Amaranthus tricolor, Linnaeus, 1753

Das, Saubhik, 2013, Infraspecific variability of Amaranthus tricolor (Amaranthaceae) in India with a new variety, Phytotaxa 88 (2), pp. 25-30 : 26-28

Amaranthus tricolor L. var. tristis (L.) Thellung (1914: 267)

Bas.: Amaranthus tristis Linnaeus (1753: 989) . Type (lectotype designated by Thellung, 1914: 267):— CHINA. Herb. Linnaeus 1117.12 (LINN!)

Description: —Annual herb with many diffuse and ridged branches from the base of the stem, variable in shape and colour of leaves (from broadly ovate or broadly elliptic to lanceolate-oblong). Bracts and bracteoles broadly ovate or deltoid-ovate, bracts not longer than the perianth, membranous, pale coloured, broadest at the base and with a long apical awn, at least half as long as and not equalling as the broad basal portion; tepals 3, 4.5–5.0 mm long, ovate-lanceolate with long apical awn, membranous, female flowers with tepals slightly accrescent in fruit; carpels 3, 2.25–2.75 mm.

Amaranthus tricolor L. var. acutus S. Das , var. nov. Type:— INDIA. West Bengal, 24- Parganas (North), Salt lake , EM Bypass, sea level, 27 September 2010, Das 19 (holotype CAL!) ( Fig. 1 ).

Diagnosis: — Monoicae; folium apex emerginate; flores staminati ac pistillati in longitudine aequales; bracteae bracteolae ac perianthae ovati-spathulatae apicibus acutis; tepala in longitudine 2.25–2.5 mm quam carpella aequantes.

Description: —Monoecious herbs; stem erect or ascending; leaf ovate-oblong, apex emerginate, male and female flowers equal in size; bracts, bracteoles and tepals ovate-spathulate with acute apex; tepal 2.25–2.50 mm long, not longer than the fruit.

Etymology: —The specific epithet refers to the typical apex of the of bracts, bracteoles and tepals.

Distribution: —It was found in the lower Gangetic plain of West Bengal.

IUCN Red list category: —The appropriate data on abundance and/or distribution of the taxon is lacking. It can be included in the Data Deficient (DD) category of IUCN Red List categories ( IUCN 2010) as there are inadequate information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.

Ecology: —After seed germination in field within 50–60 days the plant become full grown, starts flowering in September–October. Seeds are set in November–December. It is cultivated as well as occurs as weed in open areas and waste places.

Additional specimen examined:— INDIA. West Bengal: Mashalda, Maldah , 28 August 1966, Dutta 536 ( CAL) ; Baksara, Howrah , 27 September 1960, Bhowmick 5258 ( CAL) ; Murshidabad , 13 October 1963, Guha Bakshi 143 ( CAL) . Bihar: Gaya , 10 October 1982, Naskar 127 ( CAL) ; Jallah, Patna , 27 April 1900, V. Thakur VT 149 ( CAL) . Madhyapradesh: Mandla , 30 November 1961, Joseph 13495 ( CAL) ; Tikamgarh , 15 September 1920, Verma 30751 ( CAL) ; Bilaspur , 30 October 1970, Panigrahi, 13236 A ( CAL) . Meghalaya: Shillong , 23 July 1959, Deka 18345 ( CAL) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Amaranthus tricolor L. var acutus var. nov. A. Habit. B. Bract. C. Bracteole. D. Tepal. E. Male flower. F. Female flower. G. Carpel.