Crotolaria nicobarica (Fabaceae): A new species from Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, India
Abstract
Crotalaria nicobarica F. Saleem, L.J. Singh, S. Subramaniam & A. K.
Pandey is described and illustrated from tropical evergreen forest of
Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This new
species closely resembles Crotalaria lunulata Heyne ex Wight &Arn.,
Crotalaria paniculata Willd. and Crotalaria ramosissima Roxb. which
occurs in the Western and Eastern peninsular India and occupies forest
edges and cut-slopes of hillocks. The new species is distinguishable
from the latter two based on morphological characters. An analysis shows
that the new species differs from closely related species with respect
to vegetative and reproductive characters. Based on the hairy surface of
plants, persistent bracts and bracteoles, silky pubescence of vexillum
and style, oblong stalked pods the species is hypothesized to be a new
member of the Crotalaria section Crotalaria.