Pimpinella tibetanica H. Wolff

This species has reputed medicinal value. It is common in the E Himalayas, where the plants differ slightly in that simple basal leaves are more prevalent, the petals are sometimes dark purple, and it is recorded up to 4100 m in altitude. See also the taxonomic note under Pimpinella candolleana.

Plants perennial, 20–100 cm, sparsely hirsute. Root fusiform or cylindric, 3–10 × 0.3–0.8 cm. Stems 1–3, 1–2(–5)-branched. Basal leaves few, petioles 5–15 cm; blade ternate (rarely simple); leaflets cordate-ovate, 1.5–5 × 1–3.5 cm. Cauline leaves similar to basal, 3-lobed, lobes ovate or lanceolate. Umbels 3–5 cm across; bracts 1–5, linear, 6–16 mm, or absent; rays 8–15(–20), 1–3(–4) cm, unequal; bracteoles 3–7, linear, 2–4 mm, ca. equal to or longer than pedicels; umbellules 6–8 mm across, 10–20-flowered; pedicels 0.5–2.5 mm. Calyx teeth obsolete. Petals white, obcordate, abaxially hairy, apex notched with small incurved lobule. Stylopodium conic; styles 1.5–2 × stylopodium, reflexed. Fruit ovoid-ellipsoid, 1.7–2 × 1–1.5 mm, base cordate, surface granulate with minute papillae; vittae 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Seed face plane. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Oct.

Nepal, Tibet.

W Sichuan, S Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim].

3900-4300 m

Forest margins, grassy slopes; 1200–3000 m.

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

Pimpinella tibetanica is close relative of Pimpinella bisinuata, but differs from the latter in its bracteoles equal to or longer (vs. shorter) than pedicels, vittae 1 (vs. 1-4) in each furrow.

Pimpinella tibetanica is occurring in W Sichuan, S Xizang, NW Yunnan of China, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim.

The evolutionary relationships among members of Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) tribe Scandiceae were inferred from nucleotide sequence variation in the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (Downie et al., 2000). Phylogenies estimated suggest that Athamanta is polyphyletic, with Athamanta della-cellae allied with Daucus and Athamanta macedonica placed close to Pimpinella.

Plants perennial, 20-100 cm, sparsely hirsute. Root fusiform or cylindric, 3-10 cm long, 0.3-0.8 cm wide. Stems 1-3, 1-4-branched. Basal leaves few, petioles 5-15 cm; blade ternate (rarely simple); leaflets cordate-ovate, 1.5-5 cm long, 1-3.5 cm wide. Cauline leaves similar to basal, 3-lobed, lobes ovate or lanceolate. Umbels 3-5 cm in diameter; bracts 1-5, linear, 6-16 mm, or absent; rays 8-15, 1-3 cm, unequal; bracteoles 3-7, linear, 2-4 mm, ca. equal to or longer than pedicels; umbellules 6-8 mm in diameter, 10-20-flowered; pedicels 0.5-2.5 mm. Calyx teeth obsolete. Petals white, obcordate, abaxially hairy, apex notched with small incurved lobule. Stylopodium conic; styles 1.5-2 times stylopodium, reflexed. Fruit ovoid-ellipsoid, 1.7-2 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, base cordate, surface granulate with minute papillae; vittae 1 in each furrow, 2 on commissure. Seed face plane.

Growing in forest margins, grassy slopes; 1200-3000 m.

Pimpinella tibetanica was used as medically.