Thespis thakeri J.J.Sharma & Nagar, 2023

J. J., Sharma & Abstract, P. S. Nagar, 2023, Thespis thakeri (Asteraceae): a new species from Gujarat, India, Rheedea 33 (3), pp. 193-198 : 193-197

Thespis thakeri J.J.Sharma & Nagar , sp. nov. FiGS. 1–3

Thespis thakeri is similar to T. integrifolia Gagnep. and T. tonkinensis in having monopodial branching and terminal compound corymbose capitulescences, but differs in being shrubs with lanceolate leaves, involucre bracts acuminate at the apex and pappi longer than corolla tubes, while T. integrifolia and T. tonkinensis are herbs with spathulate leaves, involucre bracts obtuse at the apex and pappi shorter than corolla tubes.

Type: INDIA, Gujarat, Dang district, Saputara , 869 m, N 20°34’52.68”, E 73°44’49.91”, 13.02.2022, Jaydeep J. Sharma 080 (holo BARO!; iso BSJO!, CALI!) .

A tall woody annual herb 1.2–2 m tall. Stem woody, branching monopodial, terete, pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate, estipulate, shortly petiolate, obovate–lanceolate or elliptic– lanceolate, 4.3–19.8 × 1.8–6.4 cm, cuneate at base, serrate at margin, acute at apex, glabrescent adaxially, pubescent abaxially. Capitulescence a terminal compound corymb with many small heads, 15–35 cm long. Heads disciform, 2.1–2.75 mm across, pedunculate; receptacle naked, flat. Involucre bracts uniseriate, 2.6–3.8 mm long, lanceolate-ovate, scarious at margin, acuminate at apex, pubescent. Ray florets female in many series, 3–3.9 mm, corolla completely absent, style glabrous and linear, 2.3–3.4 mm. Disc florets a few (nearly 2–5), 3.4–4 mm, hermaphrodite, infertile, corolla pink, 2.4–3.5 mm, margin of lobes papillate, anthers nearly 1–1.25 mm long, apiculate at apex, entire at base, style of disc floret hairy, subulate, 2.6–3.9 mm long. Cypsela obovate, 0.75–1 mm long, dorsi-ventrally flattened; pappus bristles 10–12 (in ray florets) and 15–18 (in disc florets), 2.5–3.7 mm long, uniseriate, free from base, persistent, plumose, longer than corolla tube.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from January to March and fruiting from late February to April.

Habitat: A small population (c. 30–35 individuals)

of the species was observed on the rocky terrain of hills near Saputara, Dangs, Gujarat, India. It is found growing on gravelly soil along rocky slopes of the mountains with Argemone mexicana L. ( Papaveraceae ), Trichodesma zeylanicum (Burm.f.) R.Br. ( Boraginaceae ), Blumea oxyodonta DC. and Sonchus oleraceus L. (both Asteraceae ).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘ thakeri ’ is given in honour of Jayakrishna Indrajit Thaker (1 October 1849 – 3 December 1929), an Indian plant taxonomist who wrote the first botanical treatise following Hooker’s classification in Gujarati for the benefit of local people. His famous works are “ Barda dungar ni vanaspati ane teni pariksha ane Upyog- Vanaspati Shastra ” ( Thaker, 1910) and Plants of Cutch and Their Utility ( Thaker, 1926).

Specimen examined: INDIA, Gujarat, Dang district, Saputara , 869 m, N 20°34’52.68”, E 73°44’49.91”, 07.01.2023, Jaydeep J. Sharma 081 (BARO) .

Table 1. Morphological comparison between all species of genus Thespis

Figures

FiG.1. Thespis thakeri J.J.Sharma & Nagar: A. Flowering twig;b. Leaf;c. Involucre bract;d. Head;e. Florets (ray floret on left and disc floret on right); f. Anthers; G. Style (ray floret on left and disc floret on right); h. Cypsela (from Jaydeep J. Sharma 080; photos by Jaydeep J. Sharma).

FiG. 2. Thespis thakeri J.J.Sharma & Nagar: A. Flowering twig; b. Head; c. Involucre bract; d. Florets (ray floret on left and disc floret on right);e. Anthers;f. Style (ray floret on left and disc floret on right);G. Cypsela (from Jaydeep J. Sharma 080;illustrated by Jaydeep J. Sharma).

FiG. 3. Thespis thakeri J.J.Sharma & Nagar: A,c. Plants in natural habitat;b. Flowering twigs.