Abstract

Various publications indicate disparity in the number of genera and species reported from different phytogeographic regions of India. This disparity emphasizes the need for a review of the present situation on the basis of exact field survey, verification and literature survey. During the taxonomic studies undertaken on the bamboos of South India it was observed that at present there are 21 species of bamboos under 6 genera that naturally occur in South India. About 10 species under 5 genera are being cultivated. In the present paper, distribution and taxonomy of South Indian bamboos as well as the name change that has been effected recently are dealt along with a note on endemic species