. 1827. 

Dictyospermum protensum Wight, Ic. t. 2071. 1853. Rhophalephora scaberrima (Blume) Faden, 

Phytologia 37: 480. 1977. 

Procumbet herbs, rooting at lower nodes. Leaves distantly placed, to 20 x 5 cm, oblonglanceolate, 

acuminate, base rounded and then cuneate, puberulus above; sheath closed, to 3 cm, 

puberulus, mouth with long hairs. Cymes panicled, terminal; bracts 2-5 mm, persistent, funnel 

shaped; flowers white, 3-merous. Capsule 3 mm across, globose, pubescent; seed one. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist localities of deciduous forests; PS 19563 Kariamchola 

BELOSYNAPSIS Hasskarl 

Belosynapsis vivipara (Dalz.) Fischer, Kew Bull. 1928:252.1928 & FPM 1551. 1931; FPL 515. 

1990. Cyanotis vivipara Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 226. 1851; FBI 6: 388. 1892. 

Epiphytic herbs with creeping branches; 5-15 cm high; stem hirtus. leaves basal and cauline, 

basal, to 10 x 1.5 cm, oblong-lanceolate, densely villous below, glabrous above; sheath tubular, 

hairy. Cymes sessile, few, along the creeping branches; bracteoles absent. Flowers few together; 

sepals free, 1.5 x 1.5 mm, elliptic, acute, hairy; petals 3 x 1.5 mm, obovate, acute, pink; 

filaments bearded. Capsule 6-seeded. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 19773 Pooppara 

COMMELINA Linnaeus 

1. Spathe ovate-lanceolate, base cordate-sagittate............................................................................................. 2 

1. Spathe funnel shaped or cucullate................................................................................................................... 5 

2. Spathes sagittate, auriculate at base ...........................................................................................C. attenuata 

2. Spathes not sagittate, not auriculate at base ................................................................................................. 3 

3. Capsule 2-celled; spathes truncate at base ....................................................................................C. imberbis 

3. Capsule 3-celled; spathes cordate at base ....................................................................................................... 4 

4. Leaves lanceolate; posticous cells of the capsule keeled .................................................................. C. diffusa 

4. Leaves linear to oblong; posticous cells of the capsule not keeled...................................................C. wightii 

5. Spathes cucullate; mouth sparsely hairy or glabrous ....................................................................... C. erecta 

5. Spathes funnel shaped; mouth rufous or glandular hairy............................................................................. 6 

6. Leaves ovate or oblong, base narrowed into petiole; ovary 2-locular....................................C. benghalensis 

6. Leaves lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, base not narrowed into a petiole; ovary 3-locular ..... C. paludosa 

356

Commelina attenuata Koenig ex Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 168. 1806; FBI 6: 372. 1892; FPM 1539. 

1931; FTSR 473. 1996. 

Slender scandent or procumbent herbs. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acute, base not narrowed, 

glabrous, to 7 x 1.5 cm. Spathe ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, base sagittate-auriculate, to 3.5 x 

2.5 cm; peduncle to 5 cm long. Sepals ovate-obtuse, concave, 5 mm long. Petals pale blue. 

Stamens 3; staminodes 3, all naked. Ovary tomentose, 2-celled; ovules 2 in each cell. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5735 Karimala Hills 

Commelina benghalensis L., Sp. Pl. 41. 1753; FBI 6: 370. 1892; FPM 1539. 1931; FPL 516. 

1990; FTSR 473. 1996. 

Procumbent herbs, pubescent. Leaves to 5 x 2.5 cm, ovate, acute or obtuse, rounded at base; 

sheath 1 cm long, mouth with red bristles. Spathe 1 x 1.5 cm, hairy. Flowers 10-12 mm across; 

sepals 3 mm long, obovate, red-glandular; petals 5 mm long, blue; stamens 3, filaments 

glabrous; staminodes 2; ovary with two-ovuled 2 cells and one-ovuled 1 cell. Capsule 3-celled, 

seeds 4 or 5, oblong, smooth, brown. 


Distr. Africa, India, China, Japan and Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests and vayals; 


Commelina diffusa Burm. f., Fl. Ind. 18. 1768; FPL 516. 1990; FTSR 474. 1996. C. nudiflora 

sensu Hook.f., FBI 6: 369. 1892, non L. 1753; FPM 1538. 1931. 

Diffuse or procumbent herbs; stem reddish, glabrous. Leaves 6-9 x 0.8-1.2 cm, lanceolate, 

acute, rounded at base; margin scabrid; sheath tubular, 2 cm long, mouth ciliate. Peduncle 

terminal, 4 cm long; spathe 2.5 x 1.4 cm, ovate, cordate at base, margin ciliate; cymes 

puberulus. Flowers 3-together; sepals 5.5 x 2.5 mm, red-glandular; petals 4 x 3 mm, blue with 

red glands; stamens 3, one anther longer, filaments glabrous; ovary oblong, pubescent, 3-celled. 

Seeds reticulate. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in deciduous forests; PS 30739 Vengoli 

Commelina erecta L., Sp. Pl. 41. 1753; FPL 516. 1990; FTSR 474. 1996. C. undulata R. Br., 

Prodr. 270. 1810; FBI 6: 373. 1892. C. kurzii Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 11. 1869; FBI 6: 373. 

1892; FPM 1540. 1931. 

Decumbent herbs; stem 20-40 cm high, pubescent on one side. Leaves 8-12 x 2.5 cm, 

narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acute at base, scabrid. Spathe 1 x 2 cm, acute on one side, shortly 

peduncled. Cymes few in a spathe, 2-4-flowered. Flowers 13 cm across; sepals 5 x 3 mm, 

obovate, acute; petals clawed, blue; stamens 3, one anther shorter than others; ovary 3-celled, 3- 

ovuled, glabrous. Capsule 3-celled, glabrous; seeds 4 x 3 mm, oblong, powdery. 


Distr. India, Africa and Australia. Common in deciduous forests; PS 19559 Padippara 

Commelina imberbis Ehrenb. ex Hassk. in Schweinf., Beitr. Fl. Aethiop. 206. 1867. C. 

persicariaefolia Wight ex Clarke in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 171. 1881; FBI 6: 372. 1892; FPM 

1539. 1931. C. jacobii Fischer, Kew Bull. 1928: 277. 1928 & FPM 1539. 1931. C. alisagarensis 

Kumar et Deodikar, Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Pl. Sci.) 13: 168. 1941. 

Decumbent herbs, glabrous. Leaves 10-13 x 3 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, rounded at 

base, pubescent, shortly petiolate; sheath 3.5 cm long, hirtus, margin ciliate. Spathe 3.5 x 2.5 

cm, broadly ovate, cordate at base, hairy; cymes solitary or paired, red-glandular. Flowers 15-16 

mm across, 2-5 together; sepals lanceolate, acute; petals clawed, bluish red; stamens 3, one 

anther larger and coiled; staminodes 3, 4-lobed; ovary tomentose; one cell empty, others 2- 

ovuled. 

357


Distr. Africa, India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in moist localities of evergreen forests; PS 


Commelina paludosa Blume, Enum. 1: 2. 1827; FPL 517. 1990. C. obliqua Ham. ex D.Don, 

Prodr. Fl. Nepal 45. 1825, non Vahl, 1805; FBI 6: 372. 1892; FPM 1539. 1931. C. polyspatha 

Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. t. 2066. 1853. 

Diffuse herbs. Leaves to 13 x 4 cm, lanceolate, acute or acuminate, narrowed at base, 

scabrous or softly villous; sheaths to 2 cm, mouth rufous haired; spathes to 2 x 1.5 cm, 

infundibular, base cordate, solitary in terminal heads. Flowers to 1 cm across, blue, sepals 

unequal, ovary 3-celled, 3-ovuled. Capsule 4 mm, trigonous, 3-seeded. 


Distr. Himalayas and India. Fairly common in moist localities of moist deciduous forests; PS 


Commelina wightii Rao, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3: 168. 1961 (1962); FPL 517. 1990. C. glabra 

(Wight) Clarke in A. & C. DC., Monogr. Phan 3: 179. 1881; FBI 6: 371. 1892; FPM 1539. 1931. 

Heterocarpus glaber Wight, Ic. t. 2067. 1853. 

Procumbent herbs, glabrous. Leaves 3-5 x 1-1.5 cm, linear-lanceolate or linear-oblong, acute, 

base obtuse, margin ciliate; sheath to 5 cm, ciliate, peduncle slender to 2-4 cm, scabrous, 

pubescent; spathe 1-2 x 5-1 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, base deeply cordate. Flowers 

yellow, 3 mm across, sepals 3-4 x 3 mm, ovate, obtuse, petals to 10 x 5 mm; stamens 3; ovary 

globose, 2-ovuled. Capsule globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in vayals and wet rocky areas; PS 19811 

Anakkalvayal 

CYANOTIS D. Don 

1. Inflorescence covered by leafsheaths...............................................................................................C. axillaris 

1. Inflorescence not covered by leafsheaths ........................................................................................................ 2 

2. Leaves chartaceous; branchlets cottony.......................................................................................................... 3 

2. Leaves membranous; branchlets villous or glabrous ..................................................................................... 4 

3. Leafbase obtuse; plants purplish ..............................................................................................C. arachnoidea 

3. Leafbase cordate; plants not purplish .........................................................................................C. fasciculata 

4. Bracteoles prominently nerved; capsule with a free central column............................................................5 

4. Branchlets not prominently nerved; capsule without a free central column............................................... 6 

5. Basal bracts broader than long................................................................................................ C. papilionacea 

5. Basal bracts longer than broad.............................................................................................. C. burmanniana 

6. Cymes solitary, recurved; leaf sheath to 5 mm................................................................................C. cristata 

6. Cymes clustered, strait or obscurely recurved; leaf sheath more than 1 cm ............................................... 7 

7. Leaves silky villous below; seeds rugose ............................................................................................C. villosa 

7. Leaves appressed pilose below; seed pitted ........................................................................................C. pilosa 

Cyanotis arachnoidea Clarke in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 250. 1881; FBI 6: 386. 1892; FPM 1550. 

1931; FPL 518. 1990; FTSR 475. 1996. C. pilosa Wight, Ic. t. 2083. 1853, non Roem. & Schult. 

Stem suberect, densely covered with white-cottony hairs. Leaves to 20 x 1.5 cm, upper leaves 

much smaller, ovate to linear-lanceolate. Cymes terminal; peduncle 4 cm long; bracts 1.7 x 1 

cm, ovate, acute, hairy; bracteoles curved, falcate, 10-25 pairs, 6 x 1.5 mm, densely cottony 

hairy. Sepals 6 x 1.5 mm, united at the base; corolla tube 7 mm long; lobes triangular, acute; 

358

filaments bearded; ovary densely hairy at apex; style bearded. Capsule 2.5 mm long, oblong, 

hairy; seeds transversally rugose, black. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5740 Karimala Hills 

Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 46. 1825; FBI 6: 388. 1892; FPM 1550. 1931. 

Commelina axillaris L., Sp. Pl. 42. 1753. Tonningia axillaris (L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 721. 

1891. Amischophacelus axillaris (L.) Rao & Kammathy, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 59. 306. 1966. 

Stem procumbent, terete, succulent. Leaves 5-6 x 0.6 cm, lanceolate, acute to acuminate, 

glabrous; sheath closed, saccate, glabrous. Flowers axillary, solitary or 2-3 together, sessile, 6-8 

mm across; sepals oblanceolate, base united, acute, keel winged and ciliate; petals united; lobes 

triangular, acute, bluish violet; stamens 6, filaments free, bearded at the tip; ovary oblong, 

densely hairy towards the apex. Capsule 3-celled; seeds 3 in each cells, oblong with scar at one 

end, pitted, dark brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19250 Thellikkal 

Cyanotis burmanniana Wight, Ic. t. 2089. f. 2. 1853. C. papilionacea Schult. f. var. 

burmanniana Clarke in DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 246. 1881; FBI 6: 385. 1892. 

Stem procumbent, sparely hairy. Leaves 2-4 x 1.5 cm, lanceolate, acute, sparely hairy on 

both sides; sheath to 1 cm. Cymes peduncled terminal and upper axillary; bracts 9 x 4 mm, 

broadly ovate, acuminate, bracteole to 8 x 3 mm, cuneate, ciliate, 4-8 pairs in cymes, sepals to 5 

x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, united at base, hairy along margin, corolla tube 4 mm, lobes lanceolate, 

blue, filaments bearded. Capsule ovoid, seeds yellowish-brown. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common in wet rocky areas; PS 30472 Vengoli 

Cyanotis cristata (L.) D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal 46. 1825; FBI 6: 385. 1892; FPM 1549. 1931; FPL 

519. 1990; FTSR 475. 1996. C. cristata L., Sp. Pl. 42. 1753. 

Stem erect or decumbent, glabrous or pubescent on one side. Leaves 2-5 x 1-2 cm, ovate, 

acute or obtuse, cauline, cordate at base, ciliate along the margins, often reddish; sheath closed. 

Cymes 15-30-flowered, curved; bracts ovate, acute; bracteoles falcate, glabrous or ciliate along 

the margins. Flowers sessile; sepals 4 mm long, oblanceolate; keel ciliate; corolla tubular, tube 

11 mm long, lobes obtuse; filaments bearded. Capsule 3.5 mm long, glabrous with few apical 

hairs; seeds striate, with two pits on two faces, brownish black. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in the wet rocky areas; PS 19859 Vengoli 

Cyanotis fasciculata (Heyne ex Roth) Schultes f., Syst. Veg. 7: 1152. 1830; FBI 6: 387. 1892; 

FPM 1550. 1931; FPL 520. 1990. Tradescantia fasciculata Heyne ex Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 189. 

1821. Cyanotis rosea Wight, Ic. t. 2086. 1853, in part. C. decumbens Wight, Ic. t. 2088. 1853, in 

part. 

Stem procumbent, tufted, covered with cottony hairs. Leaves to 3 x 0.7 cm, lanceolate, 

falcate, folded, rounded at base, long-hairy; sheath 1.5 cm long, saccate. Cymes axillary, 

solitary; peduncles 2 cm long; bracts 2 x 0.5 cm, lanceolate, acuminate; bracteoles 2-4 pairs, 

falcate, acute. Flowers few, sessile; sepals 5 x 2 mm, united at the base, hairy; corolla tube 6 

mm long, campanulate, lobes obtuse, blue; filaments bearded; style densely hairy. Capsule 2.5 

mm long, pilose at apex. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in the wet rocky areas and moist 

deciduous forests; PS 30738 Vengoli 

359

Cyanotis papilionacea (L.) Schultes f., Syst. Veg. 7: 1151. 1830; FBI 6: 384. 1892; FPM 1549. 

1931; FTSR 475. 1996. Tradescantia papilionacea L., Mant. Pl. 2: 513. 1771. 

Stem branched, rooting at lower nodes, branchlets pubescent. Leaves to 2 x 0.7 cm, oblonglanceolate, 

apex acute, pubescent, mucronate; sheath to 5 mm, pubescent. Flowers axillary and 

terminal, blue; bracts 1.5 cm, ovate, lanceolate; bracteoles to 10 pairs, pubescent, ciliate, acute. 

Capsule 2 mm, pilose at the apex, oblong. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in wet grasslands; PS 19751 Pezha 

Cyanotis pilosa Schult. & Schult. f., Syst. Veg. 7: 1155. 1830; FBI 6: 387. 1892; FPM 1549. 1931; 

FPL 520. 1990. 

Stem decumbent. Leaves 5-8 x 1-2 cm, linear-lanceolate or elliptic, acuminate, base cuneate, 

glabrous above, tomentose below, sheath to 1 cm, pilose. Cymes terminal and axillary 3-5 in a 

cluster, peduncle 1.5-1 cm, pilose; bracts to 2 cm, lanceolate, bracteoles to 1 x 5 cm, lanceolate, 

ciliate along the margin. Flowers 1 cm across, calyx lobes pilose, petals purple, ovate-orbicular; 

filaments hairy, style 1 cm. Capsule to 3 mm, pyramidal. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in wet grasslands; PS 19949 Karimala; 


Cyanotis villosa (Spreng.) Schultes f., Syst. Veg. 7: 1155. 1830; FBI 6: 387. 1892; FPM 1540. 

1931; FPL 520. 1990. Tradescantia villosa Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 116. 1825. 

Stem erect or procumben, villous. Leaves 2-8 x 0.8-2 cm, ovate, sessile, cordate at base, 

villous above and below; sheath tubular, thickly villous. Cymes terminal and upper axillary, 

sessile; bracts 1.2 cm long, ovate-lanceolate, villous; bracteoles ovate, curved, ciliate along the 

margins. Flowers few; sepals 6-7 mm long, free, lanceolate, keel ciliate; corolla tube 6-7 mm 

long, lobes obtuse, blue with red glands; filaments bearded; style dialated below the stigma. 

Capsule 2-3 mm long, hairy at apex; seeds paired. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 30736 Vengoli 

FLOSCOPA Loureiro 

Floscopa scandens Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 193. 1790; FBI 6: 390. 1892; FPM 1522. 1931; FPL 521. 

1990; FTSR 475. 1996. Dithyrocarpus rothii Wight, Ic. t. 208. 1839. 

Creeping or suberect marshy herbs; stem terete, pubescent along one line. Leaves scattered, 

5-10 x 2-1.5 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, acute at base, glabrous; sheath tubular, mouth 

oblique, hairy. Panicle 3-6 cm long; axis and branches pubescent. Flowers many, 3-5 mm across, 

regular, bisexual; sepals ovate, pubescent; petals obovate, glabrous, rose coloured; stamens 6, 

filaments free, glabrous; anthers small, obtuse, with broad connective; ovary 3-celled; ovule 

solitary in each cell. Capsule broadly ovoid; seeds elliptic, wrinkled, grey. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in marshy areas; PS 19205 Rockpoint 

MURDANNIA Royle 

1. Inflorescence to 4-flowered, axillary ............................................................................................M. pauciflora 

1. Inflorescence many flowered, terminal ........................................................................................................... 2 

2. Staminal filaments naked ................................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Staminal filaments hairy.................................................................................................................................. 4 

3. Petals white; leaves elliptic-oblong, over 4 cm wide......................................................................M. japonica 

3. Petals blue; leaves linear, to 3 mm wide ......................................................................................M. semiteres 

4. Leafbase amplexicaule; leaves equidistant on stem........................................................................M. spirata 

4. Leafbase not amplexicaule; leaves crowded toward the base........................................................M. simplex 

360

Murdannia japonica (Thunb.) Faden, Taxon 26: 142. 1977; FPL 522. 1990; FTSR 476. 1996. 

Commelina japonica Thunb., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 2: 332. 1794. Aneilema lineolatum 

Kunth, Enum. Pl. 4: 69. 1843; FBI 6: 370. 1892; FPM 1544. 1931. A. latifolium Wight, Ic. t. 

2072. 1853. 

Stout herbs; roots tuberous; stem rounded, smooth. Leaves to 23 x 6 cm basal and cauline, 

ovate, acute at apex, cordate at base, glabrous, coriaceous, sessile; cauline leaves smaller. 

Panicle to 20 x 10 cm, terminal, lax. Flowers 12 mm across, solitary or 2-3 together, pedicelled; 

sepals oblong-obtuse, red-glandular; petals white, obovate, obtuse; stamens 3, filaments 

bearded; staminodes 2-lobed, bearded. Capsule globose, beaked; seeds 2 x 1 mm, trigonous, with 

two round markings, tuberculate or reticulate, dark brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in rocky areas; PS 19557 Padippara 

Murdannia pauciflora (Wight) Brueck. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. (ed. 2) 15a: 173. 1930; FPL 

523. 1990. Aneilema pauciflorum Wight, Ic. t. 2077. 1853; FBI 6: 378. 1892; FPM 1545. 1931. 

Murdannia wightii Rao & Kammathy, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 25: 184. 1965; FTSR 477. 

1996. 

Creeping herbs, rooting at nodes; stem 15-25 cm long, hairy along one side. Leaves 0.8-3 x 

0.5-1 cm, ovate, acute, cordate to amplexicaule at base, ciliate along the margins. Cymes 

axillary, 1-4-flowered. Flowers blue; sepals 3 mm long, elliptic, keeled, glandular; petals 4 mm 

long, broadly elliptic, acute, blue; stamens 3, filaments naked, staminodes 3, yellow, 3-lobed. 

Capsule 4.5 x 2 mm, oblong, sharply beaked, glabrous. Seeds 3-6 in a cell, cylindrical, wrinkled, 

rugose, grey-black. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common wet localities of evergreen forests; PS 19882 

Velayudhankai; NS 19212 Kariamchola 

Murdannia semiteres (Dalz.) Sant., Poona Agri. Coll. Mag. 41. 284. 1951; FPL 523. 1990. 

Aneilema semiteres Dalz. in Hook.’s, J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 138. 1851. A. paniculatum 

Wall. ex Clarke in A. & C. DC., Monogr. Phan. 3: 215. 1881, non Wight 1853; FPM 1546. 1931. 

Dichaespermum juncoides Wight, Ic. t. 2073. 1853. D. paniculatum (Wall. ex Clarke) Hook. f. & 

Thoms. in Hook.f., FBI 6: 381. 1892, pro syn. Murdannia juncoides (Wight) Rao & Kammathy, 

Bull. Bot. Surv. India 6: 3. 1964; FTSR 477. 1996. 

Erect tufted slender herbs. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acuminate, to 10 x 0.3 cm. Panicles 

terminal, branches slender; bracts ochreate, minute. Petals blue, oblong, 2 mm long. Staminal 

filaments naked. Ovary globose; ovules 2-seriate in each cell. Capsule 3-valved; seeds 6-8 in 

each cell, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common on wet rocky areas; PS 19870 Vengoli 

Murdannia simplex (Vahl) Brenan, Kew Bull. 7: 186. 1952; FTSR 477. 1996. Commelina 

simplex Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 177. 1806. Aneilema sinicum Ker-Gawl. in Edgew., Bot. Reg. t. 659. 

1822; FBI 6: 379. 1892; FPM 1545. 1931. A. secundum Wight, Ic. t. 2075. 1853. 

Suberect herbs; roots tuberous; stem 40-65 cm high, terete, glabrous. Leaves basal and 

cauline, 10-20 x 1-1.5 cm, linear-lanceolate, acute; cauline leaves smaller; sheath open, 2 cm 

long, ciliate. Cymes 8 cm long, terminal, panicled; peduncle 8 cm long. Flowers 5-20 in a cymes; 

pedicel 5-6 mm long; sepals 6 x 3 mm, elliptic, acute at apex; petals 8 x 5 mm, obovate, obtuse, 

narrow; staminodes 3, yellow, 3-lobed. Capsule 6.5 x 3 mm, ellipsoid, acute, beaked; seeds 3 x 2 

mm, ellipsoid, rugose, brown. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5739 Karimala Hills; PS 19589 


361

Murdannia spirata (L.) Brueck. in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. (ed. 2) 15a: 173. 1930; FPL 524. 

1990; FTSR 477. 1996. Commelina spirata L., Mant. Pl. 2: 176. 1771. Aneilema spiratum (L.) R. 

Br., Prodr. 271. 1810; FBI 6: 377. 1892; FPM 1546. 1931. 

Creeping herbs with erect branches; stem angled, pubescent along one side. Leaves to 2.5 x 

1.2 cm, ovate, acute, cordate at base, glabrous. Panicle terminal and upper axillary, 5-20- 

flowered. Flowers 4-5 mm across; sepals obovate, obtuse, 5-nerved; petals obovate, obtuse, 3- 

nerved, blue; stamens 3, filaments hairy, connective produced into short beak; staminodes 3, 

with small anthers. Capsule obovoid, 3-celled; seeds 2 in each cell, rugose, dark brown, with 

circular scar on one face. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common on wet rocky areas; PS 19971; NS 19634 Vengoli 

POLLIA Thunberg 

Pollia sorzogonensis Steud., Nom. ed. 2:368.1841; FBI 6:368.1892; FPM 1534.1931. 

Stem 30-45 cm high stout. Leaves 30 x 10 cm, elliptic, acuminate, acute at base, glabrous. 

Panicle to 12 x 8 cm. long peduncled; branches hairy. Flowers pedicelled. Sepals obovate. Petals 

white, glabrous. Stamens 3, filaments naked; sterile anthers triangular. Ovary 3-celled, cells 

many ovuled. Fruits globose. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in open areas of evergreen forests; PS 30498 

Koorankuzhi 

ARECACEAE 

1. Climbing palms; fruits covered with scales........................................................................................ Calamus 

1. Erect palms; fruits not covered with scales..................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaves bipinnate ....................................................................................................................................Caryota 


3. Leaflet base obliquely auriculate ...........................................................................................................Arenga 

3. Leaflet base not auriculate....................................................................................................................Phoenix 

ARENGA Labillardiere 

Arenga wightii Griff., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 5: 475. 1845; FBI 6: 422. 1892; FPM 1588. 1931; 

FPL 526. 1990; FTSR 478. 1996; PMK 15. 1999. 

