A re-investigation on the identity of Litsea nigrescens (Lauraceae) in the Western Ghats of India

Abstract

Litsea nigrescens Gamble has been considered as endangered in the wild. Hitherto, there are no records of this species from the Western Ghats, India after the type collection. Recently, its presence in the Western Ghats was confirmed. It was long confused with L. oleoides (Meisn.) Hook.f., a rare species distributed only in the shola forests of Nilgiris and Pulneys. A detailed description, photographs, distribution, ecology and taxonomic history are provided.