The Genus Striga Lour. in Western India

Abstract

The nomenclature of the Strigae is unsatisfactory. The name Striga asiatica has been a source of confusion as the original description is ambiguous and the Linnaean plant material is a mixture of several species. This name comes under purview of Art. 69 of the Code and has, therefore, been rejected.

A study of the type material and of the original description of Buchnera euphrasioides Vahl indicate that it is quite distinct from Striga euphrasioides Benth. According to Art. 55 of the Code the name Striga euphrasioides (Vahl) Benth. has to be restricted to Vahl's plant. The plant commonly called Striga euphrasioides Benth. has been renamed as Striga angustifolia (Don) comb. nov.

The third part of the paper gives a dichotomous key, the nomenclature of and distributional notes to the 5 species of Striga occurring in the wet, western part of peninsular India.