Present study is based on the stipe anatomy of 13 selected species of pteridophytes of South India. Detailed description, key to the taxa based on stipe anatomy, photographs and descriptions are provided.

No abstract

In the field of vascular anatomy of ferns it is necessary to study the successive stages through which the fern passes during its development. This procedure not only determines the position, interrelationship and structure of the different vascular components of the mature fern but also shows indications of phylogenetic relationship. For understanding the anatomical features of three species of Adiantum L., stipe of Adiantum caudatum L., Adiantum latifolium Lam. and Adiantum lunulatum Burm., from Kerala were studied. The patterns formed by the protoxylem strands are surprisingly variable among species. A separate key was prepared for the identification of species based on anatomy.

A new species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), P. balakrishnanii, from the southern part of the Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. A detailed description and data on distribution and phenology are provided along with colour photographs, and its affinities with allied taxa are discussed.

No abstract