I just glanced
through the message posted by Dr. Rajaraman on Capparis sps. It has been
identified by many members of the group as C.rheedii and supposed to be endemic
to western ghats. If this plant is endemic to the w.ghats it should have
been included in the Gamble Flora of Madras Presidency, which
includes plants from Western ghats as well, either in the same name or as a
synonym. But I donot find any such plant name in the Gamble flora.
Furthermore, the experts who have identified it as C.rheedii have not given the
synonyms, not found even in the flowers of India. The limited descriptions
provided by Dr Rajaraman, when checked, roughly tallies with Capparis
brevispina described in Gamble flora. But this is not a
confirmation as the full description of the plant is not available.
Looking forward for further comments by the experts as to (a) why C.rheedii
is not mentioned in the Gamble flora or (b) Whether C. brevispina has been
identified as C.rheedii or (c) C.rheedii is a new inlcusion to Capparis group
Dr. Mahadeswara swamy
