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| Euphorbia duerrii Sarojin. & Raja Kullayisw., in Devi et Kullayiswamy, 2024. |
Abstract
A new succulent species Euphorbia duerrii is described and illustrated from the Dhule District of Maharashtra state in India. This new species is allied to Euphorbia sahyadrica but differs in shape of the podaria, short obovate leaves, 2–4 times branched peduncles, fimbriate bracts in male flowers and colliculate capsules. Euphorbia duerrii sp. nov. belongs to Euphorbia section Euphorbia based on the presence of succulent stems, spine shields, ecarunculate seeds, and glands of the cyathium lacking appendages.
Keyword: Euphorbia duerrii, Euphorbia nivulia, Euphorbia sahyadrica, subgenus Euphorbia, Maharashtra, India
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| Euphorbia duerrii Sarojin. & Raja Kullayisw. A. Branching peduncles of cyathia; B. Pair of cyathia; C. Male flower; D. Involucre; E. Involucre with glands and involucral bracts; F. Bract on primary peduncle; G. Bract of secondary peduncle; H. Bract of tertiary peduncle; I. Bract of quaternary peduncle; J. Capsule; K. Seeds. |
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| Euphorbia duerrii Sarojin. & Raja Kullayisw. A. Habit with leaves; B. Habit with inflorescence; C. Inflorescence; D. Branch with leaves; E. Branch with early stage of inflorescence; F. Leaf; G. T.S of stem; H. Spine shield side view. |
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| Euphorbia duerrii Sarojin. & Raja Kullayisw. A. Twig with leaves; B. Inflorescence at shoot apex; C. Cyathia on branching peduncles; D. Cyathial cyme; E. Spine shield; F. T.S of stem; G. Young female flowers with papillose stigmas; H. Involucre with glands and involucral bracts; I. Male flowers with bracteole; J. Capsule top view; K. Capsule bottom view; L. Seeds. (Drawn by Naidu Sarojini Devi) |
Euphorbia duerrii Sarojin. & Raja Kullayisw. sp. nov.
Type: INDIA. Telangana State, Yadadri-Bhongir District, Dharmavana Nature Ark, 17.526426N, 78.889749E, 450 m, 23 May 2024, Sarojini Devi and Raja Kullayiswamy DNA-603 (ex-situ plants cultivated from stem cuttings collected from the Dhule District of Maharashtra, the documented original distribution of the species) Holotype (BSID), Isotypes (MH & SKU).
Diagnosis: The new taxon is allied to Euphorbia sahyadrica in habit, the presence of terete branches, involucral glands transversely oblong, male flowers in 5 fascicles and ovary trigonous, but it differs in many characters viz. ellipsoid shape of spine shields, (verses a circular); sessile, obovate, obtuse and margin wavy leaves (verses petiolate, elliptic-obovate, attenuate at base, margin entire leaves); four times dichotomously branched peduncle (verses two time branched peduncle); glands transversely oblong glands (verses transversely elliptic glands).
Etymology: The species epithet ‘duerrii’ honors William Frederick Dürr who has enjoyed the Flora of the Deccan Plateau since moving with his family to Hyderabad, Telangana State, India in the year 2000.
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| Comparison between Euphorbia duerrii and its allied species: A, B, C, D - E. duerrii Sarojin. & Raja Kullayisw. A. Inflorescence at shoot apex; B. Stem new growth with leaves; C. Involucre; D. Capsule; E, F, G, H - E. sahyadrica Sardesai & Malpure E. Shoot apex with inflorescence; F. Stem new growth with leaves; G. Involucre; H. Capsule; I, J, K, L - E. nivulia Buch.-Ham. I. Inflorescence at shoot apex; J. Stem new growth with leaves; K. Involucre; L. Capsule. |
Naidu Sarojini Devi, Kusom Raja Kullayiswamy. 2024. Euphorbia duerrii (Euphorbiaceae), A New Species from the Dhule District of Maharashtra, India. Taiwania. 69(4); 530-536. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.530 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2032
