Part 65 - Botanical observations from Gundusa to Byasu La

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SUMMARY:
A steep climb from above Gundusa through forest to the Byasu La is described, with open grassy slopes, fir, and rhododendron beyond the pass. Several alpine plants are noted, and Tenduk finds a red rhododendron in bloom; houses are present and yaks come up next month.

CONTENT:
It must be about 120° M. Path leaves directly above Gundusa, enters the forest. Thence it is a climb all the way, in places very steep indeed to the Byasu La, which is reached at m 3. The pass is approximately 100 ft above camp. We saw little on the way up, the only flower being a yellow rhododendron which is very like 3063 R. lanatum, except that the indumentum is pale grey coloured, No 3074. Immediately over the pass the country opens out and there are beautiful clear grassy slopes, with fir and rhododendron in between. On the open ground Primula flava is in masses No 3067. Prim. strumosa is common, but barely out in the little nala sides. There are signs of a Prim. involucrata too, but only in leaf so far. Two meconopsis are common. Mec. paniculata and Mec. sinuata? No 3068, which is just on the point of coming into flower. Tenduk found a red rhododendron in full bloom. It is very like Rhod. fulgens, but has no indumentum on the leaf, which is like a Thomsonii rhododendron, No 3075. This must be a lovely place in summer on a fine day. We have just had sufficient glimpse to see how nice it must be. There are some houses here, and the yaks come up next month and stay up.