Clematis pettimudiensis K.M.P. Kumar, Jagadeesan & G. Prasad, 2017

Prabhukumar, Konickal Mambetta, Jagadeesan, Raveendran, Prasad, Gopalakrishnan, Kumar, Vannaratta Veettil Naveen & Balachandran, Indira, 2017, Clematis pettimudiensis (Ranunculaceae), a new species from Western Ghats, India, Phytotaxa 326 (4), pp. 289-294 : 289-292

Clematis pettimudiensis K.M.P. Kumar, Jagadeesan & G. Prasad sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 & 2 )

Diagnosis:—This new species is similar to C. metuoensis , but differs in having cuneate-truncate leaf base, 3–5 lateral nerves, 1–2-flowered cymose inflorescence, foliaceous bracts, 4 silky violet, lanceolate-oblong sepals with apiculate apex, filaments 12 times longer than anthers, and ca. 1 mm long connective produced beyond anther ( Table 1).

Type:— INDIA. Kerala: Idukki district, Munnar Forest division, Eravikulam National Park , Pettimudy River Bank , ca. 2000 m, 19 August 2016, K. M. Prabhukumar, R. Jagadeesan, Binu Prakash & G. Prasad 9466 (holotype CMPR; isotypes CATH, MH) .

Climbing shrubs. Stem subangular, 6–8-ribbed, glabrous, green–purple; nodes and internodes prominent; internodes 5–10 cm long. Leaves simple, opposite; lamina 8–13 × 4–5.5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, cuneate-truncate at base, caudate with apiculate apex, margin shortly crenulate, glabrous on both surfaces, membranous; veins 3–5, conspicuous, reticulate, convergent, arched; petiole twining, base encircling the stem, 4.5–5.2 cm long, subangular, canaliculate, ribbed, distally broader, green, glabrous. Inflorescence axillary, 1–2 flowered; peduncle 10–12 cm long; bracts 2, 2–2.3 × 0.5–0.7 cm, opposite, foliaceous, ca. 4 cm above the peduncle base, ovate-lanceolate, attenuate at base, mucronate at apex, shortly crenulate at margin, nerves 3, prominent, glabrous. Flowers (–3.5) 5–6 cm across; pedicel 6–8 cm long, subangular, glabrous. Sepals 4, 3–3.3 × 0.3–0.5 cm, lanceolate-oblong, truncate at base, apiculate at apex, white ciliate at margin, 7–8-ribbed, dark violet on ventral side, dorsally silky, villous. Stamens 36–42, spreading; filaments 1–2.5 cm long, white, glabrous, ribbed; anther lobes 1.8–2 mm long, adnate, erect, dehiscent longitudinally, 1 mm long connective beyond the anther; staminodes 10–15, 1–2 cm long, white, glabrous. Carpels ca. 30, 6–8 mm long, stigma straight. Achenes ovoid-oblong, compressed, silky hairy.

Phenology:—Flowering July–September, fruiting September–November.

Etymology:—The new species is named after the type locality ‘Pettimudy’ forests in Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala.

Distribution:—The new species was collected from two localities of the same forest region of Pettimudy at elevations of about 1950–2050 m. Pettimudy forests are very well known through the high diversity of endemic and rare Impatiens species. During the present exploration survey, the authors achieved to document 24 species of balsams from the area, viz. Impatiens coelotropis Fischer (1934: 390) , I. disotis Hooker(1906:48) , I. johnii Barnes (1939: 102) , I. phoenicea Beddome (1858: 175) and I. platyadena Fischer (1934: 393) .

Conservation status:—The new species has so far only been collected from the type locality. The Pettimudy forest ranges are comparatively undisturbed and protected regions in Eravikulam National Park. The plants grow near roadside in a river bank region, the way in which is used as a path to one tea estate and also for the passage of tribal people in their colony known as Edamalakkudy. The major threat observed was the recent construction of a road in the grasslands to various settlements at Edamalakudy area. The locality contains only few plants, 3–5 from two populations. There is a strong chance that 60% of the populations will disappear from the locality if the work is continued. Therefore, based on the present knowledge and available data, a provisional threat status of ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR B1ab (i,ii,iv); 2ab (i,ii,iv); D) is suggested according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria ( IUCN 2013). However, more studies are required to confirm the status.

Note:—The new species is superficially similar to Clematis theobromina Dunn (1914: 181) , but differs by having simple leaves, silky violet, lanceolate-oblong sepals with apiculate apex, filaments much longer than anthers, and prominently produced connectives.

Additional specimen examined (paratype):— INDIA. Kerala:Idukki district, Munnar Forest division, Eravikulam National Park, Pettimudy River Bank, Way to Edamalakkudy, ca. 2050 m a.s.l., 30 August 2016, R. Jagadeesan 9556 (CMPR!).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Colour images of Clematis pettimudiensis sp. nov. A. Habit (inset: Leafy bract); B, D. Different views of flower; E. Sepals; F. Stamens; G. Single stamen; H. Close–up of connective beyond anther; I. Ovary.

FIGURE 2. Illustration of Clematis pettimudiensis sp. nov.A. Habit; B. Flower; C. Sepals; D. Stamen; E. Ovary.