Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 October 2024 | 16(10): 26022–26026

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8875.16.10.26022-26026

#8875 | Received 05 January 2024 | Final received 05 February 2024 | Finally accepted 18 October 2024

 

 

Notes on the extended distribution of Ceropegia gardneri Thwaites and other rare species of Ceropegia from southern Western Ghats, India

 

E.J. Josekutty 1 , P. Biju 2 & Jomy Augustine 3

 

1,2 Department of Botany, Government College, Vidhya Nagar, Kasaragod, Kerala 671123, India.

3 Department of Botany, Saint Thomas College, Pala, Kottayam, Kerala 686574, India

1 ejjosekutty@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 bijuarimba@gmail.com, 3 jomyaugustine@rediffmail.com

 

 

Editor: A.J. Solomon Raju, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.      Date of publication: 26 October 2024 (online & print)

 

Citation: Josekutty, E.J., P. Biju & J. Augustine (2024). Notes on the extended distribution of Ceropegia gardneri Thwaites and other rare species of Ceropegia from southern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 16(10): 26022–26026. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8875.16.10.26022-26026

  

Copyright: © Josekutty et al. 2024. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: None.

 

Author details: Dr. Josekutty E.J. is currently working as an associate professor and Head of the Department of Botany at Government College, Kasaragod, affiliated to Kannur University, Kerala, India. He has 17 years of research and teaching experience in botany. The area of his research is Western Ghats biodiversity and ecology, and he has published 26 articles and presented many papers at various international conferences. Dr. Biju P. is currently working as an associate professor at the Department of Botany, Government College, Kasaragod, affiliated with Kannur University, Kerala, India. His research area is the wetland biodiversity of the lateritic regions of Peninsular India. He has authored more than 30 research publications and presented numerous papers at various international conferences.

Prof. Jomy Augustine was previously head of the Department of Botany at St. Thomas College, Pala, Kerala, India. He is currently working as an emeritus professor at the National Institute of Plant Technology, Mahatma Gandhi University. Kottayam, Kerala. He has authored more than 60 publications in the field of angiosperm taxonomy and conservation and has authored books on the diversity of Strobilanthes.

 

Author contributions: EJJ collected the specimens and identified it based on the morphological characters. PB and JA helped in taking the photographs, arranging the colour plate and preparation of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

Acknowledgements: The authors are indebted to the principal of Govt. College, Kasaragod and to the principal and management, St. Thomas College, Pala for providing the necessary facilities. The authors were also thankful to Kerala Forest Department for providing necessary permissions for forest study.

 

 

Abstract: The extended distributional record of a threatened species of Ceropegia namely Ceropegia gardneri from Kerala is provided. This species exhibits a narrow range of distribution along the Western Ghats and in Sri Lanka. Details of four other rare species of Ceropegia are also given. Notes on taxonomy, phenology, distribution and conservation status are also provided for the better understanding of the species.

 

Keywords: Ceropegia candelabrum, Ceropegia decaisneana, Ceropegia elegans, Ceropegia fimbriifera, Ceropegia hirsuta, endemic, grasslands, Kerala, new record,  Paithalmala.

 

 

Introduction

 

The genus Ceropegia L.(s.l.) is represented by 740 species (Bruyns et al. 2020) which are distributed in the tropical regions of the world from Macaronesia and Africa to northern Australia (Huber 1957). Among these, 160 species with erect stem and radiate flowers were delimited to the Genus Brachystelma (Prasad & Venu 2015, 2020). In India, the genus Ceropegia s.s. is represented by 64 species (Kamble & Yadav 2019) mostly from the Western Ghats. C. gardneri Thwaites, often considered as a synonym of C. elegans Wall. is mostly distributed in Sri Lanka, was distinguished as a distinct species and was recorded from Baba Budan Giri hills of Chikmagalur District of Karnataka State for the first time from India (Kamble & Yadav 2012, 2013). No other records for this taxon are found anywhere from India. During the exploration of flowering plants of Paithalmala Hills of southern Western Ghats of Kerala, the authors encountered this species along with five other species of Ceropegia most of which belong to rare or threatened category. C. gardneri is recorded here as a new record to Kerala and also provided the details of five other rare species of Ceropegia from the locality.

