Genista salzmannii Candolle

Bacchetta, Gianluigi, Brullo, Salvatore, Chiapella, Laura Feoli, Velari, Tiziana Cusma, Fenu, Giuseppe & Galdo, Gianpietro Giusso Del, 2020, Taxonomic remarks on Genista salzmannii group (Fabaceae) in Sardinia and Corsica, Phytotaxa 449 (1), pp. 31-51 : 42-46

Genista salzmannii Candolle de (1826: 211).

A. subsp. salzmannii , Fig. 8

Type:— FRANCE. Corse: in petrosis circa Corte, 1821, Mr. Salzmann s.n. (lectotype: G!, designated by Valsecchi (1993).

Dwarf shrub, pulvinate to erect, robust, up to 100 cm tall, with branches rigid, with spiny apex, striate, sericeous. Leaves 1-foliate, sessile, stipulate, ovate-lanceolate, hairy, 3–7(9) × (0.7)1–2(2.2) mm, caducous. Inflorescences few-flowered, clustered in 2–3 in the terminal part of the branch, rarely solitary. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, hairy, canaliculate, 3–6 mm long, longer than the pedicel. Bracteoles lanceolate-elliptical, acute, 1.5–2.5 mm, longer than the pedicel, inserted in the half part of the pedicel. Pedicel 1–3(3.5) mm long. Calyx hairy, conic-tubulose, 4.5–6 mm long, with hairs 0.3–1 mm long, with partially decurrent veins; lower lip 3.2–4 mm with triangular teeth, subequal, 1.8–2.1 mm long, 1-nerved; upper lip shorter than the lower one, 3–3.5 × 1.8–2 mm. Floral buds with wings partially covered by the standard. Corolla yellow; standard retuse at apex, 10–11 × 8.5–9.5 mm, sericeous on the back; wings 11–11.5 mm, with a tuft of hairs on the basal gibbosity; keel 11–12 mm, sericeous on outer faces, with a tuft of hairs on the basal gibbosity. Staminal tube 4.5 mm long; anthers yellow, rounded at apex, elliptical, upper ones 1.5–1.6 mm, lower ones 0.8–0.9 mm. Pistil 11 mm; stigma papillose, crested. Pod sericeous, oblong, apiculate, flattened, pale-brown, 16–21 mm long, 4–5-seeded. Seeds irregular, flattened, green-olivaceous, maculate, 1.8–2.5 × 1.5–1.7 mm.

Phenology:— Flowering late April to June, fruiting June to July.

Karyology:— The somatic chromosome number of Genista salzmannii subsp. salzmannii was found 2n = 2x = 18 on material from Calvi ( Cusma Velari & Feoli Chiapella 1982), sub G. salzmannii , and from Valle della Restonica, Corte ( Villa 1988).

Seed micro-morphology:— Cell boundaries are weakly distinguishable. Seed coat is irregularly polygonal, with anticlinal walls anastomozed, corrugate, and smoothed on the top, periclinal walls flattened and cerebriform ( Fig. 9 A–B ).

Distribution and Habitat:— This plant is endemic to Corsica where it occurs almost everywhere from the sea level up to 1300 m a.s.l on many different siliceous substrates. From the bioclimatic point of view, it is localized in the upper mesomediterranean and lower supramediterranean belt with subhumid-humid ombrotypes, and it is found within thermophilous plant communities represented by garrigues or shrublands.

Additional specimens examined:— FRANCE. Corsica: Foresta dell’Ospedale, granito, 1000 m, E. Pignatti Wikus s.n. ( TSB. 95253!) ; Calvi, rupe a mare, 100 m, 7 July , L. Feoli Chiapella & E. Feoli s.n. ( TSB 93762-3 !) ; Fôretd’Aitone, sol granitique, 1150 m, 27 June 1976, J. Lambinon 76/ Co /579 & J. Duvigneaud 8399 ( TSB 93761 !) ; Col de Bavella 27 May 2004, G. Bacchetta & S. Brullo s.n. ( CAT!, CAG!) ; Zonza a Bocca d’Illaria, 27 May 2004, G. Bacchetta & S. Brullo s.n. ( CAT!, CAG!) ; Col Vizzavona, 27 May 2004, G. Bacchetta & S. Brullo s.n. ( CAT!, CAG!) ; Ponte di Noceta, Venaco, Bastia , 255 m, 29 May 2004, G. Bacchetta & S. Brullo s.n. ( TSB 91824-5 !) ; Tra Bastia e S. Florent, Serra di Pigna, dorsale verso Cima Stella , 850 m, 4 June 2005, F. Martini s.n. ( TSB 91636 !) .

