Justicia pathanamthittiensis Remadevi & Binojk., J.Econ.

P., Soumya, Y. F., Deng, S. S., Dash & Sunojkumar, P., 2023, A taxonomic revision of the genus JUStICIa (Acanthaceae) in Peninsular India, Rheedea 33 (4), pp. 270-331 : 297-302

Justicia pathanamthittiensis Remadevi & Binojk., J.Econ. Taxon. Bot. 32: 660. 2008, syn. nov.; Karthik. et al., Fl. Pl. India Dicotyledons 27. 2009. Type: INDIA, Kerala, Pathanamthitta district, Thannithode, 23.11.2001, Remadevi 615 (holo CALI!; iso MH!). FigS. 17–19

Annual herbs, up to 90 cm tall. Stems angular, erect or decumbent, dichotomously branched, sometimes in zig zag fashion, rooting at lower nodes; branches slender, diffuse, pubescent with strigose or hispid hairs; internodes 2–10 cm long, green or purplish green. Leaves sessile to petiolate; laminae ovate to elliptic, oblong to lanceolate or orbicular, 0.7– 6 × 0.6–3 cm, base cuneate or obtuse, margins entire or distantly crenate, ciliate, apex acute or obtuse, chartaceous, glabrous or pubescent; veins prominent, secondary veins 3–7 pairs, venation weak brochidodromous; petioles 0.3–2 cm long pubescent; Inflorescence dense terminal or axillary spike, up to 7 cm long, many-flowered; peduncles 0.5–5 cm long, pubescent. Flowers sessile, two per floral node, 5–8 × 3–4.5 mm; bracts linear to lanceolate or elliptic to ovate or rhomboid, 4–5.5 × 1.3–2.5 mm, margin scarious, densely ciliate, apex acute or shortly acuminate; bracteoles similar to bracts but narrower, 4–5.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm. Calyx deeply 5-lobed, 3.75–4.5 × 1.5–3 mm at anthesis, accrescent, 4.5–5.5 × 2.5–3.5 mm in fruits, green or purplish green; lobes unequal, the fifth lobe much reduced, linear to lanceolate or elliptic, margins scarious, ciliate, apex narrowly acute. Corolla purplish white with white striations on lower lip, sparsely pubescent outside, glabrous inside except in the throat; tube cylindrical, 2–3.5 × 1.5– 3 mm, slightly enlarged in throat; upper lip erect, slightly hooded, ovate–elliptic, 3–5 × 3.25–4 mm, apex minutely 2-lobed; lower lip orbicular to obovate, 3.5–6 × 4–5.5 mm, apex 3-lobed, lobes imbricate, apex rounded. Stamens exserted; filaments 2.5–3 mm long, slightly bended at apex, white, basally villous; anther thecae superposed, sub-equal, ellipsoid, 0.5–0.8 mm long, purplish with yellow margins, upper theca smaller, muticous, dorsally hirsute, lower theca glabrous; appendage c. 0.6 mm long, apex acute, white. Ovary ellipsoid, 0.8–1.25 × 0.6 mm, pale green, densely hirsute; style slender, 3.5–5.5 mm long, whitish, hirsute in lower half; stigma slightly bilobed; nectariferous disc c. 0.5 mm high, pale yellow. Capsule oblong with a constriction near the middle, 3–5 × 1–1.75 mm, apex acute, pale brown, hirsute. Seeds 4, compressed, ovate to orbicular or oblong, 0.7–1.2 × 0.6–1 mm, brown; testa rugulose.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from August to February; fruiting from March to April.

Habitat: This is a common plant in grasslands, along forest margins and roadsides appearing after monsoon rains in August. It is also common on moist hill slopes and in rock crevices at low to high elevations between 56 and 2286 m.

Distribution: Tropical and subtropical Asia to Central China.

