India. Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kallar forest area, along the streams of highland 8.7599°N, 77.1169°E, 1200 m a.s.l., 26 August 2019, Kumar V.S.A.., M.G. Govind & Arya.S, 1056 (holotype TBGT!, isotype MH! CALI!).

Impatiens achudanandanii is similar to I. courtallensis Ramasubbu, from which it differs by the color of the flowers (whitish-creamy with yellow spot at throat in I. achudanandaniivs. milky-white in I. courtallensis), the shape of the fruit, the shape, number and hairiness of the seeds (ovoid, 2–3 seeded fruit and seed glabrous in I. achudanandanii vs. fusiform, 3–5 seeded and with minute hairs in I. courtallensis), the shape of the dorsal petal (ovoid-circular in I. achudanandanii vs. orbicular, recurved in I. courtallensis), the shape of the lateral united petals (basal lobe ovate-obovate, distal lobe round in I. achudanandanii vs. basal lobe oblong, distal lobe spherical in I. courtallensis), the shape of lower sepal (saccate and tip pointed in I. achudanandanii vs. boat shaped and tip outwardly curved in I. courtallensis) and the size and color of the pollen grains (10 × 16 µm whitish-yellow in I. achudanandanii vs. 16 × 18 µm squarish, milky-white in I. courtallensis).

Annual, succulent, straggling, glabrous herb, 15–20 cm high; stems terete, unbranched with purple dots, nodes slightly swollen, internode elongated, 1–1.5 cm. Leaves opposite, decussate, 2–2.5 × 1–1.2 cm long, shortly petiolate, petiole 0.5 mm, coriaceous, linear, acuminate, entire, base truncate, slightly cordate, reflexed upwards, leaf margin distinctly serrate, leaf blade 1–2 mm, extra petiolar glands absent. Inflorescence 2–3 together, flowers simple, pedicellate, axillary, 2–3 mm across, whitish-creamy with yellow spot on the throat; pedicels 0.5–0.8 cm long. Sepals– lateral 2, linear-lanceolate aristate, 0.5–1 mm long, faintly nerved, white. Lower sepal boat shaped, tip of the lower sepal pointed, 1.0–1.2 × 0.5–0.8 mm, horizontal, spur minute, 0.2 mm, yellow. Petals-dorsal ovate, 1.5–1.8 × 0.5–0.8 mm, beaked, dorsally keeled, apiculate, lateral united petals stipitate, not clawed, 2 lobed, margin smooth 1–1.5 mm long, basal lobe small, ovate, distal lobe round, dorsal auricle not prominent, end sharp. Ovary ovoid, 0.5 mm long. Fruit: capsules small, ovoid, turgid, 3–5 × 2–3 mm, acute, red shaded, 2–6 seeded; seed hexagonal, smooth, compressed, 1–2 × 0.5–1 mm. Pollen grains 10 × 16 µm whitish-yellow.

Figure 1. 

Impatiens achudanandanii A habit B twig C flower D fruit E side view of flower. Photos by Govind.

Impatiens achudanandanii is named in honor of Mr. V.S. Achudanandan, former Chief Minister of the state of Kerala for his ardent efforts in conservation of the pristine environment of Western Ghats, especially Mathikettan shola.

Figure 2. 

Impatiens achudanandanii A habit B flower (front view) C flower (lateral view) D petals E dorsal petal F lateral petals G lower sepal H lateral sepal I stamen J pollen K gynoecium L fruit M seed. Illustrations by V.S. Anilkumar.

August to November.

Impatiens achudanandanii is distributed in the highlands above 1200 m. So far, the specimen has been observed only in the type locality. The populations are scattered and under the threat of grazing and other anthropogenic pressures. The plants are found to grow associated with seasonal ditches near the shade of huge rocks. Species of Eriocaulon, Utricularia reticulata and Drosera indica were found to grow in the nearby vicinity of this species

Impatiens achudanandanii is assessed as Critically Endangered (CE) according to the IUCN categories using the criterion d (IUCN 2019). There were only three to four populations (10–15 individuals per population) observed within 1 km. The habitat of the species was severely affected by stamping of wild elephants and land-slides.

