Orobanche caryophyllacea Smith (1798: 169)

Piwowarczyk, Renata, Pedraja, Óscar Sánchez, Moral, Gonzalo Moreno, Fayvush, George, Zakaryan, Narine, Kartashyan, Nune & Aleksanyan, Alla, 2019, Holoparasitic Orobanchaceae (Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche, Phelipanche) in Armenia: distribution, habitats, host range and taxonomic problems, Phytotaxa 386 (1), pp. 1-106 : 64-65

8. Orobanche caryophyllacea Smith (1798: 169) . Type:— ITALY (lectotype designated by Foley 2001: 230): “Gathered in shrubby hills near Valcimara [Valcimarra, Caldarola, Macerata Province, Le Marche Region], at the foot of the Apennines [Apennine Mountains], in April 1787 ” (LINN-herb. Smith 1087.23!). Heterotypic synonyms:— O. vulgaris Poiret (1798: 621) ; O. galii Duby (1828: 349) . Fig. 33E .

Notes: —In addition, here, we designate the lectotype of O. vulgaris one of the aforementioned synonyms. This was done based on materials of the Lamarck herbarium that we suppose were used by the author of this name.

Orobanche vulgaris Poiret (1798: 621) . Type:— FRANCE (lectotype designated here): Orobanche vulgaris, Dic. N. º 2 ... [environs de Paris] 1788 (P-00358186-hb. Lamarck!) ( Lamarck & Candolle 1805: 489, sub O. vulgaris Lam. ). The sheet contains two specimens, the lectotype is the specimen on the right-hand of the sheet, the other is an immature specimen and seems to correspond to the same gathering but its determination is not possible with certainty.

Distribution: —Mainly central (Aragatsotn and Kotayk prov.), eastern (Gegharkunik prov.), south (Vayots Dzor prov.) and southeastern (Syunik prov.), sporadically in the northern (Lori prov.) and northwestern (Shirak prov.) parts ( Fig. 43).

General distribution: —It occurs in Europe, the Mediterranean Region, through Asia Minor, the Caucasus and Iran to central Asia.

Habitat:—Rocky, loamy slopes, grassy slopes, steppe communities, subalpine meadows, edges of forests and shrubs, (800)1500‒2000(2400) m.

Hosts: —Parasitic exclusively on Rubiaceae species ( Galium sp. and Asperula sp. ). Mostly G. verum L., rarely G. humifusum M. Bieb. , G. aparine L.

Phenology: —Flowering May to June (July), fruiting (June) July–August.

Conservation status: —Least Concern (LC). The species has rather wide distribution in Armenia (8 floristic regions). Populations are usually small, from a few to several dozen shoots, usually ca. 10.

Notes: — Orobanche caryophyllacea is one of the most variable species regarding colour, especially of flowers and stems, from albinotic, bright yellow, brown, light pink and purple to violet. Additionally, the colour of the stigma is also variable, from pink, purple, to orange and yellow. It is not uncommon that one population can comprise several colour forms. Over 30 subordinate taxa have been described depending on the colour, pubescence and flower structure ( Beck 1890, 1930).

