Utricularia caerulea

Utricularia caerulea View in CoL L., Sp. Pl. 1. 18: 1753; Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 11. 1768; Vahl, Enum. Pl. I: 201. 1804; Wight, Hooker’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1:

374. 1849, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. t. 1583. 1850; Fyson, Fl. S. Ind. Hill Stations 1: 438. 1932; Santapau, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 49: 220. 1950; Ramaswamy & Razi, Fl. Bangalore Dist. 546. 1973; Gandhi in C.J. Saldanha & Nicolson (eds.), Fl. Hassan Dist. 564. 1978; N.Rani & K.M.Matthew in K.M.Matthew (ed.), Fl. Tamilnadu Carnatic I: f. 85c., 1112. 1983; D.M.Verma in D.M.Verma et al. (eds.), Fl. Raipur, Durg & Rajnandgaon 3: 26. 1985, excl. syn. U. roseopurpurea ; N.R.Ugemuge, Fl. Nagpur Dist. 273. 1986; V.Chandras. in A.N.Henry et al. (eds.), Fl. Tamilnadu Ind., Ser: 1 Analysis 2: 129. 1987; Manilal, Fl. Silent Valley 199. 1988; B.G.Kulk., Fl. Sindhudurg 308. 1988; N.P.Singh, Fl. Eastern Karnataka 2: 473. 1988; Taylor, Gen. Utricularia 187. 1989 p.p., excl. syn. U. roseopurpurea ; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 330. 1990; Kesh.Murthy & Yogan. Fl. Coorg Kranataka 317: 1990, excl. syn. U. roseopurpurea ; Janarth.& A.N.Henry, Bladderworts India 42. f. 9. 1992; Kothari & Moorthy, Fl. Raigad Dist. 282. 1993; K.M.Matthew, Excurs. Fl. Centr. Tamilnadu 357. 1995; Sasidh. & Sivar., Fl. Pl. Thrissur For. 328. 1996; Naik & Associates, Fl. Marathwada 2: 638. 1998; M.R.Almeida, Fl. Maharashtra 3 B: 431. 2001; Londhe in N.P.Singh et al. (eds.), FL. Maharashtra Dicot. 2: 564. 2001; L.K.Banerjee & T.A.Rao, Fl. Mahanadi Delta 227. 2001; Anil Kumar et al., Fl. Pathanamthitta 367. 2002; N.Mohanan & Sivad., Fl. Agasthyamala 491. 2002; S.R.Yadav & Sardesai, Fl. Kolhapur Dist. 337. 2002; K.G.Bhat, Fl. Uduppi 455. 2003; Subba Rao & Kumari, Fl. Visakhapatnam Dist. 1: 599. 2003; Paria & Chattopadh., Fl. Hazaribagh Dist. 2: 797. 2005; Li in Wu et al. (eds.), Fl. China 19: 483. 2007 excl. syn. U. roseopurpurea ; Sunil & Sivad., Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 516. 2009; G.P.Sinha in G.P.Sinha et al. (eds.), Fl. Mizoram 2: 194. 2012; Datar & Lakshmin., Fl. Bhagwan Mahavir Natl. Park 175. 2013; K.G.Bhatt, Fl. South Kanara 768. 2014; Nayar et al., Fl. Pl. W. Ghats India I: 584. 2014; S.K.Mandal & Bhaumik in Lakshmin. et al. (eds.), Fl. West Bengal 4: 142. 2019; D.Naras. & Sheeba, Fl. Pl. Tamil Nadu 577. 2021 excl. syn. U. roseopurpurea . Lectotype (designated by Smith, 1805): Ceylon, Herb. Hermann 2: 13, No.23 (BM [BM000621547 digital image!]). Fig. 2 (e–o)

Utricularia nivea Vahl Enum. Pl. View in CoL 1: 203. 1805; Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 144. 1820; A.DC. in DC., Prodr. 8: 21. 1844; Wight, Hooker’s J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1: 372. 1849, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. t. 1582. 1850; Oliv., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 186. 1858; Dalzell, Bombay Fl. 135. 1861; T. Cooke, Fl. Bombay 2: 319. 1905; N.P. Singh, Fl. E. Karnataka 2: 474. 1988. Type: Ceylon, s.d., Koenig s.n. (holo C [ C10013896 digital image!]).