Impatiens achudanandanii belongs to the section Uniflorae under the subgenus Impatiens. characterized by ellipsoidal shape of seed and capsules that are short and conspicuously turgid at middle. The new species resembles I. courtallensis, a species reported from Courtallam hills of Tamil Nadu and also I. herbicola, a common high altitude species. The shape of dorsal petal, minute size of flower and the presence of spur distinguished the newly described species from its allied taxa. Impatiens achudanandanii is distinct from its other allied taxon I. herbicola with respect to spur (present in I. achudanandanii vs. absent in I. herbicola), color of the flower (whitish-creamy with yellow spot at throat in I. achudanandanii vs. bluish or yellowish in I. herbicola), size of the flower (2–3 mm in I. achudanandanii vs. 5–9 mm in I. herbicola), shape of the fruit (ovoid 2–6 seed in I. achudanandanii vs. gibbously ovoid with many seeded in I. herbicola), shape of lateral united petals (basal lobe obovate-ovate in I. achudanandanii vs. oblong in I. herbicola), shape of dorsal petal (circular, faintly keeled in I. achudanandanii vs. orbicular and thickly keeled in I. herbicola) as well as size and color of the pollen (10 × 16 µm whitish-yellow in I. achudanandanii vs. 21 × 23 µm, yellow in I. herbicola).

Impatiens achudanandanii India. Thiruvananthapuram, Kallar. 22 August 2019, Arya & Kumar V.S.A. 1057 (MH!, TBGT!); 10 September 2019. M.G. Govind 957 (TBGT!). Impatiens herbicola India. Thiruvananthapuram, Kallar. 22 August 2019, Kumar V.S.A. & Arya 1037 (TBGT!); 4 September 2019, Arya & Kumar V.S.A. 1097 (TBGT!).

India. Kerala, Idukki, Munnar, along the streams of highland 10.0889°N, 77.0595°E, 800 m a.s.l., 16 October 2019, M.G. Govind & Kumar V.S.A.., 1078 (holotype TBGT!, isotype MH! CAL!).

Impatiens danii is similar to Impatiens goughii Wt. (1831:160) but different in terms of color of flower (white with yellow blotch on the throat in I. daniivs. purple with white blotch on the throat in I. goughii), nature of peduncle and pedicel (non– sticky, smooth 3–3.5 cm in I. daniivs. sticky, viscous 7–8 cm in I. goughii), bracts (absent in I. danii vs. present and minute in I. goughii), shape of spur (curved and equal or longer than flower in I. danii vs. straight and shorter than flower in I. goughii), shape of dorsal auricle (short, lanceolate and equals the length of wings in I. daniivs. long and filiform and half the length of wings in I. goughii), capsule (ovate in I. daniivs. ellipsoidal in I. goughii) and shape of seed (ellipsoidal with bands of hairs in I. daniivs. ovoid with short hairs in I. goughii).

Figure 3. 

Impatiens danii A habit B flower (lateral view) C flower (front view) D dorsal petal E lateral sepal F, G lateral united petals H stamen I gynoecium J fruit. Photos by Govind.

