Pedicularis gracilis var. brunoniana (Wall. ex Pennell) T. Husain & Arti Garg: first report from Ladakh, Trans-Himalaya, India

Abstract

We report Pedicularis gracilis var. brunoniana (Wall. ex Pennell) T. Husain & Arti Garg (Orobanchaceae) for the first time from Ladakh, a region of Trans-Himalaya in India. This variety is most similar to P. gracilis var. macrocarpa but differs in having out-curved galea, long calyx lobes with hairy margin. Detailed morphological notes along with photographs are provided to validate this report and facilitate the field identification of this taxon. As we observed only small populations of this variety, strategies are likely required for its conservation in this Himalayan region.