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| Aeschynanthus clarkei Moaakum, S. Dey, Barbhuiya & G. Krishna, in Moaakum, Dey, Kri, Barbhuiya, Limthure et Krishna, 2025. |
Abstract
A new species Aeschynanthus clarkei sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the Nagaland state of Northeast India. Morphologically, this species closely resembles to Aeschynanthus lineatus Craib in having sessile inflorescences, but differs in leaves elliptic-lanceolate vs narrowly to broadly elliptic or lanceolate to obovate; calyx lobes linear vs lanceolate-linear to linear-oblanceolate. It also appears to be morphologically similar to Aeschynanthus angustioblongus W.T. Wang in leaves shape but differs in having leaves margin prominently dentate vs margin entire and flowers in pair vs flower solitary. This species is narrowly confined to Kiphire district of Nagaland, in a small population comprising about 35 matured individuals in two localities. The threat status of this new species is provisionally assessed here as “Critically Endangered CRB2ab(III); D)” following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria version 16 (2024).
Keyword: Aeschynanthus angustioblongus, Aeschynanthus lineatus, Endangered, Indo-Burma hotspot, Nagaland
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| Aeschynanthus clarkei sp. nov.: A. Habit: B. leaves dorsal and ventral surfaces; C. Inflorescences; D. A flower; E. Calyx (corolla removed); F. Corolla split open; G. Pistil with calyx; H. Capsule (dehisced). |
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| Aeschynanthus clarkei sp. nov.: A. Habit; B. Flowering twig showing inflorescence; C. Leaves dorasal and ventral surfaces D. A flower; E. calyx (corolla removed); F. Corolla split open showing stamens; G. Pistil with calyx. |
Aeschynanthus clarkei Moaakum, S. Dey, Barbhuiya & G.
Krishna, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Morphologically, this species closely resembles to Aeschynanthus lineatus Craib in having
sessile inflorescences, and similar in corolla tube structure,
but differs by its, leaves shape elliptic-lanceolate vs
narrowly to broadly elliptic or lanceolate to obovate; calyx
lobes linear, obtuse at apex, glabrous vs calyx lobes
lanceolate-linear to linear-oblanceolate, outside glabrous to
rust-brown pubescent. It also appears to be
morphologically similar to Aeschynanthus
angustioblongus W.T. Wang in leaves shape but differ in
having leave margin prominently dentate vs leaves margin
entire; flowers in pair vs flower solitary; style glandular
pubescent vs style sparsely hairy/pubescent.
Etymology:
This species is named after Charles Baron Clarke
(1832–1906), a British Botanist, who contributed
significantly for the family Gesneriaceae in Flora of British
India.
Jamir Moaakum, Santanu Dey, Sirumai Khusiali Kri, Hussain Ahmed Barbhuiya, Limthure and Gopal Krishna. 2025. A New Species of Aeschynanthus Jack (Gesneriaceae) from North East India. Taiwania.70(1); 50-54. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.50
