Musaceae of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with two new synonyms and one distributional record

Abstract

Two recently published species of Musa, viz., M. indandamanensis and M. paramjitiana, are synonymized under M. sabuana and M. balbisiana var. andamanica, respectively based on critical study of types and specimens deposited in ASSAM, CAL, CALI, MH and PBL and careful observation of live plants in their natural habitats during the intensive field explorations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Northeast India. Taxonomic note, colour photographs, ecology and conservation status are provided. Note on the disjunct distribution of M. balbisiana var. andamanica in Northeast India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also provided. In addition, M. balbisiana var. andamanica is lectotypified and M. kattuvazhana reported as an addition to the flora of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.