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Systematic Studies of Family Combretaceae In Thiruvananthapuram

District, Kerala, India

Anakha B. S.* and A.R. Viji

PG Department of Botany

Iqbal College, Peringammala, Thiruvananthapuram-695563
Email of Corresponding author: anakhabs2013@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The present study is an attempt to document species diversity of the family

Combretaceae occurring in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala based on fresh field
investigations and by referring published data. It also aimed to identify the endemic and

medicinally important species coming under the family and to provide effective identification
key and accurate field information for an easy recognition of the species. During the course

of the study, 12 field trips were conducted to different forest and non-forest areas of the study
region which leads to the collection of 112 herbarium specimens belonging to the family

Combretaceae along with their photographs and field notes. The study confirmed the

occurrence of 13 species under 6 genera in the study area. Of these 6 genera of the family, the
genus Terminalia L. is the largest one in the study area having 7 species. Quisqualis

malabarica Bedd., Terminalia paniculata Roth. and T. travencorensis Wight ex Arn. are the

endemic species in the study area. During the study an attempt has been made to gather
indigenous information about the uses of Combretacean members which reveals out of 13

species recorded from the study area 11 species are widely used medicinally, culinary and
ornamentally. The various members contain flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins and alkaloids.

Several species are valued as timber tree in various markets. Some are edible, important
ornamental plants and also for tanning and dyeing purposes.

Key words: Combretaceae, Identification key, Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

INTRODUCTION

Combretaceae, the white mangrove or Indian Almond family is the major group of

angiosperms has about 600 species in 20 genera (Rao & Ramayya, 1984; Daniel, 2009),

distributed mainly in the subtropical and tropical regions of the world. In India the family is
represented by 8 genera and 45 species, chiefly from Assam and West Bengal. Common

Indian genera are: Combretum, Terminalia, Quisqualis, Calycopteris and Lumnitzera. The

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