Utricularia racemosa Wall. ex Walp. View in CoL , Nov. Actorum Acad. Caes. Leop. - Carol. Nat. Cur. 19 (Suppl. 1): 401. 1843; A.DC. in DC., Prodr. 8: 21. 1844; Wight, Hooker’s J. Bot. Kew. Gard. Misc. 1: 374. 1849, Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. t. 1584. f. 1. 1850; Oliv., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 186. 1858; Fyson, Fl. Nilgiri & Pulney Hill-Tops 1: 308. 1915. Lectotype (designated by Taylor, 1989): BANGLADESH, Silhet [Sylhet], s.d., H. Bruce , Wall. cat. no. 1496.1 (B, not located).

Utricularia filicaulis Wall. ex A.DC., Prodr. View in CoL 8: 21. 1844; Oliv., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 186. 1858. Utricularia racemosa var. filicaulis (Wall. ex A.DC.) C.B.Clarke View in CoL in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 333. 1884. Utricularia caerulea var. filicaulis (Wall. ex A.DC.) Haines, Bot. View in CoL Bihar & Orissa 645. 1922. Lectotype (designated by Taylor, 1989): Myanmar ( Burma), Tanintharyi region (Tavoy), s.d., Gomez s.n. in Wallich 1501 (G, not located).

Utricularia rosea Edgew., Proc. Linn. Soc. London View in CoL 1: 352. 1847; Oliv., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 184. 1858; C.B. Clarke in Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 333. 1884. Type: Bengalia, Burdwan, s.d., Edgeworth s.n. (K, not located).

Utricularia sampathii Subr. & Yogan., J. Indian. Bot. Soc. View in CoL 60. 123: 1981; M. Ahmed. & M. P . Nayar, Endem. Pl. Indian region 1: 155. 1986. Type: INDIA, Karnataka, Bangalore district, Dhyanashram , near Bannerghatta , 900 m, 03.11.1976, K . Subramanyam & S. N . Yoganarasimhan 123 (holo CAL [ CAL00019121 About CAL !]) .

Terrestrial annual or sometimes perennial herbs. Rhizoids c. 20 mm long, simple, rarely branched, glabrous. Stolons up to 38 mm long, 0.1–0.2 mm thick, terete, glandular, simple or sparsely branched. Leaves usually 4 on peduncle base, rosulate, 1–4 per node on stolons; petioles 1.5–2.5 mm long; lamina narrowly obovate–spathulate, 3.5–8 × 1–1.5 mm, rounded–obtuse at apex, 1-nerved. Traps on petiole base and stolon node, oblique, ovoid, 1–2 mm wide; stalks 0.4–0.5 mm long; mouth latero-terminal, with a triangular, beaked upper lip bearing glandular hairs. Racemes erect, simple or branched; peduncles 15–300 mm long, 0.5–1 mm thick, terete, purplish green, glabrous, 1–12-flowered, flowers distantly arranged or congested towards apex. Scales attached below the middle, elliptic to rhombic, 2–2.5 mm long, 1-nerved, upper acuminate towards apex, lower 2–3-fid. Bracts basisolute, attached just above the middle, 1.5–3.5 mm long, elliptic to rhombic, 1-nerved, acute-acuminate at both apices; bracteoles basisolute, attached just below the middle, 1–2.5 mm long, minutely papillate, rhombic, upper acute at apex, lower 2–3-fid. Flowers 2–7 mm long; pedicels not so prominent, 0.2–0.6 × c. 0.4 mm, erect, terete, reflexed in fruit, papillate. Calyx lobes sub-equal, minutely papillose, margin hooded; upper lip widely ovate to orbicular, 2–2.5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, obtuse-rounded at apex; lower lip ovate or oblong, 2–2.5 × 1.5–2 mm, rounded at apex. Corolla white, pale pink to purple with a prominent yellow patch at throat; upper lip ovate to oblong, constricted at middle, 2–4 × 1.5–1.8 mm, ciliate along lower margins, truncate or emarginate at apex; lower lip semi-orbicular to widely ovate, hairy at throat; palate raised into 3 or 4 linear swellings, crested at middle, 2–6 × 2–4.5 mm, obtuse–rounded at apex; spur conical, straight or often curved forward up to 6.5 mm long, longer than lower lip of corolla, acute or notched at apex. Stamens c. 1.5 mm long; filaments strap-shaped, 0.15–0.2 × 0.7–1 mm, curved or twisted at base; anther thecae distinct, sparsely papillose. Pistil c. 1.75 mm long; ovary ovoid, 1–1.5 mm long, pale green-purplish green; style 0.3–0.4 mm long, thick, distinct; stigma 2-lipped, lower semi-orbicular and hairy, upper obscurely trifid, deltoid, glandular hairy. Capsules sub-globose to globose, 1.5–2 × 1.4–1.8 mm, wall uniformly thickened, dehiscing by a longitudinal ventral slit; placenta ovate– sub-globose, 0.8–1 × 0.7–0.9 mm, pitted. Seeds numerous, obovoid to ellipsoid, 0.2–0.3 × 0.1–0.18 mm; hilum sub-terminal testa cells elongate, surface rough, granulated.

