Reproductive biology of Malabar tamarind (Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Rob.: An endemic, medicinal and spice plant from Western Ghats

Abstract

Garcinia gummi-gutta, commonly called as Malabar tamarind or Kudampuli, is endemic to Western Ghats in India. The plant is a good source of medicinally important phytochemicals. Restricted distribution, habitat destruction and over harvesting for medicinal uses leads to declining of G. gummi-gutta population. Reproductive biology studies such as flowering phenology, flower morphology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity and pollination mechanism were carried out to suggest conservation measures. Garcinia gummi-gutta is dioecious, and the flowering season for both, male and female plants, occurred in March- April months. Anthesis of both male and female flowers and stigma receptivity were observed at evening hours. Small sized pollen grains were spherical in shape and bi, tetra or penta porate. About 4230 ± 602.7 pollen grains were produced per flower. On the day of anthesis high percentage of pollen grains were fertile. Stigma is wet type and broad umbrella-shaped. Wind pollination mechanism is confirmed. Artificial pollination resulted high percentage of fruit set i.e. 96% than natural pollination. After 4 or 5 days unfertilized flowers were falls down. If fertilization occurred, dried petals remained for long time with the fruit. Fruits and seeds mature after four months from the day of flowering.