Iris caucasica var. multiflora Grossh.

Boltenkov, Eugeny V. & Govaerts, Rafaël, 2017, Typification of names and nomenclatural notes on juno irises (Iridaceae) from Western Asia, Western Europe, and North Africa, Phytotaxa 303 (2), pp. 125-140 : 129

7. Iris caucasica var. multiflora Grossh. in Grossheim & Sachokia (1931: 87)

Protologue citation:—“[E Azerbaijan: Kabistan] … 8 May [19]29”.

Type (lectotype, designated here):— AZERBAIJAN. [Shamakhi Rayon], Transcaucasia, Azerbajdzhan, distr. Baku, inter pasc. Melki- Mechmed & Kilanova, [fl.], 8 May [19]29, M. Sachokia s.n. ( LE 01009795!, isolectotypes BAK No. 57895!, BAK No. 57899!, TBI 01039018!, TBI 01039019!).

Notes:— Iris caucasica var. multiflora was described by Grossheim ( Grossheim & Sachokia 1931) from Shamakhi Rayon, eastern Azerbaijan. The gathering, cited in the protologue, comprises several specimens, one of which ( LE 01009795!) is designated here as lectotype.All the above-mentioned specimens are accompanied by a label with the printed note “ A. Grossheim. Plantae orientales. Geobotanical survey of Azerbaijan S. S. R. [Soviet Socialist Republic] pastures by order of “Narkomzem” [People’s Commissariat of Agriculture] [in Russian]” and the handwritings made by Grossheim, including the name of the plants “ Iris caucasica Hoffm. v. multiflora m.”. According to the protologue ( Grossheim & Sachokia 1931), I. caucasica var. multiflora is a plant with a robust stem and 3–10 flowers. The stem of the plants is up to 30 cm in height. Morphological features of this variety are probably related to the local soil or climate conditions, as it was also noted by Mathew (1989: 147). A study of the herbarium specimens in the BAK and LE collections showed that I. caucasica var. multiflora occurs, in addition to Shamakhi Rayon, also in other parts of Azerbaijan, which are quite remote from each other (Quba Rayon and Shahbuz Rayon of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic).