Osbeckia stellata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don var. crinita (Benth. ex Naudin) C.Hansen, Ginkgoana

P., Prashob & Thomas, Sibichen M., 2019, The genus Osbeckia (Melastomataceae) in India, Rheedea 29 (4), pp. 236-305 : 288-292

Osbeckia stellata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don var. crinita (Benth. ex Naudin) C.Hansen, Ginkgoana 4: 31. 1977. O. crinita Benth. ex Naudin, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. , ser. 3, 14: 72. 1850; C.B. Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 517. 1879; Kanjilal et al., Fl. Assam. 2: 292. 1983; N.P.Balakr., Fl. Jowai & Vicinity 206. 141. 1983. Lectotype. (designated by Hansen, 1977): INDIA, Assam, s.d., M. Walker s.n. (P02441145 image!).

O. cinerea Cogn. in A.DC. & C.DC., Monogr. Phan. 7: 1177. 1891. Type: BANGLADESH, Sylhet, 1887, M. Balansa 4055 (holo P02441151 digital image!).

O. paludosa Craib, Bull. Misc. Inform., Kew. 262. 1916. Type: THAILAND, Siam , Chiengmai, 330 m, 21.10.12, A.F.G. Kerr 2740 (holo K000867937 digital image!).

O. garrettii Craib, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew. 262. 1916. Type: THAILAND, Doi Kar Intanon , 180 40’ N, 980 30’S, 1050 m, 16.09.1910, H.B.G. Garrett 51 (holo K000867935 digital image!).

O. robusta Craib , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 10: 54. 1917. Type: CHINA, Yunnan, s.d., Forrest 8561 (holo E00225554 digital image!).

O. mairei Craib , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 10: 54. 1917. Type: CHINA, Yunnan, 690 m, s.d., E.E. Maire s.n. (holo E00225556 digital image!).

O. septemnervia Buch.-Ham. ex Craib , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 10: 55. 1917. Type: INDIA, Assam, Goalpara, s.d., Hamilton 916 (holo E00225749 digital image!).

O. yunnanensis Franch. ex Craib , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 10: 57. 1917. Type: CHINA, Yunnan, 2500 m, 26.09.1884, Delavay 191 (holo P02441147 digital image!).

O. sikkimensis Craib , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 10: 56. 1917. Type: INDIA, Sikkim, Yoksom , 10.10.1875, C.B. Clarke 25207B (holo E00225751 digital image!).

O. wattii Craib , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 10: 57. 1917. Type: INDIA, Nagaland, Naga hills, 05.1882, Watt 7280 (holo K000890023 digital image!).

O. pulchra E.T.Geddes, Bull. Misc. Inform., Kew 1930 (4): 171. 1930. Type: THAILAND, (Doi Sootep), 1600 m, 24.11.1912, Kerr s.n., (holo ABD!).

O. pulchra var. rubra Craib, Fl. Siam. Enum. 1: 677. 1931. Type: THAILAND, Siam , Doi Sootep, 1200 m, 17.11.1922, Kerr s.n. (holo BM000944334 digital image!).

Melastoma crinitum Roxb., Fl. Ind. , ed. 2, 2: 402. 1832, non Vahl, 1807. Type: INDIA, s.loc., 05.1811, Roxburgh 347 (holo BM000944403 digital image!).

M. crinitum Vahl, Eclog. Amer. 3: 28. 1807. Type: Not seen.

M. crinitum Naudin, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. ser. 3, 13: 280. 1850. Type: Not seen.

M. mairei H.Lév., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni. Veg. 11: 300. 1912.

O. crinita Benth. in Wall., Numer. List 143, no. 4066. 1831, nom. nud.

O. septemnervia Buch.-Ham. in Wall., Numer. List. 4062 B. 1831, nom. nud. Fig. 22

Erect, perennial shrubs, 0.50–2 m tall. Stems branched, young branches quadrangular, with patent, slightly reflexed brown hairs. Petioles 4–8 mm long; lamina ovate to broadly ovate, 4–13 × 2–4 cm, 5-nerved, green, apex acute to attenuate, base acute to rounded, both sides densely clothed with patent hairs. Cymes terminal, 6–12-flowered; bracts ovate to broadly ovate, 4–8 mm long, ciliate, with few to many appressed hairs dorsally. Flowers tetramerous; pedicels 0.5–3 mm long. Hypanthium urceolate, 7–12 × 2.5–6 mm, covered with emergences, bristles and patent or appressed hairs; intersepalar emergences 4–7 mm long, with a terete stalk bearing a few to many patent hairs and terminating in a stellate head, caducous; other emergences differ from intersepalar emergences, smaller. Sepals 4, narrowly triangular, 7–13 × 1.5– 3 mm long, ciliate with a few to many patent hairs dorsally, caducous. Petals 4, obovate to broadly obovate, 13–18 × 10–15 mm long, glabrous, margins ciliate, pale pink to purple. Stamens 8; filaments 7–14 mm long; anthers ‘S’ shaped, 11– 15 mm long, yellow, narrowly ovate, with long beak; pore oblique on ventral side; connective prolonged into a slightly undulating collar with large dorsal lobe. Ovary united with hypanthium for about two thirds of its length, anther pockets extending to the base of the ovary; free part sometimes glabrous, but more often thinly clothed with short appressed hairs; style 15–25 mm long, glabrous. Capsules urceolate, 7–11 × 2–6 mm, neck often widening towards rim, densely hairy below, more or less glabrous above; hypanthium exceeds ovary and crown; seeds numerous, 0.1–0.2 mm long, minute, curved.

