Taxonomic Notes on the Trichosanthes cucumerina Group (Cucurbitaceae) from India

Kanakasabapathi Pradheep; Dipti R. Pani; Kailash C. Bhatt

Kanakasabapathi Pradheep National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Dipti R. Pani National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Kailash C. Bhatt National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

Keywords: Cucurbitaceae, India, IUCN Red List, Trichosanthes

Abstract

The study of the Trichosanthes cucumerina group from India based on field investigations, followed by herbarium and literature-based study, distinguishes four taxa, two of which are new combinations. Trichosanthes lobata Roxb. is synonymized to T. cucumerina L. subsp. cucumerina. Also associated with the autonymic subspecies, the cultivar ‘Anguina’ is newly recognized as T. cucumerina subsp. cucumerina ‘Anguina’ K. Pradheep, D. R. Pani & K. C. Bhatt [≡ T. anguina L.]. Trichosanthes brevibracteata Kundu var. sublobata Kundu is transferred as T. cucumerina subsp. sublobata (Kundu) K. Pradheep, D. R. Pani & K. C. Bhatt. Trichosanthes villosula Cogn. is transferred at reduced rank as T. cucumerina subsp. villosula (Cogn.) K. Pradheep, D. R. Pani & K. C. Bhatt [≡ T. villosula Cogn.], and T. perrottetiana Cogn. is synonymized to this subspecies.