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| Thunbergia kasajuana Bh.Adhikari & J.R.I.Wood
in Adhikari & Wood, 2020.
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Summary
A new species of Thunbergia, T. kasajuana Bh.Adhikari & J.R.I.Wood is described from central Nepal. It is most closely related to T. grandiflora Roxb., because of its reduced annular calyx and similar inflorescence structure but differs in the much smaller corolla, herbaceous habit and different ecology. A description, photographs and a key to the species of Thunbergia native to Nepal are provided.
Key Words: endemism, Himalaya, taxonomy
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| Thunbergia kasajuana. A flowering branch; B flowering branch showing young capsule and bracteoles; C corolla, front view; D branch with leaves and inset of stem; E corolla, side view; F corolla opened out to show stamens and style; G filament; H style showing stigma (side view); J stigma (front view); K young fruit.
photos: A – J: Saroj Kasaju; K Bhaskar Adhikari.
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Recognition: Among Nepal species Thunbergia kasajuana is most similar to T. grandiflora in its inflorescence and calyx. In both T. grandiflora and T. kasajuana the calyx is annular and untoothed but T. grandflora is a woody climber and has much larger corolla lobes (2.5 – 4 cm long, not 0.5 – 0.8 cm long as in T. kasajuana). Moreover, T. grandiflora is a lowland species with pale blue or whitish flowers found below 1300 m while T. kasajuana has pink tinged flowers and is found at around 2000 m.
Etymology: The specific epithet kasajuana honours Mr Saroj Kumar Kasaju, who first discovered and photographed the species. Mr Kasaju is a citizen scientist contributing to our understanding of the flora of Nepal by taking photos of plant species from Nepal and India. He was actively involved in the identification of this species.
Bhaskar Adhikari and John R. I. Wood. 2020. Thunbergia kasajuana, A New Species of Acanthaceae from Nepal. Kew Bulletin. 75: 26. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-020-9883-5
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