Introduction
AlthoughDianthusL. (carnation) does not have as many taxa as Silene L., it is a well-known genus of the Caryophy- llaceae family owing to its showy flowers and ornamental plants (e.g., carnation: Dianthus spp.) (Greenbergand Donoghue 2011, Madhani et al. 2018). It is easily distinguished from similar genera (e.g., Petrorhagia (Ser.) Link, Saponaria L., Velezia L.) through its multi–veined calyx, tightly arranged epicalyx scales, two styles and peltate seeds with a facial hilum. Dianthus L. is represented by about 350 species in the world, and the majority of them grow in the temperate climate zone of Eurasia (Bittrich 1993, WFO 2021).
Boissier(1867) in “Flora Orientalis” described the genus Dianthus L. in 5 sections as Verruculosi Boiss., Leiopetali Boiss., Fimbriati Boiss., Dentati Boiss. and Carthusiani Boiss. Williams (1893) divided the genus Dianthus L. into three subgenera (Carthusianastrum F.N.Williams, Caryophyllastrum F.N.Williams, Proliferastrum F.N.Williams), 8 sections and 19 subsections, together with the sections given by Boissier. Among these sections, species in the Carthusiani (Boiss.) F.N.Williams section are characterised by leaf sheats three times as long as they are wide, unbranched stems, sessile f lowers and head–shaped inflorescences (Reeve 1967, Greenberg and Donoghue 2011). Our study gives a detailed description, images, habitat preference and the distribution of the newly described species from the Carthusiani(Boiss.) F.N.Williams section. Along with the new species described here, the number of the species in the Carthusiani (Boiss.) F.N.Williams section are increased to 11, thus the taxa in the genus Dianthus L. in Turkey is increased to 93 (85 species) (Davis et al. 1988, Gemici and Leblebici 1995, Güner 2000, Aytaç and Duman 2004, Özhatay and Kültür 2006, Vural 2008, Yılmaz et al. 2011, İlçim et al. 2013, Hamzaoğlu et al. 2014, 2015a, b, c, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, Hamzaoğlu and Koç 2015, 2018, 2019, Deniz et al. 2016, Oskay 2018, Hamzaoğlu 2020).
Material and methods
The new species was first collected by the second author (S.S.Kanoğlu) in July 2009, Davlumbaz Platue, in Bolu Province (NW Turkey), while doing the flora fieldwork for the Sülüklügöl Nature Reserve Project (Kanoğlu et al. 2016). In total 2 herbarium specimens (5 individuals) of the presumed new species were collected from two adjacent localities and deposited in the herbarium of DUOF, but these specimens were misidentified. After the senior author (E. Hamzaoğlu) made a careful examination and comparison of the specimens in DUOF, it was realized that the specimens belonged to a new, undescribed species of the genus DianthusL. from sect. Carthusiani (Boiss.) F.N.Williams.
Thirty-two specimens of the new species were collected and measured in June and August from Gölbaşı Plateau, above Sülüklügöl, located to the east of Çubukköy in the Göynük district (Bolu, NW Turkey). In the diagnosis and evaluation of the specimens, the relevant literature and the specimens found in the GAZI, ANK, HUB, ISTO, ISTE, KNYA, VANF, EGE and K herbaria were used (Reeve 1967, Gemici and Leblebici 1995, Hamzaoğlu and Koç 2019). A Leica EZ4 stereo microscope was used to examine the specimens. A Nikon Coolpix S9500 camera was used for taking photos of the species, and ruler with a precision of 0.5 mm was used for the measurements in the description.
Results
Dianthus nezahatiae Hamzaoğlu,sp. nov.(sect.Carthusiani)
Type: TURKEY. A3 Bolu: Göynük, above Çubukköy village, east of Gölbaşı Yaylası, above Sülüklügöl, 1490 m a.s.l., forest clearing, 09.09.2021, Hamzaoğlu 7975 (holo. GAZI!, iso. GAZI!, ANK!, HUB!, DUOF!, NGBB!).
