Dear Tanay, many thanks for quick answers. The intent of getting answers to these two queries may not resolve to the true ID, but am looking out for any better markers which will differentiate the two species in an easier manner (in any circumstances).
An interesting article at http://www2.bioversityinternational.org/publications/pgrnewsletter/article.asp?id_article=4&id_issue=135 ... about 50 different species of *Dioscorea* in India. ... taxonomy of quite a few species in this genus is considered to be problematic ... which is attributed to its highly continuous variability of morphological characters, especially of aerial parts, such as leaves and bulbils First query's answer is here and few more places. The answer sought is the difference in the bulbils (if *D. belophylla* grows any). Flora of North America ... http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200028093 describes *D. bulbifera* ... putting a special part of it here: ... Staminate inflorescences axillary, borne singly, spicate or paniculate, cymose, to 70 cm; *cymes reduced to 1 sessile bracteolate flower*, .... This description itself is rare to find, and thus comes the feeling that such happening could be rarer !! Hence had posted my second query to get answer from practical experience in Konkan and Western Ghats. Many thanks once again, dear Tanay. Regards. On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 5:46 PM, tanay bose <[email protected]> wrote: > Dear Dinesh Ji, > > I am just trying to answer your queries with my limited knowledge. > > > > *1. **Are the aerial bulbils only to be seen in D. bulbifera?* > > *Ans.* No, as far as know *Dioscorea *bulbifera is not the only plant to > have bulbils couple of other do have too. One common example coming to mind > is *Dioscorea oppositifolia *which also has bulbils which are sometimes > used as food. Kindly see from the link below. > > http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=296 > > > > *2. **The staminate flower, appears solitary, would that happen in D. > bulbifera ?* > > *Ans. **Male inflorescence** *pendulous, 1-4 from the axil of a bract, up > to 1 m long with up to 100 flowers; flowers pinkish green to white, where as > *Female inflorescence** *pendulous, 1-2 per leaf axil, with about 40 > flowers; flowers pedicellate, tepals free. > > > > Hope will answer your questions to some extent, may other members put down > if anything more is in their knowledge. > > > > Regards > > Tanay > > > On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 3:22 PM, Dinesh Valke <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Dear Prashant, ... certainly Milind ji's ID must be correct. >> In your photos, aerial bulbil is seen, though not in focus ... pointing to >> *D. bulbifera*. >> >> My query: >> 1) ... are the aerial bulbils only to be seen in *D. bulbifera* ? >> 2) ... the staminate flower, appears solitary ... would that happen in *D. >> bulbifera* ? >> >> Based my ID with following: >> 1) ... male-flowered raceme of *D. bulbifera* ... >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/3871528410/ >> 2) ... female-flowered raceme of *D. belophylla* ... >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/4787506842/ >> >> >> Regards. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 2:25 PM, Prashant awale <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> Dear Friends, >>> Response from Dr. Milind Sardesai ji... >>> >>> "It is Dioscorea bulbifera only. There is great variation range one can >>> observe in Dioscorea". >>> >>> Thanks Dr Milind ji & Dinesh ji. >>> regards >>> Prashant >>> >>> On 7/27/10, Dinesh Valke <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Dear Prashant ... my mistake earlier. >>>> This indeed is, *Dioscorea belophylla* ... here seen is the male >>>> flower. >>>> >>>> ... Male spikes 2.5-4 cm long, 1-2 together in the axils or sometimes >>>> forming leafless panicles; stamens 6, all antheriferous. >>>> Reference: Flora of Pakistan ... >>>> http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=242422012 >>>> >>>> Regards. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 10:05 AM, Pinki <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> i dont know this plant but have a query regarding Dioscorea >>>>> belophylla. where in north India i can find Dioscorea belophylla >>>>> plant...? >>>>> >>>>> On Jul 25, 10:49 am, tanay bose <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> > Think this not *Dioscorea belophylla *Prasant Ji, kindly wait for >>>>> more >>>>> > responses. >>>>> > Tanay >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> >>>>> > On Sun, Jul 25, 2010 at 8:21 PM, Prashant awale <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> > > Dear Friends, >>>>> > >>>>> > > Came across this Climber on the way to Prabalgad. Could this be >>>>> *Dioscorea >>>>> > > belophylla*? Pl. validate the ID. >>>>> > >>>>> > > Date/Time: 25-07-2010/ 03:25PM >>>>> > >>>>> > > Location: On the way to Prabalgad (Panvel region). >>>>> > >>>>> > > Habitat: Wild >>>>> > >>>>> > > Plant Habit:Climber >>>>> > >>>>> > > Flower to small, hardly 2 to 4mm, creamy white. >>>>> > >>>>> > > regards >>>>> > > Prashant >>>>> > >>>>> > -- >>>>> > Tanay Bose >>>>> > +91(033) 25550676 (Resi) >>>>> > 9830439691(Mobile) >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> > > > -- > Tanay Bose > +91(033) 25550676 (Resi) > 9830439691(Mobile) > > >
