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Viola suavis subsp. naqshii (Violaceae) from Kashmir Himalaya, India is described here. The new taxon is based on characters like linear-lanceolate stipules with long fimbriae, position of bracteoles on peduncle and curved nature of the spur. Comparison of diagnostic characters of this new taxon with closely related taxa and photo-illustrations are also provided to facilitate field identification.

Swertia pahalgamensis (Gentianaceae), a new species from Kashmir Himalaya, India is described here with photographic illustrations. The new species resembles with Swertia thomsonii in some morphological characters, but differs clearly in having basal leaves elliptic-spathulate with acute apices, petals yellowish green, ovate, sub-obtuse apices, nectar guides with prominent bluish straight lines, nectaries viscous, sub-confluent, round to cushion-shaped, number, size and orientation of fimbriae, anthers oblong, seeds oval-round with wider wings.

Swertia pahalgamensis Tajamul Islam, Anzar A. Khuroo & Irshad A. Nawchoo, sp. nov. (Figures 1–3) Diagnosis The described species morphologically resembles with S. thomsonii in few characters such as nature of rhizome, habit, fruit type and stem but differs in having basal leaves 15.5–17.5 cm long, elliptic-spathulate, apices acute (vs. 23–30 cm long, elliptic-oblong, apices sub-acute), base of cauline leaves usually free or rarely connate, up to 0.6 cm (vs. connate, up to 2.5 cm), sepals 8.5–9.5× 3–4 mm, margin serrate on upper part, apices acute (vs. 10–10.5 × 2–3 mm, margin entire, apices acuminate), petals 8.5–10.5 × 5–6 mm, ovate, yellowish green, apices sub-obtuse, fused at base; nectar guides with prominent bluish straight lines (vs. 12–13.5 × 4–5 mm, elliptic, white, apices acute, spreading; nectar guides with inconspicuous straight lines), nectaries 1.1–1.2 × 1.1–1.3 mm, round to cushion-shaped, viscous, sub-confluent, present above the base of petal (vs. 1.4–1.5 × 0.8–0.9 mm, elliptic-oval, non-viscous, confluent, present at the base of petal), fimbriae 5–7 per nectary, 1–2 mm long, sparsely oriented all around the margin of nectary (vs. 14–16 per nectary, 3–5 mm long, profusely oriented all around the margin of nectary), stamens 4.0– 5.5 mm long, anthers 1.5–2 mm long, oblong, apices obtuse (vs. 7–8 mm long, anthers 2–3 mm long, ovate, apices apiculate), capsule 4.5–5.5 mm wide (vs. 2–4 mm wide), seeds 4.0–4.5 × 3.5–4.0 mm, oval-round, wings 1.0– 1.2 mm wide (vs. 3.0–3.5 × 2–2.5 mm, oval-oblong, wings 0.5–0.9 mm wide). Type:— INDIA. Kashmir, Anantnag district, Royal Sar, Pahalgam, 34.20˚N, 75.22˚E, 3590 m asl, 28 August 2021, Tajamul Islam, Anzar A. Khuroo & Irshad A. Nawchoo 46288 (holotype: KASH!, isotype KASH!). Description Perennial herb, 50–80 cm tall. Rhizomatous with fibrous roots; rhizome 6–8 × 1.5–2.5 cm. Stem erect, simple, hollow, glabrous, cylindrical in outline. Basal leaves 15–25, elliptic-spathulate, petiolate, 15.5–17.5 × 3–3.5 cm, margin entire, apices acute. Cauline leaves, 3–6 pairs, opposite, sessile, free to rarely connate up to 0.6 cm, elliptic to lanceolate, entire, sub-acute, 2–7.5 × 1–2.5 cm, leaf size gradually decreases toward upper-side. Inflorescence paniculate cyme, 25.5–27.5 cm long. Flowers tetramerous, pentamerous or rarely hexamerous, actinomorphic, 20–40 in number, open flower diameter 2.4–2.7 cm, bracteate, pedicels 1.0– 3.8 cm long. Calyx persistent, sepals glabrous, lanceolate, margin serrate on upper part, apices acute, 4–5 in number, 8.5–9.5 × 3–4 mm. Petals yellowish green, ovate, entire, obtuse, 4–5 in number, 8.5–10.5 × 5–6 mm; nectar guides with prominent bluish straight lines; pair of nectaries above base of the petal, sub-confluent, viscous, round to cushion-shaped, 1.1–1.2 × 1.1–1.3 mm; fimbriae 5–7 per nectary, sparsely occur all around the margin of nectary, 1–2 mm long. Stamens 4.0– 5.5 mm long; anthers 1.5–2.0 × 0.6–1.0 mm, bilobed, oblong, sub-dorsifixed, dehiscence longitudinal, apices obtuse. Carpels 2, syncarpous, placentation parietal; ovary superior, lance-shaped, 4.5–5.5× 2–2.5 mm; style reduced; stigma bifid. Fruit capsule with persistent calyx, oblong, 8.5–11.5× 4.5–5.5 mm, septicidal dehiscence. Seeds 55–65 per capsule, oval-round, winged, brownish, flattened, 4.0– 4.5 × 3.5–4.0 mm, wings 1–1.2 mm wide. Phenology:— Vegetative phase occurs from June–July; flowering from August and extends up to mid-September; fruiting from September–October. Distribution and Ecology:— Swertia pahalgamensis is currently reported only from the type locality in Royal Sar area of Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary (Pahalgam, Kashmir