Journal of Threatened
Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 July 2025 | 17(7): 27295–27299
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9472.17.7.27295-27299
#9472 | Received 30 October 2024 | Final received 09 May 2025 | Finally
accepted 30 June 2025
Mucuna interrupta Gagnep.
(Magnoliopsida: Fabaceae): a new plant record for
Nagaland, India
Vieneite-o Koza
1 ,
Gyati Yam 2 & Joynath Pegu 3
1–3 Department of Forestry, Nagaland
University, Lumami, Nagaland 798627, India.
1 ateukoza24@gmail.com, 2 gyatiyam.08@gmail.com
(corresponding author), 3 joynathpegu@gmail.com
Editor: P.C. Panda, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to
be University), Bhubaneswar, India. Date of publication: 26 July 2025
(online & print)
Citation: Koza, V., G. Yam & J. Pegu (2025). Mucuna interrupta Gagnep. (Magnoliopsida:
Fabaceae): a new plant record for Nagaland, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 17(7): 27295–27299. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9472.17.7.27295-27299
Copyright: © Koza et al. 2025. 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.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Acknowledgements: Authors are deeply thankful to Nagaland University for supporting them while carrying out the research work. Authors are also grateful to the village headman for the help and assistance provided during the field survey.
Abstract: Mucuna interrupta Gagnep.
(Fabaceae), a riparian climber of the genus, is reported for the first time in
the flora of Nagaland. A comprehensive taxonomic account of the species is
presented in this paper, including a morphological description, colour photographs, ecological notes, ethnobotanical uses,
phenology, and the need for conservation.
Keywords: Climber, ecological notes,
ethnobotanical uses, new record, phenology, riparian vegetation, Nagaland
flora, taxonomic description.
The genus Mucuna
Adans (Fabaceae) is comprised of 112 species,
which are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world (POWO 2025).
With the wild occurrence of 68 taxa, the taxonomic diversity of the genus is
highest in Asia (Moura et al. 2016). As of now, the genus Mucuna
is represented by 11 species and three varieties in India (Wilmot-Dear 1987; Sanjappa 1992; Aitawade &
Yadav 2012; Ingalhalikar et al. 2017; Gaikwad et al.
2018). While species like M. pruriens, M. monosperma, and M. gigantea
are widespread in India, M. imbricata, M. bracteata, M. macrocarpa,
M. sempervirens, and M. nigricans have so far been
reported from the eastern Himalayas only. Mucuna
atropurpurea is endemic to peninsular India. An
intraspecific taxon, M. pruriens var. thekkadiensis described by Thothatri
& Ravikumar (1997), has later been reduced to a synonym of M. pruriens var. hirsuta
(Krishanraj & Mohanan
2012). Subsequently, three new species of Mucuna,
viz., M. sanjappae from Western Ghats (Aitawade & Yadav 2012), M. laticifera
from Sikkim (Ingalhalikar et al. 2017), and M. yadaviana from Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Gaikwad
et al. 2018), have been added to the Indian flora.
During a field survey in the semievergreen forests near Akuluto
Village of Zuneheboto District of Nagaland, we
encountered a climbing plant growing in association with Combretum quadrangulare at an elevation of 822.23 m. Based on
morphological analysis and literature study, the species was determined to be M.
interrupta Gagnep. For
the identification of the species, the Herbarium Catalogue of the Royal
Botanical Garden, Kew (accession number K000894901) and Plants of the World
Online (POWO 2024) were consulted. In India, the species is reported to occur
in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands (Sanjappa 1992; Aitawade
& Yadav 2012; Patil et al. 2016). Therefore, the
present report on the occurrence of M. interrupta
from Zunheboto District, Nagaland is a new
distribution record for the state. The field study was carried out between
April 2023–October 2024 in the Reserve Forest of Akuluto
Village, Zuneheboto District, Nagaland, located
between 26.2140 N, 94.4870 E (Figure 1). The region receives
2,500 mm of rainfall annually, and its elevation ranges 800–1,800 m. The
herbarium specimens were prepared following standard field and herbarium
methods (Rao & Jain 1977). The specimens were stored in the Herbarium of
Nagaland University, Lumami, Zunheboto,
Nagaland. A comprehensive botanical description notes on ecology, distribution,
and morphological characteristics by which the species can be distinguished
from its closely-related species like M. revoluta
and M. hainanensis have been provided (Image
1).
