Artemisia gracilescens Krasch. & Iljin

Jin, Guang-Zhao, Sheludyakova, Mariya, Abduraimov, Ozodbek, Feng, Ying & Ge, Xue-Jun, 2025, A Taxonomic Revision of Artemisia Subgenus Seriphidium (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) in China, Phytotaxa 686 (1), pp. 1-103 : 20-21

11. Artemisia gracilescens Krasch. & Iljin in ( Krascheninnikov 1949a: 2) ≡ Seriphidium gracilescens (Krasch. & Iljin) Poljakov (1961b: 175) . Type:— RUSSIA. Siberia: Kulunda steppe, 23 July 1913, L. Utkin s.n. (lectotype designated here: TK-002792!; isolectotypes: TK-002793!, LE01081381!, LE01081382!, LE01081383!).

Perennial herbs, 15–30 cm tall. Stems numerous, often tufted, erect or slightly curved upward at the base, often with numerous short nutritional stems, branching from the upper part, branches 3–10 cm long, obliquely pointing upwards. Lower stem leaves triangular-ovate or broadly ovate, 2–3-pinnatisect, 1–2 cm long, 0.5–1.5 cm wide, petiole 0.3–0.5 cm long, with 2–4 segments per side, segments further pinnatisect, lobules narrowly linear, 3–5 mm long, 0.5–1 mm wide, apex obtusely pointed. Middle stem leaves oblong-ovate, 1–2-pinnatisect, 1–1.5 cm long, 0.5–1 cm wide, sessile, with linear pseudostipules. Upper stem leaves pinnatisect or undivided, with narrowly linear lobules. The grayish-white tomentum on the stems and branches partially sheds at maturity, the tomentum on all leaves persists, and the leaves have a slightly soft texture, while the lower and middle stem leaves usually wither. Capitula oblong or ellipsoid, 2–4 mm long, 1.5–2.5 mm in diameter. Synflorescence a narrow conical panicle. Phyllaries in 4–5 series, outer phyllaries small, ovate, middle and inner phyllaries long, elliptic, outer and middle phyllaries dorsally covered with short soft hairs initially, later nearly glabrous and gland-dotted, margins membranous, inner phyllaries semi-membranous, dorsally nearly glabrous. Bisexual florets 2–5, corolla yellow. Anthers narrowly linear, appendages lanceolate, with an obtuse base. Styles short, with slightly bifurcate tips, minutely ciliate. Achenes with inconspicuous fine longitudinal lines, oblong.

Distribution and habitat:—This species is distributed in northern Xinjiang, China ( Figure 12 ). It grows in rocky slopes, gobi, dry canyons, terraces, roadsides, semidesert or desert steppes, and saline-alkaline soils at elevations of 800–2400 m.

Phenology:—Flowering and fruiting from August to October.

Taxonomic notes:—In the protologue of Artemisia gracilescens, Krascheninnikov (1949a) cited the gathering L. Utkin s.n. at TK as the type. We have traced five sheets associated with this gathering, two from TK and three from LE. These sheets contain the information provided in the protologue and correspond closely to the original description. Consequently, according to Arts. 9.6, 9.11 and 9.12 of the ICN ( Turland et al. 2018), sheet TK-002792 has been designated as lectotype, and the other four sheets as isolectotypes.

This species is similar to A. terrae-albae Krascheninnikov (1929: 269) in habit but can be distinguished by its 2–3-pinnatisect, triangular-ovate to broadly ovate (vs. 1–2-pinnatisect, ovate) lower leaves and obliquely upward (vs. spreading or pendulous) branches.

Specimens examined:— China. Xinjiang: without precise location, s.a., 20 August 1992, Xinjiang Exped. 472 ( IBSC) ; ibid., s.a., 20 August 1992, Xinjiang Exped. 501 ( IBSC) ; ibid., s.a., 26 July 1992, Xinjiang Exped. 1005 ( IBSC) ; Urumqi, 20 km southwest of Urumqi , 1030 m, 19 July 1956, R.C. Ching 0412 ( IBK, LE, PE, XJBI) ; Hoboksar, 15 km west of Kosh-Tologoi , s.a., 22 June 1957, A.A. Yunatov et al. 288 ( LE) ; Qapqal Xibe , desert gully, s.a., 7 August 1957, K.J. Guan 3114 ( PE) ; Urumqi-Yanqi , desert hillside, 2350 m, 22 July 1958, A.R. Li & J.N. Zhu 06235 ( PE, XJBI) ; Shawan, barren slope of Ningjiahe , s.a., 4 October 1956, Anonymous 3742 ( PE) , Jimsar, near Santai , s.a., 23 July 1956, R.C. Ching 0630 ( LE, PE) ; Fuyun , desert by the roadside, 1200 m, 3 June 1959, Xinjiang Exped. 10359 ( PE) ; Urumqi, gobi, 45 km from Hutubi , 500 m, 17 September 1957, K.J. Guan 4998 ( PE) ; Urumqi-Yanqi , valley, 1150 m, 21 July 1958, A.R. Li & J.N. Zhu 5952 ( PE, XJBI) ; Jimsar, 25 km west of Ertai , 1000 m, 2 June 1959, Xinjiang Exped. 10334 ( XJBI) ; Mulei, Shuimogou , 1280 m, 13 August 1964, Anonymous 172 ( XJBI) .

Figures

FIGURE 12. Distribution map of Artemisia gracilescens in China.