小微孔草 xiao wei kong cao

Eritrichium younghusbandii (Duthie) Brand; Microula bothriospermoides W. T. Wang.

Stems erect to gradually ascending, frequently branched from base, 1.5-5 cm tall, densely hispid. Basal and lower stem leaves ± sessile, narrowly oblong to oblong-oblanceolate, 0.7-1.9 cm × 2-4 mm, short strigose, base attenuate, apex acute. Inflorescences bracteate on stems and branches; bracts narrowly oblong, 3-9 mm, densely strigose. Pedicel 1-4 mm. Flowers opposite leaves, or forming short and crowded or narrow and long spikelike branches. Calyx 1.5-1.7 mm, parted nearly to base; lobes triangular-lanceolate, densely hispid outside. Corolla blue-purple or white, glabrous; tube 1.2-1.3 mm; appendages low trapeziform, 0.2-0.4 mm; limb 2-2.5 mm wide; lobes suborbicular. Nutlets triangular-ovoid to broadly ovoid, 1.2-2 × 1-1.5 mm, finely tuberculate, glabrous; aperture elliptic to oblong, 0.5-0.8 mm, at middle; attachment scar at or below middle of adaxial surface. Fl. Jun-Sep.

* Alpine meadows, ravines, thickets; 3000-4200 m. Qinghai (Nangqên Xian), W Sichuan, S Xizang, NW Yunnan (Zhongdian Xian).