On the taxonomic identity of Capillipedium mistryi A. P. Tiwari & Landge (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) and synonymisation of C. yashwantraoi Tarbej & Potdar as its new hete

The present study assesses the taxonomic identity of the two recently described Indian species of Capillipedium i.e. C. mistryi and C. yashwantraoi from the state of Madhya Pradesh, central India. Both of the species share important features, such as multi‐spiculated racemes, solid pedicel and rhachis internode (non‐translucent). As these features are unique in Capillipedium they are of peculiar interest. Having multi‐spiculated spiciform racemes, these taxa can be best compared with a similar, non‐Indian congener, C. spicigerum which is distributed from China to Australia. Based on comparative morphological study using their protologues and the type specimens, it is concluded that C. yashwantraoi is conspecific with C. mistryi . Therefore, the former is treated as a new heterotypic synonym under the latter following the principle of priority.