Taxonomic Studies on Indian Guttiferae III. the Genus <I>Garcinia</I> Linn. S.l.

Abstract

The paper deals with the taxonomic treatment of the genus Garcinia Linn, (including Xanthochymus Roxb.) as occurring in India. The study was undertaken with a view to enumerate the wild types of Indian Garcinias that produce the 'gummi-gutt' or gamboge of commerce and which may be utilized in the improvement of the fruit of mangosteen (G. mangostana Linn.). Thirty five species are recognized in the area, of which thirty one species occur wild ; the rest are introduced into cultivation. Ten species are restricted to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. One Burmese species, G. loniceroides T. Anders., has been discovered in Assam. A new variety of G. echinocarpaThwaites, namely var. monticola Mahesh., is reported from southern India. These are described in detail and their synonymy, distribution, uses, vernacular names, etc. are ascertained. A key to the species is presented.G. eugeniaefolia Wall, ex T. Anders., is incorporated in G. brevirostris Scheff. G. ovalifolia Hook.f. var. macrantha T. Anders, (syn. G. malabarica Talb., non Desr.) is raised to specific rank as G. talbotii Raiz. ex Santapau. G. affinis Wall, ex Pierre, G. pictoria Roxb., and G. acuminata Planch. & Triana, are treated as distinct species. T. Anderson (1874) in the Flora of British India has united G. kydia Roxb. with G. cowa Roxb. It is concluded here that these species should be kept separate. The details are discussed in this paper.