© Hartmann & Weipert: Biodiversität und Naturausstattung im Himalaya V. - Erfurt 2015 Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) with special reference to the Eastern Himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan subhasis Panda, Darjeeling Abstract The genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) consists of about 134 species (MiddLeton 1991, MabberLey 2008), of which c. 22 species are reported to occur in India (Panda et al. 2014, Panda in sanjaPPa & sastry 2014) and surprisingly all 22 species are also present in Indian Eastern Himalayas. About 7 and 9 species are reported to occur in Nepal (hara et al. 1982) and Bhutan (rae 1991) Himalayas respectively, and which are all common in the Eastern Himalayas in India. Recently, reveaL (2012) placed the genus Gaultheria L. in the tribe Gaultherieae under the subfamily Vaccinioideae just after Epacridoideae, while as per APG-III (version 13: 2013), it is palced in the clade ASTERIDS just after the clade MALVID/ROSID-II. Members of the genus are distributed in eastern and South-eastern Asia, Australia (Tasmania and New Zealand) and America (North, Central and South). The present work embodies ield and herbariumbased detailed exomorphological study in India, Nepal & Bhutan. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the contribution of exomorphology to the sectional problems in the genus Gaultheria L. Besides, this work also provides major threats to Himalayan Gaultheria L. including their conservation. Key words: Gaultheria, Ericaceae, diversity, Eastern Himalaya, India, Nepal, Bhutan. Introduction The genus Gaultheria L. in the family Ericaceae Juss. was irst described and named by Carolus Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum (Linnaeus 1753). The name ‘Gaultheria’ was proposed by Kalm (1716- 1779) for the French Physician Jean Francois Gaultier (1708-1756), botanist, Quebec, Canada (Quattrocchi 2000). The genus consists of about 134 species under 10 sections, 2 subsections and 23 series (MiddLeton 1991) including 22 species under 3 sections, 2 subsections, 6 series from India (Panda 2014, Panda et al. 2014). Three species and two varieties are described as new from India by Panda & sanjaPPa (2006a, b, c; 2009). ruizheng & stevens (2005) reported about 135 species while MabberLey (2008) reported 134 species but he included both genera Diplycosia Bl. and Pernettya Gaud. within Gaultheria L. Members of the genus are distributed in eastern and South-eastern Asia including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, My- Map 1: Distribution of Gaultheria spp. in India, Nepal and Bhutan. anmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Japan, Australia (Tasmania and New Zealand) and America (North, Central and South) (Map 1 showing Distribution of Gaultheria spp. in India, Nepal & Bhutan). About 7 species (viz. G. fragrantissima Wall., G. grifithiana Wight, G. hookeri C. B. Clarke, G. nummularioides D. Don, G. pyrolifolia C. B. Clarke, G. semi-infera (C. B. Clarke) Airy Shaw and G. trichophylla Royle) are reported to occur in Nepal Himalaya, which are all common in the Eastern Himalayas of India, while c. 9 species (viz. G. fragrantissima Wall., G. discolor Nutt. ex Hook., G. grifithiana Wight, G. semi-infera (C. B. Clarke) Airy Shaw, G. hookeri C. B. Clarke, G. pyrolifolia C. B. Clarke, G. nummularioides D. Don, G. trichophylla Royle and G. sinensis J. Anthony) are reported to occur in Bhutan Himalaya, and similarly all are common in India. Surprisingly, most of the Nepalese and Bhutanese species of Gaultheria possess similar altitudinal ranges in their natural distribution. Detailed investigations of the genus Gaultheria L. were studied by several workers like cLarke (1882), airy shaw (1941, 1952), stevens (1971), stevens et al. (2004), MiddLeton (1991), kron et al. (2002a, 2002b), ruizheng & stevens (2005), Panda (2008, 2013a, 2013b), Panda (2014) and Panda et al. (2014). In India, the genus is studied in detail by Panda (2008, 2014) and Panda et al. (2014). He revised the genus and described 3 sections, 2 subsections, 6 series, 22 species and 2 varieties from India. Panda (2005a, b), Panda & sanjaPPa (2006a, b, c; 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) and Panda et al. (2007) newly described 3 species and 2 varieties as well as recorded 2 species from India. The present work embodies ield and herbarium-based detailed exomorphological study. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the contribution of exomorphology to the sectional problems in the genus Gaultheria L. Besides, this work also provides major threats to Himalayan Gaultheria L. including their conservation. hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Recently reveaL (2012) placed the genus Gaultheria L. in the tribe Gaultherieae under the subfamily Vaccinioideae just after Epacridoideae, while as per APG-III (version 13: 2013), it is palced in the clade ASTERIDS just after the clade MALVID/ ROSID-II. However, stevens et al. (2004) divided Ericaceae s. l. into 8 subfamilies (Cladogram 2) and placed the genus Gaultheria L. in the tribe Gaultherieae of the 8th subfamily Vaccinioideae just before the tribe Vaccinieae and after the tribe Andromedeae based on morphological and molecular data. dendron L. is the dominant member consisting of about 110 species which are facing tremendous threat at their natural habitats due to above mentioned disturbances, although for better and effective conservation purpose Forest Department in Sikkim declared ‘Rhododendron Sanctuaries’ viz. ‘Sambala Rhododendron Sanctuary’(North Sikkim), ‘Kyongnosla Rhododendron Sanctuary’ (East Sikkim), ‘Bharsey Rhododendron Sanctuary’(West Sikkim) etc. Interestingly, due to this effective conservation, other genera of Ericaceae incl. Gaultheria are conserved without disturbances. Threatened Gaultheria spp. viz. G. hookeri, G. stapiana, G. pyroliifolia and G. tetramera are conserved in ‘Sambala Rhododendron Sanctuary’. Other threatened Gaultheria spp. are G. dolichopoda, G. thymifolia, G. hypochlora, G. kamengiana, G. akaensis, G. dumicola and G. wardii which show very less number of populations at their natural habitats and restricted only to Arunachal Pradesh in India, except G. dumicola which have second populations noticed in Naga Hills in North-eastern states of India. G. semi-infera, G. tetramera and G. stapiana are mostly noticed in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Eastern Nepal and Bhutan Himalayas, but populations are always scarce. Species like G. brevistipes, G. lohitiensis, G. codonantha, G. seshagiriana and G. discolor are fairly common at some restricted areas of Arunachal Himalaya only, except G. discolor populations which have second habitats in Bhutan Himalaya, but not reported from Nepal. The habitat of an endangered species, Gaultheria akaensis Panda & Sanjappa at Nechephu area of Aka Hill in Arunachal Pradesh, is being disturbed by the National highway extension project by Border Road Organization. Immediate conservation measures are required at several places in West Kameng Major threats to Ericaceous lora in India, Nepal and Bhutan Himalayas and threatened taxa of Gaultheria L. Majority of Ericaceous taxa in India, Nepal and Bhutan like natural habitats of other countries viz. China, Myanmar and Malysia are facing tremendous threat to their existence, mainly due to natural weathering and anthropogenic factors like habitat degradation and habitat fragmentation as a result of road extension, hydo-electric projects, mining, jhum cultivation and deforestation in hilly areas. Ericaceous plants especially members of the genus Gaultheria L. usually prefer to grow on rocky slopes and crevices where rocks are mainly undurable schist to gneiss types (soil-mixed rocks and gravels) as a result of continued natural weathering process. Due to natural weathering, rocks are metamorphosed into fragile soils through time and causing mass landslides and inally extinction or fragmentation of species. In India, Nepal and Bhutan, Ericaceous taxa are naturally grown in the Himalayas at altitudes ranging from 1400 m (3000m) to 4800 m., mostly in between 2000-3200m. Among 13 genera of Indian as well as Nepal and Bhutanese Ericaceae (Agapetes, Cassiope, Craibiodendron, Diplarche, Enkianthus, Gaultheria, Leucothoe, Lyonia, Monotropa, Pieris, Pyrola, Rhododendron and Vaccinium), the genus Rhodo- 2 Map 2: Field study areas and collection sites in West Sikkim (Yuksum to Dzongri), showing detailed distribution of Gaultheria spp. and other Eriaceae. Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... Table 1. Based on leaf apices district viz. Sessa to Jamiri Long acuminate/caudateareas along road side where acuminate/caudate maximum number of threa1. G. grifithiana tened Ericaceous taxa incl. 2. G. codonantha other Gaultheria spp. exist as 3. G. brevistipes well as road side ericaceous lora along rupa-Shergaon, Bomdila-Dhirang, Salari-Nafra and Dhirang-Mandala. Exomorphological diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. Following are the general comments on exomorphological characters of 22 Indian including 7 Nepalese and 9 Bhutanese species (which are common in India) of the genus Gaultheria L. studied primarily based on live materials collectd from their natural habitats in India, except a few cases where herbarium specimens were studied (specimens of India, Nepal and Bhutan in CAL, ASSAM, and DD). Habit: 22 species of Gaultheria are quite variable in habit from creeping and procumbent, arching erect to erect shrub or rarely treelet, up to 4 m high, sometimes epiphytic. Indian taxa showed considerable variation from stout erect bushy shrublet, shrub, treelet (G. fragrantissima), prostrate and creeping (viz., G. trichophylla) to procumbent arching erect (G. akaensis, a new species) or rarely epiphytic on Rhododendron arboreum (viz. G. grifithiana, G. nummularioides), pendent and climbing upon Rhododendron barbatum (viz. G. grifithiana in Sikkim populations) and often hanging down from rock crevices. Stems: In Gaultheria spp., stems varies from prostrate (viz., series Trichophyllae) to erect (viz. sect. Brossaeopsis and most members of the sect. Brossaea); branches often erect to rarely arching erect (viz. G. akaensis); twigs usually erect to zigzagged (viz. G. nummularioides), terete to angular or winged (viz. G. fragrantissima); branches and twigs usually pubescent to rarely glabrous (viz. G. fragrantissima). Indumentum: In Gaultheria, the indumentum is more or less unicellular to multicellular, glandular or eglandular, spreading Mucronate/mucronulate / mucronateRetuse acute 1. G. nummularioides 1. G. pyrolifolia 2. Series Trichophyllae 3. Series Leucothoides (incl. G. pyrolifolia) or appressed, often caducous (Middleton, 1991). Indian taxa showed hirsute (viz., G. nummularioides), hispid to hispidsetulose (viz., G. semi-infera, G. hookeri), setulose (viz., G. trichophylla), pilose (such as, corolla and ilaments of most species) to tomentose (such as, ovary of most species). Leaves: In Gaultheria spp., (Tables 1-3) leaves are alternate, coriaceous, chartaceo-coriaceous to papery, lamina shape and size, margin, base and apex variable, surface usually glabrous above, punctate or pubescent beneath. Leaf apex, margin and shape can be used as good taxonomic characters to discriminate species given in Tables 3-5. Table 2. Based on leaf margins Serrulate-ciliate / ciliate 1. G. nummularioides 2. G. trichophylla 3. G. trichophylla var. ovata 4. G. akaensis 5. G. hookeri Dentate/ Denticulate 1. G. codonantha 2. G. dumicola 3. G. wardii Inlorescences: In Gaultheria, inlorescences usually an axillary or pseudoterminal raceme or both, sometimes fasciculate (short and congested raceme), panicle to solitary-lowered, perulate or eperulate, glabrous or pubescent, hairs glandular or eglandular, spreading or appressed (Middleton, 1991). Indian taxa showed usually a short or long axillary or pseudoterminal racemes or both, sometimes fasciculate (G. dumicola, G. seshagiriana and G. codonantha), rarely single-lowered inlorescence (such as G. trichophylla), often perulate at base, glabrous or pubescent, spreading or appressed. Map 3: Field study areas and collection sites in Arunachal Pradesh (Ziro to Talle valley), showing detailed distribution of Gaultheria spp. and other Eriaceae. Flowers: In Gaultheria (Tables 4-5), lowers are usually hypogynous, rarely perigynous (G. semi-infera), (4-) 5-merous with 1 to several bracts and 2 bracteoles. Taxa belong to India, Nepal and Bhutan showed hypogynous to rarely perigynous condition (one species, G. semi-infera), (4-) 5-merous (4-merous in G. tetramera), 4-27 mm long, slightly pendulous when solitary, erect when in raceme with 1- 15 (-19) mm long glabrous or puberulous pedicels. The length of pedicels and presence or absence of indumentum on pedicels can be used to discriminate Indian species. 3 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Table 3. Based on lamina shape 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ovate / ovate-elliptic G. nummularioides G. akaensis G. codonantha G. dumicola G. seshagiriana G. fragrantissima G. trichophylla var. ovata 1. 2. 3. 4. obovate G. sinensis G. hypochlora G. pyrolifolia G. fragrantissima var. obovata Table 4. Based on the length of pedicels 1 - 5 mm long 5 - 10 mm long 1. G. nummularioides 1. G. sinensis 2. G. trichophylla 2. G. dumicola 3. G. thymifolia 3. G. seshagiriana Above 10 mm long 1. G. dolichopoda 2. G. codonantha 4. G. hypochlora 4. G. brevistipes 5. G. akaensis 5. G. wardii 6. G. fragrantissima 7. G. lohitiensis 8. G. grifithiana 9. G. discolor 10. G. semi-infera 11. G. tetramera 12. G. hookeri 13. G. stapiana 14. G. pyroifolia Table 5. Based on indumentum on pedicels Indumentum always present (puberulous, pilose to setulose) 1. G. fragrantissima 2. G. brevistipes 3. G. lohitiensis 4. G. discolor 5. G. tetramera 6. G. wardii 7. G. pyrolifolia Indumentum present or absent Indumentum always absent 1. G. grifithiana 2. G. semi-infera 3. G. hookeri 4. G. stapiana 1. G. nummularioides 2. G. trichophylla 3. G. thymifolia 4. G. hypochlora 5. G. dolichopoda 6. G. sinensis 7. G. akaensis 8. G. codonantha 9. G. dumicola 10. G. seshagiriana Bracts: In Gaultheria, bracts usually 1 or 2, basal, varying in size, shape and indumentum and up to 14 mm long (Middleton, 1991). Indian taxa showed usually 1 (- 2) bracts (2 bracts in G. nummularioides and G. dumicola), basal to rarely subbasal (such as G. nummularioides and G. dumicola) or absent (in the section Chiogenopsis), broadly ovate, ovate-elliptic, ovate-triangular, elliptic, elliptic-lanceolate, lanceolate, ovateoblong to oblong, 1.5-8 × 1-5 mm, glandular ciliate to ciliolate at margin, acute, shortly acuminate to mucronulate at apex. Bracteoles: In Gaultheria (Tables 6-7), the position of bracteoles on pedicels is an important taxonomic character to delimit 4 species. Bracteoles 2, opposite, persistent in fruit. Taxa (India, Nepal & Bhutan) showed considerable variation of the position from subbasal, middle to apex on pedicels. Besides the position, the apex of bracteoles can also be used as taxonomic character to delimit Indian species. Calyx: the calyx forms a cup-like structure which may be lamellate, dotted, wrinkled or glabrous. Calyx lobes vary from species to species based on connation, length, apex and surface indumentum. Corolla (Table 8): In Gaultheria, corolla shapes varying from urceolate, slightly tubular to campanulate, (4 -) 5-lobed, usually glabrous outside and pilose inside to rarely glabrous on both surfaces. Taxa belong to India, Nepal & Bhutan showed considerable variation in shape, colour and size from ovoid-urceolate, tubulo-urceolate, globose-campanulate to broadly campanulate, white, greyish-white, yellowish-white, pinkish-white, greenishwhite to pinkish. The corolla shape is an important taxonomic character that can be used to delimit Indian species. Stamens: In Gaultheria, stamens usually 10 to rarely 5 - 8; ilaments loosely epipetalous, straight, slender, papillose or rarely smooth, glabrous or pilose, dilated near base or middle; anthers 2-lobed, smooth or rarely granular and each lobe with usually (1-) 2 awns. The n umber of awns in anthers and indumentum on ilaments are important taxonomic characters to delimit species. Indian taxa showed usually 10 stamens but rarely 5 in G. semi-infera and G. tetramera or 5-7 in G. akaensis; ilaments usually loosely epipetalous but free in G. trichophylla and