Ferula ermenekense Sağıroğlu & H. Duman, 2023

Sağiroğlu, Mehmet & Duman, Hayri, 2023, Ferula ermenekense (Apiaceae), an interesting new species from Southern Anatolia in the eastern Mediterraenean Basin, Phytotaxa 597 (1), pp. 51-62 : 52-60

Ferula ermenekense Sağıroğlu & H. Duman sp. nov. (Figs.1–2)

Type:― Turkey. C4 Karaman: Ermenek, Görmeli Village , 850 m elevation, 11 June 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7003 (holotype SAKU!; isotypes GAZI!, SAKU!) .

Diagnosis:― Ferula ermenekense is partly similar to F. lycia , F. duranii and F. pisidica as habitus, but is easily distinguished from F. lycia by its sparsely scabrid basal leaves (versus glabrous), 4–10 × 1–3 mm (versus 1–2 × 0.5–1 mm), acuminate apex of ultimate segments (versus acute), erect lateral umbels (versus ascending), obovate-elliptic mericarps (versus orbicular-oblong). It differs from F. duranii by having 4–5 pinnate and sparsely scabrid basal leaves (versus 6–7 pinnate), very reduced lamina of sheaths (versus distinctly leafy), obovate-eliptic mericarps (versus narrowly elliptic-oblong) and differs from F. pisidica by having sparsely scabrid basal leaves (not setulose), acuminate ultimate segment (versus obtuse), erect lateral umbels (versus ascending), glabrous petals (versus setulose), obovate-elliptic mericarps (versus oblong).

Perennial, polycarpic herbs. Rootstock well developed, woody, thick, cylindrical, 1–5 cm diameter, fibrous collar present, dense, to 8 cm long. Stem 100–150 cm height, stout, terete, sulcate, ± glaucous, glabrous, 1–2.5 cm diameter at base. Basal leaves triangular-ovate in outline, 40–62 × 16–35 cm; petioles 10–18 cm long, terete, sulcate, glabrous; lamina 4–5(–6) pinnate; ultimate segments linear (2–)4–10(–12) × 1–3 mm, glaucescent, scabrit to sparsely scabrid, acuminate. All sheaths amplexicaul, coriaceous, sulcate, glabrous; lower sheaths lanceolate, 5–10 × 3–5 cm; middle sheaths broadly lanceolate, 8–16 × 3.5–8.3 cm; upper sheaths broadly inflated, ovate, 5–7 × 2.5–4 cm lamina very reduced. Inflorescence dense paniculate-corymbose, very dense with umbels, long branched; central umbels sessile or peduncled, 0.5–18 mm long; 14–26 rays, 2.5–3.5 cm long; lateral umbels usually fertile, 2–4, 8–12 rays, 1.5–2.5 cm long, erect, thin and long peduncled; central umbels usually 10–18 flowers, lateral umbels 12–23 flowers; central umbel’s pedicels 7–10 mm long, lateral umbels pedicels 5–7 mm. Bracteol usually absent, sometimes 2-3, 0.1–0.2 mm, uncertain. Sepals obsolete. Petals yellow, glabrous, 2 mm long, deflexed. Stamen yellow, flaments 2–2.5 mm long, anthers 0.7–1 mm long, oblong. Stylus 2.5–3 mm long, persistent, stigma weakly capitate; stylopodium nearly flattened, weakly conical, fruit dorsaly compressed, brown when ripe; mericarps obovate-elliptic, 9.02–15 × 5.02–7.50 mm, dorsal ridges filiform, lateral wings 0.5–0.7 mm wide; dorsal vittae per valecula 1–2, commissural 6–8. Flowering May-June, fruiting July-August.

Phenogical data:―The rootstock of the plant, which spends autumn and winter in dormancy, gives leaves in February-March, stem and branches in April-May, flowers in May-June, fruit in July-August respectively. Flowering in the population begins in the last week of May. Opening of flowers and the appearance of visible anthers begins at the end of May and continues until mid-July. It goes into fruiting after mid-June and the full ripening of the mericarp is in July-August. The opening of the ripened mericaps and the dispersal of the mericarps can continue until the end of August. At the end of the development cycle, the entire plant ages and takes on a light brown appearance.

