Modern Phytomorphology 3: 39–44, 2013 FRUIT AND SEED DISCOVERIES IN STICHONEURON MEMBraNACEUM HOOK. F. (STEMONACEAE): AN ENDEMIC TO INDO-MYANMAR Koushik Majumdar & B.K. Datta Abstract. Stichoneuron membranaceum Hook. f. is an endemic species of Indo-Myanmar hotspot whose fruit and seed remained unknown to science since 1850, until they were collected from Tripura, Northeast India. Based on these gatherings, this study is the first report about the development and morphological features of fruit and seed. Earlier historical collections of this species were discussed. Its preferred habitat, possible pollinating agents and seed dispersal mechanism were also investigated. Key words: Stichoneuron membranaceum, morphology, fruit, seed, hermaphroditism Plant Taxonomy and Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Botany, Tripura University Suryamaninagar, 799022 Tripura, India;
[email protected] Introduction Deb 1983), Sylhet of Bangladesh (Barbhuiya & Gogoi 2010) and Northern Burma (Tanaka Stemonaceae is a very important et al. 2007; Inthachub et al. 2009). Whereas, monocotyledon family, since it is the only species S. bognerianum Duyfjes,S. calcicola source of the stemona alkaloids (Ye et al. Inthachub, S. caudatum Ridl. and S. halabalensis 1994; Pilli & Ferreira 2000). The extracts Inthachub are mainly distributed in Peninsular from tuberous roots of Stemonaceae are Thailand and Malesia Inthachub( et al. popular to be used as insecticides and several 2009). Fruit and seed formation and their other traditional medicines (Valkenburg & characteristics were well described for above Bunyapraphatsara 2002; Inthachub et al. mentioned four Peninsular-Malesian species; 2009). There are c. 3 genera Croomia( Torr., where fruit usually elongate, apex acute or Stemona Lour. and Stichoneuron Hook. f.) and beaked, seed broad-ellipsoid, longitudinally c.