Allmania multiflora V.S.A.Kumar, V.Suresh, S.Arya, & Iamonico, 2022

Sindhu, Arya, Iamonico, Duilio, Suresh, Veerankutty & Kumar, Venugopalan Nair Saradhamma Anil, 2022, First molecular and morphometric data for the genus Allmania (Amaranthaceae), with the description of a new species from India, Phytotaxa 559 (3), pp. 221-237 : 230-234

Allmania multiflora V.S.A.Kumar, V.Suresh, S.Arya, & Iamonico sp. nov. ( Figs. 7–8 ).

Type:— INDIA. Kerala, Palakkad district, way to Kollengode , ± 160 m, 10°35’34.2”N 76°42’48.1”E, 18 May 2019, Suresh & Anil Kumar 2850 (holotype UCBD; isotype CALI!, KFRI!, RO!) .

Diagnosis ( Table 7 ):— Allmania multiflora differs from A. nodiflora in having shorter tepals (2.2–2.5 mm and ovatelanceolate vs. 3.3–3.6 mm long and linear-lanceolate), wider gynoecium [(0.3–) 0.4–0.5 mm vs. 0.2–0.3(–0.4) mm long], the diameter of the seeds (1.5–1.9 mm vs. 2.9–3.7 mm), shorter bracts (1.0– 1.2 mm vs. 2.0– 2.4 mm long), shorter and pubescent peduncle (1.0– 1.3 cm long, pubescent with pointed hairs vs. 2.0– 2.7 cm long, glabrous or sparsely pubescent), a higher number of flowers per inflorescence [(15–)30–44 vs. 3–10), stigma pinkish or violet, protruding beyond the anthers (vs. green, not protruding), hairiness of the seeds (highly pubescent vs. glabrous), aril with protruding setae (vs. without setae).

Description ( Figs. 7–9 ):—Annual herb, erect or ascending with branches arising from the base, up to 60 cm long. Stem red to violet at the base, green in the rest, pubescent. Stipules hard and deciduous. Leaves ovate-elliptic or lanceolate (1.0–2.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm), apex obtuse or acute, base attenuate, pubescent at the margin and adaxial surface, veined (5–7 pairs of lateral arcuate veins), petioled (0.5–1.0 cm long). Inflorescence in cymose heads, leaf opposed, peduncled, peduncle 1.0– 1.3 cm long, pubescent. Flowers (15–)30–44 per inflorescence; bracts ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 1.0– 1.2 mm long, pubescent, with membranous border, abruptly interrupted at about the half (bracts awned), eglandular; bracteoles lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 2.9–3.6 × 0.5–0.8 mm, awned, pubescent outside at the distal part, glabrous at margins. Tepals 5 lanceolate 5.7–7.3 × 0.5–0.7 mm. Stamens 5, 0.6–2.0 cm long, glabrous, creamy white; filaments basally connate, forming a rim around the gynoecium. Pollen polypantoporate, 15–18 µm in size, pores 2–3, pollen surface spinulose. Ovary ovoid, 4.3–5.8 × (0.3–) 0.4–0.5 mm, usually white (sometimes greenish), glabrous; style 0.1–0.2 cm long, extending beyond the filaments, glabrous; stigma capitate, pinkish-violet. Fruits utricle, light green to white, 1.4–2.0 × 0.6–0.8 mm. Seeds ovate, 1.5–1.9 × 1.7–2.1 mm in size, brownish-black, with aril at the base having protruding setae, surface densely pubescent.

Etymology:— The new species name refers to the characteristic occurrence of many flowers in a single glomerule.

Distribution (fig. 10), habitat, and phenology:— Allmania multiflora is known from few locations in SW-India (Kerala State), at 1000–1250 m of elevation. The distribution area of the new species partially overlaps that of A. nodiflora in Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram districts. It grows in open areas of the granite hillocks with 25–30 scattered individuals per population. Each population spreads over an area of nearly 1–2 m 2. Flowering and fruiting times are May to September.

Conservation status:— The plant propagates mainly through seeds (rarely by rooting at stem nodes). The number of individuals is very few and prone to severe grazing and repeated fire. The exploitation of taxon as a vegetable is another threat, especially by local people along with amaranths. Following the IUCN Red List Guidelines and Criteria ( IUCN 2019), Allmania multiflora is assessed as Critically Endangered (ER) in the category [B2a,b(iii,v)] since AOO is about 30 m 2, locations are 4, and decline observed in the quality of the habitat (iii).

Selected specimen examined(paratypes):— INDIA. Kerala. Palakkad district, Kaliyampara , 110m, 10°35’01.8”N 76°43’54.0”E, 11 June 2019, Suresh, Anil Kumar & Arya 2098 (TBGT!, RO!) ; Kerala. Palakkad district, Idachira 110 m, 10°35’38.4”N 76°43’40.4”E, 10 June 2019, Suresh, Anil Kumar & Arya 2089 ( CALI!) ; Kerala. Palakkad district, Nemmeni 110 m, 10°35’26.8”N 76°42’47.6”E, 11 July 2019, Anil Kumar & Arya 3433 ( TBGT!) ; Kerala. Palakkad district, Chuttichira 110 m, 10°36’01.6”N 76°43’06.5”E, 14 July 2019, Suresh 510 ( CALI!) .

Figures

FIGURE 7. Allmania multiflora a. habit; b. flowering twig; c. & d. glomerule; e. cluster of flower f. flower; g. Bracteole; h. bract; i. tepal; j. androecial cup; k. gynoecium; l. Seed; (photos by V. Suresh).

FIGURE 8. Allmania multiflora a. habit; b. flower; c., d.,e. bracteoles; f. bract; g. tepal; h. androecial cup; i. gynoecium; j. seed (drawing by V. S. A. Kumar).

FIGURE 9. SEM images of Allmania multiflora: a. seed; b. magnification of seed surface; c. seed hairs.