Mardi Himal Rhodiola

[Margaret Thorne]

Could anyone please identify these Rhodiola species for me?
They were photographed on the Mardi Himal on the south side of Annapurna in Nepal at altitudes of 3500-4000m. This is in Kaski District and Flora of Nepal only has Rhodiola wallichiana recorded here.

[FrazerHenderson]

Margaret

I solicited the views of my good friend Ray Stephenson of the Sedum Society and the acknowledged expert of Rhodiola, Sedum etc..

His considered views are below:

"Rhodiola  are extremely difficult to identify with confidence.  DNA  studies are clearly showing that plants which look alike are only distantly related while highly contrasting colonies are proving to be a single species.
 
From to top to bottom:
1) is a good match for R. wallichiana.
2) appears to be the very variable R. bupleuroides,
3) Is almost certainly R. amabilis which is a late flowerer.
4) R. fastigiata (?)
5) R. wallichiana."

I hope that helps.

Frazer

[Maggi Young]

Frazer, many  thanks  for  using your  contacts  to help with this  question. What a  network we  have  here!!

[Margaret Thorne]

Sorry, Frazer, I've only just realised that I didn't thank you for these identifications on the Forum, only in person. Hey, ho, those were the days when we could actually meet!! Must have been the last time we saw you!
Please convey our thanks to Ray Stephenson too, his help is greatly appreciated.