Specimens examined:— ARMENIA. Aragatsotn prov.: N of Antarut, steppe, rocky slopes, 40°22’27”N, 44°15’42”E, 1960 m, 8 July 2015, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); N of side road to Amberd, rocky slope, 40°24’29”N, 44°14’50”E, 2380 m, 8 July 2015, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); Amberd, subalpine meadows, 2200 m, on Juniperus and Galium , 28 June 1966, A. Osipyan (ERCB) [as O. alba by T. Tsaturyan]; Byurakan-Amberd, 1 July 1968, A. Melikyan (ERCB); Amberd, 2200 m, 27 June 1966, A. Osipyan (ERE); mont. Karny-Jarych [Arai-ler mnt.], 7000’, in pratis subalpinis, ad decliv S [40°23’34”N, 44°26’59”E], 9–13 July 1926, A. Schelkovnikov (ERE) [as O. lutea by A. Grossheim, as O. vulgaris by N. Tzvelev]; Gegharkunik prov.: vicinity of Gokcha [Sevan] Lake, Yelenovka [Sevan], south gravely slope, 1950 m, on Galium verum L., [40°33’09”N, 44°56’39”E], 5 July 1929, P. Smirnov N. 837 (MW); SW of Drakhtik, slopes of the Sevan Lake, 40°33’05”N, 45°12’18”E, 1950 m, 7 June 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); N of Aghberk, grassy slope, 40°33’00”N, 45°16’31”E, 2100 m, 29 July 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); NW of Martuni (near Getik), rocky slope, 40°40’26”N, 45°14’52”E, 1600 m, 29 July 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); Shorzha, 5 July 1974, Nikitiheva (ERCB); Sevan, vicinity of tourist base, [40°36’01”N, 44°57’28”E], 4 July 1976, S. Grigoryan (ERCB); [cf.], prat. subalpin. Jelidja [Norabak], 7000’, 23–25 July 1926, A. Schelkovnikov (ERE); Novo-Bajazet distr. [Gavar], prope pagum Aleksandrovka [Chkalovka], 6500’, 2 July 1928, O. Zedelmejer (ERE); Sevan distr., Gyuney shore, 6 July 1947, A. Takhtajan et al. (ERE); Kotayk prov.: Armenia, Tsahkunjats ridge, south slope of Alibek mountain, vicinity of village Sachlu, [40°32’34”N, 44°42’53”E], June 1977, M.G. Pimenov, E.B. Alekseev, E.V. Kljuykov, L.P. Tomkovich, T.A. Ostroumova, L.F. Volonosova, T.V. Lavrova & N.V. Gruzdev (MW) [as Orobanche elatior ]; N of Meghradzor, rocky slope, 40°38’10”N, 44°39’55”E, 1970 m, 27 July 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); NW of Meghradzor, rocky slope, side road of road to Thezh Mt., 40°39’24”N, 44°37’47”E, 2370 m, 27 July 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); Hrazdan distr., Ahundovo, S part of Pambaki range, 6 July 1987, S. Grigoryan (ERCB) [as O. schelkownikowii ]; Geghart, Airivank gorge, grassy slope, 10 June 1965, E. Gabrielyan (ERCB) [as O. alba by T. Tsaturyan]; Hrazadn distr., Fantan x Ahta, 24 April 1968, T. Tsaturyan (ERCB); Fantan, on meadows, rocky slopes, 24 June 1968, S. Grigoryan (ERCB); Mishana [Hankavan], left slope of Marmarik river, S slope, 24 June 1956, E. Gabrielyan (ERE); Hrazdan region, Takarlu, forest, 11 July 1975, S.S. Dallakan (ERCB) [as O. lutea by S.V. Grigoryan]; Lori prov.: vicinity of Djelal-Ogly [Stepanavan], gorge of Kamenka river [Dzoraget river], edge of precipice, on the meadow, [41°00’54”N, 44°20’29E], 5 June 1922, A. Schelkovnikov (ERE); Shirak prov.: Amasijskij distr., Shaghik village, the shore of the Arpi Lake, 2000–2050 m, 41°03’N, 43°35’E, 4 July 2008, A. Nersesyan & Z. Akopyan (ERE); Syunik prov.: SW of Tasik, rocky slope, 39°26’16”N, 45°56’39”E, 1775 m, 30 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); NE of Arevis, N part of Arevis, rocky slope, 39°24’18”N, 45°54’09”E, ca. 1890 m, 30 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); between Nerkin Giratagh and Verin Giratagh, rocky slope, 39°13’43”N, 46°15’57”E, 1515 m, 15 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); between Kavchut and Geghavank, rocky slope, 39°12’58”N, 46°13’58”E, 1455 m, 15 