Taxonomy of ‘remarkable little plant’ Gentiana vernayi C. Marquand (Microsperma– Gentianaceae)
18 November 2016
Dey, Sentu; Maity, D.Taxonomy of Cecil Marquand’s ‘remarkable little plant’ Gentiana vernayi C. Marquand (Microsperma–Gentianaceae) is investigated. A new subspecies, G. vernayi C. Marquand subspecies favrei S. K. Dey & D. Maity, subsp. nov. is described and illustrated from Sikkim Himalaya. The new taxon is distinct from the typical one, G. vernayi C. Marquand subspecies vernayi, most strikingly by its mostly elliptic, acute leaves, by its bright white flowers, and with comparatively small floral parts. Moreover, the basal part of the ovary is symmetric and ovarian stipe is longer than that of the typical one. Notably, in the new taxon calyx lobes are sometimes six. Information on the habitat, phenology, distribution and conservation status of both taxa is provided. G. vernayi C. Marquand was described by Cecil Marquand based on the specimens collected from southern Tibet. Both subspecies are recorded in India for the first time. The present discovery constitutes an extension of the species known range to the Sikkim Himalaya, India. The sympatric nature of both the taxa is discussed. The asymmetrical plicae in G. vernayi and members of the genus Kuepferia Adr.Favre assumed as morphological convergence.