Diagnosis. Dianthus nezahatiae is similartoD. akdaghensis Gemici et Leblebici, but it is seperated with the sheaths of its middle leaves 3 times as long as they are wide (not 4–5), inner bracts 1.7–2.1 mm in width and apex attenuate–rounded (not 2.3–4.6 mm in width) and apex obtuse–truncate or truncate-emarginate), epicalyx scale apex attenuate– rounded (not obtuse–truncate or emarginate), petal collar ± on half as wide as claw (collar not wide as claw) and capsule as long as or longer than calyx (not shorter).
Description. Perennial herbs. Stems loosely caespitose, decumbent, ascending or erect, 5−25 cm tall, unbranched, glabrous or pubescent, 5−8-noded. Sterile shoot leaves linear, flattened or canaliculate, glabrous or scabrous, as long as or longer than cauline leaves, apex acuminate. Cauline leaves linear, flattened or canaliculate, separated to stem, shorter or longer than internodes, soft, glabrous to scabrous, apex acuminate; lower persistent after anthesis; middle 12−55 × 1.8−2.1 mm, distinctly 3–veined, margins distinctly scarious towards sheath, sheaths 3 times as long as wide; upper flattened, with unexpanded sheath, nodes not swollen. Inflorescences capitate, unbranched, (2−)3−4(−6)– flowered; peduncles glabrous, 1−6 cm long. Bracts glabrous, green, straw–coloured, brownish or purplish, shorter than calyx; outer ± herbaceous, linear to narrowly lanceolate; inner scarious–herbaceous, oblong, veinless below, indistinctly 5−9-veined above, separated to calyx, 3/4‒4/5 as long as calyx, 9‒15 × 1.7‒2.1 mm, with 0.3‒0.5 mm scarious and straight margins, apex attenuate–rounded, arista 2/5‒1/2 as long as bract. Epicalyx scales 4; outer scarious–herbaceous, whitish below, greenish, straw–coloured, brownish or purplish above, indistinctly 7‒9-veined at apex, glabrous, 1/2‒4/5 as long as calyx, elliptic–oblanceolate, 10‒12 ×2‒3 mm, with 0.3‒0.5 mm scarious and straight margins, apex attenuate–rounded, arista one third calyx scales enclosing 1/3‒2/5 of calyx. Calyx cylindrical– lanceolate, 11‒13 × 3‒4.5 mm, ± distinctly 40‒45-veined above, glabrous, purplish or sometimes brownish; teeth ovate–triangular, 2.5‒3.2 × 1.7‒2.5 mm, glabrous or pubescent towards apex, 7‒9-veined, margins narrowly scarious and ciliate, apex acuminate. Petals 14‒18 mm long; limb cuneate to obovate, 5‒7 ×4‒5 mm, c. one third as long as petal, c.1/3 exserted from calyx, unspotted, ebarbellate or sparsely barbellate, reddish–purple or pinkish, 7‒9–toothed, teeth irregular, very broadly triangular, up to 1/6 as long as limb; claw 10‒11 × 1.0‒1.1 mm, collar ± 1/2 as wide as claw. Capsule as long as or longer than calyx. Seeds ovate, blackish, 2.3‒3.0 × 1.6‒2.1 mm.
Etymology. The Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi is one of the organizations that financially supported the collection of the first specimens from nature, so that authors proposed the name as Nezahat Gökyiğit.
Vernacular name.There is no recognized vernacular name for this new species. For this reason, the name ‘Hanım Karanfili’ (in Turkish) is proposed.
Distribution and habitat. According to the observations at the type locality, especially the surroundings of Sülüklügöl Nature Reserve (Bolu and Sakarya Provinces, NW Turkey), Dianthus nezahatiae prefers subalpine meadows between 1450−1620 m a.s.l. The flowering period is June–September. Festuca heterophylla Lam., Elymus hispidus (Opiz) Melderis subsp. hispidus, Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. subsp. astracanicum, Minuartia anatolica (Boiss.) Woronow, Stachys byzantina K.Koch, Trifolium hybridum L., Sedum pallidum M.Bieb., Hypericum linarioides Bosse and Allium sibthorpianum Schult. et Schult.f. from herbaceous species and Buxus sempervirens L., Juniperus communis L. var. saxatilis Pall. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. from woody species are most commonly observed in the habitat of the species, which generally prefers less sloping lands. Due to the intensive grazing at the subalpine habitats of Sülüklügöl Nature Reserve its nearby, the population of this newly described species is sparse. Individuals of the species may be found around sheltered shrubby species (usually Buxus sempervirens) (Fig. 1).