B. subsp. lobelioides (Gamisans) Bacchetta, Brullo & Giusso comb. & stat. nov., Fig. 10

Bas.: Genista lobelii Candolle de var. lobelioides Gamisans (1973: 68)

Syn.: Genista salzmannii var. lobelioides (Gamisans) Gamisans & Jeanmonod (1993: 243) .

Type:— FRANCE. Corse: Massif de l’Incudine, plateau de Coscione, crête à 1 km au S de la punta Tozzarella, 1700 m, 1 August 1972, Gamisans 2254 (holotype: Herb. Gamisans).

It differs from the typical subspecies in having pulvinate habit, up to 60 cm tall, flowers solitary, rarely geminate, bracteoles triangular, 1–1.5 mm, subequal or shorter than the pedicel, calyx with fully decurrent veins, lower lip 2.5– 2.7 mm with teeth 1–1.5 mm long, upper lip shorter than the lower one, 2–2.4 × 1.6–1.8 mm, floral buds with wings covered by the standard, corolla with standard rounded, 12–12.5 × 9–10 mm, wings 10–11 mm, staminal tube 6 mm long, upper anthers 1.3–1.4 mm, pod 10–16 mm long, 2–5-seeded.

Phenology:— Flowering June to early August, fruiting July to September.

Karyology:— The somatic chromosome number of Genista salzamannii subsp. lobelioides was found 2 n = 2x = 18 on material from Bastia, Asco, Haute Asco ( Cusma Velari et al. 2011), sub G. salzmannii var. lobelioides .

Seed micro-morphology:— Cell boundaries are distinguishable. Seed coat is homogeneous and irregularly polygonal, with anticlinal walls slightly raised, corrugate and smoothed on the top, periclinal walls flattened and densely rugose with elongate wrinkles ( Fig. 9 C–D ).

Distribution and Habitat:— This plant is endemic of the high mountains of Corsica where it occurs from 1300 up to 2200 m a.s.l. From the bioclimatic viewpoint, it is distributed in the temperate submediterranean bioclimatic belt with supra- and orosubmediterranean thermotypes, and subhumid to humid ombrotypes. It is a member of the plant communities belonging to the Carici Genistetea lobelii class described by Klein (1972).

Other examined material:— FRANCE. Corsica: M. Cinto, 2300 m, 8 July 1974, L. Feoli Chiapella & E. Feoli s.n.. ( TSB 93760 !) ; M. te Cinto, 11 June 1999, S. Brullo, G. Giusso del Galdo & R. Guarino s.n. ( CAT!) ; Haut Asco, Asco, Bastia, 1825 m, 22 July 2004, C. Adamo, G. Bacchetta, T. Carai , G. Iiriti & C. Pontecorvo s.n. ( TSB 91830 !) ; M. te Cinto, 25 September 2013, S. Brullo s.n. ( CAT!) .

C. subsp. limbarae Bacchetta, Brullo & Giusso subsp. nov., Fig. 11

Type:— ITALY. Sardinia: M. te Limbara, 9 June 1999, G. Bacchetta, S. Brullo, G. Giusso del Galdo & R. Guarino s.n. (holotype CAT!; isotypes CAG!, CAT!) .

A typo habito minore, bracteolis subequalibus pedicello, calyce pilis brevioribus, labio inferiore breviore, dentis brevioribus, labio superiore minore, vexillo majore, alis ciliatis margine basale dorsi, tubo staminale longiore, antheris acutis, lanceolatis, pistillo longiore, stigmate obliquo, legumine breviore, seminibus ovatis, minoribus, differt.

