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A taxonomic revision of the genus Canscora in South India, and the erection of the new genus Canscorinella (Canscorinae, Gentianaceae) with two new combinations
Abstract and Figures
Abstract
The genus Canscora in South India is revised based on field and herbarium studies and in consultation with types and
protologues. C. pauciflora, which was previously treated as conspecific to C. diffusa is reinstated while C. sanjappae and
C. devendrae are synonymised under C. diffusa and C. stricta (= Canscorinella stricta) respectively. The present study
supports the exclusion of two species of Canscora i.e., C. stricta and C. bhatiana resulting in the establishment of the
new genus Canscorinella and two new combinations: Canscorinella stricta and Canscorinella bhatiana. The new genus
Canscorinella is characterized by the presence of actinomorphic corolla and isomorphic stamens. This brings the number
of species currently recognized for the genus Canscora to eleven worldwide, six (55 %) of which occurring in South
India. Descriptions, photo plates and keys to the South Indian species of Canscora and Canscorinella are provided here.
Key words: Canscora, Canscorinella, new genus, actinomorphic corolla, isomorphic stamens
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... as a doubtful species. Shahina & Nampy (2014), in their revision of south Indian Canscora, reinstated C. pauciflora and counted eight taxa from India. Most recently, Kolte et al. (2018) described C. shrirangiana Kambale, Kolte & A.Deshp., making a total of nine species known from India. ...
... However, recently, Rahangdale & Rahangdale (2017) have reported it from the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. The taxon was synonymised under C. diffusa by Thiv (2003), Shahina & Nampy (2014), Geethakumary (2016) and Subiramani et al. (2019) in their revisionary studies. However, Naik (1998) clearly stated that 'The experts at Rijksherbarium, Leiden, are of the opinion that it may be considered within the broad variable range of C. diffusa. ...
... The taxon was collected from two new localities and the population in the Ramshej is under more threat due to road building for transportation and mining. NOTES.Thiv (2003),Shahina & Nampy (2014), Geethakumary ...
Canscora diffusa var. tetraptera Naik & Pokle is reinstated and elevated to the rank of species. A detailed description, key to the species of Canscora in Peninsular India and photographs are provided to ease identification.
... thiv (2003) revised the tribe Canscorinae and reported nine Canscora species distributed in Asia, Africa and Australia. Shahina & Nampy (2014) revised Canscora from the peninsular India and mentioned 11 species under the genus. thereafter, two new species have been described C. shrirangiana Kambale, Kolte & A. deshp. ...
... these non-congeneric characters led us to review other genera of Canscorinae with the help of available literature (thiv 2003, hul 2003, Shahina & Nampy 2014, Sisakhon et al. 2021) and the specimens housed at K, e, L, Le, Ny and P. the scrutiny of the specimen in question revealed the presence of white or pale-yellow corolla, orbicular, obtuse bracts, nonwinged stem, and tubular non-winged calyx, indicating more affinity with the genus Phyllocyclus Kurz (1873: 235) ) which did not match with the type specimen. these ambiguities were discussed with dr L.V. Averyanov (pers. ...
Canscora ciathula (gentianaceae) was described by Averyanov from Laos. examination of the type specimens revealed that it is conspecific with Phyllocyclus petelotii (Merrill) thiv and reduced here to synonymy.
... The stamens are epipetalous, usually inserted on the corolla tube at the same height or in the sinuses between the lobes, and are isomerous and alternating with the petals. In Canscora, Hoppea, and Schinziella some stamens lack fertile anthers or are vestigial (anisomorphy), and the stamens are inserted at different heights in the corolla (Shahina and Nampy 2014;Fig. 71B). ...
The Gentianaceae is an angiosperm family in the order Gentianales consisting of 102 genera and approximately 1750 species, distributed in all areas of the world, except Antarctica. Most species are in temperate areas, but the gentians belonging to the most ancestral evolutionary branches are from the Neotropics. Gentians can be small herbs without chlorophyll to tall rainforest trees, but most are annual or perennial herbaceous plants. This worldwide treatment includes detailed information on vegetative and reproductive morphology, flower and wood anatomy, embryology and cytology, infrafamilial classification and phylogenetic relationships, as well as ethnobotanical uses and conservation for all genera. Keys to the seven tribes and genera are provided, and the morphology and distribution of each genus is described. The tribe Voyrieae is here included in the family classification, giving a total of 7 tribes in Gentianaceae.
