Lepidagathis fasciculata (Retz.) Nees

Lepidagathis fasciculata (Retz.) Nees View in CoL in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 95. 1832. Ruellia fasciculata Retz., Observ. Bot. View in CoL 4: 38. 1786. Lepidagathis fasciculata (Retz.) Nees var. α (alpha) Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 95. 1832. Lectotype or perhaps holotype (designated by Fischer, 1932): SRI LANKA, Thermas Tranquemallenses (Trincomalee), s.d., König s.n. (LD [LD1801295, digital image!].

Lepidagathis fasciculata ( Retz.) Nees var. β (beta) Nees in Wall. , Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 95. 1832. Ruellia viscosula Wall., Numer. List : n. 2394, 1830, nom. nud. Lectotype (designated here) or perhaps holotype: MYANMAR, Ataran (Atran) and Salween (Selum), 1827, s.coll, s.n. (Wall., Numer. List: n. 2394c, K [ K001115849 , digital image!]).

Lepidagathis hirta Nees, Lepidagath. Illustr. Monogr. View in CoL : 53. 1841. Lepidagathis fasciculata View in CoL var. α * ( alpha star) Nees in DC., Prodr. 11: 260. 1847. Lectotype (designated here): SRI LANKA, (Ceylon), Walker s.n. (K [specimen at the bottom of the sheet], digital image!).

Lepidagathis goensis Dalzell, Hookers J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. View in CoL 2: 340. 1850. Lectoype (designated by Brahmadande & Nandikar, 2023): INDIA, Goa, Dalzell s.n. (K [K001392436, digital image!]).

Lepidagathis rajasekharae K.Prasad & A.M.Reddy, Phytotaxa View in CoL 470(1): 112. 2020, syn. nov. Type: INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, Kadapa district, Sesachalam hills, way to Mogalipenta from Talakona top, 25.03.2017, K. Prasad 5208 (holo: BSID; iso: CAL [ CAL0000213067 About CAL !], BSID). FiGS. 5–10 View FiG View FiG View FiG View FiG

Decumbent to erect perennial herbs; stems 0.5–1 m long, rooting at lower nodes, greenish, wellbranched, 4-angled, glandular-hairy throughout, internodal distance 2–4 cm. Leaves subsessile, opposite-decussate, lance-ovate to elliptic, (1–)4– 18 × (0.5–) 2–6 cm, base attenuate to decurrent, margins vary from entire, crenate to serrate or dentate and undulate, apex acuminate, sparsely pubescent intermixed with glandular hairs; lateral veins 3–8 pairs. Inflorescence a spike, axillary and terminal, 1–2 cm long; peduncles 1–2 cm long. Bracts: sterile bracts 2, foliaceous, at base of each spike, lance-ovate to elliptic, 10–12 × 3–6 mm, apex acute, tomentose with glandular hairs throughout; fertile bract 1 per flower, oblong-elliptic, 6.3–9.4 × 2.5–4 mm, otherwise as sterile bracts. Bracteoles 2, dimorphic, linear to narrowly oblong and oblong to elliptic, 4.2–7 × 1–2.8 mm, otherwise as bracts. Calyx 5-lobed; lobes heteromorphic, tomentose with glandular hairs throughout; anticous lobes 2, equal, linear-oblong, 5–7.5 × 1–2 mm, connate at base (less than a quarter of their total length, i. e., 1–2 mm); posticous lobe oblong-elliptic, 5.5– 7.5 × 1.3–2.2 mm; lateral lobes 2, linear, 4.2–6 × 0.4–0.8 mm. Corolla 8–9 mm long, white (faintly yellowish at maturity) with pale purplish markings on expanded portion of tube inside throughout and yellow on palate; tube 5–6 mm long, cylindric below for 3–3.8 mm long, abruptly expanded above for 1.7–2.2 mm long, glabrous inside, retrorsely hairy outside; upper lip arcuate, 1.6–2 × 2.4–3 mm, margins entire, minutely 2-lobed ( 0.2–0.5 mm long) at apex, each lobe 3-veined; lower lip 3-lobed, 3–3.4 mm long including lobes, middle lobe broader than the lateral lobes, suborbicular, 2–2.2 × 2–2.7 mm, entire, 3-veined, lateral lobes oblong, 1.7–2 × 1.3– 1.6 mm, 3-veined. Stamens 4, didynamous; filaments white with purple spots, adnate at the base of expanded corolla tube, glabrous, anticous filaments 1.8–2.2 mm long, posticous filaments 0.8–1.3 mm long; anthers bithecous, oblong, divergent, 0.7–1 mm long, white to purple, sparsely hairy at base of suture and at connectives, dehiscing longitudinally. Pollen grains prolate, 28.1–29.7 × 16.3–19.3 µm, tricolporate; tectum reticulate, more open in area adjacent to apertures. Ovary sub-globose, 1.2–1.5 × 1–1.2 mm, minutely hairy at apex, 2-loculed; ovules 2 in each locule; nectary disk cupulate; style 4.5–5.5 mm long, bristled-glandular-hairy; stigma bi-lobed. Capsules lance-ovoid, 5–6.2 × 1.4–2 mm, minutely hairy towards apex, yellowish-brown; seeds 4, lower 2 ovoid, upper 2 sub-globose, 1–2 × 1–1.7 mm, sparsely covered with short hygroscopic hairs throughout.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from January to February and fruiting from February to May.

