高山棱子芹 gao shan leng zi qin

Physospermopsis handelii (H. Wolff) Pimenov & Kljuykov.

Plants 30–45 cm, slender, glabrous. Taproot stout. Stem branched, branches often opposite or cyclic. Basal petioles ca. 15 cm; sheaths narrow, 1–2 cm; blades triangular-lanceolate, 6–8 × ca. 2.5 cm, 3-pinnate; pinnae 5–6 pairs, broadly triangular, petiolules ca. 3 mm; ultimate segments shortly petiolulate or sessile, pinnatifid, colored-mucronate. Stem leaves gradually reduced upwards. Terminal umbel, peduncle 10–15 cm, often exceeding by the lateral umbels; bracts 5–10, obovate-lanceolate, 2–4.5 cm, leaf-like; rays slender, 6–12 cm, unequal; bracteoles rhomboid, about equaling the flowers, apex pinnate; pedicels 15–30, up to 10 mm, unequal. Calyx teeth minute. Petals white, rounded, ca. 1 mm. Anthers dark purple. Young fruit broad-ovoid, sparsely tuberculate; ribs narrowly sinuolate-winged (mature fruit not known). Fl. Aug, fr. Sep.

Alpine meadows; 2900–4100 m. NW Yunnan [NE Myanmar].

This incompletely known and problematic species is recorded only from a few collections (none bearing mature fruit). It is possibly better placed in Physospermopsis on account of the fibrous stem base, long slender rays, and green young fruit, but is here retained in Pleurospermum pending further research.