A new Scorzonera (Asteraceae) species from south Anatolia, Turkey, and its taxonomic position based on molecular data

Abstract

Scorzonera zorkunensis Coskuncelebi & S.Makbul (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Turkey. It grows on serpentine in alpine steppe vegetation together with several endemic Scorzonera L. species in southern Anatolia at altitudes of 2075-2100 m. It is morphologically similar to S. pisidica Hub.-Mor., but it differs in its habit and stem and leaf pubescence. Additionally, the size and micromorphological characters of the achenes and some anatomical traits of the leaves, stems, and roots are helpful in distinguishing these closely related taxa. The phylogenetic analyses based on nrDNA ITS sequence data indicate that S. pisidica is a sister species of the new taxon. © TÜBİTAK.