[Botany • 2024] Pilea monroi (Urticaceae) • Genetic and Morphological Differentiation among Populations of the narrowly endemic and Karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla

 

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez 

& Pilea pteridophylla A. K. Monro,  

in Lagos-Báez, Licona-Vera, Gómez-Domínguez, Ornelas, Vásquez-Aguilar, Hurtado-Reveles et Ortiz-Rodriguez, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-024-00638-x  

 x.com/AndrsErnestoOr1

Abstract

In this study, the influence of geographic isolation on the levels of morphological and genetic differentiation among populations of the karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla (Urticaceae) was evaluated. Based on our results, there is a strong morphological differentiation among the only two know populations of Pilea pteridophylla. Both populations can be clearly differentiated based on vegetative and reproductive characters, and the observed variation is geographically structured. Moreover, our genetic data from the chloroplast genome show strong levels of population differentiation and no shared haplotypes were observed between populations. Also, our estimation of divergence times supports a long-term isolation hypothesis between populations. Based on our results, dispersal seed limitation, long-term forest isolation and topographic heterogeneity (local adaptation) are related to high levels of endemism and species turnover in the mountain karst forests of Mexico.

 

Keywords: Endemic, Neotropics, Mexico, Phylogeography, Speciation, Tropical rainforest

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez (Urticaceae).
 A Habit, plant with pistillate inflorescences. B Stem, a leafless portion with inflorescences. C Flower bud. D Staminate flower with four stamens and four tepals. E Infructescence. F Stem portion with pistillate inflorescences.

Drawn by Robin Pérez Lucas based on Lagos-Báez 57 (MEXU)

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez & Pilea pteridophylla A. K. Monro 
B Individual from the Chiapas population (Blue). C Individual from the Tabasco population (Red)

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. & Lagos-Báez sp. nov.  

Similar to Pilea pteridophylla in general fern-like appearance, but clearly differentiated by its dentate (vs. pectinate) leaves, and larger stem and leaf size. Furthermore, they are allopatrically distributed and under different environmental conditions.

Etymology: Pilea monroi named in honour of Dr Alex Monro, taxonomist, specialist in the genus Pilea (Urticaceae) and especially interested in the study of the plant diversity in the karstic forests of America and China.

Notes: Pilea monroi is the only species in Mexico with linear lanceolate, deeply dentate leaves, and like Pilea pteridophylla, its fern-like appearance makes it easily distinguishable from other species. However, the leaf margins of Pilea monroi are dentate and not pectinate as in Pilea pteridophylla.

...

  

Karina Lagos-Báez, Yuyini Licona-Vera, Héctor Gómez-Domínguez, Juan Francisco Ornelas, Antonio Acini Vásquez-Aguilar, Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles and Andrés Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez. 2024. Genetic and Morphological Differentiation among Populations of the narrowly endemic and Karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla (Urticaceae).  Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 24, 149–162. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-024-00638-x

   x.com/AndrsErnestoOr1/status/1764034789709951281

[Botany • 2024] Pouzolzia friisii (Urticaceae: Boehmerieae) • A New Species from north-east India

 

Pouzolzia friisii A.Gupta & V.Wagh, 

in Gupta, Ahmad et Wagh, 2024.

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04474 

 Researchgate.net/publication/383316926

 

Abstract

Based on a collection housed at LWG (Herbarium of CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India), collected by Singh et al. on 25 June 2017 from Nagaland state of India, Pouzolzia friisii A.Gupta & V.Wagh sp. nov. (Urticaceae) is described and illustrated. The species resembles Pouzolzia sanguinea var. fulgens, P. niveotomentossa and P. australis in its serrated leaf margins and the indumentum on the abaxial leaf surface however, P. friisii is quite distinct in its grayish or pale yellowish indumentum, 4-merous sessile male flowers and densely pubescent fruiting perianths without wings and ribs. A detailed description, illustration, distribution map, and information on ecology, as well as phenology are presented.

