Trichodesma stocksii Boiss.

As already pointed out by Kazmi (l.c. 522), Trichodesma longipedicellatum barely differs from Trichodesma stocksii, except in the taller, robust habit and larger acute leaves and should be considered as an ecological variant.

Perennial branched herb, 35 cm or more tall, hairy; hairs dimorphic; shorter ones 0.2 mm long, retrorsely appressed, mixed with stouter ones, up to 0.5 mm long, arising from a bulbous base. leaves petiolate; petiole 1-1.5 cm long; terminal, 2-6 x 1-3 cm, dilated towards base, hairy on both surfaces-the hairs similar to those on the stem and branches. Upper cauline leaves smaller, sessile to subsessile. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, lax Bracts lanceolate, 3.4 mm long. Pedicels slender, 10-15 mm long, hairy. Flowers mauve, white with a dark centre. Calyx 5-partite into ovate-lanceolate lobes 8-9 mm long, hairy with dimorphic hairs. Corolla tube shorter than calyx, lobes 6-7 mm long, obtuse. Anthers densely hairy, aristate. Style slender, c. 10 mm long in fruit. Nutlets 6.5-7 mm long, ± pitcher-form, inner dorsal surface smooth to minutely tuberculate.

Distribution: S. Iran, Pakistan, India.

Fl. Per.: February-March.