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A morphometric analysis and taxonomic study of Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. (Araliaceae) species complex from Sikkim Himalaya, India

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Abstract

The taxonomic position of Panax bipinnatifidus is controversial and problematic. To infer inter- or intra-specific morphological relationship in Panax bipinnatifidus and its allies—P. sikkimensis and P. sokpayensis, we carried out a phenetic study of these taxa, based on thirteen morphological characters (eight quantitative and five qualitative), using univariate and multivariate analysis. The results obtained from the principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) revealed lack of taxonomic differences between Panax bipinnatifidus and P. sikkimensis, whereas P. sokpayensis showed distinct morphological features. Discriminant analysis (DA) of the quantitative morphological characters also did not reveal any dissimilarity between Panax bipinnatifidus and P. sikkimensis. There were no differences between majority of the morphological characters of Panax bipinnatifidus and P. sikkimensis except for the presence of pinnate leaflets and absence of bracts in the latter. The lack of differences in morphological characters of Panax bipinnatifidus and P. sikkimensis suggest that these two taxa are part of the same species complex. Our field studies show that Panax binnatifidus does not occur as an independent species anywhere in nature, but always shows a congeneric association with P. sikkimensis. In addition, the morphotype of undivided leaflets (P. sikkimensis) is more normal and common than the morphotype of pinnate or bipinnate leaflets (P. bipinnatifidus) in natural populations. Following the principle of priority of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature we conclude that Panax bipinnatifidus is a distinct species, while P. sikkimensis is a synonym of P. bipinnatifidus in Indian Himalaya. Based on the present investigations we propose that Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. should be given recognition and priority for the specific rank as opposed to the views of earlier workers. A taxonomic key of the studied taxa is provided.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Government of India & NHPC India for the research project sanctioned to Maharaj K. Pandit vide Project No. J.12011/11/99-IA.I. is acknowledged. We thank Joint Directors, Botanical Survey of India, Sikkim Himalayan Circle, Gangtok (SHC) and Central National Herbarium, Kolkatta (CAL), who allowed us access to the herbarium specimens. We also thank Department of Forests, Govt. of Sikkim for necessary permissions and assistance in the field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment (CISMHE), University of Delhi, ARC Building, Patel Marg, Delhi, 110007, India

    Shiva K. Sharma & Maharaj K. Pandit

  2. Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India

    Maharaj K. Pandit

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  1. Shiva K. Sharma
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  2. Maharaj K. Pandit
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Correspondence to Maharaj K. Pandit.

Appendix

Appendix

List of specimens studied:

Panax pseudoginseng Wall.—NEPAL: Sheopore (Shivapuri), Kathmandu, 1829, N. Wallich 3730 (lectotype: CAL); Sheopore (Shivapuri), Kathmandu, 1829, N. Wallich 3730 (isolectotype: CAL).

Panax sikkimensis Ban.—INDIA: Lachung valley, Sikkim, Aug 1892, G. A. Gammie s.n. (DD); Kyangnosla, Sikkim, 4 Aug 1945, N. L. Bors 288 (DD); Zemu valley, Sikkim, 25 Jul 1909 Smith & Cave (CAL); Chungthang to Lachen, Sikkim, 16 May 1945, K. Biswas (CAL); Kyongnosla, Sikkim, 23 Jun 2000, S. S. Dash (SHC); Lachen, Tallam, Sikkim, 15 Jul 1986, D. C. S. Raju & S. Singh (SHC); Lachung, Yakchey to Yumthang, Sikkim, 10 Jul 1986, D. C. S. Raju & S. Singh (SHC); Lachen, Gompa to Bhotey busty, Sikkim, 24 Jul 1986, D. C. S. Raju & S. Singh (SHC); Thangu, Kalep, Sikkim, 12 Sept 1988, R. C. Srivastava (SHC); On way to Yumthang, Sikkim, 27 Jul 1989, R. C. Srivastava (SHC); Lachung to Dombeyang, Sikkim, 27 Jul 1997, S. S. Dash & A. Maiti (SHC); Lachen to Thangu, Sikkim, 26 Aug 1982, P. Chakraborty (SHC); Tonglo, Darjeeling, 8 Jun 1884, C. B. Clarke (CAL); Tonglo, Darjeeling, 15 Jun 1961, T. A. Rao (CAL); Ramam, Darjeeling, 1942, H. G. Champion (DD); Tonglo, Darjeeling, Aug 1874, J. S. Gamble 3040B (DD); Tonglo, Darjeeling, 4 Sept 1876, G. King (CAL); Sandakphu to Rimbick, Darjeeling, 9 Oct 1944, K. Biswas 5661 (CAL); Tawang, Lumla, Arunachal Pradesh, 30 Jul 1987, J. Lal, 1641 (ARUN); Tawang, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, 1 Sept 1984, H. B. Naithani 1154 (DD).

Panax sikkimensis Ban.—BHUTAN: Gautsa to Latung, 17 Aug 1938, B. J. Gould 1529 (DD); Ha to Domtang, 24 Jul 1938, B. J. Gould 1285 (DD).

Panax assamicus Ban.—INDIA: Rahu-Wakka, NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh), 2 Jul 1961, R. N. Banerjee (CAL); Rupa – Bomdila, NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh), 11 May 1957 R. S. Rao (CAL); Sirohee (Siroi), Manipur, 10 Jul 1948, S. K. Mukherji 3183 (CAL); Shiwang Khasia, Meghalaya, Aug 1890, H. Collett 16 (CAL); Khasia, East–West Dumpep, Meghalaya, 3 Jun 1911, I. H. Burkill & S. C. Banerjee (CAL); Bioch hill, Meghalaya, 5 Jul 1956, D. Chatterji 48 (CAL); Shillong peak, Meghalaya, 5 Jun 1958, R. S. Rao (CAL); Shillong peak, Meghalaya, 23 Jul 1913, U. Kanjilal 2344 (DD); Khasia Hills, Meghalaya, Jun 1876, G. Mann 385 (DD); Maphlang, Lower Lyngdoh, Meghalaya, 21 Aug 1974, P. K. Hajra (ASSAM); Wahlyer Nongsto, Showang corner, Meghalaya, 14 Jun 1958, G. Panigrahi (CAL).

Panax bipinnatifidus Seem.—INDIA: Laghep, Sikkim,11 Jul 1910, W. W. Smith (CAL); Sikkim, 1849, Hooker & Thomson (CAL); Dzongri, Bakhim, Sikkim, 5 Jun 1996, A. Maity & S. K. Rai (SHC); Dzongri to Tsoka, Sikkim, 22 Jun 1993, S. Pradhan (SHC); Mt. Tankra, Sikkim, 1 Aug 1892, G. A. Gammie (CAL); North-East of Tolung, Lingur, Darjeeling, 25 Jul 1884, C. B. Clarke 277 (CAL); Tonglo, Darjeeling, 4 Jun 1884, C. B. Clarke (CAL); Mt. Singalelah, Darjeeling, 13 Jun 1892, G. A. Gammie (CAL).

Panax sokpayensis Sharma and Pandit—INDIA: Uttarey, Sikkim, 25 Aug 2005, S. K. Sharma120 (CUD); Neebi to Buckeem, 06 Oct 1862, T. Anderson, 191750 (CAL).

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Sharma, S.K., Pandit, M.K. A morphometric analysis and taxonomic study of Panax bipinnatifidus Seem. (Araliaceae) species complex from Sikkim Himalaya, India. Plant Syst Evol 297, 87 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-011-0501-8

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