BULL. BOT. SURV. INDIA

p~ Vol. 2, Nos. 3 & 4: pp. 341-346, 1960

BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN CAR NICOBAR AND NANCOURY ISLANDS

K. THOTHATHRI Botanist, Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Shibpore

ABSTRACT

The vegetation of Car Nicobar and Nancoury Islands are discussed. Car Nicobar is a flat island with an area of 126.8 square kilometres, while Nancoury is still a smaller island with hills and ridges. Evergreen forests and tidal mangrove forests are absent in Car Nicobar Island and the vegetation consists of beach forest, scrub jungle, low forest in the interior, and grass land. Unlike Car Nicobar, Nancouq Island has dense forest growth of the evergreen type. Plants growing near the shores constitute the beach forest here, while the tropical ever green forest is situated in the interior at a higher elevation. Plants of economic and medicinal importance are also described.

INTRODUCTION 93"30' and 93'40' East. Car Nicobar is a flat island The Andamans and Nicobars are two groups of with an area of approximately 126.8 square kilometres. islands, lying in the Bay of Bengal. The Nicobar group Nancoury is a smaller island with hills and ridges. The is composed of 22 islands with a total land area of 1605 ten degree channel that separates the Nicobar group of square kilometres. These islands form a link in the chain islands from that of Andaman, greatly accounts for the of islands that stretch up from Sumatra to the Arakan change in the floristic composition of the Nicobar Yomah and they are in all probability the remnants of a Islands. mountain range that connected Sumatra with the Arakan. Car Nicobar Island lies 185 miles south of Port Blair, between the latitudes of 9'00' 9"30' North and the longitudes of 92"30' and 92'50' East, while Nan- coury Island is situated still further south between the Geologically these islands are ~haracte~isedby the pre- latitudes of 7'50' and 8"10' North and the longitudes of sence of alluvial deposits and plutonic rocks. Polycistine

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%%, dt INDIAN OCEAN P L7 m3. BY. 342 BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA [Vol. 2 clay covers the greater part of these islands. According sandy beaches which are quite favourable for coconut to H. Rink of the Danish expedition, the Nicobar palms. The soil is sandy with plenty of humus formed Islands belong to the tertiary age. The climate is un- by dead and decaying vegetable matter. Patches of healthy. The islands are exposed to both the monsoons shrubs are found here and there, which attain a uniform and smooth weather prevails from February to April height. Plants like Clerodendrum viscosum with its red and also in October. Rain falls throughout the year, and white flowers, Ardisia solanacea. Scolopia spinosa, generally in sharp, heavy showers. The annual rain fall Callicarpa longifolia, Antidesma diandrum, Loranthus varies from 228.6 to 342.9 centimetres and the shade globosus var. andamanicus, Glycosmis pentaphylla var. temperature from 17.8 " to 33.3"C. insularis, Alchornea javensis, Tabei.naemontanu crispa and Casearia glomerata constitute these shrubby patches. Alchornea javensis grows in large populations. Eupato- rim odoratum is another shrub that is spreading rapid- Car Nicobar : The vegetation of Car Nicobar island ly in this zone. Nephrolepis exaltata a spreading fern, differs from other Nicobar Islands in two respects. The ffourisheswell under the shade of these shrubby plants. land being more or less flat, and the soil consisting of Occasionally trees like Pterocymbium tinctorium, Apha- sandy alluvium with rocks beneath, evergreen forests are nia montana were noticed growing amidst these shrubs. remarkably absent. Tidal forests dominated by man- A certain amount of forest growth was observed in groves, which are a common feature in Andamans and Lapati-jungle where the land is elevated. The forest is southern group of Nicobar Islands are also absent. In predominated by shrubs and shrubby trees with Panda- general the vegetation can broadly be classified into 1. nus tectorius and Calamus longisetw as the dominant The beach vegetation, 2. The inland vegetation consist- species. Few trees like Pterocymbium tinctorium and ing of scrub jungle and low forests. 