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); NW part of Geghi, rocky slope, 39°13’29”N, 46°09’00”E, 1590 m, 16 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); Karut, rocky slope, 39°16’15”N, 46°07’02”E, 1960 m, 15 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); between Nor Astghaberd and Ajabaj, rocky slope, 39°14’48”N, 46°06’09”E, 1825 m, 39°14’54”N, 46°05’57”E, 1850 m, 16 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); NE of Lernadzor, rocky slope, 39°10’03”N, 46°12’57”E, 1540 m, 39°09’52”N, 46°12’32”E, 1545 m, 16 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); NW of Vank, rocky, loamy slope, 39°03’02”N, 46°14’47”E, 1930 m, 17 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); E of Shishkert, rocky, loamy slope, 39°04’10”N, 46°21’32”E, 1725 m, 18 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); SE of Vorotan (road on the Azerbaijan side), rocky slope, 39°24’36”N, 46°23’14”E, 1280 m, 2 June 2016, 19 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); SE of Karahunj, rocky slope, 39°26’43”N, 46°23’00”E, 975 m, 2 June 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); NE of Vorotan, N of Eyvazli (on Azerbaijan side), rocky, grassy slope, 39°26’27”N, 46°23’45”E, 860 m, 19 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); E of Goris, grassy slope near main road to Sisian, 39°30’00”N, 46°18’30”E, 1715 m, 19 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); N of Ishkhanasar, rocky, loamy slope, roadsides, 39°35’11”N, 46°02’22”E, 1960 m, 39°36’03”N, 46°02’51”E, 2055 m, 19 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); Meghri distr., rocky slopes, right side of the Meghri river, Vardanidzor, 29 June 1956, T.V. Egorova, N.N. Tzvelev & S.K. Cherepanov (LE); Tavush prov.: Sevan, Areguni, beech forest, W slopes, 6 July 1947, A. Takhtajan et al. (ERE); Krasnoselsk distr. [Gegharkunik marz, Chambarak distr., but maybe Tavush marz, Idjevan distr.], Tarsaget gorge [gorge of Getik river], v.v. Salakh x Chajkend [between villages Aghavnavank and Dzoravank], left slope, glade in Quercus-Tilia forest, S slope [40°42’05”N, 45°06’02”E], 23 June 1959, Ja. Mulkidjanyan (ERE); Vayots Dzor prov.: NW of Artavan, rocky slopes, 39°40’22”N, 45°35’36”E, 1710 m, 27 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); S of Herher, W slope of the Herher Reservoir, rocky slope, 39°42’58”N, 45°32’35”E, 1480 m, 28 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); S part of Herher, grassy slope, 39°45’50”N, 45°32’22”E, 1640 m, 20 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (ERCB, KTC); N of Khachik, rocky slope, 39°39’14”N, 45°12’23”E, 1980 m, 29 June 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); N of Sers, steppe, rocky slope, 39°34’22”N, 45°29’03”E, 2005 m, 31 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); S of Zaritap, 39°36’37”N, 45°29’16”E, 1730 m, 31 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); between Salli and Shatin, rocky slope, 39°50’51”N, 45°17’38”E, 1350 m, 5 June 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); E of Vorotan Pass, loamy, grassy slope, 39°41’28”N, 45°41’48”E, 2210 m, 19 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); NE of Gndevaz, slope near the road, 39°46’05”N, 45°37’38”E, 1890 m, 22 June 2017, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC); Jermuk, 30 June 1974, M. Taslonyan (ERCB) [as O. schelkovnikovii by T. Tsaturyan]; Jermuk, forest, 27 July 1967, A. Takhtajan et al. (ERE); Agarakadzor S, rocky slope, 26 May 2016, R. Piwowarczyk (KTC).

Figures

FIGURE 33. General habit of: A. Orobanche coerulescens, B. O. cernua, C. O. grenieri, D. O. lutea, E. O. caryophyllacea, F. O. zajaciorum. Photos by Renata Piwowarczyk.