ROTALA BAILEYANA SP . NOV . ( LYTHRACEAE ) FROM KERALA , INDIA

Rogimon P Thomas 1 , Joby Paul 2 , Rameshan M. 3 , Nisha P. 4 and Ignatius Antony 2 . 1. Department of Botany, CMS College Kottayam (Autonomous), Kerala, India-686001. 2. Department of Botany, St. Thomas’ College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India. 3. National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Akkulam,Thiruvananthapuram. 4. Department of Botany, St Xavier's College for Women, Aluva, Kerala, India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 10 February 2019 Final Accepted: 12 March 2019 Published: April 2019

During recent floristic explorations in northern Kerala, we collected an interesting specimen of Rotala, from the lateritic plateau in Kasaragod district which is closely related to R. tulunadensis. On critical examination with the type of R. tulunadensis, it is revealed that the collected specimen was distinct with taxonomically relevant features. Therefore, the hitherto unknown taxa of the genus is described and illustrated here as a new species.
Rotala baileyana Rogi, Joby, Rameshan, Nisha & I. Antony sp. nov. (Fig. 1 A -K & Fig. 2  The new species is different from R. tulunadensis by having an annual habit, oblong-obovate submerged leaves with entire margin and stem clasping base; oblong-obovate aerial leaves with retuse apex; 2-6 mm long pedicel, absence of bract; triangular-falcate bracteole; nectary gland in the joining of calyx lobes, calyx tube wing with a constriction and projection below the lobes, petals with retuse apex, red anther lobes with broad connective versus perennial 670 habit, 1.0-2.3 × 0.5-1.3 cm elliptic or ovate submerged leaves with rounded base, obtuse or retuse apex and minutely serrate margins, obovate aerial leaves with rounded apex and base, 1-4 mm long pedicel, leaf like bract, subulate bracteole, absence of nectar gland in calyx tube, calyx tube wing without a constriction and projection below the lobes, petal apex obtuse, connective narrow.

Etymology
The new species is named after Rev. Benjamin Bailey, the first principal of CMS College, Kottayam,Kerala and the founder of modern English education in Kerala. He is also deemed to be the progenitor of printing and book publishing in Malayalam language by his establishment of Kerala's first printing press. A nonpareil author and translator, his innumerous contributions to language paved a new legacy in the cultural chronicles of Kerala.

Phenology
During the rainy season (June-August) the species remains submerged in the permanent and seasonal lateritic pools. During the winter and early summer (September-February), it produces flowers on the emergent aerial branches. Fruiting is observed in November to March.

Habitat and Ecology
The new species is a short lived annual found in a lateritic lake or depressions on lateritic rocks having a depth of 0.5-1 m. No other species of Rotala was noticed in the entire plateau. The associated flora includes Nymphoides balakrishnanii, Nymphoides indica, Vallisneria spiralis, Marsilea minuta, Wiesneria triandra, Utricularia reticulata etc.

Conservation status
R. baileyana is collected only from the type locality and further exploration on distribution is required for analyzing conservation status and endemism. The ecologically significant seasonal laterite pools and temporary lakes are the major source of groundwater recharge, habitat of several species including migratory birds and having rich biodiversity. The lateritic plateau of Kasaragod district has under severe anthropogenic pressure from extensive mining and unscientific applying of herbicides in the adjoining cashew plantations. Most of the seasonal pools and temporary lakes are reclaimed for industrial and other purpose.

Notes
R.baileyana is similar to R.tulunadensis and R.sahyadrica (