Morphometric Characteristics of Endocarp, Seed and Embryo of Elaeocarpus ganitrus, the Indian Rudraksha Plant

Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. ex G. Don (Syn. E. angustifolius Bl., E. sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schum.) occurs naturally in various parts of India and elsewhere in the world. The plant has poor regeneration in the wild and has been reported as a threatened species in the north-eastern region of India. This plant, known as Rudraksha in India, has been considered very sacred and pious for devotees in Hinduism. As, only limited studies have been carried out on morphometrics of the endocarp, seed and embryo of this species, therefore, the required studies on these aspects including detection of seed presence within the endocarp through X-Ray imaging were carried out and reported in the present article. Findings of the study will be helpful in correct identification of this important species and also in making comparison in case of infrageneric classification and grouping of various Elaeocarpus species within Ganitrus Group (Group V, sub group A).