Seedling morphological traits of some dicotyledonous invasive alien plant species (IAPS) of West Bengal, India: A case study for identification

Seedling morphological traits of some dicotyledonous invasive alien plant species (IAPS) of West Bengal, India: A case study for identification

Morphological traits of seedlings of 65 invasive alien species of 55 genera under 26 families of dicotyledonous have been studied from West Bengal, India. The juvenile vegetative characters are often ignored or less emphasized for the classification of higher plants, still, in reality, they are as valid as floral characters for the delimitation of families and genera (Tomlinson, 1984). The investigated phanerocotylar seedlings have been categorized into six seedling types (types I to VI). Seedling taxa are further grouped into families, genera and species within each type in the form of an artificial key. So, 65 seedling species are identified easily from natural habitats. The species mostly have ± positive value to our ecosystem and human health. Identified seedlings may be considered for conservation and cultivation. Juvenile phase is also important for weed management programmes in crop fields.

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