Flowering & fruiting: Flowering from the end of May till December; fruiting from early June till January.

Habitat: Grows in seasonally waterlogged soil-filled depressions in rocky surfaces and margins of small seasonal pools on lateritic plateaus, in sandy soils and marshy areas, at an elevation of 10–1750 m, in association with Utricularia bifida L., U. cecilii P.Taylor , U. hirta Klein ex Link , U. lazulina P.Taylor , U. malabarica Janarth. & A.N.Henry , U. minutissima Vahl , U. polygaloides Edgew. , U. sainthomia P.Biju, Josekutty, Janarth. & Augustine Burmannia coelestis D.Don ( Burmanniaceae ), Drosera indica L. ( Droseraceae ), Eriocaulon sp. ( Eriocaulaceae ), Geissaspis cristata Wight & Arn. ( Fabaceae ), Isachne veldkampii K.G.Bhat & Nagendran ( Poaceae ), Cyperus sp. , Fimbristylis sp. , Fuirena ciliaris (L.) Roxb. (all Cyperaceae ), Lindernia sp. ( Linderniaceae ), Murdannia semiteres (Dalzell) Santapau , M. crocea subsp. ochracea (Dalzell) Faden. (both Commelinaceae ), Neanotis sp. ( Rubiaceae ), Ramphicarpa sp. , Striga sp. (both Orobanchaceae ), Rotala malabarica Pradeep, K.T.Joseph & Sivar. ( Lythraceae ) and some other grasses ( Fig. 3 e-g).

Distribution: The native range is Tropical and Subtropical Asia, Japan, Madagascar, N. & E. Australia ( POWO, 2023) ( Fig. 4).

