A new Species of Amblyanthus A. Dc., Family Myrsinaceae, from Arunachal Pradesh, India

3 Pages·2002·1.7 MB·

by  G S Giri

NEW
DESCRIPTIONS
A NEW SPECIES OF AMBLYANTHUS A. DC., FAMILY MYRSINACEAE,
FROM ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA
1
(With one textfigure)
G.S. Giri, S.K. Das and H.J. Chowdhery2
Key words: State Flora, Arunachal Pradesh, Myrsinaceae, new species, Amblyanthus
A new species ofAmblyanthus from Arunachal Pradesh is described. The new species is closely
allied to A. multiflorus Mez.
mm
While studying herbarium specimens in unequal, one side always 2-6 above the other,
connection with the State Flora of Arunachal subrotund to subtruncate; apex acute; margin
Pradesh, the authors came across some crenulate to undulate-crenate, recurved, with
interesting specimens collected from the Upper submarginal glands below crenatures, glands
A mm
Subansiri district (S.K. Das). critical study of oblong or ellipsoid, 1-2 long, brownish;
the specimens and scrutiny of the literature midrib depressed above, much raised beneath,
revealed it to be a new species of the genus lateral nerves opposite to alternate, 25-30(-35)
Amblyanthus A. DC. The same is described here on either side, nervules oblique, lateral nerves
A
with illustrations. diagnostic key to the Indian usually forked or branched near margin, ending
species ofthe genus is also provided. in submarginal glands; lamina chartaceous, on
Amblyanthus obovatus Giri, Das et drying turn blackish above, dark brown beneath,
Chowdhery sp. nov. A. multiflora Mez, affinis both surfaces glabrous, profusely dotted with
sed distinguenda foliis obovatis vel obovato- brownish glands beneath, glands minute or
oblongis, chartaceis, basi manifeste inaequalibus, conspicuous, round, oval or elliptic; petioles
apice acutis, petiolis longioribus (15-32 mm), strong, deeply channelled, 1.5-3.5 cm long,
inflorescentiis confertis paniculatim umbellatis, glabrous. Inflorescence axillary, condensed,
sepalis 1/3 connatis ad marginem fimbriatis, paniculately umbellate; peduncles 5-7 cm long,
petalis 1/3 connatis ad marginem integris. slightly compressed, ferruginously furfuraceous;
Holotypus lectus S.K. Das subnumero bracts oblong, 5-8 x 2.5-3.5 mm, boat-shaped,
3997A ad locum 10 km e Sippi c. 250 m, die apex acute, ferruginously furfuraceous and gland-
25.iv. 1988, district Superior Subansiri dotted outside, glabrous inside. Flowers many,
mm
(Arunachal Pradesh) India et positus in CAL; flower buds nearly globose, 2-3 diam;
Isotypi 3997B et 3997C positus in ARUM. pedicels stout, angular, 0.5-1.5 mm long,
m
Erect shrubs, 5-6 tall, branches ferruginously furfuraceous, brownish gland-
herbaceous, terete or slightly compressed when dotted; bracteoles 2, adpressed at base ofcalyx,
young, striate, gland-dotted younger parts subulate. Calyx 1/3 connate at base, lobes 5, ovate
ferruginously furfuraceous, older parts glabrous, to suborbicular, c. 1 x 1 mm, apex acute or obtuse,
bark thick, reddish. Leaves alternate, usually margin fringed, ferruginously furfuraceous,
obovate, sometimes obovate-oblong, (22-)25-30 scattered gland-dotted outside, glabrous inside.
(-32) x (8-)9-l 1 (-12.5) cm; base distinctly Corolla pinkish, 1/3 connate at base, lobes 5,
ovate to suborbicular, 1-1.5 x 1-1.5 mm, deeply
'AcceptedApril 2000
2Central National Herbarium,Botanical SurveyofIndia concave, margin hyaline, entire, both surfaces
P.O. BotanicGarden, Howrah 711 103, Kolkata, glabrous, scattered gland-dotted, glands
WestBengal, India. brownish. Stamens 5, included, filaments very
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 99(3), DEC. 2002 471
NEWDESCRIPTIONS
Fig. 1 : Amblyanthus obovatus sp. nov., A. Habit; B. Flower bud; C. Calyx (split open);
D. Corolla (split open); E. Stamens; F. Gynaecium; G. Ovules; H. Part of leafmargin
472 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 99(3), DEC. 2002
NEWDESCRIPTIONS
short, free, attached at very base of corolla; characterised by free stamens, whereas the
anthers connate along whole length of margin, stamens ofAmblyanthus A.DC. are connate, at
broadly ovate, 0.75 x 0.5 mm, basifixed, dorsally least the anthers.
punctate along connective. Ovary oval to A diagnostic key to the Indian species of
mm
ellipsoid, 0.5-0.75 long, glabrous, ovules Amblyanthus A.DC. is given below.
mm
3-4, uniseriate; style columnar, c. 0.5 long,
slightly dilated towards apex; stigma lobed. Fruit Key to the Indian species
not seen. of Amblyanthus A.DC.
Type: Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Subansiri
district, 10 km away from Sippi, c. 250 m, 1—. Inflorescence terminal 2
25.iv.1988, S.K. Das 3997A (Holotype CAL); Inflorescence axillary 3
3997B & 3997C (Isotypes ARUN). 2. Leaves lanceolate, sepals connate up to middle
FI.: April-May. — A. glandulosus
Leaves ovate-oblong, sepals connate up to 1/3
Habitat: In primary forests onthick humus
at base A. praetervisus
along riverbank.
3. Leaves lanceolate, base equal, acute; sepals and
Note: Amblyanthus obovatus sp. nov. is petals 3/4 connate A. multiflorus
—
allied to A. multiflorus Mez, but can be Leaves obovate or obovate-oblong, base
distinguished by obovate or obovate-oblong, distinctly unequal subrounded to subtruncate;
chartaceous leaves with prominently unequal sepals and petals 1/3 connate A. obovatus
mm
base and acute apex, longer petioles (15-32
long) inflorescence condensed, paniculately Acknowledgements
umbellate; sepals 1/3 connate with entire
margin. Species ofAmblyanthus A.DC. may be We thank the Director, Botanical Survey
superficially confused with those of of India, for facilities and encouragement, and
Amblyanthopsis Mez, mainly by habit and Dr. N.C. Majumdar, ex-Scientist, Botanical
leaves. But the genus Amblyanthopsis Mez is Survey of India, for the Latin diagnoses.
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 99(3), DEC. 2002 473