Strobilanthes mullayanagiriensis and S. bislei (Acanthaceae) - two new species from the Western Ghats, India

Strobilanthes mullayanagiriensis and S. bislei are plietesial species described for the flora of Western Ghats of India from Karnataka state. Pollen morphology is used as a key character for establishing these two species. Distribution and notes on its allied species are provided along with photographis for facilitating its identification. The former species readily distinguished from its allied species S. consanguinea by coriaceous and scabrous leaves with broadly ovate lamina, crenate margin and cuspidate apex, uninterrupted viscous spikes, longer bract: calyx ratio, much shorter corolla and pollen grains with ribs meet at the poles into two groups and one rib completely encircling the pollen. The latter species definitely distinguished from the allied species by uninterrupted viscous inflorescence with sericeous indumentum, calyx exceeds the bract, anthers are held parallel to the filament and ellipsoid pollen grains with slightly twisted ribs.