Tripogon lisboae Stapf, Kew Bull. 1892: 84

K., Thoiba, Abstract, A. K. Pradeep & Roem., Tripogon, 2020, A revision of Tripogon (Poaceae: Chloridoideae) in India, Rheedea 30 (3), pp. 325-378 : 349-353

Tripogon lisboae Stapf, Kew Bull. 1892: 84 . 1892; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 7(22): 286. 1896; Bor, Grass. Burma Ceylon India & Pakistan 522. 1960; S.Moulik, Grass. Bam. India 2: 622. 1997; Kabeer & V.J.Nair, Fl. Tamil Nadu Grass. 180. 2009; Potdar, Salunkhe & S.R.Yadav, Grass. Maharashtra 563. 2012. Lectotype (designated by Thoiba & Pradeep, 2018): INDIA , Rajasthan, Rajputana, Mt. Abu, on rocks, 3500 ft, 12.10.1987, J.F. Duthie 6788 (K [K000245015 digital image!]). FiGS. 23 , 24 & 27

Tufted perennials. Culms 10–120 cm high, terete, erect; nodes glabrous. Leaf sheaths 6–12 cm long, terete, glabrous; ligules absent; leaf blades 20–60 × 0.4–0.7 cm, linear, lanceolate, glaucous, flat or sometimes rolled, sparsely villous adaxially, scabridulous on veins, acuminate at apex. Racemes 10–30 cm long, stout, erect or curved, 15–35 spikelets appressed to concavities in rachis; rachis stout, glabrous or scabrid, 3–12 mm long; peduncles 8–15 cm long, glabrous. Spikelets 5–13 × 1–2 mm narrowly elliptic, linear, distant, olive green, 5–10- flowered; callus bearded, hairs c. 0.3 mm long; rachilla 0.1–0.2 mm long, glabrous, straight or zig zag, not persistent; lower glumes 2.5–4 × 0.5–0.8 mm, notched on one-side, ovate-lanceolate, 1- nerved, 1-keeled, glabrous, and acute at apex; upper glumes 3–5.3 × 0.5–0.8 mm, elliptic-ovate, 1- keeled, 1–3-nerved, lateral nerves not prominent, apex 2-toothed, shortly aristate; lemmas 2.8–3.2 × 0.6–0.8 mm, narrowly ovate, 2-lobed, 3-nerved, slightly keeled, 1-awned, awns 1–2.2 mm long, scabridulous, lateral lobes membranous; paleas 2.8–3.2 × 0.5–1 mm, elliptic-lanceolate, narrowly winged, hyaline, 2-keeled, keels ciliate, acute at apex; lodicules 2, c. 0.3 mm long, slightly cordate, 3-toothed; stamens 3, anthers 1–1.8 mm long, oblong, filaments 0.5–0.75 mm long, slender, glabrous; ovary 0.3–0.5 mm long, obovate, styles 2, 0.5–0.75 mm long, slender, hyaline, stigma 0.75– 1.2 mm long, plumose, creamy white. Caryopses 1.4–2.2 × c. 0.5 mm, narrowly oblong, terete, light brown.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering and fruiting from September to November.

Habitat: This species is found growing on the cliffs of moist rocks along Ghat road sides and also grasslands at elevations of 600–1800 m. Occasionally seen in association with Begonia malabarica Lam. ( Begoniaceae ), Chlorophytum heynei Baker ( Asparagaceae ), Chrysopogon hackelii (Hook.f.) C.E.C.Fisch. , Eragrostis collinensis Vivek, G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair , Tripogon bromoides (all Poaceae ) and Impatiens sp. ( Balsaminaceae ).

Distribution: India , fairly common in southwest regions of the Peninsula.

