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Research Article
Verbascum kurdistanicum (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from Hakkâri, Turkey
expand article infoMehmet Fırat‡
‡ Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Turkey

Corresponding author: Mehmet Fırat ( kuyucak65@yahoo.com )

Academic editor: Alan Paton
© 2015 Mehmet Fırat.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Fırat M (2015) Verbascum kurdistanicum (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from Hakkâri, Turkey. PhytoKeys 52: 89-94. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.52.5188
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Abstract

Verbascum kurdistanicum Fırat (Scrophulariaceae), is described and illustrated as a new species that is located in Hakkâri, Turkey. In this study, diagnostic morphological characters of this and closely related species (V. oreophilum K.Koch and V. pyramidatum M. Bieb) are discussed. Furthermore, distribution maps for the three taxa are provided.

Keywords

New species, Hakkâri, Turkey, Verbascum

Introduction

Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) includes about 360 species distributed throughout the world (Heywood 1993). This genus in Turkey includes about 245 species, 129 hybrids and 6 imperfectly known or doubtful records. Its endemism ratio is very high with 193 (79%) species restricted to Turkey (Huber-Morath 1978, Davis et al. 1988, Vural and Aydoğdu 1993, Karavelioğulları et al. 2004, 2006, 2008a, 2009a, 2009b, 2011, 2014, Karavelioğulları 2012, Sutorý 2001, 2004, Özhatay 2006, Kaynak et al. 2006, Yilmaz and Dane 2008, Bani et al. 2010).

Verbascum is divided into two sections (Murbeck 1933, Huber-Morath 1971): Aulacospermae Murb. and Bothrospermae (Murb.) Kamelin. The seed morphology of their members is the most important character which differentiates the sections. They are transversely corrugated and alveolate in sect. Bothrospermae, whereas the seeds are longitudinally corrugated in sect. Aulacospermae. Section Bothrospermae includes all Turkish Verbascum species.

The first revision of Turkish Verbascum for Flora of Turkey was carried out by Huber-Morath (1978). Thirteen species and six hybrids were later described (Vural and Aydoğdu 1993, Karavelioğulları et al. 2004, 2006, 2008a, 2009a, 2011, 2014, Karavelioğulları 2012, Sutorý 2001, 2004, Özhatay 2006, Kaynak et al. 2006, Dane and Yılmaz 2009, Dane and Yılmaz 2005, Yilmaz and Dane 2008, Karavelioğulları 2009b).

Materials and methods

During field exploration in Hakkâri province, Turkey in 2011, an unusual population of Verbascum was discovered. At first glance, because of having corolla and capsule with branched eglandular hairs, glandular-hairy inflorescence and distinctly crenate lower leaves it seemed to be similar to V. oreophilum and V. pyramidatum. The specimens were cross-checked with the keys provided by Huber-Morath (1978, 1981) and the Verbascum accounts given in various relevant publications such as Fedchenko (1955), Feinbrun-Dothan (1978a, 1978b), Meikle (1985), Boulos (2009) and Ekim (2000). Herbarium specimens from VANF, GAZI, ANK, G and GB herbaria were also examined and compared. The threat category assessment of the new species was defined according to IUCN criteria (IUCN 2001).

Taxonomy

Verbascum kurdistanicum Fırat, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77148112-1
Figs 1, 2

Type

TURKEY. C9 Hakkâri: Berçelan Plateau, 37°40’57”N, 043°43’21”E, 2600–2800 m, limestone rocks and steppe, 21 July 2011, M. Fırat. 27584. (Holotype: VANF, Isotype: ANK, GAZI, HUB, VANF, E).

Diagnosis

Verbascum kurdistanicum differs from V. oreophilum and V. pyramidatum by being biennial; having 8-30 (incl. petiole) × 2.5-4.5 cm, lanceolate, crenate basal leaves; linear-lanceolate calyx lobes; 4 stamens; two anterior filaments that are glabrous near apex; 10-15 × 6-8 mm, ovate to oblong capsule.

