Page 57 - e-Book

Field exploration:

Exploration trips were conducted to different ecological settings and vegetation types

in different seasons in the study area. During field trips almost all the species were collected

along with their associates. The data regarding the habit, habitat, flowering, fruiting etc. were
recorded in the field itself along with photographs and collected plants specimens were

carefully studied in fresh condition.

Preparation of herbarium:

The plant specimens collected for herbarium purpose were processed as per the procedures

(Jain and Rao, 1977 ; Bridson and Forman, 1991).The materials for herbarium were handled

with 1:3 mixtures of ethyl alcohol and formaldehyde which fix the tissues of the specimen
immediately. Later these specimens were spread out neatly between the blotting papers and

kept under the plant press. To avoid any fungal attack, the specimens were treated by dipping
in solution of mercuric chloride in ethyl alcohol (25g/l) and again put in a blotter for proper

drying. After the specimens processed, they were mounted on the herbarium sheets using

fevicol. For giving mechanical strength to the specimens two or three stiches were done and
also to keep the leaves and flowers intact. Voucher specimens were deposited in the

herbarium of Department of Botany, Iqbal College (ICT) for future reference.

Identification:

The collected plant parts were analyzed, critically studied by using microscope and identified

with the help of monographs, floras and revisionary works. The specimens were provisionally
identified using authentic literature and monographs (Mohanan & Henry, 1994) and later

cross matched with specimens including types deposited at herbaria, virtual herbarium of K,

E, L, P, BM, U, MO, LINN etc. For nomenclature clarification ICN for algae, fungi and
plants was used.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The study has been taken up to bring out a comprehensive account on the family

Combretaceae in Thiruvananthapuram district by conducting field study and by referring
published data. The study confirmed the occurrence of 13 species in the study area under 6

genera. During the course of study, 12 field trips were conducted to different forest and non-
forest areas of the study area. About 112 specimens belonging to the family Combretaceae

are collected for herbarium preparation and for future reference. The taxonomic studies
encompass morphology, systematic and nomenclature treatment and ecology. Photographs

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