1

Verbena bonariensis L. (Verbenaceae)- An addition to Flora of Kerala .

T.SUNILKUMAR, M.C. VARGHESE & V.T ANTONY. Research and Development Centre, Bharatiar University, Coimbatore. Research and Post Graduate Department of Botany, S.B College, Changanassery, Kottayam, Kerala - 686101. sunilkumarmuhamma@gmail.com

ABSRACT Verbena.bonariensis L is a taxon belonging to the family Verbenaceae, which is not yet reported from Kerala state. As a part of the Taxonomic investigation, authors collected it from Munnar (about 950 m high) of Idukki District, Kerala state. The Species is described, illustrated, and the specimen is kept in the Regional Herbarium of Kerala under the Research and Post Graduate Department of Botany, S.B College, Changanassery. Key Words: Munnar, Description, Verbena.bonariensis L.

INTRODUCTION During the reversionary study of the members of Verbenaceae family in Kerala state, authors came across a species, V.bonariensis in naturailed condition. Eventhough this species is reported from certain other states of India such as Himachal Pradesh,

Meghalya,TamilNadu ,Uttar Pradesh by Rajendran and Daniel (2002),which is not reported

from Kerala. Sasidharan (2004) and Nayar et al. (2006) did not include this species in their works. So this species is new addition to Kerala Flora.

. Verbena bonariensis L., Sp.Pl.20.1753; C.B.Clarke in Hook .f.,Fl.Brit.India 4:565.1885; Gamble,Fl. Pres.Madras 1106.1924;K.M Mathew& N.Rani in K.M Mathew, fl. Tamil Nadu Carnatic 3:1237, 1983.

Herb, erect, 1-2.5m high. Stem, 4angular, branches hirsute nodes annulated; internodes 4.5-24 cm long, villous. Leaves sessile, oblong, and serrate along margins, acute at apex 4.5-15x.7-2.5cm, scabrous; on both surface; prominent nerves. Spikes terminal in triads; bract oblong, acuminate at apex 7-10mm long; bractlets linear 2.5-6mm long. Calyx :tubular, 5-toothed, about 4x.4mm ; sub equal teeth .Corolla hypocratriform, 5-lobed purple or bluish pink; about 2x1 mm; corolla tube narrow, cylindric. Stamen 4, didynamous; filaments 2-4mm long;anthers ovoid, basifixed. Ovary oblong about .4x.3mm; style stout, 2-3mm long; stigma subcapitate, Schizocarpic fruit. Fl& Fr.: May-Dec. Distribution: Native to Argentina, Braziland Paraguay. In India; Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, TamilNadu and Uttar Pradesh. Specimen Examined: Himachal Pradesh :Kangra Valley, Dharmasala, 4000 ' 20.10.1886, Collect s.n (Acc.No.346156) (C,A,L). Meghalaya: Mount Khasia, 3000 ' , without date,J.D.Hooker & T. Thomson s.n. (Acc.No. 34667) (C,A,L).Tamil Nadu : Nilgiri Kattery Falls, 1825 m,20.2.1973, E.Vajravelu 43654 (M,H).Uttar Pradesh Saharanpore, without date G.King s.n. (Acc. No. 346669) (C,A,L).Kerala. Munnar,950m, Idukki,Sunilkumar.T 5442(R,H,K)

Photo: Verbena bonariensis L

Photo: Inflorescence of Verbena bonariensis L

Illustration of Verbena bonariensis L

. A. Twig with inflorescence, B. Corolla, C. Pistil.

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. We express our sincere gratitude to, Principal, S.B College, Changanassery for providing all facilities and encouragement during the work. We extend our thanks to the Directors of B.S.I Calcutta and Coimbatore for providing us Herbarium facilities. We are also thankful to Dr. A Rajendran, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University and Dr.N Sasidharan of Kerala Forest Research Institute Peechi, for the confirmation of the species.

REFERENCES Clarke C.B, 1885.Flora of .British .India 4: P 565. Gamble, J.S. 1924. The Flora of Presidency of Madras, vol. II. West New Man & Co., Adlard and Sons, London.P:1106 Mathew, K.M &.Rani N. 1983.Flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic 3: P.1237 Rajendran, A & Daniel, P. 2002. The Indian Verbenaceae. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Dehra Dun. PP: 328-340 .