叉枝龙胆 cha zhi long dan

Annuals 3-4 cm tall. Stems ascending to erect, 3 or 4 × divaricate from base, glabrous. Basal leaves withered at anthesis; petiole 4-7 mm; leaf blade broadly ovate, 3-9 × 2.5-5 mm, abaxially glabrous, adaxially densely and minutely papillate, base rounded to cordate, margin cartilaginous and smooth, apex acute; veins 1-3, distinct, slender. Stem leaves spreading, much shorter than internodes. Flowers few. Pedicel 3-10 mm, glabrous. Calyx obconic, 3.5-5.5 mm; lobes filiform-subulate, 1-2 mm, base 0.5-1 mm wide, margin cartilaginous and smooth, apex acuminate, midvein prominent. Corolla pale blue, narrowly obconic, 1.1-1.4 cm; lobes ovate-elliptic, 3.5-4 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse; plicae oblong, 2.5-3 mm, margin clavate fringed with expanded tips. Stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube, equal; filaments 3-3.5 mm; anthers ellipsoid, 0.6-0.8 mm. Ovary ellipsoid, 2.5-3 mm; gynophore 4-5 mm, stout. Style 2-3 mm; stigma lobes linear. Fl. Jul.

* Shady forest slopes; ca. 2300 m. SW Sichuan.