Argyreia populifolia Choisy var. fastigata C.B.Clarke

P. R., Lawand & Shimpale, V. B., 2024, Revision of the genus Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) from India, Rheedea 34 (5), pp. 337-396 : 366-368

Argyreia populifolia Choisy var. fastigata C.B.Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 187. 1883. Fig. 7e–h

A moderate height climber; older stems semiwoody, terete, younger stem glabrous, shiny, dark green. Leaf lamina ovate, 12–17 × 6–10 cm, apex cuspidate or acuminate, base shallowly cordate sometimes rounded, secondary veins 11– 13 pairs, conspicuously raised beneath, glabrous above, sparsely hairy below, hairs density more on veins of juvenile leaves; petiole 8–14 cm long, usually longer than the peduncle, adaxially grooved, green, sparsely strigose. Inflorescence axillary cyme, 5–7-flowered; peduncles terete, 5–15 cm long, usually shorter than the petiole, green. Flowers sub-sessile, bracteate; bracts 2, lance-ovate, 2.5–3 cm long, apex acute, sparsely hairy outer, glabrous inner, single veined. Sepals 5, sub-equal, persistent, green, 1.5–2.0 × 1.0– 1.3 cm long, apex cuspidate or acute, glabrous inner, sparsely hairy outer. Corolla infundibuliform, pink colored, 5–7 cm long, 5–7 cm across, corolla throat purple inside, c. 1 cm wide, sparsely hairy on midpetaline bands; lobes twisted in bud. Stamens 5, included in the corolla tube, unequal, 3 short, c. 3 cm long, 2 long c. 3.5–4 cm long; filaments white, dilated and glandular hairy at base; anthers 4–5 mm long. Ovary pale green in color, encircled with an annular disc; style 1, white; stigma biglobose, white. Berries yellow, fleshy, 2–4 seeded, c. 1 cm in diam.

Flowering & Fruiting: Flowering from July to September and fruiting from October to December.

Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) and Sri Lanka.

Etymology: The species is named after its collector Jacob Klein , one of the first missionaries came to India.

Habitat: It’s a climber in secondary forests, and or along the ghat roads.

Specimens examined: INDIA. Karnataka, Kolar, Kendatti hills, 10.07.1979, P . Prakash 8255 ( CAL); Shimoga District , Agumbe, 24.10.2018, P. R . Lawand 016 ( NCK) . Kerala, Cannanore District , Kannoth R. F., 11.12.1979, V. S . Ramachandran 64098 ( CAL); Idukki District, Kattapanna , Kalamavu, 11.11.1981, B . Ramanujan 72443 ( CAL); Idukki District, Valara Waterfalls , Sholaiyar, 24.09.1981, B . Ramanujan 71945 ( CAL); Trivandrum District, Karamanayar , 28.08.1990, N . Mohanan 1003 ( CALI); Wynad District , Tirunelly temple surroundings, 24.07.1984, R. T . Balakrishnan 40309 ( CALI); Trivandrum District, Amburi , 20.08.1997, N . Mohanan 11582, 9373 ( TBGT); Trivandrum District , Anadu, 04.04.2007, V. S . Usha 50429, 28255 ( TBGT); Trivandrum District , TBGRI garden site, 29.09.1984, N . Mohanan 1180, 01928 ( TBGT); Idukki District, Moorikandan Chal , 17.12.1988, P . Bhargavan 89973 ( MH [ MH00139643 ]); Idukki District , Kulamavu, 24.09.1981, B . Ramanujan 71945 ( MH [ MH00139699 ]); Idukki District , Valara water falls, 24.09.1982, R . Rajan 74789 ( MH [ MH00139698 ]); Palghat District, Attapadi Forest , 19.07.1969, E . Vajravelu 32189 ( MH [ MH00139477 ]); Idukki District , Valara Waterfalls, 24.09.1982, K . Ramamoorthy 74789 ( MH); Thanjavur, Thiruvavur Road , 17.09.1977, R . Ramamoorthy 51302 ( MH) . Tamil Nadu: Thiruvarur District , Thiruvarur road, 17.09.1977, K . Ramamurthy 21302 ( CAL); Tirunelveli District, Kannikatti , 06.08.1989, N . Mohanan 7644, 15428 ( TBGT) .

Notes: The species shares affinities with A. boseana in its cordate leaf shape, shape of bracts and size, shape of flower. However, it differs in having more numbers of secondary veins, sub-equal apiculate or acute apex sepals and lance-ovate bracts. The species is similar to A. involucrata in terms of its bracts shape but differs in its climbing habit, a higher number of flowers per inflorescence, and widely ovate cordate leaves.

Choisy (1834) published a name Argyreia populifolia , treating the older name Ipomoea kleiniana Rome. & Schult. as a synonym. Therefore, Choisy’s name becomes illegitimate. Raizada (1966) transfered I. kleiniana to Argyreia , making a valid combination.

Figures

Fig. 7. Argyreia invOluCarata C.B. Clarke (a-d): a. Flowering twig; b. Leaf abaxial surface; c. Inflorescence; d. Sepals. Argyreia kleiniana (Roem. & Schult.) Raizada (e-h): e. Flowering twig; f. Leaf abaxial surface; g. Bracts; h. Sepals. Argyreia lawii C.B. Clarke (i-l): i. Flowering twig; j. Inflorescence; k. Bracts;l. Sepals.