Henckelia bracteata Janeesha & Nampy, Willdenowia

A. P., Janeesha & Nampy, S., 2020, A taxonomic revision of Henckelia (Gesneriaceae) in South India with a new species, one new combination and seven lectotypifications, Rheedea 30 (1), pp. 48-95 : 51-62

Henckelia bracteata Janeesha & Nampy, Willdenowia 45(1): 53. 2014. Type: INDIA, Kerala, Kottayam district, Kurisumala, near to 10 th Cross , 1100 m, 07.08.2014, A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 134270 (holo CALI!; iso CAL!, MH!) FiG. 1

Perennials, rosette-forming hairy herbs with rootstocks. Roots adventitious, thin. Leaves 8–14, basal, decussate; petioles 2–9 cm long, pubescent, winged; wings 2–3 mm broad; laminae elliptic-ovate, 5.5–12.5 × 3–9 cm, acute or obtuse to rounded at apex, narrowly cuneate to attenuate at base, tomentulose on both surfaces, but more so on the younger leaves and on lower veins, becoming less so with age, margins shallowly crenate, ultimate segments regular, surfaces usually rugose; veins usually 5 on each side, much branched and conspicuous beneath. Cymes axillary, dense, 1–11 per plant, 3–5(–6) times divided, 14–38- flowered, pubescent; peduncles terete, 14–32 cm long, reddish brown, pubescent; bracts two at each branching, elliptic to obovate, 10–21 × 5–8 mm, obtuse to rounded at apex, margins crenate, tomentose; pedicels terete, 2–10 mm long, pubescent. Flowers 10–20 × 4–9 mm. Calyx 5- or rarely 6-partite, very deeply divided or basally connate; lobes ovate, unequal, posterior lobe smaller, 2.9–3.1 × 1.2–1.6 mm, others 3.3–4 × 1.6– 2 mm, slightly acute at apex, margins entire, reddish brown, white tomentose. Corolla zygomorphic, ventricose, two lipped, villous outside, glabrous inside; tube 7–9 × 5.5–7.5 mm, lilac to pale lilac with a yellow patch in the throat; lobes ovate to rounded at apex, lilac to pale lilac, upper lip of two lobes, 5.2–5.9 × 7.6–8.1 mm, lower lip of three lobes, 5.6–7 × 7.4–8.3 mm. Stamens 2, adnate to the base of corolla, included; filaments 4–6 mm long, glabrous or sparsely pubescent towards the region of the connective, green on the top and colourless towards base; anthers reniform, 1.5–1.8 × 0.8–0.9 mm, milky white, bearded at the junction of the anther lobes and filament. Staminodes 3 (sometimes 2); filaments 2.5–3 mm long, hyaline, glabrous; antherodes not seen. Ovary ovoid to oblong, 5–7 × 1.25–1.5 mm, green, pubescent; style terete, 2–2.5 mm long, green, glabrous; stigma obliquely subcapitate, 0.8–1.1 × 0.5–0.82 mm, papillate, greenish white. Capsules cylindrical, straight or randomly curved, 18–30 × 1.6–2 mm, plagiocarpic, dehiscing loculicidally along the dorsal side, reddish brown, tomentulose with persistent stigma. Seeds numerous, elliptic, 0.4–0.6 × 0.2–0.25 mm, slightly acute at apex, truncate at base; testa dark brown to black, reticulate.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering fom July to September and fruiting from August to October.

Habitat: In wet humus in granite rock crevices, at altitudes 1100 m above sea level, along with Mitracarpus hirtus DC. ( Rubiaceae ), Porella sp. ( Porellaceae ) and species of moss, Selaginella sp. ( Selaginellaceae ) and grasses ( Poaceae ).

Distribution: Endemic to the southern Western Ghats, hitherto known only from the type locality and adjoining areas ( Fig. 6 ).

