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| Impatiens neo-orchioides V.Ravich., Murug., B.Karthik, Tharani & Premk., in Ravichandran, Murugesan, Tharani, Karthik et Premkumar, 2023. |
Abstract
Impatiens neo-orchioides (Balsaminaceae), a remarkable new species from the Western Ghats of Nilgiri hills, Tamil Nadu state, India is described and illustrated here. The new species is morphologically similar to I. orchioides Bedd., but differs mainly by folded leaves, pink–coloured petals, presence of spur, c. 1.5 cm long pedicels and 3-lobed lateral united petals with pink hairs at throat. Detailed description, distribution, conservation status and colour photographic plates are provided here to facilitate the easy identification of the new species.
Keyword: Bangitappal, Impatiens orchioides, Mukurthi National Park, New species, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Taxonomy
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| Impatiens neo-orchioides V.Ravich., Murug., B.Karthik, Tharani & Premk. A. Habit. B. Leaf front view. C. Leaf back view. D. Inflorescence. E. Flower front view. F. Flower side view close up G. & H. Dorsal petal front and back view. I. Lateral united petals. J. Lateral sepal. K. Bract L. Spur. M. Pedicel with ovary. N. Anther column. O. Tuber. Photographs by M. Premkumar. |
Impatiens neo-orchioides V.Ravich., Murug., B.Karthik,
Tharani & Premk., sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Impatiens neo-orchioides resembles I.
orchioides Bedd. in having scapigerous growth form with
radical leaves, flower structure, ovate-lanceolate bracts
but differs mainly by coriaceous folded back leaves (vs
chartaceous, flat leaves), pink colour flowers with pink
hairs at throat (vs light to deep maroon colour flowers
with glabrous throat), presence of spur (vs absence of
spur), 2–2.5 cm long pedicels (vs 1–1.5 cm long pedicels),
pinkish dorsal petal (vs greenish dorsal petal), 3-lobed
lateral united petal with pink hairs at throat (2-lobed
lateral united petal without hairs at throat). (Table 1 &
Fig. S1)
Etymology: The species is named after its closely
allied species I. orchioides as it resembles in the flower
structure
Vellingiri Ravichandran, Maruthakutty Murugesan, Ravichandran Tharani, Bannari Karthik and Mayandi Premkumar. 2023. Impatiens neo-orchioides, A striking New balsam (Balsaminaceae: Scapigerae) from Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, India. Taiwania. 68(2); 161-165. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2023.68.161 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1922
