Poa sorengiana Olonova & Harsh Singh, 2023

Singh, Harsh, 2023, Poa sorengiana (Poaceae): a new species from Western Himalaya, India, Phytotaxa 609 (1), pp. 10-16 : 11

Poa sorengiana Olonova & Harsh Singh , sp.nov. ( Figs. 2 & 4 ).

Diagnosis: Poa sorengiana is morphologically similar to P. nemoralis L. and P. orinosa Keng. but, is different from P. nemoralis in its ligule length which is quite long (1.8–) 2–3 mm long (vs. less than 1 in P. nemoralis ), rachilla surface is warty, glabrous or paucipilose (vs. pubescent), surface of stem below panicle scabrid (vs. smooth) while from P. orinosa in anther length which is 0.8–1.1(1.2) mm long (vs. 1.5 mm long in P. orinosa ), leaf blade is longer than flag leaf (vs. leaf blade is shorter than flag leaf), rachilla surface warty, glabrous or paucipilose (vs. glabrous only), ligule length is less, uppermost node position at the middle or bit lower (vs. at the 1/3 or lower).

Type:— INDIA. Uttarakhand: Niti valley, Dhaulianga river , on the mountainous slopes with stones, N 30.78874 o, E 79.823493 o, 20.09.22. M.Olonova, N. Badmaeva, Harsh Singh 305884 (Holotype: LWG; Isotype: LWG) .

Perennial. Culm tufted, 20–50(–70) cm tall, erect or slightly geniculate; sometimes sparsely scabrid below the panicle and nodes because of short pricles, or almost smooth; nodes (2–)3–5, uppermost about the middle of culm or a bit lower. Leaf sheaths shorter than blades, uppermost closed for 1/6 of length and less; blade narrow linear, flat or enrolled, 0.7–2.5 mm wide, scabrid; ligule (1.8–)2–3(–3.5) mm, acute to acuminate, frequently laciniate. Panicle contracted, narrow, (–3)4–10(–12)×1–2(–3.5) cm; branches 1–2(–4) per node, angled, with dense short prickles on angles, ascending. Spikelets lanceolate, 3.5–4.5 mm, green, 2–3florets; lowermost rachilla internode 0.5 (–0.7) mm, minutely bumpy, glabrous; glumes 3-veined, apex acuminate, lower glume (2.7–) 3–3.3× 0.4–0.6 mm, upper glume 3.2–3.8 mm; lemma oblong-lanceolate, (2.8–)3–3.5(–3.8)× 0.5–0.75 mm, 5-veined, keel slightly arched, shortly villous for half marginal veins for 1/3, callus webbed to almost glabrous; palea glabrous or minutely pilulose between keels, keels scabrid. Anthers up to 1.1 (1.2) mm.

Phenology:—August–October.

Geographical distribution:— Poa sorengiana was found from type locality of Niti valley and Mana in, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India ( Fig. 1 ).

Habitat and associated species:—The new species growing inthe grasslands meadows on the mountain slopes along with scrub like Cotoneaster acuminatus Lindl. (1821: 101) , Tenaxia cachemyriana (Jaub. & Spach) N.P.Barker & H.P. Linder (2010: 352) ; Juniperus sp. (1753: 1038) between 3200 to 3700 m (amsl) ( Fig. 3 ).

Etymology:—The new species has been named Poa sorengiana in honor of the best current specialist in genus Poa, Dr. Robert J. Soreng ( USA).

Paratype:— INDIA. Uttarakhand: Mana valley, along Anakananda river , stones on the slope, N 30.778231 o, E 79.47747 o, 21.09.22, M. Olonova , N. Badmaeva, Harsh Singh 30588 5 ( LWG)

Figures

FIGURE 1. Locality of Poa sorengiana.

FIGURE 2. Poa sorengiana: A—Habit. B—Spikelet. C—Lemmas. D—uppermost ligule. E—Anther.

FIGURE 3. Habitat and vegetation of Poa sorengiana.

FIGURE 4. Poa sorengiana: A—Uppermost ligule; B.—Spikelet; C.—Floret; D.—Lower half of the floret; E.—Upper Glume; F.— Lower Glume; G.—Palea; H.—Lemmas; I & J.—Anther.