Pleione 11(2): 440 - 454. 2017. ISSN: 0973-9467 © East Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte doi:10.26679/Pleione.11.2.2017.440-454 Grasses and of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, India

Arpita Bora, Moonmee Devi and Debjyoti Bhattacharyya1 Taxonomy & Biosystematics Laboratory, Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar 788 011. Assam, India. 1Corresponding Author, e-mail: [email protected] [Received 13.11.2017; Revised & accepted 25.11.2017; Published 31.12.2017]

Abstract A total of 66 species (53 species of grasses and 13 species of bamboos) of Gramineae () are enumerated here from Barail Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, India. These are distributed under 41 genera and 11 tribes. The study was based on fresh collection of specimens from the sanctuary during 2012 – 2014, consultation of herbarium specimens and scrutiny of literature. A list of species is provided with updated nomenclature, vernacular name(s), phenology, occurrences in the study area and habit. Field photographs of some selected members are also provided for ease of identification. Keywords: Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, Barak Valley, Cachar, Gramineae, Poaceae, Southern Assam.

INTRODUCTION Grasses and bamboos, the members of Gramineae Juss., nom. cons. (Poaceae Barnhart, nom. cons. et nom. alt.), are very distinctive from other species owing to their unique vegetative and floral morphology, habitat diversity and moreover for their immense economic importance. Gramineae is the fourth largest among the angiosperm families in terms of species diversity (Watson & Dalwitz 1994). According to Soreng et al. (2015), the family comprises of ±12074 species under 771 genera belonging to 51 tribes and 12 subfamilies in the world. Members of the family exhibit great variations in their vegetative and reproductive morphology and is of paramount importance to human economy mainly for food grains (cereals and ). Apart from this, the forest grasses and bamboos are used as fodder, building materials, paper pulps, thatching materials and also used for making ropes, mats, brooms, musical instruments, agricultural and hunting materials, etc. (Rawat 2008). The family is monophyletic [Grass Phylogeny Working Group (GPWG) 2001; Soreng et al. 2015] and comprises mostly herbaceous species (grasses) to shrubs and tall trees (bamboos) with terete stem and paniculate inflorescence. They are easily recognizable morphologically by their spikelet inflorescence with two empty glumes and one to many lemmas; each lemma subtending a palea, presence of 2 – 3 lodicules, versatile anthers, feathery stigmas and caryopsis fruit type in most of the species. Grasses are cosmopolitan in distribution and they occupy various habitats like , marshy and swampy areas of wetland ecosystems, savannas, deep and open forests, etc. They are mainly abundant in tropical to sub-tropical belt of the earth and extended up to Arpita Bora et al. 441 warm-temperate regions (Clayton & Renvoize 1986). On the other hand, bamboos also have a wide natural distribution pattern occurring between 460 N latitude to 470 S latitude with altitudinal ranges from sea-level up to 4300 m (http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/research/ / index.html). In India, Gramineae is the largest angiosperm family representing c.1300 species under 263 genera and 25 tribes (Benjamin et al. 2012); of these, c. 430 taxa are endemic to the country (Jain 1986). Sampson et al. (2001) categorized India into two grass zones viz., (i) Temperate Himalayan region along with Indo-Gangetic plains and (ii) Tropical Peninsular region. Tropical Peninsular region of the country shows the highest grass diversity with a great extent of endemism, i.e., 55% of total endemic grasses of India (Sampson et al. 2001). occupy about 3.9% of the total land area of India (Nair & Thomas 2001). In Assam, Gramineae was recorded as the largest family comprising of 303 species under 104 genera (Chowdhury 2005). N.L. Bor (1940) documented the grass flora of the then Assam for the first time. Shukla (1996) enumerated the grasses of Northeast India. Grasses and bamboos of southern Assam (popularly known as Barak Valley) attracted many botanists to work on these. Reports from the region were made by Hooker (1896), Gupta (1972), Majumder (1983), Malakar (1995), Bhattacharjee (2002), Sharma et al. (2002), Das and Dutta Choudhury (2003), Das et al. (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013), Das (2008), Nath and Das (2008), Barbhuiya et al. (2013), Baruah (2013), Baruah et al. (2013), Devi and Bhattacharyya (2013a, 2013b, 2013c, 2014, 2015, 2016) and Baruah and Dutta Choudhury (2014, 2015). Barail Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) represents the sole wildlife sanctuary of the Barak Valley region of Assam. The area was declared and notified as Wildlife Sanctuary in June 2004 (Anonymous 2006). The present study was attempted to develop a comprehensive account on the diversity of grasses and bamboos in BWS by morpho-taxonomic investigation. The data presented here may act as baseline information of grasses and bamboos in the sanctuary which will be helpful for future monitoring, management and conservation of species. Study area Barail Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) is located in Cachar district in the southern part of Assam (Barak Valley). BWS is divided into two administrative parts: (a) Barail Reserve Forest

