Gentiana ranae (Gentianaceae), a new species from India revealed by morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses

Abstract

A new species of the genus Gentiana, G. ranae sp. nov., from Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh (India) is described here. The species shows morphological resemblances with G. glauca Pall. and G. venusta Wall. of sect. Monopodiae, but differs in key morphological characters such as a stem with 4–6 fine lines, upper stem leaves more densely enveloping the inflorescence, a light blue corolla with margins of the corolla lobes scabrous to crenulate, horizontally truncate plicae, dentate to erose margins, and  ovate to sub-orbicular seeds. Along with the morphological characters the species is supported as a new member of sect. Monopodiae in a molecular phylogenetic analyses using the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and chloroplast trnLF intron-intergenic spacer regions. This new species is described, illustrated and discussed.