Gentiana kurumbae, a New Species of Gentianaceae from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Gentiana kurumbae, a New Species of Gentianaceae from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

A new species of Gentianaceae, Gentiana kurumbae is described from the Attappady hills of Palakkad district, Kerala State, India. A detailed description, information on habitat, distribution, phenology, relevant taxonomic and ecological notes are provided along with photographs and illustration. This species resembles Gentiana pedicellata var. wightii, but by having an erect and unbranched habit, ca. 15 mm long, broadly ovate-elliptic and chartaceous leaves with apiculate apex and serrulate margin. Gentiana kurumbae is characterized by bright blue flowers with very short pedicels up to 3 mm long, scabrous and linear-oblong to oblanceolate bracts with apiculate apex, acute calyx and corolla lobes with apiculate apex and stamens with filiform or minutely thickened filaments towards base.