{"id":1486602,"date":"2023-01-16T04:04:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T22:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/?p=1486602"},"modified":"2024-12-23T16:09:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T10:39:08","slug":"nonea-edgeworthii-or-a-new-species","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/efi\/nonea-edgeworthii-or-a-new-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonea edgeworthii or a new species ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\" \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nStone seed (Lithospermum arvense(L.)) from Srinagar<\/a>: 10 images.
\nAm posting photos of a herb of the forget -me- not\u00a0 (borage)family which I think is\u00a0Lithospermum arvense(L.<\/i>) Syn\u00a0Buglossoides arvensis (L)\u00a0 a.k.a\u00a0 stone seed,\u00a0<\/i>field gromwel, corn gromwel . I request confirmation of I.D.
\nThe herb was growing in a field<\/span> in Srinagar<\/span> and the photos were taken a few days back. It is a rather uncommon weed.
\nIt is very hairy (see photos). It has tiny white flowers. The fruit has four brown nutlets (schizocarps). The nutlets are triangular ovoid and with small tubercles (See photo).<\/span> According to Wikipedia its seeds stored in clay pots have been found in sites dating back to 4000 B.C. Because of the high level of Omega-3 fatty acids in its seeds its commercial cultivation has been started in U.K.\u00a0 it is patented\u00a0 and has trade marked cultivar (Ahiflower)(A plant native to this region is finding great interest in E.U. and U.S. while most people here are unaware of its existence!). According to the Flora of China its roots yield a purple dye.<\/p>\n

\n

The info about roots yielding a purple dye in the above post is not from Flora Of China.
\nIt is from elsewhere.
\nI regret giving the wrong reference.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

It appears close to images at
\nhttps:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/2021\/07\/27\/nonea-edgeworthii\/<\/a>
\nLooks different from images at
\nhttps:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/2012\/06\/18\/lithospermum-arvense\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Thanks for giving the correct I.D.<\/p>\n

\n

With reference to\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i> till Oct 1971 it was reported only from Jammu from Northwest India and Kashmir<\/span> (SMA Kazimi: A Revision Of The Boraginaceae of West Pakistan And Kashmir(1971), Journal of Arnold Arboretum,p675.). Jammu has a climate and topography very similar to Haryana from where also it was later reported as per your link.<\/span> Thus I think my post would perhaps be the first report of its presence in the valley if the ID is correct. Would specially like … opinion as he is an expert on the flora of the valley.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nWould like to add the following info regarding the plant:<\/p>\n

1. The above mentioned reference (S.M,A.Kazimi (1971)) and the Flora of Pakistan both describe\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i> DC. as Annual.<\/span> Lithospermum arvense L.<\/i>\u00a0is also an annual.<\/div>\n
2. In Kashmir annuals die with the first frost in late November or early December. This plant is clearly alive and kicking with the New Year just days away. So it can only be a Biennial or a Perennial.<\/span><\/div>\n
3. To confirm I transferred it from the field to a planter so as to observe it\u00a0 in\u00a0 future. If it survives the transfer then with time it will be clear if it is a biennial or a perennial. In any case it can not be an annual with the New Year just days away. While transferring it I noticed that it had a thick tap root like a carrot (see photo). Since annuals do not need to store food this confirms that it must be either a biennial or a perennial.<\/span><\/div>\n
4. The above facts show that it can not be either\u00a0N.edgeworthii DC <\/i>or\u00a0L.arvense\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0L. Then what is it? Is it some species endemic to the valley? I would request the members to opine on the same
\n4 images.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n
Pl. see\u00a0GBIF<\/a>\u00a0specimen<\/a>, to which it appears close.\u00a0BSI Flora of india<\/a> gives its distribution in J&K and Punjab.
\nAnother species reported in\u00a0BSI flora of India<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0Nonea pulla<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0(L.) DC. (which\u00a0though perennial as per Flora of Pakistan and has red or dark blue to purplish flowers) looks different as per\u00a0GBIF<\/a>. Also see keys in\u00a0Flora of Pakistan<\/a>.<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

Thanks for the links
\nJammu and Kashmir Valley are completely different topographically and with very different climatic conditions. Jammu is like Panjab with which it merges but Kashmir Valley is separated from them by the Pir Panchal Range of mountains and climatically and topographically very different. SMA Kazimi whose name is mentioned on the herbarium sheet has in his 1970 paper mentioned that in Kashmir it is reported from Jammu only. BSI also mentions Jammu and Kashmir and not Kashmir valley and if the info is from 1970 paper of Kazimi then it would mean Jammu part of J and K.I would be grateful if someone would give a reference of it being reported from Kashmir Valley. … has posted photos of L<\/i>.arvense<\/i> from Kashmir Valley but not of above mentioned plants as far as I know.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

