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.