Flowering & fruiting: July–January.

Chromosome number: n =10 ( Meenakumari & Kuriachan, 1990)

Habitat: In evergreen forests at an elevation above 500 m is association with O. stellata var. stellata and O. capitata .

Distribution: Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal) and Nepal.

Specimens examined: INDIA, Arunachal Pradesh, Lohith district, Chowkham, 24.11.1969, J. Joseph 48314 (ASSAM); Nansai township, 09.09.1969, A.S. Rao 47716 (CAL, ASSAM); Paya nava, 17.11.1957, R.S. Rao 10674 (ASSAM); Lower Subansiri district, Khorbar, 28.09.1959, G. Panigrahi 19732 (ASSAM); Subansiri, 14.11.1946, A.R.K. Sastry 40609 (ASSAM); Tirap district, Deomali, West of Khonsa, 21.06.1961, F.B. Dub 25886 (ASSAM); West Siang district, Dirang, 17.09.1964, J. Joseph 40058 (ASSAM); Kiak, 25.11.1958, R.S. Rao 18022 (ASSAM); Klaktang, 08.08.1973, P.K. Hajra 54019 (ASSAM); Ibid., 14.10.1973, P.K. Hajra 54113 (ASSAM); Lumla, 24.08.1976, P.K. Hajra 68481 (ASSAM); Sepa, 29.10.1970, A.S. Rao 49425 (ASSAM). Assam, Dima Hasao district, Garodong Bhutan border, 18.09.2010, C. Deori & D.K. Ray 119022 (ASSAM); Doboka, 28.06.1963, D.B. Deb 35403, 35404 (ASSAM); East Karbi Anglong district, Phulai, 26.06.1963, D.B. Deb 35378 (ASSAM); Ibid., 17.09.2010, C. Deori & D.K. Ray 119122 (ASSAM); Golaghat district, Kaziranga N.P., 14.08.1975, P.K. Hajra 52887 (ASSAM); Jorhat district, Borbheta, Phutuka, 11.03.1959, S.N. Bora 33643 (ASSAM); Khatangpani R.F, 09.07.1959, G. Panigrahi 18905 (CAL); Makum, 21.11.1911, I.H. Burkill 35746 (CAL); Orang Barseola Bank of Bihari River, 22.07.1958, G. Panigrahi, 14220 (CAL, ASSAM); Kamrup district, 24.10.1935, G.K. Deka 12848 (ASSAM); Lakhimpur district, near NEFA I.B., 12.05.1966, D.M. Verma 41724 (ASSAM); Nagaon district, Sonaibuchi R.F., 20.08.1964, N.P. Balakrishnan 39300 (ASSAM). Manipur, Imphal district, Chingmairong, 01.08.1952, D.B. Deb 777 (CAL); Ibid., 27.10.1952, D.B. Deb 546 (CAL); Pipihma, 02.1906, Meebold 5605 (CAL); Myanglihing, 20.05.1882, George Watt 7157 (CAL); Senapati district, Chingmei Hills, 22.12.1976, Barin Gherh 11602 (CAL). Meghalaya, Changlang, Khela, 19.08.1958, G. Panigrahi 14415 (CAL, ASSAM); Cherrapunji, 18.10.1932, H.K. Nandi s.n. (CAL); Ibid., 27.09.1955, G. Panigrahi 3488 (CAL, ASSAM); Ibid., 31.10.1972, R.S. Rao 47279 (CAL); East Khasi hills district, Barapani, 11.09.1970, B.K. Sinha 112013 (ASSAM); Jowai district, Jowai, 26.05.1956, R.S. Rao 2571 (CAL, ASSAM); Khasi hills, Old Barapani Road, 11.09.1970, A.S. Rao 38637 (CAL); Jaintia Hills district, Raliang to Garampani, 22.08.1968, N.P. Balakrishnan 46986 (ASSAM); Khasia & Jaintia Hills, Shillong, 26.10.1915, Upendranath Kanjilal 6134 (ASSAM); Ibid., 26.05.1956, R.S. Rao 2571 (CAL); Laithkor, 28.06.2014, Prashob & Sibichen 6113 (DEV); Ibid., 11.09.2015, Prashob & Sibichen 6123 (DEV); Mahadavkala, 21.11.1962, S. Choudary 25157 (CAL); Mawphlang, Law-Hyngowh, 20.11.1972, P.K. Hajra 51922 (CAL, ASSAM); Mawphlang Sacred forest, 09.09.1972, P.K. Hajra 51948 (CAL, ASSAM); Ibid., 17.09.2015, Prashob & Sibichen 6139 (DEV); Mawsynram, 25.02.1960, G. Panigrahi 21264 (ASSAM); Pynursula, 04.12.1943, N.L. Bor 18079 (DD); Sohra, 27.06.2014, Prashob & Sibichen 6106 (DEV); Ibid., 20.09.1939, S.R. Sharma 9411 (ASSAM); Shillong, 25.05.1911, I.H. Burkill & S.C. Banerjee s.n. (CAL); Ibid., 26.05.1911, I.H. Burkill & S.C. Banerjee 28 (CAL); Ibid., 22.06.1913, Upendranath Kanjilal 2218 (ASSAM); Ibid., 12.09.1913, Upendranath Kanjilal 2628 (ASSAM); Ibid., 23.09.1913, Upendranath Kanjilal 2618 (ASSAM); Ibid., 29.09.1915, H.G. Carter 41409 (CAL); Ibid., 12.10.1931, S.R. Sharma 9547 (ASSAM); Ibid., 25.10.1938, K. Biswas 3730 (CAL); Ibid., 02.10.1945, N.L. Bor 18436 (DD); Ibid., 02.10.1945, N.L. Bor 18445 (DD); Ibid., 25.11.1949, B.B. Syam 22908 (ASSAM); Ibid., 26.11.1952, S. Choudary 25263 (CAL, ASSAM); Ibid., 