Abstract

The present communication reports an update on the distribution of three endemic tree species of the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, namely, Atuna indica (Bedd.) Kosterm., Paracroton integrifolius (Airy Shaw) N.P.Balakr. & Chakrab. and Phaeanthus malabaricus Bedd. The discovery of these taxa in the Makutta Ghat of Kodagu District results in the extension of their northern range limits and further enriches the flora of Karnataka state by three more tree species. Within the Western Ghats, these taxa were previously recorded only from the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, while Paracroton integrifolius (Airy Shaw) N.P.Balakr. & Chakrab. has also been recorded from Sri Lanka. Nomenclature updates, detailed descriptions, conservation status and relevant notes on the habitat, phenology and distribution localization are supplied. Additionally, field photographs and scanned herbarium specimens are provided to facilitate easy identification of these taxa in the field.

Highlights

  • During our routine floristic exploration trips to Kodagu forests intended to strengthen and update the ‘flora Karnataka’ online database (Digital Flora of Karnataka 2014), the evergreen woody species, Atuna indica (Bedd.) Kosterm., Paracroton integrifolius (Airy Shaw) N.P

  • The genus Paracroton Miq. (Euphorbiaceae) comprises five species (The Plant List 2014) of which two species P. integrifolius (Airy Shaw) N.P.Balakr. & Chakrab. and P. pendulus subsp. zeylanicus (Thwaites) N.P.Balakr. & Chakrab. are endemic to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India and Sri Lanka (Nayar et al 2006; Balakrishnan et al 2012), and the genus Phaeanthus Hook.f. & Thomson (Annonaceae) comprises 16 species distributed throughout the world (The Plant List 2014), one species of which, namely, P. malabaricus Bedd. is endemic to the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

  • The present study establishes the extension in distribution range of these species from the earlier mentioned locations to newer sites in the Western Ghats in Karnataka

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Summary

Introduction

During our routine floristic exploration trips to Kodagu forests intended to strengthen and update the ‘flora Karnataka’ online database (Digital Flora of Karnataka 2014), the evergreen woody species, Atuna indica (Bedd.) Kosterm., Paracroton integrifolius (Airy Shaw) N.P. Balakr. Were discovered from the evergreen forest of Makutta Ghat along with other endemic species including Orophea malabarica Sasidh. Are endemic to the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India (Nayar et al 2006).

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