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| Centaurea valdemonensis Domina, Di Grist., Barone, in Domina, Di Gristina & Barone, 2022. |
Abstract
Background:
The Centaurea busambarensis group is made up by eight species endemic to Sicily. We statistically evaluated a population found on the Nebrodi Mountain (NE Sicily) to verify if the observed morphological differences with the already known taxa justified the description of a new one. It resulted in being sufficiently distinct to deserve recognition at the species level.
New information:
Centaurea valdemonensis, a new species endemic to Sicily is described and illustrated here. It is confined to the Nebrodi Mountains (NE Sicily). The distinction of this taxon from the others belonging to the C. busambarensis complex has been supported with the aid of statistical analyses on morphological characters. The differences with the related taxa are discussed.
Keywords: Centaurea, endemism, Mediterranean area, mountain flora
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| Capitulum in Centaurea valdemonensis (a) and C. busambarensis (b); rosette leaves in C. valdemonensis (c) and C. busambarensis (d). |
Centaurea valdemonensis Domina, Di Grist., Barone, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Herba perennis, tomentosa, foliis 1-2 pinnatipartitis, incanis. Corymbus 2-7 capitulis; involucra ovata, 11–15 × 11–16 mm. Appendices fuscae vel nigrae; fimbriae 6–9 utroque latere, 1–2 mm longae. Flosculi roseo-lilacini; achenia luteo-brunnea 3.8–4.7 × 1.5–2.1 mm; pappus albus 1.5–2 mm longus.
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the “Valdemone Mountains”, the name used since Middle Ages up to the 19th Century for the NE Sicilian range where the species here described was found.
Distribution: As known so far, Centaurea valdemonensis occurs in a single population northeast Sicily, on the Nebrodi Mountains; but it is not excluded that the mountain complex may host other subpopulations.
Gianniantonio Domina, Emilio Di Gristina and Giulio Barone. 2022. A New Species within the Centaurea busambarensis complex (Asteraceae, Cardueae) from Sicily. Biodiversity Data Journal. 10: e91505. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e91505
