PARNASSIA CHINENSIS AND P. PUSILLA

• Published in: Journal of Plant Research Vol. 114; no. suppl; p. 54
• Main Authors: Shinobu Akiyama, Hideaki Ohba
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Botanical Society of Japan 2001
• ISSN: 0918-9440

The genus Parnassia is diversified in the Sino-Himalayan floristic region. 1-lara (1979) recognized six species from Nepal, two of which, P. chinensis and P. pusilla, occur in alpine zone and resemble to share short stems, small flowers, white petals distinctly larger than sepals, and trilobed staminodes. The differnces of these two species are rather controversial. During our taxonomic studies relating to the Flora of Nepal, we have observed recent our collections of these two species in three regions, Jaljale Himal and Hinku and Hunku valleys in East Nepal and Ganesh 1-limal in Central Nepal. In Parnassia chinensis and P. pusilla, variations of floral characters are examined based on our recent collections from Nepal. As the results Parnassia chinensis and R pusilla are clearly distinguished by the shape of the petals. Parnassia pusilla was found in three regions but there is no regional variation. While P. chinensis was not found in Hinku and Hunku valleys. Moreover, R chihensis in Ganesh Himal is conspicuously smaller than those in Jaliale Himal and has smaller flowers with more hairy calyx lobes and less fimbriate petals. As conclution we consider that the specimen collected in Ganesh Himal represent a local variety.