Results and
Discussion
Taxonomic treatment
Mucuna interrupta Gagnep.
in Notul. Syst. (Paris) 3: 26. 1914. Mucuna nigricans (Lour.)
Steud. in Nomencl. Bot.,
ed. 2, 2: 163. 1841; Sanjappa, Legumes of India 217.
1992. Citta nigricans Lour. in Fl. Cochinch.: 456.
1790, nom. utique rej. Stizolobium nigricans (Lour.)
Pers. Syn. Pl. 2: 299. 1807.
Type: Thailand, Mao Mak Kok, Muah
Lek. Sasabusi, NI Nai (K000894901 image!).
Climbers or twining vine stems
glabrous or with fine hairs, light brown to reddish. Leaves alternate, petiole
6–9 cm, hairy on petiolules and petioles, lateral
veins 5–7 pairs, terminal leaflets larger, up to 12 x 6.5 cm and thinly papery;
lateral base slightly less asymmetrical , rounded,
semi-cordate or ± cordate. Inflorescence axillary, 4–8 cm, unbranched and
bearing 1–6 knob-like flowers on side branches towards apex, bracts large, and
persistent; axis with thick adpressed pale
pubescence, finer than stem, pedicels 8–10 mm long, bracteoles long,
linear-oblanceolate, and pointed, 22–30 x 5 cm, calyx with stinging bristles,
hairy like the axis, cup-shaped, tube 10 x 10 mm long, and broad. Corolla white
or violet, medium to large, 3–3.5 × 1.8–2 cm, wings 5.5–6 cm; keel equaling
wings. Fruit elongate, twisted, apex and bottom considerably large, 13–14 × 6–7
cm, 1.5–2 cm thick, markedly laterally flattened ± 2.5 cm in thickness and 7 cm
wide, reddish hairs and irritant bristles, 10–20 obliquely transverse, upright,
crowded, interrupted parallel lamellae cover the fruit on both sides, two wings
along its edge but not midline, legume extended to marginal wings or fruits,
seeds 2 or 3, orange- brown to hilum black, reniform or fairly globular, length
2–2.5 cm, ± 1 cm in thickness.
Flowering & fruiting:
August–October.
Habitat: Growing in wetland and
riverine settings with high humus content, where it can adhere to trees and
other vegetation for support.
Distribution: India (Andhra
Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh,
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Nagaland),
Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam.
Specimens studied: Akuluto Village, Zuneheboto
District, Nagaland (26.2140 N, 94.4870 E), 11.x.2024,
NU/FRS-238 (Image 2).
Conclusion
The present study documented M.
interrupta as a new record for the flora of
Nagaland, India. The fruit extract of the species is traditionally utilized for
application on lacerations to promote rapid healing. The oil derived from the
leaves and fruit is used to treat iron corrosion. The seeds are utilized as
adornments by the tribes of Tripura. Mucuna
interrupta is rare in its natural habitat, and it
is currently protected in the Lumami Village, Zuneheboto District, Nagaland, India.
Table 1. Distinguishing characteristics of Mucuna
interrupta and its closely related species.
