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Home , Elaeocarpaceae, Elaeocarpus, Elaeocarpus lanceifolius, Elaeocarpus serratus

NeBIO I www.nebio.in I March 2019 I 10(1): 23-28

THE () IN NORTHEAST

Laishram Ricky Meitei1 and Jibankumar Singh Khuraijam2 1Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong-793003, , India 2Botanic Garden Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India Email: [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The genus Elaeocarpus L. (Elaeaocarpaceae) represents 18 in Northeast India out of 29 species in India. The paper provides the diversity and distribution of Elaeocarpus species in Northeast India. Brief description, habitat & ecology, flowering & fruiting, distribution, specimens studied and uses of each species are provided.

KEYWORDS: Elaeocarpus, Elaeaocarpaceae, diversity, distribution, Northeast India.

Introduction bracelets, necklaces and rosaries and used in religious beliefs. In Elaeocarpaceae is an angiosperm family which comprises 615 Northern India, E. ganitrus and E. angustifolius are also species in 12 genera (Christenhusz and Byng 2016). It is a considered as Rudraksh. In India, 29 species belonging to the tropical and subtropical family with few genera extending into the genus Elaeocarpus are reported and most of the species are temperate zone. It is found in all the continents except Africa and confined mainly to North Eastern and Southern India and few North America. The family consists of and . Most species to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The species of the genus species of the family are evergreen and the flowers are small, occurs comfortably in warm moist climate and usually grows clustered, drooping and fragrant. In India, 2 genera and 33 species between 500m and 2200m altitudes. The fruits of E. of the family are distributed. floribundus are edible.

Elaeocarpus L., the largest of the 12 genera recognised in the India has rich diversity of flora and fauna. There are four Elaeocarpaceae family, comprises of about 350 species (Coode, biodiversity hotspots in India viz., The Western Ghats, The Eastern 2004). Elaeocarpus is a genus of tropical and subtropical regions Himalayas, Indo-Burma and Sundaland. More than 45,500 and consists of medium to large size trees. All the species of the species have been recorded so far In India, viz., 17,527 genus are evergreen. The notable feature of the genus is angiosperms, 67 gymnosperms, 1,200 pteridophytes, 2,500 attractive, fragrant, colourful and pearl-like fruits. Inflorescences bryophytes, 2,223 lichens, 14,500 fungi, 7,175 algae and 850 of the in the genus are few to many flowered, axillary, virus/bacteria (Ghosh et al., 2017). white or whitish colour. Fruits of many species of Elaeocarpus are eaten fresh and used in making pickles. The seeds of Elaeocarpus Northeast India comprises of eight states, viz., Arunachal sphaericus commonly called as ‘Rudraksh’ are used as beads for Pradesh, , , Meghalaya, Mizoram, ,

Received 29 December 2018 I Accepted 18 February 2018 I Published online 31 March 2019

Citation: Meitei, L.R. and J.S. Khuraijam. 2019. The genus Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) in Northeast India. NeBIO 10(1): 23-28

Acknowledgements LRM is grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey of India, and Head of Office, Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong for facilities and encouragement. JSK thank the Director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow (India) for facilities. The authors thank reviewers for helpful comments that greatly improved this paper. The authors are thankful to the officials of the State Forest Departments of Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram for their kind co–operation during the field survey. Grateful thanks are to the Librarians of BSI, Shillong, Manipur University and Assam University. Sincere thanks to the owners of the nursery farms and private parks of Manipur and Meghalaya for their co–operation.

Copyright © Meitei & Khuraijam. 2019. NECEER, Imphal allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

NeBIO, An International Journal of Environment and Biodiversity Official publication of North East Centre for Environmental Education (NECEER), Imphal I ISSN 2278-2281 (Online), 0976-3597 (Print) I www.nebio.in

Meitei & Khuraijam » The genus Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) in Northeast India NeBIO 10(1): 23-28

