Verbascum mughlaeum H.Duman, Uzunh. & Kit Tan, 2017

Duman, Hayri, Uzunhisarcikli, M. Erkan & Tan, Kit, 2017, Verbascum mughlaeum (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from SW Anatolia, Turkey, Phytotaxa 291 (3), pp. 231-236 : 231-232

Verbascum mughlaeum H.Duman, Uzunh. & Kit Tan , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 & 2 )

Verbascum mughlaeum is related to V. syriacum , from which it differs mainly in calyx length (lobes 1.5–2.5 mm vs. 4–6 mm), degree of division (parted to base vs. parted to half or two-thirds), size of corolla (10–15 mm diam. vs. 18–20 mm) and presence of pellucid glands on the petals (vs. pellucid glands absent).

Type: — TURKEY. C 2 Muğla: Fethiye, Saklıkent, on rocky limestone slopes, 110 m, 17 April 1998, H. Duman 6630 (holotype GAZI!, isotypes ANK!, C! HUB!).

Perennial herb 30–50 cm tall, densely eglandular white or yellowish-white stellate-tomentose. Rootstock woody, bearing a single, unbranched, erect-ascending flowering stem from each leaf rosette. Basal leaves petiolate, forming a rosette; petiole 1–2 cm long, slightly winged; lamina elliptic-lanceolate, 4–12.5 × 2.5–4 cm, entire, ± acute, densely white to yellowish stellate-tomentose; lower cauline leaves similar to basal ones; upper cauline leaves sessile, smaller, elliptic-lanceolate, acute to obtuse. Inflorescence paniculate, with several ascending-erect branches bearing clusters of (1–)3–5(–6) flowers. Bracts linear-lanceolate, 2–3 mm long, stellate-tomentose, acute. Pedicels short, elongating to 1–2 mm in fruit. Bracteoles linear-lanceolate, 1.5–2 mm long, acute to acuminate. Calyx divided to base; lobes equal, linear-lanceolate, 1.5–2.5 mm long, acute, stellate-tomentose. Corolla rotate, unequally 5-lobed, lemon-yellow, 10–15 mm diam., pellucid-dotted, stellate-tomentose outside. Stamens 5; filaments free, 3–5 mm long, orange-yellow, with dense white wool right up to anthers; anthers reniform, c. 0.5 × 0.7–1 mm, orange. Style filiform, 6–9 mm long; stigma clavate, orange-yellow. Capsule oblong-cylindrical, 4–6 × 1.8–2 mm, densely stellate-tomentose. Seeds numerous, oblong to prismatic, 0.6–0.8 × 0.3–0.5 mm, dark brown, alveolate and reticulate-rugose.

Distribution, habitat and phenology: —This attractive species seems to be restricted to SW Anatolia, in the provinces of Muğla and Antalya (C2 grid square as adopted in Flora of Turkey). It is a true chasmophyte, occurring in clefts and crevices of rocky limestone cliffs and slopes, in sunny places and at low altitudes of 10– 110 m. A total of c. 100 individuals, both flowering and fruiting, were counted during our visits but in all likelihood, the populations may be much larger. Although the two localities are in different provinces (vilayets) the actual distance apart is only 8–10 km. Following IUCN (2010) conventional categories whereby V. mughlaeum would be placed in the “Critically Endangered category” (CR) because the known area of occupancy is less than 10 km 2 (Criterion B2) and the population size of the species was noted as less than 100 mature individuals, in actual fact we have not noticed any threats to its existence, whether natural or man-made. No further visits to the area are planned at the moment but it is very likely the plants would still be there in the near future. The plants flower in April to May, with mature fruits expected to develop by June and July.

Etymology:―The species epithet is derived from Muğla Province, where the new species was first discovered eighteen years ago.

Specimens cited: — TURKEY. C2 Muğla: Fethiye, Saklıkent , rocky limestone slopes, 110 m, 17 April 1998, H. Duman 7134 ( GAZI!) ; Antalya: Kaş, Patara, 1 km N of Gelemiş , limestone cliffs, 36°17’N, 29°19’E, 10 m, 2 May 2014, M. Ekici 5449 & H. Duman ( GAZI!) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Verbascum mughlaeum on limestone rock in type locality.

FIGURE 2. Verbascum mughlaeum in early fruit.