Keywords: Nagaland, Pouzolzia sanguinea var. fulgens,  glabrous, serrulate, tomentose

Pouzolzia friisii sp. nov. (A) Branch with flower clusters (Inflorescences), (B) female flower, (C) male flower, (D) flower cluster, (E) abaxial surface of leaf, (F) adaxial surface of leaf.

 Pouzolzia friisii sp. nov. (A) Abaxial surface of leaf, (B) adaxial surface of leaf, (C) bract, (D) flower clusters (inflorescences), (E) fruiting perianth, (F) stipule, (G) male flowers, (H) achene, (I) female flower, (J) bracteole.

Holotype of Pouzolzia friisii A.Gupta & V.Wagh sp. nov. (LWG 107419).

 Pouzolzia friisii A.Gupta & V.Wagh sp. nov. 

Amit Gupta, Mairaj Ahmad and Vijay Vishnu Wagh. 2024. Pouzolzia friisii (Urticaceae, Boehmerieae), A New Species from north-east India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04474

  Researchgate.net/publication/383316926_Pouzolzia_friisii_a_new_species_from_north-east_India 

[Botany • 2021] Elatostema xingyiense (Urticaceae) • A New Species and A New Series of Elatostema from south-western China

Elatostema xingyiense L.D. Duan & D.H.Yin, 

in Yin, Huang, Lu et Duan, 2021.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.180.65813

Abstract

The new series Elatostema section Weddellia series Xingyiensia L.D. Duan & D.H. Yin (Urticaceae) is described. In addition, its new species Elatostema xingyiense L.D. Duan & D.H. Yin, endemic to Guizhou Province, is also described and illustrated with photographs. The new series is morphologically similar to series Melanocarpa W.T. Wang and series Sublinearia W.T. Wang. The new species is most similar to E. melanocarpum, E. sublineare, E. obscurinerve, E. langicuspe and E. youyangense in morphology, but can be visibly distinguished by a combination of characters, including leaf vein, male inflorescences, female inflorescences and persistent tepals.

Keywords: Elatostema xingyiense, series Xingyiensia, taxonomy

Elatostema xingyiense L.D. Duan & D.H.Yin
 A habit B male flower C male inflorescence in fresh specimen D male inflorescence E male inflorescence and secondary peduncle F female inflorescence in fresh specimen G female inflorescence H blades in fresh specimen I bract longitudinally 3-ribbed.

 Photos: Lin-Dong Duan and Dan–Hong Yin.

Elatostema xingyiense L.D. Duan & D.H. Yin, sp. nov.

Relationship: This new species is closely related and similar to Elatostema melanocarpum (Wang 2013), Elatostema sublineare (Wang 1980), Elatostema obscurinerve (Wang 1980), Elatostema langicuspe (Wang 2013) and Elatostema youyangense (Wang 1984). This new species is visibly distinguished by a combination of characters: leaf mid-vein impressed, leaf margin revolute (mid-vein flat, margin flat in the other five species); pistillate inflorescence peduncle dichotomously branched (not branched in the other five species) (Table 1).

 ...

 Dan-Hong Yin, Teng-Fei Huang, Zhen Lu and Lin-Dong Duan. 2021. A New Species and A New Series of Elatostema (Urticaceae) from south-western China. PhytoKeys. 180: 65-71.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.180.65813

[Botany • 2022] Elatostema kaweesakii, E. rubricaule, E. saxatile (Urticaceae) • Three New Species from Thailand

Elatostema kaweesakii Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, 

E. rubricaule Triyutth. & L.F.Fu,

E. saxatile Triyutth. & L.F.Fu,  

in Triyutthachai, Fu, Triboun, Wei & Pornpongrungrueng, 2022. 

