 |
| Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby, in Ebin, Sreehari et Joby, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species of Ophiorrhiza (Rubiaceae)is identified and described from the Vagamon hills of Kerala, Western Ghats, India. The new species is similar to Ophiorrhiza eriantha Wight and Ophiorrhiza meenachilarensis Robi and Balan, but differs in having densely hirsute hairs on young stem, petiole and peduncle; patent hirsute hairs on, above and beneath the leaf; 14.0–15.0 mm long flower; linear to falcate bracts and bracteoles; sparsely hirsute cupuliform hypanthium; triangular calyx lobes; 9.5–12.0 mm long corolla tube; stamens inserted at the middle of the corolla tube; and oblong and papillate stigma. A detailed description, colour photographs, comparison, phenology, distribution, conservation status and key to the allied taxa of the new species are provided.
Keywords: Kottayam, new species, Ophiorrhiza jomyi, Western Ghats
 |
| Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby sp. nov. (A) Habit, (B) stipule, (C–D) inflorescence, (E) bract, (F) bracteole, (G–H) adaxial and abaxial side of leaf, (I) indumentum on the upper surface of lamina, (J) indumentum on the lower surface of lamina, (K) flower bud, (L) single flower, (M) flower L.S., (N) indumentum on the stem, (O) indumentum on the peduncle, (O) indumentum on the petiole, (Q) hypanthium cup, (R) stamen, (S) gynoecium, (T) fruit, (U) seed. |
Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby sp. nov.
Diagnosis: This species shows close morphological resemblance with O. eriantha Wight, but differs in having densely ascending hirsute indumentum on stem (versus pubescent or glabrous stem), patent hirsute hairs on both sides of leaves (versus glabrous above, puberulous on the nerves beneath), densely hirsute petiole (versus glabrous or puberulous petiole), stipule acuminate to attenuate at apex (versus stipule bifid at apex), 14.0–15.0 mm long flower (versus 19.0–27.0 mm long flower), cupuliform hypanthium (versus obovoid hypanthium), triangular calyx lobes (versus subulate calyx lobes), densely puberulous hairs and with a villose ring at the middle of the corolla tube inside (versus glabrous inside without a ring of villose hairs), 2.5–3.0 mm long corolla lobes (versus 5.0–7.0 mm long corolla lobes), 1.75–2.0 mm long anthers (versus 3.0–3.5 mm long anthers), oblong stigma, obtuse at apex with papillate hairs (versus lanceolate stigma, acute at apex and glabrous), 0.4 × 0.5 mm, irregularly angled seeds (versus 0.6 × 0.5 mm, 4–6 angular seeds).
Etymology: The specific epithet is in honour of retired Professor, Dr Jomy Augustine, Department of Botany, St Thomas College, Pala, Kottayam, Kerala, for his guidance and support in the field of taxonomy to the authors. Dr Jomy Augustine has significantly contributed to the documentation and conservation of plant diversity in the Western Ghats through his extensive field explorations, research and publications.
Ebin Padiyara Joy, Sreehari Sivan Nair, Joby Paul. 2026. Ophiorrhiza jomyi (Rubiaceae) sp. nov. from the Vagamon Hills, southern Western Ghats, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05085 [21 March 2026]
