Pedicularis rajeshiana (Orobanchaceae), a new hemiparasitic species from Western Himalaya, India

A new hemiparasitic species, Pedicularis rajeshiana (Orobanchaceae), from Rohtang in the Western Himalayas, India is described and illustrated. The new species differs from all the previously known species of Pedicularis by it’s corolla having deeply-incised labium lobes and unusual staminal insertion points at three levels on the corolla tube. Critical macro- and micro-morphological character analysis including the pollen morphology, supported this species delineation from all the other known species of Pedicularis L. and the new species is placed in the series Debiles of section Orthorrhynchae, subsection Euorthorrhynchae having plants with low grassy habit and the filaments inserted above middle of corolla tube. The new species is closely allied to the two species, P. porrecta and P. heydei but differs from both these by its tiny size, fewer-flowered inflorescence, fewer leaf-pinnae, deeply-incised labium lobes almost to the base, stamens inserted at three different levels on corolla tube and bicolpate, prolate pollen grains with crotonoid exine sculpture. Two flowers with twin (double) galea were observed which is an innovative floral trait never found earlier in this genus, suggesting acquired, adaptive and evolutionary transition towards more precise pollination.