Annual, erect herb, 10–20 cm high; stem simple to moderately branched, glabrous, often slightly pubescent terete, with few scattered, brown, sessile or stipitate glands, particularly in the lower part of the stem. Lower and middle leaves opposite, petiolate to subsessile; petiole up to 1.5 cm long; lamina ovate to ovoid or elliptic-lanceolate, 3.5–8.5 × 1–1.5 cm, base rounded with auricled lobes, apex acuminate, margins crenate, dentate to serrate or serrulate (usually in upper leaves) with cuspidate teeth; surfaces glabrous; upper leaves alternate, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, smaller than lower leaves, apex acuminate, surfaces glabrous or sometimes with few glands, particularly on lower surface. Inflorescence peduncled, 8–12 flowered racemes arising from the axis of alternate leaves in the upper part of the stem; peduncle up to 5 cm long, glabrous, with small brown spots; bracteoles absent; pedicels slender, 1–1.5 × 0.6–0.9 cm, glabrous, with or without sparse brown spots. Flowers 1–1.2 × 0.6–0.8 cm, white; with yellow-purple blotch at throat. Lateral sepals 2, opposite, one on either side, ovate to lanceolate, 1.3–1.8 × 0.6–0.8 mm, base cordate, unequally parted, margins entire, apex acute, surfaces glabrous with conspicuous purple dots. Dorsal petal orbicular to oblong, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, apex slightly notched, margins entire or wavy, concave in the middle with spreading sides, slightly keeled on dorsal side, 0.5–0.8 cm long. Lateral petals 2 lobed, lobes unequal with second lobe long and ovate, each lateral petal equal ca. 1–1.2 × 1.0–1.2 cm, margins (outer and inner) entire or wavy. Lower sepal saccate, white with curved spur. Spur equals the length of the lateral petal. Stamens 2–2.5 mm; filaments 1–1.5 mm long, anthers 0.8–1.5 mm long, partly fused; pollen grains bilateral 12 × 14 µm milky white. Ovary oblong-elliptic, 2–3 mm long, glabrous; style 0.1–0.4 mm long. Capsules ovoid, 1–2.8 cm long, 0.2–0.5 mm broad, glabrous, green with purplish base and apex, 4–10 seeded; seeds green, oblong or sub ovoid, 2–3.6 × 1.5–2 mm, surface covered with hairs.

Figure 4. 

Impatiens danii A habit B flower C stamen D dorsal petal E basal lobe F lateral sepal G lateral united petals (distal lobe) H gynoecium I lower sepal with spur J fruit. Illustration by V.S. Anilkumar.

The specific epithet ‘danii’ is given in honor of Dr. Mathew Dan, Senior Scientist and Head, Plant Genetic Resource Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as a recognition of his immense contributions in the field of systematics and conservation of angiosperms in the Western Ghats.

August to November

Impatiens danii is found to grow along the mud cliffs. Other taxa like I. herbicola, I. munnarensis and Selaginella ciliaris have been observed to grow along with this species.

Impatiens danii is known from a single location only (for a total of 50 individuals), and the AOO (Area of Occupancy) is 2 km². On the basis of the IUCN Red List criteria (IUCN 2019) and the available data, we can apply the criteria B2 and C2ai and assess I. danii as Critically Endangered (CR).

Impatiens danii belongs to the section Uniflorae, characterized by capsules that are short-fusiform, conspicuously turgid at middle, ca. 1 cm long, inflorescence a raceme with 2(–5) flowers and seed ellipsoid. Further the color of flower, blotches on throat, seed surface and shape of spur are distinct characters that delineate I. danii from other reported species.

Impatiens danii India. Munnar, Idukki. 6 July 2020, M.G. Govind 987 (TBGT!). I. goughii India. Munnar, Idukki. 6 July 2020, M.G. Govind 988 (MH!).

India. Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Sangili, along the cliffs associated with streams of evergreen forest, 10.0889°N, 77.0595°E, 800 m a.s.l., 20 October 2020, Sindhu Arya & Kumar V.S.A.., 1088 (holotype TBGT!, isotype MH! CAL!).

Impatiens shailajae is similar to I. minae Ratheesh, Anil Kumar & Sivad. but differs with respect to the leaves (broadly ovate thin, rounded apex and green in I. shailajaevs. broadly ovate-orbicular, thick, fleshy, deep pink in I. minae), spur of the flower (straight and white in I. shailajae vs. slightly curved and pink in I. minae), lateral united petals (with white transparent papillae and small dorsal appendages in I. shailajae vs. red tipped white papillae and absence of dorsal appendages in I. minae) and seed (green with long bands of spiral hairs in I. shailajaevs. brown with short hairs in I. minae)

Figure 5. 

Impatiens shailajae A habit B flower (front view) C flower (lateral view) D lateral petal E dorsal petal F lateral sepal G lower sepal with spur H gynoecium I scape lower surface J scape upper surface K leaf trichomes L papillae on petals M seed. Photos by Arya Sindhu.

