Varietati typicae differt tepalis posticis hirsutis pilis scabridis et alis manifeste inaequalis.

Differing from the type variety by the hairy tepal back covered with long spinulose hairs, and by distinctly unequal wings at the fruiting perianth.

Fl. Per.: September-October.

Holotype: Pakistan, prov. Baluchistan, distr. Makran G-3 29 km W Ormara, road to Pasni, 50 m, Freitag & Kothe 18445; (KAS), iso- (KUH, GOET, W).

Common and sometimes subdominant on plains, slopes, washes and in runnels in gypsiferous marl areas, from sea level up to 500 (900) m.

Another very conspicuous form has been collected together with the typical form on the coastal cliff near Gwadar (Freitag & Kothe 18518). It differs by prostrate habit (up to 0.3 m high, up to 2 m diam.), denser branching, very delicate twigs and thin spikes; Distribution: Known from Makran only, but probably present also in Iranian Baluchistan.

Regrettably the name S. baryosma that was in general use for the well-known species has been discarded correctly but unnecessarily by Boulos (1991). For the respective discussion see also Freitag (1989).

The species is very variable. The new var. hirtitepala might well merit higher taxonomic rank. Unfortunately as yet very little fruiting material of the new variety has been collected. Therefore the respective decision should be made only after more field studies have been carried out. They should include the ecology of the new taxon that seems to be specialized on peculiar habitats.