Praseetha V.P., Prabhu Kumar K.M.*, Geetha S.P., Sadheeshnakumari S. & Indira BalachandranPlant Systematics & Genetic Resources Division & 'CMPR' Herbarium, Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya

Sala, Kottakkal, Malappuram - 676 503, Kerala, India.

*Corresponding author e-mail: prabhumkrishna@gmail.com

Abstract

The present study was carried out to understand the intraspecific floral variations in 14 genotypes of

Baliospermum solanifolium (Burm.) Suresh collected from different localities of South India. The

genotypes conserved in the field gene bank, Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala,

Kottakkal for 8 years were used for variability studies. Fifteen different floral characters such as length

of inflorescence, length of flower, pedicel length, length of sepal, breadth of sepal, length of stamen,

length of ovary, etc. of male and/or female flower, fruit and seed characters like length of fruit, pedicel

length of fruit, length of seed, breadth of seed etc. were observed on maturity, data recorded and

analyzed. Floral morphological variations were observed in characters such as length of male flower,

pedicel length of male flower, length of female flower, pedicel length of female flower, length of sepal of

male flower, breadth of sepal male flower, length of ovary, seed length and pedicel length of fruit.

Detailed description, ecology, distribution, biotic associations were provided along with colour

photographs and illustration.

Keywords: Anova, , danti, floral variabilityBaliospermum montanum

Introduction

The genus Blume belonging toBaliospermum

the family Euphorbiaceae, consists of 5 species

mainly distributed in tropical Asia (George et

al., 2008). Among these, 2 species and 7

varieties are present in India viz. B. calycinum

Mull. Arg. var. andcalycinum B. solanifolium

(Burm) Suresh., var. , ,bracteatum racemiferum

micranthum sinuatum corymbiferum calycinum, , ,

and . Of which, 3 varieties ofnepalense B.

solanifolium bracteatum racemiferumviz. var. , var.

and var. are endemic to Indiasinuatum

(Balakrishnan & Chakraborty, 2012).

B. solanifolium, known as Danti in Sanskrit, is an

important medicinal plant used for the

preparation of more than 20 different Ayurvedic

formulations like Chavikasavam, Kumaryasavam,

panchakoladikashayam, Prabhanjanavimardanam

kuzhampu, Danthyarishtam etc. (Iyer, 1983). The

leaves are good for asthma and bronchitis. The

seeds are drastic purgative, rubefacient,

hydragogue and stimulant and are useful in

vitated conditions of vata inflammations (Warrier

et al., 1993). They are also used for snake bite

(Chopra 1994).et al.,

Phytodiversity2014: Vol. 1 (1&2): 25-30

ISSN: 2349 - 7068

Taxonomic and floral variability studies on Baliospermum solanifolium(Euphorbiaceae)

The literature survey revealed that, the valid

name of Danti is Baliospermum solanifolium

(Burm.) Suresh since 1988 (IPNI; Plantlist;

Balakrishnan & Chakraborty, 2012). But most of

the researchers and taxonomists are still using .B

solanifolium B. montanumas a synonym of (George

et al., 2008). Morphologically the species shows a

high degree for phenotypic variation causing

great difficulties for identification especially in

varietal level. In this context, a detailed taxonomic

and floral variability study has been conducted.

Materials and Methods

As a part of the study, 15 accessions of B.

solanifolium were collected from different parts of

South India especially from Kerala, Tamil Nadu

and Karnataka region and they are successfully

conserved in the Field Genebank, Centre for

Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala,

Kottakkal, Kerala. This germplasm is the source of

specimen for the present study. Variability

studies have been carried out using floral

characters for the screening of genotypes.

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to

test the significance of variation between the

genotypes. The variances of the different

characters were estimated as per Singh &

Choudhary (1985). The coefficient of variations is

useful for comparing their relative variability

(Stansfield, 1991). Comparative performance of

the accessions of has been analyzedB. solanifolium

based on major growth characters. Voucher

specimens are deposited at CMPR herbarium for

future studies and references.

