Ophiorrhiza jomyi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ophiorrhiza jomyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ophiorrhiza jomyi in flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Ophiorrhiza |
| Species: | O. jomyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Ophiorrhiza jomyi Ebin, Sreehari & Joby | |
Ophiorrhiza jomyi is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of India, where it is currently known only from the Vagamon Hills in Kerala.[1]
Ophiorrhiza jomyi is an erect herb reaching 20–30 cm in height. The stems are densely hirsute when young and become glabrous with age. Leaves are elliptic-lanceolate, 10.5–17.2 cm long, with attenuate-acuminate apices and hirsute surfaces on both sides.[1]
The inflorescence is a terminal corymbose cyme. Flowers are lilac and 14–15 mm long, with an infundibuliform corolla. The corolla tube bears a distinctive villose ring internally. Stamens are inserted at the middle of the corolla tube, and the stigma is oblong and papillate.[1]
The fruit is an obcordate capsule containing irregularly angled seeds.[1]
Taxonomy
The species was formally described in 2026 by Ebin Padiyara Joy, Sreehari Sivan Nair, and Joby Paul based on specimens collected from the Vagamon Hills in Kerala, India.[1]
It is morphologically similar to Ophiorrhiza eriantha and Ophiorrhiza meenachilarensis, but differs in several characters, including its densely hirsute indumentum, shorter flowers, triangular calyx lobes, and papillate stigma.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Ophiorrhiza jomyi is currently known only from its type locality in the Vagamon Hills of Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It grows in moist, shaded areas of evergreen forest at elevations around 900–965 m.[1]
Associated species include Hydrocotyle javanica, Elatostema lineolatum, Oreocnide integrifolia, Ficus amplocarpa, and Lasianthus acuminatus.[1]
Phenology
Flowering and fruiting occur from May to June.[1]