  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.215.94591

Abstract

Three new species of Elatostema (Urticaceae) from Thailand, E. kaweesakii Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov., E. rubricaule Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov. and E. saxatile Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov., are newly described and illustrated. These new species can be distinguished by the presence of rhizome. Elatostema kaweesakii is similar to E. atroviride. Elatostema kaweesakii is a lithophyte growing in limestone crevices. It differs from E. atroviride by its large swollen rhizome, glabrous stem, glabrous receptacle, number of tepal in staminate flower, absence of tepal in pistillate flower, presence of staminodes in pistillate flower and smooth achene. Elatostema rubricaule and E. saxatile are found on sandstone habitats. They have distinct flattened and disk-like rhizome. Elatostema rubricaule is distinguished by its distinct sulcate and reddish stem with flattened and disc-like rhizome and chartaceous leaves with entire margin. Elatostema saxatile resembles E. bulbiferum but differs by its flattened and disc-like rhizome, acute leaf apex, glabrous receptacle in pistillate inflorescences, presence of staminodes in pistillate flower, and its sandstone habitat. Descriptions, distribution, ecological and phenological data are provided.

Keywords: Flora of Thailand, limestone, nettle family, rhizomatous plant, Rosales, sandstone, taxonomy

Elatostema kaweesakii Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.
A habit B staminate inflorescence C staminate flower D pistillate inflorescence E pistillate flower F bracteole G achene

(Drawn by N. Triyutthachai).  

Elatostema kaweesakii Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.
A habit and habitat B pistillate inflorescence C staminate inflorescences (Photos A, C by K. Keeratikiat, B by Triyutth).

  Elatostema kaweesakii Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Elatostema kaweesakii is similar to E. atroviride W.T. Wang but differed by its large swollen rhizome, staminate inflorescences with 2–7 cm long peduncle, receptacle rectangular, glabrous, staminate flower with 5 ovate tepals, pistillate inflorescences with 5–10 mm long peduncle, receptacle rectangular, glabrous, pistillate flower without tepals, staminode present and achene smooth (Table 1).

Etymology: This species is named in honor of Mr Kaweesak Keeratikiat, who first discovered the plants.

Elatostema rubricaule Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.
A habit and habitat B pistillate inflorescences C staminate inflorescence (Photos by Triyutth).

 Elatostema rubricaule Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Elatostema rubricaule differs from other Thai Elatostema by its distinct sulcate and reddish stem with flattened and disk-like rhizome and chartaceous leaves with entire margin. It grows on seasonally moist sandstone rock (Table 1).

Etymology: Latin ruber, red, and caulus, stem, alluding to stem color of the new species.

Elatostema saxatile Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.
A habit and habitat B stem and rhizome C pistillate inflorescences D staminate inflorescence

(Photos by Triyutth).

Elatostema saxatile Triyutth. & L.F.Fu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Elatostema saxatile is similar to E. bulbiferum Kurz, but differs by its flattened and disk-like rhizome, receptacle of pistillate inflorescences glabrous, staminode in pistillate flower 5, acute leaf apex and its sandstone habitat (Table 1).

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the habitat of this plant that dwelling on the rock. 

Natthawut Triyutthachai, Long-Fei Fu, Pramote Triboun, Yi-Gang Wei and Pimwadee Pornpongrungrueng. 2022. Three New Species of Elatostema (Urticaceae) from Thailand. PhytoKeys. 215: 37-50. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.215.94591

[Botany • 2022] Pilea danxiaensis (Urticaceae) • A New Species in the Danxia Landform from Guangdong, China including A Description of the Entire Chloroplast Genome

 Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei, 

in Fu, Xiong, Monro, ... et Liao, 2022.

DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.204.86857

 

Abstract

Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei, a new species of Urticaceae from Danxia landform, Guangdong, China, is described and photographed. Phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA regions (ITS, trnL-F and rbcL) suggest that the new species belongs to P. sect. Pilea. Within the section, the new species is morphologically most similar to P. sinocrassifolia and P. peploides. Plastid genome and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences of the new species are assembled and annotated. The plastid genome is 151,857 bp in length and comprises two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,307 bp separated by a large single-copy of 82,836 bp and a small single-copy of 18,407 bp. A total of 113 functional genes are recovered, comprising 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. A global conservation assessment suggests that P. danxiaensis should be classified as of Least Concern (LC).