Eponymy:―The specific epithet ( ermenekense ) of new species is derived from Ermenek district in Karaman province, where the new species was first discovered.

Turkish common name of the new species:― Ferula species are called “Çakşır,” in Turkish. The authors propose “Ermenek Çakşırı” as a vernacular name for F. ermenekense according to the guidelines of Menemen et al. (2016).

Paratypes:― Turkey. Karaman; Ermenek, Görmeli Village, 1100 m elevation, 11 June 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7001 & H.Duman; Ermenek, Görmeli village , 800 m elevation, 20 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7056; ibid., 20 Agust 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7039 & B. Şahin; ibid., 23 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7059 & B. Şahin (SAKU!, GAZI!) .

Distribution, Habitat and Ecology:―Ermenek region in Karaman province, where Ferula ermenekense is described, is located within the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region on the border of the Mediterranean phytogeographic region (Figs. 1–6). This region has high mountainous and valleyed areas isolated from its surroundings and includes species confined to the region. This region is rich with local endemics and has high plant diversity.A large number of new species have recently been described from this area, e.g. Silene duralii Bağcı (2008:11) Rhaponticoides aytachii Bağcı, Doğu & Dinç (2009: 479) , Gagea goekyigitii Eker & Tekşen in (2017: 23), Haplophyllum ermenekense Ulukuş & Tugay (2018: 121) , Silene goksuensis Budak, Hamzaoğlu & Koç (2018: 171) and Gladiolus izzet-baysalii Eker & Sağıroğlu (2021:98) ( Bağcı 2008, Doğu et al. 2009, Tekşen & Eker 2017, Ulukuş & Tugay 2018, Budak et al. 2018, Eker & Sağıroğlu 2021). Ferula ermenekense grows in Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold , Abies cilicica subsp. cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carrière , Juniperus oxycedrus L. forest openings and clayey soils on limestone bedrocks between 800 to 1100 m.

Species conservation assessment:― Ferula ermenekense is known from only one location with an extent of occurrence (EOO) estimated to be less than 100 km 2 and an area of occupancy (AOO) estimated to be less than 10 km 2. The population size of the species was noted as less than 100 mature individuals. We have noticed some threats to its existence such as broading road works, fire, and habitat degradation. Due to continuing decline projected in the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, extent and quality of habitat, and number of mature individuals, it should be classifed as Critically Endangered (CR) based on criteria B1ab (i,ii,v) + B2ab (i,ii,v) ( IUCN 2019).

Mericarp morphology:―Fruit in the genus Ferula has taxonomically distinctive and determinative characters, as in other genera of Apiaceae ( Cauwet-Marc 1981 a, 1981b, Safina & Pimenov 1983, 1990, Arenas Posada & García Martín 1993, Duman & Sağıroğlu 2005, Sağıroğlu & Duman 2007, 2010, Pimenov & Kljuykov 2013, Bani et al. 2016, Brullo et al. 2018). The fruit is distinctly cremocarp. It consists of two mericarps separated by a carpophore. Carpophore holds the two mericarps together. The mericarps are usually compressed dorsally. Each mericarp has five wings. Three of them are on the dorsal and two are on the lateral (marginal) side. In correspondence of each one there is a vascular bundle.

In order to verify the taxonomical relationships among Ferula ermenekense and the morphologically similar species F. lycia , F.duranii and F. pisidica , their mericarps were investigated. Especially, F. ermenekense shows obovoidelipsoid mericarps, 9.02 -15.01× 5.02–7.50 mm, with wings 0.5–0.7 mm wide, dorsal vittae 1–2 per vallecula, and commissural vittae 6–8 ( Fig. 2-f ); F. lycia has orbicular-oblong mericarps, 7–10 × 4–7 mm, with wings 1–1.5 mm wide, dorsal vittae per vallecula 1, and commissural vittae 2–4 ( Sağıroğlu &Duman 2010); F. duranii has narrowly elipsoidoblong mericarps, 6–10 × 3–5 mm, with wings 0.3–0.5 mm wide, dorsal vittae per vallecula 2–3, and commissural 4–6 ( Sağıroğlu & Duman 2010); F. pisidica has oblong mericarps, 8–14 × 4–9 mm, with wings 0.5–1 mm wide, dorsal vittae per vallecula 1–3, and commissural (2–)4–6 ( Akalın et al. 2020, Figs. 1-6)

