Chlorophytum vanapushpam Sunil, J.Mathew & Sidharth S. Nair sp. nov. (Fig. 1 & 2).

Diagnosis: —The new species allied to Chlorophytum glaucoides in the presence of unbranched scape, papillose filaments and anthers shorter than filaments, but can be differentiated in having cylindrical, fusiform spongy roots (vs. elliptical tuberous roots), bracteoles with acute apex (vs. bracteoles with notched apex), 3.5–4 mm long anthers which are slightly shorter than its filaments (vs. 1.5–2 mm long anthers which are much shorter than its filaments) and seeds 3–4 in each cells (vs. seeds 5–6 in each cells).

Type: — INDIA. Kerala: Idukki district, Vagamon, Thangal Para (9°39’35.78”N, 76°54’50.48”E) 762 MSL, 26 November 2024. C.N.Sunil 9378 (holotype: MH!; isotype CALI!, SNMH!).

Description: —Perennial terrestrial rosulate herb up to 70 cm tall; rhizome reduced to disc; roots 8–15 per plant, up to 37 cm long and 5 mm wide, cylindrical, fusiform, spongy with many fibrous hairs. Leaves rosettes, sessile, up to 14 per plant, 20–70 cm long, 1.5–5 cm wide, elliptic-to linear-lanceolate, slightly narrowed towards base, margins revolute, acute to acuminate at the apex, 21–27 veined. Scape solitary, 30–90 cm tall, up to 1 cm across at base, unbranched, upper flowering portion up to 40 cm long, lower flowerless portion up to 50 cm long with 2–5 sterile bract. Sterile bracts 2.7–6 cm long, acuminate at apex, purplish- black. Floral bracts 4.5–12 x 2.3–3.5 mm, ovate to triangular, acute to acuminate at apex, green to translucent, 5-nerved; bracteoles 2–5 per floral bract, ca. 3 x 2.5 mm, ovate, acute at apex, translucent-green. Flowers white, 1.5–1.8 cm across, pedicellate, arranged in alternate clusters. Pedicel 7–9 mm long, white, smooth, jointed above the middle, pedicel portion below the joint 4–6 mm long, cylindrical; pedicel portion above the joint 2–3 mm long, trigonous. Perianth segments 6, in two whorls of 3 each; outer perianth segments white with greenish tinge at apex, 7–8 x ca. 4 mm, elliptic, obtuse at apex, 5-nerved; inner perianth segments white, 7–8 x ca. 3.5 mm, elliptic, acute to obtuse at apex, 3–5-nerved. Stamens 6, 7.5–9.5 mm long, erect, introse; filaments 5–5.5 mm long, white, papillose; anthers 3.5–4 mm long, basifixed, yellow, dehiscing by longitudinal slits, shorter than filaments. Ovary ca. 1.5 x 1.5 mm, globose-triquetrous; style 4–6.5 mm long, white, shorter than stamens, erect; stigma densely papillose. Capsules green to black, 8–10 x 7–8.8 mm, triquetrous, 3-sulcate, glabrous; stalk 1–1.4 cm long. Seeds 3–4 in each cell, 4–5x 3–4 mm, orbicular-reniform, discoid, black, minutely papillose.

Phenology: —Flowering and fruiting occur from September to December.

Etymology: —The specific epithet ‘vanapushpam’ is used here as a noun in apposition; in Malayalam, vanam, forest, wild, and pushpam, flower, alluding to habitat of this new species.

Habitat, Distribution and Biotic association: —While the morphotaxonomical studies were in progress, the authors examined the samples collected from Neymakkad regions of Idukki District in 2019 (See the Additional specimens examined). They were later examined and confirmed as being similar to the type material. In short, Chlorophytum vanapushpam grows at rocky hills of Vagamon and Neymakkad hills of Idukki district at elevation 700– 2124 m (Fig.3). The species appears during South West monsoon (July-September) and grows along with Chrysopogon nodulibarbis Hochstetter (1854: 396) and Henrard. (1941: 534), Gynura nitida de Candolle (1834: 24), Osbeckia aspera Blume (1831: 474), Impatiens herbicola Hooker (1911: 354) and Justicia japonica Thunberg (1784: 63).

Additional specimen examined: — INDIA. Kerala: Idukki District, Neymakkad Hills, 10°09’45”N 77°03’56”E, ± 2124 m, 20 October 2019, J.Mathew 4127 (SDCH: SD College Herbarium, Alappuzha, Kerala).

Conservation assessment: —The present study could report five populations each with 20–25 individuals in two localities (Vagamon and Neymakkad) of Idukki District, Kerala, India. The second site is located 105 km east of the type locality. Hence Chlorophytum vanapushpam could occur in further sites in south Western Ghats, we think that further data is required to ascertain the conservation status of the new taxon. As a consequence, the new species is here assessed as DD (Data Deficient) according to the IUCN criteria (IUCN 2025).

Notes: — Chlorophytum vanapushpam also shows some resemblances with C. malabaricum mainly in its tuberless fasciculated roots and unbranched scape. However, it is quite distinct in having 5-nerved outer perianth lobe (vs. 3- nerved outer perianth lobe), scape longer than the leaves (vs. scape shorter than the leaves), 3.5–4 mm long anthers (vs. 1–1.5 mm long anthers), 4–5 mm across large seeds (vs. ca. 2 mm across small seeds), 2–5 sterile bracts per scape (vs. up to 1 sterile bract per scape) and 20–70 cm long and 1.5–5 cm wide leaves (vs. 15–30 cm long and 1–2 cm wide leaves).