Re-collection of two climbing asclepiads: and (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) from Assam, India

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9588.17.8.27384-27390

Keywords:

Climbers, conservation, Gentianales, pollinators, plant diversity

Abstract

Two lesser-known climbing asclepiads—Cynanchum corymbosum Wight and Oxystelma esculentum (L.f.) Sm.—of the family Apocynaceae, sensu lato, have been recollected from Assam, India after a gap of 67 and 87 years, respectively. A detailed taxonomic account, colour photo plates, and a map showing the collection sites in Assam has been provided. This recollection highlights the importance of continued botanical exploration and conservation efforts in the region.

Author Biographies

  • Gitartha Saikia, Plant Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam 783314, India.

    .

  • Saurav Kumar Boruah, Plant Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam 783314, India.

    .

  • Trishna Roy Prodhani, Department of Botany, Abhayapuri College, Bongaigaon, Assam 783384, India.

    .

  • Nilakshee Devi, Plant Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam 783314, India.

    .

References

Deb, D.B. (1983). The Flora of Tripura State. Today & Tomorrow’s Printers and Publications, New Delhi (2): 333 pp.

Demarco, D. (2017). Floral glands in asclepiads: structure, diversity and evolution. Acta Botanica Brasilica 31(3): 477–502. http://doi.org/10.1590/0102-33062016abb0432

Endress, M.E. & P.V. Bruyns (2000). A Revised Classification of the Apocynaceae s.l. The Botanical Review 66(1): 1–56.

Endress, P.K. (2016). Development and evolution of extreme synorganization in angiosperm flowers and diversity: a comparison of Apocynaceae and Orchidaceae. Annals of Botany 117: 749–767. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcv119

Endress, M.E., S.L. Schumann & U. Meve (2014). An updated classification for Apocynaceae. Phytotaxa 159(3): 175–194. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.159.3.2

Hooker, J.D. (1883). The Flora of British India, Vol. 4. Library University of California, Davis. Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, 17, 24 pp.

Jain, S.K. & R.R. Rao (1976). A Handbook of Field and Herbarium Methods. Todays & Tomorrows Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, India.

Kanjilal, U.N., A. Das, P.C. Kanjilal & R.N. De (1939). Flora of Assam, Vol. 3. Lakshminarayan Nath, Prabasi Press, Upper Circular Road, Calcutta, 281, 282, 286 pp.

Khanum, R., S. Surveswaran, U. Meve & S.L. Schumann (2016). Cynanchum (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae): a pantropical Asclepiadoid genus revisited. Taxon 65(3): 467–486. https://doi.org/10.12705/653.3

Liede, S. & H. Kunze (1993). A descriptive system for corona analysis in Asclepiadaceae and Periplocaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution 185: 275–284.

Liede, S. & U. Meve (2013). The Orthosiinae revisited (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Asclepiadeae). Annals of the Missouri Botanic Gardens 99(1): 44–81.

POWO (2024). “Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453597-1. Accessed on 28.xi.2024

Shen, J.Y., X.D. Ma, W.G. Wang & J.P. Shi (2019). Cynanchum brevipedunculatum, a new species of Apocynaceae from Yunnan, China. Taiwania 64(3): 217–220. https://doi.org/10.6165/tai.2019.64.217

Singh, K.P., G.P. Sinha, B.K. Shukla, G. Chowdhury & D. Banik (2012). Flora of Mizoram, pp. 337–340. In: Sinha, G.P., D.K. Singh & K.P. Singh (eds). Botanical Survey of India, Shiva Offset Press, Dehra Dun.

Swarupanandan, K. & J.K. Mangaly (1996). The subfamilial and tribal classification of the family Asclepiadaceae. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 120: 327–369.

Xu, W.B., B.S. Xia, J.Q. Wu, Y.X. Chen & J.Y. Shen (2021). Cynanchum hubeiense (Apocynaceae), a new species from Hubei, China. Taiwania 66(1): 53–56. https://doi.org/10.6165/tai.2021.66.53

Downloads

Published

26-08-2025

Issue

Section

Short Communications