Asperula fidanii Eroğlu, 2022

Eroğlu, Hüseyin, 2022, Asperula fidanii sp. nov. (Rubiaceae, Asperula L. sect. Oppositifoliae Schischk. ex Schönb. - Tem.): a new species from South Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, Adansonia (3) 44 (19), pp. 199-209 : 203-205

Asperula fidanii Eroğlu , sp. nov.

( Figs 3 ; 4 )

Asperula fidanii sp. nov. resembles A. fragillima Boiss. & Hausskn. , but is easily differentiated from it by its setulose hairiness (not velutinose, partially pubescent or glabrous), by having ovate-lanceolate to elliptical-lanceolate leaves (not oblong, rarely elliptical or ovate), having semi-revolute margins of leaves (not flat), having white, tubular, hairy corolla (not pink, infundibular and glabrous or velutinose), corolla length of 2-2.5 mm (not 3.5-5 mm). Asperula fidanii sp. nov. is similar to A. friabilis , but mainly differs from it by its setulose hairiness (not subvillous), ovate-orbicular basal leaf shape (not broadly obovate-spathulate), longer and wider middle and upper leaves of 3-21 × (2)4-7(9) mm (not 5-10 × 1.5-2.5 mm), corolla length of 2-2.5 mm (not 1.5 mm), corolla tube longer than lobes (not somewhat shorter than lobes) and glabrous ovarium (not velutinose). Asperula fidanii sp. nov. is also similar to A. podlechii , but is basically different from it by its setulose hairiness (not short scabrid to glabrous), hairy leaves (not glabrous), ovate-orbicular basal leaf shape (not obovate to suborbicular), longer and wider middle and upper leaves of 3-21 × (2)4-7(9) mm (not 4-8 × 1.5-2.5 mm), tubular corolla shape (not infundibular), pubescent corolla (not scabrid) and oblong ovarium shape (not elongated ellipsoid) ( Table 1 ).

TYPE. — Turkey. C9 ŞIrnak: Beytüşşebap, southeast of IlIcak Village , around of thermal spring, 37°34’58”N, 43°08’02”E, limestone rock crevices, 1350 m, 27.VII.2020, H. Eroğlu 1616, (holo-, VANF! ; iso-, SUFAF!) .

PHENOLOGY. — The flowering period of Asperula fidanii sp. nov. is between July and September, the fruiting time is August and September.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — Asperula fidanii sp. nov. is endemic to ŞIrnak-Turkey. It spreads on cracks in limestone cliffs habitats at elevation of 1300-1500 m. It is a native species of the Irano-Turanian floristic region ( Fig. 6 ).

ETYMOLOGY. — This new species was named Asperula fidanii sp. nov. in order to honor Yusuf Fidan, who participated in the fieldwork with the author at the time the species was first collected.

PALYNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES. — The pollen grains of Asperula fidanii sp. nov. are monads, isopolar (5-)6-7 zonocolpate, suboblate [Polar length: 15.43 (± 1.93), Equatorial length: 17.60 (± 1.05), Polar length/Equatorial length: 0.88, Exine thickness: 1.20 (± 0.16), Intine thickness: 0.77 (± 0.06), Colpus length: 9.82 (± 1.08), Colpus width: 1.48 (± 0.40)], ornamentation is sparse-heterogeneous microperforate and scabrate. The average number of scabrae at 1 µm2: 13.5 in polar area, 16.8 in equatorial area ( Fig. 5 A-D).

MERICARP SURFACE PROPERTIES. — The mericarp surface has reticulate ornamentation type. Surface cells are polygonal, between 35 and 45 µm in diameter. They have secondary structures like, lineshaped or ruminate cuticular spurs. While the types of anticlinal cell walls in Asperula fidanii sp. nov. are sunken, periclinal cell walls are convex or concave ( Fig. 5E, F ).

DESCRIPTION

Caespitose and suffruticose perennial. Stems numerous, 8-18 cm, ascending, fragile, quadrangular, setulose. Petioles minute or absent. Leaves 2, opposite, obtuse or acute, with a prominent nerve in lower surface, with semi-revolute margins, stipules absent. Basal leaves ovate-orbicular 1-4 × 1-3 mm. Middle and upper leaves ovate-lanceolate to elliptical-lanceolate, 3-21 × (2)4-7(9) mm. Inflorescence lax, dichasial, flowers 1-6, bracts linear-lanceolate to elliptical-lanceolate, setulose, 1-2 × 0.5-1 mm, bracteoles similar, smaller. Peduncle 2-5 mm. Pedicels minute to 3 mm, with short hairs. Corolla white when fresh, creamy when dry, pubescent, 4- or 5- lobed, tubular, 2-2.5 mm with lobes, tube longer than lobes, stamens epipetalous, 0.5-0.75 mm, 4 or 5. Ovarium c. 1 mm, oblong, glabrous, styles 2, c. 0.5 mm, not permanent on fruit, stigma globose. Mericarp broadly ovate-orbicular to orbicular, glabrous, 1.5-2 mm.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL EXAMINED

Asperula fidanii sp.nov.: Turkey. C9 ŞIrnak: Beytüşşebap,southeast of IlIcak Village , around of thermal spring, 37°34’58”N, 43°08’02”E, limestone rock crevices, 1350 m, 4.IX.2020, H. Eroğlu 1823 (in fruit) .

Figures

FIG. 3. — Asperula fidanii Eroğlu, sp. nov.: A, habit; B, inflorescence and flowers; C, fruit and ovaries; D, basal leaves; E, middle and upper leaves; F, 4- and 5-lobed flowers on same plant.

FIG. 4. — Flowers of Asperula fidanii Eroğlu,sp.nov.; A, B, general wiew;A, 5-lobed flower;B, 4-lobed flower;C, D, dissected flowers;E, ovarium.Scale bars:1 mm.

FIG. 6. — Habitat of Asperula fidanii Eroğlu, sp. nov.: A, general view; B, close view. Note: the white arrows in the photo A show the spots on the rock where the species was present.

FIG. 5. — SEM micrographs of pollen grains and mericarp of Asperula fidanii Eroğlu, sp. nov.; A, equatorial view; B, polar view; C, D, close ornamentation and colpus views of pollen grains; E, general view of mericarp; F, close view of mericarp. Scale bars: A, B, 2 µm; C, D, 1 µm; E, 300 µm; F, 20 µm.