YASIN J. NASIR

Erect to decumbent herb 8-25 cm tall, branched from the base; branches spreading to ascending, covered with appressed to subappressed hairs. Basal and lower cauline leaves 10-20 x 3-5 mm, oblanceolate, both surfaces covered with thin subappressed hairs arising from a tuberculate base. Upper leaves similar but smaller. Flowers in secund racemes. Pedicels ± 2 mm in flower., deflexed and up to 7 mm in fruit, hairy pubescent. Calyx lobes c. 1.5 mm long, lanceolate, tips curved toward inside, in fruit strongly so and up to 34 mm in fruit. Corolla pale blue to blue; tube 1.5-2 mm long. Nutlets c. 2-2.5 mm long, greyish yellow or yellowish brown, minutely papillose. Style exserted above nutlets.

Fl. Per.: March-April.

Type: Afghanistan, near Pushut, Griffith s.n. (K, isotype W).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Pakistan eastward to Kashmir and Ladak.

Fairly common and widespread. Found from 300-2400 m.