Selaginella odishana (Selaginellaceae: Lycopodiophyta), a new species from Odisha, Eastern Ghats of India

Abstract

Selaginella odishana (subg. Stachygynandrum) is described as a new terrestrial species (probably a local endemic) from the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) forest on hill slopes of Daringbadi, Daringbadi Udayagiri forest range, Kandhamal district, Odisha state, Eastern Ghats region of India, and compared to morphologically close taxa (S. reticulata and its allied taxa). The new species is characterised by sub-erect stems, membranous leaf, lateral and axillary leaf, ciliate at the base and serrate distally (towards stem tips) and only serrate (outside face) or serrate margin, lanceolate median leaf with entire-serrate margins, dorsal sporophyll with serrate margins and laminar flap up to ¾ as long as lamina length with ciliate margins, ventral sporophyll ciliate along basal ½ and serrate along distal ½, creamy white megaspores with foveolate surface ornamentation and microspores with smooth surface ornamentation. The conservation status of S. odishana is assessed as Critically Endangered. © 2020, The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.