Origanum × sevcaniae Dirmenci, Arabacı & Yazıcı, 2018

Dirmenci, Tuncay, Özcan, Taner, Yazici, Türker, Arabaci, Turan & Martin, Esra, 2018, Morphological, cytological, palynological and molecular evidence on two new hybrids from Turkey: an example of homoploid hybridization in Origanum (Lamiaceae), Phytotaxa 371 (3), pp. 145-167 : 150-154

Origanum × sevcaniae Dirmenci, Arabacı & Yazıcı , nothosp. nov. ( Figs. 5–7)

( Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum (Link) A.Terracc. × Origanum vogelii Greuter & Burdet )

Type:— TURKEY. C 5 Niğde: Ulukışla, Horoz village, Fenk throat, 4800 ft, 37.455940 N, 34.751250 E, 02 October 2015, Dirmenci 4508 & Yazıcı (Holotype GAZI, isotypes ISTE, ANK, HUB, EGE).

Diagnosis:— Origanum × sevcaniae differs from O. vogelii by its stems and leaves densely hirtellous (versus stem and leaves tomentose) and punctate on upper surfaces (versus whitish tomentose), spikes cylindrical, 5–25 mm (not 3–13). It differs from O. vulgare subsp. hirtum by its stems densely hirtellous (versus hirsute), corolla usually pinkish (versus white). ( Figs. 5, 6A–G , 7A–I ).

Description:—Subshrubs. Stems ascending to erect, 20–40 cm, young shoot and flowering stems densely hirtellous, branches of the first-order present; branches to 7 pairs on per stems, to 15 cm; branches of 2 nd order often present; branches of 3 rd order present or not. Leaves ovate to elliptic, 6–15 × 4–10, subsessile to petiolate, densely hirtellous with densely sessile glands on both surfaces, punctate on the upper surface, attenuate at base, entire, acute to obtuse at apex. Inflorescence thyrsoid. Spikes cylindrical, 5–25 × 4–6 mm. Bracts green, obovate, 2.5–5.5 × 1.5–3 mm, densely hirtellous with sessile glands on both surfaces, sometimes glabrous inner surface to ½, acute to acuminate. Flowers two in verticillasters, bisexual or female. Calyx tubular-campanulate, 2-lipped for 1/5, 1.8–2 mm, densely hirtellous with sessile glands, throat densely pilose, upper lip 3-teeth, triangular, 0.2–0.3 mm; lower lip 2-teeth, lower ones slightly shorter than uppers, 0.3–0.5 mm. Corolla usually pinkish or rarely white, 3–4 mm, exserted from calyx, densely or sparsely hirtellous with sessile glands on the tube and outside of limbs. Stamens 4 or absent; all stamens included in corolla if present, filaments 1 mm of upper’s; to 2 mm of lower’s. Style exserted or include in corolla, unequally bifid. Nutlets oblong to ovate, 0.8–1 × 0.5–0.8, brown.

Etymology:—The name of the hybrid taxon was given on the name of Prof. Dr. Sevcan ÇELENK the researcher who has been working on the pollen of the Lamiaceae family and who was also an advisor in this project.

Habitat and ecology:—The new hybrids grow in calcareous rocks between Abies cilicica (Antoine & Kotschy) Carriére , Cedrus libani A.Rich. and Juniperus sp. In addition, some O. × sevcaniae individuals grow in dry streambeds.

Distribution and conservation status:— Origanum ×sevcaniae is known only from two locations, and the distribution area is approximately 1000–2000 km 2. The broad shrubby formation of particularly some individuals in the type location provides an advantage regarding adaptation to nature. Also, this hybrid produces nutlets. However, it is not known whether the F1 or later generations of hybrid continue (B2abi-v, C1-2ai-ii, D). So it should be regarded as Critically Endangered (CR) ( IUCN 2014). Being eaten by animals is an important disadvantage for both hybrids. Ovine breeding in the distributing region is one of the most important factors threatening the future of the hybrids.

Paratypes:— TURKEY. İçel: Gülek village , near ruins of castle, August 1855, Balansa 537 ( BM! G! K!). ibidem east of castle ruins, 37.270417 N, 34.792805 E, 13 August 2014, Dirmenci 4243 & Arabacı (Herb. Dirmenci) ; ibidem, 19 September 2014, Dirmenci 4332, Arabacı & Yazıcı (Herb. Dirmenci); ibidem, 01 October 2015, Dirmenci 4503 & Yazıcı (Herb. Dirmenci); Niğde: Ulukışla, Horoz village, Fenk throat (flowers white), 4800 ft ,, 37.455940 N, 34.751250 E, 02 October. 2015, Dirmenci 4506 & Yazıcı (Herb. Dirmenci) ; ibidem, 26 August 2016, Dirmenci 4649 & Yazıcı (Herb. Dirmenci); ibidem, 26 August 2016, Dirmenci 4651 & Yazıcı (Hb. Dirmenci); Niğde: Ulukışla, Bulgardağ, between Pozantı and Meydan Yayla , dry valley, 1500 m, 01 September 1949, P. H. Davis 16586 ( K!) .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Flowers and calyx of Origanum vogelii (A, D, E); O. ×sevcaniae (B, F); O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (C, G).

FIGURE 7. Habitus, inflorescence and spicules of Origanum vogelii (A, D, G); O. ×sevcaniae (B, E, H); O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (C, F, I).