 

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

The current study is based on seasonal plant explorations in Paithalmala of southern Western Ghats. The authors found species of Ceropegia growing in different habitats like rock crevices, grassland thickettes, and margins of evergreen forests. The specimens are collected and dissected under Zoom Stereo Microscope M 125. Photographs of the specimens were taken using Nikon 530 D camera. The specimens were then pressed and herbaria were prepared using the standard methods (Bridson & Forman 1991) and deposited in the herbarium of St. Thomas College, Palai for further studies. The specimens were identified using pertinent literature (Hooker 1885; Gamble 1921; Manilal & Sivarajan 1982; Ramachandran & Nair 1988; Murthy & Yoganarasimhan 1990; Kambale & Yadav 2014) and by comparing with the specimens available in various herbaria (K! K000305478 Brutt B.D. 14.05.1930; K000857808 Wight R 27.03.1844; K000894295 Gamble J.S. date not supplied; KFRI! 936 Sasidharan N. 11.10.1979; 932 Sasidharan N. 29.09.1978; 2485 Nambiar & Sasidharan 26.10.1982).

 

 

Results and Discussion

 

The present study showed the existence of six species of Ceropegia from Paithalmala hills of southern Western Ghats. The species identified include C. fimbriifera, C. hirsuta, C. elegans, C. candelabrum, C. gardneri and C. decaisneana. Most of these species fail to set fruit and seeds and survive only by means of underground rhizomes. Moreover they exhibit narrow microclimatic conditions in the Western Ghats.

1. Plants erect herbs ……….………………… C. fimbriifera

1. Plants twiners …………………......……….……………….. 2

2. Stem hirsute ……………………….….………….. C. hirsuta

2. Stem glabrous ………………….…........…………………… 3

3. Inner and outer lobes of corona equal ….. C. elegans

3. Inner and outer lobes of corona unequal ………….. 4

4. Corolla lobes up to 1 cm long ….……… C. candelabrum

4. Corolla lobes more than 1 cm long …………………… 5

5. Rounded pouches between corolla lobes present …………………...…......................................…. C. gardneri

5. Rounded pouches between corolla lobes absent ………………................................…………. C. decaisneana

 

Taxonomic treatment

Ceropegia gardneri Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 3: 199. 1860; Kambale & Yadav, Asklepios 114. 2012. Typus: C.P. 2838 PDA! Sri Lanka.

Twiners; roots tuberous, fascicled; stem terete, glabrous; internodes c. 8 cm long. Leaves opposite, petiolate; lamina lanceolate, 4–7 × 2–3.5 cm, apex acuminate, base rounded, margin entire, ciliate, nerves indistinct above, ciliate beneath; petiole c. 2 cm long, glabrous, canaliculate above. Flowers in axillary few flowered cymes, purplish, c. 4.5 cm long; peduncle short, c. 5 mm long, glabrous; bracts subulate, c. 2 mm long; pedicel c. 1.5 cm long, glabrous. Calyx lobes 5, free, linear, 4–6 mm long and glabrous. Corolla tube 2.5–3 cm long, white with purple blotches, glabrous; base swollen, purplish spotted; mouth funnel-shaped, purplish lines within, with a ring of downwardly pointed hairs, c. 3 mm long, purplish; lobes 1.4–1.7 cm long, connivent, spreading, purplish, apex greenish, hairy within and ciliate at apex. Corona 2-seriate, outer 2-fid, connate, c. 3 mm long hispid, shorter than inner lobes, hairy within; inner c. 2 mm long, connate, glabrous. Pollinaria ovoid, c. 0.2 x 0. 2.5 mm and reddish. Ovary oblong, carpels 2, free; style 2, c. 3 mm long; glabrous, stylar dome 5 sided.

Specimens examined: India, Kerala, Kannur District, Paithalmala, 1,208 m. 12.1039 °N, 75.3221 °E, JEJ 1712.

Distribution: India (Karnataka, Kerala) & Sri Lanka.

Habitat: Margins of evergreen forests.

Notes: C. gardneri Thwaites was reported from India for the first time from Hassan District of Karnataka. The species show restricted distribution in India and Sri Lanka along the margins of rainforests and associated streams. Poor fruit formation and seed setting are likely reasons for restricted distribution of the species. Further studies are necessary to assess the distribution and possible threats to the species (NE).

 

Ceropegia candelabrum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 211. 1753, var. candelabrum; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 66. 1883; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 856. 1923. Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 150. 1982; V.S. Ramach. & V.J. Nair, Fl. Cannanore 283. 1988; Murthy & Yoganarasimhan, Fl. Coorg 280. 1990. Typus: Plate of Rheede, Hor. Mal. 9: 27. t. 16, 1763.

