WI LD R LATI\IES CROP PLANTS IN INDIA

WI LD R LATI\IES 

OF 

CROP PLANTS IN INDIA

First Printed 1984 

All Rights Reserved 

© 1984, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources 

This Publication is brought out to mark the Tenth Anniversary of 

the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, Rome, Italy. 

Copies available from : 

Director 

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources 

New Delhi-UO 012 

Published by the Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi and 

Printed at Kapoor Art Press, A 38/3, Mayapuri Industrial Area, New Delhi-l 10 064

FOREWORD 

The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources is delighted to 

note this important work on the Wild Relatives of Cuitivated Plants of 

India, issued to coincide with the Board's lO-year anniversary. 

When the !BPG R started a planning exercise to assess the areas which 

should receive emphasis during the next decade, two such were identified: 

firstly, more emphasis should be given to the wild relatives of crop plants 

so that the now substantial holdings are made more representative of the 

total variability by including wider parts of the erop gcnepools; and 

secondly, much of the collecting in the past for crop germplasm has not 

adequateJy laid stress on ecogeograpbical principles and this should be 

Changed. 

This book stemmed from the inspiration of Dr. R. K. Arora, who is 

an acknowledged expert in his field. The IBPGR trusts that the book 

will be usefull to all interested in crop germplasm, especially to students 

of crop evolution. 

August, 1984 

J. T. WILLIAMS 

Executive Secretary 

International Board for Plant Genetic 

Resources, Rome, Italy,

PREFACE 

The wild relatives of crop plants and related species assume great 

significance in crop improvement and crop evolutionary studies. Though 

India is floristically very rich and genetic wealth of species related to crop 

plants occurs here, as components of primary and secondary gene pools 

and other distant types yet, no account of such diversity has so far been 

written. The primary aim of thi-s study has been to synthesize such information. 

This write-up provides a floristic list of species of wild relatives and 

related types category-wise i.e. cereals and millets, legumes, vegetable and 

fruit types, oilseeds, fibre types and spices and condiments, with notes on 

their distribution and ecology. Over 300 species are listed, of which about 

100 are of taxa more closely related to cultivated forms, for which information 

is also available on morphology, cytology and crossability studies 

which help in elucidating species interrelationships. 

Apart from the direct relationships, distribution-details provide 

useful information on plants growing in stress-habitats and their utility 

like-wise in crop improvement viz., to induce drought hardiness, cold 

adaptability, adaptability to particular edaphic situations, and their use as 

root-stocks i.e. Citrus, Prunus and Pyrus. . 

A brief account is also provided on the distribution of such useful 

flora in different vegetation types, as components of climax, biotic and 

bioedaphic communities, and ecologically, as associates of the tree, shrub/ 

undergrowth vegetation, in disturbed grass-mixed habitats. 

In the over-all perspective, this account pinpoints to the distribution 

and di\'ersity of wild relatives of crop plants and their concentration 

in different phytogeographical zones of India. The distribution maps as 

given, further elucidate this. Emphasis has also been laid on rare and 

endemic species and their zones of diversity. This information thus, will 

be of great help at national level in screening of the areas of diversity, 

vis-a-vis preservation of such useful floristic elements of Indian vegetation. 

It would emphasize in situ conservation measures for such species, in 

their zone(s) of occurrence. The preponderance of such useful species .in 

biotic/bioedaphic-ecoiogically disturbed sites, particularly of the annJaI 

and perennial non-tree components, would demand their conservation in 

botanical/genetic gardens/gene sanctuaries and in seed repositories. 

Finally, we hope that this effort on our part, to pool in all available 

jnformation of the wild relatives and related species from a phytogeogra-

VI 

phicaljecological/crop-evolutionaryjbreeding stand-point, would be of 

great use to botanists, plant breeders, biosystematists, plant explorers and 

conse.rvationists. 

We express our gratitude to Dr. O. P. Gautam, Director General 

and Dr. M. V. Rao, Deputy Director General, ICAR, for their advice and 

encouragement, and to Dr. K. L. Mehra, former Director, National Bureau 

of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi for his help and' suggestions. We 

are equally indebted to Dr. T. N. Khoshoo, Secretary, Deptt. of Environment, 

Govt. of India, Dr. S. K. Jain, ex-Director, Botanical Survey of India, 

Howrah, Dr. J. T. Williams, Executive Secretary and Dr. N. Murthi 

Anishetty, Asst. Executive Secretary, International Board of Plant Genetic 

Resources, Rome, Italy, for their interest in this work. We also wish to 

record our thanks to Shri G. Srivastava, for making available several of 

the photographs from the official collection, to our colleagues at N.B.P.G.R. 

headquarters and Regional Stations and to Mrs. Rita Rani, Artist, for 

'" preparing distribution maps. 

Division of Plant Exploration and Collection, 

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, 

New Delhi, 1984. 

R. K. ARORA 

E. R. NAYAR

CONTENTS 

Foreword 

Preface 

Introduction 

Wild relatives and related taxa-synthesis of information 

Wild relatives as genetic sources of economic utility-analysis 

of information 

Wild relatives and gene-pool concept· 

Wild relatives-their diversity and distribution ~ 

I. Cereals and Millets 

II. Legumes 

III. Fruits 

IV. Vegetables, 

V. Oilseeds 

VI. Fibres 

VII. Spices and Condiments 

VIII. Miscellaneous 

General Considerations 

Tabulated Information 

Table I-Genera of wild relatives and related types 

Tab Ie 2-Genera of wild relatives according to economic 

plant groups 

Table 3-EndemicJrare species and over-exploited types 

Table 4-Distribution of wild relatives in different phytogeographical 

zones 

Table 5-lmportant wild relatives and related types in 

different phytogeographical zones 

Table 6-Wild relatives of crop plants and related taxagrouping 

according to biosystematic evidences 

Bibliography 

A. General References 

B. Crop-specific References 

iii 

v 

1 

2 

3 

5 

6 

7 

13 

19 

29' 

41 

43 

46' 

50' 

54 

61 

63 

64 

65 

69 

72 

85 

86

INTRODUCTION 

The wild relatives of crop-plants are of considerable importance in 

crop-improvement studies, as a source of disease and pest resistance, stress 

tolerance etc., in providing basic information on &pecies relationship 

and giving clues to crop-evolution patterns. The concentration of these 

wild taxa lies mainly in the centres of diversity of crop plants, though 

many of these exhibit interesting distribution patterns away from their 

seat of diversification too. The Indian sub-continent forms part of such a 

centre of diversity ~ Vavilov, 1950; Zeven & Zhukovsky, 1975). Further, 

this diversity has also been enriched due to active gene exchange with 

the surrounding regions (Chatterjee, 1939). A synthesis of available information 

on the distribution, habitat preferences/ecology, utility, diversity 

etc., of such plant wealth is attempted with the following objectives: 

(a) 

(b) 

to provide a cechk-list of species of wild relatives and related taxa 

of economic plants grouped on the basis of possible utility: cereals 

and millets, legumes, fruit and vegetable types, oilseeds and fibre 

types, etc. (with notes on their distribution in different phytogeographical 

zones of the country and information on their maturity 

season, flowering/fruiting) as an aid to collectors in phmning explorations 

for germplasm collection; 

to pin-point the areas of concentration of these species so that this 

information proves useful to plant explorers, collecting a wide array 

of diversity from a particular phytogeographical zone; 

(c) to pin-point the rare/endemic taxa of wild useful plants; 

(d) 

(e) 

to give details of the species relationships from their use in breeding 

programmes, crossability studies or, through known distribution 

data, their possible utility, traits/desirable attributes like drought 

hardiness, cold adaptability, usefulness as root stocks, etc.; 

based on the available information, to pin-point areas for conserving 

such native flora as ecological niches, floristically rich and 

diverse, within the biosphere reserves or gene sanctuaries, as also 

the rare species both for in situ and ex situ conservation. 

WILD RELATIVES AND RELATED TAXA 

(SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION) 

The basic information on this aspect was synthesized from all the 

relevant literature listed under general references in bibliography. At

2 ARORA AND NAYAR 

first, generic lists of wild taxa of agri-horticultural importance was prepared. 

Th en, for each genus, information was noted on index cards for 

distribution, ecology, habitat and other notes on utility aspects (for 

all species within that genus). This was further supplemented through 

accounts dealing with domestication, evolution and related studies on 

crop plants (Anon.b, 1951; Hutchinson, 1974; Ramanujam and lyer, 

1974) and other treatises on economic plants (Anon.a; 1976; Santapau 

and Henry, 1973; Watts,1892). These index cards numbering over 1200 

were further screened and only taxa of relatively more importance, 

numbering about 300 species, were retained for detailed analysis. 

The genera of different categories of economic plants, major 

families of these taxa (cereals and millets, legumes, fruit and vegetable 

types, fibre types, oilseeds, etc.) and the number of species for each genus, 

are listed in Tables 1 and 2. For each group/category, a separate account 

is given laying emphasis On the distribution of species in different phytogeographical 

zones, followed by the floristic list (check-list) of all such 

species, with their distribution. From the above distribution data, information 

was synthesised on the rare/endemic taxa of wild relatives of 

crop plants and the wild forms of the native domesticates (listed in 

Table 3). 

The category-wise distribution of species in the different phytographical 

zones listed in Tables 4 and 5, pinpointed the areas of concentratiori 

of various economic plants. Fruiting period for each zone was 

also worked out. The closely related wild taxa were delineated on the 

basis of evidences from morphology, cytology, crossability, utility etc., and 

were grouped into two classes (Table 6). 

WILD RELATIVES AS GENETIC SOURCES 

OF ECONOMIC UTILITY 

(ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION) 

The wild relatives of crop plants and related species of agri-horticultural 

importance, by and large, occur as members of disturbed, bio-edaphic 

communities within the major vegetation types. Disturbed grasslands 

and scrub vegetation and similar open forest areas are rich in such components 

except for fruit trees which are Jargely associates of the semievergreen, 

sub-humid/humid tropical and temperate forests. Few taxa 

occur widely, e.g. Echinochloa, Coix, Oryza and Carthamus. The diversity 

of plant resources in India and its distribution in different categories of 

crop plants as given above is discllssed here with emphasis on taxa more 

related to the cultivated types.

WILD RELATIVES OF CROP PLANTS IN INDIA 3 

Detailed investigations have been carried out on few of the Indian 

wild types of agri-horticultural importance. 

Morphological and cytological evidences (Govindaswamy et. a/., 

1966) help in pinpointing areas of diversity in Oryza: from Jeypore tract, 

intermediate types are known between Oryza nivara and spontanea types 

of a. sativa (Oka et. a/., 1959); spontaneous hybrids of O. perennis group 

with O. satira are available from the Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh 

(Morishima and Oka, 1960); in red-coloured rices, O. rujipogol1, with 

similar distribution as O. sath'a, shows spontaneous hybridization in 

nature (Sastry and Sharma, 1974). E/eusine indica, morphologically and 

cytologically, is similar to E. coracana (Krishnaswamy, 1951); the 

diploid form is of Indian origin and E. indica may be the immediate 

ancestor of it (Mehra, 1963). The closely related species of Setaria 

italica on the basis of crossability and morphology is S. viridis (Anon. a., 

1972). In Coix lacryma-jobi, 'cultivated and wild types form a euploid 

series' (Kaul, 1974). Natural hybrids between Saccharum sponlaneum and 

S. officinarum have been reported (ParthasarathY, 195'1). 

In the legumes, karyomorphologically, Aty/osia sericea and A. lineata 

are similar to Cajanus cajan (Dcodikar and Thakur, 1956). A. scarabaeoides 

is related to these two species based on chromosome numbers (De, 1974). 

Among Vigna species with a build-up of diversity in India of wild and 

cultivated types (Sharma, 1979), V. radiata var. sublobata and V. mungo 

var. sylvestris are related morphologically and cytogenetically to cultivated 

taxa, V. radiata and V. mungo (Arora et. at., 1973; Jain and Mehra, 1980). 

Very few examples of such relationships and/or build up of variability 

are on record in other groups. Among fruit types, cytogenetical 

studies in Mangifera show that there is similarity between M. indica and 

M. sylvatica (Mukerjee, 1951). In Citrus, natural hybridization has been 

recorded (Bhattacharya and Dutta, 1951) between related forms co-occurring 

in the north-eastern region (Bhag Singh, 1981). Musa superba, karyomorphologically, 

is related to M. acuminata (Chakravorti, 1948). In 

temperate types, high degree of interrelationship occurs in Prullus, Pyrus and 

others; Pyrus pyrifolia shows much morphological variation and crosses 

with P. communis; closely related forms have been separated even at generic 

levels viz. Sorbus and Malus. (Anon.a., 1978). 

V Among vegetables, Abelmoschus tuberculattls on the basis of chromosome 

number and homology is related to A. esculentus (Arora and Singh, 

1973) and successful hybridization is possible (Gadwal et. al., 1968). In 

Solanum, crosses have been attempted between S. melongena and S. incanum 

(Bhaduri, 1951). S. incanum, S. indicum and S. melongena (Swaminathan, 

1949; Mittal, 1950) are cytogenetically less close and differences exist in


cyto-morphology (Rao and Kumar, 1980). Crossability studies in LufJa 

indicate , that L. graveo/ens is closely related to L. echinata on the one hand 

and to L. cylindrica on the other (Dutta and Roy, 1969; 1971). Amaranthus 

species have a high degree of outcrossing (Khoshoo and Pal, 1971) and 

interspecific hybridization in nature as well as in experimental conditions 

is commonly recorded (Khanna et. a/., 1960). Among !he tuberous types, 

wild forms in C%casia esculenta exhibit variation in cytology correlated 

with the morphology (Sharma and Das, 1956). 

In oilseed types, Brassica tournefortii, morphologically, on the basis of 

karyo-morphology and in pairing relationships (Sikka, 1940) is closer to 

oleiferous B. eampestris (Narain, 1974). Wild species of Sesamum, S. 

prostratum-and S. /aciniatum, are allied (Ramanujam,1941; Ramanujam 

and Joshi, 1951), the cultivated types being closer to S. prostratllm (Anon. 

b, 1972). S. malabaricum also shows similar relationships (Ramanujam 

and Joshi, 1951) and produces fertile hybrids with cultivated sesame. 

Experimental hybridization of Camellia irrawadiensis (Wight and Barua, 

1957; Bezbarua, 1971; 1974) is indicative of the potential importance and 

closeness of this species with Camellia sinensis. 

Some examples where crosses have been established between related 

genera are of Saccharum constituting a hybrid complex of Ripidium, Sclerostachya 

and Miscallthus (Rao et. al., 1979); fertile hybrids between Sclerostachya 

and Narenga have been recorded (Parthasarthy and Rao, 1948); 

similarly, Hordeum agriocrithon is related to Elymus, on basis of crossability 

relationships (Bor, 1960; Briggs, 1978). 

Some taxa, based on their distribution, are important as possible 

donors of drought hardiness, adaptability to cold and to certain exacting 

edaphic situations e.g. Oryza coaf( tata in the brackish waters of 

Sundarban delta; Oryza nil'ara, the annual wild rice, for resistance to 

rice tungro virus; Vigna mango var. sy/vestris and V. radiata var. 

sub/obata exhibiting tolerance to yellow mosaic virus; Abelmoschus t".berelilatus 

has contributed one genome to our present day cultivars of A. 

esculentus and is important in providing material tolerant to yellow-veinmosaic 

virus; wild type of Sesamum laciniatum has been used for studies in 

the disease resistance of sesame, S. indicum. 

As sources of potential rootstocks and as breeding materials, the 

rich diversity in wild fruits needs to be studied in detail. More important 

genetic resources here (as examples) are of Artocarpus, Mangifera, Citrus and 

Musa species e.g. Musa balbisiana, M. acuminata, Citrus indica, Mangifera 

sylvatiea and Artocarpus heterophylla in the sub-tropical belt and of pome 

a nd stone fruits (Docynia, Pyrus, Prunus, Rubus, Ribes, Sorbus etc.) in sub-


temperate/temperate belt. Musa germplasm from north-eastern region 

could prove to be drought and fire resistant, being subject to high bioedaphic 

stress under jh11m (shifting) cultivation. 

Rich diversity occurs in the wild relatives of Maydeae (groep to 

which maize belongs). This Asiatic group of species of Co ix, Poly toea, 

Trilobaehne and Chionaehne, needs more thorough study for traits like 

adaptability and disease resistance. Equally important are the wild 

Triticeae, mainly occurring in the Himalaya, including ElymtLS and 

Eremopyrum and the wild types in Hordeum. 

v/'Among cucurbits, rich diversity occurs in wild types in LujJa, 

Momordiea and Triehosanlhes. Detailed studies are yet to be carried out 

on species relationships in Cucurbitaceae, rarticularly among those which 

are morphologically close to cultivated forms such as TrieilOsanthes bracteata 

and T. cueumerina. Similar situation exists in wild species of tuberous 

crops, ginger, Curcuma and related taxa, for which rich diversity exists in 

India. 

Besides, wild tea genetic stocks occurring in the forests of northeastern 

region, related Camellia species and even taxa like Eurya may be 

important. Some of these could provide hardy root-stocks and even be 

used as sources of cold tolerance. Wild species of coffee-CojJea bengalensis 

and others, from the humid tropical belt, also need to be assessed for 

their use. 

WILD RELATIVES AND GENE-POOL CONCEPT 

[The genepool concept as proposed by Harlan and de Wet (1971) 

although excellent when used to show general relationships, is not a 

classification as such. This system can only be explained when a great 

deal of information at all levels of organisation of plant has been gained on 

the group under examination. In Harlan and de Wet's system, GP-I 

includes spontaneous races, GP-2, all species that can be crossed with 

GP-J (cultivated races) with at least some fertility in F-I (gene transfer is 

possible but may be difficult), and G P-3, hybridized with GP-I, and also 

includes lethal or completel~ sterile types (gene transfer is not possible 

or requires special techniques).) Such intensive study has not been done 

for majority of the wild taxa and because of the gaps in our knowledge in 

the biology of wild relatives, no strict classification of all these wild t taxa 

can be attempted. However, using the currently available information 

on morphology/experimental data, distribution and such other criteria, 

possible grouping into closely related and distantly related taxa within 

the purview of the above concepts, has been attempted (Table 6: class-! 

and class-II).

