A NEW SPECIES OF CUPRESSUS L. FROM TIBET (CUPRESSACEAE).John Silba198 W. Hoffman Ave., Lindenhurst, New York 11757 Cupressus austro-tibetica J. Si1ba, species nova. Arbor ad 20-60 m. alta. Ramulis multum tenuioribus, gracilibus. Folia acuta vel obtusiuscula. 1.2-1.5 mm. longis, glandula mediana rotunda bene impressa. Strobilis ovulatis 1.2-1.6 cm. longis, squamis 10-12. Type: Ludlow, Sherriff & Elliot 12141, Tibet, Trulung, Pome, 2134 m., more numerous up the river, in mixed forest (Holo-BM, Iso-E); Paratypes: Ludlow, Sherriff & Elliot 12130, Tibet, Tru1ung, Pome, 1981 m. (BM, E); Bailey s.n., Tibet, upper part of Tsangpo Tsangden, Yigung, 2286 m., June-Sept. 7, 1913 (E). A tree 20-60 m. tall. Branchlets divided into thin, thread-like segments, or some-what flattened. Leaves bluntly acute, 1.2-1.5 mm. long; glands apparent but obscure, with a small pit. Female canes globose or subglobose, dark brown, 1.2-1.6 cm. long, with 10-12 scales, inner scales dark brown, umbos inconspicuous. Seeds dark brown, subglobose, with rounded wings, ending in an acuminate point at the end opposite the hilium. Cupressus austro-tibetica is similar to C. duclouxiana in its thin, thread-like branchlets. However, C. austro-tibetica has leaves with obscure glands with a less deep pit than C. duclouxiana, and much smaller globose female cones which lack the deep reddish inner scales of the latter species. The distribution of C. austro-tibetica is little-known. It is known from eastern and southern Tibet at 1981-2286 m. altitude. Reports indicate that this species may well occur at much higher altitudes and may represent the highest altitude species of the genus Cupressus. |