Description

Biennial, 35–170 cm, densely stellate below, sparsely stellate, densely stalked glandular above. Stem robust, terete, erect, branched. Basal leaves 8–30 (inc. petiole) × 2.5–4.5 cm, mostly congested at base, densely rosulate, lanceolate, entire, distinctly undulate, obtuse, gradually attenuate at base. Cauline leaves 2.5–4 × 0.5–1 cm, oblong-lanceolate, entire, acute, decreasing in size towards the inflorescence racemose, ascending-erect. Bracts 2–3 × 1–2 mm, ovate-lanceolate, entire, acute, each bract with a solitary flower. Pedicels 5–10 mm. Bracteoles absent. Calyx 3–10 mm, divided almost to base, with linear-lanceolate acute lobes. Corolla 20–30 mm diam, yellow, tube 1–2 mm, with unequal and orbicular lobes, without pellucid-punctate glands, with sparsely stalked glandular, stellate outside. Stamens 4, 6–8 mm, filaments 5–6 mm, with purple-violet wool, two anterior glabrous near apex, anthers 1–2 mm, reniform. Ovary ovate. Style 5–7 mm, filiform. Stigma spathulate. Capsule 10–15 × 6–8 mm, ovate, densely stellate hairs, rarely soon glabrescent.

Flowering time June-July and Fruiting time July-August, limestone rocks and steppe, 2600–2800 m.

Figure 1. 

Verbascum kurdistanicum Fırat: a habit b corolla c capsule.

Figure 2. 

Distribution map of V. kurdistanicum (▲) and also closely related species V. oreophilum (■) and V. pyramidatum (●).

Vernacular name

In Hakkâri Province, indigenous people use the name “Masîjark” for Verbascum (Fırat 2013).

Examined representative specimens

Verbascum oreophilum: Turkey. C10 Hakkari: Van-Hakkâri 113. km, c. 2400 m, 19 July 1956, alpine meadow, H.Birand & K.Karamanoğlu 471 (ANK).

Other herbarium materials of Verbascum oreophilum and Verbascum pyramidatum which were collected from Turkey have been examined. VANF, GAZI, ANK, G and GB herbarium have been visited for representative specimens.

Red list assessment: The extent of occurrence for Verbascum kurdistanicum was less than 100 km2 (approximately between 10–20 km2). 304 mature individuals have been counted. This species was found in a single location. It grows in limestone rocks and steppe. Its habitat continues to decline because of agricultural activities and other local uses. Hence, the threat category of Verbascum kurdistanicum is suggested as CR [B1ab (i, ii, iii) + 2ab (i, ii, iii)].

Results and discussion

Because of having 4 stamens, Verbascum kurdistanicum belongs to the group A according to the Flora of Turkey (Huber-Morath 1978, Davis et al. 1988). This group comprises 30 species with the addition of Verbascum kurdistanicum.

Verbascum kurdistanicum is morphologically similar to V. oreophilum and V. pyramidatum because of having the corolla and capsule with branched eglandular hairs; glandular-hairy inflorescence and distinctly crenate lower leaves, but differs from being biennial; having different basal leaves; stamen; flaments and capsule (Table 1).

Table 1.
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Diagnostic characters of Verbascum kurdistanicum compared with the related V. oreophilum and V. pyramidatum.

Characters V. kurdistanicum V. oreophilum V. pyramidatum
Plant Biennial, 35–160 cm Perennial, 60–160 cm Perenial, 45–150 cm
Basal leaves 8–30 (incl. petiole) × 2.5–4.5 cm, lanceolate, crenate 10–40 × 5–20 cm, lanceolate-oblong to ovate-elliptic coarsely crenate or bi crenate, more rarely dentate-lobed 7–40 × 3–15 cm, lanceolate-oblong to obovate, coarsely bicrenate, crenata-dentate or weakly lobed
Calyx lobes linear-lanceolate lobes oblong lobes oblong
Stamens 4 4-rarely 5 5-rarely 4
Filaments two anterior glabrous near apex two anterior woolly to anthers or glabrous near apex all woolly
Capsule 10–15 × 6–8 mm, ovate to oblong 4–6 × 3–5.5 mm, ellipsoid-ovate or subglobose 4–8 × 3–5 mm, broadly elliptic to ovate

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr. Faik Ahmet Karavelioğulları for support description and critical discussion about the manuscript.

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