Comparative mericarp micromorphology with close species:― Ferula ermenekense differs from F. lycia in terms of mericarp dimensions (L × W × T) (9.02–15.01 × 5.02–7.50 × 1.92–2.03 mm versus 7.00–10.3 × 4.00–7.01 × 1.25–1.50 mm), shape (obovate-eliptical versus rounded-oblong), ornamentation on the mericarp body and wings (rugulose-granules versus rugulose-reticulate), epicuticular wax on the mericarp body (crust; sparsely irregular platelets versus smooth layer; irregular and sparsely platelets), anticlinal cell walls (inconspicuous, regularly thickened and straight versus conspicuous, sunken, ribbed, undulate), epidermal cell shape (incospicous more or less isodiametric, polygonal versus conspicous more or less isodiametric, especially quadrangle polygonal). Ferula ermenekense differs from F. duranii in terms of shape (obovate-eliptical versus narrowly elliptical-oblong), epicuticular wax on the mericarpbody (crust; sparsely irregular platelets versus smooth layer; diffuse, dense, irregular and nonentire platelets), anticlinal cell walls (inconspicuous, regularly thickened and straight versus inconspicuous, irregularly thickened and straight), periclinal cell walls (flat versus concave). Ferula ermenekense differs from F. pisidica in terms of shape (obovate-eliptical versus oblong), ornamentation on the mericarp body and wings (rugulose-granules versus rugulose-reticulate), epicuticular wax on the mericarp body (crust; sparsely irregular platelets versus smooth layer; tiny and very sparsely irregular platelets), anticlinal well walls (inconspicuous, regularly thickened and straight versus inconspicuous, irregularly thickened and minutely raised to straight). All species are akin to each other by their light brownish-dark brown mericarp colour, rugose-smooth and well-developed cuticle type on the mericarp body, flat-convex-concave periclinal cell walls ( Table 2 , Fig. 5 ).

Taxonomic relationships:― Ferula lycia , F. duranii and F. pisidica are endemic species that spread above 1000 m in the southern Turkey. F. lycia has a relatively wider distribution area than the other species. However, it is not seen in any other area in Turkey apart from this region. Other species F. duranii and F. pisidica are distributed in two localities in very narrow areas in this region.

Morphological and micromorphological characters were evaluated to reveal the difference of Ferula ermenekense from its morphologically related species. ( Table 1–2 , Figs. 1–3).

Ferula ermenekense can be easily distinguised from F. lycia by having linear and sparsely scabrid ultimate segments (versus oblong to linear and glabrous), dense umbel inflorescence (versus lax), erect lateral umbels (versus ascending), 14–26 rays (versus 6–16), 15–23 flowers (versus 10–15), obovoid to ellipsoid mericarp and 6–8 commussural vittae (orbicular to oblong and 2–4 commussural vittae). It differs from F. duranii by having 4–5 pinnate and sparsely scabrid basal leaves, very redused of upper sheaths lamina, 15–23 flowers, mericarps obovoid to ellipsoid. The new species also differs from F. pisidica because of having with sparsely scabrid basal leaves (versus setulose), acuminate ultimate segment (versus obtuse), with dense umbel inflorescence (versus lax), erect lateral umbel (versus ascending), glabrous petals (versus setulose), obovoid to elipsoid mericarp (versus oblong) ( Table 2 ).

Ferula ermenekense ultimate segments are significantly different when compared with the other three species ( Table 2 , Fig. 3 ). Ultimate segments of Ferula ermenekense and F. duranii are acuminate. However, the ultimate segments of F. ermenekense are wider than those of F. duranii 1–1.2 mm (versus 0.4–08 mm). Ultimate segments of Ferula ermenekense are acuminate, however they are acute in F. lycia and obtuse in F. pisidica . The new species is also different from the other three species by the peculiar characteristics of its sheaths (Table 3, Fig 4 ). Ferula ermenekense sheaths are broadly lanceolate, whilo those of F. pisidica and F. lycia are ovate. As regards F. duranii sheaths, they are lanceolate and densely leafy.