It differs from the typical subspecies in having size up to 50 cm tall, bracteoles subequalling the pedicel, pedicel max 2.5 mm long, calyx with hairs 0.2–0.5 mm long, lower lip 2.5–3 mm with teeth 1–1.4 mm long, upper lip 1.5–2.5 × 1.4–1.6 mm, standard 11–12 × 9.5–10.5 mm, wings ciliate at the basal margin of the back, staminal tube 6 mm long, anthers acute, lanceolate, pistil 11.5–12 mm, stigma oblique, pod 11–15.5 mm long, 2–4-seeded, seeds ovate, 2.5–3 × 1.8–2.5 mm.

Phenology:— Flowering from April to May, fruiting from June to July.

Karyology:— The somatic chromosome number of Genista salzmannii subsp. limbarae was found 2 n = 4x = 36 on material from Mt. Limbara by Villa (1988), sub Genista salzmannii , (and) 2 n = 2x = 18+0-2 B on material from M. Limbara by Cusma Velari et al. (2011), sub Genista salzmannii var. salzmannii .

Seed micro-morphology:— Cell boundaries are indistinguishable. Seed coat is homogeneously rugose, with long, crested and appressed wrinkles ( Fig. 9 E–F ).

Distribution and Habitat:— This subspecies is exclusive of the Goceano-Logudorese biogeographic sector ( Fenu et al. 2014), of the granitic massif of Mt. Limbara (N Sardinia), where it occurs from 900 m up to 1362 m a.s.l. From the bioclimatic point of view, it is localized in the lower supramediterranean belt with subhumid-humid ombrotypes ( Bacchetta et al. 2009). It is a member of the shrubby plant communities of the class Carici-Genistetea lobelii Klein 1972 .

Additional specimens examined (paratypes):— ITALY. Sardinia: Monte Limbara, 15 May 1994, S. Brullo & P. Pavone s.n. ( CAT!) ; M. te Limbara, strada per le cime, esp. W, quota 1100m, Tempio Pausania ( SS), 9 July 2000, G. Bacchetta & M. Casti ( CAG!) ; M. te Limbara, 9 July 2000, G. Bacchetta, S. Brullo & G. Giusso del Galdo s.n. ( CAT!) ; Limbara, Vallicciola, 1000 m, granito, 9 May 1971, S. Pignatti 4216 ( TSB 93764 !) ; Monte Limbara, Tempio ( SS), G. Bacchetta & M. Manconi s.n. ( CAG!) ; M. Limbara, Tempio (Sassari), 1020 m, 28 June 2003, G. Bacchetta s.n. ( TSB 91828-9 !) ; M. Limbara, 16 July 2003, L. Feoli Chiapella & L. Feoli s.n. ( TSB 91826-7 !) .

Figures

FIGURE 8. Diagnostic features of Genista salzmannii subsp. salzmannii. A–B. Flowers. C. Standard (ventral view). D. Standard (dorsal view). E. Wings. F. Keel (dorsal view). G. Keel (ventral view). H. Open calyces. I. Staminal tube (open). J. Pistil. K. Stigma. L. Pods. M. Seeds. N. Bracteoles. Illustration by S. Brullo based on living material coming from the type locality (CAT).

FIGURE 9. SEM micrographs of seed testa of Genista salzmannii subsp. salzmannii (A–B), G. salzmannii subsp lobelioides (C–D), and G. salzmannii subsp. limbarae (E–F).

FIGURE 10. Diagnostic features of Genista salzmannii subsp. lobelioides. A. Flowers. B. Bracteoles. C. Open calyces. D. Standard (dorsal view). E. Standard (ventral view). F. Wings. G. Keel (dorsal view). H. Keel (ventral view). I. Staminal tube (open). J. Pistil. K. Stigma. L. Pods. M. Seeds. Illustration by S. Brullo based on living material coming from the type locality (CAT).

FIGURE 11. Diagnostic features of Genista salzmannii subsp. limbarae. A–B. Flowers. C. Open calyces. D. Standard (ventral view). E. Standard (dorsal view). F. Wings. G. Keel (dorsal view). H. Keel (ventral view). I. Staminal tube (open). J. Pistil. K. Stigma. L. Pods. M. Bracteoles. N. Seeds. Illustration by S. Brullo based on living material coming from the type locality (CAT).