Silene gracilicaulis C. L. Tang var. longipedicellata C. L. Tang; S. gracilicaulis var. rubescens (Franchet) C. L. Tang; S. sericata C. L. Tang; S. tenuis Willdenow f. rubescens Franchet; S. tenuis Willdenow var. denudata Y. W. Tsui & L. H. Zhou; S. tenuis Willdenow var. rubescens (Franchet) Diels.

Herbs perennial, (15--)20--50 cm. Roots robust, slightly lignified. Stems sparsely, rarely densely, caespitose, erect or ascending, simple, rarely 1- or 2-branched below, glabrous, rarely shortly pubescent. Basal leaves numerous, linear-oblanceolate, 6--18 cm × 2--5 mm, both surfaces glabrous, ciliate basally, base attenuate into petiole, apex acuminate at apex; cauline leaves linear-lanceolate, smaller than basal leaves, ciliate, base half clasping. Flowers in a racemiform thyrse; cymules opposite, 1-flowered (rarely more); peduncles very short. Pedicel nearly as long as calyx, glabrous; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 4--12 mm, ciliate, base connate, apex acuminate. Calyx narrowly campanulate, 8--15(--18) × 4 mm, glabrous, longitudinal veins violet, connate at apex; calyx teeth triangular-ovate, margin membranous, white, shortly ciliate, apex obtuse. Androgynophore ca. 2 mm, shortly hairy. Petal claws oblanceolate, glabrous, auricles triangular; limbs exserted beyond calyx, white, violet or pink below, bifid to middle or below, lobes narrowly rounded; coronal scales orbicular, small. Stamens and styles exserted; filaments glabrous. Styles 3. Capsule globose-ovoid, 6--8 mm. Seeds orbicular-reniform, ca. 1 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug, fr. Aug--Sep.

Silene gracilicaulis var. rubescens, from Yunnan, is distinct from the typical variety in having larger flowers with pink petals. Considering the subtle differences between other species recognized in this group, it may well deserve specific status.

Silene sericata was distinguished on its ciliate calyx teeth, which in fact is a common character for all taxa in this group (as well as most of the genus Silene).

Silene pterosperma Maximowicz (Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 11: 67. 1889) was placed in this group in FRPS, but we believe it more likely that this taxon is related to S. salicifolia (see note under that species) or S. hupehensis .

* Gravelly grasslands, mountains; 3000--4000 m. Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.