Agrostis pendryi Paszko, 2014

Paszko, Beata, 2014, Agrostis pendryi (Poaceae: Agrostidinae) - a new species from the Central Himalaya, Phytotaxa 175 (1), pp. 29-36 : 29-34

Agrostis pendryi Paszko , sp. nov. ( Figs 1–3 )

“ Agrostis munroana ” auct. non Aitchison & Hemsley in Aitchison (1882: 192): Rajbhandahari (1985: 71).

Diagnosis:—Differs from Agrostis pilosula by its short, weak, straight awn inserted around the midpoint of the back of the lemma, and differs from A. munroana by its shorter palea 0.5–0.9 mm long, and lower ratio of palea to lemma length (0.35–0.58).

Type:— NEPAL. Solu Khumbu: Tarngga to Langmuche, 27°51’46’’ N, 86°36’40’’ E, 4150 m, E facing slope at the right side of the Langmuche stream, associated with Salix , Juniperus and Rhododendron lepidotum , R. campanulatum , R. anthopogon , 23 September 2005, M. F. Watson, K. R. Rajbhandari, K. K. Shrestha, D. Knott, C. A. Pendry, S. K. Acharya, U. Koirala, L. N. Mandar, N. McCheyne, R. C. Poudel, S. Rajbhandary, S. Vaidya DNEP 3 BX226 ( E 00256157!).

Perennial, tufted. Culms 11–46 cm tall, unbranched, slender, erect, glabrous or scaberulous, green, nodes 2–4. Sheaths smooth or sub-scaberulous, terete, striate, green, collars glabrous; ligule 0.3–2.5 mm long, truncate, blunt. Cauline blades 2.5–6.3 cm long, 1.2–2.5 mm wide, flat, linear, acuminate, green, glabrous. Panicle 4−9.5 cm long, side branches 2–4.5 cm long, in whorls of 3–6, branching in upper half, with secondary and tertiary branchlets. Spikelets 1-flowered, pedicels 0.3–1.5 times length of lower glume; glumes subequal, lower glume 2–3 mm long, 0.7–1 mm wide, acute, 1-veined, scabrid on the upper half of the keel, upper glume 1.7–2.7 mm long, 0.7–1 mm wide, acute, 1-veined, 0.85–0.98 times length of lower glume; callus shortly hairy, hairs in two small tufts on ventral side, 0.3–0.8 mm long, 0.19–0.47 times length of lemma; lemma 1.2–1.9 mm long, hairy all over except area near the base, 5- veined, 0.57–0.73 times length of lower glume, truncate, crenate, awn weakly developed, 0.3–1.8 mm long, straight, attached to the lower 1/3–2/3 of the lemmas, not exerted from glumes, hardly visible between hairs, rarely missing; palea 0.5–0.9 mm long, 0.35–0.58 times length of lemma, membranous, nerveless; rachilla extensions absent; anthers 3, 0.5–0.8 mm; caryopsis ca. 1.3 mm long, ca. 0.45 mm wide in dorsal view, ca. 0.45 mm wide in side view, elliptical in side-view, brown.

Distribution and ecology: — Agrostis pendryi is known from one locality in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand province (NW India), and eight localities in Kaski, Manang, Rasuwa, Sankhuwasabha, Solu Khumbu districts of Nepal. It grows in the subalpine and alpine zones between 3000 and 4500 m, in open, grassy slopes, alluvial deposits, stream-sides with dwarf shrubs and clearings in Abies-Rhododendron forest.

Taxonomic remarks: — Agrostis pendryi is similar in spikelet morphology to A. munroana and A. pilosula , but it is clearly separated from them as summarized in Table 1. They differ in palea length, the ratio of palea to lemma length ( Fig. 2 ), and the shape and length of the lemma awn. Agrostis pendryi and A. munroana both have weak, short and straight lemma awns, but differ in palea length (0.5−0.9 vs. 1.2−1.5 mm) and the ratio of palea to lemma length (0.35−0.58 vs. 0.75−1). Agrostis pendryi and A. pilosula have a similar ratio of palea to lemma length, but they differ by the lemma awn length (0.3−1.8 vs. 1.9−5.8 mm) and its degree of development (weakly developed, straight and not exerted from the glumes vs. well developed, geniculate and twisted at the base, usually exerted from the glumes).