There is another similar looking species i.e. Gastrocotyle hispida<\/em> (Forssk.) Bunge, but it is different. Pl. see
\nhttps:\/\/powo.science.kew.org\/941604-1<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/www.efloras.org\/object_page.aspx?object_id=93142&flora_id=5<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Nonea edgeworthii<\/em> is also a medicinal plant as per
\nhttps:\/\/www.isisn.org\/BR17(3)2020\/1996-1999-17(3)2020BR20-154.pdf<\/a>
\nSo it is also possible that it was either cultivated or may have\u00a0escaped cultivation.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Or it has spread in that area from Jammu.<\/p>\n

\n
Thanks for the very interesting suggestions.<\/div>\n
Gastrocotyle hispida<\/em> is obviously very different.<\/div>\n
An important\u00a0 point\u00a0 is that Flora of Pakistan mention the flowering period of\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0 DC\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0as March-April<\/span> however it was flowering in Nov-Dec as is clear from the photos<\/span><\/div>\n
Medicinal plants are not cultivated in J & K State because most people use allopathic medicines. Hakeems and Homeopaths use patented medicines imported from outside and there is very limited market for medicinal herbs.<\/div>\n
Spread from Jammu by bird droppings etc. is always possible but what I am almost certain of is that it is not an annual. If it were an annual it would have died by November or early December but so far even its leaves have not withered. Further the thick tap root suggests a biennial or a perennial. I think if the plant I have transferred to the planter thrives and flowers a careful examination of the flowers under a microscope might yield more info. It is also possible that it is some endemic species which has gone unnoticed.
\n… who is very familiar with the flora of the valley and indeed the author of a book on Taxonomy can perhaps guide us regarding the same.<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAm posting magnified photo of a fruit seen through a magnifying glass to show dorsal surface ridges and what seem to be tubercles. Collar is clearly visible. Length of fruit is about 3mm.
\n1 image.<\/p>\n

\n

Does it match with seeds of\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i>or not?<\/p>\n

\n

I do not have photo of nutlet of\u00a0N.edgeworthii <\/i>to compare with but Kazmi’s paper says “nutlets slightly rugose with white spots”. I am unable to see white spots. I also feel that it is somewhat more than slightly rugose.<\/p>\n

\n

See nutlet of\u00a0Nonea caspica<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(Willd.) G. Don<\/a>\u00a0(Nutlets transversely oblong, 2.5-4 mm, dark brown to black, back rugulose, pilose, often freckled white. Basal ring 1-1.5 mm broad, ridge denticulate with 14-18 minute teeth)
\nhttp:\/\/www.efloras.org\/object_page.aspx?object_id=93138&flora_id=5<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Flowers of this herb are white<\/span> and I can not see any white spots on the nutlet which is quite clear from the photo.<\/span>
\nIf there were white spots they would be easily seen<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

And\u00a0Flora of British India<\/a>\u00a0gives the following\u00a0details:
\nNonea pulla<\/em> <\/strong>(L.) DC.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lamk. et DC. Fl. Fr.<\/em>\u00a0iii. 626, in note ; erect, hairy, leaves oblong acute upper subamplexicaul lower petioled, calyx-lobes acuminate, corolla blackish-purple, stamens included. DC. Prodr. x. 32 ; Reichb. Ic. Fl. Germ. t. 1302, fig. 2 ; Boiss. Fl. Orient, iv. 166. N. taurica, Ledeb. Fl. Ross. iii. 112. N. Edgeworthii<\/em>, A. DC. Prodr. x. 30. Lycopsis pulla<\/em>, Linn. ; Jacq. Fl. Austr, ii. t. 188 ; Gaertn. Fruct, i. 327, t. 67. Anchusa pulla, Bieb. Fl. Taur. Cauc. i. 125.\u2014Boraginearum sp., Edgw. in Hook. Journ. Bot. ii. 284.<\/span><\/p>\n

