Rhamnus prostrata, Jacquin (1921: 217)

Alijanpoor, Behnaz, Khodayari, Hamed, Assadi, Mostafa, Rahiminejad, Mohammadreza & Mehregan, Iraj, 2021, A taxonomic revision of Rhamnus L. and Atadinus Raf. (Rhamnaceae) in Iran, Phytotaxa 521 (3), pp. 127-158 : 149

8. R. Prostrata Jacquin (1921: 217) .

R. persica, Lawson in Hooker f. (1875: 638).

Typus — INDIA. Garwhal, Strachey & Winterbottom 7 ( K) .

Description —Shrubs with many intricate spines, about 50 cm high, bright brownish yellow color, with intricate and twisted stems, pulvini and prostrate branches, spreading mostly on cliffs and rarely on rocks. Branches intricate, pubescent, brown to grey when young and glabrous, grey to brownish yellow when old. Leaves small, 3–10 × 2–5 mm, elliptic to ovoid, thin, greenish yellow, thick, simple, alternate, densely pubescent; base of leaves cuneate; apex of leaves obtuse; at the margin with many teeth, specially in upper 2/3 rarely entire; stipules filiform. Inflorescence in the axils of leaves. Flowers 1–2.5 mm long, small, yellow; calyx with four lobes; petals four, 1–2 mm long, linear; stamens longer than petals, anthers basifixed; disk very small; ovary with 2-3 locular and with 2–3 styls; peduncles 1.5–2.5 mm long. Fruits 2–2.5 mm long; glabrous with 2–3 seeds, with 2–3 furrows, mature fruits red. Seeds ovoid, 2 mm long.

Habitat and distribution — IRAN, AFGHANISTAN and PAKISTAN (specially in AFGHANISTAN).

It grows in Irano-Turanian Region in C & E at an altitude of 1900–4000 m, between 57° and 72° E and 30° and 33° N, on cliffs in Iran . It seems that, its main habitat is in Afghanistan because of its widespread distribution in Afghanistan, meanwhile the leaves of this species in Iran, is about 2–3 time smaller than the leaves of this species in Afghanistan.

Phenology —Flowering is in late April.

Examined specimens— IRAN. Kerman: Cheshme Imam Reza village, Kouh-e Mehr , habitat rocky, 57°19ʹ12ʺ E, 30°17ʹ16ʺN, 2380 m, 05 May 2017, Alijanpoor & Pourmirza s.n. ( TARI 103894 !); In monte Kuh-i- Nasr, 3600– 3900 m, 24 May 1892, J . Bornmuller 3427, ( W 4159 !); Khorasa n: Kuh-e Ahangaran , in saxosis calc. summi montis, 60 ⁰06ʹ E, 33 ⁰22ʹ N, 2200–2800 m, 02 June 1977, J . Renz & K. H . Rechinger s.n. ( B 56177!, G 221404 !); Kuh-e Ahangaran, ad versuras argillosas, Prope pagum Zaidan , 1900 m, 02 June 1977, K. H . Rechinger 56160 ( G 221405 !) ; AFGHANISTAN. Ferajghan Pass, E1 . 10,000 ft., 06 June 1937, s.n. ( G 182361 !); Faraculum , 2590 m, 21 August 1948, s.n. ( W 08117!); Ghazan: Okak, NE altoplanitiei Dasht-e Nawar ( Naour ) ca. 67°55ʹ E, 33°50ʹ N, ca. 3000m, 04 July 1962, K. H . Rechinger 17742 ( W 08151!, G 182910 !); Ghazan: Safid Kuh , W jugi Altimur , 23 km N Gardez, 69°09ʹ E, 33°37ʹ N, 2850–3200 m, 05 July 1965, K. H . Rechinger 31863, ( W 2324 !); In jugo inter Sariab , et Dasht- I Nawar , in sasosis calc., 68 ⁰08ʹ E, 33 ⁰44ʹ N, 3800 m, 18 July 1967, K. H . Rechinger 37241 ( W 08188!); Loman ( Lomar ) inter Qarebagh et Sang-i Masha , ca. 67°30ʹ E, 33°15ʹ N, ca. 2400 m, 30 June 1962, K. H . Rechinger 17835 ( W 08146!); Sariab, 33 ⁰44ʹ N, 68 ⁰08ʹ E, 52 km W Ghazin, Substr , 68°25ʹ E, 33°33ʹ N, 2700 m, K. H . Rechinger 37210 ( W 08187, G 182908 !) ; Ghazni: In faucibus Say Khoshkak ( Nawar Kotal ) inter Okak et Behzad ( Diwal Kol ), ca. 67°50ʹ E, 33°53ʹ N, ca. 3150 m, K. H . Rechinger 17835 ( G 182430 !, W 08147!) ; Kunar: Pushaltal, 03 November 1969, Moh. Rasoul s.n. ( W 1127 !); Chaschgaltal (bei Garm Casmn), 28 Agust 1960, M . Rasoul s.n. ( W 1121 !); Pushaltal , 03 June 1969, Moh. Rasoul 3650 ( W 11257!) ; Logar. Spain Kamar massif col dAltimer Depot pente caillou teux, terreux, 19 September 1969, P . Lalande, s.n. ( W 13496!); Nosi : 10000 ft., 22 June 1937, W . Korlz s.n. ( W 08296) ; Nuristan: Netshinget , 3000 m, 14 July 1949, I . Edelberg s.n. ( W 08662!); Pashki , 2300 m, 18 May 1948, L . Edelberg s.n. ( W 08616!); Pashki , 2300 m, 18 May 1948, I . Edelberg s.n. ( W 0801 !); E- AFGHANESTAN. Garde: Sefid Kuh , W jugi altimer, 23 km S Gardaz , 69 ⁰09ʹ E, 33 ⁰38ʹ N, 2850–33200 m, 06 June 31, K. H . Rechinger s.n. ( B 863 !); Gardez, in declivibus australibus jugi Altimer ( Tera Kotal ), substr. Congl. , 2700 m, 02 July 1967, K. H . Rechinger 35400 ( W 08186!); in juga inter Sariah, et Dasht-I Nawar , in saxosis calc., 68°08ʹ E, 38°44ʹ N, 3100 m, 18 July 1967, K. H . Rechinger s.n. ( B 37241!); Gardez, in declivibus australibus jugi altimur ( Tera Kotal ), substr. Congl. , 2700 m, 02 June 1967, K. H . Rechinger s.n. ( W 08186! B 35400!) ; Ghazni, in jugo inter Sariab , 68°08ʹ E, 38°44ʹ N, et Dasht-I Nawar, in saxosis calc., 3100 m, 18 July 1967, s.n. ( W 08188!); O-Afghanistan: bel Kabul, Berggipfel im Korogbmassiv , ad limitem silvarum, 2800 m, 13 July 1951, A . Gilli s.n. ( W 5694 !); NW-PAKISTAN. Swat , in declivibus occidentalivibus montis E Kalam 72°37ʹ E, 35°26ʹ N, 3000 m, 06 June 1965, J . Lamond , K. H . Rechinger 30833 ( W 2324 !) .