Monoecious palms; trunk to 6 m tall, covered with persistent leafsheaths, caudex 10-15 m 

across. Leaves pinnatisect, to 8 m long; leaflets to 100 x 5 cm, linear, auricled at base, glaucous 

below; petiole to 3 m long. Spadices to 1 m long, basipetal, male flowers and female flowers on 

separate spadices. Male flowers: tepals 6, biseriate, outer 3 mm long, orbicular; stamens many, 

free. Female flowers: tepals 6, biseriate, similar, accrescent; ovary 3-celled. Fruit globose. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in rocky slopes of evergreen forests; PS 30662, NS 


CALAMUS Linnaeus 

1. Leaflets grouped.............................................................................................................................C. thwaitesii 

1. Leaflets not grouped ......................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Leaflets over 5 cm wide....................................................................................................................C. vattayila 

2. Leaflets under 3 cm wide.................................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Mouth of the sheath without large spines....................................................................................... C. gamblei 

3. Mouth of the sheath with large spines............................................................................................................ 4 

4. Base of the petiole with 1 or 2 pairs of spines, to 10 cm long; fruits stalked....................... C. pseudotenuis 

4. Base of the petiole with more than 5 pairs of spines, to 18 cm long; fruit sessile.................C. hookerianus 

362

Calamus gamblei Becc. ex Becc. & Hook. f. in Hook.f., FBI 6: 493. 1893; FPM 1568. 1931; FTSR 

479. 1996; PMK 24. 1999. 

Clustering moderate sized cane; stem to 20 m or more long, with sheaths ca 2.5 cm diam. 

sheaths green, armed with spines, spines bulbous based, knee present. Leaves to 1.2 m long. 

Inflorescence flagellate, arising well above the mouth of the sheath. Partial inflorescence 5-6, to 

90 cm long. Fruit 2 cm across, spherical or slightly tapers at base; scales deeply channelled, pale 

yellow, shining. 

Fl & Fr. December-April 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30591 Kothala 

Calamus hookerianus Becc., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 11: 83, 226. t. 70. 1908; FPM 1568. 

1931; FTSR 479. 1996; PMK 25. 1999. Calamus borneensis Becc., Rec. Bot. Surv. Ind. 2: 205. 

1926, non Miq. 1868. 

Clustering moderate sized canes; stem to 10 m or more long, with sheaths to 4 cm diameter. 

Sheaths armed with spines; spines triangular; mouth of the sheath provided with long papery 

spines to 18 cm long. Leaves 2 m long; leaflets regular. Fruits ca. 1 x 0.8 cm, subglobose; scales 

yellowish-brown with a dark brown boarder. Endosperm not ruminate. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 18812 Parambikulam 

Calamus pseudotenuis Becc. ex Becc. & Hook. f. in Hook., Hook. f., FBI 6: 445. 1892; FPM 1567. 

1931; FPL 527. 1990; FTSR 480. 1996; PMK 30. 1999. C. tenuis Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 330. 

1864. 

Clustering moderate sized canes; stem to 7 m or more in length, with sheaths to 3.5 cm in 

diameter; sheath yellowish green, spines to 3.5 cm long, intermingled with thin smaller spines, 

brown-tomentose; mouth of the sheath with 3-4 longer spines, to 6 cm long; ocrea 10 cm long. 

Leaf to 1.6 m long; leaflets ca. 50 x 2.5 cm, regular, long-acuminate. Inflorescence 3 m long; 

partial inflorescence 70 cm long; rachillae 8 cm long. Fruit ca. 1.5 x 0.8 cm, subovoid. 

Fr. December 

Distr. South West India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 18855 

Kanthalppara; 19162 Karimala 

Calamus thwaitesii Becc. & Hook.f., FBI 6: 441. 1892; FTSR 480. 1996; PMK 32. 1999. C. 

thwaitesii Becc. var. canaranus Becc., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 11: 138. 1908; FPM 1567. 

1931. 

Clustering and high climbing canes. Stem to 20 m or more in length, with sheath to 6 cm in 

diam; sheath armed with spines; spines arising from a raised rim-like surface, flat, black with 

yellow base; knee and ocrea absent; flagellum, petiole, rachis and sheath armed with stout 

spines in oblique whorls. Leaves 2 m long; leaflets grouped. Fruit ca. 2 x 1.3 cm, ovoid, scales in 

12 vertical rows, with median grooves, yellow with brown margins. Endosperm not ruminate. 

Fr. April 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Very common in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 18845, 

NS 30810 Kuriarkutty 

Calamus vattayila Renuka, Curr. Sci. 56: 1012. 1987; FTSR 480. 1996; PMK 34. 1999. 

Solitary or climbing canes; stem to 30 m long, with sheaths to 2.5 cm in diam; sheath dark 

green, sparingly spiny; knee conspicuous. Leaf to 1 m long, leaflets alternate, to 40 x 8 cm, 

elliptic, ciliate at apex, 6-veined; petiole to 25 cm long; spines erect, to 1 cm long; flagellum to 4 

m long, with grouped recurved spines. Female inflorescence in heavy branches, to 1 m long. 

Fruit ca. 2.5 x 0.8 cm, oblong, scales in 25-30 rows, longer than broad, chest nut brown. 

Fr. February 

Distr. Endemic to South India. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 19601, NS 30814 Kuriarkutty 

363

CARYOTA Linnaeus 

Caryota urens L., Sp. Pl. 1189. 1753; Hook.f., FBI 6: 422. 1892; FPM 1560. 1931; FPL 529. 

1990; FTSR 480. 1996; PMK 35. 1999. 

Large palms; stem 30-60 cm thick, annular; caudex lax. Leaves to 6 x 4 m, spiral, bipinnate, 

leaflets to 40 x 20 cm, cuneate, straight on sides, dentate at oblique apex, sessile, alternate or 

paired. Spadix 3-4 m long, axillary, formed basipetally along the stem, branches many, narrow, 

pendent. Male flowers 1.5 cm long; sepals 3, 4 x 5 mm, orbicular; petals 3, 15 x 5 mm, oblong, 

calycine; stamens many, filaments united at base; Fruit globose, 1-2-seeded; seeds planoconvex; 

endosperm ruminate. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in evergreen forests; PS 30046 Kamamudi 

PHOENIX Linnaeus 

Phoenix loureirii Kunth, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 3: 257. 1841; FTSR 481. 1996; Barrow, Kew Bull. 53: 

561. 1998. P. humilis var. hanceana Becc., Malesia 3: 379 & 392. 1890. P. hanceana var. 

formosana Becc., Philipp. J. Sci. 3: 339. 1908. P. hanceana var. philippines Becc., Philipp. J. Sci. 

3: 339. 1908. P. pusilla Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 614. 1790, non Gaertn. 

Dioecious coarse bushy shrubs, to 2 m tall, densely covered with leaf sheaths. Leaves in a 

dense caudex, to 1 m long, 60-70 cm broad, pinnately compound; lower leaflets transformed into 

sharp spines; upper ones 4-8 together, to 30 x 1 cm, linear-oblong, acuminate, folded. Spadix 

axillary, 20-30 cm across; branches spreading, to 18 cm long. Flowers sessile; perianth biseriate, 

outer smaller, connate, cupular; inner ovate, valvate; stamens 6, free; ovary of 3 free carpels, 

ovules solitary; stigma uncinate. Drupes 12 x 8 mm, obovoid, yellow. 


Distr. India to Vietnam and China. Fairly common in grasslands; PS 19389 Karimala 

PANDANACEAE 

PANDANUS S. Parkinson 

Pandanus thwaitesii Mart., Bull. Soc. Bot. Ital. 369. 1904; FPM 1570. 1931; FTSR 481. 1996. 

Dioecious shrubs with stilt roots. Leaves spiral close, 150 x 6 cm, 3-costate, linear-lanceolate, 

spiny along margins and costae, sessile, ash coloured below. Male spadix, terminal branched, 

each branch with a scape. Male flowers densely packed; perianth absent; stamens many. 

Female spadix branched; spathe oblong, to 20 cm long. Flowers closely arranged; perianth 

absent; ovary 1-celled; ovule solitary. Fruit an aggregate of drupe, to 6 x 5 cm; drupes obovoid, 

laterally connate with a hexagonal outer face. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Fairly common in evergreen forests; PS 30251 Pezha 

ARACEAE 

1. Climbers with nodular adventitious roots..................................................................................................... 2 

1. Erect rhizomatous herbs or shrubs................................................................................................................ 3 

2. All leaves entire; perianth 6...................................................................................................................Pothos 

2. Leaves both dissented and entire; perianth absent..............................................................Rhaphidophora 

3. Leaves palmately or pinnately foliolate or dissected.................................................................................... 4 

3. Leaves entire.................................................................................................................................................... 6 

4. Spathe spirally twisted; rootstock creeping................................................................................ Anaphyllum 

4. Spathe not spirally twisted; rootstock not creeping...................................................................................... 5 

5. Lamina pedatisect; plants leafy during flowering ..........................................................................Arisaema 

5. Lamina tripartly compound; plants leafless during flowering ..........................................Amorphophallus 

364

6. Epiphytes with bulbiferous shoots; leafless during flowering .....................................................Remusatia 

6. Terrestrial or epiphytic without bulbiferous shoots; leafy during flowering .............................................. 7 

7. Root stock creeping, not tuberous.................................................................................................Lagenandra 

7. Root stock tuberous, not creeping................................................................................................................... 8 

8. Leaves ovate, to 25 cm long ............................................................................................................................ 9 

8. Leaves ovate-hastate or sub-orbicular, to 10 cm......................................................................................... 10 

9. Spathe limb linear, yellow; ovules parietal ..................................................................................... Colocasia 

9. Spathe limb ovate, green; ovules basal.............................................................................................. Alocasia 

10. Leaves triangular ovate; petiole with a bulbil at apex ................................................................Typhonium 

10. Leaves orbicular petiole without a bulbil ...........................................................................................Ariopsis 

ALOCASIA (Schott) G. Don 

Alocasia fornicata (Roxb.) Schott, Oesterr. Bot. Wochenbl. 4: 410. 1854; FBI 6: 526. 1893; FTSR 

482. 1996. Arum fornicatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 3: 501. 1832, non Wight, 1834. 

Perennial herbs; stem erect, to 10 cm long, 2.5 cm thick. Leaves 2-5 together; blade to 42 x 

26 cm, ovate, acute, shortly peltate, proximal lobes triangular, acute; nerves to 8 pairs, lowest 

pair bear the lateral nerves of basal lobes, intercostae regular, parallel; petiole to 45 cm long, 

canaliculate, slender, base sheathing. Peduncle 2-4 together, to 40 cm long, slender; spathe 

yellow, 12-14 cm long, tubular part 5 cm long, limb ovate, acuminate to the apex; spadix 10-12 

cm long, pistillate lower part 1.5 cm long, sterile middle portion 2 cm long, staminate part 2 cm 

long and appendix 6 cm long. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in moist localities of semi-evergreen forests; PS 30777 

Pooppara 

AMORPHOPHALLUS Blume ex Decaisne 

1. Leaves bulbiferous at forks; peduncles to 25 cm long .................................................................... A. bulbifer 

1. Leaves not bulbiferous at forks; peduncles to 40 cm long...................................................... A. paeoniifolius 

Amorphophallus bulbifer (Roxb.) Blume, Rumphia 1: 148. 1837; FBI 6: 515. 1893; FPM 1587. 

1931; FPL 531. 1990. Pythonium bulbiferum Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 18. 1832. Arum 

bulbiferum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 510. 1832. 

Large herbs, corm globose, to 10 cm across. Leaves 3-partite, to 40 cm across, segment, 

pinnatisect, bulbiferous at the base and forks and on the nerves above; petiole to 1 cm long, 

spotted brown; leaflets, to 20 cm, obovate, lanceolate. Spadix sessile; spathe to 40 x 10 cm, at 

the broadest part, pale pink; male and female contiguous; female flowers covering 4.5 cm of the 

spike; male flowers to appendages cylindrical. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Rare in deciduous forests; PS 30446 Karimala 

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicols., Taxon 26: 338. 1977; var. paeoniifolius: Sivad., 

Taxon 32: 128. 1983; FTSR 484. 1996. Dracontium paeoniifolium Dennst., Schluss. 13: 38. 1818. 

Amorphophallus campanulatus Decne., Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 3: 366. 1834; FBI 6: 513. 

1893, p. p.; FPM 1587. 1931. 

Large herbs, corm to 20 cm across, depressed globose, tubercled, pale pink inside; petiole to 

50 cm long, 3-4 cm thick, green with brown patches; lamina 70-120 cm across; lobes to 14 x 5.5 

cm, ovate, acuminate, decurrent at base into a wing to the petiole; nerves impressed above. 

Peduncle 5-6 cm long, thick; spathe 38 cm across, 25-45 cm high, campanulate, undulate, dull 

greenish brown; spadix as long as spathe; appendage obovoid, 20-25 cm across, uneven, rugose, 

365

deep pink. Flowers on the lower half of the spadix. Berry 15 x 10 mm, oblong, obovoid, orangered, 

glabrous. 

Fl & Fr. May-October 

Distr. India, Sri Lanka and Pacific Islands. Common in deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


ANAPHYLLUM Schott 

Anaphyllum wightii Schott, Bonplandia 5: 127. 1857 & Gen. Aroid. t. 83. 1858; FBI 6: 551. 

1893; FPM 1589. 1931; FPL 531. 1990; FTSR 484. 1996. 

Tall herbs with a creeping rhizome. Leaves pinnatisect or pinnatipartite; lobes 3-8 pairs, to 

28 x 10 cm, usually narrower, elliptic to oblong, acute, sessile or petiolulate; petiole 60-150 cm 

long, erect, 5-10 cm thick, smooth or transversally rugose, brownish. Spadix 15-30 cm long, 5-8 

cm broad, spathe open, deep brown, once or twice twisted; spikes 4.5 cm long, 8-10 mm thick. 

Flowers bisexual, densely arranged, 3-6 mm across; perianth lobes 4, obovate, truncate; 

stamens 6, free, filaments broad; ovary 1-celled, ovule solitary; style short, stigma discoid. Fruit 

a globose achene. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen forests; PS 30281 Kothala; 

30036 Meenkara; 30518 Pezha 

ARIOPSIS Nimmo 

Ariopsis peltata Nimmo. in Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 252. 1839; FBI 6: 519. 1893; FPM 1580. 

1931; FPL 532. 1990. Remusatia vivipara Wight, Ic. t. 900. 1845, non Schott, 1832. 

Epiphytic or terrestrial annuals, rootstock globose, to 1 cm across. Leaves 1 or 2, peltate, 

lamina 5-9 cm across, orbicular, entire, membranous, glabrous; petiole to 8 cm long, slender. 

Peduncle 2-5 cm long, solitary; spathe yellow or white, 3 cm long, cymbiform, open, tube absent; 

spike 2.5 cm long, cylindrical, 3 mm, thick. Female flowers 5-7, on one side of the spike towards 

the lower part; ovary ovoid, 1-celled, ovules many, on parietal placentas; stigma 4-lobed. Male 

flowers sunken in upper fleshy part of spadix; stamens 3; anthers divaricate, pubescent. 


Distr. India and Western Malesia. Fairly common on wet rocks of evergreen forests; PS 19597 

Karimala 

ARISAEMA Martius 

1. Leaves two; appendage of the spadix much longer than the spathe ........................................ A. tortuosum 

1. Leaves single; appendage of the spadix as long as or smaller than the spathe........................................... 2 

2. Appendage of the spadix blunt at apex; spadix to 22 cm long...............................................A. leschenaultii 

2. Appendage of the spadix narrowed at apex; spadix to 10 cm long................................................................ 3 

3. Appendage of the spadix terminated into a knob; spathes limb yellowish, tube purple.............A. barnesii 

3. Appendage of the spadix not terminated into a knob; spathe limb and tube greenish............................... 4 

4. Spathe limb triangular with a long acuminate tip.................................................................. A. attenuatum 

4. Spathe limb broadly ovate; acute.....................................................................................................A. murrayi 

Arisaema attenuatum Barnes & Fischer, Kew Bull. 1936: 275. 1936. 

Corms 2-5 cm, depressed globose. Leaves radiatisect; leaflets 6-9, to 16 x 6 cm, ellipticlanceolate, 

acute, base cuneate, membranous; petiole to 45 cm, sheathing peduncle as long as or 

slightly longer than the petiole; spathe to 17 cm, bright-green, stipe white outside, inner glossy, 

limb short, triangular, acuminate, dark green, with 3 stripes; spadix to 9 cm, appendage, 

attenuate, purplish with green tip. Berry 10 mm across, obovoid. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; PS 18929 


366

Arisaema barnesii Fischer, Kew Bull. 1933: 342. 1933 & FPM 1891. 1936; FPL 532. 1990; FTSR 

484. 1996. A. wightii auct. non Schott. 1859; FBI 6: 507. 1893 p. p., non Schott. 1859; FPM 

1891. 1931. 

Corm 1-2 cm across, globose; petiole 20-45 cm long, smooth, base sheathing. Leaflets 6, 16 x 

3 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate, base acute, glabrous, petiolule 1-2 cm long. Peduncle slender; 

spathe 6-10 cm long, tube 1-1.5 cm broad, purple with white lines, glabrous; limb ovate, finely 

caudate-acuminate, horizontal, green with white lines. Spadix 6 cm long, straight, narrowed at 

apex into a short tail. 

Fl. & Fr. November-June 


Kariamchola; 30277 Pooppara 

Arisaema leschenaultii Blume, Rumph. 1: 93. 1836; FBI 6: 504. 1893; FPM 1585. 1931; FPL 

532. 1990. A. papillosum Steud. ex Schott, Prodr. 46. 1860. A. pulchrum N. E. Br., J. Linn. Soc. 

Bot. 18: 252. t. 6. 1880; FBI 6: 505. 1893; FPM 1585. 1931. 

Corm 1-6 cm across, depressed globose. Leaf one; leaflets 7-12, to 25 x 7 cm, lanceolate, 

acuminate; nerves many, close, parallel, forming an intramarginal vein, prominent, glabrous; 

petiole to 70 cm long, 1-3 cm thick, brownish. Spadix peduncled, below the level of leaf; spathe 

10-22 cm long, tube 5-15 cm long, 1-3.5 cm broad, with thick greenish brown streaks; limb 

ovate, apex curved down, finely acuminate, green with brown streaks. Spadix 11-15 cm long, 

clavate at apex, female flowers many in lower 1-3 cm long; neuter flowers filiform, simple or 

bifurcate, to 1 cm long. 

Fl. June-December 


18931 Karimalagopuram 

Arisaema murrayi (Graham) Hook., Bot. Mag. 74: t. 4388. 1848; FBI 6: 507. 1893; FPM 1585. 

1931; FTSR 485. 1996. Arum murrayi Graham, Cat. Pl. Bombay 229. 1839. Arisaema 

tortuosum var. neglectum sensu Nicols. in Sald. & Nicols., 785. 1976, non (Schott) Fischer 1931. 

Corm to 2.5 cm across, globose. Leaf shortly pedatisect, lobes 5-6, elliptic or ellipticlanceolate, 

acute, base cuneate, membranous, to 17 x 6 cm; petiole sheathing, to 40 cm long; 

peduncles as long as the petiole, spathe greenish, to 10 cm long, base tubular, to 3 x 1.5 cm; 

limb 6 x 5 cm, green with white streaks, reddish along margins; spadix 6 cm long; sterile 

appendages as long as spathe or shortly exserted. Berry obovoid, 3 or 4-angled at apex, 6 x 5 

mm. 

Fl. & Fr. May-October 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare along the margins of evergreen forests at higher 

altitudes; PS 18930 Karimalagopuram 

Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott in Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 1: 17. 1832; FBI 6: 502. 1893; 

FPM 1584. 1931; FTSR 485. 1996. Arum tortuosum Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 10. t. 114. 1830. 

Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott var. neglectum (Schott) Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1585. 

1931. A. neglectum Schott in Bonplandia 7: 26. 1859; FBI 6: 504. 1893. A. murrayi sensu 

Manilal, Fl. Silent Valley 332. 1988, non (Graham) Hook. 1848. 

Corms 2-3 cm across, globose. Leaves paired, pedatisect; leaflets 8-10, to 12 x 4 cm, 

oblanceolate, abruptly acuminate, base acute, sparsely hispid below, petiolulate; petiole to 35 

cm long, 2-together. Spadix solitary; peduncle usually shorter than the petiole; spathe 8-12 cm 

long, green; limb ovate, acuminate, with white and purple streaks; tube 4-6 cm long; spadix 12- 

18 cm long, sigmoidally curved, appendage narrow. 


Distr. Himalayas, South India and Sri Lanka. Common in grasslands; PS 18921 


367

COLOCASIA Schott 

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott in Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 1: 18. 1832; FPL 533. 1990; FTSR 

485. 1996. Arum esculentum L., Sp. Pl. 965. 1753. Colocasia antiquorum Schott in Schott & 

Endl., Melet. Bot. 1: 18. 1832; FBI 6: 523. 1893; FPM 1580. 1931. 

Stout herbs; rhizome stoloniferous. Leaves few to many, peltate, to 28 x 18 cm, ovate, 

cordate to sagittate at base, glabrous; nerves 6 pairs, united to form an intramarginal vein; 

lowest pair with lateral nerves of the basal lobes, intercostae curved; petiole 30-45 cm long, 

cylindrical, smooth. Peduncle solitary or few together, 10-20 cm long, stout; spathe to 20 cm 

long, yellow, lanceolate, constricted above the base; limb acuminate. Spadix 10 cm long, 

cylindrical, appendages terete, obtuse. Male flowers above, to 5-6 cm of the spadix, stamens 6; 

female flowers on lower, 2 cm of the spadix; ovary 1-celled, ovules many on 2-4 parietal 

placentas. Neutral flowers many, peltate, between the female and male flowers. Fruit an 

aggregate of berries, globose. 


Distr. South Asia, widely cultivated. Common along the margins of vayals; PS 30811 

Anakkalvayal 

LAGENANDRA Dalzell 

1. Leaves to 35 cm; cataphylls not keeled .......................................................................................... L. toxicaria 

1. Leaves to 10 cm; cataphylls 2-keeled.............................................................................................L. meeboldii 

Lagenandra meeboldii (Engl.) Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1576. 1931; FPL 534. 1990; FTSR 486. 

1996. Cryptocoryne meeboldii Engl., Pflanzenr. 4. 23F: 234. 1920. 

Annual or biennials, rhizome 0.5-1 cm thick, creeping. Leaves clustered; lamina 8 x 4 cm, 

ovate, acute, rounded at base; nerves numerous, regularly arching; petiole 5-10 cm long. 

Peduncle to 2.5 cm long, concealed in the leaf sheath. Spathe to 10 x 1.5 cm, ellipsoidal, longacuminate 

at apex, twisted once or twice, smooth, yellowish, purple, tubular part 5 cm, closed 

chamber 2-3 cm long. Spadix 2 cm long, produced above into a cusp. Female flowers in a 

clusters of 5 mm across; male flowers in a globose clusters of 3 mm across; stamens 1 or 2. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Rare in the streams of evergreen forests; PS 30058 

Kanthalppara 

Lagenandra toxicaria Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 4: 289. 1852 & 5: t. 4. 1853; FBI 

6: 495. 1893, p. p.; FPM 1889. 1936; FTSR 486. 1996. 

Leaves broadly elliptic, acute, chartaceous, glabrous, to 30 x 15 cm; petiole to 25 cm long; 

cataphylls lanceolate, sheathing 10 cm long. Peduncle 4.5 cm long. Spathe 4.5 cm long, oblong, 

constricted above the tube, limb abruptly acuminate, acumen, sigmoidally curve, pale purple; 

spadix 1.5 cm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in the streams of evergreen forests; PS 30099 

Orukomban 

POTHOS Linnaeus 

1. Petiole winged; spadix globose ....................................................................................................... P. scandens 

1. Petiole not winged; spadix oblong or elongated.............................................................................................. 2 

2. Stem with prickles at nodes; leaves dimorphic; spike longer than the spathe ............................P. armatus 

2. Stem without prickles at nodes; leaves similar; spikes shorter than spathe............ P. crassipedunculatus 

Pothos armatus Fischer, Kew Bull. 1929: 126. 1929 & FPM 1592. 1931; FTSR 487. 1996. 

