218 植物研究雑誌 第 90 巻 第 3 号 2015 年 6 月

J. Jpn. Bot. 90: 218–222 (2015)

Dipanwita Banik*, Priyankush Protim Bora and Sangeeta Sharma: A Note on Agapetes odontocera var. mizoramensis ()

CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat, Assam, 785006 INDIA *Corresponding author: [email protected]

Summary: Agapetes odontocera (Wight) Hook. f. A recent revision of the Agapetes in var. mizoramensis D. Banik & Sanjappa (Ericaceae) India under “Flora of India” project of Botanical has been collected after a quarter century for the Survey of India based at CAL revealed that second time from the primary forest of Zawpuitlang the genus Agapetes consisting of ca. 100 and adjoining areas of Lunglei District in Mizoram, species is distributed through Eastern Nepal to India during March 2014. The living collection helped to document its vernacular name and traditional Vietnam and the Malay Peninsula, including uses not reported hitherto for its future sustainable ca. 57 species and 15 varieties in the Eastern utilization at optimum level, to study the taxon in Himalayas and North East India (Banik and the wild as well as to categorize its IUCN status as Sanjappa 2008, Banik 2012, Banik and Sanjappa “Endangered” (EN), to provide its distribution map, 2014). Agapetes odontocera (Wight) Hook. f. to propose its conservation methods. Photographs and var. mizoramensis D. Banik & Sanjappa was detailed description are provided herewith for easy described based on the single specimen collected identification of the taxon. by B. M. Wadhwa and K. P. Singh in 1990 from Thaltlang phui which presently belongs The family Ericaceae Juss. comprises to Phawngpui National Park in Sangau taluk of ca. 120 genera and 4100 species in the world Lawngtlai District of Mizoram, India (Banik and ranging from tropical to subtropical, temperate Sanjappa 2007). Since then, several field surveys and subarctic regions (Tucker 2009). The were conducted in different parts of north East family is divided into eight subfamilies, of India by the first author including Mizoram, but which four subfamilies viz., Ericoideae Link, the taxon was not collected. Enkianthoideae (P. F. Stevens) Kron & al., During a recent survey tour to Mizoram Cassiopoideae (P. F. Stevens) Kron & Judd including Sairep village, Zawpuitlang and the and Arn. are distributed from the adjoining areas in March 2014 after nearly Western to Eastern Himalayas and in North East a quarter century, once again the taxon was India excluding Tripura in India. The subfamily collected from Zawpuitlang in Lunglei District Vaccinioideae Arn. is again divided into five of Mizoram, India. The taxon was found to tribes, of which three viz., Lyonieae Kron & occur sparsely on several tall trees inside the Judd, Gaultheriae Nied. and Rchb. primary forest on the way from Sairep village are distributed in India (Stevens 2004, Panda towards Zawpuitlang in an area of nearly 4 km2. and Sanjappa 2014a). The tribe Vaccinieae This collection helped to document its Rchb. comprises ca. 33 genera distributed from vernacular name, the traditional uses have not America to Africa including Madagascar Islands, been reported hitherto, allowed study of the live Asia and in Europe, of which ca. two genera taxon in the field, to categorize its IUCN status viz., Agapetes D. Don ex G. Don and and to provide data for its distribution map. L. are distributed in the Eastern Himalayas and This study is based on field survey and in North East India (Panda and Sanjappa 2014b). documentation of vernacular names and June 2015 The Journal of Japanese Botany Vol. 90 No. 3 219 traditional uses from local people, study of acutely acuminate, coriaceous; veins raised literature, type specimen deposited in