Symphysodontella Fleischer is a genus of nine species known so far from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Borneo and the Philippines. Magill (1980) examined this genus carefully and defined it in detail by shifting the odd members to other genera such as Myurium and Pterobryopsis. The genus is characterised by long stem, creeping on bark, usually dendroid by pinnate or bipinnate branching or long drooping, sometimes with flagelliform branches; leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, with short, single or double costa, leaf cells elongate-smooth. The alar is usually not differentiated, however in some species it is coloured and with porose walls. The capsule is immersed or exserted, with small, cucullate, naked, calyptra. The spores are large and papillose.

Four taxa, viz., Symphysodontella borii Dixon, Symphysodontella pilifolia Dixon, Symphysodontella subulata Broth. and Symphysodontella tortifolia Dixon were reported from the North-eastern India (Gangulee 1972). Of these Symphysodontella borii Dixon was moved to Myurium as Myurium borii (Dixon) Magill, and Symphysodontella pilifolia Dixon to Pterobryopsis as Pterobryopsis pilifolia (Dixon) Magill. Another related taxon, Symphysodon involutus (Thwaites & Mitt.) Broth. was transferred to Symphysodontella as Symphysodontella involuta (Thwaites & Mitt.) M.Fleischer (Magill 1980). Thus in India three valid species, viz.,Symphysodontella subulata Broth., Symphysodontella tortifolia and Symphysodon involutus (Thwaites & Mitt.) Broth.,were known to occur. Among these, Symphysodontella involuta (Thwaites & Mitt.) M.Fleischer extends upto Southern India also (Manju et al. 2008, Daniels 2010).

During our recent exploration in the Shola forests (Southern montane wet temperate forests) of New Amarambalam Reserve Forest in the Malappuram District of Kerala, we collected an interesting species of Symphysodontella, which showed distinguishing characteristics from the other known species. We here describe this entity as a new species and provide a table of comparison with the other known species to India as well as a key.

Symphysodontella madhusoodananii is similar to Symphysodontella tortifolia in its long acuminate, complanate plicate leaves and some leaves being tortuose at tip. It differs from Symphysodontella tortifolia in its oblong-lanceolate leaves, two distinct, short costa in both main and secondary branch leaves and the leaves on main shoot and secondary branches being similar. In Symphysodontella tortifolia the costa in the secondary branch leaf is single, reaching a little more than half the length. The secondary branches are dendroid by bi-pinnate branching with branching in different planes in Symphysodontella tortifolia, and lacks flagelliform branches. However, in Symphysodontella madhusoodananii the primary branches are long drooping, secondary branches short and flagelliform branches are frequent.

Symphysodontella madhusoodananii also shows some similarity with Symphysodontella subulata Broth. in its two short costa and ovate-lanceolate leaves. However, in Symphysodontella madhusoodananii the cells are highly porose in its lateral wall and in the middle layer the pores are rounded. It is also having hanging secondary branches and copiously flagellate. The costa and cells at stem attachment is yellowish brown, alar cells not prominently differentiated but with deep brown, rectangular porose cells and the leaf insertion is U-shaped. Gangulee (1972) commented that the Indian population of Symphysodontella subulata Broth. scarcely shows any flagellate branch. However, such branches are reported from the Philippine populations, but with having single costa. The present species is characterised by the leaves being oblong-lanceolate, and with very short and double costa (Table 1). A key to the Indian species of Symphysodontella is also given for easy identification.

Conservation status. The species was found growing on the trees of shola forests (Southern montane wet temperate forests) of New Amarambalam of Kerala, and the adjoining areas of Mukuruty National Park of Tamil Nadu. Located in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the New Amarambalam Reserved Forests with an area of more than 260 km², is one of the most notable areas in the Western Ghats of Northern Kerala for its unique assemblage of floristic elements. The rare blending of many interesting floral elements makes this area as one among the most potential area to be considered for long term conservation. The unique geographic location and the rugged terrain with folds of hills and deep valleys, as a natural westward extension of the Nilgiri hills make this landscape dotted with all major vegetation types of Southern India in a short span itself. The proposed plan for designating the New Amarambalam forests of Kerala as a Wildlife Sanctuary has not been materialised yet. The area with its unique geographical location, which changes along a sharp altitudinal gradient and thus offering a good array of natural habitats, forming the rare blend of species assemblages, is no doubt, an ideal landscape to be conserved. This also ensures the long term protection of many species and their populations, in a unique landscape with the continuum of the Nilgiri hills to the Silent Valley and adjacent areas. At present the species is known only from a small area, and with the majority lies in the non-protected part. Its conservation status could be improved by bringing these areas of Kerala state under protection.

Specimens examined: INDIA. Kerala, Malappuram district, Nilambur, New Amarambalam forest (bordering the Mukurti National Park of Tamil Nadu), epiphytic on trees of shola forest, 1200 m alt., K.P. Rajesh 106933 (BM!, CAL!, CALI!, MBGS!, ZGC!); New Amarambalam Reserve Forest, 1200 m alt., K.P. Rajesh 111862 (CALI!, MBGS!, ZGC!); INDIA. Tamil Nadu, Pandiyar Estate (near Mukurthi National Park), 1300 m alt., on branches of trees of shola forest, K.P. Rajesh 111852 (CALI!, MBGS!, ZGC!), Mukurthi National Park, 1400 malt., on branches of trees of shola forest, K.P. Rajesh 109001 (CALI!, MBGS!, ZGC!).