Eriocaulon karaavalense (Eriocaulaceae), a New Species from India Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

Eriocaulon karaavalense Darsh., R.K. Choudhary, Datar & G.R. Rao (Eriocaulaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the Western Ghats, India. It is closely similar to E. kanarense but differs from it by the number of peduncles, linear-lanceolate leaves, glandular female petals, non-beaked seeds, and ribbon-shaped seed appendages. Eriocaulon karaavalense is also similar to E. palghatense and E. odoratum but differs from the former by hemispherical white heads, unequal male petals, and remarkably longer peduncles; and from the latter by linear-lanceolate leaves, white heads and seed appendages in the form of split ribbon-like bands. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and trnL-F loci confirmed the status of E. karaavalense as a distinct species.