Research AbstractArtocarpus hirsutus Lam. is an endemic tree species of the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India. It is popularly known as the 'wild jack tree". Several attributes in art, culture and socio-economic civilization among the folk communities in Kerala state (Malabar coast) distinguish the tree in the history of Indian civilization. Most of the traditional uses and indigenous know-how earlier referred to this species are vanishing. This article discusses various aspects of the popular wild jack tree of the Malabar coast and its vanishing indigenous biocultural diversity among the folk communities of the region.

A new species of Syzygium, S. palodense is described and illustrated from the southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. It is similar to S. densiflorum and S. rubicundum but differs from both by the slightly winged branchlets, subopposite or alternate leaves with obliquely cuneate bases, thick and robust petioles, creamy-white flowers with campanulate calices and subglobose to obovoid fruits.

A new species of Syzygium, S. chemunjianum is described and illustrated from the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. It is similar to S. tamilnadensis but differs from it in habit, colour and nature of blaze, shape of leaves, number of intramarginal nerves, position of inflorescence, the colour, size and shape of fruits and size of seeds.

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