Convolvulus erythrocarpus Wall. Cat. 1413

P. R., Lawand & Shimpale, V. B., 2024, Revision of the genus Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) from India, Rheedea 34 (5), pp. 337-396 : 390-391

Convolvulus erythrocarpus Wall. Cat. 1413 . nom. nud. Fig. 14j–m

A moderate height perennial climber, laticiferous; stems green, white sericeous, terete. Leaf lamina widely ovate, 16–22 × 14–16 cm, base cordate (round in young leaves), apex acute, secondary veins 12–13 pairs raised beneath, white tomentose beneath; petiole white tomentose, 12–17.5 cm long, longer than the peduncle. Inflorescence axillary, capitate cyme, 5–8-flowered; peduncle tomentose as stem 1–2 cm long, shorter than the petiole. Flowers sessile, bracteate; bracts 2–3, one larger 2.5–3 × 2.5 cm, ovate, foliaceous, concave, enclosing the bud, inner 1.5–1.7 × 0.8–1.0 cm, lance-ovate, white tomentose outer, glabrous inner. Sepals 5, outer two large, 2–2.5 cm, ovate, inner three small, 1–1.8 cm long, narrowly oblong, apex acute, strigose outer, glabrous inside, turn red inside in fruit. Corolla campanulate, white-pale pink, 4–5 cm long, hairy on midpetaline bands. Stamens 5, raised up to corolla mouth, sub-equal 1.8–2 cm long; filaments white, dilated and glandular hairy at base; anthers 4 mm long, white. Ovary glabrous, off white; style single; stigma biglobose, white. Berries globose, 0.8–1 cm across, scarlet red, 2–4-seeded.

Flowering & Fruiting: Flowering from late September to October and fruiting from November to January.

Habitat: Plants twines on the bamboos in the evergreen forests.

Distribution: India (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram), Myanmar and Thailand.

Etymology: This species is named in honor of eminent botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786–1854), whose most of the material were received by Choisy.

Specimens examined: INDIA, Assam, Guwahati, Garbhanga Forest, Umlathu , 15.11.2017, P. R .

Lawand 028 (NCK); Guwahati, Garbhanga forest,

15.11.2017, P. R. Lawand 067 ( NCK). Manipur, Imphal, Sepramaina , 20.09.1953, S. C. Sinha 1143

(CAL); Irony, Bishnupur, November 1907, A .

Meebold 5998 (CAL); Irony, Bishnupur, February

1906, A. Meebold 5159 (CAL); Naga Hills, July

1886, D. Prain 310539 (CAL). Meghalaya, Ri Bhoi District, Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Bayrnihat,

20.10.1915, U . Kanjilal 6072 (ASSAM); Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Nongpoah, Umsaw, 14.08.1952,

G. K. Deka 63826 (ASSAM); Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoah , 20.09.1970 , P. K. Hajra 34251

(ASSAM); Ri Bhoi District , Umling, on the way to

Lailad, November 2017, P. R . Lawand 068 (NCK);

Nongpoah, 07.10.1908, W. W. Smith 246 ( CAL). Champhai District, Vaphai-Farkawn ,

Mizoram,

13.10.2018, P. R . Lawand 069 (NCK).

Vernacular names: Jatap Masi (Khasi).

Notes: The variety Argyreia wallichii var. coriacea was established by C.B. Clarke (1883) based on the presence of leathery leaves and sepals, a concept later adopted in the Flora of Mizoram. During our observations of several populations of A. wallichii in northeastern India, we noted that the young leaves of A. wallichii appear leathery but become thin and papery upon maturity, with the hairs on the lower leaf surface turning ashy white. Additionally, A. wallichii var. wallichii also exhibits leathery sepals. Based on studies of type specimens and field observations, we are confident that the supposed varieties within the species represent morphological or developmental variations. Therefore, we treat A. wallichii var. coriacea as a synonym of A. wallichii .

Argyreia wallichii closely resembles A. pierreana Bois , as both share similar characteristics, including a white-tomentose abaxial leaf surface, ovate to orbicular bracts, pale pink flowers, and red-colored fruits.

Figures

Fig. 14. Argyreia SplendenS (Hornem.) Sweet (a-d): a. Flowering twig; b. Corolla side & front view; c. Sepals; d. Fruit. Argyreia SrinivaSanii Subba Rao & Kumari (e-i): e. Flowering twig; f. Leaf abaxial surface; g. Inflorescence; h. Bracts; i. Sepals. Argyreia walliChii Choisy (j-m): j. Habit-flowering; k. Inflorescence;l. Sepals;m. Infructescence.