Range extension of Alysicarpus naikianus Pokle(Fabaceae) in western India

S.Y. Chavan ¹ & M.M. Sardesai ²

^1,2Department of Botany, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Maharashtra 431004, India

Email:¹ alysicarpus@gmail.com (corresponding author), ² sardesaimm@gmail.com

Date of publication (online): 26 May 2012

Date of publication (print): 26 May 2012

ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)

Editor: M.K. Vasudeva Rao

Manuscript details:

Ms # o2405

Received 19 February 2010

Final received 17 March 2012

Finally accepted 21 April 2012

Citation: Chavan, S.Y. & M.M. Sardesai (2012). Range extension of Alysicarpus naikianus Pokle (Fabaceae) in western India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4(5): 2590–2592.

Copyright: © S.Y. Chavan& M.M. Sardesai 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

Acknowledgement: Authors are also thankful V.N. Naik for valuable guidance in preparation of manuscript and to the Head, Department of Botany for providing herbarium facilities and constant encouragement. First author is also thankful to University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial assistance.

For figure, image -- click here

The genusAlysicarpus Desv. (Fabacaeae) is represented by 25–30 species distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the old world (Ohashi et al. 1981) and occurs abundantly in the dry zones of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka states of India, with 15 species and seven varieties (Pokle 1999).

Alysicarpus naikianus Pokleis an endemic species described in 1999, and until recently was only known from a few collections from three localities, namely, Appachiwadi,Kakti and ShivajiUniversity Kolhapur campus, Maharashtra (Image 1, Fig. 1). In recent surveys, a number of additional populations were found in western India in addition to the type localities. They are now known to be chiefly distributed along the eastern escarpments of the Western Ghats and the coastal plains of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Alysicarpus naikianus Pokle,Reinwardtia 11(4): 285–294. 1999 A. gamblei non Schindl. 1925; sensu Yadav & Sardesai,Fl. Kolhapur District. 135. 2002.

Erect, much branched, annual herbs 10–20 cm tall. Stem brown, substriated, sparsely pubescent; branches slender; leaves unifoliolate, glabrous above; sparsely pubescent beneath; stipule broadly triangular acute, 4.5–5.5 x 2.5–3 mm, glabrescent; stipels absent; lamina variable in shape, usually ovate to obovate, oblong, 6–7 x 5–8 mm, subcordate at base, obtuse.The leaves subtending the inflorescence linear oblong, 8–12 x 3–7 mm. Raceme axillary and terminal, dense 6–10 flowered, peduncle distinct, 1.5–2 cm long, much elongating (2.5–6.5 cm) in fruits. Bracts caduceus broadly ovate, 3.4–4 x 3–3.5 mm, shortly acuminate, glabrous; bracteoles subulate, ca. 2.5–1 mm, obtuse. Calyx glumaceous, forming distinct basal 1–1.5 mm long tube; lobes sub equal lanceolate acute, 3–3.5 mm long, the dorsal two united with a distinct notch at apex, sparsely ciliated. Corolla uniformly pink purple; standard petals broadly ovate, ca. 4 x 3.75 mm, distinctly stalked; wings and the keel petals slightly shorter. Pods articulated, 4–6 jointed with 5–7 articles; article subterete, ca. 1.5mm long, faintly reticulated, deep brown at maturity. Seeds subglobose, ca. 1 mm in diameter shining brown.

Flowering and Fruiting: August–November.

Distribution: India—Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Specimens examined:

Nagar Haveli:03.ix.1963, Jaibi, coll. M.Y. Ansari93907; 15.xi.1970, Valugaon, coll. M.Y. Ansari 127154.

Goa State: 24.x.2008, Panaji District, Mapusa, coll. S.Y. Chavan 091; 08.x.1964, Usgaon, coll. R.S. Raghvan103397; 27.x.1970, Patrem, coll. N.P. Singh 12510; 08.x.1970, Patrem, coll. N.P. Singh 125132.

Gujarat State: 22.ix.2009, Dang District, Saputara, coll. S.Y. Chavan 151.

Kerala State: Kannanore District, Kannanore, coll. S.N. Pokle (sine dat.).

Karnataka State:17.x.1995, Belgaum District,Appachiwadi, coll. D.S. Pokle 104B (isotype); 17.ix.1998, Appachiwadi, coll. R.P. Patil 212; 23.viii.2001, Appachiwadi,coll. A.S. Dhabe 997; 23.x.2008, Appachiwadi, coll. S.Y. Chavan 029; 19.ix.1998, Kakti, S.Y. Chavan 223; 13.x.2008, Manmanhara Platue, coll. P.G. Diwakar184497.

Maharashtra State: Amravati District—30.x.1995,Kolkaz, coll. D.S. Pokle A136; 24.x.2008, Kolkaz, S.Y. Chavan 063; Kolhapur District—19.x.1997, Shivaji University Kolhapur campus, coll. Sardesai 2345; 18.ix.1998, Shivaji University Kolhapur campus, coll. R.P. Patil 225; 22.x.2008, Shivaji University Kolhapur campus, coll. S.Y. Chavan 057; 14.ix.2009, Gaibi, coll. S.Y.Chavan 120; Nashik District—20.ix.2009, Anjeneri,coll. S.Y. Chavan 130; 21.ix.2009, Trimbakeshwar, coll. S.Y. Chavan 143; 21.ix.2009, Ambhai, coll. S.Y. Chavan 145; 22.ix.2009, UmraleS.Y. Chavan 148; 23.ix.209, Zari ghat (Suvarna), coll. S.Y. Chavan 149; 23.ix.2009, Tanepada,coll. S.Y. Chavan 157; Pune District—30.vii.2009,Silimb, coll. S.Y. Chavan 090; Ratnagiri District—25.ix.2009, Ghotane,coll. S.Y. Chavan 122; Sindhudurg District—18.x.1995,Vengurle, coll. D.S.Pokle A116; 15.ix.2009, Achirne,coll. S.Y. Chavan 123; Thane District—21.ix.2009,Khodala, coll. S.Y. Chavan 134.

Ecological note: The species is found along road sides, on grazing grounds, in open, dry and waste places especially in western India along with Alysicarpus bupleurifolius (L.) DC. and A. tetragonolobus Edgew. Previously, it was considered to be a rare and endemic taxon, however, intensive collections clearly indicate thatthe speciesis common, widespread and fairly abundant.

REFERENCES

Ohashi, H., R.M. Polhill & B.G. Schubert (1981). Desmodieae, pp.292–300. In: Polhill, R,M. & P.H. Raven (eds.). Advances in Legume Systematics. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Pokle, D.S. (1999). Novelties in Alysicarpus Desv. (Fabaceae) from India. Reinwardtia 11(4): 285–294.