3. Grass lands and 4. Cupania jackiana are not uncommon here. Principal The marine vegetation. Major portion of the land area shrubs constituting the forest growth are Securinega is occupied by coconut and areca-nut palms, which virosa, Scolopia spinosa, Callicarpa longifolia and grow more or less self-sown and are the principal source Casearia glomerata. Mixed with these shrubs are small of income to the natives of the island. trees like Miliusa sp., and Planchonia sp. etc. The forest Beach vegetation :In the sandy beach found all along floor is devoid of herbaceous undergrowth. Epiphytic the coast of the island, the foreground is marked by orchids are Aerides radicosum with its wnspicuous pink plants like Ipomoea pes-caprae, a trailing plant with flowered spike and Dendrobium anceps with its yellow- pinkish violet flowers, Phyla nodiflara and Acalypha ish white flowers. Lygodium flexuosum is a common indica. Immediately behind these plants are found a climbing fern in the forest. Piper betle is found spread- number of littoral shrubs. Scaevola frutescens with its ing on the ground as well as climbing over other plants. characteristic bright green foliage is the most dominant The vegetation towards the west of airstrip is of the vegetation here. Populations of Scaevola frutescens same character but devoid of tree growth, and is not so appear as a green hedge fringing the coast. Associated thick as in Lapati-jungle. Glochidion calocarpum, Melo- with it, are other shrubby plants like Desmodium um- chia umbellata, Desmodium umbellatum and Leea bellatum, Clerodendrum viscosum, Premna serratifolia. indica are the most common shrubs here. Small trees In Mus-jetty where there is a sudden elevation after the like Ficus hispida, Bridelia tornentosa and Grewia lae- sandy beach, plants like Zxora brunnescens,%elonium vigata grow among these shrubs. A few climbers such bifarium, Glochidion calocarpum grow very well. Olden- as Abrus precatorius and Dewis trifoliata were also landia paniculata and Chrysopogon aciculatus are the observed. Phymatodes scolopendria is a shrubby fern herbaceous plants growing under the shade of these growing under the shade of other plants, with the plants. The shrubby layer is followed by trees such as rhizome creeping in the forest floor and at times climbing Barringtonia asiatica, Terminalia catappa, Ficus rum- on tree trunks. This fern flourishes well at places where phii, Calophyllum inophyllum, Hernandia peltata, the soil is covered with litre and humus. Bruguiera gym- Syzygium samarangense and Pandanus tectorius. P. nowhiza. and Timonius jambosella are the important tectorius grows to a height of 10-13 metres supported mangrove plants growing in the marshy swamp, where by large stilt roots and is one of the dominant plants. the sea-water has gone interior forming small creeks near Barringtonia asiatica has been observed continuously Kimios. dong the coast from Malacca to Kimios, with its An interesting feature is the association of epiphytic branches heavily laden with the beautiful epiphytic fern ferns, found growing together on the branches of small Asplenium nidus. Cycas rumphii grows occasionally trees in Mus jungle. Vittaria elongata is one such fern here. with its characteristically long, slender, ribbon like Ialand vegetation : The inland vegetation is mainly fronds hanging downwards. The creeping rhizome is composed of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and areca-nut clothed with brown scales. Associated with it are Asple- (Areca catechu) palms which grow luxuriantly more or nium nidus with its spreading fronds, Pyrrosia longifolia less self-sown. The great abundance of coconut palms and Phymatodes scolopendria with its deepIy lobed in this island is due to the fact, that the island being in fronds. These ferns with their creeping rhizome and roots a rising condition, offer large expanses of calcareous form a thick mattress on the branches of trees. 19601 THOTHATHRI : BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN CAR NICOBAR AND NANCOURY ISLANDS 343

