Acanthocalyx nepalensis subsp. delavayi (Franch.) D. Y. Hong

Flowering from June to August; fruiting from July to September.

Acanthocalyx nepalensis subsp. delavayi is close relative of Acanthocalyx nepalensis subsp. nepalensis, but differs from the latter in its ovary and achene usually puberulous (vs. glabrous).

Acanthocalyx nepalensis subsp. delavayi is occurring in W Sichuan, SE Xizang, N Yunnan of China.

Phylogenetic relationships of Morinaceae and related Dipsacales were inferred from two chloroplast regions (the trnK intron and the trnL-F region) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (Bella and Donoghue, 2003). Results shown the Morinaceae, Acanthocalyx, Cryptothladia, and a clade containing Morina and Cryptothladia, are all supported as monophyletic. Dispersal-vicariance analyses support the view that Valerina radiated initially within Asia, with subsequent movement into Europe in Morinaceae, Dipsacaceae, and Valerianaceae, and into the New World in Valerianaceae.

Tap roots fleshy. Caudexes short, woody. Fertile stems solitary, or 2 or 3, 10-50 cm tall, sparsely pubescent above. Rosulate leaves entire, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, less frequently linear, 10-25 cm long, 0.5-2.6 cm, both surfaces glabrous, base attenuate, margin entire and usually setose, apex acute or acuminate. Leaves on flowering stems 2-4-paired, elliptic to linear-lanceolate, shorter upward on stems; lowest pair of leaves often much smaller, nearly ovate or spatulate, spineless; uppermost pair of leaves more spiny at base, overlapping but not sheathing. Inflorescence a head, sometimes with 1 or 2 separate clusters of flowers below primary head; involucrate bracts ovate, spinose, concave or folded; involucels sessile, tubular-campanulate, 8-10 mm, outside sparsely villous, with more than 15 spines unequal in length , apex truncate. Calyx tubular, green below, purple above, or entirely purple, 7-15 mm; tube ca. 1/2 as long as total length of calyx; fissure large, edges villous and dentate-spiny, spines usually 5, irregularly arranged. Corolla pink or purple, slightly zygomorphic, straight or slightly curved; tube 10-25 mm long, 1.5-3 mm wide, villous; lobes 5, obcordate, 3-4 mm. Stamens 4, included; filaments sparsely villous, inserted at corolla throat. Achenes columnar, 4-6 mm, puberulous.

Growing in alpine meadows, forests; 3000-4200 m.

Acanthocalyx delavayi (lat. Acanthocalyx delavayi) — fırçaotukimilər fəsiləsinin acanthocalyx cinsinə aid bitki növü.

Acanthocalyx delavayi is a small perennial plant species that grows in stony ground. It can be found in Yunnan, China. Each rosette of leaves supports an inflorescence on which are held 10–15 light purple flowers. Its sepals and leaves are protected by spines.

Acanthocalyx delavayi es una especie perteneciente a la familia Caprifoliaceae.​

Acanthocalyx delavayi é uma espécie do gênero botânico Acanthocalyx, da família das Dipsacaceae.

É uma planta pequena, perene, que cresce em solos pedregosos. É encontrada em Yunnan, China. A inflorescência apoia de 10 a 15 flores púrpuras claras. As folhas são protegidas por espinhos dorsais.