Matthiola ghorana Rech. f.

Anzeiger der Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschatliche Klasse 101: 422 (Rechinger 1964).

— Type: Afghanistan. Ghorat, in faucibus calc. infra Parjuman (Partcheman), c. 33°10’N, 63°52’E, c. 1850 m, K. H. Rechinger 19054 (holo-, W [W19660006885]!; iso-, B [B100241930], E [E00386179], G [G00371813], K [K000693506], LE [LE00013101], W [W19670001971]!,).

Matthiola graminea Rech. f., Anzeiger der Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschatliche Klasse 101: 423 (Rechinger 1964), syn. nov.

— Type: Afghanistan. Ghazni, in valle fluvii Arghandab prope Sang-i Masha, 33°15’N, 67°10’E, 2400 m, K. H. Rechinger 17518 (holo-, W [W19660006884]!; iso-, E [E00377251], G [G00371811], W [W19690001298]!).

DESCRIPTION

The above two species were described based on few specimens collected from adjacent localities. A critical examination of all material used in the descriptions of M. ghorana and M. graminea showed that there is a considerable overlap in every morphological character, including petal and pedicel length, leaf shape, and fruit and seed size.

The only differences between Matthiola ghorana and M. revoluta are the longer pedicels and linear or narrowly oblong-lanceolate leaves in M. ghorana . However, we observed some specimens of M. revoluta from Iran and Afghanistan that have the same characters. In our opinion, M. ghorana represents only one of numerous ecological variants that occur throughout the range of M. revoluta . However, further collections from their type localities and nearby areas are necessary before their status can be fully assessed.