... The diagnostic features of genus Canscora included branched, angular stem, oval pointed leaves 4 unequal petals and 4 unequal stamens [17] .The taxonomic status of species C. decurrens was doubtful as this plant has been reported by many workers under different species names like C. tenella, C. diffusa, C. khandalensis [12] C. diffusa var tetraptera and other. All of them are now considered to be conspecific [14]. Hence the present experimental material is C. decurrens and is conspecific with C. diffusa.Similar attempts were made by defining the generic limits in the genus Gentiana (Gentianaceae) [10] . ...
Macro and micromorphology study of C. decurrens was conducted with a view to elucidating their taxonomic significance and presenting complementary data to aid in the identification of the plant. Macromorphological characterization includes study of visible characters (habit, branching, colour, shape, texture of stem and leaves, root morphology) and reproductive characters namely inflorescence, morphology of different parts of flowers and pollen grain and seeds while micromorphology studies included anatomical details of stem, leaf and root as well as structure of stomata and trichome which are stable characteristic features of the given species and hence they help in the identification of plant at microscopic level.
The utilization of herbal-based remedies for disease prevention and treatment has proved its resilience, making a substantial contribution to the progress of traditional medicine. This therapeutic approach has demonstrated the efficacy of herbal drugs and has been an enduring practice. As a routine practice, the identification of plant species relies on morphological characteristics. However, there exist scenarios where the conventional strategies are inadequate due to the insufficient amount of material available for the examination. Molecular approaches for species distinction are promising, recognizing DNA or metabolite differences among taxa as biomarkers. This review focuses on the genus Canscora, known for its wide range of pharmacological uses, including antibacterial properties, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant. We explore the taxonomic challenges of this genus, which is made up of synonyms and morphologically overlapping features. We highlight the utility of DNA barcodes for accurate species identification and focus on investigating the taxon-specific, high-throughput DNA barcoding methods that emphasize the efficiency in validating molecules. Our findings highlight the potential of DNA barcoding to overcome the limitations of traditional techniques. This guarantees the accurate identification of Canscora species for medical purposes. The creation of a comprehensive DNA barcode library is recommended to promote phytochemical research, increase drug awareness, and protect biological diversity.
Canscora pauciflora Dalz. an Indian endemic species is reported for the first time from Maharashtra state. Apart from the type collection, the species was previously collected from Karnataka and Kerala. The present collection has a taxonomic value as the species was originally described from Maharashtra. It also highlights northernmost distribution of the species. This article provides detailed description, photographs and distributional notes of the Canscora pauciflora. Introduction:
Canscora alata (Roth) Wall. (Gentianaceae) commonly known as Shankhapushpi, is an annual herbaceous threatened medicinal plant distributed mainly in the understory of wild Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) forest and demands immediate conservation measures, for which understanding of its reproductive ecology is important. We studied aspects of floral biology, reproductive phenology and the breeding systems of the plant species. While undertaking the experiments, it was found that the species is self-compatible with a greater capability of autonomous self-pollination and doesn’t depend largely on pollinators for seed sets. However, geitonogamous and xenogamous modes of reproduction were observed. In natural habitat, visitors' frequency was extremely low, and most of the time they were absent. Outcrossing is rare, but it is occasionally facilitated by the fly, Paragus (Paragus) Latreille. We observed an "open-close-reopen" flowering rhythm during the anthesis of a flower. The mode of floral development clearly indicates that autonomous self-pollination is favored by the movement of stamens, styles, and stigmas during its “open-close-reopen” pattern of flowering. The plant also exhibits a larger anisomorphic stamen, orange in color. Even though the “fail safe” mechanism is an adaptive trait seen in outcrossing plant species, we have observed it here as well. The larger anisomorphic stamen helped to pollinate in order to ensure reproductive assurance through a delayed selfing mechanism; this is a rare occurrence in autogamous species. Despite self-compatibility, the ability to produce fruits and seeds through hand cross-pollination treatments implies that the plant species follow a selfing-outcrossing strategy to assure successful reproduction in its natural habitat. We hope these findings will be useful in strategic planning for the conservation of this plant species.
