Rediscovery, systematics and proposed Red List status of Ledebouria junnarensis S.S. Rahangdale and S.R. Rahangdale nom. nov. (Asparagaceae) - an endemic species from the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

A new name in the genus Ledebouria Roth is validated for Scilla viridis Blatter & Hallberg [non Scilla viridis (L.) Salisbury]. It is rediscovered after about 85 years of its first and only report. It is also redescribed on the basis of morphology, anatomy, cytology and assigned the name Ledebouria junnarensis S.S. Rahangdale & S.R. Rahangdale belonging to the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Hyacinthoideae. As this is a species endemic to the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India, it is studied for threat status as per IUCN criteria & guidelines and assigned the status Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii). Identification keys for the genera and species of subfamily Hyacinthoideae reported from India are prepared on the basis of reported and observed characters.

Keywords

• Asparagaceae
• cytology
• Critically Endangered
• endemic
• Hyacinthoideae
• India
• IUCN Red List assessment
• Maharashtra
• Nomen novum
• systematics
• Western Ghats.