WILD RELATIVES-THEIR DIVERSITY 

AND DISTRIBUTION 

In the account that follows, wild relatives of crop plants are discussed 

group-wise-cereals and millets, legumes, fruit-types, vegetable-types, oi.lseeds, 

fibres, spices and condiments, and miscellaneous group including 

Saccharum and related types and beverage yielding plants. For each 

such group, Dased on the distribution and diversity and available evidences 

on relationships, more important diversity in wild types is discussed, in 

different botanical/phytogeographical regions tfol1owing broadly the 

arrangement of Hooker, 1907 and of Chatterjee, 1939). Finally, a checklist 

of such species is also given with details of distribution and habitat 

preferences where available. 

For each group, the genera/species are dealt with alphabetically. 

Also, within each genus, different species follow a similar arrangement. 

The distribution of wild relatives and related types within each group is 

illustrated by two types of maps : 

(a) maps exhibiting overall distribution of the group i.e. cereals and 

millets, legumes, fruit-types etc. 

(b) map(s) illustrating distribution of more important species of wild 

relatives of crop· plants i.e. genus-wise maps, as of Oryza. 

In these maps, the areas of concentration, where richness of wild 

species occurs, are specifically marked out. These areas, incidentally 

synchronize wholly or partly with the specific phytogeographical zones 

falling within the seven such zones as given in Fig. 22, viz. I. Western 

Himalaya; II. Eastern Himalaya; III. North-eastern region; IV. Gangetic 

Plains; V. Indus Plains; VI. Eastern peninsular regi.on and VII. Western 

peninsular region/Malabar. These maps, however, do not give the distribution 

of species of wild relatives in Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman 

& Nicobar Islands, as very little is known about the genetic diversity of 

wild types in these regions. 

As far as possible, latest valid names are given in the floristic list 

of species; for some taxa, old names as given in Indian floras, have been 

retained (or given as synonym).

I. CEREALS AND MILLETS 

The Indian diversity in the wild related taxa of rice, wheat, barley, 

Coix, finger millet and fox-tail millet, occurs more in the humid tropicalJ 

sub-tropical and the temperate areas (Fig. 1). Maximum diversity occurs 

in the Oryza species largely in the eastern peninsular tract: Oryza nivara 

(annual), O. rujipogon (perennial), the weedy spontanea type in the indica 

cultivars (Fig. 2). Other members of Oryzeae of potential importance are 

Hygroryza aristata, Leersia hexandra and L. hackelii, a cold tolerant 

species. Several members of the Maydeae, viz. Poly/oca digitata, P. 

wallichiana and Trilobachne cookei as also of Coix, C. aqll.atica and C. gigantea, 

P 

o 

Ae - AEGILOPS 

C - COIX 

o - DIGITARIA 

E - ECHINOCHLOA 

Eu- ELEUSINE 

Ch - CHIONACHNE 

Et- ELYMUS 

E,.- EREMOPYRUM 

LEGEND 

H - HORDEUM 

Hy - HYGRORYZA 

L - LEERSIA 

o - ORYZA 

Po - POLYTQCA 

P - PANICUM 

Po. - 

T - TRILOBAC HNE 

PASPALUM 

Pe - PENNISETUM 

5 - SETARIA 

Fig I. Distribution of diversity in wild relatives of cereals and millets.

8 ARORA AND NAY AR 

are chiefly distributed in the eastern or western peninsular humid/subhumid 

tracts, extending to north-eastern or, occasionally, as in Coix 

gigantea, to southern region. Among others, important types are the wild 

form's of Digitaria cruciata and Coix lacryma-jobi, domesticated in the Indo 

Burmese region; in the north-eastern parts and neighbouring hills, wild 

related types of millet Panicum miliare, in tarai range, and of the allied 

taxon, P. psilopodium in hills of Tamil Nadu. Much variability occurs of 

taxa related to the fox-tail millet, Setaria italica, viz: S. verticellata and 

S. viridis, both in the plains and the hills. Among the wild related types 

of finger millet (Elellsine coracana), annual type Eleusine indica has a wider 

distribution as compared to the perennial type, E. compressa, of northwestern 

plains. The allied species of barnyard millet (Echiflochloa frll mentacea), 

E. crusgal/ii, is widely distributed and several variants of this occur 

in rice fields and elsewhere mainly in water-logged habitats. 

The wild Triticeae are mostly distributed in the HimaJayan region, 

mainly in Western/north-western Himalaya such as species of Aegilops, 

Hordeum, Elymus, Elymordelln1, and Eremopyrum; of the five species of 

Avena, A. ludoviciana occurs in cultivated fields. A sterile intergeneric 

hybrid Elymordeum schmidii (Elymus X Hordeum), a product of crossing 

of Elymus nlltans X Hordeum turkestanicum (habit of Hordellm with long, 

awned spikes and 2-rowed arrangement like Elymus) also occurs here 

(Bor, 1960). Wild species related to barley, Hordeum spontaneum and 

. others, occur mainly in Western Himalaya; there is a possibility of occurrence 

of Hordeum agriocrithon in the Sikkim region. Types related to 

wheat occurring here are Elymus dahuricus (in fields), E. dasystachys and 

E. nutans. 

The major distribution areas of wild types in cereals/millets are the 

the Western Himalaya, the north-eastern region and eastern peninsular 

tracts (Fig. 1), from the point of view of availability of high native variability, 

though north-eastern parts and Western Ghats also have a high 

concentration of these important wild types (Table 4). 

Check-list of species 

Aegilops tauschii Cosson. North-western Himalaya, Kashmir; stony alpine 

habitats. 

Avella barbata Pott. ex Link. 

Himalaya. 

North western India, upto KUmaon 

Avena fatua var.fatua Linn. A weedy type; mainly in north-western 

Himalaya; var. pi/osa Syme occurs in north-western 

Himalaya while var. glabrata Petern. extends to 

Sikkim Himalaya.


Avena llldoviciana Dur. A weedy type in Kumaon Himalaya (considered 

a sub-species of A. sterilis). 

Chionachne koenigii (Spreng.) Thw. More variability in Western Ghats, 

Maharashtra and southwards; sporadic distribution in 

tarai region, Dehradun valley and eastwards. 

Chionaclme semiteres (Benth.) Henr. Localized distribution in Tamil Nadu, 

in moist deciduous forest openings. 

/ 

fCOiX aqllatica Roxb. In marshy habitats, central peninsular tract extending 

to Western Ghats. 

Coix gigantea Koenig ex Roxb. In marshy, hygrophytichabitats, sporadic 

distribution in peninsular tract. 

Coix lacryma-jobi Linn. Widely distributed in peninsular and north-eastern 

tract in lowlands, water-logged, marshy habitats/ 

rice-field borders; more variability in hard-shelled, 

wild forms in north-eastern hills. (Thin-shelled edible 

types have been derived from these wild forms). 

Digitaria crt/ciata (Nees) A. Camus. Eastern Himalaya, north-eastern hills; 

in Khasi hills, variability occurs in the wild and 

domesticated var. esculenta Bor. 

Digitaria sanguinalis (Linn.) Scop. Western Himalaya, in Kashmir; types 

related to subsp. aegyptiaca var. jrumentacea occur. 

Widespread distribution as weed. 

Echillochloa c%nllm (Linn.) Link. Widespread in wastelands on wet soils, 

more in rice fields. 

Echinochloacrusgalli (Linn.) P. Beauv. Widely occurring type in lowlands 

in water-logged rice fields; more variation in eastern 

peninsular tract, Bengal plains and north-eastern 

region particularly Assam valley. 

Echinochloa stagnina 

(Rctz.) P. Bcauv. Peninsular tract and north-eastern 

parts. 

Elellsine compressa (Forssk.) Aschers et Schwein. f. ex C. Christenson. A 

hardy, drought-tolerant type distributed mainly in 

north-western arid tracts. 

Eleusine indica (Linn.) Gaertn. Widely occurring type, more abundant 

in plains; related to E. coracana; hill forms are more 

robust. 

Elymus dahul'icus Turcz. North-western Himalaya. Cold dry tract, in 

barley/wheat fields; two varieties occur, var. dahuricus 

var. micranthus Melderis.


Elymus dasystachys Trin. North-western Himalaya, in high elevation zone 

midst grasses and forbs in open exposed slopes. 

Elymus nutans 

Griseb. North-western Himalaya, in high elevation zone, 

grass-mixed alpine desert vegetation; several forms 

occur. 

Eremopymm buonapartis (Spreng.) Nevski.· Western Himalaya, higher 

elevations, alpine meadows or alpine stony habitats. 

Eremopyrum distans (C. Koch) Nevski. Western Himalaya, in alpine, 

stony habitats. 

Eremopyrum orientale (Linn.) Jaub. et Spach. Western Himalaya, grassmixed 

alpine vegetation. 

Hordeum aegiceras Nees ex Royle. North-western Himalaya; open, 

exposed grass-mixed vegetation. 

Hordeum agriocrithon 

Hordeum glaucum 

Hordeum /eporinum 

Aberg. Doubtfully in Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya; 

more common in China/Tibet zone; ancestral form 

of cultivated barley. 

Steud. North-western Himalaya, exposed alpine grassmixed 

vegetation. 

Link. North-western Himalaya, alpine grass-mixed 

vegeta tion. 

Hordeum spontaneunl Koch. North-western Himalaya, in grass-mixed 

vegetation mainly in high elevation zone (resembles 

cultivated barley). 

Hordeum turkestanicum Nevski. North-western Himalaya, Kashmir, in 

higher elevation \3000 m) midst grasses. 

Hygroryza aristata 

(Retz.) Nees ex Wight & Am. Southern India, Western 

Ghats, more in hygrophytic habitats; also eastern 

India. 

Leersia hackelii Keng. Kashmir Himalaya, in grassy meadows. 

Leersia hexandra Swartz. North-eastern hills, Manipur; amidst grasses 

near lakes. 

Oryza coarctata Roxb. Syn. Sclerophyllum coarctatum(Roxb.) Griff. Lower 

Gangetic plains in Sundarbans, eastern India in 

Orissa, Andhra Pradesh; occurs in estuarine deltas 

along river margins, in saline water in tidal swamps. 

Oryza granulata 

Nees et Arn. ex Steud. Occurs in the foothills and plains 

of eastern India.


LEGEND 

C O. COARCTATA 

N O. NIVARA 

R O. RUFIPOGON 

S O. SATIVA VAR.SPONTANEA 

Fig. 2. 

Distribution of wild Oryza species; more variation occurs in the hilly tracts 

of Orissa. 

Oryza nivara Sastry et Sharma. Annual wild rice, peninsular region, 

near water-logged fields, ponds etc. (closely related 

to cult iva ted rice). 

Oryza rujipogon 

Oryza sativa 

Griff. Perennial wild rice, much variability in peninsular 

tract extending north-east, Bengal plains, Assam 

valley and bordering areas; closely related to cultivated 

rice, often occurring as a weed near ricy field 

borders, neighbouring ponds. 

I 

Linn. var. spontanea. (annual type of O. perennis) in rice 

fields in the eastern plains and peninsular tracts; 

minuta types occur in Assam valley. 

Panicum hippothrix K. Schum. Tn Deccan peninsula; grain cooked like rice. 

Panicum psilopodium 

Trin. (Related to P. millare) Two forms occur; var. 

psilopodium is distributed in peninsular tract in Tamil


Nadu and var. eoloratum largely in tarai range in 

Western Himalaya, at lower elevations. 

Panieum sumatrense Roth. ex Roem. et Schult. Syn. P. miliare Lam. Occurs 

wild in northern India, in tarai range upto moderate 

elevations (1500 m) in the Himalaya; cultivated 

forms are related to this. 

Panicum trypheron 

Schult. In Deccan peninsula; grains cooked like rice. 

Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. More variability occurs in drier, rainfed 

pockets of upper Gangetic plains/peninsular region 

on drier slopes, bordering forests. 

~Pennisetum orientale L. C. Rich. Sporadic distribution in Concan (Western 

Ghats), eastern peninsular hills, Bihar and in the 

Western Himalaya. 

Poly toea digitata 

(Linn.) Druce. Distributed in eastern India, in open 

forests. 

Poly toea wallieliiana (Nees) Benth. Occurring in north-eastern region, in 

Sikkim and Assam valley; in open forest or in plains 

near water-logged areas. 

Setaria glcuea (Linn.) P. Beauv. Wild type occurs in nortilern parts of 

Maharashtra often along field borders; cultivated 

types related to this also occur. 

Setaria pallide-fusea (Sch.) Stapf. et C. E. Hubb. Widely occurring weed; 

sporadic variability in inflorescence in Maharashtra, 

northern/north-eastern foothills and in peninsular 

hills up to 2100 m. 

Setaria sphaeelata 

(Sch.) Stapf. et C. E. Hubb. ex M. B. Moss. All 

over plains and hills, particularly in upper Gangetic 

plains. 

Setaria tomentosa (Roxb.) Kunth. Sporadic in distribution in plains and 

hills, occupying damp, shady habitats bordering 

forests. 

Setaria verticellata 

(Linn.) P. Beauv. Widely distributed in plains and 

hills, more in humid areas. 

Setaria viridis (Linn.) P. Beauv. A weed of north-western Himalaya 

adapted to colder tracts extending upto 3300 m. 

Trilobaehne cooke; (Stapf.) Schenck ex Henrard. Occurs in Concan in 

Western Ghats, in open scrub forests/along openings 

of forests.

lI. LEGUMES 

Diversity in legume-crops and their wild related types is high in India 

(Fig. 3). Of relatively greater importance are those related to the grain 

legumes particularly the Asia tic Vigna species, for which India is a centre 

of diversity (Fig. 4). These wild taxa include Vigna mungo var. syh'estris 

related to black gram, distributed in Khandala Ghats and the Concan 

belt in the Western Ghats; V. radiata var. sublobata in tarai range, 

sub-Himalayan tract and sporadically in western and eastern peninsular 

tracts; Vigna grandis akin to V. radiata, is confined to hills of 

Khandala Ghats and the Concan belt; Vigna dalzellialla, akin to the 

cultivated V. angularis and V. umbel/ata, occurs in the Western Ghats; wild 

V. umbel/ala types, akin to their cultivated forms, occur in peninsular 

Fig. 3. 

LEGEND 

A - ATYLOSIA L - LABLA& 

C - CANAVALIA L7 - LATHYRUS 

Ci - CICER 

M - MUCUNA 

0- DOLICHOS T - TRIGON ELLA 

G - GLYCINE V - VIGNA 

Mo - MOGHANIA 

Distribution of diversity in wild relatives of legume crops.


hills, the sub-Himalayan tract and in the north-eastern hills. Among 

others, the wild forms of moth bean, Vigna aconitifolia occurs sporadically, 

ml\inly in the northern or north-western plains and in the Deccan 

plateau, while those of V. tri/obata, besides occurring in these areas, also 

extend to the sub-Himalayan tract. Yet another species is Vigna capensis, 

occurring in the sub-tropical Himalaya and in peninsular hills, extending 

to the north-eastern region. 

Tn general, a wide array of diversity in wild Atylosia species occurs 

in India (Fig. 5), with maximum concentration in the Western Ghats and 

in the north-eastern region. In the area of variability of pigeonpea 

(Cajanus cajan), the eastern penisular tract, occurs its closest wild counterpart, 

Aty!osia cajanifolia, endemic to Belladilla range in Orissa. 

In the humid tropical belt of Western Ghats, wild types of Canavalia 

. occur, particularly in the lowland forests along the coastal belt-C. virosa 

and C. obtusifolia; the latter is related to C. gladiata, the cultivated type. 

Apparently endemic to this region is C. stocksii in the Western Ghats of 

Maharashtra. Yet another area of diversity, both for cultivated and 

wild forms of sword bean is the north-eastern region, particularly the 

hills of Manipur and Mizoram. 

In Mucuna, while maximum diversity in cultivated types occurs in 

the eastern peninsular tract, the wild types exhibit a wider range of 

distribution (Fig. 6). M. pruriens related to M. cochinchinensis, the cultivated 

form, occurs in the western and eastern peninsular belt, extending 

to the north-eastern parts, where also occurs M. bracteata. 

Cicer microphyllum, the Indian wild relative of chick pea, is a 

semi-prostrate type occurring in the high elevation zones (2700-3500 m) in 

the north-western Himalaya. 

The major botanical/phytogeographical areas of distribution of 

wild related taxa of cultivated legume crops, corresponding to the areas 

with maximum species concentration (Table 4) are the eastern and western 

peninsular tracts, the north-eastern parts and the Western Himalaya 

(Fig. 3). 


Aty!osia cajanifolia 

Aty!osia candollei 

Haines. ·Endemic to Orissa (Mahendragiri, Belladilla 

range). 

Wight & Arn. Nilgiris. 

Atylosia volnbilis (Blanco) Gamble. Syn. A. crassa Prain. Siwalik range, 

central India in plains eastwards to West Bengal/ 

Assam and southwards to Tamil Nadu/~erala.

WILD RELATIVESOF CROP PLANTS IN INDIA 

15 

LEGEND 

A -A AlBlCAN5 K-A.KULNENSIS 

B - A. BARBATA L -A .LINEATA 

C - A CANDOLLEI M -A .MOlLiS 

C - A. CAJANIFa...IA P -A. PlATYCARPI< 

C - A. VOLUBILIS R- A ROSTRATA 

E - A ElONGATA R -A. RUGOSA 

G - A GEMINI FLORA 5 -A. 5CARABAEOIOE5 

G - A.GRANOIFOllA S -A. SERICEA 

V-A.VlllOSA 

Fig. 4. 

