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| Utricularia sainthomia P.Biju, Josekutty, Janarth. & Augustine, in Biju, Josekutty, Janarthanam & Jomy, 2020. |
Abstract
A new species of Lentibulariaceae, Utricularia sainthomia collected from the lateritic plateau of northern Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It is compared with similar species, U. malabarica Janarth. & A.N.Henry and U. lazulina P.Taylor based on vegetative, floral and seed morphology. A key to the violet flowered species in India are provided.
Keywords: New species, Utricularia, Utricularia sect. Oligocista.
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| Utricularia sainthomia P.Biju, Josekutty, Janarth. & Augustine: a. Habit; b. Habitat; c. Rhizoids; d. Stamens; e. Pistil; f. Trap different views (from Biju & Jomy 1008; photos by P. Biju). |
Utricularia sainthomia P.Biju, Josekutty, Janarth. & Augustine, sp. nov.
This new species is morphologically similar to U. malabarica Janarth. & A.N.Henry and U. lazulina P.Taylor in its 3- nerved leaves, basifixed bracts, shorter peduncles, recurved fruiting pedicels (absent in U. lazulina), papillate calyx lobes and bigibbous corolla but differs in having large oblate traps (1.5–2.5 mm) with a lateral mouth, traps confined to the expanded portion of the leaves, 1.5–2.5 mm long nonglandular trap appendages, terete brownish green peduncles, papillate scales, bracts and bracteoles, broad obovate upper lip of corolla, deep violet lower lip of corolla, shallowly trilobed upper lobe of stigma, globular capsules, terminal hilum, elongated overlapping testa cells with raised anticlinal boundaries and periclinal walls transversely striated.
Etymology: The species is named after the educational institution Saint Thomas College, Pala, Kerala, India, where one of the authors pursuing research work.
Distribution: Endemic to the lateritic plateau in Kerala, India.
Biju P., Josekutty E.J., Janarthanam M.K. and A. Jomy. 2020. Utricularia sainthomia (Lentibulariaceae), A New Remarkable Carnivorous Species from the Lateritic Plateau of northern Kerala, India. Rheedea: Journal of Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy. DOI: 10.22244/rheedea.2020.30.02.02 rheedea.in/journal/IEmyDef7
