Meeboldia microloba (Kljuykov) W.Gou & X.J.He, 2021

Gou, Wei, Guo, Xian-Lin, Zhou, Song-Dong & He, Xing-Jin, 2021, Phylogeny and taxonomy of Meeboldia, Sinodielsia and their relatives (Apiaceae: Apioideae) inferred from nrDNA ITS, plastid DNA intron (rpl 16 and rps 16) sequences and morphological characters, Phytotaxa 482 (2), pp. 121-142 : 137-138

Meeboldia microloba (Kljuykov) W.Gou & X.J.He , comb. nov. ( Fig. 6 )

Basionym: Sinodielsia microloba Kljuykov (1986: 757)

Type. China. South-Eastern Tibet, Kongbo province, Kyabden , Nyang Chu , 10.000 ft, N 29°40’, E 94°16’, 31. 08. 1938, Ludlow, Sherriff, Taylor 6201 (holotype BM!, isotype E!) .

Recognition. M. microloba is most similar to M. achilleifolia but can be distinguished by their basal leaves (terminal leaflets curved vs. almost straight), rays (4–6 vs. 10–14), bracts (short linear vs. leaf-like) and fruit length (2–3 mm vs. 3–4 mm). It is also similar to the closely related species M. delavayi , but can be also distinguished by its basal leaves (terminal leaflets 1–6 × 0.5–3 mm vs. 3–10 × 1–4 mm) ( Table 3).

Description. Herbs perennial. Plants 15–65 cm. Taproot fusiform several branched with cyclic striae. Stems striped. Basal petioles 0.5–6 cm, sheaths short, membranous, perished leaf sheaths flaky or fibrous; basal blade 2–4- pinnate, 4–20 × 2–9 cm; pinnae 6–8 pairs, lower pinnae long-petiolulate; terminal leaflets ovate-linear or linear, curved, 1–6 × 0.5–3 mm. Leaves reduced upwards, uppermost small, shortly petiolate or sessile. Umbels 2–5 cm across; peduncles 4–16 cm; rays 4–6, 1– 3 cm, spreading; Bracts 1–3, subulate or linear, 1–2 × 0.5 mm, with minute white edge; bracteoles 4–6, linear-subulate, ca. 1 mm, with minute white edge; pedicels unequal. Petals white, broadly ovoid, apex inflexed, medial rib obvious, ca. 0.8 × 0.6 mm. Stylopodium short-conic. Fruit oblong-ovate, mericarp ca. 2.5 × 1.5 mm, commissure ca. 1 mm in width; calyx teeth subulate, 0.25–0.35 mm; ribs filiform, 2–3 vallecular vittae, 4 commissural vittae.

Phenology. Found flowering in July–August, fruiting in August–September.

Distribution and habitat. China, Xizang, Nyingchi, near Niyang Qu. It grows in forest edge of mountain slopes, grassy places. At elevations between 2900 and 3200 m.

Additional Specimens Examined. China. Xizang: Mainling County: Forest farm, hay slope, 3200 m alt., 29 July 1975, 751021 ( HNWP) ; Nyingchi City: Fields and mountains of sunny side, 3 September 1960, Guangcheng Xia and Tai-Kang Mi 397 ( KUN) ; Nixi , hillside meadow, 3040 m alt., 28 July 1965, Yongtian Zhang and Kaiyong Lang 1079 ( PE) ; Nixi , grassy land beside the ditch, 3100 m alt., 3 August 1965, Yongtian Zhang and Kaiyong Lang 1298 ( PE) ; Nixi , riverside, 2900 m alt., 6 July 1972 , Tibet Chinese Herbal Medicine Survey Team 3587 ( HNWP) .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Habit and morphology of Sinodielsia microloba. a. Habit. b. Compound umbels. c. Flowers. d. Cauline leaf. e. Bracts. f. Bracteoles. g. Basal leaves. h. Root. i. Fruits.