Santhosh Nampy | Calicut University (original) (raw)
Papers by Santhosh Nampy
Plant Systematics and Evolution
Phytotaxa
Peperomia ekakesara (Piperaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Mathikettan s... more Peperomia ekakesara (Piperaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Mathikettan shola National Park in southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Information is given on the distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status of this new species. A key for the identification of south Indian species is provided.
Phytotaxa
The genus Fagraea Thunberg (1782: 132), belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is represented by 7... more The genus Fagraea Thunberg (1782: 132), belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is represented by 70 species in the world (Struwe et al. 2002). It is distributed in India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, New Guinea, French Polynesia, China, Philippines and Australia. Clarke (1885) reported 5 species from the present political boundary of India, of which 2 species were recorded by Gamble (1921) from South India. The genus includes glabrous epiphytic trees or shrubs, with simple, opposite and coriaceous leaves, fragrant flowers and pulpy berries with a persistent calyx.
Rheedea
Nomenclatural notes: Brown in the year 1831 proposed S. arguta in the Wallich catalogue (1828-184... more Nomenclatural notes: Brown in the year 1831 proposed S. arguta in the Wallich catalogue (1828-1849) as "4095, Sonerila arguta Brown, Mount Sillet FD" [Mount Sylhet, F. De Silva] but the name was not validly published. Naudin (1851) subsequently validated the name, citing "In monte Sillet Indiae; Wallich, n. 4095". According to TL-2 (Stafleu & Cowan, 1981), the herbarium and type material of
Check List
We present the first record of Boeica multinervia (Gesneriaceae) for India, based on specimens fr... more We present the first record of Boeica multinervia (Gesneriaceae) for India, based on specimens from Sagalee, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species is easily recognized due to its short internodes, stoloniferous habit, and glandular pubescent rosette leaves and inflorescence. Boeica multinervia is so far known only from (Xizang) China. A brief description along with additional notes and photographs are provided.
Rheedea
Iochroma arborescens (L.)J.M.H.Shaw (Solanaceae), a potential invasive species from America, is a... more Iochroma arborescens (L.)J.M.H.Shaw (Solanaceae), a potential invasive species from America, is authentically recorded for the first time in India. Perusal of relevant literature revealed that the name has yet to be typified. Details of the taxonomy, distribution and invasive nature of this species with notes on its typification are provided here.
Rheedea
Lysionotus gamosepalus W.T.Wang var. gamosepalus, a variety native to China, is reported here as ... more Lysionotus gamosepalus W.T.Wang var. gamosepalus, a variety native to China, is reported here as a new distributional record for India from Arunachal Pradesh. Detailed description and photographs are provided to facilitate easy identification.
Rheedea
Trachys deccanensis M. Anil Kumar & B.R.P. Rao, a new species belongs to the tribe Paniceae, subf... more Trachys deccanensis M. Anil Kumar & B.R.P. Rao, a new species belongs to the tribe Paniceae, subfamily Panicoideae and family Poaceae is described here. The novel species is allied to T. narasimhanii Ravich. in having longer spikes, lanceolate spikelets and absence of vestigial floral glumes, but distinctly differs in leaf texture, spike arrangement, nature and number of spikelets in individual clusters at each node of the rachis. The new species is also allied to T. copeana Kabeer & V.J. Nair in having two or three digitate racemes, single cluster of spikelets, number of spikelets in individual cluster at each node of the rachis; but distinctly differs in leaf texture, nature and texture of spikelets in individual cluster at each node of rachis and lanceolate spikelets. Description, illustration, microscopic images, comparative morphology of the new species with the allied species and a key for identification of Trachys species have been provided.
Botany
Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan is a day flower that is dependent on entomophilous pollination. D... more Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan is a day flower that is dependent on entomophilous pollination. Despite the lack of pollinator attractants and its short flower longevity, M. nudiflora shows high rates of fecundity, which lead to their rapid dispersal. In addition to monitoring the vegetative reproductive methods and the effect of select environmental parameters (atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation rates) in M. nudiflora, we evaluated mating systems in this species via artificial crosses. This species has evolved to undergo autogamy to ensure reproductive success when pollinators are insufficient; cleistogamous flowers are produced for optimal pollinator activity when environmental conditions are unfavorable. The number of cleistogamous flowers produced was found to be positively correlated with humidity and precipitation rates, and negatively correlated with temperature. In addition, it was found that high humidity and precipitation always hinder insect pol...