30.08.1956, G. Panigrahi 3199 (CAL, ASSAM); Ibid., 20.06.1958, G. Panigrahi 16497 (ASSAM); Ibid., 02.09.1960, G.K. Deka 21761 (ASSAM); Ibid., 13.09.1960, G.K. Deka 21762 (ASSAM); Ibid., 09.08.1962, G.K. Deka 17090 (ASSAM); Ibid., 25.09.1962, S.L. Kapoor 73449 (CAL); Ibid., Ibid., 26.11.1962, S. Choudhary, 25227, (CAL, ASSAM); 10.12.1962, R.M. Dutta 25436 (ASSAM); Ibid., 12.12.1962, S.K. Kotari 27944 (ASSAM); Ibid., Behind Bishop falls, 24.12.1962, R.M. Datta 25533 (ASSAM); Ibid., 24.12.1962, S. Choudary 25234 (CAL); Ibid., 24.12.1962, R.D. Ulla 25534 (CAL); Ibid., 28.12.1962, S.K. Kotari 29613 (ASSAM); Ibid., s.n., R.S. Rao 1693 (CAL, ASSAM); Shillong, Mulki village, 19.11.1962, S.K. Kar 29486 (ASSAM); Shillong peak forest, 26.10.1960, D.C.S. Raju 22015 (ASSAM); Ukhral, 28.07.1948, S.K. Mukerjee 3245 (CAL); Ibid., 22.09.1948, S.K. Mukerjee 3528 (CAL); Upper Shillong, 29.09.1915, H.G. Carter 41409 (CAL); Woodland, Shillong, 26.11.1962, s.coll. 25234 (CAL, ASSAM); Ibid., 10.09.1965, R.V. Kammathy 001 (CAL); Ummulong, 16.08.1968, N.P. Balakrishnan 42990 (ASSAM); Ri-Bhoi district, Nongpoh 23.09.1935, S.R. Sharma 12397 (ASSAM); Ibid., 23.07.1938, S.R. Sharma 17951(ASSAM); Ibid., 24.08.1938, S.R. Sharma 18167(ASSAM); G. Panigrahi 4348 (ASSAM); Ibid., 30.07.1964, J. Joseph 37475 (ASSAM); West Khasi Hills district, Nongstom, 01.04.1962, G.V. Subba Rao 28470 (ASSAM). Mizoram, Aizawl district, Buia Hmun Tlang, 11.11.1999, A.A. Mao 107153 (ASSAM); Dampa Tiger reserve, Teirei, 21.09.2006, B.K. Sinha & N. Odyuo 112738 (ASSAM); Dampa Tiger reserve, Way to Chhautpier top, 28.05.2005, N. Odyuo 109747 (ASSAM); Lawngtlai district, Kawlkhul, 04.10.1989, K.P. Singh 94334 (ASSAM); Kolasib, Bhairawi road, 31.05.1988, K.P. Singh 93191 (ASSAM); Ibid., 16.10.1989, K.P. Singh 92861 (ASSAM); Mizo hills, 12.07.1963, Thalthlone, R.M. Dutta 33925 (ASSAM); Ibid., Vawmbuk, 12.07.1963, R. Dutta 33929 (ASSAM); Zote, 10.10.1989, K.P. Singh 94574 (ASSAM); s.loc, 29.04.1998, S.L. Abbar 102615 (ASSAM). Nagaland, Kohima district, Jasma, 12.1955, B.F.O. s.n. (ASSAM); Lower Japfu hill, 05.09.2003, A.A. Mao & R. Gogoi 112504 (ASSAM); Naga hills, 06.1935, N.L. Bor 21002, 21000, 21009 (ASSAM); Ibid., 12.1935, N.L. Bor 6213 (DD); Ibid., 06.1936, N.L. Bor 10557 (ASSAM); Ibid., Lzulake valley, 09.1939, N.L. Bor 90574 (ASSAM); Ibid., 25.11.1942, N.L. Bor 17284 (ASSAM); Ibid., 30.11.1986, R.C. Gauri 773 (DD). Sikkim, East Sikkim district, North East of Gangtok, 08.11.1960, K. Jhothathri 9475 (CAL); Gangtok, 26.08.1980, P.K. Hajra 865 (BSHC); Takchi, 18.07.1985, D.C.S. Raju 7727 (BSHC); Takchi, Luing, 16.07.1998, S.K. Rai 23404 (BSHC); Tashi view point, Gangtok, 26.08.1980, P.K. Hajra 866 (CAL); North Sikkim district, s.loc., 09.1879, J.S. Gamble s.n. (DD); North Sikkim, 11.1879, J.S. Gamble s.n. (DD); South Sikkim district, s.loc., 18.09, S. Kurz 171902 (CAL). Rabongla, 23.08.1986, A.K. Verma 12701 (BSHC); South Sikkim, s.d., S. Kurz s.n. (DD); West Sikkim district, Damthang- Rawangla, 08.1991, R. Gopalan 97559 (BSHC); Karchi researve forest, 15.12.1994, G.P. Sinha & S. Pradhan 10862 (BSHC); Ribdi, 07.09.1995, R. Nath & S.K. Jana 31548 (BSHC); Rengu temple, J.D. Hooker 1867 (CAL); Sikkim, s.loc., 14.08.1870, C.B. Clarke s.n. (CAL); Ibid., s.d., R.S. Rao 31 9 (CAL). West Bengal, Darjeeling district, Birchi hills, Darjeeling, 12.11.1944, M.B. Raizada 18939(DD); Ibid., 22.11.1962, J.K. Maheshwari 5018 (CAL); Chungtang, 26.04.1965, H. Santapau & S.K. Mukerjee 107 (CAL); Darjeeling, 09.1879, J.S. Gamble 7068 (DD); Ibid., 09.1880, J.S. Gamble 8361 (DD); Ibid., 01.10.1902, J.H. Lacek 2382 (CAL); Ibid., 01.10.1902, J.H. Lace 2382 (DD); Ibid., 22.09.1962, B. Sahni 1802 (CAL); Ghoong, 07.1996, Sanjoy Ghara 006 (CAL); Jorbangla, 16.04.1961, s.coll. 111 (CAL); Singalila National park, Meghma, 15.09.2002, A.K. Ghosh 30621 (CAL).

