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| Aeschynanthus reiekensis M.Lalhlupuii, S.D.Khomdram & S.D.Yumkham, in Lalhlupuii, Khomdram, Yumkham, & Nampy, 2023. |
Abstract
A new species of Gesneriaceae, Aeschynanthus reiekensis is described and illustrated from the Mizoram state of Northeast India. It closely resembles A. tengchungensis W.T.Wang in having leathery, linear leaves and axillary to pseudoterminal inflorescences, but differs by its calyx characters, number of flowers per inflorescence, size of pistil and capsule and in the number of seed hilar appendages. It is also compared with two other closely allied species, A. angustissimus (W.T. Wang) W.T. Wang and A. hookeri C. B. Clarke which differs in having smaller size bracts, strongly oblique corolla mouth and tuft of hair being present inside the corolla. The pollen grains of the newly described species are monads, isopolar, small in size, prolate, circular to subangular amb and tricolporate with the exine microreticulate ornamentation. Based on the present data, the new species is provisionally assessed here as Critically Endangered (CR), according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Keyword: Aeschynanthus angustissimus, Aeschynanthus hookeri, Aeschynanthus tengchungensis, Indo-Burma Hotspot
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| Aeschynanthus reiekensis M.Lalhlupuii, S.D.Khomdram & S.D.Yumkham A-B. Habit; C. Leaf; D. Flowering twig; E. Calyx; F. Mature Flower G. Fully opened flower; H. Opened corolla showing maroon streaks; I. Inner corolla base showing glandular hairs; J. Stamen pairs showing fused anthers; K. Part of pistil showing glandular hairs on style; L. Ovary. |
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| Aeschynanthus reiekensis M.Lalhlupuii, S.D.Khomdram & S.D.Yumkham A. Flowering twig; B. Flower opened; C. Calyx; D. Opened corolla showing streaks; E. Stamens showing hairs with fused anthers; F. Pollen (polar view); G. Gynoecium with hairy style; H. Seeds showing apical and hilar appendages; I. Opened capsule. |
Aeschynanthus reiekensis M.Lalhlupuii, S.D.Khomdram & S.D.Yumkham sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Aeschynanthus reiekensis can be easily distinguished from the morphologically most similar A. tengchungensis, in having fewer number of flowers per inflorescence (1–3), five-lobed calyx which are free or sometimes fused at base, tufts of hairs inside near the base of corolla tube, smaller capsules (23 cm long) and 2–4 seed hilar appendages. A. reiekensis also differs from the other two allied species, A. angustissimus and A. hookeri in having smaller bracts (c. 2 × 1 cm), strongly oblique corolla, and presence of tuft of glandular multicellular hairs inside the corolla.
Vernacular name: In Mizo language, Aeschynanthus are commonly known as ‘Hnahchhah’ which means ‘thick leaf’.
Etymology: The species is named after the type locality ‘Reiek’ which is a famous mountainous tourist spot located in Mizoram state (Northeast India).
Margaret Lalhlupuii, Sandhyarani Devi Khomdram, Sanatombi Devi Yumkham, Mannar Kandy Akhil and Santhosh Nampy. 2023. Aeschynanthus reiekensis, A New Species of Gesneriaceae from Mizoram, Northeast India. Taiwania. 68(1); 1-7. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2023.68.1
