Herpetospermum operculatum (Schizopeponeae, Cucurbitaceae), a new species from India, Myanmar and China

A new species of Herpetospermum (Schizopeponeae, Cucurbitaceae) is described from north-eastern India,northern Myanmar and southwest China (Xizang and Yunnan). Herpetospermum operculatum was previously confused with Herpetospermum (= Biswarea) tonglense, but differs primarily in having smooth yellow-striped fruit with operculum at stylar end,ascendent seed arrangement in fruit and prominent probracts and bracts.At least a part of the collections of Herpetospermum tonglense in Myanmar and China represent misidentification of this species.

Published on 3 April 2014