The Iranian Journal of Botany
Volume:23 Issue: 1, Winter and Spring 2017

Three new species of Astragalus, including A. (Caprini) chamanbidensis, A. (Craccina) kelishomensis and A. (Hymenostegis) rijabensis are described from different parts of Iran. Line drawings and affinities of these species with their related species are given.

Trifolium longidentatum Nabelek is reported as a new record from the Kurdistan province, West of Iran. It belongs to the section Trifolium, subsect. Ochroleuca. This species, is characterized by long calyx teeth, oblong-lanceolate stipules that adnate to petiole in four-fifths of their lengths, pale pink flowers and bent beak pods. It is taxonomically an isolated species and there is no very close species to it in the Flora Iranica area. Morphological characteristics, habitats and geographical distribution of T. longidentatum are presented. An identification key to the Iranian members of Trifolium sect. Trifolium subsect. Ochroleuca is also provided.

In a taxonomic revision of the genus Scutellaria in Iran, the specimens identified as Sc. multicaulis Boiss. in the herbarium of Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands (TARI) as well as specimens belonging to the newly collected materials were examined and sampled for DNA sequencing by using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F as molecular markers. Morphological variations such as flowers color, leaf shape and indumentum were diagnostic characters in the studied specimens. Accordingly, specimens could be divided into two different morphological groups. Sampling of representatives of each morphological group was carried out for DNA sequencing. The results showed differences in sequences of determined groups. Based on the results of this study, three new taxa are recognized and described.

Silene breviauriculata Ghazanfar from sect. Auriculatae that already was reported from Afghanistan in Flora Iranica, is recorded from Iran for the first time. The distribution map of the new record is presented.

Barbarea integrifolia (Brassicaceae) was collected during Khersan glacier studies around seasonal spring in south Alam-Kuh Mountain. Taxonomic remarks with distribution notes for the species and identification key for the Iranian Barbarea species are provided.

Protection of desert soil vegetation is one of the key requirements for environmental protection programs. Survival of desert plants is related to dispersal characters and germination mechanisms that ensure germination and successful establishment of seedlings in suitable time and place. Salsola kali subsp. tragus is annual halophyte found in some dry land and rangeland of Tarom-Abbar (Province of Zanjan). In this area it names as Chogan and in ancient times, was used as laundry soap. In this research, seed structure, polymorphism, germination and growing of S. kali subsp.tragus were studied under greenhouse conditions. Three types of seeds were observed: a, dark; b, light yellow and c, yellow color. All seeds had a spiral-shaped embryo. Spiral-shaped embryo gives quick ability for fast germination in good condition. Some of the yellow seeds had a transparent shield which causes gradual penetration of water into the seed. These features cause the seeds that germinate later than the others. Comparison of germination between scarified and not scarified seeds showed that non scarified seeds had more than 2 mounts dormancy. The stages of germination process and morphological characters of plant in different growing life cycle are presented. The special characters of this plant, such as the fast opening of compressed spiral shape embryo, which we report in this research, is a creative natural mechanism for rapid germination and immediately establishes on unreliable conditions. Study of halophytes life cycle, discovery of germination mechanisms and biological structures involved in stress conditions will be very important and necessary for improving of desertification programs, soil improvement, soil erosion control and forage production.

Fagus orientalis Lipsky is the most important tree species of the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran.For long time, forest residents throughout Hyrcanian Forests have traditionally recognized F. orientalis, considering the appearance (outlook) of trees, into two forms: black beech, and white beech. In this research, we tried to evaluate micro-morphological characteristics of leaf and pollen grains of black and white beeches in the Hyrcanian Forests. Our research showed that there are no significant differences in micro-morphological characters between white and black beeches.

Ferula gummosa Boiss. (galbanum) is recognized as a monocarpic species according to the available data. Following off a research on Iranian galbanum accessions diversity, we found some genotypes that are not monocarpic. The clung parts of the older roots behind the fresh roots, represented the existence of two or three generations of growth in wild populations of galbanum. These polycarpic genotypes were transferred to pots and established in greenhouse conditions. The domesticated plants showed unlimited regeneration power. About 10 to 15 lateral meristematic buds were produced on the roots of this genotype. The vegetative meristematic buds were planted on different rooting media as fine sand and soil. Also these buds were cultured on MS medium for micro propagation. Here we report the existence of polycarpy in some genotypes of galbanum for the first time. This is very important finding which can help to propagate this species with seed production limitation and consequently in conservation of species in nature.

Cercis L. belongs to Caesalpinaceae family. Two species of the genus grow in Iran. Four populations of two Cercis species namely C. siliquastrum (one population) and C. griffithii (three populations) were selected based on their morphological characteristics to investigate their karyotypes. The results confirm no differences among the different species for the number of chromosomal stocks (x=7). All species were diploid with 2n=2x=14.

To investigate the non-heterocystous filamentous cyanoprokaryotes in terrestrial habitats of Yazd province, seven stations in Taft, Meybod and Ardakan counties were selected. In the present paper an attempt was made to identify cyanoprokaryotes using morphological characteristics. In this study 4 families including Microcoleaceae, Oscillatoriaceae, Pseudanabaenaceae and Leptolyngbyaceae, 18 species belonging to 9 genera including, Oscillatoria, Kamptonema, Phormidium, Lyngbya, Oxynema, Microcoleus, Jaaginema, Pseudanabaena and Leptolyngbya were identified. Ecological distribution and camera lucida drawing of species are presented. It should be notedthat Phormidium arvense Gardne, Phormidium chlorinum (Kützing ex Gomont) Umezak and Microcoleus steenstrupii Petersen are the 3 new records from Iran.

Three new records of Pezizales including one genus Scutellinia and two species of Helvella are reported for the first time from Uzbekistan. Scutellinia scutellata (L.) Lambotte, Helvella acetabulum (L.) Quél. And Helvella quelletii Bres. were found from the Nuratau ridge, North-Western Pamir-Alay. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided.