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LOGANIACEAE. AND BUDD
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Thesis for the Degree MM. 3.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

' WARREN DOUG STEVENS
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ABSTRACT

THE ASCLEPIADACEAE, APOCYNACEAE, LOGANIACEAE, AND
BUDDLEIACEAE IN HASSAN DISTRICT, MYSORE STATE, INDIA
By

Warren Douglas Stevens

A floristic treatment for the Asclepiadaceae, Apocynaceae.
Loganiaceae. and Buddleiaceae in Hassan District. Mysore State.
India is presented. The treatment includes keys, brief nomen-
clatural citations and synonymys, descriptions. distributions.
and specimen citations. The Asclepiadaceae is represented by
35 species in 19 genera. the Apocynaceae by 16 species in 13

genera, the Loganiaceae by 3 species in 3 genera, and the

Buddleiaceae by 1 species.

THE ASCLEPIADACEAE, APOCYNACEAE, LOGANIACEAE, AND
BUDDLEIACEAE IN HASSAN DISTRICT, MYSORE STATE, INDIA

53

Warren Douglas Stevens

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University

in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
1971

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to eXpress my sincere appreciation to my major
professor, Dr. John H. Beaman, for his guidance and encour-
agement during this study. I also appreciate the helpful
suggestions provided by Drs. A. T. Cross and S. N. Stephenson.
I am indebted to the curators and librarians of the Calcutta
Botanic Garden and the Royal Botanic Garden. Kev. for allowing
me to use their collections and facilities.

I an especially indebted to the principal investigators
of the project, Drs. D. H. Nicolson and C. J. Saldanha, for
providing the financial support for the travel and fieldwork

and to all the project personnel for their kind and generous

help during my stay in India.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..........................................ii
LIST OF FIGURES...........................................iv
INTRODUCTION...............................................1
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT................................1+
FLORISTIC TREATMENT........................................7

Loganiaceae...O0....0.0...OOIOIOOOOOOOO0.0.0.0000000007
ApocynaceaBOOOOOCOOOOOIOOOOOOIOOOOOOOOOOO0.0.0000000010

ASOIepiadaceae..o.........................o.o.......o30

BuddleiaceaBOOOOOO.0.0....00.00.000.000.0.0.00000000069

iii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page
1. Map of Hassan District and its political
subdivisions.........................................5
2. Representative floral morphology of the

AsclepiadaceaBOO0.0.0.000...OOOOOOOOOOOOOO0.0.00000032

iv

INTRODUCTION1

This floristic treatment of the Asclepiadaceae, Apocyn-

aceae, Loganiaceae, and Buddleiaceae was prepared as part of
my participation in the project ”A Flora of Hassan District,
Mysore State, India." This project is financed by the Smith-
sonian Foreign Currency Program using P.L. 480 funds. The
principal investigators are Dr. D. H. Nicolson (Curator,
Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution) and Dr. C. J.
Saldanha (Vice Principal, St. Joseph's College). The project
was formulated by the principal investigators in 1968 and
funding began in December of that year, the anticipated
duration of the project being four years. The first two
years were devoted to intensive field study in the district.
The third year, now in progress, is concerned primarily with
the preparation of the floristic treatment and with additional
fieldwork as needed. During the fourth year it is hoped that
the manuscript will be finished and the flora published.

The completed flora will have keys, descriptions, brief
nomenclatural citations, distributions, phenologies, habitat,

local uses, and a plate illustrating each family. It is

 

1The information for the introduction and the descrip-
tion of the district was derived largely from a series of

grant pr0posals, renewal proposals, and status reports sub-
mitted by Drs. Nicolson and Saldanha to the Smithsonian

Foreign Currency Program.

anticipated that the flora will involve between 2,000 and
3.000 species of vascular plants.

The long-range goals, toward which this project is
expected to be the first step, are the preparation of a
flora of mysore State and establishment of a taxonomic
center at St. Joseph's College, Bangalore.

I was chosen as a collaborator in the project to provide
a graduate training component and because of my special in-
terest in the taxonomy and biology of the Asclepiadaceae. I
spent about 13 weeks during the summer of 1969 participating
in the project. Of this time, about ten weeks were spent
working in Hassan District and the laboratory at St. Joseph's
College. Herbarium study at the Calcutta Botanic Garden
occupied one week and two weeks were devoted to herbarium
and library study at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England.

The specimens cited include all those collected in
Hassan District through March, 1970. The Stevens collection
numbers refer generally to the collections of the project
personnel, many of which were made during my participation
in the project. The descriptions are based primarily on the
cited specimens, but where the material was inadequate addi-
tional information was gathered from specimens in the herbaria
at Calcutta Botanic Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,

and, as a last resort, from the literature. A complete set

of my own collections and a nearly complete set of the

Saldanha collections cited are deposited in the Baal-Darlington

Herbarium, Michigan State University. A nearly complete set
of the specimens are kept at the project headquarters at St.

Jbseph's College and a representative set will be deposited

at the U. S. National Herbarium. Duplicate sets will be
distributed to other herbaria.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT

Mysore State, in more or less its present circumscrip-
tion, was a princedom during the period of British rule and
was therefore little studied by the British botanists who
made such a great contribution to the understanding of the

Indian flora. The state was nominally included within the

ranges of both Hooker's £1,253 9; British _Ir_y_l_i_a_ (1872-1897)
and Gamble's zlggg g; thg_Presidency gf_g§gg§§ (1915-1936),
but was in fact little collected and seldom referred to in
these works. The state has an area of about 75,000 sq. mi.
and a papulation of about 20 million. Hassan District
(Figure l) is located in the western part of Mysore State and
occupies 2,638 sq. mi. This District was chosen for the pro-
ject because it is relatively near the project headquarters
in Bangalore and because the major vegetation types of Mysore
State are present and reasonably well preserved (even though
less than ten percent of the District remains forested).

The climate of southern India is dominated by the sea-
sonal monsoon cycle. In Hassan District the rainy season is
primarily during the months of June, July, and August when
the winds consistently blow toward the northeast. Hassan
District straddles the north-south oriented Western Chats
and is thus subject to a considerable rain shadow effect.

The western side of the Ghats receives the highest rainfall.

100-300 inches/year, and is covered by a tall evergreen

   
 

  

o
Arsikere

  
   
 

HASSAN
23°N ~\ 9

Saklespur Chonnoréyopatna
o

O O

Arkalgod "°'°

 

 

Figure 1. Map of Hassan District and its political subdivisions

forest. The eastern slapes and peaks of the Ghats, which
are 4000-6000 feet, mostly receive 60-150 inches/year and
support a mixed evergreen-deciduous forest. The plains east
of the Ghats receive less than 30 inches/year and have the

deciduous scrub or thorn forest typical of the Deccan Plateau.
The season which is completely without precipitation lasts

six months or longer and is obviously an important factor in

determining the vegetation type.

FLORISTIC TREATMENT

LOGANIACEAE

Woody vines, small trees, or epiphytic shrubs. Leaves
opposite, simple, entire, with a stipular ridge between the
petioles. Flowers bisexual, 4- or 5-merous, actinomorphic,
gamosepalous and gamOpetalous, in terminal or lateral cymes.
Corolla lobes valvate or imbricate to the right in bud.

Stamens inserted in the corolla tube. Ovary single, superior,
bilocular (sometimes incompletely). Fruit a few to many
seeded fleshy berry, sometimes with a crustose rind (Strychnos).

Seeds naked.

10 Flowers h-merous, yellow.....................2. Gardneria

1. Flowers 5-merous, white or cream colored
2. Corolla tube bo-so mm long; plants
'WIthOUt tendrIISQQeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoeeeeeoele Pagraea

2. Corolla tube 2-2.5 mm long; plants
with tendrils.’.0OOOOOOOOOOOO0.00.00.00.0003. Strxcmoa

1. Faggaea Thunberg

Generally epiphytic when young, later becoming a small

tree. Leaves obovate to elliptic, mostly 10-15 cm long,
glabrous or slightly pubescent below, pinnately reticulate

veined with lateral veins few and obscure, base acute, apex
obtuse or rounded. Flowers 5-merous, in terminal corymbose
cymes. Calyx 10-15 mm long, glabrous, lobes rounded. Co-
rolla funnelform, cream colored, glabrous; tube 40-50 mm
long; lobes about 20 mm long, rounded, imbricate to the right.
Anthers free, exserted, longer than the filaments. Stigma
capitate. Berry ellipsoid to globose, 3-5 cm wide, many
seeded, whitish when mature, with a translucent parchment-

like rind which separates on drying. Seeds small, ovate.

Fagraea ceilanica Thunberg, Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl.
3: 132. 1782; Backer & Bakhuizen, Fl. Java 2: 211. 1965;

E. obovata Wallich i3 Roxburgh, F1. Ind. ed. 1, 2: 33.
1824; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. Or. 4: tt. 1316-1317. 1848.

India and Ceylon to Malasia; in Hassan occasional in
wet forest; Saldanha 10619, 12459, 13358, 13586, 14026, 14055.
This plant may be bat pollinated; the flowers have the

characteristic features, and the edges of the corolla lobes

are often damaged with what appear to be claw marks.

2. Gardneria Wallich

Woody climbing shrub. Leaves ovate to narrowly elliptic,

7-15 cm long, glabrous, pinnately reticulate veined, base

acute to obtuse, apex short-acuminate. Flowers 4-merous, in

lateral cymes. Calyx about 1.5 mm long, glabrous except the
lobes short-cilate on the margins, lobes rounded. Corolla
rotate, yellow; tube short; lobes 4-6 mm long, thick, deltoid,
densely pubescent within, valvate. Anthers subsessile, con-
nate below and free above, exserted. Stigma bifid. Berry

globose, 1-2 cm wide, 2-seeded, red when mature. Seeds bowl-

shaped.

Gardneria ovata Wallich in Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. ed. L. 1; 400.

 

1820; Backer & Bakhuizen, Fl. Java 2; 210. 1965; Wight,
ICC P1. Ind. or. a! t. 1313. 18:48.

India to Malasia; in Hassan occasional in most forest

communities; Saldanha 11682, 12552, 12222, 12220, 12022,
1318h, lBhgl, 19125, Stevens ZI_.

3. Strychnos Linnaeus

Ref.; A. W. Hill. 1917. The genus Strychnos in India and
the East. Bull. Misc. Inform. pp. 121-210.

Woody climbing shrub with simple clavate tendrils.
Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate, sometimes oblique, 5-15 cm
long, glabrous, with 3 major veins and lateral connecting
veins, base acute, apex acute to slightly acuminate. Flowers

5-merous, in lateral corymbose cymes. Calyx about 1.5 mm

10

long. puberulent on the outside and pilose within near the

base, lobes rounded, with ciliate margins. Corolla campanu-
late, white, puberulent on the outside; tube 2-2.5 mm long,
glabrous within; lobes 2-2.5 mm long, thick, lanceolate, long

pilose within near the base, valvate. Anthers shorter than
the filament, free, bearded at the base. Stigma capitate.

Berry globose, 1-2 cm wide. 1- or sometimes 2-seeded, with a

thick crustose rind. Seeds discoid.

Strychnos dalzellii C. B. Clarke ig_J. Hooker, Fl. Brit. Ind.
#; 87. 1883’ Hill. 10cc 1760

Apparently restricted to the central and southern Western
Ghats; in Hassan occasional in.wet forest; Saldanha 11258,
11222. 120#§. 12108, 12450. 1202“, 12122.

Fruits on our specimens are mostly l-seeded while most

descriptions mention several seeds per fruit.

APOCYNACEAE

Trees, shrubs, erect herbs, or scandent or twining vines.
Sap milky or occasionally watery (Ichnocagpus). Leaves appo-
site, whorled, or alternate, simple, entire, pinnately reticu-
late veined, exstipulate or with stipular glands or frills.

Flowers bisexual. 5-merous, actinomorphic, gamosepalous and

gamopetalous, in terminal or lateral cymes or corymbs. Calyx

11

often with basal glands within. Corolla lobes imbricate in
bud. Stamens inserted in the corolla tube; anthers sometimes
sagittate with sterile tails, free or connivent and adnate to
the stigma. Stigma single, often enlarged and elaborated,
style single, mostly thin. Ovaries 2 and unilocular or 1 and
bilocular (except unilocular in Allamanda), superior or some-
times partly submerged in a disc. Fruits mostly follicles,
sometimes drupes, berries, or capsules. Seeds comose at one

or both ends, winged, arillate, or naked.

1. Leaves whorled or alternate; corolla with or without
faucal scales
2. Leaves alternate; corolla lobes imbricate to the left
3. Leaves more than 20 cm long; corolla
without faucal scales...................12. Plumeria
3. Leaves less than 20 cm long; corolla
lobes with faucal scales................l3. Thevetia
2. Leaves whorled; corolla lobes imbricate to the right
or left
a. Anthers sagitate, with sterile tails
and a long terminal pilose appendage;
leaves linear-lanceolate..............lO. Nerium
4. Anthers ovate or sagittate, but with-
out sterile tails or such an appendage;
leaves wider

5. Large tree; corolla greenish-white...3. Alstonia

12

5. Scandent woody shrub or vine; corolla

yellow.eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoeeeee000020 Allamanda
1. Leaves Opposite; corolla without faucal scales

6. Plants with long sharp spines; fruit

a fleshy berry...........................5. Carissa
6. Plants without Spines; fruits follicular
7. Plants erect; ovaries 2
8. Plants herbaceous; ovaries
pubescent............................6. Catharanthus
8. Plants woody; ovaries glabrous
9. Corolla tube pubescent, stamens
inserted near the base; seeds
comose.............................8. Holarrhena
9. Corolla tube glabrous, stamens
inserted near the tep; seeds
arillate...........................7. Ervatamia
7. Plants scandent or twining; ovaries l or 2
10. Corolla tube more than 5 cm long;
leaves more than 15 cm long.....h. Beaumontia
10. Corolla tube less than 1 cm long; leaves
less than 15 cm long
11. Filaments spirally twisted
together around the style;
ovary l......................ll. Parsonia

ll. Filaments obsolete; ovaries 2

12. Corolla yellow-brown, tube about 6 mm

13

long. flutedeeseeeeesee-00000000000000.0001. Aganosma
12. Corolla white or tinted rose, tube 3-h mm
long, narrow at the base and apex and

inflated in between.......................9. IChnocagpus

l. Aganosma G. Don

Scandent or sometimes twining woody shrub. Leaves appo-

site, elliptic to ovate or obovate. 5-15 cm long, glabrous to
sparsely pubescent, base rounded to acute, apex acute and

slightly acuminate to rounded or emarginate. Cymes terminal,

corymbose. Calyx mostly with small subulate glands at the
sinuses. Corolla fluted-tubular from a narrow base, yellowish-
brown; tube about 6 mm long, pubescent on the outside and

with rows of bristles above the anthers on the inside; lobes
ovate to lanceolate, 7-12 mm long, imbricate to the right.
Stamens inserted in the base of the widened part of the tube;
filaments obsolete; anthers sagittate with sterile bases,
connivent and adnate to the stigma. Stigma conical, glabrous;

ovaries separate, pubescent; disc of 5 more or less connate

scales enclosing the ovaries. Fruit of paired falcate fol-

licles, 10-15 cm long, widely divergent; seeds comose.

Aganosma cymosa (Roxburgh) G. Don, Gen. Hist. h; 77. 1837-
1838; Gamble, F1. Madras 2: 819. 1923; Wight, 16. P1.
Ind. or. u! tte 130“, 13060 1848. EChiteS cxmosa

l4

Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. ed. 2. 2. 16. 1832; Wight, 1.c. t.
395. 1840.

India and Ceylon, especially the Western Ghats; in
Hassan occasional in dry rocky hills; Saldanha 12804, 12225.
12282, Stevens 424. .

0ur specimens differ in some respects from previous

descriptions, but this is apparently a rather variable species

over its range.

2. Allamanda Linnaeus

Scandent woody shrub or vine. Leaves whorled, 3-5 per
node, ovate to oblanceolate, 6-15 cm long, glabrous or
sparsely pubescent below, base acute to attenuate, apex
acuminate to caudate. Cymes lateral or terminal, corymbose.
Calyx eglandular. Corolla funnelform from a narrow base,
bright yellow; tube 45-65 mm long, pilose within at the level
of the anthers, otherwise glabrous, with a transparent fim-
briate scale over each anther; lobes obliquely obovate. 25-
35 mm long, imbricate to the left. Stamens inserted at the
base of the widened part of the tube; filaments obsolete;
anthers shallowly sagittate but fertile to the base, free.
Stigma bifid, with a basal collar, glabrous; ovary single,
unilocular, glabrous; disc a fleshy annulus. Fruit a globose

echinate capsule, 4-6 cm wide; seeds marginally winged.

15

Allamanda cathartica Linnaeus, Mant. 2; 214. 1771; Gamble,

 

Fl. Madras 2; 821. 1923.

Native to tropical America but now widely cultivated in
the tropics; in Hassan occasionally found in gardens; Saldanha
13464.

Said to be cathartic in proper doses.

3. Alstonia R. Brown nom. cons.

Ref.: J. Monachino. 1949. A revision of the genus Alstonia.

Pacific Sci. 3: 133-182.

Large tree. Leaves whorled, 4-7 per node, oblong-
elliptic to oblanceolate, 7-25 cm long, glabrous, base acute
to slightly obtuse, apex rounded to emarginate. Cymes ter-
minal and lateral, paniculate. Calyx eglandular. Corolla
salverform, greenish-white; tube 6-9 mm long, pubescent,
pilose at the mouth; lobes cuneate-oblong, 2-5 mm long, im-
bricate to the right or left. Stamens inserted near the top
of the tube; filaments short; anthers ovate with an acute
apex, somewhat connivent but not adnate to the stigma. Stigma
slightly enlarged, bifid, glabrous; ovaries separate, pub-
escent; disc absent. Fruit of thin paired follicles, 20-50
cm long, parallel or slightly divergent; seeds comose at both

ends.

l6

Alstonia scholaris (Linnaeus) R. Brown, Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist.
SOC. 18 76s 1811' MOHaChiHO. lees lu'6] Wight, 100 P10
Ind. 0r. 2: t. 422. 1840-1843. Echites scholaris Lin-

naeus, Mant. 53. 1767.

India to southern China and southward through Malasia

to eastern Australia and Melanesia, cultivated as an orna-
mental in the American trapics; in Hassan locally common
trees of the wet forest; Saldanha 12983, 16992.

The sap is apparently quite poisonous and the tree is
feared by the inhabitants of some areas. In other areas, how-

ever, the bark is collected and used for medicinal purposes.
4. Beaumontia Wallich

Scandent woody vine. Leaves Opposite, oblong-ovate,
15-30 cm long, at first rusty-tomentose, later nearly glabrous,
base acute, apex abruptly acuminate. Cymes terminal. Calyx
with numerous basal glands within. Corolla funnelform, white;
tube 60-70 mm long, pubescent outside, glabrous within; lobes
oblique, short-acuminate. 30-40 mm long, imbricate to the
right. Stamens inserted below the middle of the tube; fila-
ments about 35 mm long, thickened immediately below the anther;

anthers sagittate with sterile incurved bases, connivent and

adnate to the stigma. Stigma fusiform, glabrous; ovary single,

bilobed and bilocular, pubescent; disc of 5 rounded ciliate

l7

scales. Fruit of paired follicles (appearing to be 1 until

separation at maturity), 20-25 cm long; seeds comose.

Beaumontia jgrdoniana Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. 0r. 4; tt. 1314-
1315. 1848; Gamble. Fl. Madras 2; 817. 1923.

Apparently restricted to the central Western Ghats; in
Hassan collected only once, in wet forest of Shiradi Ghat;
Saldanha $9995.

This plant somewhat larger in most dimensions than in-

dicated for the species in previous descriptions.
5. Carissa Linnaeus nom. cons.

The fruits of these species, as well as some others in
the genus, have a pleasant flavor and are eaten either fresh
or in jams. Carissa carandas is widely cultivated for its
fruits and may be found in the district.

Erect or scandent spinous woody shrub. Leaves opposite,
glabrous. Cymes terminal. Calyx eglandular. Corolla salver-
form, white; tube pubescent within; lobes lanceolate, imbri-
cate to the right. Stamens inserted near the top of the tube;
filaments short; anthers oblong, apiculate, free. Stigma
fusiform, apically bifid, pubescent; ovary single, bilocular,

glabrous; disc absent. Fruit a fleshy berry; seeds naked.

18

1. Leaves mostly less than 3 cm long; berry
ellipsoid, 2-seeded.........................9. paucinerva
1. Leaves mostly more than 3 cm long; berry Spherical or
slightly ellipsoid, 4-seeded
2. Spines distinctly recurved................9. inermis

2. Spines straight or slightly curved........9. congesta

Carissa congesta Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. 0r. 4; t. 1289. 1848;
Santapau, F1. Kandala ed. 2, 129. 1960.

Erect or sometimes scandent woody shrub. Spines
straight or slightly curved. Leaves broadly ovate, 3-7 cm
long, base cuneate to slightly rounded, apex bluntly acute,
mucronate. Corolla tube 10-15 mm long; lobes 5-7 mm long.
Berry Spherical or slightly ellipsoid, to 3 cm wide, 4-seeded.

Western Ghats and perhaps elsewhere in peninsular India;

apparently not common in Hassan; Stevens 588.

Carissa inermis Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3; 43. 1794; Gamble, Fl.
Madras 2! 8050 19230

Scandent woody shrub. Spines recurved. Leaves ovate to
elliptic-lanceolate, 5-9 cm long, base rounded or sometimes
obtuse or acute, apex acute to slightly acuminate. occasion-
ally emarginate. Corolla tube 10-20 mm long; lobes 5-10 mm
long. Berry spherical or slightly ellipsoid, to 3 cm wide,

19

4-seeded.

Hills of peninsular India, especially the Western Ghats;
common in the wetter parts of the district, especially in
second growth; Saldanha 10777, 10914, 11693, 12929, 15592,

l21§21 $2112: $9612. Stevens 123.

Carissa paucinerva A. Candolle 99 A. P. Candolle, Prodr. 8;
333. 1844. Gamble, Fl. Madras 2; 806. 1923; Wight, Ic.
P1. Ind. 0r. 4; t. 1290. 1848.

Erect woody shrub. Spines straight. Leaves elliptic-
ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, 1.5 to 3.5 cm long, base acute,
apex acute, mucronate. Corolla sometimes tinted rose; tube
10 mm long; lobes about 4 mm long. Berry ellipsoid, 2-seeded.

Peninsular India; in Hassan common in dry scrub and

lower deciduous forest; Saldanha 2002. 2243, 11586, 12268,
12284, 12114, 14565, Stevens 25_.

6. Catharanthus G. Don

The problem of the names Lochnera and Catharanthus has
been a perplexing one. Discussions are presented by M.
Pichon (Mem. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 27; 237. 1948), G. H. M.
Lawrence (Baileya 7; 113-119. 1959). and especially J. D.
Dwyer (Lloydia 27; 282-285. 1964). Although there are

several facets to the problem, the deciding factor is whether

20

Lochnera Reichenbach (Conspectus p. 134. 1828) was validly
published or, more specifically, whether reference to a

previously described species provides sufficient description
(indirect) for a new monotypic genus. I interpret Article

41 of the International Code 9; Botanical Nomenclature as
meaning that this description is insufficient for valid

publication. Catharanthus G. Don is the name used when
Lochnera Reichenbach is rejected, but its priority over
Lochnera Endlicher is not an absolute certainty because the
date of publication of the former is not accurately known.
Erect annual or perennial herbs, sometimes slightly
woody below. Leaves apposite. Cymes lateral. Calyx eglandu-
lar. Corolla salverform; lobes cuspidate, imbricate to the
left. Stamens inserted near the top of the tube; filaments
short; anthers oblong with slightly sagittate but fertile

bases, free. Stigma cylindric with a pendent basal collar,
pubescent; ovaries separate, pubescent; disc of 2 erect glands.

Fruit of paired follicles; seeds with muricate ribs, other-

wise naked.

1. Corolla tube less than 10 mm long; follicles

glabrous, more than 30 mm long.............9. pusillus
1. Corolla tube more than 20 mm long; follicles

pubescent, less than 30 mm long............9. roseus

Catharanthus pusillus (J. Murray) G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4: 95.

21

1837-1838. Vinca pusilla J. Murray, Novi Comment. Soc.
Regiae Sci. Gott. 3; 66. 17733 Lochnera pusilla K.
Schumann 99 Engler & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (2); 145.

1895.

Erect annual herb. Leaves lanceolate, 4-7 cm long,

glabrous, base attenuate, apex acuminate. Cymes 1-2 flowered.
Corolla white; tube 6-9 mm long, the mouth pilose within,
otherwise glabrous; lobes obovate. about 2 mm long. Follicles
thin, glabrous, 35-50 mm long.

India and Ceylon, probably native but now predominantly

an agricultural weed; in Hassan common in dry cultivated

fields; Saldanha 1122 .

Catharanthus roseus (Linnaeus) G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4; 95.
1837-1838; Backer & Bakhuizen Fl. Java 2; 227. 1963.
Vinca rosea Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 944. 1759;

Lochnera rosea Reichenbach 95'Endlicher, Gen. P1. 583.

1838.

Erect herb, sometimes becoming slightly woody below.
Leaves elliptic to obovata, 3-8 cm long, pubescent, base
acute, apex obtuse or rounded, cuspidate. Cymes 1-4 flowered.
Corolla mostly rose but sometimes with other colors or color
combinations; tube 25-30 mm long, pubescent outside, pilose

within except at the level of the anthers; lobes broadly

22

ovate, 15-25 mm long. FolliCles thickened, pubescent, 20-30
mm long.

Probably native to Madagascar but now cultivated and
naturalized throughout the tropics; in Hassan common in

gardens and occasionally found wild; Saldanha 12313.

 

7. Ervatamia Stapf

 

Large shrub or small tree. Leaves Opposite, elliptic
to lanceolate, 10-20 cm long, glabrous, base acute, apex
acuminate. Cymes terminal or lateral, corymbose. Calyx with
subulate basal glands within. Corolla salverform, white;
tube 15-30 mm long, glabrous; lobes obtuse, crispate or
frilled, about 10 mm long, imbricate to the right. Stamens
inserted near the top of the tube; filaments obsolete;
anthers linear-oblong with short bilobed bases, free. Stigma
slightly enlarged, bifid, glabrous; ovaries separate, gla-
brous; disc absent. Fruit of paired boat-shaped follicles,
2.5-3.5 cm long, bright yellow-orange at maturity; seeds with
a bright red aril.

Ervatamia heyneana (Wallich) T. Cooke, F1. Bombay 2; 134.
Gamble, Fl. Madras 2; 813. 1923. Tabernaemontana
heyneana Wallich, Edward's Bot. Reg. 15; t. 1273. 2.9.

1829,

23

Apparently restricted to the Western Ghats; in Hassan
a very common and distinctive second growth species of the
Ghats; Saldanha 10120, 10721. 10979. 11254. 11563. 11750.
12921. 12213, 12433, 12901, 13134, 13278, 13959, 19119,
Stevens 919.

The seeds of this species are well adapted for distri-
bution by birds and this is perhaps a factor in its success
as a second growth species. Probably pollinated by night-
flying moths.

8. Holarrhena R. Brown

Shrub or small tree. Leaves Opposite or occasionally
approximate, broadly ovate to elliptic, 10-25 cm long, pub-
escent or glabrous, base rounded to obtuse, apex acuminate.
Cymes terminal or lateral, corymbose. Calyx with small
basal glands within. Corolla salverform, white; tube about
10 mm long, pubescent; lobes oblong, mostly 12-14 mm long,
imbricate to the left. Stamens inserted near the base of
the tube; filaments short; anthers linear-oblong, free.
Stigma not thickened, conical, glabrous; ovaries separate,

glabrous; disc absent. Fruit of paired follicles, 20-40 cm

long, somewhat divergent; seeds comose.

Holarrhena antidysenterica (Heyne 91 Roth) A. Candolle 1g

 

A. P. Candolle, Prodr. 8: 413. 1844; Gamble, F1. Madras,

24

2; 811. 1923. Echites 99119ysenterica Heyne 91 Roth,
Nov. Pl. Sp. 138. 1821; Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. 0r. 4; tt.
1297-1298. 1848; Chonemorpha antidysenterica (Heyne 95
Roth) G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4; 76. 1837-1838; Wight, 1.0.
2. t. 439. 1840-1843.

Throughout India and eastward to the Malay Peninsula;
in Hassan locally common in deciduous forest; Saldanha 11159,
The plant is rich in alkaloids. A preparation of the
bark is a well known and effective treatment for dysentery.
The plant is generally listed under the invalid name H.
39919ysenterica Wallich, which lacked a description and was
based on an unpublished name, Echites 99119ysenterica

 

Roxburgh.

9. Ichnocarpus R. Brown nom. cons.

Woody twining vine. Leaves opposite. lanceolate to
ovate, 4-8 cm long, glabrous to sparsely pubescent below,
base acute, apex acute to acuminate. Cymes terminal or lat-
eral. Calyx eglandular. Corolla tubular, white or tinted
rose; tube narrow at the base and apex and inflated in the
middle, 3-4 mm long, mouth and margins of lobes pubescent;
lobes broad with a long thin acumination, mostly 6-7 mm long,
imbricate to the right with the acumination reflexed. Stamens

25

inserted near the middle of the tube; filaments obsolete;
anthers sagittate with sterile bases, connivent around and

adnate to the stigma. Stigma ovoid, glabrous; ovaries separ-

ate, pubescent; disc 5-lobed. Fruit of thin paired follicles,

5-15 cm long, somewhat divergent; seeds comose.

Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linnaeus) Dryander 19 W. T. Aiton,
Hort. Kew, ed. 2, 2; 69. 1811; Gamble, F1. Madras 2; 820.
1923' Wight, ICC P1. Ind. Ore 28 to “'30. 1840-1843.

Apocynum frutescens Linnaeus, Sp. P1. 213. 1753.

India and Ceylon eastward to the Malay Peninsula and

south to Australia; in Hassan common in dry scrub; Saldanha

2061, 2223, 11238, 11256. 12151. 12252, 13238. 12236.

10. Nerium Linnaeus

Erect woody shrub. Leaves whorled, 3 per node, linear-

lanceolate, 10-20 cm long, sparsely pubescent when young,
later glabrous, base and apex acute. Cymes terminal, corym-
bose. Calyx with subulate basal glands within. Corolla
funnelform, red, white, or occasionally yellow; tube 14-16 mm
long, with rows of bristles below the filaments within, with
deeply laciniate scales at the mouth; lobes obliquely rounded,
about 15 mm long, imbricate to the right. Stamens inserted

at the base of the widened part of the tube; filaments short;

26

anthers connivent and somewhat adnate to the stigma. sagittate
with sterile bases which hook inward at the tips, the tips of
the connectives greatly extended, long pilose. Stigma slightly
enlarged and collared, pubescent; ovaries separate, glabrous;
disc absent. Fruit of paired follicles, 15-25 cm long, nearly

parallel; seeds comose.

Nerium indicum Miller, Gard. Diet. ed. 8, 1768; Santapau, Fl.
Khandala ed. 2. 133. 1960; 9, odorum Solander in W.
Aiton. Hort. Ke'e eds k, 18 2970 17890

Probably a native of the western Himalaya but now widely
planted in the Asian tropics and as far north as Japan; in
Hassan often planted in gardens; Saldanha 12929, 12299.

Like the similar European species, a. g1eander, this

plant is well known for its poisonous prOperties.

ll. Parsonia R. Brown nom. cons.

Woody twining vine. Leaves opposite, elliptic, 8-15 cm
long, glabrous, base rounded to slightly cordate, apex acumin-
ate. Cymes terminal or lateral. corymbose to paniculate.
Calyx with deltoid basal glands within. Corolla campanulate,
white; tube about 5 mm long, puberulent on the outside and
with a ring of bristles within; lobes linear-lanceolate, erect,
about 5 mm long, imbricate to the right. Stamens inserted

27

near the base of the tube; filaments tightly spiralled to-
gether around the style; anthers sagittate with sterile

bases, connivent around and adnate to the stigma. Stigma

columnar, collared, glabrous; ovary single, bilobed, bi-
locular, glabrous; disc of 5 free scales. Fruit of paired

follicles (appearing to be single until separation at

maturity), 12-17 cm long; seeds comose.

Parsonia spiralis Wallich g§_G. Don, Gen. Hist. 4; 80. 1837-

1838; Gamble, F1. Madras 2: 814. 1923; Wight, IC. Pl.
Ind. Or. )4! to 13030 1814'80

TrOpical Asia and Malasia; in Hassan uncommon in ever-

green forest; Saldanha 1443 , 15286.

12. Plumeria Linnaeus

Ref.; R. E. Woodson. 1938. Plumeria, 19 Studies in the

Apocynaceae VII. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 25; 202-224.

Large shrub or small tree, stems thick and fleshy above,

woody below. Leaves alternate, oblong-lanceolate to obovate.
mostly 20-40 cm long, glabrous to sparsely pubescent below,
base acute, apex acute to acuminate. Corymbs terminal.
Calyx eglandular. Corolla salverform, white, yellow, rose,

or combinations of these colors; tube 10-25 mm long, pubescent

28

within; lobes broadly ovate, 25-60 mm long, imbricate to the
left. Stamens inserted near the base of the tube; filaments
obsolete; anthers oblong-ovate, free. Stigma bilobed, gla-
brous; ovaries separate, glabrous; disc absent or poorly de-
ve10ped. Fruit of paired linear-lanceolate follicles, 9-30

cm long, widely divergent; seeds with a basal wing.

Plumeria rubra Linnaeus, Sp. P1. 209. 1753; Woodson. l.c.
207; 9. acuminata Dryander 19 W. T. Aiton, Hort. Kew.
ed. 2. 2; 70. 1789; 9. acutifolia Poiret, Encycl. Meth.
suppl. 2. 667. 1812.

Native to tropical America but now cultivated throughout

the tropics; in Hassan occasionally found in gardens; Saldanha

12311.
The milky sap is used in small doses as a purgative and

in larger doses is poisonous.

13. Thevetia Linnaeus nom. cons.

Large shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, linear-
lanceolate, 10-15 cm long, glabrous, base and apex acute.
Cymes terminal or lateral. Calyx with numerous small glands
within at the base. Corolla companulate from a narrow base,
bright yellow; tube about 30 mm long, glabrous outside,
pubescent within below the anthers, with a deltoid scale

29

immediately above each anther and a protuberance below each,
the scales pilose and the protuberances densely flanked by

retrorse bristles; lobes obliquely obovata, 20-40 mm long.

imbricate to the left. Stamens inserted at the base of the
widened part of the tube; filaments obsolete; anthers ovate
with a sterile beak, appressed to the top of the stigma but
free. Stigma conical with a frilled margin, the apex slightly
bifid; ovary single, bilocular, glabrous; disc a fleshy

annulus. Fruit drupaceous, globose, 1-4 seeded, 40-60 mm

wide; seeds naked.

Thevetia peruviana (Persoon) K. Schumann 1ngngler & Prantl,

Pflanzenfam. 4 (2); 159. 1895; Santapau, F1. Khandala
ed. 2. 134. 1960. Cerbera peruviana Persoon, Syn Pl.
1; 267. 1805; 1. neriifolia Adr. Jussieu 91 Steudel,

Nom. Bot. 180. 1821.

A native of trapical America but now widely planted in
the trapics as an ornamental; in Hassan commonly planted and
apparently persisting without care; Saldanha 9139, 19911,
Stevens 512.

All parts of the plant, esPecially the seeds, are

poisonous.

30

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Ref.; H. Santapau & N. A. Irani. 1962. The Asclepiadaoeae
and Periplocaceae of Bombay. Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay
N0. “0

Erect, twining, or straggling herbs or woody shrubs,

sometimes succulent, often with milky sap. Leaves apposite,

simple, sometimes absent, exstipulate, entire, pinnately
reticulate veined, often with glandular projections at the

base of the blade on the adaxial surface. Flowers bisexual,

5-merous, actinomorphic, gamosepalous and gamopetalous, in
terminal or lateral umbels or umbellate, corymbose, or panicu-

late cymes. when lateral often interpetiolar. Corolla lobes

valvate or imbricate in bud. Stamens either connivent by the
anthers (Periplocoideae) or completely connate and adnate to
the style apex forming a gynostegium (Asclepiadoideae). Some-
times with a coralline corona elaborated from the corolla

tube and typically with a staminal, or true, corona elaborated

from the filaments or connectives. Pollen of the Periplocoideae

in tetrads and falling onto spathulate pollen carriers which
are equipped with an adhesive disc and which are formed on

the surface of the style apex between the anthers. Pollen of

the Asclepiadoideae in l or 2 waxy masses (pollinia) per
anther locule, the pollinia of adjacent locules of adjacent

anthers connected by arms to more or less horny corpuscula.

31

Gynoecium of 2 superior unilocular carpels united only by

the enlarged style apex. Fruit of paired or single (by abor-

tion of l) follicles. Seeds flattened, comose. Figure 2.

1. Plants erect

2. Leaves reduced and caducous; stems angular
and succulent.............................l7. Caralluma
2. Leaves well develOped; stems terete, not succulent
3. Plants less than 50 cm tall; sap watery
4. Leaves ovate; roots fascicled; corolla
rotate................................16. Tylthora
4. Leaves lanceolate to linear; rootstock
tuberous; corolla tubular.............18. CerOpegia
3. Plants more than 50 cm tall; sap milky
5. Large woody shrub, mostly 1-3 m tall;

leaves ovate to obovate, sessile.....8. CalotrOpis

 

5. Smaller herb, mostly less than 1 m tall;

leaves lanceolate, petiolate.........7. Asclepias
1. Plants twining, procumbent, or straggling

6. Leaves absent or reduced and caducous
7. Stems twining; corolla tubular..18. Cergpggia
7. Stems straggling; corolla
rotate..........................12. Sarcostemma
6. Leaves well deve10ped
8. Corolla more than 20 mm long,

tubular.......................18. Ceropegia

32

 

50 x 10 x
50 x
o POLLINIUM
POLLEN CARRIER Holostemma annulare
Hemidesmus indicus
POLLINIUM

Leptodenia reticulate

 

 

 

CORONA

Ceropegio hirsute

   

F LOWE R
Hoyo wightii

Figure 2. Representative floral morphology of the Asclepiadaceae

33

8. Corolla less than 20 mm long, rotate

9. Corolla entirely glabrous
10. Corona cupular, enclosing the gynostegium;

often with small rounded stipule-like

axillary leaves.........................9. Cynanchum

 

10. Corona, if present, not cupular; without such

axillary leaves

11. Corona of 5 lobes
12. Leaf bases acute; style apex exserted from the
gynostegium
l3. Leaves lanceolate, glabrous; style
apex capitate.....................5. Secamone
13. Leaves elliptic to obovate, rusty-
tomentose; style apex fusiform....6. Toxocarpus
12. Leaf bases rounded to slightly
cordate; style apex not exserted...16. Tylophora
ll. Corona unlobed or absent
l4. Corona of a prominent fleshy annulus
at the base of the gynostegium;
anthers completely connate.....10. Holostemma
l4. Corona absent; filaments free
15. Corolla 4-5 mm long, lobes
valvate.......................3. Hemidesmus
15. Corolla 10-14 mm long, lobes
strongly imbricate............l. ngptolepis

9. Corolla pubescent, at least within or on the margins

34

16. Stamens connate only by the anthers; corolla

densely white-villous within................2. Decalepis

 

l6. Stamens more completely connate
l7. Corolla with fleshy lobes within at the sinuses
l8. Petals valvate, margins revolute at
anthesis...............................l9. Leptadenia
18. Petals imbricate, margins not revolute
at anthesis............................l4. Gyggema
17. Corolla without such lobes
l9. Corona of 2 series of lobes, the outer
membranous; leaf bases deeply cordate;
stems hispid.........................11. Pergularia
l9. Corona of a single series of lobes
20. Flowers solitary or in umbels; plants
primarily epiphytic with thick, waxy,
glabrous leaves....................15. 9919
20. Flowers in cymes (sometimes umbellate cymes)
plants not epiphytic
21. Petals densely white-villous within;

pollinia 4 per anther.............4. Genianthus

 

21. Petals not white-villous within; pollinia

2 per anther

22. Corolla lobes valvate; corona

lobes large, f1eshy............l3. Dregea

22. Corolla lobes imbricate; corona ‘

lobes small, tuberculate.......16. TMIOphora

35

Periplocoideae

Stamens free except the anthers connivent over the style

apex, without horny lateral wings. Pollen granular, but
sometimes adhering into masses, falling onto and carried by

spathulate pollen carriers. Without glandular projections

at the bases of the leaf blades.

1. Cryptolepis R. Brown

Stems twining, becoming woody below, with copious milky
sap. Leaves elliptic, glabrous, 8-16 cm long, base acute,
apex apiculate to caudate. Cymes lateral, paniculate. Co-
rolla campanulate, lobes strongly imbricate to the right,
10-14 mm long, glabrous, pale greenish-yellow, a coralline
corona of a blunt fleshy lobe from each sinus. Staminal
corona absent. Filaments free, broad, anthers sagittate,

connivent over the style apex. Pollen carriers narrow,

pollen granular.

Cryptolepis buchananii Roemer & Schultes 19 Linnaeus, Syst.

Veg. ed. 15, 4; 409. 1819; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem.
uniVe Bombay NO. 1+, 910 1962’ Wight. IO. P10 Ind. 01'.
28 to ’49“. 184’0-19u30

Peninsular India and Ceylon; in the district occasional

36

in moderately wet disturbed areas; Saldanha 9506, 195 3.
14521.

2. Decalepis Wight & Arnott

 

Stems twining, sometimes only weakly, woody, sap milky.

Leaves obovate to orbicular, glabrous, 5-10 cm long, base

acute to obtuse, apex obtuse to emarginate. Cymes lateral
to subterminal, paniculate. Corolla rotate, lobes imbricate

to the right, 4-5 mm long, densely white-villous within, light

brown outside. Corona of 2 series of lobes, the outer series
of 5 broad bifid scales basally adnate to the back of the

filaments, the inner series of 5 truncate lobes forming an

open ring around the ovaries. Filaments free, anthers con-
nivent around the style apex. Pollen carriers broad and

bluntly shovel-shaped, pollen granular.

Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arnott 19 Wight, Contrib. 64.
1834; Gamble, Fl. Madras 2; 828. 1923; Wight, Ic. Pl.

Ind. 01'. 1+3 to 12850 1848.

Apparently a rare plant of the southern Deccan south-
ward; in the district found only in rocky places in Nagpuri
hills; Saldanha 13840, 13264, 1322 , 14128.

37

3. Hemidesmus R. Brown

Stems twining or trailing, sap milky. Leaves variable,
mostly elliptic to linear, glabrous, mostly 5-10 cm long,

base acute, obtuse, or slightly cordate, apex mostly apicu-
late. Cymes lateral, subsessile. Corolla rotate, lobes
valvate, 4-5 mm long, glabrous, yellow to nearly brown, coral-
line corona of 5 fleshy lobes from below the sinuses. Staminal
corona absent. Filaments free, anthers connivent by their

tips over the style apex. Pollen carriers obconical, doubled,

pollen granular but usually adhering into masses (4 per anther).

 

Hemidesmus indicus (Linnaeus) R. Brown 99 Schultes 19

Linnaeus, Syst. Veg. ed. 15, 6; 126. 1820; Santapau &

Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 96. 1962; Wight,
Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. 2; t. 594. 1840-1843. Periploca
indica LimaeuS. Sp. Pl. 2110 17530

Peninsular India and Ceylon; common in all but the

wettest parts of the district; Saldanha 9084, 11496, 13228,
14026, 14111. 14522, Stevens 929, 999, 193, 199, 1531.

Asclepiadoideae

Stamens completely connate and adnate with the style

apex, with horny lateral wings. Pollen in l or 2 waxy masses

38

per anther locule and connected by translators to horny cor-
puscula. Leaves mostly with glandular projections at the

base of the blade.

Secamoneae

Sap milky (?). Corolla lobes valvate or imbricate to
the right or left. Pollinia 2 per anther locule, subsessile
from light colored, slightly horny corpuscula, without pel-

lucid margins.

4. Genianthus J. Hooker

Stems twining, becoming somewhat woody below. Leaves
broadly elliptic, glabrous, 6-10 cm long, base acute, apex
acuminate. Cymes lateral, paniculate. Corolla campanulate,
lobes valvate or slightly imbricate to the left at the apex,
about 2 mm long, densely white-villous within. Corona of 5
adnate scales with terminal adnate projections reaching
nearly to the tap of the gynostegium and short free cusPs on
the backs. Gynostegium nonstipitate, style apex dome-shaped,
not exserted. Pollinia sessile or light colored, slightly
horny corpuscula, 4 per anther, waxy. without pellucid margins.

Genianthus laurifolius (Roxburgh) J. Hooker, Fl. Brit. Ind.
4; 16. 1883; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay

39

No. 4, 46. 1962. Asclepias laurifolia Roxburgh, Fl.
Ind. ed. 2. 2; 49. 1832; Toxocarpus laurifolius
(Roxburgh) Wight, Contrib. 61. 1834; Wight, Ic. Pl.
Ind. 0r. 2: t. 598. 1840-1843.

West-central peninsular and northeastern India; in
Hassan collected one time on Shiradi Chat; Saldanha 11992.

It has been mentioned in the literature (e.g. Gamble,
Fl. Madras 2; 831) that dimorphic flowers occur on this
plant. Santapau and Irani failed to find this on the plants
they examined and neither did I observe it. Immature buds
tend to open on drying and this is perhaps the source of the
original observation.

See note for Secamone.

5. Secamone R. Brown

The present generic limits within the tribe Secamoneae
are unsatisfactory. Speculations on a solution to the problem
have ranged from redividing the group into four or more taxa
using some new criteria to considering the tribe as a single
genus. I would expect the latter choice to be the more rea-
sonable but the resolution will depend on careful monographic
treatment of the whole tribe over its entire range.

Twining woody shrub with milky sap. Leaves lanceolate,

often slightly oblique, 4-7 cm long, glabrous, base and apex

40

acute. Cymes lateral, somewhat paniculate. Corolla rotate,

lobes imbricate to the left, 3 mm long, glabrous, a coralline
corona of protuberences inside the tube below the sinuses.

Staminal corona of 5 laterally compressed adnate lobes, not

much more conspicuous than the anther wings. Gynostegium
nonstipitate, style apex exserted, capitate. Pollinia ses-

sile on light colored, slightly horny corpuscula, 4 per

anther, waxy, without pellucid margins.

Secamone emetica (Retzius) R. Brown 99 Schultes 19 Linnaeus,
Syst. Veg. ed. 15, 6; 124. 1820; Gamble, F1. Madras 2;
829. 1923. Periploca emetica Retzius, Obs. 2; 14. 1781.

Deccan Plateau; in Hassan common in dry scrub; Saldanha

27.3.2. 133.82. 12222. 13212. 13922. Stevens z_7_.

The roots are purported to be a powerful emetic, hence

the specific epithet. Pollinated by small dipterans.

6. Toxocarpus Wight & Arnott

 

Stems twining, becoming somewhat woody below. Leaves

elliptic to obovate, Sparsely to densely rusty-tomentose,

6-10 cm long, base acute with revolute margins, apex acuminate.
Cymes lateral, paniculate. Corolla campanulate, lobes im-

bricate to the left, 6-7 mm long, glabrous. Corona of 5

adnate lobes, each with an erect dorsal subulate process.

41

Gynostegium nonstipitate, style apex long-exserted, fusiform.

Pollinia sessile on light colored, slightly horny corpuscula,

4 per anther, waxy, without pellucid margins.

Toxocarpus kleinii Wight & Arnott 19 Wight, Contrib. 61. 1834;
Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 84. 1962;
Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. 0r. 3; t. 886. 1844-1845.

Peninsular India, especially western, and Ceylon; in

Hassan apparently rare, collected only once; Saldanha 1313 .

Asclepiadeae

Sap milky. Corolla lobes imbricate to the right. Pol-
linia l per anther locule, pendent from dark horny corpuscula,

without pellucid margins.

7. Asclepias Linnaeus

Ref.; R. E. Woodson. 1954. The North American species of
Asclepias. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 41; 1-211.

Plants erect, herbaceous or somewhat woody below, with
milky sap. Leaves lanceolate, glabrous except when young,

5-15 cm long, base acute, apex acute to acuminate. Cymes

umbellate, lateral. Corolla reflex-rotate, lobes imbricate

42

to the right, 5-10 mm long, glabrous, bright orange. Corona
of 5 stipitate, tubular lobes (hoods) attached to the t0p of

the gynostegium stipe, an acicular structure (horn) which

arches over the gynostegium arises from within each of the
hoods. Gynostegium long-stipitate. Pollinia pendent from
dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, without a pellucid

margin.

Asclepias curassavica Linnaeus, Sp. P1. 215. 1753; Woodson.

l.c. 59.

A native of tropical America, this weedy species has

spread throughout the humid tropics; in Hassan common along

the roadsides in the Ghats; Saldanha 8286, 9941, 10261, 12122.
12228, 12432, Stevens §§_.

8. Calotropis R. Brown

Woody shrubs with copious milky sap. Leaves elliptic-
ovate to obovate, densely arachnoid-pubescent when young,
later glabrous, 10-20 cm long, base clasping-cordate, apex
obtuse or slightly acuminate. Cymes subumbellate, lateral.
Corolla rotate, lobes slightly imbricate to the right, 15-20
mm long, glabrous, purple to white. Corona of 5 keel-shaped
lobes adnate to the gynostegium, each with a recurved vesicle

at the base and a pair of auricles at the apex. Gynostegium

43

elongate but not strictly stipitate. Pollinia pendent from

dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, without pellucid

margins.

Calotrgpis gigantea (Linnaeus) Dryander ig_w. T. Aiton, Hort.

 

Kew. ed. 2. 2: 78. 1811; Santapau & Irani; Bot. Mem.
Univ. Bombay No. 4, 17. 1962. Asclepias gigantea

Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 214. 1753.

A common weed throughout much of trOpical Asia; in

Hassan common in disturbed areas around habitation; Saldanha

22&_. 221§. lEQZé. 12387A. 13383.
Parts of this plant are put to many local uses. The

 

stems are a source of bast fiber, the seed comas are used for
stuffing, and the highly toxic sap is used for a variety of
medicinal purposes. The species has a number of rather
Specific insect predators and would be an excellent subject
for the study of evolutionary and population biology. It is
pollinated, probably exclusively, by carpenter bees (fixlocoEa).

9. Cynanohum Linnaeus

Twining herbs with small rounded axillary leaves. Cymes
lateral, often subumbellate. Corolla rotate, lobes imbricate

to the right, glabrous. Corona attached to the base of the

gynostegium, white, cupular. Gynostegium short-stipitate.

44

Pollinia pendent from dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther,
waxy, without pellucid margins.
A nearly cosmopolitan genus of perhaps 150 species,

nomenclaturally and taxonomically difficult and very much in

need of study.

1. Leaves sagittate with rounded lobes, cordate base
with a broad sinus; major corona lobes acute,
contorted.....,.......................,....,g. tunicatum
1. Leaves linear-oblong, cordate base with a narrow
sinus; major corona lobes obtuse and bifid,

ereCtOOOOOIOOOOOOIO0.0.0.0...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQO callialata

Cynanohum callialata Hamilton.g§ Wight, Contrib. 56. 1834;
Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4. 39.
1962’ Wight, ICQ P10 Ind. Or. “I to 12790 1848.

Leaves linear-oblong, sparsely pubescent on margin and
petiole, otherwise glabrous, whitish beneath, to 8 cm long,
base cordate with a narrow sinus, apex short-acuminate.
margins slightly undulate. Peduncles sparsely pubescent,

pedicels puberulent. Sepals glabrous. Corolla lobes 5 mm

long, light greenish-brown. Corona somewhat plicate, with
5 erect, obtuse, bifid lobes alternating with l-several
small lobes or teeth. Follicles winged.

Burma to southern India; in Hassan collected only along

“5

Shiradi Ghat Road near the district border; Saldanha 15870.

 

Cynanohum tunicatum (Retzius) Alston in Trimen, Handb. F1.
Ceylon 6 (Suppl.): 194. 1931; Santapau & Irani. Bot.
Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 40. 1962. Periploca tunicata
Retzius, Obs. 2: 15. 1781; Q. pauciflorum R. Brown, Mem.
Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 45. 1810; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind.

0r. 2: t. 354. 1840.

Leaves sagittate with rounded lobes, sparsely pubescent,
somewhat lighter green below, to 8 cm long, base cordate with
a broad sinus, apex acute to short-acuminate, margins undu-
late. Inflorescence glabrous or Sparsely pubescent. Sepals
ciliate‘on margins. Petals about 4 mm long, greenish-brown.
Corona plicate, with 5 long, acute, contorted lobes alternating
with 5 shorter lobes. Follicles without wings.

Southern Western Chats and Ceylon; in Hassan collected
only along Shiradi Ghat Road near the district border; Saldanha
15318.

10. Holostemma R. Brown

 

Stems twining, with abundant milky latex. Leaves ovate,
glabrous or sparsely pubescent, to 15 cm long, base cordate

with a broad sinus, apex short acuminate. Cymes lateral.

Corolla rotate, petals imbricate to the right, 7-15 mm long,

46

glabrous, deep red-purple in the center above, whitish on
the upper margins and below. Corona a fleshy unlobed ring
at the base of the gynostegium. Gynostegium nonstipitate,
elongate. Pollinia pendent from dark horny corpuscula, 2

per anther, waxy, without pellucid margins.

Holostemma annulare (Roxburgh) K. Schumann in Engler &
Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 4 (2); 250. 1895; Santapau &
Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 53. 1962. Asclepias
annularis Roxburgh. Hort. Beng. 20. 1814; g. rheedei

 

WalliCh, Pl. A3. Rare 28 510 18313 Wight, I00 P10 Ind.
Or. 28 to 5970 1840-18’4'30

Eastern Burma through India and Ceylon; in Hassan

collected only in Nagpuri Hills; Saldanha 1382;, 12255.

The fleshy flower buds are said to be eaten as vegetables.

11. Pergularia Linnaeus

Stems twining or procumbent, sap milky. Leaves ovate,
Sparsely hispid below. 5-15 cm long, base deeply cordate,
apex acuminate. Cymes corymbose to racemose, lateral. Co-
rolla campanulate, petals slightly imbricate to the right,
10-14 mm long, with a wide pubescent margin above, otherwise
glabrous, greenish-white. Corona with 2 series of lobes,

the outer series of 5 membranous truncate flaps, the inner of

47

5 fleshy lobes, each provided with 2 spurs, one directed
outward and downward and the other upward with the tip hooking
over the gynostegium. Gynostegium elongate. Pollinia pendent
from dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, with pellucid

margins.

Pergularia 222212 (Forsskal) Chiovenda, Result. Sc. Miss.
Sefan.-Paoli Somal. Ital. 1; 115. 1916; Santapau &
Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 39. 1962. Asclepias
daemia Forsskal. F1. Aeg.-Arab. 51. 1775: Pergularia
extensa (Jacquin) N. E. Brown lg Thistleton-Dyer, Fl.
Cap. 4: 758. 1908; Qggmig extensa (Jacquin) R. Brown 25

Schultes lg Linnaeus, Syst. Veg. ed. 15. 113. 1820.

Widespread in tropical Africa, northward to Afghanistan
and eastward to India and Ceylon; in Hassan 1 plant collected

in a cultivated field on west edge of Nagpuri hills; Saldanha
12226.

12. Sarcostemma R. Brown emend. Holm

Pendulous or scandent leafless herbs, somewhat succulent,
with copious milky sap. Cymes umbellate, terminal. Corolla
campanulate, lobes slightly imbricate to the right, glabrous,
pale yellowish-white. Corona of 2 series of lobes, the outer

short, cupular. Gynostegium sessile. Pollinia pendent from

48

dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, without pellucid
margins.

These plants are thought to have been a major ingredient
in the ancient Indian alcoholic beverage "soma.' The fragrant
flowers are produced in abundance and attract a variety of

insect pollinators.

1. Style apex elongate-conical. exceeding

the inner corona lobes; outer corona

lobes 10....................................§. intermedium
1. Style apex short-conical, not exceeding

the inner corona lobes; outer corona

lObeS 5.0.0.000000000.00IOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOEC acid-um

Sarcostemma acidum (Roxburgh) Voigt, Hort. Sub. Calc. 542.

 

1845; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4,
76. 1962. Asclepias acida Roxburgh. F1. Ind. ed. 2. 2:

 

31. 1832; §. brevistigma Wight & Arnott i5 Wight,
Contrib. 59. 1834; Wight, 10. P1. Ind. 0r. 2: t. 595.

1840-1843.

Petals 4-6 mm long, margins revolute. Outer corona 5

lobed, inner corona of 5 fleshy erect lobes with the apexes
strongly inflexed. Style apex short-conical, entire, not

exserted.

Arid rocky areas of peninsular India; in Hassan found

49

only on a rocky peak in Nagpuri hills; Saldanha 14137.

Sarcostemma intermedium Decaisne in_A. P. Candolle, Prodr. 8:
538. 1844; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No.
4, 11. 1962; Wight, 16. P1. Ind. Or. 4; t. 1281. 1848.

Corolla lobes 5-8 mm long, margins revolute. Outer

corona 10 lobed, inner corona of 5 fleshy erect lobes with

the apexes slightly inflexed. Style apex elongate-conical,
shallowly cleft, exerted.

Arid rocky areas of peninsular India; in Hassan locally

abundant in dry scrub, often climbing on Euphorbia antiquorum;

Saldanha 13543, 13841, 13982, 14235.

Marsdenieae

Sap milky or watery. Corolla lobes valvate or imbricate

to the right. Pollinia l per anther locule, horizontal or
occasionally ascending or descending from dark horny corpus-

cula, without pellucid margins.
13. Dregea E. Meyer nom. cons.
It is doubtful that this genus is distinct from Marsdenia,

but until the group is critically monographed it seems wise

to maintain the current usage.

50

Woody twiners, sap watery except milky in the follicles.
Leaves ovate, Sparsely pubescent on the veins, 10-15 cm long,
base rounded to cordate, apex acuminate. Cymes umbellate,
lateral. Corolla rotate, petals imbricate to the right, 5-7
mm long, margins ciliolate, pale green. Corona of 5 fleshy
truncate lobes with cusps at the inner angles resting against
the stigma head. Gynostegium short, nonstipitate. Pollinia
erect from dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, without

pellucid margins.

Dregea volubilis (Linnaeus f.) Bentham ex J. Hooker, F1.
Brit. Ind. 4; 46. 1883; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ.
Bombay No. 4, 42. 1962. Asclepias volubilis Linnaeus
f., Suppl. 170. 1781; Marsdenia volubilis (Linnaeus f.)
Cooke, F1. Bombay 2: 166. 1904; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. Or.
2; t. 586. 1840-1843.

India and Ceylon eastward to the Malay Peninsula and

Java; in Hassan occasional in both wet and dry areas; Saldanha

12826, 13021, 13208, Stevens 514.

14. Gymgema R. Brown

Woody twining shrubs with watery sap. Leaves ovate to
oblong, sparsely to densely pubescent, 4-6 cm long, base

rounded to cordate, apex short acuminate. Cymes corymbose,

51

lateral. Corolla campanulate, lobes valvate or slightly im-
bricate to the right, 2-4 mm long, coralline corona of a
fleshy projection from each sinus which is incumbent upon

the exserted style apex, each projection with a decurrent
base flanked by 2 rows of short stiff hairs, corolla pale
yellow with ciliolate margins. Gynostegium elongate, without

a corona. Pollinia erect from dark horny corpuscula, 2 per

anther, waxy, without pellucid margins.

Gymnema sylvestre (Retzius) R. Brown gx_Schu1tes in Linnaeus,
Syst. Veg. ed. 15, 6; 57. 1820; Santapau & Irani, Bot.
Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 47. 1962; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind.
Or. 2: t. 349. 1840. Periploca gylvestris Retzius, Obs.
2: 15. 1781.

Widespread in tr0pical Africa, Asia and Melanesia; in
Hassan common in all but the wettest areas; Saldanha 10687,
10836, 11206, 12153. 12382, 13325, 13722, 13801, 13230, 13234.

14054, Stevens 4 3, 436, 455.
Chewing the leaves of this plant makes one temporarily

unable to taste sugar and consequently it has been fancied by

some as a treatment for diabetes.

52

15. Hoya R. Brown

Stems climbing or pendent, usually epiphytic, weakly
twining, rooting at the nodes. Sap milky. Flowers lateral,
solitary or in umbels. Corolla rotate, petals valvate. Co-
rona of 5 fleshy truncate lobes, with the outer margins stel-
lately spreading, the upper surfaces concave, and the inner
margins with cuSps incumbent upon the gynostegium. Gynostegium

short, nonstipitate. Pollinia erect from dark horny corpuscula,

2 per anther, waxy, without pellucid margins.

1. Leaves linear-oblanceolate, apex retuse;
flowers solitary.............................§. retusa
1. Leaves elliptic, apex not retuse; flowers in umbels
2. Leaf apexes acuminate. margins revolute
and not undulate, lateral veins at nearly
right angles to the midrib.................§. wightii
2. Leaf apexes not or only very slightly
acuminate. margins undulate and not

revolute, lateral veins oblique............§. ovalifolia
Hoya ovalifolia Wight & Arnott in Wight, Contrib. 37. 1834;
Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4. 57.

1962; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. 0r. 3: t. 847. 1844-1845.

Leaves elliptic, glabrous, 5-7'cm long, base acute to

53

slightly obtuse, apex acute to obtuse or very slightly acumin-
ate, margins undulate and not revolute, lateral veins oblique
(about 45°). Flowers in umbels. Petals 5-6 mm long, puberu-
lent within, cream colored.

Southwestern peninsular India and Ceylon; in Hassan

uncommon in wet forests; Saldanha 12622, Stevens 501.

Hoya retusa Dalzell, Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 4: 294.

 

1852; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4,
55- 1962.