Armed climbers, spines 2-4 mm long, few at nodes. Lowers leaves ovate-orbicular with 

cordate base, upper leaves to 18 x 4.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acuminate at apex, acute at base; 

368

nerves many, irregular, prominent below; petiole 1 cm long. Spadix on short lateral branchlets; 

peduncles 3-5 cm long with 3-4 cataphylls at base; spathe 1.5-2 cm long, oblong, acute; spadix 5 

cm long, slender. Flowers 1.5 mm across, in distant groups of 3-5 together; bracts orbicular, 

puberulus; stamens 6; ovary obovoid, truncate above. 


Distr. Southern Western Ghats. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30095 Kottayali 

Pothos crassipedunculatus Sivad. et al., Pl. Syst. Evol. 168: 221-225. 1989 [Figure 12]. 

Root climbers, flagella to 2 m. Leaves to 20 x 7 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 

intramarginal veins looping at the margin, base cuneate, cordate; petiole to 2 cm, pulvinate. 

Inflorescence lateral, ca 1 cm long, cataphylls 3 or 4; peduncle to 4 cm; spathe 2-2.5 x 1.5 cm, 

ovate-acute, apiculate, white; spadix sessile, 2 x 0.4 cm, sub-cylindric. Flowers to 2 mm 

diameter, bisexual trimerous; tepals 6, fleshy, apex flat; filaments short, 3 x 0.6 mm; anthers 4- 

lobed, extrorse; stigma sessile, convex with tuft of papillae at centre; ovary trilocular. 



Orukomban 

Note: 

This species was recently described from Agasthyamala. Present collection from the sanctuary is 

the first report outside its type locality. 

Pothos scandens L., Sp. Pl. 968. 1753; FBI 6: 551. 1893; FPM 1592. 1931; FPL 535. 1990; FTSR 

487. 1996. 

Large climbers; stem angled, 2-4 mm thick. Leaf to 9 x 3 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, nerves 

many, united to form 2-3 narrow ribs, glabrous; petiole 3-6 cm long, broadly winged, wing 

broaden above. Spadix axillary; peduncle to 0.5 cm long, spathe 5 mm across, orbicular, obtuse, 

concave, brown; spadix 3-5 mm across, globose. Flowers densely packed; bracts 3-5, orbicular; 

stamens 6, free; ovary obovoid, stigma 3-toothed. 


Distr. India to Malesia and Madagascar. Common in all forest types; PS 19725 Parambikulam 

REMUSATIA Schott 

Remusatia vivipara (Roxb.) Schott in Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 18. 1832; FBI 6: 521. 1893; 

FPM 1583. 1931; FPL 535. 1990; FTSR 487. 1996. Arum viviparum Roxb., Hort. Bengal 65. 

1844. Caladium viviparum (Roxb.) Lodd., Bot. Cab. 3: t. 281. 1818. Colocasia vivipara (Roxb.) 

Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 336. 1864. 

Epiphytic or lithophytic herbs with erect bulbiferous slender shoots. Leaves 20-30 cm across, 

ovate, acute, cordate at base, glossy above; nerves prominent; petiole to 40 cm long; spadix 

solitary, on erect, terminal peduncle, covered with large cataphylls; spathes obovate to 

rhomboid, spreading, yellowish white; tube short, 5 cm long, ellipsoid, limb to 10 x 7 cm, acute; 

spadix 5 cm long. Female flowers many, ovary globose, 1-celled; ovules many, parietal, stigma 

3-lobed, globose. Male flowers many, on clavate above part of the spadix; stamens 6, united. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Common in evergreen forests at higher altitudes; PS 19326 Thenkudippara 

RHAPHIDOPHORA Hasskarl 

Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) Schott, Bonplandia 5: 45. 1857; FBI 6: 546. 1893; FPM 1590. 

1931; FPL 536. 1990; FTSR 487. 1996. Pothos pertusa Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 455. 1820. Scindapsus 

pertusus (Roxb.) Schott in Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 21. 1832. 

Stout perennial climbers, stem cylindrical, 4 cm thick, fleshy. Leaves to 35 x 30 cm, broadly 

ovate, pinnatisect or rarely entire, rounded at base, acute at apex; petiole 20-35 cm long, 

369

Figure 12. Pothos crassipedunculatus Sivad. et al. A. flowering twig; B. inflorescence; 

C. inflorescence node- cataphyll removed; D. flower; E & F. stamen dorsal 

and ventral view; G. pistill 

370

channelled. Spadix solitary, axillary; spathe to 20 x 8 cm long, ovate-oblong, concave, acute, 

creamy white; spadix 12 cm long, 2 cm thick. Flowers unisexual, densely packed. Female 

flowers basal; ovary obconical, truncate, 1-celled; ovule solitary; stigma knob-like. Male flowers 

above; stamens 4-6, free. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in evergreen forests; PS 30173 Kottayali 

TYPHONIUM Schott 

Typhonium bulbiferum Dalz. in Hook.’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 4: 113. 1852; FBI 6: 511. 1893; 

FTSR 488. 1996. 

Corms about 1 cm across. Leaves 2 or 3, triangular-ovate, acute, base cordate, sagittate, to 6 

x 4 cm; petiole to 10 cm long, slender with a bulbil at apex. Spathe pale purple, limb linearlanceolate, 

pale reddish-purple, to 10 cm long; spadix as long as the spathe. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Occasional in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests; PS 


ERIOCAULACEAE 

ERIOCAULON Linnaeus 

1. Male flowers with two sepals; female petals linear.....................................................................E. thwaitesii 

1. Male flowers with three sepals; female petals oblong or oblanceolate .........................................................2 

2. Appendage of seeds along the vertical walls...............................................................................E. truncatum 

2. Appendage of seeds along the transverse walls.............................................................................................. 3 

3. Involucral bracts longer than the floral bracts; peduncle to 4 cm long ..............................E. xeranthemum 

3. Involucral bracts equal to or smaller than the floral bracts; peduncles more than 8 cm long ................... 4 

4. Sheaths to 3.5 cm; petals sub-equal...................................................................................................E. talbotii 

4. Sheaths to 7 cm; petals equal.................................................................................................... E. parviflorum 

Eriocaulon parviflorum (Fyson) Ansari & Balakr., Eriocaul. India 53. 1994. E. dianae Fyson 

var. parviflora Fyson, J. Indian Bot. Soc. 2: 260. 1921. E. dianae Fyson var. triloboides Fyson, J. 

Indian Bot. Soc. 2: 260. 1921. 

Leaves to 7 x 0.6 cm, falcate, acute, glabrous. Peduncle many, to 30 cm long; sheath to 5 cm 

long, limb small. Head 5 x 5 mm, receptacle pilose; involucral bracts 2 x 1 mm, obovate, 

glabrous, straw-coloured; floral bracts 2 x 1 mm, cuneate, black. Female sepals unequal, grey or 

black, smaller one hyaline, petals oblanceolate, hyaline, hairy; seeds oblong; appendages many, 

on transverse walls. Male sepals, united into a split tube, black, hairy at apex; petals 3, equal, 

hairy; anthers black. 


Distr. Endemic to Western and Central India. Common on wet areas of grasslands; PS 19921 

Karimala 

Eriocaulon talbotii Ansari & Balakr., Eriocaul. India 172. 1994. E. horsleykundae Fyson var. 

megalocephala Fyson, J. Indian Bot. Soc. 3: 14. 1922. 

Leaves to 6 x 0.5 cm, linear-ensiform, acuminate. Peduncles to 25 cm, virgate, sheath to 4 

cm, limb incised. Head 1-1.3 cm across, spherical, grey; involucral bracts 2 mm across, ovate, 

obtuse; floral bracts ca 3 x 1 mm, oblanceolate, acute, apex hoary; male sepals 2 mm across, 

obovate, connate, apex hoary; petals ca 2 mm across, spathulate, obtuse, free; ovary sessile, 

globose, style trifid; seed globose, purple, seed coat aligned in vertical rows. 


Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common on wet areas of grasslands; PS 30740 Karimala 

371

Eriocaulon thwaitesii Koern., Linnaea 27: 627. 1854; FBI 583. 1893; FPM 1620. 1931; Ansari & 

Balakr., Eriocaul. India 63. 1994; FTSR 490. 1996. E. mariae Fyson, Kew Bull.1914: 331. 1914. 

E. gamblei Fischer, Kew Bull. 1930. 160. 1930 & in Gamble, FPM 1618. 1931. 

Leaves 6-8 x 0.5 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. Peduncles several to many, 10-30 cm 

long; heads 2.5-4 x 4-6 mm, globose; receptacle pilose, involucral bracts 2 x 1.5 mm, oblong, 

rounded to truncate at apex, straw-coloured; floral bracts 2 x 1 mm, cuneate, acute, hairy at 

apex, brown. Female sepals 2, lanceolate, keeled, brown; petals linear, hyaline; seed walls in 

vertical raw. Male sepals 2, united at the base, glabrous, brownish; petals equal, hairy, 

glandulose. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Common on wet areas of grasslands; NS 5775 Karimala 

Hills 

Eriocaulon truncatum Bunch.-Ham. ex Mart. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 29. 1831; FBI 6: 578. 

1893; FPM 1619. 1931; FPL 539. 1990; Ansari & Balakr., Eriocaul. India 118. 1994. E. 

truncatum var. malaccense Hook.f., FBI 6: 578. 1893. 

Leaves 3-4 x 0.4 cm, lanceolate, acuminate at apex. Peduncles many, to 15 cm long; heads 3 

x 5 mm, hemispherical; involucral bracts 3 x 1.5 mm, oblong, obtuse, at apex, straw coloured; 

floral bracts 2 x 1.2 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse, pale brown, glabrous. Female sepals 2, 1.5 mm 

long, linear, black; petals 3, linear, white, glabrous, glandulose; seeds oblong. Male sepals 

united, lobes shallow, black, glabrous; petals equal, glandulose. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common on wet rocky areas; PS 19724 Parambikulam 

Eriocaulon xeranthemum Mart. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 29. 1832; FBI 6: 584. 1893; Ansari & 

Balakr., Eriocaul. India 58. 1994; FTSR 490. 1996. E. pygmaeum Dalz. in Hook.'s J. Bot. Kew 

Gard. Misc. 3: 281. 1851. 

Leaves 0.8-2.5 x 0.15 cm, lanceolate, acuminate. Peduncles 1-few, 1-5 cm long; heads 

spreading, obconical; involucral bracts 3 x 1 mm, elliptic, acute, hyaline; floral bracts 1.2 mm 

long, oblanceolate, truncate and hairy at apex, black. Female sepals oblanceolate, one shorter 

and linear, brown; petals 3, oblong, hairy, glandulose; seeds oblong, appendages 2-3 on the base, 

lobes truncate, black; petals 3, subequal, glandulose. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and India. Rare in the sides of streams; PS 19717 Parambikulam 

CYPERACEAE 

1. Florets unisexual ............................................................................................................................................. 2 

1. Florets bisexual................................................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Nut enclosed in a utricle ......................................................................................................................... Carex 

2. Nut not enclosed in utricle.....................................................................................................................Scleria 

3. Hypogynous bristles present .......................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Hypogynous bristles absent............................................................................................................................ 6 

4. Leaves with a prominent ligule...........................................................................................................Fuirena 

4. Leave eligulate................................................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Nut beaked with persistent style base; spikelets in panicles; bristles setaceous................. Rhynchospora 

5. Nut not beaked, spikelets in simple umbel; bristles broad ......................................................... Lipocarpha 

6. Style base dilated and constricted above the nut; glumes spiral rarely distichous ................................... 7 

6. Style base continuous with the nut; glumes distichous................................................................................ 8 

7. Style fimbriate hairy; base conical ...............................................................................................Fimbristylis 

7. Style glabrous at mouth puberulus, base depressed globose...................................................... Bulbostylis 

372

8. Rachilla persistent........................................................................................................................................... 9 

8. Rachilla deciduous......................................................................................................................................... 10 

9. Nut trigonous; stigmas 3..................................................................................................................... Cyperus 

9. Nut biconvex; stigmas 2 .......................................................................................................................Pycreus 

10. Keels of nut bearing glumes winged or serrulate; stigmas 2..........................................................Kyllinga 

10. Keels of nut bearing glumes not winged or serrulate; stigmas 3 ...................................................Mariscus 

BULBOSTYLIS Kunth 

Bulbostylis barbata (Rottb.) Kunth ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 6: 651. 1893; FPM 1662. 1931; 

FPL 540. 1990. Scirpus barbatus Rottb., Progr. 27. 1772. Isolepis barbata (Rottb.) R. Br., Prodr. 

222. 1810. Isolepis barbata (Rottb.) R. Br. var. capillaris Nees in Wight, Contrib. 109. 1834. 

Densely tufted annual; culms 5-15 cm high, 5-6-ridged, smooth. Leaves 3-6 cm long, filiform, 

glabrous; sheath keeled, mouth with long-cilia. Umbels globose, 0.5-0.6 cm across, bracts 2-3, 

filiform with a broad base, surpass the head. Spikelets 3-5 mm long, sessile, clustered, 8-15 in 

an umbel, densely packed; glumes 2 x 1.2 mm, aristate, 6-12 in a spikelets, spirally disposed; 

arista curved out, scabrid. Nut 0.6 x 0.5 mm, trigonous, truncate at apex, thinly reticulate, pale 

brown. 


Distr. Old World tropics and Southern U.S.A. Common on wet rocky areas; PS 30763 Vengoli 

CAREX Linnaeus 

1. Terminal spikelets with male flowers only ..................................................................................... C. phacota 

1. All spikelets with male and female flowers ...................................................................................... C. filicina 

Carex filicina Nees in Wight, Contrib. 123. 1834; FBI 6: 717. 1894; FPM 1686. 1931; FPL 541. 

1990. 

Perennials, culms to 120 cm tall, slender. Leaves 30-60 x 0.8 cm, scabrous. Sheath rounded, 

closed. Partial panicles 8-10 x 3 cm; bracts to 30 cm long; bracteoles filiform. Spikelets 1.5 cm 

long; male portion 3-4 mm long, narrower; pistillate glumes 2 mm long, reddish brown; utricle 

3.5 mm long, scabrid, blotched with red spots; beak 1.5 mm long, deeply bifid. Staminate 

glumes 3 x 1.5 mm, acute. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common in marshy areas; PS 18863 Karimthalappara 

Carex phacota Spreng., L. Syst. Veg. 3:826.1826; FBI 6:708.1894; FPM 1686.1931; FPL 542. 

1990. C. lenticularis D. Don, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 14: 331. 1824. 

Perennials, culms 50-70 cm tall, triquetrous. Leaves cauline, 20-80 x 0.3-1 cm, linear, 3- 

costate; sheath keeled, open. Spikelets 5-7 in a terminal raceme, cylindrical; terminal one fully 

or partly male, others female, 5 cm long, 5 mm wide; pistillate glumes 2 x 1 mm, obovate, 

truncate at apex, aristate, blotched with red spots, hirtus; utricle 3 x 1.5 mm, puberulus, deep 

brown; staminate glumes 3 x 1.5 mm, obovate, emarginate, aristate; stamens 3. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and Sri Lanka. Common in marshy areas; PS 30778 Anakkavayal 

CYPERUS Linnaeus 

1. Rachilla broadly or narrowly winged on either side of the nut, often decurrent......................................... 2 

1. Rachilla not conspicuously winged .................................................................................................................. 4 

2. Spikelets spicate or racemose; not clustered or digitate ..........................................................C. compressus 

2. Spikelets digitally clustered or in very congested spikes............................................................................... 3 

3. Glumes aristate.................................................................................................................. C. maderaspatanus 

3. Glumes not aristate.........................................................................................................................C. zollingeri 

373

4. Spikelets in elongated spikes or racemes................................................................................................C. iria 

4. Spikelets in digitate clusters or in congested racemes................................................................................... 5 

5. Glumes aristate not mucronate ....................................................................................................................... 6 

5. Glumes not aristate or mucronate.....................................................................................................C. halpan 

6. Arista recurred; culms to 20 cm high ......................................................................................... C. cuspidatus 

6. Arista strait; culms 30-70 cm high................................................................. C. diffusus ssp. macrostachyus 

Cyperus compressus L., Sp. Pl. 46. 1753; FBI 6: 605. 1893; FPM 1640. 1931; FPL 543. 1990; 

FTSR 491. 1996. 

Culms to 30 cm high, obtusely trigonous, slender, smooth. Leaves 15-20 x 0.1-0.5 cm, linear, 

glabrous; sheath rounded, open. Umbels 5-10 cm across, compound; bracts 3-5, unequal, 7-8 x 

0.4 cm; rays 2-3, spreading. Spikelets 2.5-3 x 0.3-0.4 cm, 3-6 in each spike, 30-40 flowered, much 

compressed; rachis narrowly winged; glumes 3 x 2.5 mm, ovate, cuspidate, many-nerved, 

keeled. Nut 1.5 mm long, trigonous, brown, smooth. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 30758 Vengoli 

Cyperus cuspidatus Kunth in HBK, Nov. Gen. Pl. 204. 1815; FBI 6: 598. 1894; FPL 544. 1990; 

FTSR 492. 1996. C. uncinatum sensu Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1639. 1931, non Poir. 1806. 

Culms 10-20 cm high, densely tufted. Leaves 5-10 x 0.1-0.2 cm, linear, folded; sheath keeled, 

closed, glabrous. Umbel 4 x 4 cm, compound; rays 3, secondary rays absent; bracts 3, unequal, 

longest 10 x 0.2 cm; spikes 1.2 x 0.8 cm, ovoid, oblong or globose. Spikelets 40-50 in a spike, 

ovate, 10-flowered; glumes 2 x 1 mm, lanceolate, keeled, curved; arista 1.5-2 mm long. Nut 

obovoid, obtuse, pale brown, smooth. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 19633 Vengoli 

Cyperus diffusus Vahl ssp. macrostachyus (Boeck.) Koyama, Gard. Bull. Singapore 30. 139. 

1977 & Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 5: 198. 1985. C. diffuses Vahl var. macrostachyus Boeck., 

Linnaea 35: 533. 1868. C. pubisquama Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 2: 20. 1855; FBI 6: 604. 1893; 

FPM 1639. 1931. 

Culms 40-70 cm high, robust, smooth. Leaves mostly basal, 3-costate. Umbel 5-35 cm across, 

compound; rays up to 15, secondary & tertiary rays present; bracts unequal, similar to leaves. 

Spikelets 5 x 2 mm, in groups of 1-5, digitate, 8-16 flowered; glumes 1.75 x 1.2 mm, broadly 

ovate, cuspidate, red-dotted. Nut 1.2 mm long, shortly beaked, smooth, grey-brown. 


Distr. India, China, Formosa, Solomon Islands and Malesia. Common in marshy areas; PS 

19189 Rockpoint 

Cyperus halpan L., Sp. Pl. 45. 1753, ‘haspan’; FBI 6: 600. 1893; FPM 1640. 1931; FTSR 492. 

1996. 

Culms 70-100 cm long, slender. Sheaths many at base, red-purple, bladeless. Umbels 

compound, rays 2-15, secondary rays also present; bracts few, smaller than the umbel, leafy. 

Spikelets sessile, 2-15 mm long, ovate, acute, 3-15-flowered, 1-5 together in umbellules; glumes 

ovate, keeled, 1-nerved. Nut trigonous, white, smooth. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in marshy areas; PS 19241 Vengoli 

Cyperus iria L., Sp. Pl. 45. 1753; FBI 6: 606. 1893; FPM 1640. 1931; FPL 545. 1990; FTSR 492. 

1996. 

Culms 30-45 cm high, loosely tufted or solitary, acutely 3-angled. Leaves 0.6 cm broad; 

sheath keeled, closed by a membrane. Umbels 16 x 10 cm; bracts unequal, to 23 x 0.4 cm, 

374

linear-oblong. Spikelets 3.5-4 x 2 mm, oblong, 6-8-flowered, 14-18 in a spike; glumes 1.2 x 1.2 

mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, 1-nerved, keeled. Nut 1.25 x 1.5 mm, obovoid, dark brown, smooth. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and East Africa; introduced in U.S.A and West Indies. Common in marshy 

areas; PS 19255 Thellikkal; 19632 Vengoli 

Cyperus maderaspatanus Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 278. 1798. Mariscus maderaspatanus (Willd.) 

Napper, J. E. Africa Nat. Hist. Soc. 28, 124: 10. 1971. Mariscus squarrosus Clarke in Hook. f., 

FBI 6: 623. 1893 quoad spec.; FPM 1645. 1931. 

Culms 5-8 cm high, tufted, filiform. Leaves 5-10 x 0.1 cm, scabrid; whole plant red glandular. 

Umbel 3-5 x 3 cm; bracts 3-4 linear, 6-9 cm long; rays 1-5, secondary rays absent; spikes sessile, 

congested, head-like. Spikelets 10-11 x 2 mm, compressed, linear oblong, 5-12 together in a 

spike; rachilla winged; glumes 2-3 x 1 mm, 3-nerved. Nut 1.5 x 0.3 mm, pale brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in marshy areas; PS 30812 Pillakkalvayal 

Cyperus zollingeri Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 2: 17. 1855. C. ramosii Kukenth., Feddes Repert 21: 

326. 1925 & in Engl., Pflanzenr. 101: 136. 1935. C. rubroviridis Cherm., Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 66: 

350. 1919. C. sphacelatus Rottb. var. tenuior Clarke, Trop. Afr. 8: 347. 1901. 

Culms 30-80 cm high, triquetrous. Leaves to 40 x 0.4 cm, linear, acuminate. Umbel 

compound; bracts unequal, 5-20 cm long, leafy; rays 4-6; spike 1.5-3 cm long, dense. Spikelets 

oblong, perpendicular to the axis; rachis with deciduous wings on either side of the nut; glumes 

3 x 2 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, shortly cuspidate, margin hyaline; keel with several nerves. 

Nut obovate, smooth, dark brown. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Malesia and Northern Australia. Common in marshy areas; 


FIMBRISTYLIS Vahl 

1. Styles bifid ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. Styles trifid ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 

2. Nut covered with two rows of white glands on sides; culms stellate ........................................... F. dipsacea 

2. Nuts and culms otherwise................................................................................................................................ 3 

3. Spikelets clustered in a single head, sessile...................................................................................F. argentea 

3. Spikelets not clustered in a single head, peduncled....................................................................................... 4 

4. Glumes not aristate....................................................................................................................... F. dichotoma 

4. Glumes aristate................................................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Lowest glumes pubescent; bracts surpass the umbel ..................................................................F. aestivalis 

5. Lowest glumes glabrous; bracts never surpass the umbel ....................................................F. bisumbellata 

6. Leaves distichous, folded; midrib strongly keeled; spikelet globose .............................................F. miliacea 

6. Leaves spiral; midrib not keeled; spikelet acute ............................................................................................ 7 

7. Spikelets many ............................................................................................................................... F. eragrostis 

7. Spikelets up to 6 ................................................................................................................................................ 8 

8. Glumes spirally arranged....................................................................................................................F. tenera 

8. Glumes distichous .......................................................................................................................... F. narayanii 

Fimbristylis aestivalis (Retz.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2:288.1806; FBI 6:637.1893; FPL 549. 1990. 

Scirpus aestivalis Retz., Obs. Bot. 4:12.1768. 

Densely tufted annuals; culms to 20 cm high, obtusely 5-angled. Leaves 10-20 x 0.11 cm, 

filiform, gland-dotted, scabrid. Umbel 3-6 x 3-4 cm, globose; bracts 3-4, leaf-like; rays 4-6, erect. 

375

Spikelets few to many, 3-4 x 1.5 mm, acute, solitary, peduncled; glumes 1.7 x 0.9 mm, ovate, 

acute, 1-nerved. Nut 0.5 x 0.3 mm obovoid, smooth, dull brown. 


Distr. Asia and Australia. Common in marshy areas; PS 30420 Parambikulam; 19336 

Thenkudippara 

Fimbristylis argentea (Rottb.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 294. 1806; FBI 6: 640. 1893; FPM 1659. 1931; 

FTSR 494. 1996. Scirpus argenteus Rottb., Descr. Ic. 27. 1772. 

Tufted annuals; rhizome short, oblique; culms to 10 cm high, slender, 10-15-ridged. Leaves 

5-8 x 0.1 cm, narrow to filiform; margins folded. Spikelets 3-5 x 2 mm, oblong, cylindrical; many 

in digitate umbel; glumes many, 1.5 x 0.7 mm, ovate, acute, 1-nerved, spirally disposed. Nut 0.7 

x 0.4 mm, biconvex, faintly trabeculate, yellowish green, to pale brown. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 


Fimbristylis bisumbellata (Forssk.) Bubani, Dodecanthea. 30. 1850; FPM 1898. 1931. Scirpus 

bisumbellata Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 15. 1775. Fimbristylis dichotoma sensu Clarke in Hook.f., 

FBI 6: 635. 1893, non (L.) Vahl, 1809. 

