Part 17 - Chungkar and Kheri Gompa botanical observations and specimen notes

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SUMMARY:
Specimens from 4000–6500 ft are listed, and during a journey to Chungkar the writer found Primula filipes in bloom on a cliff and in profusion near Kheri Gompa, with notes on seed timing and scarcity of other flowers. Conditions were very dry compared to the previous year, with only Rhododendron arboreum in flower and fair weather. The following day’s halt at Kheri Gompa yielded nothing notable.

CONTENT:
all between 4000 - 6500ft
Lobelia pyramidalis 1123, Cymbidium cyperifolium 1124, Corylopsis himalayana 1125. Primula filipes 1126
Gentiana capitata 1127, Daphne bholua 1128, Lindenbergia grandiflora 1129, Arisaema nepenthoides 1130
Bergenia ligulata 1131, Dendrobium heterocarpum 1132

23rd Feb. CHUNGKAR 6500 12 miles. I left at 6.0 am, in high
hopes of finding some good flowers on the rock face at about
mile 8 or 7. But we are too early yet. The country is very
dry indeed, & where last year the cliff was covered in soaking
wet moss, this year it was all dry as dust. Signs were
seen of Primula sherriffiae (552) & P. ludlowii (554) in the dry moss, just waiting for damp
to bring them on. The only interesting flower seen was
P. filipes, 1126, found among P. sherriffiae & P. ludlowii (552 & 554) on the same cliff.
It was in full bloom. Not a very pretty primula, but
dainty, with 5 or 6 flowers on a stem. Colour varies from white
to heliotrope where it is in shade. Also found at Kheri Gompa
close to Chungkar, just beside the road immediately under the
Gompa & straight up towards the Gompa from there in profusion.
Seeds should be ready in 2 or 3 months. Last year we
failed to find seeds of P. ludlowii (554), but found some
this year. The seed pod is very low, right down level with
the branching of the leaves which are depressed. Other flowers
were very scarce, only rhododendron arboreum is out. Weather
fair & bright till midday & clear again in the evening.

24th Feb. Halt. Went up to Kheri Gompa but found nothing of any