Table 1. Geographical and meteorological data of the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary [Source: Anonymous 2006] Latitude 24058ʹ – 2505ʹ N Longitude 92046ʹ – 92052ʹ E Area 326.24 sq. km Climate Humid tropical to sub-tropical Annual rainfall 200 cm to >600 cm Average humidity 72% to 90% Minimum temperature 80C Maximum temperature 380C Soil texture Sandy stony to clayey Altitudinal range < 100 m to 1867 m 442 Grasses and bamboos of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary

Figure 1. Location map of Barali Wildlife Sanctuary

(East block), and (b) North Cachar reserve forest (West Block) (Figure 1). Barail Reserve Forest is under Cachar Forest Division and North Cachar reserve forest is under Karimganj Forest Division. Table 1 shows the geographical and meteorological data of the sanctuary. As per the classification of Champion and Seth (1968), tropical wet evergreen to semi- evergreen forest types are prevalent in the sanctuary. Major portion of the sanctuary is virgin although there is human habitation in several villages (8 in East Block and 19 in West Block) located in and around the sanctuary (Anonymous 2006). BWS shows a very rich biodiversity owing to its unique geographical position, varied topography, high rainfall and tropical to subtropical climatic conditions (Anonymous 2006). Arpita Bora et al. 443

Figure 2. Bar diagram showing the number of taxa under each tribe

MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was based on field surveys conducted in different habitats of the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary during 2012 to 2014, scrutiny of literature and study of all accumulated herbarium specimens housed in ASSAM and CAL herbaria. Places surveyed during the study were: Bandarkhal, Bhaluknala, Damcherra, Durbintila, Indranagar, Malidar, Jatinga river bank, Kalain, Kayang river bank, Kumba, Lakhicherra, Madhura khuwari and Marwacherra. Collections were made throughout the year more particularly during pre- monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Collection, poisoning, preservation and mounting of specimens were done following routine herbarium practices as recommended by Jain and Rao (1977) and Singh and Subramaniam (2008). After collection, the specimens were critically examined and the flowers were dissected under Olympus SZ61 Stereo Zoom Dissecting Microscope; finer structures were studied under Labomed Vision 2000 compound microscope. Identifications of taxa were done following relevant taxonomic keys available in authentic floras like Hooker (1896), Bor (1940, 1960), Sreekumar and Nair (1991), Shukla (1996) and Kabeer and Nair (2009). The identity of the collected specimens was further authenticated by comparing at ASSAM and CAL. In addition, type specimens were also studied for confirmation of identity of species. Digital images available in different foreign herbaria databases were consulted too. Collections made by the authors during present study (vouchers) have been deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar. Classification of Clayton and Renvoize (1986) was followed for arranging the taxa. Species under each genus is/are arranged alphabetically. All the taxa are provided with correct nomenclature which were updated following International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and (ICN) (McNeill et al. 2012), International Plant Names Index (IPNI) (http://www.ipni.org) and The Plant List (http:// www.theplantlist.org). The vernacular names and phenological data were compiled from the authors’ personal observations made during field studies after consulting local inhabitants in the peripheral villages of the sanctuary, existing literature and webpages (Ohrnberger 1999; Barooah & Ahmed 2014; Liese & Köhl 2015; Banik 2016; https://sites.google.com/ site/bamboosthailand/, https://www.cabi.org/isc/) and notes on earlier preserved herbarium sheets. All specimens examined have been annotated properly. Photographs provided here have been taken by the authors during field trips. 444 Grasses and bamboos of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary RESULTS The present floristic study in the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary revealed the occurrence of a total of 66 species (with 2 varieties) of grasses and bamboos under 41 genera. These are distrib- uted under 11 tribes of Gramineae. Table 2 enumerated all species from the sanctuary along with their vernacular names, voucher specimen number(s), phenology, occurrence in the sanctuary and habit. Field photographs of some of the species are also presented in PLATES I (A-I) and II (A-I). Table 2. List of species of the family Gramineae enumerated from Barail Wildlife Sanctuary [Abbreviations used: Vernacular Names: Ass.= Assamese; Beng.= Bengali, Cach.= Cachari; Eng.= English; Gar.= Garo; Kha.= Khasi; Kuk.= Kuki; Manip.= Manipuri; Mizo.= Mizo; Sylht.= Sylheti. Habit: H = Herb; S = Shrub; SC = Shrubby Climber; T = Tree]

