Taxonomical diversity of Vitaceae in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

The most important tendril bearing climber family is Vitaceae.  The present investigation tends to highlight some shadowed angles of Vitacean members which are the dominant part of forest community in Andaman region. Each climber was analyzed with respect to their habit, habitat and distribution, seedling growth, climbing mechanism, way of host approach, association and the overall role in the forest community. The present survey enumerates 4 genera and 13 species and provided baseline data on distribution of different species of Vitaceae in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which may help in finding out the species / varieties or races for agricultural planning and other related activities in the Union territory.