Specimens examined: INDIA, Kerala, Kottayam district, Kurisumala , 17.08.2013, K.M. Manudev & A.P. Janeesha 134206, 134209; on the way to 6 th cross, 07.08.2014, A.P. Janeesha & A.P. Roshan 134268; near to 6 th cross, 07.08.2014, A.P. Janeesha & A.P. Roshan 134269; near 7 th cross, 26.06.2016, P.S. Sreeja & A.P. Janeesha 137659; near 10 th cross, 26.06.2016, P.S. Sreeja & A.P. Janeesha 137660; on the way to Elaveezhapoonchira, 28.06.2016, A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 137665 (CALI) .

Conservation status: The species can be found at two localities in Kurisumala and Elaveezhapoonchira about 20 km apart, with an estimated Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 34 km ². Eighty two mature plants were observed across these two localities and the plants at Kurisumala and the series of crosses represent a continuous population. A continuing decline in population size has been observed over three years because the localities are tourist destinations. Therefore, this species is assessed here as Endangered (EN), B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v), B2ab (ii,iii,iv,v), D, according to IUCN’s guidelines ( IUCN, 2019).

Notes: This species is morphologically close to H. humboldtiana in the shape of leaves, presence of bracts and much longer scapes than the leaves (Janeesha & Nampy, 2015; Janeesha, 2017). However, it is distinguishable by its thick laminae with narrowly cuneate to attenuate base, larger, elliptic to obovate bracts, ovate calyx lobes that do not reach the full length of the ovary and hairs at the junction of the anther lobes and filaments. Henckelia bracteata plants are robust and dull green throughout while the peduncles, pedicels, calyx and capsules are usually reddish brown. Although the margins of the laminae are crenate, the crenation is shallow when compared to H. humboldtiana . When grown in the greenhouse at low altitudes, the colour of the corolla changes from pale lilac to dark lilac to violet.

Henckelia fischeri ( Gamble) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt, Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen 70: 344. 1998 [“1997”]; T.S.Nayar et al., Fl. Pl. Western Ghats 1: 527. 2014. Didymocarpus fischeri Gamble, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1923 (93): 117. 1923, Fl. Madras 2: 988. 1924; A.N.Henry et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu Ind., Ser I: Analysis 2: 132. 1987; M.Ahmedullah & M.P.Nayar, Endemic Pl. Indian Region 1: 142. 1987; M.Mohanan & A.N.Henry, Fl. Thiruvananthapuram 337. 1994; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur Forest 329. 1996; Sasidh., Biodivers. Doc. Kerala 6: 331. 2004; T.S.Nayar et al., Fl. Pl. Kerala 342. 2006. Lectotype (first-step designated by Vitek et al., 2000; second-step designated here): INDIA, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district, Anamalai hills, 500–600 m, 02.08.1915, C.E.C. Fischer s.n. (K [K000450837 digital image!]; isolecto K [K00122291 digital image!]). FiGS. 2 & 3

