Rarity Analysis of an Endangered Tropical Tree Species of the Western Ghats, India

The rarity of Atuna indica, an endemic and endangered tropical tree species of the Western Ghats, India has been analysed in this study. The phenology, floral bio­logy, including pollen–ovule ratio, pollinators, fruit development and biotic interactions in natural dyna­mics were studied. Extreme reduction in the number of flowering individuals, microhabitat conditions, low fruit set, seed infestation and fruit predation were identified as the factors leading to rarity of the species in situ.