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| Limonium artelariae Koutr., in Koutroumpa. 2024. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54103 photographs taken by K. Koutroumpa. |
Abstract
Some amendments of our knowledge of the taxonomically complex genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) in Crete, Greece are presented, based on field work and morphological study of herbarium specimens, including types. The circumscriptions of the closely related Cretan endemics L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae are clarified. The former species is actually restricted to the type population in Moni Kapsa (SE Crete) and a newly found population in Pacheia Ammos (NE Crete). The latter species comprises populations in SE Crete that extend from Moni Kapsa to Dermatos, and also includes the populations previously assigned to L. chrisianum and L. minoicum that are found to be conspecific. Limonium artelariae from SE Crete, similar and related to L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, is described as a new species. It is rather unique among Greek Limonium species for its height (up to 110 cm tall) and its large, broadly spathulate leaves. Limonium cythereum previously known from the islands of Kythira and Antikythira is newly recorded for Crete, represented by two populations in NW Crete. The report of L. fragile from Crete is found to be erroneous, based on misidentified material of L. virgatum. All accepted taxa are described, and their types, chromosome number or ploidy level, distribution and ecology are also indicated. Photographs, distribution maps and an identification key are added to facilitate further identification.
KEYWORDS: Aegean, Crete, Greece, Limonium, Limonium artelariae, Limonium cornarianum, Limonium cythereum, Limonium hierapetrae, Mediterranean endemics, new species, PLUMBAGINACEAE, species circumscriptions, taxonomy
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| Limonium artelariae growing on fine marls of coastal cliffs (A), habit (B) and inflorescence (C). All photographs taken by and © Konstantina Koutroumpa. |
Limonium artelariae Koutr., sp. nov.
Diagnosis — Limonium artelariae is distinguished from its closely related species in SE Crete, L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, by its broadly spathulate, rounded leaves and broadly obovate and wider inner spikelet bracts. Limonium artelariae is rather unique among all other Aegean Limonium endemics for its predominantly tall habit combined with longer and wider, spathulate leaves.
Eponymy — The specific epithet “artelariae” honours Dr. Rea Artelari, a former Associate Professor of the University of Patras, Greece, for her invaluable contributions to the systematics of Limonium in Greece and Cyprus throughout her academic career.
Konstantina Koutroumpa. 2024. Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae), A New endemic Species and further Taxonomic and Floristic Notes on the Genus in the Island of Crete. Willdenowia. 54 (1), 65-79. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54103
