SEM studies on the testa surface pattern of two species of Bauhinia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

2 Pages·1996·1.7 MB·

by  S Bandyopadhyay

120 JOURNAL BOMBAYNATURALHIST. SOCIETY, Vol. 93 (1996)
SEM STUDIES ON THE TESTA SURFACE PATTERN OF TWO SPECIES OF
37.
BAUH1NIA (LEGUMINOSAE: CAESALPINIOIDEAE)
(With a text-figure)
SEM studies on the testa surfaee pattern of Materials and Method
some species of Bauhinia have been undertaken by
Trivedi<?fa/. (1980), Gunn (1991), Kauretcil. (1992), Mature seed samples were obtained from
Bandyopadhyay et al. (1993). In the present paper herbarium specimens deposited in CAL. For SEM
we have described the testa surface pattern of two the seeds were cleaned with cotton soaked in absolute
species, namely Bauhinia diphylla Symes and B. ethanol, air dried, mounted on metallic stubs with
&
vahlii Wight Arn. that have not been studied silverpaint aftercorrectly orientating them (see Gunn
earlier. 1991: 16) and then gold coated in an Edward sputter-
Fig. 1, a-d. Scanning electron micrographs of testa surface pattern,
a-b. B. diphylla: a, x 650; b, x 1300. c-d. B. vahlii c, x 3 00; d, x 600.
;
coater. Observations were made with PSEM 500 or Observations
PSEM
515 and the scanning electron micrographs B. diphylla (Fig. 1 a-b): The testa surface is
were taken from the central part of the seeds. pitted. The pits are closely situated and vary in size.
Specimens examined: B. diphylla: Kurz.2511\ They are elongated, slit-like or angular, sometimes
B. vahlii: Rao 23296. more or less circular and have fine striations around
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
121
them. encouragement, to the Scientist-in-Charge, R.S.I.C.
B. vahlii (Fig. c-d): The testasurface is pitted. and Dr. G.V.S. Murthy, Botanical Survey of India
1
The pits are closely situated and vary in size hut are for the use of SEM.
comparatively larger than those ofB. diphyllci. They
BANDYOPADHYAY
are angular to elongated, sometimes more or less April 8, 1995 S.
circular but rarely slit-like. Botanical Survey ofIndia,
P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah 711 103.
Acknowledgements K. THOTHATHRI
Plot No. 71, Indira Gandhi Street,
We
are grateful to the Director, Botanical Kaverirangan Nagar, Saligramam,
Survey ofIndia for providing necessary facilities and Madras. 600 093.
R EFERENTES
Bandyopadhyay. S., K. Thothathri & B.D. Siiarma (1993): On 205.
an interesting collection of Bauliinia (Leguminosae: Kaur, Harbans, R.P. Singh, A. Pal &. K. Sahai (1992):
Caesalpinioideae) from Arunachal Pradesh. J. Bombaymil. Morphology, spermoderm pattern and anatomy of some
Hist. Soc. 90(1): 120. See errata in ./. Bombay nal. Hist. Bauliinia species (Caesalpinioideae-Leguininosae). ./.
Soc. 90(2): 326. Indian hot. Soc. 71(1-4): 135-138.
Gunn, Charles R. (1991): Fruits and seeds of genera in Trivedi, B.S., G.D. Bagchi & Usha Bajpai (1980): Studies on
the subfamily Caesalpinioideae (Fabaeeae). U.S. Depart- seeds and spermoderm structure of Bauliinia.
ment of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin No. 1755: 200- Phytomorphology 30: 11-16.
38. KAEMPFERIA SIPHONANTHA KING EX BAKER (ZINGIBERACEAE) IN THE
ANDAMAN
ISLANDS
(With a text-figure
)
The genus Kaempferia L. is represented extinction as the natural habitats have already
by eight species and one variety in India deteriorated or are under destruction in view of the
(Karthikcyan 1989) of which K. siphonantha King proposed first ever hydroelectric project in the
ex Baker is endemic to the Andaman group of collection site.
islands (Vasudeva Rao 1986). Collected by King’s In the present communication, a description
collec-tor and later described by Baker in Flora of the species accompanied by an illustration (Fig.
British India (Hooker 1890). K. siphonantha King are given in order to facilitate easy identification
1 )
ex Baker is the only representative of the genus in and conservation in the field or by ex situ
the islands. conservation and propagation.
While on survey in Kalpong reserve forests Kaempferia siphonantha King apud Baker
in North Andamans, the first author collected in Hook, f., FI. Brit. Ind. 6: 222. 1890.
specimens of the species and confirmed its Herbaceous annuals up to 20 cm tall, no
CNH
identification after consulting at Calcutta and leafy stem. Root stock tuberous with slender
scrutiny of literature. The present collection of this root fibres. Leaves 3-4 in a tuft, leafblade up to 8-9
rare, vulnerable, herbaceous, endemic plant after a x 2-2.5 cm, oblong, acute, minutely crenate,
gap ofmore than a century indicates that the species glabrous, membranous, base unequal sided, sides
has not become extinct yet but is on the verge of rounded, oblique; petiole 8-9 cm long. Spike as long