A. persicum Boiss, Fl. Or. 4: 916. 1879; A. wendelboi Aellen in Arb. Univ. Bergen. math.-nat. ser. 1962. 1: 13. 1962.

Much branched shrub, ± dense indumentum of greyish white scales. Stems 20-80 cm, branches spreading-flexuose. Leaves alternate, 15-30 x 8-28 mm, rhomboid, broad ovate to orbicular, entire, broadly cuneate to subcordate, acute or rounded, tip with or without a small mucro, indumentum dense greyish white on both surfaces. Petiole on lower leaves 2-10 mm. Inflorescence spiciform. Glomerules distant below, closer above, sessile or shortly pedunculate. Male flowers many, each with 5 perianth segments; female flowers few or solitary at base of glomerules. Fruit valves 7-10 x 10-12 mm, suborbicular or reniform, free or fused in lower half, vesicular scaly, 1-3 short tuberculate appendages may be present. Seed ± free within the valves, vertical, 1.5-2.0 mm long.

Fl. Per.: May-June.

Holotype: Afghanistan, Bamian valley, W. Griffith 1751 partly, one sheet only; vide Hook.f., Fl.Brit. Ind. 5: 8. 1886 (K).

Distribution: Persia, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Recorded for the first time from Pakistan.