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| Solenopsis sphaciotica Cambria, Giusso, Miniss. & Brullo, in Cambria, Giusso Del Galdo, Minissale, Siracusa et Brullo, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species of Solenopsis (Campanulaceae), S. sphaciotica, is described and illustrated from Crete, Greece. Morphologically, it shows close affinities with S. gutermannii by having a small size, annual habit and rosulate leaves. Although it was previously confused with S. minuta due to similarities in habit and some flower traits, several relevant morphological features clearly distinguish it from the latter. Furthermore, while it shares the annual life form, rosulate leaves and corolla shape with S. antiphonitis, it is also well differentiated from that species. This study provides a comprehensive examination of the species’ morphology, seed coat and pollen micro-sculpturing, ecology, distribution, conservation status and taxonomic relationships.
Key words: Lobelioideae, Mediterranean region, morphology, pollen, seed testa, Solenopsis, taxonomy
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| Phenological features of Solenopsis sphaciotica. A. Natural habitat (Crete); B, C. Habit; D. Flower (frontal view). Photos by S. Cambria. |
Solenopsis sphaciotica Cambria, Giusso, Miniss. & Brullo, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. The new species is similar to Solenopsis minuta in having rosulate leaves, bracteole indumentum and corolla colour; however, it differs in having a much reduced annual habit with smaller morphological characters throughout, a more reduced leaf rosette, leaves without margin glands, smaller bracteoles, shorter calyx (1.1–2 mm long), paler and much smaller corolla (4–5 mm), up to 0.12 mm long papillae, occurring only at the base of the lower lip, shorter anther tube, staminal filament and style and smaller capsule and seeds.
Etymology. The specific epithet, sphaciotica, refers to Hora Sfakion, the locality where the new species grows.
Salvatore Cambria, Gianpietro Giusso Del Galdo, Pietro Minissale, Giuseppe Siracusa and Salvatore Brullo. 2026. Solenopsis sphaciotica (Campanulaceae) A New Species from Crete. PhytoKeys. 271: 259-272. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.271.175650 [12 Mar 2026]
