Polygonum sarobiense Rech. fil.

A shrubby Irano-Turanian species, which is quite near to P. paronychioides C.A. Mey. ex Hohen. but differs in having numerous ascending, axillary branches with few leaves and smaller ochrea whereas in P. paronychioides axillary branches are thick with several leaves and ochreae are larger. In Pakistan this species seems to be localized in Chitral only.

Suberect to erect, 10-30(-40) cm high, branched, perennial subshrub. Branches numerous ± filiform, erect or ascending, woody. Leaves 3-6 (-8) x 0.5 -0.75 (-1) mm, linear to filiform, acuminate, margin papillose, sessile. Ochreae c. 0.3 cm long, ovate, tubular, hyaline, ciliate, base densely papillose. Inflorescence axillary, 1(-2)-flowered, short raceme. Flowers 2-2.5 mm across, sessile, enclosed by ochreolae. Ochreolae 1-2 mm long, ovate, acuminate, ciliate, glabrous. Tepals 5, 1-1.5 mm long, lanceolate, unequal, 2 longer, long acuminate or mucronate, the other 3 acute. Stamens 8, glandular, filaments short, equal. Ovary 0.75-1 x c. 0.5 mm, trigonous, oblanceolate, with three styles and star-shaped stigmas. Nuts 1.0-2.5 x 0.5-1.0 cm, trigonous, dark brown, pubescent.

Distribution: Afghanistan and Pakistan (Chitral).

Fl. Per.: June-August.