Revealing Euploca wightiana sp. nov., a new species of Heliotropiaceae
from South India.
Abstract
Euploca wightiana P. Javad & A. A. Ancy sp. nov., a new species of the
family Heliotropiaceae is described from Coimbatore district of South
India. Morphologically it is similar to Euploca marifolia but differs in
being perennial; erect woody stem with dense hirsute hairs; oblong
leaves with obtuse apex; inflorescence with distantly placed flowers;
long, cylindrical style with unifid, capitate stigma and densely hirsute
nutlets. The species remained misidentified in herbaria for long.
Detailed description, photo plates and distribution maps are provided.
Morphological differences with relevant species are discussed. The
status of the new species is provisionally assessed here as ‘endangered’
according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.