Thismia (Thismiaceae): the first record of the mycoheterotrophic genus to the Flora of India with a new species revealing the phytogeographical significance of Western Ghats

Abstract

2014), this genus remained unknown from the mainland India. During floristic exploration in the Idukki district of Kerala, which falls under the Anamalai phytogeographical region of the Western Ghats, we have collected a mycoheterotrophic species in the humus-rich soil in a patch of evergreen forest at medium elevation. After critical examination, it turned out to be an undescribed species of Thismia. We therefore report this finding as the first record of the genus from India and describe it as a new species here. Morphologically, the genus Thismia is characterized a reduced habit with scale-like leaves, and actinomorphic or rarely zygomorphic, urceolate to campanulate flowers. There are six perianth lobes, usually free or sometimes three inner lobes connivent at the apex forming an erect mitre with three openings (Jonker 1948).Uniquely for the genus, the new species has a mitre with only one opening, which is the major distinguishing character of the new species from other known species.

Thismia belumensis (Thismiaceae), a remarkable new species from The Royal Belum State Park, Gerik, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia

“… Thismia belumensis is morphologically similar to Thismia labiata J.J.Sm. ( Smith 1927 ) and Thismia sahyadrica Sujanapal, Robi & Dantas ( Sujanapal et al 2017 ). All three species share several unique characters, such as a zygomorphic flower with a sideways facing annulus orifice ( T. belumensis and T. labiata ), filiform and linear thecae ( T. belumensis , T. labiata and T. sahyadrica ), a curved supraconnective ( T. belumensis and T. sahyadrica ), and a lack of a lateral appendage and interstaminal glands ( T. belumensis , T. labiata and T. sahyadrica ).…”

Rediscovery of Thismia neptunis (Thismiaceae) after 151 years

“…Although the genus in the taxonomic sense exists since 1844, many species or populations have been being discovered only in the last decade. For instance, out of total of ca 76 species, 30 have been described since 2011 (Hunt et al 2014, Chantanaorrapint et al 2016, Cowie & Liddle 2016, Cooper 2017, Kumar et al 2017, Sochor et al 2017, Sujanapal et al 2017, Chantanaorrapint & Suddee 2018, Hroneš et al 2018, Suetsugu et al 2018, Sochor et al 2018 and several others (ca >10) await formal description. The real diversity of fairy lanterns is therefore being uncovered only recently.…”

Thismia sumatrana (Thismiaceae), a new species from West Sumatra, Indonesia, with discussions on the taxonomic identity of Thismia clavigera

“…highly reduced aboveground parts and small size that allows them to be easily covered by fallen leaves). Indeed, as more comprehensive field expeditions have been undertaken, a number of Thismia taxa have been discovered and described from various countries in Asia (Chantanaorrapint et al 2016, Kumar et al 2017, Sochor et al 2017, 2018a,b, Suetsugu et al 2017, 2018a,b, Sujanapal et al 2017, Tsukaya et al 2017, Chantanaorrapint and Suddee 2018, Hroneš et al 2018, Nishioka et al 2018, Yunoh 2018). Accordingly, the genus has been updated to include ca.…”