Vol. 18 No. 11 (2003): November
Catalogue

Endemic Meliolas and Meliolas on endemic plants in Western Ghats, India

Published 2003-11-21

Abstract

The Western Ghats consists of about 4000 species of flowering plants, of which about 1500 are endemic to the area.  India harbours abut 500 Meliolaceae members belonging to the genera Amazonia, Asteridiella, Appendiculella, Irenopsis, Meliola and Prataprajella.  Of these, 409 taxa with all the representative genera of Meliolaceae in India are known from the Western Ghats.  They are categorised thus: 277 Meliolaceae members endemic to the Western Ghats which occur on 306 hosts and 78 Meliolaceae members which occur on 66 hosts and 78 Meliolaceae members which occur on 66 hosts endemic to the Western Ghats.  One hundred and thirty Meliolaceae members show their phytogeographical affinity with all the six continents except Antarctica.  Meliolaceae members are predominantly ectophytes, having superficial mycelium with lateral appressoria; phialides unicellular and ampulliform; setae simple or branched; perithecia globose or flattened-globose; asci unitunicate and early evanescent; ascospores brown, 3-4 septate, germinate on compatible hosts by producing appressoria.