Distribution, morphology and ecology of Piper species in Karnataka, India

Abstract

Collections of the genus Piper occurring widely in the forests of Karnataka, India were made. These consisted of eight species, P. nigrum Linn., P. longum Linn.,P. attenuatum Buch--Ham., P. galeatum C. DC, P. trichostachyon C. DC, P. argyrophyllum Miq., P. hymenophyllum Miq., and P. brachystachyum Wall. The various species showed considerable variation in distribution habitat preference, ecology, and morphology. All these Piper species were unisexual and dioecious, though the cultivated varieties of P. nigrum are bisexual. The two morphologically similar taxa, P. galeatum and P. trichostachyon, showed adjacent distiibution. The genus showed senescence in distribution.

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Citation

J.Plantn.Crops 1979 v-7 i-2 p-93-100

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