Dactyloctenium scindicum Boiss., Diagn. Sér.

S. N., Landge, R. D., Shinde & Mistry, M. K., 2021, On the correct identity and distribution ofDactyloctenium scindicum (Poaceae: Chloridoideae: Cynodonteae: Dactylocteniinae) in the Indo-Gangetic plains and Peninsular India and notes on other species in India, Rheedea 31 (4), pp. 282-295 : 284-289

publication ID

https://doi.org/10.22244/rheedea.2021.31.04.05

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https://treatment.plazi.org/id/64368F0E-8720-E862-FF81-F187FD56C3DA

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Felipe

scientific name

Dactyloctenium scindicum Boiss., Diagn. Sér.
status

 

Dactyloctenium scindicum Boiss., Diagn. Sér. View in CoL 2, 4, 131. 1859. Eleusine scindica (Boiss.) Duthie, Fodder Grasses North. India. 58. 1888.

D. glaucophyllum Courbon., Ann. Sc. Nat. View in CoL sér. 4, 18: 133. 1862. Eleusine glaucophylla (Courbon) Munro ex Benth. J. Linn. Soc., Bot. View in CoL 19: 107. 1881. Type: ETHIOPIA, Eritrea, Dissei I., Courbon (holo P [P02227114 digital image!]).

D. glaucophyllum Courbon var. elongatior Courbon, Ann. Sc. Nat. sér. 4, 18: 134. 1862. Type: ETHIOPIA, Eritrea , near Massaua , Ennecoullou, Courbon (holo P [P02227115 digital image!]).

D. glaucophyllum Courbon var. robustior Courbon, Ann. Sc. Nat. sér. 4, 18: 134. 1862. Type: ETHIOPIA, Eritrea, Dumeira I., Courbon (holo P [P02227112 digital image!]). FigS. 1-3 View Fig View Fig View Fig

Perennial herbs, 10–60 cm high, glaucous, slender, densely tufted mat-forming, with distinct thickets interconnected by network of woody stolons. Culms long, slender, stiff, geniculately ascending with bulbous thickened/swollen bases (thickening velvety-tomentose), clothed with blade-less or reduced-bladed. Leaf sheath glaucous, striated, shorter than the internodes, papillose long-hispid with bulbous based trichomes, loose near the base, quite disintegrating in appearance in mature plants in the lower parts of culm. Blades 3–16 × 0.18–0.2 cm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, glaucous, scattered papillose-hispid especially along the margins, with bulbous-based trichomes 0.5–2 mm long, sparsely dispersed, deciduous with age; older blades studded with remnants of trichome bases. Ligule c. 0.8 mm long, membranous, truncate, lacerated, and slightly ciliolate. Inflorescence a terminal, a digitately radiating fascicle consisting 3–4(–7) spikes, each spike 0.5–2.3 cm long, falcately curved or sub-patently projecting. Rachis stout, scabrid, minutely ciliolate on the angles, pilose in the junction, somewhat triangular in cross section, excurrent into a pungent mucro of 0.3–3(–5) mm in length, dis-articulating with a transverse constriction or articulation at the base. Spikelets 4– 8(–10) mm long, of variable sizes, those occupying the middle of the rachis being longer than those towards the ends, solitary, biseriately secund on the inner concavity of the stout rachis, laterally compressed, ovate, sessile, disarticulating above the glume not between the florets, 3–7(12)–flowered (terminal 1–2 florets reduced to lemma, vestigial or staminate, 0.8–1.2 mm long). Lower glume 1.8– 2.5 × 1 mm, ovate, 1-nerved, strongly carinate, midrib rigid, sides membranous, sub-hyaline, glabrous, scabrous. Upper glume up to 1.5–2.3 mm long (excluding awn), elliptic or somewhat oblong, 1-nerved, strong midrib extended into a sub-apical awn c. 1.2 mm long, long, sides sub-rigid with hyaline margin, glabrous, scaberulous. Lowest pair of florets in the spikelet equal or sub-equal. Lemmas 3–3.8 × 1.8 mm, narrowly ovate-elliptic, lanceolate, never gibbous, 3-nerved (midrib rigid, quite smooth, lateral nerves sub-marginal, gradually evanescent), thick, coriaceous, glabrous, smooth, tip obtuse to mucronulate (mucro c. 0.8 mm long). Palea 2.8–3 × 0.8–(–1) mm, elliptic, 2-keeled, membranous, margin inflexed, keels thick, moderately scabrid, wingless, tip acute and undivided. Lodicules 2, c. 0.3 mm long, turgid with oblique apices. Stamens 3, filaments long, anthers 1.1–2 mm long. Caryopsis 0.7–1.2 mm long, ovate, never concave at the tip, transversely rugose.