Perennials, rosette-forming hairy herbs with rootstocks. Roots adventitious, thin. Leaves 12–20, basal, in whorls of four; petioles 0.7–5 cm long (sometimes up to 7.5 cm), pubescent, winged; wings 4–12 mm broad; laminae ovate-widely ovate, 8–23 × 6–12 cm, obtuse to slightly acute at apex, attenuate at base, tomentose on both surfaces, with small white patches on the upper surfaces, golden brown on younger leaves and on lower veins, becoming less so with age, margins doubly crenate, ultimate segments irregular, surfaces usually rugose; veins usually 6–8 on each side, much branched and conspicuous beneath. Cymes axillary, 3–7 per plant, 4–7 times divided, 16–37-flowered; peduncles terete, 17–38 cm long, green-pale reddish brown, glandular hairy; bracts two at each branching point, lanceolate, 2–4 × c. 1 mm, acute at apex, margins entire, tomentose, with a tuft of hairs at the apex, green to purple; pedicels terete, 6–24 mm long, glandular hairy. Flowers 11–17 × 9–22 mm. Calyx 5-partite, very deeply divided or basally connate; lobes linear to broadly lanceolate-ovate, unequal, posterior lobe smaller, 2.5–3.8 × 0.8–1.6, others 3.6– 6 × 1.2–1.9 mm, slightly acute or obtuse to rounded at apex, margins entire, reddish brown hairy. Corolla zygomorphic, ventricose, two lipped, glandular hairy outside, glabrous inside; tube 6.8– 12 × 5.7–7.9 mm, dark to pale lilac with a yellow blotch at the throat; lobes rounded or very widely ovate with undulate margins, dark to pale lilac, upper lip of two lobes, 6.6–7.3 × 7.7–10 mm, lower lip of three lobes, 6.9–7.8 × 8.6–10.9 mm. Stamens 2, adnate to the base of corolla, included; filaments 4–5.3 mm long, glabrous, yellow; anthers reniform, 1.5–2.75 × 0.75–1.16 mm, milky white to cream. Staminodes 2 (the lateral ones), sometimes 3; filaments 2.4–4 mm long, hyaline, glabrous; antherodes sometimes present. Ovary ovoid to oblong, 3.7–6 × 1–1.27 mm, green, glandular hairy; style terete, 1–4.5 mm long, green, glabrous towards the apex, basally glandular hairy; stigma obliquely subcapitate, 0.65–0.87 × 0.9–1.1 mm, slightly papillate, pale green. Capsules cylindrical, straight or randomly curved, 14–37 × 1.8–2.4 mm, plagiocarpic, dehiscing loculicidally along the dorsal side, reddish brown, glandular hairy with persistent stigma and calyx. Seeds numerous, elliptic, 0.57–0.69 × 0.22–0.29 mm, slightly acute at apex, truncate at base; testa dark brown, reticulate.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from May to October and fruiting from July to December.

Habitat: On moist slopes and in rock crevices, usually at an altitude above 850 m, in association with Adiantum philippense L., A. concinnum Willd. , Hemionitis arifolia (Burm.) T.Moore (all Pteridaceae ), Spermacoce exilis (L.O.Williams) C.D.Adams , Mitracarpus hirtus DC. , Oldenlandia umbellata L. (all Rubiaceae ), Leucas aspera Link. ( Lamiaceae ) and a few grass species.

Distribution: Endemic to southern Western Ghats ( Fig. 6 ).

Specimens examined: INDIA, Kerala, Idukki district, Kottamala, 16.05.1995, Jomy Augustine 15309 (CALI); near Idukki dam, 24.08.1981, V.S. Raju 71173 (MH); Santhanpara, 2016, P. Soumya & A.P. Janeesha 137678 (CALI); Palakkad district , Karimala-grassland, 26.09.2013, A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 134227 (CALI); Nelliyampathy, 29.06.1994, A.E. Shanavas Khan & E.S. Santhosh Kumar 20100 (TBGT); Ibid., s.d., V.P.K. Nambiar 1067 (KFRI digital image); Parambikulam-way to Thunakkadavu dam view point, 24.09.2013, A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 134222; Seetharkundnear the water fall, 17.09.2013, A.P. Janeesha, Habeeb Rahman & A. Kabeer 134216; Vengoli hill top, 25.09.2013, A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 134224 (CALI); Pathanamthitta district , Achankovil, s.d., A.G. Pandurangan 14432 (TBGT) . Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district, Anamalai, 1857, s.coll. s.n. (MH); Nilgiri district , Kodanad , 12.11.1970, E. Vajravelu 36854 (MH); Tenkasi district , Courtallam, s.d., K. Narayana Iyer 01874 (TBGT); Theni district , Meghamalai, 25.08.1985, K. Ravikumar 2380 (MH); Tirunelveli district , Kularatti estate, 21.12.1980, E. Vajravelu 76416 (MH) .

