Geranium pylzowianum Maxim.

Geranium orientalitibeticum has been recognized by its broad leaf blade segments, petals with a paler base, and longer stigmatic remains. These features are included in the variability of G. pylzowianum. The latter has usually 1(or 2) alternate leaves along the stem and some opposite at the inflorescence. In some specimens, cauline leaves are all opposite, and then the inflorescence is branched from the basal node monochasially. Geranium donianum and G. farreri are quite similar in appearance but with rootstock without tubers and leaves always opposite. Additionally, in G. pylzowianum there are glandular trichomes on the stem base, stipule base, or inflorescence.

The whole plant is used as a local medicine for pharyngitis and cough.

This species is known only by the type specimen. The protologue was based on the holotype at A (T. T. Yü 7742) on which the labels incorrectly indicated the collection was from Yunnan. The correct information based on records at PE is that the collection was made in Muli, Sichuan (H. N. Qin, pers. comm.). At first sight, Geranium canopurpureum could be considered as a reduced form of G. pylzowianum. However, it has leaves that are not as divided as G. pylzowianum and ± sericeous on the abaxial side, petals that are attenuate (without a claw) and without trichomes on the adaxial surface, and stipules and bracteoles that are dark purplish. In small specimens of G. pylzowianum, petal length is not reduced, and these other characters of G. canopurpureum are not present, which also supports the independence of the latter.

Perennials. Rootstock tubercles subglobose, 3.7-6.9(-17.5) × 2.4-7 mm, with nontuberous separations 0.6-5.2 cm, 0.4-0.8 mm in diam., without thickened roots. Stem 8-29(-48) cm tall, erect, not rooting at nodes, with 0.2-0.5 mm retrorse to appressed nonglandular trichomes and usually 0.5-1.6 mm patent glandular trichomes. Stipules lanceolate to ovate, distinct. Leaves 1 alternate but opposite at inflorescence; petiole with 0.2-0.6 mm retrorse to appressed nonglandular trichomes and sometimes 0.5-1.2 mm patent glandular trichomes; leaf blade 1.5-5.1 cm, palmately cleft, ratio of main sinus/middle segment length = 0.77-0.95, pilose with appressed nonglandular trichomes; segments 5, rhombic to obtriangular, 1.2-4.3 mm wide at base, 3-8-lobed in distal half, ratio of second sinus/middle segment length = 0.26-0.46. Cymules solitary, 2-flowered; peduncle 4-10.3(-15.5) cm. Pedicel 2.7-5.9(-7) cm, with 0.2-0.6 mm retrorse to appressed nonglandular trichomes; bracteoles lanceolate. Sepals 7.1-10.9 mm, mucro 0.7-1.2 mm, ratio of mucro/sepal length = 0.08-0.15, outside with 0.5-1 mm antrorse to patent nonglandular trichomes, inside glabrous. Petals deep rose pink with a whitish base, 1.6-1.8 cm, erect to patent, outside glabrous, inside basally with trichomes, margin basally ciliate, apex rounded or rarely emarginate with a 0.2-0.3 mm notch. Staminal filaments distally pink but paler at base, lanceolate, abaxially pilose and proximal half ciliate, trichomes 0.3-0.9 mm; anthers whitish tinged with blue, 1.7-2.4 mm. Nectaries 5, hemispheric, glabrous. Stigma pink to orangish red. Fruit 2.3-2.9 cm, erect when immature; mericarps smooth, with a basal callus, with 0.3-1.1 mm erect to patent nonglandular trichomes; rostrum 1.6-2.2 cm, with a 1.6-4.5 mm narrowed apex; stigmatic remains 2.8-3.5 mm. Seeds 1.7-2.2 mm. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Sep-Oct. 2n = 28*.

Perennials. Rootstock tubercles subglobose, 3.7-4 × 2.9-3.5 mm, with nontuberous separations 0.4-1.6 cm, 0.6-1 mm in diam., without thickened roots. Stem 7-9 cm tall, erect, not rooting at nodes, with 0.2-0.3 mm retrorse to appressed nonglandular trichomes. Stipules lanceolate to ovate, distinct. Leaves 1 alternate but opposite at inflorescence; petiole with 0.2-0.4 mm retrorse to appressed nonglandular trichomes; leaf blade 0.7-1.4 cm, palmately cleft, ratio of main sinus/middle segment length = 0.73-0.8, pilose with appressed nonglandular trichomes; segments 5, obtriangular, 1.2-1.5 mm wide at base, 1-3-lobed in distal half, ratio of second sinus/middle segment length = 0.19-0.26. Cymules solitary, 2-flowered; peduncle 2.9-4.7 cm. Pedicel 2-3.4 cm, with 0.2-0.3 mm retrorse to appressed nonglandular trichomes; bracteoles lanceolate. Sepals 5.3-6.3 mm, mucro 0.7-0.8 mm, ratio of mucro/sepal length = 0.11-0.15, outside with 0.1-0.4 mm antrorse to patent nonglandular trichomes, inside glabrous. Petals pink, 0.8-1.2 mm, erect to patent, margin basally ciliate, apex rounded. Staminal filaments pinkish, lanceolate, abaxially pilose and proximal half ciliate, trichomes 0.3-0.8 mm; anthers purple, 1.1-1.3 mm. Nectaries 5, hemispheric, glabrous. Stigma dark purplish. Fruit unknown. Seeds unknown. Fl. Aug.

S Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, S Shaanxi, W Sichuan, E Xizang, N Yunnan.

SW Sichuan (Muli).

● Coniferous forest margins, subalpine meadows, alpine meadows; 2500-5000 m.

● Sparse forests; ca. 3500 m.

Geranium orientalitibeticum R. Knuth.