Epiphytes and Parasites of Kerala, India

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was established in 1992 with the objectives of conservation, sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from utilization of the genetic resources of biodiversity. To achieve these objectives there is an unequivocal need for taxonomic information. The significance and importance of urgent exploration and documentation of the genetic resources of the country is more especially in the context of enforcement of the conditions of the CBD, CITES, GATT, TRAFFIC, TRIPs, etc. India is blessed with extraordinary biological richness and diversity, and includes two megadiversity centres. But our biota is inadequately known and covered by current research. There is a need to document biodiversity across the region immediately, and particularly in a number of ecosystem types that are under massive threat from a variety of anthropogenic causes. But it is pathetic to see that to this date documentation of biodiversity of our country is not completed. Present book is with an objective of documentation of two unique groups of angiosperms–epiphytes and parasites–of the Kerala State. The tiny state of Kerala possesses diverse climatic conditions harbouring varied types of vegetation due to its isolation from the Deccan plateau by the western ghats. Occurrence of the epiphytes and parasites has been observed from the sea level to the highest peak (2695 m). This book deals with a total of 209 taxa of true epiphytes and parasites of flowering plants belonging to 64 genera and 16 families. The species are classified according to the Bentham and Hooker's system of classification, with necessary alterations and additions as proposed by Hutchinson. Artificial keys to the families, genera and species are also provided. Each species is provided with detailed updated nomenclature citation, local names if any, detailed description, data on phenology, distribution, chromosome numbers if known, pertinent notes if any, and details of specimens studied. The comprehensive floristic account will be of immense use to the botanists, agriculturists, foresters, phytochemists, nature conservationists, and to all those scientists working in other allied disciplines.