This paper reassesses the current status of
endemic genera after about a decade. Earlier Irwin and
Narasimhan (2011) reported 49 genera as endemic to
India. Later, Singhet al. (2015) have reported 58 endemic
genera for India. We, in this paper, based on extensive
scrutiny of literature and online resources, report a total
of 46 genera as endemic to the political boundary of
India. An analysis of the phytogeographical distribution
of these genera confirms our earlier inference, except
for minor variations in numbers of endemic genera in
Peninsular Indian and Himalayan regions. The life form
analysis shows that nearly three fourth of the endemic
genera are herbaceous which occur predominantly in
wet evergreen and grassland vegetation. In spite of their
endemic nature, IUCN assessment at the global level
has not yet been done for most of the species of these
genera even though this gap was mentioned a decade
earlier by Irwin and Narasimhan (2011).
The present investigation was carried out to demonstrate the plant morphogenetic potential of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in a commercially important medicinal plant Canscora diffusa. Leaf and nodal explants were used and highest callusing frequency (97.18%) was recorded for leaf explants supplemented with 1.0 mg/L NAA +2.0 mg/L 2ip + 15 µM SNP. SNP enhanced multiple shoot formation in both nodal and leaf explants derived callus considerably in the media supplemented with 1.0 mg/L NAA + 15 µM SNP and 0.5 mg/L BAP + 15 µM SNP (98.32 and 96.12%) respectively. The root induction also drastically increased with the supplementation of SNP (10 µM) in combination with 1.0 mg/L IBA. Our results proved that SNP with other growth hormones acts synergistically to enhance the in vitro responses including the callus, shoot, and root induction. This optimized tissue culture system will be very useful for the mass propagation of C. diffusa for both commercial and conservation aspects.
A new species of Canscora, C. bhatiana K. S. Prasad & K. Ravi, is described from the lateritic hillocks of Kasaragod District, Kerala. It differs from the allied C. devendrae R. Kr. Singh and Diwakar in clear dichotomous apical branching, winged stem, farinaceous leaves, much reduced upper cauline leaves, pedicellate flowers, lanceolate bracts, two times longer filaments and much shorter ovary.
Canscora stricta Sedgw. is rediscovered from Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Udupi district, Karnataka after a lapse of 90 years. A detailed description, distribution, ecology and relevant notes are provided.
A new species, Canscora devendrae, allied to Canscora sanjappae Diwakar and R. Kr. Singh, from Western Ghats, India is described and illustrated.
A new species, Canscora sanjappae, allied to C. diffusa (Vahl) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult from Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is described and illustrated.
We investigated cladistic relationships among the genera and species of paleotropical Gentianaceae-Canscorinae using morphological characters. Twenty-five characters were scored across all 23 species of the subtribe plus four outgroup species representing the closely related Coutoubeinae and Chironiinae. The maximum parsimony analysis resulted in one most parsimonious tree of 91 steps. The seven genera of Canscorinae fall into two major clades. These comprise Cracosna, Hoppea, Schinziella, and Canscora (clade I), and Microrphium, Phyllocyclus, and Duplipetala ined. (clade II). Intergeneric relationships were highly congruent with earlier molecular analyses in which, however, not all genera were included. Phylogenetic relationships among genera imply that the two different types of anisomorphic androecia found in Canscorinae evolved independently. An ancestral area analysis showed that Canscorinae are likely to have originated in SE Asia. From there India was colonized by the Canscora, Hoppea, Schinziella clade. The presence of some species of this clade in Africa/Madagascar is considered to be the result of independent long-distance dispersal events. Communicating Editor: Gregory M. Plunkett
A taxonomic revision of all genera belonging to Gentianaceae–Canscorinae, i.e., Canscora, Cracosna, Duplipetala, Hoppea, Microrphium, Phyllocyclus and Schinziella is presented, including keys to the taxa, distribution maps and seed coat descriptions. One new genus,
one new species and seven new combinations are described. In total seven genera and 23 species are recognized. All taxa are of palaeotropical distribution with centres in india and SE Asia.
Two new species of Gentianaceae from Indo-China are described: Exacum darae Hul (Cambodia, Thailand) and Canscora bidoupensis Hul (Vietnam).
Canscora stricta Sedgwick, a little known, rare and narrow endemic species of Gentianaceae; and Ipomoea littoralis Blume (Convolvulaceae), a new record for South India are described and illustrated.