Densely tufted annuals; culms to 20 cm high, slender. Leaves to 10 x 0.15 cm, linear, 

scabrous; sheath rounded, glabrous, mouth with a short membranous ligule. Umbel 3 x 2.5 cm; 

bracts setaceous; rays 2-5, erect. Spikelets 2-4 mm long, peduncled; 8-15-flowered; glumes 1.5 x 

0.8 mm, boat-shaped, mucronate, yellowish brown. Nut biconvex, obovate, smooth, dull yellow; 

style 1.5 mm long. 


Distr. North Africa, West Asia, India, Malesia, Taiwan, Ryukyu and North Australia. 

Occasional in grasslands; PS 19688 Karimala 

Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 287. 1806; FPM 1658. 1931; FPL 550. 1990. 

Scirpus dichotomous L., Sp. Pl. 50. 1753. Fimbristylis diphylla (Retz.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 289. 

1806; FBI 6: 636. 1823. Scirpus diphyllus Retz., Obs. Bot.15. 1789. 

Perennials; culms 40-70 cm high, 2-3 mm thick, ridged. Leaves 15-25 x 0.2-0.3 cm, basal or 

scattered, linear to flat; sheath rounded; ligule a fringe or short hairs. Umbel 12 x 7 cm; bracts 

longer than the umbel. Spikelets 8-11 x 2-4 mm, solitary and pedicelled, ovate-oblong, acute; 

glumes 3 x 2 mm, acute, 3-nerved. Nut 1 mm long, oblong, biconvex, trabeculate with 

transverse oblong cells arranged in 12-13 vertical rows. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 30719 Vengoli; 19246 Vengoli 

Fimbristylis dipsacea (Rottb.) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 6: 635. 1893; FPM 1658. 1931; FPL 550. 

1990. Scirpus dipsaceus Rottb., Descr. Ic. 56. 1773. Echinolytrum dipsaceum (Rottb.) Desv., J. 

Bot. 1: 21. t. 1. 1808. 

Small annuals, tufted; culms 2-5 cm tall, terete, spreading. Leaves 1-4 cm long; lower ones 

reduced to sheaths, usually basal, filiform, scabrid. Inflorescence a solitary spikelets or a simple 

umbel with 3 spikelets. Spikelets globose or top-shaped, 3 x 3 mm. few to several flowered; 

glumes acuminate-aristate, 7-nerved, greenish white. Nut 0.6 x 0.2 mm, brown. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Asia. Common on wet rocky and marshy areas; PS 30426 Vengoli 

Fimbristylis eragrostis (Nees & Meyen ex Nees) Hance, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 13: 132. 1873. 

Abildgaardia eragrostis Nees & Meyen ex Nees in Wight, Contrib. 95. 1834. Fimbristylis 

nigrobrunnea Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 434. 1884; FBI 6: 648. 1893; FPM 1659. 1931. 

376

Perennials; rhizome vertical, 1-3 cm long, clothed with leaf sheaths; culms 15-30 cm high, 

solitary, slender, tetragonous. Leaves to 20 x 0.25 cm, flat, blunt at apex, glabrous. Umbels 3 x 3 

cm, dense, globose; bracts 3, unequal, 1-3 cm long; rays 3-6, each with 1 or 2 spikelets. Spikelets 

7-9 x 3 mm, oblong, acute; glumes 15-20 in a spikelet, 3 x 2 mm, acute, 1-nerved, brown. Nut 1 x 

0.5 mm, obovate, obtuse, trabeculate; style base depressed globose. 

Fl. & Fr. July-April 

Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia, China and Formosa. Common in moist deciduous forests and 

plantations; PS 19498 Thellikkal 

Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 287. 1806; FBI 6: 644. 1893; FPM 1660. 1931; FPL 

551. 1990. Scirpus miliaceus L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 868. 1759. Fimbristylis littoralis Gaud., 

Freyc. Voy. Bot. 413. 1826. Trichelostylis miliacea (L.) Nees in Wight, Contrib. 104. 1834. 

Annuals, culms to 25 cm high, caespitose. Leaves to 15 cm, flat, inrolled, obtuse, ligule 

absent, terete, oblong, to 8 mm, acute; spikelets 1 or 2, involucral bracts to 3, rachilla winged 1 

mm, scarious, glumes to 4 mm, basally distichous, spiral at apex, keel 3-5-nerved; stamens 3, 

filaments to 4 mm, anthers ca 2 mm; style trifid, trigonous, ciliate, base pyramidal, stigma 

papillose. Nut to 2 mm, obovoid, trigonous, stipe 5 mm, angular. 


Distr. Cosmopolitan. Common in marshy areas; PS 19263 Anakkalvayal 

Fimbristylis narayanii Fischer, Kew Bull. 1931. 46. 1931 & in Gamble, FPM 1660. 1931; FPL 

551. 1990. 

Tufted annuals; culms 15-30 cm tall, acutely quadrangular. Leaves to 15 x 0.1 cm, narrowly 

ensiform, usually basal, glabrous. Umbel 4 x 2.5 cm; bracts 1-6, minute, scabrid; rays 2-5. 

Spikelets 1-3 together, 5-10 x 2 mm, compressed, elliptic, solitary, peduncled; glumes 3 x 1.5 

mm, 1-nerved, 12-16 in the spikelets. Nut obovoid, obtuse, trabeculate and tubercled, pale 

brown; style base conical. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Common in marshy areas; PS 19941 

Karimala; 19622 Vengoli 

Fimbristylis tenera Schult., Syst. Veg. 2, Mant. 57. 1824; FBI 6: 642. 1893; FPM 1660. 1931; 

FPL 551. 1990; FTSR 495. 1996. 

Slender short annuals; rhizome very short; culms 5-10 cm, very slender, loosely tufted. 

Leaves 3-8 cm long, linear; sheath rounded, hairy. Umbel simple, 1.5 x 1.5 cm. Spikelets 1-5, 

mostly peduncled, terete, acuminate; glumes few to many, keeled, brown. Nut obovoid, 0.8 mm 

long, dull grey, verruculose. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Pakistan. Occasional in dry deciduous forests; PS 30685 Keerappadi 

FUIRENA Rottboel 

Fuirena umbellata Rottb., Descr. Ic. 70. t.19. 1773; FBI 6: 666. 1893; FPM 1669. 1931. F. 

pentagona Wight & Arn. ex Nees in Wight, Contrib. 93. 1834. F. uncinata sensu Thw., Enum. 

Pl. Zeyl. 347. 1864, non Kunth 1837. 

Stout perennials; rhizome creeping. Culms 40-70 cm high, 0.8 cm thick, ribbed. Leaves 13-18 

x 1-2 cm, ciliate along the margins; nerves scabrid; sheath rounded, pubescent; ligule thick, 

collar like. Panicle 10 x 3 cm, with 2-5 partial panicles; bracts 2-5, leaf-like, 2-7 x 0.2-0.8 cm. 

Spikelets 10-25 in each cluster, 4-6 x 3 mm, ovoid; glumes 2.2 x 1.5 mm, ovate-oblong, 

emarginate at apex, cuspidate, glabrous, brown, outer bristle retrorsely barbed; inner bristle 

obovate, truncate. Nut 1.2 x 0.7 mm, obovoid. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas (vayals). PS 19269 Anakkalvayal 

377

KYLLINGA Rottboel 

1. Keels of nut bearing glume serrulate or spinulose.......................................................................K. brevifolia 

1. Keels of not bearing glume not serrulate or spinulose................................................................................... 2 

2. Glumes with a crest towards the upper part of the keel; stamens 3 .........................................K. nemoralis 

2. Glumes without a crest; stamens 2.................................................................................................. K. bulbosa 

Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb., Descr. Ic. 13. 1773; FBI 6: 588. 1893; FPM 1624. 1931. Cyperus 

brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk. Cat. Hort. Bogor. 24. 1884 

Culms 30-35 cm high, solitary along the creeping rhizome. Leaves flaccid; basal sheaths 

bladeless. Spike 0.8 x 0.6 cm, globose; bracts foliar. Spikelets 3.5 x 1.2 mm, lanceolate; upper 

glumes 3 x 2 mm, aristate, 5-nerved, margins hyaline; stamens 3. Nut 1.2 x 0.8 mm, obtuse, 

apiculate, dark brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19475 Thellikkal; 19242 Vengoli 

Kyllinga bulbosa Beauv., Fl. d' Oware & Benin 1: 11, t. 8, f. 1. 1804. Cyperus triceps 

(Rottb.) Endl., Cat. Hort. Acad. Uindb. 1: 94. 1842. Kyllinga triceps Rottb., Descr. Ic. 14. 

1773, nom. illegit.; FBI 6: 587. 1893; FPM 1623. 1931; FPL 553. 1990; FTSR 496. 1996. 

Culms 5-10 cm high, densely tufted. Leaves 2-6 x 0.1-0.2 cm, scabrid along margin 

and costa. Vertical spike 0.7 x 0.5 cm, conical, lateral shorter; bracts foliar. Spikelets 2 

mm long, lanceolate; lower glumes smaller, upper glumes 1.5 x 1 mm, acute, nerves 

greenish white. Nut 1.2 x 0.5 mm, oblique, truncate at apex, yellowish brown. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. Common in marshy areas; PS 30759 Vengoli 

Kyllinga nemoralis (J.R & G.Forst.) Dandy ex Hutch. & Dalz., Fl. W. Trop. Africa 2: 486,487. 

1936; FPL 552. 1990; FTSR 496. 1996. Thryocephalon nemoralis J. R & G. Forst., Char. Gen. 

Pl. 130.1776. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb., Descr. Ic. 13.1773; FBI 6:588.1893; FPM 1624.1931. 

Rhizome slender, culms to 35 cm tall, closely arranged. Leaves to 30 x 0.3 cm, linear. Spikes 

to 4 x 7 mm, globose, white; bracts to 10 cm long. Spikelets 4 mm long, compressed, elliptic, 

densely packed; lower glumes 2 mm long, linear, upper glumes 2.5 mm long, concave, 

mucronulate, keel arcuate. Nut biconvex, yellowish. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common on open rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30713 Vengoli 

LIPOCARPHA R. Brown 

1. Spikelets 3; glumes 7-nerved........................................................................................................L. sphacelata 

1. Spikelets 6-12; glumes 1-nerved .................................................................................................... L. chinensis 

Lipocarpha chinensis (Osbeck) Kern., Blumea, Suppl. 4: 167. 1958; FPL 553. 1990. Scirpus 

chinensis Osbeck, Dago. Ostind. Resa. 220. 1757. Lipocarpha argentea (Vahl) R. Br. ex Nees, 

Linnaea 9: 287. 1835; FBI 6: 667. 1893; FPM 1670. 1931. Hypaelytrum argenteum Vahl, Enum. 

Pl. 2: 283. 1806. 

Culms 40-65 cm high, 2 mm thick. Leaves 10-20 x 0.5 cm, stiff; margins scabrid towards the 

apex; bracts to 8 cm long. Spikelets 0.5-1 x 0.5 cm, obtuse; glumes 2.5 x 1 mm, obtusely acute, 

keeled, yellow or pale brown. Nut 1.2 x 0.4 mm, obtuse, hardly triquetrous, brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 19264 Anakkalvayal 

Lipocarpha sphacelata (Vahl) Kunth, Enum. Pl. 2: 267. 1837; FBI 6: 667. 1893; FTSR 496. 

1996. Hypaelytrum sphacelatum Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 283. 1805. Tunga triceps Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 

183. 1820. Lipocarpha triceps (Roxb.) Nees in Wight, Contrib. 92. 1834; FPM 1670. 1931. 

378

Culms 10-20 cm high, 0.5-1 mm thick. Leaves 7-10 x 0.15 cm, 1-costate, glabrous. Involucral 

bracts 2, dilated at base, 3-4 cm long, scabrid at top. Spikelets 8 x 5 mm, acute; glumes 2.5 x 0.8 

mm, clawed, acute, 4-5-nerved. Nut 1.5 x 0.4 mm, acute, slightly curved, dark brown. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19889 Velayudhankai 

MARISCUS Vahl 

1. Stem base thickened by sheaths....................................................................................................... M. dubius 

1. Stem bases not thickened by sheaths.............................................................................................................. 2 

2. Inflorescence compound; spike globose, spikelets many flowered ...........................................M. compactus 

2. Inflorescence simple; spike oblong; spikelets 1-4 flowered ............................................................................ 3 

3. Rhizome slender, creeping; spikelets single flowered ..................................................................M. paniceus 

3. Rhizome thick, not creeping; spikelet 2-4 flowered................................................................M. sumatrensis 

Mariscus compactus (Retz.) Boldingh, Zakfl. Landb. Java 77. 1916; FPM 1645. 1931; FPL 554. 

1990. C. compactus Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 10. 1789. C. spinulosus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 203. 1832. 

Mariscus dilutus (Vahl) Nees ex Wight, Contrib. 90. 1834. M. microcephalus Presl., Reliq. 

Haenk. 1: 182. 1828; FBI 6: 624. 1893. 

Culms to 1 m, terete, densely shaggy. Leaves to 60 x 1 cm wide, canaliculate, cross nerves 

nodulose, scabrid below, sheath purplish. Umbel compound, to 10 cm, involucral bracts 5-10, 

overlapping, longest equal to the stem. Spike glabrous, racemose; spikelets to 80, 2-4 cm, 

narrow, linear, reddish-brown rachilla strait, glumes ca 2 x 1 mm, acute. Nut ca 1.5 x 0.5 mm, 

narrowly obovoid, beaked. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common in marshy areas; PS 19813 Kannimara 

Mariscus dubius (Rottb.) Kukenth. ex Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1644. 1931; FPL 554. 1990; 

FTSR 497. 1996. Cyperus dubius Rottb., Descr. Ic. Rar. 20,t.4. f.5. 1773. Mariscus dregeanus 

Kunth, Enum. Pl. 2: 120. 1837; FBI 6: 620. 1893 p.p. 

Culms to 15 cm tall, tufted. Leaves to 20 x 5 cm, linear, basal. Spikes 1.5 cm across, globose; 

bracts 4, unequal, to 25 cm long. Spikelets 5 mm long, lanceolate, densely packed; glumes 3 mm 

long, broadly ovate, many-nerved, keeled. Nuts trigonous, ellipsoid. 


Distr. Tropical Africa, India, Indo-China to Malesia. Occasional in marshy areas; PS 30427 

Parambikulam 

Mariscus paniceus (Rottb.) Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 373. 1805; FBI 6: 620. 1893; FPM 1644. 1931; 

FPL 555. 1990. Kyllinga panicea Rottb., Descr. Ic. 15. 1773. Cyperus paniceus (Rottb.) Boeck., 

Linnaea 36: 381. 1870. 

Culms 15-30 cm high, 3-angled, 2-broad and one narrow sided. Leaves 20-30 x 0.3-0.4 cm, 1- 

costate, glabrous. Umbel simple; spikes 3-6, each 1-1.5 x 0.8 cm. Spikelets 3-4 x 0.6 mm, terete; 

glumes 4, lower two glumes smaller; third glume 3 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate, fourth glume 3.5 x 0.5 

mm; stamens 2. Nut 2.5 mm long, brown. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests and vayals; PS 19192 Rockpoint; 

19469 Thunakkadavu; NS 19482 Thellikkal 

Mariscus sumatrensis (Retz.) Raynal, Adansonia 15: 110. 1975; FPL 556. 1990. Kyllinga 

sumatrensis Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 13. 1786. Mariscus sieberianus Nees ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 6: 

622. 1893; FPM 1645. 1931. Cyperus cyperoides (L.) Kunth, Rev. Gen. Pl. 3(2):333. 1898. 

Scirpus cyperoides L., Mant. Pl. 2: 181. 1771. 

379

Culms 35-40 cm high. Leaves to 36 x 0.7 cm, nearly basal, midrib strongly depressed, 

margins recurved, scabrid. Umbel 3-4 x 5-7 cm, simple; bracts to 7-8, 20 x 0.4 cm; spikes 2.5-3 x 

1 cm. Spikelets 3.5 x 1 mm, densely packed, perpendicular to the spike; glumes 4, third glume 

3.2 x 2 mm, 1-nerved, fourth glume 3.2 x 1 mm, aristate 1-nerved; stamens 2. Nut curved. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in marshy areas; PS 19471 Thunakkadavu 

PYCREUS P. Beauvois 

1. Apex of the glume obtuse, mucronate ............................................................................................. P. pumilus 

1. Apex of the glume acute not mucronate.......................................................................................................... 2 

2. Nuts horizontally marked with white lines, cells vertically elongate......................................P. stramineus 

2. Nut not marked with white lines, cells isodiametric...................................................................... P. flavidus 

Pycreus flavidus (Retz.) Koyama, J. Jap. Bot. 51: 31. 1976 & in Dassan. & Fosb., Rev. Handb. 

Fl. Ceylon 5: 222. 1985; FPL 556. 1990. Cyperus flavidus Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 13. 1788. Pycreus 

globosus (All.) Reichb. f., Fl. Germ. Excurs. 140. 1830; FPM 1627. 1931. P. capillaris (Koenig ex 

Roxb.) Nees ex Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 6: 591. 1893. Cyperus capillaris Koenig ex Roxb., Fl. Ind. 

1: 194. 1832. 

Culms 30-45 cm tall. Leaves 10-20 x 0.1 cm, glabrous, mouth of sheath with two truncate 

flaps. Umbel 8 x 8 cm; bracts 2-3, to 18 cm long; rays spreading. Spikelets 12-16 x 2 mm oblong, 

obtuse, 12-15 in a spike; glumes 2 x 1.2 mm, 30-40 in a spikelets, 3-5-nerved; keel curved, green. 

Nut 0.8-0.5 mm, biconvex, distinctly cuspidate, minutely muriculate, dark brown. 


Distr. South Europe, Africa and Central and South Asia. Common in marshy areas; PS 19244 

Vengoli 

Pycreus pumilus (L.) Nees, Linnaea 9: 283. 1835; FBI 6: 591. 1893; FPM 9: 1627. 1931; FPL 

557. 1990. Cyperus pumilus L., Cent. Pl. 2: 6. 1756. Pycreus nitens (Retz.) Nees, Nov. Acta 

Phys. Med. Acad. Caes. Leop. Carol. Nat. Cur. 19: 53. 1843; FBI 6: 591. 1893. 

Culms 10-18 cm tall, slender, terete. Leaves up to 21 x 0.2 cm, linear, serrulate along the 

margins. Umbel 4 x 6 cm, spreading; bracts 4, unequal, longest 10-12 x 0.15 cm; rays 3-5, up to 

2.5 cm long. Spikelets 1.2 x 0.3 cm, linear oblong; glumes 1.5 x 1 mm, aristate, keeled, 1-nerved, 

26-34 in each spikelets. Nut 0.6-0.4 mm, truncate, cuspidate, glabrous, dark brown. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common on wet rocky areas; PS 19865 Vengoli 

Pycreus stramineus (Nees) Clarke in Hook.f., FBI 6: 589. 1893; FPM 1627. 1931; FPL 557. 

1990. Cyperus stramineus Nees in Wight, Contrib. 74. 1834. 

Culms 10-40 cm high, terete. Leaves 10-23 x 0.1-0.15 cm glabrous; sheath closed, mouth 

split. Umbel 2-7 cm long; bracts 2-4, unequal, 18-20 cm long; rays 0-2. Spikelets 1-2.5 x 0.3-0.5 

cm, compressed, sessile, digitate; rachilla quadrangular, glabrous; glumes 2.5 x 2 mm, ovate 

obtuse, keeled, 2-5-nerved, reddish brown; stamens 2, filaments persistent. Nut 1.2 x 0.9 mm, 

apiculate, deep grey. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Common in marshy areas; PS 19812 Kannimara 

RHYNCHOSPORA Vahl 

Rhynchospora corymbosa (L.) Brit., Trans. New York Acad. Sci. 11: 84. 1892; FPM 1672. 1931. 

Scirpus corymbosus L., Cent. Pl. 2: 7. 1756. Rhynchospora aurea Vahl, Enum. Pl. 2: 229. 1805; 

FBI 6: 670. 1893. 

Rhizome globose, covered with spongy leaf sheaths. Culms 80-150 cm high. Leaves 60-90 x 

0.8-1.5 cm; sheath sharply keeled, become spongy when old. Panicle 20-35 cm long. Partial 

380

panicle corymbose. Spikelets 7-8 x 2.5 mm, clustered; all sessile; glumes 4, lower 3 sterile, 

uppermost one bisexual, 7.5 x 4 mm, shortly aristate, keeled with brown streaks, anthers 2.5 

mm long, apiculate. Nut 3 x 1.5 mm, truncate, wrinkled with brown spots; style base 4.5 mm 

long conical with longitudinal depression on either sides, hypogynous bristle 8, 4.5 mm long. 


Distr. Pantropical. Very common sedge in vayals; PS 19240 Vengoli 

SCLERIA Bergius 

1. Leaves linear; spikelets bisexual ........................................................................................................S. rugosa 

1. Leaves lanceolate; spikelets unisexual.............................................................................................S. caricina 

Scleria caricina (R. Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 426. 1878; FBI 6: 688. 1894. Diplacrum 

caricinum R. Br., Prodr. 1: 241. 1810; FPM 1678. 1931. D. zeylanicum Nees in Wight, Contrib. 

119. 1834. 

Tufted annuals, culms 10-20 cm high, sub-erect, weak. Leaves scattered, 1-5 x 0.1-0.3 cm, 

lanceolate, scabrid along the nerves & margins; sheath rounded, closed, truncate at mouth. 

Cymes axillary, sessile. Female spikelets obovate, glumes 4, opposite each other, 2 mm long, 

aristate, 3-nerved, with a broad midrib; margins form into an appendages towards the base. 

Nut 0.6 x 0.4 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, obscurely trigonous, striate, brown. Male spikelets 

ovate with four glumes; lower two glumes empty, upper opposed, aristate; stamens 2; filaments 

free. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Australia. Common in marshy areas; PS 30760 Vengoli 

Scleria rugosa R. Br., Prodr. 240. 1810; Koyama in Dassan. & Fosb., Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 5: 

363. 1985; FTSR 499. 1996. S. lateriflora Boeck., Linnaea 38: 455. 1874. S. flaccida Clarke in 

Hook.f., FBI 6: 688. 1894, non Steud. 1855. S. zeylanica Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 5: 97. 1900, 

non Poir 1806. 

Annuals, culms 30-55 cm high, 1-3 mm thick. Leaves 30-35 x 0.5 cm, linear, obtuse at tip; 

margins and nerves and wings of sheath retrorsely scabrid. Panicle 10-20 cm long; partial, 

bracts leafy, terminal one erect. Spikelets 3 together, 2 female and one male. Nut 3 x 2 mm, 

ovoid, acute, rugulose, white; disc 3-lobed, hemispherical or orbicular. Male spikelets 4.5 x 1.5 

mm, ovate, glumes 3.5 x 1 mm, oblong; stamens 3, free. 


