Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora Pradeep & Pramod,, 2013

Pradeep, Ayilliath K. & Pramod, Choorakkay, 2013, Parasopubia hofmannii Pradeep & Pramod and Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora Pradeep & Pramod (Orobanchaceae), two new taxa from India, Candollea 68 (1), pp. 115-122 : 119

Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora Pradeep & Pramod, var. nova

( Fig. 4 , 5 ).

Typus: INDIA. Kerala: Kannur , Madayippara , 36 m, 12º01.792’N 75º15.246’E, 1.VIII.2010, Pramod CU 126522 (holo-: G; iso-: MH, CALI).

Closely allied to P. hofmannii var. hofmannii , but can easily be distinguished by its elegant white corolla, plant parts without purplish tinge and seeds with distinctly polygonal testacellswithsecondary cellsand slightlyrugose walls.

Erect annual herb, to 50 cm high. Stem stiff, terete at base, tetragonous and sulcate above, upwards with erecto-pendent branches, diameter 3 mm at base, glabrous, green; internodes 5-20 mm long. Leaves opposite, 1-6 cm long, lower leaves 3-linear segmented, upper leaves entire; margins entire, midrib depressed, strigose on margins, glabrous on both surfaces; segments 0.5 mm broad, filiform, green, terminal segments as long as lateral segments or longer; leaves reduced towards apex. Flowers axillary, solitary, 1-1.5 × 0.8-1.1 cm; pedicels up to 3 mm long. Bracteoles 2, linear/subulate, 0.5 × 2-6 mm, strigose on margins, glabrous on both surfaces, tip acute. Calyx 6 mm long, green; lobes 5, unequal, tube 2 mm long, 10-ribbed, glabrous; lobes linear-lanceolate, 2-4 mm long, acute, margins strigose, glabrous on both surfaces, green, persistent in fruits. Corolla campanulate, 1-1.2 × 0.7-1 cm, white, corolla tube narrow (1 mm) up to 2 mm of length of the tube, then expanding, lobes 5, suborbicular, 5 × 4 mm, minutely puberulous outside, glabrous within. Stamens 4, unequal, filaments attached below the middle of the corolla tube, white, glabrous, 2 longer (5 mm), 2 shorter (3 mm), arched, attached above longer stamens. Anthers 2, pendant from the apex of filament, all almost at same level, one perfect, oblong, shortly apiculate, 1.5-2 mm long, white, dehiscence from base, cuspidate; sterile anther lanceolate, 1.5-2 mm long, cuspidate. Ovary ellipsoid, 1.5 × 1 mm, green, glabrous, cells 2, placentation axile; ovules many. Style simple, 6 mm long, hyaline, glabrous; stigma subglobose, hyaline, glabrous. Capsules obovoid, 4-5 3-3.5 mm, green, much exceeding the calyx tube, emarginate at apex, apiculate with withered style, glabrous; fruiting calyx to 8 mm long, lobes 5-6 mm long, tube 2-3 mm long, green. Seeds many, oblong, 0.75 mm long, brownish, glabrous, testa cells polygonal, broad, secondary cells well developed with oblique walls, cell walls slightly rugose.

Phenology. – Flowering and fruiting in June to October.

Specimina visa. – INDIA. Kerala: Kannur, Madayippara , 36 m, 12º01.792’N 75º15.246’E, 11.IX.2009, Pramod CU 123591 ( CALI); Kannur, Madayippara , 36 m, 12º01.792’N 75º15.246’E, 20.VIII.2010, Pramod CU 126554 ( CALI); Kannur, Madayippara , 36 m, 12º01.792’N 75º15.246’E, 25.VII.2011, Pramod CU 126690 ( CALI); Kannur, Madayippara , 36 m, 12º01.792’N 75º15.246’E, 1.VIII.2010, Pramod CU 126507 ( CALI); Kannur, Madayippara , 36 m, 12º01.792’N 75º15.246’E, 1.VIII.2010, Pramod CU 126505 ( CALI). Tamil Nadu: Madurai, Thandigudi , 1400 m, 22.X.1977, M. Chandrabose 51625 ( MH).

Taxonomical notes. – Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora is distinct in having elite white corolla and dark green plant parts against the purple corolla and purplish green plant parts of var. hofmannii ( Fig. 2E ; Fig. 5B ). The interpretation of the SEM images of seeds can also lend further support for the establishment of the new variety. In var. hofmannii , the testa cells are very narrow with smooth walls and without or ill-developed secondary ridges ( Fig. 3 C-D). In var. albiflora , the testa cells are polygonal with slightly rugose walls and well developed secondary walls ( Fig. 3 E-F).

Figures

Fig. 4. – Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora Pradeep & Pramod. A. Habit; B. Flower; C. Corolla opened; D. Stamen; E. Pistil; F. Fruit. [Pramod CU 126522, CALI] [Drawn by C. Pramod]

Fig. 5. – Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora Pradeep & Pramod. A. Flowering and fruiting branch; B. Flower; C. Fruit. [Pramod CU 126522, CALI] [Photos by authors]

Fig. 2. – A. Habitat of Parasopubia hofmannii Pradeep & Pramod. Flowering and fruiting branch: B. Parasopubia delphinifolia (L.) H.-P. Hofm. & Eb. Fisch; C. Parasopubia hofmannii. Flower: D. Parasopubia delphinifolia; E. Parasopubia hofmannii. Fruit: F. Parasopubia delphinifolia; G. Parasopubia hofmannii. [Photos by authors]

Fig. 3. – Seeds: A-B. Parasopubia delphinifolia (L.) H.-P. Hofm. & Eb. Fisch.; C-D. Parasopubia hofmannii Pradeep & Pramod var. hofmannii; E-F. Parasopubia hofmannii var. albiflora Pradeep & Pramod. [A-B: Pramod CU 123599, CALI; C-D: Pramod CU 126793, G; E-F: Pramod CU 126522, CALI] [Photos by authors]