Conservation status: The species is widely distributed in Kerala with a few localities in Tamil Nadu with around twelve localities. The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be c. 5600 km ². The Area of Occupancy (AOO) is likely less than 50 km ², since the plants occur in localized populations. For instance, in Kerala five locations were surveyed and a total of only 136 mature plants were found. The locations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are important tourist destinations. Therefore, there is the potential of disturbance due to tourist activities with detrimental outcomes for the number of plants and localities. Even though the species is widely distributed, because of the likely small AOO the species could be categorized at present as Endangered (EN), B2ab(ii,iii,v), according to IUCN (2019) criteria.

Notes: This is a fairly large plant with deeply crenate leaves and many-flowered, long scapes. The flowers are deeply pouched and horizontally oriented. Their scapes are pale greenish-red under natural conditions, but bright green when grown in the greenhouse.

Typification: This species was described by Gamble (1924) based on specimens collected by C.E.C. Fischer from Anamalai hills. Vitek et al. (2000) cited “South India, Anamalai hills, Coimbatore district, 500–600 m alt., 02.08.1915, C.E.C. Fischer (K)” as the type. While searching for the type specimens, two relevant sheets were found in K (K000450837, K00122291). Both sheets were annotated, “ Didymocarpus Rottlerianus, Wall., Anamalai hills, South India, 1700 ft., C. Fischer, 2.8.1915 ”. The sheet K000450837 has a flowering plant, and two fruiting scapes separately mounted on it, but contains a note by Gamble “a letter from Mr. Fischer dated 27.11.22 says that three specimens were collected at a place called Pachchathani on the lowest slopes of the anamalais ...... towards mount Stuart, 13.1.23” while the other sheet has two flowering plants. According to Art. 9.17 of ICN ( Turland et al., 2018), we take a second step lectotypification by narrowing them to a single specimen. We chose K000450837 that agrees with the protologue and has the inscription by Gamble, while the other specimen (K00122291) is designated as isolectotype.

Henckelia gambleana (C.E.C.Fisch.) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt, Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen 70: 345. 1998 [“1997”]; T.S.Nayar et al., Fl. Pl. Western Ghats 1: 528. 2014. Didymocarpus gambleanus C.E.C.Fisch., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1938: 36 . 1938 (as ‘ gambleana’); A.N.Henry et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu Ind., Ser I: Analysis 2: 132. 1987; M.Ahmedullah & M.P.Nayar, Endemic Pl. Indian Region 1: 143. 1987. Didymocarpus rottlerianus Wall. ex R.Br. var. lanuginosus C.B.Clarke in A.DC. & C.DC., Monogr. Phan. 5 (1): 102. 1883. Didymocarpus tomentosus Wight var. lanuginosus (C.B.Clarke) C.B.Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 353. (1885[“1884”]). Didymocarpus lanuginosus (C.B.Clarke) Wight ex Gamble, Fl. Madras 988. 1924, nom illeg., non Wall. ex R.Br. 1839, non Wall. ex A.DC. 1845. Lectotype (first-step designated by Vitek et al., 2000; second-step designated here): s.loc., s.d., Wight 561 (K [K000858182 digital image!]; isolecto E [E00627530!], K [K000858183 digital image!]). FiGS. 4 & 5

