Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. var. nepalensis, Exot. Fl.

P., Prashob & Thomas, Sibichen M., 2019, The genus Osbeckia (Melastomataceae) in India, Rheedea 29 (4), pp. 236-305 : 260-262

Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. var. nepalensis, Exot. Fl. 1(2): t. 31. 1822. Fig. 10

Flowering & fruiting: June–December.

Chromosome number: n = 19 ( Favarger, 1962), n = 20 ( Mehra & Khosla, 1969).

Habitat: Common in open grasslands of higher altitudes (500–1500 m) and in swampy areas of evergreen forests.

Distribution: Bhutan, China, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, West Bengal and Sikkim), Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, North Vietnam and Thailand.

Specimens examined: INDIA, Arunachal Pradesh East Siang district, Pasighat, Pangin, 12.07.2015, Prashob & Hareesh 6121 (DEV); Lohit district, 28.09.1969, A.S. Rao 48174 (CAL); Subansiri district, Kameng F.D., Kalaktang, 14.01.1958, G. Panigrahi 15515 (CAL); Nyapin, 21.11.1964, A.R.K. Sastry 40837 (ASSAM); Pagba, 11.17.1974, C.L. Malhotra 55927 (ASSAM); Tirap district, Bimalpur, 07.09.1958, G. Panigrahi 17044 (ASSAM); West Kameng district, Kalaktang, 14.11.1973, P.K. Hajra 54112 (ASSAM); Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, Tippi, 01.07.2015, Prashob & Sibichen 6118 (DEV). Assam, Darrang district, Bornadi W.L.S., 19.03.2012, N. Sarma 124700 (ASSAM); Goalpara district, Goalpara, 08.09.1937, G.K. Deka 17057 (ASSAM); Kachugaon, 02.1947, M.M. Srinivasan 21937 (ASSAM); Ultapani, 27.12.1975, B.N.M. & party 5583 (ASSAM); Kamrup district, Digboi gorhat, 11.07.1959, G. Panigrahi 19002 (ASSAM, CAL); Ghagrachuk, 18.06.1964, A.S. Rao 38964 (ASSAM); Ghagrachuk forest, 18.07.1964, A.S. Rao 38946 (CAL); Kimini river, 23.11.1957, G. Panigrahi 11476 (ASSAM, CAL); Kokrajhar district, Chakrasila W.L.S., 04.11.2006, Ranjit Daimary 111929 (ASSAM); Newgong district, Belsiri river, 22.07.1958, G. Panigrahi 14219 (CAL); Dhoka R.F., 25.08.1964, N.P. Balakrishnan 39424 (ASSAM, CAL); Kohora, 22.09.1957, R.S. Rao 9779 (CAL); Upper Dikking river, 08.07.1957, G. Panigrahi 18746 (ASSAM, CAL). Manipur, Kangpokpi district, Laimakhong, 31.08.1952, D.B. Deb 594 (CAL); Lakhama, 03.1906, A. Meebold 5604 (CAL). Meghalaya, East Khasia hills district, Barapani road, 11.09.1970, A.S. Rao 38634 (CAL); Barapani, 13.10.1954, G.K. Deka 11425 (ASSAM); Cherrapunji, 21.12.1956, G. Panigrahi 4959 (CAL); East Khasi hills, Pommora, 07.09.2011, Santhosh Nampy 4725 (DEV). Karhan, 05.10.1948, S.K. Mukherjee 3617 (CAL); Ibid., 08.1880, C.E.C. Fischer 172171 (CAL); Khasia, 12.1887, H. Collett 172173, 172171 (CAL); Khasia-Bhilasa, 06.08.1886, C.B. Clarke 172175 (CAL); Khasia & Jaintia Hills, 25.08.1956, G. Panigrahi 3003 (CAL); Ibid; 25.08.1918, H.H. Haines 172210 (CAL); Ibid., 25.08.1956, R.S. Rao 3003 (ASSAM, CAL); Ibid; 21.12.1956, G. Panigrahi 4959 (ASSAM); Ibid; 09.10.1930, S. Sharma 2565 (ASSAM); Ibid., 23.01.1931, S. Sharma 9002 (ASSAM); Lockhart hills, 1905, Abu Hassan 167 (CAL); Makum, 21.11.1911, I.H. Burkill 35744 (CAL); Pynursla, 12.09.2015, Prashob & Sibichen 6131, 6132 (DEV); Tipperah, Champamoora hills, 23.10.1915, P.M. Debbarman 172212 (CAL); Jaintia hills district, Jowai, 18.11.1969, N.P Balakrishnan 49990 (ASSAM); Jarain pitcher plant garden, 19.09.2015, Prashob & Sibichen 6144 (DEV); Jowai to Jarain, 16.08.1968, N.P. Balakrishnan 42961 (ASSAM); Nongtalang village, 19.09.2015, Prashob & Sibichen 6147 (DEV); Garo hills district, Garo hills, 01.1903, J. Marten 172193 (CAL); Napak area, 19.09.1975, M.K.V. Rao 64181 (ASSAM); Raling, 21.08.1968, N.P. Balakrishnan 46892 (ASSAM); Ibid., s.d.,T.D. Srinivasan 246 (CAL); Songsak R.F., 29.11.2006, R. Shanprne 113114 (ASSAM); Ri-Bhoi district, Nongpoh, 07.1949, B.B. Sagma 22779 (ASSAM). Nagaland, Kohima district, Dzulake valley, Naga hills, 09.1935, N.L. Bor 6161(DD); Naga hills, 09.1886, Prain 172189 (CAL); Ibid., 09.1939, N.L. Bor 90571 (DD); Ibid., 07.1944, N.L. Bor 21001 (ASSAM); Ibid., 11.1979, R.R. Fernandes 008 (DD);. Sikkim, East Sikkim district, Baluwa khani khola, 04.08.1980, P.K Hajra 271 (CAL, BSHC); Chumbi valley, 12.1904, G.L. Searight 0096 (CAL); Dikchu, 08.09.1997, B.K. Singh 19603 (BSHC); East Sikkim, 1862, T. Anderson 172198 (CAL); Ibid., 06.10.1875, C.B. Clarke 6073 (CAL); Ibid, 11.1900, Prain’s collector 58 (CAL);; Ibid., 08.1903, Prain’s collector 169 (CAL); Faramsa, 08.10.1986, S. Singh 4500 (BSHC); Gangtok, 06.08.1981, B. Krishna 1659 (BSHC); Gangtok, Lower Sinchey, 09.09.1981, B. Krishna 1696 (BSHC); Kalpana Nag, 01.17.1876, G. King 187 (CAL); Rung Beliver Valley, 22.09.1908, W.W. Smith 61 (CAL); Ruspo, 14.11.1998, S.S. Dash 20961 (BSHC); Saramsa, 23.08.1980, P.K. Hajra 598 (BSHC); Tarku, 21.09.1968, N.C. Majumdar & R.N. Banerji 583 (CAL);Taring to Dikchu, 07.09.1989, N.R. Mandal 11336 (BSHC). North Sikkim district, Dzangu, 24.11.1995, Sujit Kumar Janna 17955 (BSHC); Lingza, 14.09.1986, B. Mitra 6868 (BSHC); Nampik, 12.09.2000, D. Maity 23124 (BSHC); Rangrang bridge, Mangan-Rangrang Bridge, 25.08.2002, S.K. Rai 20586 (BSHC); Ibid., 17.09.2016, Prashob, Sibichen & Anilkumar 6616 (DEV); Ibid., 09.09.1968, N.C. Majumdar & R.N. Baner 341 (CAL); Singhik, 21.10.1984, B. Krishna 3237 (BSHC); Tingbong, 14.08.1989, N.R. Mandal 10163 (BSHC); South Sikkim district, Kewzing, 18.08.1985, A.K. Verma 4231 (BSHC); Sakyong to Pentong, 16.09.1986, A.K. Verma 7070 (BSHC); Sulphuk, 13.12.1985, A.K. Verma 4948 (BSHC); West Sikkim district, Dentam, 29.08.1997, P. Singh 16338 (BSHC); Dantam to Pelling, 13.09.2016, Prashob, Sibichen & Anilkumar 6604 (DEV). West Bengal, Darjeeling district, Darjeeling, 06.1880, J.S. Gamble 749 (DD); Ibid., 09.1880, J.S. Gamble 172187 (CAL); below Mangpoo, 20.02.1914, s.coll. 40646 (CAL); between Sukia & Siliguri, 07.1957, N.L.H. Krauss 323 (CAL); Jalpaiguri district, Kathambari, New Jalpaiguri, 25.04.1962, S.K. Mukarji 5550 (CAL); Kalimpong district, Kalimpong, 11.1879, J.S. Gamble 4000 (DD); Missiva compound, 10. 1913, H.J.C. Kinghoran 172177 (CAL); Nemati, 18.11.1999, G.S. Giri 20486 (CAL); New Jalpaiguri, 26.08.1912, N.C. Banargi 4048 (DD); Rajavathkhawa forest, 05.09.1981, B. Safui & Party 10359 (CAL); s.loc. 08.12.1995, S. Chandra & S.K Mandal 1080 (CAL).

Notes: Osbeckia nepalensis can be recognized easily by its large sessile leaves with cordate or subcordate base and the large scale-like intersepalar emergences on the hypanthium with a tuft of bristles. It closely resembles O. wynaadensis , but can be distinguished by the characteristic cordate or subcordate leaf base, as opposed to obtuse leaf base in the latter. Moreover, both are allopatric in distribution.

Figures

Fig. 10. OSbeCkia NepaleNSiS HOOk.VaR. NepaleNSiS: aa.. Habit;b. FlOweR; C.HypaNthiUM; d. BRaCt;e. CalyX lObe; F.INteRSepalaR eMeRgeNCe; g. CalyX lObeS & iNteRSepalaR eMeRgeNCeS; hh.. StaMeNS; ii i. SeedS.