Centaurea rahiminejadii sp. nov. and a new record in the genus Centaurea (Asteraceae,Cardueae–Centaureinae) from Iran

A new species, Centaurea rahiminejadii Negaresh (Asteraceae) in C. sect. Cynaroides Boiss. ex Walp., is described and illustrated from the Kermanshah Province, west Iran. It is morphologically similar to Centaurea regia Boiss. subsp. regia. Diagnostic morphological of this and closely related taxa are discussed and presented. The ecology, habitat and conservation status of the new species are also described. In addition, Centaurea regia subsp. cynarocephala (Wagenitz) Wagenitz is reported as a new record to the flora of Iran. Finally, the geographic distribution of the new species and closely related species is presented and mapped.     

Evaluation of seed and leaf epidermis characters in the taxonomy of some annual species of the genus Papaver (Papaveraceae)

To get a better understanding of their taxonomic importance, we examined morphological, leaf epidermal and seed micromorphological characters of 19 taxa of annual Papaver L. belonging to the sections Papaver, Carinatae Fedde and Rhoeadium Spach. Among the studied taxa, the pattern of the coat of the seed testa cells and seed epidermal cell showed large variation. The granulate type of testa sculpturing was most common, but other types were represented by one or two species. In contrast, most of the taxa have broadly similar leaf epidermal characteristics. We conclude that variation in seed characters are significant for the taxonomy at the specific and generic levels, whereas leaf epidermis morphology, with few exceptions, is mostly only useful for separation of taxa within species. Based on the results, P. lacerum Popov is regarded as a synonym of P. commutatum Fisch. & C. A. Mey, while P. piptostigma Bienert ex Fedde, P. halophilum (Fedde) Cullen and P. tubuliferum Fedde are regarded as synonyms of P. macrostomum Boiss. et Huet ex Boiss. var. macrostomum. Further, Papaver gaubae Cullen & Rech. f. and P. bipinnatum C. A. Mey. are included into the synonymy list of P. glaucum Boiss. et Hausskn. and P. arenarium M.‐Bieb., respectively. In contrast, Papaver chelidoniifolium Fisch. & C. A. Mey. var. pinnatum Tavakkoli & Assadi from Gilan province is described as a new variety, and P. rhoeas L. var. strigosum Boenn. and var. glabrum Fedde and P. commutatum subsp. euxinum Kadereit are introduced as new records to Iran. The evolutionary and phylogenetic implications of the observed variation in seed characteristics are also discussed.     

Karyological studies on eight species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onobrychis</Emphasis> genus in Turkey

This study used karyological techniques to determine the chromosome numbers and morphology of eight species of Onobrychis L. (O. caput-galli (L.) Lam, O. aequidentata (Sibth. & Sm.) d’ Urv, O. fallax Freyn & Sint. var. fallax, O. lasiostachya Boiss, O. viciifolia Scop., O. oxyodonta Boiss. subsp. armena (Bois. & Huet) Aktoklu, O. hypargyrea Boiss. and O. cappadocica Boiss.). The results of this study determined the chromosome numbers of O. cappadocica as 2n = 16; O. viciifolia as 2n = 28 and the other species as 2n = 14 The karyotypes of species consisted of median-centromeric (m) or submedian-centromeric (sm) chromosomes. However, O. oxyodonta Boiss. subsp. armena (Bois. & Huet) Aktoklu was found to have only the median-centromeric (m) chromosomes. According to the results of the present study, of the eight Onobrychis taxa, only O. hypargyrea has a pair of satellite chromosomes (sat-chromosome). Furthermore, this study detected karyotype asymmetry.     

Cytotaxonomy and breeding system of the genusBiscutella (Cruciferae)

Chromosome counts were determined for 46 populations ofBiscutella representing 28 taxa. The genus was found to contain diploid taxa with 2n = 12, 16 and 18, tetraploid taxa with 2n = 36 and hexaploid taxa having 2n = 54.B. laevigata L. s. l. consists of diploid and tetraploid populations which are poorly differentiated morphologically. TetraploidB. laevigata s. l. and hexaploidB. variegata Boiss. & Reuter (s. l.) are characterized by chromosomal instability. The variation in chromosome numbers and the occurrence of polyploidy is discussed in relation to the taxonomy of the genus. An investigation of the breeding system showed that most of the annual species were self-compatible and partly inbreeding and most of the perennial species self-incompatible and, therefore, outbreeding, while one annual species,B. cichoriifolia Loisel., showed both systems.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Linaria khalkhalensis</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Linaria</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Linaria</Emphasis>, Scrophulariaceae), a new species from Iran

Summary   Linaria khalkhalensis Hamdi & Assadi is described as a new species from Azerbaijan and Guilan provinces (northern Iran), belonging to Linaria sect. Linaria. It is close to Linaria lineolata Boiss. and L. elymaitica (Boiss.) Kuprian., which it resembles in habit and vegetative features. However, floral and seed characters together with a distinctive geographical distribution, warrant recognition at the species rank. An illustration of the new species, a distribution map, scanning electron micrographs of seed and capsule surfaces, and an identification key are also included.     

