Prangos eriantha (Candolle) Lyskov & Pimenov, 2017

Lyskov, Dmitry F., Samigullin, Tahir H. & Pimenov, Michael G., 2017, Molecular and morphological data support the transfer of the monotypic Iranian genus Alococarpum to Prangos (Apiaceae), Phytotaxa 299 (2), pp. 223-233 : 231

Prangos eriantha (Candolle) Lyskov & Pimenov comb. nov. Cachrys eriantha Candolle (1830: 238) . Alococarpum erianthum (Candolle) Riedl & Kuber in Kuber et al. (1964: 364).

Type :— IRAN. In glareosis ad Badalan Persiae [distr. Khoi], 21.07.1828, Szovits 565 (lectotype G-DC!, designated here by Pimenov & Jacquemoud; isolectotypes C, G-BOIS!, K!, LE!, M, S!, W!) .

Polycarpic, herbaceous plants with thick tap-root. Stems 40–60 cm tall and 3–5 mm Ø at the base, mainly single, plump, angular, thin-grooved, scabrous, alternately branched from middle part, covered with remains of petioles and sheaths. Petioles up to 3 cm long, with narrow sheaths at base, scabrous; leaf blades 30–40 cm long, 20–26 cm wide, ovate, 3–4 time pinnate, glabrous; leaf segments from first to third with petiolules; terminal lobes 6–8 mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide, linear, acute; stem leaves significantly smaller than basal leaves. Terminal umbels 4–6 cm Ø, with 3–5 rays, with 3–4 linear, prickly, glabrous, entire bracts; rays 3–4 cm long, sometimes unequal, scabrous; umbellets up to 1 cm Ø, 9–12 flowers, with 2–3 linear, prickly, glabrous, entire, bracteoles. Flowers nearly sessile with equal, thickened, glabrous pedicels 0.5–1.5 mm long, petals yellowish. Mericarps elliptic to elongated ( Fig. 1c ), 15–20 × 5–8 mm, homomorphic, slightly dorsally compressed, covered with nonbranching simple hairs ( Fig. 1a ); only primary ribs presented, all ribs straight, obtuse, with continuous margin, equal; commissure intermediate; mesocarp divided into an outer “epimesocarp” and inner mesocarp ( Fig. 2c ); inner mesocarp divided into five completely separated parts, consisting of parenchymatous cells with thickened and pore walls, “epimesocarp” consisting of parenchymatous, nonlignified cells; the most of vascular bundles thin, situated in inner mesocarp layer; two commissural vascular bundles big, situated in “epimesocarp”, vittae thin, multiple, formed circle near endocarp, vallecular and commissural vittae absent; rib secretory ducts thin, numerous; endosperm with mushroom-like groove at commissural side.

Distribution and habitat:— Prangos eriantha is currently known from West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Qazvin and Tehran provinces of Iran. It grows on dry open slopes between 1200 and 1500 m above sea level.

Phenology:— Flowering April− May; fruiting July− September.

Additional specimens examined:— IRAN: West Azerbaijan, Urmia, between Salmas and Tasuj, after Sadqyan, V. Mozaffarian 71662 (TARI); West Azerbaijan, Urmia, 25 km from Salmas to Tasuj, Asadi & Salehi 32004 (TARI); West Azerbaijan, 10 km from Khoy, Babakhanlu 24574 (TARI); West Azerbaijan, Tasuj, Siami & Zahzad 6667 (TARI); West Azerbaidjan, Rezaiyeh (=Urmia), Remaudière s.n. (W 1965-0006877); Azerbaijan, Lac Urmia, Remaudière s.n. (P02422224); Azerbaijan, monte Kaplankou, Aucher 3581 (LE, P02422273, P02422275, P02422285); Persia borealis, Szovits s.n. (P02422287); Azerbaijan, monte Kaplankou, Aucher 4557 (P02422288); East Azerbaidjan, 16.5 km S Mianeh, H. Pabot 5120, (W 1976-0006348); East Azerbaidjan, Mianeh, H. Pabot s.n. (W 1971-0001013); Qazvin, Rechinger 6788 (TARI); Tehran, Keredj, V. Mozaffarian 64220 (TARI); Tehran, Keredj, Gauba 2121a (B 10 0184395, B 10 0184396); [illegible] (P02422284); no locality, s.d., anonymus (P02422286).

Figures

FIGURE 1 Surface of mericarps (A, B) and general view of mericarps (C–F), scale interval (C–F) = 5 mm: A. Alococarpum erianthum (Iran, Azerbaijan, Szovitz 565 (P02422277); B. Prangos cheilanthifolia (Iran, Esfahan prov., 31 May 1974, Iranshahr s.n. (TARI); C. Alococarpum erianthum (see Fig. 1a); D. P. cheilanthifolia (see Fig. 1b); E. P. tschimganica (Uzbekistan, Tashkent prov., 17 Aug. 1958, Pavlov 19 (MW); F. P. ledebourii (Kazakhstan, Jungar Alatau, 01 Jul. 1974, Pimenov 501 (MW).

FIGURE 2 Mericarps cross sections, scale interval =1 mm:A. Cachrys libanotis picture by Pimenov &Tikhomirov (1983); B. Bilacunaria microcarpa picture by Pimenov & Tikhomirov (1983); C. Alococarpum erianthum (Iran, Azerbaijan, Szovitz 565 (P02422277); D. Prangos ferulacea (Turkey, Konya, 15 Aug. 2008, Pimenov & Kljuykov 79 (MW): 1—rib, 2—“epimesocarp”, 3—inner mesocarp, 4—vascular bundles, 5—secretory ducts, 6—endosperm. All designations of the Alococarpum erianthum and following figures are the same; E. P. ledebourii (Kazakhstan, Jungar Alatau, 01 Jul. 1974, Pimenov 501 (MW); F. P. peucedanifolia (Armenia turcica, Kharput, 28 May 1889, Stapf 554 (LE); G. P. tschimganica (see Fig. 1e); H. P. cheilanthifolia (see Fig. 1b).