[Botany • 2024] Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae) • A New endemic Species and further Taxonomic and Floristic Notes on the Genus in the Island of Crete

 

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

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

[Botany • 2022] Acantholimon assadii (Plumbaginaceae) • A New Species from Flora of Iran

 

Acantholimon assadii 

in Bordbar et Mirtadzadini, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.574.1.7

 Researchgate.net/publication/365729147

 

Abstract

A new species, Acantholimon assadii from mountainous slopes of N of Kerman, Zarend, Kerman Province, south-east of Iran is here described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically distinguished from the other species of Acantholimon sect. Acantholimon by short spike-like inflorescence, length and width of bract and bracteoles, shape of bract and bracteoles, color of calyx and corolla.

Keywords: Acantholimon sect. Acantholimon, Irano-Turanian region, endemism,  mountain flora, Eudicots

 Acantholimon assadii from its type locality.
A) Habit and habitat; B) close-up view of spikelets.

Firouzeh Bordbar and Mansour Mirtadzadini. 2022. Acantholimon assadii (Plumbaginaceae), A New Species from Flora of Iran. Phytotaxa. 574(1); 99-104. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.574.1.7

 Researchgate.net/publication/365729147_Acantholimon_assadii_a_new_species_from_flora_of_Iran

[Botany • 2019] Limonium dagmarae (Plumbaginaceae) • A New Species from Namaqualand coast, South Africa

Limonium dagmarae Mucina

in Mucina & Hammer, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.403.2.1

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Abstract 

A new species of Limonium from Namaqualand coast, South Africa is here described and named Limonium dagmarae. Shared morphological characters with related South African species place the new species within Limonium sect. Circinaria. Evidence is presented to segregate the new species from relatives based on discrete morphological and environmental characters. The holotype of the L. dagmarae is preserved at NBG. 

Key words: Afrolimon, Limonium sect. Circinaria, species nova, strandveld, Succulent Karoo

FIGURE 1. Drawing (original) of Limonium dagmarae (voucher L. Mucina 250901/25M2, Doringbaai):
1. Stem with flowering branches and leaves (leaf scars are visible in the lower part of the stem), 2. side branch showing post-anthesis calyces, 3. outer supportive bract (supporting the flower), 4. dorsal view of the middle supportive bract, 5. side view of the middle supportive bract, 6. inner (most conspicuous) supportive bract, 7. side view of the calyx tube, 8. shape of the top calyx lobes (calyx rim), 9.top-down view of the calyx, 10. corolla with anthers, 11. corolla petal with anther basally attached, 12. anther, 13. stigma, 14. detail of the stigma. The size of the branch (picture 1. serves as the scale; the branch is c. 30 cm long). Artist: Angela Beaumont.

FIGURE 2. Limonium dagmarae in situ (the southernmost population of the species, origin of the voucher L. Mucina 250901/25M2).
A: overall habit (semiglobose-shaped low shrub); B: view of a branch that finished flowering not long ago (the papery calyces are still light pink and brownish ribs prominent; also showing the sparse leafing of the branch; C: fully developed flower, flanked by several calyces which perigone already withered and several buds prepared to flower. D: habitat of L. dagmarae – loamy-sandy strandveld scrub, with associated succulent shrubs (Aizoaceae and Euphorbia decussata E.Mey. and E. mauritanica L.). All photos L. Mucina.

Limonium dagmarae Mucina sp. nov.  

Distribution:— Endemic to the Namaqualand coast, between Doringbaai, Western Cape and Kleinzee, Northern Cape Province (Fig. 3).

Etymology:— Named in honour of Dagmar Mucina, the life partner and wife of the first author, in recognition of her indispensable support and her shared passion for the flora of Namaqualand.

Ladislav Mucina and Timothy A. Hammer. 2019. Limonium dagmarae (Plumbaginaceae), A New Species from Namaqualand coast, South Africa. Phytotaxa. 403(2); 71–85. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.403.2.1

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[Botany • 2018] Acantholimon ibrahimii • A New Species of A. section Staticopsis (Plumbaginaceae) from the Mediterranean Part of Turkey

Acantholimon ibrahimii  Akaydın

in Akaydın, 2018.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.340.1.2 

Abstract

A new species, Acantholimon ibrahimii Akaydın, is described, illustrated and discussed in comparison with its close relative A. davisii. The new species is distinguished from the latter species mainly by the generative organs (namely the inflorescence types and petals colour), habitat type and ecological behaviour. Data are also reported on the conservation status of A. ibrahimii, which is suggested to be labelled as EN according to the IUCN categories. Furthermore, a revised key to the Turkish Acantholimon species of A. sect. Staticopsis with spike laxly distichous and scape much longer than leaves is presented.

Keywords: Acantholimon, A. sect. Staticopsis, conservation, endemism, Staticoideae, taxonomy, Eudicots

Galip Akaydın. 2018. Acantholimon ibrahimii (Plumbaginaceae), A New Species of A. section Staticopsis from the Mediterranean Part of Turkey. Phytotaxa. 340(1); 48–54. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.340.1.2