Axyris prostrata L., Sp. Pl.: 980 (1753)

Sukhorukov, Alexander P., Liu, Pei-Liang & Kushunina, Maria, 2019, Taxonomic revision of Chenopodiaceae in Himalaya and Tibet, PhytoKeys 116, pp. 1-141 : 71-72

1. Axyris prostrata L., Sp. Pl.: 980 (1753)

Lectotype

(designated by Sukhorukov 2005): Herb. Linn. 1101.6 (LINN! image available at http://linnean-online.org/10715/).

The synonyms are listed in Sukhorukov (2005).

Description.

Annual with several prostrate stems up to 25 cm long; at high elevations (4000-5000 m), the plant often has a pincushion habit with small branches and short internodes. Leaves long-petiolate, spatulate, up to 3.5 cm, entire, with longer (up to 1.5 mm) stellate hairs near the leaf base, substituted in other parts by short-rayed hairs. Male inflorescence up to 2.0 cm. Perianth of the female flowers with scattered simple hairs. All fruits compressed; black fruits 1.5-2.2 mm long, oblong, with hardly noticeable or indistinct ear-like appendages; brown fruits 1.3-1.8(2.2) mm long, pear-like, with small appendages.

Habitat.

Stony places, alpine steppes, often between Kobresia cushions, ruderal sites; 2800-5500 m a.s.l.

Phenology.

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

Distribution.

See Fig. 29 .

Specimens examined.

BHUTAN: Jemu La, 12 Sep 1912, R. Lepcha 366 (E);

CHINA: Xizang: Kham (Tibet), Mekong valley, [year] 1900, V.F. Ladygin 469 (LE); Ngari Prefecture: Zanda (Zhada) County, 4500 m a.s.l., 7 Aug 1974, Biological Institute Tibet Expedition Team 3853 (HNWP40812); Rutog (Ritu) County, 5000 m a.s.l., 12 Aug 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team Vegetation Group 13163 (PE00235057); Gêrzê (Gaize) County, 4570 m a.s.l., 10 Sep 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team 10213 (PE00121993, KUN0586542); Coqên (Cuoqin) County, Cêri (Cishi) Distr., 4600 m a.s.l., 17 Sep 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team 10329 (PE00121991); Burang County, Kangrinboge Feng, 4700 m a.s.l., 25 Aug 1990, Y. Fei et al. 516 (KUN0586539); Burang County, Kejia, 3700 m a.s.l., 29 Aug 1990, Y. Fei et al. 653 (KUN0584556); Manasarovar lake (Mapam Yumtso), 4800 m a.s.l., 17 Sep 2006, Baklanova 826 (MW); Burang (Pulan) County, E of Hor, 4682 m a.s.l., 30°42'52.86"N, 81°42'54.21"E, 3 Sep 2012, FLPH Tibet Expedition 12-0066 (PE01967958); Nagqu Prefecture: Amdo (Anduo) County, 4580 m a.s.l., 2 Aug 1961, Wang 3683 (PE00121987); Shuanghu County, 4850 m a.s.l., 21 Jul 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team 10198 (PE00121990); Shuanghu County, 4800 m a.s.l., 2 Aug 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team Vegetation Group (PE00235045); Shuanghu County, 60 km NW of Nyima (Nima), 4700 m a.s.l., 29 Aug 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team Vegetation Group 12381 (PE00121995); Xainza (Shenzha) County, Nyima (Nima) Distr., 4650 m a.s.l., Sep 1976, Qinghai-Tibet Team 10353 (PE00121996); Upper Salween basin, 31°22'N, 91°56'E, 4570 m a.s.l., 4 Sep 1989, B. Dickoré 4682 (MSB144305); Central-East Plateau, Amdo (Ragnag), 32°17'N, 91°43'E, 4600 m a.s.l., 10 Aug 1993, G. & S. Miehe 9466/03 (herb. Miehe); Lake Xiketang, 32°01'N, 90°49'E, 4600 m a.s.l., 31 Jul 2005, Nölling & Hanspach NX05-030-07 (herb. Miehe); S of Nagqu, Kema, 31°16'N, 92°07'E, 4535 m a.s.l., 10 Sep 2007, G. & S. Miehe 07-018-04 (herb. Miehe); Xigazê Prefecture: Qomolangma Peak (Mount Everest), 5000 m a.s.l., 7 Jul 1959, anonym 610 (PE00121988); Yadong (Chomo) County, near Pagri (Pali) Town, 4200 m a.s.l., 17 Sep 1974, Qinghai-Tibet Team 74-2619 (PE00121984, KUN0586544); Nang La, Ngamring, 29°14'N, 87°12'E, 4530 m a.s.l., 25 Aug 2003, G. & S. Miehe 03-038-05 (herb. Miehe); Changthang, between Shuru Tso & Sangsang, 29°54'N, 86°42'E, 13 Sep 2003, G. & S. Miehe 03-096-19 (herb. Miehe); Lhasa City: Damxung (Dangxiong) County, 4700 m a.s.l., 5 Aug 1985, Dong 056 (PE00510679); Lhasa valley, 40 km E of Lhasa, 4300 m a.s.l., 5 Aug 1989, B. Dickoré 3735 (MSB144308); Lake Nam Tso, 5580 m a.s.l., 30°35'N, 90°42'E, 4775 m a.s.l., 26 Jul 2005, Bless et al. (herb. Miehe); Lake Namtso, 30°55'N, 90°53'E, 4730 m a.s.l., 6 Sep 2005, Nölling & Hanspach NX05-215-01 (herb. Miehe); Shannan Prefecture: [ Nêdong (Naidong) County] Zêtang (Zedang) to Lhünzê (Longzi) County, 4400 m a.s.l., 21 Aug 1960, Fu 651 (PE00121986); Nagarze-Lhozak, SE of Pomo Co, 28°29'N, 90°33'E, 5060 m a.s.l., 23 Jul 1994, B. Dickoré 9864 (MSB144306); Qamdo Prefecture: nr Bamda (Bangda) airport, 3000 m a.s.l., 16 Sep 1976, Wu 5952 (KUN0586547); Bamda–Qamdo, N of Chudra, 30°39'N, 97°5'E, 4300 m a.s.l., 7 Jul 1994, B. Dickoré 9005 (MSB144307);

