M. QAISER

Annual, profusely branched herb, branches angled; leaves alternate, tapering at base, sparse, subpetiolate, spathulate-oblong, obtuse, 10-20 mm long, 1.5-2 (-2.5) mm broad, entire; flowers axillary, bracts 8-10, foliaceous, obtuse, 7-15 mm long, 1-1.5 mm broad, dilated at the base. Calyx deeply 5-partite, lobes subequal, 10-15 mm long, 2 mm broad, oblong ovate, minutely undulate. Petals pink, free, oblong, notched on one side, oblique, 12-15 (-20) mm long, 5 mm broad, appendages obovate, 4 mm long, 1 mm broad. Stamens numerous united at the base into 5 bundles, filaments c. 7 mm long, dilated at the base, anthers oblong, c. 1 mm long, ovary somewhat ovate, c. 7 mm long, c. 5 mm broad, styles 5, free c. 4 mm long. Fruit coriaceous, 12-15 (-18) mm long, 8-10 mm broad, ovate dehiscing by 5 valves. Seeds numerous, covered with soft brown hairs, 1 cm long (with hairs).

Holotype: Henjam ad Sinum persicum, Earnest A. Floyer July 1844 s.n. (K).

Distribution: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan.

A very rare species in Pakistan.