Keywords: Danxia landscape, new taxon, plastome, taxonomy

 Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei, sp. nov.
A habitat B habit C leaves and inflorescence D stipules E staminate inflorescence F pistillate inflorescence G staminate flower H pistillate flower I achene with pistillate sepals J LM of achene K SEM of achene.

 Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Most similar to Pilea sinocrassifolia C.J.Chen from which it can be distinguished by the longer stipule (1.3–1.5 mm versus 1 mm), petiole (2–8 mm versus 0.2–0.6 mm) and staminate peduncle (8–25 mm versus 1.5–7 mm).

Distribution and habitat: Pilea danxiaensis L.F.Fu, A.K.Monro & Y.G.Wei is known from a single locality in Renhua County, Shaoguan City, Guangdong, China, where it grows in a ravine on the Danxia landform, a petrographic geomorphology formed from Cretaceous sandstones and conglomerates.

 

Etymology: The species epithet is named after the Danxia landform with which the species is associated.

Vernacular name: dān xiá lěng shuǐ huā (Chinese pronunciation); 丹霞冷水花 (Chinese name).

Long-Fei Fu, Chi Xiong, Alexandre K. Monro, Qiang Fan, Zai-Xiong Chen, Fang Wen, Zi-Bing Xin, Yi-Gang Wei and Wen-Bo Liao. 2022. Pilea danxiaensis (Urticaceae), A New Species in the Danxia Landform from Guangdong, China including A Description of the Entire Chloroplast Genome. PhytoKeys. 204: 109-119. DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.204.86857

[Botany • 2021] Elatostema qinzhouense (Urticaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Karst in Guangxi, China

Elatostema qinzhouense L.F. Fu, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei

in Fu, Monro, Yang, ... et Wei, 2021. 

钦州楼梯草  ||  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11148

Abstract 

Elatostema qinzhouense L.F. Fu, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei, a new species from Guangxi, China is described and illustrated. Morphologically, E. qinzhouense is most similar to E. hezhouense from which it differs by having smaller size of leaf laminae, fewer and smaller staminate peduncle bracts, longer pistillate peduncle bracts and a larger achene. This result is supported by the molecular evidence. The phylogenetic position of the new species within Elatostema is evaluated using three DNA regions, ITS, trnH-psbA and psbM-trnD, for 107 taxa of Elatostema s.l. (including E. qinzhouense). Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses each recovered the same strongly supported tree topologies, indicating that E. qinzhouense is a member of the core Elatostema clade and sister to E. hezhouense. Along with the phylogenetic studies, plastid genome and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences of the new species are assembled and annotated. The plastid genome is 150,398 bp in length and comprises two inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,688 bp separated by a large single-copy of 83,919 bp and a small single-copy of 17,103 bp. A total of 113 functional genes are recovered, comprising 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The rDNA is 5,804 bp in length and comprised the 18S ribosomal RNA partial sequence (1,809 bp), internal transcribed spacer 1 (213 bp), 5.8S ribosomal RNA (164 bp), internal transcribed spacer 2 (248 bp) and 26S ribosomal RNA partial sequence (3,370 bp). In addition, the chromosome number of E. qinzhouense is observed to be 2n = 26, suggesting that the species is diploid. Given a consistent relationship between ploidy level and reproductive system in Elatostema, the new species is also considered to be sexually reproducing. Our assessment of the extinction threat for E. qinzhouense is that it is Endangered (EN) according to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Illustration of Elatostema qinzhouense L.F. Fu, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei.
 (A) Habit; (B) staminate and pistillate inflorescences at subsequent nodes of monoecious stem; (C) stipule and furfuraceous stem; (D) leaves; (E) staminate inflorescence viewed from below showing involucre bracts; (F) staminate flower; (G) pistillate inflorescence viewed from below showing involucre bracts; (H) achene.

