The Iranian Journal of Botany
Volume:13 Issue: 1, Winter and Spring 2007

Meiosis behaviour in Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus (cytotype 8A) is reported for the first time. The results indicated that this subspecies (cytotype 8A) has chromosome complement of 2n=8 and gametic number of n=4 chromosomes. Two bivalents were associated with nucleolus, that confirmed the presence of two pairs of satellite chromosomes in this taxon. One B-chromosome is reported here for the first time in both meiotic and mitotic stages in this cytotype.

Flavopunctelia flaventior andFlavopunctelia soredica are reported as new for the lichenized mycota of Iran. An identification key and a short description of both species are presented.

Five aquatic sites of National Botanical Garden of Iran monthly were sampled from December 2003 to November 2004. Total number of 68 genera in 18 families and 11 orders of the planktonic Diatoms were identified. Among the families Bacillariaceae with 19 genera and species showed the highest species richness. Cymbellaceae (11 species), Naviculaceae (7 species), Surirellaceae (6 species), Pleurosigmataceae (4 species), Fragilariaceae and Achnanthaceae each with 4 species, Pinnulariaceae and Gomphonemaceae each with 2 species and Rhopalodiaceae, Cosmioneidaceae, Diadesmidiaceae, Amphipleuraceae, Catenulaceae, Melosiraceae, Mastogloiaceae, Stephanodiscaceae, Anomoeoneidaceae each with 1 species respectively presented in the studied sites. High population densities of species were observed in the cold seasons.

Based on botanical collections from NE Iran (Khorassan), two new rhizomatous Allium species are reported for the flora of Iran: A. barsczewskii Lipsky and A. tenuicaule Regel. A taxonomic review of all rhizomatous Allium species occurring in Iran is provided based on new intrageneric classification of the genus. Supplementary data and notes on geographical distribution of most species are given. An identification key and some distribution maps are provided for the Iranian rhizomatous species.

The pollen morphology of 26 species of Artemisia L. from 33 species that grow in Iran was investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on exine ornamentation observed under SEM, two types of pollen grains were recognized: type I, Exine surface have dense acute spinule or, Type II, exine surface have a sparse density of spinule. Pictures of all species and characteristics of pollen grain structure are presented.

Studies on the distribution of Verbascum showed that 96 % of the Persian species are Irano-Turanian elements. Taxonomy of the genus has been revised. Based on the results, 42 species of Verbascum are listed from Iran. V. kermanense Hub.-Mor. and V. straussi (Bornm.) Hub.-Mor. were regarded as a synonymy of V. gabrielae Bornm. and V. nudicaule (Wydl.) Takht. respectively.

Bromus catharticus Vahl and Bromus danthoniae Trin. var. uniaristatus Melderis are reported as two new records from Iran. Exact localitis based on herbarium specimens are given and geographical distribution of the species are explained.

Linaria chalepensis subsp. gorganensis Hamdi & Assadi is described as a new subspecies from Gorgan in Gorgan Province. It is related to Linaria chalepensis subsp. chalepensis (L.) Miller. but differs from it in having longer inflorescence and calyx. Linaria genistifolia (L.) Miller based on herbarium specimens is recorded from NW and N Iran for the first time.

Cousinia azerbaidjanica (sect. Cousinia) from Azerbaidjan province is described as a new species to science and illustrated. Morphological differences between this species and its closest relatives C. tabrisiana and C. orientalis are also discussed.

Taraxacum aurantiacum Dahlst that has been collected from Azerbaijan and Hamadan provinces is reported as a new species from Iran.

In a revision of the genus Sisymbrium L. in Iran the specimens of several herbaria were studied, moreover, the studies were completed in the field. Based on the studies an identification key to the Iranian species was constructed. Moreover, full description of the genus and species was prepared for the Flora of Iran. A short list of studied specimens is provided. The results also showed that S. integrimum and S. brassiciforme are synonymous, S. runcinatum var. hirsutum is a true member of the flora of Iran and S. gaubae is a distinct species. Based on these studies S. kermanicum collected from Jebal Barez in Kerman province was formerly described as a new species. Neotorularia aculeolata is transferred again to the genus Sisymbrium as S. aculeolatum. Presence of S. damascenum sometimes recorded from Iran is not proved.

Onobrychis mozaffarianii is described and illustrated as a new species from Iran. It is an endemic plant species and distributed in central regions of the country and for the first time is introduced to plant world. The new species is related to O. andalanica which is compared with.

In review of Bolboschoenus specimens, B. planiculmis and B. schmidii as new records for Flora Iranica area are described. Morphological characters, habitat, geographical distribution in the world and Iran are also presented.

For the preparation of Flora of Iran Caryophyllaceae: Paronychioideae, the herbarium specimens in the herbarium of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands (TARI) were identified. Some of the unnamed specimens matched well with the description and an illustration of Kabulia akhtarii which was originally described as a member of Caryophyllaceae: Paronychioideae. Further studies showed that Kabulia akhtarii is a synonymy of Polygonum molliaeforme.