Habitat: In shady areas of dry evergreen forests and on open slopes of the Ghats, at elevations ranging from 100 to 1000 m.

Distribution: Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Specimens examined: INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, Godavari district, Sukuwana hill, February 1885, J.S. Gamble 15967 (MH [MH00110399]); Vatangi, 06.02.1916, C.A. Barber 12686 (MH [MH00110370, MH00110371, MH00110372]); Maredumilli, near tiger camp, 600 m, 18.02.1994, M. Mohanan 101277 (BSID [BSID0005360, digital image], MH [MH00110373, MH00110374]); Kadapa district, Sesachalam hills, on the way to Talakona falls, 26.02.2022, G. Gnanasekaran & A.F.J. King 12880, 12881, 12882, 12883 (Madras Christian College Herbarium, Chennai); Karimnagar district, way to Mukunoor, Mahdavpur, 22.02. 1986, 140 m, N. Rama Rao & T. Ravi Shankar 83705 (MH [MH00110377, MH00110378]); Khammam district, Nellippakka forest, 250 m, 22.02.1994, R. Chandrasekaran 99020 (BSID [BSID0005361, digital image], MH [MH00110375, MH00110376]); Mahabubnagar district, Nilagiri view point, 800 m, 10.02.1998, S.R. Srinivasan 109718 (BSID [BSID0005362, digital image]); On the way to Sirivakai, March 1962, D.C.S. Raju 101 (E [E01024235] digital image]); Visakhapatnam district, Mettur (Madgole to Minumuluru), 20.12. 1967,625m, G.V.Subbarao 29563 (MH [MH00110379, MH00110380]); Punniyagiri to S. Kota, 23.12. 1969, 250 m, G.V. Subbarao 32783 (MH [MH00110381, MH00110382]); on the way to Javapuram peak from Madugula, 09.04. 1976, 400 m, G.V. Subbarao 47257 (MH [MH001100384]). Goa, Just before Butpal, 13.03.1964, K.C. Karodia 96231 (BSI [BSI0000068427]); Anmod Ghat, 21.04.2023, N 15°24’50.6628”, E 74°16’40.458”, A.F.J. King 13003 (Madras Christian College Herbarium, Chennai). Karnataka, Bangalore, Nandi hills road, 20.01.1973, B.L. Burtt, C. Townsend, C. Saldanha 18351 (C, digital image); North Canara, s.d., s.coll. 188 (MH [MH00110402]); Chikkaballapur district, Nandi hills, 02.03.1957, E.K. Janaki Ammal 7392 (MH [MH00110287]); Canara & Mysore, s.d., Law s.n. (C, digital image); Malabar Concan, s.d., Stocks Law s.n. (C, L [U1046906], BM [BM013860496], G [G00390455], NYBG [NYBG04204645] digital images); S. Concan, s.d., Ritchie 592 (NYBG [NYBG04204644] digital image); Chikmagalur district, Bababoodan Hills, s.die, Law s.n. (L [L2837927] digital image); South Canara district, 1857, R.H. Beddome s.n. (MH [MH00110401, MH00110407, MH00110408]); Mudabidiri, 15.03.1915, C.A. Barber 11943 (MH [MH00110403, MH00110404, MH00110405, MH00110406]); Someshwar, 14.02.1940, S.R. Raju 85494 (MH [MH00110398, MH00110400]); Shivamoga district, Agumbe, 29.05.1958, S.D. Mahajan 34335 (BSI [BSI0000068431, BSI0000068432, BSI0000068433]); Udupi district, Mookambika WLS, Madur forest, 19.03.2007, P.G. Diwakar & R.K. Singh 184258 (BSI [BSI0000068428, BSI0000068429, BSI0000068430]). Kerala, Kannur district, Kannoth Reserve Forest, 125 m, 19.04.1980, V.S. Ramachandran 66911 (MH [MH00110388, MH00110391]). Madhya Pradesh, Bastar district, way to Thirathgarh falls, 09.02. 