Hedyotis indirae (Rubiaceae), a new species from Western Ghats, India

ABSTRACT

Hedyotis indirae, a new shrubby species of Rubiaceae from Muthikulam forest of Palakkad district, Kerala is described and illustrated here. The species shows similarities with its closely allied taxa H. hirsutissima and H. beddomei, but differs in many qualitative attributes. Detailed description, phenology and distribution notes are provided along with photographs.

KEYWORDS:

• Elivalmala
• Kerala
• Muthikulam forest
• Novelty
• Palakkad hills

Acknowledgements

The authors express sincere gratitude to Dr Indira Balachandran, Director, CMPR for the help and support given for the study. Thanks also due to the Authorities of Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal for the support and Tata Trusts, Mumbai for financial assistance. The authors are also grateful to the Department of Forests, Government of Kerala, for providing necessary assistance during the fieldwork; and V. P. Thomas, Binu Prakash, Judin Jose and K. Prasad for their help in the field.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Tata Trusts, Mumbai.