Sl. Scientific Name; Vernacular Name; Voucher Phenology Area of occurrence Habit No. Specimen no. I. Tribe: Genus: Bambusa Schreb. 1. Bambusa balcooa Roxb.; Bhaluka-banh (Ass.), May Indranagar T Balku bans (Beng.), Wamnah (Gar.), Wah long (Kha.), Sil-barua (Sylht.); AB/DB-11773, dtd. 18.05.2013 2. B. cacharensis R.B. Majumdar; Bethua banh December – Durbintila (way to T (Ass.), Betu bans (Beng.); AB/DB-11355, 11356, March Bandarkhal), Madhura dtd. 12.12.2013 and MD 12296, dtd. 08.03.2014 3. B. jaintiana R.B. Majumdar;Majumdar; Bijuli banh (Ass.); Not seen Madhura S MD/DB-12301, dtd. 08.03.2014 and HAB-1040, s.d. 4. B. tulda Roxb.; Jati-banh, Nal banh (Ass.), Jowa May Madhura khuwari, T (Beng.), Wamuna, (Gar.); Ka-shang (Kha.); Borail Range Rongite (Kuk.); AB/DB-11774, dtd. 18.05.2013 5. B. vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl.; Kolochi- Not seen Lakhicherra near Bhaluk T banh, Tansti banh (Ass.), Bakal (Beng., Manip.), Nala Wasshuti (Gar.), Wa-malang (Kuk.); AB/DB- 11772, dtd. 24.04.2014 Genus: Dendrocalamus Nees 6. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex December – Durbintila (way to T Munro; Kekowa-banh (Ass.), Kako banh (Beng.), April Bandarkhal) and Wanok (Gar.), Ka-sejlei (Kha.), Pecha (Sylht.); Lakhicherra near Bhaluk AB/DB-11354, dtd. 12.12.2013 and AB/DB- Nala 11680; dtd. 24.04.2014 7. D. longispathus (Kurz) Kurz; Bor bhuluka banh Not seen Marwacherra S (Ass.), Khang (Beng.), Unal (Manip.), Rawnal (Miz.); MD/DB-10854, 10861; dtd. 11.03.2012. 8. D. strictus (Roxb.) Nees; Shal-banh (Ass.), Not seen Madhura, Malidar S Karail (Beng.), Male Bamboo (Eng.); MD-10827, 10831, 10849, dtd. 04.03.2012 and MD/DB- 10889, dtd. 06.04.2012 Genus: Melocalamus Benth. 9. Melocalamus compactiflorus (Kurz) Benth.; Not seen Madhura SC Beti-banh (Ass.), Daral, Lata-bans (Beng.); MD/DB-12297, dtd. 08.03.2014 10. M. indicus R.B. Majumdar; Lata-bans, Nal-bans Not seen Near Malidar SC Arpita Bora et al. 445