PUNJAB PLAIN, Thomson, Edgeworth, &c.\u2014DISTRIB. Central and E. Europe, W. Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much branched, 12-18 in., hispid and villous. Leaves 2 by 1\/3 in. Racemes 2-5 in., dense ; pedicels 1\/8-1\/4 in. ; bracts 1 in., leaflike. Calyx 1\/4 in. ; in fruit 1\/2 in., the campanulate base 1\/4 in. diam. ; subglobose. Corolla-tube 1\/4 in., narrow ; lobes 1\/6 in., half-spreading. Nutlets 1\/6 in., obliquely curved inwards, slightly wrinkled, puberulous.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Here the corolla is white<\/span>
\nIt is definitely a Nonea<\/em> as general shape of nutlet is just like in the sketch of caspica<\/em> but details do not match. No white spots as in capsica<\/em> or edgeworthii.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

More details are available\u00a0at
\nhttps:\/\/ijlsci.in\/ls\/index.php\/home\/article\/view\/538\/364<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\" \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nAm posting some more images of nutlets (photo through a magnifying glass)\u00a0 along with some older photos for reference:
\nAs morphology of nutlets is characteristic of species I think\u00a0 any expert familiar with the morphology of\u00a0Nonea <\/i>nutlets can easily identify the species with the help of these photos. I would request any expert in India or any other country to help us regarding the same. However the following points which I have gleaned from my survey of literature available to me (including Kazmi’s landmark work available at JSTOR) would be of interest to members:<\/p>\n

1. No member of\u00a0Nonea Medicus, Philos.Bot.1:31.1789.\u00a0(Genus Nonea) has been reported from Kashmir valley till date but have been reported from Jammu, Panjab and Haryana. This is the first such report from the valley.<\/div>\n
2. The white corolla rules out\u00a0N.kandharensis, N.caspica <\/i>and\u00a0N.pulla.<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
3. Collar not denticulate rules out N.edgeworthii<\/em>.<\/span><\/div>\n
4, Ridge not continued through acute apex on dorsal side, general shape of nutlet and perhaps absence of prominent caruncle rules out\u00a0N.turcomanica.<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
5. That the plant is thriving at the end of the year and the thick carrot like root suggests to me that it is a biennial or a perennial. This rules out all annual species.<\/span><\/div>\n
I think this is perhaps some endemic species which has been overlooked. I am trying to grow some from seed if possible.<\/div>\n
I would request expert opinion from members.
\n6 images.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

I think the collar is denticulate here, by seeing the 5th and 6th images.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Pl. see
\nhttp:\/\/secure.environment.gov.au\/biodiversity\/abrs\/online-resources\/glossaries\/vascular\/lmargin.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Regarding denticulations it could be as I have no previous experience of studying seed morphology.. Wish some person with more experience in nutlet morphology would opine on this.
\nHowever one has also to consider annual nature and flowering season march-april of edgeworthii.
\n<\/em><\/span>Also I am pretty sure and hope you will agree that if the plant I posted was an annual it would have died by early Dec. Then again why should an annual store food in a carrot like tap root? Wonder if the Haryana people checked the root of their specimen. Please ask them if you happen to know any of them. It would be very helpful for us. Also if they have any photos of the seeds so that we could compare these photos with them. As they have published a paper they must have kept a record but in the article for which you kindly provided the link there is only a description of the nutlets without any photos. I presume they must have seen sketched and photographed the nutlets before publishing.. If they would post the photos here it would be easy for us to compare my photos with theirs.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

The attached reference has photos showing denticulations in Nonea<\/em> nutlets of different species.
\n1 attachment<\/p>\n

\n
The link below has an illustration of the seed of\u00a0N.edgeworthii <\/i>(Credit. S.Hameed)<\/div>\n
http:\/\/www.efloras.org\/object_page.aspx?object_id=93137&flora_id=5<\/a>
\nThis illustration clearly shows the longitudinal denticulations projecting down from the ring below the collar like the teeth of a saw. These longitudinal denticulations are clearly absent from the photos of the seeds that I have posted. After seeing this illustration I have absolutely no doubt that the herb is not edgeworthy but a hitherto unreported species endemic to Kashmir Valley. It differs from edgeworthii<\/em> in not having longitudinal denticulations, flowering in Nov-Dec and not being an annual. Because of the close resembelance of its seed to the seed of N.caspica<\/i>\u00a0it is probably genetically more related to it than to edgeworthy.<\/span> As scientists we have to accept objective evidence no matter how surprising the result<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

Hope you further pursue\u00a0it and publish with all the evidence.<\/p>\n

\n

That needs a lot of botanical expertise and also perhaps the flower needs to be dissected to show faucal hairs to prove it as Nonea.<\/em> I am not sure as it is not my field. However I am thankful to you for insisting that it is not Lithospermum<\/em> and compliment you for not accepting the obvious. The easy solution is often a wrong solution.<\/p>\n

