直鳞禾叶风毛菊 zhi lin he ye feng mao ju

Saussurea romuleifolia Franchet var. ortholepis (Handel-Mazzetti) Handel-Mazzetti ex S. Y. Hu.

Outer phyllaries appressed, sparsely pubescent, apically erect.

● Alpine and montane steppes; 3300-5400 m. Gansu, Qinghai, W Sichuan, Xizang.

In S. W. Liu (Fl. Qinghai. 3: 465 1996) this taxon was treated under Saussurea eopygmaea. Plants from S Qinghai (Chindu, Nangqên, Yushu) often have several (2-4) clustered heads and usually grow taller (10-40 cm); they may deserve separate taxonomic status.