INDIA: Jammu & Kashmir: Ladakh, Chortren Chen (Tog Nulla), 14000 ft a.s.l., 18 Aug 1931, W. Koelz 2652 (E); Ladakh, Khardung La, 18 Aug 1982, P.K. Hajra 74192 (BSD); Ladakh, Taglang La, 4820 m a.s.l., 13 Aug 1992, H. Hartmann 4016 (MSB137908); Ladakh, Khardung La, 4440 m a.s.l., 8 Aug 1995, H. Hartmann 5066 (MSB137907); Ladakh, Zanskar Region, Zara, 25 Aug 1998, L. Klimeš 196 (PRA); Ladakh, Indus valley, Stot (E) [Stod River valley], Sumdo Gonma, 4770 m a.s.l., 7 Sep 2003, L. Klimeš 3464 (PRA); Sikkim: Leonok, 15000 ft a.s.l., 4 Aug 1909, Ribu 2812 (E); Gongchungchu, 17820 ft a.s.l., 16 Aug 1972, R. Pradhan & al. 120 (E);

NEPAL: Far-Western: Mahakali Zone: Nampa Gadh [probably Gurans Himal], 11000-12000 ft a.s.l., 25 Jul 1886, J.F. Duthie s.n. (K); Western: Dhaulagiri Zone: Mustang [distr.], 14500 ft a.s.l., 5 Aug 1954, J. Stainton, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 2194 (BM, E). Two additional records from Upper Mustang are reported by Yonekura (2008) (n.v.).

General distribution.

Central Asia, Siberia, Himalaya and Tibet. One of the widespread Axyris species. Common in Xizang (China) but rare in Central and Eastern Himalaya.

Figures

Figure 29. Distribution map of Teloxys aristata (stars) and Axyris prostrata (circles).