Perennials, rosette-forming hairy herbs with rootstocks. Roots adventitious, thin. Leaves 6–12, basal, usually in whorl of three; petioles 0.7–1.8 cm long, younger leaves subsessile, pubescent, winged; wings 5–8 mm broad; laminae widely ovate, 4–7.7 × 3.2–6 cm, acute to obtuse at apex, narrowly cuneate to attenuate at base, hispid on the upper surface, golden brown hairy on lower surface, but more so on younger leaves and lower veins, becoming fewer with age, margins crenate, ultimate segments regular, surfaces usually rugose; veins usually 4 on each side, much branched and conspicuous beneath. Cymes axillary, 2–4 per plant (rarely up to 11), 3–5 times divided, 12–36- flowered; peduncles terete, 8–19 cm long, green to reddish brown, golden brown hairy; bracts two at each branching point, lanceolate to triangular, 3–3.5 × 0.36–0.4 mm, obtuse to slightly acute at apex, margins entire, white tomentose; pedicels terete, 4–14 mm long, pubescent. Flowers 8–11 × 5–6.5 mm. Calyx 5-partite, very deeply divided or basally connate; lobes lanceolate to narrowly oblong, unequal, posterior lobe smaller, 2.7–3 × 0.42–0.53 mm, others 2.9–3.2 × 0.5–0.68 mm, obtuse at apex, margins entire, reddish brown, white hairy. Corolla zygomorphic, ventricose, two lipped, villous outside, glabrous inside; tube 7–8 × 5.8–6.4 mm, lilac to pale lilac with a yellow patch in the throat; lobes widely ovate, rounded to truncate at apex, lilac to pale lilac, upper lip of two lobes, 3.8–4.3 × 3.5–4.1 mm, lower lip of three lobes, 4.2–5.1 × 4–5 mm. Stamens 2, adnate to the base of corolla, included; filaments 2.2–2.7 mm long, glabrous, green on the top and colourless towards base; anthers reniform, 1.3–1.5 × 0.6–0.7 mm, milky white, glabrous. Staminodes 2; filaments 1.6–1.8 mm long, hyaline, glabrous; antherodes not seen. Ovary narrowly ovoid to oblong, 4–4.7 × 0.9– 1 mm, green, pubescent; style terete, 2.6–2.9 mm long, green, glabrous; stigma obliquely subcapitate, 0.21 × 0.5 mm, papillate, pale green. Capsules cylindrical, straight, 13–15 mm long, plagiocarpic, dehiscing loculicidally along the dorsal side, reddish brown, tomentose with persistent stigma and calyx. Seeds numerous, elliptic, reticulate.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from July to late September and fruiting from September to November (sometimes up to March).

Upper Kodayar, 02.09.1981, K.M. Matthew 17831 (RHT); way to Kannikkatti, 05.07.1964, A.N. Henry & M. Chandrabose 19292 (MH). s.loc., s.d., T. Surendran 5105 (CALI).

Conservation status: The species occurs in several populations in three to four localities widely disjunct in the SW and NW of Tamil Nadu. Because of this disjunction, the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is with of c. 3500 km 2 large. The authors have observed only 27 mature plants in one population in Kakkachi, in the Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu. This might suggests that the populations in general are rather small. However, since the status of other localities is unknown and potentially intervening localities may exist, the species is best categorised as Data deficient (DD).

Habitat: On moist hill slopes, along with Adiantum raddianum C.Presl ( Pteridaceae ) and a few species of moss.

Distribution: Endemic to the southern Western Ghats ( Fig. 6 ).

Specimens examined: INDIA, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district, Bolampatti valley, 24.02.1917, C.E.C. Fischer 4059 (FRC); Kanyakumari district , Muthukuzhivayal grass land, 15.03.1979, A.N. Henry 60703 (MH); Tenkasi district , Courtallam- Thekkumalai, 11.11.1984, Jolly Jacob 4072; Ibid., 11.11.1984, A.R. Sheela 3677; Ibid., 11.11.1984, K. Leela 4344; Ibid., 11.11.1984, A.M. Rema 4878 (CALI); Tirunelveli district , Agasthyamalai peak, 01.07.1964, A.N. Henry & M. Chandrabose 19215; Ibid., 24.08.1963, A.N. Henry 17317; Kannikathi, 13.06.1899, C.A. Barber 506; Neelikkattu, 11.10.1992, R. Gopalan 99487 (MH); on the way to Kakkachi-near Manjolai estate board, 21.07.2016, A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 137677 (CALI); Sevgaltai, 24.09.1915, s.coll. 12477 (MH); Notes: This species can be easily differentiated from the morphologically allied H. incana by its broadly winged petioles, and much shorter (13–15 mm long), tomentose capsules .