\n

Sorry, should have written nutlets and not seeds. The term stone seed was in my subconscious<\/p>\n

\n

Get in touch with Botanical persons, who are in the field of publications, from your area.<\/p>\n

\n
If they are really passionate about it they will get in touch with me.<\/div>\n
If they just want a shoddy publication then I am not interested.
\nThe posting at your site is enough.<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Posting\u00a0 photos of\u00a0in situ\u00a0<\/i>nutlets of the herb.<\/p>\n

The scale in one of the photos has markings in mm.<\/div>\n
Two of the photos have been photographed through a magnifying glass.<\/div>\n
The most notable thing in these photos is that the white spots characteristic of the nutlets of\u00a0Nonea edgeworthii<\/i>\u00a0A.DC. are absent.
\n<\/u>3 images.<\/span>
\n<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nA Surprising fact about the calyx
\n<\/u>Regarding the calyx Kazmi in his authoritative work writes under the heading\u00a0Nonea<\/em> Medicus, Philos. Bot.1:31.1789.:
\n“Calyx 5-fid , shortly or for \u00bd of its length, never divided to the base, enlarged in fruit.”<\/span>
\n(SMA Kazimi : A Revision Of The Boraginaceae of West Pakistan And Kashmir(1971), Journal of Arnold Arboretum,pp670-71.).
\nI had fortunately two flowers left in the plant I had transferred to the planter. I reexamined\u00a0 the calyx and found it is divided to the base. This is also evident in the fruit. (See photos). It thus seems to me that it is either a sub genus or something different. Would request the opinion of experts. Many features resemble the genus Nonea<\/em> including position of anthers,\u00a0 gynobasic very short style morphology and attachment of nutlet which I will put in a subsequent post.
\n3 images.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thanks, … But\u00a0Flora of Pakistan<\/a>\u00a0says about\u00a0Nonea edgeworthii\u00a0<\/em>A. DC. in DC.\u00a0as ‘Calyx 6-7 mm long, up to 10 mm in fruit, dense hairy; lobes linear’<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThanks for the comment about FOP. Unfortunately their sketch does not show calyx. In fact they must have followed Kazimi the most towering authority there.<\/p>\n

Need expert opinion on this<\/div>\n
Here are more details about corolla<\/div>\n
Corolla:<\/u><\/div>\n
Corolla is very delicately attached to the flower and in two of them fell down as I was examining the calyx.<\/span><\/div>\n
The corolla is approximately infundibuliform (like an inverted bell). The lobes are very small about 1-1.5 mm as is visible from the photo’<\/span><\/div>\n
The tube has a slight sinuous bend at the bottom (See photo). As I will show in a subsequent post the style is very short and must remain in the bend.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
I speculate that this would be to avoid self pollination as the anthers are just below the throat. Indulging in further speculation one can surmise that the peculiar shape of the corolla suggests that the pollinator might be a moth or butterfly with a long proboscis which can descend to the bottom of the tube.<\/span>
\n1 high res. image<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

