A reassessment and lectotypification of the name Striga masuria (Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.) Benth. (Orobanchaceae) and its collection from the Western Ghats of India

摘要

Striga masuria (Orobanchaceae) was described by Bentham based on heterogenous collections viz . Hamilton’s from the Morang Hills of Nepal and Wallich’s from Prome of Myanmar in 1810 and 1826 respectively. Later, Shutter collected this species for India from the Guindy regions of Tamil Nadu. It has now been recollected from India after 135 years from the same locality. Present studies on fresh specimens revealed that the character of the plant shows close similarities with its allied species, S. angustifolia excepting a few features. These characters are not strong enough to retain its species status, hence it is reduced as a variety under the latter. A detailed description and colour photographs are given for easy identification of the species. A lectotype has also been designated for the taxon.