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| Artabotrys sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar, in Sujana & Vadhyar, 2021. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 73(2) |
ABSTRACT
A new species, Artabotrys sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar, is described from Tamil Nadu, India. The new species shows some resemblance to Artabotrys zeylanicus Hook.f. & Thomson, but it can be easily distinguished by the shape, size, colour and indumentum of the petals as well as the shape and texture of the monocarps. Illustrations, photographs and SEM images of the pollen grains of the new species are provided. The conservation status of the new species is also assessed.
Keywords. Artabotrys sericeus, endemic, Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, pollen, Tamil Nadu
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| Artabotrys sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar. A. Flowering branch. B. Apical view of flower. C. Lateral view of flower. D. Longitudinal section of flower showing torus with carpels and stamens. E. Abaxial view of sepal. F. Abaxial and adaxial view of an outer petal. G. Abaxial and adaxial view of an inner petal. H. Stamen. I. Carpel. J. Immature monocarps. A, J from the holotype; B–I from fresh material. Drawn by A.T. Durgadas. |
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| Artabotrys sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar. A. Habit. Inset: Cluster of flowers. B. Bark. C. A slash showing inner bark. D. Leaves (adaxial view). E. Leaves (abaxial view). F, G. Inflorescences with many flowers. H. Mature flower with basal apertures partially exposed. I, J. Torus showing stamens and carpels. K. Monocarps. (Photos: K.A. Sujana) |
Artabotrys sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar, sp. nov.
Distribution and ecology. The species is so far known only from Kanyakumari
Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, South India. It grows in tropical semi-evergreen
forests and tropical moist deciduous forests at an altitudinal range between 500 m and
900 m. The major associate species noted are Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin, Aporosa
indoacuminata Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr., Archidendron bigeminum (L.) I.C.Nielsen,
Erycibe paniculata Roxb., Machilus glaucescens (Nees) Wight, Olea dioica Roxb.,
Premna tomentosa Willd. and Xanthophyllum arnottianum Wight.
Etymology. The specific epithet ‘sericeus’ refers to the densely sericeous petals.
K.A. Sujana and R.G. Vadhyar. 2021. A New Species of Artabotrys (Annonaceae) from the southern Western Ghats, India. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 73(2); 461 - 468
