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| Impatiens jacobdevlasii Herath, C. Bandara & Gopallawa, Bandara, Herath, Gopallawa & Attanayake, 2022. Photographs by S. B. Herath & B. Gopallawa. |
Abstract
Impatiens jacobdevlasii Herath, C. Bandara & Gopallawa sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Knuckles (Dumbara) massif of Sri Lanka is described and illustrated. The detailed morphological characters, diagnostic comparisons, notes on habitat and ecology are presented. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, I. jacobdevlasii is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) by virtue of its limited distribution range and decline of mature individuals.
Keywords: Eudicots, Balsam of Sri Lanka, biodiversity, conservation, Dumbara, taxonomy
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| Impatiens jacobdevlasii Herath, C. Bandara & Gopallawa; A. Plant habit (holotype: Sanath Bandara & Champika Bandara 2018-05), B. Developing flower bud, C. Front view of a flower, D. Lateral view of the flower, E. Dorsal petal, F. Lateral view of dorsal petal, G. Lower sepal, H. Lateral sepals, I. Lateral united petal, J. Androecium, K. Mature capsule. Illustrations by Champika Bandara. |
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| Color variations of Impatiens jacobdevlasii flowers; A. White color, B. Light purple color, C. Light pink color, D. Deep pink color. Photographs by Bhathiya Gopallawa. |
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| Impatiens jacobdevlasii Herath, C. Bandara & Gopallawa; A. Mature individuals in the natural habitat, B. front view of the flower, C. Lateral view of the flower, D. Rear view of the flower, E. Capsule. Photographs by Sanath Bandara Herath (A), Bhathiya Gopallawa (B–E). |
Impatiens jacobdevlasii Herath, C. Bandara & Gopallawa sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Impatiens jacobdevlasii morphologically similar to I. truncata but differs by having pinkish or purplish color flowers with pink margin, bilobed upper petal of lateral united petals and yellow color centre blotch, linearlanceolate lateral sepal, 4–6 lateral nerve pairs, abaxially scattered pubescent and adaxially glabrous lamina.
Distribution: Impatiens jacobdevlasii is known from Dothalugala Mountain and Thangappuwa area in Knuckles massif of Sri Lanka.
Etymology: The specific epithet is named in honour of Dr. Jacob de Vlas, a Dutch biologist and the author of the tri-volume series of the ‘Illustrated field guide to the flowers of Sri Lanka’ in 2008–2019 documenting over 3000 native and introduced species of the Island. The common name for the species is Vlas’s balsam.
Champika Bandara, Sanath Bandara Herath, Bhathiya Gopallawa and Achala Attanayake. 2022. Impatiens jacobdevlasii (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Knuckles Massif of Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa. 543(3); 181–187. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.543.3.2
