Abstract

All the previous treatments on the Kerala trees are largely based on generative characters. But, the specimens collected may not always be with generative organs (flowers and fruits). Because of this, experimental and field biologists are often put to difficulties in their identification. Nevertheless, identification at sight, in the field, is often necessary for many parctical purposes. For this, and artificial key based on vegetative characters is desirable, besides descriptive floras based mainlyon generative characters. To meet this need, the project was undertaken with the aim of generating a convenient key. A checklist of the dicotyledonous tree species with a minimum of 10 m height, indigenous to the Kerala forests (341 spp.), was prepared from the regional floras. Based on field observations made in the Kerala forests and studies on the collected specimens in the Institute Herbarium, Madras Herbarium (MH) and Central National Herbarium (CAL), a cardex set for characteristics of species wasprepared. From this an artificial serial key based on vegetative characters has been compiled. A systematic compilation of the cardex data in the alphabetic sequence of binomials is given at the end, for convenience. Nomenclaturally correct and taxonomically accepted binomials, whenever available the basionym, the names given in Bourdillon's The Forest Trees of Travancore (1908) and Gamble and Fisher's Flora of the Presidency of Madras (1915-1935), correct citations, the commonest Malayalam names, family name, detailed annotations of the vegetative characters, a synopsis of the generative characters, ecological details and distribution within the natural forests of the Kerala State are furnished. Indices of binomials and Malayalam names are also appended