Salvia manasluensis Pendry & Y.K.Wei

Pendry, Colin A & Wei, Yukun K, 2021, FLORA OF NEPAL NOTULAE I: TAXONOMIC NOTES ON NEPALESE SALVIA, Edinburgh Journal of Botany 78 (331), pp. 1-8 : 4-6

Salvia manasluensis Pendry & Y.K.Wei

A single popUlation of this large-flowered Salvia was recorded dUring fieldwork in the Manaslu region of western Nepal. Although only one specimen was collected, it is considered to be sUfficiently distinct from other species of Salvia to merit its description as a new species.

Salvia manasluensis Pendry & Y.K.Wei , sp. nov.

Species of Salvia close to S. campanulata Wall. ex Benth. bUt with markedly larger flowers (33 mm versus 23–26 mm). – Holotype, here designated: Nepal, Manang, southwest of Bimtang, 28 ° 37′11′′N, 84 ° 27′57′′ E, 3380 m, 14 viii 2008, Ikeda et al. 20818143 (holo TI; iso E [E00662247], KATH). Figure 2 .

Perennial herb to 1. 5 m. Stems erect, with an indumentum of long, brown, simple or glandular hairs. Basal leaves not seen. Petioles of upper leaves 0.5–3 cm, shorter above. Leaves broadly ovate, 5–22 × 4–20 cm, markedly smaller above, base deeply cordate to obtuse in uppermost leaves, apex acute to acuminate, margin serrate to crennate, glabrous above, brown villous and minutely gland-spotted below, denser along the veins. Inflorescence a panicle of 2(–6)-flowered verticillasters. Bracts ovate, acuminate, 8–22 mm, entire. Bracteoles elliptic, 5 × 3 mm. Calyx campanulate 18 mm, upper lip rounded, 2 mm, 1-toothed, lower lip 7 mm, teeth 4 mm, cuspidate. Corolla yellow, 33 mm, tube 21 mm, 12 mm wide, annulus 7 mm from base, upper lip straight, 12 mm, lower lip 14 mm, middle lobe to 8 × 14 mm. Stamens fUsed, filaments 7 mm, connective Upper arm 4 mm, lower arm 3 mm, upper theca 3.5 mm, lower theca fertile, 2 mm. Staminodes 2 mm. Style 33 mm, included or up to 2 mm exerted. Nutlets not seen.

Altitudinal range. c. 3400 m.

Ecology. Open areas in Abies woodland.

Phenology. Flowering in August, fruiting in September.

Distribution. Endemic to Nepal. Known only from the type collection.

Salvia manasluensis is clearly closely related to S. campanulata , but it is easily distinguished by its very mUch larger flowers.

Figures

Figure 2. Salvia manasluensis Pendry & Y.K.Wei, sp. nov. A, Basal leaf; B, upper leaves and stem; C, inflorescence; D, opened calyx (oUter view); E, opened corolla (inner view); F, ovary and style. Scale bars: A–C, 5 cm; D–F, 1 cm. Drawn by Claire Banks from Ikeda et al. 20818143 (E and TI).