A new species of Solenopsis (Campanulaceae) from Cyprus

Abstract

Solenopsis cypria is described as a new species from a few stands near Filani Lake, in the central part of Cyprus Island (East Mediterranean). It shows close morphological relationships with S. antiphonitis, another Cypriot species, as well as with S. sphaciotica from Crete. This new species shares with the aforesaid ones the small size, leaves arranged in basal rosettes and bicoloured corolla with divaricate lips, but it differs in many other features chiefly regarding the vegetative and floral structures, especially the pollen grains and seeds. Its morphology, ecology, distribution, conservation status, taxonomic relationships, as well as seed coat and pollen microsculpture, are examined too. An analytical key of the species more closely related to S. cypria is provided.