Work

Revisiting Rheede’s ‘Katou-Indel’ and the discovery of a new species of Phoenix (Arecaceae) from India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The identity of Rheede’s ‘Katou-Indel’ is confirmed as Phoenix sylvestris, a species native to India (Kerala) and Sri Lanka. The names Phoenix pusilla, P. farinifera, and P. zeylanica are reduced to synonymy under P. sylvestris. The taxonomic circumscription of P. sylvestris is revised in this study, leading to the recognition of a new species, Phoenix roxburghii. The new species differs from P. sylvestris by its taller solitary trunk, larger leaves and leaflets, clustered acanthophylls musty-scented staminate flowers, micro-reticulate pollen, and larger obovoid orange-yellow fruits. A comprehensive description, along with photographs and relevant notes, is provided to aid in its identification.

Source: Phytotaxa

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.715.1.7

Authors: JOEMON JACOB, NARAYANAN NAIR MOHANAN, K.C. KARIYAPPA, ETTICKAL SUKUMARAN SANTHOSH KUMAR, S. SURESH, SAHEED S. HAMEED

Institutions: Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Botanical Survey of India

Language: English

Topic: Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W4413383360

FWCI: 0.261

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10