Grass-lahd and open vegetation : Grass-lands occur Bridelia tomentosa are the small trees here. Climbers are in patches wherever the land is open and free from fairly well represented in this forest and important coconut palms. Such grass-lands were observed in Mus, among them are Dinochloa andamanica, Dioscorea Chota-Lapati, way to Arong, and between Malacca and glabra, Anodendron paniculatum and Erycibe pani- Kakana. The most important and dominant grass that culata. Epiphytic orchid Luisia teretifolia is found perch- grows abundantly in these areas is Zmperata cylindrica ing upon the branches of small trees. The most interest- which is popularly known as 'Lalang' among the natives. ing feature observed in patches of grass land is the asso- It grows to a height of 5-6 feet and the leaves are used ciation of Dicranopteris lineariseand Lycopodium cer- by the natives for thatching their huts. Associated with nuum. The soil here is sandy and clayey with humus. this are Chlorjs inflata, Chrysopogon aciculatus, Scleria Lycopodium cernuum grows spreading on Dicranopteris cochinchinensis, etc. Twiners like Dregea volubilis linearis. Chloris inpata, Eragrostis zeylanica and Hetero- Tylophora indjca, Pericampylus glaucus and tendril pogon contortus are the important grasses in these climbers like Cayratia carnosa were also observed, grow- patches. Shrubs which grow in these grass lands are ing on small shrubs. Intermingled with these grasses are Helicteres angustifolia var. obtusa and Trema amboi- other herbaceous plants such as Stachytarpheta indica, nensis. Physalis minima, Euphorbia hirta, E. thymifolia, Plants of economic and medicinal importance : Coco- Oldenlandia umbeiiata and Aerva lanata. Shrubs and nut and areca-nut palms are the principal commercial trees are rare in this area except Ixora brunnescens, crops in Car Niwbar. Car Nicobar coconuts are famous Clerodendrum viscosum and Hyptis suaveolens which for their flavour and size. It also forms one of the staple are present occasionally. food for the Nicobarese. The fruits of Pandanus, which Marine vegetation : The sandy beach is fringed al- grows quite in large numbers on the coasts form another round with coral reefs and so a number of marine algae staple food to the natives. The orange coloured red pulp grow luxuriantly in tidal zones. The coral reefs are surrounding the individual fruit has a good flavour and periodically inundated by high tides. Members of the is safe to eat. Colacasia sp., with their large underground Chlorophyceae commonly occurring in these waters are rhizome rich in starch, are cooked and eaten by the Enteromorpha, Ulva, Codium, Halimeda, Cauler~a, Nicobarese. Banana (Musa sapientum) and bread fruit Dictyosphaeria, Acetabularia and Borgesenia. Phaeo- tree (Artocarpus incisa) are being cultivated in every phyceae is represented by Padina, Turbinaria and Sar- village to supplement the daily food of the Nicobarese. gassum. Liagora, Jania, Ceramium and Gracilaria cons- The leaves of 'Lalang grass' (Zmperata cylindrica) are titute the Rhodophyceae. Most of them remain attached used by the natives for thatching their huts. The seeds to the coral reefs and at times washed ashore by high of Calqphyllum inophyllum yield an oil which can be tides. Of these, Enteromorpha, Halimeda, Padina and used for making soaps and also for burning lamps. The Turbinaria occur most abundantly in these waters. following are the details of medicinally important plants Nancoury : Unlike Car Nicobar, the vegetation of with their respective uses. Premna serratifolia L. : decoc- Nancoury Island has dense forest growth of the ever- tion of the root is used in stomach-ache and liver com- green type. Plants growing near the shore constitute the plaints, while the decoction of the plant is used in rheu- beach forest and the tropical evergreen forest is situated matism and neuralgia. Pericarnpylus glaucus (Lam.) in the interior at a higher elevation. Patches of grass land Merr. : root of the plant is an antidote to snake poison. occur in the tropical forest. Mangroves such as Rhizo- Ophiorrhiza mungos L.: root is considered to be a phora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria remedy against the bites of venomous snakes and mad agallocha are found fringing the coast in swampy areas. dogs. Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook. f. : leaves The plants growing in the beach forest are mostly are used in boils and abscesses. Erycibe paniculata shrubby trees with a few trees and shrubs. Herbs are Roxb.: bark of this plant is given as medicine in markedly absent except a few grasses. Important plants cholera. Excoecaria agallocha L. : juice of the plant is that make up the forest growth here are species of boiled in oil and applied to rheumatism, leprosy, and Planchonella obovata, Cupania adenophylla, Gem- paralysis. Decoction of leaves is used in epilepsy and phandra andamanica, Erycibe paniculaa, Claoxylon ulcers. molle and Lannea corornnndelica, etc. Tree fern Also- Specimens of 70 species of plants were collected in phila albosetacea is of