New species Valerianella (Valerianaceae) for the science from the Bulgarian flora

Dimitar V. Georgieff

Abstract: The new species Valerianella pelvica is described like new for the science from the Bulgarian flora. The differences between the close species Valerianella coronata (L.)DC. and the new taxon are analyzed.

Valerianella pelvica D. Georgieff sp. nova

Holotype: [Bulgaria], Thracian plain, village of Kapitan Dimitrievo, Bessapara hills, Alanchal rid locality, limestone, 350 m, UTM - KG- 76, 77, 30.04.2000, D. Georgieff; B 10 0000 292

Etymology: The name of the new subspecies derives from the Latin word “pelvis."

Diagnosis: Caules ad 10(-20) cm alti, hirsuti. Folia caulinaria basalia ad 17 mm lg. et ad 3 mm lt., spathulato-lanceolata, integerrima, obtusa; folia media lanceolata; folia caulinaria superiora linearilanceolata, tota. Fructus circus 2 mm lg. et circus 1,5 mm lt., oblongovatus, quadriquatrus, dense hirsuti; loculi steriles bene evolutes; fructus calyce duplo longior. Calyx pelviformis, ad 2 mm diam., sparse brevihirsutus, cum 6 dentes multobreves et reducti ad marginem dentatum vel sepae incospicui; dentes calycis saepe cum 1 pilo apicale vel cum aliquot pilis marginalibus; dens oppositus sulcus fructus debiliter elevatus.

Afiinitas: A specie proxima -Valerianella coronata (L.)DC., morphologia calycis et dentes reducti bene differt. A specie Valerianella lasiocarpa (Steven)Betcke, morphologia fructus transversalis et loculi steriles bene evolutes, bene differt.

Description: Very like Valerianella coronata (L.)DC., but fruits c. 2 mm, all in dense globose terminal cluster, which fall as a whole; sterile loculi well developed, smaller than the fertile; fruit 2 times longer than calyx. Calyx pelviform, up to 2 mm in diameter, sparsely pubescent, inside glabrous, reduced to 6 very short teeth, often inconspicuous, one of them (against the fruit furrow) more prominent, each without an uncinate arista at the apex, with a small hyaline hair at the apex. The morphology of the fruit is identical with this of Valerianella coronata at the transversal dissection of the fruit.

Distribution and ecology: Valerianella pelvica was been spread in the Thracian plain (Bessapara hills) and Western Rhodopes: near village of Debrastitza. The new species is associated with Valerianella coronata and Valerianella rimosa Bastard, on limestone slopes with Northern exposition. Flowering starts April till June. Fruiting lasts May till late June.

Analysis: The most essential diagnostic features of the new species is: 1. The calyx with reduced teeth, which are without an uncinate arista at the apex. 2. The fruit 2 times longer than the calyx. Probably the origin of this species must be search in the process of speciation, which starts from Valerianella coronata, because of identical fruit structure at both taxa (Morariu 1961; Delipavlov, Popov and Ancev 1995). In spite of identity in the fruit morphology, the calyx divergence does not permits to include the new taxon in the specific volume of Valerianella coronata. The close relationships with Valerianella coronata make sure the inclusion of Valerianella pelvica in Valerianella coronata group (Ernet & Richardson 1976).

References:

Ancev, M. 1992. Genus Valerianella Mill. Pp. 766-768 in: Kozuharov, St. (ed.), Opredelitel na visschite rastenija v Balgarija. Sofia.

Delipavlov, D., Popova, M., Ancev, M. 1995. Genus Valerianella Mill. - Pp. 374-386 in: Jordanov, D. (ed.), Flora Narodna Republika Balgarija 9. - Sofia, BAN.

Ernet, D., Richardson, I. B. K., 1976. Genus Valerianella Mill. Pp. 48-52 in: Tutin, T.G. (ed.), Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Valentine, D. H., Webb, D. A. (ed.), Flora Europaea 4. - Cambridge, etc.

Morariu, I. 1961. Genus Valerianella Mill. Pp. 615-626 in: Savulescu, Tr. (ed.) Flora

Republicae Popularis Romanicae, 8, Bucuresti.

------------* For correspondence: E-mail: apologetic@mail.bg

* The article was published in the International Scientific meeting "Multifuctional Agriculture and rural development II" 6-7.12. 2007, Belgrad, Institute of Agricultural Economic - Serbia; Floristic materials from Thracian plain, Rhodopes and Black sea coast in the Bulgarian flora. E-mail: apologetic@mail.bg

Original Photos D.Georgieff - Valerianella pelvica - inflorescence.

Original photos: D.Georgieff