Checklist of the grasses of India

Abstract

A checklist of the grasses of India is presented, as compiled from survey of all available literature. Of the twelve subfamilies of grasses, ten are represented in India. Most subfamilies have been examined by taxonomic experts for up-to-date nomenclature. The list includes 1506 species plus infraspecific taxa and presents information on types, synonyms, distribution within India, and habit. Twelve new combinations are made, viz. Arctopoa tibetica (Munro ex Stapf) Prob. var. aristulata (Stapf) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Chimonocalamus nagalandianus (H.B. Naithani) L.G. Clark, comb. nov.; Chionachne digitata (L.f.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Chionachne wallichiana (Nees) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Dinebra polystachyos (R. Br.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Moorochloa eruciformis (Sm.) Veldkamp var. divaricata (Basappa & Muniv.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. ex Lindl.) Munro var. puberula (Miq.) Kailash, comb. & stat. nov.; Tzveleviochloa schmidii (Hook. f.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Urochloa lata (Schumach.) C.E. Hubb. var. pubescens (C.E. Hubb.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Urochloa ramosa (L.) T.Q. Nguyen var. pubescens (Basappa & Muniy.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.; Urochloa semiundulata (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Ashalatha & V.J. Nair var. intermedia (Basappa & Muniy.) E.A. Kellogg, comb. nov.

Keywords: Poaceae; biodiversity; biogeography; south Asia; taxonomy.