Vernacular names: Sindh: Mandjiro; Punjab: Bhobra (in Hissar), bobriya (in South Punjab); in Rajasthan (formerly Rajputana): Ganthya, gantighas and janglimalicha (in Ajmer), kharomakro or makra (in Jaipur) ( Duthie, 1888).

Flowering & fruiting: almost throughout the year.

Habitat: Dry rocky outcrops, sandy soil on hard ground and also on wet ground. It also occurs on highly saline soil tracks in the Kutch district . In its northwestern range of distribution in Rajasthan, it is a common species .

Illustrations: Sultan (1954: 16, fig. 8), Fröman and Persson (1974: 230, plate 90).

Distribution: Northeast tropical Africa, from Egypt to Kenya; Sudan to Arabia. Also Pakistan ( Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and Northwest Frontier Province) penetrating into Northwest India ( Bor, 1960, Cope, 1982 Clayton et al., 2006, Kamal et al., 2016).

In India, this taxon is distributed in: Rajasthan state (almost in all districts) and Gujarat state, mostly northern parts such as Kutch district, Banaskantha district and Surendranagar district, and also mentioned to occur in the Ahmedabad district of this state ( Woodrow, 1901). According to Blatter and McCann (1935), Sedgwick’s collections from Ahmedabad exist but provided no collection number. We have not seen any material by Sedgwick from Ahmedabad. Although according to Duthie (1888) and Blatter and McCann (1935), it occurs in Punjab, but we have not seen any specimen in the consulted herbaria.

