秀丽缬草 xiu li xie cao

Valeriana pseudodioica Pax & K. Hoffmann; V. venusta L. C. Chiu; V. xiaheensis L. C. Chiu.

Plants 5-20(-30) cm tall. Rhizomes reduced; roots fascicled, fibrous, 0.5-1 mm in diam. Stolons present or absent. Stems solitary, erect, sparsely puberulent. Basal leaves caducous; cauline leaves in 6-9 pairs, glabrous adaxially, hispidulous along veins abaxially; petiole of lowermost 1 or 2 pairs 0.5-2 cm; blade undivided, obovate, ca. 1.5 × 1-1.2 cm, margin entire, ciliate, apex rounded; middle leaves 3-lobed, lateral lobes reduced; upper leaves pinnatisect, 1-3 × 0.5-1.5 cm; lateral segment in 4-10 pairs, margin entire or rarely coarsely serrate, sparsely ciliate, apex rounded or obtuse, terminal lobe similar but slightly larger. Inflorescence capitate at anthesis; bracts and bracteoles linear-lanceolate, bracteoles shorter than achenes. Flowers polygamous; corolla rose, red, purplish red, pink, or white, funnelform, ca. 3.5 mm (bisexual) or 2.5-3 mm (female); lobes oblong, 1-1.5 mm. Stamens exserted in bisexual flowers, vestigial in female flowers; style exserted. Achenes not seen. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Aug.

● Moist slopes; 3300-4300 m. S Gansu (Xiahe), Qinghai (Tongde), W Sichuan (Dawu, Sêrtar), NW Yunnan (Dêqên).