Illustration by Juliet Beentje.

Plate of Elatostema qinzhouense L.F. Fu, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei.
 (A) Habitat; (B) habit; (C) leave base and stipule; (D) staminate inflorescence; (E) staminate flower; (F) pistillate inflorescence.

 Photos by Long-Fei Fu & Bo Pan.

Elatostema qinzhouense L.F. Fu, A.K. Monro & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Most similar to Elatostema hezhouense from which it differs by the smaller size of leaf laminae (10–45 × 6–15 mm vs. 55–115 × 20–25 mm), fewer and smaller staminate peduncle bracts (1, 1 mm vs. 2, 3.5 mm), longer pistillate peduncle bract (0.900 mm vs. 0.375 mm) and a larger achene (0.86–0.94 × 0.27–0.30 mm vs. 0.6 × 0.25 mm) (see Table 4).

Distribution and habitat. Elatostema qinzhouense is known from a single locality in Lingshan County, Qinzhou City, Guangxi, China. E. qinzhouense is likely calcicolous and grows under evergreen broad-leaved forest on limestone hills. Flowering from December to March, fruiting from March to April.

Etymology. Elatostema qinzhouense is named after the type locality, Qinzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Vernacular name. 钦州楼梯草 (Chinese name).

 

Longfei Fu, Alexandre K. Monro, Tiange Yang, Fang Wen, Bo Pan, Zibing Xin, Zhixiang Zhang​ and Yigang Wei. 2021. Elatostema qinzhouense (Urticaceae), A New Species from Limestone Karst in Guangxi, China. PeerJ. 9:e11148 . DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11148

[Botany • 2019] Checklist to the Elatostema (Urticaceae) of Vietnam including 19 New Records, Ten New Combinations, Two New Names and Four New Synonyms

representative Elatostema species in Vietnam:
 (A) E. crassiusculum; (C) E. hookerianum; (G), E. obtusum; (H) E. ramosum; (J) E. fengshanense; (K) E. austrosinense.

in Fu, Monro, Do, et al., 2019. 

 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6188 

Abstract 

Elatostema (Urticaceae) comprises several hundred herbaceous species distributed in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania. The greatest species richness occurs on limestone karst in Southeast Asia. Taxonomic revisions of Elatostema are largely out of date and contradict each other with respect to the delimitation of Elatostema and Pellionia. Most herbaria in SE Asia and worldwide contain significant amounts of unidentified material. As part of a broader revision of Elatostema in SE Asia, we present an updated checklist for Vietnam based on field visits, a review of specimens in herbaria worldwide, a review of type material and nomenclature. We recognize 77 taxa (75 species and two infraspecific taxa) of Elatostema in Vietnam, 23 of which were previously ascribed to Pellionia. Nineteen of these are new records for the country, i.e., E. attenuatoides, E. austrosinense, E. backeri, E. brunneinerve, E. crassiusculum, E. crenatum, E. fengshanense, E. glochidioides, E. malacotrichum, E. nanchuanense, E. oblongifolium, E. obtusum, E. oppositum, E. pergameneum, E. prunifolium, E. pseudolongipes, E. pycnodontum, E. salvinioides and E. xichouense. We place E. baviensis in synonymy of E. platyphyllum, E. colaniae in synonymy of E. myrtillus, P. macroceras in synonymy of E. hookerianum, and P. tetramera in synonymy of E. dissectum for the first time. Fourteen taxa (18% of all the recognized taxa) are endemic to Vietnam, which makes Elatostema one of the richest genera for endemic species in this country; this level of endemism is comparable to levels observed in Orchidaceae. Our checklist suggests that the highest diversity and endemism of Elatostema occurs in northern Vietnam, and that there is the greatest floristic similarity of northern Vietnam to SW China. The relationship among floristic regions is also investigated. We could find no records of Elatostema for 33 out of 63 provincial units of Vietnam, including all the southernmost provinces. We propose that further studies on the diversity of Elatostema in central and southern Vietnam are severely needed.

