Rediscovery at a new location of a rare grass, Cyrtococcum Sparsicomum (Nees Ex Steud.) A. Camus, in Tamil Nadu

3 Pages·1997·1.9 MB·

by  M B Viswanathan

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
177
1993) is suitable for mango cultivation. In addition monsoons, it was noticed and recorded that some
to these two species Mangifera sylvatica is also mango trees in South Andaman-flower and fruit
recorded in these islands. The mango has been throughout year and there are some quite old trees
introduced in these islands when settlers were which have not flowered yet. This flowering and
brought from different corners of India and also fruiting throughout year varies from low to moderate.
during the period when the Japanese ruled these The physiological and biochemical details are
islands and making these islands a rich source of required to be studied for this nature of flowering.
mango genetic material. This typical flowering behaviour of mango in
In the tropics the flower induction takes place Andamans can be due to uneven distribution of
during dry period. If this lasts long enough, about floreigen and other assimillates. Due to typical
four months then flowers will appear in the same tropical climate of these islands the minimum and
dry season. Otherwisebloomwill beduring therains maximum temperature range is very narrow which
which could prevent pollination and fruit setting. can also be a cause oferratic flowering but whatever
Generally mango tree flowers in December-January the cause may be, this typical flowering in mango
and fruiting takes place in April-July but there are can be utilized for an improvement programme.
some varieties which produce flowers twice a year
e.g. Neelum and some are irregular bearers e.g. January 19, 1996 D.B. SINGH
Malgoa. But while surveying in 1992-93 to select T.V.R.S. SHARMA
some promising clones which produces CentralAgricultural Research Institute,
physiologically mature fruits before the onset ofthe Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
References
Kostermans,A.J.G.R &J.M. Bompard(1993): Themangoes Parkinson, C.E. (1972): A forest flora of the Andaman
their nomenclature, horticulture and utilization. London. Islands, pp 139.
REDISCOVERY AT A NEW LOCATION OF A RARE GRASS, CYRTOCOCCUM
34.
SPARSICOMUM (NEES EX STEUD.) A. CAMUS, IN TAMIL NADU
{With one text-figure
)
The specimens of a grass species, collected Bor {l.c.) opines that the species seems to occupy an
under shade in the dry mixed deciduous forest ofthe intermediary position between Panicum and
MCPA
Alagarkovil of Dindigul Anna District in Cyrtococcum and they retained it in Panicum.
Tamil Nadu, were sent for identification to the Davidse (/.c.) corroborates the same and further says
Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, and thatthe spikelets lack the typical crest characteristic
identifiedby the grass expert, T.A. Cope, asPanicum for Cyrtococcum. On the otherhand, Fischer 1934
( ,
sparsicomum Nees ex Steud. The presentrecord is a 1957) and Senaratna (1956) followed A. Camus
rediscovery at adifferent location after its discovery treatment, i.e. Cyrtococcum sparsicomum (Nees ex
from Kodaikanal Ghats in Tamil Nadu. There is no Steud.) A. Camus, who effected combination based
specimen in MH. on slightly compressed and somewhatgibbous nature
Hook.f. (1896), Alston (1931), Bor (1960), ofthe spikelets. T.A. Cope (in litt.) states that “J.F.
Nair (1989) and Davidse (1994) followed the Veldkamp, author of grasses for flora malesiana
treatment ofPanicum sparsicomum Nees ex Steud. considers it as a true Cyrtococcum.” Even though
JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol.94 (1997)
178
Figs. A-L. Cyrtococcum sparsicomum (Nees ex Steud.) A. Camus - A. Habit; B. Spikelet flowering;
C. Spikeiet fruiting; D. Lower glume; E. Upper glume; F. First lemma; G. Palea; H. Second lemma; I. Palea;
J. Anthers: dorsal and ventral views; K. Ovary; and L. Caryopsis
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 179
the species occupies an intermediary position ± 215, 3.ii.l995. M.B. Viswanathan 17016; ± 450
between these two genera, the author accepts J.F. m, 4.ii.l995, M.B. Viswanathan 17027.
Veldkamp’s opinion because similarities are more
to Cyrtococcum rather than Panicum. Acknowledgements
Cyrtococcumsparsicomum (Neesex Steud.)
A Camus in Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. (Paris) I am grateful to theDirector andDr. T.A. Cope
27:118.1921; Fisher in Gamble, FI Pres. Madras of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, for
1786. 1934&3: 1237. 1957 (repr. ed.); Senaratna, identification. I am thankful to Mr. Vinay Tandon,
Grass. Ceylon 121:1956. Panicum sparsicomum Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health
Neesex Steud., Syn. PI. Glumac. 1 :83.1854; Hook.f., Traditions (FRLHT) Bangalore, for financial
FI. Brit. India 7:58.1896; Alston in Trimen, Handb. assistance for the Project and to Dr. N. Sukumaran,
FI. Ceylon 6 (Suppl.): 321.1931; Bor, Grass. Burma Professor and Head of our Centre, for continuous
Ceylon India Pakistan 330. 1960; Nair in Henry, help and encouragement.
Chithra and Balakrishnan, FI. Tamil Nadu Series 1:
Analysis 3:131.1989; Davidse in Dassanayake,/tev. June 996 M.B VISWANATHAN
17, 1 .
Handb. FI. Ceylon 7:344.1994. Sri Paramakalyani Centrefor
Specimens examined: Tamil Nadu: Dindigul Environmental Sciences
,
Anna District, Alagarkovil MPCA, Alagarmalai Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
;
R.F.: ± 475 m, 7.iii.l994, M.B. Viswanathan 3075; Alwarkurichi-627412.
35. SCURRULA PARASITICA LINN. PARASITIC ON CALLIANDRA SPP. AND ITS
MANAGEMENT
GKVK
Scurrula parasitica is an epiparasite on a at Campus ofthe University ofAgricultural
variety of economically important trees including Sciences, Bangalore, was also found parasitized by
ornamental trees of high aesthetic value. It spreads the same species.
on branches affecting bio-mass production ofits host As characteristic of any true parasite. S.
(William 1980). parasitica also does not kill the host immediately.
The genus Calliandra (Leguminosae: Only the branches of C. guildingi heavily infested
Mimosae) also called Trinidad Flame Tree is by S. parasitica succumbed ultimately, which
represented by a group ofornamental flowering trees effectively is in partial agreement with the
with handsome, hipinnate feathery leaves and observation made by Bidie in Fischer 1926, who
powder-puff like flowers. Calliandra guildingi wrote that the exotic plants invaded by the parasites
(tweedii) is a free flowering hardy tree blooming of Loranthii are killed. In the case only two of the
round the year. The flowers (anthers) are reddish- four branches infested by the parasite were killed,
purple. White flowered Calliandra speciosa is also which may be due to allelopathic effect, at a later
in cultivation. stage. The parasitized branches beyond the point of
In 1994, it was observed that C. guildingi cortical root development were thin with sparse
planted on either side of the front of the old flowers and presented a very sickly and dried
Agricultural College, Hebbal, Bangalore which had appearance at the tip, thus affecting both growth as
grown beyond their usual size, the tertiary branches well as its aesthetic value, while the parasite putting
stretching laterally,were invaded by the flowering forth a luxuriant growth looked like a leafy cascade.
parasite S. parasitica. Another species C. speciosa The parasite spread on all the branches and
grown near the entrance of the floriculture section established itself very well, at the cost of the host.