Ilex intricata Hooker (1875: 602)

Hong, De-Yuan, 2015, A taxonomical revision of Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) in the Pan-Himalaya and unraveling its distribution patterns, Phytotaxa 230 (2), pp. 151-171 : 161

11. Ilex intricata Hooker (1875: 602) . Type :—SIKKIM. Lachen, 3050–3350 m, May 29, 1849, J. D. Hooker s. n. (lectotype here designated: K); Lachen , 3350 m, May 29, 1849, Hooker s. n. (paratype: K [K000669510]) ; NEPAL. Yallung Mts , 3350 m, J. D. Hooker s. n. (paratype: K)

Ilex xizangensis Y.R. Li (1981: 353) , syn. nov. Type:— CHINA. Tibet, Mêdog , 3200 m, 31. Jul. 1974, Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 74–3852 (holotype: KUN; isotype: PE).

Ilex xizangensis was described based on only one collection. The protologue states that it differs from I. intricata in being erect shrubs, having leaves narrow-elliptic, 2–3 cm long, 0.7–1 cm wide, and pedicel 5 mm long. Actually the field records of the type only state “shrub, 1 m ”, but without indication whether it is erect or prostrate. I measured leaves and pedicels of the holotype (KUN) and isotype (PE). Its leaves are 1.6–3.2 cm long, 0.8–1 cm wide, and the male pedicel is 4–5 mm long. I also measured these two parts in eight collections identified as I. intricata by Li and others from NW Yunnan and SE Tibet, with the result showing that leaves are 1.1–2.5 cm long, 0.8–1.2 cm wide. The most important is that the type is a male individual with a few flowers still in anthesis, which were found having welldeveloped stamens. However, Li (1981) misrecorded it as a “feminea” specimen and used “pedicelli 5 mm longi” for distinguishing her plant from I. intricata . Therefore, there are no distinct characters for recognizing I. xizangensis as a separate species.

Representative specimens examined:— E NEPAL: Mechi, Taplejung, Yalung Ridge , 3350–3660 m, 08. Nov. 1981, T. Schilling 2529 (K). SIKKIM & DARJILING: Sikkim, Jongri, 3350 m, 15. Oct. 1875, Clarke 25882 A (K) & 25882B (K) ; Bakhim bungalow to Phedang , 3000–3700 m, 20. Jun. 1983, Starling et al. AGSES 11 (K) ; W Distr., 27°26 ′ N, 88°10 ′ E, 3200 m, 09. Jul. 1992, Long et al. 157 (E); Zemu Valley, Cave 181 (K). BHUTAN: Bumphaang , Thrumseng La , 3515 m, 08. May 1987, HEB-APB 204 (K) ; Gasa Dzong, Mo Chu Valley , 3050 m, 02. Oct. 1949, Ludlow et al. 17382 ( BM) ; NW of Mongar, above Sengor , 27°23 ′ N, 91°01 ′ E, 3500 m, 14. Jun. 1979, Grierson & Long 1909 (K) ; Tashigang Distr., Chorten Lora, Pang-la, 3300 m, 15. May 1994, Bowes Lyon 10099 (E). YARLUNG ZANGBO-BRAHMAPUTRA: Delei Valley , 28°21 ′ N, 96°37 ′ E, 04. Jun. 1928, Kingdon-Ward 8291 (K) ; Gutang , 3400 m, B. S. Li & S. Z. Chen 1227 ( PE) ; Nage , 3250 m, 31. Jul. 1974, Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 3779 (KUN, PE) ; S HENGDUAN: Cawarong, Sichito , 28°48 ′ N, 98°15 ′ E, 3960 m, Oct. 1922, G. Forrest 22811 (type of I. intricata f. macrophylla H. F. Comber : E, K) ; Gongshan, Gongshan to Drungjiang , 2900 m, 26. Jul. 1982, Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 8805 (KUN, PE). U IRRAWADDY: Adung Valley , 3050–3350 m, 10. Jun. 1931, F. Kingdon-Ward 9624 ( BM) ; Nam Tamai Valley , 28°15 ′ N, 97°30 ′ E, 3960 m, 08. Oct. 1937, F. Kingdon-Ward 13400 ( BM) ; North Triangle (Wung Bum, above Ahkail ), 3200 m, 06. Nov. 1953, F. Kingdon-Ward 21558 ( BM) ; Seingku Wang , 28°08 ′ N, 97°24 ′ E, 3350 m, 04. Jul. 1926, F. Kingdon-Ward 7044 (K) .