Reappraisal of the genus Cycas L. (Cycadaceae) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

The genus Cycas is reviewed for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. C. andamanica, C. darshii and C. sainathii have been treated as synonyms of C. pschannae, C. spherica and C. zeylanica respectively. Records of C. darshii from Botanic garden Culcutta have been shown to described on the basis of plant under cultivation and claimed natural population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands without any supportive evidence. A taxonomic note a brief discussion on its distribution is also discussed here. Morpho-anatomical and palynological data of C. zeylanica described here is for the first time. A key to the species of Cycas from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also provided.