A note on the identity and distribution of Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl var. erecta Haines (Hydrophyllaceae)

2 Pages·1997·1.4 MB·

by  P C Panda

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 595
and Meebold’s collectionfromMysore. Butthere and to the Joint Director, Botanical Survey of
is no specimen from Tamil Nadu in MH. Hence India, Southern Circle, Coimbatore for all
the present collection is the first report from the facilities.
state.
June 15, 1996 D. STEPHEN
Acknowledgements Senior Research Fellow, SACON.
# Kalampalayam, Coimbatore-641 010.
VAJRAVELU
Dr. D. Stephen is grateful to the Director, E.
Botanical Survey of India for providing a Emeritus Scientist, Botanical Survey ofIndia,
fellowship under the Flora of India Scheme Coimbatore-641 003.
References
Gamble, J.S. (1921-1925): Flora of the Presidency of TamilNadu,India. I: Analysis. Vol.2. BSI, Coimbatore.
Madras Parts 4-7, Adlard & Sons, London. Hooker, J.D. (1872-1897): The Flora of British India.
Henry, A.N., G.R. Kumari & V. Chithra (1987): Flora of Vols. 1-7. Reeve & Co., London.
A NOTE ON THE IDENTITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF HYDROLEA
37.
ZEYLANICA VAHL VAR. ERECTA HAINES (HYDROPHYLLACEAE)
(L.)
(With one text-figure
)
The familyHydrophyllaceae is represented that H. zeylanica (L.) Vahl var. erecta Haines
by 22 genera and about 275 subcosmopolitan is undoubtedly a distinct taxonpmic entity. It
species, with greater concentration in dry can be distinguished from var. zeylanica
Western and Northern America (Mabberley, as per the following consistent key
1987). Ofthese, 20 species ofthe genusHydrolea characters:
L. are known to occur in the world especially in
southeast Asia, Africa and tropical America. In Erect herbs, leaves narrowly lanceolate,
India, a single species, namely Hydrolea acuminate, glaucous beneath, cauline leaves reflexed.
zeylanica, is found throughout the country, Inflorescence and calyx pubescent, never glandular
var. erecta
mostly in moist situations around ponds, tanks,
Diffuse or procumbent herbs, rooting at nodes,
ditches, irrigation canals, inrice fields and other
leaves broadly lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, acute,
wetlands.
not glaucous beneath. Inflorescence and calyx densely
Haines (1922) described an infraspecific
glandular-pubescent var. zeylanica.
taxon under Hydrolea zeylanica based on
his collections from Purneah, Bihar and
Nomenclature, brief description, pheno-
distinguished his new variety H. zeylanica (L.) logy, ecology and distribution in respect of
Vahlvar. erecta Haines fromthetype (var. diffusa H. zeylanica var. erecta is presented below. The
sensu Haines) by its erect habit, longer leaves occurrence of the taxon in Orissa is a new
and non-glandular inflorescence. He remarked
distributional record.
that this erect form is a very pretty plant when Hydrolea zeylanica (Linn.) Vahl var.
in full bloom. I collected a large number of erecta Haines Bot. Bihar & Orissa 2:571.1922
specimens belonging to both the varieties
(Fig-1)
from different parts of Orissa, studied their Erect herbs, 20-60 cm high, glabrous
morphological characters and is ofthe opinion below. Inflorescence cymose, terminating the
{
596 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST SOCIETY, Vol. 94 (1997)
Ovaiy 2-celled, ovules many, styles 2, distinct.
Capsule ovoid-ellipsoid, septifragal, enclosedby
the calyx lobes.
&
FI. Fr.: August-November.
Ecology: Occasional; in swamps, ditches
and muddyplaces associatedwithLudwigia spp.,
Sphenoclea zeylanica, Monochoria hastata and
some aquatic grasses and sedges.
Material examined: Nilagiri, Balasore
district (Orissa), 14.ix.1995, PC. Panda 4297.
Distribution: Bihar and Orissa. Most
likely to occur in other coastal states of India.
I also collected specimens of Hydrolea
zeylanica var. zeylanica having pure white
flowers from Ranpur mals, Nayagarh district,
Orissa (Field No. Panda 5491) where a large
population was observed in flowering condition.
This white flower colour ofH. zeylanica is a new
record and is of taxonomic and ecological
interest.
Acknowledgement
thank the Director, Regional Plant
I
Resource Centre, Bhubaneshwar for facilities
provided.
Fig. 1. Hydrolea zeylanica var. erecta.
Herbarium specimen
PANDA
June 15, 1996 P.C.
elongate lateral branches or panicled by Taxonomy & Conservation Division
suppression of leaves, pubescent, never with Regional Plant Resource Centre
glands, calyx pubescent, lobes lanceolate, Bhubaneshwar-751 015,
acuminate, apex greenish, distinctly nerved. Grissa.
References
Haines, H.H (1922): The Botany of Bihar & Orissa, Mabberley, D.J. (1987): The Plant Book, Cambridge
Part4, Adlard& Son and WestNewmanLtd., London. University Press, Cambridge, U.K.
38. HELIOTROPIUMBACCIFERUM FORSSK. VAR. TUBERCULOSUM BOISS.)
—
KAZMI A NEW RECORD FOR RAJASTHAN
(With one text-figure)
While revising the family Boraginaceae bacciferum Forssk. collected from Rajasthan
from the Indian subcontinent the authors are not actually H. bacciferum. On cri-
observed that specimens of Heliotropium tical examination, they turned out to be