Abstract:

During a plant diversity survey in Chentang valley located on the southern slopes of the Himalayan range, an unrecorded specimen from the genus Pedicularis, not documented in the Flora of China, was discovered. Based on a comprehensive literature review and detailed morphological comparison, the plant was identified as a new record of Pedicularis tamurensis T. Yamaz in China, with a new Chinese name, Chen Tang Ma Xian Hao, accordingly proposed. Prior to this finding, the species was only known to exist in Nepal, but has now been identified in Chentang Town, Dingjie County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This newly documented species grows under (Abies fabri (Mast.) Craib) forests at altitudes of approximately 2 900 m. While similar to Pedicularis fletcheri P. C. Tsoong, the species can be distinguished based on the following characteristics: leaves opposite, lamina pinnatisect, densely hairy on both surfaces; inflorescence racemose; flowers white, galea sickle-shaped and curved, tapering to beak in middle, apex 2-lobed, and labium inferius completely enveloping galea. This paper describes the morphological traits and distribution of P. tamurensis in detail, with color images provided for easy identification. This new discovery advances our knowledge of domestic Pedicularis and plant diversity in China.