A new species of Rotala (Lythraceae) from Kerala, India

Abstract

Rotala anamika Lemiya, a new species of Lythraceae, from Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It is similar to R. malampuzhensis R.V.Nair ex C.D.K.Cook and R. densiflora (Roth ex Roemer & Shultes) Koehne, but differs from the former in having calyx appendages as long as or slightly longer than the calyx lobes, obovate and apically obtuse to sinuate petals, and from the latter by its unwinged stems, presence of staminodes and very short style. All species of Rotala from Peninsular India is also keyed out.