Specimens examined: INDIA , Goa, North Goa district, Dicholi , 12.09.1970, R . K . Kochhar 154177; Naruja, tableland Keyna , 29.11.1978, R . K . Kochhar 157977 ( BSI); Surla, Satari , 02.10.2005, Harshala Gad & M . K . Janarthanam 244 (Goa University Herbarium); South Goa district , s.loc., 11.09.2016, Syam Radh S. & K. Thoiba 146739 ( CALI). Karnataka, Chikmagalur district , Kudremukh National Park , 18.09.2015, K . Thoiba & A . K . Pradeep 144145 ( CALI); Shimoga district, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Khodachadri , 09.09.2015, K . Thoiba 144163 ( CALI). Kerala, Idukki district, way to Vagamon , 10.10.2015, K . Thoiba & C . Pramod 146606 ( CALI); Wayanad district, Periya, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary , 22.08.2015, K . Thoiba & A . K . Pradeep 144144 ( CALI). Madhya Pradesh, Hoshangabad district , Pachmaxi road, Bori R . F ., 06.10.1960, J . Joseph 11254 ( MH). Maharashtra, Kolhapur district, Amba Ghat , 06.11.2016, K . Thoiba 146733 ( CALI); Tillari, 16.09.2001, s.coll. s.n. ( SUK); Mumbai district, Mumbai hills, Thanae range, 09.09.1968, K . V . Billore 116607 ( CAL); Pune district, Bhimashankar , 30.03.1957, G . S . Puri 12598 ( BSI); Ibid. , 09.10.1962, K . P . Janardhanan 81740 ( CAL); Junnar , Aie, 08.2007, S . B . Nagarkar 11526 ( AHMA); Khandala , 20.09.1902, G . A . Gammie 15442; Meroli , 15.09.1957, S . D. Mahajan 17184 ( BSI); Kukdeshwar , 07.10.2001, S . B . Nagarkar s.n. ( AHMA); Lonavla, Ravine above Bashi lake , 28.09.1964, B . Venkata Reddi 98796 ( BSI); Sinhagad, 05.09.2010, s.coll. 3422 ( CALI); Rairashwar , 17.09.1958, V . D. Vartak 13860 ( CAL); Vazirgarh fort, 26.12.1944, H . Santapau 5648; Ibid. , 29.12.1945, H . Santapau 8335 ( BLAT); Raigad district , Karnala, 29.09 1976, V . D. Vartak 1126 ( AHMA); Matheran, Hart point, 08.10.2003, R . K . Singh 188778 ( BSI); Satara district, Carnac point, 12.10.1960, M . Y . Ansari 67659; on the top of the fort, Muhshi, Ambawane , 06.09.1964, B . Venkata Reddi 99051; Khandala, 09.1907, A . Meebold 9121; Mahablaeshwar, Koyna , Tadorhi , 24.11.1978, R . K . Kochhar 157834; Ibid. , 05.10.1957, G . S . Puri 25639 ( CAL); Panchgani , 10.1908, E . Blatter 338; Mahabalaeshwar , 14.09.1958, H . Santapau 22737 ( BLAT); Sindhudurg district, Amboli Ghat, Nanapuri , 31.10.1969, B . G . Kulkerni 119234; Mahadeogad , 09.10.1970, B . G . Kulkerni 121545 ( BSI); s.loc., 30.09.2001, s.coll., s.n.; s.loc., s.die., M . M . Sardesai s.n. ( SUK); Sangli district, Dongarwadi, 26.01.2005, Aparna Watve 00511 ( AHMA). Rajasthan, Banswara district , s.loc., 20.03.1976, V . Singh 2913 ( CAL); Churu district, Ratangarh , 04.10.1970, B . M . Wadhwa 128120 ( BSI); Jaipur district, Devaliya , 29.09.1960, R . S . Rao 6606 ( BSI); Jhalawar district , s. loc., 17.09.1964, B . M . Wadhwa 5405 ( CAL); Jhunjhunu district, Khola hill, Sirohi , 24.10.1960, P . C . Nanda 2086 ( CAL); Jodpur district, Mahalkari, Manar , 17.10.1906, s.coll. 2 ( BSI); Sirohi district , Mount Abu , Guru Shikhar road, 10.11.1959, S . K . Jain 660177; on way to Devaliya , 29.09.1960, R . S . Rao 66643 ( BSI). Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district, Lambden’s peak, 03.06.1954, D. Daniel Sundararaj s.n. ( MH); Dindigul district , Kodaikanal , Law’s Ghat road, 08.09.1985, K . M . Matthew 42249 ( RHT) .