Specimens examined: INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor district, Akkagarla Gudi , 800 m, 01.10.1974, G. V . Subba Rao 45935 ( MH [ MH00126950 , MH00126951 ]); Thirumala, Narayanagiri, ± 1100 m, 17.09.1987, D. Ranga Charyulu 1654 ( MH [ MH00126949 ]); Wadanapalli , 27.12.1921, C. E. C . Fischer 4710 ( FRCH); Visakhapatnam district , way to Tanjavanam, 1075 m, G. V . Subba Rao 42621 ( MH [ MH00126948 , MH00126947 ]). Chhattisgarh, Dantewada district, Bailadila , ± 915 m, 09.10.1940, H. J . Mooney 1519 ( DD); Kanker, district, Raj bandha tank, 500 m, 17.11.1958, K . Subramanyam 7162 ( CAL, MH [ MH00126987 , MH00126988 ]); Raigarh district, Dharamjaigarh , ± 915 m, 19.03.1940, H. F . Mooney 1277 ( DD). Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu; Dadra and Nagar Haveli district, Dadra , 29.09.1963, M. Y . Ansari 93837 ( CAL, BSI). Goa, near Amaldem ( Malem ), 18.09.1970, N. P . Singh & B. G . Kulkarni 124356; Malem , 17.09.1970, N. P . Singh & B. G . Kulkarni ( BSI). Karanataka, Kolar district, Chintamani road, 05.01.1976, N. P . Singh 142100 ( BSI); Srinivaspur , Royalpal S. F ., 04.01. 1976, 825 m, N. P . Singh 142070 ( BSI); Mysuru district, Hardur, river near Hardur Coffee Estate , 10.10.1961, A. S . Rao 75043 ( CAL); Shivamogga district, Agumbe, Barakana , 16.10.1962, R . Sundara Raghavan 83273 ( BSI); Agumbe , near streams, 04.11.1960, R . Sundara Raghavan 68169 ( BSI); Tumkur district, Gounbinur, Madhugiri road, 28.10.1975, N. P . Singh 141103 ( BSI). Kerala, Idukki district, Valara waterfalls, near new dam construction site, 02.10.2021, K. K . Jeomol & M. P . Krishnapriya 177218 ( CALI); Malappuram district, Adyanpara waterfalls, 03.09.2020, M. P . Krishnapriya & SanthoshNampy 164372; Kodikuthimala , 08.10.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya 164317; Poonkavanam dam, 31.07.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya 168074; Ibid. , 14.09.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 164306( CALI); Kannur district, Blathoor , 22.08.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya 168092; Chooral, Aravanchal , 31.07.2022, M. P . Krishnapriya 177259; Madayippara, near Madayikkavu , 18.12.2010, C . Pramod 126618 ( CALI); Kasaragod district, Cheemeni, near old Cyber park, 20.08.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 168088; Cheemeni , 27.08.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175820; lateritic plateau opposite Central University , 26.08.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175806 ( CALI); Kanhangad, Ramnagar , 20.08.1985, M. K . Janarthanam 82917 ( MH [ MH00126969 , MH00126970 ]; BSID [ BSID0012614 View Materials ]); Kappadampoyil , 27.08.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175822; Koyithatta lateritic plateau, 27.08.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175817 ( CALI); Mulleria , 21.08.1985, M. K . Janarthanam 82923 ( MH [ MH00126967 , MH00126968 ]; BSID [ BSID0012615 View Materials ]); Periya , 20.08.1985, M. K . Janarthanam 82919 ( MH [ MH00126971 , MH00126972 ]; BSID [ BSID0012616 View Materials ]); Puthrakala , lateritic hillock, 26.08.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175812; Ibid. , ± 180 m, 01.08.2022, M. P . Krishnapriya 177271 ( CALI); Kozhikode district, near Iringal railway station, 25.08.1985, M. K . Janarthanam 82933 ( MH [ MH00126976 , MH00126977 ]; BSID [ BSID0012620 View Materials ]); Kakkayam, Ambalapara , 12.10.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 164322; way to Urakuzhi waterfalls, 06.10.2022, M. P . Krishnapriya 186018; Ponkunnumala , 04.10.2019, M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 164313 ( CALI); Pathanamthitta district, Konni reserve forest, Perumala , 300 m, 18.11.1976, M . Chandrabose 49117( MH [ MH00126961 , MH00126962 ]); Kozhenchery , 150 m, 07.12.1979, C. N . Mohanan 63705 ( MH [ MH00126957 , MH00126958 ]); Ranni , 325 m, 27.07.1978, C. N . Mohanan 58340 ( MH [ MH00126959 , MH00126960 ]); Palakkad district, Malampuzha water tank hillock, 15.09.1985, M. K . Janarthanam 82936 ( MH [ MH00126963 , MH00126964 ]; BSID [ BSID0012621 View Materials ]); Thiruvananthapuram district , Kottur R. F ., 275 m, 27.09.1973, J . Joseph 44432 ( MH [ MH00126952 , MH00126953 ]); Thrissur district, Athirapilly reserve , 150 m, 13.09.1976, K . Ramamurthy 48490 ( MH [ MH00126995 , MH00126956 ]); Irunilamkode hill near temple, 07.09.2020 M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 164378 ( CALI); Kayampoovam , 06.09.2020, M. P . Krishnapriya 164376. Malabar, Concan, s.d., J. E . Stocks & J. S . Law s.n. ( MH [ MH00126973 ]; GH [ GH01977058 digital image]). Madhya Pradesh, Chhindwara district, way to Tamia, Seetha Downkei , ± 450 m, 11.11.