Distr. Asia and Australia. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19955 Karimala 

POACEAE 

1. Tall woody arborescent or shrubby plants..................................................................................................... 2 

1. Perennial or annual herbs .............................................................................................................................. 6 

2. Lower nodes with branches ............................................................................................................................ 3 

2. Lower nodes without branches....................................................................................................................... 4 

3. Spikelets in globose heads; basal node with spinaceous root...............................................Dendrocalamus 

3. Spikelets not in globose heads; basal node with fibrous roots ....................................................... Bambusa 

4. Stamens more than 16; fruit fleshy................................................................................................ Ochlandra 

4. Stamens 6; fruit not fleshy.............................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Staminal filaments free..........................................................................................................Schizostachyum 

5. Staminal filaments united in to a tube......................................................................... Pseudoxytenanthera 

6. Spikelets unisexual.....................................................................................................................................Coix 

6. Spikelets bisexual ............................................................................................................................................ 7 

7. Stamens 6................................................................................................................................................. Oryza 

7. Stamens to 3..................................................................................................................................................... 8 

381

8. Glumes deciduous along with spikelets; spikelets strictly 2-flowered ........................................................ 9 

8. Glumes persistent; spikelets 1-many flowered ........................................................................................... 41 

9. Spikelets laterally compressed in pairs, one sessile and one pedicelled, dissimilar and awned............. 10 

9. Spikelets dorsally compressed, solitary, similar and awnless ................................................................... 29 

10. Inflorescence a panicle .................................................................................................................................. 11 

10. Inflorescence 1-many digitate or subdigitate racemes ............................................................................... 20 

11. Spikelets in groups of three, one sessile and two pedicelled...................................................................... 12 

11. Spikelets paired ............................................................................................................................................. 14 

12. Inflorescence covered with long silky hairs; petiole to 5 cm......................................................Spodiopogon 

12. Inflorescence not covered with silky hairs; leaves sessile or shortly pedicelled ....................................... 13 

13. Panicles interrupted by spathes........................................................................................................... Apluda 

13. Panicles not interrupted by spathes .......................................................................................... Chrysopogon 

14. Panicles densely covered with long silky hairs ........................................................................................... 15 

14. Panicles not as above..................................................................................................................................... 16 

15. Glumes hairy; panicles cylindrical and spiciform............................................................................Imperata 

15. Glumes glabrous, panicles lax ....................................................................................................... Saccharum 

16. Panicle of paired racemes, one sessile, one pedicelled; plants aromatic ................................. Cymbopogon 

16. Panicles not as above; plants not aromatic.................................................................................................. 17 

17. Panicles interrupted by spathes................................................................................................................... 18 

17. Panicles not interrupted by spathes ............................................................................................................ 19 

18. Racemes with two involucral spikelets at base............................................................................... Themeda 

18. Racemes without two involucral spikelets at base .............................................................Pseudanthistiria 

19. Upper lemma of sessile spikelets reduced to the base of the awn......................................... Capillipedium 

19. Upper lemma of sessile spikelets well developed................................................................. Pseudosorghum 

20. Spikelets solitary, similar ................................................................................................................... Dimeria 

20. Spikelets paired, dissimilar .......................................................................................................................... 21 

21. Racemes solitary............................................................................................................................................ 22 

21. Racemes 2-many............................................................................................................................................ 25 

22. Second lemma of sessile spikelets awnless....................................................................................Rottboellia 

22. Second lemma of sessile spikelets awned.................................................................................................... 23 

23. Lower spikelets of racemes awnless; upper spikelets awned, twisted together......................Heteropogon 

23. All spikelets of the racemes awned, awns not as above ............................................................................. 24 

24. Upper glumes awned; spikelets similar.................................................................................. Pogonatherum 

24. Upper glumes not awned; spikelets dissimilar .........................................................................Dichanthium 

25. Racemes 2 on each peduncle......................................................................................................................... 26 

25. Racemes more than 2 on each peduncle ...................................................................................................... 27 

26. Lower glumes of sessile spikelets truncate at apex ......................................................................... Apocopis 

26. Lower glumes of sessile spikelets acute or acuminate at apex...................................................Ischaemum 

27. Spikelets of each pair similar ...............................................................................................................Eulalia 

27. Spikelets of each pair dissimilar................................................................................................................... 28 

28. Lower glumes of sessile spikelets pitted.....................................................................................Bothriochloa 

28. Lower glumes of sessile spikelets not pitted ..................................................................................Arthraxon 

29. Spikelets awned or aristate .......................................................................................................................... 30 

29. Spikelets not awned or aristate.................................................................................................................... 32 

30. Racemes more than 8 cm long; arranged digitally ..................................................................... Alloteropsis 

30. Raceme to 5 cm long; arranged on a central axis........................................................................................ 31 

31. Leaves lanceolate; lower glumes awned ......................................................................................Oplismenus 

31. Leaves linear; lower glume awnless.............................................................................................Echinochloa 

32. Lower glumes absent or reduced to a minute scale.................................................................................... 33 

32. Lower glume well developed......................................................................................................................... 35 

33. Spikelets paired; lemma of upper floret thin with hyaline margins .............................................Digitaria 

33. Spikelets solitary; lemma of upper florets crustaceous .............................................................................. 34 

382

34. Spikelets oblong-lanceolate; lower glume strictly absent...............................................................Axonopus 

34. Spikelets ovate-orbicular; lower glume a minute scale ................................................................. Paspalum 

35. Spikelets subtended by bristles ............................................................................................................Setaria 

35. Spikelets not subtended by bristles.............................................................................................................. 36 

36. Inflorescence of racemes arranged on a central axis .................................................................................. 37 

36. Inflorescence of lax or contracted panicle .................................................................................................... 38 

37. Spikelets adaxial, oblong................................................................................................................. Brachiaria 

37. Spikelets abaxial, ovate................................................................................................................Paspalidium 

38. Panicle very much contracted, cylindrical.....................................................................................Sacciolepis 

38. Panicle lax, not cylindrical............................................................................................................................ 39 

39. Second lemma with two basal scars..............................................................................................Ichnanthus 

39. Second lemma without such scars................................................................................................................ 40 

40. Spikelets gibbous and laterally compressed...............................................................................Cyrtococcum 

40. Spikelets not gibbous and laterally compressed .............................................................................. Panicum 

41. Leaves tessellately nerved ............................................................................................................. Centotheca 

41. Leaves not tessellately nerved...................................................................................................................... 42 

42. Spikelets awned............................................................................................................................................. 43 

42. Spikelets awnless........................................................................................................................................... 49 

43. Spikelets with one floret................................................................................................................................ 44 

43. Spikelets with 2 or more florets.................................................................................................................... 46 

44. Awns of the spikelets trifid ..................................................................................................................Aristida 

44. Awns of the spikelets simple......................................................................................................................... 45 

45. Inflorescence a panicle ....................................................................................................................... Garnotia 

45. Inflorescence a solitary raceme ............................................................................................................ Perotis 

46. Spikelets with 3-7 fertile florets ........................................................................................................ Tripogon 

46. Spikelets with one fertile floret .................................................................................................................... 47 

47. Inflorescence of 3-15 digitate racemes, upper lemma empty or reduced .......................................... Chloris 

47. Inflorescence a panicle or of racemes arranged on a central axis; upper lemma developed .................. 48 

48. Panicle much contracted, spiciform, base of leaves amplexicaule............................................... Jansenella 

48. Panicles lax or slightly contracted, base of leaves not amplexicaule.........................................Arundinella 

49. Inflorescence of solitary, digitate or subdigitate racemes .......................................................................... 50 

49. Inflorescence a panicle .................................................................................................................................. 52 

50. Spikelets with one floret..................................................................................................................... Cynodon 

50. Spikelets with 2-many florets....................................................................................................................... 51 

51. Upper glumes aristate; rachis ends in a point ......................................................................Dactyloctenium 

51. Upper glumes not aristate; rachis ends in a spikelets......................................................................Eleusine 

52. Spikelets with one floret..................................................................................................................Sporobolus 

52. Spikelets with 2-many florets....................................................................................................................... 53 

53. Glumes equal to or longer than the spikelets..................................................................................... Isachne 

53. Glumes shorter than the spikelets............................................................................................................... 54 

54. Paleas 2-keeled; keels ciliate or scabrid....................................................................................................... 55 

54. Paleas not 2-keeled, glabrous ....................................................................................................................... 56 

55. Lower glumes 1-3 nerved, upper 3-5 nerved ........................................................................... Helictotrichon 

55. Lower glumes 1-nerved, upper 1-3 nerved .....................................................................................Eragrostis 

56. Spikelets with one bisexual floret ...................................................................................................Coelachne 

56. Spikelets with more than one bisexual floret................................................................................... Zenkeria 

ALLOTEROPSIS J. S. Presl ex C. B. Presl 

Alloteropsis cimicina (L.) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 487. 1919; FPM 1766. 1934; FKG 

214. 1991; FTSR 502. Milium cimicinum L., Mant. Pl. 2: 184. 1771. Axonopus cimicinus (L.) P. 

Beauv., Ess. Agrost. 154. 1812; FBI 7: 64. 1896. 

383

Annuals, culms 15-45 cm high, 3-5-together; nodes hairy. Leaves to 7 x 1.2 cm, lanceolate, 

cordate at base; margin ciliate; sheath rounded, hairy; ligule a row of hairs. Racemes 6-8, 

digitate, to 15 cm long; rachis triquetrous, serrulate. Spikelets similar; pedicels unequal; lower 

glume 2 x 1 mm, acuminate 3-nerved; upper 3.5 x 2 mm, acute, 5-nerved, ciliate along margins. 

Lower floret male, upper bisexual; first lemma 2.5 x 1 mm, ovate, obtuse, 5-nerved; palea 

hyaline, oblong; second lemma ovate, aristate, 3-nerved; palea 1.5 x 1 mm, 2-nerved. Stamens 3, 

free; ovary oblong; styles 2, free; stigmas feathery. 


Distr. Old World tropics. Common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30684 Keerappadi 

APLUDA Linnaeus 

Apluda mutica L., Sp. Pl. 82. 1753; FPM 1750. 1934; FKG 32. 1991; FTSR 502. 1996. A. mutica 

var. aristata (L.) Hack. ex Backer, Handb., Fl. Java 2: 54. 1928; FPL 563. 1990. A. varia Hack. 

ssp. aristata (L.) Hack., Monogr. Andropog. in A. & DC., Monogr. Phan. 6: 196. 1889; FBI 7: 

150. 1896. A. aristata L., Amoen. Acad. 4: 303. 1759; FPM 1950. 1934. A. varia Hack. in DC., 

Monogr. Phan. 6: 197. 1889; FBI 7: 150. 1896. 

Perennials; culms 30-150 cm high, erect, 2-5-together. Leaves 10-30 x 1.2 cm, linearlanceolate, 

narrowed to the base; ligule membranous. Panicle lax; raceme enclosed by a boat 

shaped spathe. Sessile spikelets 7 x 3 mm; paleate containing 3 stamens; second lemma 2-cleft 

and awned at the sinus; palea oblong, 2-keeled, hyaline; stamens 3. Pedicelled spikelets reduced 

to empty glumes or carries a male floret. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Australia. Occasional in moist deciduous forests; PS 19860 Vengoli 

APOCOPIS Nees 

Apocopis mangalorensis (Hochst.) Henrard, Blumea 4: 523. 1941; FKG 33. 1991; FTSR 503. 

1996. Amblyachyrum mangalorense Hochst., Flora 39. 26. 1856. 

Annuals; culms 30-45 cm high, tufted; nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-6 x 0.2-0.7 cm ovatelanceolate, 

base rounded, densely covered with bulbous based hairs; sheath keeled, densely 

hairy; ligule membranous. Racemes 2, 2 cm long, compressed. Spikelets similar 4 x 2.5 mm, 

dorsiventrally compressed, brown; lower glume oblanceolate; upper glume oblong, 2-keeled; 

lower floret empty, upper bisexual; first lemma oblong, hyaline; palea oblong, hyaline; second 

lemma bifid at apex and awned; palea ciliate along the margins. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19861 Vengoli 

ARISTIDA Linnaeus 

Aristida hystrix L. f., Suppl. Pl.113. 1781; FBI 7: 225. 1896; FPM 1809. 1934; FKG 326. 1991. 

Annuals or perennials; culms to 60 cm high, tufted, geniculate, nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-10 

x 0.1-0.2 cm, narrow, glabrous; sheath rounded, glabrous; ligule a row of hairs. Panicle 10-15 x 

7 cm, lax; branches filiform, glabrous. Spikelets similar, 7-8 mm long, lanceolate, solitary, 

pedicelled; lower glume glabrous; upper glume acuminate, keeled; floret one; lemma lanceolate, 

3-nerved, awned; awns 10-15 mm long; palea minute, hyaline. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in dry deciduous forests; PS 30687 Keerappadi 

ARTHRAXON P. Beauvois 

Arthraxon lancifolius (Trimen) Hochst., Flora 39: 188. 1856; FPM 1729. 1934; FKG 38. 1991. 

Andropogon lancifolius Trimen, Bull. Acad. Sci. Petersb. ser. 6: 271. 1832. 

Culms procumbent; lower nodes rooting, nodes hairy. Leaves to 1.5 x 0.5 cm, ovate, acute, 

margins minutely serrulate, glabrous, base rounded with few long hairs; ligule a row of hairs. 

384

Racemes 2, up to 2 cm long. Sessile spikelets 2.5-3 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate; lower glume 

2-3 mm long, shortly bifid, smooth; upper glume shorter, aristate; first lemma 1 mm long; awn 8 

mm long, geniculate, from the base of second lemma. 



ARUNDINELLA Raddi 

1. Spikelets not awned.......................................................................................................................A. leptochloa 

1. Spikelets awned................................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Second lemma with seta on either side of the awn .................................................................. A. mesophylla 

2. Second lemma without seta.............................................................................................................................. 3 

3. Panicles effuse; spikelets to 1.5 mm long..........................................................................................A. pumila 

3. Panicles contracted; spikelets more than 3 mm long........................................................................ A. ciliata 

Arundinella ciliata (Roxb.) ex Miq. in Verh., Kon. Ned. Inst. 3: 30. 1851; FPL 564. 1990; FKG 

335. 1991; FTSR 504. 1996. Holcus ciliatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 321. 1820. Arundinella holcoides 

sensu Gamble, FPM 1801. 1934, non Trin. 1836. A. agrostoides sensu Hook. f., FBI 7: 71. 1896, 

non Trin. 1836. 

Densely tufted annuals; culms 15-60 cm high; nodes bearded. Leaves 5-18 x 0.5-1 cm, ovatelanceolate, 

rounded at base, glabrous; sheath rounded, covered with bulbous based hairs; ligule 

a fimbriate membrane. Panicle 5-25 cm long, congested; rachis and axis covered with bulbous 

based hairs. Spikelets 4 x 1 mm, lanceolate, pedicelled; glumes similar, 4 mm long, ovate, 

acuminate, 5-nerved; first lemma 2.5 x 1 mm, lanceolate, 3-nerved, empty; second lemma 1 x 

0.5 mm, hyaline; awn 5 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in rocky areas; PS 19943 Karimala; 19834 

Vengoli 

Arundinella leptochloa (Nees ex Steud.) Hook.f., FBI 7: 76. 1890; FPM 1802. 1934; FPL 565. 

1990; FKG 336. 1991; FTSR 504. 1996. Panicum leptochloa Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 

62. 1854. Arundinella lawsonii Hook.f., FBI 7: 76. 1896. 

Perennials; culms 30-120 cm high, tufted; nodes sparsely hairy. Leaves 7-30 x 0.5-0.8 cm, 

linear, densely tubercled hairy; sheaths rounded, hairy, ligule a narrow fimbriate membrane. 

Panicle 5-20 cm long, dense; axis and branches tubercled hairy. Spikelets pedicelled, 3-3.5 mm, 

long; glumes glabrous; lower 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, acute; upper 3.5 x 2 mm, ovate, acuminate; 

first lemma 3 x 1.5 mm, ovate-lanceolate, 5-nerved, second lemma ovate, obtuse, 2-fid at apex, 

awnless. 

Fl. & Fr. September-January. 

Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in grasslands; PS 19691 Karimala 

Arundinella mesophylla Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 115. 1854; FBI 7: 69. 1896; FPM 

1801. 1934; FPL 565. 1990; FKG 337. 1991; FTSR 504. 1996. 

Tufted perennials, culms 30-70 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 4-8 x 0.4-0.6 cm, ovatelanceolate, 

rounded at base; sheath rounded, glabrous, ciliate along margins; ligule a row of 

hairs. Panicle 3-10 cm long, branches 5-10, racemiform; axis, rachis and glumes covered with 

bulbous based hairs. Spikelets 4-5 mm long, densely packed; glumes similar, 4-5 mm long; first 

lemma lanceolate, acute, reddish brown; palea smaller, hyaline; second lemma 2 x 1 mm, 

subcoriaceous, with seta on either sides of the awn; awn 5-6 mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30549 

Pandaravarai; 19868 Vengoli; 30686 Keerappadi 

385

Arundinella pumila (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 114. 1854; FPM 1801. 1934; 

FPL 565.1990; FKG 342. 1991. Acratherum pumilum Hochst. ex A. Rich., Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 

414. 1851. Arundinella tenella Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 115. 1854; FBI 7: 71. 1896. 

Slender annuals; culms 15-30 cm high, erect, few together or solitary; nodes hairy. Leaves 4- 

15 x 0.5-1 cm, linear-elliptic, densely hairy; sheath rounded, covered with bulbous based hairs; 

ligule a fimbriate membrane, 1.5 mm long. Panicle effuse, 7-25 cm long; axis & branches 

tubercled hairy, slender. Spikelets many, 1-2 mm long, lanceolate, glabrous; glumes similar, 1.5 

x 0.5 mm ovate, acute; first lemma similar to upper glume; second lemma 0.7-1 x 0.5 mm, 

lanceolate; awn 2.5 mm long. 


Distr. Tropical Africa and Asia. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19957 Karimala 

AXONOPUS P. Beauvois 

Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrost. 12: 154. 1812; FKG 216. 1991. Milium 

compressum Sw., Prodr. 24. 1788. 

Tufted perennials; culms 20-45 cm high, decumbent at base, sometimes flattened or 

compressed, nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-25 x 0.5-1.2 cm; ovate-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, hairy 

along the margins; sheath keeled, glabrous; ligule a narrow membrane; racemes 3-5, 5-8 cm 

long, sub-digitate, on a slender axis, narrow; rachis triquetrous, smooth. Spikelets 2-2.5 mm 

long, solitary, sessile, in two rows along the rachis; lower glume absent; upper glume 2 x 1 mm, 

ovate, 5-7 nerved, glabrous; Flowers two; lower empty or staminate, upper bisexual; first lemma 

ovate, acute, 3-nerved, epaleate; second lemma 2 x 0.75 mm, oblong, hyaline; palea oblong. 

Fl. & Fr. July-February 

Distr. Tropics and subtropics. common in open areas of moist deciduous forests and vayals; PS 

19478, 19897 Thellikkal 

BAMBUSA Schreber 

Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss in Vilmorin, Blumengartnerei 1: 1189. 1896; FTSR 505. 1996. 

Arundo bambos L., Sp. Pl. 81. 1753. B. arundinacea (Retz.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 2: 245. 1799; FBI 7: 

395. 1896; FPM 1859. 1934; FPL 566. 1990. 

Tufted tree grass, thorny, cylindric, hollow; branches from each node, clustered, horizontal. 

Culm sheaths glabrous; margin hairy; blade triangular, 15 x 10 cm, thickly hairy within. 

Leaves to 20 cm long, oblong-lanceolate, serrate along the margins; sheath rounded, ligule 

membranous; contraligule present. Panicle to 35 cm long, terminal and axillary; branches 

spreading. Spikelets 10-18 mm long, crowded, glabrous. Glumes 2, subequal, ovate, acute; 

florets many; lower lemmas ovate, acute, empty; upper lemmas similar to lower, bisexual; palea 

coriaceous, 2 keeled; hairy along the keels; stamens 4-6, free. 

Fl. & Fr. sporadic, most of the culms in Keerappadi and surrounding areas were flowered 

during the year 2001 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Common all over the Sanctuary except evergreen forests; PS 30524 

Pandaravarai 

BOTHRIOCHLOA O. Kuntze 

Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon 76: 164. 1931; FKG 54. 1991. Holcus 

pertusus L., Mant. 2: 301. 1771. Amphilophis pertusa (L.) Nash ex Stapf, Agr. News. Bridge. 15: 

179. 1916; FPM 1731. 1934. Andropogon pertusus (L.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 922. 1806; FBI 7: 173. 

1896. 

Perennials with creeping stolon; culms 15-50 cm tall; nodes bearded. Leaves 6-8 x 0.2-0.4 cm, 

linear, with long bulbous based hairs towards the base; sheath keeled, pubescent near the 

mouth, ligule a narrow membrane. Racemes 2-6 cm long, densely villous, partially spreading. 

386

Sessile spikelets 3-4 mm long; lower glume coriaceous, densely hairy below the middle; upper 

glume boat shaped; awn 1.2-1.6 cm long; anthers 2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet 3-4 mm long. 


Distr. Arabia eastwards to South East Asia, Pakistan, India, Tropical Africa. Common in 

degraded forest areas and road cuttings; PS 19867 Vengoli 

BRACHIARIA (Trinius) Grisebach 

Brachiaria ramosa (L.) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa. 9: 542. 1919; FPM 1770. 1934; FKG 223. 

1991. Panicum ramosum L., Mant. Pl. 1: 29. 1767; FBI 7: 36. 1896. 

Annuals; culms 40 cm high, loosely tufted; nodes hairy. Leaves 10-15 x 0.5-1.3 cm, 

lanceolate, glabrous; sheath keeled; ligule a fimbriate membrane. Raceme 10-15, 7-8 cm long; 

rachis triquetrous, scabrous. Spikelets distant, paired, 2.5 x 1-2 mm, ovate; lower glume 1 x 1.5 

mm, orbicular; upper glume 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, thinly pubescent; second lemma 2 x 1 mm, 

coriaceous, rugose, 5-nerved. 


Distr. Africa and Tropical Asia. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 19486 

Thellikkal 

CAPILLIPEDIUM Stapf 

Capillipedium assimile (Steud.) A. Camus in Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-China 7: 314.1892; FKG 

55. 1991; FTSR 506. 1996. Andropogon assimilis Steud. in Zoll., Syst. Verz. 58. 1854; FBI 7: 

179.1896. Capillipedium glaucopsis Stapf. in Hook., Icon. Pl. 31: t. 3085. 1922; FPM 1730. 1934. 

Annuals, culms 30-60 cm high, nodes bearded. Leaves 5-20 x 0.5-1.2 cm, lanceolate, scabrid; 

sheath keeled, glabrous; ligule membranous, hairy around. Panicles 8-10 cm long, effuse; axils 

of racemes with long hairs; joints densely villous. Sessile spikelets 3 x 1.5 mm, oblong; lower 

glume 3 x 1.5 mm, ovate, 5-nerved, ciliate along margins; upper glume ovate, keeled, 3-nerved; 

lower floret empty, upper bisexual; first lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, obtuse; second lemma forms 

the base of the awn; paleas absent; stamens 3; styles 2, free; stigma plumose. Pedicelled 

spikelets 3 x 1.5 mm; pedicels glabrous; lower glume 3 x 1 mm, 8-nerved; upper glume hyaline; 

first lemma oblong, hyaline; stamens 3; upper floret absent. 


Distr. India, Japan and China. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 30779 Vengoli 

CENTOTHECA Desvaux 

Centotheca lappacea (L.) Desv., Nouv. Bull. Soc. Philom. 2: 189. 1810; FBI 7: 332. 1896; FPM 

1848. 1934; FPL 567. 1990; FKG 354. 1991; FTSR 507. 1996. Cenchrus lappaceus L., Sp. Pl. ed. 

2, 1488. 1763. 

Tufted perennials; culms 30-70 cm high, robust, densely tufted, erect; nodes glabrous. 

Leaves 5-15 x 0.5-2.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, cuneate at base, glabrous; sheath keeled, glabrous; 

ligule a fimbriate membrane. Panicles 15-25 cm long, effuse, branches distant. Spikelets 5-6 

mm long, elliptic, clustered; glumes similar, distichous, 2.5 x 1 mm, 5-nerved, keeled; florets 2-3, 

similar; lemma 3.5 x 0.4-1.5, lanceolate, obtuse, mucronate, 7-nerved, densely bristled along the 

dorsal surface; palea 2.5 x 0.5 mm, 2-nerved, 2-keeled; stamens 2; ovary elliptic; styles 2, free; 

stigmas plumose; the terminal floret usually reduced to a rachilla only. 


Distr. South East Asia and Tropical Africa. Fairly common in the moist deciduous forests; PS 


CHLORIS Swartz 

Chloris dolichostachya Lagasca, Gen. Sp. Pl. 5. 1816; FKG 358. 1991. Chloris incompleta Roth, 

Nov. Pl. Sp. 60. 1821; FBI 7: 290. 1896; FPM 1938. 1934. 

387

Perennials. Leaves to 30 x 0.8 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, base obtuse, pilose, convolute; 

ligule membranous. Spikes digitate, to 25 cm, 3-8 slender, rachis triquetrous, minutely serrate; 

spikelets 5 mm, linear, awned, 2-flowered; callus bearded; lower glume lanceolate, 2 mm, 

hyaline, 1 nerved, upper glume 5 mm, lanceolate, aristate, acuminate; fertile lemmas oblong, 

chartaceous, awns to 15 mm, palea 4 mm, lanceolate, delicate, sterile lemmas reduced to awns, 

to 6 mm. 


Distr. China, Indo-Malesia to Australia. Fairly common in degraded forest areas; PS 19195 

Vengoli; NS 30683 Keerappadi 

CHRYSOPOGON Trinius 

1. Ligule a tuft hairs; pedicelled spikelets to 5 mm long.................................................................... C. hackelii 

1. Ligule a fimbriate membrane; pedicelled spikelets 8-13 mm long ...........................................C. zeylanicus 

Chrysopogon hackelii (Hook.f.) Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1739. 1934; FPL 568. 1990; FKG 62. 

1991; FTSR 508. 1996. Andropogon hackelii Hook.f., FBI 7: 194. 1896. 

