 |
| Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis S. Muruganandam, Devanath., S. Ravikumar & D. Naras., in Muruganandam, Devanathan, Ravikumar et Narasimhan, 2020. |
Abstract
During the ethnobotanical survey on the Pakkamalai, Gingee Hills, one of the Eastern Ghats hill ranges, the authors found a new species, which has been used as a medicinal plant in the local region in India. After a critical examination of the specimen and literature, it is described as new to science, Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis sp. nov. Description and illustration of the new species are given.
Keywords: Eastern Ghats, Ethnobotany, Gingee Hills, Medicinal plant, Senthumbai
 |
| Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis: A, vegetative and flowering twig; B, inflorescence; C, stipule; D, short stylous flower; E, bracteole; F, calyx; G, corolla split open; H, stamens dorsal and ventral; I, pistil; J, capsule; K, seeds. |
 |
| Illustrations of Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis: A, flowering twig; B, inflorescence; C, stipule; D, short stylous flower; E, calyx; F, corolla split open; G, stamens dorsal and ventral; H, pistil; I, capsule; J, seeds. |
 |
| Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis: A, habitat; B–C, habit. |
Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis
S. Muruganandam, Devanath., S. Ravikumar & D. Naras. sp. nov.
Etymology. This species is named after its type locality Sithiravarai (Sethavarai), one of the archeologically important sites as it has about 3500 years old rock paintings of natural cavern. The etymological meaning of the term is Sithiram (painting) and Varai (hills).
Local name. There are several local names in India, viz. Senthumbai, Sakkaraithumbai, and Karunthumbai (Tamil).
Subbiah Muruganandam, Krishnamoorthy Devanathan, Sundaramurthy Ravikumar and Duvuru Narasimhan. 2020. Hedyotis sithiravaraiensis (Rubiaceae): A New Species from Southern India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 13(4); 749-754. DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2020.08.003
