Systematic revision of Pedicularis L. (Orobanchaceae) for the Flora of Bhutan.

Rinchen Yangzom (University of New England) 

Pedicularis, a charismatic genus of hemiparasitic plants in Orobanchaceae, predominantly thrives in the alpine and artic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Bhutan is home to 69 taxa of Pedicularis, of about 800 species worldwide. Despite several taxonomic efforts a considerable number of Pedicularis taxa remain taxonomically unresolved and a significant portion of species from Bhutan are known from a limited location. Further, there is no taxonomic consensus, spatial records are sparse, and a global phylogeny is lacking. I will address these knowledge gaps in my PhD. Using existing collections, I will conduct a revision of the endemic taxa within Bhutan. I will then integrate these taxa into a comprehensive phylogeny of Pedicularis being developed by collaborators. I will also investigate a particularly difficult group, the P. gracilis complex. I will test the hypothesis that the effects of altitude on germination timing plays a crucial role in determining the distinct habits of P. gracilis vs. P. pennelliana. through morphological, ecological, biogeographic and molecular approaches. Finally, this study will assess the conservation status using IUCN red list categories and criteria to inform and prioritize conservation initiatives essential for protecting these enigmatic and ecologically significant species.