19. Melanoseris leptantha (C. Shih) N. Kilian, Fl. China. 20-21: 223. 2011.
景东细莴苣 jing dong xi wo ju
Basionym: Stenoseris leptantha C. Shih, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 29: 414. 1991.
Herbs 50-70 cm tall, perennial. Stem solitary, erect, apically branched and sparsely glandular hairy. Lower and middle stem leaves with petiole 1-4 cm, basally slightly widened; leaf blade lyrately pinnatisect, glabrous, margin mucronulate-dentate; lateral lobes 1 pair, elliptic, ca. 2 × 1 cm, apex obtuse to rounded; terminal lobe elliptic to lanceolate, 5.5-10 × 3-4 cm, apex acuminate. Upper stem leaves petiolate or sessile, lanceolate to elliptic, 7-9 × ca. 1.5 cm, undivided, base cuneate, otherwise similar to middle stem leaves. Synflorescence paniculiform, with numerous capitula and capillaceous branches. Capitula with ca. 3 florets; peduncle capillaceous. Involucre narrowly cylindric, ca. 10 × 2 mm. Phyllaries purplish red, glabrous; outer phyllaries ovate, largest ca. 1 × 0.5 mm, apex obtuse; inner phyllaries 3. Florets bluish purple. Achene ca. 4 mm; body yellowish brown, narrowly ellipsoid to obcolumnar, compressed, lateral ribs broadened, apex contracted into a thick ca. 1 mm beak. Pappus ± single, ca. 5 mm. Fl. and fr. Nov. 2n = 16*.
● Moist areas on mountain slopes; 2500-3200 m. Sichuan (Muli), Yunnan (Jingdong).
Melanoseris leptantha appears rather similar to Stenoseris triflora, and its specific distinctness needs confirmation.