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http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/

Turkish Journal of Botany Turk J Bot(2013) 37: 836-840© TÜBİTAKdoi:10.3906/bot-1210-36

Astragalus yukselii (Leguminosae), a new species from Turkey

Seher KARAMAN ERKUL1,*, Zeki AYTAÇ2

1Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

* Correspondence: seherkaraman@yahoo.com

1. IntroductionThe genus Astragalus L. is represented by approximately 3000 species worldwide. In Turkey, this genus comprises about 425 taxa including 218 endemic species classified in 63 sections (Chamberlain & Matthews, 1970; Davis et al., 1988; Maassoumi, 1998; Aytaç, 2000). The hair characters are very important for distinguishing Astragalus species (Mehr et al., 2012).

Astragalus sect. Macrophyllium Boiss. was validly published by Boissier (1872). Tragacanthic Astragalus in the Flora of Turkey was accounted for by Chamberlain and Matthews (1970). Astragalus sect. Macrophyllium and many other groups of thorny species have been revised in recent decades (Tietz, 1988; Tietz & Zarre, 1994; Zarre & Podlech, 1996; Maassoumi, 1998; Zarre, 2000).

Sect. Macrophyllium is represented by 8 taxa, and of these, 5 are endemic to Turkey (Chamberlain & Matthews, 1970). According to Zarre (2000), the number of Astragalus species assigned to this section in Turkey is 5, and only A. isauricus Hub.-Mor. & V.A.Matthews is endemic to Turkey.

The species of sect. Macrophyllium possess the largest leaves and inflorescences within the tragacanthic Astragalus species. Turkey, with 5 species, is the main diversification centre of the section; the same number of species is also known from Iran. The taxa of this section form more or less loose subcushions, and in contrast to many other tragacanthic species, they do not form dense populations (Zarre, 2000).

2. Materials and methodsIn June 2011 during a field trip near Hadim (south of Konya) in the context of a revisional study of sect. Macrophyllium, we encountered an unusual population of Astragalus within an A. isauricus population. Further studies revealed that they were not referable to any known taxon of the genus. Therefore, a new species is described here. The specimens were checked with the Flora Uzbekistana (Borissova, 1955), Flora Tadzikistana (Borissova, 1937), Flora USSR (Borissova, 1946), Flora Kavkaza (Grossheim, 1952), Flora Europaea (Chater, 1968), Flora of Turkey (Chamberlain & Matthews, 1970; Davis et al., 1988; Aytaç, 2000), Flora Azerbaijana (Rzazade, 1954), Flora of Iraq (Townsend, 1971, 1974), Flora Palaestina (Zohary, 1987), Flora of Iran (Maassoumi, 2003), and other relevant literature (Yakovlev et al., 1996; Maassoumi, 1998; Zarre, 2000) and were compared with the types and other representative collections at the GAZI and E herbaria. The abbreviations of the plant name authors were checked according to Brummitt and Powell (1992).

3. Results Astragalus yukselii Karaman & Aytaç, sp. nov. (Figures 1 and 2).

Type: C4 Konya: Hadim, 3 km from Hadim to Taşkent, steppe, 1580 m, 11.06.2011, S.Karaman 2620 & Y.Karaman (holotype: GAZI, isotypes: ANK, GAZI).

Diagnoses: Affinis Astragalus isauricus, sed foliis sparsis ad dense hirsutis (non glaber); bracteis pilosus (non

Abstract: Astragalus yukselii Karaman & Aytaç (Leguminosae) is described as a new species and illustrated. The species is distributed near the town of Hadim in Konya Province (South Anatolia). Diagnostic morphological characters useful in discriminating the new species from its close relatives, A. isauricus Hub.-Mor. & V.A.Matthews and A. karjaginii (Boriss.) Boriss., are explained. Both species clearly belong to Astragalus L. sect. Macrophyllium Boiss., which is characterised by large leaves and flowers. We also present some notes on the ecology, biogeography, and conservation status of the new species.

Key words: Astragalus, new species, Macrophyllium, Leguminosae, Turkey

Received: 18.10.2012 Accepted: 01.05.2013 Published Online: 06.09.2013 Printed: 30.09.2013

Research Article

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Figure 1. Habit of Astragalus yukselii: a- herbarium label, b- in natural habitat.

Figure 2. Distribution map of Astragalus yukselii (✶) and A. isauricus (■).

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glaber); omnis floris cum bibracteolis (non bibracteolis) differt. Affinis Astragalus karjaginii, sed foliis 7–14 jugus (non 4–6 jugus); omnis floris cum bibracteolis (nec ebracteolis); fructibus 10–12 mm longis (non 5–6 mm longis) differt.

