Salacia vellaniana Udayan, Yohannan & Pradeep, 2013

Udayan, Punnakkal S., Yohannan, Regy, Devipriya, Madhavanpillai S., Devipriya, Vijayavalli & Pradeep, Ayilliath K., 2013, Salacia vellaniana Udayan, Yohannan & Pradeep (Celastraceae), a new species from India, Candollea 68 (1), pp. 147-149 : 148

Salacia vellaniana Udayan, Yohannan & Pradeep , spec. nova

( Fig. 1 ).

Typus: INDIA. Kerala: Thrissur district, Vellanipacha , 540 m, in semi-evergreen forests, 26.II.2011, Udayan S 005 (holo-: CALI ; iso-: MH, SKC, SNCH) .

Salaciae macrocarpae affinis a qua imprimis differt ramulis junioribus laevigatis rubriginosis, foliis minoribus, oblongis, coriaceis, integris, petiolis brevibus, 4-6 mm longis, floribus paucioribus (1-8), cymis, corollae lobis et disco flavovirentibus, antheris 3-4, fructibus echinulatis pallide rubro-aurantiacis.

Straggling shrubs; young branchlets smooth, brownish. Leaves oblong, 6.3-11.1 × 2.6-3.6 cm, apex acuminate, base cuneate or attenuate coriaceous, margin entire, venation semicraspedodromous; petiole 0.4-0.6 cm long. Flowers 1-8, cauliflorous cyme in simple fascicles from axillary or extra-axillary branches; pedicel 0.5 cm long. Calyx lobes 5, triangular ovate, brown, ca. 0.5 cm long, much shorter than the petals, margin fimbriate. Corolla lobes 5, oblong-lanceolate, 0.15 × 0.2 cm, green with a tinge of yellow towards the upper margins. Disc green turning creamy yellow, 0.1 × 0.2 cm, conical, tapering towards style. Anthers 3, rarely 4, discoid, creamywhite with a brown tinge; filaments slightly tri-radiate, creamywhite when young, but yellow with orange tinge later. Ovary superior, 3-loculed; ovules 1 in each locule; stigma simple umbonate, pale green. Fruits globose or obovate, 2.5-3.5 × 1.5-2.5 cm, tuberculate, pale reddish-orange. Seeds 3, ellipsoid, slightly angular, immersed in pulp, 1-1.5 × 0.5-1.2 cm.

Distribution and habitats. – Known only from the type locality, Vellanipacha in Thrissur district of Kerala. Salacia vellaniana is restricted to semi-evergreen forests at an altitude of 540-550 m. It is rather rare and sparsely distributed along the hill tract with trees species such as Diospyros crumenata Thwaites (Ebenaceae) , Drypetes oblongifolia (Bedd.) Airy Shaw (Euphorbiaceae) and Hunteria zeylanica Thwaites (Apocynaceae) . Two plants have been located in the study area and, despite frequent searches along the hills and neighborhoods, no other individuals of this species have been found.

Etymology. – The species is named after Vellanipacha, one of the floristically rich regions along the Western Ghats of southern India.

Flowering & fruiting. – February-July.

Taxonomical notes. – This straggling shrub is allied to S. macrosperma Wight from which it differs particularly by the smooth brownish young branchlets, smaller, oblong, coriaceous entire leaves, vs larger, narrow oblong serrated leaves, short, 4-6 mm long petioles vs longer petioles (10-15 mm); few (1-8) flowered cymes, vs many (22-30) flowered cymes; pale yellow corolla lobes and disc, green corolla lobes green turning brown towards margins; disc green turning creamy yellow later vs green with only a slight tinge of yellow; 3-4 anthers vs 3 anthers and pale reddish-orange echinulate fruits, vs larger dark reddish smooth fruits.

Other specimen examined. – INDIA. Kerala: Thrissur district, Vellanipacha , 540 m, 15.I.2011, in semi-evergreen forests, Udayan 0S002 ( SKC, SNC, CALI) .

Figures

Fig. 1. – Salacia vellaniana Udayan, Yohannan & Pradeep. A. Twigs with flowers and buds; B. Single flower; C. Sepal; D. Petal; E. Stamen; F. Flowers with petals removed; G. Flower (longitudinal section); H. Ovary (cross section); I. Infructescence. [Udayan S005, CALI] [Drawn by M. Umesh]