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 177239 ( CALI); Satna district, Satna town , in paddy field, 400 m, 20.09.1959, K. M . Sebastine 8899 ( MH [ MH00126985 , MH00126986 ]). Maharashtra, Nagpur district, Ambazari tank, 300 m, 18.11.1957, K . Subramanyam 4683 A ( MH [ MH00126981 ]); Satara district, Kaas , September 1994, M. P . Bachulkar Cholekar 5976 ( SUK). Meghalaya, East Khasi Hills district , Barapani, BSI Experimental Garden , ± 1000 m, 29.10.1986, M. K . Janarthanam 83031 ( MH [ MH00126991 , MH00126992 ]; BSID [ BSID0012665 View Materials ]); Cherrapunji, Mawsmai , 30.10.1986, M. K . Janarthanam ( MH [ MH00126989 ], BSID [ BSID0012666 View Materials ]); way to Cherrapunji , ± 1690 m, 17.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175829; Ibid. , ± 1171 m, 17.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175834; way to Jowai from Shillong , ± 1340 m, 23.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 175883 ( CALI); around Leska , 26.09.2007, M . Bhaumik 116504 (ASSAM); Mawryngkneng, way to Kut village , 22.09.2021 M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 175882 ( CALI); Mount Khasia , Regio. trop., alt. 3–5000 ped, s.d., J . D. Hooker & T . Thomson s.n. ( GH [ GH01977060 digital image]); Pynursla , 1370 m, 17.10.1945, N. L . Bor s.n. ( DD); Shillong , September 1950, G. K . Deka 22985 (ASSAM); Jaintia Hills district, way to Jarain , ± 1360 m, 23.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175887; way from Jowai to Jarain , ± 1235 m, 23.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175889 ( CALI); West Jaintia Hills district, Dawki , ± 833 m, 25.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya 175894; near Nartiang Durga temple, ± 1158 m, 22.09.2021, M. P . Krishnapriya & Santhosh Nampy 175879 ( CALI). Odisha, Purunakote section, 152 m, 06.09.2014, K. C . Mohan 005195 ( BSID [ BSID0010604 View Materials ]). Tamil Nadu, Dindigul district, Shenthetty kanal, 6-7000 feet, 20.09.1905, C. A . Barber 7531 ( MH [ MH00127002 ]); Kallakurichi district, Ulundurpettai, Pulloorkkadu forest Bunglow , 50 m, 30.12.1981, K. M . Matthew, S. J . Britto & N . Rani 28791 ( RHT [ RHT044624 About RHT ]); Chengalapattu district, Vandalur Zoological Park , 15.01.1986, M. K . Janarthanam 82975 ( MH [ MH00127006 , MH00127007 ]; BSID [ BSID0012668 View Materials ]); Thandarai , 06.01.2000, K. T . Augustine 61751 ( RHT [ RHT044625 About RHT ]); Krishnagiri district, Dharmapuri, Denkanikottai , Harur , Chitteri hills, Alangala malai slopes, 1000 m, 12.01.1976, N . Venugopal 20840 ( RHT [ RHT044618 About RHT ]); Denkanikotta Thally, Devarbetta , 900 m, 14.11.1979, K. M . Matthew 24572 ( RHT [ RHT044619 About RHT ]); Pudukottai district, Kulathur, Sathyamangalam , 150 m, 23.12.1978, Fieldmen 16087 ( RHT); Narthamalai , 125m, 23.09.1965, K . Ramamurthy 25944 ( MH [ MH00126993 , MH0012694 ]); Ibid. , 150 m, 15.11.1975, K. M . Matthew 15064 ( RHT [ RHT044611 About RHT ]); Ibid. , 12.12.2022, M. P . Krishnapriya 186042 ( CALI); Ibid., Pommadimalai , 150 m, 16.12.1982, K. M . Matthew & N . Rani 29343 ( RHT [ RHT044614 About RHT ]); Siddannavasal , 02.02.1978, K . Ramamurthy 53737 ( BSI); Salem district, Sittanavasal , 100 m, 02.02.1978, K . Ramamurthy 53737 ( MH [ MH00127000 , MH00126444 ]); Yercaud, Brooklyn , ± 1260 m, 29.04.1966, A . V.N. Rao 27499 ( MH [ MH00126996 , MH00126997 ]); Yercaud, Shevaroy , foot of the temple hill, 1400 m, 10.01.1980, K. M . Matthew 25639 ( RHT [ RHT044615 About RHT ]); Ibid. , slopes of temple, 1500 m, 25.02.1980, K. M . Matthew 26809 ( RHT [ RHT044616 About RHT ]); Ibid., Temple hill half way up, 1550 m, 15.12.1980, K. M . Matthew, J. B . Britto & N . Rani 28032 ( RHT [ RHT044617 About RHT ]); Green hills, Shevaroys , January 1941, E . Barnes. s.n ( DD); Sivaganga district, Sivaganga, Esani estate, 100 m, 16.12.1964, K . Ramamurthy 22732 ( MH [ MH00126998 , MH001269999 ]); Ibid. , 16.12.1964, K . Ramamurthy 22733( MH [ MH00126445 , MH00126446 ]); The Nilgiris district, Kinnacoorie , 23.01.1913, C. E. C . Fischer 3533; Attakatti , 27.12.1912, C. E. C . Fischer 3222 ( FRC). Orissa, Angul district, Talcher