Assessment of Angiosperm Diversity in Relation to Flower Color, Size and Longevity on Tropical Environment, Tamilnadu-India

The present study aims to assessment of angiosperm diversity by flower color, flower diameter and flower longevity of Tropical environment of Tamilnadu. 61 species belonging to 56 genera from 31 families were randomly selected in and around Madurai city, Tamil Nadu to study the relationship of flower color with flower diameter and flower longevity. These parameters were recorded and found that 11 of them bearing red color flower and 18, 19 and 13 species with white, yellow and pink shade color respectively. Flower longevity of red color flower was greater (68.40+5.54 hrs) when compared to white and pink colored flowers, while the least was found for yellow color flowers (14.47+1.04 hrs). The average flower diameter was higher in white color flower followed by red colored flowers. Minimum diameter was higher in white color flower followed by yellow color and least was found for red and pink shade flower. The maximum diameter was higher in red color flowers when compared to others. The red color flowers showed higher flower diameter than white, yellow, pink, blue and green color flowers. In the total flower diversity, the white color flower contribution is higher (37%) and followed by yellow color flowers and the maximum was found in red color flowers. Among the 61 species, 4 species are under IUCN categories especially least concern viz. 3 of them red flowers viz., Delonix regia L. Gamble, Erythrina variegate L. and Punicga granatum L. and one purple flower Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. These colored flower plants has been determined to lower diversity due to lower pollinator visitation or long time taken to pollination. This relationship of flower color and size, influence the life span and diversity of flowering plants.