Dr. Gurcharan Singh

 

Department of Botany

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College

University of Delhi, Delhi-7

 

 

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New Species described

1. Allium kachrooi G. Singh, (Sect. Rhiziridium) Geobios 4: 166-167, Fig. 1,A-C, 1977.

A. tibeticum Rendle affininis, a qua folia angustior, canaliculata, 4-6, pedicellis profunde inequalis, longioribus, flores pallide roseum usque fere album differt.

Bulbi anguste cylindrici, ad 3 cm longi, ad rhizoma congesti; tunicae exteriores coriaceae, purpuro-bruneae, externae ad maturitatem fibris longitudinalibus percursae. Scapus 15-40 cm altus, teres. Folia 4-6, vaginis 4-8 cm altis, anguste linearia, 6-15 cm longa et 1.5-2 cm lata, supra canaliculata. Spatha late ovata, acuminata, 5-9 mm longa, tempore florendi bipartita, membranacea, nervibus pupuraacentibus. Umbella 10-20 flora, floribusexterioribus praecociribus et longius pedicellatis; pedicillis 1.2-2.5 (-4) cm longis. Flores campanulati, 5-6 mm longi et + 3 mm lati, pallide roseum usque fere album nervis pupureoviolaceis; lobis oblongis, subaequalis, apice obtuso; interiore 4.5-5 mm longi, exteriore 5-6 mm longi. Filamenta ca 3/4 longitudinis perianthii, basis dilata, interiora basi duplo latiore etsaerpe bidentata. Ovaria subglobosa, loculis biovulatis, parte superiore striis ptarpura scentibus percursus,; stylominclusis, hand 2 mm longis. Fructus subtriangularis, 2.5-3.5 mm in diametro.

Holotypus: Dedivibus supra Mansbal, Kashmir, 1600 m: Gurcharan Singh 5268, 6-6-1974, in herbario Kashmiriensis (Srinagar) conservatur. Isotypus (DD).

Allied to A. tibeticum Rendle but differs in having narrower channeled more than three leaves, sheathing considerable portion of scape, strongly unequal much longer pedicels, light purple to white flowers with purple veins.

Bulbs clustered upon rootstock, narrowly cylindrical, up to 3 cm long; outer scales coriaceous, reddish brown, inner white, outermost with parallel fibres at maturity. Scape 15-40 cm tall, terete. Leaves 4-6; sheathing basal 4-8 cm of scape, 6-15 cm long, narrowly linear, 1.5-2 mm broad, channeled above, usually drying before the flowers open; sheaths membranous with purple veins. Spathe ovate, acuminate, 5-9 mm long, breaking up into two at flowering, each half with 3-4 purple veins, scarious. Umbel 10-20 flowered, outer flowers maturing quite early and long pedicelled, outer pedicels 1.2-2.5 (-4) cm long, often turning purplish on drying. Flowers campanulate, 5-6 mm long, + 3 mm broad, pale pink or white with purplish veins; turning purplish at length; lobes oblong, with obtuse apex, subequal, outer 5-6 mm long, with diverging tips, inner 4.5-5 mm long, the tips scarcely diverging. Filamens + 3/4 th the length of perianth, dilated towards base, inner with base nearly twice as broad, gradually dilating or usually two-toothed. Ovary subglobose, ovules two in each locule; style included, scarcely 2 mm long. Fruit 2.5-3.5 mm across, obscurely trigonous, upper part strongly keeled and angled, purplish.

Holotype: Mountain slopes above Mansbal, Kashmir, 1600 m: Gurcharan Singh 5268. Deposited in the herbarium of Kashmir University, Srinagar. Isotype (DD).

The present species in named in the honour of Prof. P. Kachroo of Botany Department, University of Kashmir who initiated the Taxonomic School in Kashmir University.

 

2. Bromus barobalianus G. Singh, Forest Flora of Srinagar, P. 129, Fig. 8, 1976.

Habitu Bromus japonicus Thunb. sed distat: panicula flexuousus rami pilosus, spicula compressus, majoribus, lemma carinatus, longioribus, antherae longioribus.

