Himalayan Flora and Vegetation by Suresh Ghimire

25/02/2023

Aphragmus nepalensis (H. Hara) Al-Shehbaz (syn.: Staintoniella nepalensis H. Hara) BRASSICACEAE

Supposed to be endemic to West and Central Nepal (confining mainly in upper Dolpo and bordering area in Mustang, 4800-5800 m, no collection out of these areas known); however, recently it has been claimed to also occur in Sikkim!

First described by Hiroshi Hara in 1974 as "Staintoniella nepalensis" based on the specimen collected from Tarap Valley, Dolpa in July 1963 by JDA Stainton (Holotype BM [BM000521640], isotype E [E00083299]).

The following photo taken at Jyarko La, between Dho-Tarap and Tsharka (upper Dolpo), 5200 m (16 June 2002) © SK Ghimire

26/12/2022

Saxifraga excellens Harry Sm.

From Mardi Himal, 4100 m

An endemic flowering plant species of Nepal. First described in 1960 by Harry Smith based on a specimen collected from Mardi Valley, Kaski by J.D.A. Stainton, W.R. Sykes & L.H.J. Williams ( #8460) at 3810 m on 18 Sept. 1954. It is still restricted to few localities in Central Nepal.

12/02/2022

Drumstick Primrose
(Primula denticulata Sm.)

Annapurna Base Camp, 3800 m

06/02/2022

Prickly Blue Poppy (Meconopsis horridula)

Observed at Kagmara, Dolpa, 5100 m; now featured at iNaturalist.org

This Prickly Blue Poppy (Meconopsis horridula), seen in Nepal way back in 1999 by suresh_ghimire, is our Observation of the Day!

More details at: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/106191902

02/02/2022

Our book was unveiled today at the premises of WWF Nepal.

This book deals with medicinal ingredients (including plants) prescribed in Sowa Rigpa (amchi medicine) and the aspects of substitution.

For detail: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357714922_Without_the_Plants_We_Have_No_Medicine_Sowa_Rigpa_Ethnobotany_and_Conservation_of_Threatened_Species_in_Nepal

I would like to thank all collaborators including Himalayan Amchi Association (Nepal), WWF Nepal, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University (Kathmandu) and Dartmouth College (USA)

28/01/2022

Impatiens serrata Benth.

Endemic to the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau.

Nepal: 2000-3800 m

25/01/2022

Clematis phlebantha (Ranunculaceae)

Endemic to Dolpo region (Nepal): 2500 - 3800 m.

Confined mainly to Phoksumdo (Suli Gad) Valley, Dolpa

Locality of observation: Pungmo, Phoksumdo, Dolpa, 3300 m. Date: 10 June 1999