Specimens examined: INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district, Sikharam, on the way to Srisailam , 15.12.1967, K . N . Subramanian 3275 ( FRC); Visakhapatnam district, Araku valley, near Pakel river , 26.08.960, N . P . Balakrishnan 10870 ( CAL) . Goa, Baga jungle, 05.09.1963, John Cerian 88592; Platue on the way to Parvorim-Betim , 10.11.1963, Seshagiri Rao Rolla 92935 ( CAL) . Karnataka, Bengaluru district, Someshwara temple, 14.10.1962, R . S Raghavan 83226 ( CAL); Chikkaballapur district, Nandi hills, 17.09.1911, Rudho D. Anstead 108 ( MH); Chikmagaluru district , Bhababoodangiri , 2.11.2018, P . Soumya, Drisya & P . Sunojkumar 138505 ( CALI); Kodagu district, Galibeedu behind college, 21.09.1961, s.coll. 74454; Gali Kottur, 22.07.1979, S . B . Manohar & S . R . Ramesh 8469; Mercara, 20.09.1961, s.coll. 74437; Talakaveri, 26.10.1963, s.coll. 95123 ( CAL); Shimoga district , Agumbe Ghat , 24.10.1960, R . S . Raghavan 67908; Eduvani, Sagar–Jog road, 27.09.1978, K . R . Keshava murthy & K . P . Sreenath 2975 ( CAL) . Kerala, Alappuzha district, Pandavan para to Chengannur , 06.10.1992, Sunil C . N . 1291 ( CALI); Ernakulam district, Inchippara road, 11.10.19993, Jomy Augustine 12605 ( CALI); Kochi , Willingdon Island , 31.10.1972, Rao , T . A . 9623 ( CAL); Kodanad R . F ., 21.07.1970, E . Vajravelu 34987 ( MH); Idukki district, Anamudi , 19.11.1965, B . V . Shetty 26554( MH); Deviculam , 28.01.1964, K . M . Sebastine 18503 ( MH); Kulamavu, s.d. C . N . Mohanan & B . Ramanujan 71920 ( CAL); Ibid. , 17.09.1982, K . N . Subramanian 8730 ( FRC); Kumily , 23.08.1977, K . Vivekananthan 50502 ( CAL); Munnar , 22.10.2017, P . Soumya, Drisya & P . Sunojkumar 145337 ( CALI); Peermade, 04.04.1913, s.coll. 30; Periyar, Mangaladevi temple, 14.05.2018, P . Soumya, Dilsha, Manu & P . Sunojkumar 151820 ( CALI); Ibid., Mangaladevi temple, 10.10.1976, K . Vivekananthan 48647 ( CAL); Rajamala , 19.05.1997, S . D. Biju 36590 ( TBGT); Thekkady, 05.06.1995, Jomy Augustine 15410 ( CALI); Kannur district , Baveli, Begur R . F ., 22.06.1973, V . S . Ramachandran 62729; Ibid., Chandanthode , 09.11.1978, V . S . Ramachandran 58622; Ibid. , 11.08.1973, V . S . Ramachandran 63903 ( CAL); Ibid. , 12.08.1979, V . S . Ramachandran 63328; Parassinikadavu , 21.01.1982, R . Ansari 73947 ( MH); Ibid. , 21.09.1982, R . Ansari 73947 ( CAL); Payyannur , 05.10.1979, R . Ansari 64736; Iritty , 16.08.1979, V . S . Ramachandran 63963 ( CAL, MH); Taliparambu , 17.07.1981, R . Ansari 70094 ( CAL); Ibid. , 01.1906, C . A . Barber 7676; Thalassery court road, 17.11.1977, V . S . Ramachandran 52172 ( MH); Kasaragod district, Bekal , 21.07.1981, R . Ansari 70983 ( CAL); Mulleria , 12.10.1979, R . Ansari 64872 ( MH); Kottayam district, Neriyamangalam , 13.09.2019., P . Soumya & P . Sunojkumar 145373 ( CALI); Umaiya Malai , 18.11.1965, B . V . Shetty 26499 ( MH); Kozhikode district , Kannoth R . F ., 8.11.1978, V . S . Ramachandran 58298 ( MH); Malapuram district, Areekode , 24.02.1984, Philip Mathew 34444 ( CALI); C . U . campus, 19.11.2003, Swapna Thomas A 94609; Ibid. , 02.11.2003, Amrutha M . 93619; Ibid. , 05.12.2004, Sajeena L . R . 94532; Ibid. , 06.10.2016, P . Soumya & P . Sunojkumar 157541; Idimuzhikkil, s.d., P . Soumya & P . Sunojkumar 157536; Karimpuzha, 01.10.1982, Philip Mathew 25794; Ibid., 28.10.1983, Philip Mathew 34337; Nedumkayam, 07.11.1981, Philip Mathew 33221; Nilambur, 07.11.1980, Philip Mathew 29145; Thampumala, 13.11.1982, Philip Mathew 33584 ( CALI); Palakkad district , Kanjirapuzha submergible area, 26.10.1914, K . M . Sebastine 22313 ( MH); Malampuzha , 03.09.2018, P . Soumya, Sasi & P . Sunojkumar 138534 ( CALI); Mannarkkad, Thodukki , 26.10.2011, K . A . Anilkumar 4273 ( CMPR); Ibid. , 16.09.2012, K . A . Anilkumar 4359 ( CMPR); Ibid. , 10.10.2012, K . A . Anil Kumar 4605; Ibid., Chinnamala , 17.09.2012, K . A . Anil Kumar 4405; Ibid., Injikunnu , 29.09.2008, K . A . Anilkumar 3605 ( CMPR); Ibid., Meenvani , 11.10.2012, K . A . Anil Kumar 4837( CMPR); Nelliyampathy , 19.09.2013, K . M . Prabhukumar 07375; Ibid. , 19.09.2013, K . M . Prabhukumar 07378; Ibid. , 13.10.2013, K . M . Prabhukumar 07487; Ibid., Seethargunde , 03.11.2013, K . M . Prabhukumar 07612 ( CMPR); Silent valley , 24.09.1977, R . Ansari 51465 ( CAL); Ibid., Dam site, 04.12.1981, Sathish kumar 10208; Ibid., Chembotti, 09.03.1982, Sathish kumar 10502; Ibid., Cheriya Walakkad, 05.02.1982, Sathish kumar 10157 ( CALI); Pathanamthitta district , Ranni R . F ., 10.9.1918, N . Anilkumar 840 ( CAL); Ibid. , 24.10.2018, P . Soumya & P . Sunojkumar 145324 ( CALI); Thrissur district , Kundazhi R . F ., 05.09.1976, K . Ramamurthy 47630 ( CAL); Thiruvananthapuram district, Agasthyamala , 06.10.1973, J . Joseph 44590 ( MH); Ibid. , 13.11.1990, N . Mohanan, 10954 ( TBGT); Pongalapara , 24.08.1963, A . N . Henry 17139 ( MH); Ibid. , 7.02.1988, N . Mohanan, 9516 ( TBGT); Ibid. , 15.05.1988, N . Mohanan 9761 ( CALI, TBGT); Ibid. , 08.09.2018, P . Soumya, Resmi, Krishna, Anto & P . Sunojkumar 151826; Ibid. , 10.11.2018, P . Soumya, Shinoj & P . Sunojkumar 138575; Ibid. , 23.11.2018, P . Soumya, Manudev & P . Sunojkumar s.n. ( CALI); Ponmudi , 11.09.1968, K . M . Matthew 9210 ( RHT); Ibid. , 07.09.1985, Venkatasubramanian & K . R . Sasidharan 11241 ( FRC); Wayanad district, Alakuney , 03.07.1999, Ratheesh Narayanan M . K . 0172 ( CALI); Pookode , 11.10.1997, Bindhu K . B . 52335 ( CALI); Kurichyarmala , 15.08.2001, Ratheesh Narayanan M . K . 1349 ( CALI); Thariyode , 17.11.1999, Ratheesh Narayanan M . K . 1223 (CALI). Maharashtra, Nandurbar district, Toranmal village , 17.08.1965, R . D. Pataskar 105772; Pune district, Mulshi. 24.08.1956, G . S . Puri 6035; Ibid. , 24.08.1956, G . S . Puri 6063; Shivneri hill, 12.10.1962, M . Y . Ansari 83730 ( CAL); Satara district , Mahabaleswar, 10.091956, S . D. Mahajan 6867 ( CAL) . Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district , Akkamalai R . F ., 16.04.1963, J . Joseph 16171; Chinnathadagam , 22.08.1956, K . M . Sebastine 600 ( CAL); Kuridimalai , 16.11.1956, K . Subramanyam 1344; Maruthamalai , 10.12.1956, K . M . Sebastine 1698 ( CAL, MH); Velliangiri peak, 21.02.1932, Raju & Ratnavelu 216, 220 ( MH); Dindigul district, Kodaikanal , 15.03.1956, J . Pallithanam 1464; Ibid. , 06.08.1988, K . M . Matthew 53409; Levinge., s.d., K . M . Mtthew 454 ( RHT); Maharajamettu back side area, 15.08.1990, V . Lakshmanan 91163 ( MH); Marian shola, U . Palanis , 15.09.1911, C . E .C. Fischer 2995; s.loc., 13.12.1909, C . E .C. Fischer 2995 ( FRC); Vattaparai Village , 17.11.1990, V . Lakshmanan 94379; Vattaparai , 17.11.1990, V . Lakshmanan 94381 ( MH); ( MH); Nilgiris district, Coonoor , 19.01.1957, K . M . Sebastine 2061 ( MH); Ibid. , 04.04.1916, C . E .C. Fischer 3925 ( FRC); Hulikal Droog R . F ., 10.05.1957, K . M . Sebastine 3157; Kookalthorai , 12.05.1963, K . N . Subramanian 741 ( FRC); Kotagiri , 04.01.1957, K . Subramanyam 1890; Ibid., Longwood R . F ., 28.07.1971, E . Vajravelu 35133; Ibid., Yelagiri hills, s.d., M . B . Viswanathan 827; Ibid. , 12.02.1972, E . Vajravelu 39735; Naduvattam , 22.07.1960, K . Subramanyam 10534 ( MH); Ooty, Governor shola, 09.07.1970, J . L . Ellis 34564; Pykara falls 12.09.1930, V . Narayanaswami 80222; Ibid. , 26.10.2016, P . Soumya, Shinoj & P . Sunojkumar 157532 ( CALI); Namakkal district, Kolli hills, 05.02.1979, P . Perunnal & C . Manoharan 21496 ( RHT); Ibid. , 20.04.1971, A . Mohan 13203 ( CAL); Salem district, Yercaud, Marappalam , 30.06.1979, K . M . Matthew 23407; Ibid., Kakashola , 12.05.1978, V . Alphonse Amalraj 13676; Ibid., Kongampallam , 12.12.1976, D. I . Arockiasamy 9998 ( RHT); Ibid., Shevaroys temple, 24.11.1976, K . M . Matthew & D. I . Arockiasamy 5014; Tiruchirappalli district, Sengattupatti , 26.07.1970, K . M . Matthew 11597 ( RHT); Tirunelveli district, Anakatty , 03.09.2018, P . Soumya, S . Resmi & P . Sunojkumar 157545 ( CALI); Upper Kodayar , 23.09.1975, K . M . Matthew 14924 ( RHT); Ibid., s.d., P . Soumya, Shinoj & P . Sunojkumar 145329 ( CALI); s.loc., s.d., Herb. Wight. Propr. 2673 ( CAL) .

