泥炭藓密枝亚种

Sphagnum assamicum C. Müll., Flora 70: 411. 1887. Sphagnum siamense Dix., J. Siam Soc. Nat. Hist. Suppl. 9: 3. 1933.

This subspecies is separated from Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre by having different formation of the chlorocysts of the branch leaves. In cross section, the green cells of ssp. pseudocymbifolium are equilateral-triangular, similar to those of S. imbricatum, while those of ssp. palustre are narrowly isosceles-triangular or trapezoidal. In China, Sphagnum palustre ssp. pseudocymbifolium is known only from the areas south of the Yangtze River, predominantly in southwestern China in the high plateau and in southeastern Himalayan regions. In contrast, Sphagnum palustre ssp. palustre has much wider distribution, reaching northeastern China.

Type. India: Sikkim, J. D. Hooker 1289.

Chinese specimens examined: ANHUI: Huang Shan (Mt.), R.-L. Hu 43, 44 (KSNU, KUN), M. Zang 21 (KUN). FUJIAN: Wuyi Shan (Mt.), P.-C. Chen et al. 383 (KUN), 969 (KUN, MO), D.-K. Li 12048 (KUN, SHM). GUANGDONG: Dinghu Shan (Mt.), Nanjing Agr. Coll. 6631 (KUN). GUIZHOU: Lei-shan Co., R.-L. Zhao 14(j) (KUN). JIANGXI: Lu Shan (Mt.), P.-C. Chen et al. 5 (KUN). SICHUAN: Emei Shan (Mt.), P.-C. Chen 5579 (KUN), Z.-H. Hu 76002 (KUN); Shi-mian Co., Q. Li 748 (KUN). XIZANG: Lin-zhi Co., M. Zang 2054 (KUN); Mo-tou Co., Y.-G. Su 3822 (KUN), 5005 (KUN, MO). YUNNAN: between Lan-cang-jiang and Jin-sha-jiang, Handel-Mazzetti 7912 (H); Da-guan Co., H-.G. Guo 236 (KUN); Gong-shan Co., M. Zang 823, 834 (KUN), J-H. Yun & Q.-W. Wang 36518 (PE); Kunming City, W.-X. Xu 50 (KUN); Li-jiang Co., G.-M. Feng 9447 (KUN, MO); Wen-shan Co., Q.-A. Wu 3956 (KUN). ZHEJIANG: Hengzhou City, C.-H. Gao 7691 (KUN, SHM), R.-L. Hu 62 (KUN), P.-C. Wu 540 (KUN, PE); Sui-chang Co., Z.-L. Liu 31604 (KUN); Tian-tai Shan (Mt.), P.-J. Qiu 45 (HSNU, KUN).

Habitat: on grasslands near streams, in bogs and on wet grounds under forests or Rhododendron brush; Distribution: China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and Thailand.

Illustrations: Pl. 8, figs. 4–7.