Variability studies in Stereospermum suaveolens (Roxb.) DC . : a threatened Dashmool species from Central India

Stereospermum suaveolens (Roxb.) DC is a threatened medicinal tree of the dashmool group, a top-traded group of medicinal plants used by the Ayurvedic industry. The Present study was undertaken to assess the variation for ‘Triacontanol’, a chemical marker compound as well as for important morphological traits in populations from the central Indian state. The results indicated a high variation not only in chemical (Triacontanol) content, but also in morphological features. Root bark collected from the Khandwa Forest division of the Nimar valley region was found to contain the highest amount of triacontanol (0.545 ± 0.03%). Assessment of morphometric variation revealed that Stereospermum suaveolens have a high level of morphometric variation for tree height, girth at breast height, clear bole height, crown diameter, number of primary branches, and leaf area. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association of triacontanol with tree height, girth at breast height, and clear bole height.