Revising the taxonomic status of Asystasia gangetica var. Krishnae Tandyekk., Pandur. & N. Mohanan (Acanthaceae)

Abstract

The taxonomic status of Asystasia gangetica var. krishnae has been evaluated and compared with the closely resembling taxon A. intrusa (synonyms: A. gangetica subsp. micrantha and A. micrantha). The trait that differentiates the two taxa, as per reports, is the occurrence of vertical violet‐black bands on the sides of anthers in the former taxon. The authors explain that var. krishnae could be the first report of A. intrusa for the country and suggest the possibility of neglecting the violet black bands in the previous descriptions of A. intrusa.