On the Occurrence of Solena umbellata (Cucurbitaceae) in Eastern India: A Range Extension from the Western Ghats to Odisha with Detailed Taxonomic Report
Sweta Mishra
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, CDA Sector-13, Cuttack-753015, Odisha, India.
Jashabanta Sethi
School of Life Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India.
Sanjeet Kumar
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, CDA Sector-13, Cuttack-753015, Odisha, India.
Rajeev Kumar Singh
*
Botanical Survey of India, Arid Zone Regional Centre, AIIMS Road, Jodhpur-342014, Rajasthan, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Solena umbellata (J.G.Klein ex Willd.) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes, previously known from the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka, is here reported for the first time from Eastern India. During a recent floristic exploration of Odisha, the species was collected from the Bisra Range, Rourkela Forest Division in Sundargarh district. A thorough review of published literature and herbarium specimens confirmed this as a new distributional record for Eastern India. This paper provides a detailed taxonomic description, notes on habitat, phenology, associated species, and colour photographs to facilitate accurate identification and future field recognition.
Keywords: Bryonia umbellata, Solena umbellata, Cucurbitaceae, Western Ghats, taxonomic report