Information object browse

Field diary: 10–13 April — Dau, Lunang, and Latsa; notes on specimens from Trulung and Mandi

LSH/1/1/8/1/87 · Part · 1938-04-09

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Tsangpo returned with 41 specimens, including notable rhododendrons from near Mandi and Trulung. The diarist reports continuous rain and late snow while moving through Dau, Lunang, and Latsa, with limited flowering observed except some primulas and rhododendrons in bud. Observations include weather severity and early-season phenology such as P. calderiana, P. whitei, P. atrodentata, and Mec. betonicifolia.

CONTENT:
neither one thing nor the other. Tsangpo came back on 8th, with 41 specimens, showing that down there there is now very much more than here. The big Maddenii Series Rhododendron from Trulung is still not out, but he got two good ones — one yellow from just below Mandi (12348) which is new to us, and may be interesting. The other, in two forms (12354, 12370) of which we got some seed in Feb. It must be a beautiful thing. The former is slightly pink, the latter pure white. They are probably the same, though leaf shape and size of plant are rather different as well.

10th April. A filthy day of rain all day long without a pause, and it looks like going on for a good while.

11th April. Dau. Another even worse day. It has now rained continuously for two days and 3 nights which is a lot for this time of year. Snow lay low to around 1000' this morning, and had been lying a good deal below Dau. After 3.0pm here it was very heavy — half snow half rain. Rhododendrons fairly good. R. virgatum series was really lovely. No 12375 is a fine tree too. We only saw one R. triflorum in flower — a miserable thing. There are a great many P. chungensis just in bud now, all along the road, which should soon be very fine indeed.

12th April. Lunang. There was 1" of snow last night in camp, but it did not snow very much with us. In the narrow valley 2 m below Lunang the going was difficult, as there were 9-10" of fresh snow, and up here when we arrived, about 5". Locals don't seem surprised at the snow, but it surprises me, as I would not have expected that on the main Himalayan Range in mid April. Owing to deep snow we saw no flowers — if there were any to see. In some clearings, I did see P. calderiana in bud showing colour. There were too P. whitei and P. atrodentata occasionally visible where snow had melted. Leaves of Mec. betonicifolia also seen.

13th April. Latsa. We are still too early for flowers here. P. calderiana is still in bud. Mec. betonicifolia very common indeed, but only 2-4" high in leaf. P. atrodentata is the only flower seen. No Rhodos. in flower yet.

Kulu Phu Chu and Kucha La route with botanical records

LSH/1/1/6/1/108 · Part · 1933-07-21

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Botanical notes along the Kulu Phu Chu include multiple Primula and Gentiana species with specimen numbers, with observations around 11,500'. Detailed route directions run from Kongshong to Kucha Leku and up to the Kucha La, noting valley bearings, river crossings, forest and swampy meadows (including Kulu hungma with yak herds), and a side path to Member Tso and the Tamnyen Chu; entries are dated 23 July and at Kucha La on July 24.

CONTENT:
540 Kulu Phu Chu. 23 July. Anaphalis corymbosa 5911. Aster himalaicus 5912. Pedicularis paludosa 5913. Valeriana hardwickii 5916. Thalictrum chelidonii 5919. Epilobium sikkimense sub. ludlowianum 5921.

Primula jaffreyana. Not in flower. In a wetter zone than previously seen.
Primula chungensis. Flowers almost all over.
Primula chamaethauma. Very low, at 11,500'.

Line of valley of Kulu Phu Chu from Kucha La direct to mouth between Pana Thamdo is 290° approx.

Kongshong to Kucha Leku. Keep up the Right bank through forest from mile 1, where the path rounds the foot of a cliff. The river may be over the path here in summer. Thence level to 1 1/2, then a fairly steep ascent to mile 3, over a ridge. After this descent gradual, then level or nearly so, through forest the whole way to a small clearing at 5 1/2. Ascent then very gradual through forest to a large swampy meadow where yak herds live in summer at 6 1/2. This is called Kulu hungma. Line of valley approx 90°.

From Kulu hungma keep up the Right bank of the Kulu Phu Chu through Abies forest, alternating with open swampy meadows for three miles. Then the valley narrows and the forest is entered, the valley turning a little more Eastwards at mile 4. At mile 5 cross the river and start the ascent to the Kucha La. The ascent is beside the Left bank to mile 5 1/2, gradual, then very steep indeed to the La (BP. 188.6 52 730 26/7 Ht. 13,222' approx) at mile 6 1/2. The path goes directly up the ridge running parallel to the river, does not follow up the river, but,

A path leads up North from the bottom of the final ascent to the Kucha La, over the rocky ridge to the Tamnyen Chu. 1/2 mile over the ridge is a big lake called the Member Tso, and from this the Tamnyen Chu flows due North to Tamnyen.

Kucha La - July 24. Gentiana taylorii sp. nov. type 5929. Gentiana praeclara 5930. Gentiana leucantha 5934 sp. nov. type.

March 7–13 field notes near Gyala Peri and Tongkyuk

LSH/1/1/8/1/77 · Part · 1936-03-03

Part of The Ludlow & Sherriff Collection

SUMMARY:
Cold halts with little flowering observed; the party notes the first primula in flower and red Rhododendron irroratum, investigates the place-name Makandro near the Gyala Peri range, and sends Sandup and Ramzana to try to film and collect a takin without success. Villagers repay a loan in kind, and on March 13 they move to Tongkyuk, recording a yellow Litsea and plentiful “Winter” plants.

CONTENT:
were here. If they went, it would be fine. I saw 10 here today, the first we have seen.

7th March. Cloudy & cold. Disappointing day as we found nothing in the flower line at all, but luckier for a blackbird (maximus) & a thrush we have never seen before.

8-9-10th March. Halt. This place is very cold indeed, & shrubs are not nearly so far on here as a few miles down the valley. But we have found a few things, notably the first primula in flower to be seen. This appears to be P. chungensis (12279), but might perhaps be Bulleyana or Cockburniana. The same red Rhod. Irroratum Ser. (12280) is also in flower in a valley 2m below here. I have been trying to find the name Makandro which Ward gives to the peak on the Gyala Peri range. So far I have found no one who knew the name. Here, one shikari told me there were two Makandros, one a ridge almost due South of here, & one a ridge almost due North. The fine flat topped peak which lies at 150° from here is locally called Gelung Sokpo. I asked Sandup to enquire about the name Makandro. He asked the monks, who eventually told him there were such places, but that he should not mention the name or talk about the places. I have taught Sandup how to take cine pictures, & he will go off tomorrow to try to get a picture of & one shot at a female takin. We have found pretty good supplies here - some peas, wheat, a few eggs(!), tsampa.

11th-12th March. Halt. It is very cold here every day at midday. Sandup & Ramzana went off across the river for a drive up the nala to the South after takin. They have taken the cine camera & a small roll film camera to try to get pictures of live animals before shooting one female to make up the collection for the B.M. On our way through here in Jan we lent the headman 400 sangs to run their case against the ex Dzongpon in Lhasa. Now the whole village is repaying - in wheat, peas, tsampa, eggs, turnips, & any other commodity they can find. Headmen very helpful & a good type. Ramzana & Sandup back; saw no takin or marks.

13th March. Tongkyuk. Rain last night & a good deal, off now today. Dull & cold, & we saw nothing at all on the way barring the yellow shrub Litsea No. 12257. Yesterday Ramzana brought back lots of Winter No. 12291 which was plentiful up the valley.