Thalictrum virgatum Hooker & Thomson (1855: 14)

Zeng, You-Pai, Yuan, Qiong & Yang, Qin-Er, 2022, Thalictrum virgatum var. obtusifolium (Ranunculaceae), a new synonym of T. virgatum, with the new record of the morphologically similar Himalayan species T. secundum for China, Phytotaxa 570 (2), pp. 193-208 : 195-202

Thalictrum virgatum Hooker & Thomson (1855: 14) . Figs. 1‒6 .

Type :— INDIA. Sikkim: precise locality unknown, alt. 8000‒10000 ft., J.D. Hooker s.n. (lectotype K000694158!, designated here; isolectotypes E00438590!, GH00038633!, K000694160!, L1740553!, LD1057862!, NY00353668!). Fig. 2 .

= T. virgatum var. stipitatum Franchet (1886: 368) .

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: pres Ho-Kin (= Heqing), Hee-gui-chao, J.M. Delavay 103 (lectotype P00155162!, designated here; isolectotypes K!, P00155161!, P02383084!) .

= T. verticillatum Léveillé (1909: 97) .

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Kunming, Tchong-Chan , 10 August 1904, F. Ducloux 602 (holotype E00386248!; isotype GH00038622!) .

= T. englerianum Ulbrich (1913: 623) .

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Dongchuan (?), Hochweiden des Pe-long-tsin, alt. ca. 3300 m, August 1910, E.E. Maire 2661 (holotype B, not seen; isotypes E!, LE!, NAS00070716!, NAS00187949!, PE00028228!) .

= T. virgatum var. obtusifolium Ulbrich (1913: 624) , syn. nov.

Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Binchuan , Pi-iou-se, alt. 2000 m, 10 July 1889, J.M. Delavay s.n. (holotype B, not seen; isotypes K!, P00155165!). Fig. 1 .

Description:—Perennial herbs. Roots fibrous. Stems 15‒60 cm tall, usually clumping. Leaves ternate, subsessile; blades triangular, 2‒5 cm long, 2.5‒3.5 cm broad; leaflets broadly ovate, broadly obovate, elliptic or suborbicular, 0.5‒ 3 cm long, 0.5‒3.5 cm broad, papery or subcoriaceous, adaxially green, abaxially pale green, base broadly cuneate, rounded or subcordate, apex obtuse or acute, shallowly to deeply 3-lobate; lobes sparsely crenate or 1‒5-dentate, apex obtuse or acute; veins flat adaxially, slightly raised abaxially; stipules free, triangular-ovate, membranous, margin entire. Inflorescence a compound cyme, few-flowered, corymbiform. Pedicels 1‒2 cm long. Flowers bisexual, erect. Sepals 4‒5, broadly elliptic or narrowly obovate, 4‒12 mm long, 2.5‒8 mm broad, white, occasionally pinkish; basal nerves 3‒4, inconspicuous. Stamens 15‒20, 4‒7 mm long; filament filiform or apically slightly dilated, 3‒5.5 mm long, whitish; anther narrowly oblong, 1.5‒1.8 mm long, ca. 0.4 mm broad, apex obtuse, whitish. Carpels 10‒25, 1‒1.8 mm long, shortly stipitate; stipe 0.2‒0.5 mm long; ovary obliquely ovate or narrowly elliptic, ca. 1 mm long; style inconspicuous; stigma point-like.Achenes 1.8‒2 mm long, glabrous, stipitate; stipe ca. 0.5 mm long; body compressedellipsoid, shallowly ribbed; style persistent, shortly beak-like.

Phenology:—Flowering from June to August; fruiting from July to September.

Distribution and habitat:— Thalictrum virgatum is widely distributed in Bhutan, China (Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), India (Sikkim), and Nepal ( Fig. 11 ). It grows on rocks in forests on slopes or on damp cliffs in ravines at elevations of 2000‒3500 m above sea level.

Typification:—In the protologue of Thalictrum virgatum, Hooker & Thomson (1855) cited a single collection, i.e. J.D. Hooker s.n. from Sikkim. We have been able to trace seven sheets of this collection, with one each at E (barcode E00438590), GH (barcode GH00038633), L (barcode L1740553), LD (barcode LD1057862) and NY (barcode NY00353668), and another two at K (barcodes K000694158, K000694160). These sheets are all well preserved and match well the original description, and thus are syntypes, as the author did not specify which one was used to prepare the original description. In conformity with ICN Art. 9.10 and Art. 9.11 ( Turland et al. 2018) and as discussed by McNeill (2014), a lectotypification is proposed for T. virgatum . In the above, the K sheet (barcode K000694158) that includes both flowering and fruiting plants has been designated as the lectotype, and the other six sheets cited as isolectotypes.