Anthers<\/u>
\n5\u00a0 stamens inserted\u00a0 in the corolla tube just below the throat (Three are visible in the photo). The stalk by which they\u00a0 are attached (filament) is very short.<\/span>
\nPeering from above one can see the anthers only in the intact flower. In this feature it resembles\u00a0Nonea. They<\/em> are brownish yellow (see photo)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nPhoto of Anthers
\n1 high res. image<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\nPOLLEN<\/u>
\n<\/u><\/b>Am posting photos of pollen grains which I got by teasing the anthers on a glass slide with a pin. I managed to take the photos with a cheap “Students Microscope” to which I have added an oil immersion lens and my entry level digital camera (Sony\u00a0 DSC-W830). I think photos of pollen grains are a first for eflora as I have never seen them before. The pollen grains are prolate (cigar shaped) with a single longitudinal furrow (sulcus) running from pole to pole (monosulcate.)<\/span>
\n3 images.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nA photo of a herbarium specimen of\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i>A.DC. is available at\u00a0gbif.org<\/a>\u00a0under creative commons (No Copyright) licence. This specimen has fruits a photo of which is attached below.(Attribution :\u00a0“02910584.tif” – Nonea edgeworthii A.DC. collected in Pakistan.\u00a0(licensed under\u00a0http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/<\/a>).<\/a>\u00a0 (see Photo2)
\nThe fruits in which the calyx is enlarged clearly show a calyx in which the lobes are joined and individual lobes can only\u00a0 be seen in the upper part (See photo2).
\nThis is in accord with Kazmi’s assertion for Genus Nonea\u00a0<\/i>“Calyx 5-fid , shortly or for \u00bd of its length, never divided to the base, enlarged in fruit..”
\n<\/b>This is as different from the calyx in the fruits of my herb as chalk from cheese. In the calyx of my herb the lobes are divided to the base.(See photo 1).
\nComparison with the herbarium specimen of N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i> A.DC. puts all doubts to rest and conclusively establishes that my herb:
\n1. Is not\u00a0N.edgeworthii <\/i>A.DC.
\n2′. It does not belong to genus Nonea<\/em> as the calyx lobes are divided to the base. However based on morphology of seeds and flowers\u00a0 it is closely related to\u00a0Nonea<\/em> Medicus.
\n<\/b>It can be confidently asserted that it is a novel member of the Boraginaceae
\n<\/em>2 images.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Somehow, I am not convinced as per\u00a0GBIF<\/a>\u00a0specimen<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
The fruits are cut out from the same GBIF specimen to which you are referring !. This is the only online image available to my knowledge and\u00a0 the collector is Kazimi. It is with the Smithsonian Institution and they have very kindly put it with a no copyright license which allows cutting and pasting a particular part of the image. I cut out the branch on the extreme right hand side and attached the photo to focus on the fruits which are enclosed by the enlarged sepals that are gamosepalous with small lobes. If you look at the GBIF specimen details you will find that it is\u00a0 written “Publisher: National Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution and “Record Licence.. creativeco… cdomain\/zero\/1.0\/ which if you follow the link is No Copyright license. I think this clarifies everything. My photo is the extreme right side branch bearing fruits of the same GIBF specimen to which you are referring.
\nWith sincere regards and thanks for your incisive comments which have helped to crystallize our problem<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAm posting a sketch of a typical seed of the plant. The tubercles present on and between the ridges are I think gland like structures that contain secretions. In nutlet morphology it greatly resembles the genus\u00a0Nonea\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>although its calyx is polysepalous while calyx of the members of the genus Nonea <\/i>is invariably gamosepalous. It would be fitting to call it\u00a0Apononea<\/i> (apo=other).<\/span> As posting these details under Stone flower is misleading I would be reposting all details in another thread to avoid confusion.
\n1 image.<\/p>\n

\n

For the information of any members who happen to visit this page I would like to mention that I have named this plant as\u00a0Apononea bagathii\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>Syed and have reposted it as the the thread “A Novel Member Of The Boraginaceae Family From The Kashmir Valley”. The link for this thread is given below:
\nhttps:\/\/groups.google.com\/g\/indiantreepix\/c\/doter<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A Novel Member Of The Boraginaceae Family From The Kashmir Valley<\/a>:<\/p>\n

In late December I noticed an unusual weed growing in a field (34 \/ 02\/\u00a043\u00a0N , 74\/\u00a048\/30 E ) in Srinagar. I misidentified it and posted it on efi website as stoneseed\u00a0 (Lithospermum arvense<\/i>). \u00a0… pointed out that it was not\u00a0Lithospermum arvense<\/i>\u00a0and suggested that it was\u00a0N.edgeworthii<\/i>. As\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0had never before been reported from the Kashmir valley I\u00a0 carefully reexamined the herb and\u00a0 after examining all the features have come to the conclusion that it is a novel species of the Boraginaceae<\/em> family which has never before been reported from the Kashmir Valley. Indeed I suggested it could be named\u00a0Apononea bagathii\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0(Apo is “away from” and Bagath is the locality where it was found. The entire discussion can be viewed at: \u00a0https:\/\/groups.google.com\/g\/indiantreepix\/=footer<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Although its habit very closely resembles\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0and like\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>its stamens are situated just below the throat in the corolla tube attached with very short filaments and the style is very short and included and the shape and morphology of its nutlets is very similar to that found in the genus\u00a0Nonea<\/i>\u00a0yet it differs in having a calyx in which the lobes are divided to the base while the calyx of the members of the genus\u00a0Nonea\u00a0<\/b>Medik is invariably 5 fid shortly or \u00bd of its length but never divided to the base and the tube is enclosing the nutlets. The presence of a calyx with lobes divided to the base and hence no tube enclosing the nutlets leaves us with no option but to put it in a separate genus. Some other ways in which it differs from\u00a0N.edgeworthii\u00a0<\/i>are given below:<\/span>
\n1. Nutlet does not have longitudinal denticulations<\/span>
\n2.The bottom of the corolla tube is sinuous and not straight<\/span>
\n3. It is not an annual as the plant which I transferred to a planter in late December is still thriving and seems to enjoy the subzero temperatures of( -5 C)-(-6 C) prevailing at present in Srinagar. This suggests that its real habitat might be alpine. The hairs might be having some natural antifreeze.<\/span>
\n4. Its carrot like root also suggests that it might be a perennial.<\/span>
\nFor the above reasons I am posting it as a new thread. Over the next few days I will repost the photos and other data with this thread in which I hope to include a short review of existing members of Boraginaceae reported from the valley till now.
\nAs Avery said in a letter to his brother \u201cIt is a lot of fun to blow bubbles but it is better to prick them yourself.\u201d So I would request the members to prick this bubble and suggest a plausible ID for this herb.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