Robust perennials; culms 80-150 cm high, nodes glabrous. Leaves 15-40 x 0.4-1 cm, linearlanceolate, 

glabrous; sheath strongly keeled; ligule a tuft of hairs. Panicle 10-20 cm long, 

pyramidal. Sessile spikelets 5 x 1.5 mm, lanceolate; lower glume 5 x 1.5 mm, glabrous, aristate, 

arista 5 mm long; upper glume 5 mm long, linear-oblong; first lemma 3 x 1 mm, hyaline, ciliate 

along margins; second lemma oblong; awn 20 mm long; anther 2.5 mm long; pedicelled spikelets 

4-5 mm long, acute, awnless. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Common in grasslands; PS 19685 Karimala 

Chrysopogon zeylanicus (Nees ex Steud.) Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 366. 1864; FPM 1739. 1934; 

FKG 65. 1991; Andropogon zeylanicus Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 397. 1854; FBI 7: 192. 

1896. 

Perennials, tufted. Leaves to lanceolate, 30 x 0.5 cm, apex acute, pubescent, flat; ligule hairy; 

sheath to 7 cm, hairy. Panicles to 25 cm; callus with brown hairs; sessile spikelets 6-8 mm, 

awned, lower glume, 6 x 1 mm, oblong, upper oblong, 6 mm, notched and aristate at apex, 

second lemma awned, to 25 mm; pedicelled spikelets to 13 mm, linear-lanceolate, pedicels 3 

mm, densely pubescent, with chocolate brown hairs. 


Distr. South India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in disturbed forest areas; PS 19855 Vengoli 

COELACHNE R. Brown 

Coelachne simpliciuscula (Wight & Arn. ex Steud.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 19: 93. 1881; FKG 

415. 1991. Panicum simpliciusculum Wight & Arn. ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 96. 1854. 

Coelachne pulchella R. Br. var. simpliciuscula (Wight & Arn. ex Steud.) Hook.f., FBI 7: 271. 

1896; FPM 1804. 1934. 

Aquatic or marshy annuals; culms 10-25 cm high, erect or decumbent; nodes bearded. 

Leaves 2-5 x 0.2-0.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous, rounded at base; sheath keeled, glabrous, 

ligule a row of hairs. Panicle 2-7 cm long, contracted, cylindrical, glabrous. Spikelets similar, 2 x 

1 mm, ovate, glabrous; glumes similar, ovate-orbicular, 3-nerved; florets 2; lower bisexual, 

upper barren or with a rudimentary ovary; first lemma 2 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, hyaline; palea 2 

x 1 mm elliptic; upper floret exserted. 


Distr. South East Asia, China and Madagascar. Common in grasslands; PS 18936 


388

COIX Linnaeus 

Coix lacryma-jobi L., Sp. Pl. 972. 1753; FBI 7: 100. 1896; FPM 1705. 1934; FPL 569. 1990; FKG 

207. 1991; FTSR 508. 1996. 

Tufted perennials; culms 25-100 cm tall, robust; nodes glabrous. Leaves 10-60 x 1-3.5 cm, 

lanceolate, scabrous; sheath rounded; ligule a fimbriate membrane. Inflorescence a false panicle 

with groups of peduncled racemes. Spikelets dissimilar, unisexual. Female spikelet 3-10 mm 

long, solitary at the base of the raceme, globose, enclosed in a white shiny case; lower glume 

oblong; upper ovate; lower floret barren; upper floret female. Male spikelets 5-15 x 2-4 mm, 2-4 

in each raceme, lanceolate; lower glume lanceolate; upper glume oblong; lower floret male, 

upper empty, first lemma hyaline; palea delicate. 


Distr. Tropical Africa; introduced to India. Occasional near the water courses; PS 19203 

Rockpoint 

CYMBOPOGON Sprengel 

1. Leaves 10-20 cm long; base cordate.................................................................................................. C. caesius 

1. Leaves 20-60 cm long; base not cordate ........................................................................................C. flexuosus 

Cymbopogon caesius (Nees ex Hook.f. & Arn.) Stapf, Kew Bull. 1906: 360. 1906; FPM 1757. 

1934; FKG 69. 1991. Andropogon caesius Nees ex Hook. & Arn., Bot. Beach Voy. 244. 1838. 

Andropogon schoenanthus var. gracillimus Hook.f., FBI 7: 205. 1896. 

Annuals or Perennials; culms 50-100 cm high, erect; nodes glabrous. Leaves 10-30 cm long, 

lanceolate, rounded or cordate at base, glaucous below, glabrous; sheath glabrous; ligule 5 mm 

wide, membranous. Panicles 10-15 cm long, contracted. Racemes 1.5 cm long. Sessile spikelets 4 

x 1.5 mm, oblong; lower glume oblong, narrowly winged along margins on upper half; upper 

glume boat-shaped, keeled; first lemma 3 mm long, oblong; second lemma 2-cleft; awn 12 mm 

long. Pedicelled spikelets 4 x 1 mm, elliptic, awnless. 


Distr. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Arabia, East Africa from Sudan to South Africa. Fairly 

common in deciduous forests; PS 30690 Keerappadi 

Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Wats., Atk. Gaz. N. W. Prov. Ind. 392. 1882; FPM 1756. 

1934; FPL 569. 1990; FKG 71. 1991; FTSR 509. 1996. Andropogon flexuosus Nees ex Steud., 

Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 388. 1854. A. nardus var. flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Hack. in DC., Monogr. 

Phan. 6: 603. 1889; FBI 7: 207. 1896. 

Perennials; culms 60-300 cm tall, robust; nodes glabrous. Leaves 15-60 x 1-2 cm, linearlanceolate; 

upper ones rounded at base, glaucous. Panicle 20-75 cm long, lax, reddish with 

drooping racemes; racemes 1.5-3 cm long slender, joints and pedicels hairy. Sessile spikelets 4 x 

1 mm, lanceolate; lower glume oblong, winged at apex, margins infolded; first lemma hyaline, 3 

mm long; second lemma with filiform lobes; awn 12 mm long; anthers 2 mm long. Pedicelled 

spikelets 4 mm long; pedicels hairy. 


Distr. India and South East Asia. Common in grasslands; PS 19694 Karimala 

CYNODON Richard 

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 85. 1805; FBI 7: 288. 1896; FPM 1835. 1934; FPL 570. 

1990; FKG 360. 1991; FTSR 510. 1996. Panicum dactylon L., Sp. Pl. 58. 1753. 

Perennials; culms 5-30 cm long, stoloniferous; nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-5 x 0.2-0.7 cm, ovatelanceolate, 

glabrous, rounded at base; sheath keeled, glabrous; ligule a fimbriate membrane. 

Racemes 3-6 cm long, digitate; rachis flat, glabrous, with two rows of spikelets. Spikelets 

389

similar, 2.5 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous; floret one; lemma 2 x 1.5 mm, 1-nerved, 

strongly keeled; keel ciliate; palea 2 x 0.5 mm, 2-nerved, curved. 


Distr. Tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Common in degraded forest areas and 


CYRTOCOCCUM Stapf 

1. Upper glume and lower lemma with glochidiate hairs.............................................................C. muricatum 

1. Upper glume and lower lemma without glochidiate hairs ............................................................................ 2 

2. Panicles contracted; pedicels shorter than the spikelets .........................................................C. oxyphyllum 

2. Panicles lax, effuse; pedicels longer than the spikelets ................................................................... C. patens 

Cyrtococcum muricatum (Retz.) Bor, Grass. Bur. Cey. Ind. Pak. 291. 1960; FKG 230. 1991. 

Panicum muricatum Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 18. 1786. 

Annuals; culms 10-35 cm high, erect or creeping, rooting at lower nodes; nodes glabrous. 

Leaves 2-5 x 0.5-1.3 cm, ovate-lanceolate, hairy below; sheath keeled, margins hairy; ligule 

membranous. Panicle 10-20 cm long, erect; racemes 1-2 cm long, arranged distantly on an axis, 

rachis angled, smooth. Spikelets 4 x 2 mm, few in each raceme; lower glume cuspidate; upper 

glume curved, glochidiate hairy; first lemma 4 x 2.5 mm, paleate; second lemma 3 x 1 mm, 

ovate, acute, 3-nerved; palea ovate, acute, 2-nerved. 


Distr. Pantropical. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19944 Karimala 

Cyrtococcum oxyphyllum (Steud.) Stapf in Hook., Ic. Pl. t. 3096. 1922; FPM 1786. 1934; FKG 

231. 1991; FTSR 510. 1996. Panicum oxyphyllum Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 65. 1854. P. pilipes 

Nees & Arn. ex Buese in Miq., Pl. Jungh. 3: 376. 1854; FBI 7: 57. 1896. 

Perennials or annuals; culms 20-50 cm high, slender, trailing or erect, rooting from lower 

nodes; nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-15 x 0.2-1.5 cm, lanceolate, cuneate at base, hairy along the 

margins; sheath keeled, margin ciliate; ligule membranous, truncate. Panicle contracted, erect. 

Spikelets 1.5 x 1 mm, with smaller pedicels; glumes sub-equal, ovate, glabrous, upper larger; 

first lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, epaleate; second lemma 1 x 1 mm, 3-nerved; palea 1 x 0.5 mm, 2- 

nerved. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia and China. Common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 18816 

Parambikulam 

Cyrtococcum patens (L.) A. Camus, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 27: 118. 1921; FPM 1786. 1934; 

FKG 231. 1991. Panicum patens L., Sp. Pl. 58. 1753. Cyrtococcum radicans (Retz.) Stapf in 

Hook. Ic. Pl. t. 3096. 1922; FPM 1786. 1934. Panicum radicans Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 18. 1786. 

Annuals; culms 20-30 cm high, creeping, rooting from nodes; nodes sparsely hairy. Leaves 3- 

7 x 1-1.5 cm, elliptic, cuneate at base, glabrous; sheath keeled, ciliate along one margin; ligule 

membranous. Panicle 10-25 x 5-12 cm, lax; rachis and pedicels filiform. Spikelets 1.5 x 1 mm; 

glumes equal, concave, acute; first lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, acute, 3-nerved; second lemma 1.5 

x 1 mm, ovate, acute, crustaceous, 3-nerved palea, 1.5 x 1 mm, oblong, subcoriaceous. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19222 Vengoli 

DACTYLOCTENIUM Willdenow 

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrost. 15. 1812; FPM 1840. 1934; FTSR 511. 

1996. Cynosurus aegyptius L., Sp. Pl. 72. 1753. Eleusine aegyptius (L.) Desf., Fl. Atlant. 1: 85. 

1798. 

390

Tufted annuals. culms 10-40 cm high, suberect or decumbent; nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-20 x 

0.5-0.7 cm, oblong-lanceolate, rounded at base, glabrous; ligule a fimbriate membrane. Racemes 

3-6, digitate, each 1-3 cm long; rachis flat, scabrid, ends in a sharp point. Spikelets similar, 4 x 

2.5 mm, ovate, acute; lower glume 3 x 1.5 mm, ovate, 1-nerved; upper glume 2.5 x 1.5 mm, 

ovate, aristate, 1-nerved; keeled; florets 3-4; lemmas 3 x 1.5 mm, 3-nerved, keeled, mucronate; 

palea ovate, 2-nerved, 2-keeled; stamens 3, free; ovary oblong; styles 2, free; stigmas plumose. 


Distr. Old World Tropics. Common in moist deciduous forests and degraded forest areas; PS 

30816 Vengoli 

DENDROCALAMUS Nees 

Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees, Linnaea 9: 476. 1834; FBI 7: 404. 1897; FPM 1858. 1934. 

Bambos stricta Roxb., Pl. Corom. 1: 58, t. 80. 1798. 

Culms to 15 m high, unarmed. Leaves to 16 x 1.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, apex long acuminate, 

spinescent; ligule dentate. Heads of spikelets globose, to 2.5 cm across; spikelets 6 mm long, 

ovate, lower glume 4 mm, upper 4.5 mm, ovate, lemmas 2, 5 mm, broadly ovate with a mucro; 

stamens 6, filaments free, 0.2 mm, anthers 2.5 mm, oblong. 

Fl. A few culms flowered during the year 2000 

Distr. South Asia. Rare in rocky areas of deciduous forests; PS 19296 Parambikulam 

DICHANTHIUM Willemet 

Dichanthium oliganthum (Hochst. ex Steud.) Cope, Kew Bull. 35: 703. 1980; FKG 79. 1991; 

FTSR 511. 1996. Andropogon oliganthus Hochst. ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 368. 1854; FBI 7: 

201. 1896. Indochloa oligantha (Hochst. ex Steud.) Bor, Kew Bull.9: 79. 1954. Heteropogon 

oliganthus (Hochst. ex Steud.) Blatt. & McCann, JBNHS 32: 623. 1928; FPM 1744. 1934. 

Annuals; culms 5-25 cm high, tufted; nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-7 x 0.5-0.8 cm, ovatelanceolate; 

rounded at base, tomentose, ciliate along the margins; sheath keeled, ligule 2 mm 

wide, membranous. Raceme solitary, terminal, 2-4 cm long. Sessile spikelets 4 x 1.5 mm, 

glabrous; lower glume 4 x 1.5 mm, margins incurved, coriaceous; upper glume similar, 1- 

nerved; awn 40-45 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 6-7 mm long; glumes subequal, truncate to 

obtuse, 13-nerved; florets absent. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5769 Karimala Hills 

DIGITARIA Heister ex Fabricus 

1. Upper glume with two longitudinal patches of long hairs............................................................. D. bicornis 

1. Upper glume glabrous....................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Racemes to 5 cm long; lower glumes absent ................................................................................ D. longiflora 

2. Racemes more than 5 cm long; lower glume a minute scale ...........................................................D. ciliaris 

Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roem. & Schult., Hort. Brit. 24. n.1578. 1830; FKG 235. 1991. 

Paspalum bicorne Lam., Tabl. Meth. Bot. 1: 176. 1791. Paspalum heterantherum sensu Hook.f., 

FBI 7: 16. 1896, non 1843. 

Annuals; culms 15-25 cm tall, tufted, rooting at lower nodes, nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-5 x 

0.2-0.7 cm, lanceolate, sparsely hairy; sheath rounded, thickly covered with bulbous based 

hairs; ligule membranous, truncate. Racemes 2 or 3 together, 5-10 cm long, rachis flat. 

Spikelets 3 x 0.5 mm, lanceolate; lower glume minute; upper glume 2 x 0.5 mm, ciliate along 

the margins, first lemma lanceolate, hairy on back, empty; second lemma lanceolate, 

acuminate, coriaceous; palea similar to second lemma. 


Distr. Pantropical. Fairly common in deciduous forests; PS 30689 Keerappadi 

391

Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, Descr. Gram. 27. 1802; FPL 571. 1990; FKG 237. 1991; FTSR 

511. 1996. Panicum ciliare Retz., Obs. Bot. 4. 16. 1786. Digitaria adscendens Henrard, Blumea 

1: 92. 1934. Panicum adscendens HBK, Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 97. 1816. Digitaria marginata Link., 

Enum. Hort. Berol. 1: 102. 1821; FPM 1764. 1934. Paspalum sanguinale (L.) Lam. var. rottleri 

Hook.f., FBI 7: 15. 1896. 

Annuals or perennials; culms 30-60 cm high; lower nodes rooting. Leaves 10-20 x 0.5-0.8 cm, 

linear-lanceolate, glabrous or hairy; margins scabrid; sheath bulbous based hairy or not; ligule 

membranous, 5 mm wide. Racemes few to many, 8-20 cm long; rachis flat, scabrid. Spikelets 

paired, similar, 3-3.5 mm long; lower glume minute; upper glume 2 x 0.5 mm, oblong, 7-nerved; 

first lemma 3 x 1 mm, lanceolate, ciliate along margins, empty; second lemma 3 x 1 mm, 

margins folded; palea 2 keeled, lanceolate. 


Distr. Tropics of Old World. Common in degraded forest areas and road cuttings; PS 19254 

Thellikkal; 30711 Vengoli 

Digitaria longiflora (Retz.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 85. 1805; FPM 1765. 1934; FKG 239. 1991; FTSR 

512. 1996. Paspalum longiflorum Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 15. 1786; FBI 7: 17. 1896. 

Slender annuals; culms 20-30 cm high, creeping and geniculate, rooting from nodes. Leaves 

1.5-5 x 0.4-0.7 cm, ovate-lanceolate, cordate at base, glabrous; sheath rounded. Racemes paired, 

to 5 cm long, slender, on erect axis. Spikelets 1.5 x 0.5 mm; lower glume absent; upper glume 

1.5 x 5 mm, ovate, glabrous; first lemma 1.5 x 0.5 mm, elliptic, 9-nerved, epaleate. Second 

lemma and palea similar, 1.5 x 0.5 mm, ovate, coriaceous. 


Distr. Old World tropics; introduced in the Neotropics. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19671 

Karimala 

DIMERIA R. Brown 

Dimeria ornithopoda Trimen, Fund. Agrost. 167. t.14. 1820; FBI 7: 104. 1896; FPM 1713. 1934; 

FPL 571. 1990; FKG 98. 1991; FTSR 512. 1996. 

Annuals, culms to 50 cm high, tufted, slender, nodes sparsely bearded. Leaves to 6 x 0.4 cm, 

linear lanceolate, sparsely hairy. Racemes paired, 1-5 cm long, spreading; rachis triquetrous, 

glabrous. Spikelets 2 mm long; lower glume 2 mm long, linear-lanceolate, wingless or shortly 

winged below the apex; upper glume similar; lower floret empty; upper floret bisexual; awn 5-12 

mm long. 


Distr. Endemic to South India. Common in degraded forest areas; PS 19863 Vengoli; 19954 

Karimala 

ECHINOCHLOA P. Beauvois 

Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link., Hort. Berol., 2: 209. 1833; FPM 1776. 1934; FPL 572. 1990; 

FKG 245. 1991; FTSR 513. 1996. Panicum colonum L., Syst. Nat. (ed. 10) 2: 870. 1759; FBI 7: 

32. 1896. 

Annuals; culms 20-50 cm high, sub-erect; nodes glabrous. Leaves 3-10 x 0.5 cm, linearlanceolate, 

glabrous; sheath keeled; ligule absent. Racemes 3-8, each 1-1.5 cm long; rachis 

triquetrous. Spikelets ovate, densely packed; lower glume 1 x 1.5 mm, broadly ovate, acute, 5- 

nerved; margin ciliate; upper glume 2 x 2 mm, hirtus; first lemma 2.5 x 1.5 mm, shortly 

cuspidate; palea oblong, hyaline, 2-keeled; second lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, ovate, acute; palea 

hyaline. 


Distr. Tropical Asia and Africa. Occasional in marshy areas and riverine; PS 19487 Thellikkal 

392

ELEUSINE Gaertner 

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn., Fruct. 1: 8. 1789; FBI 7: 293. 1896; FPM 1839. 1934; FPL 572. 

1990; FKG 371. 1991; FTSR 513. 1996. Cynosurus indicus L., Sp. Pl. 72. 1753. 

Tufted annuals, erect; culms round or compressed, 20-30 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 

20-30 x 0.6-1 cm, linear-lanceolate, rounded at base, glabrous; sheath keeled; ligule a narrow 

membrane. Racemes 2-6, sub-digitate, each 7-9 cm long; rachis flat, serrulate. Spikelets 6-8 mm 

long, ovate, compressed, glabrous; lower glume 2 x 1 mm, ovate, keeled, 1-nerved; upper glume 

6-nerved, keeled; florets 5-8, all bisexual, lemmas 3.5 x 1.5 mm, keeled; palea, 2-nerved, 2- 

keeled. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in degraded forest areas and deciduous forests; PS 19491 

Thellikkal; 19243 Vengoli 

ERAGROSTIS N. M. Wolf 

1. Keels of paleas ciliate........................................................................................................................................ 2 

1. Keels of paleas glabrous or glabrescent........................................................................................................... 3 

2. Inflorescence sticky; panicles narrowly oblong.................................................................................E. viscosa 

2. Inflorescence not sticky; panicles oblong pyramidal ........................................................................ E. tenella 

3. Panicles spiciform................................................................................................................................E. riparia 

3. Panicles lax ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 

4. Branches of the panicles whorled ....................................................................................................E. japonica 

4. Branches of the panicles not whorled.............................................................................................................. 5 

5. Leaf blade sub-amplexicaule at base; lemma punctuate............................................................E. unioloides 

5. Leaf blade rounded at base; lemma not punctuate ..................................................................E. subsecunda 

Eragrostis japonica (Thunb.) Trin., Mem. Acad. Sci. Petersburgh (ser. 6) 1: 405. 1830; FKG 382. 

1991; FTSR 514. 1996. Poa japonica Thunb., Fl. Jap. 51. 1784. E. interrupta Lam., Encycl. Tabl. 

1: 185. 1791; FBI 7: 316. 1896. E. diarrhena (Schult.) Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 266. 1854; FPM 

1820. 1934. E. interrupta auct. non P. Beauv. var. tenuissima Stapf in Hook.f., FBI 7: 316. 1896. 

Culms stout, tufted, to 75 cm tall, nodes glabrous. Leaves linear-lanceolate, base subcordate, 

to 25 x 0.5 cm; sheaths keeled. Panicles linear, to 40 cm long, branches verticillate or 

subverticillate. Spikelets oblong, to 2 x 0.7 mm. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in plantations and roadsides; PS 19046 Thunakkadavu 

Eragrostis riparia (Willd.) Nees, Agrost. Brass. 512. 1829; FPM 1825. 1934; FKG 384. 1991. Poa 

riparia Willd., Ges. Natur. Freunde Berlin Neue Schrifften 4: 185. 1803. Eragrostis tenella (L.) 

Beauv. var. riparia (Willd.) Stapf in Hook.f., FBI 7: 315. 1896. 

Small tufted grass. Leaves to 7 x 0.3 cm, lanceolate, apex acute; sheath to 2 cm; ligule a row 

of hairs. Panicles spiciform, contracted, to 5 cm long; spikelets 3-8 flowered, 1.5 mm, lower 

glumes ca. 1 mm, 1 nerved, membranous, oblong, upper glume similar to the lower glume; 

lemma oblong, 1 mm, rounded at apex; palea obovate, 2 keeled, 2-nerved, ciliate along the 

margins. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in reservoir beds; PS 18978 Thunakkadavu 

Eragrostis subsecunda (Lam.) Four., Mex. Pl. 2: 118. 1886; Sreekumar, JETB 14: 626. 1990; 

FKG 386. 1991. Poa subsecunda Lam., Tab. Encycl. 1: 184. 1791. 

Culms 30-60 cm high. Leaves 6-15 x 0.3 cm, linear-lanceolate, base rounded, sheath keeled, 

ligule obscure. Spikes to 20 cm long, lax, subsecund; spikelets 12 or more flowered, purplish 

green; lower glume 1-2 x 0.5 mm, lanceolate, 1-nerved, upper glume ca 2.5 x 1 mm, ovate- 

393

lanceolate, 3-nerved; paleas ca 2 x 1 mm, elliptic-lanceolate, 2-celled, ciliolate; lodicules 2, 

obovate, ovary oblong. Grains ovate. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and China. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19719 

Parambikulam 

Eragrostis tenella (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2:576. 1817; FKG 390. 1991. 

Poa tenella L., Sp. Pl. 69. 1753. Eragrostis plumosa (Retz.) Link, Herb. Berol. 1:192. 1827; FPM 

1826. 1934. Poa plumosa Retz., Obs. Bot. 4:20. 1786. Eragrostis tenella var. plumosa (Retz.) 

Stapf in Hook.f., FBI 7:315. 1896. 

Culms slender, to 50 cm long, nodes glabrous. Leaves linear-lanceolate, base rounded, to 15 x 

0.5 cm; sheaths having at mouth; ligule fimbriate. Panicle oblong-pyramidal, to 12 cm long, lax. 

Spikelets yellowish, ovate or oblong, to 3 x 1 mm. 


Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30781 

Thunakkadavu 

Eragrostis unioloides (Retz.) Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 264. 1854; FPM 1826. 1934; FPL 

575. 1990; FKG 392. 1991; FTSR 514. 1996. Poa unioloides Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 19. 1789. 

Eragrostis amabilis auct. non Wight & Arn. ex Nees, 1838: Hook. f., FBI 7: 317. 1896. 

Culms 25-40 cm high, tufted. Leaves 5-15 x 0.3-0.7 cm, linear, base rounded with a tuft of 

hairs; ligule a rim of membrane. Panicle 10-25 cm long, very lax, effuse, glabrous. Spikelets few 

to many, 5-17 x 3-4 mm, ovate to oblong, purplish black; glumes subequal, ovate-lanceolate; 

floret 20-60, similar; lemmas ovate, acute; palea curved, keel scabrid; anthers 0.5 mm long. 


