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| Dendrophthoe laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka, in Sivaramakrishna, Yugandhar et Ekka, 2021. |
Highlights:
• Dendrophthoe laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka from Andaman and Nicobar Islands is described and illustrated as new to science first time.
• This species is described as an aerial branch hemiparasitic showy mistletoe on a specific host Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae).
• This new species differs from previously known species in respect to its morphology of vegetative and floral characteristics.
Abstract
Dendrophthoe laljii sp. nov. (Loranthaceae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, is described as an aerial branch hemiparasite on Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae). The notes on conservation status and germination ecology were also depicted in this study. Apparently, this species resembles D. curvata (Blume) Miq, but strictly differs in vegetative morphology and floral characteristics. A taxonomic key to the species of Dendrophthoe Mart. in India is also provided.
Keywords: Gondwana stock, Hemiparasite, Loranthaceae, Showy mistletoe, Taxonomy
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| Dendrophthoe laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka sp. nov.: A, twig with leaves, inflorescence, and fruits; B–C, inflorescence; D, flower bud; E–F, flower; G, perianth split open; H, stamen with the perianth tube; I, pistil; J, ovary; K–L, fruits; M, seeds. scale bar: 4 cm (A); 1 cm (B); 1.5 cm (C); 1 cm (D); 0.5 cm (E); 1 cm (F); 0.7 cm (G); 0.4 cm (H); 1 cm (I–K); 0.5 cm (L); 1 cm (M) |
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| Dendrophthoe laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka sp. nov.: A, inflorescence; B, flower bud; C flower; D, perianth split open; E, stamen with perianth tube; F, pistil; G, ovary; H–J, fruits; K, seeds; L–M, seedlings. scale bar: 1 cm (A); 1.2 cm (B); 1 cm (C–I); 2 cm (J); 0.5 cm (K); 1 cm (L–M) |
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| Dendrophthoe laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka sp. nov.: A, inflorescence; B, flower bud; C flower; D, perianth split open; E, stamen with perianth tube; F, pistil; G, ovary; H–J, fruits; K, seeds; L–M, seedlings. scale bar: 1 cm (A); 1.2 cm (B); 1 cm (C–I); 2 cm (J); 0.5 cm (K); 1 cm (L–M) |
Dendrophthoe laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. This species is superficially similar to D. curvata (Blume) Miq. in growth and habit, but differs in having lamina oblong to broad ovate with repand margin, asymmetrical or rounded base, emarginate sometimes rounded apex, axillary racemes inflorescence with 4 to 7 alternate flowers, sometimes solitary, elliptic ovate to rounded bracts, 6-merous corolla with straight sometimes slightly curved, bright red corolla tube, ovate to ovate-oblong fruit with cylindrical to frustum of cone shape with dark banded neck or cork lid shape seeds. The new species easily distinguished in having leaves with emarginated apex (as against leaves with obtuse or rounded) and uniformly bright red, 6-merous flowers (as against red with bright yellow or various shades of yellow to red apex, 5-merous flowers) (Table 1).
Etymology. D. laljii P. Sivaramakrishna, P. Yugandhar and G.A. Ekka is named in honor of an eminent botanist, Dr. Lal Ji Singh, Joint Director and Head of Office, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India, for his significant contributions to Indian Flora.
Pasupuleti Sivaramakrishna, Pulicherla Yugandhar and Gautam Anuj Ekka. 2021. A New Species Dendrophthoe laljii (Loranthaceae) infesting Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 14(3); 452-459. DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2021.03.010