|
Characters |
M. interrupta
Gagnep. |
M. revoluta Wilmot-Dear |
M. hainanensis
Hayata |
|
Natural habitat |
Isolated wetland area |
Moist, lowland area |
Humid forest, forest edge, and
disturbed areas |
|
Leaf-shape and size |
Ovate, entire, acute |
Elliptic or ovate |
Elliptic ovate or elliptic
obovate |
|
Stem |
Glabrous or fine hairs, light
brown, reddish |
Glabrous, sparsely haired |
Young stems either glabrous or
sparsely adpressed hairy. |
|
Inflorescence |
Inflorescence axillary, 8–24 cm
long, bracts persistent, pedicles 8–10 mm, spreading fine pale hairs. |
Short, velvety pubescent
pedicels, 8–16 cm long, unbranched or branching at the base bearing 5-13
reduced, Knob-like flower. |
Inflorescence axillary, 5–18
nodes, 6–40 cm. base nodes devoid of flowers; few long acuminate bracts 2–3
cm; large flowering nodes |
|
Flower colour
and size |
Purple; keel-white, 4.50 ± 0.04
|
Pink or brownish-purple; 4.8 ± 1 |
Purple to dark purple; 4.2 ±
0.6 |
|
Fruit shape, size, and color |
Fruit elongate, twisted apex
and bottom, 13–14 × 6–7 cm, 1.5–2 cm thick, reddish hairs and irritant bristles |
Small to medium-sized,
leathery, flattened, 6–9 cm long, with obliquely transverse lamellae that
bifurcate at the tip. |
Asym-metrical or
oblong-ovate, 9–18 × 4.5–5.5 cm |
|
No. of seed |
2–3 seeds |
1–2 seeds |
2–4 seeds |
|
Size of seed |
4.2 ± 0.13 cm |
4.5 ± 2.5 cm |
4.2 ± 2 cm |
|
Shape of seed |
Elliptic, discoid |
Ellipsoid, convex face |
Oblong or reniform |
|
Color of seed |
Creamy, reddish-brown |
Red to brown with black
mottling |
Reddish-brown or black |
|
Wings |
Narrow marginal wings |
Marginal wings |
Marginal wings |
|
Distribution |
Yunnan, Cambodia, Laos, Myan-mar, Thailand, Vietnam, Tripura |
Yunnan, Cambodia, Laos, Myan-mar, Thailand, Vietnam |
Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan,
Yunnan, Vietnam |
FOR
FIGURE & IMAEGS - - CLICK HERE FOR FULL PDF
References
Aitawade, M.M. & S.R. Yadav (2012). Mucuna
sanjappae, a new species from the northwestern
Ghats, India. Kew Bulletin 67(3): 539–543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-012-9369-1
Gaikwad, S.,
P. Lawand & R. Gurav
(2018). Mucuna yadaviana
sp. nov. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)
from the Andaman Islands, India. Phytotaxa 348(2):
153–158. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.348.2.11
Ingalhalikar S., N. Page, S. Gaikwad & R.
Gurav (2017). Mucuna
laticifera, a new species from north-eastern India.
Phytotaxa 319(1): 118–122. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.319.1.8
Jain, S.K.
& R.R. Rao (1976). A Handbook of Field and Herbarium Methods. Today & Tomorrow’s Printers
and Publishers, New Delhi, 158 pp.
Krishnaraj, M.V. & N.N. Mohanan (2012). Notes on
identity and status of two legumes (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae)
from India. Phytotaxa 66: 13–20. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.66.1.3
Moura,
T.M.D., M. Wilmot-Dear, M. Vatanparast, A.P.
Fortuna-Perez, A.M. Tozzi & G.P. Lewis (2016). A new infrageneric
classification of Mucuna (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae): supported by morphology, molecular
phylogeny and biogeography. Systematic Botany 41(3): 606–616. https://doi.org/10.1086/684131
Patil, R.R., K.D. Pawar,
M.R. Rane, S.R. Yadav, V.A. Bapat & J.P. Jadhav
(2016). Assessment
of genetic diversity in Mucuna species
of India using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and inter simple sequence
repeat markers. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 22: 207–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-016-0361-3
POWO (2025). Plants of the World Online.
Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/. Accessed on 05.v.2025.
Sanjappa, M. (1992). Legumes of India. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,
Dehradun, 338 pp.
Thothathri, K. & S. Ravikumar (1998). A new variety of the tribal
pulse, Mucuna pruriens
(L.) DC. from the Thekkady forest, Kerala. Journal
of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 21: 703–704.
Wilmot-Dear, C.M. (1983). A revision of Mucuna (Leguminosae-Phaseoleae)
in the Indian Subcontinent and Burma. Kew Bulletin 39: 23–46. https://doi.org/10.2307/4109895