Theriophonum blumei (Araceae), a new species from Tamil Nadu, India

Theriophonum blumei sp. nov., a new species is described and illustrated from Tamil Nadu, India based on morphological and leaf epidermal features. Although morphologically T. blumei appears to be similar to T. sivaganganum (Ramam. & Sebastine) Bogner having long acuminate spathe, it is different from T. sivaganganum in various aspects such as ellipsoid seed with ridged surface, spinulose and bifid stigma, filiform neuters and berries with purplish strands. T. blumei has echinate pollen sculpture and T. sivaganganum has verrucate sculpture. Added to that, molecular based (rbcL, matK, trnL-F) phylogenetic analysis also indicate that T. blumei is genetically distinct from T. sivaganganum.

Automated summary

Theriophonum blumei is a newly described species based on morphological and genetic analysis. It is similar to another species, T. sivaganganum, in appearance but differs in various characteristics. Molecular analysis also shows significant genetic distinction between T. blumei and T. sivaganganum.