Allium durzanciranoi (Amaryllidaceae), a New Species in Sect. Codonoprasum from South-Eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

Allium durzanciranoi Balos & Köse (Amaryllidaceae), a new species of sect. Codonoprasum, is described from south-eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It is morphologically most similar to A. sultaniae-ferhanii but can be distinguished by a combination of diagnostic characters, including a single scape per bulb, larger ovoid bulbs with off-white inner tunics, fewer leaves that do not exceed the inflorescence and are solid when fresh, spathe valves that are ± equal and as long as the umbel, a reduced number of flowers per umbel, pale pinkish-purple tepals with off-white apices and margins, pale pinkish-purple anthers, a yellow, reticulate ovary that is only marginally papillose, a style equal to or shorter than the anthers, and smaller seeds. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclear ribosomal ITS region provides strong support for the new species. Based on its estimated populations and current habitat conditions, we assess the conservation status of A. durzanciranoi to be Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.