Distribution of Arylosia species; rich diversity occurs in the eastern and 

western peninsular regions. 

Atylosia lineata 

Atylosia sericea 

Wight & Arn. In hills of Western Ghats. 

Benth. Concan. 

Atylosia scarabaeoides (Linn.) Benth. Throughout plains of India upto 

1800 m. in the Western Himalaya. 

Canavalia l'irosa 

Canavaiia maritima 

Wight & Am. Syn. C. ensiformis var. virosa (Linn.) 

Wight & Am. Occurs in north-eastern region; 

Manipur, Mizoram and other areas, apparently I wild; 

also sporadically in Western Ghats. 

(Aubl.) Thou. Western peninsular region, in coastal 

habitats (related to C. gladiata). 

Canal'a!ia stocksii Dalz. Apparently endemic to Deccan peninsula; rare 

(possibly a variant of C. ~nsiformis).


Cicer mierophy/lum Royle. Syn. C. soongarieum Steph. ex DC. Northwestern 

Himalaya, in higher elevations (2700 m- 

3500 m), in Lahaul, Ladakh and adjoining cold stony 

deserts. 

Doliehos ulliflorus 

Lam. Wild in Western Ghats, Khandala southwards. 

DolicllOS braeteatus Baker. Confined largely to COQ,can hills; rare (appa 

. rentlyallied to Lablab niger). 

Glycine javaniea Linn. Western Ghats, Khandala southwards in hills of 

Mysore, Nilgiris and Pulneys upto altitude of 2100 m. 

Glycine pentapftylla Dalz. Western Ghats, largely Concan, northern 

Karnataka, Wynad etc. 

Lablab niger Medik. var. /ignosus (Linn.) Prain. Occurs wild in eastern 

coast, in Andhra Pradesh. Small podded drought 

hardy types occur in scrub jungles. Var. typicus 

Prain is more restricted in occurrence. 

Lathyrus apilaca 

Linn. Weed of northern plains/upper Gangetic plains; 

also in temperate zone with other species. 

Lathyrus sativus Linn. A weed in northern, central and western India 

upto an altitude of 1200 m. 

Mucuna bracteata DC. North-eastern hills; common in Khasi hills, allied 

to M. pruriens. 

Mucuna capitata Wight & Arn. Tarai range, Western and Eastern 

Himalaya, Chota Nagpur. 

Mucuna deeringiana (Bort) Merrill. Northern plains mainly western parts; 

semi-wild types. 

Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. Peninsular region, sporadically in the subtropical/temperate 

Himalayan belt, more variability 

in Concan, Khandala and other humid areas of 

Western Ghats. 

Trigonella eorniculata Linn. Weed in northern plains/upper Gangetic 

plains; occurs in Western Himalaya upto 3600 m 

(allied to T. emodi). 

Trigonella emodi Benth. Western Himalaya, Kashmir up to 3000 m 

(morphologically akin to T. corniclilata). 

Trigonella polycerata Linn. Weed in northern plains, upper Gangetic 

tract; in Western Himalaya upto 1800 m . 

..- Vigna capensis (Thunb.) Burt-Davy. More variability in sub-temperate 

Himalaya and in Western and Eastern Ghats and 

north-eastern hills.


LEGEND 

ATROPURPUREA 

to BRACT£ATA 

C M. CAPITAT" 

N M. NIGRICAN5 

P M. PRURIENS 

G M. GIGANTEA 

H M. HIRSUTA 

M M. MACROCARPA 

MD M. MON05PERMA 

Fig. 5. 

Distribution of wild Mucuna species; more diversity occurs in the eastern/ 

north-eastern region. 

Vigna dalzelliana (Kuntze) Verde. Syn. Phaseolus dalzellianus Kuntz. 

Khandala southwards, Western Ghats, in Concan. 

Vigna grandis (Dalz. & Gibbs.) Verde. Khandala Ghats/Western Ghats, 

sporadic; pods like those of Vigna radiata. 

Vigna mungo 

(Linn.) Hepper var. sy/vestris 

Otoul. Khandala Ghats, 

Ghats. 

Lukoki, Marechal and 

Concan range/Western 

I 

Vigna radiata (Linn.) Wilczek var. sublobata (Roxb.) Verde. Tarai range, 

Siwalik hills, Kumaon up to 1200 m., sporadic in 

peninsular tract in Chota Nagpur and south of it in 

Khandala Ghats; Western Ghats in Concan, extending 

southwards. Plant /pods/seeds like V. radiata. 

Var. setulosus (Dalz.) Ohwi & Ohashi (Syn.


Fig. 6. 

LEGEND 

---;;CciNjnFoL 1.1. 

BOURNEAE 

c _ V. CAPENSI!'> 

0- V OALZ£LLIANA 

G - V. GRANOIS 

G - V. GRAHAMIANUS 

L - V LUTEQLA 

M - V. MUNGO ..... R. 5YLlIESTRIS 

M - V. MARINA 

P - V. PILOSA 

R - V 

RADIATA VAR. SUBLDBATA,VAR. 

!'>ETUlOSA 

T - V. TRILOI!>ATA 

U - V. UMI!>ELLATA 

W - V. WIC,HTII 

Distribution of wild Vigna species; more concentration occurs in the 

western peninsular tract, particularly in the Western Ghats. 

V. radiata (L.) Wilczek var. setulosa (Dalz.) Ohwi 

& Ohashi) is a more hairy form and occurs in 

Concan. 

Vigna tri/obara (Linn.) Verde. Syn. Phaseolus trilobus Ait. Western 

Himalaya, sub-temperate/tropical zone, sporadic in 

peninsular region, particularly in Western Ghats 

and Eastern Ghats in coastal tracts. 

Vigna umbel/ata 

(Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi Syn. Phaseo/us calcaratus Roxb. 

Western and Eastern Himalaya and north-eastern 

hills; Western and Eastern Ghats in peninsular India, 

often in hilly tracts.

III. 

FRUITS 

Rich diversity Occurs in the wild relatives of tropical, sub-tropical and 

temperate types (Fig. 7). Maximum concentration of wild species in 

Citrus (Fig. 8) and Musa (Fig. 9) occurs in the north-eastern region. In 

Shillong plateau, Citrus assamellsis, C.latipes, C. macroptera and C. medica 

occur. Citrus indica has sporadic distribution around Tura range and 

Khasi hills in Meghalaya and in the foothills of Nagaland, where C. 

ichangensis-a cold tolerant type, also occurs (possibly a hybrid of C.latipes). 

Citrus jambhiri (considered a variety of C. limon) is found sporadically in 

the peninsular hills and is used as rootstock. C. aurantifolia, compara- 

LEGEND 

f - fiCUS "" - FHOEN:X 

f. - fRAGARIA PI' - PRUN\.lS 

C - CAPPARIS G - c.ARCINIA '" • PUNICA 

G. - GREWIA po, - PYRUS 

M - MANGIFERA R. - RISES 

c. - CORDIA M.- MADHUCA r.a _ Rueus 

D _ DIOSPYROS ML - MANILKARA s. - SORBUS 

0. - DOCYNIA Mo- MORUS 5t - SPONDIAS I 

E - EMeliCA M~ - MIM.USOPS So, - SYZYGIUM 

r. - EL AEOCARPUS .." - MALUS V - VITIS 

U - ELAEGNUS "'" _ MUSA Z - ZIZYPHUS 

Eo. - ElI'HORIA My _ MYRICA 

Fig. 7. 

Distribution of diversity in wild relatives of fruit crops; the Himalayan 

region and the humid peninsular tract present more variation.

20 ARORA Al"D NAYAR 

tively, has a wider distribution occurring in the sub-Himalayan tract 

extending eastwards to Khasi hills, and southwards in Nilgiris. Similarly, 

in MtlSa, maximum variability occurs in the north-east, in the wild types 

of M. balbisiana and M. acuminata. Musa f1aviflora (M. thomsonii) is 

confined to Manipur and Meghalaya, and At. nagensium is endemic to Naga 

hills. M. sikkimensis occurs in north Bengal, Sikkim, Khasi hills and 

Manipur. Among others, Musa superba occurs in .Western Ghats and in 

Assam. In the foothills of Assam also occur M. cheesmanii, M. mannii and 

M. velutina. 

The north-eastern region also has diversity in other wild fruits such as 

Mangifera sylvatica, Elaeocarpus f1oribllndus, Myrica escu/enta, Docynia 

indica and D. hookeriana. 

The humid tropical zone of the Western Ghats is another region of 

concentration of wild related taxa of cultivated fruits such as Artocarpus 

heterophyl/us and A. lakoocha, wild forms of Garcinia indica, Mimusops 

elengii and Euphoria longen. With ccmparatively wider distribution in 

peninsular tracts are species of Diospyros, Syzygium and Vitis. Spondias 

pinnata also exhibits much variability in this tract. 

Comparatively few species occur in the northern and north-western 

plains and the Aravalli hills viz. Carissa congesta, Capparis decidua, 

Grewia asiatica and Zizyphus spp. (Z. mauritiana, Z. nummularia). Though 

Zizyphus mauritiana, in cultivation, exhibits maximum variability in the 

semi-arid plains, wild types occur in humid peninsular region, viz. 

Z. oenoplia and Z. rugosa. Z. vulgaris is confined exclusively to the northwestern 

Himalayan sub-temperate zone. Variation in Ficus palmata, the 

Indian fig, (related to F. carica) is also represented in the north-western 

zone. 

Among wild relatives of temperate fruits, species of Pyrus, Prunus, 

Rubus, Sorbus and Ribes occur in the Himalaya. Some of these like 

Prunus prostrata and P. tomentosa are confined to the Western Himalaya; 

P. jenkinsii occurs in the eastern belt, but other species are widely distribubuted 

in the Himalayan zone such as P. cornuta, P. napaulensis, allied to 

P. padus and P. aCl/minata. In Pyrus, likewise, P. communis, occurs largely 

in Kashmir; P. kumaoni is localised in the Western Himalaya but P. pashia 

and'; P. baecala occur in the Western Himalaya and eastwards in subtropical 

zone of the north-eastern hills. Pyrus pyrifolia is naturalized in 

the Khasi hills and is found in Nilgiris and used as a rootstock. Sorbus 

aueuparia occurs in the Western and the Eastern Himalaya and S. vestita 

extends its distribution range from Eastern Himalaya to north-eastern 

sub-tropical belt. The species of Rubus also exhibit similar distribution 

patterns; R. fruticosus is confined to Western Himalaya; R. lineatus to the


Eastern Himalaya; R. lanatlts, R. lasiocarpus, R. moluccanus, R. niveus and 

R. reticulatus show widespread distribution in the Himalaya; Rubus ellipticus 

and R. lasiocarpus extend south to peninsular hills. In Ribes, R. nigrum 

occurs in Western Himalaya, and R. gracilis and R. aCliminatum in Eastern 

Himalaya. 

The diversity in wild related types in fruit trees is seen to be high in 

all the phytogeographical zones, except the Gangetic plains with comparatively 

less variability (Fig. 7). 


Aegle marme/os (Linn.) Corr. (Rutaceae). Drier areas, particularly in 

northern/central peninsular region. 

Artocarpus heterophyl/us Lam. (Moraceae). Western Ghats, in evergreen 

forests. 

Artocarplls lakoocha 

Roxb. CMoraceae). Western sub-Himalayan tract 

and in humid peninsular region. 

Cr/pparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew. (Capparidaceae). Common in drier parts 

of north-western plains and also in Deccan peninsula. 

Carissa congesta Wight. (Apocynaceae). North-western India, Western 

Ghats in Maharashtra. 

Citrus assamensis 

Citrus aurantifolia 

Citrus aurantium 

Citrus ichangensis 

Citrus indica 

Dutta & Bhattacharya. (Rutaceae). Southern slopes 

of Khasi hills-SheIla area, Shillong plateau. 

Sw. (Rutaceae). Occurs wild in the warm valleys of 

sub-Himalayan tracts. 

Linn. (Rutaceae). SUb-Himalayan tract. Garhwal eastwards 

to Sikkim, and in Khasi hills; more in warm 

valleys in the foothills of the Himalaya; it also 

occurs in Nilgiris. 

Sw. (Rutaceae). Nagaland, of restricted distribution in 

north-eastern hills. 

Tanaka (Rutaceae). Tura range, Meghalaya; also sporadic 

distribution in Khasi range in Assam, and near 

Dimapur, Nagaland. 

I 

Citrus jcmbhiri Lush. (Rutaceae). Considered a variety of C. limon. 

Occurs in eastern parts of Punjab near Pathankot. 

Citrus latipes 

(Sw.) Tanaka. (Rutaceae). Shillong plateau, Khasi hills, 

upto 1800 m; cold resistant.


Me 

LEGEND 

A - C ASSAMEN515 

,"-- C AURANTIFOLIA 

Au.-C. AURANTIUM 

I-C. ICHANGENSIS 

I .. - C. INDICA 

J - C. JAMBHIRI 

L - C. LATIPE5 

Li.- C LIMON 

M-C MACROPTERA 

M~- C MEDICA 

Fig. 8. 

Distribution of wild Citrus species; more concentration occurs in the 


Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm. (Rutaceae). North-west India, in sub 

Himalayan belt. 

Citrus macroptera 

Montr. (Rutaceae). Shella area, Shillong plateau, 

Khasi hills. 

Citrus medica Linn. (Rutaceae). Possibly wild in Khasi and Garo hills. 

Cordia myxa Linn. (Boraginaceae). Variability in north-western and 

central plains; two forms are available in northwestern 

hills. 

Cordia rothii Roem. & Schult. (Boraginaceae). Similar distribution range 

as of C. myxa. 

Diospyros chloroxyloll Roxb. (Ebenaceae). Peninsular region. 

Diospyros lotus Linn. (Ebenaceae). North-eastern hills.

WILD RELATIVES OF CROP PLANTS IN INDIA 

23 

Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. 

') 

Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke. I 

~ (Ebenaceae). Peninsular region. 

Diospyros sylvatica Roxb. I 

Diospyros tomentosa Roxb. J 

Docynia hookeriana Decne. (Rosaceae). North-eastern hills, evergreen 

and semi-evergreen forests. 

Docynia indica Decne. (Rosaceae). North-eastern hins, evergreen and 

semi-evergreen forests. 

Duchesnea indica Focke. Syn. Fragaria indica Andr. (Rosaceae). Western 

and Eastern Himalaya, also hills of peninsular India, 

in Nilgiris. 

Elaeagnus angustijolia Linn. (EJaeagnaceae). Western Himalaya, 1800- 

2000 m.; wild forms occur in forest openings. 

Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume. (Elaeocarpaceae). North-eastern region 

Assam plains, Khasi hills. Wild types occur in 

forest area. 

Emblica ojficinalis Gaertn. Syn. Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae). 

Throughout tropical India, also in hills at lower 

elevation in open forests. 

Euphoria Tongan Steud. (Sapindaceae). Western Ghats from Concan 

southwards upto Tinevelly hills upto 1200 m. Common 

in evergreen forests of north eastern hills upto 

1000 m. and cultivated in plains ~related to Litchi 

chinensis). 

Ficuspalmata Forsk. (Moraceae). Sub-Himalayan tract, Western Himalaya 

(related to F. carica). 

Fragaria nilgerrensis Schlecht. (Rosaceae). Nilgiris, Western Ghats and 

in Khasi hills. 

Garcinia atroviridis 

Garcinia cambogia 

Griff. (Guttiferae): Eastern and north-eastern humid 

belt. 

Desr. (Guttiferae). Western humid tract. 

Western 

, 

I 

Pierre (Guttiferae). Coastal area, Nicobar Islands 

Garcinia COIVa Roxb. (Gu ttiferae). Distributed in Eastern and 

Ghats as also north-eastern hills. 

Garcinia hombroniana 

Garcinia indica 

(allied to mangosteen and the eastern Himalayan 

G. paniculata). 

Choisy. (Guttiferae). Wild types occur in humid evergreen 

forests with acidic, juicy fruits.


Garcinia lanceae/olia Roxo. (Guttiferae). Occurs in Eastern and Western 

Ghats and in north-eastern hills. 

Ga"cinia pedunculata Roxb. (Guttiferae). Eastern and north-eastern 

tracts. 

Garcinia spicata 

Hook. f. (Guttiferae). Occurs in Eastern and Western 

Ghats and in north-eastern hills. 

Garcinia tinctoria Dunn. Syn. G. xallthochymus H~ok. f. (Guttiferae). 

In humid tropical forests; can be used as rootstock. 

Grewia asiatica 

Mast. (Tiliaceae). Wild types occur in semi-dry western 

India, foot hills of the Siwalik range, upper Gangetic 

plains, Western Himalaya and in Western Ghats, in 

Maharashtra. 

Grewia damine Gaertn. Syn. G. sa/vi/olia Mast. (Tiliaceae). Sub-Himalayan 

tract; central India; also in Western Ghats. 

GrelVia tenax (Forsk.) Aschers & Schwl. Syn. G. populi/olia Yah!. 

(Tiliaceae). Mainly distributed in central and western 

India, also Deccan plateau, southwards. 

Grewia villosa Willd. (Tiliaceae). Central/western India, extending 

southwards in Deccan plateau and westwards to 

Maharashtra in dry locations. Fruit quality is 

better. 

Madhuca indica J. F. Gmel. Syn. Bassia lati/olia Roxb. (Sapotaceae). 

Maximum variability occurs in central peninsular 

region. 

Malus baccata (Linn.) Borkh. var. himalaica (Maxim.) Schneid. (Rosaceae). 

Wild in temperate Western and Eastern Himalaya and 

in north-eastern hills between 1800-3000 m. 