G. dolichopoda; each lobe of anthers usually with 2 equal awns but single awn found in G. trichophylla and G. lohitiensis; awns in anthers usually minute but c. 1 mm long in G. hookeri, G. fragrantissima, G. wardii and G. tetramera; usually awns are equal but each lobe with 2 unequal awns are found in G. stapiana. The presence of unequal awns is an important taxonomic character to delimit G. stapiana from the rest. The indumentum on ilaments usually pilose or puberulous but glabrous and papillose in G. dolichopoda, G. codonantha, G. akaensis, G. grifithiana and G. pyrolifolia. Pistils: In Gaultheria (Tables 9-10), ovary usually superior to rarely semi-inferior (such as G. semi-infera), globose, subglobose to oblong, pubescent or glabrous, (4-) 5-lobed (4-lobed in G. tetramera). Presence or absence of indumentum on ovary and the length of styles are important taxonomic characters to delimit Indian species. Fruits: In Gaultheria (Table 11), fruits are thick or thin-walled, loculicidal globose capsule to rarely a berry and with or without a leshy calyx surrounding the capsule or berry (Middleton, 1991). Capsule size is an important character to be used in delimiting Indian species. Seeds: usually numerous to a few or upto 15 per capsule or berry, minute (not measurable and possibly smallest in G. seshagiriana), obconical, ovoid, rhomboid, ellipsoid, orbicular with usually scariose surface. Leaf anatomical and Pollen morphological Diversity Leaf-stomata, leaf vein islets and Pollen morphological indings are briely described under all available species of Gaultheria L. in the next paragraph under Enumeration. Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... Table 6. Based on the position of bracteoles on pedicels Basal or subbasal 1. G. nummularioides 2. G. codonantha 3. G. seshagiriana 4. G. dumicola 5. G. brevistipes 6. G. grifithiana 7. G. tetramera 8. G. hookeri Middle 1. G. akaensis 2. G. lohitiensis 3. G. wardii 4. G. stapiana 5. G. hookeri Between middle and apex 1. G. trichophylla 2. G. pyrolifolia 3. G. semi-infera Immediately beneath the calyx 1. G. dolichopoda 2. G. thymifolia 3. G. sinensis 4. G. hypochlora 5. G. fragrantissima 6. G. discolor 7. G. trichophylla Table 7. Based on the apices of bracteoles Acute / rounded-acute 1. G. sinensis 2. G. trichophylla 3. G. hypochlora 4. G. akaensis 5. G. fragrantissima 6. G. brevistipes 7. G. grifithiana Acuminate 1. G. seshagiriana 2. G. dumicola 3. G. lohitiensis 4. G. wardii 5. G. hookeri 6. G. semi-infera Mucronulate Apiculate 1. G. nummularioides 1. G. codonantha 2. G. dolichopoda 2. G. pyrolifolia 3. G. thymifolia 4. G. tetramera 5. G. discolor 6. G. stapiana Table 8. Based on corolla shape URCEOLATE Ovoid/conico/globoseurceolate 1. G. nummularioides 2. G. fragrantissima 3. G. akaensis 4. G. lohitiensis 5. G. discolor 6. G. semi-infera 7. G. tetramera 8. G. wardii 9. G. pyrolifolia 10. G. hookeri 11. G. stapiana Tubulo-urceolate 1. G. hookeri 2. G. stapiana CAMPANULATE Globose 1. G. trichophylla 2. G. seshagiriana 3. G. grifithiana 4. G. codonantha 1. G. sinensis 2. G. dolichopoda 3. G. thymifolia 4. G. hypochlora 5. G. codonantha 6. G. brevistipes 7. G. dumicola The sequence of presentation of data of the investigated species are given below. ♣ Correct or accepted name of the species. ♣ Original citation. ♣ Vernacular name(s) ♣ Short description ♣ Distribution. ♣ Flowering & fruiting. Enumeration Table 9. Based on indumentum on ovary Ovary glabrous 1. G. nummularioides 2. G. trichophylla 3. G. dolichopoda 4. G. thymifolia 5. G. hypochlora 6. G. sinensis 7. G. codonantha 8. G. seshagiriana 9. G. pyrolifolia Broadly ovate the Taxonomy and Biosystematics Laboratory, PG. Deptt. of Botany, Barasat Govt. College (University of Calcutta) as well as in Angiosperm Taxonomy & Ecology Laboratory in Darjeeling Govt. College and partly in Central National Herbarium (CAL). All measurements are given in metric system. Authors of scientiic names are abbreviated according to bruMMitt & PoweLL (1992), Authors of Plant Names. Books title are abbreviated according to stafLeu & cowan (1976-1988), Taxonomic Literature (ed.2, vols. 1-7), stafLeu & Mennega (1992-2000), Taxonomic Literature, suppl. vols. 1-6. Ovary pubescent 1. G. dumicola 2. G. akaensis 3. G. brevistipes 4. G. grifithiana 5. G. lohitiensis 6. G. discolor 7. G. semi-infera 8. G. tetramera 9. G. hookeri 10. G. stapiana Materials and Methods The present work is the result of detailed exomorphological investigations in the ield and herbaria (most of the Indian herbaria incl. Central National Herbarium, Howrah (CAL) as well as cibachrome photos procured from Kew Herbarium, London (K) and British Museum Herbarium, London (BM)). Herbarium acronym is followed according to hoLMgren et al. (1990), Index Herbariorum, part 1 (ed.8). This work was carried out in Gaultheria L., Sp. Pl. 1: 395. 1753 and Gen. Pl. 5: 187. 1754. Stout, erect shrub up to 4 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices, rarely creeper, epiphytic or grown in rocky soil, sometimes gynodioecious. Stem and branches terete, profusely branched, glabrous or pubescent. Leaves alternate to rarely opposite, coriaceous, usually ovate-elliptic, elliptic, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate or oblong-elliptic, rarely ovate to obovate, glabrous above, light green, punctate or rarely glabrous beneath; venation brochidodromous to actinodromous or melastomaceous; short or long-petioled. Inlorescence usually axillary or terminal racemes, rarely solitary axillary to fasciculate; rachis pubescent or glabrous. Flowers 4 - 5-merous. Corolla urceolate or rarely campanulate, 4-5 -lobed, lobes equal. Stamens 10, rarely 5, 8 or 9, sometimes dimorphic, loosely epipetalous. Ovary usually superior to rarely semi-inferior (G. semi-infera), globose to subglobose, puberulous or rarely glabrous, 4-5 -locular. Capsule loculicidally 4-5 - valved, usually globose, pubescent or glabrous. Seeds minute, numerous, obconical. Distribution: INDIA: Himalayas, NE India (Meghalaya Manipur and Nagaland) and Hill-tops of SW Ghats; E and SE ASIA (including NEPAL, BHUTAN and CHINA); AUSTRALIA (Tasmania and New Zealand); AMERICA (North, Central and South). 5 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Table 10. Based on the length of style 1 - 2 mm 1. G. dumicola 2. G.fragrantissima 3. G. grifithiana 4. G. discolor 5. G. semi-infera 6. G. tetramera 7. G. pyrolifolia 8. G. wardii 2 - 4 mm 1. G. trichophylla 2. G. sinensis 3. G.seshagiriana 4. G. akaensis 5. G. brevistipes 6. G. hookeri 7. G. stapiana 4 - 6 mm 1. G. nummularioides 2. G.dolichopoda 3. G. brevistipes Table 11. Based on capsule size 2 - 5 × 2 - 5 mm 1. G. seshagiriana 2. G. dumicola 3. G. akaensis 4. G. grifithiana 5. G. discolor 6. G. semi-infera 7. G. wardii 8. G. pyrolifolia 5 - 8 × 3 - 7 mm 1. G. trichophylla 2. G. fragrantissima 3. G. lohitiensis 4. G. stapiana 8 - 20 × 8 -15 mm 1. G. nummularioides 2. G. dolichopoda 3. G. codonantha 4. G. brevistipes 5. G. hookeri - 6 - 8 mm 1. G. codonantha Leaves punctate and light green beneath; bracts and bracteoles smaller (2-2.5 × -1.5 mm and 1-1.5 × 0.5-1 mm); corolla always glabrous.......................... 8. G. dumicola 10. Racemes always perulate, axillary, rarely solitary; bracteoles basal to middle on pedicel, never apical and shape often lanceolate .............................................................. ........Subsect. 1. Dasyphyta (Series Nummularioides) Racemes perulate or eperulate, axillary or terminal, never solitary; bracteoles variable, usually apical on pedicel and shape variable, rarely if basal or middle on pedicel then Key to the sections, series and species (belong to India, shape never lanceolate ................................................... Nepal & Bhutan) .......... Subsect. 2. Botryphoros (Series Leucothoides) (Based on exomorphology) 11. Branches zigzagged; raceme axillary solitary.........9. G. A Inlorescence solitary axillary; bracts absent .................. nummularioides ............... Sect 1. Chiogenopsis (Series Trichophyllae) Branches straight; raceme axillary, a few to many-low2. Leaf margin setulose-ciliate; each anther lobe 1-awned ered ............................................................................. 