Selected specimens examined:― Ferula lycia . Turkey ― Antalya: in regione alpina montium Lycia supra Elmalı, Bourgeau (holotype G; photo GAZI!) ; Burdur: Yeşilova opposite lake Salda , 2001 Ş. Yıldırımlı 26802 & M. Dinç (Hb. YILDIRIMLI!) ; Burdur: Yeşilova , 2001 Ş. Yıldırımlı 26815 (Hb. YILDIRIMLI!) ; Antalya: Bakırlı Dağ, 10. July. 1999 H. Duman 7074 (GAZI!); ibid., 14. July. 2002 A. Duran 5813 (GAZI!). ― Konya-Hadim road 91 km, Eğişte Deresi , 900 m, 10. June. 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 6889 (SAKU!); ibid.,ibidem 20.08.2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7038(SAKU!); ―C4 Konya: Konya-Hadim road, 90 km, 20. July. 2002 M. Sağıroğlu 2164 (Fig. 9, GAZI!).

Ferula duranii :― TURKEY. C3 Antalya: Akseki-Çukurköy, Istarlas Mountain , 900–950 m of elevation, 25 May 2002, M. Sağıroğlu 1896 & E. Akçiçek (holotype GAZI; isotypes ANK!, Hb.Yıldırımlı, E);ibid., 20. July. 2002, M. Sağıroğlu 2163 (GAZI!); ibid., 20 July 2002, M. Sağıroğlu 2240 (GAZI!); ibid., 19 July 2001, A. Duran 4129 (GAZI!) ; Antalya: Alanya Castle , 50 m of elevation, 12 Agust 2006, M. Sağıroğlu 2606 & F. Karavelioğulları (GAZI!) .

Ferula pisidica : — TURKEY. Konya: Konya-Hadim, Beyreli Village , forest opening, 1488 m of elevation, 13 June 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7021 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1898 m of elevation, 13 June 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7022 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1540 m of elevation, 13 June 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7024 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1600 m of elevation, 13 June 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7025 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1488 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7043 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1795 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7044 (SAKU!); 1900 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7045 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1600 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7046A (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1500 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7047 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1950 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7048 (SAKU!) ; ibid., 1400 m of elevation, 22 August 2021, M. Sağıroğlu 7049 (SAKU!); Konya-Hadim, near Beyreli Village , 1550 m of elevation, 26 June 2015, M. Miski, E. Akalın & S. Anıl (holotype: ISTE 117051 !) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Ferula ermenekense. A. Lower parts of plant: A(a) fibrous collar; A(b) basal leaves A(c) lower sheaths; B(1, 2). Middle sheaths;C.Upper part of plant;D. Partof basal leaves; E. Dorsal surface of fruit; F.Section of mericarp:F(a) dorsal vittae,F(b) commussural vittae, F(c, d) vascular bundle [illustrated by M. Sağıroğlu 38; Collection no: M.Sağıroğlu 7001 &H.Duman (in flower), M.Sağıroğlu 7039 & B.Şahin (in fruit)].

FIGURE 3. Ultimate segments of investigated Ferula species. a: F. ermenekense (Coll. no: M. Sağıroğlu 7001& H. Duman) LM photo; b: F. lycia (Coll. no: M.Sağıroğlu 6989) LM photo; c: F. duranii (Coll. no: M.Sağıroğlu 1896) LM photo; d: F. pisidica (Coll. No: M. Sağıroğlu 7047) LM photo.

FIGURE 4. Sheaths of investigated Ferula species. a: F. ermenekense (Coll. no: M. Sağıroğlu 7039 & B. Şahin) LM photo; b: F. lycia (Coll. no: M.Sağıroğlu 7038 & B. Şahin) LM photo; c: F. duranii (Coll. no: M.Sağıroğlu 2240) LM photo; d: F. pisidica (Coll. No: M. Sağıroğlu 7047 & B. Şahin)) LM photo.

FIGURE 5. Mericarp micromorphology of investigated Ferula species. a-b: F. ermenekense (Coll. no: M. Sağıroğlu 7039) LM photo, SEM; c-d: F.lycia (Coll. no: M.Sağıroğlu 7038 & B.Şahin) LM photo, SEM; e-f: F. duranii (Coll. no: M.Sağıroğlu 2240) LM photo, SEM; g-h: F. pisidica (Coll. No: M. Sağıroğlu 7047)) LM photo, SEM.