A novel species of Pedicularis L. from alpine Himalaya, India

A novel species of Pedicularis L. from alpine Himalaya, India

The newly described Pedicularis lolabiensis, belonging to Ser. Semitortae Prain, recorded from Machil in the Lolab valley of Kashmir Himalaya, India. The distinguishing features that separate P. lalabiensis include annual habit, villous morphology, three whorl leaves, 18–30 flowered inflorescence, equal and unbeaked calyx, papillose coiled corolla, pinkish–white stamens, hookshaped stigma, and monocolpate pollen grains. This novel species resembles to P. oliveriana Prain with terminal raceme inflorescence, and bracts elliptic, broad at the base, larger than the calyx, calyx with 5 unequal toothed, long staminal filaments pilose at insertion and distally villous. This species thrives in specific alpine Himalayan environments. Comprehensive population mapping and threat evaluation based on IUCN Red List Categories Criteria Version 2023.1 classified as Endangered.