12 ............................................. 1. Gaultheria trichophylla 12. Stem and branches glabrous....................................... 13 Leaf margin eciliate; each anther lobe 2-awned; vien islets Stem and branches sparsely to densely pubescent ..... 15 present or absent........................................................... 3 13. Corolla urceolate ......................... 10. G. fragrantissima 3. Pedicels long (12-19 mm) ................. 2. G. dolichopoda Corolla campanulate .................................................. 14 Pedicels short (1-5 mm long) ....................................... 4 14. Leaves sessile or short-petioled (1 – 2 mm long); leaf 4. Lamina linear to oblanceolate-linear (5-9 × 1.5-2.5 base cordate; bract, bracteoles and calyx lobes densely mm) .......................................................3. G. thymifolia puberulous inside and glabrous outside;corolla narrowly Lamina obovate to oblong-elliptic (8-17 × 3-8 mm) ... 5 campanulate ....................................... 11. G. brevistipes 5. Lamina 2.5-5 mm wide; mucronulate at apex ................ Leaves distinctly petiolate (4 – 8 mm long); leaf base .................................................................. 4. G. sinensis broadly cuneate; bract, bracteoles and calyx lobes glabLamina 6-8 mm wide; rounded to obtuse-rounded at rous on both surfaces; corolla globose-campanulate ..... apex .....................................................5. G. hypochlora ...........................................................12. G. grifithiana Leaf margin long ciliate, c. 5 mm long; lamina ovate to B Inlorescence usually axillary or terminal racemes, someovate-elliptic.......................................... 13. G. akaensis times fasciculate, if solitary axillary then bracts present6 15. Leaves white to silvery-white beneath ....................... 16 6. Racemes fasciculate; corolla campanulate ..................... Leaves light green beneath, leaf margin eciliate; lamina ......................................................Sect. 2. Brossaeopsis without ovate or ovate-elliptic ................................... 17 Racemes not fasciculate, varying from usual racemes to 16. Leaves lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate; bracteoles medisolitary axillary; corolla usually urceolate, if campanulate an on pedicel; each anther lobe with single minute apical then raceme not fasciculate ................ Sect. 3. Brossaea awn ......................................................14. G. lohitiensis 7. Branchlets densely hispid-setose; corolla 9-18 mm Leaves elliptic to oblong-elliptic; bracteoles apical on long .......................................... Series 1. Codonanthae pedicel; each anther lobe with 2 minute apical awns ..... Branchlets usually glabrous or rarely punctate to hispid................................................................ 15. G. discolor setose; corolla 3-6 mm long; if branchlets hispid-setose then 17. Ovary semi-inferior ...........................16. G. semi-infera corolla always 3-6 mm long .............. Series 2. Dumicolae Ovary superior ........................................................... 18 8. Stem pubescent; corolla 9-18 8-13 mm; stamens c. 6 mm 18. Flowers tetramerous; stamens 5 ...........17. G. tetramera long; pistil ca. 10 mm long; capsules 8-15 × 12-15 mm Flowers pentamerous; stamens usually 10, rarely 5 .. 19 ............................................................ 6. G. codonantha 19. Leaves hispid or hispid-setose on both surfaces ............ Stem glabrous; corolla 3-6 × 4-7 mm; stamens 2-3.5 mm long; ................................................................... 18. G. wardii pistil 3-4 mm long; capsules 4-6 × 4-5 mm ......................... 9 Leaves glabrous on both surfaces or rarely punctate be9. Leaves glabrous and white beneath; bracts and bracteoles neath ........................................................................... 20 larger (ca.7 × 2.5 mm and ca. 4 × 2.5 mm; corolla pilose 20. Leaves 1-3 -4) cm long, not punctate beneath; rachis up inside, glabrous outside .................... 7. G. seshagiriana to 1.7 cm long .................................... 19. G. pyrolifolia 6 Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... - Leaves 3-8 (-14) cm long, punctate beneath; rachis 2-5 cm long....................................................................... 21 21. Branches densely hispid hairy; bract 5-8 mm long; stamens ca. 3 mm long ................................20. G. hookeri Branches sparsely hispid hairy; bract 3-5 mm long; stamens 1 – 2 mm long ................................................... 22 22. Rachis 2-5 cm long; bract and bracteoles puberulous; each anther lobe with 2 equal or unequal apical awns ... .............................................................. 21. G. stapiana Rachis 5-8 mm long; bract and bracteoles glabrous; each anther lobe with always 2 equal awns............................ ......................................................... 22. G. kamengiana Section Chiogenopsis D. J. Middleton, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 106 (3): 235. 1991. Distribution: INDIA: Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, West Bengal & Arunachal Pradesh) and NE India (Nagaland); NEPAL; BHUTAN; SW CHINA; N MYANMAR; MALESIA; JAPAN and N AMERICA. This section consists of 4 series viz., Hispidulae Airy Shaw, Novaguineenses D. J. Middleton, Trichophyllae Airy Shaw and Pernettyoideae D. J. Middleton. Only series Trichophyllae occurs in India, Nepal and Bhutan. Series Trichophyllae Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 308. 1941. This series consists of c. 8 species viz., G. trichophylla Royle, G. sinensis J. Anthony, G. dolichopoda Airy Shaw, G. thymifolia Stapf ex Airy Shaw, G. hypochlora Airy Shaw, G. cardiosepala Hand.-Mazz., G. nana Wu & Hsu and G. nivea (J. Anthony) Airy Shaw including irst 5 species from India, Nepal & Bhutan. 1. Gaultheria trichophylla Royle, Ill. bot. Himal. Mts. 1: 260. 1835 and 2: t. 63, ig. 3, 1835. Vernacular names: Sikkim & Nepal: Sombu (Nepalese of Yuksum & Kathmandu), Gundug (Sherpas); West Bengal (Darjeeling): Saachaan, Chhewaa (Tamang Nepalese of Darjeeling & Eastern NEPAL); Arunachal Pradesh: Vish, Shachando (Monpas of Tawang district & Bhutan). Procumbent, dwarf shrub, 5-20 cm long, often creeping along rock surfaces. Stem glabrous, branchlets densely pubescent. Lamina elliptic-oblong, elliptic-lanceolate to rarely obovate, glabrous. Racemes solitary axillary, arising towards apical branchlets. Flowers 7-9 mm long, drooping. Corolla caducous, globose-campanulate, pink to blood red, glabrous. Stamens 10, ca. 2 mm long. Ovary globose to oblong, 1-2 × 2 mm, glabrous. Capsule globose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical to rhomboid, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, West Bengal & Arunachal Pradesh) and NE India (Saramati Mountain peak of Nagaland); PAKISTAN; NEPAL; BHUTAN; SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. Flowering: May - June. Fruiting: July - October, peaking in August. 2. G. dolichopoda Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 321. 1941. Prostrate, dwarf shrub, 15- 20 cm long. Stem glabrous, branchlets pubescent. Lamina oblong-oblanceolate, oblong-elliptic to rarely obovate, glabrous. Racemes solitary axillary. Flowers seen without corolla, ca.22 mm long, slightly drooping. Corolla not known. Stamens 10, ca. 2 mm long. ovary globose, ca. 2 × 2 mm, glabrous. Capsule subglobose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, minute, rhomboid, ovoid to obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) and SW CHINA (SE Xizang). Flowering: April. Fruiting: Late April – May. 3. G. thymifolia Stapf ex Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 322. 1941. Prostrate or procumbent, dwarf shrub, 5-10 cm long, often creeping along rocky slopes. Stem glabrous, branchlets pubescent. Lamina linear to oblanceolate-linear, glabrous. Racemes solitary axillary. Flowers 4-6 mm long, drooping. Corolla white, broadly campanulate, 3.5-5.5 mm long, glabrous. Stamens, ovary, Fruits not seen. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh: Dalai valley of Lohit district) and N MYANMAR (Chin, Kachin and Sagaing). Airy Shaw (1941) reported from Dalai valley (“Delei valley”) of Arunachal Pradesh in India based on Kingdon-Ward 8605 (K). Flowering: June. Fruiting: September (Kingdon-Ward 6849, K). Notes: No further collection has been made from India after Kingdon-Ward (8605, K). 4. G. sinensis J. Anthony, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 18: 19. 1933, pro parte. Vernacular name: Sikkim: Somba (Nepalese of Tsoka village, West district). Prostrate, often creeping, mat-forming dwarf shrub, 10 – 16 cm long. Stem glabrous, branchlets densely minute rust red puberulous. Lamina oblanceolate, elliptic-oblong to obovate, glabrous. Racemes solitary axillary. Flowers ca.14 mm long, drooping, arising towards apical part of branchlets. Corolla narrowly campanulate, snow white, caducous, ca. 7 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 10, c. 3 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary dark green, globose, ca. 2 × 3 mm, glabrous. Capsule globose, accrescent in calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, obconical to rounded, scariosus. Distribution: INDIA: Eastern Himalaya (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh); BHUTAN; SW CHINA and MYANMAR (not repoted from Nepal). Flowering: May (July in Arunachal Pradesh). Fruiting: September. 5. G. hypochlora Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 324. 1941. Prostrate, dwarf shrub, 5-15 cm long, often creeping along rocky slopes. Stem glabrous, branchlets pubescent. Lamina obovate, glabrous. Racemes solitary axillary. Flowers 6-7 mm long, drooping. Corolla white, broadly campanulate, 4-5 mm long, glabrous. Stamens, ovary, fruits not seen. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh: Dalai valley of Lohit district based on the type specimen); SW CHINA (Szechuan and Yunnan) and N MYANMAR (Kachin State). Not reported from Nepal & Bhutan. Flowering: May. Fruiting: July - August. Notes: No further collection has been made from India after Kingdon-Ward (no. 8266, K). 7 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Section Brossaeopsis Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 307. 1941. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh); SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. Not reported from Nepal & Bhutan. airy shaw (1941) recognized 3 series viz., Dumicolae, Atjehenses and Nummularioideae while Middleton (1991) recognized 2 series of Airy Shaw viz., Atjehenses and Dumicolae and a new series Codonanthae. MiddLeton (1991) transferred the series Nummularioideae Airy Shaw to the new section Monoanthemona D. J. Middleton based on solitary axillary lower and urceolate corolla. Two series viz., Dumicolae Airy Shaw and Codonanthae D. J. Middleton are recognized in this work. Series Codonanthae D. J. Middleton, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 106 (3): 246. 1991. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) and CHINA (SE Xizang). This series consists of the type species only. 6. G. codonantha Airy Shaw in Hook., Icon. pl. 33 (ser.5): t. 3207. 1933. Vernacular name: Arunachal Pradesh: Laligeddi (Nepalese of Hayuliang, Lohit district). Stout, erect shrub, 1-4 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem and branchlets blackish-brown hispid-setose. Lamina broadly ovate, ovate-elliptic to rarely elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, sparsely to densely hairy. Racemes 2-4.5 cm long, 5-8- lowered, glabrous or minutely puberulous. Flowers ca. 2.7 cm long. Corolla campanulate, pinkish or pinkish with light green stripes, 9-18 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 10, ca. 6 mm long, loosely epipetalous. ovary globose to subglobose, light green, ca. 2 × 3 mm, glabrous. Capsule globose, pink or pinkish with light green stripes or blackish brown, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, minute, rhomboid, oblong, ovoid to obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) and SW CHINA (SE Xizang). Flowering: April - May; November. Fruiting: April - June; November - December. Series Dumicolae Airy Shaw in Hook. Icon. pl. 33 (ser.5): t. 3207. 1933. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) and NE India (Nagaland); SW CHINA (SE Xizang); N MYANMAR (Kachin State) and INDONESIA (Sumatra). Not reported from Nepal & Bhutan. This series consists of c. 6 species viz. G. abbreviata J. J. Sm., G. dumicola W.W.Sm., G. seshagiriana Subba Rao & Kumari, G. notabilis J. Anthony, G. kemiriensis Sleumer and G. losirensis Sleumer including 2 (G. dumicola from G. seshagiriana) from India. 7. G. seshagiriana Subba Rao & Kumari, Bull. bot. Surv. India 10 (2): 223. 1968. Stout, erect shrub, 0.3-2 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem glabrous, branchlets glabrous, to blackishbrown hispid-setose. Lamina ovate-oblong, ovate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic, glabrous, silvery white beneath. Racemes 1.5-2 cm long, 7-11-lowered, glabrous. Flowers ca. 12 mm long. Corolla narrowly campanulate to globose-campanulate, greyish-white with greenish or pinkish stripes, 5-6 mm long, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, ca. 3.5 mm long, 8 loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose, light green, ca. 1 × 2 mm, glabrous. Capsule green (immature) to blackish-brown (mature), globose, glabrous. Seeds numerous, obconical, scariose, very minute, possibly smallest in Gaultheria. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh). Flowering: November - December. Fruiting: December. 8. G. dumicola W. W. Sm., Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 9: 106. 1916. Stout, erect shrub, 1-3 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem glabrous, branchlets glabrous, punctate. Lamina broadly elliptic, elliptic-ovate to ovate-elliptic, glabrous above, punctate or rarely brown hispid hairs beneath. Racemes 1.5-3 cm long, 7-12-lowered, glabrous. Flowers ca. 1.3 cm long. Corolla campanulate, greyish-white with greenish stripes, 3-3.5 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 10, ca. 2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose to subglobose, light green, ca. 1 × 1.5 mm, densely tomentose. Capsule blackish-brown, globose, puberulous. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) and NE India (Nagaland); SW CHINA (SE Xizang) and N MYANMAR (Kachin State). Flowering: April – May; November – December. Fruiting: November - March. Section Brossaea (L.) D. J. Middleton, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 106 (3): 247. 1991. Distribution: INDIA: Himalayas, NE India & Hill-tops of SW Ghats; NEPAL; BHUTAN; SW CHINA; N MYANMAR; SRI LANKA; MALESIA; AUSTRALIA; NEW ZEALAND and AMERICA (North, Central and South). MiddLeton (1991) recognized 2 subsections viz., Dasyphyta and Botryphoros, 5 series and 32 species under Dasyphyta, 5 series and 43 species under Botryphoros including 11 species from India. This work includes 1 more series in the section Brossaea viz., Nummularioideae transferring from the section Monoanthemona of Middleton. A critical study of Indian materials warranted transfer of series Nummularioideae to the subsection Dasyphyta of the section Brossaea based on the basis of presence of bracts and bracteoles (1 or 2 basal bracts and 2 opposite, median bracteoles) in different populations of G. nummularioides. Subsect. Dasyphyta D. J. Middleton, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 106 (3): 249. 1991. This subsection consists of c. 6 series viz., Domingenses, Reticulatae, Tomentosae, Insipidae, Parvifoliae and Nummularioideae. Only series Nummularioideae occurs in India. Series Nummularioides Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 308. 1941. This series is represented only by the following type species. 9. G. nummularioides D. Don, Prodr. l. nepal.: 150. 