Scapigerous terrestrial herbs, 10–15 cm high; rootstock faintly tuberous, lithophytic herbs, densely pubescent. Tubers oblate, 4–6 × 2–3 mm. Leaves 2–4, radical, fleshy, 4.5–5.5 × 6.5–7.2 cm, ovate-orbicular or reniform, obtuse or rounded at apex, base cordate, margin crenate or serrate, thickly hairy, dark green above, with a tuft of uniseriate trichomes on upper surface and silky lanuginose hairs on lower surface, nerves pale green, primary veins usually 8, palmate; petioles up to 2.5 cm long, light pink. Scape racemose, straight, 3–4 flowered 8–10 cm long, glabrous. Flowers clustered at the apex, violet, each c. 1.5 cm across; pedicels 1.0–1.5 cm long; bracts thick, broadly ovate, obovoid, 4–5.5 × 2.5–3.2 mm, yellowish with dark purple spots. Lateral sepals 2, each 3.0–4.0 × 2.0–2.2 mm; lower sepals long-spurred, spur slender, 1.0–1.5 cm long, milky white, straight. Dorsal petal broadly orbicular to obovoid, saccate, 5–6 × 5–7 mm, adaxially keeled, glabrous with pubescent keeled part, dull white to yellow or pale purple; keel mucronate, mucro ca. 1 mm long, pale green; lateral united petals 3–lobed, violet, with a slightly curved band of dense white tipped clavate papillae just above base; basal lobes shorter than the distal lobes, ca. 0.5 cm long, broadly oblong, rounded; middle lobes oblong towards tip, 4 mm long, broadly obovate; distal lobes spherical, ca. 6 mm long. Stamens 5, connate, 1.5 × 1.6 mm; filaments white, anthers white. Pollen grains 15 × 19 µm, light pink. Ovary green, 1.7–1.8 × 1.0–1.3 mm, elliptic, broadly acute at apex, glabrous. Capsule glabrous, reddish green, broadly ellipsoid, apex acute, 1.3–1.8 cm long. Seeds 5–8, ca. 1 mm long, surface with tuft of hairs.

Figure 6. 

Impatiens shailajae A habit B flower C lateral sepal D dorsal petal E lateral petal F stamen G gynoecium. Illustration by V.S. Anilkumar.

Impatiens shailajae is eponymous to Mrs. K.K. Shailaja, former Health Minister of Kerala, honoring her efforts to tackle various epidemic and pandemic situations in the state of Kerala through scientific temper.

August to November.

The species grows in the unexplored core forest area along steep slippery cliffs, continuously wet by water flow. The species is found to grow along with I. verticillata and Fimbristylis spp. in the near vicinity.

The species was scattered in 3–4 population with 7–10 individuals per population. The population is well conserved without any disturbance as it was obtained from the interiors of protected forest. However, considering the lesser number of populations distributed across hardly 0.5 km, the species is assessed here as Critically Endangered (CE) by applying the criterion d (IUCN 2019).

Impatiens shailajae belongs to section Tuberosae, characterized by many-flowered racemose inflorescence; capsule clavate or linear, seed ellipsoid or ovoid and lateral sepals 4 with inner 2 fully developed (Yu et al. 2015). Impatiens shailajae also shares similarity with I. scapiflora but is distinct with respect to the color and shape of papillae on the standard petal, tuberous stolon and trichomes on the leaf. Further, the shape of dorsal petal and its keel is distinct in this new taxon which is easily visible at first glance. All these character combinations along with its undisturbed habitat (localized distribution) and micromorphology (prominent seed hair banding pattern and pollen morphology) further support the status of newly described species.

Impatiens shailajae India. Thiruvananthapuram Sangili, 15 October 2020, Arya & Kumar V.S.A. 2011 (MH!, TBGT!). I. scapiflora India. Idukki, 18 August 2019 Arya & Kumar V.S.A. 490 (TBGT!).

Figure 7. 

Distribution map of Impatiens achudanandanii, Impatiens danii and Impatiens shailajae.