Schizotechium monospermum (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Pusalkar & S.K.Srivast. (2016: 83)

Kafle, Rashika & Parmar, Gaurav, 2024, Taxonomic revision of Schizotechium (Caryophyllaceae) in Nepal, including one new record, Phytotaxa 645 (1), pp. 29-42 : 34-38

Schizotechium monospermum (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Pusalkar & S.K.Srivast. (2016: 83) .

≡ Stellaria monosperma Buch. -Ham. ex D. Don (1825: 215). ≡ Stellularia monosperma (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Kuntze (1891: 52) .

Lectotype (non-explicitly designated by Hara et al. 1979):— NEPAL. Kathmandu, Narayanhiti , 16 October 1802, F. Buchanan-Hamilton s.n. ( BM000521530 !) .

= Stellaria crispata Wall. ex D. Don (1825: 215) .

Lectotype (designated here):— NEPAL. s.d., N. Wallich Cat. no. 633 (K001111448!, isolectotypes GZU000273162! K001111449!, K001111447!, L0038712!, L0038713!).

= Stellaria glandulifera Klotzsch (1862: 141) .

Lectotype (designated here):—Himalaya [illustration!] in Bot. Ergebn. Reise Waldemar ( Klotzsch, 1862), pl. 28.

= Stellaria nyalamensis L.H. Zhou (1983: 693) .

Lectotype (designated here):— CHINA. Xizang, Nyalam, 2700–2800 m, 14 August 1972, Xizang Exp. Tibetan medicinal Herb 1170 (HNWP30302!, isolectotypes HNWP79861, PE01187881!, PE00047910!).

Nomenclatural note:— Pusalkar & Srivastava (2016) erroneously designated Wallich Cat. no. 633 (K001111448) as the lectotype of S. monosperma . The protologues have only cited the specimen “ Hamilton MSS” for S. monosperma and the specimen “ Wallich in Litt” for S. crispata . However, we discovered six specimens (syntypes) of S. crispata collected by Hamilton in four different herbaria, therefore, we designated the most complete specimen at the easily accessible K, K001111448, as the lectotype of S. crispata . The protologue of S. glandulifera did not mention any (type) specimen, but explained the illustrations provided on “plate 28” of S. glandulifera . Therefore, we designated the illustration “ Pl. 28 ” as the lectotype of S. glandulifera . L.H. Zhou (1983) designated Xizang Exp. Tibetan medicinal Herb 1170 in HP as a type of S. nyalamensis . We found four specimens, two in HNWP (=HP) and two in PE, with the same collection number. Therefore, the more complete specimen of the two deposited at HNWP, HNWP30302, was chosen as the lectotype of S. nyalamensis according to the rules of ICN ( Turland et al., 2018).

Diagnosis:— Plants shiny, green, mostly appear glabrous to subglabrous, dense tomentose in apical parts; stems 60–90(–110) cm; leaves sessile to subsessile, linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, base amplexicaul, glabrous on adaxial surface, tomentose on abaxial surface; flowers mostly dense and sticky, peduncles up to 6(–10) cm; petals subequal to sepals; filaments with small glands at base; seeds rugose with dense reticulate articulations.

Description:— Perennial herbs. Roots tuberous, fusiform with simple lateral roots. Shiny and green in appearance, white uniseriate multicellular eglandular or glandular tomentose mostly on apical parts, subglabrous to glabrous on basal and median parts. Stems ascending, sometimes subscandent, diffuse branching, older stem shiny and pale yellow, immature one’s rough green with purplish tinge on nodes and internodes, 60–90(–110) cm, 4-angled, stout, immature stems with one to two lines of hairs, mature stems glabrous usually. Basal nodes include small leaves on axils. Basal and median leaves sub-sessile to sessile, leaf blade green, linear-lanceolate or oblong lanceolate, (1.5–)2–15(–18) × (0.5–) 1–3.5 cm, base rounded to subcordate, apex narrowly acute, margins entire and broadly crispate and glabrous, subcoriaceous, glabrous on adaxial surface, tomentose on abaxial surface, midvein conspicuous, venation closed; apical bracteate leaves sessile, leaf blade green, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 1.5–8 × 0.4–2.5 cm, base rounded to subcordate, apex acute, margins entire and tomentose, subcoriaceous, sparsely tomentose on abaxial surface, otherwise glabrous on both surfaces, midvein depressed adaxially, mostly glandular or sometimes eglandular tomentose along mid-veins on both surfaces, venation closed. Flowers usually dense, sometimes sparse in terminal or axillary di/ trichotomously branched paniculate cymes. Peduncles up to 6(–10) cm, glandular-tomentose. Bracts foliaceous, sessile, green, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 3–15 × 1.5–6 mm, base subcordate, apex narrowly acute, margins with glandular tomentose, usually glabrous adaxially and glandular tomentose abaxially, midvein conspicuous with glandular-tomentose. Pedicels 2.5–20 mm, densely tomentose. Flowers 10–14 mm across, showy due to spreading sepals, nectarous disc slightly conspicuous. Sepals 5, lanceolate, (5–)5.5–8 × 1.5–2 mm, base nearly rounded, apex acute, margins tomentose and membranaceous, adaxially glabrous, abaxially glandular-tomentose on both base and apex, midrib conspicuous. Petals 5, widely obovate with abrupt tapering cuneate base, 4–5 × 1.5–2 mm subequal to sepals; lamina 2-cleft up to 1/2–2/3 excluding tapering base, each lobe obovate or triangular-ovate, apex acute or obtuse, midrib conspicuous with 2–3 veins. Stamens 10 (5+5 arrangement), 2.5–4 mm, almost all stamens equal in length or inner one shorter and outer longer, arranged alternately; filaments slightly connate at base at base, white, slender, small pale-yellow nectarous glands at base, 5-lobed and alternipetalous; anthers dorsifixed, young anthers yellow, pale yellow-brown when matured, broadly ellipsoid, 0.6–0.8 mm across. Ovary globose, 1.5–2 mm; styles 3, 2.5–4 mm, apex slightly curved. Capsules yellowish green, suborbicular, shorter than sepals, 4.6–5 mm, 6-valved; valves oblong-lanceolate, apex obtuse or broadly acute, scaly. Seed one at mature, rarely 2, brown, suborbicular or subreniform, 2.6–3.5 mm, rugose with dense reticulate articulations, margins sinuate, surfaces smooth ( Fig. 4 ).

