Record of Oldenlandia hygrophila Bremek. (Spermacoceae: Rubiaceae), a lesser known herb from Palghat Gap of Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Abstract

Oldenlandia hygrophila Bremek., a lesser known taxon has been relocated from the type location in the Palghat (Palakkad) gap region of southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India, and is described. Setiform cuticular protuberances all over the plant, branching pattern, stipule length, axillary solitary blue flower, corolla lobes not spreading during anthesis, size of flower, presence of hyaline hairs inside corolla tube, calyx lobe reaching one-fourth of the corolla tube, exerted anthers with glabrous filaments, sub - globose capsule and seed surface pattern are some of the peculiar features which makes this taxa different from other Oldenlandia species. After its type collection in 1972, this endemic taxa could not be relocated from its type locality till date.

Keywords

• malampuzha
• oldenlandia
• palghat gap
• spermacoceae
• rubiaceae