common cmmrence on the sides these islands with many duplicates of each. Plants which of small rivulets.. Dischidia benghalensis grows epiphyti- are mentioned in the vegetation account and are omitted call$ with hanging branches in this forest. from-enumeration,have been collected in the Andaman The tropical ever green forest in the interior is corn- Islands. Plants which have become new records are posed mainly of trees, with the shrubby vegetation little marked with an asterisk in the enumeration. The plants developed, The tree layer attains a height of 50-0 ft. have been carefully identified with the help of authentic and is immediately followed by another layer of small sheets, housed in the Central National Herbarium, Cal- trees and shrubs. Prominent plants in this zone are cutta. In enumerating the plants, the system of Bentham Pterocymbium tinctorium, Ternstroemia macrocarpa, and Hooker is followed. The species under each family Ficus indica, Aphania montana and Calophyllum sou- are arranged in an alphabetical order. Every attempt ha8 lattri. Muesa ~amf3ntUCeU,Bmringtonia racemosa and been made to bring the nomenclature upto date. BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA [VO~.2

ENUMERATION BIXACEAE *Scolopia spinoso (Roxb.) Warb. Syn. S. roxburgii Clos. Artican, Sawai, Car Nicobar, not common, in LYCOPODIACEAE flower (31-3-59), 5 M., 9353. Flowers have good smell. *Lycopodium cernuum L. Henkot, Nancoury, not common, in strobili (2-4-59), GUTTIFERAE 10 M., 9359. A terrestrial shrubby plant with the rhizome rooting at intervals and spreading on Calophyllum inophyllu~~tL. Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (23-3-59), Dicranopteris linearis. 2 M.,9309. Flowers have fragrant smell. CYATHEACEAE STERCULIACEAE Alsophila albosetacea Bedd. Helicteres angustifolia L. var. obt~saKing. Henkot, Nancoury, common, in sori (2-4-59). 8 M., Henkot, Nancoury, common, in flower and fruit 9360. A tree fern up to 3 M. (2-4-59), 12 M., 9364. Fruit clothed with light brownish stellate hairs. POLYPODIACEAE Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf Syn. M. velutina Phymatodes scolopendria (Burm.) Ching Syn. Pleo- Bedd. peltis phymatodes Moore. Near air-strip, Car Nicobar, common and abun- Kojoernga, Car Nicobar, rare, in sori (24-3-59), dant, in flower and fruit (24-3-59), 4 M., 9316. 6 M., 9318. A fern with the rhizome creeping in the Locally Known as 'Pinju'. forest floor and at times climbing on tree trunks, under the shade of shrubby trees. RUTACEAE *Pyrrosia longifolia (Burm.) Morton. Syn. Nipho- *Glycosnlis pentaphylla Corr. var. insularis V. Nara- bolus acrostichoides Rich. yanaswami. Mus, Car Nicobar, common and abundant, in sori Pasa bridge, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower (26-3-59), (28-3-59). 8 M., 9344. An epiphytic fern creeping 3 M., 9327. Plant parts smelling. on the branches of trees. JCACINACEAE OLEANDROIDEAE Gomphandra andamanica King. *Nephrolepis exaltata Schott. Hithuoui, Nancoury, not common, in flower Malacca, Car Nicobar, not common, in sori (2-4-59), 3 M., 9365. Flowers have good smell. (30-3-59), 3 M., 9349. VITACEAE ADIANTACEAE *Cayratia carnosa Gagnep. Syn. Yitis carnosa Wall. Vittaria elongata Sw. Near air-strip, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower and Mus, Car Nicobar, rare, in sori (28-3-59), 8 M., fruit (24-3-59), 3 M., 9314. 9343. An epiphytic fern hanging downwards from the branches of trees. It is found in association SAPINDACEAE with Pyrrosia longifolia, Asplenium nidus and Aphania montana Blume Syn. Sapindus montanus Phymatodes scolopendria. Blume. Kimios, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (27-3-59), 5 M., 9331. Cupanica adenophylla Planch. Syn. Arytera littoralis Blume. ANNONACEAE Henkot Nancoury, not common, in flower (2-4-59). 2 M., 9366. A littoral tree up to 10 M. tMiliusa sp. Cupania jackiana Hiern. Pasa Bridge, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower and fruit Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower and fruit (26-3-59), 3 M., 9328. (7-3-59), 3 M.. 9310, 9374. Fruit is red with one black seed inside which is covered with yellow MENISPERMACEAE caruncle. It is a favourite fruit for Nicobare pigeons. Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merr. Syn. P. incanus Miers. ANACARDIACEAE Chuppakara, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower (24-3-59), Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. Syn. Odina 6 M., 9320. wodier Roxb.

