Helichrysum emodi Sun. Singh, Prakash Mehta & Anant Kumar 2024, sp. nov.

Helichrysum emodi Sun.Singh, Prakash Mehta & Anant Kumar, sp. nov. (Figure 2) Diagnosis: — Helichrysum emodi is morphologically similar to Indian species H. cutchicum but differs from the latter in having broad, sub-cordate to semi-amplexicaule leaf base with obtuse apex (vs. narrow leaf base with acute apex), outer phyllaries obovate and entire at tip (vs. ovate and irregularly toothed at tip), female florets absent (vs. present), pappus bristles always 5 and free (vs. 8–11, connate at base). Helichrysum emodi is also allied to Chinese species H. kashgaricum but differs from the latter in leaf base broad, sub-cordate to semi-amplexicaule, apex obtuse with mucronate tip (vs. leaf base gradually narrowed, semi-amplexicaule with acuminate apex), heads c. 5 mm across (vs. 1.5–1.8 cm across), outer phyllaries obovate with rounded apex (vs. ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate with acuminate apex), inner phyllaries elongate, oblong to elliptic-oblong (vs. lanceolate), female florets absent (vs. present). Type:— INDIA. Uttarakhand, Rudraprayag, Madhmaheshwar Valley, 30°39’0.34”N, 79°16’56.89”E, 3970 m a.s.l., 03.10.2022, S. Singh & J.P. Mehta 493 (holotype GUH 20810; isotype CAL). Other specimen examined (paratype):— Uttarakhand, Rudraprayag, Madhmaheshwar Valley, 30°38’59.34”N, 79°16’51.36”E, 3910 m a.s.l., 07.10.2023, S. Singh & J.P. Mehta 556 (GUH 20833, paratypes). Decumbent herbs, up to 30 cm high; stem slender, terete, woolly, pubescent when older. Leaves green, alternate; lamina oblong-elliptic to linear-oblong, 2.5–3 × 0.5–1.8 cm, base broad, sub-cordate to semi-amplexicaule, decurrent up to 7 mm on stem, margins entire, apex subacute to obtuse with mucronate tip, sparsely pubescent above, whitish pubescent below, glandular; glands golden in color, shiny, sessile. Head homogamous, discoid, in umbels, ca. 5 mm across. Phyllaries 4-seriate, white, imbricate; outer whorls obovate, 4–4.2 × 1.2–l. 5 mm, apex rounded, villous at base near vein, scarious, 1-veined; inner phyllaries elongate, oblong to elliptic-oblong, 3–3.5 × l– 2.5 mm, apex rounded, base golden yellow, 1-veined; vein prominent, running up to middle. Disc florets yellow, bisexual, 3.5–3.8 mm long, funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, exserted from head when fully bloomed; corolla tube 2.4–2.6 mm long, broadening gradually upwards; corolla lobes triangular or lanceolate, 0.4–0.6 mm long, acute at apex, reflexed at blooming, pubescent along with stalked glands; female florets absent. Receptacle flat, hairy, epaleate, achenes leaving scars. Stamens 5; filaments inserted at below the middle of corolla tube; anthers fused, making a cone around style, ca. 1.1 mm long, apex acute, base long tailed, 0.5–0.6 mm long. Ovary elliptic-obovate to oblong-elliptic, 0.5–0.8 mm long, glabrous; style slender, ca. 1.2 mm long; stigma bifid, ca. 0.5 mm long, swollen, sub-capitate. carpophore circular. Pappus bristles 5, filiform, ca. 3 mm long, barbellate, deciduous, free. Achenes (immature) ellipsoid, up to 1 cm, carpophore persistent, glabrous. Pollen grains:—Monad; isopolar; radially symmetrical; amb trilobed; oblate-spheroidal to spheroidal; tricolporate; polar axis 18.73±0.75(18.2–19.5) μm; equatorial diameter 20.36±.75(19.5–20.8) μm; size class minutae; exine tectate; surface echinate, perforate (Figure 3).