Phenological Insights and Seed Trait Diversity in Fourteen Native Plant Species of Central India

Abstract

Phenological events such as flowering, fruiting, and seed maturity are critical stages in the lifecycle of plants, playing a pivotal role in ecological processes and plantation programs. This study examines the phenological patterns and seed trait diversity of fourteen native tree species from central India: Buchanania cochinchinensis, Butea monosperma, Cochlospermum gossypium, Commiphora wightii, Feronia limonia, Hymenodictyon excelsum, Kydia calycina, Mallotus philippensis, Nyctanthes arbortristis, Putranjiva roxburghii, Pterospermum acerifolium, Semecarpus anacardium, Sterculia villosa, and Stereospermum chelonoides. Conducted over a three-year period (2021–2024) across diverse forested landscapes, the study identifies interspecific variation in flowering, fruiting, and seed maturation timelines. Using advanced image analysis, we quantified key morphometric parameters such as seed area, length, width, aspect ratio, average diameter, perimeter, convex perimeter, and roundness, alongside colorimetric attributes determined with the RHS color chart. The findings reveal a remarkable diversity in phenological and seed traits, offering valuable insights for ecological research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management. The outcomes of this study hold practical relevance for nursery managers, small-scale planters, and forest managers by providing critical information on fruiting periods and optimal seed collection timings for the propagation of desired tree species.