The vicarious differentiation of the alpineGalium serpylloides group (Rubiaceae), endemic to the W. Himalaya

Galium serpylloides agg. comprises a group of locally endemic, disjunct and vicarious taxa in the (sub)alpine zone of the W. Himalaya, from W to E:G. gymnopetalum, G. lahulense, G. serpylloides s. str.,G. saipalense, andG. nepalense. Four of these are new to science;G. serpylloides is newly typified. The main characters of the five species are compared and illustrated, their affinities and evolution are discussed, and a map of distribution is presented.Dedicated to Prof.K. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.