Sikkim and Tripura. It is one of the rich biodiversity regions of Nagaland, , Tripura and ), , India. Northeast India occupies 7.7 % of total geographical area and . of India, supports 50% of the flora (ca. 8000 species) and 31.58% Specimens examined: , G.D. Pal 2068 (ca. 2526 species) are endemic (De and Medhi, 2014). (Itanagar); Assam, Jorhat, Gibbon WLS, R. Daimary 121583; Mizoram, Lungleh, Dutta 33440. Materials and Methods The present study of the genus Elaeocarpus in Northeast India is Elaeocarpus braceanus Watt ex C. B. Clarke in J. Linn. Soc. 25: 8. based on the extensive studies of herbarium specimens collected 1899; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1: 177. 1934. from the Northeast, housed in ASSAM and field observations carried out by the authors in the states of the region and Trees up to 15 m tall; bark brown, smooth; branchlets rusty, consultation of relevant literatures and floras in Botanical Survey tomentose; elliptic or oblong, base obtuse, apex of India, Shillong, Assam University and Manipur University acuminate, veins prominent; in axils of fallen leaves, (Balakrishnan 1981, Deb 1981, Haridasan 1985, Mao and Gogoi tomentose; flowers white; drupes ellipsoid. 1996, Singh et al. 2000, Singh et al. 2002, Pal 2013). The objective of this study is to explore the diversity of Elaeocarpus in Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 Northeast India and their uses. The recorded species are and 1800 m altitudes. enumerated below alphabetically along with habitat & ecology, Flowering: September – November; Fruiting: December – February flowering & fruiting, distribution, specimen studied and available Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, uses. Meghalaya and Nagaland) and Myanmar. Specimens examined: Meghalaya, Khasi & Jaintia Hills, Nongpoh, ENUMERATION S.R. Sharma 16105; Arunachal Pradesh {Tirap F.D. (NEFA)}, Elaeocarpus acuminatus Wallich ex Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: Pungchow, D.B.Deb 26616. 406. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1(1): 177. 1934; Murti in Uses: Fruits are edible, eaten fresh, cooked and pickled. Sharma et al., Fl. India 3:531. 1993. Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume, Bijdr. 120. 1825; Masters in Fl. Trees up to 20 m tall, bark furrowed, greyish-brown; leaves Brit. India 1: 401. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1(1); 173. 1934; lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate, elliptic-oblong, base cuneate, apex Murti in Sharma et al., Fl. India 3: 536.1993. acuminate; racemes axillary on fallen ends, pubescent; Vernacular name: Assamese: Jalpai; Khasi: Soh byrkhei; flower buds fusiform; flowers ovoid, white; drupes oblong, green, Manipuri: Chorphon smooth. Trees up to 30 m tall with spreading crown; branchlets glabrous; Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 leaves ovate or elliptic, base acute or cuneate, apex acute or and 1800 m altitudes. acuminate; racemes axillary, drooping; flowers white, small; Flowering: July – September; Fruiting: October – December drupes oblong-ovoid, light green, smooth, rounded at both ends, Distribution: India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya) fleshy. and Bangladesh. Specimen examined: India: Arunachal Pradesh, G.D. Pal 2091 Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 (Itanagar). and 1800 m altitudes. Flowering: September – November; Fruiting: December – February Elaeocarpus aristatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 599. 1832; Masters in Fl. Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Brit. India 1: 405. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1(1): 177, 1934; Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Murti in Sharma et al., Fl. India 3: 533. 1993. Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Vernacular name: Assamese: Gerala Sopa, Nagini; Garo: Chham Malaysia and Myanmar. Nangal, Gangma Jachhang; Khasi: Dieng Thang Khapiah Specimens examined: Tripura, R.S. Rao 8879; Assam, Sibsagar, Barpathar U Kanjilal 3060; Meghalaya, Khasi & Jaintia Hills, Trees up to 40 m tall with conical crown; leaves obovate, elliptic Umsaw, S.R. Sarma 12060; Mizoram, Murlen NP, R. Kumar & or oblanceolate, base cuneate or acute, apex rounded or Party 128884. subacute; racemes axillary on fallen leaf ends, rusty; flower-buds Uses: Fruits edible, eaten fresh, cooked and pickled. Leaves and lanceolate, ribbed; flowers pale-white, drooping, fragrant; drupes barks are used as tonic and mouthwash for inflamed gums. The ellipsoid, green, smooth. wood is used for many purposes in boxes, match splints, planking, plywood and wooden pallets. Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between Note: Elaeocarpus floribundus is the most common species of 1200 and 2000 m altitudes. Elaeocarpus found in India. It is planted in home gardens and Flowering: April – June; Fruiting: July – September parks in Northeast India for its edible fruits. Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Elaeocarpus hygrophilus Kurz in J. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 43: 133. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1: 176. 1934.

