Tripogon idukkianus Sunil & Pradeep, 2015

Tripogon idukkianus Sunil & Pradeep View in CoL , sp. nov. ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ).

Tripogon idukkianus is morphologically similar to T. anantaswamianus but differs in having linear acuminate, 5–13 mm long glabrous leaf blades, spikelets with 6–14 linear, secund florets, lemma 4-lobed, 3-awned, scabrid and palea 2-keeled, ciliate, bisetaceous subapically with an obtuse or acute apex.

Type: — INDIA, Kerala, Idukki District, Ramakkalmedu, 1500 m, 10 November 2002, C. N. Sunil 2267 ( holotype K! isotypes CALI! MH!).

Plants caespitose perennials. Culms up to 55 cm tall, nodes glabrous. Leaf sheaths 5–9 cm long, coriaceous, sparsely hispid, summit with a tuft of hairs, the hairs 1–2 mm long, basal leaf sheaths papery; blades 20–62 × 0.2–0.3 cm, flat or involute, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, midrib inconspicuous, margins entire. Racemes 15–45 cm long, with 20–58 spikelets, terminal; rachis smooth, angular, glabrous. Spikelets 5–13 mm long, 6–14-flowered, secund, gray-green, distant, laterally compressed, florets loosely imbricate, rachilla usually not visible; callus bearded; lower glumes 2–3 × 1–1.5 mm, 1-veined, membranous, asymmetrical, broadened on one-side below the middle, apex subacute, sometimes lobed; upper glumes 4–5 × 1–1.5 mm, lanceolate-oblong, 1-veined, membranous, apex acute, notched, mucronate, the mucro 0.5 mm long, scabrous, the lateral lobes as long or shorter than the mucro; lemmas 3–3.5 × 2–2.5 mm, membranous, gray-green, 3-veined, 3-awned, central awn 2–2.5 mm long, straight, rigid, scabridulous, lateral awns up to 2 mm long, apex acute, 4-lobed, each lobe, 0.5–1 × 0.25 mm, ovate-lanceolate; paleas 2.5–3 × 1 mm, hyaline, obovate, apex obtuse or acute, bisetaceous subapically, setae 0.25 mm long, curved, ciliolate; stamens 3, anthers 1–1.5 mm long; Ovary 0.25 mm long, globose with 2 styles, stigmas 0.75 mm long, purplish, feathery. Caryopses 1.5 × 0.25 mm, oblong, cylindric.

Distribution and Ecology: — Tripogon idukkianus is endemic to Kerala and is known only from the type locality, Ramakkalmedu in Idukki District of Kerala, South India. This species grows from 1000–1500 m elevation on rocky hillsides.

Phenology: —Flowering and fruiting in October to late December.