Phelipanche libanotica (Schweinf. ex Boiss.)

Piwowarczyk, Renata, Pedraja, Óscar Sánchez, Moral, Gonzalo Moreno, Fayvush, George, Zakaryan, Narine, Kartashyan, Nune & Aleksanyan, Alla, 2019, Holoparasitic Orobanchaceae (Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche, Phelipanche) in Armenia: distribution, habitats, host range and taxonomic problems, Phytotaxa 386 (1), pp. 1-106 : 42-44

13. Phelipanche libanotica (Schweinf. ex Boiss.) in Soják (1972: 130). Type:— LEBANON (holotype): sp. nova? Affinis Phel. hirtiflora , bl. hell grau violett, N.º 453, Orobanche hirtiflora Reuter, Passhöhe zwischen Ainata und Bscherre [Aïnâta and Bcharré], 2348 Met. Libanon. Septr. Anfang 1880, leg. Dr. G. Schweinfurth (G-Boiss.-G-00150062!). Epitype (here designated):—In Libani borealis declivitatibus orientalibus silvaticis, inter Der-el-Ahmar et Aineta, 27‒28 Jun 1910, leg. J. et F. Bornmüller [Iter Syriacum II (1910), no. 12240], alt. 16‒1700 m. s. m. (P-02968070!, as Orobanche (Phelipaea) schultzii (Mutel) G. v. Beck). Basionym:— Phelypaea libanotica Schweinf. ex Boissier, Fl. Orient. Suppl.: 357 (1888) ( Turland et al. 2018: Art. 46.5). Homotypic synonym:— Orobanche libanotica (Schweinf. ex Boiss.) Beck (1890: 116) . Heterotypic synonyms:— Orobanche orientalis Beck (1890: 110) ; O. sogdiana Novopokrovskij (1950: 306) ; Phelipanche orientalis (Beck) Soják (1972: 130) ; P. sogdiana (Novopokr.) Soják (1972: 130) . Fig. 29 .

Taxonomic Note: We think that when Boissier described the new species, as he himself indicates, he used only the illustration and fragments of flowers belonging to a single specimen sent by Schweinfurth. Based on this, we consider that the aforementioned sheet contains the protological material that was clearly the only specimen used and, therefore, is the holotype. In addition, we consider that it is necessary to designate an epitype, from the same area, that can be used for the precise application of the treated name. As we have previously indicated ( Sánchez Pedraja et al. 2016, Rätzel et al. 2018), P. orientalis is very similar to P. libanotica , to the point that we believe that it is a mere later synonym. According to our concept, the correct name for the species is Phelipanche libanotica , which is parasitic on Prunus . The lectotype of the most prominent synonym is designated.

Phelipanche orientalis (Beck) Soják (1972: 130) . Type:— PAKISTAN (lectotype here designated): Shálizán [Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan], Kurrum Valley , Afghanistan , May 1879, J.E.T. Aitchison no. 287. (K-000061351!); isolectotype (LE); remaining syntypes [lectoparatypes]: Hab. Himal. Bor. Occ. Regio temp. [Zanshar

/ Zanskar], alt. 5‒7000 ped., T. Thomson s.n. [Herb. Ind. Or. Hook fil. & T. Thomson] (P-02982291!), Indian [regno Kashmirensi], Falconer no. 805 [Herb. of the late East India Company] (M-0185500!, M-0185499!, P-02982293!).

Distribution: —Southern and southeastern parts (Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces), especially dry rocky slopes of the Arpa and Meghri rivers ( Fig. 30).

General distribution: —N.W. Himalayas ( India and Pakistan), Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Pamir-Alay ( Tajikistan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan) and the Caucasus ( Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan). Probably more widely spread in all regions of western and central Asia and to the west to Turkey, Cyprus and Greece [Rhodes, Chios and Samos Islands ( Rätzel et al. 2018, Sánchez Pedraja et al. 2016)].

Habitat: —Rocky slopes with sparse vegetation, with Prunus sp. , (670)1300‒1600(1900) m.

Hosts: —Apparently, exclusively on Prunus sp. (syn. Amygdalus sp. ) ( Rosaceae ), P. fenzliana R.M. Fritsch [syn. Amygdalus fenzliana (R.M. Fritsch) Lipsky ], P. nairica (Fed. & Takht.) [syn. A. nairica Fed. & Takht. ].

Phenology: —Flowering May to June (July), fruiting (June) July–August.

Conservation status: —Least Concern (LC). The species has rather wide distribution in Armenia (4 floristic regions). Populations are usually very numerous, from several dozen to several thousand shoots.

A single Prunus host is sometimes infected by several hundred shoots of Phelipanche libanotica , which in severe cases probably results in weakened trees (fewer leaves and fruits). Some host species, such as P. nairica , are endangered in Armenia.

Notes: —As in the case of Phelipanche heldreichii , and for the same reasons, this species has been repeatedly confused with P. schultzii (Mutel 1835: 352) Pomel (1874: 107) ( Novopokrovskij & Tzvelev 1958). In Turkey (Ankara prov.), almost completely yellowish individuals were seen.