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Figure 1. Inflorescences of widely distributed Elaeocarpus floribundus. Photo: Joykumar Longjam.

Trees up to 25 m tall; branchlets glabrous; leaves obovate, Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between oblanceolate, base cuneate, apiculate or rounded at apex; 1000 and 2600 m altitudes. racemes puberulous; flower buds pyramidal; flowers white; Flowering: April – June; Fruiting: July – September drupes lanceolate, pointed at both ends. Distribution: India (, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, , Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and West Habitat & ecology: Grows moist evergreen forests between 800 Bengal), Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and . and 1500 m altitudes. Specimens examined: Arunachal Pradesh, Pange G.D. Pal 77747 Flowering: March – May; Fruiting: June – August (Itanagar); Manipur, Koziiri forest, Mao & Gogoi 115077; Distribution: India (Assam) and Myanmar. Meghalaya, Mawphlang, P.K.Hajra 52096; Mizoram, Murlen Uses: Fruits are edible. National Park, R. Kumar & Party 128126. Uses: Fruits are edible and wood used in making houses and tea Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 598. 1832. 'lanceae- boxes. Nuts used for bracelets, necklace and rosaries. folius'; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 402. 1874. Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1: 175. 1934. Murti in Sharma et al., Fl. India 3: 543. 1993. Elaeocarpus lucidus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 600. 1832; Masters In Fl. Vernacular name: Khasi: Dieng-soh-khyllam Brit. India 1: 403. 1874.

Trees up to 20 m tall, crown dense; bark greyish-black; branchlets Trees up to 30 m tall; branchlets pubescent; leaves elliptic or pubescent; leaves elliptic, lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, base obtuse or rounded, apex acute to oblanceolate, base cuneate, apex acuminate; racemes axillary, acuminate, veins prominent beneath; racemes axillary; flower- long, pubescent; flower-buds ovate-lanceolate; flowers white; buds ovoid-conical; flowers white; drupes oblong-ovoid, drupes ovoid-ellipsoid, green. unilocular.

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Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between Trees up to 20 m tall; branchlets glabrous; leaves oblong- 1000 and 1800 m altitudes. lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, base cuneate, apex acute to Flowering: March – May; Fruiting: June – August acuminate; racemes axillary, crowded at apex, pubescent; flower Distribution: India (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and West buds ovoid or oblong-lanceolate, hairy; flowers white or pale Bengal) and Bangladesh. yellow; drupes oblong-ovoid. Specimen examined: Assam, Nagaon, U. Kanjilal 3818. Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 Elaeocarpus macrocerus (Turcz.) Merr. in J. Arn. Arb. 32: 183. and 2000 m altitudes. 1951. Monocera macrocera Turcz. in Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou Flowering: January – March; Fruiting: April – June 19(2): 494. 1846. Elaeocarpus littoralis Kurz in J. Asiat. Soc. Beng. Distribution: India (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and 43: 132. 1874 & For. Fl. Brit. Burma 1: 167. 1877. E. obtusus auct. West Bengal) and Bangladesh. non Blume, 1825; King in J. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 60: 134. 1891. E. Specimens examined: Assam, Cachar, Loharband, R. N. De 20454; monocera auct. non Cav., 1800; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 405. Meghalaya, Mawsmai, A.H. Mir 265; Tripura, Tlangsang, D.B. Deb 1874, p.p. 27179. Vernacular name: Assamese: Pani sopa, Phutkuli Elaeocarpus rugosus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 596. 1832; Masters in Fl. Trees up to 25 m tall; branchlets pubescent or glabrescent; leaves Brit. India 1: 405. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1(1): 175. 1934; obovate-oblong, oblanceolate or spathulate, base cuneate, apex Murti in Sharma et al., Fl. India 3: 551. 1993. obtuse or subacute; racemes axillary, corymbose; flowers buds Vernacular name: Assamese: Gatronga, Phulchampa, Bor chopa; lanceolate or ovoid; flowers dull white; drupe long, green-yellow. Garo: Ankhi-siphak

Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 500 Trees up to 35 m tall; branchlets robust, hairy; Leaves at ends of and 1000 m altitudes. branchlets, obovate, obovate-lanceolate, base cuneate, acute or Flowering: February – April; Fruiting: May – July subacute at apex; racemes axillary, pubescent, many-flowered; Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Assam), flowers large, white; drupes ellipsoid, greenish yellow. Indonesia and Myanmar. Specimen examined: Assam, Sibsagar, Latabari Ghat, U. Kanjilal Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 600 1733. and 1800 m altitudes. Flowering: February – March; Fruiting: April – June Elaeocarpus petiolatus (Jack) Wallich ex Steudel, Nom. Bot. ed. 1: Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal 545. 1840; Corner in Gard. Bull. Str. Settl. 10: 324. Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and ), Bangladesh, 1939. Monocera petiolata Jack in Malay. Misc. 1(5): 43. Malaysia and Myanmar. 1820. Elaeocarpus resinosus Blume, Bijdr. 122. 1825. Monocera Specimen examined: Arunachal Pradesh, Kameng K. P. Singh integra C. Mueller, Anot. Fam. Elaeocarp. 12. 1849. Elaeocarpus 102009. integra (C. Mueller) Wallich ex Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 408. 1874. L., Sp. Pl. 515. 1753, 'serrata'; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 401. 1874, p.p.; E. oblongus Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. Trees up to 30 m tall; branchlets glabrous, resinous; leaves 1: 202, 1. 43. f. 3. 1788; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 403. 1874, non elliptic-lanceolate or oblong-elliptic, base acute, apex acuminate Smith 1809 & Wight 1838. E. cuneatus Wight, Ill. Ind. Bot. 1: 83. or acute; racemes axillary, glabrous; flower buds ellipsoid or 1840; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 402. 1874. E. perim-kara DC., oblong-oblanceolate; flowers white; drupe ellipsoid or oblong, Prodr. 1: 519. 1824. Ganitrus sphaericus Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: greyish-blue, smooth. 271. 1791, p.p. Perin-kara Rheede, Hort. Malab. 4: 51, t. 24. 1683. Vernacular name: Garo: Udrok; Khasi: Dieng-sohlangskei Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 and 2000 m altitudes. Trees up to 30 m tall; bark brown; branchlets hairy; leaves oblong, Flowering: January – March; Fruiting: April – June obovate or elliptic, base acute or obtuse, apex acute, obtuse or Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Assam), acuminate, veins prominent beneath; racemes axillary, rusty, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. drooping; flowers creamy white, fragrant; drupes oblong or Specimens examined: Assam, Cachar, Barak, U. Kanjilal 6903; ellipsoid, greenish yellow. Meghalaya, Khasi & Jaintia Hills, 39 Mile, S.R. Sarma 11038. Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 (C. Mueller) Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: and 1800 m altitudes. 407. 1874. Monocera prunifolius C. Mueller, Anot. Fam. Flowering: February – April; Fruiting: May – July Elaeocarp. 15. 1849. Distribution: India (Maharashtra, Karnataka, , Tamil Nadu Vernacular name: Khasi: Dieng-la-khmar, Soh-khyllem-ai-blang and Sikkim), Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Use: Fruits are edible.

