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| Garcinia kusumae J. Sarma & Barbhuiya, in Sarma et Barbhuiya. 2025. |
ABSTRACT
A new species, Garcinia kusumae (Clusiaceae), is described and illustrated from Assam, India. Detailed comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided to support its novelty. This discovery contributes to the underexplored diversity of Garcinia in Northeast India and highlights the importance of continued botanical exploration in the region.
Keywords: Clusiaceae, Garcinia section Brindonia, new species, Northeast India
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| Garcinia kusumae J. Sarma & Barbhuiya—♀ Female Plant: (A) plant in its natural habitat, (B) blaze showing exudates, (C) flowers in a terminal fascicle, (D) various positions of flowers, (E) solitary flower from the axil of a fallen leaf, (F) sepals, (G) petals, (H) side view of the calyx and ovary, (I) top view of the ovary showing shallowly lobed discoid papillate stigma, (J) ovary with calyx attached to the axil of a fallen leaf, (K) side view of an ovary showing position of staminodes, (L) unusual flower with five petals, (M) same flower with petals removed, (N) developing ovary, (O) transverse section (T.S.) through a developing 6-locular ovary, (P) unripe greenish fruit with heavy resinous exudates on the surface and papillate stigma at the apex, (Q) T.S. through an unripe fruit showing nine locule, (R) ripe pinkish-orange fruits with resinous exudates, (S) pericarp of fruit cut open transversely, (T) fruit cut longitudinally showing seed sections, (U) seeds covered with pulpy aril, (V) reniform seeds. Photos by J. Sarma and H.A. Barbhuiya, based on HBARC-00006644. |
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| Garcinia kusumae J. Sarma & Barbhuiya—♂ Male Plant: (A) leafy crown, (B–C) fasciculate cymes in axillary and terminal position, (D) close-up of a flower in terminal fascicle, (E) leaves of varying sizes and shape, (F) obscurely quadrangular branchlets bearing flower fascicles, (G) close-up of flower fascicles, (H) staminate flowers—top view, (I) staminate flowers—side view, (J & L) flower with petals removed, (K) a flower bud, (M–N) calyx with pedicel and stamens united into a single central bundle, (O) pedicel, sepals, and central stamen bundle separated, (P) 4-thecous anthers. Photos by J. Sarma and H.A. Barbhuiya, based on HBARC-00006645, HBARC-00006646; (K–P) from spirit material. |
Garcinia kusumae J. Sarma & Barbhuiya sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The newly described species shows superficial similarity to Garcinia assamica J. Sarma, P.S. Shameer & N.N. Mohanan, G. cowa Roxb. var. cowa and var. kydia (Roxb.) Shameer & N. Mohanan, G. indica (Thouars) Choisy, and G. succifolia Kurz in having fasciculate axillary and terminal inflorescences, tetragonous flowers with creamy to yellow petals, and stamens united into a single central bundle. However, it differs from all the aforementioned taxa in possessing up to 15 staminate flowers per fascicle, fewer stamens (≤ 30) per flower (except G. assamica), and berries bearing blackish resinous exudations on the surface.
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Etymology: The specific epithet kusumae is named in honor of the late Kusum Devi, mother of the first author, in recognition of her enduring support and sacrifices for his education at Sainik School, Goalpara, Assam, and his further studies, as well as for inspiring him to work hard from his early childhood.
Ethnobotanical Uses: The plant is locally known as Thoikora in Assamese. The sun-dried pulp is preserved and used to make a sherbet (soft drink) with salt and sugar to taste, serving as a remedy for heat stroke during hot summer days and for relief from thirst. It is also used as a curry ingredient with fish, as an antidiabetic remedy, and to control dysentery. The seed aril, which is slightly sour and sweet, is eaten raw—often mixed with a little salt, chillies, and a pinch of mustard oil.
Jatindra Sarma and Hussain A. Barbhuiya. 2025. Garcinia kusumae (Clusiaceae): A New Species From Assam, India. Feddes Repertorium. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70018 [03 July 2025]