Specimens examined: INDIA [Indes Orient?]. Indes Orient, s.d., V. Jacquemont 59 & 75(P). Gujarat, Banaskantha district, Deodhar, 90m, 02.09.2004, S. L. Meena 20714 (BSJO); Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary., 240 m, 21.08.2003, S. L. Meena 1814 (BSJO); Juigao, 20 m, 02.09.2004, S. L. Meena 20726 (BSJO); Dwarka district, neighborhood of station, 22.08.1952, H. Santapau 14736 (BLAT); Mithapur Talao, Saurashtra, 16.10.1953, H. Santapau 16751 (BLAT); Kutch [Kachchh] Anjar, 18.10.1958, S. K. Jain 46692 (BSI); Chobari Plantation, Parlander, 12.09.1955, M.P. Gula 72 (CAL); Fatehgarh- KDWS, 61 m, 05.10.2004, R.P. Pandey 16020 (BSJO); Guhar Village, 40 m, 13.10.2002, R. P. Pandey 17769 (BSJO); Along Haji Pir, 125 m, 09.10.2002, R. P. Pandey 17626 (BSJO); Khavda, 19.10.1958, S. K. Jain 46863 (BSI); Sugaria village, 275 m, 09.01.2004, R. P. Pandey 20361 (BSJO); reserve forest near Vandhiya village, 28.09.1964, S. R. Rolla 103139 (BSI); Surendranagar district, Falkio dam side, 5 m, 13.01.2002, R. P. Pandey 14868 (BSJO); way to Halwad, 23.10.1999, R. P. Pandey 14396 (BSJO). Rajasthan, s.loc., 07.10.1960, D. M. Varma 2607 (CAL); Alwar, Naldeshwar forest block, 24.10.1983, P. J. Parmar s.n. (BSJO); Baran district, 04.10.1960, S. R. Rolla 66851 (BSJO); Ibid., 05.10.1960, s.coll., 66898 (BSI); Barmer district, Hillock, Mataji Temple, 07.11.2019, Sushant More SSM-151 (BLAT); northern side of Rann of Kutch, 15 m, 24.10.1945, B. V. Shetty 2328 (BSJO); Sheogulosa pond side, 21.11.1973, G. L. Tiwari 934 (BSJO); Bikaner district, 23.08.1957, G. S. Puri 21947 (BSI); near K. c. p. Colony along Bichwal rd., 213m, 09.03.1975, G. P. Roy 1652, 1654 (BSJO); Gajner, J. B. Bhagat 23506 (BSI); Churu district, 225m, 26.03.1976, G. P. Roy 2623 (BSJO); Hanumangarh district, Pallu, 175 m, 29.08.1978, G. P. Roy 6458 (BSJO); University Reserved Forest, 465 m, 11.09.1966, S. Sharma S. S. 2153(CAL); Jaisalmer district, 10.08.1958, S. K. Jain 40719 (BSI); Devikot, 390 m, 30.08.1976, B. V. Shetty 3353 (BSJO); Loharki, 450 m, 25.08.1976, B. V. Shetty 3328 (BSJO); Mohangarh, 27.08.1964, B. M. Wadhura 5053 (BSJO & CAL); Near Phalari, 275 m, s.d., R. P. Pandey 7825 (BSJO); Devikot, 10.09.1964, B. M. Wadhwa 5295A (CAL); Pokhran, 25.08.1964, B. M. Wadhura 5027 (BSJO); Sudasri R. F., 250 m, 5.11.1981, R. P. Pandey 7840 (BSJO); Jalore district, Agwari along Jalotfalna rd., 250 m, 20.09.1978, B. V. Shetty 6647 (BSJO); Runn side near Aakodia, 20 m, 29.09.1978, B. V. Shetty 6762 (BSJO); Jhalawar district, Khanpur village, 360 m, 19.03.1976, G. P. Roy 2505 (BSJO); Jhunjhunu district, Khetri F. B., 13.09.1992, P. J. Parmar 11070 (BSJO); Jodhpur, BSJO compound, 22.01.2020, Shahid Nawaz JP80, JP81, JP82 (BLAT); on the way to Sardar Samand from Jodhpur, 06.11.2019, Sushant More SSM-152 (BLAT); Beriganga station area, compt.