Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, 2025

Lincy, Joseph & Soosairaj, Sebastian, 2025, Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov. (Elatinaceae), a new species from Tamil Nadu, India, Adansonia (3) 47 (1), pp. 1-6 : 2-6

Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov.

( Figs 2 ; 3 )

B. cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. can be distinguished from B. suffruticosa (Delile) Fenzlas a nonaromatic erect herb (vs aromatic shrub), with glabrous leaves and stipules (vs pubescent), a mucronate apex of the petals (vs obtuse) and a vesicular seed surface (vs smooth). The morphology of B. cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. closely resembles B. ammannioides Roxb. but can be differentiated by having glabrous leaves and stipules (vs pubescent), a mucronate apex of the petals (vs obtuse), 6-10 flowers per node (vs c. 30 flowers per node) and seed surface vesicular (vs reticulate) ( Table 1 ).

TYPE MATERIAL. — India • 2 specimens; Tamil Nadu, Cuddalore district, Veppur, Lathur Forest ; 11°28’04.72”N, 78°57’57.93”E; alt. c. 90 m; 26.I.2023; S. Soosairaj 7816; holo-, RHT!; iso-, MH!

ETYMOLOGY. — The species epithet is based on the collection locality of the type specimen in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India .

DISTRIBUTION. — The species is known from the state of Tamil Nadu at the type location in Cuddalore district and also a single location in Pudukkottai district.

PHENOLOGY. — Flowering and fruiting January-March.

ECOLOGY. — It is an annual species that thrives in wet environments, specifically in ponds in clay soils after the water has drained and in cultivated fields after harvest. It is found growing in association with Ammania verticillata (Ard.) Lam. , Vahlia digyna (Retz) Kuntze , Epaltes divaricata (L.) Cass., Hoppea dichotoma Willd. , Exacum pedunculatum L., Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell and Rotala verticillaris L. FIG. 1. — Location map of study area and collection sites of Bergia cuddalorensis S.Soosairaj, sp. nov. FIG. 2. — Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov.: A, habit; B, flower; C, stipule; D, sepal; E, petal; F, stamen; G, pistil. Scale bars: A, 5 mm; B, 1 mm; C, D, E, F, G, 0.4 mm. Drawing by Joseph Lincy. FIG. 3. — Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov.: A, habit; B, C, flower; D, sepal; E, fruit; F, fruit dehiscence. Scale bars: A, 4 mm; B, C, 0.3 mm; D, 0.2 mm; E, 2 mm; F, 0.4 mm. Photos by S. Soosairaj. TABLE 1. — Distinct features of Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov. and its allied species. B. cuddalorensis sp. nov. B. suffruticosa B. ammannioides Habit Erect herb, nonaromatic Shrubs, aromatic Erect herb, nonaromatic Leaves Petiolate, winged, glabrous Sessile, densely glandular pubescent Petiolate, glandular pubescent Stipule Glabrous Pubescent Pubescent Flowers 6-10 per node 2-8 per node c. 30 per node Sepals Lanceolate, apex acuminate, glabrous, margin ciliate, pinkish red Ovate, oblong, apex acute, glandular pubescent, margin hyaline. Lanceolate to ovate, apex acute, glandular pubescent, margin entire Petals Oblong, apex acute, mucronate Obovate-oblong, apex obtuse Elliptic to oblong, apex obtuse Anther 0.2 × 0.2 mm 0.5 × 0.3 mm 0.3 × 0.3 mm Ovary Globose Ovoid Subglobose Capsule Globose Ovoid Subglobose Seed Oblong, surface vesicular Oblong to ellipsoid, smooth Oblong, surface reticulate CONSERVATION STATUS. — B. cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov. is reported from only two locations and further exploration is needed to study the actual distribution in similar habitats, hence, it is categorized as ‘data deficient’ (DD) under the IUCN (2019) conservation status.

ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED. — India • 1 specimen; Tamil Nadu, Pudukkottai district; 10°31’42”N, 78°47’06”E; alt. c. 150 m; 14.II.2024; S. Soosairaj 7826; RHT !

DESCRIPTION

Annuals. Erect herbs to 15 cm with opposite branches. Stem pubescent (nonglandular), internodes 1.5-2.5 cm long. Leaves opposite, decussate, elliptic-oblanceolate, glabrous, base attenuate, apex acute, margin serrate, 18-22 × 4-5 mm, lateral nerves 3-4 pairs.Petiole 4-7 mm, winged. Stipule 2 × 0.75 mm, lanceolate, glabrous, apex acuminate, margin ciliate. Flowers axillary, 6-10 in fasciculate cymes, 1.5-2 mm across; pedicel 1-1.5 mm, pubescent, accrescent. Sepals 5, lanceolate, adnate at base, green at middle, pinkish red at both edges, pubescent abaxially, apex acuminate, margin ciliate, 2 × 0.75 mm. Petals 5, white, oblong, apex acute, mucronate, 2 × 1 mm. Stamens 10, two rows, filament glabrous, 1-1.5 mm long, dilated at base, anther 0.2 × 0.2 mm, basifixed. Pistil 1.5 mm long, ovary globose, glabrous, 1 × 1 mm, styles 5, pinkish, straight, 0.5 mm long, stigma subcapitate, papillose. Capsule globose, brownish. Seeds numerous, minute, oblong, yellowish brown, surface vesicular.

Figures

FIG. 2. — Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov.: A, habit; B, flower; C, stipule;D, sepal; E, petal; F, stamen; G, pistil. Scale bars: A, 5 mm; B, 1 mm; C, D, E, F, G, 0.4 mm. Drawing by Joseph Lincy.

FIG. 3. — Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov.: A, habit; B, C, flower; D, sepal; E, fruit; F, fruit dehiscence. Scale bars: A, 4 mm; B, C, 0.3 mm; D, 0.2 mm; E, 2 mm; F, 0.4 mm. Photos by S. Soosairaj.