Note:— Schizotechium monospermum population seem to be stickier to the touch because of the presence of densely eglandular and glandular tomentose. Sepals are lanceolate and abaxially glandular-tomentose on both the base and apex, as well as margins in S. monospermum , whereas oblong sepals in S. devendrae are adaxially glabrous and abaxially glandular-tomentose on base; otherwise, they are glabrous including margins. Its glands on the stamen base are not much distinct compared to S. devendrae . Seeds in S. monospermum are suborbicular or subreniform and measure 2.6–3.5 mm, while seeds in S. devendrae are broadly ovoid and measure 2–2.6 mm. Rarely, up to two degraded seeds are found in S. monospermum which measured up to 0.8 mm.

Phenology:— June to November.

Habitat and distribution:— This species is found in moist and shady forest under dense canopy (1200–3600 m). It is distributed in W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, S Asia (Punjab, E Pakistan) and SW Asia and W, C & E Nepal (up to western point of Central Nepal).

Vernacular name:— जंगली साग (Jangali Saag), जेठी मधु (Jethi Madhu), संहाली साग (Sanhali Saag), म्हनजरी (Mhanjari), सहाँइली साग (Sahainli Saag) in Nepali, and वन म्रान (Ban Mraan) in Tamang.

Uses in Nepal:— Root juice is given to cattle to cure diarrhea ( Manandhar 2002); roots are used in curing fatigue and dehydration ( Bhandari et al., 2021); leaves are used as vegetable by Bankariya and Tamang ethnic groups ( Miya et al., 2021); whole plant is used in curing whooping cough ( Bhattarai & Tamang, 2017).