Description: Dwarf cushion-forming shrublets, 25–40 cm tall, loosely branched from the base. Hairs on leaves 0.4–1 mm, on the calyx up to 3 mm long, mostly appressed, on vegetative part often straight and thin. Stem from a prostrate caudex ascending, up to 20 cm long, densely appressed-hairy below stipules, gradually glabrescent. Stipules yellowish whitish thinly membranous, hyaline at margins, 21–25 mm long, triangular-lanceolate, shortly acuminate at tip, 7–8 mm (one-third of their length) adnate to petiole, otherwise free from each other, with 16–17 parallel nerves at free portion, glabrous. Leaves 7–27 cm long; rachis thick, rigid, straight or curved, obliquely erect, sparsely spreading-hairy, soon glabrescent; petiole one-fifth to one-fourth as long as the rachis (3–6 cm long); leaflets 7–14 pairs, yellowish to light greenish, 4–26 × 1–6 mm, narrowly oblong-elliptic, acute at tip, with a mucro 0.5–1 mm long, prominently veined, sparsely or densely spreading hairy. Inflorescence dense, ovoid to cylindrical, 5–12 × 4–5 cm, composed of 4–10 flowered axillary clusters, flowers sessile. Bracts thinly membranous, yellowish white, 10–15 × 2–4 mm, lanceolate-oblong, navicular, acuminate, pilose at tip and base, ciliate at margins. Bracteoles 2 membranous pieces, yellowish whitish, 4–5 × 0.7–1 mm, lanceolate, subulate to linear, distinctly shorter than calyx, glabrous at base. Calyx white to green, turbinate, with green or purple teeth, 20–22 mm long, with 13–15 parallel nerves, densely pilose; teeth 10–12 mm long, as long as or longer than the tube, pilose. Corolla pink to purple, claws of wings and keel 5–6 mm adnate to staminal tube. Standard 24–27 mm long; limb 14–18 × 8–10 mm, oblong-pandurate, constricted at lower part, rounded at tip; claw 7–9 mm long, narrowly cuneate. Wings 22–25 mm long; limbs 9–11 × 2.5–4 mm, oblong, obtuse at apex; auricle 0.8–1 mm long; claw 12–15 mm long, 1.2–1.5 times longer than limb. Keel 18–20 mm long; limb 7–8 × 2.7–3 mm long, elliptic, with broadly curved lower edge and concave upper edge, minutely mucronulate at tip; claw 12–14 mm long, 1.5 times longer than limb. Stamens 18–21 mm long, on upper part 5–6 mm free from each other. Ovary 20–24 mm long, densely covered by short sericeous hairs; style 14–16 mm long, hairy at base or up to lower half. Fruits dorsoventrally compressed, 10–12 mm long, about 3 mm high and 5–6 mm wide, ovate to oblong-elliptic, densely covered by villous hairs; beak 1–2 mm long, straight or hooked. Seeds light to dark brown, brown with black spots, 3–3.5 × 2 mm, elliptic, reniform. Fl.6, Fr.8.

Etymology: This species is named in honour of a plant collector and the father of Seher Karaman Erkul.

Distribution and ecology: Astragalus yukselii is endemic, restricted to Hadim (Konya), and an Irano-Turanian element. It grows on roadsides and steppe, between 1500 and 1600 m. The new species is closely related to A. isauricus (Figure 2).

Conservational status: The specimens were collected in C4 Konya (Hadim), where the species seems to be very local. It is known only from the type locality. The range of this local endemic species is restricted to a single location (IUCN criteria B1a). Human activities, especially road-widening works, are threatening the species. Populations are pure, with an area of occupancy smaller than 10 km2, and according to field observations, it is estimated that the total number of individuals of these endemic species does not exceed 70–80 in its single locality (criteria B2a and C). Therefore, we suggest that Astragalus yukselii should be evaluated as critically endangered (CR), according to the IUCN (2010) Red List categories and criteria.

4. DiscussionAstragalus yukselii is closely related to A. isauricus and A. karjaginii by having membranous stipules (Table). With the exceptions of A. isauricus and A. karjaginii, the members of sect. Macrophyllium have chartaceous or papery stipules. Astragalus isauricus is the only species of the section with a restricted distribution area. A. karjaginii and the others are common in the Irano-Turanian phytochorion (Zarre, 2000).

