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As far as I can see, this is Roscoea debilis. The rhizome was sent to me from China as R.blanda T481.
I am still working on confirming the identification. Jill Cowley says: "Apparently no collections of this species have been made since George Forrest collected it north of Tengchong...However, the distribution was recorded as quite extensive within southern Yunnan and collectors may have concentrated on other areas since then... R. debilis grows at lower altitudes than most other species, and has not been found above 2440m... The plant is quite distinctive. Gagnepain described the plant as frail, graceful and long stemmed, claiming that its inflorescence resembled that of species in the closely related genus Cautleya... The type of R. blanda is broad-leaved and has a compact habit, while the type of R. debilis shows the very lax habit when flowering is nearly over and the leaf-sheaths come away from the main stem. Schumann described R. blanda as having sessile leaves, and R. debilis as having long flaccid petioles. However the type of R. blanda shows the narrowed, petiole-like bases to the leaves quite well Roscoea debilis can be found in grassland, in dry pastures at the base of cliffs, in crevices, and in moist situations on margins of mixed forests at altitudes between 1670 and 2440m, and flowers from June until August." I'm not convinced of my identification, but it's the best I can do for now. |
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| 12th September 2007 | ||