Conservation status: Given its extensive distribution across all states, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC).

Notes: Justicia simplex , J. japonica , J.mollissima , J.notha , J. latispica , and J. pathanamthittiensis are distinct species in different taxonomic works.However, some authors (Malik & Ghafoor, 1988; Chang et al., 2014; Deng, 2020), have largely considered some of these names as synonyms. (e. g., J. japonica is regarded as a synonym of J. procumbens ). In the present study, the first author collected different variants of J. japonica and J. procumbens from Peninsular India and realized that all the collected specimens represented the same taxon. This complex exhibits great variability in leaf shape, inflorescence length, bract shape and hairiness. These characters vary within populations, even within the same individuals. Leaves show notable variations in shape and may be sessile or petiolate, with petiole length ranging from 0.3–2 cm; inflorescence size range from 0.5–7 cm length, and bract shape (from 4–5.5 mm). The hairiness of the plants depends on the altitude, where plants in plains having less pubescence whereas those at high altitudes show dense pubescence. Thus, in the present study, we treat J. japonica and related taxa as synonyms under J. procumbens .

The first author collected small herbaceous, highly hirsute forms of this species with short internodes, orbicular to ovate leaves and short inflorescences from a few districts of Kerala. Similar specimens were treated as Justicia nagpurensis in certain herbaria. Apart from these overlapping variations in the vegetative characters, no differences in the floral characters are noticed either in the protologue or on the living specimens. Hence, we treat J. nagpurensis as a new synonym.