Sl. Scientific Name; Vernacular Name; Voucher Phenology Area of occurrence Habit No. Specimen no. I. Tribe: Bambuseae Genus: Bambusa Schreb. 10. M. indicus R.B. Majumdar; Lata-bans, Nal-bans Not seen Near Malidar SC (Beng.); HAB-525, dtd. 24.04.2011 Genus: Schizostachyum Nees 11. Schizostachyum dullooa (Gamble) R.B. Not seen Durbintilla, Madhura, S Majumdar; Dolo-banh (Ass., Beng.), Wadrow West Block, 15 No Hill (Gar.); HAB-5, dtd. 23.04.2011, MD/DB-10890, dtd. 06.04.2012 and MD/DB-12295, dtd. 08.03.2014 Genus: Melocanna Trin. 12. Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz; Muli banh March – Madhura, Marwacherra S (Ass.), Muli-bans (Beng.), Wah-thi (Cach.), Wah- April thri (Gar.), Mao (Miz.); MD/DB-10870, dtd. 11.03.2012 and MD/DB-10886, dtd. 06.04.2012 13. M. clarkei (Gamble ex Brandis) P. Kumari & P. Not seen Marwacherra S Singh; Not known; MD/DB-10860, dtd. 11.03.2012 II. Tribe: Genus: Oryza L. 14. Oryza rufipogon Griff.; Tatua (Ass., Beng.); October – Near Kalaincherra H AB/DB-11757; 26.11.2014 November Genus: Leersia Sw. 15. Leersia hexandra Sw.; Erali-bon (Ass.), Arail June – Gumra H (Beng.), Southern cut grass (Eng.); HAB-208, March dtd. 12.09.2010 III. Tribe: Genus: Desv. 16. Centotheca lappacea (L.) Desv.; Not known; October – Damcherra, Malidar H AB/DB-11379, dtd. 12.12.2013 and MD/DB- February 10833, dtd. 04.03.2012 Genus: Lophatherum Brongn. 17 Lophatherum gracile Brongn.; Not known; October – Durbintilla H MD/DB-12289, dtd. 08.03.2014 December IV. Tribe: Genus: L. 18 L.; Gabnol (Ass.), Gahanal October – Malidar H (Beng.), Giant reed, Switch-cane (Eng.); March MD/DB-10847, dtd. 04.03.2012 Genus: Phragmites Adanson 19. Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin. ex Steud.; Nal- April – BWS H khagra (Ass.), Nal (Beng.); HAB-1042; s.d. November V. Tribe: Thysanolaeneae Genus: Nees 20. Thysanolaena latifolia (Roxb. ex Hornem.) March – Madhura khuwari H Honda; Jharu-bon (Ass.), Jharu gaachh (Beng.); June (Indranagar), Malidar AB/DB-11631, dtd. 07.04.2013 and MD/DB- 10848, dtd. 4.3.2012 VI. Tribe: Genus: Neyraudia Hook.f. 446 Grasses and bamboos of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary

Sl. Scientific Name; Vernacular Name; Voucher Phenology Area of occurrence Habit No. Specimen no. Genus: Neyraudia Hook.f. 21. Neyraudia reynaudiana (Kunth) Keng ex August – Durbintila (way to H Hitchc.; Boronga-bon (Ass.), Burma reed (Eng.); December Bandarkhal) and Kayang AB/DB-11366, dtd. 12.12.2013 and AB/DB- River bank 11408, dtd. 12.12.2013 Genus: Tripogon Roth 22. Tripogon filiformis Nees ex Steud.; Not known; August – Malidahar H MD/DB-10830, dtd. 04.03.2012 March Genus: Wolf 23. Eragrostis amabilis (L.) Wight & Arn.; Not April – Durbintila (way to H known; AB/DB-11346, dtd. 12.12.2013 August Bandarkhal) 24. E. atrovirens (Desf.) Trin. ex Steud.; Not known; April – Madhura khuwari H MD/DB-10888, dtd. 06.04.2012 and AB/DB- February (Indranagar) 11635, dtd. 07.04.2013 25. E. pilosa (L.) P.Beauv.; Not known; MD/DB- May – June Marwacherra H 10917, dtd. 06.05.2012 26. E. unioloides (Retz.) Nees ex Steud.; Not known; August – Malidahar, Durbintila H MD/DB-10882, 10884, 10885, dtd. 06.04.2012 October (way to Bandarkhal), and AB/DB-11360, dtd. 12.12.2013 Lakhicherra near Bhaluk Nala and Maruwacherra, Madhura Genus: Eleusine Gaertn. 27. Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.; Bhubusa-bon July – Durbintila (way to H (Ass.), Crowfoot grass, Yard grass (Eng.); October Bandarkhal), Malidar MD/DB-10843, dtd. 04.03.2012 and AB/DB- 11347, dtd. 12.12.2013 Genus: Sporobolus R.Br. 28. Sporobolus indicus var. major (Buse) Baaijens; April – Malidar H Not known; MD/DB-10837, dtd. 04.03.2012 December VII. Tribe: Genus: Cynodon Richard 29. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; Dubori (Ass.), November – Durbintila (way to H Durba (Beng.), Devil grass (Eng.), Phaitnahlaya June Bandarkhal), Madhura (Miz.); AB/DB-11711, dtd. 12.12.2013 and MD/DB-10901, dtd. 06.05.2012 VIII. Tribe: Genus: Oplismenus P.Beauv. 30. Oplismenus compositus (L.) P.Beauv.; Banh- September – Damcherra and Kayang H potia-bon (Ass.); AB/DB-11378, 11410, dtd. November River bank, Durbintilla 12.12.2013 and MD/DB-12298, dtd. 08.03.2014 Genus: Panicum L. 31. Panicum auritum J. Presl ex Nees; Not known; August – Malidar H MD/DB-10834, 10840, dtd. 04.03.2012 October 32. P. brevifolium L.; Not known; AB/DB-11319, May – Madhura khuawari, H dtd. 05.04.2012 and MD/DB-10836; dtd. December Damcherra, Malidar 04.03.2012 33. P. dichotomiflorum Michx.; Not known; MD- April – Lakhicherra near Bhaluk H 10898, dtd. 06.04.2012 and AB/DB-11667, dtd. October Nala, Madhura 24.04.2014 34. P. incomtum Trin.; Not known; MD/DB-10835, July – April Malidar H dtd. 04.03.2012 35. P. luzonense J. Presl; Not known; HAB-03, dtd. July – Sindhuri H Arpita Bora et al. 447

PLATE-I. A. Schizostachyum dullooa; B. Bambusa cacharensis (flowering twig); C. Melocanna clarkei (Culm-sheath); D. Melocalamus compactiflorus; E. Panicum notatum; F. Themeda villosa; G. Oplismenus compositus; H. Arundo donax; I. Saccharum longisetosum 448 Grasses and bamboos of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary

Sl. Scientific Name; Vernacular Name; Voucher Phenology Area of occurrence Habit No. Specimen no. 35. P. luzonense J. Presl; Not known; HAB-03, dtd. July – Sindhuri H 10.09.2010 October 36. P. notatum Retz.; Not known; AB/DB-11384, September – Damcherra, Durbintilla H dtd. 12.12.2013 and MD/DB-12287, dtd. October 08.03.2014 37. P. sarmentosum Roxb.; Not known; MD/DB- November – Durbintilla H 12309, dtd. 08.03.2014 February Genus: Sacciolepis Nash 38. Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase; Not known, MD- July – Madhura khuwari H 10904, dtd. 06.05.2012 and AB/DB-11655, dtd. November (Indranagar) 07.04.2013 Genus: Cyrtococcum Stapf 39. Cyrtococcum patens (L.) A. Camus; Not known; September – Lakhicherra near Bhaluk H MD/DB-10852, dtd. 11.03.2012 and AB/DB- February Nala and Maruwacherra 11663, 11665, 11670, dtd. 24.04.2014 Genus: Acroceras Stapf 40. Acroceras tonkinense (Balansa) C.E. Hubb. ex August – Madhura H Bor; Not known; MD-10897, dtd. 06.04.2012 November Genus: Echinochloa P. Beauv. 41. Echinochloa colona (L.) Link; Bioni-bon (Ass.), Summer – Malidar, Maruwacherra H Jungle rice grass (Eng.); MD/DB-10841, dtd. Winter 04.03.2012 and AB/DB-11657, dtd. 24.04.2014 Genus: Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. 42. Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) Hitchc.; Not July – Marwacherra H known; MD/DB-10933, 10942, dtd. 06.05.2012 February Genus: Paspalum L. 43. Paspalum conjugatum P.J.Bergius; Not known; May – Durbintila (way to H MD/DB-10832, dtd. 04.03.2012 and AB/DB- September Bandarkhal) and 11365, dtd. 12.12.2013 Lakhicherra near Bhaluk Nala, Malidar 44. P. scrobiculatum L.; Not known; MD/DB-10839, May – Damcherra, Malidar H dtd. 04.03.2012 and AB/DB-11377, 11381, dtd. November 12.12.2013

