Gentiana (and now related genera) is a difficult genus, as I have said previously.
Distinguishing between G.carinata and similar species is complicated. What a pity that Gentian specialist Aitken at Edinburgh is no longer available to resolve such matters for us. Stewart (back in 1972) recorded G.carinata from 2400-3600m in Kashmir and var. intermedia Clarke from Sonamrag and Suru/Zanskar in Ladakh (also 2400-3600m). I have seen what MIGHT be G.carinata on many occasions in Kashmir. He observed that G.carinata proper was said to have fimbriae in the throat whilst the var. intermedia does not. Stansfield of Liverpool said G.carinata has versatile anthers whilst they are basifixed in G.coronata. Clearly, such characteristics cannot be observed in normal photos of gentians. Apparently, at Kew a great many specimens from Kashmir and adjacent areas are in a cover Gentiana coronata (D.Don ex Royle) DC. but Stewart did not consider them to match the plant figured by Royle. Burkill stated that the type was in too bad a condition for use. *Stewart found the G.marginata, G.carinata, G.coronata group very difficult and in his opinion needed more study.* *I cannot readily check if Aitken at Edinburgh had satisfactorily resolved such matters? I do not know if the characteristics 'Flowers of Himalaya' use to distinguish between G.carinata and G.marginata are authoritative?* *At some stage, I would like to take a serious look at Gentianaceae of NW Himalaya but this is quite a challenge and have yet to find the time to focus properly on the family. SO many other genera belonging to other families also urgently need attention (indeed revision). So many families and genera are poorly known in the Himalaya.* *Certainly more photos in good close-ups showing detail of the corolla, throat of flowers and calyx-lobes would help.* *Cannot comment further at this stage. * On Friday, June 17, 2011 at 7:32:56 AM UTC+1, raj wrote: > Dear Friends, > > Gentianaceae Sp for ID from Gulmarg, Kashmir > > -- > With Regards, > Narendra Joshi > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "efloraofindia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