Typification: Henckelia gambleana was originally described as a variety of Didymocarpus rottlerianus Wall. ex R.Br. by Clarke (1883) based on Wight’s manuscript name D. lanuginosus . Clarke (1885 [“1884”]), subsequently treated it as a variety of D. tomentosus Wight (as D. tomentosus var. lanuginosus ). Gamble (1924), however, elevated it to a distinct species (as D. lanuginosus ). Gamble’s D. lanuginosus , being a later homonym of D. lanuginosus Wallich ex Candolle (1845) , was renamed as D. gambleanus (= H. gambleana ) by Fischer (1938). While searching for the type specimens, three sheets were found, two in K (K000858182, K000858183) and one in E (E00627530). The sheet K000858182 with HRWP label is annotated “ D. lanuginosa , 561/1835” by Wight. This sheet has two plants and two scapes separately mounted on it. The other sheet K000858183 has a field label, Courtallam 561. There is one plant in vegetative stage and a scape separately mounted on it. The specimen in E (E00627530) has three plants, two in vegetative stage and another flowering plant and a separate scape. This sheet also has a field label 561, Courtallam July 1835. Vitek et al. (2000) cited “ Wight 561 (K)” as the type. According to Art.9.17 of ICN ( Turland et al., 2018), we take a second-step lectotypification by narrowing them to a single specimen at K (K000858182) that agrees with the protologue and designate the rest of the specimens as isolectotypes.

Henckelia humboldtiana (Gardner) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt, Beitr. Biol. P flanzen 70: 346. 1998[“1997”]; T.S.Nayar et al., Fl. Pl. Western Ghats 1: 528. 2014. Didymocarpus humboldtianus Gardner, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 477. 1846; C.B.Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 353. 1885 [“1884”]; Gamble, Fl. Madras 988. 1924; W.L.Theob. & Grupe in Dassan. & Fosberg, Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 84. 1981; A.N.Henry et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu Ind., Ser I: Analysis 2: 132. 1987; Manil., Fl. Silent Valley 200. 1988; Sasidh., Biodivers. Doc. Kerala Part 6: Fl. Pl. 332. 2004; N.Anilkumar et al., Fl. Pathanamthitta Dist. 370. 2005; T.S.Nayar et al., Fl. Pl. Kerala 342. 2006. Roettlera humboldtiana (Gardner) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 476. 1891. Lectotype (designated by Janeesha & Nampy, 2015): SRI LANKA ( CEYLON), Rambodde, Gardner 600 (K [K000858189 digital image!]; isolecto K [K000858188 digital image!]).

Didymocarpus primulifolius Gardner, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 6: 478. 1846, nom. illeg. Lectotype (designated by Ranasinghe et al., 2019): SRI LANKA, Hantane range, Near Candy, s.d., Gardner 601 (K [K000858191 digital image!]; isolecto BM [BM000617482 digital image!], K [K000858192 digital image!]). FiG. 7