ASSAM, below, brochidodromous, 15–23 pairs of and field observations of living . To secondaries at 45°–60°. Inflorescences axillary confirm the identity of the taxon, the collected or cauline, flowers pink with red reticulation, materials were examined using MSZ-TR 3–6 in fascicles, puberulous; inflorescence (Magnus) microscope with photomicrographic bracts closely alternate; pedicels pink, slightly attachment of Digital Camera (Olympus obconical, 1.8–2 cm long, 2–2.5 mm broad at E-PL1 & Adapter). Measurements of macro- base, wider at apex, puberulous; pedicellar bract morphological vegetative and reproductive parts 1, deltoid, ca. 1 mm long, 0.6–1 mm broad, were made with a ruler accurate to 1 mm. The scaly, caducous; bracteoles 2, opposite, linear, distribution map was drawn using MapInfo 0.8–1 mm long, 0.4–0.5 mm broad, similar to Professional 5.5. bract. Calyx pink, ca. 5 mm long, 2.5–4 mm The vernacular names of the taxon and broad, puberulous; lobes ovate-triangular, 2.5– its traditional uses have not been reported 3.5 mm long, c. 2 mm broad, acuminate at apex. hitherto, are provided here with IUCN category, Corolla tubular, pink with red reticulation, 2.4– photographs of living plants and the dissected 2.8 cm long, 0.7–1 cm broad, puberulous; lobes enlarged floral parts along with a detailed triangular, 0.8–1 cm long, 0.4–0.5 mm broad, description for its easy identification in the field. acuminate at apex, revolute at anthesis. Stamens 10, in 2 whorls, 2.3–2.6 cm long; filaments Key to the varieties of Agapetes odontocera hyaline to whitish, spathulate, 2–3.5 mm long, 1a. Inforescence glabrous ...... var. odontocera slightly incurved, puberulous to pilose outside; 1b. Inflorescence uniformly puberulous...... anthers brownish to yellow, 1.8–2.2 cm long ...... var. mizoramensis including 4.5–5.5 mm long thecae, granular, tail obscure and tubules 1.4–1.7 cm long, sparsely Agapetes odontocera (Wight) Hook. f. var. granular, calcarate, spurs 0.4–1 mm long, linear, mizoramensis D. Banik & Sanjappa in J. Bot. reflexed. Ovary inferior, 5-loculed, each locule Res. Inst. Texas 1(2): 908, fig. 4 (2007); K. incompletely 2-lobed, ovule many, placentation P. Singh & D. Banik in G. P. Sinha & al., Fl. axile; style slender, 2.5–2.7 cm long, 0.4–0.5 Mizoram 2: 12 (2012); D. Banik & Sanjappa in mm broad, slightly inserted inside ovary; stigma Sanjappa & Sastry, Fascicles. Fl. India 25: 287 truncate. Fruits not seen. (2014). Type: INDIA. Mizoram State, Thaltlang Vernacular name: Bawlte Hlantai (Lushai– phui, 16 May 1990, fl., B. M. Wadhwa & K. P. Mizo). Singh 96834 (ASSAM–holotype!). [Fig. 1] Distribution: INDIA. Mizoram (Lawngtlai Epiphytic shrubs to small trees up to 1 m and Lunglei District; Fig. 2). long with lignotubers. Lignotubers amorphous, Conservation status: Agapetes odontocera lenticellate when mature and often covered with var. mizoramensis is an endemic taxon in moss. Stems robust, terete, obscurely striate, Mizoram, India. It is known only from the lenticellate, glabrous, 2.5–3 mm in diameter type locality. This taxon must be classified when young; perulae many, compactly alternate as “Endangered” [EN-B1a, c (i), (ii), (iii) ] to loosely alternate (5–9 mm apart), triangular according to the World Conservation Union to linear triangular. Leaves pseudowhorled; Categories (IUCN 2014). Whereas, Agapetes pseudowhorls 4–12 cm apart, 3–5 leaved; odontocera var. odontocera must be classified 1–2 mm long, ca. 3 mm broad, glabrous; as “Near Threatened” [NT], as the abatement or lamina elliptic-oblanceolate, 11–15 cm long, ceasing of on-going conservation programme or 2.3–4 cm broad, cuneate to obtuse, serrate, action in the biospheres reserves and protected 220 植物研究雑誌 第 90 巻 第 3 号 2015 年 6 月