Results and Discussion

Taxonomic analysis

Baliospermum solanifolium (Burm.) Suresh in

Nicolson , Interp. Hort. Malab. 106. 1988.et al.

Synonyms: (Willd.)Baliospermum montanum

Muell.-Arg., Blume,B. axillare B. polyandrum

Wight, Willd.,Jatropha montana Croton solanifolius

Burmn. lobed. Capsule trigonous-globose (Fig. 3).

Vernacular Names:- Hindi: Danti, Hakum,

Jungli-jamalgota; : Dantika, Nagadanti,Mal

Neruvam; : Danti, Hakum; : Dantimul;Beng Guj

Kan: Danti, Kaduhalaru; : Danti, Dantimul,Mar

Jamalgota; : Harital; : Danti; :Nep Ori Sans

A n u k h e t i , A n u k u l a , B h a d r a , D a n t i k a ,

Erandapatri, Jayapala, Khumdhi, Mukunda,

Nagadanti, Nadasphota, Nikumbhi, Nishalya,

Nishakumbha, Pratyakaparni, Raktadanti,

Rechmi, Ruksha, Shighara, Taruni, Upachita,

Varahangi, Vishalaya; : Katamanakku,Tam

Niradimuthu, Nirethimuthu, Peyamanakku; :Tel

Ettadundiga, Kanakapala, Kondamudam,

Nelajidi.

Shrubs, 1-3 m tall, monoecious or dioecious; stem

corrugated, nodes and internodes present, young

branches green and pubescent, glabrous at

maturity, mature stem terete. Leaves 3 - 40 × 2 – 15

cm long, alternate, arise from the nodal region,

leaf blade serrate, palmately lobed, emarginate

and broadly ovate with reticulate venation,

abaxial side densely pubescent mainly along

veins, apex acute or obtuse. Petiole 1-13 cm,

stipulate, midrib prominent on both surfaces.

Inflorescence thyrsoid, 1-35 cm long, pubescent.

Male flower: staminate flowers 5-8 mm in

diameter, pedicel glabrous, 2-5 mm long, stamens

19-25 in number, 1-2 mm long, anther adnate, ca.1

mm long, reniform. Bracts small, hairy; sepal 5,

orbicular, irregular, 3 equal and 2 unequal in

length , 2×2 mm & 2×1 mm long, glabrous. Female

flower: inserted at base of male inflorescences,

pedicel 1-2 mm long, pubescent, flowers 4-6 mm

long; sepal 5, toothed, pubescent or glabrous;

stigma bifid, glabrous; ovary densely pubescent.

Fruit regma, trilocular, pubescent and calyx

persistent, stigma prominent. Seed ovoid or

ellipsoid, 6×4 mm long, smooth and mottled (Fig.

1-3).

Habit and Habitat: Usually seen in moist

deciduous forests as undergrowth, scrub jungles,

cultivated fields, roadsides, up to 1200 m altitude.

Biotic association: B. solanifolium is biotically

associated with other medicinal plants growing in

the region such as (L.) DC.,Desmodium gangeticum

Desmodium pulchellum Piper longum(L.) Benth., L.,

Pseudarthr ia v isc ida (L . ) Wight & Arn. ,

Gomphostemma heyneanum Wallich ex Benth.,

Curcuma pseudomontana EmbeliaGraham. and

tsjeriam- cottam ( Roemer & Schuites ) A. DC.

Phenology: December – March.

Distribution: Bangladesh, Nepal, India, China,

Myanmar, Thailand, Pakisthan, Bhutan, Sri

Lanka, Cambodia, Sumatra, Java, Celebes,

Molucca. Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan,India:

Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West

Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil

Nadu (George 2008; Balakrishnan &et al.,

Chakraborty, 2012)

Conservation status: isBaliospermum solanifolium

considered as a red listed/vulnerable/rare in

wild in Southern India (Rajasekaran & Ganeshan,

2002).

