Fwd: Ribes orientale Desf. - new to eFI; Ribes a neglected genus....

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks a lot,  Chadwell ji

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "C CHADWELL" <chrischa...@btinternet.com>
Date: 1 Jan 2017 6:12 a.m.
Subject: Ribes orientale Desf. - new to eFI; Ribes a neglected genus....
To: "J.M. Garg" <jmg...@gmail.com>
Cc:

 

As "light relief" from more complicated and time-consuming genera combined with

the pleasure of viewing 'habitat' images in the mountains, I have been taking a further

look at specimens photographed in Baltistan (part of which is in the Karakoram Range not

the 'Himalaya' or 'TransHimalaya').

However, in the case of Ribes, the situation is not straightforward.  The genus needs further

study and perhaps revision in the Himalaya.

Let us start with what I understand to be R.orientale, see: http://photos.v-d-brink.eu/Flora-and-Fauna/Asia/Pakistan-new/i-ZJzSv39 

Flowers of the Himalaya record this on stony slopes and amongst rocks @ 2100-4000m from Afghanistan to W.Nepal, Bhutan, SW China,

W & C Asia & Greece.

Stewart knew this as very common and very variable in arid regions in Pakistan, Ladakh & Kashmir @ 2400-3900m.  He agreed

with Parker & Hooker in treating this as one variable taxon.  Schoenbeck-Temesy in Flora Iranica monographed Ribes.  He split

R.orientale into 3: R.orientale proper, R.heterotrichum & R.villosum.

Stewart felt that those collecting currants in the inner mountains should study the R.orientale complex to see if there really are 3

distinct species; he suspected they intergraded.

I note that images a Ribes from VOF have been named as R.himalense.   This needs to be checked.  Flowers of the Himalaya

say "in drier areas only" for this species and I do not think VOF counts as a 'drier' area.  Also, if one refers to the book,

'Valley of Flowers' it has Ribes glaciale Wall. 

But I consider the whole genus has been under-collected in terms of pressed specimens for herbaria and neglected photographically.

So please, would be photographers in this group look out for and photographed (in good close-up) any specimens they encounter

both at the fruiting and flowering stages.

Dickore & Klimes record R.glaciale, R.nigrum and R.orientale for Ladakh.

Flora of Lahaul-Spiti says R.himalense has black berries, whereas 'Flowers of Himalaya' say red..... 

Best Wishes,

Chris Chadwell

81 Parlaunt Road 
SLOUGH
SL3 8BE
UK

www.shpa.org.uk

[J.M. Garg]

Pl. look at your posts under Ribes himalense in view of the comments by Chadwell ji as below:

"............ I note that images a Ribes from VOF have been named as R.himalense.   This needs to be checked.  Flowers of the Himalaya

say "in drier areas only" for this species and I do not think VOF counts as a 'drier' area.  Also, if one refers to the book,

'Valley of Flowers' it has Ribes glaciale Wall. .............."

--

With regards,
J.M.Garg

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