Mangi/era indica 

Linn. (Anacardiaceae). Wild in peninsular tract, in 

evergreen forests; also in north-east and in tarai 

ranges, with more variation in the former region. 

Mangifera syll'atica Roxb. (Anacardiaceae). Largely in north-eastern 

region, in Shillong plateau; elsewhere sporadic; also 

in Andaman Islands. 

Manilkara Izexandra (Roxb.) Dub. Syn. Mimusops hexandra Roxb. 

(Sapotaceae). Central and western India; wild types 

with large size fruits Occur in Gujarat. 

Mimusops elengi Linn. (Sapotaceae). Western Ghats, in disturbed evergreen 

forests.


Morus alba Linn. (Moraceae). Sub· Himalayan tract upto 2200 m. 

Morus australis Poir. (Moraceae). Himalaya, 


MorllS serrata 

Kashmir eastwards in 

Roxb. (Moraceae). Temperate Himalaya, Kumaon westwards, 

upto 2700 m. (cultivated in Kunawar). 

Musa aCl/minata Colla. (Musaceae). Wild in north-eastern hill regions, 

commonly in cleared forests and also in the Ghats. 

Musa balbisiana Colla. (Musaceae). Wild in north-eastern hill region, 

in cleared forests. 

Musa cheesmanii Simmonds. (Musaceae). Assam; seeded banana, seeds 

bigger than those of M. balbisiana. 

Musaftaviflora Simmonds Syn. M. thomsonii King ex Cowan. (Musaceae). 

Assam, Khasi hills, Manipur. 

5~ 

LEGEND 

A M ACUMINATA 

B M 6ALElISIANA 

C M. CHEESMANII 

F M. FLAVIFLDRA 

M. ITINERAN5 

M M. MANNII 

N M NAGEN51UM 

S M. SIKKIMEN51S 

5, M. 5UPER61 

M. VELUTfNA 

Fig. 9. Distribution of wild Musa species; more concentration occurs in northeastern 

region. 

"

26 

ARORA AND NAYAR 

lv/usa itinerans 

\ 

Cheesman. (Musaceae). 

may be a variant; 

parts. 

Resembles M. aCliminata and 

occurring in the north-eastern 

Mlisa mannii Wend!. ex Baker. (Musaceae). Assam, occurs in hilly tracts. 

Musa nagensium 

Prain. (Musaceae). Naga hills (seeds like Ensete gillettii). 

Musa sikkimensis Kurz. (Musaceae). Sikkim, nor.th Bengal, Khasi hills. 

Musa superba 

Roxb. Syn. Ensete sllperba (Roxb.) Cheesman. (Musaceae). 

Seeds like M. nagensium,1 Western Ghats, in Assam, 

Khasi hills and Manipur. 

Musa velutina Wend!. & Drude. (Musaceae). Assam. 

Myrica eSClJlolta 

Phoenix acaulis 

Buch.-Ham. (Myricaceae). Much variability in northeastern 

hills but distributed throughout Central and 

Eastern Himalaya, 1300 m-2100 m. 

Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb. (Palmae). Peninsular hilly tracts; 

in sub-Himalayan belt and north-eastern region. 

Phoenix Izumilis Royle var. pedunculata Becc. (Palmae). Peninsular 

hilly tracts, a dwarf type. 

Phoenix robllsta Hook. f. (Palmae). Bihar, Deccan peninsula, eastern region. 

Phoenix syfloestris 

Roxb. (Palmae). Central peninsular tract, and north/ 

north-western plains. 

Prunlls cerasioides D. Don. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya, Kashmir 

to Khasi hills extending to hills of Assam and 

Manipur. 

Prunus cornllta 

(Wall. ex Royle) Steud. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya 

eastwards to Assam, upto 3600 m., cold adaptable; 

(closely allied to P. padus). 

Prunusjenkinsii Hook. f. (Rosaceae). Upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh 

and sporadically in other parts of north-eastern 

hills. 

Prunus napan/ensis (Ser.) Steud. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya upto 

3000 m. Kumaon, eastwards to Sikkim, Khasi hills, 

Manipur and Assam (allied to P. padlls). 

Prunus prostrata Labill. (Rosaceae). Temperate Western Himalaya. 

Prunus tomentosa 

Thunb. (Rosaceae). North-western Himalaya, Kashmir, 

Ladakh.


PrUl1l1S wallichii Steud. Syn. P. acuminata Dietr. non Michx. (Rosaceae). 

Central and Eastern Himalaya, particularly Khasi 

and Mishmi hills and Sikkim. 

Punica granatllm Linn. (Punicaceae). Western Himalaya, semi-wild! 

naturalized in hills of Himachal Pradesh and 

J. & K. around 1200-1500 m. 

Pyrus communis Linn. (Rosaceae). 

Possibly wild in Kashmir. 

Pyrlls leumaoni Dcne. (Rosaceae). Western Himalaya, Kashmir to 

Kumaon, upto 2400 m. 

Pyrus pashia Ham. ex D. Don. (Rosaceae). Suo-temperate to temperate 

Himalaya from Kashmir to north-eastern hills, Khasi 

mountains. 

Pyrus pyrifolia 

(Burm. f.) Nakai. (Rosaceae). Naturalized in Khasi hills; 

semi-wild in Nilgiris. Preferred as a root stock. 

Ribes graciale Wall. (Saxifragaceae). Temperate to alpine Himalaya 

from Kashmir to Assam upto 3500 m. (used for 

breeding immunity to CronartitJm ribicola as also 

of R. orientale). 

Ribes nigrum Linn. (Saxifragaceae). Temperate Western Himalaya, 

Kunawar to Kashmir, uptQ 3600 m .. 

Rubus ellipticus Smith. (Rosaceae). Shiwalik range, common in Western 

Himalaya extending eastwards to Sikkim, Khasi 

hills and in peninsular hills. 

Rubus fruticosus 

Linn. (Rosaceae). Western Himalaya, upto 2100 m, in 

Kashmir. 

Rubus lanatlls Wall. (Rosaceae). Central and Western Hif!1alaya, from 

Kumaon to Sikkim. 

Rubus lasiocarplls Smith. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya, Kashmir to 

KumaonjSikkim, upto 3000 m; in hills of peninsular 

India, Kanara southwards, also in Mahabaleshwar. 

Rubus lineatus Reinw. (Rosaceae). Sikkim, 1800-2700 m; much variable. 

(Natural hybrids available with R. splendidissimus 

Hara). 

I 

Rubus moluccanus Linn. (Rosaceae). Central and eastern tropical and 

temperate Himalaya, Assam, Khasi hills, Sikkim. 

Rubus nivells Thunb. non Wall. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya, 

Kahsmir eastwards; several varieties occur. 

Rubus llutans 

Wall. (Rosaceae). Western Himalaya.


Rubus paniculatus Smith (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya; east of Khasi 

hills. 

Rubus reticulatus Wall. ex Hook. f. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya, 

Kumaon, 2000-2400 m. up to Sikkim; may only be a 

form of R. moluccanus of higher elevation zone; 

resembles R. panicliialus. 

Rubus rosaefol;us 

Sorbus aucuparia 

Smith. (Rosaceae). Temperate Himalaya eastwards to 

Khasi hills. 

Linn. Syn. Pyrus aucupariaGaertn. (Rosaceae). Kashmir 

to Kumaon, and in north-eastern region. 

Sorbus rest ita (Spech.) Hedl. Syn. Pyrus vestila Wall. (Rosaceae). Eastern 

Himalaya and north-eastern hills. 

Spondias pinnata (Linn.) Kurz. Syn. S. mang~rera WiIld. (Anacardiaceae). 

Moist deciduous forests in northern, peninsular and 

eastern region. 

Syzygium arnoflianum Walp. Syn. Eugenia arnottiana Wight. (Myrtaceae). 

Western Ghats. 

Syzygium cumini; (Linn.) Skeels. Syn. Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae). 

Peninsular region mainly; elsewhere sporadic. 

Syzygium heyneanum Wall. Syn. Eugenia heyneana Duthie. (Myrtaceae). 

Peninsular region. 

Syzygium samaragense Merr. & Perry. Syn. Eugenia javanica Lam. 

(Myrtaceae). Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is 

related to S aqueum. 

Vilis lanata Roxb. (Vitaceae). Occurs in Western and Eastern Himalaya 

in colder tracts; fruits edible. 

Vitis parvifolia Roxb. (Vitaceae). North-western Himalaya from Kashmir 

eastwards, 600-1800 m. 

Zizyph!ls mauritiana Linn. Syn. Z. jujuba Lam. (Rhamnaceae). Wild 

particularly in semi-dry north-western plains. 

Zizyphus nummularia Wight & Arn. Syn. Z. rotundifolia Lam. (Rhamnaceae). 

In drier tracts, particularly north-western plains and 

central India; extending to dry areas in south; used 

as rootstock. 

Zizyphus oenoplia Mill. (Rhamnaceae). Northern and peninsular tract, 

extending north-east. 

Zizyphus rugosa Lam. (Rhamnaceae). Particularly common in humid 

tracts in Western/Eastern Ghats. 

Zizyphus vulgaris Lam. Syn. Z. jujuba Mill. (Rhamnaceae). Wild in Western 

Himalaya.

IV. VEGETABLES 

(AND TUBEROUS TYPES) 

Diversity occurs in India in the wild relatives of Okra (Abelmoschus 

esculentus), non-tuberiferous So/anums, including the wild types in 

Solanum melongena (var. insanum) and several wild taxa in cucurbits: 

Luf/a, Momordic t, Citrullus, Cucumis, Coccinia and Trichosantlzes (Fig. 10). 

Among the tuberous types more variability occurs in Amorphopha/lus, 

Dioscorea and C%casia (Fig. I 1). 

The nearest wild related species to cultivated okra (Fig. 12) is Abelmoschus 

tube rCli/atlis which sporadically occurs in fields/field margins. 

A. tuberculatus is confined to north/north-western plains, often along 

.LEGEND 

A - ABELMOSCHUS L - LUff A 

Fig. 10. 

Arn-AMARANTHUS 

C - CHENOPODIUM 

Ci - CITRULlUS 

C. - COCCINIA 

C,,-CUCUMIS 

B - BRYONOPSIS 

M - MOMORDICA 

Ml- MALVA 

R - RUMEX 

S - SOLANVM 

T - TRICHOSANTHES 

N - NEOLUffA 

Distribution of diversity in wild relatives of vegetable types; zones of 

maximum concentration are the western and eastern peninsular region, 

the north-eastern region and the Western Himalaya (medium elevation 

range). Sporadic pockets of diversity also occur in the Gangetic plains.


LEGEND 

A - ALO:::A5IA 

A.,,- AMOR PHOPHALLU5 

C - COLEU::; 

ct - COLOCA&IA 

o - DI05COREA 

M- MOGHANIA 

Fig. II. Distribution of diversity in wild tuberous types; more diversity occurs in 

the western and eastern peninsular region and in the north-easte:n region. 

field borders and except for its tuberculate hard fruits (upto 8 cm long) 

looks unmistakably like the cultivated okra. Variability in A. pungens 

and A. heterophylius occurs in the sub-Himalayan range, for the former in 

north-eastern belt and for the latter, in the north-western tarai re&ion. Wild 

Abelmoschus species are also available in the Western Ghats (3 of the 

6 spp.); A. 01lgUIOSllS, a polymorphic taxon with more variation in 

Karnataka and Nilgiri hills; A monihot (including A. pungens) and 

A. ficulneus occur here. 

Among the cucurbitaceous types, in Luffa (Fig. 14) most of the 

species occur in disturbed sites, forest openings etc. Luffa acutangula var. 

amara occurs in peninsular India and is the wild related type of the cultivated 

smooth gourd. Lujfa echinata occurs in the Western Himalaya, central 

India, and the upper Gangetic plains, and L. graveolens (considered a wild 

progenitor of L. hermaphrodita), in Bihar and northwards to Sikkim, and 

south of it to Tamil Nadu. L. umbellata is confined to the eastern coast.


In Momordica (Fig. 15), M. balsamina occurs in semi-dry northwestern 

plains, and only sporadically elsewhere in upper Gangetic region 

and in the northern parts of Western and Eastern Ghats. Momordica 

dioica and M. cochinchinensis occur wild/semi-wild in the Gangetic 

plains extending eastwards. M. cymbalaria is restricted to the Western 

Gha ts, Maharashtra southwards, with only sporadic occurrence in the 

eastern peninsular region. M. subangulata and M. macrophylla occur 

largely in the north-eastern region; M. subanglllata also exhibits sporadic 

distribution in Deccan plateau, extending to the Eastern Ghats. M. 

denudata is largely confined to eastern peninsular tract. 

Trichosanthes has 21 species occurring in India (Fig. 17) and the 

major zones of species concentration are: (a) along the Malabar coast in 

Western Ghats and (b) low and medium elevation zones (upto 1500 m) in 

Eastern Ghats and north-eastern region. Contiguous areas are major 

areas of distribution of the wild types of potential importance. T. CliCUmer 

ina occurs in the north-eastern region, along with semi-wild T. dioica. 

A widely distributed species is T. bracteata occurring in eastern 

India, ext(nding to the south, and sporadically in the Himalaya (1500 m). 

T. cordata (related to T. anguina), occurs in the peninsular region 

ex tending to north-eastern plains and hills. 

Citrullus colocynthis exhibits much variation in north-western plains. 

In Cucamis (Fig•.l.1), for C bardwickii and C. trigflll11S...- much ~i_lj_ty 

occurs in the Himalaya, for the former in the West~rn I-limala'y~ and for 

the htter all though the Himalayan belt and in the peninsular hills. While 

C. setoslls is restricted to eastern plains, C. hystrix extends its range 

from eastern plains to north-eastern hills in Assam, Tura range in 

Meghalaya and Mishmi hills. By and large, the wild types related to 

cultivated cucumber (Cucumis sath,lts), C. trigon us and C. hardwick ii, occur 

mostly in the Himalayan belt. Localized variability at species level occurs 

in the Western Ghats for C. hystrix and C. setosus in comparison to drier 

north-western plains, where only C. prophetarum occurs. 

In SolanuIn (Fig. 16), important wild species are available in the 

Western and Eastern Ghats, north-eastern hills/plains and in the tarai 

range. So/anum incanllm (S. coagalans) and S. melongena var. insanum, 

are closely related to cultivated S. melongena. More variability in 

S. incanllm occurs in tarai range and in insanum types in eastern peninsular 

tract, wherein also occurs the primitive cultivated form, the potangi 

type of S. melongena. 

Among leafy types, northern plains are the major area of variability, 

where wild types of 4maranthas, Chenopodium, Rumex and Malva


are common weeds: Amaranthus spp. particularly A. spinosus, Malva 

rotlllldifolia, M. sylrestris and Chenopodium album. 

\ Among the tuberous types, Amorphophallus bulbifer occurs more 

in north-eastern region and A. campanu!atus is confined to the Deccan 

plateau. In Dioscorea several species occur with concentration in both 

the Western and Eastern Ghats; in the north-eastern region, wild, deeprooted 

types in D. alma, D. ham-iltonU and others occur. Wild forms of 

Colocasia and Alocasia occur more in Bengal plains, Assam valley and 

the neighbouring hills while more variation in wild types in Moghania 

vest ita occurs in Western Himalaya (1800 m), though the seat of domestication 

is located in the Khasi hills. Thus, the maximum species 

concentration of tuberous types is in the north-eastern region and to a 

lesser extent in the southern parts (Fig. 11). 

Check-Jist of species 

Abelmoschus angulosus Mast. (Malvaccae). Western Ghats mainly; 

variable, several types exist in Karnataka and 

Nilgiris, upto 1600 m, in forest openings. 

Abelmoschus fielllneus Wight & Am. (Malvaceae). Mainly Deccan 

plateau. extending south. 

Abelmoschus tubercu/atlfs Pal & Singh. (Malvaceae). North/north-western 

plains and parts of D.P., often along field borders 

(tolerant to yellow-vein mosaic virus and fruit borer 

attack; used in hybridization with A. esculentus). 

Amaranthus blitum 

Linn. (Amaranthaceae). Weed throughout India with 

various forms. 

Amarathlls caudatus Linn. (Amaranthaceae). Wild forms of the plant 

availahle in similar areas as the former and resembling 

it. 

Amaranthus gangeticus ,Linn. (Amaranthaceae). Throughout warmer 

parts of India as a weed of cultivation; variants 

are numerous sl1ch as A. mangostanus. 

As escape from culti 

Amaranthus paniculatus Linn. (Amaranthaceae). 

vation in the warmer parts. 

Amarant/zus spinoslls 

Linn. (Amaranthaceae). Weed throughout India; 

common, particularly in fallow places in the upper 

Gangetic plams. 

Bryollopsis laciniosa (Linn.) Naud. (Cucurbitaceae). All over the 

warmer parts of India.


C 

F M. 

LEGEND 

A A. ANGUL05U5 

C A. CRINITU5 

F A. FICULNEU5 

M. A. M05CHATU5 

T A TUBERCULATUc 

M A. MANIHOT 

Fig. 12. Distribution of wild Abelmoschus species; wild types more closely related 

to cultivated okra occur in northern plains, with more species diversity 

in the Western Ghats. 

Chenopodium album Linn. (Chenopodiaceae). Occurs as weed in plains 

and C. marale in hills upto 3000 m, more variability 

in upper Gangetic plains, extending to northern . 

hills; elsewhere only sporadic distribution. 

Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae). North-western 

plains, fallow lands/fields, drought hardy type. Good 

variability in Rajasthan and Gujarat. 

Coccinia indica 

Wight and Arn. (Cucurbitaceae). Northern plains, tarai 

range, extending to peninsular region. 

Cucumis hardwickii Royle. (Cucurbitaceae). Wild type (related to 

C. salivas), confined to Western Himalaya; cold 

adaptable.