Genus: Axonopus P. Beauv. 45. Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P. Beauv.; Not July – Durbintila (way to H known; MD-10887, dtd. 06.04.2012 and AB/DB- November Bandarkhal) 11362, dtd. 12.12.2013 Madhura Genus: Setaria P. Beauv. 46. Setaria palmifolia (J. Koenig) Stapf; Not known; July – April Malidar H MD-10846, dtd. 04.03.2012 47. S. pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.; Not known; Almost Indranagar H AB/DB-11756, dtd. 18.05.2013 throughout the year Genus: Digitaria Haller 48. Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler; Not known; May – Durbintila (way to H MD/DB-10842, 10845, dtd. 04.03.2012 and October Bandarkhal), Malidar AB/DB-11348, dtd. 12.12.2013 49. D. setigera Roth; Not known; MD-12294, dtd. Throughout Durbintilla H 08.03.2014 the year 50. D. violascens Link; Not known; MD-10881,dtd. April – Madhura H Arpita Bora et al. 449

PLATE-II. A. Pennisetum polystachion; B. Sacciolepis indica; C. Leersia hexandra; D. Imperata cylindrica; E. Cynodon dactylon; F. Sporobolus indicus var. major; G. Polytrias indica; H. ; I. Hemarthria protensa 450 Grasses and bamboos of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary

Sl. Scientific Name; Vernacular Name; Voucher Phenology Area of occurrence Habit No. Specimen no. 50. D. violascens Link; Not known; MD-10881,dtd. April – Madhura H 06.04.2012 January Genus: Pennisetum Rich. 51. Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.; Not July – April Marwacherra H known; MD/DB-10865, dtd. 11.03.2012 IX. Tribe: Genus: R.Br. 52. Isachne globosa (Thunb.) Kuntze; Not known; August – Near Gumra H HAB-218,dtd. 12.09.2010 November X. Tribe: Genus: Raddi 53. Arundinella bengalensis (Spreng.) Druce; August – Barail WLS, near H Hialnejia-bon (Ass.), Jaru-bon (Beng.); HAB-35, October Sindhuri, Kalaincherra, dtd. 10.09.2010, HAB-955, dtd. 27.08.2012 and Durbintilla MD/DB-12282, dtd. 8.3.2014 XI. Tribe: Genus: Saccharum L. 54. Saccharum longisetosum (Andersson) V.Naray. November – Malidar S ex Bor; Not known; MD/DB-10829, dtd. May 04.03.2012 55. S. officinarum L.; Kuhiyar (Ass.), Kushiar Autumn Bandarkhal S (Beng.), (Eng.); AB/DB-11708, dtd. 24.09.2013 56. S. rufipilum Steud.; Not known; NCM-41, dtd. September – Damcherra S 20.09.1991 March 57. S. spontaneum L.; Kahua (Ass.), Kash (Beng.), July – Durbintilla S Wild sugarcane (Eng.); MD/DB-12286, dtd. September 08.03.2014 and HAB-204, dtd. 12.09.2010 Genus: Imperata Cirillo 58. Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.; Not known; April – Lakhicherra near Bhaluk H MD-10892, dtd. 06.04.2012 and AB/DB-11710, August Nala, Madhura dtd. 24.04.2014 Genus: Polytrias Hack. 59. Polytrias indica (Houtt.) Veldkamp; Not known; August – Madhura H MD-12293, dtd. 08.03.2014 November Genus: Pogonatherum P.Beauv. 60. Pogonatherum crinitum (Thunb.) Kunth; Not May – Madhura khuwari H known; MD-10893, dtd. 06.04.2011 and AB/DB- September (Indranagar) and 11638, dtd. 07.04.2013 Lakhicherra near Bhaluk Nala 61. P. paniceum (Lam.) Hack.; Not known; MD/DB- August – Malidar H 10828, dtd. 04.03.2012 June Genus: Microstegium Nees 62. Microstegium fasciculatum (L.) Henrard; July – Malidar H Kharika (Ass.), MD/DB-10838, 10844, dtd. March 04.03.2012 Genus: Chrysopogon Trin. 63. Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin.; Bon-guti April – Madhura H (Ass.), Chorkanta (Beng.), Pilipiliula (Eng.); November MD-10883, dtd. 06.04.2012 Genus: Cymbopogon Spreng. 64. Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle; Not known; July – April Durbintila (way to H Arpita Bora et al. 451

