Pedicularis dieshanensis (Orobanchaceae), a New Species from the Die Mountains, China

In this study a new species of Pedicularis, P. dieshanensis, is described. It is endemic to the Die Mountains, China, and grows on the alpine meadow at the edge of the fir forest at elevations of 3150–3500 m. This species is characterized by the presence of cauline leaves in trimerous or tetramerous whorls, a pinnatifid leaf margin, purple corolla, galea with a conical beak, slightly tilted to the left, and hairless filaments. The new species morphologically resembles P. cheilanthifolia and P. anas, with its leaves in trimerous or tetramerous whorls, the beaked and toothless corolla galea, bases of petioles of leaves and bracts that are not connate or cupular, flowers more than 10 mm in diameter, and a corolla tube decurved in the calyx tube. But the new species differs from P. cheilanthifolia by having a pinnatifid leaf margin, shorter galea, longer beak and hairless filaments, and it differs from P. anas by having a pinnatifid leaf margin, stable flower color and longer beak. In this paper, a detailed description of the new species including data on its habitat, ecology, phenology, and conservation status; a distribution map; a detailed illustration; field photographs; and a comparison with closely related species is provided.