LEGEND 

H C. HARDWICKII 

Hy C. HYSTRIX 

M C. MELO 

P C. PROPHETARUM 

5 C. 5ETOSUS 

T C. TRI60NU5 

Fig. 13. 

Distribution of wild Cucumis species; types closely related to cucumber 

occur in the Himalaya (upto 1800 m). 

Cucumis /zystrix Chak. (Cucurbitaceae). Plains of eastern India, northeastern 

hills and Assam valley. 

Cucumis prophetarum Linn. (Cucurbitaceae). Largely distributed in the 

dry north-western plains, Rajasthan and adjoining 

belt. 

Cucumis setosus 

Cucumis trigon us 

Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae). Eastern India, upper Gangetic 

plains, West Bengal and peninsular region. 

Roxb. Syn. C. callosus (RottI.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae). 

Widely distributed in Eastem and Western Ghats, 

north-eastern region, extending to the Himalaya; 

turbinatus types possess fdible fruits. 

Luffa acutangula var. amara (Roxb.) Clarke. (Cucurbitaceae). Mainly distributed 

in peninsular tract.

WILD RELATIVFS OF CROP PLANTS IN INDIA 

35 

LEGEND 

A L ACUTANGULA VAR.AMARA 

'" L. ACUTANGULA 

A .. L. AEGYPTIACA 

E L. ECHINATA 

G l. GRAVEOLEN5 

U l. UMBELLATA 

Fig. 14. 

Distribution of wild Luffa species; more concentration occurs in the 

eastern peninsular tract. 

Luffa echinata var. longistylis (Edur.) Clarke. (Cucurbitaceae). Widely 

distributed, north-western Himalaya, ,upper Gangetic 

plains. 

LujJa graveolens Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae). Widely distributed, north-easterlJ. 

plains, extending south to Tamil Nadu; sporadic J 

elsewhere in Eastern Himalaya .• 

LujJa umbellata M. (Klein) Roem. (Cucurbitaceae). Confined largely to 

the eastern coast/Coromandal b~lt. 

Malva rotundifolia Linn. (Malvaceae). Western Himalaya, northern 

plains and the Deccan peninsula. 

Malva sylvestris Linn. (Malvaceae). Western Himalaya upto an altitude 

of 2400 m and as a weed in Bihar and parts of 

Deccan pellinsula.


Malva verticil/ata Linn. (Malvaceae). Temperate Himalaya upto 3600 m; 

also in Nilgiris, as a weed of cultivation. 

\ 

Momordica balsamina Linn. (Cucurbitaceae). North-western, Indo- 

Gangetic plains, adapted to dry sandy soils. 

Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spr. (Cucurbitaceae). Peninsular 

region, humid tropical forests, in openings, also 


Momordica cymbalaria Fenzl. ex Hook. f. (Cucurbitaceae). Mainly in 

Western Ghats, Maharashtra southwards, and in 


Momordica denudata (Thwait.) C. B. Clarke. (Cucurbitaceae). Mainly in 


,.j. D 

,. 

,. 

.... 

, ...._.I B 

,. 

"'".. 

~ 

.,._. .. • 

.",. 

LEGEND 

B ..... BALSAM~~A 

C ..... COCHINCHINENSIS 

C7 M. CYMBALARIA 

D M. DENUDATA 

DO. M. DIOICA 

M M. MACROPHYLLA 

S M. SUAANC.ULATA 

Fig. 15. 

Distribution of wild Momordica species; more diversity occurs in the 

eastern peninsular region and the north-eastern region.

Momordica dioica 

Momordica macroplzylla 


Roxb. ex Willd. (Cucurbitaceae). Occurs wild near 

habitations, open forests, cleared sites in central 

peninsular tract, extending north-east. 

Gage. (Cucurbitaceae). North-eastern region. 

Momordica subangulata Blume (Cucurbitaceae). North-eastern hills, 

Eastern Ghats, Deccan peninsula. 

Neoluffa sikkimensis Chak. (Cucurbitaceae). Sikkim Himalaya, (allied 

to L. acutangula var. amara). 

Rumex dentalus Linn. (Polygonaceae). North-western Himalaya, also in 

northern and central plains; more variability in 

hills, extending to eastern region; forms from plains 

are akin to R. nigricans. 

Solanum incanum Linn. Syn. S. coagulans Forsk. (Solanaceae). Throughout 

India; in the west in the Shiwalik ranges, lower 

hills of the Western Himalaya, plains of the east; 

lower elevation areas in the south. 

Solanum indicum Linn. Syn. S. anguil'i Lam. (Solanaceae). Throughout 

tropical India; common in southern and eastern 

parts upto 1200 m. 

Solanum melongena 

Linn var. insanum. (Solanaceae). Wild all over particularly 

the eastern and southern parts with local 

pockets of variability. 

Solanum surattense Burm. Syn. S. xantlzocarpum Schrad. (Solanaceae). 

Common throughout India upto 2000 m in the 

warmer parts. 

Solanum torvum 

Swartz. (Solanaceae). Throughout Indian tropics except 

western desert area; common in the eastern plains. 

Trichosantlzes bracteata (Lam.) Voigt. var. tomentosa (Heyne ex Clarke) 

Chak. (Cucurbitaceae). Occurs in the peninsular 

region and north-eastern zone; var. bracteata occurs 

all over, largely in eastern India, in the Himalaya 

up to an elevation of 1500 m and extending so·6.thwards 

to the Andaman Islands. 

Trichosanthes cordata Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae). Occurs in peninsular 

India and north-eastern plains and hills. 

Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. (Cucurbitaceae). Occurs throughout India 

and may be the wild form Of T. anguina.

38 

ARORA AND NAY AR 

LEGEND 

0. 5. ACULEATI551 MUM I S. GRANDIFLORUM V S. VAGUM 

A 5. AL~ICAU LE G S. GIGANTEUM P 5. PU~SCENS 

1" 5. INDICUM ~S. C,RAC ILIPES 5 S. 5URATTENSE 

A ... S. ARUNDO 

5. C,LAUCOPHYlLUM 5t S. 5PIRALE 

~ 

~ :). BAR615ETUM h S. HISPIDUM Sy S. 51 SYMaRllFOLIUM 

D S. DUBIUM I s. INCANUM T 5. TORVUM 

Dt S. DULCAMARA K 5 KUFlZII T" 5. TRILOBATUM 

• S. ELAEGNIFOLIUM 5 MYRIACANTHUM M 5. MELON GENA VAR 

E 

"' 

~. ERIANTHUM N 5. NIGRUM INSANUM 

Fig. 16. 

Distribution of wild Solanum (non-tuberiferous) species; the western 

peninsular region, the eastern peninsular region and the north-eastern 

region exhibit more species diversity. 

Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae). Semi-wild populations occur 

in Assam plains, Brahmaputra valley. 

Tuberous types 

Alocasia macrorhiza Schott. (Araceae). Sub-Himalayan tract, northeastern 

region, and peninsular humid tract.


Ol. 

CIL 

C 

Pa 

II 

Dt. 

C ... 

C 

t> 

P. 

II 

le 

Fig. 17. 

LEGEND 

AT. ANAMAlAIEN515 Moo. T. MAJUSCULA 

T. BRACTEATA M T. MULTILOBA 

T. CORDATA 

N T NERVIFOLIA 

CUCUMERINA ° T OVATA 

CUSPIDATA P T PERROTTETIANA 

D T DICAELOSPERMA Pa T PALMATA 

DO. T DIOICA T T Tot.iENTOSA 

H T HIMALENSI5 T. T TRUNCATA 

K T KHASIANA 

L. T LEPINIANA 

L T L1STERI 

V T VILL05ULA 

W T. WALLICHIANA 

Distribution of wild Trichosanthes species; the western peninsular region 

and the north-eastern region exhibit more diversity. with more closely 

related types in the latter region. 

Amorphophallus bulbifer Bl. (Araceae). Eastern peninsular tract, West 

Bengal, north-eastern region, Khasi Hills, Eastern 

Himalaya in Sikkim. 

Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Bl. ex Decne. (Araceae). Wild types 

occur in Deccan plateau. 

Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. (Labiatae). SUb-tropical Western and 

Central Himalaya upto 2500 m and on dry'l barren 

hills in north-eastern regions in the Deccan peninsula. 

Colocasia esculenta (Linn.) Schott. Syn. C. antiqltorum Schott. (Araceae). 

Sub-Himalayan tract, peninsular region, and northeastern 

region, in water-logged humid tropical belt; 

more variability in eastern region.


Dioscorea alata Linn. (Dioscoreaceae). Western Himalaya, also in 

eastern and north-eastern region. 

Dio'scorea bulbi/era Linn. (Dioscoreaceae). Western and Eastern 

Himalaya. 

Dioscorea hamiltonii Hook. (Dioscoreaceae). Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim 

Assam; Bihar, Chota Nagpuf plateau, southern 

peninsular tt'act. 

Dioscorea !zispida 

Dennst. (Dioscoreaceae). ThrOUghout India upto an 

altitude of 1200 m, in Sikkim Himalaya and Khasi 

Hills. 

Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. (Dioscoreaceae). T hrcughout India ascending 

upto 1800 m in Himalaya; Andaman Islands. 

Moglzania vestita (Linn.) O. Kuntze (Leguminoseae). North-eastern 

region, SUb-Himalayan tract all through; as forest 

undergrowth or in grassy patches.

V.OLLSEEDS 

Wild types of oilseed crops are available only in a few genera such 

as Sesannlm, Brassica, Lepidillm and Carthamus. While the wild species 

of Sesamum are distributed in the southern peninsular tract, naturalized 

populations of S. indicum occur sporadically in northern plains and in the 

Aravalli ranges. In Brassiccae, two wild species occur in northern plains; 

B. trilocularis and B. quadrivalvis, also considered VarIetles of 

B. campestris var. sarson. While the former is distributed largely in Central 

and Eastern Himalaya and in the sub-hilly tracts of Assam, the quadrivalvis 

types occur in the fields of B. campestris in the upper Gangetic 

plains. Another wild or spontaneous type is B. tournefortii occurring in 

northern India. Carthamus oxycantha, related to the cultivated C. tinctoria 

(of which it may be a wild form), is a weed of the nothern plains. 

Further, in the Himalaya, much species diversity occurs in Lepidium spp., 

L. capitatum, L. latijo!ium, L. ruderale and L. draba. Overall, the major 

distribution areas of these wild .species of oilseed types are the Indo 

Gangetic plains and the Western Himalaya and to a lesser extent the 

southern parts (Fig. 18). 


Brossica quadrivalvis Hook. f. & Thorn. (Cruciferae). In fie Ids of B. campestris 

in upper Gangetic plains. This and B. trilocularis 

are considered varieties of B. campestris var. 

sarson Prain; (3.valved-trilocularis types and 4- 

valved-quadril·alvis types). 

Brassica toarnejortif Gouan. (Cruciferae). Western India, semi-dry 

plains. 

Brassica trilocularis Hook. f. & Thom. (Cruciferae). Central and Eastern 

Himalaya, Sikkim, anj in sub-hilly tracts of Assam, 

in fields. 

Carthamus lanatus 

Linn. (Compositae). North-western Himalaya. 

Carthamus oxycantha Bieb. (Compositae). Northern plains, weed m 

winter crops; possibly a wild form of C. tinct()ria. 

Lepidium capitatu»l Hook. f. & Thorn. (Cruciferae). Temperate Himalaya, 

Kumaon to Sikkim, upto 4000 m. 

Lepidium draba Linn. (Cruciferae). A weed of cultivation, Punjab/ 

northern hills.


LEGEND 

& - &FlASS ICA 

C - CARTHAMUS 

l - lEPIDIUM 

S - SESAMUM 

Fig. 18. 

Distribution of wild relatives of oilseed crops. Sporadic pockets of 

diversity occur in the Himalayan region, north-eastern region, Gangetic 

plains and in the south-eastern peninsular region. 

Lepidium latifolium Linn. (Cruciferae). Kashmir westwards, largely 

north-western Himalaya. 

Lepidium ruderale 

Sesamum indicum 

Linn. (Cruciferae). Kashmir to Kumaon, Western 

Himalaya. 

Linn. Syn. S. orientale Linn. (Pedaliaceae). Natura 

.lized in parts of northern plains; common around 

Delhi; sporadically all through the Aravalli range. 

Sesamum laciniatum Klein. (Pedaliaceae). Southern parts of Deccan peninsula, 

extending to Cochin. 

Sesamum prostratum Retz. (Pedaliaceae). Coastal Andhra Pradesh to 

Tamil Nadll, sandy hills near the sea; allied to 

S. laciniatum.

VI. 

FIBRES 

Diversity in wild types of major and minor fibre yielding plants is 

high though, in most of the taxa, relationships with the cultivated species 

is not known. Corchorus exhibits considerable diversity. The wild lelated 

species of Corchorus oUtodus, C. acutangulus and C. trilocular is are largely 

distributed in the peninsular tract, while the wild forms of C. capsularis 

occur mainly in the upper Brahmaputra valley/Assam valley and the 

neighbouring north-eastern hills, an area of variability of this cultigen. 

The wild related type of sunnhemp (Crotalaria jtlllcea), C. relusa, occurs 

mainly in the Western Ghats in disturbed forests while another species 

C. striata, occurs as a weed and yields fibre similar to sunnhemp. In 

Gossypium, truly wild types are not known from India but in the area of 

variability of Gossypium arboreum, the north-eastern region, primitive 

branched/shrubby types occur; similarly, in the area of variability of kenaf 

i.e. central/eastern peninsular tract, tall, tomentose plants of Hibiscus 

call1labinus are found near habitations. The species of the Western Ghats, 

Linum mysorense is related to L. llsitatissimum and its distribution extends 

to Western Himalaya and in western India to Mt. Abu in Rajasthan and 

the Aravallis. This is however different from the cold hardy L. perenne 

types available in Western Himalaya, in Lahaul. 

Urena labata, as a fibre crop, is of African origin but in India it 

occurs wild as forest undergrowth all through the tropical/sub-tropical 

be'lt, barring arid habitats. Urena sinuata may be a form of this species. 

U. repanda, yielding better quality fibre is confined to the upper Gangetic 

plains, with sporadic distribution in the tarai range and in western and 

southern India. The major areas/phytogeographical regions, of diversity 

comprise of the southern and eastern plains and the hilly parts in tbe 

western and north eastern region (Fig. 19). 


Boehmeria malabarica Wedd. (U rticaceae). Eastern Himalaya, upto 1500 ill, 


Boehmeria platyphylla D. Don. (Urticaceae). Considerable variability 

in tropical and sub-tropical Himalaya, Deccan 

peninsula. 

Corchorus acutangulus Lam. (Tiliaceae). Hotter parts of India; common 

weed in western peninsular tract. 

I


LEGEND 

PI - PlOEHMERIA 

H - HIBISCUS 

C - CORCHORUS 

L - LlNUM 

G - GOSSYPIUM 

U - UFIENA 

Cr - CROTALARIA 

Fig. 19. 

Distribution of wild relatives of fibre yielding crops; only sporadic 

diversity occurs. 

Corchorus antichorus Raeuch. Syn. C. depressus (Linn.) C. Chr. (Tiliaceae). 

H otter/drier parts, Deccan; drought/heat tolerant type. 

Corchorus capsularis Linn. (Tiliaceae). Wild/semi-wild forms in northeastern, 

Assam plains and bordering hills upto 

Tripura region. Bushy/branched shrubby types occur. 

Corclzorus fascicularis Lamk. (Tiliaceae). Hotter parts of central and 

peninsular region; drought/heat adaptable. 

Corchorus tridens Linn. (Tiliaceae). Hotter parts of central peninsular 

tract. 

Corchorus trilocularis Linn. (Tiliaceae). Adaptable to dry lands. Hotter 

parts of upper Gangetic plains, down south to 

Nilgiris. 

Corchorus urticaefolius Wight & Arn. (Tiliaceae). Mainly confined to 

western peninsular tract in south.


Crotalaria retusa Linn. (Leguminoseae). Widely distributed in hotter 

parts of India, extending to hills. Much variability 

in Western Ghats. 

Crotalaria striata DC. Syn. C. mucronata Desv. (Leguminoseae). More 

common in western peninsular tract (yields fibre 

similar to sunnhemp). 

Gossypium arboreum Linn. (Malvaceae). Wild types reported from Chittagong 

hills; possibility of wild types in hills of 

Tripura and Mizoram. 

Hibiscus cannabinus Linn. (Malvaceae). Semi-wild mainly in Deccan 

peninsula, Western Ghats; occurs all over the country 

upto an elevation of 1000 m. in the lower Himalaya. 

Hibiscus eriocarpus DC. (Malvl'.ceae). 

Western peninsula. 

Hibiscus ficlllneus Linn. (Malvaceae). Throughout the plains of India. 

Hibiscus furcatus Roxb. (Malvaceae). North-eastern region, Eastern 

and Western Ghats. 

Hibiscus radiatus Cay. (Malvaceae). Throughout India in the plains. 

Hibiscus surattensis Linn. (Malvaceae). Upper Gangetic plains, Deccan 

peninsula and Western Ghats. 

Hibiscus tiliaceus Linn. (Malvaceae). Common in eastern and western 

coasts of India near backwaters arid banks of tidal 

streams and mangloves particularly in Sundarbans 

and Andaman Islands. 

Linum mysorense Heyne ex Wall. (Linaceae). Common in Western Ghats, 

Ratnagiri, Deccan hills, Mahabaleshwar/Khandala 

Ghats down south to Nilgiris in grass-mixed open 

slopes upto 1800 m, also sporadically distributed in 

Western Himalaya and in western India in Mt. Abu. 

Linum perenne Linn. (Linaceae). Confined to Lahaul in north-western 

Himalaya upto 4000 m; cold hardy type. 