A ~ * Plants of new distribution. Hithuoui, Nancoury, rare, in flower (2-4-59), 3 M., t Plants under further studies. 9367. A littoral tree upto 8 M., high. 19601 THOTHATHRI : BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN CAR NICOBAR AND NANCOURY ISLANDS 345 LEGUMINOSAE SAPOTACEAE Derris trifoliata Lour. Syn. D. ulginiosa Benth. Planchonella obovata (R. Br.) Pierre Syn. Sidero- Between Kakana and Kimios, Car Nicobar, not xylon ferriigineum Hook & Arn. common, in flower (27-3-59), 2 M., 9337. Hithuoui, Nancoury, common, in flower (2-4-59). 3 M., 9369. A spreading littoral tree upto 10 M., RHIZOPHORACEAE with drooping branches. Bruguiera gymnorrhizu (L.) Lam. Between Kakana and Kimios, Car Nicobar, com- OLEACEAE mon, in flower and fruit (27-3-59), 2 M., 9335. A t Jasminum sp. Mangrove. Malacca, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower and fruit (30-3-59), 3 M., 9345. COMBRETACEAE Terminalia catappa L. ASCLEPIADACEAE Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower Dischidia benghalensis Coleb. (25-3-59), 2 M., 9321. Hithuoui, Nancoury, common, in flower (2-4-59), MY RTACEAE 2 M., 9357. An epiphyte hanging from the branches TPlanchonia sp. of trees. Tiltop near Sawai, Car Nicobar, common. in flower *Dregea volubilis (L. f.) Benth. ex Hook. f. (26-3-59), 6 M., 9330. Syn. Marsdenia volubilis (L. f.) Cooke. Mus-jetty, Car Nicobar, not common, in flower SAMYDACEAE (28-3-59) 8 M., 9342. *Casearia glomeruta Roxb. Kimios, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower and fruit *Tylophora indica (Burm.f.), Merr. Syn. T. usthmatica (27-3-59), 5 M., 9332. Wight & Arn. Kimios, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (27-3-59). RUBIACEAE 5 M., 9333. *Dentella repens (L.) Forst. Sawai, Car Nicobar, common, in flower and CONVOLVULACEAE fruit (31-3-59), 6 M., 9354. Fruit is clothed with Erycibe paniculata Roxb. glandular hairs. Hithuoui, Nancoury. rare, in flower and fruit Ixora brunnescens Kurz. (2-4-59), 3 M., 9361. Mus-jetty, Car Nicobar, common and abundant, in SOLANACEAE flower and fruit (28-3-59), 6 M., 9340. A littoral *Physalis minima L. shrubby tree with spreading branches upto 8 M. Near air-strip, Car Nicobar, common, in flower and *Oldenlandia n.itida Gamble fruit (24-3-59), 3 M., 9315. Near air-strip, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (24-3-59), 3 M., 9313. VERBENACEAE *O. paniculata L. Callicarpa longifolia Lam. Mus, Car Nicobar, common, in flower and fruit Artican, Sawai, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (25-3-59), 3 M., 9322. (31-3-59), 5 M., 9352. Ophiorrhiza mungos L. Clerodendrutn inerme Gaertn. Tiltop near Sawai, Car Nicobar, common, in flower Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (24-3-59). and fruit (26-3-59), 5 M., 9330. 2 M., 9319. Timonius jambosella Thwaites Syn. Polyphragma Premnn serratifolia L. Syn. P. integrifolia L. flavescens Kurz Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (23-3-59), Between Kakana and Kimios, Car Nicobar, com- 2 M., 9305. man and abundant, in flower and fruit (27-3-59), 2 M., 9334. A big shrub upto 6 M., growing in LABIATAE mangrove creek. Hyptis suaveolens Poit. Webera kurzii Hook. f. Lapati, Car Nicobar, not common, in flower Kakana, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (27-3-59), (7-3-59, 8 M., 9372. 4 M., 9336. Henkot, Nancoury, common, in flower NYCTAGINACEAE (2-4-59) 12 M., 9363. Boerhuavia difiusa L. Air-strip. ~irNicobar, common, in flower (30-3-59), MYRSINEAE 3 M., 9346. Ardisia solanacea (Poir.) Roxb. Syn. A. humifis Vahl. Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower and fruit AMARANTHACEAE (23-3-59), 2 M., 9306. Aerva lonata Juss. Pasa-bridge, Car Nicobar, common, in flower * Plants of new distribution. t Plants under further stud~es. (26-3-59), 3 M., 9326. 346 BULLETIN OF THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA HERNANDIACEAE Hernandia peltata Meissn. Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (31-3-59), ORCHIDACEAE 3 M., 9355. Fruit, a dark coloured drupe is found *Aerides radicosum A. Rich. inside a greenish white globular receptacle with a Bada-Lapati, Car Nicobar, not common, in flower circular opening at the top. (26-3-59), 20 M., 9324. An epiphytic orchid with velamen roots and beautiful pink flowers. LORANTHACEAE Dendrobium ancegs Sw. *Loranthi~sglobosus Roxb. var. andammicus King. Pasa-bridge, Car Nicobar, not common, in flower Malacca, Car Nicobar, rare, in flower (30-3-59), (5-3-59), 8 M., 9371. An epiphytic orchid with 3 M., 9347. yellowish white flowers. EUPHORBIACEAE Luisia teretifolia Gaud. *Acalypha indica L. Chong-pi. Nancoury, common, in flower (2-4-59), Malacca. Car Nicobar, common, in flower (3 1-3-59), 3 M., 9358. An epiphytic orchid with cylindrical 2 M., 9356. leaves. *Antidesma diandrum Roth. Malacca, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (female) CYPERACEAE (30-3-59), 4 M., 9350. *Scleria cochinchinensis Druce. Syn. S. elata Thwaites Alchornea javensis Muell.-Arg. Pasa-bridge, Car Nicobar, common, in flower Malacca, Car Nicobar, common and abundant (31-3-59), 6 M., 9351. under the shade of coconut-palms, in flower (Male), in flower and fruit (Female) (23-3-59), 2 M., 9307 GRAMINEAE (Female), 9308 (Male). Locally known as 'Tam- Chrysopogon aciculatus Trin. fathu' ; a medicinal plant used by Nicobarese for Mus, Car Niwbar, common, in flower (25-3-59), children's diseases. A native of Philippines. 5 M., 9323. *Claoxylon indicum Hassk. Imperata cylindrica Beauv. Syn. I. arltndinacen Malacca, Car Niwbar, common, in flower (30-3-59), Cyrill, 3 M., 9348 : Hithuoui, Nancoury, not common, in Mus, Car Nicobar, common and abundant, in flower flower (female) (2-4-59), 3 M., 9370. (28-3-59), 8 M., 9341. Locally known as 'Lalang' Excoecaria agallocha L. grass. Leaves are used by Nicobarese for thatching Hithuoui, Nancoury, common, in flower (2-4-59), their huts. 3 M., 9368. A littoral shrubby tree with milky latex. Gelonium bifarium Roxb. Mus-jetty. Car Nicobar, common, in flower (28-3- The author expresses his grateful thanks to Dr. J. C. 591, 6 M., 9339. Flowers have good smell. Sea Gupta Chief Botanist, Botanical Survey of India for Glochidion calocarpum Kurz having given an opportunity to undertake an explora- Thumbat, Car Nicobar, common and abundant, in tion of this kind and also for the constant encouragement flower and fruit (24-3-59), 5 M., 9317. Seeds are and enthusiasm, hc has shown during the course of this beautiful scarlet in colour. work. My sincere thanks are also due to Dr. S. K. Securinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Pax. & Hoffm. Mukerjee? Keeper, Central National Herbarium, for Syn. FIuggea microcarpa Blume kindly going through the manuscript and making valu- Lapti, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (26-3-59). able suggestions. 8 M., 9325,9373. BIBLIOGRAPHY ULMACEAE *Trema amboinensis Blume 1. HOOKER,J. D.-Flora of British India. London, 1-7, 1872-1897. Henkot, Nancoury, not common, in flower (2-4-59), 2. KURZ,S.-Descriptions of new plants from the Nicobar 17 M., 9362. Islands. J. Bot.. Lond., 321-333, 1875. 3. -- A sketch of the vegetation of the Nicobar Islands. MORACEAE J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., 45(3): 105-164, 1876. 4. PARKINSON,C. E.-A forest flora of the Andarnan Islands, Ficus rumphii Blume Simla, 1923. Mus-jetty, Car Nicobar, common, in flower (28-3- 5. PRAIN,D.-On a botanical visit to Little-Andaman and 59), 6 M., 9338. A littoral tree attaining 10 to 15 M. the Nicobars. Proc. As.inf. Soc. Bena.. 156-175. Dec., height. 6. RA&A, M. B.-Name changes in common Indian plants. ?Ficus sp. Indian For., 84(8).: 467-538, 1958. 7. - Name changes In common Ind~an-grasses. Indinn For., Malacca, Car Niwbar, common. in flower (23-3-59), 85(8) : 473-509; 1959. 3 M., 9312. Green hypanthodia and yellow syconia. 8. SAHNI,K. C.-Botanical exploration in the Great Nicobar. Indian For., 79(1): 3-7, 1953. * Plants of new distribution. 9. SANTAPAU,H.-The Flora of KhanQla on the Western t Plants under further studies. ghats of India. Rec. but. Scrrv. India, 16(1): 1-396, 1953.