Arabis paniculata Franch.

The above first record from Xizang is based on C. Y. Wu et al. 75-548 (PE) and Ludlow & Sherriff 1699 (BM). The above first record from Nepal is based on Stainton, Sykes & Williams 1933 (BM, E), Malla 10717 (BM), and Shrestha & Bista 1923 (US). The above first record from Kashmir is based on Winterbottom 59 (K), which was cited by Jafri (Fl. West Pakistan 55: 177. 1973) as A. pterosperma. That species, however, is quite different from A. paniculata in having predominantly simple trichomes, erect fruit, 1.5-2.5 mm wide, with pedicels appressed to the infructescence rachis.

An examination of all of the type collections (including syntypes) of Arabidopsis mollissima var. yunnanensis, Arabis alpina var. parviflora, A. alpina var. rigida, A. alpina var. rubrocalyx, and A. paniculata clearly shows that they all represent minor variants of one species. Arabis alpina var. parviflora is here lectotypified on Delavay s.n., 29 Aug 1883 (P) because another of the three syntypes of this variety, Delavay 2758 (P), is a specimen of A. hirsuta.

The record of Arabis chanetii in FRPS is based on misidentified plants of A. paniculata. The holotype of A. chanetii is a specimen of Orychophragmus violaceus.

Although Arabis alpina was recognized in FRPS and some other provincial floras (e.g., Fl. Guizhou. 7: 30, 32. 1989; Fl. Sichuan. 4: 117-119. 1999; Fl. Yunnan. 6: 81-83. 1995) as a distinct species and/or as var. parviflora, all such records are based on plants of A. paniculata. True Arabis alpina is a strictly European species that does not grow anywhere in Asia. It is readily distinguished from A. paniculata by having strongly saccate lateral sepals, obovate petals (0.7-)1-2 cm, and broad fruit 1.5-2.5 mm wide. By contrast, A. paniculata has nonsaccate sepals, narrowly oblong-oblanceolate petals less than 0.8 mm, and narrower fruit rarely to 1.5 mm wide.

Herbs biennial or short-lived perennial, (10-)20-75(-110) cm tall, densely to sparsely hirsute, with stalked, forked or 3- or 4-rayed stellate trichomes mixed at least basally with varying amounts of simple ones. Stems erect, simple or few from base, often branched at middle. Basal leaves rosulate, present at anthesis; petiole often absent, rarely distinct and to 2.5 cm; leaf blade oblanceolate, narrowly obovate, oblong, or lanceolate, (1-)2-6(-8) × (0.5-)1-2(-2.5) cm, base attenuate, margin dentate, serrate, or rarely entire, apex obtuse or acute. Middle cauline leaves sessile, oblong, ovate, or elliptic, rarely suboblanceolate, (0.7-)1.5-4(-6) cm × (2-)4-14(-25) mm, with stellate trichomes sometimes mixed adaxially with simple ones, base cordate or auriculate, rarely amplexicaul, margin dentate or entire, apex obtuse or acute. Racemes ebracteate. Fruiting pedicels divaricate, rarely ascending or slightly reflexed, (0.4-)0.6-1.8(-2.5) cm, slender, straight or rarely slightly curved. Sepals oblong or sublanceolate, 2.5-3.5(-4) × 1-1.5 mm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, not saccate. Petals white or rarely pale pink, oblong or narrowly oblanceolate, 4-6(-6.5) × 1-2 mm, apex obtuse. Filaments 3.5-5 mm; anthers oblong, 0.8-1 mm. Ovules 36-80 per ovary. Fruit (1.5-)2.5-5.5(-6.5) cm × 1-1.5 mm, erect or divaricate or rarely reflexed, not appressed to rachis; valves with a distinct midvein, torulose, glabrous; style 0.4-0.8 mm. Seeds brown, oblong or ovate, 1-1.3 × 0.7-0.9 mm, narrowly winged on distal half. Fl. and fr. Apr-Aug.

Nepal, Kashmir, China

Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Kashmir, Nepal].

1300 - 3400 m.

Waste areas, roadsides, grassy slopes, along ditches; 1300-3400 m.

Arabidopsis mollissima (C. A. Meyer) N. Busch var. yunnanensis O. E. Schulz; Arabis alpina Linnaeus var. parviflora Franchet; A. alpina var. rigida Franchet; A. alpina var. rubrocalyx Franchet; A. paniculata var. parviflora (Franchet) W. T. Wang.