Additional specimens examined:— NEPAL. West Nepal: Karnali Province, Dailekh district, Bhama Saini, 2600 m, 24 October 1975, T.B. Shrestha & N.P. Manandhar 434 (KATH!); Jumla district, Ghurchi Lekh, near Chautha, 3000 m, 28 August 1952, Polunin, Sykes & Williams 3074 (TI!); Kalikot district, Panipokhari–Bajhangeneta–Beuli–P Pass–Chaukebada, 28°59’N, 81°38’E, 4 August, 1991, M. Suzuki, H. Hatta, N. Kurosaki, M. Mikage, F. Miyamoto, K.R. Rajbhandari, H. Takayama & K. Taerada 9160222 (TI!); Mugu district, Mugu Khola, between Daura and Mugu, 3150 m, 17 August 1952, Stainton, Sykes & Williams 5237 (TI!); Sudurpaschim Province, Bajhang district, Talkot–Sero–a pass–river–a pass–Aagar, 29°36’N, 81°18’E, 18 August 1991, M. Suzuki, H. Hatta, N. Kurosaki, M. Mikage, F. Miyamoto, K.R. Rajbhandari, H. Takayama & K. Taerada 9160750 (TI!); Bajura district, Roshidanda–a pass–Dhalaun–a river–a pass–a river–Aagar, 29°42’N, 81°21’E, 22 August 1991, M. Suzuki, H. Hatta, N. Kurosaki, M. Mikage, F. Miyamoto, K.R. Rajbhandari, H. Takayama & K. Taerada 9160905 (TI!). Central Nepal: Bagmati Province, Dhading district, Toplang, 1700 m, 12 September 1999, B.R. Dangol 235 (TUCH!); Kathmandu district, Sivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, near Tallo Deurali, 2308 m, 27°47’53”N, 85°23’10”E, 27 September 2020, R. Kafle, P.R. Gurung, B. Shrestha & G. Lama RK046 (KATH!); Kathmandu district, Sivapuri- Nagarjun National Park, Tallo Deurali, 2308 m, 27°47’52”N, 85°23’11”E, 27 September 2020, R. Kafle, P.R. Gurung, B. Shrestha & G. Lama RK049 (KATH!); Kathmandu district, Thankot forest, 16 November 1968, MSc. Excursion Party 93 (TUCH!); Kathmandu district, Bagdwar, 8300 ft., 9 September 1977, P. Pradhan, & N. Shrestha 53 (KATH!); Kathmandu district, Sheopuri, 2438 m, December 1970, T.B. Shrestha S-22 (KATH!); Lalitpur district, Phulchowki, 1550 m, 3 October 2007, N.P. Pokhrel, Re.4 (TUCH!); Lalitpur district, Phulchowki, 2700 m, 19 September 1970, H. Kanai 675/56 (KATH!); Lalitpur district, Phulchowki, 2895.6 m, 3 October 1970, R. Krishna & R. Bahadur 17892 (KATH!); Makwanpur district, Rikheswor Jungle, 2380 m, 20 September 2003, G.D. Bhatta & D.B. Karkee 791 (KATH!); Makwanpur district, Thaha Municipality, Chitlang, 2202 m, 27°39’57”N, 85°11’54”E, 2 December 2019, R. Kafle, S. Limbu & T. Chaudhary RK025 (KATH!); Nuwakot district, above Salme, 2000 m, 19 November 1979, N.P. Manandhar 3278 (KATH!); Nuwakot district, Chisapani, 1828.8 m, 3 September 1970, Shrestha & Adhikari 17349 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Way to Gosainkunda, near Dhimsa, 2941 m, 28°6’24”N, 85°19’40”E, 3 October 2021, R. Chhetri, T.K. Thapa & R. Kafle RK311 (KATH!, TUCH!); Near Kutungchhyang, 2286 m, 7 September 1965, Shrestha & Shakya 3710 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Beyond Syarpagaon, north side of Langtang river, 2750 m, 19 September 1966, D.H. Nicolson 2473 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Langtang, 2700 m, 28°11’N, 85°17’E, 7 September 1971, J.F. Dobremez DBR NEP no. 985 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, West of Ghora Tabela, 2895.6 m, 23 August 1976, Durham University Himalayan Expedition D39 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Manjul–Rasuwa, 8200 ft., 15 July 1977, N.P. Manandhar 73 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Chandanbari–Dhunche, 7000 ft., 29 August 1977, H.K. Saiju & P.M. Amatya 62/77 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Khamjm, 2290 m, 3 October 1977, N.P. Manandhar & Party 443 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Lama Hotel, 2500 m, 24 June 1986, N.K. Bhattarai, 86/492 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, near Lama Hotel, 2375 m, 27 September 1994, R.K. Yadav 04–3 (TUCH!); Rasuwa district, Lama Hotel, 2735 m, 27 September 1994, D.K. Shah 103D (TUCH!); Rasuwa district, Lama Hotel, 2375 m, 27 September 1994, M. Adhikari 057L (TUCH!); Rasuwa district, Dhunche, 2000 m, 28 August 2001, I. Shrestha & N. Joshi 166/2001 (KATH!); Rasuwa district, Deurali, 1950 m, 28°05’50”N 85°19’37”E, 20 September 2007, N.P. Pokhrel, M.R. Poudel & J. Pandey Th.350 (TUCH!); Rasuwa district, Deurali, 1950 m, 28°05’50”N 85°19’37”E, 22 September 2007, N.P. Pokhrel, J. Pandey & M.R. Poudel Th.372 (TUCH!); Mustang district, Alubari Kharka, 3580 m, 28°45’N, 83°41’E, 30 July 2001, S. Noshiro, M. Amano, Y. Iokawa, T. Kurosawa & M.N. Subedi 20106006 (TI!); Myagdi district, Ritu Kharka–Lulang, 2879 m, 28°32’N, 83°14’E, 21 September 1996, M. Mikage, R. Hirano, N. Kondo, R. Lacoul, C. Mohri, A. Takahashi & K. Yonekura 9682966 (TI!). East Nepal: Koshi Province, Khotang district, Dorpa Churi Danda–Pukhu Khola–Lamakhu–Sapsu Khola–Chiyan Danda–Deurali Danda, 1200 m, 27°11’N, 86°49’E, 30 October 1995, M. Mikage, T. Kajita, F. Kiuchi, N. Kondo, P. Lacoul, M. Suzuki & K. Yokenura 9554219 (TI!); Sankhuwasabha district, Banduke–Jomle, 2020–2880 m, 27°33’N, 87°29’E, 4 August 1991, H. Ohba, S. Akiyama, H. Ikeda, T. Kikuchi, S. Noshiro, Y. Omori, M.N. Subedi & M. Wakabayashi 9191121 (TI!); Solukhumbu district, Pike Dongshar–Ngawur–Goligaon–Namikhil, 27°30’N, 86°27’E, 9 September 1985, H. Ohba, M. Wakabayashi, M. Suzuki, N. Kurosaki, K.R. Rajbhandari & S.K. Wu 8581439 (TI!).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Schizotechium monospermum. A. Habit, B. Inflorescence, C. Flower, D. Sepals, E. Petal, F. Stamens, G. Pistil, H. Capsule and valve, I. Seeds (photograph B by S. Karki; others by R. Kafle).