Additional specimens examined:— BHUTAN. Thimphu, J.R.I. Wood 7099 (E), R.E. Cooper 2579 (BM, E) ; Trashiyangtse Chu, F. Ludlow, G. Sherriff with H.H. Hicks 20499 (BM, E) .

CHINA. Sichuan: Daocheng, Anonymous 134 (CDBI), Anonymous 488 (SM), Anonymous 864 (SM), X.H. Hu 29333 (CDBI), K.Y. Lang et al. 2546 (KUN, PE), Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 4220 (CDBI, KUN, PE), Sichuan Veg. Exped. 2057 (CDBI, KUN, PE), Sichuan Veg. Exped. 2350 (CDBI, KUN, PE), Q.Q. Wang 29126 (CDBI), T.T. Yu 12962 (KUN, PE); Garze, T. Zhang et al. 10CS 2248 (K); Hanyuan, Hanyuan Exped. 287 (SM); Huidong, Sichuan Trad. Med. Res. Exped. 11974 (NAS, SM), S.K. Wu 1574 (KUN, SM, SZ); Huili, Yuanhua Group 47 (SM); Jiulong, D.E. Boufford et al. 33164 (KUN, PE), Z.P. Huang et al. 324 (KUN, NAS, WUK), T.S. Ying et al. 4013 (KUN, PE), T.S. Ying et al. 4791 (KUN, PE), Y.P. Zeng & Q.L. Huang 387 (IBSC); Kangding, Anonymous 772 (SM), S. Jiang et al. 5023 (KUN, PE), K.Y. Lang et al. 974 (KUN, PE), Y.P. Zeng & Q. L. Huang 378 (IBSC), Z.J. Zhao et al. 112872 (SZ), Z.J. Zhao et al. 114396 (SZ); Leibo, Leibo Exped. 1170 (SM); Litang, F. Kingdon-Ward 4314 (E); Muli, Anonymous 1574 (CDBI), Y.S. Chen 4324 (PE), FLPH Sichuan Exped. 151688a (PE), F. Kingdon-Ward 4047 (E), F. Kingdon-Ward 5236 (E), Muli Exped. 462 (SM), Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 13039 (KUN, PE), Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 14531 (KUN, PE), J.F. Rock 23985 (BM, E, NAS, P), Y.B. Yang 7325 (CDBI, SZ), T.T. Yu 6348 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 6595 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 6771 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 7283 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 7690 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 14544 (BM, E, KUN, PE), Q.S. Zhao et al. 8401 (CDBI, SZ); Ningnan, Ningnan Exped. 222 (SM); Puge, Puge Exped. 743 (SM); Xiangcheng, D.E. Boufford et al. 30496 (KUN); Yajiang, S. Jiang et al. 5209 (PE), K.Y. Lang et al. 2989 (KUN, PE), C.L. Wu 40951 (NAS); Yanbian, Z.J. Lan P264 (SZ); Yanyuan, Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 12114 (KUN, PE); Yuexi, Anonymous 513 (SM), Anonymous 609 (SM), Anonymous 13953 (CDBI, PE), Sichuan Econ. Plant Exped. 3837 (PE). Xizang (Tibet): Cona, W.Q. Fei 115 (IBSC), FLPH Tibet Exped. 12-0977 (PE); Dinggye, PE-Xizang Exped. 3097 (PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 3253 (PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 3349 (PE); Gyirong, Anonymous 578 (PE), Y.S. Chen et al. 201 (PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 344 (PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 3876 (PE), Z.H. Wang et al. WZH201708-99 (KUN), Xizang Trad. Chin. Med. Exped. 329 (HNWP, PE), Xizang Trad. Chin. Med. Exped. 712 (HNWP, PE); Lhunze, L. Wang et al. 3052 (IBSC); Nyalam, S. Akiyama et al. 106497 (KUN), Y.T. Chang & K.Y. Lang 4529 (KUN, PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 1336 (PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 4306 (PE), PE-Xizang Exped. 4367 (PE), Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 5906 (HNWP, KUN, PE), Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 5971 (HNWP, KUN, PE), Sino-Japan Exped. T269 (PE), S.K. Wu et al. 106715 (XZ), Xizang Trad. Chin. Med. Exped. 