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| Euphorbia ravii A.Naray. & K.Prasad in Swamy & Prasad, 2022. |
Abstract
Euphorbia ravii is described as a new species from Nigidi hills, Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It belongs to the subgenus Euphorbia section Euphorbia, it is closely allied to E. caducifolia but differs in many attributes which are discussed here. An updated key for Indian E. caducifolia group is also provided for easy identification.
Keyword: Deccan Plateau, Euphorbia caducifolia, Nigidi hills, preliminary conservation status, section Euphorbia
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| Euphorbia ravii A.Naray. & K.Prasad, sp. nov. A. Inflorescence branch; B & C. Cyathia; D. Dichotomously branched cymes; E. Involucres; F. Glands surface pitted. |
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| Euphorbia ravii A.Naray. & K.Prasad, sp. nov. A. Habit; B. Young branches; C. Mature branches; D. Young spines; E. Mature spines; F. Leaves with young spines. |
Euphorbia ravii A.Naray. & K.Prasad, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: This species is similar to Euphorbia caducifolia Haines but differs in its slightly winged and subterete stems (vs. terete stems), conical podaria (vs. rounded), broadly ovate leaves with truncate or rounded base (vs. variable, ovate, ovate-elliptic to orbicular, with cuneate base), up to six times dichotomously branching cyathial cymes (vs. triads or fascicles), margins of bracts irregularly serrate (vs. entire), cupular involucre (vs. turbinate), seeds with large rounded to sub-rounded pits (vs. without pits).
Habitat: It is found growing between granite rocks on small hills in scrub forest, at elevation range of 255–262 m. Its common associates are Euphorbia antiquorum L., E. caducifolia Haines, Cymbopogon coloratus (Hook.f.) Stapf., Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq., Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin and Wrightia tinctoria R.Br.
Distribution: Euphorbia ravii is known from the type locality in the Ananthapuramu district, Deccan Plateau, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Etymology: The new species named in honour of Dr. B. Ravi Prasad Rao, Professor of Botany at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapuramu, India for his contributions to the flora of Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Ghats and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Angajala Narayana Swamy and Kothareddy Prasad. 2022. Euphorbia ravii (Euphorbiaceae: subg. Euphorbia), A New Species from Andhra Pradesh, India. Taiwania. 67(2); 229-234. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2022.67.229
