OBSERVATIONS ON SOME SAUSSUREA (COMPOSITAE–CARDUEAE) OF W KUNLUN, KARAKORUM AND W HIMALAYA

Abstract

Three rare alpine, short-stemmed or stemless species of Saussurea DC. subgen. Saussurea are treated: S. ovata Bentham (W Kunlun Shan), S. elliptica C. B. Clarke (S. kuschakewiczii C. Winkler, syn. nov.; Tian Shan, Pamir, Karakorum, Zanskar) and S. atkinsonii C. B. Clarke (W Himalaya). The species are not closely interrelated and morphologically rather isolated. They are confined to different chains or mountain sections of Western High Asia, with their possible close relatives found in geographically far distant areas. Putative relationships of the taxa are discussed, revealing conflicts with the infrageneric classification proposed by Lipschitz (1979). Saussurea candolleana (DC.) Schultz Bip. (S. clarkei Hook. f., syn. nov.) is briefly discussed.