Authors: ÖZAL GÜNER
Abstract: Stachys species show high morphological diversity and their main diagnostic characteristics are calyx and corolla length, ratio of tooth to calyx, and verticillaster arrangement. This manuscript describes and provides detailed morphological, micromorphological and molecular information about a new species, Stachys istanbulensis Ö. Güner, and its close relatives. The new species resembles S. recta complex, but is distinguished by its procumbent flowering stems, shorter calyx and teeth, congested verticillasters, creamy yellow corolla and oblong-obovoid nutlets. Moreover, the periclinal surfaces of S. istanbulensis nutlets are usually wrinkled, while those of S. recta are smooth. In addition, nrITS DNA region sequences were used to find the relationships of the new species to its close relatives and determine its correct phylogenetic position within section Olisa. Therefore, the newly described S. istanbulensis and its close relatives S. recta and S. atherocalyx comprise a clade (III). With this addition, the number of Turkish Stachys species has reached 94 (121 taxa), and 65 (53.7%) of these taxa are endemic.
Keywords: Classification, endemic, İstanbul, phylogeny, systematic, taxonomy
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