The Keystone Drypetes [<I>Drypetes confertiflora</I> (Hook.F.) Pax & Hoffm. (Euphorbiaceae)]: Notes on Ecology, Associations, Limits and Seed Germination

R. R. Rakesh; C. K. Somen; T. J. Roby; J. Mathew

doi:10.36808/if/2017/v143i2/113580

The Keystone Drypetes [Drypetes confertiflora (Hook.F.) Pax & Hoffm. (Euphorbiaceae)]: Notes on Ecology, Associations, Limits and Seed Germination

Authors

R. R. Rakesh Tree Physiology Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala
C. K. Somen Tree Physiology Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala
T. J. Roby Tree Physiology Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala
J. Mathew School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottyam, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2017/v143i2/113580

Keywords:

Drypetes confertiflora, Seed Germination, Endemic, Western Ghats.

Abstract

Drypetes confertiflora is strict endemic and a key stone species in the riparian zonations of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Kerala part of Western Ghats, persists on six remaining locations. This study assessed the status analysis and seed germination of this naturally vulnerable plant. The low reproductive success of D. confertiflora leads to the extinction of the species in the nearby future. Successful population reinforcement had been made by nursery techniques to conserve this species. The data presented in this paper would provide useful information for the conservation of this rare and endemic taxa.

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