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| Strobilanthes sharavathiensis M.S.Savinaya, B.Shreyas & B.S.Shreeloka, in Savinaya, Shreyas et Shreeloka, 2025. |
Abstract
Strobilanthes sharavathiensis, a newly discovered species from the high-altitude shola grasslands of the Sharavathi river basin in the central Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, this species is closely allied to Strobilanthes jomyi, particularly in its pendulous spike inflorescence, exerted stamens and glandular hairs near the capsule apex. However, it is distinct in having smaller leaves, crenate-margined bracts, distinctive longer hairs on each bract notch, shorter inflorescence, a non-villous peduncle during the fruiting stage, black dots on the calyx and the unique colouration of bracts. It is also similar to Strobilanthes ixiocephala in its echinulate, spheroidal pollen, but differs in its pendulous inflorescence, exerted stamens, and non-viscid bracts. The pollen morphology is considered as a critical diagnostic feature for describing this new species. Comprehensive notes on its taxonomy, ecology, conservation status and distinguishing characters in comparison with similar species are also provided.
Keywords: Biodiversity heritage site, Endemic flora, Sharavathi catchment, Shola, Strobilanthes, Western Ghats
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Overview of habitat (A) and habit (B) of Strobilanthes sharavathiensis sp. nov. Photographs: Savinaya M. S. |
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| Strobilanthes sharavathiensis sp. nov. (A) Leaf arrangement, (B) leaf (abaxial surface), (C) leaf (adaxial surface), (D) insertion of inflorescence, (E) single inflorescence, (F) dissected flower, (G) style, (H) anther, (I) calyx, (J) pendulous spikes, (K) single bract, (L) bracteoles, (M) capsule, (N) seeds. Photographs: Savinaya M. S. (A–G, I–L), Shreyas B. (H, M and N). |
Strobilanthes sharavathiensis M.S.Savinaya, B.Shreyas & B.S.Shreeloka sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species resembling Strobilanthes jomyi P.Biju, Josekutty, Rekha & J.R.I.Wood (Biju et al. 2017), but differing in its growth form of small to medium-sized habit (versus large shrub), small-sized leaf (versus bigger-sized leaf), rarely branched, short, wider inflorescence (versus branched, long inflorescence), crenate-margined bracts (versus entire), smaller flower, bigger pollen (as witnessed through longitudinal and latitudinal diameter, shorter exine spine length, smaller distance between two hoods, and more frequently two exine spines on a single hood non-villous peduncle during fruiting (versus villous peduncle), not having mucilaginous hairs on seed (versus presence of mucilaginous hairs). Another closely related species S. ixiocephala Benth is distributed in the same locality although at a lower altitude (in the foothills) and from it the new species differs in having exerted stamens (versus stamen inside corolla), 4-seeded capsules (versus 2-seeded), and non-viscid bracts (versus viscid bracts). It also resembles S. ciliata Nees. but S. ciliata is not recorded in this particular shola and differs in bract structure, ovary (glandular hairs near apex versus glabrous) and echinulate, spheroidal pollen (versus ellipsoidal, bireticulate) pollen.
Etymology: The newly identified species is named after the west-flowing Sharavathi river, known for its valley landscapes, diverse habitat and vegetation. The species was discovered in its catchment within the Ambaragudda shola grassland, Sagar Taluk, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India.
Savinaya Malve Sathisha, Shreyas Betageri and Shreeloka Bennatte Shreeharsha. 2025. Strobilanthes sharavathiensis (Acanthaceae), A New Species from Ambaragudda, a high-altitude shola grassland, central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04888 [18 September 2025]