Variability study

15 morphometric flower characters were studied

biometrically and the mean, range, standard

deviation, coefficient of variation and CD were

calculated. From that data analysis, length of male

flower (1%), pedicel length of male flowers (1%),

length of female flower (1%), pedicel length of

female flower (1%), length of sepal male flower

(5%), breadth of sepal male flower (5%), length of

ovary (1%), seed length (5%), pedicel length of

fruit (1%), showed statistically significant

variation between accessions. Inflorescence is a

thyrsoid, showing a wide range of variation from

2-35 cm. Style present only in the flowers of

Accession No. 11. Approximate length of style is

ca. 2 mm (Fig.1 & Table 1).

26 Taxonomic and floral variability studies on (Euphorbiaceae)Baliospermum solanifolium

Praseetha V. P. . 27et al

Fig. 1: (Burm.) Suresh. A. Habit of male plant; B. Habit of femaleBaliospermum solanifoliumplant; C.-F. Variations observed on leaves; G; Male Flower; H. Female flower; I. Calyx of femaleflower; J. Calyx of male flower; K. & L. Stamens; M. Ovary with stigma; N. Fruit; O. Seed

28 Taxonomic and floral variability studies on (Euphorbiaceae)Baliospermum solanifolium

Fig. 02: Plant showing polygamo-dioecious condition. A. Monoecious twig;B. Male flowering twig; C. Female flowering twig

Praseetha V. P. . 29et al

Fig. 03: (Burm.) Suresh. A. Male flower; B. Female flower; C.Baliospermum solanifoliumCalyx of female flower; D. Calyx of male flower; E.Ovary with stigma; F. Ovary with shortstyle and stigma; G. Stigma; H & I: Stamens; J. Fruit; K. C.S. of fruit; L. Seed

Table 1. Variability of floral morphological characters of B. solanifolium

Sr. No. Characters Mean Range SD CV CD

1 Length of inflorescence (cm) 14.45 20.13-9.4 3.86 26.70 NS

2 Length of male flower (mm) 6.06 7.13-4.16 0.91 14.93 0.57

3 Pedicel length of male flower (mm) 3.69 4.16-3.01 0.48 13.14 0.59

4 Length of female flower (mm) 4.62 5.73-4.08 0.81 17.63 0.76

5 Pedicel length of female flower (mm) 1.84 2.71-1.38 0.43 23.44 0.45

6 Length of sepal male flower (mm) 2.02 2.08-1.91 0.05 2.37 0.11

7 Breadth of sepal male flower (mm) 1.98 2.06-1.9 0.06 3.11 0.12

8 Length of sepal female flower (mm) 2.06 2.13-2 0.04 1.85 NS

9 Breadth of sepal female flower (mm) 1.06 1.11-1.03 0.03 2.44 NS

10 Length of stamen (mm) 1.97 2.03-1.88 0.04 2.05 NS

11 Length of ovary (mm) 2.43 2.81-1.98 0.35 14.21 0.35

12 Length of fruit (mm) 9.59 10.1-9.16 0.38 3.93 NS

13 Pedicel length of fruit (mm) 4.92 5.68-4.15 0.44 8.96 0.43

14 Length of seed (mm) 5.96 6.21-5.66 0.20 3.37 0.38

15 Breadth of seed (mm) 4.11 4.83-4.01 0.24 5.83 NS

Conclusion

In recent years, variability studies play a major

role in the identification of plants which would

help us to understand the range of variations

occurred among the species. The present study

revealed that the plant shows some intraspecific

variations in its floral characters especially on its

stigma and this study is very helpful to the

researchers and scholars for the easy

identification of this taxon from other varieties.

Acknowlegements

The authors express their sincere gratitude to

TATA Trust, Mumbai for financial assistance and

authorities of Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal for

providing all the facilities.

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Micropropagat ion of Bal iospermum

montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg.-A Red

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The International Plant Names Index (IPNI)

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accessed on 15 Aug 2014.

30 Taxonomic and floral variability studies on (Euphorbiaceae)Baliospermum solanifolium

Received: 23.08.2014Revised & Accepted: 29.09.2014