A new species of Parasopubia (Orobanchaceae) from the southern Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Parasopubia raghavendrae, a new species of Orobanchaceae is described from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala. It resembles P. delphinifolia and P. hofmannii var. hofmannii by its habit, shape, colour and hairiness of corolla lobes but differs by length of calyx tube, hairiness of staminal filaments and stomium, and shape and ornamentation of seeds. Parasopubia raghavendrae is hitherto known only from the type locality Mathikettan Shola National Park in Idukki district, Kerala. Detailed description of the new species along with colour photographs and comparison with its closely similar species are given. We also assessed provisionally the conservation status of the new species as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.