NOTES RELATING TO THE FLORA OF BHUTAN: XLIII. SCROPHULARIACEAE (PEDICULARIS)

Abstract

Problems of infrageneric classification in Pedicularis L. (Scrophulariaceae), and the phytogeography of the genus in the Flora of Bhutan area, are discussed. Six new species and one new variety of Pedicularis L. are described. Pedicularis garckeana Prain ex Maxim. is separated from P. ser. Robustae Prain as the new, monospecific series Garckeanae R. R. Mill (Sikkim and adjacent Xizang). Six of these new taxa are endemic to Bhutan (P. dhurensis R. R. Mill sp. nov., P. longipedicellata P. C. Tsoong var. lanocalyx R. R. Mill var. nov., P. melalimne R. R. Mill sp. nov., P. microloba R. R. Mill sp. nov., P. sanguilimbata R. R. Mill sp. nov. and P. woodii R. R. Mill sp. nov.) and one (P. yarilaica R. R. Mill sp. nov.) occurs in N Bhutan and S Xizang. The type material of Phtheirospermum auratum Bonati (=Pedicularis aurata (Bonati) H. L. Li) is shown to be a mixed gathering; the name is lectotypified and an emended description of P. aurata given. Several other names are lectotypified. Three sectional names originally proposed by Yamazaki (each ‘based’ on invalid ‘names’ of groups earlier recognized as subgreges by Tsoong) are validated as P. sect. Asthenocaulus [P. C. Tsoong ex] R. R. Mill, P. sect. Nothosigmantha T. Yamaz. ex R. R. Mill, and P. sect. Rhizophyllastrum T. Yamaz. ex R. R. Mill, while a fourth invalid section (‘P. sect. Brachystachys (P. C. Tsoong) T. Yamaz.’) is here recognized and described as P. sect. Brevispica R. R. Mill, sect. nov. Pedicularis sect. Cryptorhynchus T. Yamaz. and P. sect. Elephanticeps T. Yamaz. are provided with emended descriptions. The nomenclature of P. pennelliana P. C. Tsoong and related taxa of the P. gracilis Wall. ex Benth. complex is discussed.