Abstract

RANJAN KUNDU, Subir. Asynopsis of polygalaceae in Indiansubcontinent: Its distribution and endemism. Acta Bot. Venez., June 2009, vol.32, no.1, p.63-77. ISSN 0084-5906.

A preliminary checklist of Polygalaceae in Indian subcontinent has been prepared on the basis of primary observations of different taxa belonging to this family in wild habitats and on secondary observations based on examined herbarium specimens and taxonomic lite­rature. On the Indian subcontinent (comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pa­kistan, Sri Lanka and India), the family Polygalaceae is poorly represented (6.37% of global distribution). The present paper deals with a brief review of distribution, phytoendemism, possible fossil ancestry, economic potential and survival threat on existing taxa. The present status of phytoendemism of Polygalaceae in Indian subcontinent (35.29% in 2002-2007) has been compared to the data of previous investigations (21.87% in 1939-1940) done in the XX century. The increasing rate of endemism either indicates towards increasing number of en­demic taxa or decreasing span of distribution of pan-endemic taxa belonging to this family. For a better understanding of the functional aspects of species dynamics the percentage of rate of endemism of a particular group of plants has been used as key index here. The growing on same geographical location has been recorded in different time intervals and has further been considered to narrate the academic studies in form of qualitative economic appraisal of renewable resources for ensuring its conservation sustainable utilization.

Keywords: Endemism; Indian subcontinent; Polygalaceae.