Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution

, Volume 54, Issue 6, pp 1327–1332 | Cite as

On the occurrence, distribution and taxonomy of Momordica subangulata Blume subsp. renigera (G. Don) de Wilde in India

ORIGINAL PAPER
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Abstract

Different authors in India and South East Asia treat dioecious species in the genus Momordica differently. The cultivated ‘bhat karela’ of East and North East India is referred to as Momordica dioica Roxb. by botanists and herbarium curators whereas agricultural scientists, in general, designate it as Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. A critical study of 266 herbarium sheets housed at CAL and BSISH and in situ field studies at specific pockets in the North East India followed by preliminary characterization revealed its correct identity as Momordica subangulata Blume subsp. renigera (G. Don) de Wilde. First hand information on its occurrence, taxonomy and distribution in India is given. The species was found in wild as well as in homestead cultivation in North Eastern India and exemplify direct utilization of biodiversity by indigenous people.

Keywords

Bhat karela Distribution Momordicasubangulata subsp. renigera Nomenclature Teasle gourd 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. D.K.Hore, Officer-in-Charge, NBPGR Shillong, Mr. R. Karuppaiyan, Scientist, ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim and Dr. Sabita Baruah, Associate Professor, AAU Jorhat for providing logistic support in collection of germplasm. Curators of CAL and BSISH were kind enough to permit herbarium study. We are also thankful to Dr. W.J.J. de Wilde, National Herbarium of Netherlands, Leiden and Dr. P. Lakshmi Narasimhan, IBLO at KEW for examining a few doubtful specimens and forwarding useful literature. Financial assistance extended by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (STED) to the second author is gratefully acknowledged.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchNational Bureau of Plant Genetic ResourcesThrissurIndia
  2. 2.Regional Herbarium KeralaSt. Berchmans’ CollegeChanganacherryIndia
  3. 3.Department of BotanySt. Berchmans’ CollegeChanganacherryIndia

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