Present study is based on the stipe anatomy of 13 selected species of pteridophytes of South India. Detailed description, key to the taxa based on stipe anatomy, photographs and descriptions are provided.
In the field of vascular anatomy of ferns it is necessary to study the successive stages through which the fern passes during its development. This procedure not only determines the position, interrelationship and structure of the different vascular components of the mature fern but also shows indications of phylogenetic relationship. For understanding the anatomical features of three species of Adiantum L., stipe of Adiantum caudatum L., Adiantum latifolium Lam. and Adiantum lunulatum Burm., from Kerala were studied. The patterns formed by the protoxylem strands are surprisingly variable among species. A separate key was prepared for the identification of species based on anatomy.
A new tuberous species of Sonerila Roxb. (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae) from Chandreshwar hills, South Goa is described in the course of a taxonomic revision of the genus in India. Sonerila konkanensis Resmi & Nampy is similar to Sonerila talbotii G.S. Giri & M.P. Nayar and Sonerila sreenarayaniana Sunil et al. but differs in several characters that are detailed in the morphological discussion presented herein. The status of the new taxon is assessed as "Vulnerable" according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. We also provide explanatory images of living plants as well as SEM images of pollen grains and seeds and information concerning the habitat.
Sonerila lateritica, a tuberous species of Melastomataceae is described in connection with a taxonomic revision of Sonerila in India. The new species is morphologically close to S. anaimudica but differs by its tuberous root stocks, quadrangular stems, opposite-decussate leaves, many-flowered cymes and mucronate petals. Description, illustration, taxonomic notes and photoplates are provided.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.