S. NAZIMUDDIN AND M. QAISER

Root perennial. Stem slender, generally c. 1 mm thick, much branched at the base, suberect, ± quadrangular, pubescent Leaves 4 in a whorl, 5-8 x 2-3.5 mm, sessile, ovate-elliptic or oblong, margin recurved, apex obtuse or acutish, midrib prominent, lateral nerves obscure, sparsely pubescent or glabrous above. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, mostly 3-flowered; peduncle equalling or longer than leaves, ± glabrous. Flowers minute, white; pedicel stout, c. 1.5 mm long. Corolla c. 2 mm across, lobes ovate, acute, c. 1 mm long. Fruit covered with long woolly straight c. 2 mm long hairs; c. 5 mm across (along with hairs).

Fl. Per.: July-September.

Syntypes: Kunawur and Lahul, Royle, Thomson, Jaeschke (K).

Distribution: Western Himalayas and Kashmir (Kunawur, Lahul, Hamra and Kashmir).

A species of alpine and subalpine region, can easily be recognized from other Galium species by its very long (c. 2 mm) straight hairs on the fruits.