Sl. Scientific Name; Vernacular Name; Voucher Phenology Area of occurrence Habit No. Specimen no. 64. Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle; Not known; July – April Durbintila (way to H AB/DB-11712, dtd. 12.12.2013 Bandarkhal) Genus: Hemarthria R. Brown 65. Hemarthria protensa Steud.; Not known; April – June Jatinga river bank H MD/DB-10920, dtd. 06.05.2012 Genus: Themeda Forsskal 66. Themeda villosa (Lam.) A. Camus; Not known; August – Durbintila (way to H AB/DB-11359, dtd. 12.12.2013 January Bandarkhal)

DISCUSSION A total of 66 species of grasses and bamboos were recorded from the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary in this present study, of which 13 species were bamboos and remaining 53 species were grasses. These were distributed under 11 tribes of the family Gramineae out of the total 39 recognized in the world by Clayton and Renvoize (1986). Among the tribes, Paniceae was found as the largest with maximum number of 22 species, followed by Andropogoneae and Bambuseae with 13 spp. each. Tribe Eragrostideae was represented by 8 species, while, Arundineae, Centhotheceae and Oryzeae by 2 species each and Arundinelleae, Cynodonteae, Isachneae and Thysanolaeneae by single species each. Similarly, in terms of generic diversity, the tribe Paniceae was the largest (12 genera), followed by Andropogoneae (9), Bambuseae and Eragrostideae (5 each). Tribes Arundineae, Centhotheceae and Oryzeae were represented by two genera each and rest of the tribes (four tribes, viz. Arundinelleae, Cynodonteae, Isachneae and Thysanolaeneae) by single genus each (Figure 2). The most dominant genus of the sanctuary was Panicum with seven species followed by Bambusa with five species, Eragrostis and Saccharum with four species each, Dendrocalamus and Digitaria with three species each, Melocalamus, Melocanna, Paspalum, Pogonatherum and Setaria with two species each and remaining thirty genera were represented by single species each. Grasses are the main components of soil cover which help in preventing soil erosion and landslides. Due to various anthropogenic activities and other biotic factors like grazing of wild and domesticated animals, flood, landslides, etc. many species in the sanctuary are facing serious threats. Extraction of bamboos is also a common practice in the region. Therefore, it is now felt urgent to conserve the flora of the sanctuary immediately involving local people, NGOs, other academic and research institutes.

Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the Head, Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar for providing necessary facilities. They are also thankful to the Forest Department of Assam for providing permission to conduct field surveys within the sanctu- ary. First author thanks University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi for financial support under UGC-MRP scheme [F. No. 40 – 334/2011 (SR) dated 30th June 2011] and second author thanks the same funding agency for non-NET fellowship scheme. 452 Grasses and bamboos of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary LITERATURE CITED Anonymous, 2006. Management Plan of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary. Cachar & Karimganj Forest Division, Department of Environment and Forests, Government of Assam. Barbhuiya, H.A.; Dutta, B.K.; Das, A.Kr. & Baishya, A.K. 2013. An annotated checklist of the Grasses (Poaceae) of Southern Assam. Check List 9(5): 980 – 986. doi: http:// dx.doi.org/10.15560/9.5.980 Banik, R.L. 2016. 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