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Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schumann in Engler & Prantl, Trees, up to 30 m tall; bark lenticellate; branchlets rusty, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3,6: 5. 1890; Santapau in Rec. Bot. Surv. India pubescent; leaves elliptic-oblong to ovate-oblong, base cuneate 16: 32. 1953. Ganitrus sphaericus Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: 271, to rounded, apex acute to acuminate, veins prominent beneath; t. 139. 1791. Roxb. ex G. Don, Gen. Hist. 1: racemes axillary, pubescent; flower buds oblong-ovoid; flowers 559. 1831; Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 400. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. white, fragrant; drupes oblong-ovoid, greenish-yellow. Assam 1(1); 172. 1934. Vernacular name: Assamese: Rudrai; Khasi: Soh Langskei Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 1000 and 2000 m altitudes. Trees up to 30 m tall, crown spreading; stem cylindrical; bark dull Flowering: May – July; Fruiting: August – October white; leaves oblong-lanceolate, oblanceolate or elliptic, base Distribution: India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, cuneate or acute, apex acute or acuminate; racemes axillary, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, drooping; flower-buds ovoid-conical; flowers white, small; drupes Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, purplish-blue when ripe. Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and West Bengal), Bangladesh, , Malaysia, Myanmar and . Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between Specimens examined: Arunachal Pradesh {Tirap F.D. (NEFA)}, D.B. 1000 and 2000 m altitudes. Deb 26665; Assam, Sibsagar, Barpathar, U Kanjilal 4154; Flowering: January – March; Fruiting: April– June Meghalaya, Garo Hills, Rongmachakgiri, U Kanjilal 5185; Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Mizoram, Lushai Hills, Chakramukh, Rev. W J L Wenger 21514. Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and West Use: The is harvested for its timber wood. Bengal), Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal. Specimens examined: Arunachal Pradesh, Naharlagun, G.D. Pal Elaeocarpus stapfianus Gagnepain in Lecomte, Nat. Syst. 1: 136. 2064 (Itanagar); Assam, Sibsagar, Barparthar, U. Kanjilal 4149; 1910; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1: 179. 1934. Meghalaya, Khasi Hills, U. Kanjilal 4040. Uses: The sour fruit pulps of Elaeocarpus sphaericus is edible and Trees up to 20 m tall; leaves oblong or oblong-obovate, base used as medicine in the treatment of asthma, diabetes, epilepsy narrow, apex acuminate; racemes axillary, few-flowered; flower and heart problems. The nuts of E. sphaericus are used as beads buds ovoid, glabrescent; flowers white; drupes ovate to oblong. for rosaries, bracelets and necklaces. Note: Elaeocarpus sphaericus is planted in home gardens and Flowering: March – May; Fruiting: June – August parks in Northeast India for it’s many uses and religious beliefs. Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 and 1400 m altitudes. Elaeocarpus sikkimensis Masters in FI. Brit. India 1: 402. 1874. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh). Assamese: Seleng Elaeocarpus varunua Buch.-Ham. ex Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: Trees up to 25 m tall; branchlets pubescent; leaves ovate-oblong 407. 1874. or elliptic, base acute, apex acuminate; racemes axillary, short, Vernacular name: Assamese: Bhadraik, Bhadraksha; Garo: pilose, peduncle yellow-brown; flowers white; drupe ellipsoid to Gartgma Chining; Khasi: Dieng-ri-lam, Dieng-sia-soh oblongoid. Trees up to 25 m tall, crown large spreading; bark grey, smooth; Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 branchlets grey, hairy; leaves elliptic to oblong, base rounded, and 2000 m altitudes. apex acute; racemes axillary, dense, pubescent; flower-buds Flowering: January – March; Fruiting: April – June lanceolate or ovoid-lanceolate; flowers white; drupe ellipsoid, Distribution: India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and West Bengal) green, shining. and Bhutan. Specimens examined: Assam, Lakhimpur, Dulong, U. Kanjilal Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 3654; Meghalaya, Nongstoin, G. Panigrahi 16563. 1000 and 1800 m altitudes. Flowering: February – April; Fruiting: May – July Elaeocarpus tectorius (Lour.) Poiret in Lam., Encycl. Suppl. 2: 704. Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, 1812. Craspedum tectorium Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 336. 1790. Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), Bangladesh, Elaeocarpus oblongus auct. non Gaertn. 1788 & Wight & Arn. Myanmar and Nepal. 1834; Smith in Rees, Cyclop 12: n. 2. 1809. E. leptostachyus Specimens examined: Assam, Goalpara, Bhur Block, U. Kanjilal Wallich ex C. Mueller, Anot. Fam. Elaeocarp. 23. 1849; Masters in 5091; Meghalaya, Mawkyrwat, A.H. Mir 024; Arunachal Pradesh Fl. Brit. India 1: 403. 1874. E. robustus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 597. 1832; (NEFA), Subansiri FD, GVS Rao 24829. Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 402. 1874; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam Use: Wood used for making tea boxes. 1(1): 173. 1934. Vernacular name: Assamese: Poreng, Seleng; Garo: Agong, Elaeocarpus wallichii Kurz in J. Asiat. Soc. Beng. 43: 133. 1874; Bolrogong; Khasi: Dienglasw, Dieng-sohkhyllam Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam 1: 174. 1934.