Annua, 14-40 cm alta, omino melliter pilosa. Folia linearis, 5-12 cm longa, 3-5 mm lata; ligula 1.5-2 mm longa, apice fisso truncata. Panicula patens; ramis 6-14, flexuousus, tenuibus pilosis, 2-5 cm longis. Spiculis pendentibus, solitarious, compressus, 15-23 mm longis (aristis exclusis), 6-12 floris, apice attenuatus. Gluma inferior 6-8 mm longa, 3-nervis, superior 9-11 mm longa, 5-7 nervis, utrae pilosae. Lemma 11-33 mm longa, carinatus, pilosa externus, 7-9 nervis, arista subapiculi, 12-18 mm longa, apice bidentata, dentibus 1-1.5 mm longis, arista fructifer recurvatis. Palea 9-10 mm longa, membranacea, pilosa externus, 2-nervis, margine incurvatus, nervis hispidus. Antherae furcescentes, 2.2-2.8 mm longae. Caryopsis 4-6 mm longa, ellipsoidea, brunnea, canaliculata, apice pilosa.

Holotypus: In dedivibus supra Harwan, Kashmir, alt. 2300 m : Gurcharan Singh No. 1623. In Herbario Departmenti Phytologiae, Universitas Kashmiriensis, Srinagar conservatur.

Annual herb, 15-40 cm tall, softly hairy all over. Leaves linear, 5-12 cm long, 3-5 mm broad; ligule 1.5-2 mm long with truncate parted apex. Panicle spreading with 4-14 branches; branches slender, flexuous, densely softly hairy, 2-5 cm long. Spikelets drooping, 15-23 mm long (excluding awn), compressed, attenuated above, 6-12 flowered. Lower glume 6-8 mm long, 3-nerved, upper glume 9-11 mm long, 5-7 nerved, both glumes hairy without. Lemma 11-13 mm long, keeled, hairy without, 7-9 nerved, awned; awn subapical, 12-18 mm long, recurved in fruiting; apex of lemma two toothed, teeth 1-1.5 mm lo9ng. Palea 9-10 mm long, hairy without, prominently two ribbed, membraneous, margins incurved, ribs hispid. Anthers brownish, linear, 2.2-2.8 mm long. Caryopsis 4-6 mm long, chocolate brown, ellipsoid, hairy at apex, longitudinally grooved along one side.

Holotype: Slopes above Harwan, Kashmir, alt. 2300 m: Gurcharan Singh No. 1623. Deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Kashmir University , Srinagar.

 

3. Crepis dachhigamensis G. Singh, Forest Flora of Srinagar, P. 127, Fig. 7, 1976.

Species Crepis sancta L. subsimilis sed distat: folia radiculia 2-4, raceptaculum nudus, achaenia rigida longioribus, bractae rigida alevato costatus, longioribus.

Planta annua, caule simplici vel parce ramosa. Folia radicalia 2-4, petiolata, lamina oblanceolata vel lanceolata, pilosa, margine dentibus paucis; caulina pauca, lanceolata, 4-10 cm longa, basiauriculis acutis. Capitulis 10-15 mm in diametro, longe pedunculatis, pedunculus subglabris; raceptaculum nudum. Involucrum 2 seriatum, bracteis externis vix 2-3 mm longis, internis 8-14 mm longis, fructicandi tempore saepe ad 18 mm, costa elevata. Flores ligulati lutei. Achaenia anguste cylindrica, versus apicem angustata, rigida, 7-10 mm longa. Pappus album, mollis, 5-8 mm longum.

Holotypus: In dedivibus supra Harwan, Kashmir, alt. 1900 m: Gurcharan Singh No. 623. In Herbario Departmenti Phytologiae, Universitas Kashmiriensis, Srinagar conservatur.

Annual herb, simple or sparsely branched. Radical leaves 2-4, oblanceolate or lanceolate, hairy, petioled, margins with few sharp teeth; cauline leaves few, lanceolate, lanceolate, 4-10 cm long, base with acute auricles. Heads on long almost naked branched peduncles, 10-15 mm across, ligulate. Involucre bracts 2 seriate, outer hardly 2-3 mm long, inner linear, 8-14 mm long, elongating in fruiting to often 18 mm, midrib prominent and raised, raceptacle naked. Florets ligulate, yellow. Achenes narrowly cylindrical, narrowed above, rigid, 7-10 mm long. Pappus soft, white, 5-8 mm long, hairs simple.