Notes: It resembles T. malabaricus , but differs in having flat or rolled leaves, inconspicuous ligules, racemes being straight or curved, upper glumes shortly aristate and awns as long as or shorter than the lemmas.

Tripogon longearistatus Hack. ex Honda, Bot. Mag. Tokyo 41: 11. 1927, as “ longe-aristatus ”; Lee, Manual Korean Grass. 244. 1966; Koyama, Grass. Japan & Neighbour Regions 271: 1987; Osada, Illustr. Grass. Japan 1: 466. 1989; S.L. Chen, Fl. Reipubl. Popul. Sin. 10(1): 61. 1990; S.M. Philips & S.L. Chen, Kew Bull. 57: 920. 2002; Z.Y. Wu, P.H. Raven & D.Y. Hong in S.L. Chen & S.M. Philips, Fl. China 22: 468. 2006. Tripogon chinensis (Franch.) Hack. var. longearistatus Hack. ex Honda, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 41: 11. 1927. Lectotype (designated here): KOREA, Cheju-do , Quelpaert, 1908, Taquet 3425 (TI [ TI00016318 digital image!]).

Tripogon longearistatus Nakai, Veg. Isl. Quelpaert : 19: 147. 1914, nom. nud.

Tripogon coreensis (Hack.) Ohwi var. longearistatus Hack. ex T. Mori , nom. nud.

Tripogon longearistatus Honda var. japonicas Honda, Bot. Mag. , Tokyo 41: 12. 1927. Tripogon japonicus (Honda) Ohwi, Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 4: 63. 1935; Tripogon longearistatus Honda subsp. japonicus (Honda) T.Koyama, Grass. Japan & Neighbour. Regions 271: 532. f.103. 1987. Type: JAPAN, Hondo, s.d., Ando 69 (holo TI!).

Tripogon panxianensis H.Peng, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 13 (2): 147. 1991. Type: CHINA, Guizhou, Panxian , 28.09.1988. Gesuo, C.Z. Dang 1010 (holo HGAS; iso YUNU). FiGS. 25–27

Caespitose perennials. Culms 15–30 cm high, erect; nodes glabrous. Leaf sheaths 4–10 cm long, papery, ribbed, glabrous; ligules ciliolate membranous; leaf blades 4–17 × c. 0.1 cm, linear, convolute, glabrous or loosely pilose adaxially and glabrous abaxially, acuminate or attenuate at apex. Racemes 8–30 cm long, slightly flexuous, spikelets loosely arranged in rachis; rachis slender; peduncles 5–8 cm long, glabrous. Spikelets 4.5–10.5 × 1–1.3 mm, linear-lanceolate, pale green to dark grey; 4–7(–12)- flowered; callus bearded, hairs 0.5–1 mm long; rachilla 0.4–0.5 mm long, glabrous, straight or zig zag, not persistent; lower glumes 2.5–3 × 0.5–0.7 mm, linear-lanceolate, asymmetrical, broadened or toothed on one side, 1-nerved, 1-keeled; keels slightly scabrid, sub-acute or acuminate at apex; upper glumes 3.5–4.5 × 0.5–0.7 mm, lanceolate-oblong, 1-nerved, 1-keeled, acuminate-rostrate or emarginated and mucronate at apex; lemmas 2.3– 3.3 × 0.5–0.8 mm (excluding awns), elliptic-lanceolate, 3-nerved, bidentate, median awn 3.6–8 mm long, stiff, scabrid, strongly reflexed, teeth acute; lateral veins extended into 0.2–0.4 mm long awns arising free from lemma tooth or from its outer margins, lateral awn size may be equal or not; paleas 2–2.5 × 0.4–0.6 mm, lanceolate, hyaline, 2-keeled, narrowly winged, keels ciliolate, apex acute or bi-lobed; lodicules 2, 0.2–0.3 mm long, dentate at apex; Stamen 1, anthers 1–1.5 mm long; ovary 0.2–0.3 mm long, styles 2, 0.2–0.3 mm long, slender, hyaline, stigma 0.4–0.5 mm, feathery. Caryopses 1–1.6 × 0.1–0.2 mm, linear-lanceolate, cylindric, light brown.