Phenology. The flowering and fruiting periods of D. nezahatiae are quite long and successive. While the first flowers are in fruit, new flowers may bloom. The flowering peroid is between mid–June and late September. The first fruit becomes mature at the end of July. Fruiting period proceeds up to mid–October.
Conservation status. According to the current data, D. nezahatiae is currently known from the Gölbaşı, Karabey and Davlumbaz Plateaus in the subalpine meadows around Sülüklügöl Nature Reserve (Bolu and Sakarya Provinces, NW Turkey). It is observed that the individuals of this species are mostly found near the dwarf shrubs like Buxus sempervirens. Only few individuals are observed due to there being heavy grazing in the open area. However, it is not possible to say that this situation poses a threat to the species, because there are many shrubs in the subalpine meadow area and the probability of encountering the species at the edges of these shrubs is quite high. In addition, whenmature fruits were examined, it was observed that the species was quite successful in fertility of seed production. Considering that Gölbaşı,Karabey and Davlumbaz Plateaus (Bolu and Sakarya Provinces, NW Turkey) and similar habitats are in the immediate vicinity, the population area of D. nezahatiae is measured as less than 100 km2 (EOO: approximately 32 km2). Considering together the known distibutionarea and the possible threats, the threat category is assessed as “Vulnerable [VU: B2b(iii)]” based on (IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee 2019).
The Sülüklügöl Nature Reserve and nearby surroundings are a natural arboretum due to the diversity of woody plants (Kanoğlu et al. 2016). This is important in terms of botanical tourism. On the other hand, D. nezahatiae in the subalpine habitat is valuable in terms of alpine gardening with the dwarf form and long flowering period. Therefore, it is suitable for use as an ornamental plant in alpine gardens and rock gardens, and on road slopes. It is important to protect the area for the reasons specified above. Dianthus nezahatiaeis included in Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden (İstanbul Province, Turkey) live collections and the first step for ex–situ protection studies was taken.
Discussion
Studieshave shown that the epicalyx scales are the most reliable feature to be used in differentiating the species of the Carthusiani section of Turkey (Hamzaoğlu et al. 2017, Hamzaoğlu and Koç 2019). The shape of the enlarged portions of the bracts and epicalyx scales (except arista), margin membrane width, apex shape (acute, obtuse, truncate, emerginate), number and prominence of the vein, ratio of arista/calyx can be used to distinguish taxa. In addition to the bracts and epicalyx scales; other characters such as calyx length, number of veins, tooth shape and dimension; petal length, limb shape and dimensions, number of teeth, collar / claw ratio parameters also contibute to the identification. To generalize, it can be said that the shapes and the rates are more reliable as distinctive characters. features.
Dianthusnezahatiae isclosely related to D.akdaghensis in that the petal limb is cuneate or obovate, the arista in the inner bracts are two fifths to one half of the whole bract, and the calyx teeth are 2.5–4 mm long (Gemici and Leblebici 1995). When these two species are morphologically compared, it is understood that some characters are the most distinctive while some are only partially so because they overlap (Tab. 1).
Forinstance, the width of the middle cauline leaves and the width of the sheath length seem to be non-overlapping, and thus they are distinctive characters. It can be said that the ratio of leaf sheath length to its width is a reliable character for the Carthusiani section (Hamzaoğlu and Koç 2019). On the other hand, considering that it is easily affected by environmental factors, the same cannot be said of leaf width (Tab. 1).