Holotype: Slopes above Harwan, Kashmir, alt. 1900 m: Gurcharan Singh No. 623. Deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Kashmir University , Srinagar.

 

4. Galium mahadivensis G. Singh,  Forest Flora of Srinagar, P. 125, 1976.

Proxime affinis G. confertum Royle, a qua tamen differt gracili repenti caudice, folia apice acutis, margonibus recurvatis, pedunculi saepissime 3 flores ed pilis fructus strictus.

Perennis, caule plures, 5-15 cm alta ex gracili repenti caudice orientes, ascendentes plus minusve suberecti, quadriangula; patente pilosa, anguli anticescabridus. Folia saepissime 4 in verticello, lanceolata, basi acutis, marginibus costaque subtus scabrida, 4-9 mm longa. Pedunculi axillares, 3-9 mm longi, saepissime flores 3, ad pedicellis 2-5 mm longis gerentes. Flores ca 1.5 mm in diametro, albidi. Corolla 4 loba, lobis ovato-lanceolatis, acutis. Fructus siceus 1.5-2 mm latus, pilis strictus 2.5-3.5 mm longus vestitus.

Holotypus: In silva Dachhigam, Kashmir, alt. 2200 m: Gurcharan Singh No. 3172. In Herbario Departmenti Phytologiae, Universitas Kashmiriensis, Srinagar conservatur.

Perennial herb; stems several, 5-15 cm tall from a slender creeping rootstock, ascending to suberect, 4 angled, spreading hairy, angles anterorsely scabrid. Leaves in whorls of 4, lanceolate, single nerved, narrowed below to 1-2 mm long petiole, margins recurved, sparsely anterorsely scabrid especially on margins and midrib beneath, 4-9 mm long. Flowers on axillary usually 3 flowered peduncles; peduncles 3-8 mm long. Pedicels 2-5 mm long, scarcely curved. Flowers ca 1.5 mm across, whitish. Corolla lobes 4, ovate-lanceolate, apex acute. Stamens 4. Fruit dry, 1.5-2 mm across, covered all over with 2.5-3.5 mm long hairs with straight tips.

Holotype: Dachhigam forest, Kashmir, alt. 2200 m: Gurcharan Singh No. 3172. Deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Kashmir University, Srinagar.

 

5. Gentiana harwanensis G. Singh, Forest Flora of Srinagar, P. 126, Fig. 5, 1976.

Proxime affinis G. aquatica Linn., a qua tamen differt caule  simplici, folia basalia oblongo-obovata, flores subsessilibus, calyx lobi oblongo, corolla lobulis intermediis basi bidentatus, pedicello capsula minoribus.

Annua, caule simplici vel supra ramosa. Folia basalia oblongo-obovata, 5-15 mm longa, apice rotundata vel mucronata; folia caulina subspathulata, apice rotundato, 5-11 mm longa, basi connata, margine scariosa. Inflorescentia capituliformis, floribus subsessilis. Calyx tubo 3-5 mm, lobis oblongis. Corolla 7-11 mm in diametro, coerulea, efimbriata, lobis triangulari-ovatis, lobulis intermediis bifidus vel basi bidentatus. Capsula anguste obovasta, apice rotundata vel subtruncata, 3-5 mm longa, pedicello subaequilongo, per totam longitudinem valvulis 2 dehiscens. Stylus vix 1 mm longus. Stigma capitatum. Semina 10-20, brunnescentia, ellipticioobovata, 0.7-1.0 X 0.4-0.6 mm, superficie minute argenteoreticulata.

Holotypus: Harwan, Kashmir, alt. 1700: Gurcharan Singh No. 1524. In Herbario Departmenti Phytologiae, Universitas Kashmiriensis, Srinagar conservatur.