Leaves linear-oblanceolate, glabrous, 3-4.5 cm long base
acute, apex retuse, margins neither revolute nor undulate,
lateral veins obscure. Flowers solitary. Petals 6-8 mm long,
margins pubescent within, white.

Apparently restricted to forests of the central Western
Ghats; in Hassan collected only near Kempuhole Bridge;

Saldanha 11629, 14794.

Hoya wightii J. Hooker, F1. Brit. Ind, 4; 59. 1883; Gamble,

 

Fl. Madras 2; 849. 1923; Hoya pendula Wight & Arnott in

 

Wight, Contrib. 36. 1834. (excl. syn.).

Leaves elliptic, glabrous, 5-10 cm long, base acute to
attenuate, apex acuminate, margins revolute and not undulate,

lateral veins at nearly right angles to the midrib (75-900).

54

Flowers in umbels. Corolla lobes 7-9 mm long, puberulent
within, cream colored.

Western peninsular India from about Bombay southward;
in Hassan common in wet forests; Saldanha 12453, £2822,
135§Q, l3fiéfi, 14943, Stevens ggg.

16. TyloRhora R. Brown

Stems twining, erect, or procumbent, herbaceous or
slightly woody at the base, sap watery or milky. Cymes um-
bellate to paniculate, lateral or terminal. Corolla rotate,
lobes imbricate to the right. Corona 5-1obed. Gynostegium
stipitate to nonstipitate. Pollinia horizontal to ascending,

from somewhat darkened horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy,

without pellucid margins.

l. Stems erect; leaves 1-4 cm long.............$. fasciculata

l. Stems procumbent or twining; leaves 4-10 cm long
2. Stems strictly procumbent; leaves rotund..$. rotundifolia

2. Stems twining or sometimes trailing; leaves not rotund

3. Pedicels pilose; petals pilose within;
sap watery..............................T. indica
3. Pedicels glabrous; corolla glabrous; sap milky
4. Leaves pilose; corolla 2-3 mm long;
peduncles less than 3 mm long

(to firSt flower)ooeoeeoeooo000000000020 gé}zellii

55

4. Leaves glabrous; petals 4-5 mm long;

peduncles about 20 mm long................£. pauciflora

 

Tylophora dalzellii J. Hooker, F1. Brit. Ind. 4; 43. 1883;
Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 87.
1962,

Stems twining, sap milky. Leaves elliptic to lanceolate,
pilose, 5-8 cm long, base rounded to slightly cordate, apex
acute to acuminate. Cymes lateral, umbellate to paniculate,
blooming over a long period, the axis becoming branched and
apparently thickened from the crowded persistent bracts and
pedicel scars, peducles 1-3 mm long (to first flower), pilose,
pedicels 1-2 cm long, glabrous. Sepals subulate, reflexed
at the tips, sparsely pilose to glabrous. Petals 2-3 mm long,
glabrous, reddish-purple. Corona lobes flattened, cuneate,
adnate to the gynostegium. Gynostegium stipitate.

Western peninsular India; in Hassan occasional in wet

areas; Saldanha 13785, 13886, 13826.

Eylophora fasciculata Hamilton gx_Wight, Contrib. 50. 1834;

Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 85.
1962; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. 0r. 3: t. 848. 1844-1845.

Stems erect, sap watery. Leaves ovate, pubescent on

margins and veins, 1-4 cm long, base rounded to slightly

56

cordate, apex acute to short-acuminate. Cymes lateral, um-

bellate to paniculate, peduncles 2-5 mm long, pubescent,
pedicels 5-10 mm long, pubescent. Sepals deltoid, revolute

at anthesis, sparsely pilose. Corolla lobes 2.5-3 mm long,

pilose within, purplish-brown. Corona lobes rounded, later-
ally concave, with a short cusp appressed to the gynostegium.

Gynostegium stipitate.

Upper Gangetic Plain to southern peninsular India and

Ceylon; in Hassan locally abundant on dry grassy hills;

Saldanha 13838, 13822, 13252.

Tylophora iggigg (N. Burman) Merrill, Philipp. J. Sci. 19.
373. 1921; Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No.
4, 88. 1962. giganchum indicum N. Burman, F1. Ind. 70.
1768; 2. asthmatica (Roxburgh) Wight & Arnott in Wight,
Contrib. 51. 1834; Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. 4. t. 1247.

 

1848.

Stems twining or sometimes trailing, sap watery. Leaves
elliptic to ovate, pilose to occasionally glabrous, 5-10 cm
long, base rounded to cordate, apex acute to acuminate or
apiculate. Cymes lateral, umbellate to paniculate, peduncles
1-3 cm long, pilose, pedicels about 2 cm long, pilose. Sepals
subulate, spreading, pilose. Petals 4-6 mm long, pilose

within, reddish-purple in center, yellowish on margins. Co-

rona lobes intricate, with a wide adnate base and a narrow

57

free apex arching against the gynostegium. Gynostegium
slightly stipitate.

India and Ceylon eastward to the Malay Peninsula and
Borneo; in Hassan the most common asclepiad, especially in
the dry areas; Saldanha §ZZ_v 10602. 10637, 10673, 13022.
$3§;_, $3325, 13155, 13827, Stevens 482, 511.

The leaves of this plant contain significant amounts of

 

two alkaloids and are reported to be effective in treating

some types of asthma.

Tylophora pauciflora Wight & Arnott 3g Wight, Contrib. 49.
1834; Gamble, F1. Madras 2; 843. 1923; Wight, Ic. P1.
Ind. 01‘. “’8 to 12“,]. 1814‘8.

Stems twining, sap milky (?). Leaves linear-ovate, gla-
brous, 5-10 cm long, base rounded to slightly cordate, apex
acute to acuminate. Cymes lateral, peduncles about 2 cm
long, glabrous, pedicels 5-10 mm long, glabrous. Sepals
deltoid, spreading, glabrous. Petals 4-5 mm long. glabrous,
pale purplish-brown. Corona lobes globose, with small apical
cusps. Gynostegium nonstipitate.

Southwestern peninsular India; common on the east side

of Shiradi Ghat; Saldanha 15812, £5225.

Elephora rotundifolia Hamilton 35 Wight, Contrib. 50. 1834;

Santapau & Irani, Bot. Mem. Univ. Bombay No. 4, 86. 1962.

58

Stems procumbent, sap watery. Leaves rotund to broadly

ovate, pilose on margins and veins below, 4-8 cm long, base

rounded to slightly cordate, apex rounded to obtuse, occasion-
ally mucronate or emarginate. Cymes terminal or lateral, um-

bellate to paniculate, peduncles 1-5 cm long, pilose, pedicels

2-5 cm long, pilose. Sepals deltoid, spreading, pilose. Co-
rolla lobes 3.5-4.5 mm long, glabrous or puberulent within,

pale greenish-purple. Corona lobes fleshy, rounded, with

short apical cuSps appressed to the gynostegium. Gynostegium
slightly stipitate.

Peninsular India; in Hassan locally common, especially

near Byra; Saldanha 13432, 14540, 14650, Stevens £22. 29;.

CerOpegieae

Sap watery. Corolla lobes valvate. Pollinia 1 per

anther locule, erect from dark horny corpuscula, with a

pellucid margin or apex.

17. Caralluma R. Brown

RCfs! Fe He Gravely & Po Ve Mayuranathane 19310 The Indian

species of the genus Caralluma (Fam. Asclepiadaceae).

Bull. Madras Gov. Mus. 4; 1-28, tt. 1-4.

Succulent herbs with erect quadrangular stems and clear

59

viscous sap. Leaves much reduced, caducous. Flowers in

terminal or lateral umbels or borne singly in the leaf axils.
Corolla rotate to campanulate, petals with valvate aestiva-
tion. Corona of one series of deeply trifid lobes, the cen-
tral division of each lobe strap-shaped and inflexed over
the gynostegium. Gynostegium short, nonstipitate. Pollinia
erect from dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, with
pellucid margins.

These species are pollinated by small, probably scato-

phagous, dipterans and perhaps also by small beetles.

1. Inflorescence a many flowered terminal umbel;

corolla lobes connate for more than half

their length................................Q. umbellata
1. Flowers borne singly in the leaf axils; corolla
lobes free for most of their length
2. Corolla lobes folded back along the midrib,
pilose or glabrous, with some yellow
markings..................................Q. adscendens
2. Corolla lobes not folded, at anthesis with a
few large spindle-shaped hairs on the margin
(easily lost), otherwise glabrous, without

yellow markings...........................9_. Stalamifera

Caralluma adscendens (Roxburgh) J. Hooker, Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:

76. 1838; Gravely & Mayuranathan. l.c. 8. Stapelia

60

adscendens Roxburgh. Pl. Corom. l; 28. 1795; Q. fimbriata

 

Wallich, P1. As. Rar. l: 7. 1839; Q. attenuata Wight, 1c.

 

P1. Ind. 0r. 4; t. 1268. 1848.

Stems mostly 20-100 cm tall. Flowers mostly single in

the upper leaf axils, pedicels less than 1 cm long. Calyx
glabrous. Corolla campanulate, lobes free for most of their
length, linear-deltoid, the distal 2/3 folded back along the
midrib, apiculate, pubescence variable, densely pilose to
glabrous, color variable, deep purple-brown and yellow in
various patterns. Lateral divisions of adjacent corona lobes
meeting and arching apart as long thin horns.

Arid areas of peninsular India, Ceylon, and Burma; in
Hassan common in dry scrub areas; Saldanha l;32§, L123_,
i3535, l3§2_, $2222, 14500, 14501, Stevens 401, 488, 5Z_.

A variable Species that may actually involve several
entities. Gravely & Mayuranathan recognized 6 varieties of
this species, 2 or 3 of which are represented in the district.
The difficulty of determination, however, makes their inclu-

sion unwarranted. This species and the next are eaten un-

cooked in some areas.

Caralluma stalagmifera Fischer, Bull. Misc. Inform. p. 430.

1925; Gravely & Mayuranathan, l.c. 16.

Stems less than 40 cm tall. Flowers single in upper

61

leaf axils, pedicles less than 1 cm long. Calyx glabrous.
Corolla rotate to campanulate, lobes free for most of their

length, deltoid, not folded, apiculate, fresh flowers with a

few very large reddish-purple spindle-shaped hairs hanging
pendently along the distal margins, these easily detached,
color deep purple-brown except for a thin white ring at the
base. Lateral divisions of adjacent corona lobes meeting
and arching upwards as long thin horns.

Arid peninsular India; in Hassan occasional in Open

scrub areas; Saldanha 14502, Stevens 328, 576.

