Piper rukshgandhum, Piperaceae, Achankovil, Southern Western Ghats
Abstract
Piper rukshagandhum J.Mathew is described as a new species from the Achankovil forest, Kerala section of the
southern Western Ghats, India. The diagnostic morphological characters, distribution, conservation status and
colour images of the new species are presented. The significance of this newly discovered species in breeding
programs of black pepper is also briefly discussed. A key to Piper from the southern Western Ghats is provided.
Author Biography
Jose Mathew, School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Research Scholar
School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
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