Annual herb, usually simple, rarely branched above. Basal leaves obovate-oblong, 5-15 mm long, apex rounded or mucronate; cauline leaves subspathulate with rounded apex, 5-11 mm long, bases connate, margins scarious. Flowers forming terminal head, almost sessile on main and lateral branches. Calyx tube 3-5 mm long, lobes oblong, margins scarious. Corolla 7-11 mm across, blue, lobes triangular-ovate, folds between lobes present, bifid at tip, with two basal teeth, fimbreae none. Fruit narrowly obovate, apex rounded or nearly truncate, fruit 3-5 mm long with nearly as long stalk, dehiscing throughout the length by two valves, Style hardly 1 mm long, stigma capitate. Seeds 10-20, chocolate brown, elliptic-obovoid, 0.7-1 mm long, 0.4-0.6 mm broad, surface with reticulate silvery thickenings.

Holotype: Harwan, Kashmir, alt. 1700m: Gurcharan Singh No. 1524. Deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Kashmir University, Srinagar.

 

6. Tragopogon kashmirianus G. Singh, Forest Flora of Srinagar, P. 123, Fig. 4, 1976.

Species Tragopogon mirus  Ownbey subsimmilis sed distat in ligulae pupureo striatae, phyllariis 8-11, margine scariosus, pappus setis cervino, plume cinereo.

Herba biennis, 25-60 cm alta, glabriuscula. Folia linearie basi dilatata, sensim angustata, ad 25 cm longa. Calathia pedunculis inflatis. Phyllariis lineari-lanceolatis, margine scariosus, 8-11, 4-6 cm longa. Ligulae 20-25 mm longae, luteae, pupureo-striatae. Antherae 3-4 mm longae, basi luteae, parte superiore violacea. Achaenia cinereo-brunnia, 13-16 mm longa, in rostrum 12-20 mm longum, sensim abcuntia, exteriora interiora glabra. Pappus 25-40 mm longis, cervino, basi connatis annulum lanatum formantibus, plume cinereo.

Biennial herb, 25-60 cm tall, almost glabrous, simple or branched. Leaves linear, gradually narrowed above from dilated base, up to 25 cm long, upper successively smaller. Heads solitary on inflated peduncles. Phyllaries 8-11, 4-6 cm long, margins scarious. Ligules 20-25 mm long, yellow, purple striated. Anthers 3-4 mm long, lower half yellow, upper violet. Flowers closing during day but open in morning and dull weather during day. Achenes greyish brown, 13-16 mm long, gradually narrowed to 12-20 mm long beak. Pappus bristles tawny, straight, plumose except for naked distal end, 25-40 mm long, united below into a disc; disc wooly. Fruiting heads 7-9 cm across, pappus hairs ashy.

Holotype: Dachhigam forest, Kashmir, alt. 1700 m: Gurcharan Singh No. 2552. Deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Kashmir University, Srinagar. Isotype in NYBG.

 

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Nomenclatural Changes

Angelica archangelica Linn. subsp. himalaica (Clarke)  G. Singh & Oza, Bull. Bot. Surv. India 16(1-4): 168, 1974.

      Archangelica officinalis Hoffm. var. himalaica Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 707, 1879.

 

Calamagrostis griffithii (Bor) G. Singh Taxon, 33(1): 94, 1984.

      Deyeuxia griffithii Bor in Rech.f, Fl. Iran. Lief. 70: 273, 1970.

 

Calamagrostis lahulensis G. Singh Taxon, 33(1): 94, 1984.

      Deyeuxia pulchella  (Griseb.) Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 7: 268, 1896; Bor, Fl. Assam 5: 143, 1940; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 689, 1960; Hsu in Hara, Fl. E. Himal 1: 358, 1966; Hara et al., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 1: 129, 1978.

    The specific epithet pulchella is preoccupied by C. pulchlella Saut. ex Reichnb (1830) and C. pulchella    Blytt (1861) representing two different taxa. The epithet proposed here is from  Lahul in Himalayas where this species grows.

 

Calamagrostis nagarum (Bor) G. Singh Taxon, 33(1): 94, 1984.

      Deyeuxia nagarum Bor, Indian For. Rec. n. s. 1, Bot. 69, 1938; Bor, Grasses Burma

      Ceyl.   Ind. Pak. 399, 1960.

