Extended distribution of Litsea keralana Kosterm. (Lauraceae) – an endemic and threatened species of the Western Ghats
Résumé
Litsea keralana Kosterm. (Lauraceae), an endemic and threatened species is
newly reported from Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR),
Karnataka state. Hitherto, this species is known from Kerala and Tamil Nadu of
the southern Western Ghats. The present study confirms the range extension
of the species to further north towards Karnataka in the easternmost tip of the
Western Ghats, as there were no reports on the occurrence of this species from
this state. A detailed description of the species, field photographs, scanned herbarium
specimen, and a distribution map are provided. The occurrence of just
one individual in close proximity to the coffee estate in BRTTR deserves total
protection.