Psephellus turcicus sp nov (Asteraceae), a new chasmophyte species from central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

A new species, Psephellus turcicus A.Duran & Hamzaglu (Asteraceae) in sect. Psephelloidei (Boiss.) Wagenitz & Hellwig is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The species grows on limestone crevices in Kazankaya Canyon (A5 Yozgat) in central Anatolia. A neo-endemic confined to Kazankaya Canyon, it is closely related to Psephellus psephelloides (Freny & Sint.) Wagenitz. Diagnostic morphological characters from closely similar taxa are discussed, and arranged in a key of Turkish similar Psephellus Cass. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the species are also presented. Achene surface morphology of R turcicus and R psephelloides are examined by SEM. The geographical distribution of the new species and other related species is mapped. (c) 2005 The Linnean Society of London.