When only the examined specimens are taken as a criterion, the width of the inner bracts is a distinctive character. Inner bracts are 1.7−2.1 mm in width for Dianthus nezahatiae, 2.3−4.6 mm for D. akdaghensis (Fig. 2,Tab. 1). Difference between the largest values of D. nezahatiae (2.3 mm) and D. akdaghensis (2.1 mm) is considered not to be a distinctive feature considering later collections of this species from the wild in further studies. On the other hand, when a large number of specimens of both species are examined, it can be said that the probability of encountering a D. nezahatiae specimen with a width of 3 mm or more in future studies is quite low. The shape of the inner bracts apex (except arista) are a more reliable character and can be used to distinguish these two species.
Since it has a stable structure, the shape of the epicalyx scales apex provides a clear distinction between Dianthus nezahatiae and D. akdaghensis (Fig. 2,Tab. 1). The calyx closure ratio of the enlarged parts of the bracts and epicalyx scales is one third to two fifths in D. nezahatiae and one half or slightly more in D. akdaghensis. two fifths and ca. one half; while the values seem close, the one third value can be used as a clear discriminator. The ratio of the petal collar width to the claw width, whether the capsule passes through the calyx, and the seed shape are distinctive characters in the discrimination of these two species. Although these characters are not used directly as distinguishing characters, it is possible to use them as supporting characters (Fig. 2,Tab. 1).
Dianthus nezahatiae prefers subalpine meadows 1450 m a.s.l.as lowest, 1620 m s.s.l. as highest altitude in Northwest Turkey (above Sülüklügöl, Bolu and Sakarya Provinces). Dianthus akdaghensis is similar to D. nezahatiae in terms of habitat and altitude preference, but D.akdaghensis grows in relatively more arid climatic conditions in Southern Turkey (Antalya, Isparta, Konya and Mersin Provinces) (Fig. 3).
Keytothespecies of Dianthus section Carthusiani in Turkey
1. Epicalyx scales narrowed gradually into an acute or acuminate apex........................giganteus
- Epicalyx scales abrubtly contracted into an aristate apex................................................. 2
2. Inflorescence (4–)7–15(–35)-flowered; enlarged portions of bracts and epicalyx scales enclosing 1/3 of calyx; epicalyx scales with membranous margin 0.6–1.1 mm wide.................................................................................... cruentus
- Inflorescence (2–)4–9(–16)-flowered; enlarged portions of bractsand epicalyx scales enclosing 1/2–4/5 of calyx; epicalyx scales with membranous margin 0.2–0.6 mm wide....................................................................................................... 3
3. Epicalyxscales 5–9 mm long; cauline leaves filiform, 0.5– 1 mm wide, 1–3-veined, circular or canaliculate in cross-section........................................................................................................................................................................... 4
- Epicalyx scales 10–26 mm long; cauline leaves linear, 0.9–3 mm wide, 3–5-veined, flattened or canaliculate in cross-section........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4, Apex of epicalyx scales acute to obtuse-emarginate, arista 1/3-1/2 as long as scale; petal 16–20 mm long, limb 5‒7 mm long and barbellate ....................................................................................................................................... pinifolius
- Apex of epicalyx scales obtuse-truncate to emarginate, arista 1/4 as long as scale; petal 11–15 mm long, limb 3.5‒5 mm long and ebarbellate...................................................................................................................................................... 5
