Gypsophila munzurensis Armağan, 2016

Armağan, Metin, 2016, Gypsophila munzurensis (Caryophyllaceae), a new species from Tunceli (Turkey), Phytotaxa 275 (2), pp. 175-180 : 176

Gypsophila munzurensis Armağan sp. nov. ( Figure 1–2 )

Type:— TURKEY. Tunceli: Ovacık, Munzur Valley, 30. km from Tunceli to Ovacık, oak forest openings and eroded slopes, 39°17’01.1”N, 39°26’10.2”E, 1080 m, 24 July 2014, Armağan & Özel 5645 (holotype VANF-165058!, isotype W!).

Diagnosis:— Gypsophila munzurensis is morphologically similar to G. pilosa from which differs in having semiamplexicaule and glabrous leaves (not cuneate, not hairy as in G. pilosa ), glandular hairy, always erect pedicels (not glabrous, not pendulous in fruit), glabrous bracts (not hairy), linear-oblong, truncate-retuse petals (not contracted between the limb and the claw, not emarginate–bilobed) ( Table 1, Fig. 1 ).

Description:— Annual. Stems 60–100 cm high, erect, glabrous at the base, dichotomously branched from 1/3 stem, branches of inflorescence glandular hairy above the nodes. Leaves decussate, lanceolate, acute, semiamplexicaule, 2.5–10.0 × 0.6–2.6 cm, glabrous. Inflorescence large, many flowered, dichasial. Pedicel capillary, up to 5 cm long, glandular hairy at the base. Bracts 1–2 mm long, leafy, linear-lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Calyx 3.0– 4.8 mm campanulate-turbinate, glabrous, incised nearly to 1/3; teeth ovate, acute to apiculate, with crowded crystals. Petal 8–10 × 1.5–2.0 mm, linear-oblong, truncate-retuse, white with purple veins on the lower half. Stamens 10, shorter than petals. Ovary globose, with two divergent styles. Capsules exceeding the calyx, 4–6 mm long, ovoid. Ovules 14–16. Seeds orbicular-reniform, acute tuberculate, dark brown to black, 1.4–1.5 × 1.5–1.6 mm.

Phenology:— Flowering and fruiting times June‒July.

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the Munzur valley, the type locality. “Munzur” is a mountain range between Erzincan and Tunceli and also name of the river in Tunceli.

Verbacular name:— Munzur’un nefesi, Munzur’s-breath ( Turkey).

Distribution and habitats:— The new species can be considered endemic to Tunceli ( Turkey) at the being time. It grows in the open fields of oak forest and slopes, at 1060−1080 m a.s.l.

Conservation status: —The habitat of Gypsophila munzurensis is represented by a corridor of about 4 km in the Munzur valley. This valley has protected as a National Park since 1971. However, some dams are planned to build on the Munzur valley in the near future. These dams will establish serious threats for not only these new species but also the whole biodiversity. Therefore, I propose that the threat category of G. munzurensis should be critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria ( IUCN 2014).

Other specimens examined ( G. pilosa ):— TURKEY. Konya, Karapınar, Andıklık hill, 1024 m, steppe, 12 May 2010, Armağan 3582 ( VANF!) ; Konya, Akyokuş, side of Keçilidere , 1050 m, 14 June 1980, Dural 581 ( KNYA!) ; Van, Gürpınar, between Hamurkesen and Işıkpınar villages, 2000 m, step, 03 July 2003, Ünal 8425 ( VANF!) ; Van, Gürpınar, between Hamurkesen and Işıkpınar villages, 2113 m, side of the fields, 11 July 2009, Fidan 2 ( VANF!) ; Malatya, between Malatya and Elazığ, 18. km from Malatya, 815 m, side of the vineyards, 19 August 2009, Fidan 4 ( VANF!) ; Tunceli, 8 km from Çemişgezek to Pertek , 1175 m, roadside, 28 June 2015, Armağan 6703 ( VANF!) ; Kahramanmaraş, around of Elbistan sugar refinery, 1100 m, 28 May 1988, Duman 3894 ( GAZI!) ; Mersin, Ermenek- Tekeçatı, Yumru Tepe , 1400 m, steppe on the roadside, 26 August 1992, Vural 6145 ( GAZI!) ; Kırıkkale, Delice, around of Gözükızıllı village , 710 m, calcareous soils, 03 June 1990, Dönmez 2367 ( HUB!) ; Isparta, Eğirdir, Aksu, Yaka village , above Yukarı Sayacak , 1700 m, steppe, 10 July 1974, Peşmen & Güner 1774 ( HUB!) . CYPRUS. Letymvou , defile on mountain ridge N of village, 400 m, margin of a vineyard, 11 May 1999, Hand 3197 (B!) . SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC. 8 km of Damask towards the west, 25 May 1957, Rechinger 13155 (W!) . IRAN. Kowleh 65 km Sanandaj versus Divandarreh , 1950 m, 29 June 1974, Rechinger 48555 (B!) . IRAQ. Mosul, Loam of rolling hills 19 km north of Qayyarah , 06 May 1963, Barkley & Haddad 5488 (K!) . AZERBAIJAN. 6 km NW of Shahindez , soil slopes, 1380 m, margin of field, 04 June 1974, Wendelbo et al. 12125 (W!) . TURKMENISTAN. Kopet dagh, in the valley of the Firiuzinka River , 500−600 m, 21 September 1976, Vašak (B!) . AFGHANISTAN. 30 km E of Herat on road to Obeh , 1050 m, fielside, 13 May 1969, Wendelbo et al. 7951 (E!) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. A. Holotype of Gypsophila munzurensis (VANF 165058!) B. Calyx. C. Ovary D. Petal and stamens E. Capsule F. Seeds.

FIGURE 2. Gypsophila munzurensis A. Leaves in habits B. Glandular hairs on the inflorescence and bracts C. Flowers in habits.