Sedum multicaule Wall.

Fu Kunjun & H. Ohba (l.c.) recognised Sedum multicaule subsp. rugosum K.T.Fu from Xizang and N.W.Yunnan and differentiated it from the type subspecies on the basis of stem, rugose when dry, sepals sublanceolate to narrowly suboblong, apex spinose-acuminate and nectar scales transversely oblong. Our material agrees with the type subspecies.

Perennial herbs. Small tap root. Stems 6-13.5 cm high, glabrous, erect, usually branching at the base. Leaves alternate, linear, linear-lanceolate, acute, truncate at the base, glabrous, 8-26 x 1-2 mm. Inflorescence a raceme or spike-like. Flower pentamerous, pedicellate, pedicel 1-1.5 mm. Sepals 3-6 x 0.5-2 mm, oblong, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. Petals 2.5-5 x 1-2.5 mm, yellow, glabrous, lanceolate, acuminate. Stamens 10, in two whorls, basifixed, dithecous, 2-3.5 mm long. Nectar scales square-oblong 0.3-0.5 x 0.2-0.3 mm. Carpels connate at the base, 2-4 x 0.8-1 mm, style short, stigma indistinct. Follicles 5, spreading, star-shaped at maturity, 3.5-5 x 1-1.5 mm. Seeds 24-50 per fruit, obovoid, 0.4-0.8 x 0.1-0.2 mm with minute tubercles.

Herbs perennial. Stems basally branched, 5-15 cm, smooth or rugose when dry. Leaves alternate, imbricate; leaf blade linear, 1-1.5 × 0.1-0.2 cm, base shortly spurred, apex acuminate and apiculate. Cymes with several scorpioid branches. Flowers sessile or very shortly pedicellate, unequally 5-merous. Sepals linear, linear-lanceolate, sublanceolate, or narrowly suboblong, unequal or equal, 5-6.5 mm, base spurless, apex acuminate and apiculate or spinose. Petals yellow, oblong-ovate, 5-6 mm, apex long mucronate. Stamens 10, slightly shorter than petals. Nectar scales spatulate-quadrangular or transversely oblong, minute, ca. 0.5 × 0.5 mm, apex emarginate. Carpels initially erect, horizontally spreading in fruit. Follicles 4-6 mm. Seeds ovoid, 0.5-0.7 mm. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Sep.

Distribution: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar, China.

Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].

Fl.Per.: July-September.

Grows between 1800-2800 m.

Rocks on forested slopes, rock crevices, rock walls; 1300-3500 m.