Bassia prostrata (L.) A.J.Scott, Fedd. Repert. 89(2-3): 108 (1978)

Sukhorukov, Alexander P., Liu, Pei-Liang & Kushunina, Maria, 2019, Taxonomic revision of Chenopodiaceae in Himalaya and Tibet, PhytoKeys 116, pp. 1-141 : 101-102

3. Bassia prostrata (L.) A.J.Scott, Fedd. Repert. 89(2-3): 108 (1978)

≡ Salsola prostrata L., Sp. Pl.: 222 (1753). Lectotype (Tan 1997): Herb. Linn. No. 315.15 (LINN).

≡ Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad., Neues J. Bot. 3(3-4): 85 (1809). Other synonyms are listed in Sukhorukov (2014).

Description.

Subshrub or sub-shrublet up to 100 cm (much smaller in mountainous areas) with basally branched caudex. Leaves up to 25 mm long, linear or lanceolate, densely pubescent. Bracts reduced, mostly up to 5 mm long, equal to or slightly longer than flower clusters. Perianth densely pubescent, fused up to the half, with wing-like projections of white or reddish colour at fruiting stage turning brown before dissemination, 3.5-6.0 mm across (including wings). Seeds with horizontal embryo.

Habitat.

Subalpine vegetation (often in Artemisia steppes) and screes at altitudes of 3000-4500 m a.s.l.; locally common.

Phenology.

Flowering: July-September; fruiting: August-October.

Distribution.

See Fig. 43 .

Specimens examined.

INDIA: Jammu & Kashmir: Ladakh, above Namika La, 3800 m a.s.l., 21 Jul 1976, H. Hartmann 2128 (G152725, MSB160565); Ladakh, above Tungri, 3760 m a.s.l., 15 Aug 1979, H. Hartmann 2742 (G250780, MSB160566); [Kargil Distr.] Zanskar, Skagam, 11500 ft a.s.l., 22 Jul 1981, Grace et al. (Southampton Bot. Exped.) 134 (BM, K); Ladakh, between Likir & Nurla, 3700 m a.s.l., 19 Jul 1987, H. Hartmann 3061 (MSB160568); Ladakh, Zanskar, Zara, 3 Sep 1998, L. Klimeš 296 (PRA); Himachal Pradesh: Kinnaur Distr., above Leppa [Lippa], 8000-12000 ft a.s.l., Aug 1847, T.T. Thomson s.n. (K); [Kinnaur Distr.] Jangi to Pangi, 9000 ft a.s.l., Sep 1891, J.H. Lace 1151 (E); Ladakh, Zanskar, Sarchu, 8 Aug 2000, L. Klimeš 1127 (PRA); Kanam, 5 Sep 1963, N.C. Nair 30551 (BSD); [Kinnaur Distr.] Pooh, 7 Jun 1972, K.P. Janardhanan 47784 (BSD); Kinnaur Distr., Sutlej valley, 6 km W of Puh [Pooh], 31 Aug 2008, H. Freitag 34008 (MJG009668).

General distribution.

Temperate Eurasia.

Figures

Figure 43. Distribution map of Bassia prostrata (stars) and Grubovia dasyphylla (circles).