Lepidagathis calycina Hochst. ex DC.

Apparently rare in our area but reported by Rechinger (l.c.) and Stewart (l.c.) from Sind and S. Waziristan.

An erect, up to 30 cm, profusely branched undershrub with ± pubescent young shoots. Leaves shortly petiolate; lamina oblong-lanceolate, 1-2 cm x 4-8 mm, almost glabrous, acute. Flowers dirty white, in up to 2 cm long, racemosely arranged ovoid spikes; bracts elliptic-obovate, c. 4 x c. 6 mm, mucronate, faintly ciliolate, ultimately becoming scarious; bracteoles linear-subulate, 4-6 mm long. Calyx lobes unequal, upper lobe longest, elliptic-lanceolate, 3-nerved, acute, aristate, lower lobes lanceolate, inner lobes linear-subulate. Corolla 1.2-1.5 cm long, slightly pubsecent outside, upper lip oblong, 2-lobed, lower lip patent, subequally 3-lobed, purple spotted. Ovary glabrous with ± pubescent style. Capsule c. 8 mm long, 4-seeded.

Distribution: Ethiopia and Pakistan (Sind, Baluchistan).

Fl. Per.: March-April.