Distr. India and South East Asia. Very common in degraded forest areas; PS 19480, 19485 

Thellikkal 

Eragrostis viscosa (Retz.) Trin., Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Petersb., ser. 6. 1: 397. 1830; FPM 

1826. 1934; FKG 393. 1991. Poa viscosa Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 20. 1786. Eragrostis tenella (L.) P. 

Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. var. viscosa (Retz.) Stapf in Hook.f., FBI 7: 315. 1896. 

Culms 10-35 cm high, suberect or decumbent, slender. Leaves 5-10 x 0.2-0.4 cm, lanceolate, 

base rounded; ligule a narrow rim only. Panicle 10-15 x 3-4 cm, contracted, branches filiform, 

glabrous; axis below the panicle viscid. Spikelets 4-5 x 1-1.5 mm, oblong, white; glumes equal; 

florets 10-14, similar; lemmas broadly ovate, acute; palea, 1 x 0.5 mm; keels ciliate. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in openings of deciduous forests and plantations; PS 30718 Vengoli 

EULALIA Kunth 

Eulalia trispicata (Schult.) Henrard, Blumea 3: 453. 1940; FPL 575. 1990; FKG 104. 1991; 

FTSR 514. 1996. Andropogon trispicatus Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 452. 1824. Eulalia tristachya 

(Roxb.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 775. 1891; FPM 1715. 1934. Pollinia argentea Trin., Bull. 

Acad. Sci. Petersb. 1: 71. 1836; FBI 7: 11. 1896. 

Culms 50-100 cm high, erect, pinkish, loosely tufted. Leaves 10-45 x 0.2-1 cm, linear, 

glabrous, drying purplish; sheath rounded, ligule a membrane. Racemes 3-15, to 15 cm long, 

reddish or purple; joints and pedicels hairy. Spikelets many, densely packed, 4 mm long, oblong; 

lower glume 4 mm long, oblong, truncate, hairy, brown, margins incurved; upper glume acute; 

first lemma 3 mm long; oblong; second lemma 2.5 mm long, awned, epaleate. 


Distr. Central and South East Asia. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19911 Karimala 

GARNOTIA Brongniart 

394

1. Nodes glabrous; leaves more than 30 cm long..................................................................................... G. elata 

1. Nodes beared; leaves to 20 cm long ................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Leaves rounded or cordate at base .......................................................................................... G. arundinacea 

2. Leaves narrowed to the base..............................................................................................................G. tenella 

Garnotia arundinacea Hook.f., FBI 7: 243. 1896; FPM 1812. 1934; FPL 576. 1990; FKG 409. 

1991. 

Perennials; culms 40-90 cm tall, robust, geniculate; nodes thickened & bearded. Leaves 10- 

18 x 1.5-2 cm, ovate-oblong, rounded at base, terminating into a filiform tip, ciliate along the 

margins; sheath rounded, ligule a membrane. Panicle 5-15 cm, congested, branches angled, 

scabrid. Spikelets 2.5 x 1 mm, pedicelled; glumes equal, aristate, 3-nerved, scabrid along the 

nerves; lemma similar to glumes, bifid at tip, awned; awn 7 mm long; palea 2 x 0.5 mm, oblong. 

Fl. November 


Garnotia elata (Arn. ex Miq.) Janowski, Feddes Repert. 17: 86. 1921; FKG 410. 1991; FTSR 

515. 1996. Berghausia elata Arn. ex Miq., Verh. Kon. Ned. Inst. 3: 4. 32. 1851. Garnotia 

scoparia Stapf ex Hook.f., FBI 7: 42. 1896, non Thw. 1864; FPM 1812. 1934. G. tenuiglumis 

Stapf ex Hook.f., FBI 7: 242. 1896. 

Perennials; culms 1-1.4 cm high, robust; nodes glabrous. Leaves to 60 x 0.4 cm, linear, 

channelled, glabrous; sheath keeled; ligule a tuft of hairs. Panicle 40-60 cm long, lax; branches 

filiform. Spikelets 4 mm long, glabrous; glumes subequal, lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, lower 

larger; lemma 2.5 x 1 mm, lanceolate; awn 4-5 mm long; palea 2.5 x 1 mm, hyaline, 2-nerved. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19683, 19707 Karimala 

Garnotia tenella (Arn. ex Miq.) Janowski, Feddes Repert. 17: 86. 1921; FPL 576. 1990; FKG 

413. 1991; FTSR 515. 1996. Berghausia tenella Arn. ex Miq., Verh. Kon. Ned. Inst. III. 4: 34. 

1851. Garnotia stricta sensu Hook.f., FBI 7: 243. 1896, non Brongn. 1832; FPM 1812. 1934. 

Annuals or perennials; culms 10-50 cm high, tufted; nodes bearded. Leaves 10-18 x 0.2-0.6 

cm, lanceolate, scabrid along the margins; sheath rounded, ligule membranous. Panicle 5-30 cm 

long, effuse, branches angled. Spikelets 3.5 x 1 mm, lanceolate, glabrous; glumes subequal, 

aristate, 3-nerved; lemma 2.5 x 1 mm, lanceolate, 3-nerved; palea 2 x 0.5 mm, hyaline. 


Distr. South East Asia and India. Fairly common in grasslands; PS 19862 Vengoli; 19961 

Karimala; 19853 Vengoli 

HELICTOTRICHON Besser ex Roemer & Schultes 

Helictotrichon virescens (Nees ex Steud.) Henr. in Blumea 3:425.1940; FKG 351. 1991. 

Trisetum virescens Nees & Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1:226.1854. Avena aspera Munro ex 

Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 372.1864; FBI 7:277.1896. Avenastrum asperum (Munro ex Thw.) 

Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1802.1934. 

Perennials, culms 50-125 cm high, nodes glabrous. Leaves to 20 x 0.5 cm, linear, 

sparsely villous, sheath villous at apex; panicles to 15 cm long; spikelets 10 x 4 mm, 

elliptic-oblong, 2 or 3 flowered; lower glume lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved; upper 

oblong-lanceolate, chartaceous, 3-5-nerved; lemmas ovate-lanceolate, notched and 

awned, 5-7 nerved; paleas oblong, 2-keeled, 2-nerved; keels ciliate on upper half; ovary 

ovoid, densely hirsute. 


Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Rare in grasslands; PS 30837 Karimalagopuram 

HETEROPOGON Persoon 

395

Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 836. 1817; FPM 1743. 

1934; FPL 577. 1990; FKG 112. 1991; FTSR 516. 1996. Andropogon contortus L., Sp. Pl. 1045. 

1753; FBI 7: 199. 1896. 

Densely tufted perennials; culms 25-50 cm high, erect or decumbent; nodes glabrous. Leaves 

5-15 x 0.2-0.6 cm, linear-lanceolate, rounded at base, glabrous or sparsely hairy; sheath keeled, 

ligule a fimbriate membrane. Raceme solitary, terminal. Spikelets dissimilar, paired, sessile 

and pedicelled. Lower sessile spikelets 8-10 mm long, lanceolate; lower glume many-nerved, 

winged along the margins, ciliate; upper glume 3-nerved; lower floret empty, upper male; first 

lemma oblong, hyaline, epaleate; second lemma smaller; stamens 3; anthers 4 mm long. Lower 

pedicelled spikelets 8 mm long, similar to sessile spikelets; lower glume winged on one side. 

Upper sessile spikelets 5-8 mm long, oblong; glumes similar, truncate at apex, crustaceous, 

brown; second lemma forms the hyaline base of the awn, awn 70-80 mm long, twisted each 

other at ends; ovary oblong; styles 2; stigmas plumose, to 6 mm long. 


Distr. Tropical and temperate regions of the world. Very common in openings of deciduous 

forests; PS 30550 Pandaravarai; 19958 Karimala 

ICHNANTHUS P. Beauvois 

Ichnanthus vicinus (F.M. Bail.) Merr., Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. 1: 70. 1923; FKG 253. 1991. 

Panicum vicinum F. M. Bail., Syn. Queens. Fl. Suppl. 3: 82. 1890. Ichnanthus pallens Hook.f., 

FBI 7: 60. 1896, non Munro 1861. 

Annuals; culms 20-30 cm high, decumbent at base, rooting from lower nodes; nodes glabrous. 

Leaves 2-7 x 0.8-1.5 cm, ovate, lanceolate, cuneate at base, glabrous; sheath rounded, ciliate 

along outer margin; ligule membranous, fimbriate. Panicle congested, glabrous. Spikelets 

similar, 4-5 mm long; lower glume ovate-lanceolate, 5-nerved; upper glume lanceolate, 5- 

nerved; florets 2; lower male; upper bisexual; first lemma similar to the upper glume; palea 

oblong, hyaline; second lemma 2 x 1 mm, oblong, crustaceous, shining; palea smooth, 

crustaceous; ovary ellipsoid; stigma plumose, brown. 



IMPERATA Cyrillo 

Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch., Nom. Bot. (ed.3) 10. 1797; FKG 114. 1991; FTSR 516. 1996. 

Lagurus cylindricus L., Syst. Nat. (ed.10) 878. 1759. Imperata koenigii (Retz.) P. Beauv. var. 

major Nees, Fl. Africa Austr. 90. 1841. I. cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. var. koenigii Dur. & Schinz., 

Consp. Fl. Africa 5: 694. 1894; FPM 1708. 1934. I. arundinacea Cyrillo, Pl. Rar. Neap. 2: 26. 

1792; FBI 7: 106. 1896. 

Perennials; culms 20-150 cm high, tufted; nodes bearded. Leaves 15-70 x 0.8-2 cm, 

lanceolate, narrowed towards the base, glabrous; sheath rounded, glabrous; ligule membranous. 

Panicle 30 x 1.5 cm, cylindrical; rachis glabrous. Spikelets 4 x 1 mm, similar, lanceolate, 

pedicelled; callus with long hairs. Glumes equal, lanceolate, with long silky white hairs on 

dorsal surface; lower floret empty, upper bisexual; first lemma 2 x 1 mm, oblong, hyaline, 

epaleate; second lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, hyaline, 3-lobed, paleate. 

Fl. February 

Distr. Old world tropics. Common in the sides of vayals and wet areas; PS 18901, 19807 

Anakkalvayal 

ISACHNE R. Brown 

1. Glumes obtuse, smooth; pedicels with glandular bands.................................................................. I. globosa 

1. Glumes acute or acuminate, covered with hairs; pedicels eglandular.............................................. I. setosa 

396

Isachne globosa (Thunb.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 778. 1891; FPL 578. 1990; FKG 421. 1991. 

Milium globosum Thunb., Fl. Japan 49. 1784. Isachne australis R. Br., Prodr. 1: 196. 1810; FBI 

7: 24. 1896. I. dispar Hook.f., FBI 7: 26. 1896p.p., non Trin. 1828. 

Trailing perennials; culms 30-60 cm high, trailing; nodes glabrous. Leaves 4-10 x 0.2-0.6 cm, 

ovate-lanceolate, glabrous, base rounded, margin serrulate; sheath glabrous; ligule a tuft of 

hairs. Panicle 4-10 cm long, branches serrulate. Spikelets 2-2.5 x 1.5-2 mm, globose; glumes 

similar, broadly ovate; first lemma 2 x 1 mm, obtuse, glabrous; palea 2-nerved; second lemma 

1.25 x 1 mm, broadly ovate, obtuse, ciliate along the margin; palea 2-keeled. 

Fl. & Fr. November to January 

Distr. Tropical Asia. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19256 Thellikkal 

Isachne setosa Fischer, Kew Bull. 1932: 247. 1932; FPM 1797. 1934; FKG 425. 1991; FTSR 517. 

1996. 

Tufted annuals; culms slender, 10-35 cm high; nodes hairy. Leaves 0.7-3 x 0.8 cm, ovatelanceolate, 

cordate at base, hairy below; sheath round; ligule a row of hairs. Panicle 3-8 x 1-4 

cm; branches smooth. Spikelets 2-2.5 mm long; glumes similar, ovate, acuminate, setose; lower 

floret empty; first lemma 2 x 1 mm, ovate-oblong, hyaline; palea similar, 2-nerved; second 

lemma 1 x 1 mm, coriaceous, hirtus; palea ovate, 2-keeled. 

Fl. & Fr. Throughout the year except the driest months 


ISCHAEMUM Linnaeus 

1. Upper glume 2-clefted at apex .......................................................................................................I. timorense 

1. Upper glume entire........................................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Pedicelled spikelets not awned ................................................................................................ I. commutatum 

2. Pedicelled spikelets awned............................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Leaves tomentose............................................................................I. indicum var. indicum subvar. villosum 

3. Leaves glabrous............................................................................... I. indicum var. indicum subvar. indicum 

Ischaemum commutatum Hack. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 6: 209. 1889; FBI 7: 131. 1896; FPM 

1722. 1934; FKG 129. 1991; Sur, JETB 25: 412. 2001. 

Tufted perennials; culms 20-40 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 3-8 x 1.5 cm, lanceolate, 

petiolate, cordate at base, covered with bulbous based hairs; sheath keeled; ligule a fimbriate 

membrane. Racemes 2-5 cm long; joints and pedicels clavate, ciliate. Sessile spikelets 6 x 2.5 

mm; lower glume flat, smooth, two winged at apex; first lemma 5.5 x 1.5 mm; oblong; palea 5 x 

1 mm, hyaline; second lemma hyaline; awn 7 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5.5 x 2 mm, oblong; 

lower glume winged along one side; florets 2, lower male, upper empty; lemmas not awned. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common in moist deciduous forests and 


Ischaemum indicum (Houtt.) Merr. var. indicum subvar. villosum (Nees) Bor, Grass. Bur. Cey. 

Ind. Pak. 180. 1960; FBI 138. 1991; FKG 138. 1991; Sur, JETB 25: 419. 2001. Spodiopogon 

villosum Nees in Hook. & Arn., Bot. Beech. Voy. 242. 1838. Ischaemum ciliare Retz. var. 

villosum Hack. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 6: 227. 1889; FBI 7: 134. 1896. 

Perennials; culms 40-70 cm high; nodes bearded. Leaves 15 x 1 cm, lanceolate, acuminate, 

thickly pubescent; sheath keeled, glabrous; ligule membranous. Racemes 4-8 cm long; sessile. 

Spikelets 4-5 mm long; lower glume 2-winged at apex, glabrous; upper glume narrowly winged 

along the keel; first lemma oblong, 1-nerved; second lemma hyaline; awn 5-9 mm long. 

Pedicelled spikelets 4 x 2 mm, ovate-lanceolate, similar to lower spikelets. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Fairly common along the sides of streams in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 30500 Koorankuzhi 

397

Ischaemum indicum (Houtt.) Merr., J. Arnold Arbor. 19: 320. 1938, var. indicum, subvar. 

indicum; FTSR 517. 1996; FKG 137. 1991; Sur, JETB 25: 419. 2001. Phleum indicum Houtt., 

Nat. Hist. 3:198,t.90. f.2. 1782. Ischaemum aristatum Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1721. 1934, non 

L. 1753. I. ciliare Retz., Obs. Bot. 6: 36. 1791; FBI 7: 133. 1896. 

Perennials; culms geniculate or trailing; nodes bearded. Leaves scattered, elliptic-lanceolate, 

rounded at base; ligule membranous. Racemes paired; rachis & pedicels thinly hairy. Sessile 

spikelets ovoid; lower glume ovate, two winged at apex, aristate; first lemma oblong, acute, 1- 

nerved; second lemma cleft to the middle; awn geniculate; stamens 3. Pedicelled spikelets ovoid 

or lanceolate; lower glume winged along the keel on upper half; florets 2; second lemma awned. 


Distr. Peninsular India and South East Asia. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19684 Karimala 

Ischaemum timorense Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 369. 1830; FBI 7136. 1896; FPM 1722. 1934; FPL 

580. 1990; FKG 164. 1991; FTSR 518. 1996; Sur, JETB 25: 432. 2001. 

Tufted annuals; culms 20-50 cm tall; nodes bearded. Leaves 4-8 x 0.4-0.7 cm, lanceolate, 

narrowed to the base, glabrous; ligule membranous. Racemes 2-3 cm long. Spikelets similar, 

3.5-4 x 2 mm; lower glume 3 x 1.5 mm, ovate, broaden below, bicuspidate at apex, densely 

hairy; upper glume 3 x 1.5 mm, aristate, thickly hairy; first lemma 1-nerved, hyaline; second 

lemma cleft above the middle, awned in the sinus. pedicelled spikelets smaller. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Fairly common in grasslands; PS 19682 Karimala 

JANSENELLA N. L. Bor 

Jansenella griffithiana (C. Muell.) Bor, Kew Bull. 10: 98. 1955; FPL 580. 1990; FKG 348. 1991; 

FTSR 518. 1996. Danthonia griffithiana C. Muell., Bot. 2. 14. 347. 1856. Arundinella avenacea 

Munro ex Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 362. 1864; FBI 7: 69. 1896; FPM 1801. 1934. 

Tufted annuals; culms 7-30 cm high, rooting from the lower nodes; nodes glabrous. Leaves 3- 

7 x 0.5-0.7 cm, lanceolate. Panicles 2-3 cm long; rachis and branches hairy. Spikelets similar, 

densely packed, 5-7 mm long; lower glume lanceolate, keeled, 3-nerved, keel ciliate; upper 

glume acuminate, 5-nerved; florets 2; lower empty; upper bisexual; first lemma elliptic, acute 

cuspidate, 3-nerved; palea oblong, obtuse; second lemma 3-3.5 mm long, oblong, densely ciliate 

towards the bifid apex, awned in the sinus; awn 9 mm long; palea hairy at apex, 2-keeled. 


Distr. Indian and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19948 Karimala 

OCHLANDRA Thwaites 

1. Leaves 10-15 cm wide; staminal filaments united ................................................................. O. travancorica 

1. Leaves 2-5 cm wide; staminal filaments free .............................................................................. O. scriptoria 

Ochlandra scriptoria (Dennst.) Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1863. 1934; FTSR 519. 1996. Bambusa 

scriptoria Dennst., Schluss. Hort. Malab. 31. 1818. Bheesha rheedei Kunth, Enum. 1: 434. 1833. 

'rheedii'. Ochlandra rheedei (Kunth) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Gamble, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. 

(Calcutta) 7: 121, t.107. 1896; FBI 7: 418. 1896. 

Rootstock rhizomatous, banched; culms erect, to 10 m tall, 2-2.5 cm across. Culm sheaths 

thin, ligule trigonous, auricled at base, hairy inside. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acuminate, to 15 

x 1.5 cm; sheath ciliate along margins; ligule with few bristles. Spikelets 2-2.5 cm long. Fertile 

glume oblong, mucronate; palea convolute-long mucronate. Stamens about 16, anthers 1.5 cm 

long; filaments 0.5 cm long, free. Lodicules 6-8, linear-oblong, 7 x 1.5 mm. Ovary and style 

glabrous; stigma 6 or 7, unequal, plumose. 

Fl. Flowering is not observed 

Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Common along the riverine areas; PS 

30721 Kuriarkutty 

398

Ochlandra travancorica Benth. var. travancorica (Bedd.) Benth. ex Gamble, Ann. Roy. Bot. 

Gard. (Calcutta) 7: 125. t.111. 1896 & Hook. f., FBI 7: 419. 1896; FPM 1863. 1934. Bheesha 

travancorica Bedd., Fl. t. 324. 1891. 

Rootstock rhizomatous, branched; culms to 5 m tall, densely clumped, hollow, covered with 

culm sheaths. Leaves scattered, 20-40 x 5-10 cm, oblong-lanceolate, base truncate, or cuneate, 

glabrous; sheaths tubular, mouth with stiff bristles; ligule short. Panicles large, spicate. 

Spikelets in verticils, 3-9 together, sessile, 5-6 cm long; glumes 2-5, unequal, to 5 cm long, 

lanceolate, mucronate, smooth; florets one, bisexual; lemmas 5 cm long, elliptic-oblong, 

muticous; palea membranous, stamens 20-40, filaments monadelphous; style long; stigma 4-6; 

fruit ovoid, 2-3 x 1.5 cm, beaked, smooth. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Common in evergreen and secondary forests; PS 


OPLISMENUS P. Beauvois 

Oplismenus compositus (L.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrost. 54. 168. 1812; FBI 7: 66. 1896; FPM 1778. 

1934; FPL 581. 1990; FKG 257. 1991; FTSR 520. 1996. Panicum compositum L., Sp. Pl. 57. 

1753. 

Annuals; culms 20-70 cm tall, erect or trailing, rooting from lower nodes. Leaves 8-16 x 1-2.5 

cm, elliptic, base cuneate, covered with bulbous based hairs; sheath rounded; ligule a fimbriate 

membrane. Panicle 15-25 cm long; racemes 5-10, 4-6 cm long; rachis triquetrous. Spikelets 4 

mm long; lower glume awned; awn 4 mm long; upper glume 7-nerved, awnless; first lemma 3 x 

2.5 mm, 9-11-nerved; awnless; palea oblong; second lemma lanceolate, 3-nerved; palea 3 x 0.5 

mm, hyaline. 

Fl. October 

Distr. Pantropical. Very common in all forest types except evergreen forests; PS 19196 Vengoli; 

19818 Anakkalvayal 

ORYZA Linnaeus 

Oryza meyeriana (Zoll. & Mor. ex Steud.) Baill. ssp. granulata (Nees & Arn. ex Watt) Taleoka, 

Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 75: 460. 1962; FKG 431. 1991. O. granulata Nees & Arn. ex Watt, Dic. Econ. 

Prod. Ind. 5: 500. 1891; FBI 7: 93. 1896. O. meyeriana sensu Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1845. 

1934. 

Perennials; culms 40-90 cm high, loosely tufted or solitary, erect. Leaves 10-25 x 1-2 cm, 

lanceolate, glabrous; sheath with long hairs at mouth; ligule 1-3 mm long, membranous. Panicle 

5-10 cm long, scarcely branched; branches angled, smooth. Spikelets few, 5-6 x 2.5 mm; glumes 

similar, reduced to very minute scales; lemma 5 x 3.5 mm, broadly ovate, granulate 

crustaceous; palea 5 x 2 mm, oblong, 3-nerved, margins hyaline; anthers 2.5 mm long. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia, very common in moist deciduous forests; PS 19477 Thellikkal 

PANICUM Linnaeus 

1. Lower glumes longer than broad, cuspidate.................................................................................. P. notatum 

1. Lower glumes broader than long, obtuse ..................................................................................P. sumatrense 

Panicum notatum Retz., Obs. Bot. 4: 18. 1786; FKG 267. 1991; FTSR 521. 1996. P. montanum 


Perennials; culms 80-150 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-25 x 1-3.5 cm, ovate-oblong, 

cordate, ciliate; margin of sheath ciliate; ligule a membrane. Panicle 20-30 x 5-20 cm, lax; 

branches smooth. Spikelets 2.5-3 x 1 mm, ellipsoid, glabrous; glumes almost equal, ovate, 3- 

399

nerved; first lemma similar to upper glume, epaleate; second lemma 2 x 1 mm, coriaceous, 

shining; palea similar, flat, 2-nerved. 


Distr. South and South East Asia. Common in open rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 

19194 Vengoli 

Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 434. 1817; FKG 272. 1991. P. 

psilopodium Trin., Gram. Panic. 217. 1826; FBI 7: 46. 1896; FPM 1782. 1934. P. psilopodium 

Trin., Gram. Panic 217. 1826, var. coloratum Hook.f., FBI 7: 47. 1896. P. miliare sensu Hook.f., 

FBI 7: 46. 1896, non Lam. 1791; FPM 1782. 1934. 

Annuals or perennials; culms 20-60 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 30 x 1.5 cm, linearlanceolate, 

base rounded, glabrous; ligule a fimbriate membrane. Panicle to 30 cm long, 

contracted. Spikelets 3 x 1.5 mm, ellipsoid; lower glume 1 x 1.5 mm, broadly ovate, 3-nerved; 

upper glume 2.5 x 1.5 mm, ovate, 13-nerved; lower floret empty; first lemma similar to upper 

glume; palea hyaline; second lemma 2 x 1 mm, ovate, coriaceous; palea 2 x 1 mm, coriaceous, 

margins folded. 


Distr. Pantropical. Common in open rocky areas of moist deciduous forests; PS 30717 Vengoli 

PASPALIDIUM Stapf 

Paspalidium flavidum (Retz.) A. Camus in Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-China 7: 419. 1922; FPM 

1774. 1934; FPL 583. 1990; FKG 278. 1991; FTSR 521. 1996. Panicum flavidum Retz., Obs. Bot. 

15. 1786; FBI 7: 28. 1896. 

