Strobilanthes cuspidata (Benth.) T.Anderson

Carine, M., Jake M. Alexander, & Scotland, R. (2004). A Revision of the Strobilanthes kunthiana-Group (Phlebophyllum sensu Bremekamp) (Acanthaceae). Kew Bulletin, 59(1), 1-25. doi:10.2307/4111071

Distribution

India, Tamil Nadu.

Ecology

Forest undergrowth or on drier exposed slopes on hillsides to 900 m.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves ovate to elliptic, 6.2 - 82.1 x 3.3 - 63.5 mm; base decurrent, symmetrical; apex distinctly acuminate; margins subentire to slightly dentate or serrate; abaxial surface with dense white sericeous indumentum, adaxial surface glabrous; veins 3 - 11 pairs, prominent on abaxial surface, less so on adaxial surface; petiole 3.9 - 52.4 mm long, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens included; anthers 1.6 - 2.4 mm long; filaments 6.5 - 7.4 mm long, long white hairs below for 0.5 - 0.7 the length or rarely glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with one or two lobes distinctly shorter than the rest, fused from the base for 0.3 - 0.6 of the total length at anthesis; lobes lanceolate, 4.8 - 11.7 mm long, apex acute; outer surface glandular- hairy, inner surface with sparse simple white hairs, sometimes glandular hairy at the tip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla tube 3.5 - 5.4 mm long; throat campanulate to subventricose, 11.5- 17.5 mm long; lobes divided equally, broadly triangular, 3.1 - 5.1 x 3.0 - 3.8 mm, apices broadly to narrowly obtuse; outer surface glabrous or rarely with minute hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 1.2 - 2.8 mm long, apex sparsely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma 3.0 - 3.5 mm long, sparsely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 9.6 - 14.2 mm long, sparsely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit an elliptic to narrowly obovate capsule, 10.7 - 11.7 mm long, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence interrupted to uninterrupted spikes, 17 - 60 x 4 - 6 mm at anthesis, axis glandular pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracteoles 5.8 - 8.5 mm long; usually with axillary secondary buds Bracts narrowly ovate, 8.8 - 11.6 x 1.7 - 2.0 mm, equal to or longer than the calyx; apex acuminate, often recurved; abaxial surface and margins glandular-hairy, adaxial surface with glandular hairs at apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 2, 2.0 - 2.5 mm long.

Morphology Stem

Stem glabrous or with a sparse white sericeous indumentum below, glandular hairy on uppermost sections

Note

Strobilanthes cuspidata is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and is distinguished from other species in this group by the combination of a densely glandular hairy inflorescence, a dense white sericeous underside to mature leaves and long, often recurved, bracts giving the inflorescence a somewhat wispy appearance.

Phenology

Flowering July to March; fruiting March.

Type

Nilgiris, Hohenacker 1169 (lectotype: K!).