FLORA OF NEPAL NOTULAE VI: SILENE (CARYOPHYLLACEAE) – SECT. PHYSOLYCHNIS PART II, AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ON SEVERAL SPECIES

Abstract

Four new species of Silene sect. Physolychnis are described: S. manandharii, S. kaliantha, S. pollicaris and S. deae. The first two are endemic to Nepal, the other two to Nepal and Tibet. Proper use and synonymy are clarified for Silene himalayensis and S. madens; both are widespread in the Western Himalayas and on the Tibetan plateau. Silene puranensis and S. caespitella are recorded as new to Nepal. Silene holosteifolia, S. hideakiohbae and S. pseudoindica, all with their main distribution in Nepal, are reported for the first time from Tibet, Bhutan and/or India. The presence of Silene noctiflora in Nepal is unproven. The status of Silene ischnopetala is discussed, and its earlier association with the Nepalese endemic S. indica is considered a mistake. Silene stellariifolia is suggested to be a  synonym of Atocion armeria. The new combinations Silene souliei, S. qomolangmaensis and S. ischnopetala are made. A few emendations to our previous Notulae in this series are presented.