Specimens examined: — ARMENIA. Kotayk prov.: surroundings of Yerevan, Jrvezh x Nork, southern slopes, 13 June 1942, A . Fedorov ( ERE) [as O. tricholoba by I. Novopokrovskij ] ; Syunik prov.: between Lichk and Tkhkut , 39°01’15,8”N, 46°12’27,4”E, 1370 m, 3 June 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); 1 , 5 km W of Nerkin Hand , 4 June 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; between Shvanidzor and Gomarants Pass , 38°56’45”N, 46°22’44,5”E, 835 m, 4 June 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; 1 km E of Shvanidzor , 38°55’56,6”N, 46°22’54,7”E, 675 m, 4 June 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); 1, 5 km of Meghri , 38°54’56”N, 46°13’28”E, 825 m, 4 June 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); rocky slope of the river Meghri, near Vardanidzor , 4 July 1956, T . W . Egorova, N . N . Tzvelev & S . K . Cherepanov (LE); rocky slope of the low hill, 1, 5 km N of Meghri , 28 June 1956, T . W . Egorova, N . N . Tzvelev & S . K . Cherepanov ( LE) ; NE of Meghri, road from Shvanidzor in direction Kapan, between Gyumarants and pass, from 39°00’31”N, 46°23’12”E to 39°00’35”N, 46°23’10”E, 1890–1900 m, 19 June 2008, M . Oganesian, H . Ter. Voskanyan, K . Kugler & E . Vitek ( ERE); Kavchut SE , rocky slope, 39°12’09,7”N, 46°15’16”E, 1294 m, 15 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); Kavchut NW , rocky slope, 39°12’50”N, 46°14’24”E, 1320 m, 15 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; between Kavchut and Geghavank , rocky slopes, 1350 m, 15 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( ERCB, KTC); Geghi NW , rocky slopes, 39°13’29”N, 46°09’00”E, 1590 m, 15 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); Karut SE , rocky slopes, 39°15’27”N, 46°07’44”E, 1835 m, 15 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; between Lernadzor and Baghajur , rocky slopes, 39°10’03”N, 46°12’57”E, 1540 m, 16 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); Lernadzor NE , rocky slopes, 39°09’52”N, 46°12’32”E, 1545 m, 16 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; NE of Vorotan, N of Eyvazli (on the Azerbaijan side), rocky slopes, 39°26’27”N, 46°23’45”E, 860 m, 19 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; Vayots Dzor prov.: 5 km NW of Artavan , 39°40’36,7”N, 45°34’14,2”E, 1553 m, 27 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( ERCB, KTC) ; 3 km NW of Artavan , 39°40’22,3”N, 45°35’36,4”E, 1700 m, 27 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; 2 km NW of Artavan , 39°40’21,8”N, 45°35’39,6”E, 1725 m, 27 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); near the road to Herher , W of Herher Reservoir , 39°42’22,7”N, 45°32’19,5”E, 1478 m, 28 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; NW of Herher Reservoir , 39°42’58,8”N, 45°32’35,9”E, 1490 m, 28 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; 1 km NW of Noravank monastery, 39°41’23,9”N, 45°13’13,5”E, 1380 m, 29 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; SE of Areni , 39°42’47,4”N, 45°11’31,8”E, 1190 m, 29 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; between Areni and Khachik , 39°41’34,4”N, 45°12’17,1”E, 1500 m, 29 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( ERCB, KTC) ; S of Agarakadzor , 39°43’04,3”N, 45°21’12,5”E, 1250 m, 29 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); 2 , 5 km N of Zaritap , 39°39’30,2”N, 45°30’32,9”E, 1415 m, 31 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; 3 km NE of Zedea , 39°42’17,5”N, 45°24’48,7”E, 1360 m, 31 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) ; 1.5–2 km N of Shatin , 39°50’51,1”N, 45°17’38,8”E, 1360 m, 5 June 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); area ca . 10 km ESE of Vayk, road to Artavan , 1640 m, 39°40’30”N, 45°34’59”E, 18 June 2009, M . Oganesian, H . Ter-Voskanyan, K . Kugler & E . Vitek ( BP, ERE, M, NY, W); Vayots dzor region, Yeghegnadzor, canyon of r. Arpa , 3–3.5 km NW of v. Ortakend [Gladzor], 8 July 1957, N . N . Tzvelev & S . K . Cherepanov ( LE); steppe N slope of the Arpi river , between Vayk and Saravan , 39°41’23”N, 45°32’03”E, 1360 m, 27 May 2016, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); Gndevaz S , rocky slope, 39°42’20”N, 45°34’10”E, 1380 m, 39°42’42”N, 45°34’20”E, 1375 m, 39°43’21”N, 45°35’05”E, 1400 m, 22 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC); Gndevaz E , rocky slopes near Arpa river , 39°45’22”N, 45°36’36”E, 1518 m, 22 June 2017, 39°45’46”N, 45°36’34”E, 1520 m, 22 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( ERCB, KTC) ; SSE of Gndevaz , rocky slopes, 39°43’31”N, 45°35’54”E, 1568 m, 22 June 2017, R . Piwowarczyk ( KTC) .

Figures

FIGURE 29. Phelipanche libanotica. A, C. Parasites (red circle) below host-Prunus (arrow). B, D–F. Inflorescences. Photos by Renata Piwowarczyk.