A new species of Sonerila Roxb. (Melastomataceae) from India

During study of the materials of the genus Sonerila Roxb. (Melastomataceae) in the Central National Herbarium (CAL) of the Botanical Survey of India the authors came across some specimens collected from different parts of Southern India. These specimens after critical study come closer to S. wightiana Arn., a Ceylonese species, but can be easily distinguished by several characters. The distinguishing characters are keyed out below. The new taxon is described here with illustrations. The species is named after its collector, J. S. Gamble, who has made an eminent work on the flora of South India.