A Revision of Indian Viscaceae

Sanjai V.N. & N.P. Balakrishnan

Published on : 31-Dec-2006

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.2006.16.02.01

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Abstract

The family Viscaceae in lndia with 19 species under Arceuthobium M.Bieb., Ginalloa Korth., Korthalsella Van Tiegh. and ViscumL. is taxonomically revised based on herbarium studies, explorations and collections from different parts of lndia. Viscumisrepresentedbyl5species. Amongthem,4species,includingtherecentlydescribedV.malurianumsanjai &N.P Balakr. and V. subracemosum Sanjai & N.P Balakr., are endemic to India. Viscum afticulatum uar. thelocarpum and var. liquidambaricolum are merged with V. articulatum. Viscum album var. meridianum is sunk under V. album proper. V. orbiculatum and V. verruculosum are treated as synonyms of V. heyneanum. Viscum acacae Danser is a new record for lndia. Viscum mysorense is considered as a link between the leafy and leafless species. Korthalsella is represented by a single species, K. japonica (Thunb.) Engler, as Korthalsella japonica var. coralloides is merged with K. japonica proper. Ginalloa andamanica Kurz is endemic to South Andamans. Systematic postion, factors affecting distribution, morphology, hyperparasitism and cryptic mimicry of/in Viscaceae are discussed.