Gypsophila malyeri Hamzaoğlu & Koç

Hamzaoğlu, E., Koç, M. & Topal, M.N. A new species, Gypsophila malyerii (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey. Kew Bull 76, 531–538 (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-021-09968-x

Type

Turkey. B4 Ankara: Beypazarı, between Harmanak-Uşakbükü, 36T0392454-4430814, 510 m, 22 Aug. 2020, marn areas, Hamzaoğlu & Koç 7825 (holotype GAZI; isotypes ANK, GAZI).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, with a woody rhizome, ± glaucous

Morphology Stem

Stems single, with a thick stock and ascending-erect, 45 – 80 cm, 6 – 8 mm diam., glabrous below, branches of inflorescence glandular-hairy above

Morphology Leaves

Basal leaves oblanceolate, fleshy, lamina 50 – 80 mm long, 5 – 8 mm wide; stem leaves oblanceolate, 30 – 70 mm long, 3 – 6 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence lax dichasial, 3 – 10 mm diam., (8 –) 4 – 16 (– 20)-flowered; peduncles 4 – 42 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts deltate, acuminate, scarious with a brownish midrib, entire to minutely undulate, glandular, 2 – 3 mm Inner bracts deltoid to oblong acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Alar pedicels 3 – 5 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate-turbinate, cleft to ½ into acuminate teeth with scarious margins, scabrid, 2.5 – 4 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white, ovate, obtuse, 2.5 – 4 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule globose, 2.5 – 4 mm long, as long as calyx

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 2 in each capsule, tubercles obtuse, c. 2.5 × 4 mm.

Distribution

This new species is known only from the type locality in Turkey.

Ecology

Gypsophila malyerii grows in marn areas. Species growing alongside it include: Artemisia santonicum L., Genista sessilifolia DC., Inula aucheriana DC., Reaumuria alternifolia (Labill.) Britten, Salvia halophila Hedge, Hypericum turcicum Özbek & Hamzaoğlu, Salvia halophila Hedge, Taraxacum farinosum Hausskn. & Bornm. ex Hand.-Mazz., Gypsophila parva Barkoudah, Thymelaea passerina (L.) Coss. & Germ., Plantago maritima L., Euphorbia macroclada Boiss., Thymus leucostomus Hausskn. & Velen.

Conservation

Gypsophila malyerii is known only from one population in the locality of Beypazarı district (Ankara province). It grows in an area covering about 50 km2. No threat has been observed for the species in the area; the number of individuals is quite high. Based on available data, it is proposed that the species should be evaluated as Least Concern (LC) (IUCN 2012).

Phenology

Gypsophila malyerii was observed flowering from July to August and fruiting in August.

Etymology

The species epithet is in honour of the eminent botanist Prof. Dr Hulusi Malyer (Uludağ University, Bursa/Turkey), who sadly died of Covid-19.