It is my endeavor to correct any inaccuracies that tend to creep into an informal write up. I\u00a0 request the members also to make me aware of any discrepancies between the photos that I post and my written statements.<\/p>\n

\n

I hope somebody can shed more light on it.
\nAll details are available at eFloraofIndia discussion post<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\nHabit: Herb about 15 cm tall.<\/span> Stems branched from base. Hairy with short hairs mixed with long erect ones upto 2mm long. Both short and long hairs arise from a swollen base (See Photo of Hair (X 100 mag.) clearly showing the swollen base).<\/span>
\n3 images.<\/p>\n

\n

Did not find\u00a0Apononea bagathii\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>anywhere in net and database.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
This is my proposal.Unless it is accepted ,\u00e0nd that is a big if, it will exist only in my mind and the efi pages.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Thanks for having a look at my proposal<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

OK. !<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\" \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nDETAILS OF LEAVES<\/b>
\n<\/u>Leaves lanceolate (Basal) to oblanceolate (cauline). Basal and cauline leaves 50-100 X 20-10 mm. Basal leaves sessile\u00a0 or almost sessile. Cauline leaves with winged petioles. Leaves covered\u00a0 with small and large erect hairs similar to those on the stem and like them arising from swollen bases. These swollen bases appear like numerous small swellings (tubercles) to the unaided eye<\/span> (see photos).<\/p>\n

Notes on Photos (From L to R)<\/u><\/div>\n
Photo1: Microphotograph of leaf hair magnificationX100. The swollen base of the hair is clearly visible<\/span><\/div>\n
Photo 2 and Photo 4: Note the winged petioles of cauline leaves and swollen bases of hairs appearing like numerous tubercles<\/span><\/div>\n
Photo5: Note the hairy surface covered with short and long erect hairs<\/span><\/div>\n
Photo 6 and Photo 7: Note 5mm thick stem and sessile basal leaves.<\/span>
\n7 images.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nDetails of\u00a0 the root of the herb:
\n<\/u><\/b>While transferring the herb to a planter i noticed that it has a thick tap root like a carrot (see photos) and if its function is food storage then it supports the view that the herb is either a biennial or a perennial. The herb is still doing tolerably well in the planter nearly a month after its transfer but so far none of the seeds which I placed on moist sand have germinated.<\/span> Maybe they need some exposure to low temperature before they (hopefully) germinate.
\n3 images<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\" \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nDetails of flower<\/span><\/u><\/b><\/div>\n
Inflorescence short. Flowers SubSessile but pedicels up to 7mm in fruit.<\/span>
\nDetails of calyx:<\/u><\/b><\/span>
\nCalyx\u00a0 hairy, accrescent, 4-5 mm but 5-6mm in fruit. 5-fid, divided to the base (This distinguishes it from the genus Nonea\u00a0<\/i>in which the calyx is never divided to the base.) Calyx lobes surround the fruit.<\/span><\/div>\n
Note:<\/span><\/div>\n
In\u00a0Photo 6<\/u>\u00a0calyx lobes have been spread out to show their division to the base.<\/span>
\n7 images.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\" \"\"<\/a>
\nDetails of corolla:
\n<\/u>Corolla 4.5mm, white, infundibuliform. lobes 5, about 1-1.5mm long, broad, obtuse and crenulate. corolla tube 3mm long with a sinuous bend at bottom, Very delicately attached and tends to fall off easily {See photo)<\/span>
\nDetails of androecium:
\n<\/u>Stamens 5, epipetalous, filaments very short, Stamens\u00a0 inserted below the throat in the middle of the tube (see photo),\u00a0 anthers about1mm long, included.<\/span>
\nPollen grains
\n<\/u>cigar shaped (perprolate), monosulcate<\/span>
\n4 images.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