Linum strictum Linn. (Linaceae). Occurs in the north-western plains 

and Western Himalaya. 

Urena lobata Linn. (Malvaceae). Hotter parts ofIndia, extending southwards, 

commonly as forest undergrowth; a \ hardy 

type. 

Urena repanda Roxb. ex Sm. (Malvaceae). More confined to upper 

Gangetic plains with sporadic occurrence in south 

India, westem peninsula and in the foothills of 

Himalaya.

VII. 

SPICES AND CONDIMENTS 

Diversity in wild types occurs in the humid sub-tropical/tropical 

belts for Amomum, Curcuma, Piper and Zingiber. Variability occurs in 

Amomum subulatum, a substitute for cardamom, in ~he Eastern Himalaya. 

Alpinia speciosa, a substitute for ginger, is also available here. Eastern 

peninsular tract has more diversity in Curcuma: C. angllsti/olia, C. amada, 

C. lati/olia (allied to C. zeodoaria, C. aromatica) and C. montana; the wild 

forms of C. domesticeJ occur in the Chota Nagpur plateau. In Zingiber 

however, variability in wild and primitive forms of Z. officinale occurs 

·in the Western Ghats. Other species like Zingiber cassumUllar and Z. 

zerumbet are sporadically distributed in the sub-Himalayan tracts. 

In the humid tropical region, Piper nigrum occurs in the Western 

Ghats, P. [ollgum and P. peepuloides in the north-eastern region, whereas 

P. schmidtii occurs in the Western Ghats in Nilgiris and also sporadically 

in the north-eastern region. 

In contrast to these, Allium is largely concentrated in the Western 

Himalaya, where several useful species like A. rubellum, A. schoenoprasum 

and A. tuberosllm occur. Good variability also occurs here in Carum 

bulbocastanum, at higher elevations (3000 - 3600 m) in cold arid habitats, 

and occasionally in C. carvi. Hilly tracts of the tropical/sub-tropical 

Himalaya and Western and Eastern Ghats are thus the major areas of 

concentration of wild types of spices and condiments yielding plants 

(Fig. 20). 

Check-list .of species 

Allium rubellum M. Bieb. (Liliaceae). Western Himalaya, Kashmir to 

Kumaon upto 2400 m, on exposed hillocks. Much 

variation occurs; used locally as flavouring type and 

as vegetable in curries and grown in kitchen gardens 

in the Western Himalaya; domestication trends are 

evident. 

Allium schoenoprasum Linn. (Liliaceae). Western Himalaya, Kashmir 

to Kumaon upto 3300 m, in alpine meadows. 

Allium tuberosum 

Roxb. (Liliaceae). Western Himalaya to north-eastern 

hills, sporadic, upto 1800 m, apparently wild on 

exposed hills etc.


..... Y" ...._"..... 

.... 

C. ._ ··.~:·:XA .. J, 

~. . 

,.' A ~ 

, C or' \ 

{ta A (" \ 

"~'. ~.,\ ~ 

. r~ C·~ L , 

'. , 

." '..... ~ 

.t "'" ..__. -. 

i .'""", ..........--- ,_ A a. ..!\ 

; • V') .'C·· A.. J. 2 ;t 

.• ' ~ -"" : ':ii ., .• ~."'t_.l ~ ,. . •. ", 

,. ..... _;' .. '............ "'l."''''.'~T:' .~Cy 1rL,/ I 

.. ' ""'-'\ :t....-...... _ Z r ,- 

( .... , ..... __ ,; Z P A", ,f," 

.) . ~ . ..- 

. '~'. t .•. _ •. !


Kumaon, 2000 - 3500 m, particularly abundant in 

alpine stony meadows with grasses. 

carum corvi Linn. (Umbelliferae). Wild in northern Himalaya; plains 

and hills of Kashmir, to Kumaon, much variability 

in alpine meadows up~o 3600 m. 

Cinnamomum impressinen'ium Meissn. (Lauracea~). Occurs in Eastern 

Himalaya. 

Cil1namomum zeyZanicum Breyn. (Lauraceae). More in humid tropical 

forests with much variation III flavour. Possibly 

indigenous to Western Ghats. 

Curcuma am ada Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). More variability in West 

Bengal and Assam; wild in north-eastern tract in 

disturbed forests. 

Curcuma angllstijolia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). Widely distributed in sub 

Himalayan tract, Kumaon eastwards to north 

Bengal and also in peninsular region. 

CUrcuma latijolia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). Occurs in north-eastern region; 

allied to C. zeodoaria and C. aromatica. 

Curcuma Zonga Linn. Syn. C. domestica Valeton. (Zingiberaceae). Wild 

forms occur in Chota Nagpur area as undergrowth 

in forests. 

CUrcuma montana Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). Concan and Circars; wild/ 

semi·wild types occur in northern foothills around 

Dehradun. 

Curcuma zeodoaria Rosc. (Zingiberaceae). Eastern Himalaya, northeastern 

region-wild/ 'Semi-protected. 

Myristica beddomei King. (Myristicaceae). 

Anamalai. 

In southern hills, Nilgiris and 

Myristica malabarica Lam. (Myristicaceae). Humid tropical forests 

of southern peninsular region. 

Piper longum Linn. (Piperaceae). Wild in eastern peninsular tract, and 

north-eastern hills, in evergreen forests. 

Piper nigrullI Linn. (Piperaceae). Wild in evergreen forest of Western 

Ghats; wild forms are mostly dioecious. 

Piper peepuloides Roxb. (Piperaceae). Tropical Himalaya particularly in 

north-eastern region in evergreen forests.


Piper schmidtii Hook. (Piperaceae). More variability in Western Ghats 

in evergreen forests, upto Nilgiris; also in Assam; 

used locally as spice. 

Zingiber capitat!lm Roxb. (Zingiheraceae). K umaon to Sikkim and Khasi 

hills; in Chota Nagpur plateau as forest undergrowth. 

Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). Sub-Himalayan tract to 

southern region as forest undergrowth. 

Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Zingiberaceae). Doubtfully wild in southern 

peninsular region, as undergowth in evergreen forests. 

Zingiber zerumbet (Linn.) Sm. (Zingiberaceae). 

peninsular region. 

Sub-Himalayan tract to

VIlT. MISCELLANEOUS 

Saccharum and reJated types 

This group includes Saccharum/Erianthus/Ripidium, Narenga, and 

Miscanthus. In Saccharum, both S. arundinaceum ahd S. spontanelml are 

widely distributed while S. bengalense and S. ravennae are more confined 

to northern plains. Among others, S. rztjipilum occurs in hills of 

northern and north-eastern region while S. filifolium is confined to the 

Western Himalaya (1500 - 2500 m). Species with concentration in 

north-eastern region include S. longisetosum in Eastern Himalaya, S. 

procerllm in Manipur and westwards to Si~kim, and S. sikkimense 

confined to Sikkim Himalaya. S. williamsii from Nepal, could pos- 

LEGENO 

MISCANTHL'S 

SIft _ S. MAC RAN THE Rut.., 

Mil - M N[PAlENS~~ 5" _ 5 PROcmUM 

,..,.., - M WA.RD!! SI' _ S RAV£'N~jE 

F - SCLEROSTACHYA fL6CA 5. - 5. 5IKKlt1[NSE 

SACCHARUM 

51 - S. SPOIITANI.1nd 

s .. - S ARUNDINACEUM 

Su. - S RUJ:'IPlll,.,r·1 

s~ - 5 BENGALENSE NAi1Et~GA 

Sl - S .F'IUFOlJUM tJ - N .fALLA.l 

St - S LONGISETOSu.. 

NP - N I'ORPHYROCOMA 

Fig. 21. 

Distribution of Saccharum and related species; more diversity occurs in 

the eastern and north-eastern regions, the tara; range and in the middle 

elevation zone of the Western Himalaya. A localized pocket adapted to 

semi-arid zone occurs in northern/north-western plains.


sibly be available in the border areas in Sikkim, north Bengal and 

adjoining hills. Some of the above species are treated under Erianthus 

as E.filifolius (S.jilijolium), E. ravennae (S. ravennae) and £.longisetos1ls 

(S. /ongisetoszan); Ripidium is also treated under Eriantlz.1s: E. ravennae 

(Ripidium ravennae). Another genus related to Saccharum is Narenga, of 

which N. porphyrocoma is distributed mainly in the peninsular tract and 

N.fallax in Khasi and Naga hills, in the north-eastern region. Miscanthus 

is also close to Saccharum and most of 'its species are confined to the 

north-eastern region: M. nepalellsis (Khasi and Naga hills), M. nudipus and 

M. tay/orii (Sikkim) and M. wardii (Assam valley and Lohit in Arunachal 

Pradesh). 

Indo-Gangetic plains thus have the maximum species concentration 

of wild types related to Saccharum; north-eastern parts are particularly 

important as areas of high variability (Fig. 21). 

Beverage yielding plants 

The related types of major beverage yieiding plants-Camellia and 

CojJea species, occur wild in the humid tropical parts of eastern and 

north-eastern India as also the southern parts. The north-eastern parts, 

a major area of variability of cultivated tea, also has species used as 

substitutes on a local scale: Camellia cal/data and C. kissi. In CojJea, 

related species, C. bellgalensis and C. jragrans, occur in the north-eastern 

region and the southern parts; C. jenkensii and C. khasiana are endemic 

to the Khasi and Jaintia hills in the north.east, C. travancorensis, 

related to C. jragrans and C. crassifo/ia, localized in the Western Ghats; 

plants used as substitutes for the major ones such as Euryajaponica, are 

also available in these areas. Cichorium endivia and wild types of 

C. intybus are concentrated in the northern and north·western India. 

Thus, wild types related to the beverage yielding plants are mostly 

tropical sub-tropical types. Indigenous variability in the temperate 

types is comparatively low. 


Camellia caudata Wall. (Theaceae). Eastern Himalaya, north· eastern 

region. 

Camellia kissi Wall. 

(Theaceae). Eastern and Central Himalaya, Deccan 

peninsula and Andaman Islands. 

Cichorium endivia Linn. (Compositae). Northern and north-western India, 

both in the hills and the plains.


Cichorium inlybus Linn. (Compositae). Wild in north-western plains, upper 

Gangetic plains, Deccan. 

CoJfea bengaiensis Heyne & WiIId. (Rubiaceae). Tropical Himalaya 

ascending upto 1000 m, north-eastern region, Deccan 

peninsula. 

Coffea crassifolia Gamble. (Rubiaceae). Western Gijats in the Anamalai 

hills and hills of Travancore at an altitude of 1300 m. 

Coffeafragrans Wall. (Rubiaceae). North-eastern region and in the 

Western Ghats; morphological similarity to C. 

bengalensis in flowers. 

Coffea jenkensii Hook. f. (Rubiaceae). 

Khasi hills. 

Coffea khasiana Hook. f. (Rubiaceae). Frequent in Khasi and Jaintia 

hills. 

Coffea tral'ancorensis Wight & Am. (Rubiaceae). Western peninsula in 

moist areas; close to C. fragrans. 

Eurya japonica 

Thunb. (Ternstromiaceae). Eastern Himalaya and Western 

Ghats from Concan southwards. 

Fagopyrum cymosllm Meissn. (Polygonaceae). Temperate Himalaya, 

Kashmir to Kumaon,' 2400 m, in forest clearings as 

under-growth. 

Miscanthus nepaiensis (Trin.) Hack. (Poaceae). All along Himalaya and 


Miscanthus wardii Bor. (Poaceae). North-eastern region, Assam. 

Narenga Jallax (Palansa) Bor. Syn. Saccharum longifolium Munro ex 

Benth. (Poaceae). North-eastern region. Khasi and 

Naga hills, cleared forest sites. 

Narenga porphyrocoma (Hance) Bor. (Poaceae). 

region in open habitats. 

Mainly in peninsular 

Saccharum arllndinaceum Retz. (Poaceae). In plains, adaptable to dry 

habitats, on sandy soils. 

Saccharum bengalense Retz. (Poaceae). North-western plains mainly, 

extending (eastwards/southwards, on dry sandy soils 

and other open habitats. 

Saccharum filifolillm Steud. (Poaceae). North-western Himalaya, 1500- 

2500 m; sub-temperate type in forest edges, and 

bordering sandy river banks.


Saccharum longisetosum (And.) Narayanaswami ex Bor. (Poaceae). 

E astern Himalaya; var. hookeri is widely distributed 

in Sikkim, U.P. hills along river banks, forest edges 

and cleared sites. 

Saccharum procerum 

Roxb. (Poaceae). North-eastern hill region, Sikkim 

Himalaya in Manipur, in cleared forest in jhwn. 

Saccharwn ravelllwe (Linn.) Murray. (Poaceae). Mainly north Indian 

plains; tarai region, along river banks; much variability 

available. 

Saccharum rlljipilum Steud. (Poaceae). Hills of north/north-eastern 

India; along sandy river banks, other cleared sites/ 

open habitats. 

Saccharum sikkimense (Hook. f) Narayanaswami ex Bor. (Poaceae). 

Eastern Himalaya; Sikkim, along forest edges/cleared 

sites; river banks, also occurs in medium/high elevations, 

upto 1800 m. 

Saccharum spontaneum linn. (Poaceae). Widely distributed in north/northwestern 

plains, in tarai range and further down 

south, in sandy river banks and open lowland. 

waterlogged habitats particularly distur.bed sites. 

Sclerostachyafusca 

(Roxb.) A. Camus. (Poaceae). Upper Gangetic plains 

and north-eastern region.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 

The foregoing account brings forth the extent -of floristic diversity 

available in the wild relatives and related taxa of cultivated plants in 

India. Based on the economic plant groups, as discussed above, categorywise, 

t11e species of agri-horticultural importance are as follows: 

Crop groups 

Species no. 

Cereals and millets 51 

Legumes 31 

Fruits 109 

Vegetables 54 

Oilseeds 12 

Fibre plants 24 

Spices and condiments 27 

Others 26 

Botanically, this diversity, apart from grasses and legumes, occurs for 

the fruit types-in Rutaceae, Rosaceae, Musaceae, Anacardiaceae, Rhamnaceae, 

Myrtaceae and Moraceae; for vegetable types-in Araceae, 

Dioscoreaceae, Compositae, Malvaceae, Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae; 

for oil seeds-in Cruciferae and Pedaliaceae; for fibre crops-in Tiliaceae 

and Malvaceae, for spices and condiments-in Liliaceae, Zingiberaceae, 

Piperaceae and among others, in Theaceae. 

The phytogeographical distribution of this diversity in different 

botanical regions pinpoints to the concentration of this genetic wealth in 

the warm humid tropical, sub-tropical regions and in the Western 

Himalaya, with low representation in the drier north-western region. The 

number of species occurring in each botanical zone is as follows: 

Phytogeographical zone, 

Western Himalaya 

Eastern Himalaya 

North-eastern region 

Gangetic plains 

Indus plains (north-western plains) 

Malabar/Western peninsular region 

Deccan/Eastern peninsular region 

Wild relatives 

(species no.) 

125 

82 

132 

66 

45 

145 

91

WILD RELATIVES OF CROP PLA]\,'TS IN INDIA 

S5 

Ecologically, such species occur as components (in specific habitats) 

of the different vegetation types i.e. climatic, edaphic, biotic or bioedaphic, 

within the above botanical regions. It is evident that: 

1. The tropical moist evergreen/semi-evergreen climax forests in 

the western and eastern peninsular tracts and in north-eastern region 

possess rIch diversity in wild relatives occurring as tree components. 

Some of the major taxa available in this area are: 

(a) Fruit trees: Artocarpus, Citrus, Garcinia, Diospyros, Elaeocarpus, 

Euphoria/Nephelium, Syzygium, Spondias, Mimusops and Mangifera spp., 

with Musa at lower altitudes; 

(b) Trees of value as spices/condiments like Cinnamomum and 

Myristica species; 

(c) As undergrowth in these forests occur Amomum, Piper, 

Zingiber and others, Piper spp. being mostly viny; often on the outskirts 

MORE DIVER SIT'!' IN W 

I 

ARTOGARPU5, GARCINIA • SllYGllJ'o1, 

OIQSPl'RQS. EUPHORIA. MIMUSOf'S, 

MANGIFERA, SPONOiAS. VITIS 

i.. C:f-llO),lACH»"E.1R1LObAC~[. POlY1OcA. 

HYGRORrZA, ORYl.,A 

3 VIGNA, AlYlDSIA. DOllCHOS, MUCUNA 

./I ABElMOSCHUS. SOLANUM. LUfF .... CUCU~IS, 

MOMOf\.OICA,TRLCHOSANTI-IES. 

5 TUI'.EROUS TYPES 

2 CCIX, [)(iITARIA,Cl'IYZA,VIGNA ,CANAIlALIA,MUCUN


of forest openings occur many wild relatives particularly legumes and 

cucurbits : Vigna, Pueraria, Canarafia, Atylosia, Moghania~ Doliehos, with 

huffa, Triehosanthes; Momordiea, Cucumis, Coeeinia, non-tuberiferous 

Solaflt


(ii) Rich undergrowth of Rubus, Solanum and several species of 

genera listed above, under humid tropical type; 

(iii) In the biotic vegetation type i.e. Nilgiri sub-tropical hill 

savannah-locally called Shulas (grasslands at 1800 m), more cold adaptable 

subtropical components occur i.e. Vigna, Atylosia, Trichosanthes, Abelmoscllus, 

Solanum, Dolichos, Setaria and undergrowth of Fragaria. 

5. The montane temperate vegetation types occupy the Himalayan 

zone. Rich diversity occurs here in : 

(a) Fruit tree types-pome and stone fruits related to cultivated 

types - Pyrus, Prunus and Maills; and others - Myrica and M orus spp; 

(b) Rubus and Ribes spp. in the lower storey and undergrowth of 

Fragaria, Lathyrlls, Linllm, Allium, Hordeum, Digitaria and Elymlls as 

common components of bioedaphic/biotic temperate habitats; 

(c) Forest openings/outskirts are floristically rich in Vitis spp. and 

cucurbits, such as Cucumis trigonus, C. hardwickii and Trichosantlzes spp. 

