Endemism in Indian Grasses-Tribe Andropogoneae

Abstract

The paper deals with endemism in the grass tribe Andropogoneafe in India. Out of about 1150 species of grasses occurring in India, 350 species belong to Andrcpogoneae.

An analysis of the floras of regions adjacent to India shows that out of 329 species of Andropogoneae 151 are endemic to India, giving a percentage of 45.89. Out of these endemic species of Andropogoneae, 102 are confined to Peninsular India, 16 to Northeastern India, 12 to North-western Himalayas, 10 to Upper Gangetic Plain, 8 to the Indus Plain and North-western India and 3 to rest of the country.

Species which extend beyond the boundaries of India show affinity primarily with Africa Studies on endemism are important for conservation of rare taxa.