PHENOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF Adansonia digitata L: A THREATENED TREE SPECIES IN GWALIOR (MP) INDIA

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) is a threatened tree of high medicinal and nutritional importance. It has numerous biological properties including antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities amongst others. Over exploitation and poor attention paid by the conservationists, the tree species in under great threat and may disappear soon. In order to develop strategies to conserve this valuable tree species, present study was undertaken to investigate its phenology and reproductive biology. The trees were completely devoid of leaves till the end of April. First vegetative buds appeared in the first week of May, followed by the initiation of floral buds. Flowering was initiated in second week of May and continued up to end of June. Peak flowering was observed in second week of June and Fruiting started in the second week of September and continued up to the first week of October. Flowers open in the afternoon between 12.00-02.00 hours, anther dehiscence between 02.00- 3.00 hours and stigma fimbriate-papillose lobes and become receptive 03.30 hours and remains receptive for one day. Present communication deals with the phonological events and reproductive biology of this highly prized tree species.