 

Calamagrostis simlensis (Bor) G. Singh Taxon, 33(1): 94, 1984.

      Deyeuxia simlensis Bor, Indian For. Rec. n. s. 3, Bot. 149, 1941; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 400, 1960.

 

Calamagrostis staintonii G. Singh Taxon, 33(1): 94, 1984.

      Deyeuxia nepalensis Bor, Kew Bull. 1957: 411, 1958 (non Calamagrostis nepalensis Nees ex Steud.,1854); Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak.399, 1960; Hara et al., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 1: 129, 1978.

    Calamagrostis nepalensis Nees ex Steud. is a synonym for C. pseudophragmites (Hall.f) Koeler, a much different species with callus hairs 2-3 times the length of lemma, longer ligule and larger spikelets. The epithet proposed here is in honour of Stainton, the collector of the type specimen and one who has collected a lot in

     Nepal. 

 

Calamagrostis tibetica (Bor) G. Singh Taxon, 33(1): 95, 1984.

      Deyeuxia tibetica Bor, Kew Bull. 1949: 66, 1949; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak.400, 1960.

 

Dichanthium tuberculatum (Hack.) G. Singh, J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 8(2): 497, 1986

     Andropogon tuberculatus Hack. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 6: 404, 1889.

     Eremopogon tuberculatus (Hack.) A. Camus; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak.149,

     1960. 

 

Elymus afghanicus (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 639, 1983.

      Agropyron afghanicum Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 689, 1960.

 

Elymus dentatus (Hook.f.) Tszvelev var. elatus (Hook.f.) G. Singh, J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 8(2): 497, 1986

      Agropyron dentatum Hook.f. var. elatum Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 7:371, 1896; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 662, 1960.

 

Elymus dentatus (Hook.f.) Tszvelev var. kashmiricus (Melderis) G. Singh, J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 8(2): 497, 1986

      Agropyron dentatum Hook.f. var. kashmiricum Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl.

     Ind. Pak. 690, 1960.

 

Elymus dentatus (Hook.f.) Tszvelev var. scabrus (Nevski) G. Singh, J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 8(2): 497,1986

      Agropyron dentatum Hook.f. var. scabrum Nevski in Bull. Jard. Bot. Acad. Sc. URSS

       30: 626, 1932; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 662,1960.

 

Elymus duthiei (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 639, 1983.

      Agropyron duthiei Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 690, 1960.

 

Elymus X interjacens (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 639, 1983.

      Agropyron X interjacens Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 691, 1960.

     

Elymus X nothus (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 639, 1983.

      Agropyron X nothum Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 691, 1960.

 

Elymus X spurius (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 639, 1983.

      Agropyron X spurium Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 695, 1960.

 

Elymus semicostatus (Nees ex Steud.) Melderis var. thomsonii (Hook.f.) G. Singh, J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 8(2): 498, 1986

      Agropyron semicostatum Nees ex Steud. var. thomsonii Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 7: 369, 1896; Bor,  Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 666,1960.

 

Elymus semicostatus (Nees ex Steud.) Melderis var. validus (Melderis) G. Singh, J. Econ. Tax. Bot.  8(2): 498, 1986

      Agropyron striatum var. validum Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 696,1960.

 

Elymus thoroldianus (Oliver) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 640, 1983.

      Agropyron thoroldianum Oliverin Hook., Ic. Pl. t. 2262,1893; Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 667,   1960.

 

Elymus thoroldianus (Oliver) G. Singh var. laxiusculus (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 640, 1983.

      Agropyron thoroldianum Oliverin var laxiusculus Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 696,   1960.

 

Elymus tibeticus (Melderis) G. Singh Taxon, 32(4): 640, 1983.

      Agropyron tibeticum Melderis in Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 696, 1960.

 

Padus cornuta (Wall. ex Royle) Steud. var. villosa (Hara) G. Singh, Indian For. 100: 498, 1974.

      Prunus cornuta Wall. ex  Royle f. villosa (Hara) Hara, Fl. East. Himal. 2nd. report 54, 1971.

 

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