Astragalus yukselii is distinguishable from A. isauricus by spreading hairy leaflets (not glabrous); pilose bracts at apex and base that are ciliate at margins (not glabrous); bracteoles 2 membranous pieces (not absent); calyx densely pilose and 20–22 mm long (not densely appressed-villous and shorter than 15 mm); elliptic, broadly curved lower edge and concave upper edge as well as minutely mucronulate keel (not triangular-oblong, with rectangular lower edge and straight upper edge); stamens free at upper 5–6 mm (not 3 mm); fruit 10–12 mm long (not 8–10 mm) (Figure 3).

Astragalus yukselii is also comparable to A. karjaginii, but can be distinguished by the following characteristics: A. yukselii is 25–40 cm tall (not 20–30 cm); its stipules are triangular-lanceolate (not ovate to broadly ovate); leaflets 7–14 pairs (not 4–6 pairs); inflorescence ovoid to cylindrical, longer than wide (not globose, wider than long); 2 bracteoles present (not absent); calyx densely pilose, 20–22 mm long (not 13–18 mm); fruits 10–12 × 5–6 mm (not 5–6 × 3–3.5 mm).

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Table. Comparison of Astragalus yukselii with the 2 morphologically similar species.

Character A. yukselii A. isauricus A. karjaginii

Stipules21–25 mm, triangular-lanceolate, with 16–17 parallel nerves at free portion, glabrous

13–22 mm, triangular-lanceolate, with 8–17 parallel nerves at free portion, glabrous

10–16 mm, ovate to broadly ovate, with 1–3 parallel nerves at free portion, younger ones densely appressed-tomentose, mature glabrescent

Leaflets 7–14 pairs 7–12 pairs 4–6 pairs

Leaflet indumentumsparsely or densely spreading hairy

glabrous

lower surface with appressed hairs or sometimes dense appressed short hairs and sparse subpatent longer hairs, upper surface sparsely appressed short hairy, soon glabrescent

Bract indumentumpilose at apex and base, ciliate at margins

completely glabrousdensely appressed-pilose toward apex and on midrib, ciliate at margins, otherwise glabrous

BracteolesCalyx

2 densely pilose; teeth 10–12 mm long, as long as or longer than the tube, pilose

absent densely appressed-villous; teeth about 7 mm long, as long as the tube, densely appressed-villous

absent densely appressed-villous; teeth 6–9 mm long, as long as the tube, densely appressed villous

Keel elliptic triangulate-oblong elliptic

Free part of stamens 5–6 mm 3 mm 3–5 mm

Fruits 10–12 × 5–6 mm 8–10 × 5–7 mm 5–6 × 3–3.5 mm

Figure 3. Astragalus yukselii: a- calyx and bracteole; b- bract; c- upper surface of leaflet; d- lower surface of leaflet; e- (left to right) standard, wing, keel, staminal tube, calyx, ovary. Astragalus isauricus: f- calyx; g- bract; h- upper surface of leaflet; i- lower surface of leaflet; j- (left to right) standard, wing, keel, staminal tube, calyx, ovary.

f

b

g

c

h

d

i

e

j

a

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These specimens were compared to the specimens of related taxa in the GAZI and E herbaria (Appendix).1. Stipules thinly membranous

2. Shoots, leaflets, and rachis glabrous.......A. isauricus2. Shoots, leaflets, and rachis hairy

3. Leaflets 4–6 pairs; bracteoles absent; fruit 5–6 mm..................................................... A. karjaginii

3. Leaflets 7–14 pairs; bracteoles present; fruit 10–12 mm……........................................... A. yukselii

1. Stipules chartaceous ………....................... A. cephalotes

AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) for supporting this study financially (Project No.: TBAG-110 T 911).

AppendixAdditional specimens examined. − Astragalus yukselii: C4 Konya: Hadim, 3 km from Hadim to Taşkent, steppe, 1580 m, 24.08.2011, S.Karaman 2689 (paratype: GAZI). − Astragalus isauricus: Turkey. C3 Konya: Seydişehir-Akseki road, 15th km, 1665 m, 24.07.1997, A.Duran 4238 (GAZI! MSB); C4 Konya: Ermenek, Damlaçal, 1750 m, 07.07.1978, forest of Cedrus libani, Vural 960 (E! GAZI!); C4 Konya: Hadim, 3rd km from Hadim to Taşkent, steppe, 1550–1600 m, 11.06.2011, S. Karaman 2549 (GAZI). − Astragalus karjaginii: Armenia. Vedi region, 1750 m, 14.7.1948, Akhverdov s.n. (E!). Iran: Prov. W Azarbaijan. Qushchi pass between Shahpur and Rezaiyeh, N side, 1800 m, 12.06.1971, Lamond 4093 (E!); 26 km W Rezaiyeh towards Serow, steep and loose conglomerate rocks, 1600–1700 m, 14.06.1971, Lamond 4132 (E!).

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