TANGUTICA  (Maximowicz) S.R.Fu, 1986

Synonyms :

Sedum algidum var. tanguticum  Maximowicz (1883) / Rhodiola algida var. tangutica (Maximowicz) S.H. Fu (1980)

Rhodiola gannanica  K.-T.Fu (1991)

Section Rhodiola

Distribution : China (Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan), rock crevices in alpine areas, 2100 - 4700 m.

Description (according to H. Ohba in IHSP, 2003) :

Dioecious, to 14 cm tall. 

Rhizomes branched, often massive.

Flowering stems 3 - 4 from each branch, persistent for 1 year after fruiting, ± 1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous, smooth.

Leaves densely arranged, sessile, thickly herbaceous, 5 - 10 x 1 - 2 mm, linear to linear-lanceolate, widely spreading, glabrous, smooth, entire, tip obtuse, base round.

Inflorescences 3- to 9-flowered, nearly umbellate, 8 - 12 x 10 - 20 mm, pedicels 2 - 4 mm (female) or fIowers almost sessile (male).

Flowers : Calyx glabrous, tube conical, 2 - 3 mm, sepals triangular-ovate or narrowly oblong, ± 2 mm,  petals linear-lanceolate, 3 - 5 mm, pinkish, stamens slightly longer than the petals (male).