Astragalus Ihsancalisii (Fabaceae), A New Species from Erzurum Province, E Turkey

Abstract

Astragalus ihsancalisii Donmez & Ugurlu (Fabaceae) is described as a new species from Erzurum province in E Turkey. The new species belongs to A. sect. Incani DC. and is similar and possibly related to A. glaucophyllus Bunge and A. guzelsuensis F. Ghahrem. & al. from Turkey and A. siahcheshmehensis Maassoumi & Podlech from Iran. Astragalus ihsancalisii is clearly distinguished from those three species by flower number per raceme, bract size, pedicel length, standard length and legume beak length, among other characters. Diagnostic characters are given and their taxonomic importance is discussed. Photographs of A. ihsancalisii in the field are presented. In addition, SEM micrographs of leaf and legume surfaces of the new species and A. glaucophyllus and A. guzelsuensis are provided for comparison. The conservation status of A. ihsancalisii is also assessed according to field observations.