Extended distribution of Litsea keralana Kosterm. (Lauraceae) – an endemic and threatened species of the Western Ghats

Abstract

Litsea keralana Kosterm. (Lauraceae), an endemic and threatened species is newly reported from Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR), Karnataka state. Hitherto, this species is known from Kerala and Tamil Nadu of the southern Western Ghats. The present study confirms the range extension of the species to further north towards Karnataka in the easternmost tip of the Western Ghats, as there were no reports on the occurrence of this species from this state. A detailed description of the species, field photographs, scanned herbarium specimen, and a distribution map are provided. The occurrence of just one individual in close proximity to the coffee estate in BRTTR deserves total protection.