v6i2.138

Submitted date: 11 December 2013
Accepted date: 17 January 2014
Published date: 30 August 2014
Pp. 76–78, Pl. 3.

Mitracarpus hirtus VAR. sessilis VAR. NOV. (RUBIACEAE) FROM INDIA

Tandyekkal Dhruvan*, A. G. Pandurangan & N. Mohanan
*Corresponding author. E-mail: tdhruvan@gmail.com

Abstract
A new variety of Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. is described and illustrated. It forms the second new taxon of the genus from the Old World. Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. var. sessilis Dhruvan, Pandur., and Mohanan var. nov. differs from Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. var. hirtus by its sessile, broader, denser flowers in larger glomerules, two larger, oblong or oblong-elliptic, calycine calyx lobes with a mucronate apex, two shorter, linear-lanceolate, hyaline calyx lobes, capsules with S-shaped bent calyx lobes that lack aristate tip, and by grayish-brown seeds.

Key words : Introduced plants, invasive species, new variety, Old World, taxonomy, Western Ghats

Section Editor: James L. Reveal