Crotalaria L. in India: A Supplement

biodiversity and established as a secondary center of origin and diversification of a number of genera of flowering plants. Legumes are second to cereals in food providing high value protein. Crotalaria L. is largest legume genus in India. Updating of existing information is a pre- requisite for conservation of biodiversity and for developmental programmes based on bio-resources. The present work is expected to fulfill this requirement. Ansari (2008) reported the occurrence of 93 species, 1 subspecies, 17 varieties and 2 formae, whereas Subramanyam & Pandey (2013) in their molecular studies on certain species mentioned the occurrence of 81 species without indicating infraspecific taxa and giving full list of Crotalaria in India. In the present report 100 species, 3 subspecies, 19 varieties and 2 formae are recognised. Out of which, 45 species, 2 subspecies, 12 varieties and 2 formae are endemic to India. C. stipitata, hither to regarded as synonym under C. laevigata is reinstated, the later does not exist in India and is confined to Madagascar (Africa), the former being woody perennial with stalked pods, while the later is herbaceous with subsessile pods. C. agatiflora, an introduced species in India, which is now naturalized, infact belongs to C. agatiflora subsp. engleri. In the present work full synonymy as on date are provided. Lectotypes are designated for C. alata Roxb., C. mysorensis, C. tetragona Roxb., C. canescens , C. obliqua, C. prostrata Roxb. ex D. Don , C. prostrata Roxb. , C. pulchra Andr., C. pulcherrima......