Crotalaria madurensis var. kurnoolica, Ellis & Swamin. J

Ravi, G, Paramesh, L, Ramesh, K, Swamy, K, Charan, YVB, Naresh, B, Mahender Reddy, D & Ravikanth, M, 2023, Crotalaria madurensis var. kurnoolica J. L. Ellis & Swamin. (Fabaceae) a new distributional record to Telangana state, India, Species (e 6 s 1006) 24 (73), pp. 1-4 : 2-3

C. madurensis Wight var. kurnoolica Ellis & Swamin.

J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 1969; 66(1):227-228.

Type: Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool Dt. , Ellis 22144 A (holotype: CAL).

Description

Erect under shrubs, with many ascending branches, 1.5 – 2.5 m tall. Stems and branches terete, silky pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate, estipulate; petiole ca. 4 mm long, villous; lamina 7.5 X 3.5 cm, elliptic, ovate, rarely obovate, apiculate narrowed at the base, silky pubescent on both surfaces, veins prominent underneath, lateral nerves up to 14 pairs. Inflorescence is a terminal or axillary panicled racemes, bracteate, bracteolate, peduncle up to 15 cm long, silky pubescent, gummy exudation throughout. Flower 1.8 cm long and 2.2 cm across; bract 10 X 16 mm, broadly ovate, acuminate, deeply cordate, revolute, amplexicaul, persistent; bracteoles 5 X 3 mm, ovate - acuminate, deeply cordate, reflexed, silky tomentose out and glabrous in; pedicel 5 mm long. Calyx bilipped, silky tomentose, lobes equal, 9 X 4 mm, elliptic, margin prominently revolute, dark when dry. Corolla bright yellow; standard petal 2 X 2 cm, ovate silky pubescent out and glabrous in, spreading backwards; wing petals 10 X 4 mm, obovate, keel petals 9 X 6 mm, ovate, rounded about the middle, beak not twisted. Stamens 10, dimorphic, monadelphous till half their lengths, 5 small sterile alternating with 5 long fertile stamens, fertile anthers basifixed and sterile anthers slightly versatile, Ovary, densely silky pubescent throughout, sub sessile; style 1.3 cm long, geniculate; stigma expanded, hairy (Figure 1).

Flowering & Fruiting

October-April

Distribution

India - Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (present study).

Ecology

It was growing on hill slope in between rocks, with association of Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult., Lantana camara L., Apluda mutica L., Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) W.Watson and Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff.

Specimen examined

India, Telangana state, Nagarkurnool district, near Mallela Theertham waterfalls, 16°16'1.15"N, 78°51'25.19"E, 667 m elevation, 03.11.2022, G Ravi, 0782 (HY) .