A Compendium of Papaveraceae s.l. In Indian Subcontinent: Its Distribution and Endemism

A preliminary checklist of Papaveraceae s.l. in Indian subcontinent has been prepared on the basis of primary observations of different taxa belonging to this family in wild habitats and on secondary observations based on examining herbarium specimens and taxonomic literature. On the Indian subcontinent (comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India), the family Papaveraceae is poorly represented (22.46%). For better understanding of the species dynamics of Papaveraceae in Indian subcontinent, the present status of phytoendemism has been compared to the data of previous investigations done in nineteenth century. On the basis of phytogeographical analysis, economic potential and survival threat, fossil ancestry of Papaveraceae in Indian subcontinent, its mode of phytoendemism has been categorized under Holoendemics as well as Island endemics. The present studies on dynamics of Papaveraceae in Indian subcontinent substantiate its present mode of panendemism or diversification.