Reinstatement and Lectotypification of Memecylon deccanense (Melastomataceae): An Endemic Species of the Western Ghats, India.

Kumar, Santhosh
Vikraman, R Raj
S, Shailajakumari
Kumar, P K Suresh
Sreelekshmy, R S

Journal of Tropical Life Science : International Journal of Theoretical, Experimental, and Applied Life Sciences
Vol 10, No 3 (2020)

As part of the ex-situ conservation of the wild ornamental plants at JNTBGRI, several species of Memecylon were collected and introduced from the Western Ghats. While working on the taxonomy of the collected plants, it was found that a well defined species Memecylon deccanense C.B.Clarke  has been reduced recently to the synonym of M.heyneanum Benth. ex Wight & Arn. A detailed study by relevant literature, live and herbarium specimens, and type specimens housed at different herbaria, it is reinstated as a distinct species and a lectotype is designated here. Relevant photographs and images of type specimens of M.deccanense and M.heyneanum also provided to facilitate its easy identification.