Himalaya, India). It occurs in the alpine zone at an altitude of 3590 m asl.The species grows on moist slopes of meadows with rocky substrate and along the banks of steep mountain streams. The habitat is dominated by herbaceous plants and the associated species include: Euphorbia wallichii Hooker (1887: 25), Caltha palustris var. alba (Cambessedes 1841: 6) Hooker & Thomson (1855: 40), Trifolium repens Linnaeus (1753: 767), Sibbaldia cuneata Edgeworth (1846: 44), Nepeta laevigata (D. Don 1825: 110) Hand. -Mazz. (1936: 916), Artemisia roxburghiana Besser (1836: 57), Bupleurum candollei Wallich ex Candolle (1830: 131), Rhodiola himalensis (D. Don 1825: 212) S.H. Fu (1965: 121). Etymology:— The specific epithet ‘ pahalgamensis ’ is derived from the area of collection, i.e., Pahalgam (Kashmir Himalaya, India). It is a famous Himalayan tourist spot well-known for its picturesque beauty with temperate coniferous forests, pristine alpine lakes and snow-clad mountains. Taxonomic Note: This newly described species falls under the genus Swertia based on rotate corolla, shape and nature of nectaries and presence of fimbriae. It closely resembles with S. thomsonii in some characters but differs in many morphological characters (Figure 3). It also shows some morphological resemblance with S. marginata Schrenk (1842: 353) in having similar habit, shape of sepals, a pair of nectaries per corolla lobe and type of fruit as in S. pahalgamensis, but differs in having oblong corolla lobes, nature and cup-shaped nectaries, size of fimbriae and filaments, shape and color of anthers, narrowly ovoid fruit and ellipsoidal seeds (FoC 2008). Conservation Note: During the present study, about 150 individuals were recorded from the type locality. The new species is so far known only from the type locality, i.e., Royal Sar area of Pahalgam in Kashmir Himalaya, India. In future, more extensive surveys in the study area and neighbouring regions may facilitate empirical evaluation of conservation status for this new species. However, it is relevant to mention that the type locality is used by the pastoralists for livestock grazing and recently huge tourist influx may lead to its habitat degradation, which in near future may endanger the existing natural populations of this newly described species., Published as part of Islam, Tajamul, Khuroo, Anzar Ahmad & Nawchoo, Irshad A., 2022, Swertia pahalgamensis (Gentianaceae), a new species from Kashmir Himalaya, India, pp. 201-207 in Phytotaxa 547 (2) on pages 203-205, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.547.2.8, http://zenodo.org/record/6571507, {"references":["Hooker, J. D. (1887) The Flora of British India vol. 5. L. Reeve & Co., London, 258 pp.","Cambessedes, J. (1841) In: Jacquemont, V. (Ed.) Voyage dans l'Inde pendant les annees, vol. 4. Firmin Didot freIres, Paris, pp. 6.","Hooker, J. D. & Thomson, T. (1855) Flora Indica. vol. 1. Pamplin, Frith Street, Soho, London, 40 pp.","Linnaeus, C. (1753) Species Plantarum, Ray Society, London, 767 pp.","Edgeworth, M. P. (1846) Descriptions of some unpublished Species of Plants from North-Western India. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 20: 44. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.1846. tb 00410. x","Don, D. (1825) Prodromus Florae Nepalensis. J. Gale, London, 110, 212 pp.","von Besser, W. S. J. G. (1836) Bulletin de la Societe imperiale des naturalistes de Moscou vol. 9. British Museum Natural History, London, 57 pp.","de Candolle, A. P. (1830) Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, vol. 4. Parisii, Sumptibus Sociorum Treuttel et Wurtz, 131 pp.","Fu, S. H. (1965) Species et Combinationes Novae Crassulacearum Sinicarum. Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica 10 (1): 121.","von Schrenk, A. G. (1842) Novae Plantarum Species Nuperrime in Songarica lectae. Bulletin Scientifique / Academie Imperiale des Sciences de Saint Petersbourg 10: 353."]}

Swertia kashmirensis B. A. Wani, T. Islam & A. A. Khuroo, sp. nov. (Figs. 1���3) Diagnosis The new species morphologically resembles with S. thomsonii in few characters such as nature of rhizome, stem and seed. However, it differs from S. thomsonii in several characters which include: basal leaves spathulate-elliptic, apices obtuse in S. kashmirensis (vs. oblong-elliptic, apices sub-acute in S. thomsonii), base of cauline leaves usually free, or rarely connate up to 0.2���0.4 cm (vs. base connate, up to 1���2.5 cm), pedicel length 1.5���2.5 cm (vs. 3���5 cm), sepal apex acute (vs. sepal apex acuminate), petals yellowish, apices obtuse (vs. petals white, apices acute), size of nectaries 1.2���1.3 �� 0.5���0.7 