Limonium kirikosicum Erben & Brullo, 2016

Brullo, Salvatore & Erben, Matthias, 2016, The genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) in Greece, Phytotaxa 240 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

80. Limonium kirikosicum Erben & Brullo , sp. nov. ( Fig. 80 )

Type:— GREECE. Eastern Aegean Islands : Ikaria , presso il porto Agios Kirikos , 30 August 2003, Brullo & Bacchetta s.n. (holotype MSB-164018!, isotypes CAT!, FI!, Herb. Erben!) .

Diagnosis: — Planta perennis, glabra, viridis, 13–30 cm alta, foliis 15–40 × 2–4 mm, oblongo-spathulatis, apice obtusis, 1- nerviis, caulibus pluribus, verrucosis, ramis sterilibus paucis, 2–4 per caulem, spicis 10–30 mm longis, spiculis 7.5–8.0 mm longis, 1–3-floris, ad 2–3 in 1 centimetro dispositis, bractea inferiore 1.5–2.0 × 1.8–2.0 mm, triangulari-ovata, apice obtusa, bractea media 1.9–2.2 × 1.5–1.6 mm, elliptica, bractea superiore 5.7–6.1 × 2.8–3.2 mm, oblongo-obovata ad elliptica, margine late membranaceo, calyce 5.4–5.8 mm longo, ex bractea superiore ca. 2 mm exserto, tubo glabro vel paucis pilis brevibus, lobis calycis ca. 0.6 × 0.8 mm, semi-ellipticis.

Description: —Plant perennial, glabrous, forming a sub-shrub 13–30 cm tall, with several erect stems and a robust tap-root. Caudices 20–30 mm, loosely branched and spirally leafy. Leaves fleshy, rugose, green, 15–40 mm long and 2–4 mm broad, oblong-spathulate, apex obtuse, with one central nerve, gradually tapering into the petiole. Stems 12–25 cm long, verrucate, green, flexuous, branching frequently begins in the upper half of the stems. Inflorescence narrowly obtrullate in outline. Sterile branches few, 2–4 per stem, 1–3 cm long, unbranched. Fertile branches 1–4 cm long, straight to slightly arched, directed obliquely upwards, forming branching angles of 25°–40°, sometimes branched. Spikes 10–30 mm long, straight to curved, inserted erect to obliquely. Spikelets 7.5–8.0 mm long, composed of 1–3 flowers, remotely arranged with 2–3 per cm. Outer bract 1.5–2.0 mm long and 1.8–2.0 mm broad, triangular-ovate, obtuse; bract margin broadly membranous; central part slightly fleshy only on the base, acuminate. Middle bract membranous, 1.9–2.2 mm long and 1.5–1.6 mm broad, elliptic, rounded. Inner bract 5.7–6.1 mm long and 2.8–3.2 mm broad, oblong-obovate to elliptic, rounded; bract margin broadly membranous; central part fleshy, 4.5–4.8 mm long and 1.9–2.2 mm broad, oblong, acuminate, forming a narrowly triangular tip, 0.7–1.0 mm long, not reaching the upper margin. Calyx 5.4–5.8 mm long, exceeding the inner bract by c. 2 mm, calyx tube glabrous or with few short hairs, with 5 ribs ending above the base of lobes; calyx lobes ca. 0.6 × 0.8 mm, semi-elliptic. Corolla lilac.

Distribution: —Occurring on the islands of Ikaria and Naxos, where it is very rare and localized ( Fig. 88L ).

Habitat: —Calcareous rocky coast.

Etymology: —The epithet “ kirikosicum ” refers to Aghios Kirikos, a locality on the island of Ikaria where this plant grows.

Taxonomic remarks: — L. kirikosicum is similar to L. meandrinum in having very narrow leaves, a delicate habit with slender stems, and few sterile branches. The longer spikelets and inner bracts of L. kirikosicum distinguish it from L. meandrinum .

Specimens examined (Paratypes): — GREECE. Eastern Aegean Islands: See types .— Cyclades: Naxos, Westküste der Insel, Küste am Ormos Karades , Strand bei Migli Vigli, 0–10 m, Felsplatten, 3 October 2000, Kalheber 00–2010 (Herb. Kalheber) .

Figures

FIGURE 80. Limonium kirikosicum Erben & Brullo. A) Habit; B) Spikelet; C) Outer bract; D) Middle bract; E) Inner bract; F) Calyx; G) Calyx lobes; H) Leaves. (Drawn from “Ikaria, Agios Kirikos, Brullo & Bacchetta s.n., MSB, CAT”).

FIGURE 88. (Map 3) Geographical distribution of Limonium amopicum (A); L. doerfleri (B); L. ikaricum (C); L. elaphonisicum (D); L. creticum (E); L. damboldtianum (F); L. astypaleanum (G); L. glomeratum (H); L. grabusae (I); L. isidorum (J); L. cythereum (K); L. kirikosicum (L); L. dolihiense (M); L. minoicum (N).