Allium sunhangii F.O.Khass., Tojibaev & Yusupov, 2023

Khassanov, Furkat O., Pulatov, Sardorjon, Asatulloev, Temur, Ergashov, Ibrokhimjon, Tojibaev, Komiljon Sh. & Yusupov, Ziyoviddin, 2023, Allium sunhangii - a new species from section Brevidentia F. O. Khass. & Iengal. (Amaryllidaceae) from Southern Pamir-Alay, Uzbekistan, PhytoKeys 219, pp. 35-48 : 35

Allium sunhangii F.O.Khass., Tojibaev & Yusupov sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2 , 3

Type.

Uzbekistan. Surkhandarya province , Babatag Ridge, Zarkasa peak, 37.986537, 68.166650, 2251 m a.s.l., 22 June 2021, S.O. Pulatov and O.A.Turdiboev 22062021001. (TASH109001!, holotype; TASH109002! and TASH111001!, isotypes) .

Description.

Bulbs 0.4-0.8 cm wide, 0.7-0.9 cm long, ovoid, solitary tunics reticulate, light brown, bulblets several, smooth, brownish. Scape terete, erect, 4.5-10 cm high, 1.0-1.2 mm wide. Spathe bivalved, persistent, ca 4 mm long, with short beak. Leaves 2-4, narrowly linear, longer than inflorescence, 6-12 cm long, 1.0-1.5 mm wide, semi-terete. Inflorescence lax, umbellate, hemispheric, 10 to 15-flowered. Flowers widely cup-shaped, nearly star-like, ca 5 mm long. Pedicels 2-3 times longer than tepals, at base with bracts. Tepals lanceolate-ovate, smooth, whitish with a dirty greenish-purple midvein, 2.5-4 mm long, outer tepals slightly longer than inner ones. Filaments 1.5-2.0 times longer than tepals, inner ones 3-cuspidate, filament bearing cusp 2 times longer than basal teeth. Style exerted from flowers. Capsule 2 mm in diam.

Diagnosis.

This species is most similar to Allium brevidens Vved. (Fig. 1 ), from which it differs in a more compact habit, remaining small spathe with a short beak, unequal tepals and strongly exserted, dark violet filaments (Fig. 2 ).

Distribution and habitat.

Allium sunhangii is known from one population occurring to the south in the northwestern part of the Zarkasa peak, at 2251 m a.s.l. (Figs 3 , 4 ). New species grows in continental and drier Juniperus forests (Fig. 4B 1- B2) ( Juniperus seravschanica Kom.) primarily on loamy soil, with shrubs ( Cotoneaster nummularius Fisch. & C.A.Mey., Lonicera nummulariifolia Jaub. & Spach, Rosa canina L., Rosa ecae Aitch.), perennial ( Convolvulus lineatus L., Dianthus tetralepis Nevski & Schischk., Eremurus Phlomis olgae Regel, Gentiana olivieri Griseb., Hypericum scabrum L., Malva neglecta Wallr., Phlomis olgae Regel, Primula baldshuanica B. Fedtsch., Ziziphora pamiroalaica Juz.), annual and biennial ( Cousinia candicans Juz., C. microcarpa Boiss., Daucus carota L., Lactuca serriola L., Lappula microcarpa (Ledeb.) Giirke, Veronica cardiocarpa (Kar. & Kir.) Walp.,) herbs and is always with dominance by Carex pachystylis J.Gay.

Etymology.

Allium sunhangii is named after Prof. Sun Hang, one of the leading botanists at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, who actively promotes several projects within Central Asia.

Phenology.

Allium sunhangii was flowering (Fig. 4 A 1-A2) on 22 June, 2021 when we found its fruits began to mature at the same time. It is supposed that flowering starts in about late May and/or early June. As we visited this area only once, we are not sure when fruiting finishes.

Conservation status.

Allium sunhangii is so far only known from two closely spaced localities. The total distribution area of this species is around 5 km2. The total number of individuals does not exceed 41. However, the new species is categorized as 'Data Deficient’ (DD) according to IUCN (2019) criteria.

Figures

Figure 1. Holotype of Allium sunhangii F. O. Khass., Tojibaev & Z. Yuss., sp. nov.

Figure 2. Allium sunhangii A-A 1 whole and longitudinal section of flower with teeth B view of single flower C cross section of pistil D-D 1 bulb tunic and bulb E general view of species without leaves.

Figure 3. Distribution of Allium sunhangii, A. brevidens, A. nikolai and A. pshikharvicum.

Figure 4. A 1 - A 2 inflorescence and general view of growing Allium sunhangii B 1 - B 2 Zarkasa peak and habitat landscape.