state, Paifoal Dalki , 300 feet, December 1940, H. J . Mooney 1644 ( DD); Ganjam district, Chatrapur , December 1889, J. S . Gamble 21560 ( DD); Nuapada district, Khariar estate, Sonahera plateau, 2150 feet, 02.10.1949, H. F . Mooney 3689 ( DD); Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Purunakote section, 125 m, 06.09.2014, K. C . Mohan 5195 ( BSID [ BSID0010604 View Materials ]) . AUSTRALIA, Queensland, Cape York Peninsula, Lockerbie , 10 miles WSW of Somerset, 20 m, 03.05.1948, L. J . Brass 18625 ( A [ A01977334 digital image]); Newcastle Bay , 2.5 miles S of Somerset , 5 m, 05.10.1948, L. J . Brass 18736 ( CAL, A [ A01977333 digital image]); Sanamere Lagoon, Jardine River , 10 m, 19.05.1948, L. J . Brass 18863 ( A [ A01977328 digital image]) . BANGLADESH, Silhet, Wall. Cat. 1496 ( K [ K000779496 ], GH [ GH01977061 digital images]) . CHINA, Yunnan, Yunnan-sen district , 1902, J . Cavalerie 811 ( E [ E00265803 digital image]); Chengkang, Monkang , 1450 m, 31.08.1938, T. T . Yu 17533 ( A [ A01976888 digital image]). Western Yunnan, Tengchong Xian, Jietou Xiang , between Jietou and Datang , 1670 m, 27.10.1998, Li Heng, Bruce Bartholomew & Dao Zhi-ling 11059 ( GH [ GH01976863 digital image]). Hong-Kong, 1855, M . Pabbe Furet s.n. ( P [ P02981582 digital image]) . INDONESIA, New Guinea , 1920 m, 11.04.1973, J . Raynal 17069 ( L [ L2829121 , L3887064 digital images]). West Papua province, Anggi Gita Lake, Bivouac Noordpool , 1850 m, 09.01.1962, Sleumer & Vink BW14014 ( L [ L2827485 digital image]); E . foot of Pekeglabro, Kebo, Wissel lakes, 1760 m, 28.05.1960, Vink & Schram BW8976 ( L [ L2827285 digital image]); Logged Dacrydium forest near Keb , Wissel lakes, 1750 m, 27.05.1960, Vink & Schram BW8916 ( L [ L2827284 digital image]); Neentjapaki mountains , Kebar valley , ± 1100 m, 13.10.1958, C . Kalkman 6381 ( L [ L2827483 digital image]); Kebar valley , ± 810 m, 13.11.1958, C . Koster BW 8037 ( L [ L2827282 digital image]). South Papua province, Merauke Koerik Camp , c . 15 km NE of Koembe village on north bank of Koembe river, 07.09.1954, P. van Royen 4851 ( L [ L2827290 digital image]); Goenoeng Si Papan (in Concession Kaloebi : Typographic Sheet 41, southeast quarter), 7– 14.04.1933, Rahmat SI Toroes 3760 ( MICH [ MICH1577903 About MICH digital image]); Langga Pajoeng (on the Soengei Kanan: Typographic Sheet 41, southeast quarter), 7– 30.03.1933, Rahmat SI Toroes 3298 ( MICH [ MICH1577905 About MICH digital image]); Ibid. , 7– 30.03.1933, Rahmat SI Toroes 3440 ( MICH [ MICH1577902 About MICH digital image]) . PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Eastern Highlands district, Goroka subdistrict, near Miruma village, upper Asaro valley, 19.06.1956, R . D. Hoogland & R . Pullen 5395 ( US [ US 03217131 digital image]); Morobe district, Wau subdistrict, Manki Trig , Bulolo , 5000 feet, 08.12.1967, P . Apini & H . Streimann NGF30948 ( L [ L2827457 digital image]); Mount Hagen subdistrict, Ogelbeng , 5600 feet, 12.09.1963, A. N . Millar & L. A . Garay 18721 ( A [ A01977252 digital image], L [ L2827286 digital image]); road above Tomba , 8000 feet, 06.07.1957, R. G . Robbins 268 ( L [ L2827469 digital image]); bog West of Tomba , 2560 m, 27.05.1972, P. F . Stevens & J. F . Veldkamp LAE54925 About LAE ( A [ A01977256 digital image]); Sirunki beneath the village of Nanguris , 14.08.1962, Walker ANU 528 View Materials ( A [ A01977257 digital image]); Sepik district , Telefomin , 08.01.1965, E. E . Henty NGF20695 ( L [ L2827484 digital image]) . JAPAN, Kyoto, Midorogaike, Kamigamo, Kita-ku , Kyoto-shi , 100 m, 11.09.2002, S . Tsugaru, S . Mitsuta & T . Sawada 31897 ( A [ A01976929 ]). Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Isokawa Hongoo-mura Kawachi-gun , 17.08.1959, Miyoshi Furuse s.n. ( A [ A01976932 ]) . MYANMAR (Burma and Malay Peninsula), s.d., Herb. Griffith 4080 ( A [ A01977059 ]); Mergui, Herb. Griffith 4080 ( K [ K000779525 ]); Pegu plains, s.d., S . Kurz 288; Pegu, Irrawaddy and Sittang valley, Yangoon lake , December 1870, S . Kurz 2306 ( CAL). Kachin, Bhamo district, Kantioe Sakan, Kaukkma valley , 120 m, 27.11.1916, J. H . Lace 6056 ( CAL) . MALAYSIA, Bako National Park, Lintang path, c. 100 m, 03.01.1964, Paul Chai S 19711 ( A [ A01977224 digital image]); Kedah, Gunong Jerai (Kedah Peak ), 3100– 3200 feet, 15.01.1964, H. M . Burkill HMB3305 ( A [ A01977225 digital image]) . SRI LANKA,, Ratnapura district , Rajjuruwatta Sabaragamuwa

