Thottea sasidharaiana Robi (Aristolochiaceae): A Rare and Little Known Endemic Plant from Ambayathode Forests of Kottiyoor Wild Life Sanctuary, Kannur, Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Abstract Thottea sasidharaiana Robi, a newly described rare and little known endemic plant belonging to the family Aristolochiaceae is reported only from the type locality of Malabar Wild Life Sanctuary, Kakkayam, Kozhikode, Kerala. Present collection from Ambayathode forest, Kottiyoor Wild Life Sanctuary (Western Ghats), Kannur district of Kerala state is another locality from where it is reported after type collection. This species is phenotypically close to the Indian species Thotteadinghoui, but it differs from Thotteadinghoui in having ovate and glossy leaves, larger bracts, uniseriate stamens, 6 anthers, short and pubescent filaments and fewer seeds per fruits. Present collection from Ambayathode forest, near Kottiyoor Wild Life Sanctuary of Western Ghats, Kannur district extended its distribution towards north Kerala. Keywords: Ambayathode, Kottiyoor, Thottea Cite this Article Rajilesh VK, Udayan PS, Prakashkumar R Thottea sasidharaiana Robi (Aristolochiaceae): A Rare and Little Known Endemic Plant from Ambayathode Forests of Kottiyoor Wild Life Sanctuary, Kannur, Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Research & Reviews: Journal of Botany. 2017; 6(3): 17–19p.