On the Occurrence of Two Species of <i>Hypochoeris</i> Linn. in Nilgiris, South India

Abstract

A chromosomal count of Hypochoeris plants collected at Ootacamund indicated the identity of those plants as H. radicata L., thus pointing to its presence in the Nilgiris, in addition to H. glabra L. reported in earlier works. This is confirmed by a detailed morphological study of living plants and herbarium specimens. A gradation in morphological characters between the two species leading to a possibility of interspecific hybridization is suggested. This may also account for the earlier misidentification of H. radicata with H. glabra. A table showing distinctive characters of the two species is provided.