The in vivo anthelmintic efficacy of some Verbascum species growing in Turkey

Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) species are used for desiccating wounds and as a fish poison in Anatolia as well as for diarrhea and dysentery of animals in several countries. To further evaluate their activity, methanolic extracts obtained from 13 Verbascum species growing in Turkey, including V. chionophyllum Hub.-Mor., V. cilicicum Boiss., V. dudleyanum (Hub.-Mor.) Hub.-Mor., V. lasianthum Boiss., V. latisepalum Hub.-Mor., V. mucronatum Lam., V. olympicum Boiss., V. pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor., V. pycnostachyum Boiss. & Heldr., V. salviifolium Boiss., V. splendidum Boiss., V. stachydifolium Boiss. & Heldr. and V. uschackense (Murb.) Hub.-Mor. were evaluated for their in vivo anthelmintic activity. The extracts from V. lasianthum, V. latisepalum, V. mucronatum and V. salviifolum showed the highest inhibitory rates against Aspiculuris tetraptera at 100 mg/kg in mice. Additionally, extracts from V. dudleyanum and V. pterocalycinum var. mutense were found generally highly effective. The remaining species did not show any activity. Results of the present study support the utilization of these plant species employed in Turkish folk medicine.     

Karyological notes on another eight species of Achillea (Asteraceae) from Turkey

The chromosome number and morphology in eight species of the sections Ptarmica (Mill.) W. D. J. Koch, Anthemoideae (DC.) Heimerl, Arthrolepis Boiss., Santolinoideae (DC.) Heimerl and Achillea of the genus Achillea L. (Asteraceae) were investigated using karyological techniques. Sample plants and seeds of A. biserrata M. Bieb., A. fraasii var. troiana Aschers. & Heimerl, A. multifida (DC.) Boiss., A. brachyphylla Boiss. & Hausskn., A. pseudaleppica Hub.-Mor., A. cretica L., A. latiloba Ledeb. ex Nordm., and A. kotschyi Boiss. subsp. kotschyi) were collected from natural habitats in 2003 and 2004. The chromosome number found in seven species was 2n = 18, while only A. kotschyi had 2n = 36. All chromosomes had median point (M), median region (m), and submedian (sm) centromers. In addition, only A. biserrata species had one subterminal (st) chromosome. An increase in asymmetry was not observed in the karyotypes of the species studied. None of the studied species had any B chromosomes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clinopodium</Emphasis> L. (Lamiaceae) in Bolivia

A species-level review of the genus Clinopodium in Bolivia is presented. Characters used to distinguish taxa are discussed and evaluated with emphasis being given to nutlet characteristics for the first time. Nine species are described, seven from Bolivia, one of which, C. pilosum J. R. I. Wood is described as new. Bystropogon uniflorus Rusby ex Briq. is treated as subsp. uniflorum (Rusby ex Briq.) J. R. I. Wood of C. axillare (Rusby) Harley and its typification is discussed. Three subspecies of C. bolivianum are recognised, one of which subsp. diffusum J. R. I. Wood is described as new. Notes on salient characteristics of each taxon, on intermediate forms and on the distribution of each species are provided, as well as a key to species, maps and illustrations.     

Scorzonera tuzgoluensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae), a new halophytic species from central Anatolia,Turkey

A new halophytic species, Scorzonera tuzgoluensis A. Duran, B. Do?an & S. Makbul sp. nov. (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Tuz Lake, central Anatolia, Turkey. The new species grows in salt marshes, is endemic (confined to central Anatolia) and closely related to Scorzonera parviflora Jacq. and S. elata Boiss. The diagnostic morphological characters of these similar taxa are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographic distribution of the new species and related species is mapped.     

Centaurea nerimaniae sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

Centaurea nerimaniae?. Kültür sp. nov. (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from south Anatolia, Turkey. It is morphologically similar to C. antiochia Boiss. var. praealta (Boiss. & Bal.) Wagenitz. The geographical distribution of the new species and related species is mapped. The chromosome number of C. nerimaniae (counted in root tips) is 2n=20.     

New natural hybrids of Convolvulus (Convolvulaceae) from Turkey

The present study introduces two new nothospecies from Turkey, Convolvulus×pseudocompactus C. Aykurt & Sümbül (C. oleifolius Desr. var. deserti Pamp.×C. compactus Boiss.) and Convolvulus×peshmenii C. Aykurt & Sümbül (C. holosericeus Bieb. subsp. macrocalycinus Hausskn. & Bornm.×C. compactus Boiss.). Morphological differences and similarities between the hybrids and their parents are discussed; in addition, habit and sepals are illustrated as diagnostic characters, and the geographic distribution of the hybrids and their parents are mapped. Pollen characteristics of Convolvulus×pseudocompactus, Convolvulus×peshmenii and their parents were examined by means of light microscopy and SEM. Detailed morphological and palynological investigations have been performed for hybrid individuals and parental species. As a result of the palynological investigations, the rate of dehydrated pollen grains was established as an important criterion to determine the hybrid status of Convolvulus taxa.     

Phytogeographical significance of Wadi Wateer (Sinai), Egypt, with special reference to Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W.Theob.

The botanical survey of Wadi Wateer, located in the southeastern Sinai, revealed the presence of a plant that provides an important new record to the Flora of Egypt: Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob. This plant has not been recorded previously as existing in its wild form in the Flora of Egypt. The plant cover in Wadi Wateer is dominated by plant taxa belonging to the Saharo-Sindian phytogeographical element. However, many plants in the wadi have been attributed to the Sudanian chorotype, such as Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan, Chrozophora brocchiana Vis., Lycium shawii Roem & Schult., Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss., Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob. and Cocculus pendulus (J.R. & G. Forst.) Diels. The presence of Sudanian chorotype plant taxa [including the newly recorded Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob.] provides evidence that Wadi Wateer and Aqaba Gulf functioned as migratory tracks for these African plants, assisting their penetration into the Saharo-Sindian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian phytogeographical regions in the Sinai and Asia. This study suggests that Wadi Wateer should be declared a protected area for its habitat and climatic diversity as well as for its phytogeographical significance.