Fig. 1. Agapetes odontocera (Wight) Hook. f. var. mizoramensis D. Banik & Sanjappa. A. Habit. B. Inflorescence. C. Portion of ligno-tuber. D. Corolla tube. E. Pedicel, calyx and base of stamens. F. Base of pseudo-whorl of stamens. G. Apical part of anthers with style and stigma. H. Transverse section of ovary with axile placentation. Scale is shown in millimeter otherwise as mentioned. areas in the area of occurrence of this taxon will Agapetes odontocera var. mizoramensis greatly alter its conservation status and will push along with its typical variety are placed under it to one of the IUCN threatened categories. ser. Agapetes subser. Agapetes (syn.: ser. June 2015 The Journal of Japanese Botany Vol. 90 No. 3 221

Fig. 2. Distribution of Agapetes odontocera (Wight) Hook. f. var. mizoramensis D. Banik & Sanjappa（●）．

Robustae subser. Coriaceae; Airy Shaw 1959) in alt. 1502 m, 22°50ʹ19.6ʺN 92°43ʹ67.9ʺE, 26 having a robust stem, pseudowhorled coriaceous March 2014, D. Banik & P. P. Bora 4258 leaves and corolla more than 2 cm long. While (NEIST). var. odontocera is widely distributed in Eastern Acronym used in the text for herbarium, not Himalayas to North East India (excluding mentioned in Index Herbariorum (Holmgren et Tripura) and in Myanmar, var. mizoramensis al. 1990) is given here. NEIST: The Herbarium, is confined only to Mizoram. Therefore, both CSIR-North East Institute of Science & ex situ and in situ conservation of this taxon Technology, Jorhat, Assam, PIN, 785006 is recommended for its future sustainable INDIA. exploration/utilization of chemical, medicinal and economical potential. The authors are thankful to SERB, Habit and habitat: Epiphytic on all tall trees Department of Science & Technology, in primary forests and sparsely distributed on the Government of India for funding, Director, slopes of the hill above 1000 m elevation. CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Flowering: March – May. Technology, Jorhat for all the logistic support, Fruiting: Not seen. Chief Wildlife Warden, Mizoram, Divisional Traditional knowledge and uses: Flowers Forest Officer and Range Officer, Lunglei, sour in taste and are eaten by local people of Forest Department, Govt. of India for all the Lushai tribe or people referred as ‘Mizo’. The necessary permission and escort for the survey raw lignotuber is eaten except the epidermis for in Mizoram for the above mentioned period and the treatment of throat pain due to tonsilltis and providing vernacular names and information common cough and cold. on the traditional uses of the taxon, and to Mr. Voucher specimen examined: INDIA. P. Saikia, STO, CSIR-North East Institute of Mizoram State, Lunglei District, Zawpuitlang, Science & Technology, Jorhat for preparing the 222 植物研究雑誌 第 90 巻 第 3 号 2015 年 6 月 figures. edition, pp. 1–693. Regnum Vegetabile 120, New York. IUCN. 2014. IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee. References Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories Airy Shaw H. K. 1959. Studies in the : 11. Further and Criteria. Version 11. new species and notes on the Agapetes of continental Panda S. and Sanjappa M. 2014a. Ericaceae. Vaccinioideae. Asia. Kew Bull. 13: 468–514. In: Sanjappa M. and Sastry A. R. K. (eds.), Fascicles Banik D. 2012. A note on Agapetes atrosanguinea Airy of Flora of India: Fascicle 25 Ericaceae, pp. 169– Shaw: an endemic species in India. In: Maiti G. and 170. Botanical Survey of India, St. Joseph’s Press, Mukherjee S. K. (eds.), Multidisciplinary Approaches Thiruvananthapuram. in Angiosperm Systematics 2: 517–519. University of Panda S. and Sanjappa M. 2014b. Vaccinieae Rchb. In: Kalyani, Kalyani. Sanjappa M. and Sastry A. R. K. (eds.), Fascicles of Banik D. and Sanjappa M. 2007. Five new varieties of Flora of India: Fascicle 25 Ericaceae. Botanical Survey Agapetes (Ericaceae) from India. J. Bot. Res. Inst. of India, St. Joseph’s Press, Thiruvananthapuram. Texas 1(2): 903–912. Singh K. P. and Banik D. 2012. Vacciniaceae. In: Sinha Banik D. and Sanjappa M. 2008. New records of Agapetes G. P., Singh D. K. and Singh K. P. (eds.), Flora of D. Don ex G. Don (Ericaceae) species from India. J. Mizoram 2: 11–16. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. Jpn. Bot. 83(2): 96–105. Stevens P. F. 2004. Ericaceae. In: Kubitzki K. (ed.), The Banik D. and Sanjappa M. 2014. Agapetes. In: Sanjappa M Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. 6: 145–194. and Sastry A. R. K. (eds.), Fascicles of Flora of India: Springer, Berlin. Fascicle 25 Ericaceae, pp. 287–389. Botanical Survey Tucker G. C. 2009. Ericaceae Jussieu: heath family. In: of India, St. Joseph’s Press, Thiruvananthapuram. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.), Holmgren P., Holmgren N. and Barnett L. 1990. Index Flora of North America North of Mexico. 8: 370–535. Herbariorum. Part I: The Herbaria of the World. Eighth Oxford University Press, New York.

D. Banik，P. P. Bora，S. Sharma：Agapetes odontocera var. mizoramensis（ツツジ科）について Agapetes odontocera (Wight) Hook. f.（ ツ ツ ジ 科 ） 状況を示すとともに，得られた標本にもとづいて再記載 は着生する，高さ 1 m ほどの常緑灌木あるいは低木で を行った． あ る．var. mizoramensis D. Banik & Sanjappa は 基 本 var. odontocera は東ヒマラヤから北東インドにかけ 変種から，花序に均一に短毛があることで区別される． て広く分布するが，var. mizoramensis はインド・ミゾ var. mizoramensis はインド・ミゾラム州から得られた ラム州に限られ，しかも極く狭い地域に分布する（絶滅 標本にもとづいて 1990 年に記載されたが，その後記録 危惧植物 EN）．なお，var. mizoramensis の花は酸味が がなかった．ところが，2014 年になって同じミゾラム あり，現地の Lushai 族によって食用とされ，‘Mizo’ と 州の Lungli District から得られた．これは本変種の 2 呼ばれる． 番目の記録となる．Lungli District では，標高 1000 m （インド・CSIR-North East Institute 以上の丘陵地で，原生林中に見られた．現地での生育の of Science & Technology）