5. Sheaths of medium cauline laeves 5−7 times as long as wide; enlarged portions of bracts and epicalyx scales enclosing 3/5–4/5 of calyx; calyx c. 2 mm wide and 25–35-veined .............................................................moesiacus
- Sheaths of medium cauline laeves 3−5 times as long as wide; enlarged portions of bracts and epicalyx scales enclosing 1/2–3/5 of calyx; calyx 2.5–4.0 mm wide and 40–45-veined .............................................................ucarii
6. Petal limb cuneate or obovate, 4−7 × 3.5−6 mm.......................................................................... 7
- Petal limbbroadly obovate or suborbicular, 8−12 × 6−10 mm............................................................................. 10
7. Epicalyx scales 13−26 mm long, ± distinctly 9–13–veined at apex; calyx 17−22 mm long ........................cibrarius
- Epicalyx scales 10−12 mm long, indistinctly 7–9–veined at apex; calyx 11−16 mm long ...........................................8
8. Stems erect;arista of inner bracts 1/4–1/3 as long as bract; calyx teeth 4−6 mm long ..........................carthusianorum
- Stems decumbent, ascending or erect; arista of inner bracts 2/5–1/2 as long as bract; calyx teeth 2.5−4 mm long............9
9. Sheaths of medium cauline laeves 4−5 times as long as wide; apex of epicalyx obtuse–truncate or truncate– emarginate; petal collar as wide as claw; capsule shorter than calyx; seeds elliptic ..................................akdaghensis
- Sheaths of medium cauline laeves 3 times as long as wide; apex of epicalyx attenuate-rounded; petal collar
± 1/2 as wide as claw; capsule as long as or longer than calyx; seeds ovate ............................................. nezahatiae
10. Inner bracts with0.6–1.1 mm wide scarious margins; epicalyx scales acute or obtuse and distinctly 7–9–veined at apex; petal limb 7‒11–toothed ......................carmelitarum
- Inner bracts with 0.3–0.5 mm wide scarious margins; epicalyxscales obruse–truncate or emarginate and indistinctly 3–5–veined at apex; petal limb 5‒7–toothed ......................................................................................... lydus
Specimens examined
Dianthus nezahatiae (paratypes). TURKEY. A3 Bolu: Göynük, down Davlumbaz Yaylası, above Sülüklügöl, 1505 m a.s.l., 21.6.2009, S.S.Kanoğlu 1679 and A.Kaya (DUOF 2527!); Göynük, down Davlumbaz Yaylası, above Sülüklügöl, 1466 m, step, 01.08.2010, S.S.Kanoğlu 1871 and A.Kaya (NGBB 10001!); Sakarya: Akyazı, S of Dokurcun village, above Sülüklügöl, around Karabey Yaylası, 1530 m a.s.l., 26.6.2021, Hamzaoğlu 7869 and N.Aksoy (GAZI!); above Sülüklügöl, Davlumbaz Yaylası, 1610 m a.s.l., subalpine meadows, 13.8.2021, N.Aksoy 8441 (DUOF!); ibid., 1600 m a.s.l., N.Aksoy 8442 (DUOF!).
Dianthus akdaghensis. TURKEY. B3 Konya: Ilgın, N of Dığrak and Çiğil road, 1450 m a.s.l., Quercus clearing, 14.7.2017, C.Sağlam 1113 (KNYA!); C2 Muğla: Fethiye, Akdağ, W side, above Camialanı, 2200 m a.s.l., rocky limestone slopes, 8.7.1993, Y.Gemici 6928, G.Görk and N.Özel (holotype, EGE!); Antalya: Between Elmalı and Seki, Akdağ, Yılmazlı Yaylası road, 1700 m a.s.l., grassy plains, 17.6.2013, Hamzaoğlu 6762, A.Aksoy and M.Koç (ANK!, GAZI!, HUB!, ISTE!, ISTO!, KNYA!, VANF!); C3 Antalya: Kemer, above Çukuryayla, 1790 m a.s.l., grassy plains, 1.8.2013, Hamzaoğlu 6958 (GAZI!); Isparta: Sütçüler, above Beydili village, W slopes of Sarp Mountain, 1610 m a.s.l., grassy plains among rocks, 10.7.2014, Hamzaoğlu 7079 and M.Koç (ANK!, GAZI!, ISTE!); ibid., Çimenova [just this written], c. 1500 m a.s.l., 28.7.1949, P.H.Davis 15816 (ANK!); Eğridir Kasnak [Quercus vulcanica] forest, Otluca Kuyusu place, 1140 m a.s.l., 7.7.1970, A.Gökşin s.n. (ISTO–16039!); Yukarı Gökdere, Kasnak [Quercusvulcanica] forest, c. 1700 m a.s.l., calcareous rocks, 11.7.1974, H.Peşmen and A.Güner 1819 (HUB!); C5 [Mersin]: “…, oberhalb Fındıkbunar in … Taurus” [Mezitli, above Fındıkpınar], 1700 m a.s.l., 6.1912, W.Siehe 551 (undiagnosed) (E, E00613495, virtual image!).