Twiners; stem terete, glabrous; internodes 3–8 cm long. Leaves opposite, decussate; elliptic-ovate, 2.5–8 × 2–4.5 cm, apex apiculate, glabrous, membranous; lateral veins 3 or 4 pairs; petiole 1–2 cm long, glabrous, slender. Inflorescence axillary few-flowered cymes. Flowers 3–6, purplish-yellow, c. 2.5 cm long; pedicel c. 0.8 cm long. Sepals 5, linear-lanceolate, c. 2.5 × 0.5 mm, acute. Corolla tube c. 2.5 cm long, swollen below, yellowish with purple lines; lobes 5, oblong, 3–4 × 2.5–3 mm, apiculate, yellow, hispid at apex and inside, with purplish beaks. Corona 2-seriate, outer corona c. 3 × 2 mm, hispid; inner corona erect, c. 2.5 × 1.5 mm, linear, connivent. Pollinia 5, yellow, oblong. Ovary ellipsoid, carpels free; stigma dome shaped.

Specimens examined: India, Kerala, Kannur District, Paithalmala, 920 m. 12.1042 °N, 75.3215 °E, JEJ 2663.

Distribution: India & Sri Lanka.

Habitat: Thickets in grasslands.

Notes: It is the most common species found in the lower altitudes and can survive in dry habitats.

 

Ceropegia decaisneana Wight, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 4: t. 1259 1848; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 859, 1924; Murthy & Yoganarasimhan, Fl. Coorg 269. 1990. Ceropegia brevicollis Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 74 1883.Lectotype: K! 000857806 Kambale & Yadav, INDIA.

Twiners; stem terete, glabrous, herbaceous; internodes 5–20 cm long. Leaves opposite; lamina lanceolate, 10–14 × 4–6 cm, apex acute, membranous, hispid above, veins sparsely hispid below, lateral veins 4–6 pairs. Inflorescence axillary, umbellate cymes; peduncle c. 4 cm long and glabrous. Flowers 4–6, c. 4 cm long, purplish; bracts lanceolate, c. 2.5 × 0.5 mm, acute. Sepals 5, linear lanceolate, c. 6 × 1 mm, acute. Corolla tube c. 3 cm long, base swollen, c. 5–8 mm long; middle tubular, c. 1.2 cm long, puberulent, dark purplish inside; lobes 5, c. 2 cm long, midrib prominent, apex connate, ciliate at the tips and inside. Outer corona lobes bifid, base connate, c. 3 mm long, hispid along the margins; inner lobes longer c. 3 mm long, spathulate. Pollinaria 5, elliptic, 0.2 mm long, caudicle short, c. 0.5 mm long. Ovary linear-oblong, c. 0.8 mm long; style 2, c. 4 mm long; stylar dome 5-sided.

Specimens examined: India, Kerala, Kannur District, Paithalmala, 920 m, 12.1042 °N, 075.3215 °E, JEJ 2668.

Distribution: Endemic to the Western Ghats: Vulnerable (V)

Habitat: Margins of evergreen forests.

Notes: This species survives by means of underground tubers and has restricted distribution in the Western Ghats where it is found in the interiors of rain forests. Its leaves are edible and used by tribal communities

 

Ceropegia elegans Wall. in Curtis, Bot. Mag. 57: t. 3015 1830; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4:68.1883, Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 857, 1923; V.S.Ramach &V.J.Nair, Fl. Cannanore 282. 1988. Ceropegia mysorensis Wight, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 3: t. 846. 1844; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 69. 1883; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 857.1924. Ceropegia walkerae Wight, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 4: t. 1266 1848; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 69. 1883; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 857.1923.Lectotype: Wallich 1830: t. 3, 1930.

Twiners; roots fasciculated, tuberous; stem terete, purplish, glabrous, herbaceous; internodes c. 10 cm long. Leaves opposite; lamina lanceolate, 6–9 × 2.5–3.5 cm, apex acute-acuminate, base rounded, margins entire, leathery, glabrous; lateral veins 5 pairs; petiole c. 1.5 cm long, sparsely hispid, pubescent. Inflorescence axillary, umbellate cymes, few flowered. Flowers c. 3.5 cm long, purplish; peduncle light purplish, c. 2 cm long; pedicel c. 1 cm long. Sepals 5, linear 1–2 mm long, acute. Corolla purplish; tube 3–3.5 cm long, base swollen, c. 5 mm long, with purplish dots outside; lobes 5, ovate-elliptic, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 cm, bent inwardly, purplish, apiculate, purplish ciliate, involute. Outer corona lobes 5, c. 2 mm long, light purplish, 2-fid, hispid inside; inner corona c. 2 mm long, linear, purplish. Pollinaria 5, ovoid, yellow; caudicle c. 0.5 mm, ovary c. 1 mm long, oblong, carpels free; styles 2, c. 2 mm long; stigmatic dome 5-sided.

