Extended distribution of Clematis wightiana Wall. (Ranunculaceae) in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh – a hitherto endemic species of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

The genus Clematis L., one of the largest genera of the family Ranunculaceae, is widely distributed in the world but intense diversity in subtropical and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (especially Asia and China) made this area as centre of diversity of the genus with 147 species of which 93 taxa are endemic. In India, the genus is represented by 49 taxa of which 13 are endemic to the country. The present paper reports extended distribution of Clematis wightiana Wall., earlier reported as endemic to the Western Ghats, from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and as a new distribution record for the state. Detailed description, flowering & fruiting data, herbarium image, distribution, and ecology of the species are provided.