Flora of Bhutan Umbelliferae: Cortiella

Cortiella C.Norman Mark F. Watson

Acaulous or shortly stemmed perennials, usually forming compact flat rosettes closely adpressed to the soil surface; vertical tap-root long and stout, crowns surrounded by fibrous leaf remains; leaf rachis and main veins, petioles and inflorescence branches stout, densely puberulent to almost glabrous. Leaves ovate-oblong in outline, pinnate; pinnae usually not disjunct on the rachis, 2 x pinnatifid, ultimate segments linear-lanceolate. Umbels compound, main inflorescence usually sessile, laterals often stalked; bracts leaf-like; bracteoles linear-lanceolate or pinnatifid with linear segments. Calyx teeth linear-lanceolate, unequal. Petals narrowly obovate, acuminate at the base, acute apex inflexed. Stylopodium domed, styles long, spreading in fruit. Fruit rectangular-ellipsoid to suborbicular in outline, truncate or more usually cordate at ends, mericarps dorsally compressed, white with 4 dark brown lines of vittae alternating with the 3 dorsal ribs; lateral ribs broadly winged, some of the dorsal ribs equally broadly winged or wings reduced to abortive structures at the base of the fruit; whole fruit characteristically asymmetric with one mericarp having the 2 outer dorsal ribs ornamented and the other only the centre rib, vittae apparent as brown lines.

Key to species

1	Ultimate leaf segments <4mm long; styles long >1.5mm after flowering; wings on dorsal ribs of mericarp well developed, often convoluted and crowded obscuring vittae lines	*C. hookeri*
+	Ultimate leaf segments usually >4mm long; styles shorter; wings on dorsal ribs of mericarp poorly developed, often reduced to the lower half of the fruit or less	*C. cortioides*

Cortiella hookeri (C.B.Clarke) C.Norman

Cortia hookeri C.B.Clarke p.p.

Cortia cauwetmarciana M.A.Farille & S.B.Malla

Cortia glacialis Bonner

Plants 7–30cm across. Leaves 3–10 x 0.8–2cm (including petiole), ultimate segments 2–4 x 0.75mm. Peduncles of lateral umbels 2–10cm, crassicaule 1.5–5mm thick; umbels 7–many-rayed; rays 1–7cm; umbellules 1–1.5cm across, pedicels 2–5mm. Calyx teeth linear-subulate, 0.3–1(–1.2)mm. Petals usually white, sometimes purplish, 1.5–2mm. Styles (1.5–)2–3.5mm after flowering. Fruit 3–5 x 3–5mm, occasionally tipped purple, wings on dorsal ribs of mericarp well developed equalling the laterals (1mm wide), often convoluted and crowded obscuring dark vittae lines at maturity.

Bhutan: C—Tongsa district (Rinchen Chu, Takse La); N—Upper Mo Chu district (Laya, Yale La), Upper Pho Chu district (Kesha La), Upper Bumthang Chu district (Marlung) and Upper Kuru Chu district (Gong La).
Chumbi: Phari Dzong, Tang La.
Sikkim: Dongkya La, Dzongri, Khangchengyao, Lhonak, Naku La, Momay Samdong.

Ecology: Alpine turf and particularly screes, 3950–5500m. Flowers June–September.

Illustration [Fig. 51 i,j]

Specimen List [4101]

Cortiella cortioides (C.Norman) M.F.Watson

Selinum cortioides C.Norman

Cortia hookeri C.B.Clarke p.p.

Plants 7–26cm across. Leaves 8–14 x 2–4cm (including petiole), ultimate segments (3–)4–13 x 0.75mm. Main umbel sessile on crown of plant, many-rayed; lateral secondary umbels on peduncles, sometimes crassicaule, to 10cm long, 1.2–2.5mm thick, fewer rayed; rays 0.8–4cm, somewhat shorter than leaves, spreading almost horizontally; umbellules –1.5cm across, pedicels 3–6mmm; bracteoles often tipped purple-black. Calyx teeth 0.3–0.7(–1)mm. Petals white occasionally tinged purple, 1–1.5 x 0.6–0.75mm. Styles 1.75–3mm after flowering. Fruit 4–5.5 x 4–5mm, 3 dorsal ribs prominent, some with reduced wings up the lower half (rarely more) to tiny abortive structures the very lowest part.

Bhutan: C—Thimphu district (Dungtso La); N—Upper Mo Chu district (Lingshi La), Upper Mangde Chu district (Gyophu La) and Upper Kuru Chu district (Narim Thang).
Chumbi: Kalaeree, Upper Khanghu.
Sikkim: Bikbari, Dzongri, Ghora La, Goecha La, Jelep La, Khangchengyao Glacier, Kongra La, Lhonak, Phalut, Riago, Samiti Lake, Yale La, Yume Samdong.

Ecology: Screes, rocky slopes and free draining sandy areas, 4000–5400m. Flowers (June–)July–September(–October).

Specimen List [15151]

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