Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj, sp. nov. (Elatinaceae), a new species from Tamil Nadu, India Author Lincy, Joseph Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), (affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu (India) Author Soosairaj, Sebastian Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), (affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu (India) pspsoosai @ yahoo. co. in (corresponding author) pspsoosai@yahoo.co.in text Adansonia 2025 3 2025-01-13 47 1 1 6 https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/adansonia2025v47a1.pdf journal article 307582 10.5252/adansonia2025v47a1 1ea8686a-ae8f-49e5-b8d8-9d482742e857 1639-4798 14643586 Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. ( Figs 2 ; 3 ) B. cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. can be distinguished from B. suffruticosa (Delile) Fenzlas a nonaromatic erect herb (vs aromatic shrub), with glabrous leaves and stipules (vs pubescent), a mucronate apex of the petals (vs obtuse) and a vesicular seed surface (vs smooth). The morphology of B. cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. closely resembles B. ammannioides Roxb. but can be differentiated by having glabrous leaves and stipules (vs pubescent), a mucronate apex of the petals (vs obtuse), 6-10 flowers per node (vs c. 30 flowers per node) and seed surface vesicular (vs reticulate) ( Table 1 ). TYPE MATERIAL . — India • 2 specimens ; Tamil Nadu , Cuddalore district , Veppur , Lathur Forest ; 11°28’04.72”N , 78°57’57.93”E ; alt. c. 90 m ; 26.I.2023 ; S. Soosairaj 7816 ; holo- , RHT !; iso- , MH ! ETYMOLOGY . — The species epithet is based on the collection locality of the type specimen in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu , India . DISTRIBUTION. — The species is known from the state of Tamil Nadu at the type location in Cuddalore district and also a single location in Pudukkottai district. PHENOLOGY . — Flowering and fruiting January-March. ECOLOGY . — It is an annual species that thrives in wet environments, specifically in ponds in clay soils after the water has drained and in cultivated fields after harvest. It is found growing in association with Ammania verticillata (Ard.) Lam. , Vahlia digyna (Retz) Kuntze , Epaltes divaricata (L.) Cass., Hoppea dichotoma Willd. , Exacum pedunculatum L., Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell and Rotala verticillaris L. FIG . 1. — Location map of study area and collection sites of Bergia cuddalorensis S.Soosairaj , sp. nov. FIG . 2. — Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. : A , habit; B , flower; C , stipule; D , sepal; E , petal; F , stamen; G , pistil. Scale bars: A, 5 mm; B, 1 mm; C, D, E, F, G, 0.4 mm. Drawing by Joseph Lincy. FIG . 3. — Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. : A , habit; B , C , flower; D , sepal; E , fruit; F , fruit dehiscence. Scale bars: A, 4 mm; B, C, 0.3 mm; D, 0.2 mm; E, 2 mm; F, 0.4 mm. Photos by S. Soosairaj. TABLE 1. — Distinct features of Bergia cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. and its allied species.
B. cuddalorensis sp. nov. B. suffruticosa B. ammannioides
Habit Erect herb, nonaromatic Shrubs, aromatic Erect herb, nonaromatic
Leaves Petiolate, winged, glabrous Sessile, densely glandular pubescent Petiolate, glandular pubescent
Stipule Glabrous Pubescent Pubescent
Flowers 6-10 per node 2-8 per node c. 30 per node
Sepals Lanceolate, apex acuminate, glabrous, margin ciliate, pinkish red Ovate, oblong, apex acute, glandular pubescent, margin hyaline. Lanceolate to ovate, apex acute, glandular pubescent, margin entire
Petals Oblong, apex acute, mucronate Obovate-oblong, apex obtuse Elliptic to oblong, apex obtuse
Anther 0.2 × 0.2 mm 0.5 × 0.3 mm 0.3 × 0.3 mm
Ovary Globose Ovoid Subglobose
Capsule Globose Ovoid Subglobose
Seed Oblong, surface vesicular Oblong to ellipsoid, smooth Oblong, surface reticulate
CONSERVATION STATUS. — B. cuddalorensis S. Soosairaj , sp. nov. is reported from only two locations and further exploration is needed to study the actual distribution in similar habitats, hence, it is categorized as ‘data deficient’ (DD) under the IUCN (2019) conservation status. ADDITIONAL SPECIMENS EXAMINED . — India • 1 specimen ; Tamil Nadu , Pudukkottai district ; 10°31’42”N , 78°47’06”E ; alt. c. 150 m ; 14.II.2024 ; S. Soosairaj 7826 ; RHT ! DESCRIPTION Annuals. Erect herbs to 15 cm with opposite branches. Stem pubescent (nonglandular), internodes 1.5-2.5 cm long. Leaves opposite, decussate, elliptic-oblanceolate, glabrous, base attenuate, apex acute, margin serrate, 18-22 × 4-5 mm , lateral nerves 3-4 pairs.Petiole 4-7 mm , winged. Stipule 2 × 0.75 mm , lanceolate, glabrous, apex acuminate, margin ciliate. Flowers axillary, 6-10 in fasciculate cymes, 1.5-2 mm across; pedicel 1-1.5 mm , pubescent, accrescent. Sepals 5, lanceolate, adnate at base, green at middle, pinkish red at both edges, pubescent abaxially, apex acuminate, margin ciliate, 2 × 0.75 mm . Petals 5, white, oblong, apex acute, mucronate, 2 × 1 mm . Stamens 10, two rows, filament glabrous, 1-1.5 mm long, dilated at base, anther 0.2 × 0.2 mm , basifixed. Pistil 1.5 mm long, ovary globose, glabrous, 1 × 1 mm , styles 5, pinkish, straight, 0.5 mm long, stigma subcapitate, papillose. Capsule globose, brownish. Seeds numerous, minute, oblong, yellowish brown, surface vesicular.