| Garcinia L. is a well-recognised genus of family Clusiaceae for it has commendable economic importance as a source of edible fruits. The genus is represented by 250 species in the world (Rogers & Sweeney, 2007; Sweeney, 2008; Sharma et al., 2013; Nimanthika & Kaththriarchi, 2010), and in India by 43 species (Anderson, 1874; Maheshwari, 1964; Singh, 1993; Srivastava, 1994). It has 17 members in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands including 7 endemics such as G. andamanica King, G. cadelliana King, G. calycina Kurz, G. dhanikhariensis S.K. Srivastava, G. kingii Pierre ex Vesque, G. kurzii Pierre, and G. microstigma Kurz (Hazara et al., 1999; Sinha, 1999; Pandey & Diwakar, 2008; Murugan et al., 2016; Purohit & Vivek, 2022; Purohit et al., 2022 & 2023). Out of 7 endemics, G. andamanica and G. dhanikhariensis is highly restricted in Andaman group of Islands. It has potential of using as a fruit crop and ornamental tree.
Present study is on focus of ex-situ conservation of genus Garcinia i.e. G. andamanica & G. dhanikhariensis through seeds germination or seedlings collections from their natural habitats and conservation at Dhanikhari garden. G. andamanica has been naturally occur at evergreen forest near fresh water bodies and damp areas of little, North & South Andaman Islands. G. dhanikhariensis has been restricted in inland forest at Dhanikhari area in South Andaman and few individuals in cultivation at Chouldhari area in South Andaman Islands. Present paper deals with study of seed germination, growth behavior and effect of climate change on two endemic tree species i.e. G. andamanica King and Garcinia dhanikhariensis S.K. Srivst. (Clusiaceae) at Dhanikhari Botanical Garden cum Arboretum, Port Blair.
Keywords: Endemic, Garcinia, Growth data, Climate change, conservation.
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