Caralluma umbellata Haworth, Syn. Pl. Succ. 47. 1812; Gravely

& Mayuranathan, l.c. 23; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. 0r. 2: t.

495. 1840-1843; 2. lasiantha (Wight) N. E. Brown, Gard.
Chron. 12: 369. 1892; Wight, 1.0. 4: t. 1286, 1848; Q.

campanulata (Wight) N. E. Brown, l.c. 369; Wight, l.c.

t. 1287.

Stems mostly 20-30 cm tall, thick. Inflorescence a
many-flowered terminal umbel, pedicels mostly 1-2 cm long.
Sepals mostly somewhat pubescent distally. Corolla rotate to
campanulate, size variable but lobes broad and connate for
more than half their length, not felded or apiculate, pub-
escence variable, long pilose to glabrous, color variable, with
deep purple-brown markings over a yellow background. Lateral

divisions of corona lobes erect, deltoid.

62

Arid areas of India and Ceylon; in Hassan relatively

common in dry rocky areas; Saldanha 9501, $2§Zfl, l353é,
Stevens £15.

Often forming large circular patches among the rocks.
A variable species throughout its range but represented in

the district only by the most typical forms.

18. Ceropegia Linnaeus

Ref.; H. Huber. 1957. Revision der gattung Ceropegia.

Mem. Soc. Brot. 12: 1-203.

Twining or erect herbs with watery sap. Cymes subumbel-
late, lateral. Corolla tubular, petals valvate. Corona of
2 series of lobes, the outer sometimes deeply bifid, the
inner entire. Gynostegium stipitate or sessile. Pollinia
erect from dark horny corpuscula, 2 per anther, waxy, with
pellucid margins.

This genus has evolved a trap mechanism for pollination
by small dipterans. The mouth of the tubular corolla is
typically equiped with long, often colored, hairs which move
with the slightest breeze, and these combined with the co-
rolla color (purples, whites, and yellows) serve to attract
the dipterans to the flowers. The neck of the corolla has
retrorse hairs or is quite smooth, preventing the insects

from easily escaping the flower after entering. The insects

63

are trapped in the inflated base of the corolla, which is

often lighted by translucent areas on the sides (probably
keeping the insects active), and pollinia become attached to
them to be transferred to other flowers upon escape. Escape
is facilitated during the last stage of anthesis by the

corolla turning downward and the hairs in the neck becoming

flaccid.

The fleshy underground parts of most of these species
are eaten by animals, apparently wild boars in the district,
and this probably accounts for the scarcity of these attrac-
tive plants. A number of other species in this genus may

eventually be found in the district.

1. Leaves poorly develOped or absent; stems
fleshy......................................Q. juncea
1. Leaves well develOped; stems not fleshy
2. Stems erect; leaves all linear or narrowly lanceolate
3. Stems and leaves glabrous; corolla lobes

pilose for most of their length.........§. Spiralis

3. Stems and upper surface of leaves minutely
puberulent, eSpecially when young; corolla
lobes pilose only at the base, glabrous
above...................................Q. fimbriifera

2. Stems twining; linear leaves, if present, on upper

stem only

64

4. Plants densely pilose, especially on the stems
and peduncles; inner corona lobes hooked..§. hirsuta
4. Plants Sparsely pubescent or glabrous; inner
corona lobes not hooked
5. Corolla lobes elongate, forming a narrow

beak; gynostegium distinctly stipitate..§. candelabrum

 

5. Corolla lobes broadly rounded, not forming

a beak; gynostegium sessile.............g. elegans

Ceropegia candelabrum Linnaeus, Sp. P1. 211. 1753; Huber, l.c.
58; g. tuberosa Roxburgh, Pl. Corom. 1: 12, t. 9. 1795.

Rhizome tuberous, stem twining. Leaves ovate to lanceo-
late, Sparsely hispid, 3-7 cm long, base acute to slightly
cordate, apex acuminate to mucronate. Cymes mostly 5-15
flowered. Corolla 2-4 cm long, whitish-green, purple-striate,
mouth slightly dilated, lobes narrow, densely purple-pilose.
Outer corona lobes broadly rounded, pilose, about equaling
the gynostegium, inner lobes spathulate, about 3 times the
length of the outer. Gynostegium stipitate.

Central and southern peninsular India and Ceylon; in

Hassan occasional in dry scrub; Saldanha 14103, Stevens 223.

Ceropegia elegans Wallich, Bot. Mag. 57: t. 3015. 1830; Huber,

l.c. 72; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. Or. 4; t. 1265. 1848; Q.
mysorensis Wight, l.c. 3: t. 846. 1844-1845; 9. walkerae

65

Wight, loco [+3 to 12660 18480

Rhizome not tuberous, stem twining. Leaves elliptic,
glabrous or slightly puberulent, 3-12 cm long, base rounded,
apex slightly acuminate. Cymes mostly 2-4 flowered. Corolla
2-4 cm long, dark purple, mouth widely dilated, lobes broad
and folded back upon themselves, long purple-ciliate on the

margins. Outer corona lobes deeply bifid, pilose on the
outer margins, extending above the gynostegium, inner lobes

linear, less than 2 times the length of the outer. Gynostegium

sessile.
Mountains of southern peninsular India and Ceylon; in

Hassan collected only near Mankanhalli; Saldanha 15620,
Stevens 415.

Ceropegia fimbriifera Beddome, Madras Lit. Soc. J. ser. 2, 6:
530 1861’ HUber, 10C. 1270

Rhizome tuberous, stem erect. Leaves linear to narrowly
lanceolate, puberulent above, 5-15 cm long, base and apex
acute. Cymes 1-4 flowered. Corolla 3-4.5 cm long, greenish-
white outside and purple-striate inside, mouth slightly di-
lated, lobes linear, densely long purple-pilose within at
the base, glabrous above. Outer corona lobes bifid, ciliate,
inner lobes linear. Gynostegium sessile.

Mountains of southern peninsular India; in Hassan one

66

plant collected at Vanagur; Saldanha 15532.

Ceropegia hirsuta Wight & Arnott 53 Wight, Contrib. 30. 1834;
Hither; Ice. 63.

Rhizome tuberous, stem twining. Leaves variable, mostly
ovate-elliptic with a rounded base, pilose, apex acute to
obtuse. Cymes few-flowered. Corolla 3-5 cm long, light
green and variously splotched and striped with purple, upper
1/3 of lobes light yellow, mouth dilated, lobes broad and
folded back upon themselves, ciliate on the margins and mid-
rib. Outer corona lobes deltoid with cleft apex, long pilose,
extending above the gynostegium, inner lobes linear and
hooked at the tips, 3 times the length of the outer. Gynoste-
gium short-stipitate.

Southern Gangetic Plain southward to Mysore; in Hassan

locally common in moderately dry scrub; Saldanha 2222, 14686,
14682.

Ceropegia juncea Roxburgh, Pl. Corom. 1: 12, t. 10. 1795;
Huber, l.c. 85; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind. 0r. 4; t. 1260,
1848.

Rhizome not thickened, stem.twining. Leaves reduced or

usually absent. Cymes 2-5 flowered. Corolla 3-6 cm long,
light whitish—green.with purple spots, mouth dilated, lobes

67

narrow and folded back upon themselves, the lower 2/3 of the
midrib pilose, the upper 1/3 with long, purple, clavate hairs.
Outer corona lobes deltoid with cleft apex, pilose, extending
slightly above the gynostegium, inner lobes narrowly linear

and hooked at the tips, about 5 times the length of the outer.

Gynostegium sessile.

Semiarid peninsular India; in Hassan occasional in scrub;

Saldanha 11993, 13211, 13531, 13252.

 

CerOpegia §piralis Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. 4: t. 1267. 1848;
Huber, l.c. 127.

Rhizome tuberous, stem erect. Leaves narrowly linear,
glabrous, 10-20 cm long, base and apex acute. Cymes mostly
single flowered. Corolla 4-6 cm long, greenish-purple below
and purple above, mouth slightly dilated, lobes linear to
ovate, purple-pilose within nearly to the apex. Outer corona
lobes entire to slightly bifid, glabrous, inner lobes linear.
Gynostegium sessile.

Mountains of southern peninsular India; in Hassan one

plant collected in Nagpuri hills; Saldanha 12823.

19. Leptadenia R. Brown

Ref.; A. A. Bullock. 1955. Leptadenia, 2g Notes on African
Asclepiadaceae. VI. Kew Bull. 10: 287-292.

68

Stems twining, becoming woody below. Sap watery.
Leaves ovate to lanceolate, puberulent above and below, 4-12
cm long, base rounded to slightly cordate, apex acute to
acuminate. Cymes umbellate, lateral. Corolla rotate to
campanulate, lobes valvate, about 3 mm long, densely pube-
scent, pale greenish-white, margins revolute at anthesis,
coralline corona of a fleshy bilobed protuberance at each
sinus. Staminal corona of an inconspicuous undulating ring
on the lower part of the stipitate gynostegium. Pollinia

erect from dark, horny corpuscula, waxy, with pellucid curved

appendages at the tips.

Leptadenia reticulata (Retzius) Wight & Arnott 1g Wight,

Contrib. 47. 1834; Bullock, l.c. 291; Wight, Ic. P1.
Ind. Or. 2: t. 350. 1840. glnanchum reticulatum Retzius,
Obs. BOte 28 150 1781.

Upper Gangetic Plain to peninsular India and Ceylon,
eastward to Burma, also Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Coromo
Islands; in Hassan collected only at Belavathalli State
Forest; Saldanha 23222, 2322§.

Pollinated by small dipterans.

69

BUDDLE IAC RAE

Woody shrubs. Leaves Opposite, simple, with a stipular
line between the petioles, entire or serrulate. Flowers
bisexual, 4-merous, actinomorphic, gamosepalous and gamopeta-
lous, in terminal cymes. Stamens inserted in the corolla
tube. Ovary superior, bilocular. Fruit a many seeded

septicidal capsule.

Buddleia Linnaeus

Leaves lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, glabrous above
and densely white tomentose below. Cymes thrysoid, densely

white tomentose. Calyx 2-3 mm long, pubescent outside, lobes
subulate. Corolla urceolate to tubular. Anthers subsessile.

Stigma exserted, capitate.

Buddleia asiatica Loureiro, F1. Cochinch. 72. 1790; Backer &
Bakhuizen, F1. Java 2: 212. 1965; Wight, Ic. P1. Ind.
Or. 3: t. 894. 1844-1845.

Throughout tropical Asia and Malasia; in Hassan occa-

sional in second growth; Saldanha 10522, 11242, 12852,

 

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