Additions to the Flora of Kerala since Gamble (1935)
Manilal K.S. & K. Raveendrakumar
Published on : 01-Jan-2022
DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.1998.08.02.08
DownloadAbstract
In the absence of a separate Flora of Kerala, Gamble's Flora of the Presidency of Madras (1915-35) is the usual authority that is consulted by general taxonomists and students for the study and identification of flowering plants of Kerala. As a large number of new species and records reported since then, has made Gamble's Flora obsolete, an attempt is made here to collect all the scattered published information available on the subject. Details regarding 625 new taxa that belong to 103 families, of which seven families are new to Kerala are compiled and presented. Of these new taxa, 240 are new to the world flora, with six new genera, 190 new species, three new sub-species and 41 new varieties. The maximum number of new reports is from Orchidaceae with 118.9% increase in comparison with Gamble, followed by Zingiberaceae (88.2%) and Araceae (69.2%). The localities from where the maximum new reports are recorded are Silent Valley of Palghat District (36) and Chandanathode of Kannur District (33 ). Possible reasons for these are suggested. A complete list of References is provided for verification of details and further information about the additions to the Flora recorded.