1404 (HNWP, PE); Quxu, Y.T. Chang & K.Y. Lang 4588 (PE). Yunnan: Binchuan, S.Y. Bao et al. 279 (KUN), F. Ducloux 7079 (P), H.T. Tsai 52966 (KUN, NAS, PE, SZ, WUK), Woody Oil Plant Exped. 65-0642 (KUN), L. Xie & J. F. Mao 29 (PE), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 30 (PE); Chengjiang, H. Wang 41601 (NAS), K.W. Xiong 1913 (KUN); Dongchuan, Y.S. Chen 9015 (PE), Y.P. Zeng & Y.F. Luo 254 (IBSC); Eryuan, R.C. Ching 23078 (PE), R.C. Ching 23278 (KUN, PE), J.M. Delavay s.n. (K, P), NW Yunnan Jinshajiang Exped. 63-6198 (KUN, PE); Heqing, R.C. Ching 23933 (KUN, PE), J.M. Delavay s.n. (K, P), NW Yunnan Jinshajiang Exped. 4672 (KUN); Huize, E.E. Maire 1042 (BM, E), Y.P. Zeng & Q.L. Huang 579 (IBSC); Jianchuan, Spice Exped. 241 (KUN); Jingdong, M.K. Li 1101 (KUN, WUK); Kunming, F. Ducloux 91 (K), F. Ducloux 2701 (K, P); Lanping, H.T. Tsai 53782 (KUN, NAS, PE, SZ); Lijiang, D. Chamberlain et al. 534 (E, K), R.C. Ching 20747 (KUN, PE), R.C. Ching 21283 (KUN), R.C. Ching 30313 (KUN), R.C. Ching 30875 (KUN, NAS, PE), K.M. Feng 21385 (KUN, NAS, PE, SZ), K.M. Feng 22316 (KUN), K.M. Feng 22471 (HNWP, KUN), K.M. Feng 22558 (HNWP, KUN), K.M. Feng 23122 (KUN), K.M. Feng 8948 (KUN, PE), G. Forrest 2150 (E, P), G. Forrest 5735 (BM, E, P), G. Forrest 10255 (E), H. Handel-Mazzetti 4084 (NAS, WU), IBCAS Hengduanshan Exped. 2039 (PE), IBCAS Hengduanshan Exped. 2322 (PE), Kunming Work. Group 22316 (PE), Kunming Work. Group 22471 (PE), Kunming Work. Group 22558 (PE), Kunming-Edinburgh Yulongshan Exped. 372 (E), QinghaiXizang Exped. 339 (KUN, PE), J.F. Rock 392 (E), J.F. Rock 4177 (P), C. Schneider 1895 (K), Sino-British Exped. 85-373 (KUN), C.W. Wang 71534 (KUN, NAS, PE), C.W. Wang 71595 (KUN, PE, WUK), W.T. Wang 107 (KUN), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 40 (PE), Q.E. Yang 9602 (PE), Q.E. Yang & H.Z. Kong 98-501 (PE), Q.E. Yang & Q. Yuan 143 (PE), T.T. Yu 15313 (BM, E, KUN, PE), S.W. Yu & A.L. Zhang 100321 (KUN), Yunnan Univ. Bio. Coll. 175 (KUN), Yunnan Univ. Bio. Coll. 215 (KUN), Y.P. Zeng et al. 190 (IBSC), Y.P. Zeng et al. 197 (IBSC), S.D. Zhang 2004-080 (KUN), M.G. Zhao 30313 (PE), Zhongdian Exped. 617 (KUN, PE); Luquan, T. Zhang et al. 10CS 1919 (K); Ninglang, Y.F. Han et al. 81-1073 (PE), S. Jiang et al. 6096 (KUN, PE, SZ), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 60 (PE), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 61 (PE); Qiaojia, F. Ducloux 611 (P), S.D. Zhang & N.N. Lin 3-1874 (KUN); Songming, D.E. Boufford et al. 34981 (KUN, PE), P.Y. Kiu 50384 (KUN, SZ), W.X. Liu 51195 (KUN, PE, SZ); Yongde, Lincang Exped. 70-174 (KUN), E.D. Liu 5076 (KUN); Zhenkang, T.T. Yu 16945 (E, KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 17189 (KUN, PE); Zhongdian (now Shangri-la), D.E. Boufford et al. 35385 (KUN), K.M. Feng 1385 (KUN, PE), J.F. Rock 24687 (BM, E, K, NAS), Sichuan- Xizang Plant Exped. 10-2771 (PE), Z.X. Tang et al. 576 (PE), C.Y. Wu 4154 (KUN), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 104 (PE), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 105 (PE), L. Xie & J.F. Mao 106 (PE), J.S. Yang s.n. (KUN), J.S. Yang 7441 (KUN), J.S. Yang 84-770B (KUN), Q.E. Yang & H.Z. Kong 98-112 (PE), Q.E. Yang & Q. Yuan 2112 (PE), T.T. Yu 12047 (KUN), T.T. Yu 12389 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 12407 (PE), Zhongdian Exped. 1281 (KUN, PE), Zhongdian Exped. 2031 (KUN, PE), Zhongdian Exped. 63-3230 (KUN), Zhongdian Exped. 63-3347 (KUN), Zhongdian Exped. 63-3434 (KUN).