Figure 3: Plate I of representative Elatostema species in Vietnam:
(A) E. crassiusculum; (B) E. glochidioides; (C) E. hookerianum; (D) E. prunifolium; (E), E. arcuatobracteatum; (F), E. retrohirtum; (G), E. obtusum; (H) E. ramosum; (I) E. integrifolium; (J) E. fengshanense; (K) E. austrosinense; (L) E. malacotrichum.

Conclusions: 

This study combines taxonomic and field expertise from China, Russia, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. It has strongly benefited from the availability of type images online which has accelerated the process of identification and the evaluation of taxon names. Ongoing research to document the floras of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam provides a huge opportunity for the taxonomy of Elatostema. Once combined with the completed Flora of China and Flora Malesiana accounts our updated checklist for Vietnam will fill a significant knowledge gap for this species-rich genus and lay the foundations for a global checklist. This fourth checklist for Vietnam not only doubles estimates of the diversity of the genus, it also identifies major knowledge gaps for the country, i.e., central Vietnam and, most notably, southern Vietnam. We propose that greater sampling effort of the flora of central Vietnam and southern Vietnam will result in a number of new additions to the flora of the country.

Long-Fei Fu, Alex Monro, Truong Van Do, Maxim S. Nuraliev, Leonid V. Averyanov, Fang Wen, Zi-Bing Xin, Tatiana V. Maisak, Andrey N. Kuznetsov, Svetlana P. Kuznetsova, Khang Sinh Nguyen and Yi-Gang Wei​. 2019. Checklist to the Elatostema (Urticaceae) of Vietnam including 19 New Records, Ten New Combinations, Two New Names and Four New Synonyms.  PeerJ. 7:e6188. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6188

[Botany • 2017] Pilea victoriae • A New Striking Species from the Mural Flora (Urticaceae) of Western Ghats, India

Pilea victoriae  V. Suresh & Sojan

DOI:  10.21474/IJAR01/5224

A new species of Pilea Lindley. from Palakkad gap region of Western Ghats of Kerala is described and illustrated as Pilea victoriae sp. nov. IUCN status, distribution, phenology, phenetic relationships, plastid genome variation and its affinities are discussed.

Keywords: New species, Pilea, Palakkad, Urticaceae, Western Ghats.

Taxonomy

Pilea victoriae V. Suresh & Sojan sp.nov. 

  Diagnosis: Pilea victoriae V. Suresh & Sojan sp. nov. closely resembling P. microphylla but differs and easily distinguished by its erect stem with basal branching, 2–2.5 mm long ovate stipule, orbicular leaf blade of equal or sub-equal size at each node and pistillate inflorescence bearing 3–22 flowers. (Table 1). 

Etymology: The species is named after Government ‘Victoria’ College, Palakkad, Kerala, India in recognition of its more than 125 years of service to the education sector of the state. 

Distribution, ecology & Biotic association: So far P. victoriae sp. nov. is collected from three different localities of two districts viz. Victoria College Campus, Malampuzha and Nemmara regions of Palakkad district and Perinthalmanna region of Malappuram district, Kerala. Good populations were observed in these areas in an altitudinal gradient 100–200 m. But each population is restricted to a particular area of the collection localities.

Sojan Jose, Suresh V., Hareesh V.S., Robi A.J., Resmy P.S., Dinesh Raj R., Asha V.V., Prakashkumar R. and Madhusoodanan P.V. 2017. Pilea victoriae (Urticaceae), A New Striking Species from the Mural Flora of Western Ghats, India.  International Journal of Advanced Research 5(8); 1636–1641. DOI:  10.21474/IJAR01/5224

ResearchGate.net/publication/319677614_Pilea_victoriae_Urticaceae_a_new_striking_species_from_the_mural_flora_of_Western_Ghats_India

 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilea_victoriae

The name says it all - Pilea victoriae thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/the-name-says-it-all-pilea-victoriae/article19654456.ece