Rheedea
History and status of the section Sinarisaema Nakai in India are discussed. The present study is ... more History and status of the section Sinarisaema Nakai in India are discussed. The present study is a result of intensive field trips across the country from 2010 to 2019. Twenty three species are recognized from the country based on the morphological data procured from live samples as well as herbarium specimens deposited in various herbaria in India and abroad. Two species, viz. A. fischeri Manudev & Nampy and A. subulatum Manudev & Nampy are newly described while lectotypes are designated for four names currently treated as synonyms. Detailed description and photographic images are provided for each taxon. A taxonomic key is given for the easy identification in the field. The conservation status of five species is assessed based on the criteria laid out by IUCN.
Phytotaxa
The typification of four names in Sonerila (Melastomataceae): S. rotundifolia, S. scapigera, S. v... more The typification of four names in Sonerila (Melastomataceae): S. rotundifolia, S. scapigera, S. versicolor and S. wallichii, is discussed and lectotypes designated.
South Indian Journal of Biological Sciences
Medicinal properties of plants have been made use of by the humans from the vedic period onwards.... more Medicinal properties of plants have been made use of by the humans from the vedic period onwards. A well known medicinally important family Gentianaceae is considered here which shows wide distribution of promising phytochemicals/bitter principles (secoiridoid glycosides, xanthones). South India represents nine genera and 35 taxa of Gentians of which 8 species are medicinally important. Detailed description, photo plates and uses of the medicinally important species are provided here.
Phytotaxa, 2017
Impatiens stolonifera, a new scapigerous species of Balsaminaceae from the southern Western Ghats... more Impatiens stolonifera, a new scapigerous species of Balsaminaceae from the southern Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically allied to Impatiens scapiflora, but differs by having a stoloniferous tuber and white flowers with conspicuously long and broad spur.
Phytotaxa, 2017
During a taxonomic revision of the genus Arisaema (Araceae) in India, three names, i.e. Arisaema ... more During a taxonomic revision of the genus Arisaema (Araceae) in India, three names, i.e. Arisaema echinatum, A. leschenaultii and A. nepenthoides were found to lack a proper typification. The erroneous lectotypifications are rectified by selecting lectotypes.
Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 2015
Eriocaulon biappendiculatum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the southern Western Ghats, Indi... more Eriocaulon biappendiculatum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the southern Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is close toEriocaulon nairiibut differs in having 5–17 peduncles, free male sepals, and both continuous ribbon-like and setiform appendages on the seeds.
Plant Systematics and Evolution
Phytotaxa
Peperomia ekakesara (Piperaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Mathikettan s... more Peperomia ekakesara (Piperaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Mathikettan shola National Park in southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Information is given on the distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status of this new species. A key for the identification of south Indian species is provided.
Phytotaxa
The genus Fagraea Thunberg (1782: 132), belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is represented by 7... more The genus Fagraea Thunberg (1782: 132), belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is represented by 70 species in the world (Struwe et al. 2002). It is distributed in India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, New Guinea, French Polynesia, China, Philippines and Australia. Clarke (1885) reported 5 species from the present political boundary of India, of which 2 species were recorded by Gamble (1921) from South India. The genus includes glabrous epiphytic trees or shrubs, with simple, opposite and coriaceous leaves, fragrant flowers and pulpy berries with a persistent calyx.
Rheedea
Nomenclatural notes: Brown in the year 1831 proposed S. arguta in the Wallich catalogue (1828-184... more Nomenclatural notes: Brown in the year 1831 proposed S. arguta in the Wallich catalogue (1828-1849) as "4095, Sonerila arguta Brown, Mount Sillet FD" [Mount Sylhet, F. De Silva] but the name was not validly published. Naudin (1851) subsequently validated the name, citing "In monte Sillet Indiae; Wallich, n. 4095". According to TL-2 (Stafleu & Cowan, 1981), the herbarium and type material of
Check List
We present the first record of Boeica multinervia (Gesneriaceae) for India, based on specimens fr... more We present the first record of Boeica multinervia (Gesneriaceae) for India, based on specimens from Sagalee, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species is easily recognized due to its short internodes, stoloniferous habit, and glandular pubescent rosette leaves and inflorescence. Boeica multinervia is so far known only from (Xizang) China. A brief description along with additional notes and photographs are provided.
Rheedea
Iochroma arborescens (L.)J.M.H.Shaw (Solanaceae), a potential invasive species from America, is a... more Iochroma arborescens (L.)J.M.H.Shaw (Solanaceae), a potential invasive species from America, is authentically recorded for the first time in India. Perusal of relevant literature revealed that the name has yet to be typified. Details of the taxonomy, distribution and invasive nature of this species with notes on its typification are provided here.
