Carex pseudogammiei (Cyperaceae), A New Distributional Record for the Western Himalaya, India

ABSTRACT

Carex L. is one of the largest genera of flowering plants and forms an important component of temperate and alpine vegetation. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown that the genus Kobresia should be included within Carex , leading to reconsideration of several high‐altitude sedge taxa in the Himalaya. During field surveys in the alpine regions of Uttarakhand, a sedge population morphologically resembling Kobresia loliacea was collected. Detailed comparison with herbarium specimens, relevant literature, and digital images of the type material confirmed the identity of the plants as Carex pseudogammiei S.R. Zhang. The present record extends the known distribution of the species by more than 1000 km westward from its previously documented range in Arunachal Pradesh and southwestern China. An updated description based on Indian material, along with notes on habitat, phenology, and distinguishing characters, is provided. This report adds to the knowledge of alpine sedge diversity in the western Himalaya.