Burmannia decurrens Xiao J.Li & D.X.Zhang, Nordic J. Bot.

Burmannia decurrens Xiao J.Li & D.X.Zhang, Nordic J. Bot. View in CoL 38(9)-e02718:3. 2020. Type: CHINA, Guangdong, Gaozhou   GoogleMaps , N 22°15′08.11″, E 111°11′05.46″, 1010 m, 09.09.2019, X.J. Li, K. Zhang, G. Zeng & M.S. Wu 01210 (holo IBSC). Fig. 1 View Fig

Annual, erect, achlorophyllous holomycoheterotrophic herbs, 6–11 cm tall. Roots thick, tuberous, 0.3–0.6 mm long. Rhizome absent. Stem filiform, simple or branched, white, glabrous. Radical leaves absent. Cauline leaves appressed to stem, scale-like, triangular, 1–2 × 0.2–0.8 mm, acute at apex, keeled at base, white, glabrous. Bracts lanceolate, 1–1.8 × 0.2–0.5 mm, white, glabrous. Flowers solitary or 2–5 in a double cincinni, bisexual, 6–7 × 4–6 mm, 3-winged; pedicels 0.5–3 mm long, slightly winged; glabrous; wings 0.05– 0.1 mm broad. Perianth wings semi-elliptical, trapezoidal or bow-like, 1.8–2 mm wide, white, running from the base of outer perianth lobes to the base of pedicel, acute, obtuse or truncate at apex, acuminate and decurrent along the pedicel, glabrous; tube angular, 2–3 mm long; outer perianth lobes 3, triangular, 0.4–0.6 × 0.3–0.4 mm, acute at apex, recurved, lateral margins thickened and involute at middle, yellow; inner perianth lobes 3, semi-elliptic or ovate, c. 0.1 × 0.2 mm, rounded at apex, yellow. Stamens 3, sessile, below the inner lobes; connective Y-shaped, with two short lateral arms bearing thecae, two apical divergent crests covered by stigmas, and a basal acute or truncate pendant spur. Gynoecium tricarpellary, 4–6 mm long; ovary sub-globose or ellipsoid, 2–3 × 1.5– 2.5 mm, glabrous; style filiform, c. 2 mm long, glabrous; stigma trifid, elliptic or oblong. Capsules sub-globose, dehiscing by transverse slits. Seeds numerous, 0.3–0.4 mm long, yellow, fusiform with thumbnail tapering poles.

Flowering & fruiting: July to October. Habitat: Grows on humus-rich soil or mosscovered rocks under evergreen forest ± 1300 m above sea level. It is often associated with species of Impatiens ( Balsaminaceae ).

Distribution: China and India ( Fig. 2 View Fig ).

Specimen examined: INDIA, Meghalaya, East Khasi Hills district, near Tikuz view point, N 25°18’08.6’’, E 91°55’43.3’’, ± 1300 m, 20.09.2021, Krishnapriya GoogleMaps M. P., Akhil M.K. & K.H. Harishma 175857 ( CALI) .

Notes: Burmannia decurrens is morphologically allied to B. nepalensis , by the mycoheterotrophic habit, shape of cauline leaves, bracts and yellow seeds, but differs by the wings of outer perianth lobes decurrent to the middle or base of pedicel, semi-elliptic, trapezoidal or bow-like perianth wings, triangular outer perianth lobes with middle thickened lateral margins, semi-elliptic inner perianth lobes and fusiform seeds with thumbnail tapering poles ( Li et al., 2020).

AcknowledgementS

Authors are grateful to the Head, Department of Botany , University of Calicut for facilities; Science and Engineering Research Board , New Delhi (No. EMR/2016/007346 dated 01.11.2018), CSIR- HRDG, New Delhi (No. 09/043(0218)/2020- EMR-1) and E-Grantz ( Kerala) for financial assistance .