Ligusticopsis scapiformis (H. Wolff) Leute; Ligusticum maxonianum H. Wolff.

Plants 5–30 cm. Root cylindrical, elongate, branched. Stems 2–3, unbranched, subscapose, base clothed in fibrous remnant sheaths. Basal petioles 2–3 cm; blade oblong-lanceolate, 3–5 × 2–3 cm, 2–3-pinnate, primary pinnae 4–5(–10) pairs; ultimate segments linear to lanceolate, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm. Cauline leaves absent or occasionally 1, reduced. Umbels terminal, 3–6 cm wide, pilose at base; bracts 1–3, linear, pinnate or apex 3-lobed, rarely entire; rays (7–)9–15, unequal, 1–3 cm; bracteoles 8–10, 1–2-pinnate or apex 3-lobed, ca. equaling umbellules. Calyx teeth conspicuous. Petals white or purplish, obovate, base shortly clawed. Styles ca. equaling stylopodium. Fruit oblong-ovoid, 4–5 × 3–4 mm; dorsal and intermediate ribs filiform, lateral ribs winged; vittae 1–4 in each furrow, 4–6(–8) on commissure. Seed face plane. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.

This species has reputed medicinal value. The original description and a cited isotype of Ligusticum maxonianum (Yunnan: Lijiang, J. F. Rock 10380, E) possess a combination of characters in common with L. scapiforme.

Coniferous forests, montane thickets, grassland at forest margins, alpine scrub and meadows, river banks; 2700–4800 m. W Sichuan, S Xizang, NW Yunnan.