Garcinia assamica J. Sarma, P. S. Shameer & N. N. Mohanan, 2016

Sarma, Jatindra, Shameer, Peerumuhammed Subaida & Mohanan, Narayanan Nair, 2016, A new species of Garcinia (Clusiaceae) from Assam, North East India, Phytotaxa 252 (1), pp. 73-76 : 73-76

Garcinia assamica J. Sarma, P. S. Shameer & N. N. Mohanan , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 & 2 )

Garcinia assamica is allied to G. nigrolineata in arrangement of flowers on axillary short spikes; arrangement of stamens on a convex disc and number and arrangement of staminodes in female flowers; but it is distinct from the latter in having greenish-yellow (not yellowish) exudate; 2– 5 female flowers fascicled at nodes against solitary flowers; 4–5-locular ovaries against 5–7-locular ones; the fruits turbinate and smooth against globose and with a vertically grooved surface, and with the tip mammillate against nonmammillate; and 2–5 seeds against 5–7.

Type: — INDIA. Assam: Manas National Park, India–Bhutan border, 26 ° 34’ 22.2” N, 091° 13’ 03.5” E, 78 m, 22 April 2015 (female flowers), J. Sarma JNTBGRI 79673 (holotype TBGT!, isotypes CAL!, MH!) ( Fig. 1 ).

Trees, ca. 15 m tall, with horizontal branches, branchlets terete; latex greenish-yellow; glabrous. Leaves 7–11 × 2.5–5 cm, elliptic–oblong, coriaceous, base obtuse, margin subrepand, apex acuminate, light greenish on both sides; midvein prominent on both sides, lateral veins indistinct, 10–12 pairs; petioles 1–1.5 cm long, angular. Flowers grouped in axillary or terminal fascicles or 1–several per node along short axillary spikes. Male flowers 1–3 at each node; pedicel 5–7 mm long. Sepals 4, orbicular, ca. 7 × 6 mm, membranous. Petals 4, creamy white, ovate-orbicular, 6–8 × 5–6 mm, membranous. Stamens ca. 25, arranged on a convex disc; rudimentary pistil absent. Female flowers 2–5 at each node, sessile. Sepals 4, orbicular, ca. 6 × 5 mm, membranous at margin, pale green. Petals 4, 8–10 × 6–8 mm, membranous towards margin, fleshy at middle, pale yellow. Staminodes 4–5, slender, brownish, sagittate. Ovary globose, ca. 5 × 5 mm, 4–5-locular, vertically grooved; stigmatic rays 8–10, lobes warty, light yellow. Fruit turbinate, ca. 7 × 4 cm, sessile, drooping from branchlets, smooth, with a distinct mammilla, greenish turning orange-yellow when ripe; sarcotesta pulpy. Seeds 2–5, compressed oblong, ca. 2 × 1 cm.

Phenology: —Flowering February–May, fruiting August.

Distribution and ecology: — Garcinia assamica is hitherto known from the type locality, the semi-evergreen forests in and adjacent to Manas National Park, Assam, India, at elevations between 100 and 300 m. It seems to be rare and is hitherto only known from very few individuals, near to a rivulet.

Uses:—The fruit is edible and is used for making pickles by locals in Assam.

Relationships: — Garcinia assamica is closely related to G. nigrolineata , an Indo-Malayan species found in almost the same ecological conditions, but is distinguished by the characters listed in Table 1.

Etymology: —The specific epithet refers to the Assam State, India, the type locality.

Conservation status and IUCN red list category: Data Deficient (DD). Very few trees were seen in and near the Manas National Park. No data are available so far on its conservation status. Manas National Park is declared as a Tiger Reserve as well as a Biosphere Reserve by the Government of India and the flora and fauna are well protected. The first author, who is an Officer of Assam Forest Department, has taken special interest in the conservation of the new species through regeneration and development throughout the National Park.

Additional collection examined (paratype): — INDIA. Assam: Barpetta, near Khaladia River, near Manas National Park, 100 m, 3 August 2015 (fruiting specimen), P. S. Shameer JNTBGRI 79679 (TBGT!).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Garcinia assamica A. Branch with fruit; B. Male flower; C. Female flower; D. Sepal of female flower; E. Petal of female flower; F. Branchlet with immature fruits; G. Ovary Cross Section (after J. Sarma JNTBGRI 79673).

FIGURE 2. Garcinia assamica A. Branch with female flowers; B. Fruits; C. Blaze showing exudate; D. Male flower; E. Female flower; F. Inflorescence with immature fruits; G. Mature fruit showing mammilla; H. Fruit, cross section (Photos: J. Sarma).