Argyreia bracteata Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve

P. R., Lawand & Shimpale, V. B., 2024, Revision of the genus Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) from India, Rheedea 34 (5), pp. 337-396 : 350-351

7. Argyreia bracteata Choisy, Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 6: 412. 1834. Lettsomia bracteata (Choisy)

Roberty, Candollea 14: 43. 1952. Type: INDIA ,

Indian Orientalem. Hort. Calcutta Cultam?

Wallich Cat. 1419A (holo G-DC [G00134769

digital image!]. Fig. 3i–l

A large twining shrub. Stem semiwoody towards base, young stem herbaceous, green, densely appressed brown strigose hairy, exudes milky latex. Leaf petiole 2–4 cm long, terete, densely brown strigose like stem, terete, green; leaf lamina widely ovate to orbicular, 4–7 × 3.5–6.5 cm, apex obtuse, base shallowly cordate, glabrous above or sparsely hairy on veins, dense brown shiny strigose abaxially, secondary veins 6–7 pairs, raised on the lower leaf surface. Inflorescence an axillary sub capitate cyme, 4–7-flowered, inflorescence shortly branches and terminated in to 1 or 2 flowers; peduncle 1.5–4.5 cm long, equaling the petiole, green, brown strigose, terete. Bracts 2–3, lance-ovate, 1.5–2.5 × 0.5–0.9 cm, midvein prominent, densely shiny strigose abaxially, strigose adaxially also. Sepals 5, oblong ovate, 1 cm long, 1–3 mm wide, sub-equal, hairy outside, glabrous inside, inner sepal margins hyaline, enlarges in fruiting, persistent. Corolla infundibuliform, 4–4.5 cm long, same across, hairy outer on midpetaline bands, rose pink, throat purple, limb shallowly lobed or undulate. Stamens 5, unequal, 2 long, 3 short, included in corolla tube; filaments enlarged at base, enlarged portion glandular hairy; anthers 3–4 mm long, arrow headed. Ovary glabrous, 2–4 celled; stigma biglobose, papillate, pink. Berries 8–10 mm across, yellow when ripen, 2–4 seeded. Seeds trigonal, with visible hilum, black.

Flowering & Fruiting: Flowering from August to mid October and fruiting from October to January.

Habitat: It grows in open scrub forests and in deciduous forests, and prefers sandy soil and climbs over medium sized trees and shrubs.

Distribution: The species is endemic to peninsular India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘bracteata’ is cause of the lanceolate bracts of the flower. A species possesses sub-capitate inflorescence so with all the bracts gathered together, inflorescence produce quick look of too much bracts.

Specimens examined: INDIA. Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool District, Gundla Bramheswaram WLS,

20.07. 1963, 930 m, J. L . Ellis 16917 ( MH00139721 ) ;

Kurnool District, Rolla Penta , 14.08.1972,

600 m, J.L. Ellis 42260 (MH00139720); Kadapa

District, Cuddapah, July 1884, J. S. Gamble 15767

(MH00139716). Karnataka, Kolar District, Kolar, hills behind Anthargange temple, 03.11.2019, P. R .

Lawand 061 ( NCK); Kolar District , Kolar, hills behind Anthargange temple, 03.11.2019, P . R .

Lawand 062 ( NCK). Kerala, Kozhikode District , Pavagada, Kerala border, 15.08.1964, J. L. Ellis

20413 (MH [MH00139712]); Palghat District,

way to Sholayur, 19.04.1978, N. C. Nair 56896

(MH00139708). Tamil Nadu, Dharampuri District, Urigam Forest , 24.07.1978, E. Vajravelu

57941 (MH [MH00139740]); Madurai District,

Unnathiparai, 17.10.1959, K. Subramanyam 9414

(MH [MH00139739]).

Notes: Choisy (1834) received collections of Wallich labelled as ‘1419’.Of these, three specimens (1419 B/C/D) were described as Argyreia pomacea Sweet , and one specimen (1419A) was described as Argyreia bracteata Choisy. The species is very closely allied to Argyreia zeylanica (Gaertn.) Voigt in leaf, bract, sepal morphology, but it differs by having shiny brown tomentum on the underside of the leaf, a compact inflorescence, and a greater number of flowers per inflorescence.

Figures

Fig. 3. Argyreia bella (C.B. Clarke) Raizada (a-d): a. Habit; b. A flower with exserted stamens and gynoecium; c. Sepals; d. Fruits. Argyreia bOSeana Santapau & V. Patel (e-h): e. Habit; f. Flower side view; g. Bracts; h. Sepals. Argyreia braCteata Choisy (i-l): i. Flowering twig; j. Leaf abaxial surface;k. Bracts;l. Sepals.