Plant Systematics and Evolutionary Science
Dr. G. Rajkumar
Position: Head of Division, Principal Scientist
Mobile No: 9446362676
Email: rjktbgri@gmail.com
Qualifications: PhD (University of Kerala).
Specialization: Angiosperm taxonomy, Annonaceae, Herbarium, conservation of endemic threat category plants.
Personal Biography
More than 30 years of research experience in the field of angiosperm taxonomy and biodiversity conservation especially of endemic and threat category species. Principal Investigator as well as Co-Principal Investigator of 14 externally funded research projects. Published about 80 research papers in both national and international journals. There are several new species to his credit along with technical reports. Co-authored one book, The Flowering Plants of Kerala- A Handbook, published by JNTBGRI in 2006. Research Guide for the subject area of Botany in University of Kerala and the University of Calicut. Life Member of eight professional bodies/societies and Vice President of the Kerala chapter of the Society of Ethnobotanists, Lucknow.
Projects & Selected Publications
Projects
- 2022- Systematics and conservation of the genus Ixora L. (Rubiaceae) of Kerala Western Ghats, (Ongoing).
- 2008-2014: Improvement of Infrastructure facilities in Botanic Gardens and Centre of ex-situ conservation of indigenous particularly Rare Endangered Threatened (RET) plants, (Lead Garden), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India.
- 2013-2017: Assessment of Medicinal Plants of Seven Southern Districts of Kerala, Kerala State Medicinal Plants Board.
- 2015-2019: Comparative phytogeography of selected plants of Western Ghats.
- 2020- 2022: Preparation of Red Data Book and Assessment of Threatened Species of Kerala (Flora including aquatic species) - Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
Publications
- Alister, M., Rajkumar, G., Nazarudeen A. and A.G.Pandurangan (2017). Notes on the Taxonomic status of Polyalthia malabarica (Bedd.) I. M. Turner (Annonaceae) and a new variety from India. Taiwania 62 (3): 305-310. https://doi.org/10.6165/tai.2017.62.305
- Nazarudeen A, Rajkumar, G. & M. Alister (2018). Ardisia agasthyamalayana (Primulaceae), a new species from the Western Ghats, India. Webbia: Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography 74(4):1-6 https://doi.org/10.1080/00837792.2018.1546922
- Nazarudeen A, Rajkumar G,Rohith Mathew Mohan & R. Prakashkumar (2020). Taxonomic notes on the identity of Rungia latior var. anamalayana (Acanthaceae) from Western Ghats, India. Plant Science Today 7(1): 23-28. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2020.7.1.626
- Rajkumar. G,Shaju T, Nazarudeen A & R. Prakashkumar (2020). Pothos boyceanus (Araceae), a new species from the Western Ghats, India. Taiwania 65(2)114-118. https://doi.org/10.6165/tai.2020.65.114
- Nazarudeen A, Rajkumar G. & M. Alister (2021). A New Variety of Thottea sivarajanii (Aristolochiaceae) from Western Ghats, India. International Journal of Advanced Research 9(10), 1356-1360. http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/13690
Research Scholar
Work: Reproductive biological studies on Goniothalamus keralensis ESS kumar et al. an endemic plant of Kerala. (Co-Guide).
Work: Study on the Ethno-botanical aspects of the Kani tribals of Kerala.
Work: Morphological and Molecular Taxonomy of the genus Miliusa Lesch. ex A.DC (Annonaceae) in India.
Work: Ethnobotanical study of Muthuvan tribe of Idukki district of Kerala, Western Ghats.