PLUMB AGIN ACE AE . 



Determined by E. H. Wilson. 



CERATOSTIGMA Bge. 



Ceratostigmi 



Ceraiostigma GriffUhii Pritzel in Engler, Bot. Jahrb. XXIX. 525 (non Clarke) 

 (1900). 



Western Szech'uan: near Monkong Ting, valley of Hsiao-chin- 

 ho, alt. 2300-3600 m., June 30, 1908 (No. 2315; shrub 0.3-0.8 m. tall, 

 flowers blue); Wen-ch'uan Hsien, A, von Rosthorn (No. 3001). 



In the arid valleys of the upper Tung and Yalung rivers and their tributaries 

 this is a very common low-growing shrub. The upper parts of the branches are 

 leafless or nearly so and are crowded with axillary and terminal flower clusters 

 which collectively form a narrow panicle or false raceme. The flowers are small 

 and clear sky-blue. 



This species is undoubtedly very close to C. Griffithii Clarke, and may eventually 

 prove to be only a glabrescent variety of that species. The plant called C. Polhilli 

 by Bulley (in Gard, Chron. ser 3. XXX. 6 (nomen nudum) [1901]) very probably 

 belongs here. 



Ceratostigma Willmottianum Stapf in Bot. Mag, CXL. t. 8591 

 (1914). 

 Western Szech'uan; Wen-ch'uanHsien, valley of Min River, alt. 



1300-2000 m., July and November 1908 (No. I373; shrub 0.6-1 m. 

 tall, flowers cobalt blue); Mao-chou, dry regions, alt. 2000 m., May 

 and October 1908 (No. 2314; shrub 0.3-1 m. tall). 



This shrub with beautiful blue flowers in terminal, solitary capitate clusters is 

 abundant in the semi-arid regions of the Min River valley between 1200 and 2500 m. 

 altitude, but 1 did not meet with it elsewhere in western China. 



Here may be added a note on a species collected by A, Henry. 



j^ Ceratostigma Griflithu Clarke in Hooker f., Fl BHL Ind, III- 481 (18S2). -- 

 Prain in Jour. Bot. XLIV. 7 (1906). — Diels in Not. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh, vu. 

 45, 194 (PL Chin. Forrest.) (1912). 



Yunnan: Mengtsze, ravine, alt. 1500 m., A. Henry ( No. 9586 , 

 With its obovate-spatulate leaves hairy on both surfaces and the rufous p ' 

 bescence on the shoots this plant agrees with Clarke's description. The specun , 

 however, is poor, being m young fruit. 



586 



