Blitum virgatum L., Sp. Pl.: 4 (1753)

Sukhorukov, Alexander P., Liu, Pei-Liang & Kushunina, Maria, 2019, Taxonomic revision of Chenopodiaceae in Himalaya and Tibet, PhytoKeys 116, pp. 1-141 : 47-48

1. Blitum virgatum L., Sp. Pl.: 4 (1753)

Blitum virgatum L., Sp. Pl.: 4 (1753). Lectotype (designated by Jafri and Rateeb 1978): Herb. Linn. 14.2 (LINN! image available at http://linnean-online.org/60/).

= Morocarpus foliosus Moench, Methodus: 342 (1794). Type: not designated.

≡ Chenopodium foliosum (Moench) Asch., Fl. Brandenburg: 572 (1864).

Description.

Annual or short-lived perennial up to 60 cm tall, glabrous or covered with scattered glandular hairs in the upper part. Basal leaves numerous, up to 25 cm long, cauline leaves up to 20 cm, long-petiolate with triangular blades, truncate or slightly cuneate at base, margins erose-dentate or lobate. Inflorescence leafy to the apex; bracts dentate to lobate. Flowers in dense clusters up to 8 mm in diameter. Perianth segments 3-5, basally concrescent, green and membranous at anthesis but usually turning red and fleshy at the fruiting stage (sometimes remaining green). Pericarp adhering to the seed coat, hyaline, consisting of 1(2) very thin layers. Seeds ovoid, 1.0-1.2 × 0.7 mm, dark red, with a groove and two blunt keels.

Habitat.

Screes and sandy valleys, also cultivated (fruit conglomerations or “berries” are edible or used as a rouge); 2600-4400 m a.s.l.

Phenology.

Flowering: June-August; fruiting: July-September.

Distribution.

See Fig. 18 .

Specimens examined.

INDIA: Jammu & Kashmir (selected specimens): Gulmarg, 8000-9000 ft a.s.l., 28 Jul 1892, J.F. Duthie s.n. (LE); Sonamarg, 8000 ft a.s.l., 30 Aug 1917, R.R. Stewart 3415 (K); Sind valley, Gagangir vill. [Pojarat Gagangir], 8500 ft a.s.l., 21 Aug 1940, F. Ludlow & G. Sherriff 7956 (BM, LE); Tangmarg, 6000 ft a.s.l., 17 Aug 1956, Polunin 56-390 (B, BM, E); Jai hills, 30 May 1959, T.A. Rao 9109 (BSD); Ladakh, Indus valley, nr Matho, 3800 m a.s.l., 10 Aug 1976, H. Hartmann 55 (MSB137920); [Anantnag distr.] Liddar valley, nr Pahalgam, 5 Aug 1981, Casimir s.n. (MSB106102); Ladakh, Rupshu Region, Parang valley, 4580 m a.s.l., 20 Jul 2000, L. Klimeš 949 (PRA); Ladakh, Dras Region, Umbo La, 4100-4200 m a.s.l., 12 Sep 2004, L. Klimeš 4680 (PRA); Ladakh, Dras Region, Dras, 4250 m a.s.l., 13 Sep 2004, L. Klimeš 4707 (PRA); Himachal Pradesh (selected specimens): Kinnaur [Distr.], Pangi, 18 Aug 1847, T.T. Thomson s.n. (K); Lahaul, Fhaga valley, Jun 1856, Schlagintweit 2874 (LE); Lahaul, Rohtang La, 6 Aug 1916, R.E. Cooper 5259 (E00276798); Simla, 29 Jul 1934, N. Parmanand 721 (E); Lahaul, Sissu, 10100 ft a.s.l., 6 Jul 1938, N.L. Bor 12373 (E, K); Lahaul, Khoksar, 10300 ft a.s.l., 3 Aug 1941, N.L. Bor 16619 (K); Kinnaur Distr., Pangi, 2850 m a.s.l., 8 Jun 1962, N.C. Nair 22556 (BSD); [Kinnaur Distr.] Sangla Kanda, 3000 m a.s.l., 22 Sep 1964, N.C. Nair 34153 (BSD); Spiti Distr., Geching, 16 Aug 1994, S.K. Murti 88440 (BSD); Simla Distr., Darcha vill., 3470 m a.s.l., 12 Aug 1998, G.S. Goraya et al. 1002 (BSD); Spiti Distr., Tangling Nalla, 4039 m a.s.l., 22 Sep 2002, S. Singh s.n. (BSD); Uttarakhand: Tehri Garhwal, 9000-1000 ft a.s.l., July 1883, J.F. Duthie 92 (K); Kumaon, Kutti valley, Sep 1884, J.F. Duthie 566 & 3328 (BM, E, K, LE); Uttarkashi Distr., 3700 m a.s.l., 4 Sep 1983, U.C. Bhattacharyya 74851 (BSD); Uttarkashi Distr., Patangani vill., 1 Sep 2002, P.K. Pusalkar 102128 (BSD);

NEPAL: Far Western: Mahakali Zone: Nampa Gadh, 25 Jul 1886, J.F. Duthie 5914 (G); Western: Dhaulagiri Zone: Mustang Distr., Muktinath, 12500 ft a.s.l., 26 Jun 1954, J. Stainton, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 1431 (BM, LE); [Mustang Distr.] Larjung, S of Tukuche, Kali Gandaki [river], 8500 ft a.s.l., 10 Jun 1954, J. Stainton, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams 1066 (BM, LE, E); [Mustang Distr.] Jomosom, 28°46'N, 83°54'E, 20 May 1974, J.-F. Dobremez 3067 (BM, E00214397); Muktinath, 28°48'N, 83°52'E, 3500 m a.s.l., 22 Jul 1983, H. Kanai 10631 (BM, E00156637).

General distribution.

Temperate Eurasia, native to the mountains of Europe, the Caucasus, South Siberia, Central Asia and Himalaya.

Figures

Figure 18. Distribution map of Blitum virgatum.