Syzygium munnarensis sp. nov. (Myrtaceae): an overlooked endemic species from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Abstract

A new species of Syzygium, Syzygium munnarensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Valara forest, near Munnar in the southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. It is similar to Syzygium gardneri and Syzygium cumini.

Keywords:

• Myrtaceae
• Syzygium
• India
• Southern Western Ghats
• endemic

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director, JNTBGRI for encouragement and facilities provided. We are also grateful to Kerala Forest Department for assistance in the field and to Dr B.K. Holst (SEL) for critical comments that improved the quality of the manuscript.