Similarly, Clarke (1885) described Justicia notha C.B.Clarke based on Wight’s specimen ( Rostellularia simplex Wight ) without mentioning any collection details. In the protologue, Clarke mentioned it may be a Malayan species characterized by sessile oblong leaves, with white setulose hairs, and bracts elliptic with linear to oblong calyx lobes. All these characters completely overlap with the characters of this complex. In POWO (2023), J. notha is considered as a synonym of Rostellularia simplex Wight. In the present work, J. notha is treated as new synonym of J. procumbens .

Remadevi and Binojkumar (2008) described Justicia pathanamthittiensis by considering characteristics like stem branched from base, leaves linear to elliptic, and bracts obovate with obtuse apex as unique. A critical examination of specimens in the present study revealed that the characteristics fall within the circumscription of J. procumbens and hence it is reduced to synonymy thereof.

Typification: Justicia japonica Thunberg (1784) was originally published in Murray’s Systema Vegetabilium reference to Thunberg’s manuscript without the details of specimens. In the Flora Japonica, Thunberg provided more information on the localities as “Papenberg, Kofido and near Nagasaki ”. According to Stafleu and Cowan (1986), Thunberg’s major collections were deposited at UPS, and from 1785 onwards he provided his entire herbarium collections to Uppsala University. Duplicates are also available at various herbaria. After an exhaustive search, we traced three sheets of J. japonica collected from Japan, one each at UPS, L and LD. Among them, the sheets kept at UPS (V-000386) and LD (LD1742545) were collected by C.P. Thunberg and the remaining one at L (L3704894) does not contain details of the collector, but it may also be considered as original material, according to Art. 9.4 ( Turland et al., 2018). Since Thunberg donated his major collections to UPS and the sheet at UPS bears annotation of Thunberg’s herbarium, we select UPS-THUNB 386 (V-000386) as lectotype according to ICN Art. 9.3 ( Turland et al., 2018). This sheet also matches the description provided in the protologue.

Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees var. serpyllifolia Benth. was originally described by Bentham on an exsiccatedspecimenofHohenackerwiththecollection number 571 from Plantae Indiae Orientalis. Clarke (1885) transferred this to Justicia as Justicia simplex var. serpyllifolia (Benth.) C.B.Clarke. Subsequently, Gamble (1921) elevated this variety to species rank as Justicia serpyllifolia . However, Gamble’s name is a later homonym of Justicia serpyllifolia Vahl (1804) and hence illegitimate. To address this later homonym, Graham (1988) provided a new name ( Justicia nagpurensis V.A.W.Graham , citing the type as: India, Hohenacker 571 [holotype K]). It is essential to note that a name validated on an exsiccate specimen label does not have a holotype; all such specimens are considered syntypes. Therefore, Graham’s holotype citation is invalid. According to Stafleu and Cowan (1979), Hohenacker, a botanist and collector, issued his exsiccatae containing plants collected by himself and others to different herbaria from 1843 onwards. While searching for Hohenacker’s specimen in various herbaria, seven sheets with Hohenacker’s annotation were traced: two sheets at K (K000884085, K000884083) and one at C (C10005004), HAL (HAL0113964), LECB (LECB0001817), M (M0186434), TUB (TUB009942). All of them can be considered original materials according to Art. 9.4 of ICN ( Turland et al. 2018). Among them, six sheets (K000884085, C10005004, HAL0113964, LECB0001817, M0186434, TUB009942) represent single taxa Rostellularia procumbens var. serpyllifolia while the one specimen at K (K000884083) is a mixture with two other specimens bearing different barcodes. But this sheet belongs to Herbarium Benthamianum and is the only possible specimen consulted by Bentham when describing this variety. Since Bentham ascribed this varietal name, we selected the Kew material (K000884083) as the lectotype in accordance with Art. 9.3 & 9.12 of ICN ( Turland et al., 2018).

Figures

Fig. 17. Justicia procumbens L. a. Habit; b. Inflorescence; c. Flower; d. Flower bud; e. Bract; f. Bracteoles–adaxial (left) and abaxial side (right);g. Calyx;h. Calyx–opened;i. Corolla–opened;j. Upper lip;k. Lower lip;l. Stamens;m. Gynoecium with nectariferous disc;n. Capsule; o. Seeds (from P. Soumya & P.Sunojkumar 151820; photos by P. Soumya).

Fig. 18. Justicia procumbens L. a-e: Variations in Habit and Leaf

Fig. 19. Distribution of Justicia procumbens L. in Peninsular India.Drawn using R (R Core Team,2023).