Annuals; culms 20-80 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-25 x 0.5-0.8 cm, linear, glabrous; 

sheath rounded, glabrous; ligule a row of hairs. Racemes 3-10, distantly arranged on a central 

axis; each 1-1.5 cm long with two rows of spikelets. Spikelet 2.5-3 x 2 mm; ovate, acute; lower 

glume orbicular, obtuse, 5-nerved; upper glume 1.5 x 2 mm, 7-nerved, acute, florets 2, lower 

empty or male; upper bisexual; first lemma ovate, acute, 5-nerved; palea oblong, 2-keeled; 

second lemma ovate, acute, 5-nerved, crustaceous; palea oblong, 2-nerved. 


Distr. Tropical Asia. Common in open areas of deciduous forests and vayals; PS 19470 

Thunakkadavu 

PASPALUM Linnaeus 

1. Racemes 2; upper glume long, ciliate along the margins.........................................................P. conjugatum 

1. Racemes 3-5; upper glume not ciliate....................................................................................P. scrobiculatum 

Paspalum conjugatum Berg., Act. Helv. Phys. Math. 7: 129. 1772; FBI 7: 11. 1896; FPM 1772. 

1934; FPL 584. 1990; FKG 285. 1991; FTSR 522. 1996. 

Annuals or perennials; culms 20-60 cm high, tufted; nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-12 x 0.5-1.2 

cm, lanceolate, ciliate along the margins; sheath keeled, glabrous; ligule a membrane. Racemes 

2, 10-12 cm long. Spikelets 1.5-2 x 1.2 mm, broadly ovate, acute, in two rows along the raceme; 

upper glume 1.5 x 1.2 mm, 2-nerved; lower florets empty; first lemma similar to upper glume, 

ovate, epaleate, hairy along the margins; second lemma 1.5 x 1.2 mm, obtuse, 1-nerved, 

coriaceous; palea similar to lemma, 2-nerved. 



Paspalum scrobiculatum L., Mant. Pl. 1: 29. 1767; FBI 7: 10. 1896; FPM 1772. 1934; FPL 584. 

1990; FKG 287. 1991; FTSR 522. 1996. P. commersonii Lam., Encycl. Tabl. 175. t. 43. f. 1. 1791. 

P. orbiculare Forst., Fl. Ins. Aust. Prodr. 7. 1786; FPM 1772. 1934. 

400

Annuals; culms 30-50 cm high, tufted. Leaves 10-25 x 0.5-0.8 cm, lanceolate, glabrous; 

sheath keeled; ligule membranous. Racemes 3-5 together, 2-8 cm long; rachis flat, smooth. 

Spikelets 2.5 x 2 mm, obtuse; upper glume orbicular, 3-nerved; lower floret empty; first lemma 

similar to upper glume, epaleate; second lemma 3-nerved, crustaceous; palea 1.5 x 1.5 mm, 

lower half expanded and incurved. 


Distr. India and Pakistan. Common in marshy areas and roadsides; PS 19468 Thunakkadavu 

PEROTIS Aiton 

Perotis indica (L.) O. Ktze., Rev. Gen. Pl. 2: 787. 1891; FPM 1814. 1934; FPL 585. 1990; FKG 

434. 1991; FTSR 523. 1996. Anthoxanthum indicum L., Sp. Pl. 28. 1753. Perotis latifolia Ait., 

Hort. Kew 1: 85. 1789; FBI 7: 98. 1796. 

Tufted perennials; culms 10-30 cm long, creeping and ascending; nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-4 

x 0.4-0.8 cm, ovate, acute, cordate at base, margin ciliate; sheath rounded, glabrous; ligule a 

narrow membrane. Inflorescence a solitary, cylindrical raceme, 8-20 cm long. Spikelets 3 mm 

long, similar, pedicelled; glumes equal, lanceolate, 1-nerved, ciliate along the margins, awned; 

awn 8-10 mm long; floret one; lemma 1 mm long, oblong, hyaline; palea lanceolate, 2-nerved. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia. Occasional in wet rocky areas; PS 19651 Vengoli 

POGONATHERUM P. Beauvois 

Pogonatherum crinitum (Thunb.) Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 476. 1833; FBI 7: 141. 1896; FKG 176. 

1991. Andropogon crinitum Thunb., Fl. Jap. 40. 1784. Pogonatherum paniceum sensu Gamble, 

FPM 1714. 1934, non Hack. 1906. 

Tufted annuals; culms to 30 cm high, erect; nodes glabrous. Leaves 4-5 x 0.4 cm, ellipticlanceolate, 

acute at both ends, glabrous; sheath keeled, hairy at the mouth; ligule a fimbriate 

membrane. Raceme solitary, 2-3 cm long; rachis with long hairs. Spikelets paired; one sessile 

and one pedicelled. Sessile spikelets 1.5 mm long; glumes awned; awn 2-3 mm long; florets 2; 

lower empty; upper bisexual; first lemma oblong, obtuse, epaleate; second lemma ovate, 

acuminate, awned; palea oblong, truncate at apex. 


Distr. Indian subcontinent and Japan. Fairly common in marshy areas of plantations; PS 18890 

Muthalakkuzhi 

PSEUDANTHISTIRIA J. D. Hooker 

Pseudanthistiria umbellata (Hack.) Hook.f., FBI 7: 220. 1896; FPM 1749. 1934; FKG 181. 1991. 

Andropogon umbellatus Hack. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 6: 401. 1889. 

Creeping or geniculate annuals; culms rooting from lower nodes. Leaves to 5 x 0.5 cm, 

lanceolate, rounded at base; sheath rounded; ligule a fimbriate membrane. Panicle lax, 

interrupted by spathes; racemes 2-together. Spikelets dissimilar, paired, one sessile and one 

pedicelled. Sessile spikelets 5 mm long, oblong, lanceolate, 2 in each raceme; callus hairy; lower 

glume 5 x 1 mm, oblong, truncate; upper glume 4 x 1 mm, oblong, acute, 3-nerved; lower floret 

absent; second lemma reduced to form the base of the awn; awn 20-25 mm long. Pedicelled 

spikelet 5-7 mm long, lanceolate, awnless; floret one, male. 


Distr. Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19750 Pezha 

PSEUDOSORGHUM A. Camus 

Pseudosorghum fasciculare (Roxb.) A. Camus, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 26: 662. 1920; FPM 

1734. 1934; FKG 182. 1991. Andropogon fascicularis Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 265. 1820; FBI 7: 177. 

1896. 

401

Perennials; culms 90-100 cm high, loosely tufted; nodes glabrous. Leaves 15-40 x 0.8-1.2 cm, 

linear-lanceolate, glabrous; sheath keeled; ligule membranous. Panicle 5-13 cm long, congested. 

Spikelets dissimilar, sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long, lanceolate; callus hairy; lower glume 

lanceolate; florets 2; lower floret empty, upper bisexual; first lemma oblong, chartaceous, 

epaleate; second lemma 2-cleft at apex, awned; awn 14-18 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4-5 

mm long, lanceolate; floret one, male. 


Distr. India and Myanmar. Common in marshy areas; PS 19891 Thellikkal 

PSEUDOXYTENANTHERA Soderstrom & Ellis 

1. Culms erect; mouth of the culm sheath glabrous..................................................................... P. bourdillonii 

1. Culms scandent; mouth of the culm sheath with a ring of bristles .......................................P. monadelpha 

Pseudoxytenanthera bourdillonii (Gamble) Naithani, JBNHS 87: 440. 1990; FTSR 524. 1996. 

Oxytenanthera bourdillonii Gamble, Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 7: 76,t.67. 1896; FBI 7: 

403. 1896; FPM 1861. 1934. 

Robust perennials; culms 3-8 m high, smooth; culm sheath blade to 15 cm long, glabrous. 

Leaves 15-35 x 2-5 cm, sessile, acute at base, glabrous; margin entire; sheath keeled, glabrous. 

Spikelets 2.5 cm long, glabrous; lower glume acute; upper glume 10-11 x 6-7 mm, glabrous; 

florets 3-5, all bisexual; lemmas 20 x 6 mm, glabrous; palea 10-13 x 4 mm, hairy along the keels; 

staminal tube short; anthers 6-7 mm long, apiculate. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats (Kerala). Occasional in rocky slopes of evergreen 

forests; PS 30720 Thelliyalimattukkal 

Pseudoxytenanthera monadelpha (Thw.) Sodestrom & Ellis, Smithz. Contrib. Bot. 72: 52. 1988. 

Dendrocalamus monadelphus Thw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 376. 1864. Oxytenanthera monadelpha 

(Thw.) Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6 (Suppl.) 342. 1931; FPM 1861. 1934. 

Culms 5-10 m tall, scandent, smooth; culm sheath glabrous. Culm sheath blade 5-10 x 0.5- 

1.5 cm, glabrous; base rounded with thick ring of callus and strong bristles. Leaves 20-40 x 2-5 

cm, petiolate; sheath glabrous. Spikelets 0.8-1.2 cm long, lanceolate, compressed; glumes 2; 

lower larger, acute, glabrous; florets 3; lower lemmas sterile, lanceolate, epaleate; upper most 

one fertile, lanceolate, glabrous; palea oblong, 2-keeled; keels glabrous; staminal tube long; 

anthers 4-5 mm long. 

Fl. A few plants flowered during 1999 

Distr. India and Sri Lanka. Occasional along the margins of evergreen forests at higher 


ROTTBOELLIA Linnaeus f. 

Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W. D. Clayton, Kew Bull. 35: 817. 1981; FPL 587. 1990; 

FKG 183. 1991; FTSR 524. 1996. Stegosia cochinchinensis Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 51. 1790. 

Rottboellia exaltata L. f., Suppl. Pl. 114. 1781; FBI 7: 156. 1896; FPM 1759. 1934. 

Annuals; culms 50 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 10-25 x 0.8-1 cm, glabrous; sheath 

keeled, pubescent, ligule a fimbriate membrane. Raceme 1-few, 10-15 cm long, produced into a 

tail of reduced spikelets; joints crustaceous, hollow. Spikelets dissimilar. Sessile spikelet 3-4 

mm long, ovate, seated deeply in the cavities of spike; lower glume crustaceous, 13-nerved; 

upper glume concave; florets 2; lower male, upper bisexual; lower lemmas 3 x 1 mm; palea 3 x 

1.5 mm, ovate, 2-nerved; second lemma 3 x 2 mm, keeled; palea lanceolate, hyaline. 

Fl. & Fr. November-February. 

Distr. Paleotropics. Fairly common in the sides of marshy areas; PS 19623 Vengoli 

402

SACCHARUM Linnaeus 

Saccharum spontaneum L., Mant. Pl. 2: 183. 1771; FBI 7: 118. 1896; FPM 1709. 1934; FPL 588. 

1990; FKG 185. 1991. 

Perennials; culms 100-300 cm, tufted, erect; nodes glabrous. Leaves 30-100 x 1 cm, linearlanceolate, 

acuminate, rounded at base, glabrous; sheath rounded; ligule membranous, 3-6 mm 

long. Panicle to 30 cm long, densely silky hairy. Spikelets similar, paired, covered with white 

hairs; lower glume oblong, chartaceous; upper glume ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous, keeled, 1- 

nerved; florets 2; lower empty; upper bisexual; first lemma 2.5 x 1 mm, 3-nerved, epaleate; 

second lemma linear-lanceolate; palea membranous; stamens 3, free; style basely connated; 

stigmas 2, plumose. 


Distr. Old World Tropics. Common in stream banks in moist deciduous forests. PS 30817 

Muthuvarachal 

SACCIOLEPIS Nash 

Sacciolepis indica (L.) A. Chase, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 21: 8. 1908; FPM 1787. 1934; FPL 588. 

1990; FKG 298. 1991; FTSR 525. 1996. Aira indica L., Sp. Pl. 1753. Panicum indicum L., Mant. 

Pl. 2: 184. 1771; FBI 7: 41. 1896. 

Slender annuals; culms 15-35 cm high, loosely tufted; nodes glabrous. Leaves 5-15 x 0.2-0.5 

cm, linear, sparsely hairy; sheath compressed; ligule a membrane. Panicle 1-8 x 0.5-0.7 cm, 

cylindrical. Spikelets densely packed, 1.5-3.5 mm long, compressed; lower glume 1.5 x 0.5 mm, 

acute, 5-nerved; upper glume 2 x 1 mm, 9-nerved; lower floret barren; first lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, 

thinly hairy; second lemma 1.5-2 x 1 mm; palea similar to lemma; anthers 1 mm long. 


Distr. Tropical Asia, Australia and introduced in to Africa and America. Common in moist 

deciduous forests; PS 19091 Amakkundu 

SCHIZOSTACHYUM Nees 

Schizostachyum beddomei (Fischer) Majumdar in Karthikeyan et al., Fl. Indian Enum. 

Monocot 281. 1989. Teniostachyum beddomei Fischer in Gamble, FPM 1860.1934. 

Robust, scandent shrubs; culms to 13 m long, first erect, thin walled; node with a white 

margin above, culm sheath papery, clothed with brown appressed hairs. Leaves to 15 x 3 cm, 

oblong-lanceolate, glabrous above, hairy below. Panicle terminal. Caryopsis glabrous, ovoid. 

Fl. Flowering in not observed 

Distr. Endemic to Western Ghats. Common along the moist areas of evergreen margins; PS 


SETARIA P. Beauvois 

1. Leaves plicate .................................................................................................................................S. palmifolia 

1. Leaves not plicate.............................................................................................................................................. 2 

2. Panicles cylindrical; bristles in clusters ............................................................................................ S. pumila 

2. Panicles not cylindrical..................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Panicles contracted, narrow; spikelets sessile ........................................................................... S. intermedia 

3. Panicles lax; spikelets pedicelled ...............................................................................................S. paniculifera 

Setaria intermedia Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 489. 1817; FBI 7: 79. 1896; FPM 1789. 1934; 

FPL 589. 1990; FKG 306. 1991. S. tomentosa (Roxb.) Kunth., Rev. Gram. 1: 47. 1829. Panicum 

tomentosum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 303. 1820. 

Trailing or erect annuals; culms 40-50 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 10-2 x 0.3-1 cm, 

linear, flat, glabrous; ligule a row of hairs. Panicle spiciform, interrupted; bristles 2-6 mm long, 

403

atrorsely barbed. Spikelets 2 x 1.5 mm, broadly elliptic; lower glume 1-nerved; upper glume 1.2 

x 1 mm, elliptic, obtuse; lower floret empty; first lemma 2 x 1.5 mm, acute, 5-nerved; palea 

ovate; second lemma 2 x 1.2 mm, ovate, coriaceous; palea faintly rugate. 


Distr. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Occasional in deciduous forests; PS 19989 Keerappadi 

Setaria palmifolia (Koen.) Stapf, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 42. 186. 1914; FPM 1789. 1935; FPL 590. 

1990; FKG 307. 1991; FTSR 525. 1996. Panicum palmaefolium Koen., Naturf. 23: 208. 1788. P. 

plicatum Willd., Enum. Pl. 1033. 1809; FBI 7: 55. 1896,p.p. non Lam. 1791. 

Robust perennials; culms loosely tufted, 30-100 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 20-50 x 2-5 

cm, elliptic, erect, plicately folded, narrowed to the base, thinly pubescent, scabrid along the 

nerves. Panicle 10-30 cm long, narrow, lax. Spikelets 3 mm long, pedicelled, crowded on small 

branches; lower glume 1.5 mm across, orbicular, obtuse, 5-nerved; upper glume 2.5 x 1.5 mm, 7- 

nerved; lower floret barren; first lemma 3 x 1.5 mm; palea oblong; second lemma 2.5 x 1.5 mm, 

acute; palea ovate, acute. 


Distr. Paleotropics; introduced in America. Occasional in wet areas of deciduous forests; PS 

19660 Vengoli 

Setaria paniculifera (Steud.) Fourn. ex Hemsl., Bot. Centr. Amer. Bot. 3: 505. 1855; FKG 308. 

1991; FTSR 526. 1996. Panicum paniculiferum Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1: 54. 1854. 

Perennials; culms few together, 60-200 cm high, robust; nodes sparsely bearded. Leaves 15- 

40 x 0.5-2.5 cm, linear-elliptic, plicately folded; sheath strongly keeled; ligule a fimbriate 

membrane. Panicle 15-25 cm long, lax. Spikelets 3 x 1 mm; lower glume ovate, obtuse, 3-nerved; 

upper glume 2 x 1.5 mm, ovate, obtuse, 7-nerved; Lower floret barren; first lemma ovate, 5- 

nerved, acute; palea lanceolate; second lemma 3 x 1 mm; palea subcoriaceous. 


Distr. Native of Tropical America; introduced as a fodder. Fairly common in wet rocky areas; PS 

30712 Vengoli 

Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 891. 1817; FPL 590. 1990; FKG 309. 1991; 

FTSR 526. 1996. Panicum pumilum Poir. In Lam., Encycl. Suppl. 4: 273. 1816. Setaria pallidafusca 

(Schum.) Stapf & Hubb, Kew Bull. 1930: 259. 1930; FPM 1789. 1934. S. glauca Hackel, 

Bot. Soc. Brot. 3: 135. 1884, non P. Beauv. 1812. Panicum pallida-fuscum Schum., Beskr. Guin. 

Pl. 58. 1827. 

Tufted annuals; culms 10-100 cm high, decumbent or erect; nodes glabrous. Leaves 10-40 x 

0.3-0.6 cm, linear, scabrid; sheath keeled, ligule a fimbriate membrane. Panicle 2-20 cm, 

cylindric; bristles 5-10 mm long, in clusters; spikelets 2.5 mm long, sessile, acute; lower glume 1 

mm long, 3-nerved; upper glume 1.5 mm long, 5-nerved; lower floret barren; first lemma 2.5 

mm long, 3-nerved, paleate; second lemma coriaceous, rugose. 

Fl. & Fr. Throughout the year. 

Distr. Tropics of the Old World and introduced to North America. Common in degraded forest 

areas; PS 19679 Karimala; 19202 Rockpoint; 19504 Orukomban; 19613 Vengoli 

SPODIOPOGON Trinius 

Spodiopogon rhizophorus (Steud.) Pilger in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenf. 14e:119. 1940. FKG 193. 

1991. Andropogon rhizophorus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glum. 1:381. 1854. Spodiopogon albidus Benth., 

J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 19:66. 1881; FBI 7:108. 1896; FPM 1710. 1934. 

Culms to 1 m tall, erect or geniculate with stilt roots at basal nodes, nodes glabrous. Leaves 

flaccid, softly hairy, to 20 x 2 cm. Panicle elliptic-oblong, to 12 cm long, densely silky villous; 

joints flat, densely ciliate along margins. Sessile spikelets oblong-lanceolate, 7 mm long. Awn 5- 

404

6 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets linear-lanceolate, 5 mm long; pedicels flat, 3 mm long, densely 

ciliate along margins. 


Distr. Endemic to South West India. Common in moist deciduous forests and road cuttings; NS 

3889 Karimala 

SPOROBOLUS R. Brown 

1. Flowers in solitary racemes..............................................................................................................S. piliferus 

1. Flowers in effuse panicles............................................................................................. S. indicus var. diander 

Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. var. diander (Retz.) Jovet & Guedes, Taxon 22: 163. 1973; FKG 

437. 1991. Agrostis diandra Retz., Obs. Bot. 5: 19. 1789. Sporobolus diander (Retz.) P. Beauv., 

Ess. Agrost. 26: 147. 1812; FPM 1817. 1934. 

Annuals or perennials; culms 30-80 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 15-40 x 0.2-0.6 cm, 

linear, glabrous; sheath keeled; ligule a narrow membrane. Panicles 10-30 cm long, lax; axis 

and branches filiform. Spikelets 1.5 x 0.5 mm, lanceolate, glabrous; lower glume very small, 0.5 

x 0.25 mm, hyaline, ovate, obtuse; upper glume hyaline, 1-nerved; lemma 1.5 x 0.5 mm, ovatelanceolate, 

nerves not clear; palea 1.5 x 0.7 mm, oblong. 


Distr. Indo-Malesia to Australia. Common in marshy areas; PS 19268 Anakkalvayal; 30688 

Keerappadi 

Sporobolus piliferus (Trin.) Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 211. 1833; FPM 1817. 1934; FPL 591. 1990; 

FKG 438. 1991; FTSR 527. 1996. Vilfa pilifera Trin., Diss. Bot. 157. 1824. 

Tufted annuals; culms 10-25 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves 2-5 x 0.2-0.5 cm, bifarious, 

lanceolate, base rounded, glabrous or ciliate along the margins; sheath rounded, margins 

glandular hairy. Raceme narrow, un-branched with many spikelet on all sides. Spikelets 1.5 x 0.5 

mm, lanceolate, acute; glumes hyaline; lower glume 1 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, acute; upper 

glume slightly larger 1-nerved; lemma 1.5 x 1 mm, 3-nerved; palea similar to lemma, 2-nerved. 


Distr. India, Sri Lanka and East Africa. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19915 Karimala; 19735 

Pezha 

THEMEDA Forsskal 

Themeda triandra Forssk., Fl. Aeg.-Arab. 178. 1775; FPM 1746. 1934; FPL 591. 1990; FKG 202. 

1991; FTSR 527. 1996. Anthistiria imberbis Retz., Obs. Bot. 3: 11. 1783; FBI 7: 211. 1896. 

Densely tufted perennials; culms 30-200 cm high, white or yellowish white. Leaves 10-60 x 

0.4-1.2 cm, rounded at base, margins rarely ciliate; sheath sharply keeled, mouth with long 

bulbous based hairs; ligule 5-8 mm long, coriaceous. Panicle 20-75 cm long; racemes in dense 

clusters. Involucral spikelets in same or different levels, 7-9 x 2 mm; lower glume 8 mm long, 

winged along one side; upper glume oblong, 3-nerved. Bisexual spikelets, 6-10 mm long, solitary 

in a raceme, callus with brown hairs; lower glume 5-9 mm, brown, thinly pubescent; upper 

glume 6-8 mm long, hirtus; first lemma 3 mm long, oblong, brown; second lemma stipitate, awn 

5-9 cm long. 


Distr. Old World Tropics. Very common in deciduous forests and openings; PS 19067 

Thunakkadavu; 19920 Karimala 

TRIPOGON Roemer & Schultes 

1. Lemmas 2-fid.......................................................................................................................................T. wightii 

1. Lemma 4-fid....................................................................................................................................T. bromoides 

405

Tripogon bromoides Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 600. 1817; FPM 1834. 1934; FPL 592. 1990; 

FKG 399. 1991. 

Densely tufted perennials; culms 10-35 cm high; nodes glabrous. Leaves usually basal, 5-30 

x 0.1-0.3 cm, linear, base rounded, sparsely hairy above; mouth of sheath with long hairs; ligule 

a rim only. Raceme 10-30 cm long; spikelets 0.5-1 cm long, oblong, glabrous, sessile; lower 

glume 1-nerved, keeled; upper glume notched below the apex on one side, 3-nerved. Florets 10- 

16; lemma 3-4 x 1-2 mm, 4-lobed at apex, 3-awned; one median and two laterals; median one 

twice the length of laterals; palea 3 x 1 mm, scabrid along the keels 


Distr. South India and Nepal. Occasional in grasslands; PS 19678 Karimala 

Tripogon wightii Hook.f., FBI 7: 286. 1986; FPM 1833. 1934; FTSR 528. 1996. 

Perennials, culms tufted, to 15 cm long. Leaves linear, convolute, 10 x 1 mm; sheaths striate. 

Racemes slender, to 10 cm long. Spikelets oblong, 5 mm long. Lemmas 2-fid, awned from the 

sinus, awn 5 mm long, minutely barbate. Glumes 2-lobed and mucronulate. 


Distr. Endemic to Peninsular India. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5770 Karimala Hills 

ZENKERIA Trinius 

Zenkeria elegans Trin., Linnaea 11: 150. 1837; FPM 1805. 1934; FKG 363. 1991; FTSR 528. 

1996. 

Densely tufted perennials; culms 40-100 cm high, nodes glabrous. Leaves 30-60 x 0.3-0.8 cm, 

linear-lanceolate, flat, glabrous; margins serrulate, glabrous; sheath keeled, glabrous; ligule a 

row of hairs. Panicles 20-28 cm long, pyramidal, lax; branches filiform, glabrous. Spikelets 5-6 x 

3 mm, pedicelled, glabrous; glumes equal, 3 x 1 mm, lanceolate, 1-nerved; lemma 5 x 1 mm, 

lanceolate, acuminate, sparsely hairy; palea 3 x 1 mm, 2-nerved, sparsely hairy. 


Distr. Endemic to Southern Western Ghats. Occasional in grasslands; NS 5636 Karimala Hills 

406

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