1825. Vernacular names: Sikkim: Kalizar (Nepalese of Sikkim & Nepal); West Bengal (Darjeeling): Kaligedi (Nepalese of Darjeeling), Nobo (Tamang Nepalese in India & Nepal), Phamanima (Sherpas). Procumbent, dwarf shrub, 10-40 (-50) cm long, often creeping and hanging down from rock crevices. Stem stout, hirsute, often partly underground, branches densely blackish-brown hirsute, often zigzaged. Lamina broadly ovate, ovate to rarely ovateelliptic or elliptic, glabrous above, coarsely dense hispid-setose beneath. Racemes solitary axillary. Flowers 6-10 mm long, Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... slightly drooping. Corolla caduous, pink with greenish stripes, broadly ovoid-urceolate, 5-6 mm long, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, ca. 3.5 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose to subglobose, light green, 1-1.5 × 2 mm, glabrous. Capsule globose, pinkish-green (immature) to blackish-blue (mature), enclosed in a leshy or dry accrescent calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, minute, ovoid to obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh) and NE India (Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur); PAKISTAN; NEPAL; BHUTAN; W CHINA; N MYANMAR; SRI LANKA and MALESIA (including Indonesia). Flowering: August - September. Fruiting: October - February. Subsect. Botryphoros D. J. Middleton, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 106 (3): 253. 1991. This subsection consists of 5 series viz., Leucothoides, Gymnobotrys, Hispidae, Rupestres and Nubigenae, of which series Leucothoides occurs in India. Series Leucothoides (Airy Shaw) D. J. Middleton, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 106 (3): 254. 1991. MiddLeton (1991) recognized 27 species from this series. Panda (2008) recognized 13 species and 2 varieties from India, which are common in Nepal & Bhutan. 10. G. fragrantissima Wall., Asiat. Res. 13: 397. 1820. Stout, bushy, erect shrub, 0.5-2 m high, rarely a treelet up to 3.5 m high. Stem glabrous, greyish-brown to light brown, branchlets blood red, deep pink to rarely green, glabrous, glaucous, often winged or triangular. Lamina ovate-elliptic, oblongelliptic, ovate-lanceolate to rarely ovate or obovate, glabrous above, punctate beneath. Racemes axillary, 10-20-lowered, puberulous. Flowers 8-14 mm long. Corolla ovoid-urceolate, greyish-white to light greenish-white, ca. 5 mm long, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, ca. 3 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose to subglobose, light green, 1-1.5 × 1.5-2 mm, tomentose. Capsule enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Vernacular names: Sikkim: Kaloma (Tibetans of East district), Jathyroid (Sherpas), Machino, Dhasingare (Nepalese of Yuksum & Nepal), Goenhli (Nepalese of Hilley), Kalomba (Lepchas of Lachung); West Bengal: Chanchhewaa (Tamang Nepalese of Darjeeling & Nepal); Arunachal Pradesh: ShepSheng (Monpas of Tawang). Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh), NE India (Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur) and Hill-tops of SW Ghats (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka); NEPAL; BHUTAN; W CHINA; N MYANMAR and SRI LANKA. Flowering: March - May; December- January. Fruiting: May- October. 11. G. brevistipes (C. Y. Wu & T. Z. Hsu) R. C. Fang, Novon 9 (2): 164. 1999. Vernacular name: Arunachal Pradesh: Talleiang (Apatanese of Hapoli, Lower Subansiri district). Stout, erect shrub, 0.5-2 m high, often hanging down from the rock crevices. Stem lexible, glabrous, somewhat triangular to winged, branchlets blood red to pinkish-red, glabrous, glaucous, triangular to winged. Lamina oblong-elliptic to oblong, glabrous above, punctate with few setulose hairs along mid- vein beneath. Racemes axillary, rachis pinkish-green, 3.5-6.5 cm long, 16-22-lowered, puberulous, drooping. Flowers 12-14 mm long. Corolla narrowly campanulate, greenish-white with pinkish stripes at apex, caducous, ca. 6 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 10, c. 4 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose to subglobose, deep green, ca. 2 × 3 mm, densely white tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh) and CHINA (Xizang). Flowering: December - January. Fruiting: December - February. During ield trip to Talle Valley (December 2002) in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, the expedition team led by myself faced an acute shortage of foods and drinking water and we were survived two days by eating its juicy and pulpy fruits (sweet and little bit sour in taste). Edible fruits appearing like a bunch of grapes will attract market value and earn money if introduced into the market. 12. G. grifithiana Wight, Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 8: 176. 1847. Vernacular names: Sikkim: Patpatey (Nepalese of West district), Thelexifal (Nepalese of East district & E Nepal), Dudelara (Sherpas). Stout, erect shrub, (0.2-) 0.5-3 (- 4) m high, often hanging down from rock crevices, sometimes a treelet to rarely an epiphytic. Stem and branches glabrous. Lamina oblong, oblong-lanceolate, oblong-elliptic to rarely oblanceolate, glabrous above, punctate beneath. Racemes axillary, perulate, 8-20 (- 30)-lowered, minutely white puberulous. Flowers 6-12 mm long. Corolla globosecampanulate, light yellow with pinkish stripes, 4-7 × 3-4 mm, glabrous. Stamens 10, 1.5-2.5 mm long, loosely epipetalous or free. Ovary globose, ca. 1 × 2 mm, densely tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a dry accrescent calyx, glabrous. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim, Darjeeling in West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh) and NE India (Nagaland); NEPAL; BHUTAN; SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. Flowering: April - June, peak in May. Fruiting: June - October, peak in August. 13. Gaultheria akaensis Panda & Sanjappa, Edinburgh J. Bot. 63 (1):15-17. 2006. Prostrate-decumbent, stout shrub, 0.6-1 m high. Stem and branches rust red hirsute. Lamina ovate to ovate-elliptic, glabrous above, setulose beneath. Racemes 7-11 mm long, white puberulous, 4-5-lowered. Flowers ca. 8 mm long. Corolla caducous, urceolate, light pink to white,ca. 5 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 5 (-7), ca. 2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose, ca. 1 × 1 mm, puberulous, glabrous. Capsule globose, dark pink, enclosed in a dry accrescent calyx, puberulous. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Vernacular Name: Sajiro (Akas of Jamiri). Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh and Darjeeling of West Bengal). Not reported from Nepal & Bhutan. Flowering: December. Fruiting: Late December - January. 14. G. lohitiensis Panda & Sanjappa, Edinburgh J. Bot. 63 (1):17-19. 2006. Vernacular Name: Swetogeddi (Nepalese of Hayuliang). Stout, erect shrub, 1-1.5 (-3) m high, often hanging down 9 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V from rock crevices. Stem and branches rust red hispid-setose. Lamina lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate to rarely elliptic, ash green, glabrous above, silvery-white with sparsely appressed setose hairs beneath. Racemes both axillary and pseudoterminal, 20-26-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers ca. 9 mm long. Corolla urceolate, greyish-white, ca. 5 × 3.5 mm, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, ca. 2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary light green, globose to subglobose, ca. 1 × 1 mm, white tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, subglabrous to pubescent. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh). Not reported from Nepal & Bhutan. Flowering: April. Fruiting: Late April - May. 15. G. discolor Nutt. ex Hook. in Curtis’s Bot. Mag. 84: t. 5034. 1858. Stout, erect shrub, 0.3-3 m, often on degraded loose rocky soils in landslide areas, rarely hanging down from rock crevices. Stem and branches setulose. Lamina elliptic-oblong to elliptic, glabrous above, silvery-white, punctate to rarely with few setose hairs beneath. Racemes axillary, short, congested to rarely pseudoterminal, 6-10-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers 6-8 mm long. Corolla urceolate, pinkish, 4-5 mm long, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, ca. 2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary light green, globose to subglobose, 1-2 × 2 mm, densely tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a dry accrescent calyx, deep blue with whitish grains. Seeds numerous, minute, rhomboid, ellipsoid to obconical, scariose. Vernacular name: Arunachal Pradesh: Sezegeu (Akas of West Kameng district). Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh); BHUTAN and N MYANMAR. Flowering: May; December - January. Fruiting: December - February. 16. G. semi-infera (C. B. Clarke) Airy Shaw, Bull. Misc. Inform. 1940: 305. 1941. Vernacular names: West Bengal: Patpate (Tamang Nepalese of Darjeeling). Stout, bushy erect shrub, 0.2-1 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem glabrous to subglabrous, branchlets hispid-setose. Lamina oblong-lanceolate, oblong-elliptic to elliptic. Racemes axillary, 6-13-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers 5-6 mm long. Corolla ovoid-urceolate, greyish-white,ca. 3.5 × 2.5 mm, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 5, ca. 1.5 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary semi-inferior, greyish-white, globose to subglobose, ca. 1 mm long or minute, densely white tomentose. Capsule globose to subglobose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, puberulous. Seeds blackish-brown, numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim, Darjeeling in West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh); NEPAL; BHUTAN; SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. Flowering: April - May; August - September. Fruiting: July - October. 17. G. tetramera W.W.Sm., Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 11 (55): 211. 1919. Stout, bushy erect shrub, 0.2-1.5 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem and branches hispid-setose. Lamina 10 oblong, oblong-elliptic, elliptic to rarely obovate, glabrous above, with a few setose hairs and punctate beneath. Racemes axillary, short, perulate, 6-12-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers 4-5-merous, ca. 10 mm long. Corolla ovoidurceolate, pinkish-white, ca. 5 × 4 mm, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 5, c. 2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose to subglobose, light green, ca. 1 × 1.5 mm, densely white tomentose. Fruits not seen. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim) and SW CHINA (Yunnan). Flowering: May. 18. G. wardii C. Marquand & Airy Shaw, J. Linn. Soc. London (Bot.) 48: 198. 1929. Stout, erect shrub, 0.2-6 m high, rarely a treelet, sometimes hanging down from rock crevices. Stem and branches light green or blood red to pinkish, hispid-setose. Lamina oblong, oblong-lanceolate to rarely ovate-oblong, densely brown hispid-setose. Racemes axillary, short, perulate, 6-10-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers 8-10 mm long. Corolla globose-urceolate, greyish-white, 3-4 × 3 mm, glabrous. Stamens 10, ca. 2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose, ca. 1 × 1.5 mm, densely white tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a dry accrescent calyx, densely tomentose. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh); SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. Flowering: August. Fruiting: September - March. 19. G. pyrolifolia Hook.f. ex C. B. Clarke in Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 457. 1882 (“pyrolaefolia”). Stout, decumbent dwarf shrub, 5-20 cm high, rarely creeping, often forming mats on alpine pastures. Stem rhizomatous, creeping, branched, often with adventitious roots, subglabrous, branches pale pinkish, glabrous to rarely hispid-setose. Lamina obovate, elliptic-obovate to rarely suborbicular, shiny, glabrous. Racemes short, pseudoterminal, from upper foliate axils, 3-7-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers ca. 8 mm long. Corolla ovoid-urceolate, ca. 5 × 3.5 mm, glabrous. Stamens 10, ca. 3 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose, ca. 1 × 1 mm, tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, tomentose. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim and Darjeeling in West Bengal); NEPAL; BHUTAN; W CHINA and N MYANMAR. Flowering: June - July. Fruiting: August - October. 20. G. hookeri C. B. Clarke in Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 458. 1882. Vernacular names: Sikkim & Nepal: Kalum, Kalumba (Nepalese of Lachen, Kathmandu). Stout, erect, bushy shrub, 0.3-1 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem and branches hispid-setose. Lamina oblong-elliptic, oblong to rarely oblanceolate or obovate, glabrous above, setulose and punctate beneath. Racemes axillary, rarely pseudoterminal, perulate, 10-15-lowered, densely white puberulous. Flowers 7-14 mm long. Corolla ovoid-urceolate, globose-urceolate to tubular-urceolate, greyish-white to light pink, 5-7 × 2-4.5 mm, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, 2-3 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose to subglobose, light green, (0.5-) 1-2 × 1-2 mm, tomentose. Capsule globose, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, sky Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... blue, tomentose. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim and West Bengal) and NE India (Nagaland); NEPAL; BHUTAN; SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. Flowering: April - June. Fruiting: June - August. 21. G. stapiana Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 1952: 171. 1952. Vernacular name: Sikkim: Pochu (Lepchas of Chhaten, N district). Stout, erect, bushy shrub, 0.3-2 m high, often hanging down from rock crevices. Stem glabrous, branchlets sparsely hispid-setose. Lamina oblong-obovate, oblanceolate, lanceolate to obovate, glabrous above, punctate beneath. Racemes axillary, rarely pseudoterminal, perulate, 10-24-lowered, puberulous. Flowers 6-11 mm long. Corolla globose to tubulo-urceolate, greyish-white, 4-5 × 2-3 mm, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, 1-2 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose, light green, ca. 1 mm long or minute, sparsely to densely white tomentose. Capsule globose to ovoid, enclosed in a leshy accrescent calyx, bluishpurple, tomentose. Seeds numerous, minute, obconical, scariose. Distribution: INDIA: E Himalaya (Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh); SW CHINA and N MYANMAR. 22. G. kamengiana Panda & Sanjappa, Pleione 3 (2): 229232. 2010. Stout, erect shrub, 20-30 cm high. Stem and branches sparsely rust red hirsute. Lamina elliptic-oblong, elliptic-lanceolate to rarely obovate. Racemes axillary, 17-22-lowered, puberulous. Flowers ca. 11 mm long. Corolla urceolate, pinkish, ca. 4.5 mm long, glabrous outside, pilose inside. Stamens 10, ca. 1.5 mm long, loosely epipetalous. Ovary globose, ca.1 × 1 mm, densely tomentose, glabrous. Fruits not seen. Distribution: INDIA (Arunachal Pradesh). Flowering: September. Acknowledgements I am grateful to Dr. M. Sanjappa, former Director, Botanical Survey of India for providing all types of facilities during ield survey as well as during herbarium consultations in different Indian Herbaria. Thanks are also due to Dr. P. Venu, former In-Charge, Central National Herbarium and Curators of other Indian Herbaria (DD, BSD, BSIS, ASSAM, ARUN, APFH, BSHC) for their kind help during herbarium consultations. Thanks are also due to DFOs of different Forest Divisions in Darjeeling, Sikkim and Arunachal Himalaya for their kind permission to survey eastern Himalayan ericaceopus lora. I am also grateful to Dr. P. K. Das, former Principal of Barasat Govt. College and Dr. P. C. Lama, Oficer-In-Charge of Darjeeling Govt. College for their kind help and providing facilities during this work. References airy shaw, H. K. (1941): Studies in the Ericales IV: Classiication of the Asiatic species of Gaultheria. - Bulletin Miscillaneous Information 1940: 306-330. - (1952): Studies in the Ericales X: An undescribed Asiatic Gaultheria, with a key to the Sino-Himalayan species of section Leucothoides. - Kew Bulletin 1952: 171-174. bruMMitt, r. k. & c. e. PoweLL (eds) (1992): Authors of Plant Names. - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom. cLarke, C. B. (1882): Ericaceae. - In: hooker, J. D. (1882): Flora of British India 3: 454-462. hara, h., a. o. charter & L. h. j. wiLLiaMs (1982): An Enumeration of the Flowering Plants of Nepal 3: 55-59. Trustees of British Museum (Natural History), London. hoLMgren, P. k., n. h. hoLMgren & L. c. barnett (1990): Index Herbariorum, part 1: The Herbaria of the World, ed. 8: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NewYork (U.S.A.). kron, k. a., e. a. PoweLL & j. L. Luteyn (2002a): Phylogenetic relationships within the blueberry tribe (Vaccinieae, Ericaceae) based on sequence data from matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS regions, with comments on the placement of Satyria. - American Journal of Botany 89: 327-336. kron, k. a., w. s. judd, P. f. stevens, d. M. crayn, a. a. anderberg, P. a. gadek, c. j. Quinn & j. L. Luteyn (2002b): Phylogenetic classiication of Ericaceae: Molecular and morphological evidence. - Botanical Review 68 (3): 335-423. Linnaeus, C. (1753): Species Plantarum. Edition 1: 349, 395 & 1190. Uppsala (Sweden). MabberLey, D. J. (2008): Gaultheria L. - In: Mabberley’s Plant Book: A portable dictionary of the plants, their classiication and uses ed. 3: 352. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. MiddLeton, D. J. (1991): Infrageneric classiication of the genus Gaultheria (Ericaceae). - Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 106: 229-258. Panda, S. (2005a): Gaultheria brevistipes (C. Wu & T. Z. Hsu) R. C. Fang (Ericaceae) – a new record for India from Talle Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. - Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India 47: 177-182. - (2005b): New record of Gaultheria sinensis J. Anthony from Sikkim Himalaya. - Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 29 (1): 212-214. - (2008): Taxonomic revision of some selected genera of Ericaceae in India. - Published Ph. D. thesis, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore (India). 265-267. - (2012): Gaultheria stapiana Airy Shaw (Ericaceae), a species to be recognized: insights from morphology, leaf anatomy and pollen morphology. - Phytotaxa 58:1-12. - (2013a): Final Plea for conservation for Gaultheria akaensis Panda & Sanjappa (Ericaceae), a extremely Threatened, Endemic Medicinal plant from Aka Hill in Arunachal Pradesh of Eastern Himalaya, India. - Journal of Threatened Taxa 5 (7): 4118-4121. - (2013b): Gaultheria L. West Kameng Ericaceae. 145-165. - Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany. - (2014): In: sanjaPPa, M. & A. R. K. sastry (eds.): Fascicles of Flora of India: Fascicle 25: Ericaceae. 171-224. -Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. Panda, S. & M. sanjaPPa (2006a): Two New Species of Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) from India. - Edinburgh Journal of Botany 63 (1):15-20. Panda, S. & M. sanjaPPa (2006b): Three new taxa of Ericaceae from India. - Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India 48: 157-164. Panda, S. & M. sanjaPPa (2006c): New Record of Two Species of Ericaceae from Nagaland and Sikkim Himalaya. - Journal of Hill Research 19 (2): 49-51. Panda, S. & M. sanjaPPa (2009): A new species of Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. - Pleione 3 (2): 229-232. Panda, S., S. C. MandaL & M. eLachouri (2014): Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) in India. 1-187. - Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany. Panda, S. & M. sanjaPPa & R. K. bhakat (2007): New records of ive taxa of Ericaceae from India. - Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 104 (3): 373-378. 11 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Panda, S., M. sanjaPPa, A. A. Mao & a. k. baishya (2010): New record of two species of Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. - Pleione 3 (2): 236-238. Quattrocchi, U. (2000): CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names (vols. 1-4). - CRC Press, LLC, Corporate Blvd., NW Boca Raton, Florida (USA). rae, S. J. & D. G. Long (1991): Ericaceae. - In: grierson, A. J. C. & D. G. Long: Flora of Bhutan 2 (1): 387-400. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (United Kingdom). reveaL, J. L. (2012): An outline of a classiication scheme for extant lowering plants. - Phytoneuron 37: 136-139. ruizheng, F. & P. F. stevens (2005): Ericaceae (part-3) - Gaultheria L. - In: Mingyuan, F., F. ruizheng, h. Mingyou, h. Linzhen, y. hanbi, Q. haining, M. tianLu, d. f. chaMberLain, P. f. stevens, g. d. waLLace & a. anderberg: Flora of China 14 (part-3): 251-262. stafLeu, f. a. & r. s. cowan (1976-1988): Taxonomic Literature, ed. 2 (vols. 1-7). - Bohn, Scheltema & Holkema, Utrecht. stafLeu, f. a. & e. a. Mennega (1992-2000): Taxonomic Literature, suppl. vols. (1-6). - Koeltz Scientiic Books, Königstein, Germany. stevens, P. F. (1971): A classiication of the Ericaceae: Subfamilies and tribes. - Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 64: 1-53. stevens, P. F., J. Luteyn, e. g. h. oLiver, t. L. beLL, e. a. brown, r. k. crowden, a. s. george, g. j. jordan, P. Ladd, k. LeMson, c. b. McLean, y. Menadue, j. s. Pate, h. M. stace & c. M. weiLLer (2004): Ericaceae. - In: kubitzki, K.(ed.). The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants 6: 145-194. Springer, Berlin. Author’s address: Subhasis Panda Angiosperm Taxonomy & Ecology Laboratory Post-Graduate Department of Botany University of North Bengal Darjeeling Government College Darjeeling-734101 India e-mail: bgc.panda@gmail.com 12 Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... Fig. 1: Field drawing of Gaultheria sinensis J. Anthony A - habit, B - leaf, C - lower, D-E - bracteoles, F - corolla lobe, G-H - calyx lobe, I-J - stamens, K - pistil, L - ovary (t.s.). Scale bars: A = 2 cm, B-C = 1 cm, D-F, I-J = 1 mm, G-H, K-L = 2 mm; A-L: drawn from S. Panda 29940 (CAL). 13 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Fig. 2: Gaultheria dolichopoda Airy Shaw A - habit, B - branchlet part magniied, C - leaf apex part mag., D - lower without corolla, E - fruit, F - pistil, G-I - stamen, J - seeds, K-L - brackts, M-N calyx lobes. Scale bars: A = 1 cm, D = 2 mm, E = 4 mm, F-I, K-N = 1 mm; Bhatak & Bhowmik 3776 (CAL). 14 Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... Fig. 3: Field drawing of Gaultheria codonantha Airy Shaw A - lower, B-C - bracteoles, D-E - bracts, F-G - calyx lobes, H - corolla lobe, I - corolla split open, J-K - stamens, L - ovary (t.s.), M - pistil, N-O - fruits, P - seeds. Scale bars: A = 5 mm, B-H, J-L = 1 mm, M = 2 mm, N-O = 4 mm; A-P: drawn from S. Panda 30883 (CAL). 15 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Fig. 4: Gaultheria dumicola W. W. Sm. A - habit, B - lower, C-D - bracts, E-F - bracteoles, G - calyx lobes, H - lower bud, I - corolla lobe, J - ovules, K - pistil, L-M - stamens, N - fruit, O - adaxial leaf part mag, P - ovary (t.s.), Q - seeds. A-Q: S. Panda 30879 (CAL). 16 Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... Fig. 5: Field drawing of Gaultheria nummularioides D. Don A - lower, B - subbasal bract, C-D - basal bracts, E-F - bracteoles, G-I -calyx lobe, J corolla lobe, K-L - stamens, M-N - ovary (t.s.), O - pistil. Scale bars: A = 2 mm, B-O = 1 mm; A-O: drawn from S. Panda 30810 (CAL). 17 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Fig. 6: Gaultheria nummularioides D. Don A - habit, B - lower, C - branchlet part, D-E - subbasal bract, F - basal bract, G-H - bracteoles, I - corolla lobe, J - corolla apex, K - seeds, L-M - stamens, N-P - calyx lobes, Q - pistil, R - ovary (t.s.), S-T - fruits. Scale bars: A, C, S = 1 cm, B = 2 mm, D-J, L-R =1 mm, T = 4 mm; A-T: drawn from S. Panda 30810 (CAL). 18 Panda, s.: Diversity of the genus Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) ... Fig. 7: Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. A - habit, B - lower, C-D - bracts, E-F - bracteoles, G-H calyx lobes, I - corolla lobe, J-K - stamens, L - pistil, M - ovule, N-O - ovary (t.s.), P-Q - fruits, R - seeds. Scale bars: A = 1 cm, B, P = 2 mm, C-H, J-L, N-O = 1 mm, Q = 5 mm. A-R: drawn from S. Panda 30701 (CAL). 19 hartMann, M. & J. weiPert: Biodiversität & Naturausstattung im Himalaya, Bd. V Fig. 8: Gaultheria lohitiensis Panda & Sanjappa A - habit, B - lower, C-D - bracts, E-F - calyx lobes, G-I bracteoles, J - corolla split open, K - abaxial leaf part mag., L - corolla lobe, M - rachis part mag., N - branchlet part mag., O - leaf apex mag., P-Q - stamens, R - pistil, S - ovary (t.s.), t-V - fruit, W - seeds. Scale bars: A = 2 cm, B, J, O, T, V = 2 mm, C-I, L, P-S - = 1 mm, K, M, N, U = 5 mm. A-W: drawn from S. Panda 30884 (CAL). 20