Perennial, rosette-forming hairy herbs with rootstocks. Roots adventitious, thin. Leaves 4–12, basal, decussate, rarely in whorls of three; petioles 2–6 cm long, longer in older leaves, narrowly winged, pubescent; wings 0.5–2 mm broad; laminae elliptic-ovate, 5–8 × 2.1–5.9 cm, slightly acute at apex, attenuate at base, margins crenate, ultimate segments regular, slightly undulate, surfaces rugose, tomentulose on both surfaces, but more so on the younger leaves and on lower veins, becoming less so with age; veins 5–6 pairs on each side, much branched and conspicuous beneath. Cymes axillary, lax, 1–4 per plant, 2–3 times divided, 6–10-flowered, pubescent; peduncles terete, 8–12 cm long, pale green, pubescent; bracts two at each branching point, linear to oblong, 4.2– 5.1 mm long, obtuse at apex, tomentose; pedicels terete, 5–10 mm long, slender, pubescent. Flowers 10–12 × 6–7.5 mm. Calyx 5-partite, free or very deeply divided; lobes linear, unequal, posterior lobe smaller, 4.3–4.8 × 0.6–0.75 mm, others 5.1–6 × 0.72–0.9 mm, slightly acute at apex, margins entire, pale green with a pinch of reddish brown at the base, tomentose. Corolla, zygomorphic, ventricose, two lipped, villous outside, glabrous inside; tube 5–9 × 4.2–5.5 mm, pale lilac to white with a yellow patch in the throat; lobes rounded, rounded at apex, white to pale lilac, upper lip of two lobes, 3.1–3.4 × 3.2–3.7 mm, lower lip of three lobes, 3.3–4.4 × 3.5– 5.6 mm. Stamens 2, adnate to the base of corolla, included; filaments 5 mm long, slightly bearded, pale green at the top, base hyaline; anthers reniform, c. 1.3 × 0.8 mm, milky white, glabrous. Staminodes 2. Ovary ovoid to oblong, 8–9 × 1–1.1 mm, green, pubescent; style terete, 3.5–4 mm long, green, base slightly hairy; stigma obliquely subcapitate, 0.65– 0.8 × 0.34–0.42 mm, papillate, pale green. Capsules linear, straight or slightly curved, 12–21 × 1.1–1.6 mm, plagiocarpic, dehiscing loculicidally along the dorsal side, pale green, tomentulose with persistent stigma. Seeds numerous, elliptic, 0.32–0.5 × 0.1– 0.19 mm, slightly acute at apex, truncate at base; testa dark brown to black, reticulate.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from May to September and fruiting from July to November.

Habitat: On moist slopes or on rocks, at medium elevations of 350 m, along with Selaginella sp. ( Selaginellaceae ), Pteris sp. ( Pteridaceae ), Impatiens gardneriana Wight , I. acaulis Arn. (both Balsaminaceae ) and a few grass species.

Distribution: South India and Sri Lanka ( Fig. 11 ).

Specimens examined: INDIA, Kerala, Ernakulam district, Neriyamangalam, 20.08.1965, K.M. Sebastine 25087 (MH); Idukki district, Munnar, 08.11.1985, P.C. Binoy 05047 (TBGT); Kollam district, Thenmala, 01.10.1960, Joseph 2, 3 (BSI, E); Kottayam district, Pambanar, 24.05.1964, K. Vivekananthan 23998; Pullupara, 24.09.1964, K. Vivekananthan 21314 (MH); Vagamon, 03.10.2015, C. Pramod & A.P. Janeesha 137644, 137647 (CALI); Kozhikode district, Kakkayam, 20.07.2013, A.P. Janeesha & A.J. Robi 134201; Ibid., 26.05.2015, S. Resmi & A.P. Janeesha 137618; Ibid., 26.05.2015, A.P. Janeesha, P.K. Dilna & Santhosh Nampy 137620; Kakkayam-Ghat road side, 03.10.2016, A.P. Janeesha & K. Haseem 137687; way to Kakkayam forest office, after 12 th turn, 19.09.2013, A.P. Janeesha, Habeeb Rahman & S. Syam Radh 134221 (CALI); Palakkad district, Koomankundu, 18.09.1982, K. Prasannan 10991; Pulippara, 18.09.1982, T. Sabu 10999 (CALI); Wayanad district, Boys town-Kannur Mananthavadi route, 15.09.2016, Shimi Cheriyan, P.K. Dilna & A.P. Janeesha 137687 (CALI); Travancore, s.d., C.C. Calder & M.S. Ramaswami 1312 (CAL). Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore district, Aliyar Dam, 24.08.1963, K.N. Subramanian 782 (FRC); Anamalai, 04.11.1897, s.coll. s.n.; Bolamapatty hills, s.d., s.coll. 14019 (MH); Dindigul district, Kodaikanal hills, 14.10.1919, K.C. Jacob 16114 (MH); Kodaikanal-Pulney, 20.10.1898, A.G. Bourne 193 (CAL); Perumal malai, 24.10.1977, M. Chandrabose 51666; Poombarai, 18.10.1977, M. Chandrabose 51365 (CAL, MH); way to Pannaikadu, 15.1968, s.coll. 30849 (MH); Kanyakumari district, Kurathividuthi estate, 11.11.1989, S.R. Srinivasan 86969 (MH); Madurai district, Anna-Manalur, 06.08.1985, K.M. Matthew 41821; Dolphin’s nose, 07.07.1959, K.M. Matthew 433; Ibid., 31.10.1985, K.M. Matthew 42477 (RHT); Nilgiri district, Coonoor, 27.07.1957, K.M. Sebastine 4060 (MH); Ramanthapuram district, Deviar estate, 11.06.1979, S.R. Srinivasan 63518 (CAL, MH); Virudhunagar district, Mysore medu, 22.10.1988, S.R. Srinivasan 89452; s. loc., 11.11.1989, S.R. Srinivasan 86972 (MH). s.loc., 20.05.1913, s.coll. 691; s.loc., 23.08, s.coll. 229; s.loc., s.d., s.coll. 1784 (CAL).

