Taraxacum eriopodum (D.Don) DC. (provisionally accepted name) ???

[Saroj Kasaju]

Dear Members,

Location: Muktinath, Mustang, Nepal

Altitude:  12400 ft.

Date: 20 April 2013

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks,  Saroj ji

[chrischa...@btinternet.com]

Whilst Taraxacum eriopodum has been recorded from near Muktinath, Mustang District, Upper Kali Gandaki, I must express reservations

about naming dandelions from just one or two general images only.

Taraxacum is SUCH a challenging genus and so poorly studied in the Himalaya that I am not in a position to speculate much.  It is doubtful that these

two images NOT showing close-up detail could reliably be DETERMINED by those with specialist knowledge of the genus.  IF such a person exists, then they

would need to be consulted.   It is always possible that certain distinctive features are visible in this image.

In the UK we tend to avoid this genus or seek help from specialists. 

Returning to T.eriopodum, this is included in 'Flora of Mustang' (2008) indeed is the ONLY dandelion the authors record.  They say this species is found in meadows or sandy slopes @ 2100-4600m ranging from the Tibetan plateau to W & E Himalaya (Kashmir to Bhutan), Assam & W.China.

I shall post separately about  ATTEMPTING  to identify Taraxacums.

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot,  Chadwell ji.

[Saroj Kasaju]

Only one sp. Taraxacum eriopodum DC. is mentioned in the book Flora of Mustang.

Your opinion please !

Thank you.

Saroj Kasaju

[J.M. Garg]

Ok, Saroj ji.

--

With regards,
J.M.Garg