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| Crawfurdia minuticalyx R.Maity, Debta & S.S.Dash, in Maity, Debta et Dash, 2025. |
Abstract
Crawfurdia minuticalyx, a new species of Crawfurdia (Gentianaceae) is described here from Arunachal Pradesh, situated in Eastern part of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). This new species is unique in its very small calyx from its allied taxa. Morphologically, it shows close affinity towards C. speciosa Wall.; however, it can be differentiated by its much smaller leaves with entire margin; minute, non-splitted, calyx; relatively shorter corolla; stamens inserted below the middle of the corolla-tube, oblong anthers; short gynophore, and very short style. A detailed description and illustration are provided here along with comparative table of morphological characters, for easy identification.
Keyword: Arunachal Pradesh, Crawfurdia minuticalyx, Crawfurdia speciosa, Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), novel species
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| Illustration of Crawfurdia minuticalyx R.Maity, Debta & S.S.Dash. A. portion of twig, B. calyx, C. corolla (split open), D. stamen, E. gynoecium, F. fruit. Scale bar: A = 1 cm; B = 1.5 mm; C = 1 cm; D = 2 mm; E = 5 mm; F = 1 cm. (Drawn by R.Maity from M. R. Debta 44017) |
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| Field photograph of Crawfurdia minuticalyx R.Maity, Debta & S.S.Dash. A. Habit, B. Flowers. C. Distribution map. A, photographed by Manas Ranjan Debta; B photographed by Bipankar Hajong |
Crawfurdia minuticalyx R.Maity, Debta & S.S.Dash, sp.nov.
Diagnosis: Crawfurdia minuticalyx show close morphological affinity to C. speciosa Wall., but it can be differentiated by its much smaller habit; leaves with entire margin, and slightly flattened, 0.3–0.5 cm long petiole (vs crenulate leaf margin, and terete, 0.5–0.7 cm long petiole,); single bracteate flower (vs 2-bracteate flowers); 0.4–1.0 cm long pedicels (vs 1.0–6.0 cm long pedicels); 1–2 mm long, linear to narrow lanceolate bracts (vs 7–10 mm long, lanceolate bract); 0.2–0.5 cm long, ridged, campanulate, non-splitted calyx with 0.1–0.2 cm long, ovate to narrow ovate or lanceolate lobes (1.0–1.2 cm long, smooth, tubular calyx with split on one side, with 0.2–0.3 cm long, triangular lobes); 2.0–2.5 cm long, ...
Etymology: The specific epithet “minuticalyx”
denotes very small or minute size of calyx which has been
observed in the specimen during study and makes this
species unique from other allied taxa
Rohan Maity, Manas Ranjan Debta and Sudhansu Sekhar Dash. 2025. A New Species of Crawfurdia (Gentianaceae) from India. Taiwania. 70(3); 445-448. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.445 [07 July 2025] taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2093
