Elaeocarpus hedyosmus subsp. grandidomatiatus N. Silva, S. Dasanayake, D. Yakandawala and K. Yakandawala, 2025

Silva, Nilanka, Dasanayaka, Shamila, Yakandawala, Deepthi & Yakandawala, Kapila, 2025, Taxonomic resolution of the Elaeocarpus hedyosmus Zmarzty (Elaeocarpaceae) species complex in Sri Lanka using an integrative approach, Phytotaxa 706 (2), pp. 101-128 : 112-117

Elaeocarpus hedyosmus subsp. grandidomatiatus N. Silva, S. Dasanayake, D. Yakandawala and K. Yakandawala subsp. nov. ( Figs. 10 & 11 )

Type: — SRI LANKA, Central Province, Kandy District, Knuckles Mountain Range, Road from Loolwatte, Corbet’s Gap to Rangala 1355 m a.s.l., 12 January 2020, N. Silva, D. Yakandawala & K. Yakandawala CO 10 (holotype PDA: barcode PDA 00120333!, isotypes PDA: barcode PDA 00120334!, K!).

Leaves coriaceous, elliptic, apex obtuse, petiole apex with a pair or pegs or teeth, domatia pink-red, very prominent, distributed along the lower quarter of the mid rib. Flower bud ovoid with obtuse apex. Petals broadly obovate, with 30–35 apical divisions. Seed spherical stone with blunt projections.

Other specimens examined (paratypes):— SRI LANKA. Central Province Nuwaraeliya Mahakudugala FR Halgrenoya Range, 26 September1994, AHM Jayasuriya144D/8342 ( PDA:barcode PDA 00118125!). Central Province, Kandy District, Knuckles conservation area, Thangappuwa. 1300m a.s.l. 16 February 1995, AHM Jayasuriya 8670 ( PDA: barcode PDA 00118115!). Central Province, Matale District Forest patch near mile 26, Matale-Illukkumbura road, 3 July 1974, Sumithraarachchi 405 ( PDA: barcode PDA 00118133!, US). Central Province, Kandy District, Knuckles Mountain range, Kalupahana near Lebanon estate, 1369 m a.s.l., 29 July 2020, N. Silva, D. Yakandawala & K. Yakandawala KP07 ( PDA: barcode PDA 00120338!). Central Province, Kandy District, Knuckles Mountain Range, Near Deanston forest office, road side, 1350 m a.s.l., 1 October 2022, N. Silva, D. Yakandawala & K. Yakandawala CO 21 ( PDA: barcode PDA 00120341!). Uva Province, Badulla District, Thangamale forest outside, road to Adishem bungalow, 1474 m a.s.l., 23 April 2022, N. Silva, D. Yakandawala & K. Yakandawala TH 06 ( PDA: barcode PDA 00120342!). Central Province, Nuwaraeliya District, Hakgala forest outside, 1678 m a.s.l., 2 March 2023, N. Silva, D. Yakandawala & K. Yakandawala HK 01 ( PDA: barcode PDA 00120346!)

Distribution:— Central Province, Kandy District; Uva Province, Badulla District

Habitat:— This subspecies is confined to the high-elevation zones, above 1,350 m a.s.l., of the central mountain massif, occupying the eastern and northeastern slopes. Apart from the inter-monsoonal rains (March–April and September–October), this area is fed by the rainfall from two monsoons; northeast monsoon (October–January) and southwest monsoon (May–September). Although watercourses are not currently evident in the habitat, the degraded slopes suggest that water may have been associated with the area a long time ago.

Phenology:— Flowering December–July; fruiting February–October

Etymology:— The new subspecies names reflect the degree of visibility in the leaf domatia in each case: subobscurus derives from Latin prefix “ sub -” (“slightly”, “somewhat”) and the male adjective “ obscurus ” (“hidden”, “obscure”) emphasizing the inconspicuous leaf domatia; while grandidomatiatus combines “ grandis ” - (“large”) and “ domatiatus ” (derived from “domatia”, and the Latin suffix—“atus”, means “possessing”.)

Figures

FIGURE 10. Elaeocarpus hedyosmus subsp. grandidomatiatus; A. Adaxial and B. Abaxial surface of leaf. C. leaf domatia D and E Inflorescence.F. Side view of a floret.G. Birds eye view of a floret. H. Flower bud I. and J. Sepals. K. Petal. L. Stamen. M. Disk and ovary. N. Fruit. O. Seed and P. Transverse section of seed.

FIGURE 11. Elaeocarpus hedyosmus subsp. grandidomatiatus; A. twig. B. flower bud. C. flower, bird’s eye view. D. flower, side view. E. sepal, outer surface. F. sepal, inner surface. G. petal. H. dissected flower, showing gynoecium, disk and stamens. I. disk and gynoecium. J. stamens. K. fruit. L. seed, side view. M. stone cross section.