Waldheimia stoliczkae (C. B. Clarke) Ostenfeld in Hedin, S. Tibet 6(3): 38. 1922; R. R. Stewart, Ann. Cat. W. Pak. & Kashm. 800. 1972; Podlech in Rech. f., Fl. Iran. Comp. IV. 158: 158. t. 151. 1986; B.D. Naithani in Hajra et al., Fl. Ind. 12: 70. Fig. 20. 1995.

Perennial, glabrous, cushion-like herb with laxly to ± densely tufted, ascending to erect, 10 – 15 cm tall, leafy shoots from subterranean, procumbent, profusely branched subglabrous rhizome. Leaves green, shortly petioled, oblong, (3-) 4 – 5 cm long, 10 – 15 mm wide, glabrous on both sides, (1-) 2-pinnatisect into linear, 4-5 mm long, acute ultimate segments. Capitula solitary terminal, 3.5 – 4 cm across, on very short or inconspicuous glabrous peduncles. Involucre broadly saucer-shaped or napiform, 10 – 15 (-20) mm across, phyllaries narrowly oblong-lanceolate, (4-) 5 – 6 (-8) mm long, broadly dark-brown scarious, ± fimbriate-margined, acute, glabrous outside or outermost whitish hairy at the base. Ray-florets 18-20, fertile, with narrowly oblong-elliptic, 12 – 15 x 2.5 – 3.5 mm, pink or whitish-pink, apically 3-fid ligules. Disc-florets yellow, with c. 3 mm long, sparsely glandulose, basally somewhat dilated, 5-toothed corolla tube. Cypselas narrowly oblong-obconical, angular, 2 – 2.5 mm long, glabrous, or sometimes sparsely hairy in upper half. Pappus yellowish, basally united bristles as long as corolla tube, broadening to the obtuse apices.

Fl. Per.: July – September.

Type: Described from near Leh, Ladakh, NW Himalayas, Stoliczka s. n (K!).

Alpine zone species, occurring above 3500 m in gravelly sands among small stones in the vicinity of melting snow and glaciers; Distribution: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (Himachal Pradesh), China (Western Tibet), Central Asia (Tian Shan, Pamir Alai and Kirgiz ranges).