Agrostis pendryi is similar in habit to forms of A. munroana s. lat., especially these represented by the type of Calamagrostis munroana (Aitchison & Hemsley in Aitchison 1882: 192) Boissier (1884: 523) var. stricta Hooker (1896: 263) . This variety is characterized by short habit, short panicles, short panicle branches and short spikelet pedicels. It occurs in NW India and Nepal (Paszko, unpubl.). Moulik (1997: 372) synonymized C. munroana var. stricta under Agrostis munroana . Calamagrostis munroana var. stricta is here considered tentatively to be a member of A. munroana s. lat.

The best two characters for distinguishing the taxa studied are the ratio of palea length to lemma length, and the awn length, as shown on the scatter diagram ( Fig. 2 ). The most isolated elements on the scatter diagram are specimens of Agrostis griffithiana and A. munroana . The small cloud of points in the bottom left corner of the figure is formed by specimens of A. pendryi , and the biggest cloud of points, in the bottom middle and right corner of the figure, consists of specimens of A. pilosula .

Rajbhandari (1985), in his treatment of Agrostis for Nepal, misidentified A. pendryi as A. munroana . He noticed that Hooker (1896) and Bor (1960) described the palea of A. munroana as nearly as long as lemma or at least more than half the length of the lemma, but although the paleas of the Nepalese specimens are only one-third the length of the lemmas he identified them as A. munroana . Rajbhandari (1985) cited Kanai et al. 672994, which is housed at TI, and provided illustrations of a spikelet from this sheet. I have not yet traced this collection. I revised three collections housed at TI determined by Rajbhandari in 1987 as A. munroana . Rajbhandari 8892 is a collection of A. pendryi only, while Ohba et al. 8562164 and Ohba et al. 8561543 are mixed collections of A. pendryi and A. nervosa Nees ex Trinius (1841: 328) . A fourth collection at TI, Suzuki et al. 8850495, which was not annotated by Rajbhandari, is a mixture of A. pendryi and A. munroana .

Etymology: —The species is named in honor of Colin A. Pendry, an editor of the Flora of Nepal based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Specimens examined: — INDIA. [Uttarakhand]: [Pithoragarh], Kumaon, Barji Kang [Barjikáng] Pass, 14,500 ft [4420 m], ‘ Agrostis no. 4’, s.d., R. Strachey & J.E. Winterbottom s.n. (syntypes of Calamagrostis munroana var. stricta : K000032340 p.p., LE p.p.). NEPAL. Baglung: Ridge SE of Jalja La, 3410 m, in sunny pasture, 28°30’N, 83°14–15’E, 15 September 1996, Mikage et al. 9682618 (TI p.p., mixed with A. nervosa ). Kaski: Pres du point de bivouac du 30 ix [Lamjung Himal], hab. sur une crete ecorchee, pietinee, 1 October 1981, M.A. Farille 81-638 (E00189901). Manang: Pisang—Bhratang, 3000 m, on moist ground, 4 August 1983, K.R. Rajbhandari 8892 (TI). Rasuwa: Central Himalaya, Palpa, Lantang Valley, 3560 m, 7 September 1986, G. & S. Mieche 11049 (K). Sankhuwasabha: Phemathang Kharka (Tematan Kharka), 3360 m, Abies-Rhododendron forest, 18 July 1988, M. Suzuki et al. 8850495 (TI p.p., mixed with A. munroana ); Bhararate Himal: Barun Valley, Yangle pasture, sandy alluvions near the Barun, 3650 m, 10 October 1972, T. Wraber 429 (LE). Solu Khumbu: Around Pike Dongshar (3600–4000 m), 3700 m, on grassy slope, common, 7 September 1985, H. Ohba et al. 8562164 (TI p.p., mixed with A. nervosa ); Mopung (2800 m)—Thosa Kharka (3670 m), 3400 m, on open slope, 21 August 1985, H. Ohba et al. 8561543 (TI p.p., mixed with A. nervosa ).

Other material examined:— Agrostis griffithiana : INDIA. Manipur State: Sirhoi Kashong, 2438.4 m, 8 October 1948, Kingdon-Ward 18145 (holotype of A. wardii : K). [Meghalaya]: Khasia [Khasi Hills], Boga Panee [Boga-panee], as ‘ Agrostis hookeriana var. aspera Munro’, 27 October 1850, Hooker & Thomson s.n. (lectotype of A. griffithiana : K000032345; isolectotypes: CAL0000002382, K000032344, L0043527, LE, W1916-0036491, W); Khasia Hills, Moflong, as ‘ Lachnagrostis griffithii Munro’, s.d., Griffith s.n. (K, two sheets); Khasia, Mairung, 1524 m, 30 October 1872, Clarke 19196 A (K); Khasia, Mairung, 1371.6 m, 30 October 1871, Clarke 16093 B (K); Khasia, Boga Panee, 914.4 m, 2 November 1872, Clarke 17752 (E); Shillong, 1828.8 m, 19 October 1872, Clarke 18652 (LE). Agrostis munroana : AFGHANISTAN. Kuram: Kurrum Valley, Shend-toi gorge from 3048 m to 3353 m, December 1879, Aitchison 1252 (isotypes of A. munroana: BM 000959399, LE). INDIA. [Jammu and Kashmir]: Kashmir, Sangam Valley, above Liddarwat, 3658 m, 10 August 1893, Duthie 13535 (K); Kashmir, Sonamarg, 3048 m, s.d., Levinge s.n. (LE); Kashmir, Kolohoi Valley, 3200 m, 26 August 1956, Polunin 56/518 (BM); Kashmir, Khelanmarg, 3292 m, 13 September 1956, Polunin 56/798 (BM); Kashmir, Khelanmarg, 3292 m, 13 August 1956, Polunin 56/260 (BM). [Uttarakhand]: Dhanli valley, 2438–2743 m, 9 August 1886, Duthie 6231 (W, 2 sheets); Kumaon, Ralam river, 3353 m, ‘ Agrostis no. 3’, s.d., Strachey & Winterbottom s.n. (BM, K, LE); [Pithoragarh], Kumaon, Barji Kang [Barjikáng] Pass, 14,500 ft [4420 m], ‘ Agrostis no. 4’, s.d., R. Strachey & J.E. Winterbottom s.n. (syntypes of Calamagrostis munroana var. stricta : K000032340 p.p., LE p.p.). PAKISTAN. Astor: Barzil Valley, near Minimarg, 3048–3353 m, Duthie 14072 (W, 2 sheets). Hazara: Siran Valley, 29 June 1896, Inayat 20285 (K); Kagan Valley, 2865 m, 18 July 1896, Inayat 20285a (K). COUNTRY UNKNOWN: Himalaya bor. occ., s.d., location unknown, Thomson s.n. (K). Agrostis pilosula : INDIA. [Himachal Pradesh]: Laka, Dharamsala, 3353 m, 17 October 1874, Clarke 24601A (LE); Dalhousie, 2134 m, 13 September 1874, Clarke 22323B (LE); Dalhousie, 2134 m, 11 September 1874, Clarke 22212A (LE). [Jammu and Kashmir]: Khelanmarg, 3292 m, 13 August 1956, Polunin 56/260 (BM); Tihri road between Laudour to Phedi, 1829–2134 m, September 1881, Duthie 2158 (W); Kashmir, Budrawur, 3048 m, 24 September 1876, Clarke 31515 (LE). [Meghalaya]: Khasia, Dingling, 1524 m, 15 November 1872, Clarke 18455 A (LE). Sikkim: NE Sikkim, June 1894, Cummins s.n. (K), without locality, 2743–3048 m, s.d., Hooker s.n. (LE). [Uttarakhand]: Kumaon,Almora, 1676 m, s.c. (BM); NW India, Tihri-Garhwal, Lekhun Godk (Godh) below Srikanta, 3658–3962 m, 11 August 1883, Duthie 272 (LE); NW Himalayas, Lekhun Godk (Godh), 3658–3962 m, 11 August 1883, Duthie 272 (LE). NEPAL. Dhankuta, Dhankuta—Hilay—Murhay—Sinduwa, 22 October 1963, Togashi & Tuyama 6302061 (TI); Sinduwa, 2100 m, 23 October 1963, Togashi & Tuyama 6302065 (TI); Murhay—Sinduwa— Chitray—Bilbatay Bhanjang, 24 October 1963, Hara et al. 6302066 (TI); Sinduwa, 