Fwd: Zygophyllaceae: Balanites aegyptiacus Delile

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot, John ji.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Parrotta <jparr...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 at 16:07
Subject: Zygophyllaceae: Balanites aegyptiacus Delile
To: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>

location/date: Tumkur Distr., Karnataka, July 1997

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[J.M. Garg]

This is Balanites roxburghii as per distribution given in POWO for both the species as below:
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:813589-1
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:813594-1

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks, John ji.

There has been a lot of confusion as different sources say different things. 

GBIF (based on Catalogue of Life) states them as the same. 

But POWO (treating the two as different) and BSI Flora of India do not agree with this. 

See more details and discussions at 
https://efloraofindia.com/2014/09/11/balanites-roxburghii/
https://efloraofindia.com/2011/02/08/balanites/

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Parrotta <jparr...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 at 17:02
Subject: Re: Zygophyllaceae: Balanites aegyptiacus Delile
To: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>

The correct name should have been Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile - iit does occur in India. See: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile (gbif.org)

In my new book, the distribution of the species, derived from a number of sources, reads like this:

Distribution and Habitat

Native to the Old World tropics from northeastern Africa and Arabia to the semi-arid and dry deciduous forest regions of the Indian subcontinent to Myanmar. Found from western Rajasthan and southeastern Punjab to West Bengal and Sikkim, and throughout the drier parts of Peninsular India to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This species is characteristic of black cotton soils in Peninsular India and is also common on open sandy plains.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks, John ji.

GBIF follows taxonomy as per Catalogue of Life.

Most of our Experts find POWO is better than Catalogue of Life.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Parrotta <jparr...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 at 17:54
Subject: Re: Zygophyllaceae: Balanites aegyptiacus Delile
To: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>

Thanks for this additional information. These taxonomic disputes are not uncommon, as you well know. When in doubt, I have let GBIF have the “last word “.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg

[J.M. Garg]

Particularly as far as Flora of India is concerned as it was documented by the British taxonomists initially.

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With regards,
J.M.Garg