Homostylium albescens var. niveum Z. X. Fu 2025, comb. nov.

1.11.Homostylium albescens var. niveum(Hand. - Mazz.) Z. X. Fu comb. nov. ≡ Aster albescens var. niveus Hand. - Mazz., Acta Hort. Gothob. 12: 208. 1938. Type: India, Sikkim, Jakpho, Napa Hill, alt. 3017 m, 25 Oct. 1885, C. B. Clarke 41356 (holotype, E 00531283!; isotype, K 00089039!) (Suppl. material 1: figs S 23, A 24). Type. India • Sikkim, Jakpho, Napa Hill, alt. 3017 m, 25 Oct. 1885, C. B. Clarke 41356 (holotype, E 00531283!; isotype, K 00089039!) (Suppl. material 1: figs S 23, A 24). Diagnosis. Leaves abaxially densely cottony tomentum. Distribution. China, Chongqing, W Sichuan (Emei Mount., Xiaojin), SE Shaanxi (Pingli); N India (Sikkim). Habitat. Subalpine or subarctic biome. Etymology. The varietal name “ niveum ” is derived from the Latin “ nix ”, meaning “ snow ”, combined with the neuter suffix “ - eum ”. The name likely refers to its habitat in the snow-covered subalpine and subarctic biome, or to the abaxial leaf densely covered in white tomentum. Specimens examined. China • Chongqing: Nanchuan, J. H. Xiong & Z. L. Zhou 94046; • Shaanxi: Pingli, Field Collection Team of Western Xida’an Kang District 20132; • Sichuan: Emei, W. P. Fang 3297, 3182; Xiaojin, T. T. Yu 2429; India • Sikkim: Jakpho, C. B. Clarke 41356 (E 00531283, K 00089039). Notes. The new combination Sinosidus albescens (DC.) G. L. Nesom proposed by Nesom (2020 g) did not include this variety, although it comprised ten varieties (including the type variety).