on Kalawana-Pedikanda Road, ± 250 m, 02.12.1976, R.B. Faden & A.J. Faden 76/441 ( US [ US 03216805 digital image]). Southern Province, Galla district, Talgaswela, 20.02.197, L.H. Cramer 2853 ( US [ US 03216804 digital image]). THAILAND, Chiang Mai, Bo Luang tableland, 18°45’N 98°25’E, c. 1000 m, 14.12.1969, C. F. van Beusekom & C. Phengklai 2509 (P [P00376754 digital image]); Doi Sootep, 720 m, 02.01.1910, A.F.G. Kerr 1910 (K [K000779758]); Ibid., 518 m, 05.09.1909, A.F.G. Kerr 793 (K [K000779759 digital iamge]); Siam, s.d., H. Garrett 55; Siam, Chiangmai, 02.01.1910, A.F.G. Kerr 918 (CAL). Conservation status: Utricularia caerulea is widely distributed in India, but many of its habitats are subject to threats such as land clearing, mining, residential and commercial developments etc. Based on its broad distribution and population size, U. caerulea is assessed as Least Concern (LC) ( IUCN 2012, 2022).

Notes: Utricularia caerulea shows variation in plant size and nature of corolla (size, shape, and colour). Plants growing in lateritic areas at elevations of 10 to 1000 m reaches a height of up to 12 cm with flowers loosely arranged in simple peduncle, while those growing in swampy/ sandy soils at elevations of 1100 to 1750 m reaches 15–30 cm high with branched peduncles and dense flowers ( Fig. 2e). Rather than the caerulean blue, the corolla colour varies from pure white to shades of pink and purple ( Fig. 2f–m), and all these morphotypes are found in the same population.

Key to the species of Utricularia sect. Nigrescentes

1. Corolla pink to purple or white; bracteoles usually basisolute, attached (but sometimes very shortly) below the point of attachment ............ 2

1. Corolla yellow; bracteoles basifixed ....... U. bracteata View in CoL

2. Palate of corolla with 2 hooked processes on its distal margin; dorsal appendages of traps narrowly oblong with rounded apex ................. U. warburgii View in CoL

2. Palate of corolla with or without hooked processes; dorsal appendages of traps narrowly deltoid with acute apex ....................................... 3

3. Spur longer than the lower lip of corolla; seeds obovoid to ellipsoid; periclinal wall of testa cells elongate with granulated surface......... U. caerulea View in CoL

3. Spur shorter than or equal to the lower lip of corolla; seeds obovoid to oblongoid, periclinal wall of testa cells raised into cylindrical tubercles, surface finely verrucate ............... U. roseopurpurea View in CoL