Numerical taxonomy of the genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) emphasizing the groups D and E of Flora Iranica in Northeast of Iran

The genus Salvia is morphlogically investigated to provide an identification key based on morphological characters in the Northeast of Iran. In this study, we examined more than 350 herbarium and collected specimens of different populations and measured 79 quantitative and qualitative (vegetative and generative) characters. The results of the multivariate analysis (principal component analysis) and Nonparametric Test (K independent samples) indicate that the morphological characters such as blossom shape, ring of trichome inside of corolla and protrusion style differentiated the Salvia species. For the first time, the species Salvia shariffi is reported in the Jonoubi and Shomali Khorassans