Description of two new species of the genus <i>Fimbristylis</i> Vahl. (Cyperaceae) from Velliangiri Hills, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

Abstract

We describe two new species of the genus Fimbristylis Vahl. (Cyperaceae) viz. Fimbristylis matthewii and F. velliangiriensis from Velliangiri Hills in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve located in the Western Ghats area of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. F. matthewii is close to F. uliginosa Steud. but differs by the presence of glabrous culms, much thickened culm-base by imbricating old leaf-sheaths, inflorescence terminal and subterminal or pseudolateral; involucral bracts 3-5; spikelets 2-9 (10) together, 15-30 flowered; glumes aristate; arista 0.6-1.2 mm long, sparsely scaberulous on the upper half of upper surface, and on nerves of the keels; nuts sparsely and minutely tuberculate. F. velliangiriensis is close to F. insignis Thw. but differs by the presence of leaves involute, acute at apex; spikelets 0.4-0.8 cm long; involucral bracts 3-5, rarely 8, equal to or longer than spikelets; glumes minutely scaberulous on upper surface, and aristate at apex; anthers with 2-8 ciliate hairy at tip; filaments broadly winged, often with a reddish gland at base; style winged; nut obovoid.