Allium transvestiens Vvedensky (1935: 228)

Memariani, Farshid, Joharchi, Mohammad Reza & Akhani, Hossein, 2016, Plant diversity of Ghorkhod Protected Area, NE Iran, Phytotaxa 249 (1), pp. 118-158 : 122

Allium transvestiens Vvedensky (1935: 228) . Figure 2a–b

Material examined. IRAN. Southern part of GPA: 2 km on the bifurcation road towards Ternuli, on southern marl and gypsum hills below the scattered Juniperus woodland, 37°23ʹ39ʺ N, 56°26ʹ26ʺ E, 1610 m, 24.06.2012, Memariani & Arjmandi 44894 ( FUMH, Hb. Akhani).

Allium transvestiens is a rare species endemic to western-northwestern Kopet Dagh, previously known only from two localities in the vicinity of Kara-Kala town, Turkmenistan ( Vvedensky 1935; Nikitin & Gel’dikhanov 1988). This neglected species grows on marl in foothills and its flowering period is late spring and early summer (June–July). It belongs to the Irano-Turanian section A. sect. Eremoprasum Friesen et al. (2006: 389), which comprises eight species mainly distributed in the Middle Asia and Iran. Allium sabulosum Steven ex Bunge (1838: 311) and recently described A. joharchii Khassanov & Memariani (2006: 64) are two other species of this section occurring in Iran. Allium transvestiens differs from two latter species by its smooth tepals (vs. rugose) and its outer bulb tunics with longitudinal crests. It also differs from A. joharchii , the eastern Kopet Dagh endemic species, by obtuse (vs. acute) tepals and having bulblets.

Figures

FIGURE 2. New plant records in their habitats; a–b: Allium transvestiens on gypsum foothills, c–d: Agropyron desertorum on disturbed slopes, e: Helictotrichon turcomanicum in high mountain steppes, f–g: Piptatherum latifolium in Paliurus spina-christi scrubs.