6. In contrast to montane temperate vegetation, the alpine vegetation, 

characteristic of higher elevation zone of the Himalaya-ca 2100-3300 m; 

are poor in wild relatives; very few tree/shrubby components oc:;ur i.e. 

Sorbus, Prunus, Armaniaca, Ribes and Rubus. The alpine meadows and 

alpine scrub are bioedaphic types wherein occur Allium, Avena, Aegi/ops, 

Eremopyrum, Elymus, Ho rde un, Trigonella, Lathyrus and Cicer species. 

These represent extremely cold-hardy/drought-tolerant germplasm. Some 

of these i.e. Hordeum, Elymus, Avena, Brassicae and Trigollella interestingly 

occur as weeds of fields too. 

7. Among the wild relatives dealt with in this account almost a third 

of the total 320 spp. (approximately) are taxa more closely related to the 

cultivated types (Table 6). Analysis of the distribution patterns of these 

species shows that certain specific areas/habitat types within the above 

phytogeographic regions, possess high variability in these. Some examples 

of important taxa are given: Hordeum spp., Elymus and Eremopyrum as 

weeds in the north-western Himalayan region, in and along barley fields; 

Saccharum cytotypes from the Indo-Gangetic plains; the widely distributed 

and highly variable, wild forms in Vigna umbel/ala and V. radial a var. 

sublobata from tropical and sub-tropical parts; the annual types available 

in the extreme ranges of distribution of the species, such as Digitaria spp. 

in the frost zone of the north-eastern region, Emblica officinalis in the 

foothills of the Himalaya and Echinoclzloa, Elellsine and Coix spp. in the 

comparatively drier tracts in the eastern parts of the country; and Citrus 

indica and C. latipes in the north-eastern region.


From the above, it is evident that: 

(i) Maximum variability in fruit tree components occurs in the humid 

'tropical/sub-tropical zone of peninsular region and in the northeast; and 

for pome and stone fruits, in the Western and Eastern Himalaya in 

montane temperate forests. 

(ii) A large proportion of diversity in wild relatives of cereals and 

millets occurs in biotic/bioedaphic habitats-both in tropical/sub-tropical 

and temperate/alpine regions. 

(iii) Maximum variability in legumes and cucurbits, occurs in 

bioedaphic types either within the moist-tropical zone of peninsular 

region and in the north-eastern region, or in the climax forest along 

openings or in cleared sites as secondary components. 

(iv) Several of these also OCCUr as undergrowth in climax forest 

types, evergreen forests i.e. Piper spp. (cli mbing on Garcinia and others), 

Curcuma, Zingiber, Dioscorea and Solanum spp. 

(v) Only a few species occur in sp;ecialized habitats as components 

of primary edaphic types i.e. Vignaluteola in beach forests; Oryza rujipogon 

along margin of ponds; o. coarctata and Canavalia virosa as components 

of brackish water, the latter as a component of coastal strand vegetation. 

(vi) As compared to the wild types occurring as components of 

climax forests, more prevalence of wild relatives occurs in disturbed, 

bioedaphic habitats; these species exhibit wider ecological/distributional 

range. 

(vii) By and large, for all groups of plants (wild relatives), disturbed 

areas as referred to above (vi) i.e. forest openings/forest margins, comprise 

a distinct type of habitat, different from primary/climax vegetation. These 

species occurring in disturbed habitats include weeds either of cultivated 

areas (species closer to cultivated types, class T, Table 6) or of wastelands, 

serving as indicators of disturbance (species of class II, Table 6). 

(viii) The floristic element represented exhibits good degree of 

endemism. For different genera, species exhibit both continuous and 

disjunct distribution. Sympatric distribution is found in closely related 

taxa, as in species of Vigna, Atylosia, Qryza, Saccharum and Solanum. 

The above information on the phytogeographical and ecological 

synthesis of the wild relatives of crop plants can be effectively used in 

in situ conservation measures along with information on their. endemism.


Maximum endemic species occur in the Western Ghats, north· eastern 

region and in the high elevation zone of the Western Himalaya. 

At the national level, 12 biosphere reserves have been proposed: 

(1) Mysore Plateau-Wynad-Nilgiri (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil 

Nadu); (2) Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu); (3) Simplipal and Jeypore Hill 

forests (Orissa); (4) North Islands of Andamans and Jarawa Tribal 

Reserves (Andaman & Nicobar Islands); (5) Sundarbans (West Bengal); (6) 

Kanha National Park (M.P.); (7) Valley of Flowers and Kedarnath (U.P.); 

(8) The Nanda Devi Sanctuary (U.P.); (9) Khangchendzonga National 

Park (Sikkim); (10) Lalichopri (Arunachal Pradesh); (11) Namdapha 

(Arunachal Pradesh) and (12) Tura range (Meghalaya). Excepting Tura 

(Garo hills, Meghalaya) and Namdapha which have been partly surveyed, 

other reserves have not been explored specifically for the nature and 

extent of their plant genetic resources. However, considering the overall 

vegetational zones within each reserve, and the range of climate, soil, and 

physiography, some of these would be rich in genetic wealth of the 

following wild types: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

Mysore Plateau-Wynad-Nilgiris; particularly for legumes, Canavalia 

virosa, C. ensi/ormis, Dolichos unijiorus, D. bracteatus, Vigna radiata 

var. sublobala, V. dalzelliana, V. bourneae, V. wightii, V. umbel/ata, 

V. aconitifolia, V. trilobata, V. capensis, V. pilosa; wild population of 

fruit trees, Artocarpus heterophy/lus, M angifera indica, Euphoria longan, 

Zizyphzes rugosa, Z. xylopyra, and others; Solanum spp., Momordica 

cochinc/tinensis, Trichosanthes spp.; tuberous types, Amorphophallus 

campanulatus and A. bulbifer; oilseed types, Sesamum laciniatum and 

S. prostratum; and others, like Cillnam omum zeylanicllm, Knema 

attenuata, Curcuma zeodoaria, Zingiber cassumunar, Saccharum spp; 

Coix gigantea, C. lacryma-jobi and Panicum psilopodium. 

Simlipal and Jeypore Hill Forests (Orissa): Oryza nivara, weedy 

type-sponlanea, O. rujipogon; legumes-Aty/osia spp., Mucuna pruriens, 

M. uti/is, Vigna umbel/ata, V. radiata var. sub/obara, V. capensis, 

V. trilobata, V. aconiti/olia; species of Syzygiunt, Zizyphus, Abe/moschus, 

Solanum (including primitive potangi type), Luffa, Saccharum 

and related types. 

The biD-sphere reserves in the north-western Himalaya would hold 

diversity in Elymlls dahl/riclls, Hordeum spontalleum, Ficlis pallmata, 

Bunium persicum, Vigna umbellata, Cucumis hardwickii, C. trigonus 

and species of Eremopyrum, Setaria, Rubus, Ribes, Pyrus, Zizyphus, 

Solanum, Coleus, Linum, Amaranlhus, Chenopodium and Allium. 

The biosphere reserves in north-eastern region would hold rich 

diversity in Mucuna braeteala, Vigna umbel/ala, V. pilosa, V. capensis,


v. radiata var. sub/obata, Citrus assamensis and other species, e.g. 

Myrica esculellla, Mlisa spp., and warm sub-temperate types like Pyrlls, 

Prunlls, Rubus and others. Rich variability would be available in 

certain endemic sp~cies of Trichosanthes, Neoluffa sikkimensis and 

others like Piper, Curcuma, Dioscorea, Alpinia and Camellia, and wild 

types in Alocasia and C%casia. Also the variability In Saccharum, 

Erianthus and related types is well represented here. 

The wild relatives and related types exhibit paucity in other biophere 

reserves, like the Gulf of Mannar and in the Sundarbans (Vigna 

luteola, Oryza rufipogon, O. coarctata and Hygroryza aristata). Similar distributionql 

pattern would prevail over the rest of the area with more 

diversity in wild genetic wealth occurring in the humid tropical/subtropical 

and temperate zones. 

Of equal concern in conservation of plant genetic wealth are the 

species listed in Table 3, distributional area for many of which, for various 

bio-edaphicJecological/socio-economic reasons, is shrinking fast. Rehabilitation 

of such flora by adopting ex-situ measures or through protection 

of habitats etc. i.e. in-situ measures, is important. Particular emphasis 

will have to be given to unique element of such flora/rare endemic species 

in particular zones like Citrus and Musa spp. of the north-eastern region. 

Thus, it is felt that this floristic treatment of wild relatives of agri-horticultural 

plants of India, would prove useful in sorting out the priority 

areas/plants for conservation vis-a-vis management of conservation strategies 

in national perspective.

Table 1. 

TABULATED INFORMATION 

Genera of wild relatives and related types· of agri-horticultural plants in 

India (Families listed according to Bentham & Hooker's system), 

Cruciferae 

Capparidaceae 

Guttiferae 

Ternstromiaceae 

Tbeaceae 

Malvaceae 

Tiliaceae 

Elaeocarpaceae 

Linaceae 

Rutaceae 

Rhamnaceae 

Vitaceae 

Sapindaceae 

Anacardiaceae 

Leguminoseae 

Rosaceae 

Saxifragaceae 

Myrtaceae 

Lythraceae 

Cucurbitaceae 

Umbelliferae 

Rubiaceae 

Compositae 

Sapotaceae 

Ebenaceae 

Apocynaceae 

Solanaceae 

Boraginaceae 

Pedaliaceae 

Labiatae 

A maran thaceae 

Cheno podiaceae 

Polygonaceae 

Piperaceae 

Myris ticaceae 

Lauraceae 

Elaeagnaceae 

Euphorbiaceae 

Brassica, Lepidium 

Cappar;s 

Gatcinia 

Eurya 

Came(lia 

AbelmoJchus, Gossypium, HibiJcus, Mall'a, Urena 

Corchorus, Grell'ia 

Elaeocarpus 

Linum 

Aegie, Citrus 

Zizyp/llIs 

Vilis 

Euphoria 

Mangijera, Rhus, Spondias 

Atylosia, Canavalia, Cicer, Crotalaria, Dolichos, Glycine, 

Lablab, l-athyrus, Moghania, Mucuna, Trigonella, Vigna 

Docynia, DUchesnea, Eriobo(rya, Fragaria, Malus, Prunus, 

Pyrus, Rubus, Sorb us 

Ribes 

Syzygium 

Punica 

Bryonopsis, Glrullus, Coccinia, CUcumis, Luffa, Momordica, 

Neoluffa, Trichosanthes 

Carum 

Coffea 

Carthamus, Cic/lOrium 

Madhuca, Manilkara, Mimusops 

Diospyros 

Carissa 

So/anum 

Cordia 

Sesamum 

Coleus 

Amaranthus 

Chenopodium 

Fagopyrum, Rumex 

Piper 

Myristica 

Cinnamomum 

Elaeagnus 

Emblica 

*(Forage & Medicinal plants are excluded)

62 

Moraceae 

Urticaceae 

Myricaceae 

Musaceae 

Zingiberaceae 

Dioscoreaceae 

Liliaceae 

Araceae 

Palmae 

Poaceae/Gramineae 


Arlocarplls, Ficus, Morus 

Boehmeria 

Myrica 

Musa 

Alpinia, Amomum, Curcuma, Zingiber 

Dioscorea 

Allium 

Alocasia, A/llOJphop/zallus, Colocas/a 

Phoenix 

Aegilops, Avena, C/zionachne, Coix, Digifaria, Echinochloa, 

Eleusine, Elymus, Eremopyrum, Hordeum, Hygroryza, 

Leersia, Miscan/hlls, Narenga, Oryza, Panicllm, Paspalum, 

Penniserulll, Polytoca, Saccharum, Sclerostachya, Setaria, 

Trilobaclme

Table 2. 


Genera of wild relatives of crop plants arranged according to economic plant 

groups (no. of species for each genus occurring in India. in given in parenthesis) 

I. Cereals & Millets 

Aegilops (I). AVena (5), Chionachne (2), Coix (4), Digitaria (29), Echinochloa (6), 

Eleusine (3), Elymus (2), Eremopyrum (3), Hordeum (4), Hygroryza (I), Leersia 

(2), Oryza (7), Panicum (29), Paspalum (14), Pennisetum (16), Poly toea (2), 

Setaria (17), Trilobachne (I). 

II. Legumes 

Alylosia (16), Canavalia (4), Cicer (I), Dolichos (7), Glycine (2), Lab/ab(I), 

Lathyrus (9). Mucuna (14), Trigonella (12), Vigna (19). 

III. Fruits 

Aegle (1), Arfocarpus (18), Capparis (26), Carissa (12), Citrus (17), Cordia (16), 

Diospyros (44), Doeynia (2), Duchesnea (2), Elaeagnus (8), Elaeoearpus (26), 

Emblica (2), Ensele (3), Euphoria (1), Ficus (70), Fragaria (4), Garcinia (22), 

Grewia (42), Madhuca (4), Malus.(4), Mangifera (4), Mani/kara (4), Mimusops 

(2), Morus (5), Musa (14), Myrica (I), Phoenix (7), Prunus (19), Punica (1), 

pYI"US (5), Rhus (13), Ribes (9), Rubus (50), Sorbus (7), Spondias (4), Syzygium 

(50), Zizyphus (17). 

IV. 

Vegetables 

Abelmoschus (6), A [ocasia (I), Amaranrhus (10), Bryonopsis (1), Chenopodium (8), 

Citrullus (2), Coccinia (I), Coleus (6), Colocasia (I), Cucumis (5), Dioscorea (45), 

Luffa (3), Malva (5), Moghania (26), Momordica (4), Neoluffa (I), Rumex (13), 

Solanum (40), TridlOsamhes (21). 

V. Oilseeds 

VI. 

Brassica (3), Carthamus (2), Lepidium (4), Sesamum (3). 

Fibre types 

Boehmeria (12), COl'chorus (8), Crotalaria (56), Gossypium (3), Hibiscus (30), 

Linum (4), Urena (2). 

vn. Spices & Condiments 

Allium (30), Alpinia (15), Amomum (10), Carum (3), Cichorium (3), Cinnamomum 

(J 6), Curcuma (18), Myristica (5), Piper (50), Zingiber (14). 

VIII. Others 

Camellia (7), Coffea (8), Erianthus (8), Eurya (5), Fagopyrum (2), Miscanthus (4), 

Narenga (2), Saccharum (15), Sclerostachya (2).


Table 3. 

Cc.reals & Millets 

Legumes 

Fruit types 

Vegetable types 

Oilseed types 

Miscellaneous 

Wild relatives and related endemic/rare species and over-exploited types 

(arranged according to economic-plant categories) 

Coix lacryma·jobi var. ma-yuan, Digitaria cruciata var. esculenta, 

Digitaria sanguina/is subsp. aeg),ptiaca var. frumentacea, 

Oryza nivara. 

Atylosia cajanifolia, Atylosia gralldijlora, Atylosia nh'ea, 

Canavalia stocksii, Cieer microphyUum, Dolichos bracteatus, 

Dolichos purpureus-wild lignosus forms, Lathyrus altaiClIs. 

Vigna mungo var. sylvestris, Vigna radiata (setulosus forms), 

Vigna grandis, Vigna vexillata var. stocksi;-under Vigna 

capensis. 

: Citrus assamensis, Citrus ic/zangensis, Citrus indica, Citrus 

laripes, Docynia Izookeriana, Malus baccata var. Izimalaica, 

Musa cheesmanii, Nfusa glauca, Musa jlavijlora, Musa 

itinerans, Musa nagensium, Musa sikkimensis, Musa mann ii, 

Musa velutino, Prunus ocuminota, Prunus jenkinsii, Prunus 

tomentosa, Pyras kumaoni, Rubus lineatus. 

Abelmoschus tuberculat,(~. Allium rubellum, Cucumis hardwickii, 

Curcuma amarissima, Luffa hermaphrodita, Luffa umbel/ata, 

Moghania vestita, Neoluffa sikkimensis, Solanum melongena 

var. insanum, S. melongena var. potangi, Trichosonthes 

khasiana, Trichosanthes mojuscula, Tricllosanthes ovata, Trichosanthes 

tomentosa, Zingiber intermedium. 

Sesamuln laciniotum, S. prostratum. 

Carum bulbocastallu11l, Camellia drupi/era, Camel/ia lutescens.


Table 4. 

Distribution of wild relatives in different phytogeographical zones (Categorywise 

arrangement is followed). 

Crop/Genus 

PhytogeographIcal zones· 

2 3 4 5 6 7 

I. Cereals & MiIlets 

Aegi/ops 

Avella 

Chiollae/me 

Coix 

Digitaria 

Eehillochloa 

E/ellsille 

E/ymus 

Eremopyrum 

Hordeum 

Hygroryza 

Leersia 

Oryza 

Pmlicul1l 

Paspa/ulIl 

Penniseillm 

Po/ytoca 

Setaria 

Trilobac/me 

1 

3 

1 

1 2 2 

2 2 2 

3 

3 

5 

1 . 

3 2 4 

2 3 2 

2 

5 4 4 4 4 5 4 

1 

-------------------------- 

29 

7 

16 9 

2 

3 

5 22 

12 

II. 