Conservation status: This species is widely distributed in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka and we consider it as of Least Concern (LC) according to IUCN (2019) criteria.

Notes: This species is close to H. bracteata and H. meeboldii in leaf shape, but can be easily distinguished by its linear to oblong bracts, linear calyx lobes and hairy connectives.

Figures

FiG. 1. Henckelia bracteata Janeesha & Nampy: a. Habit and habitat; b. A portion of the inflorescence; c. Flower; d. Calyx; e e. e.. Calyx with pistil; f. Bract; G. Stamens; h. Staminode; i. Pistil; j. Capsule; k. Seeds (from A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 134270).

FiG. 6. Distribution of Henckelia bracteata Janeesha & Nampy, H. fischeri (Gamble) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt and H. gambleana (C.E.C.Fisch.) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt in South India (drawn using QGIS v.3.12.1).

FiG. 2. Henckelia fischeri (Gamble) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt: a. Habit and habitat; b. Inflorescence; c. Flower; d. Calyx; e. Calyx with pistil; f. Stamens; G. Staminode; h. Pistil; i. Seeds; j. Immature capsule (a & b from A.P. Janeesha, Habeeb Rahman & A. Kabeer 134216; c-j from A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 134224).

FiG. 3. Lectotype of Henckelia fischeri (Gamble) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt. © The Board of Trustees for The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Reproduced with permission.

FiG. 4. Henckelia gambleana (C.E.C.Fisch.) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt: a. Habit and habitat; b. A portion of the inflorescence; c. Flower; d. Calyx; e. Calyx with pistil; f. Bract; G. Stamens; h. Staminode; i. Pistil (from A.P. Janeesha & Santhosh Nampy 137677).

FiG. 5. Lectotype of Henckelia gambleana (C.E.C.Fisch.) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt. © The Board of Trustees for The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Reproduced with permission.

FiG. 7. Henckelia humboldtiana (Gardner) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt: a. Habit; b. A portion of the inflorescence; c. Flower; d. Calyx; e. Calyx with pistil; f. Bract; G. Stamens; h. Staminode; i. Pistil; j. Immature capsule; k. Seeds (a from A.P. Janeesha & A.J. Robi 134201; b-k from A.P. Janeesha, Habeeb Rahman & S. Syam Radh 134221).

FiG. 11. Distribution of Henckelia humboldtiana (Gardner) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt, H. incana (Vahl) Spreng. and H. innominata (B.L.Burtt) A.Weber & B.L.Burtt in South India (drawn using QGIS v.3.12.1).