SUMMARY:
After an unexpectedly sunny evening, the party explored the comparatively dry area of Go nyi re between here and Tsela Dzong, recording several Primula taxa and a common small Meconopsis also seen at the Tum La, plus a robust yellow Meconopsis that may be a new species. Plans are weighed against the Kucha La trip, with 10 days until due at Tse and an intention to focus on drier areas north of the Tsangpo rather than returning to the Main Range, amid coolie difficulties.
CONTENT:
Gonyi re.
Most unexpected perfect evening, with the sun out full blast, the clouds on the hills gradually clearing away. For a moment I could see up all three of the valleys, leading to the Holung Logu La, the Tsanang La and the Kucha La. The latter looks good. The place we went to is known as "Go nyi re" - "there are two heads," this more or less directly between here and Tsela Dzong. Being South of the main range, it is a comparatively dry area, at any rate not as wet as the main range. Having made up my mind to do the Main Range, I have not touched this area yet, but having these two days spare, thought one of them should be used to explore it, as it does undoubtedly look more of interest. So up we went. The first flower of interest was P. littledalei (baileyana?) 5887, fairly common in a limited habitat, and nearly as high as I would have expected. Then above that was one of the Bellidifolia primulas, which I think must be P. micropala, 5888. Beside this was a small primula which was unfortunately over, of which we only saw three flowers. This looks somewhere near P. atrodentata, but I don't think can be this. I can't place it. This was No. 5890. We are too late, a most interesting primula found next, not in flower though, is P. (nivalis Sect?) No 5889. The capsule looks nivalid, but the plant does not, and I have no idea what it will turn out to be. At the top of the hill, there is a pass, with a little wall built up, and close to this on the South side is the little meconopsis which I found at the Tum La under No. 5790. Here it is common, and was taken under No. 5895. We should certainly get seed of this from Gonyi re. But the best find of today was another yellow meconopsis, taken under No. 5891, a fine big plant 2 feet high, with from 3 to 10 flowers of 3-4½" across. What this is I don't know. I gave Taylor his own Mec. book, as I did not expect to find any myself. We hope for a new species, as I can't think of any like this from S.E. Tibet. If this is so, this will certainly be a red letter day. We got quite a lot of other things too, and I felt like cancelling the Kucha La trip. But that may as well be done now. There are but 10 days left till I am due at Tse, and after that we will visit the dryer areas. Except for seed, I am not going off to the Main Range again. In fact it would be poor policy. The best to be had is on the North of the Tsangpo I believe, and we should go there as soon as possible. What a joy it was to see and feel the sun again, and to feel dry. We were all soaked by midday, but in a very short time were dry. I feel very weak this evening, and have a headache. As there are coolie difficulties.