1961, 540 m, N.P. Balakrishnan & A.N. Henry 11892 (L [L2837906] digital image); Hoshangabad district, Churna, 413 m, 26.04.1961, J. Joseph 12423 (MH [MH00110394, MH00110395]); Bori Reserve Forest, 550 m, 01.05.1961, J. Joseph 12482 (MH [MH00110383]). Maharashtra, Ratnagiri district, Narur, 25 km from Sawantwadi, 17.04.1971, B.G. Kulkarni 128770 (BSI [BSI0000068422]); Wasul Rai, 40 km from Sawantwadi, 18.04.1971, B.G. Kulkarni 128803 (BSI [BSI0000068423]); Ram Ghat, 24 km from Amboli, 27.04.1971, B.G. Kulkarni 129341 (BSI0000068426); Bhedshi, 02.05.1971, B.G. Kulkarni 129474 (BSI [BSI0000068424]); Hewale, Bhedshi, 28.05.1970, B.G. Kulkarni 120925 (BSI [BSI0000068425]); Sindhudurg district, Amboli, 15.04.2017, J.V. Dalavi & M. Lekhak JVD-505 (SUK); Chorla Ghat, s.d., N.V. Malpure NVM2887 (SUK); Nagergali, 23.02.2008, N.V. Malpure NVM2887 (SUK); Satara district, Khandala, Forbay to Saddle, 15.03.1952, H. Santapau, S.J. 14101, 14102, 14103, 14104, 14105, 14106, 14107, 14108, 14109, 14110, 14111 (BLAT); Koyna, 11.02.1979, R.K. Kochhar 158315 (BSI [BSI0000068451]). Odisha, Niasangiri, Kalahandi, 30.04.1986, S.K. Mukherjee 4138 (BM [BM013860497] digital image); Balasore district, Kuldiha forest, 24.01.1986, 80 ft, Geetha, P. 6732 (CALI [CALI129493]); Ibid., Karthiayani, K.P. 6344 (CALI [CALI139494]); Ibid., Jeeja Majeed 8338 (CALI [CALI129495]); Ibid., A.K. Valsa 7034 (CALI [CALI129496]); Tulka, N 20°36’53.1”, E 84°57’35.0”, 307 m, 04.02.2015, K.C. Mohan 6513 (BSID [BSID0010883] digital image); Ganjam district,Hijilly, Dec. 1883, J.S. Gamble 13618 (MH [MH00110356]); Linepada to Koinjur, 25.01.1900, C.A. Barber 1244 (MH [MH00110385, MH00110386]); Durgaprasad, December 1906, s.coll. s.n. (MH [MH00110387]). Tamil Nadu, Dharmapuri district, Denkanikotta taluk, Thalli, Devarbetta reserve forest, 11.02. 1960, 950 m, T.S. Jayaseelan 26386 (RHT [RHT047306]); Ibid., 14.11. 1979, 900 m, K.M. Matthew 24588 (RHT [RHT047305]); Krishnagiri district, Sembiaru, Singarapettai hills, 05.04.1987, M.B. Viswanathan 1412 (MH [MH00110390]; Tiruchirappalli district, Chengattupatti, 800 m, 20.03.1959, K.M. Sebastine 7916(MH[MH00110392,MH00110393]);Thuraiyur, Pachamalais, Karuppankadu Thittu, 17.03.1978, 1000 m, K.M. Matthew 12357 (L [L3720654] digital image]); Tirupathur district, Yelagiri hills, on the way to Swamimalai, 28.03.1987, M.B. Viswanathan 1376 (MH [MH00110389]); Tiruvannamalai district, Jawadhu hillslopes, N 12°24’15.6”, E 78°40’26.6”, 26.03.2023, A.F.J. King 12994 (Madras Christian College Herbarium, Chennai). Sine data (C [C10005034, C10005035], LINN [LINN-HS 1093- 12], digital images]); Sine data (BM [BM014117825, BM013860495] digital images); S.loc ., s.d., Roxburgh s.n. (BM [BM013860499] digital image); S.loc ., s.d., R.H. Beddome s.n. (BM [BM013860499] digital image). SRI LANKA, Naula to Elahera road, 18.06.1932, s.coll. 9826 (BM [BM013860500] digital image); Without exact locality, July 1981, (BM [BM013860498] digital image); without exact locality, in Herb. Madrasp. (Wall., Numer. List: n. 2394a), sine data K ([K001115846 (specimen on left, annotated as a), CAL [CAL0000020058, digital images!]); in Herb. Roxb. (Wall., Numer. List: n. 2406), Sine data (K [K001115870, digital image!]).

Conservation status: The species is provisionally assessed here as ‘Least Concern’ [LC].

Typification: Nees von Esenbeck (1832) described L. fasciculata variety β ( foliorum dentibus minoribus) with a direct citation of a nomen nudum, Ruellia viscosula Wall. with Wall. Numer. List: n. 2394c that was collected from Ataran (Atran) and Salween (Selum), Myanmar, in 1827. At K, we found two specimens with different barcodes [K001115848, K001115849] and collection localities (a [Trogla?] and b [Atran], respectively), which were mounted on a single sheet with a label, Wall., Numer. List: n. 2394c. Among the two, the specimen with K0011158489 is designated here as the lectotype (perhaps holotype) as it matches the species identity and collection locality given in the protologue.