---------- Forwarded message --------- From: C CHADWELL <[email protected]> Date: Mon 10 Oct, 2016, 6:21 PM Subject: Re: Fwd: SK56JUL27-2016:ID To: J.M. Garg <[email protected]>, efloraofindia < [email protected]> Cc: Saroj Kasaju <[email protected]>
These images taken at Sangam, Leh initially defeated me but I am now thinking about the possibility of *Lepidium latifolium (or perhaps L.obtusum*) - though I am not certain about distinguishing between the two, particularly as the 3 images only reveal a few clues. I have just noticed in 'Vascular plant flora of Lower Ladakh.." Klimes & Dickore, that they have in the list of species found in Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae) *Lepidium cf. latifolium* from dry screes, dumps, along road banks. They say that *L.obtusum* differs from *L.latifolium* by sepals persistent in fruit and racemes not elongated in fruit - was only recently found in Ladakh. Their records may refer to both species. There may well be other characteristics found to distinguish them but clearly one cannot distinguish between them on the basis of the images here. According to 'Flowers of the Himalaya', *Lepidium latifolium* (commonly known as 'Dittander') is common on stony slopes in Ladakh. Distributed from Afghanistan to Kashmir (3000-3600m), W.Asia, Europe, N.Africa. A species with such a wide distribution is likely to be considered to have varieties and perhaps subspecies, which when studied further may be elevated to specific rank. Stewart noted it was common in much of N.Pakistan and Ladakh @ 1500-3900m (quite a bit different to range given in 'Flowers of Himalaya'). He comments, "Although there is much difference between the xerophytic specimens in the inner, drier regions and those in the Kashmir Valley I agree with Hedge that it is hardly possible to maintain subspecies and varieties". Maybe now, with further study, that is no longer the case, such that perhaps the variants in Ladakh may all be included within a different species to *L.latifolium* one day? Obviously, this cannot be deduced from the 3 images taken at Sangam. In 'Flora of Lahaul-Spiti' *L.latifolium* is described as being frequent on open slopes. It is clear that further study and revision of the genus is required (Stewart back in the 1970s commented for a different genus in the Brassicaceae, *Malcomia* that further study was required using modern cytological methods). The authors list *L.apetalum* as frequent in sandy soils (in FBI it was under *L.ruderale* a European species) yet they also have L.virginicum (also giving L.ruderale as a synonym) which they say how they distinguish it from - which they record as frequent on open slopes and along roadsides at Khoksar. Dickore & Klimes do not list *L.virginicum* from Ladakh. Stewart only has the species as a dubious record from Murree (what was an old British 'hill-station) in Pakistan. This species is found in the UK, another common name there is 'Broad-leaved Pepperwort'. It is found in salt-marshes and wet sand. Many plants in Ladakh tolerate 'salty' conditions, indeed some are halophytes. Many will know of salt lakes in Ladakh (and Tibet proper). It was formerly cultivated as a condiment. I have not seen it myself in the UK (it is rather rare) but a photo I have seen did not bring the images taken at Sangam to mind. Best Wishes, Chris Chadwell 81 Parlaunt Road SLOUGH SL3 8BE UK www.shpa.org.uk ------------------------------ *From:* J.M. Garg <[email protected]> *To:* efloraofindia <[email protected]> *Cc:* Saroj Kasaju <[email protected]> *Sent:* Sunday, 25 September 2016, 6:56 *Subject:* Fwd: SK56JUL27-2016:ID Forwarding again for Id assistance please. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *Saroj Kasaju* <[email protected]> Date: 27 July 2016 at 19:54 Subject: SK56JUL27-2016:ID To: "J.M. Garg" <[email protected]>, efloraofindia < [email protected]> Dear Mr. Garg, Enclosing some pictures for identification . Location : Sangam, Leh Date: 240August 2014 Thank you. Saroj Kasaju -- With regards, J.M.Garg 'Creating awareness of Indian Flora & Fauna' <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1> Winner of Wipro-NFS Sparrow Awards 2014 for efloraofindia <https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/award-for-efloraofindia>. For identification, learning, discussion & documentation of Indian Flora, please visit/ join our Efloraofindia Google e-group <https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/indiantreepix> (largest in the world- around 2700 members & 2,40,000 messages on 31.3.16) or Efloraofindia website <https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/> (with a species database of more than 11,000 species & 2,20,000 images). The whole world uses my Image Resource <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:J.M.Garg> of more than a thousand species & eight thousand images of Birds, Butterflies, Plants etc. (arranged alphabetically & place-wise). You can also use them for free as per Creative Commons license attached with each image. 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