Notes: Osbeckia stellata var. crinita differs from var. stellata and var. hispidissima by its patent hairy stem, shape, colour and size of the hypanthium. The first available name for the taxon was Melastoma crinitum Roxb. (1832) . However, it is illegitimate being a later homonym of M. crinitum Vahl. (1807) . Prior to the publication of Roxburgh, Wallich (1831) included O. crinita Benth. in his catalogue. However, Wallich’s name is not valid as it is not accompanied by a description, diagnosis, or a reference to a published diagnosis. Later Naudin (1850) described the taxon as O. crinita Naudin , instead of O. crinita Benth. ex Naudin. ,without mentioning Bentham. Being a variety of O. stellata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don. and the first legitimate specific epithet in the genus Osbeckia , i.e. crinita Benth. ex Naudin , the correct name becomes O. stellata var. crinita (Benth. ex Naudin) C. Hansen.

Figures

Fig.22.OSbeCkia Stellata BUCh.-HaM.eX D.DON VaR. CRiNita (BeNth. eX NaUdiN) C. HaNSeN: a & b Habit; C. INFlOReSCeNCe; d. BRaCt; ee.. HypaNthiUM; F F. CalyX lObe; gg.. INteRSepalaR eMeRgeNCe; hh.. StaMeNS; iii. SeedS.