M. QAISER & SAOOD OMER

Small annual, pubescent all over except at the corolla lobes, sub-prostrate to erect herb, upto 10 cm high. Stem single or branched, branches spreading. Leaves spathulate-ovate, 2.0-4.0 x 0.2-0.6 cm, margin entire, apex obtuse-mucronulate; stipulate, stipules free, linear-lanceolate, fimbriate at the margin, 1.0-3.0 x 0.5-1.0 mm, acute-acuminate. Flowers small, c. 5.0 mm across on 3.0-4.0 cm long pedicel; bracteoles 2, opposite, c. 4.0 mm long. Sepals 5, 2.0.4.0 x 0.5-1.0 mm, lanceolate, aristate, entire and membranous, with cuneate base. Petals 5, c. 5.0 x 2.0 mm, four equal in size, lateral lobe long; spur short, 1-2 mm long. Ovary glabrous, ovate, 1-2 mm long; style beaked, 1-1.5 mm long, glabrous. Capsule elliptic, c. 4.0-6.0 x 2.0 mm, acute, pubescent. Seeds obovoid, smooth, shiny.

Fl. Per.: Feb.-July.

Holotype: 5.5 miles from Mund, Mund-Turbat Road, 13.2.1969, Sultanul Abedin 960 (KUH).

Distribution: Pakistan (Makran), endemic.

Viola makranica Omer & Qaiser is closely related to Viola stocksii Boiss. in habit, leaf size, flower colour, size and shape of calyx, corolla and spur. However it can readily be distinguished from Viola stocksii Boiss. in having pubescence all over, including the capsule, except petals, ovary, and a beaked stigma, while in Viola stocksii Boiss. all the parts of the plant are totally glabrous and the stigma is capitate. The new species is also related to Viola cinerea Boiss. in being pubescent all over and having a short spur but the former taxon is annual, pubescence is not ashy white and the stigma is beaked, while the latter taxon is perennial, pubescence is ashy white and stigma is capitate.