Dear All, Sometime back photo of Flemingia sp. on Kaas was circulated and I had ided it as Flemingia nilgheriensis based on BSI flora key as it has tuberous roots, which i have myself verified from that site as well as from nearby plateaus in Mahabaleshwar. But later people wrote it as F. gracilis and I did not contest it for lack of some references. However, I have gone through my data and the recent book by Mishra and Singh (2001) on Endemic and threatened flowering plants of Maharashtra and I am strongly of opinion that it is Flemingia nilgheriensis (Baker) Wight ex Cooke.
Mishra and Singh mention differentiating characters F. gracilis : as leaves nigro-punctate beneath F. nilgheriensis: as not nigro-punctate beneath Those visiting Kaas at present can verify this. However, I find the character of tuberous roots much more dependable. The other localities they have mentioned are Kalsubai, gothane, Kaas, Mahabaleshwar and Phonda ghat. With the exception of Kalsubai, I have seen this plant in all the other localities mentioned and areas adjacent to it and hence feel certain that this plant is Flemingia nilgheriensis. Also knowing Dipak K. Mishra's identification work, I tend to trust his opinion. I am unable to comment on F. gracilis, never having seen its material. The only three localities mentioned by Mishra for it are Porcupine point (Matheran), Khandala, Lonavla (Sakharpathar plateau- which on way to Sahara amby valley project). and the original collection is by Bell from 1918 from Castle Rock (Karnataka). Those visiting these localities can try getting the material and identifying it again vs that on the above localities. It would also be necessary to read up the original and subsequent descriptions of both the species to search for more clues to confirm- I again miss having access to the good libraries and literature. Maybe those in ARI/BSI/BNHS can check up. To reiterate, with the present knowledge, my belief is that the kaas Flemingia is F. nilgheriensis. aparna -- Dr. Aparna Watve Asha Appt, Shanti Nagar, Ekata Colony Nr. BSNL tower, Akbar Ward, Seoni.480661 tel: 07692-228115 mobile: (0)9755667710 and 9822597288 still works --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
