MS, July, 2026/04 Colocasia sp. for id

[M Sawmliana]

Location : Lurh tlang, Mizoram

Altitude : ca.1,800 m

Date : 29-7-2026

Habit : Herb

Habitat : Wild

Mizo : Bakhik / Vânbâl

With regards,

M.Sawmliana

[M Sawmliana]

Colocasia oresbia ? 

[Saroj Kasaju]

Are there two different species ??

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

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[Saroj Kasaju]

Images 1,2,3 and 6 look like Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.

Please check.

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: M Sawmliana <msawm...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 31, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: [efloraofindia:492269] Re: MS, July, 2026/04 Colocasia sp. for id
To: Saroj Kasaju <kasaj...@gmail.com>

I can't say. This Colocasia is growing in slightly higher elevation between 1,500 and 1,800 m altitude near Myanmar border. 

[J.M. Garg]

Forwarding again for Id assistance please.

Some earlier relevant feedback:

Colocasia oresbia ? - from Sawmliana ji

Are there two different species ?? Thank you. Saroj Kasaju

I can't say. This Colocasia is growing in slightly higher elevation between 1,500 and 1,800 m altitude near Myanmar border. - from Sawmliana ji

Images 1,2,3 and 6 look like Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Please check. Thank you. Saroj Kasaju

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: M Sawmliana <msawm...@gmail.com>

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With regards,
J.M.Garg, 
https://efloraofindia.com/

[Peter J MATTHEWS]

Very interesting photos!

It will take a little time for me to look at them properly.

Thanks, 

Peter

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From: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 18 August 2026 5:40 PM
To: efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Saroj Kasaju <kasaj...@gmail.com>; M Sawmliana <msawm...@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: [efloraofindia:492204] MS, July, 2026/04 Colocasia sp. for id

 

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot, Peter ji

[Peter J MATTHEWS]

Dear all,

I have edited the photo set and added comments at the end alongside a plate from a paper describing C. yunnanensis in northern Vietnam. The tentative ids here are all I can offer!

The higher elevation at India/Myanmar border is consistent with a cold tolerant species found at lower altitudes in northern Vietnam and southern China.

If these plants can be confirmed as part of a widespread C. yunnanensis population or species group, that would be a major advance in our understanding of Colocasia biogeography!

Best regards, Peter

PJ Matthews (21st August)

Photos 1-6 Colocasia cf. yunnanensis

Photos 5-6 Colocasia ?sp. nova (cf. yunnanensis)

Inflorescence of Colocasia ?sp. nova (cf. yunnanensis)

has long sterile appendage contra C. yunnanensis.

The photos show two different species; both may be

closely related to C.  yunnanensis based on: 

• leaf shape (round with shallow sinus)
• spathe aperture open for a large proportion of spathe
• spathe convoluted and conical at top
• petioles decorated with blotchy/uneven purple colour

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From: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2026 2:15 PM
To: Peter J MATTHEWS <p...@minpaku.ac.jp>
Cc: efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups.com>; Saroj Kasaju <kasaj...@gmail.com>; M Sawmliana <msawm...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [efloraofindia:492204] MS, July, 2026/04 Colocasia sp. for id

 

[Peter J MATTHEWS]

Sorry - correction.

The altitudes of the new sites and in Vietnam/China are similar. 

The wording should have been:

The altitudes at India/Myanmar border is consistent with cold-tolerant C. yunnanensis found at similar altitudes in northern Vietnam and southern China.

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From: Peter J MATTHEWS <p...@minpaku.ac.jp>
Sent: Friday, 21 August 2026 10:13 AM
To: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot, Peter ji

With regards,
J.M.Garg, 
https://efloraofindia.com/

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot, Peter ji

With regards,
J.M.Garg, 
https://efloraofindia.com/

[Saroj Kasaju]

So it is actually Colocasia fallax Schott ??

https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77073364-1

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[Peter J MATTHEWS]

Saroj ji

That looks very weird to me! There may have been some old taxonomic confusion, but the currently recognised species are very far apart.

 In fact, Colocasia fallax was very recently put in its own genus as Cryptocasia fallax… Which I think is probably realistic, from what we see at DNA level.

Peter

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From: Saroj Kasaju <kasaj...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, 21 August 2026 17:54:02
To: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>
Cc: Peter J MATTHEWS <p...@minpaku.ac.jp>; efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups.com>; M Sawmliana <msawm...@gmail.com>

[Saroj Kasaju]

Actually, it is very difficult for non botanists like me to come to a conclusion easily. Databases 

say it differently. By the way, it is only because of the real botanists that we learn a lot and

still in the process of learning. I just came to know that it was in April 15, 2026 while googling 

and not yet updated in any database except in the IPNI.

Thank you Dr. Matthews.

Saroj Kasaju

[Peter J MATTHEWS]

Dear all,

After retiring in March last year, I could do some fieldwork with one last research grant...

From now on, most of what I learn will have to come from the discoveries of others.

So I am very happy to see all the photographs you send!

Thanks, Peter

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From: Saroj Kasaju <kasaj...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, 21 August 2026 6:28 PM

To: Peter J MATTHEWS <p...@minpaku.ac.jp>

Cc: J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com>; efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups.com>; M Sawmliana <msawm...@gmail.com>