Five New Species of Eriocaulon L. (Eriocaulaceae) from the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Five new species of Eriocaulon L. (Eriocaulaceae), viz.: E. apetalum, E. cookei, E. koynense, E. maharashtrense and E. sahyadricum, are described from the Western Ghats of India. E. apetalum allied to E. achiton is described from Ahmednagar (Harishchandragad) and Satara (Mahabaleshwar) districts of Maharashtra State. E. cookei allied to E. ritchieanum occurs in Ahmednagar (Harishchandragad and Ratangad), Pune (Junnar), Satara (Panchgani) and Thane (Kedarnath hill) districts of Maharashtra. E. Koynense allied to E. cuspidatum is described from Satara district (Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary) of Maharashtra. E. maharashtrense allied to E. minutum occurs in Pune district (Mulshi Taluka) of Maharashtra. E. sahyadricum allied to E. stellulatum is collected from Goa (Sanguem Taluka), Karnataka (Shimoga and North Kanara districts) and Maharashtra (Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara, Sindhudurg and Thane districts). Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these five species are provided.