v7i2.176

ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v7i2.176

Submitted date: 15 July 2014
Accepted date: 28 July 2014
Published date: 20 February 2015
Pp. 103–104, Pl. 11.

Elaeocarpus aristatus (Elaeocarpaceae): New for southern India

D.F. Irudhyaraj & R. Raju*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: racprabha@yahoo.com

Species of Elaeocarpus L. (Elaeocarpaceae Juss.) are characteristically trees or shrubs distributed from Madagascar in the west to Fiji and Hawaii in the east; of the some 350 recognized species, the greatest concentration of species is found in Borneo and New Guinea. Most species of Elaeocarpus are large to medium-sized trees with buttressed root (in mature individuals) bearing raceme inflorescences with beautiful, fragrant flowers. Many species of Elaeocarpus are economically important as a source of timber, edible fruits, decorative seeds, and even as medicinals. Out of the some 120 species reported from Asia, 25 occur in India. In India, the species of Elaeocarpus are confined mostly to northeastern and southern India with a few species restricted to the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Six species, viz. E. blascoi Weibel, E. gaussenii Weibel, E. glandulosus Wall. ex Merr., E. munroii Mast., E. recurvatus Corner, and E. venustus Bedd. are endemic to southern peninsular India.

Section Editor: James L. Reveal