Emilia reddyi

Emilia reddyi is a herbaceous plant species belonging to the family of Asteraceae found from Eastern Ghats, India.

E. reddyi is named in honor of NRSC scientist Dr. C. Sudhakar Reddy for his significant contribution to the field of plant taxonomy and biodiversity conservation in the country.

Description
Robust, annual herb, grows up to 85 cm height. Stem erect, woody at the base, terete, 0.5–3 mm diameter, branched, densely pilose when young, sparsely pilose when mature, round, green gradually turning to deep purple, internodes up to 8 cm long. Leaves strictly cauline, alternate, simple, sessile, 1-5.5 cm x 0.5–2 cm, variable in shape and size, the basal leaves spatulate, lyrate, middle leaves linear oblong, apex subobtuse, upper leaves sagittate, apex acute, margins undulate, dentate, recurved, pigmented with deep purple color; glossy on adaxial side, leaf base auriculate, lobed, upper leaves somewhat clasping at the base, sparsely pilose on both sides with wavy hairs of unequal height. Peduncle up to 23 cm long, solitary or branched, with 1-4 homogamous heads. Capitulum base urceolate to globose, somewhat thickened, glossy. Involucre about three-quarters the corolla length. Involucral bracts nine, lanceolate, 9–11 mm long, green, sometimes turning rosy brown, margins purple, sparsely pilose when young, glossy and glabrous when mature. Heads up to 1.4 cm length, with up to 75 florets per each head, florets much exserted. Receptacle somewhat pitted, width up to 4.5 mm. Pappus finely barbellate, white, 9 mm long. Corolla color violet plum, tubular, 5.5-7.5 mm long, 0.1 mm wide, lobes linear to broadly oblong, 1-1.5 mm x 0.5 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 7 mm long, exserted about 3e4 mm from corolla, somewhat transparent, 0.1 mm long, apical appendage linear, <0.1 mm long, apex acute; pollen grains round, surface spiny, yellow. Ovary 1.5mmlong, style 7.5mmlong, exserted from corolla up to 2mmand forming a crown-like structure, pale purple, stigma lobes 0.1 mm long, capitate, pigmented with dark pink to violet color. Achene 2.5e2.75 mm long, angled, 5-ribbed, not deeply ribbed, densely white hairy on ridges. Mature seeds black.

Conservation status
Critically Endangered (CR B1 a+ B2 a).

References

Category:Senecioneae
Category:Flora of India (region)