Revising the taxonomic status of Isachne henryi S.R. Sriniv. & Sreek. (Poaceae)

Abstract

Isachne henryi, a species reported from Wayanad district of Kerala is allied to I. miliacea which is currently a synonym of I. globosa. The taxonomic status of I. henryi collected from the type locality has been evaluated and compared with variant accessions of I. globosa. As per reports, the traits that differentiate I. henryi from I. globosa are lanceolate or linear lanceolate leaves up to 8 cm long, 8 mm long pedicels, 9–11 nerved setose hairy glumes, staminate lower floret with 1.5–2 mm long anthers, bisexual upper floret and glabrous palea and lemma. These traits were found to be overlapping with that of I. globosa. The authors explain that I. henryi reported during 1988 could be a misidentification.