Dysphania tibetica (A.J.Li) Uotila, Willdenowia 43(1): 67 (2013)

Sukhorukov, Alexander P., Liu, Pei-Liang & Kushunina, Maria, 2019, Taxonomic revision of Chenopodiaceae in Himalaya and Tibet, PhytoKeys 116, pp. 1-141 : 61-64

7. Dysphania tibetica (A.J.Li) Uotila, Willdenowia 43(1): 67 (2013)

≡ Chenopodium tibeticum A.J.Li, Fl. Xizang 1: 638 (1983). Lectotype (Sukhorukov, designated here): CHINA, Xizang, Gyangze, prope vicum [near a village], 3960 m a.s.l., [5 Sep 1974], Qinghai-Xizang Complex Expedition 74-2077 (PE00024039! isolectotype PE00934045!). In the protologue, Li (in Li and Ma 1983) cited all specimens with the same label as “type” kept at H[erbarium] P[ekinense], now represented by the abbreviation PE. The labels of “holotype” and “isotype” were later assigned by an unknown botanist.

≡ Neobotrydium tibeticum (A.J.Li) M.L.Zhang & G.L.Chu, Pl. Diversity 38(6): 326 (2016).

Description.

Annual up to 25 cm, branched from the base with prostrate or ascending stems. Leaves petiolate, up to 4.0 cm, entire to slightly lobate, scarcely pubescent with curved simple hairs. Inflorescence axillary, leafy and short; its branches flattened and slightly winged, usually shortly bifurcate at the top, relatively densely pubescent with semi-appressed or curved simple hairs up to 0.6 mm long, sometimes with scattered glands. Perianth segments 0.7-0.8 × 0.6 mm; their dorsal part with dense indumentum of soft simple hairs (up to 0.3 mm long) and scattered glandular hairs (Fig. 25 ). Fruits dimorphic: 1.0-1.1 × 0.9 mm, subspherical, pericarp with conical papillae (Fig. 26A, B ) and slightly flattened, 0.8-1.0 × 0.7 mm, broadly ovoid, pericarp with crater-like papillae (Fig. 26C, D ). Seeds dimorphic: red, slightly keeled, and brownish, not keeled; seed embryo horizontal.

Habitat.

Gravelly slopes and ruderal sites at elevations of 3800-5000 m a.s.l. Some specimens from Ladakh contain both D. tibetica and D. himalaica , and we assume they can often grow together.

Phenology.

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

Distribution.

See Fig. 27 .

Specimens examined.

CHINA: Xizang: Ngari Prefecture: Gêrzê (Gaize) County, Datan, 4450 m a.s.l., 6 Sep 1974, Biological Institute Tibet Expedition Team 4295 (HNWP40801); Gar (Gaer) County, Sogdoi (Suoduo), 4300 m a.s.l., 27 Jul 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team 76-8588 (PE00540036); nr Yanhuqu, 4400 m a.s.l., 24 Aug 1976, Tibetan Collection Team 8723 (KUN0265022, PE00540041); Gê’gyai (Geji) County, Yanhu Distr., 4370 m a.s.l., 24 Aug 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team Vegetation Group 13529 (PE00235089, PE00235093); Coqên (Cuoqin) County, 4600 m a.s.l., 15 Sep 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team Vegetation Group 12580 (PE00235091, PE00540038); Burang (Pulan) County, Kejia, 3700 m a.s.l., 29 Aug 1990, Y. Fei et al. 659 (KUN0265544); Rutog Xian, Banggong [Pangong] Lake, 4300 m a.s.l., 3 Sep 1990, Y. Fei et al. 713 (KUN0265542); Nagqu Prefecture: Xainza (Shenzha) County, NW Lake Qilin, 1 Sep 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team Vegetation Group 12425 (PE00235090); Xigazê Prefecture: "Expedition to Everest", 16000 ft a.s.l., 1921, A. Wollaston 47 (K); Tingri County, Jul 1921, A. Wollaston 265 & 266 (K); Gyangzê (Jiangzi) County, 3960 m a.s.l., 5 Sep 1974, Qinghai-Tibet Team 74-2073 (KUN0587076, PE00540039), Qinghai-Tibet Team 74-2077 (KUN0587080); Upper Arun Valley, N of Xegar (Tingri), 28°37'N, 87°10'E, 4400 m a.s.l., 5 Oct 1989, B. Dickoré 5919 (KAS, n.v., after Uotila 2013);

INDIA: Jammu & Kashmir: Ladakh, Angkung to Puga, 33°14'N, 78°16'E, 4550 m a.s.l., 8 Sep 1999, code 99-27-9, L. Klimeš 778 (PRA, together with D. himalaica ); Rupshu Region, Tso Moriri, 4810 m a.s.l., 11 Jul 2000, L. Klimeš 893 (PRA); Leh, Lato, 33°40'42"N, 77°43'48"E, 4020 m a.s.l., 5 Sep 2001, L. Klimeš 1562 (PRA); Zhung (Leh), Gya to Lato, 33°40'2"N, 77°43'9"E, 4060-4070 m a.s.l., 5 Sep 2001, code 01-38-12, L. Klimeš 1539 (PRA); Ladakh, Leh, Chukirmo, 33°49'30"N, 77°39'6"E, 4150 m a.s.l., 8 Sep 2001, L. Klimeš 1657 (PRA); Leh, Stagar (Sakti) to Wari La, 34°2'48"N, 77°49'18"E, 4240-4270 m a.s.l., 12 Sep 2001, L. Klimeš 1741 (PRA); Stot (E) [Stod river valley] Tiri vill., 33°31'30"N, 77°58'36"E, 4330-4460 m a.s.l., 1 Aug 2001, L. Klimeš 1190 (PRA); Rupshu, 32°58'30"N, 77°24'E, 4600 m a.s.l., 11 Jul 2000, code 00-10-4, L. Klimeš s.n. (H1757589); Samad Rakchan, Thukje to Nyamur, 33°20'8"N, 78°1'40"E, 4560 m a.s.l., 9 Sep 2005, L. Klimeš 6268 (PRA); Tso Moriri, Karzok to Peldo, 32°59'30"N, 78°15'E, 4550 m a.s.l., 13 Sep 2005, L. Klimeš 6309 (PRA); Tso Moriri, Lapgo river valley, 32°58'42"N, 78°21'18"E, 4810 m a.s.l., 11 Jul 2000, L. Klimeš 6268 (PRA); Ladakh, Leh, Lato, 4020 m a.s.l., 5 Sep 2001, L. Klimeš 1545 (PRA); Ladakh, Pangong Region, Lukung, 4300 m a.s.l., 9 Sep 2002, L. Klimeš 2690 (PRA).

General distribution.

Himalaya and Tibet.

Figures

Figure 25. SEM micrograph of Dysphania tibetica perianth segment, magnification 250 x.

Figure 26. SEM micrographs of Dysphania tibetica: A, B fruit with red seed C, D fruit with brown seed. Magnification: 75 x (A, C), 500 x (B, D).

Figure 27. Distribution map of Dysphania tibetica (circles) and D. neglecta (stars).