Specimens examined: India, Kerala, Kannur District, Paithalmala, 920 m, 12.1136 °N, 075.3121 °E, JEJ 3771.

Distribution: India & Sri Lanka.

Habitat: Evergreen forests.

Notes: This species collected from different parts of peninsular India showed variation in its morphology and it is well represented in many parts of the Western Ghats. Further studies are necessary for the delimitation of this taxon.

 

Ceropegia fimbriifera Bedd., Madras J. Lit. Sci. III, 1: 53 1864; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 66. 1883; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 856. 1923. Lectotype: R.H. Beddome BM001014217, INDIA.

Tuberous, erect herbs, c. 25 cm high; tuber depressed globose, brownish, c. 1.5 cm across; stem purplish, puberulent, nodes close. Leaves alternate; lamina linear-lanceolate, 3–5 × 0.4–0.5 cm, apex and base acute, entire, ciliate, puberulent; lateral veins indistinct; petiole 4–6 mm long, glabrous, grooved. Flowers axillary, solitary or few flowered cymes; peduncle c. 3 mm long, terete; bract linear-lanceolate, c. 2 mm long, acute, puberulent; pedicel c. 8 mm long, hispid. Sepals 5, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, puberulent above, ciliate. Corolla tube swollen near the base, grooved, tubular above, c. 2.2 cm long, purplish; lobes 5, confluent above, purplish, linear-lanceolate, with purplish gland tipped hairs in between. Corona 2-seriate, outer 2-lobed, smaller c. 1.5 mm long, obtuse with purplish hairs; inner longer c. 3 mm long, purplish. Pollinia 5, yellow, oblong. Ovary oblong, 2-locular, free; style short, stigma dome shaped.

Specimens examined: India, Kerala, Kannur District, Paithalmala, 920 m, 12.1104 °N, 75.3131 °E, JEJ 1496.

Distribution: Endemic to southern Western Ghats.

Habitat: Rock crevices in grasslands.

Notes: This species is rare and survives by its depressed spherical tubers. It is found in the grasslands. Wild fires and conversion of grasslands forming  monoculture plantations and tourism are considered to be threats to this rare species.

 

Ceropegia hirsuta Wight & Arn. in Wight, Contrib. 30. 1834; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 7. 1883; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 562. 1922. Ceropegia hirsuta var. stenophylla Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 71. 1983; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 859. 1923. Lectotype: R. Wight K000894263, INDIA.

Twiners; stem terete, purplish, hirsute; internodes 5–10 cm long. Leaves opposite; lamina ovate-lanceolate, 4–10 × 3–4.5 cm, apex acuminate, chartaceous; lateral veins 3–5 pairs; petiole 4–7 mm long, hirsute. Inflorescence axillary, few-flowered cymes. Flowers purplish, c. 2.8 cm long. Calyx tube short; lobes linear, 5–6 mm long, hispid. Corolla tube c. 2.2 cm long, base swollen, hispid within; lobes oblong, c. 6 mm long, acute, hispid inside; corona 2-seriate; outer corona c. 5 mm long; lobes triangular, bifid, densely hispid; inner corona linear, c. 2 mm long, bent, base hispid. Pollinaria 5, ellipsoid, yellow. Ovary oblong, carpels 2, free, hispid; style 2, c. 4 mm long, thick, stylar dome 5 sided, truncate.

Specimens examined: India, Kerala, Kannur District, Paithalmala, 450 m, 12.1128 °N, 75.3142 °E, JEJ 1499.

Distribution: Endemic to India; Vulnerable (V).

Habitat: Slopes in grasslands.

Notes: Even though restricted to India, this species has wide representation in peninsular India and Indo-gangetic plains. The species is well adapted to survive in drier habitats as well as along the high altitudes of the Western Ghats.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The present study documents six species of Ceropegia from Paithalmala in Kannur District of Kerala. Among these C. gardneri is a new report to Kerala as it is reported only from Karnataka so far from India. C. fimbriifera is very rare and there is no recent report for this species from Kerala and was mentioned only in the Flora of British India and Flora of the Presidency of Madras, which were published about a century ago. C. decaisneana Wight and C. hirsuta Wight & Arn. are endemic and vulnerable species.

 

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References

 

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