Abutilon neelgerrense var. neelgerrense, var. NEELGERRENSE

Nimbalkar, Varsha Vilasrao & Sardesai, Milind Madhav, 2025, The Genus Abutilon (Malvaceae: Malvoideae) in India: A Taxonomic Revision and Insights from Micromorphology of Seeds, Systematic Botany (Basel, Switzerland) 49 (4), pp. 708-742 : 722

ABUTILON NEELGERRENSE var. NEELGERRENSE .

Staminal column 8–15 mm long, base conical, glabrous, tubular part 8–10 mm, glabrous, free part of filament 3–4 mm, glabrous. Filaments clustered; stylar branches droop during anthesis. Figures 9 F–J , 10 H–N .

Distribution and Habitat —The taxon is endemic to South India, occurring in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu ( Fig. 8 ) with infrequent occurrences. It prefers semi-shady places, forest slopes, and waysides, and altitudes from 400 to 1500 m.

Phenology —Flowering starts in November and lasts up to February, while the fruiting season is from December to March.

Preliminary Conservation Status — Abutilon neelgerrense var. neelgerrense is here suggested to be categorized as Least Concern (LC) due to its adequate extent of occurrence. However, this taxon is known from seven localities, and based on the area of occupancy, it might be considered Vulnerable (VU).

Representative Specimens Examined— India. — ANDHRA PRADESH: Chittor Dt., Horsley hills, 25 Dec 2017, VVN 602 ( BAMU, SPPU). — KERALA: Idukki Dt., Vikkapadappu to Vaghukkapara, 900m, 6 Feb 1981, P. Bhargavan 69875 ( MH). — TAMIL NADU: Coimbatore Dt., Pollachi to Valparai route, Aliyar area, 1000m, 21 Dec 1992, Sivarajan & Pradeep 47751 ( CALI). Madurai Dt., Way to Kodaikanal, 800m, 27 Oct 1977, M. Chandrabose 51697 ( MH). Ramnad Dt., Eluttuparai, Ayyanarkoil, 475m, 21 Sep 1971, E. Vajravelu 38654 ( MH).

Figures

FIG. 9. Habit and morphology of A. neelgerrense var. fischeri (A–E) and A. neelgerrense var. neelgerrense (F–J). A, F. Habit and flower. B, G. Fruit. C, H. Dehiscing fruit. D, I. Mericarp. E, J. Seed. (A, B, C by Arun Prasanth; F, H by K. M. Prabhukumar).

FIG. 10. Line drawing illustration of A. neelgerrense var. fischeri (A–G, drawn from MMS 1643) and A. neelgerrense var. neelgerrense (H–N, drawn from VVN 601). A, H. Leafy twig with flower and fruits. B, I. Flower. C, J. Staminal column. D, K. Gynoecium. E, L. Fruit. F, M. Mericarp. G, N. Seed.

FIG. 8. Distribution of A. hirtum, A. indicum, A. neelgerrense var. fischeri, and A. neelgerrense var. neelgerrense in India.