Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Schreb. (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae), a New Distributional Record for Northeast India With Notes on Misidentified Allied Species

ABSTRACT Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Schreb. (Fabaceae) is reported as a newly confirmed distributional record for Northeast India based on specimens collected from Assam Don Bosco University, Tapesia Campus, Assam. Although the species has been reported from several parts of India, its occurrence in Northeast India has been represented by only a few literature records that could not be adequately verified through supporting herbarium material. Critical examination of relevant herbarium specimens further revealed misidentification of V. tetrasperma as V. sativa L. Comparative examination of V. tetrasperma and its morphologically allied species confirmed the identity of the present collection and provides a verified record of the species in Assam. A detailed morphological description, together with photographic illustrations, phenological and distributional data, an identification key, and a comparative taxonomic account, are provided to facilitate accurate identification and reduce misidentification with allied species. Voucher specimens have been deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Botany, Assam Don Bosco University and ASSAM.