Flowering and fruiting: Flowering and fruiting from September to December.

Habitat: On rocky slopes and also in river beds between 300–1500 m altitude.

Distribution: China, India , Japan and Korea.

Specimens examined: INDIA , Meghalaya, East Khasi hills district, Mawlynnong, 1496 m, 11.10.2017, Santhosh Nampy & Vishnu Mohan 156870a, 156870b, 156870c, 156870d, 156870e (CALI). Sikkim, West Sikkim district, Tashiding, on the way to Phamerong waterfalls, 29.07.2018, Nikhil Krishna & K. Thoiba 159815 (CALI).

Notes: Honda (1927) described T. longearistatus based on specimens collected from Quelpeart ( Japan, Korea). He cited six specimens “ Corea: ins. Quelpaert (Taquet 1882, Anno 1908); ibidem (Taquet 3425, Anno 1909); ibidem ( T. Nakai 4845, Anno 1917). Planta endemica” without designating a type. According to Phillips and Chen (2002), among the materials cited, three syntypes are available at the Herbarium of the University of Tokyo ( TI). While searching for the original specimens at TI, we could trace only two relevant sheets. Among them, the sheet Taquet 3425 ( TI [ TI00016318 digital image!]) bears the type label, and also a determination slip affixed by M. Honda in the same year. The other sheet Nakai 4845 ( TI [ TI100016317 digital image!]) was also determined by Honda in 1925 but with three specimens mounted on a single sheet without any type labels. Therefore, the sheet Taquet 3425 ( TI [ TI00016318 digital image!]) carrying a well preserved specimen matching exactly with the protologue is designated here as the lectotype of T. longearistatus .

Tripogon longearistatus closely resembles T. filiformis Nees ex Steud. , but can easily be distinguished by its widely spaced spikelets with stiff strongly reflexed awns, lateral awns arising free from lemma tooth or from its outer margins, and by its solitary anther. However, specimens of T. filiformis with laxer racemes than usual, or with a tendency for the awns to reflex, and also young specimens of T. longearistatus with straight awns, can cause difficulty. There is little overlap in their geographical range. Tripogon filiformis is an upland and high altitude species, whilst T. longearistatus is confined to the eastern lowlands (Phillips & Chen, 2002; Chen & Phillips, 2006). Thorough examination of the protologue and type (Royle s.n., (K [K000245038 digital image!]) of T. filiformis showed it as a distinct species. Tripogon filiformis is characterized by its filiform, lax and densely pilose leaves, upper glumes 2-toothed below the apex, lemmas 4-lobed, 3-awned, median awns twice as long as the lemma or more.

Figures

FiG. 23. Tripogon lisboae Stapf in its natural habitat (Photo by A.K. Pradeep).

FiG.24.Tripogon lisboae Stapf:a. Habit;b. Spikelet;c. Lower glume; d. Upper glume;e.Lemma;f. Palea;G. Stamen h. Pistil;i. Caryopsis.

FiG. 27. Distribution of Tripogon lisboae Stapf,T.longearistatus HaCk. ex Honda and T. mahendragiriensis Chorge, Sang.Dey, K.Prasad, Prasanna & Y.V.Rao in India [drawn using ESRI (2011) ArCGIS Desktop: Release 10].

FiG. 25.Tripogon longearistatus HaCk.ex Honda:a. Habit;b. Spikelet; c. Lower glume; d. Upper glume; e. Lemma; f. Enlarged portion of lemma apex; G. Palea; h. Stamen & pistil; i. LodiCule; j. Caryopsis.

FiG. 26. LeCtotype of Tripogon longearistatus HaCk. ex Honda (TI 00016318) designated here.© The Board Trustees for the University of Tokyo, Japan. ReproduCed with permission.