SAXIFRAGA MINUTISSIMA, A NEW SPECIES FROM THE GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TAXONOMY OF THE GENUS SAXIFRAGA (SAXIFRAGACEAE)

Abstract

Saxifraga minutissima D.S.Rawat, a new and extremely small species of Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae), is described from the Garhwal Himalaya, India. It differs from all other species of Saxifraga, except Saxifraga bicuspidata, in having five stamens and lacking petals. It can be distinguished from Saxifraga bicuspidata in having leaves and sepals entire. The finely striate pollen exine pattern of Saxifraga minutissima indicates that the species belongs to Saxifraga section Ciliatae. Its prostrate, axillary leafy shoots and lack of crisped, rufous hairs strongly suggests a place in Saxifraga subsection Serpyllifoliae, where one of its closest relatives may be Saxifraga stella-aurea.