Damp banks by roadsides, c. 1700 m.

The type was determined by Philcox in 1965 as L. sessiliflora (Benth.) Wettst., a species of Malesia and Burma which probably also occurs in parts of India. L. sessiliflora is based on Wallich Cat. 3959 from Taong-dong (Burma, prov. Mon, near Moulmein; microfiche E!); this is a plant with creeping stems rooting at the nodes, linear-subulate calyx lobes, white corollas, and capsules which are 11-12 mm, opaque, and puberulent towards the apex. It is quite different to the Pakistan plant, which except in the sessile flowers in no way differs from L. numularifolia sensu stricto. I consider that the Pakistan material with sessile flowers is conspecific with L. numularifolia but within that species is worthy of varietal rank. Both sessile and pedicellate varieties sometimes grow together (cf. M. A. Siddiqi 5308). L. numularifolia cannot be regarded as conspecific with L. sessiliflora, contrary to the view of Hooker f. and the many later authors who have treated them as one species.