Would like to put on record that in near future I would be submitting a paper to Kew Bulletin “Apononea bagathii\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>a new genus of Boraginaceae<\/em> from Kashmir Valley” regarding which I have already placed some information for discussion among our group members as I am\u00a0 convinced that it is a new, so far unreported genus of the family. Would be grateful for a plausible, evidence based contrary opinion<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\" \"\"<\/a>
\nDetails of gynoecium :
\n<\/i><\/b>Ovary superior, style 2mm, gynobasic with flat base(see photo), about 1mm protrudes above the four nutlets, included, stigma bilobed<\/span>
\nNote:
\nIn PHOTO 2 two nutlets have been removed to expose the gynobasic style and flat base,
\n5 images.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n

That would be great.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>
\nDetails of nutlets.
\n<\/i><\/b><\/u>Nutlets 4, yellowish brown, 3 mm long and 2 mm high, beaked, rugose, convex above, ridges prominent with tubercles between the ridges, attachment sub ventral, areola of thick prominent collar 0.4-0.5mm high, margin entire without denticulations<\/span><\/p>\n

Notes:<\/div>\n
PHOTO 1 Nutlets<\/div>\n
PHOTO2\u00a0 Nutlet side view<\/div>\n
PHOTO 3 Nutlet from above<\/div>\n
PHOTO 4 Nutlet from below<\/div>\n
PHOTO 5 Sketch of a nutlet<\/div>\n
PHOTO 6 Attachment of nutlet to ovary wall<\/div>\n
PHOTO 7 Attachment of nutlet to ovary wall<\/div>\n
PHOTO 8 Nutlets in fruit
\n8 images.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"
\nThree more photos:<\/p>\n

Photo 1 shows leaf with small (1mm or less) adpressed hairs and Large (>1mm) erect hairs. These hairs are present on both stems and leaves.<\/span><\/div>\n
Photo2 shows the swollen base of a small adpressed hair at X150 magnification<\/span><\/div>\n
Photo3 shows the swollen base of a large erect hair at X150 magnification<\/span><\/div>\n
This shows that both adpressed and erect hairs have swollen bases when seen under a microscope. However to the unaided eye it appears that only the larger hairs have swollen bases as mentioned by some authors while describing the genus <\/span>Nonea.<\/span>
\n<\/i><\/b>3 images.
\n<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n

Note on reported genera of Boraginaceae from Kashmir:<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

\n
The following genera of the family Boraginaceae have been reported from\u00a0 Kashmir (Reference:\u00a0 Dhar.U and Kachroo.P. 1983.Alpine Flora of Kashmir Himalaya.<\/i><\/div>\n
133-135.Scientific Publishers .India)<\/div>\n
1. Actinocarya\u00a0 2. Arnebia\u00a0 3. Cynoglossum 4. Eritrichium 5. Hackelia 6. Lappula 7. Lasiocaryum 8. Lindelofia 9. Lithospermum 10. Mattiastrum 11. Microula 12. Myosotis 13. Onosma 14. Pseudomertensia 15. Rochelia 16. Solenanthus and 17. Trigonotis
\n<\/i><\/b>Of these 17 genera twelve (12) genera i.e.\u00a0 those listed at Sr.No 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10,11,15,16 and 17\u00a0 are exclusively alpine\/subalpine. Of the remaining 5 genera Lithospermum officinale<\/em>is described as a common weed in Kashmir.<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nUpdates on\u00a0Apononea baghatii\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>:<\/p>\n

\n
Photo1: Plant transferred to planter is doing well showing it is a perennial. Note flowers in terminal inflorescences at the ends of short lateral branches. These were probably present when it was transferred to planter last year and have now developed\u00a0 with the advent of Spring.<\/div>\n
Photo 2: A single flower<\/div>\n
Photo 3 :Faucal appendages above the throat and neither fimbriated nor velvety. This is another difference from\u00a0Nonea<\/b><\/div>\n
Photo 4:Corolla tube cut to show lower very hairy part of the faucal appendages<\/div>\n
Photo 5: Calyx removed to show geniculated corolla tube. The\u00a0 brownish yellow anthers can be seen just above the bend in the corolla tube.<\/div>\n
Photo 7: Anthers inserted in the Corolla tube just above the bend in the tube<\/div>\n
Photo 8:Anthers.Filaments are very short and attachment is sub basal.<\/div>\n
Photo9: Ovary with gynobasic style and bifid stigma. Outlines of four ovules are distinctly visible
\n8 images- 1 high res.<\/p>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nTwo updates:<\/p>\n