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Christenhusz, M.J.M. and Byng, J.W. 2016. The number of known Trees up to 30 m tall; branchlets grey, hairy; leaves oblong to plants species in the world and its annual increase. Phytotxa elliptic or obovate-oblong, base rounded, apex acuminate; 261(3): 201-217. racemes axillary, hairy; flower-buds ovoid; flowers white; drupes Coode, M.J.E. 2004. Elaeocarpaceae. In: K. Kubitzki (ed.), Families oblong-ovoid, 3-loculed. and Genera of Vascular Plants, pp. 135 –144. Springer, Berlin. Deb, D.B. 1981. The flora of Tripura State. Vol. 1. Today & Habitat & ecology: Grows in moist evergreen forests between 800 Tomorrow’s Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, India and 1200 m altitudes. De, L.C. and Medhi, R.P. 2014. Diversity and Conservation of Rare Flowering: March – May; Fruiting: June – August and Endemic Orchids of North East India- A Review. Indian Distribution: India (Assam and Orissa) and Myanmar Journal of Hill Farming. 27(1): 138-153. Specimen examined: Assam, Goalpara, Bhur Block, U. Kanjilal Ghosh, S., Ganga, M., Priyanka, R.R. and Manimaran, P. 2017. 5097. Endangered Ornamental Plant Species in India and Strategy for their conservation- A Review. Chem Sci Rev Lett. Discussion 6(23):1457-1464 Based on the present study it has been found that out of 29 Haridasan, K. and Rao, R.R. 1985. Forest Flora of Meghalaya. Vol. Elaeocarpus species reported in India, 18 species are reported I. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. from Northeast India. Northeast India has rich diversity of Kanjilal, U.N., Das, A., Kanjilal, P.C. and De, R.N. 1934. Flora of Elaeocarpus species. From phytogeographical point of view, the Assam, Vol. I. Govt. of Assam, Shillong. distribution of the genus Elaeocarpus Linnaeus in Northeast India Mao, A.A. and Gogoi, R. 2016. Flora of Dziiko/Dzukou. Botanical is significant. The species of Elaeocarpus usually prefer to grow in Survey of India, Kolkata. moist evergreen forests between 500 and 2000 m altitudes. Most Mao, A.A., Sinha, B.K., Verma, D. and Sarma, N. 2016. Checklist of the Elaeocarpus species fruits are edible. The wood of of Flora of Meghalaya. Botanical Survey of India, Eastern Elaeocarpus trees is used in making boxes, match splints, plank, Regional Centre, Shillong. plywood and wooden pallets. E. floribundus is the most common Pal, G.D. 2013. Flora of Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal species of Elaeocarpus found in this region. It is planted in home Pradesh (India).Vol.1. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. gardens and parks for its edible fruits. E. sphaericus (Rudraksh) is Singh, N.P., Chauhan, A.S. and Mondal, M.S. 2000. Flora of also planted for its medicinal and religious uses. Different species Manipur. Vol. 1. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta. of indigenous Elaeocarpus needs to be conserved. There is also Singh, N.P., Singh, K.P. and Singh, D.K. 2002. Flora of Mizoram need for more scientific research analysis of the medicinal Vol. I. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. properties and nutritional values of wild Elaeocarpus species. http:// www.ipni.org/ http:// www.theplantlist.org/ References http:// www.tropicos.org/ Balakrishnan, N.P. 1981. Flora of Jowai and vicinity, Meghalaya, Vol. I. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.

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