1100 m, 24 October 1963, Hara et al. 6302063 (TI). Dolakha, Patlo Pokhari—Phedi Kharka, 2700 m, 13 September 1983, Rajbhandari 10176 (TI); Surk (1645 m)—Nigale (2510 m)—Mudhe (2530 m), 1880 m, 28 February 2007, Noshiro et al. 20700080 (TI). Dolpa, Suligad, 2700 m, 1 October 1982, Rajbhandari & Malla 6915 (TI). Jumla, Chakhura Lekh, 3600 m, 9 August 1979, Rajbhandari & Roy 4451A (TI). Kathmandu, Forest office (1620 m)—Chhap (2270 m)—Shiwapuri summit (2650 m), 13 September 1988, Suzuki et al. 8811531 (TI). Manang, Tilicho Phedi, 4000 m, 1 August 1983, Rajbhandari 8700 (TI). Myagdi, Muna gaon, 1850 m, 5 September 1982, Rajbhandari & Malla 6337 A (TI). Panchthar, Batasay— Halhale Bhanjang—Bhuspate Danra, 1 December 1963, Hara et al. 6302064 (TI). Ramechhap, Koshing Kharka (4000 m)—Thare Og (4150 m), 3850 m, 22 July 1985, Ohba et al. 60589 (TI). Rasuwa, Langtang valley, Lama hotel to Gumnachok, 2640 m, 28º10′30″N, 85º26′24″E, 12 October 2001, Long et al. ENEP 373 (E). Sankhuwasabha, Hati Sar—Mangalbare—Lam Pokhari—Minchin Dhap, 28 October 1963, Hara et al. 6302067 (TI). Taplejung, Baroya Khimty—Thakma Khola, 12 November 1963, Hara et al. 6302062 (TI); Helok—Baroya Khimty, 15 November 1963, Kanai et al. 6302069 (TI). Terhathum, Minchin Dhap—Mul Pokhari, 29 October 1963, Hara et al. 6302068 (TI). COUNTRY UNKNOWN: Himalaya bor. occ., Thomson s.n. (K); location unknown, as ‘ Agrostis hookeriana Munro’, s.d., s.c. (K, LE, W); as ‘ Agrostis nervosa var. aristata ’, s.d., Falconer s.n. (W); Himal. bor. occ., 1524–3048 m, as ‘ Agrostis hookeriana Munro’, Thomson s.n. (W).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Agrostis pendryi Paszko (A, E, F, H, I drawn from Mikage et al. 9682618 (TI); B, C drawn from Rajbhandahari 8892 (TI); D, G drawn from Suzuki et al. 8850495 (TI), by Jolanta Urbanik). A. Habit; B. The junction between the leaf sheath and the leaf blade; C. Spikelet with floret separated from the glumes; D. Separated floret in ventral view, showing short palea and anthers; E. Lemma in ventral view (palea removed), showing two tufts of callus hairs; F. Palea; G. Anthers; H. Caryopsis in side view; I. Caryopsis in ventral view.

FIGURE 2. Scatter plot of two characters: lemma awn length (AL) against the ratio of palea to lemma length (PL/LL), for Agrostis pendryi (open triangles, n = 13), A. griffithiana (solid triangles, n = 13), A. munroana (open squares, n = 18) and A. pilosula (solid circles, n = 44). Abbreviations: 1, Agrostis pendryi—holotype; 2, Calamagrostis munroana var. stricta—syntypes; 3, Agrostis munroana—isotypes.

FIGURE 3. Agrostis pendryi Paszko. A. Spikelet with separated floret in side view, lemma awn (indicated by arrow) and a tuft of callus hairs are visible; B. Open floret in ventral view, showing short palea and anthers; C. Anthers; D. Caryopsis in side view; E. Ligule and the junction between the leaf sheath and the leaf blade; F. Upper leaf surface. Illustrations of A, E, F from Rajbhandahari 8892 (TI), B, C from Suzuki et al. 8850495 (TI), D from Mikage et al. 9682618 (TI). Scale bar: A = 1 mm; B, C, D, E, F = 0.5 mm.