Swertia kashmirensis B. A. Wani, T. Islam & A. A. Khuroo 2022, sp. nov.

Swertia kashmirensis B. A. Wani, T. Islam & A. A. Khuroo, sp. nov. (Figs. 1–3)

The new species morphologically resembles with S. thomsonii in few characters such as nature of rhizome, stem and seed. However, it differs from S. thomsonii in several characters which include: basal leaves spathulate-elliptic, apices obtuse in S. kashmirensis (vs. oblong-elliptic, apices sub-acute in S. thomsonii), base of cauline leaves usually free, or rarely connate up to 0.2–0.4 cm (vs. base connate, up to 1–2.5 cm), pedicel length 1.5–2.5 cm (vs. 3–5 cm), sepal apex acute (vs. sepal apex acuminate), petals yellowish, apices obtuse (vs. petals white, apices acute), size of nectaries 1.2–1.3 × 0.5–0.7 mm, oblong-oval (vs. 1.4–1.5 × 0.8–0.9 mm, elliptic-oval), fimbriae 3–5 per nectary, 2–3 mm long, restricted on lower part of the nectary towards base of the petal (vs.14–16 per nectary, 3–5 mm long, upright and arise all around the margin of nectary), anthers obovate, dorsifixed (vs. anthers ovate, sub-dorsifixed), capsule 8.5–9.5 × 5–7 mm (vs. 10–10.5 × 2–4 mm), seeds blackish, round-oblong (vs. brownish, oval-oblong).

Type:— INDIA. Kashmir, District Kupwara, Bangus, 34.37˚N, 74.084˚ E, elev. 2650 m, 30 September 2021, Bilal A. Wani, Tajamul Islam & Anzar A. Khuroo 4259 (holotype: KASH!, isotype KASH!).

Additional specimens examined:— INDIA. Kashmir, District Kupwara, Bangus, 34.37°N, 74.084°E, elev. 2650 m, 30 September 2021, Bilal A. Wani, Tajamul Islam & Anzar A. Khuroo 4261 (KASH!); Bangus, 34.37°N, 74.084°E, elev. 2650 m, 30 September 2021, Bilal A. Wani, Tajamul Islam & Anzar A. Khuroo 4262 (KASH!).

Perennial herb, 50–80 cm tall. Root rhizomatous with fibrous roots, 6.5–7.5 × 1.5–2.3 cm. Stem erect, simple, hollow, glabrous, cylindrical in outline. Basal leaves 5–7, spathulate-elliptic, margin entire, apex obtuse, 8–16.5 × 2–4.5 cm; petiole 6–9.5 cm long. Cauline leaves, 6–8 pairs, opposite, sessile, free at base, or rarely connate up to 0.2–0.4 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, entire, acute, 2–8.5 × 1–2.5 cm, leaf size gradually decreases upwards. Inflorescence paniculate cyme, 17–22 cm long. Flowers tetramerous or pentamerous, actinomorphic, 15–50 in number, open flower diameter 2.2–2.3 cm, bracteate, pedicels 1.5–2.5 cm long. Sepals lanceolate, entire, acute, 8–10 × 3–4 mm. Petals yellowish, ovate, entire, obtuse, 10–10.5 × 4–4.5 mm; pair of nectaries near base of the petal, oblong-oval, 1.2–1.3 × 0.5–0.7 mm; fimbriae 3–5 per nectary, 2–3 mm long, restricted on lower part of the nectary towards base of the petal. Stamens 6–7 mm long; anthers 2–2.5 mm, bilobed, obovate, dorsifixed, dehiscence longitudinal. Carpels 2, syncarpous, placentation parietal; ovary superior, 6–7 × 2–3 mm; style cylindric with broad base; stigma bifid, papillate. Fruit capsule with persistent calyx, globose, 8.5–9.5 × 5–7 mm, septicidal dehiscence. Seeds 45–50 per capsule, round-oblong, winged, dark blackish, flattened, 3.5–3.7 × 2.5–3.5 mm, wings 0.8–1.2 mm wide.

Phenology:— Vegetative phase from June–July; flowering from August–September; fruiting from September– October.

Habitat:— The species prefers moist soils and grows along the banks of sloppy mountain brooks.

Etymology:— The specific epithet kashmirensis is derived from region of collection, i.e. Kashmir Himalaya, India where from the taxon is described for the first time.

Note:— This new species falls under the genus Swertia based on rotate corolla, shape and nature of nectariferous glands and presence of fimbriae. It is close to S. thomsonii in some characters but differs in many morphological characters (Fig. 3). It also shows morphological affinities with other species of this genus such as S. petiolata D. Don in having a pair of nectaries per corolla lobe and type of fruit but differs in having oblong-oval shape of nectaries, fimbriae restricted on lower part of the nectary towards base of the petal and presence of winged seeds. A detailed comparison of the delimiting taxonomic characters between S. kashmirensis and S. thomsonii is provided in Table 1.

During the present study, we recorded 24 species to be associated with S. kashmirensis with varying degree of association. The list of associated plant species along with their family names and degree of association is provided in Table 2.

Conservation status: The new species is so far known only from the type locality, i.e. Bangus valley in Kashmir Himalaya, India. In future, more extensive surveys in the study area and neighbouring regions may facilitate empirical evaluation of conservation status for this new species. However, it is relevant to mention that Bangus has been recently opened for tourism and huge tourist influx in recent years has led to intense habitat degradation, which in near future may endanger the existing natural populations of this newly described species.