Legumes 

Afylosia 

Canavalia 

eieer 

Doliehos 

Glycine 

Lablab 

Lathyrus 

MueuIlG 

Trigoncl/a 

Vigna 

1 

2 

2 

3 

2 

2 

2 2 

2 

---------------------------- 

9 5 6 4 2 20 9 

------------_ .. _ _...,---------------- 

4 

4 

2 

2 

7 

4 

4


Phytogeographical zones" 

Crop/Genus ------~---- 

\ 2 3 4 5 5 7 

III. Fruits 

Aegie 

Artocarpus 2 

Capparis 

Carissa 

Citrus 5 4 5 

Cordia 2 

Diospyros 6 

Docynia 2 

Duchesnea 

Elaeagnus 

E/aeocarpus 

Emb/ica 

Euphoria 

Ficus 

Fragaria 1 

Garcinia 5 7 3 

Grewia 4 3 2 4 2 

Madhuca 

Malus 

Mangifera 2 2 2 

Manilkara 

Mimusops 

Morus 3 3 

Musa 10 

Myrica 1 1 

Phoenix 1 5 2 3 

Prunus 6 5 5 

Punica 1 

pyrus 3 

Ribes 2 1 1 

Rubus 8 4 3 

Spondias 1 

Sorb us 2 

Syzygium 1 3 2 

Vitis 2 

Zizyphus 3 3 3 2 

-------------------------.-- 

37 32 51 13 10 4S 19


Crop/Genus 

Phytogeographical zones· 

2 3 4 5 6 7 

IV. Vegetables 

Abelmoschus 2 3 2 3 2 

Alocasia 1 

Amarallthus 3 3 

Amorphophallus 2 

Bryonopsis 

J 

Chenopodium 3 3 

Citrullus 

Coccinia 

Coleus 

Colocasia J 1 

Cucumis 2 3 2 1 1 

Dioscorea 2 2 3 3 

LUffa 2 

:Malva 

Moghallia 1 

Momordica 3 4 5 

Neoluffa 

Rumex J J 

Solanum 2 5 4 2 5 5 

Trichosanthes 2 2 4 2 2 3 3 

V. Oilseeds 

25 12 27 22 11 27 27 

---------- 

Brassica 1 

Carthamlls 1 1 

Lepidium 4 2 t 

Sesamum 2 

----- 

6 3 4 4 2 

VI. 

Fibre types 

Boehmeria 2 1 

Corchorus 3 3 6 3 

Crotalaria 2 

Go ssypium 

Hibiscus 

Linum 1 1 1 

Urena 2 2 2 1 2 2 

------ 

4 4 5 5 6 J1 8


Crop/Genus 

Phytogeographical zones· 

2 3 4 5 6 7 

\ 

VII. Spices & Condiments 

Allium 3 1 

A lpin ia 2 

Amomum 2 

Carum 2 

Cillnamomum 2 

Curcuma 2 2 5 2 2 

Myristica 2 2 

Piper 3 2 2 

Zillgiber 2 2 1 3 3 

VIII. 

Miscellaneous 

-----------.....----------------- 

10 9 13 10 9 

----- 

Camellia 2 

Cichoriu/II 2 2 

Coffea 4 3 

Eurya 

Fagopyrum 

Miscanthus 2 

Narellga I 1 I 

Saccharum 2 4 4 5 5 2 2 

Sclerostachya 

5 10 13 8 7 8 6 

Fruiting period 

(i) Herbaceous types/allnuals : zones 1 & 2 - 3000-4000 m, Mid. August-September: 

zone 3, September-October; zones 4 & 5, September; zone 6, Mid. August 

September; zone 7, Mid. September-November. 

(ii) Perellnials-shrubs/trees: zones) & 2, temperate trees, July-August and subtemperate 

trees up to mid. September; zones- 3 & 7-tropical trees, December 

February; zone 6-arid zone types, September/March. 

(In general, wild types mature late in humid tropical/sub-tropical habitats and relatively 

early in temperate and alpine habitats and in the arid, desert belt). 

"Phytogeographical zones: 1. North-western Himalaya, 2. Eastern Himalaya, 

3. North eastern region, 4. Gangetic plains, 5. Indus plains, 6. Western peninsular 

region, 7. Eastern peninsular region.


Table 5. 

Important wild relatives and related types in different phytogeographical 

zones 

I. Cereals and millets 

Western Himalaya: Avena/atua, A. /udoviciana, A. barbata, Aegilops tauschii, 

Digitaria sanguinalis, Hordeum spontaneum, H. glaucum, H. turkesta1licum, E/ymus 

dahuricus, E. dasystachys, E. nuta1ls, Eremopyrurn buo1laparfis, E. dista1ls, E. 

orientale, Pennisetum orielltale. 

Fastern Himalaya: Hordeum agriocrithon. 

North-eastern region: Digitaria cruciata, Coix lacryma-jobi, 

C. aquatica, Oryza rujipogon, Poly toea wa/lichiana. 

C. gigalltea, 

Gangetic plains: Panicum miliare, Paspalulll scrobiculatum, Chionaclme koenigii. 

Western peninsular tract: Panicum psi/opodium, Oryza coarctata, Setaria glauca, 

Chio1lachne koenigii, C. semiteres, Coix gigantea, Tri/obachne cookei. 

Eastern peninsular tract: Oryza nivara, O. rujipogon, O. granu!ata, O. coarctata, 

Polytoca digitata. 

Widely distributed: E/eusine indica, E. compressa, Echinochloa crusgalli, Setaria 

tomentosa, S.pallide-jusco, S. verticillata, S. I'iridis. 

II. Legumes 

Western Himalaya: Cicer micropilyllum, Lathyrus aphaca, Moghania vesfita, 

Mucuna capitata, Trigo1lella emodi, Vigna capensis, V. radiata var. sub/obata, 

V. umbel/ata. 

Eastern Himalaya: Mogllania vestita, M. bracteata, Vig1la capensis, V. umbel/ata, 

V.pi/osa. 

North-eastern region: Atylosia barbata, A. scarabaeoides, A. vi/losa, Canavalia 

ensijormis, Moghania vest ita, !.fucuna bracteata, Vigna umbe/lata, V. radiata var. 

sub/obata, V. pilosa. 

Gangetic plains: At.vlosia mollis, A. platycarpa, A. scarabaeoides, A. villosa, 

Trigonella cornicu/ata, T. poJycerata, T. occulfa, Lath}'! us aphaca, Vicia sativa, 

Vigna aconitijolia, V. radiata var. subJobata. 

Indus plains: Vigna aconitijolia, V. tri/obata, Trigone/la occulta, Atylosia scarabaeoides, 

Lathyrus aphaca. 

Western peninsular tract: Atylosia a/bieans, A. barbata, A. candollei, A. e/ongata, 

A. gemini/fora, A. grandi/olia, A. kulne1lsis, A. lineota, A. mollis, A. niveo, 

A. platycarpa, A. rugosa, A. rostrata, A. scarabaeoides, A. serieea, A. villosa. 

Canavalia ensi/ormis var. virosa, C. obtusijolia, nolichos IIni/forus, D. bracteatus, 

Mucuna pruriens, Vigna radiata var. sublobata, V. capellsis, V. pilosa, V. umbel/(ua, 

V. dalzelliana (V, mllllgo var. syil'estris, V. radiata var. setulosa, V. grandis+in 

north). 

Eastern peninsular tract: Aty/osia albicans, A. cando/lei, A. barbata (southern 

part), A. cajani/olia, A. geminif/ora, A. ku/nensis (southern. parts), A. mollis, 

A. rostrata, A. rugosa, A. scarabaeoides, Dolichos purpureus-lig1losus types, Vigna 

radiata var. sublobata, V. capensis, V. trilobata, V. aconitijolia.


III. Fruits 

Western Himalaya: Duchesnea indica, Efaeagnus hortensis, Ficus palmata, Morus 

, spp., PrwllIs acuminata, P. cerasioides, P. cornuta, P. napaulensis, P. prostrata, 

P. tomentosa, Pyrus baccata, P. communis, P. kumaoni, P. pashia, Ribes graciale, 

R. nigrum, RlIbus ellipticus, R. mofuccanus, R. /ruticosus, R. lasiocarpus, R. 

lanatus, R. nil'eus. R. reticulatus, Zizyphus vulgaris. 

IV. 

Eastern Himalaya: Duchesnea indica, Moms spp., Myrica esculenta, Prunus 

acumillata, P. cerasioides, P. cornllta, P. jellkinsii, P.llapaulensis, pyrus pashia, Ribes 

graciale, Rllblls Iineatus, R. ellipticlls, R. lasiocarpus, R. moluccanus, R. reticulatus. 

North-eastern region: Citrus assamensis, C. ichangensis, C. indica, C. jamhhiri, 

C. latipes, C. macroptera, C. medica, C. aurantium, Docynia indica, D. hookeriana, 

Eriobotrya angustifo/ia, Mangifera syil-arica, Musa acuminata/ M. balbisiana 

complex, M. mann;;, M. sikkimensis, M. superba, M. velutina, Pyrus pyri/o/ia, pyrus 

pas/zia, Prunus cerasioides, P. jenkins;;, Ribes graciale, Rubus el/ipticus, R. moluccanus, 

R. reticulatus, R. lasioearpus, Myrica esculenta. 

Gangetic plains: Aegle marmelos, Cordia myxa, C. rolhii, Emb/ica ojJicina/is, 

Grewia asiatica, Morus spp., Phoenix spp., Syzygium spp., Zizyphus nummularia 

and other species; and Mani/kara hexandra (more in north·western plains). 

Indus plains: low occurrence of Syzygium, rich variation in Carissa cOIlgesta; 

other diversity like in Gangetic plains. 

Western peninsular tract: Arlocarpus heterophyl/us, A. fakoocha, Garcinia indica, 

Diospyros spp., Ensete superba, Mangi/era indica, Mimosops elengii, Spondias 

pilmata, Vilis spp., Zizyphus oenop/ia, Z. rugosa, Rubus ellipticus, R. lasiocarpus, 

R. moluccanlls. 

Vegetables 

Western Himalaya: Abelmoschus manihot (tetraphyllus forms), Cucumis hardwick ii, 

C. trigonus, LujJa echinata, L, gral'eoiens, Solanum incanum, Trichosanthes 

multi/aba, T. himalensis. 

Eastern Himalaya: Abelmosclllls manihot, Cucumis trigonus, LujJa graveolens, 

NeolujJa sikkimensis. 

North-eastern region: .4belmoschus manihot (pungens forms), Alocasia macrorhiza, 

Amorplzophallus bulbi/er, Colocasia escuienta, Cucumis hystrix, C. trigonus, 

Dioscorea alata, LujJa graveolens, Moghania vestita, Momordica eoehinehinensis, 

M. maerophylla, M. subangulata, Triehosanthes eucumerina, T. dioiea, 

T. dicaeiosperma, T. khasiana, T. orata, T. truncata, Solanum indicum. 

Gangetic plains: Abelmoschus lubereuialus, A. manihot (Ielraphyllus forms), 

LujJa echinala, Momordica cymbalaria, M. dioica, M. cochinchinensis, Solanum 

incanum, S. indieum. 

Indus plains: Momordica balsamina, Citrll/lus colocynth is, Cucumis prophefarum. 

Western peninsular tract: Abelmosehus angulosus, A. moschatus, A. manihot 

(pungens forms), A. fieulneus, Amorplzophallus campanulaflls. Cucumis setosus, 

C. trigOIllIS, LujJa graveolens, Momordica eochinchinensis, M. subanglliata, 

Solanllm indicum, Trichosanthes anamaiaiensis, T. bracteata, T. euspidata, T. 

horsfieidii, T, perotlitiana, T. neriifolia, T. vil/osa.


Eastern peninsular tract: Amorphophallus campanulatlls, Abelmoschus mallihot, 

A. moschatus, Colocasia antiquorum, Cucumis Izystrix, C. setosus, Luffa acutangula 

var. amara, L. graveolens, L. umbellata, Momordica cymbalaria, M. denticulata, 

M. dioica, M. cochinchinensis, M. subangu/ata, Solallllm indicum, S. me/ollgena 

(insanum types), Trielzosanthes bracteata, T. cordata, T. lepiniana, T. himalensis, 

T. multi/oba. 

V. Oilseed types 

Western Himalaya: Lepidium capitatum, L. draba, L. lati/o!ium, L. ruderale. 

Eastern Himalaya: Brassiea tri/ocularis types. 

North-eastern region: Brassica tri/ocu/aris types. 

Gangetic plains: Brassica qlladriva/vis types, B. tournefortii, Carthamus oxycamha, 

Sesamum indicllm (naturalized), Lepidium spp. (L. draba). 

Western peninsular tract: Sesamllm laciniatum, S. prostratum. 

Eastern peninsular tract: Sesamum prostratum. 

VI. Fibre types 

Western Himalaya: Linum perenne. 

North-eastern region: Corelzorus eapsularis, Gossypium arboreum (primitive types). 

Gangetic plains: Corehorus tri/oeu/aris, C. tridens, Urena repanda. 

Western peninsular tract: Corehorus aeutangulus, C. antiehorus, C. faseicu/aris, 

C. urticaefolius, Crotalaria retusa, C. striata, Linul1l mysorense. 

Eastern peninsular tract: Hibiscus cannabinus. 

Widely occurring : Urena lobata. 

VII. Spices and condiments 

Western Himalaya: Allium spp. (A. rubellum, A. schoelloprasum, A. tuberosum 

and others), Carum bulbocastinum. 

Eastern Himalaya: Allium tuberosum, Amomum subulatul1l, CurculIla zeodoaria. 

North-eastern region : Alpillia ga/allga, A. speciosa, Amomum aromaticum, 

Curcuma amada, C. zeodoaria, Piper /ongum, Piper peepuloides. 

Western peninsular tract: Cinnamomum zey/anicum, Curcuma montana, Myristica 

beddomei, M. malabarica, Piper nigrum, P. sehmidtii, Zingiber eassumunar, 

Z. officinale, Z. zerumbat. 

Eastern peninsular tract: Curcuma amada, Curcuma angusti/o/ia, C. aromatiea 

(wild forms occur in Chota-Nag pur plateau), Piper longum, Zingiber zerumbat. 

VIII. Miscellaneous 

Western Himalaya: SaeehaTllm jili/o/ium, Miscanthus nepa/ensis. 

Eastern Himalaya: Saccharum /ongisetosum, S. sikkimellse (Erialltlzus), MiSCGlIthus 

nndipus, M. tay/orii, Camellia spp. 

I 

North·eastern region: Narenga fallax, Saccharum rm'ennae, S. [ongisetosum, 

S. procerum, S. rujipilum, S. sikkimensis, Miscanthus nepa/ensis, M. lIudiplIS, 

M. taylorii, M. wardii, Camellia spp. 

Gangetic plains: Saccharum rufipi/um, S. ravennae, S. arundinaceum, S. benga 

/ellse, S. spontaneum. 

Indus plains: Saccharum /ongisetosum var. hookeri. 

Western peninsular tract: Narenga prophyrocoma. 

Eastern peninsular tract: Narengaporphyrocoma, Saccharum ravellllae.

72 



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I 

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genetic studies collected by the Kyoto University Scientific Expeditions; pp 

155-158. In Proc. of the Third International Wheat Genetics Symposium. Finlay, 

K. W. & K. W. Shepherd (ed.) Austr. Acad. of Sci., Canberra.

, 

\ 

/ 

1. Coix lacryma-jobi: hard-shelled wild form from north-eastern hills related 

to cultivated var. mayuan (soft-shelled types). 

" 

- 

'. 

2. Coix lacryma-jobi; variability in wild and cultivated forms-hard-shelled and 

soft-shelled types.

3. Hordeum spp. (Hordeum Spolltalleum); Wild barley in a field cf wheat in 

north-western Himalaya. 

4. Hordeum spp.-spike and spikelels of wild barley.

50 Vigna dlllzel/iaaa from Khandala Ghats, Maharashtra related to Vo umbellalao 

60 Vigna gralldis from Khandala Ghats, Maharashtra related to Vo radiata.

\ 

7. Vigna mungo var. syivestris from Khandala Ghats, Maharashtra; related to 

black gram.

, ) \t. III I 

8 Vigna radiata var. slIblobata and var. sylvestris; variation in pod characters 

types related to green gram. 

9. Cicer micl'ophy/llim from Ladakh, Western Himalaya.

10. Cicer microp:zylllllll-pods and seeds . 

• e · 

CULTIVATED 

WILD 

II. 

Vigna IImbellata; variability in wi!d and cultivated types.

'2. Cnppal'is decidua wild types grow in arid/semi-arid habitats in north-western, ;.11 

plains.

13. Cordia myxa wild types occur as components of deciduous forests. 

14. Spondias pinnata occurs wild in semi-evergreen forests and possibly, is 

distantly related to Mangifera; also used as root-stock for M. indica.

15 . Ar/ocarpus lakoocha wild types occur in semi-evergreen/evergreen forests, 

mainly in the Western Ghats. 

16. Elaeocarpus jloribulldlls wild types are confined to north-eastern hills.

17. Citrus lalipes wild types occur only in north-eastern hills. 

18 . Myrica esculenta wild types are more common in sub-Himalayan tract (Western, 

Central and Eastern Himalaya); cultivated types are restricted to north-eastern hills.

19. Pyrus pashia: wild type from Western Himalaya-a hardy root-stock for pear. 

20. Fragaria indica wild types are common as forest undergrowth in the Western 

Himalaya.

21. Docynia illdica apparently akin to Malus; also used as a root-stock for pear 

and apple in north-eastern hills. 

22. TricllOsantlzes bracteata from tarai region- related to T. dioica.

23. Cirrullus colocynthis from north-western semi-arid plains. 

24. Solanum melollgena var. insanum from Dehradun valley-related to 

S. melongena.

25. So/al1ulI1 lor VI/in- wild type from northern plains. 

26. Salal1um sUraltense occurs wild in the semi-arid habitats and is distantly 

related to melongena complex.

00 

N 

Ir--: 

N

, 

29. Moghania vesfifa wild type from the Eastern Himalaya with esculent tubers. 

30. Dioscorea a/ala wild types with broad tubers occur in the humid tropical 

forests of western and eastern peninsular tracts.

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