INDIA. Sikkim, B.J. Gould 2424 (K), D.G. Long & H.J. Noltie 220 (E), W.W. Smith 3055 (E).

NEPAL. Dolpa, O. Polunin, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 3425 (BM, E); Gorkha, J.D.A. Stainton 3993 (BM); Jumla, O. Polunin, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 4389 (BM, E), O. Polunin, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 4907 (BM, E); Makawanpur, F.M. Bailey 71 (BM), F.M. Bailey 186 (BM); Manang, D.G. Lowndes 1395 (BM, E); Mustang, S. Noshiro et al. 20106222 (TI); Rasuwa, F. Miyamoto et al. 9420052 (BM, E, KUN, L); Sankhuwasabhu, J.F. Dobremez 1547 (BM, E), H. Ohba et al. 9153168 (E), J.D.A. Stainton 834 (BM, E); Solukhumbu, J.F. Dobremez 323 (BM, E), F. Miyamoto et al. 9592065 (E); Taplejung, H. Kanai et al. 721079 (BM), H. Kanai et al. 723347 (E), H. Kanai et al. 721969 (E), H. Kanai et al. 723345 (BM, E, L), H. Kanai et al. 873274 (KUN), Y. Omori et al. 9900054 (KUN).

Notes:—We have checked the type material of Thalictrum englerianum , T. verticillatum and T. virgatum var. stipitatum and here we accept previous treatments of them as synonyms of T. virgatum ( Wang & Wang 1979a, Wang 1993, 2000, 2018, Xie et al. 2017).

Thalictrum virgatum was first placed in T. sect. Thalictrum ser. Virgata Wang & Wang (1979b: 619) by Wang & Wang (1979a), then in T. sect. Camptonotum Prantl (1887: 271) subsect. Violacea ( Wang & Wang 1979b: 620) Tamura (1992: 56) by Tamura (1995), and recently in T. sect. Platystachys Wang (2018: 250) by Wang (2018). Our molecular systematic studies indicate that T. virgatum constitutes an independent clade of its own in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting a rather isolated position in Thalictrum ( Zeng 2022) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Isotype sheets of Thalictrum virgatum var. obtusifolium (= T. virgatum).

FIGURE 2. Lectotype (A) and isolectotype (B‒D) sheets of Thalictrum virgatum.

FIGURE 3. Selected specimens of Thalictrum virgatum from northwestern Yunnan, China.A. Binchuan, F. Ducloux 7079 (P). B. Eryuan, J.M. Delavay s.n. (P). C. Ninglang, Y.F. Han et al. 81-1073 (PE). D. Shangri-la (previously known as Zhongdian), Q.E. Yang & Q. Yuan 2112 (PE).

FIGURE 4. Selected specimens of Thalictrum virgatum from China, showing the variation of stem height and leaflet size within a population.A. Sichuan, Daocheng, T. Zhang et al. 10CS 2248 (K). B. Yunnan, Lijiang, H. Handel-Mazzetti 4084 (WU).

FIGURE 5. Selected specimens of Thalictrum virgatum from China, showing the variation of leaflet shape within a population.A. Xizang, Nyalam, Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 5906 (HNWP). B. Duplicate (KUN). C. Yunnan, Eryuan, NW Yunnan Jinshajiang Exped. 63-6198 (KUN). D. Duplicate (KUN).

FIGURE 6. Thalictrum virgatum in the wild (A: Lijiang in northwestern Yunnan, China; B‒L: Huize in northeastern Yunnan, China). A, B. Habit. C. Roots. D. Portion of stem. E. Leaf (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). F. Leaflet (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). G. Flower. H. Sepal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). I. Stamens. J. Carpels. K. Aggregate fruit (immature). L. Achenes (immature). Photographed by Y.P. Zeng.

FIGURE 11. Distribution of Thalictrum virgatum and T. secundum. Arrow indicates the type locality of Thalictrum virgatum var. obtusifolium (= T. virgatum), i.e. Binchuan in northwestern Yunnan, China.