Daphne pontica subsp. haematocarpa, a new plant for Iran

Specimens belonging to the species Daphne L. (Thymelaeaceae) were collected from the northern parts of the country, which has the following morphological specifications:Shrub to 1 m high, stems firm, older ones brown, younger ones green; bark brown; leaves leathery, crowded at ends of branches, obovate-lanceolate or oblong-elliptical, acute, narrowed at base, glabrous, 3-9 cm × 1.5-3.5; inflorescence axillary, 2-flowered; peduncles axillary, 10-25 mm long; pedicles 3-8 mm long; flowers yellowish green; hypanthium narrow, lanceolate, unequal, two lobes shorter than others; ovary glabrous; drupe red, 5-6 mm long, 3-4 broad. (Fig. 1)In view of these specifications, and taking into account the available references (Boissier et al. 1879, Pobedimova 1949, Parsa 1951, Peterson 1972, Tan 1982), the specimen were identified as Daphne pontica subsp. haematocarpa G. Woronow. It is reported for the first time for the flora of Iran. Distributed from the Eastern Europe to Caucasia, this subspecies grows in the woods or shrubby slopes. It is evergreen, with many flowers and fruits, and it has a strong scent, especially in the evenings. In the existing classifications, the species Daphne albowiana is made a synonym of this subspecies (theplantlist.org).