Artemisia qingheensis G. Z. Jin 2023

20. Artemisia qingheensis G.Z. Jin in Jin et al. (2023: 232). Type:— CHINA. Xinjiang: Qinghe, Qinglong Lake, barren slopes, 46°40’ N, 90°23’ E, 1169 m, 7 October 2021, G.Z. Jin & L. Yang jgz-17 [holotype: jgz-17-2 (XJBI!); isotypes: jgz-17-1 (XJBI!), jgz-17-3 (XJBI!), jgz-17-4 (XJBI!). Paratypes:— CHINA. Xinjiang: Qinghe County, Wolf Garden, 1185 m, 15 October 2020, G.Z. Jin & S. Zhang jgz-099 (XJBI!); Southern suburb of Qinghe, 1117 m, 9 October 2021, G.Z. Jin & L. Yang jgz-25 (XJBI!)]. Perennial herbs, 10–40 cm tall. Stems few or numerous, erect or slightly curved upward at the base, branching from the upper part, branches 3–15 cm long, obliquely upward. Lower stem leaves elliptic, 2-pinnatisect, 0.5–1.5 cm long, 0.3–1 cm wide, petiole 0.3–1 cm long, with 2–4 segments per side, segments further pinnatisect, lobules narrowly linear, 0.3–1 cm long, 0.3–0.8 mm wide, with acuminate apices. Middle stem leaves 1–2-pinnatisect, 0.5–1 cm long, 0.2–0.5 mm wide, with linear pseudostipules. Upper stem leaves undivided or 3-lobed, with narrowly linear lobules. The grayish-white tomentum on the stems and branches partially sheds at maturity, the tomentum on all leaves persists and the leaves have a rigid texture, while the lower and middle stem leaves usually wither. Capitula ovoid, 2.5–4 mm long, 1.5–2.5 mm in diameter. Synflorescence a narrow conical panicle. Phyllaries in 4–5 series, outer phyllaries small, elliptic, middle and inner phyllaries slightly longer, oblong-ovate, outer and middle phyllaries abaxially pilose, subglabrous at maturity, margins membranous, inner phyllaries semi-membranous, subglabrous. Bisexual florets 3–6, corolla yellow or red. Anthers linear, apex appendages lanceolate or linear, apex slightly forked and apically truncate. Achenes with inconspicuous fine longitudinal lines, 0.8–1.5 mm long, 0.3–0.7 mm in diameter, ovoid or obovoid. Figure 27. Distribution and habitat:—This species is distributed in Xinjiang, China (Figure 28). It grows on rocky slopes and roadsides at elevations of 1000–1500 m. Phenology:—Flowering and fruiting from August to October. Taxonomic notes:— Artemisia qingheensis is similar to A. lessingiana Besser (1841: 90), but is easily distinguished by its shorter petiole 0.3–1 cm (vs. 2–5 cm) and ovate (vs. oblong-ovate) leaf blade. Furthermore, it is also similar to A. amoena Poljakov (1954: 421) in its habit and capitula, which are borne in spikes or narrow panicles, but is distinguished by its shorter petiole 0.3–1 cm (vs. 4–8 cm), longer stem branches 3–15 cm (vs. 2–3 cm), and the hardening of the leaves when these mature (vs. leaves slightly soft when mature). Specimens examined:— China. Xinjiang: Qinghe, Talategou, s.a., 8 August 1956, R.C. Ching 1523 (LE); Qinghe, without precise location, 1200 m, 11 August 1956, R.C. Ching 1672 (LE); Altay, without precise location, 1000 m, 23 August 1980, Anonymous 887 (XJBI); Altay, floodplain about 20 km south of Altay, 700 m, 6 September 1956, R.C. Ching 2747 (PE).