mm, oblong-oval (vs. 1.4���1.5 �� 0.8���0.9 mm, elliptic-oval), fimbriae 3���5 per nectary, 2���3 mm long, restricted on lower part of the nectary towards base of the petal (vs.14���16 per nectary, 3���5 mm long, upright and arise all around the margin of nectary), anthers obovate, dorsifixed (vs. anthers ovate, sub-dorsifixed), capsule 8.5���9.5 �� 5���7 mm (vs. 10���10.5 �� 2���4 mm), seeds blackish, round-oblong (vs. brownish, oval-oblong). Type:��� INDIA. Kashmir, District Kupwara, Bangus, 34.37˚N, 74.084˚ E, elev. 2650 m, 30 September 2021, Bilal A. Wani, Tajamul Islam & Anzar A. Khuroo 4259 (holotype: KASH!, isotype KASH!). Additional specimens examined:��� INDIA. Kashmir, District Kupwara, Bangus, 34.37��N, 74.084��E, elev. 2650 m, 30 September 2021, Bilal A. Wani, Tajamul Islam & Anzar A. Khuroo 4261 (KASH!); Bangus, 34.37��N, 74.084��E, elev. 2650 m, 30 September 2021, Bilal A. Wani, Tajamul Islam & Anzar A. Khuroo 4262 (KASH!). Description Perennial herb, 50���80 cm tall. Root rhizomatous with fibrous roots, 6.5���7.5 �� 1.5���2.3 cm. Stem erect, simple, hollow, glabrous, cylindrical in outline. Basal leaves 5���7, spathulate-elliptic, margin entire, apex obtuse, 8���16.5 �� 2���4.5 cm; petiole 6���9.5 cm long. Cauline leaves, 6���8 pairs, opposite, sessile, free at base, or rarely connate up to 0.2���0.4 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, entire, acute, 2���8.5 �� 1���2.5 cm, leaf size gradually decreases upwards. Inflorescence paniculate cyme, 17���22 cm long. Flowers tetramerous or pentamerous, actinomorphic, 15���50 in number, open flower diameter 2.2���2.3 cm, bracteate, pedicels 1.5���2.5 cm long. Sepals lanceolate, entire, acute, 8���10 �� 3���4 mm. Petals yellowish, ovate, entire, obtuse, 10���10.5 �� 4���4.5 mm; pair of nectaries near base of the petal, oblong-oval, 1.2���1.3 �� 0.5���0.7 mm; fimbriae 3���5 per nectary, 2���3 mm long, restricted on lower part of the nectary towards base of the petal. Stamens 6���7 mm long; anthers 2���2.5 mm, bilobed, obovate, dorsifixed, dehiscence longitudinal. Carpels 2, syncarpous, placentation parietal; ovary superior, 6���7 �� 2���3 mm; style cylindric with broad base; stigma bifid, papillate. Fruit capsule with persistent calyx, globose, 8.5���9.5 �� 5���7 mm, septicidal dehiscence. Seeds 45���50 per capsule, round-oblong, winged, dark blackish, flattened, 3.5���3.7 �� 2.5���3.5 mm, wings 0.8���1.2 mm wide. Phenology:��� Vegetative phase from June���July; flowering from August���September; fruiting from September��� October. Habitat:��� The species prefers moist soils and grows along the banks of sloppy mountain brooks. Etymology:��� The specific epithet kashmirensis is derived from region of collection, i.e. Kashmir Himalaya, India where from the taxon is described for the first time. Note:��� This new species falls under the genus Swertia based on rotate corolla, shape and nature of nectariferous glands and presence of fimbriae. It is close to S. thomsonii in some characters but differs in many morphological characters (Fig. 3). It also shows morphological affinities with other species of this genus such as S. petiolata D. Don in having a pair of nectaries per corolla lobe and type of fruit but differs in having oblong-oval shape of nectaries, fimbriae restricted on lower part of the nectary towards base of the petal and presence of winged seeds. A detailed comparison of the delimiting taxonomic characters between S. kashmirensis and S. thomsonii is provided in Table 1. Associated plant species During the present study, we recorded 24 species to be associated with S. kashmirensis with varying degree of association. The list of associated plant species along with their family names and degree of association is provided in Table 2. Conservation status: The new species is so far known only from the type locality, i.e. Bangus valley in Kashmir Himalaya, India. In future, more extensive surveys in the study area and neighbouring regions may facilitate empirical evaluation of conservation status for this new species. However, it is relevant to mention that Bangus has been recently opened for tourism and huge tourist influx in recent years has led to intense habitat degradation, which in near future may endanger the existing natural populations of this newly described species., Published as part of Wani, Bilal A., Islam, Tajamul, Khuroo, Anzar Ahmad, Ganie, Aijaz H. & Nawchoo, Irshad A., 2022, Swertia kashmirensis, a new species from Bangus Valley of Kashmir Himalaya, India, pp. 93-100 in Phytotaxa 532 (1) on pages 94-96, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.532.1.8, http://zenodo.org/record/5900952