386 
THE ALPINE AND SUB-ALPINE VEGETATION 
carnosum, Frimula tenvAlohay P. muscoides and Polygonum nummnla- 
rifolinm. True cbasmopli3Tic vegetation was scarce ; the most note- 
worthy species were Corydalis lathyroidesy Meconopsis helLi^ Potentilla 
eriocarpaj Primula Gamheliana, Primula soldanelloides. 
Panunculacece were represented chiefly by Anemone^ Calthay Trollius 
and small Ranunculi. These occurred in large numbers wherever there 
was any approach to meadow conditions. Aconites were apparently 
much scarcer than in Western Sikkim. Of Berheridecc^ Dccaisnea fre- 
quented the moist woods just below 9,000 feet while Berheris macrosepala 
was a trial to travellers on the higher slopes. Meconopsis was plentiful 
and there were several prolific species of Corydalis. Cruciferee were not 
well represented ; Cardamine sps., Cochlearia sps., Praha elata, being 
the most conspicuous. The almost entire absence of cultivated land 
precludes many wid(^-ranging species usually associated with agriculture. 
Of CaryophyllacecB the region yielded chiefly species of Stellaria and 
Arenaria, mostly straggling forms typical of moist alpine conditions 
and very different from the “ rosette plants of those genera in 
northern Sikkim. Leguminosoi were almost entirely absent Rosacem 
were represented chiefly by species of Potentilla while Rosa sericea and 
Geum elatiim were common. Saxifraga showed many species though 
not quite so many as in northern Sikkim. This is also true for Crassut- 
acere, prolific in individuals but restricted in species. Umbellifercc 
showed more species than in Northern Sikkim but fevver than in the 
Singalela Range. Both Caprifoliacece and Rahiacem were poorly 
represented ; the dearth of species of Lonioera is noteworth}^ Of the 
abundant Compositec the most conspicuous were species of Senecio of 
which three are new. Rhododendron and Primula were the most preva- 
lent genera in the area. Gentiana and ISwertia were also well represented. 
Boraginene were scarce with the exception of Paracaryum gloclii- 
diatum and Onosma Emodi. In Bolanacece^ Mandragora caulescens 
was the only common plant. As elsewhere in Sikkim, P'edicularis was 
well represented while Veronica was not uncommon. In the moist 
forest Utricularia was frequent — two species were found above the forest 
zone. Lahiatm were not common, the most conspicuous members being 
Pracocephalum speciosum^ Phlomis sps., and CalamAntha umbrosa. 
Species of Polygonum were common. Euphorbiacecc and Vrticacecc 
were scarce. Prostrate Salices were abundant and in the valleys formed 
a few bushes of fair height. Among Monocotyledons ^ Orchis and Habe- 
naria were frequent ; extensive circular areas of Iris Clarhei were pro- 
minent in the moist valleys, and Lloydia was everywhere. Ariscema 
was prominent in both temperate and alpine areas. Juncacem and Gra- 
mina were practically as numerous as in other alpine Sikkim areas. 