Rheedea
Lysionotus gamosepalus W.T.Wang var. gamosepalus, a variety native to China, is reported here as ... more Lysionotus gamosepalus W.T.Wang var. gamosepalus, a variety native to China, is reported here as a new distributional record for India from Arunachal Pradesh. Detailed description and photographs are provided to facilitate easy identification.
Rheedea
Trachys deccanensis M. Anil Kumar & B.R.P. Rao, a new species belongs to the tribe Paniceae, subf... more Trachys deccanensis M. Anil Kumar & B.R.P. Rao, a new species belongs to the tribe Paniceae, subfamily Panicoideae and family Poaceae is described here. The novel species is allied to T. narasimhanii Ravich. in having longer spikes, lanceolate spikelets and absence of vestigial floral glumes, but distinctly differs in leaf texture, spike arrangement, nature and number of spikelets in individual clusters at each node of the rachis. The new species is also allied to T. copeana Kabeer & V.J. Nair in having two or three digitate racemes, single cluster of spikelets, number of spikelets in individual cluster at each node of the rachis; but distinctly differs in leaf texture, nature and texture of spikelets in individual cluster at each node of rachis and lanceolate spikelets. Description, illustration, microscopic images, comparative morphology of the new species with the allied species and a key for identification of Trachys species have been provided.
Botany
Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan is a day flower that is dependent on entomophilous pollination. D... more Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan is a day flower that is dependent on entomophilous pollination. Despite the lack of pollinator attractants and its short flower longevity, M. nudiflora shows high rates of fecundity, which lead to their rapid dispersal. In addition to monitoring the vegetative reproductive methods and the effect of select environmental parameters (atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation rates) in M. nudiflora, we evaluated mating systems in this species via artificial crosses. This species has evolved to undergo autogamy to ensure reproductive success when pollinators are insufficient; cleistogamous flowers are produced for optimal pollinator activity when environmental conditions are unfavorable. The number of cleistogamous flowers produced was found to be positively correlated with humidity and precipitation rates, and negatively correlated with temperature. In addition, it was found that high humidity and precipitation always hinder insect pol...
Rheedea
History and status of the section Sinarisaema Nakai in India are discussed. The present study is ... more History and status of the section Sinarisaema Nakai in India are discussed. The present study is a result of intensive field trips across the country from 2010 to 2019. Twenty three species are recognized from the country based on the morphological data procured from live samples as well as herbarium specimens deposited in various herbaria in India and abroad. Two species, viz. A. fischeri Manudev & Nampy and A. subulatum Manudev & Nampy are newly described while lectotypes are designated for four names currently treated as synonyms. Detailed description and photographic images are provided for each taxon. A taxonomic key is given for the easy identification in the field. The conservation status of five species is assessed based on the criteria laid out by IUCN.
Phytotaxa
The typification of four names in Sonerila (Melastomataceae): S. rotundifolia, S. scapigera, S. v... more The typification of four names in Sonerila (Melastomataceae): S. rotundifolia, S. scapigera, S. versicolor and S. wallichii, is discussed and lectotypes designated.
South Indian Journal of Biological Sciences
Medicinal properties of plants have been made use of by the humans from the vedic period onwards.... more Medicinal properties of plants have been made use of by the humans from the vedic period onwards. A well known medicinally important family Gentianaceae is considered here which shows wide distribution of promising phytochemicals/bitter principles (secoiridoid glycosides, xanthones). South India represents nine genera and 35 taxa of Gentians of which 8 species are medicinally important. Detailed description, photo plates and uses of the medicinally important species are provided here.
Phytotaxa, 2017
Impatiens stolonifera, a new scapigerous species of Balsaminaceae from the southern Western Ghats... more Impatiens stolonifera, a new scapigerous species of Balsaminaceae from the southern Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically allied to Impatiens scapiflora, but differs by having a stoloniferous tuber and white flowers with conspicuously long and broad spur.
Phytotaxa, 2017
During a taxonomic revision of the genus Arisaema (Araceae) in India, three names, i.e. Arisaema ... more During a taxonomic revision of the genus Arisaema (Araceae) in India, three names, i.e. Arisaema echinatum, A. leschenaultii and A. nepenthoides were found to lack a proper typification. The erroneous lectotypifications are rectified by selecting lectotypes.
Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 2015
Eriocaulon biappendiculatum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the southern Western Ghats, Indi... more Eriocaulon biappendiculatum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the southern Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is close toEriocaulon nairiibut differs in having 5–17 peduncles, free male sepals, and both continuous ribbon-like and setiform appendages on the seeds.