Silene markamensis L. H. Zhou

Yang, Feng & Wang, Huan-Chong, 2025, Taxonomic clarification of Silene dawoensis (Caryophyllaceae): synonymization with S. batangensis and reinstatement of S. longiuscula, PhytoKeys 257, pp. 51-64 : 51-64

Silene markamensis L. H. Zhou in Fl. Xizang. 1: 734 (1983).

Type.

China • Xizang, Mangkang County, on the road from Mangkang to Batang , 3000 m, 9 September 1977, B. Z. Guo and W. Y. Wang 23584 (Holotype: HQ, Isotypes: HNWP [ HNWP 68194 , HNWP 187674 , HNWP 183901 ]). — Fig. 1 D .

Description.

Herbs perennial, 30–80 cm long. Roots robust, conical, lignified. Stems erect or ascending, multibranched from woody base, glabrous or sparsely hairy, apically viscid. Basal leaves patulate-oblanceolate, withered at anthesis; cauline leaves with short sterile axillary branches, linear or linear-lanceolate, (1.5 –) 3–5 (– 6) cm long, 2–5 mm wide, base cuneate or attenuate, glabrous, apex acuminate, midvein prominent. Flowers erect, in a lax, few-flowered thyrse; cymules with peduncles subequaling pedicels, opposite or alternate, often 1 - flowered. Pedicel 0.5–4 cm long, slender, glabrous, viscid; bracts linear, 5–10 mm long, ciliate. Calyx tubular, clavate in fruit, pale yellow, 2.5–3.5 cm long, ca. 3 mm in diam., glabrous, veins green or violet; calyx teeth ca. 1.5 mm. Androgynophore 1.5–2.0 cm long, glabrous. Petal claws slightly exserted beyond calyx, narrowly lanceolate, 1–1.5 cm, glabrous, not auriculate, limbs pale red or white, obcordate or obovate, 1–1.4 cm, divided to about halfway; lobes narrowly ovate, entire; coronal scales very small. Stamens and styles exserted; filaments glabrous. Ovary oblong, ca. 1 cm long; styles 3, ca. 1.3 cm long. Capsule oblong, 1.0– 1.5 cm long. Seeds dark brown, reniform, slightly flat, ca. 1.2 mm, with a groove along the ridge, forming a shallow “ V ” shape.

Phenology.

Silene markamensis was observed flowering from June to August and fruiting from August to September.

Distribution and habitat.

This species is endemic to Xizang and Sichuan of China. It grows in grasslands, cliffs, at 1400–3600 m.

Notes.

The distribution in Yunnan is doubtful, and the specimen (Deqen, C. Y. Wu 4409 ( KUN)) cited by “ Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae ” is actually a misidentification of Silene esquamata . Silene markamensis is superficially similar to S. esquamata but distinct mostly by its basal leaves oblanceolate (vs. spatulate-oblanceolate), cauline leaves linear or linear-lanceolate (vs. broadly oblanceolate), calyx tubular, 2.5–3.5 cm (vs. 1.2–1.5 cm) long, androgynophore 1.5–2.0 cm (vs. 0.5 cm) long, limbs white or pale red (vs. pink).

Additional specimens examined.

China. Sichuan: • Batang County, Zhubalong village, east bank of Jinshajiang River Valley , hillside thickets, 2450 m, 29 August 1981, Qinghai-Tibet Team 005195 ( KUN, CDBI, HITBC) ; • Litang County, on rocky, 2000 m, 9 July 1930, F. T. Wang 21682 ( KUN, PE, WUK) ; • Litang County, on rocky, 1800 m, 18 August 1933, T. T. Yu 2493 ( PE, CQNM, IBSC, LBG) ; • Xiangchen County, sunny and grassy slope, 3100 m, 30 September 1973, Sichuan Vegetation Team 3567 ( CDBI, KUN, PE) . Xizang: • Mangkang County, ca. 9 KM on G 318 road from Rumei to Zuogong , roadside, on the valley slope, 29°34'38"N, 98°18'50"E, 3103 m, 13 September 2008, T. Zhang et al. 08 CS 677 ( KUN) ; • Mangkang County, Zhubalong village, near Xiquhe Bridge , dry-hot valley scrubs, 29°45'20.07"N, 98°57'37.33"E, 2525–2560 m, 19 August 2010, Kham Expedition 10–2318 ( PE) ; • Mangkang County, Zhubalong village, on the way from Sandaoban to Erdaoban, along National Highway G 318 , 29°41'51.8"N, 98°52'26.52"E, 2912 m, 15 August 2023, F. Yang et al. MK 22974 ( YUKU) .

Figures

Figure 1. A comparison of the type specimens of Silene batangensis (A), S. dawoensis (B), S. longiuscula (C), and S. markamensis (D).