Rhamnus pallasii, Fischer & Meyer, 1837

Alijanpoor, Behnaz, Khodayari, Hamed, Assadi, Mostafa, Rahiminejad, Mohammadreza & Mehregan, Iraj, 2021, A taxonomic revision of Rhamnus L. and Atadinus Raf. (Rhamnaceae) in Iran, Phytotaxa 521 (3), pp. 127-158 : 134

Key to subspecies of R. pallasii

1. branches without densely spines; leaves of specimen in each node clearly inequal (long leaves 2 or more times longer than short leaves in each node), narrow, homomorphic, and linear or oblong or rarely narrow lanceolate, more than 5 times longer than wide, lateral nerves mostly in 2–4 pairs.......................................................................................................................................................2

- branches with densely spines; leaves of specimen in each node almost unequal, large, polymomorphic (spathulate, elliptic, ovoid, rhomboid, lanceolate), up to 5 times longer than width; lateral nerves mostly in 4–6 pairs..............................................................3

2. Rocky to pasture habitat; leaves green, monomorphic and mainly oblong; main vein white or green; petioles green; obtuse at apex; leaves up to 8 time longer than wide; anthers oblong, lateral nerves mostly 3–4 pairs; N, C & W Iran................................................................................................................................................. 3b. R. pallasii . subsp mazandaranica

- Rocky and cliff habitat; leaves greenish yellow, monomorphic and linear; main vein greenish yellow; petioles cream; acute at apex; leaves more than 8 time longer than wide; anthers elliptic, lateral nerves mostly 2–3 pairs; W & C (rarely) N Iran......................... ............................................................................................................................................................... 3a. R. pallasii subsp. pallasii

3. Plants spreading, up to 150 cm high; stems mostly dark grey; branches with many intricate spines; mainly with open (obtuse) angles; leaves polymorphic, with regular deep marginal teeth; lateral nerves conspicuous, leaves length up to 2.5 times longer than wide; obtuse or acute at apex; flower about 3 mm high; N & EN Iran..............................................3c. R. pallasii . subsp. sintenisii

- Plants erect, up to 300 cm high; stems mostly brownish yellow; branches with a few spines; not intricate, mainly with close (sharp) angles; leaves dimorphic, with irreregular superficial marginal teeth; lateral nerves inconspicuous, rarely with entire leaves; leaves length 2.5 time longer than width; obtuse at apex; flowers 3–5 mm high; W & C Iran............ 3d. Rhamnus pallasii subsp. iranica