Division : Dicotyledons
Order : Ericales
Family : Symplocaceae
Genus : Symplocos
Species : Symplocos abrahamii
Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala have reported a new species of Symplocos from the Shola forests in Iravikulam National Park, Kerala.
The researchers named the specimen Symplocos abrahamii after Prof. A. Abraham (1914-1994), a great visionary and the founder of the Botany Department, University of Kerala in 1959 and as Director in JNTBGRI. He was commemorated earlier by Ischaemum abrahamii, Luisia abrahamii and Thottea abrahamii.
The major orchid collection in JNTBGRI is fondly named Prof. A. Abraham Orchid House. The research team comprised R. Jagadeesan and A. Gangaprasad from the Department of Botany, University of Kerala, and Sam P. Mathew, E. Santhoshkumar and J. Stephan from the JNTBGRI.
During the recent exploration at Eravikulam National Park of the Southern Western Ghats, the authors have come across an interesting Symplocos specimen. On critical taxonomic investigations and perusal of literature revealed the taxon is morphologically unique and exhibits remarkable dissimilarities with other known taxa of the genus.
Symplocos abrahamii is closely allied to Symplocos macrocarpa and Symplocos viridissima however, it principally differs in its elliptic leaves, 6-10 pairs of lateral nerves, tomentose calyx lobes, bracts and bracteoles, 60-80 stamens, cylindrical-ellipsoid fruits (1-1.5 cm long) and smooth endocarp (not grooved).
Citation: Raveendran, Jagadeesan & Gangaprasad, A & Mathew, Sam & E.S., Santhosh & Likko, Stephan (2016). Symplocos abrahamii (Symplocaceae) -A new species from the Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India, Abrahamia, Vol. 3, 75-78 2017, ISSN: 2395-4108. Author Email: sampmathew@gmail.com
Link: http://abrahamia.res.in
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