-I, 21.09.1972, B. V. Shetty 113 (BSJO & CAL); Bithri Pohorimachia, 305 m, s.d., 15.09.1998, R. P. Pandey & P. M. Padhye 14207 (BSJO); Chaba, 400 m, 08.10.1976, A. N. Singh 3142 (BSJO & CAL); Dechu village, 21.08.1959, G. S. Puri 23167 (BSI); Kailana-Compt. II, s.d., 31.07.1972, S. Moorthy 30 (BSJO); Pal village 8 km from Jodhpur, 06.05.1975, R. P. Pandey 1763 (BSJO & CAL); Phalodi, 11.08.1958, S. K. Jain 40753 (BSI); 47 miles from Jodhpur, 19.08.1959, G. S. Puri 22974 (BSI); s.loc., 30.09.1958, S. K. Jain 40033 (BSI); 17 miles from Jodhpur Bikaner rd., 22.08.1957, G. S. Puri 21931 (BSI); Marwar region [Marwad], 1868, G. King, s.n. (CAL); Sikar district, Baleshwar F. B., 427 m, 10.10.1994, P. J. Parmar 12214 (BSJO); Ramgarh, 13.10.1960, G. S. Puri 67141 (BSI); Sri Ganganagar district, Anupgarh, canal, 19.09.1980, S. K. Malhotra 7439 (BSJO); Gharsana, 200 m, 20.11.1976, G. P. Roy 3816 (CAL); s.loc., 300 m, 10.11.1976, G. P. Roy 3816 (BSJO). PAKISTAN [Formerly part of India]. Scinde [ Sindh], J. E. Stocks 637 (3K & 1G images!). Scinde, western India, 26.02.1857, s.coll., s.n. (P). DJIBOUTI, Gorges de ban, 26.10.1986, J. Audru 8506 (P); Yager, 16.04.1986, J. Cesar 2391 & 2449 (P); Ibid., 15.10.1986, J. Cesar 3202 (P); Ibid., 17.10.1986, J. Cesar 3184 (P). ETHIOPIA (Abyssine, Abyssinia), 10.02.1973, G. Boudet 8279 (P); Mt. Filtu, 12.11.1972, G. Rippstein 599 & 818 (P); 84 km N. W. de Godde, 30.11.1972, G. Rippstein 1219 (P); 25 km E de Wacille, 05.01.1973, G. Rippstein 1834 (P); Harar Province, 05.02.1966, J. O. Kokwaro 671 (P); s.loc., 31.05.1960, Mr. Russels (P); s.loc., 1859–1860, Mr. Russel, s.n. (P); s.loc., s.d. [1964], Dr. Vet R. Blane 37 (P); Gobelli river valley West of Dalletti, 12.06.1963, William Burger 2960 (P); North of Eve-Gota near Idoma, 31.08.63 [1963], William Burger 3213 (P); Degh Medo, 14.06.1972, Zandie Telahun 4 (P); Docoa, 16.06.1970, Zandie Telahun 6 (P); Fibi Plain, 15.06.1972, Zandie Telahun 13 (P); Togmane, s.d. [06.1972], Zandie Telahun 3-9 (P); Togmane, s.d. [06. 1972], Zandie Telahun 8 bis & 10 (P); Togmane, 14.06.1972, Zandie Telahun 12 (P). KENYA, s.loc., 850 feet alt., s.d., P. J. Greenway & Kanuri 157 (P). NUBIA [NUBISCHE KÜSTE], s.loc., 28.06.1864, G. Schweinfurth 1538 (P); s.loc., 28.06.1865, G. Schweinfurth 1538 (P). SOMALIA, s.loc., 09.1912, Deniss. (P); s.loc., 15.07.1986, D. Rousuool 127 (P); s.loc.,.05.1953, E. Chedeville 805 (P); s.loc., 08.1953, E. Chedeville 806 (P); Bordo du lac SnlAcdra?, desert [Somalia], 06.09.04, Neuvilles. (P); s.loc., 14.02.1938, s.coll., s.n. (P). SOMALILAND, s.loc. s.d. [1897], E. Yort Phillipssn. (P); Hargeisa, 1310 m, 21.11.1932, J. B. Gillett 3903 (P). ARABIA [Arab, Arabie or Saudi Arab], s.loc., 26.03.1890, Bilad Fodhli 455 (Aurigeh) & 468 (in Wadiarab?) (P); s.loc., s.d. [1825], C. G. Ehrenberg 229 (P); Arabie-safjir, 20.01.1982, D. Dulieu 1588 (P); Arabie-Taifa, 1838, M. Bottas. (P); Asirsudjeddah, 29.11.1966, M. Mosnier 3016 (P); s.loc., 06.04.1967 [more than 10 florets in the spikelets], M. Mosnier 3353 (P); Wasga, 27.02.68, M. Mosnier 3685 (P); Arabia, s.loc., S. Fischer 206 (K); Arabie-Djedda, s.d. [1838], s.coll., s.d. (P); Arabia, s.loc., s.d., s.coll., s.n. (P P02624660). MUSCAT, [ Mascate?] s.loc., s.d., Aucher Eloy 5468 & s.n. (P). YEMEN. Aden., s.d. [05.1842], s.coll., s.n. (P); s.loc., 08.03.1885, s.coll., s.n. (P); 09.04.1890, s.coll., 521 & 671 (P); s.loc., s.d., s.coll., s.n. (BLAT Acc.no. 83330); s.loc., s.d. [1842], M. Botta, s.n. (P); s.loc., s.d. [1837], M. Bottas. (P); s.loc., 28.12.1977, M. Monod 166821 (P). YEMEN DU SUD [South Yemen], s.loc., s.d. [09.1880], J. E. T. Aitchison 525 & 75 (P); s.loc., 20.12.1977, M. Monod 16402 (P); s.loc., 22.12.1977, M. Monod 1644964 (P); s.loc., 09.01.1978, M. Monod 17050 (P); s.loc., 18.07.1978, M. Monod 17287 (P).

