A new record for the flora of Bangladesh: Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC. (Melastomataceae)

Abstract

Oxyspora paniculata was found in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary of Bangladesh that represents a new record to the flora of the country. The species has been described with photographs.

Full text

Citation: Uddin, M.S., Mazumder, A. & Uddin, S.B. (2018) A new record for the flora of Bangladesh: Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC.
(Melastomataceae). I3 Biodiversity. 2, 201.
A new record for the flora of Bangladesh:
Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC.
(Melastomataceae)
Md. Salah Uddin1,*, Abdullah-Al-Masud Mazumder2, Shaikh Bokhtear
Uddin3
1Department of Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
2Silviculture Research Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Sholashahar, Chittagong 4000,
Bangladesh.
3Ethnobotany and Pharmacognosy Lab., Department of Botany, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331,
Bangladesh.
*Corresponding author. Email: plantsofbd@gmail.com
Abstract
Oxyspora paniculata was found in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary of Bangladesh that represents a new
record to the flora of the country. The species has been described with photographs.
The family Melastomataceae includes 4000 species and 200 genera
around the world (Ahmed et al., 2009). Among these genera, the Oxyspora
genus comprises six species (The Plant List, 2013). Two species of
Oxyspora genus are already listed in Bangladesh. Oxyspora paniculata (see
http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=574548-1) was not
reported in the relevant literatures (Ahmed et al., 2009; Pasha & Uddin,
2013; Rahman & Hassan, 2017), therefore, this species (Figure 1) is
reported here for the first time from Bangladesh. Specimens (n=2) of
species were collected from Kalapainna Chora, Hazarikhil Wildlife
Sanctuary, Harualchari, Vuzpur, Fatikchari, Chittagong, Bangladesh
(Latitude: 22.709089, Longitude: 91.692842). The photographs of species
in natural habitat were taken during the field trip. The collected specimens
were deposited in the Herbarium of Chittagong University (HCU). Those
specimens were identified and described by consulting floristic literatures
and databases (e.g., Ahmed et al., 2009; Airy-Shaw, 1966; Flora of China,
2018; Flowers of India, 2016; Pasha & Uddin, 2013; Prain, 1903; Rahman
& Uddin, 1997; Rahman & Hassan, 2017; Roxburgh, 1814).
Our newly reported species can be characterized by a shrub with
spreading, drooping branches. Stems 4-sided to obtusely 4-sided,
furfuraceous stellate and sparsely puberulous-setose. Leaves petiolate,
densely furfuraceous stellate; leaf blade ovate, narrowly elliptic-acute,
stiffly papery, abaxially usually furfuraceous stellate on veins, adaxially
furfuraceous squamose or glabrescent, secondary veins 2 on each side of
mid-vein, base rounded to subcordate, margin denticulate, apex
SPECIES
DISTRIBUTION
Accepted: 12 November 2018
Published: 17 December 2018
© 2018 Uddin et al.
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Oxyspora paniculata from Bangladesh
acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, a cymose panicle, furfuraceous
stellate, with 2 leaflike bracts at base. Bractlets and bracteole lanceolate to
subulate. Hypanthium narrowly funnel formed, longitudinally 8-ribbed,
with dense stellate trichomes when young but glabrescent. Calyx lobes
shortly triangular-ovate, apex acute and apiculate. Petals pinkish-purple,
elliptic and fall soon. Stamens 8 in number, with 4 longer with curved
filaments and purple anthers, and 4 shorter with yellow anthers. Style
simple, elongate. Fruit capsulated, obovoid; hypanthium narrowly funnel
formed.
References
Ahmed, Z. U., Hassan, M. A., Begum, Z. N. T., Khondker, M., Kabir, S. M. H.,
Ahmed, M. & Ahmed, A. T. A. (2009) Encyclopedia of flora and fauna of
Bangladesh. Vol - 9. Angiosperms: Dicotyledons (Magnoliaceae-
Punicaceae). Dhaka, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, pp. 62-77.
Figure 1. Oxyspora paniculata collected from Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
(a, b) Plants in natural habitat. (c) Inflorescence of Oxyspora paniculata.

Available from: https://biodiversity.i3press.fi; Volume: 2, Article ID: 201; 17 December 2018.
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Oxyspora paniculata from Bangladesh
Airy-Shaw, H. K. (1966) Dictionary of the flowering plants and fern. 7th ed.
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Flora of China (2018) Melastomataceae. Available from:
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