小滇芎 xiao dian xiong

Trachydium kingdon-wardii H. Wolff, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 27: 124. 1929; Physospermopsis bhutanensis Farille & S. B. Malla; Pleurospermum kingdon-wardii (H. Wolff) M. Hiroe.

Plants 5–10 cm. Root long-conic, 2–8 cm. Stem shortened, sometimes to 10 cm, often acaulescent. Basal petioles 2–6 cm, sheaths ovate; blade ovate-oblong in outline, 2–4 × 1.5–2 cm, pinnate; pinnae 2–4 pairs, pinnatifid; ultimate segments lanceolate or oblanceolate, 4–7 × 1–2 mm, entire or 2–3-lobed. Umbels terminal, 3–10 cm across; peduncles (0–)2–4 cm; bracts 1–5, 2–3 cm; rays 5–12(–20), ribbed, 1–10(–13) cm, unequal, often spreading; bracteoles 2–5, lanceolate, nearly as long as flowers; umbellules 8–14 mm across, 10–25-flowered; pedicels unequal. Calyx teeth minute, triangular. Petals white, yellowish or blue-purple, ca. 1 × 0.8 mm. Fruit broadly ovoid; ribs prominent, often sinuate, immature fruit sometimes with sparse minute warts; vittae 2–3 in each furrow, 4–6 on commissure. Seed face slightly concave. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Aug–Nov.

Forests, grassy meadows, damp marshes; 2700–4800 m. SE Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim].

The distinction between this and other dwarf, high-altitude species in the Himalayan region is a continuing problem; see also Pleurospermum nanum and Trachydium.