Conservation status: Dactyloctenium scindicum is a fairly common species in Northwest India in two states viz. Rajasthan and northern parts of Gujarat. Hitherto, there is no sign of any considerable decline or threat. It manages to survive in human settlements and on the fringes of cultivated fields, roads, and lanes in towns. Based on this information, according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (2019), we assess this species as Least Concern (LC) .

Typification: Boissier (1859) wrote “Hab. in ditione Scinde cl. Griffith N̊ 637”. According to Cope (1982) Boissier misquoted Griffith as the collector of the type specimens of Dactyloctenium scindicum . However, the type specimens were originally collected by J.E. stocks from Sindh [Scinde] present day Pakistan. Boissier cited only a gathering as “ Griffith 637” and did not indicate the particular herbarium. We located four type specimens corresponding to the information in the protologue at G (G00799884) & K (K000245134, K000245135 & K000245136). Boissier did not indicate which one of these four specimens were a holotype. Later, Clayton et al. (1974) indicated holotype at G and isotypes at K. According to Art. 9.6 of International Code of Nomenclature ( Turland et al., 2018), there is no holotype of this name in absence of any indication by Boisser; these specimens are rather syntypes. The action of Clayton et al. (1974) resulted in an inadvertent lectotypification by calling specimen at G a holotype. A second step, according to Turland et al. (2018), is required to establish the identity of the name D. scindicum with the particular specimen. Thus, we designate the herbarium specimen at G (G00799884) ( Fig. 1 View Fig ) as a lectotype of the name because it was originated from Boissier’s herbarium and has annotations “637 Dactyloctenium sp. nov. Scinde” corresponding to the protologue and the specimen agrees well with the description given in the protologue. The other three duplicates at K (K000245134, K000245135 & K000245136) are considered isolectotype.

Notes: In D. scindicum the spikes are arranged in a compact head, variable in appearance, sub-patently projecting when young (much similar in appearance to that of D. aristatum ) and falcately decurved when dried and mature, dis-articulating at the base as a single unit ( Fig. 2 View Fig ). The lemma of D. scindicum is non-gibbous, obtuse to mucronulate or acute but never aristate or acuminate, and the keels are quite smooth ( Fig. 3 View Fig ). These features are unique to this species and equally helpful for distinguishing it from D. aegyptium , D. australe , and D. aristatum . In some cases [ Shahid Nawaz JP80 (BLAT), Rajasthan & M. Mosnier 3353 (P), from the Arabian Peninsula], the number of florets in the spikelet is approximately 10–12, giving a very peculiar appearance to the overall spikes, yet no peculiar differences in length of the anthers, size of the lemmas, shape and ornamentation of the caryopsis and size of the glumes were observed. Such forms have been encountered infrequently in the drier regions of Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat and the Arabian Peninsula. The leaves are of variable length, longer and finely pubescent in wet damp areas and shorter, linear, rigid, sometimes conduplicate, and papillose-hispid in drier areas. The basal portion of the culms is bulged, with distinct thickenings being interconnected by slender stolons; this feature can be utilized to establish its identity even in the vegetative state. The caryopsis is transversely rugose ( Fig. 3 View Fig ), but not as coarsely rugose as that of D. aegyptium .

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Liliopsida

Order

Poales

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Dactyloctenium

Loc

Dactyloctenium scindicum Boiss., Diagn. Sér.

S. N., Landge, R. D., Shinde & Mistry, M. K. 2021
2021
Loc

Eleusine glaucophylla (Courbon) Munro ex Benth. J. Linn. Soc., Bot.

Courbon 1881: 107
1881
Loc

D. glaucophyllum Courbon., Ann. Sc. Nat.

Courbon. 1862: 133
1862
Loc

D. glaucophyllum Courbon var. elongatior Courbon, Ann. Sc. Nat.

Courbon 1862: 134
1862
Loc

D. glaucophyllum Courbon var. robustior Courbon, Ann. Sc. Nat.

Courbon 1862: 134
1862
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