Abutilon neelgerrense var. fischeri

Nimbalkar, Varsha Vilasrao & Sardesai, Milind Madhav, 2025, The Genus Abutilon (Malvaceae: Malvoideae) in India: A Taxonomic Revision and Insights from Micromorphology of Seeds, Systematic Botany (Basel, Switzerland) 49 (4), pp. 708-742 : 722

ABUTILON NEELGERRENSE var. FISCHERI T.K.Paul & M.P.Nayar in Bull. Bot. Surv. India 25: 183. 1985.

TYPE: INDIA. Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore Dt., Coonoor river bank , 1200 ft., 10 Jan 1910, C.E.C. Fischer 1581 (Holotype: CAL! CAL0000006218 ; Isotype FRC! ).

Staminal column 7–10 mm long, base conical, glabrous, tubular part 5 mm, densely stellate pubescent, free part of filament 3–4 mm, glabrous. Filaments and stylar branches remain erect in blooming flower. Figures 9A–E , 10A–G .

Distribution and Habitat —The variety is endemic to Tamil Nadu state in southern India ( Fig. 8 ). It grows at high altitudes (400–1000 m) and prefers shady places in semi-evergreen forests.

Etymology —The epithet fischeri is given in honor of C. E. C. Fischer who collected the specimen (original collection).

Phenology —The plants bloom from November to March, and may prolong up to April–May. Fruiting begins in January and ends in May.

Preliminary Conservation Status —Following the IUCN Red List criteria (2019), Abutilon neelgerrense var. fischeri is suggested to be categorized as Critically Endangered (based on criteria A and E). This is due to its extent of occurrence being less than 100 km 2 area being known from only one population. The category can also be assigned based on the number of localities (only one), area of occupancy, and criterion E, indicating its probable extinction (if conservation measures are not applied).

Notes —The variety was first described by Paul and Nayar (1985) based on Fischer’ s collection in 1910 (C.E.C. Fischer 1581, CAL) from Nilgiri. Since then, there has been no record or collection of the plant. Furthermore, its population could not be located in the type locality. Later, Nimbalkar et al. (2019a) reported this variety from the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, after a century since its first collection. The present study reports the taxon with rare distribution based on existing data. Anthropogenic pressure and habitat loss may lead this plant to a highly threatened state and possibly extinction in the future.

Representative Specimens Examined— India. — TAMIL NADU: Theni Dt., Suruli falls, 19 May 2018, MMS 1643 ( SPPU).

Figures

FIG. 9. Habit and morphology of A. neelgerrense var. fischeri (A–E) and A. neelgerrense var. neelgerrense (F–J). A, F. Habit and flower. B, G. Fruit. C, H. Dehiscing fruit. D, I. Mericarp. E, J. Seed. (A, B, C by Arun Prasanth; F, H by K. M. Prabhukumar).

FIG. 10. Line drawing illustration of A. neelgerrense var. fischeri (A–G, drawn from MMS 1643) and A. neelgerrense var. neelgerrense (H–N, drawn from VVN 601). A, H. Leafy twig with flower and fruits. B, I. Flower. C, J. Staminal column. D, K. Gynoecium. E, L. Fruit. F, M. Mericarp. G, N. Seed.

FIG. 8. Distribution of A. hirtum, A. indicum, A. neelgerrense var. fischeri, and A. neelgerrense var. neelgerrense in India.