1. Photo of Plant in planter in full bloom. Photo dated 20th of March<\/div>\n
2. Photo showing inflorescence racemose in fruit.
\n2 images- 1 high res.<\/p>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nAn update\u00a0 :<\/p>\n

The plant which was in full bloom in March has finally died in May.<\/div>\n
This shows that it is a biennial.<\/div>\n
Photo taken on 18th May is attached<\/div>\n
\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nUpdate on\u00a0Apononea baghatensis <\/i>(Apononea baghatensis\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>Syed\u00a0is the name that I propose for this plant as till date none of the members have suggested an appropriate ID for the plant. Would request members to suggest a correction if needed.)
\nPhoto of new seedlings from seeds that had fallen in the planter in April\u00a0 is attached . The plant is a biennial. These seedlings will grow into new plants and these will flower in March-April next year and then die.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nUpdate:
\nPhoto of germinating seed taken today 18th July 2023. Radicle comes out\u00a0 from the pointed end of the nutlet away from the areola.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nPhoto of new plants of\u00a0Apononea baghatensis<\/i><\/b>\u00a0Syed growing from seeds self sown\u00a0 in the planter in which I had transferred the plant I found growing in a field in Rawathpora Baghat in 2021. I have named the genus\u00a0Apononea\u00a0<\/i>because it closely resembles the genus\u00a0Nonea\u00a0<\/i>in seed morphology and habit but differs in having the calyx divided to the base while in the genus\u00a0Nonea\u00a0<\/i>it is never divided to the base. I have named the species\u00a0baghatensis<\/em>\u00a0<\/b>because it was found growing in a field in Baghat. Since then I have confirmed that it is a biennial. The seedlings in the photo will come into full bloom in March\/April next year and then die.
\nI found a single plant growing in the field and since then I have not come across another plant so it a rather uncommon weed. However luckily due to its tendency to self sow\u00a0 the plants still thrive in my planter.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nClose up photo (Mag X15) of nutlets of\u00a0Apononea baghatensis<\/i><\/b>. Syed. Photo taken on 19 June 2024. Nutlets are glabrous, horizontal, transversally oblong with lateral beak . Thick basal ring\u00a0 .Basal ring is not dentate (teeth are absent). Small squares of graph paper are 1 square millimeter.<\/p>\n

For comparison I used pictures of nutlets of different\u00a0Nonea<\/b>\u00a0species of Iran given in the publication:<\/div>\n
\u00a0Pakravan, M., Nejhad Falatoury, A. & Tavassoli, A. 2009 06 30:\u00a0Morphological and micromorphological studies of Nonea (Boraginaceae: tribe Boragineae) in Iran<\/b>. –\u00a0 Iran. J. Bot.\u00a015\u00a0<\/b>(1): 129-139. Tehran.<\/div>\n
The shape of nutlets resembles that of many\u00a0Nonea<\/b>\u00a0species whose photos are given in the above mentioned publication.
\n1 image.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

A correction
\nThe description should read\u00a0“horizontal transversally oval”<\/b>\u00a0rather than “horizontal transversally oblong”<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nUpdate on\u00a0Apononea baghatensis\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>Syed:
\nThe seedlings which had sprouted from self sown seeds thrived till May but as the temperature rose above 20-25 degrees Celsius the plants started to die and now all the leaves have withered though the stems are still somewhat green (see photo). I think this explains why there are no other wild plants of this species here. This is a plant of cold climate (could be alpine) and the plant I reported in DEC 2022 could have survived fortuitously because of the seed falling in a shady corner and a cooler summer. This is perhaps why it has never before been reported from Srinagar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stone seed (Lithospermum arvense(L.)) from Srinagar: 10 images. Am posting photos of a herb of the forget -me- not\u00a0 (borage)family which I think is\u00a0Lithospermum arvense(L.) Syn\u00a0Buglossoides arvensis (L)\u00a0 a.k.a\u00a0 stone seed,\u00a0field gromwel, corn gromwel . I request confirmation of I.D. The herb was growing in a field in Srinagar and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"ht-kb-category":[9728],"ht-kb-tag":[],"class_list":["post-1486602","ht_kb","type-ht_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","ht_kb_category-nonea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/1486602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ht_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1486602"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/1486602\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1486602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-category?post=1486602"},{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/efloraofindia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-tag?post=1486602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}