Taraxacum sect. Palustria in Bulgaria

Standard descriptions were published for all the Bulgarian species of Taraxacum sect. Palustria (Kirschner & Štěpánek 1993a, 1998), with the exception of T. abruptilobum, T basilicum and T. rumelicum, the three species that are described here as new. We therefore provide a dichotomous identification key for all species, and full descriptions are published for the new species only.

The character diversity of the Bulgarian members of Taraxacum sect. Palustria is relatively low, and some important character states are missing from that territory (e.g., yellow stigmas, absence of pollen, outer phyllaries all patent). They belong to five species groups only, and T. sect. Palustria exhibits a relatively low diversity near its southern limit. The majority of species, according to the monograph of the section (Kirschner & Štěpánek 1998), belong to the groups centred in Greece and Bulgaria, only rarely extending to other regions: the T. subalpinum group (seven species) and the T. apiculatoides group (four species). The T. scaturiginosum group (represented by two species in Bulgaria) is widespread in the E Mediterranean and the Black Sea region, reaching Iran in the east. Taraxacum scaturiginosum is a taxon with one of the largest distribution ranges in this section; it extends from Albania in the west through the Balkan Peninsula, Crimea and Turkey to Armenia, Iraq and Iran in the east. There is another group with higher diversity in the central Mediterranean and extending to the Alps and farther north to Central Europe, the T. tenuifolium group, with two species in Bulgaria. The only species with a large geographical range reaching its southern limit in Bulgaria is the variable and widespread (Battjes & al. 1992) T. vindobonense s. lat. belonging to the group bearing the same name and diverse in the Pannonian region and the narrower Central Europe.

The members of Taraxacum sect. Palustria in Bulgaria occupy habitats typical of the section: meadows in the vicinity of springs, wet pastures, subhalophilous sites and flood-meadows. As regards the possible gaps in the knowledge of this section in Bulgaria, we should mention wet meadows along the Danube River and the lower streams of its tributaries in the Danube Lowlands. This lowland region was not properly explored, and some taxa not listed below might occur there.

Bulgarian representatives placed in species groups

Taraxacum abruptilobum Štěpánek & Kirschner, sp. nov. — Fig. 1, 2.

Holotype: Bulgaria, Haskovo District, “ad compitum viarum publicarum ca 3 km ad meridiem a pago Poljanovo versus”, 2 May 1990, K. Sutorý, cultivated as JŠ 6031 (PRA no. det. 28597; isotypes: BRNM, PRA no. det. 28546, distributed also as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1016). — Exsiccates: Taraxaca Exs. no. 1016.

Diagnosis — Plantae agamospermae, foliis profunde lobatis, pinnatisectis, lobis lateralibus saepissime patentibus lingulatis, phyllariis exterioribus adpressis, deinde laxe adpressis, numerosis, subimbricatis, obscure brunneo-viridibus marginibus distinctis albo-membranaceis angustissimis, antheris polliniferis, stigmatibus obscure luteo-griseis, acheniis dense spinulosis, in pyramidem tenuem cylindricam 0.8–1(-1.1) mm longam abrupte abeuntibus, rostro 8—11 mm longo.

Description — Herbs medium-sized, sometimes quite tall, usually 14–25 cm tall. Plant base almost glabrous. Leaves variably erect-patent, usually 8–19 × 1.5–4.5 cm, light (brownish) green, unspotted, almost glabrous, sometimes araneous on midvein; leaf blade narrowly oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic in outline, pinnatisect; terminal segment variable, usually 1–3 × 1–2.5 cm, narrowly triangular to triangular, often trilobed with ± patent basal lobules and distal subsegment lingulate, acute to subacute, terminal segment with distal margin concave, ± undulate, entire, sometimes with a single incision, proximal margin ± straight, entire; lateral segments (3 or)4–6(or 7) pairs, relatively short, usually 7–20 mm long, 6–12 mm wide at base, ± narrowly deltoid-triangular, usually ± patent, in outer leaves also ± recurved, acute, proximal margin slightly concave to straight, often with a distinct tooth at base, distal margin variable, entire or with a single tooth; interlobes relatively broad, usually 10–15 × 2–8 mm, green or faintly brownish to brown-purplish, usually dark-bordered, entire or with a single tooth, rarely dentate; midvein green, proximally sometimes slightly purplish; petiole narrow or narrowly winged, 2–5(-6) cm long, deep purple. Scapes ± equalling leaves, purplish at base, otherwise pale green, glabrous, initially with a few araneous hairs below capitulum, later glabrescent. Capitulum 3–4 cm wide, ± slightly convex, deep yellow. Involucre c. 8 mm wide, rounded at base. Outer phyllaries 14–19, broadly ovate to ovate, with an attenuate and obtuse apex, 6–7 × 3.5–5 mm, appressed, loosely so after anthesis, slightly imbricate, ± evenly brown-green, blackish when dry, darker distally, with an abrupt transition into whitish membranous border 0.1–0.2 mm wide, margin irregularly ciliate. Inner phyllaries 10–11 mm long, dark olivaceous green. Outer ligules flat, striped dark olivaceous grey, later also suffused purplish, ligule teeth blackish; inner ligules canaliculate, teeth reddish to dark yellow. Stigmas discoloured, yellowish grey-green, outer pubescence with apically dark hairs. Pollen abundant, irregular in size. Achenes medium light (stramineous) greyish brownish, 3.6–4.3 × 0.9–1.1 mm, body medium densely to subsparsely spinulose in distal –¼, otherwise ± smooth, spinules short, ± broad, body ± abruptly narrowing into a thin, cylindric to subcylindric cone 0.8–1 (-1.1) mm long, usually with minute spinules at base; beak (8-) 10–11 mm long; pappus 5.5–6.5 mm long, light brownish white. Agamospermous. Triploid: 2n = 24 (det. V. Jarolímová, 2000). Flowering from April to May; fruiting in May.

Fig. 1.

Taraxacum abruptilobum sp. nov. — A: general habit (scale bar = 5 cm); B: achenes (scale bar = 1 mm); C: outer involucral phyllary (scale bar = 1 mm). — Del. J. Štěpánek according to cultivated plants of JŠ 6031.

Ecology and distribution — Wet grasslands and pastures. Thracian plain (Polyanovo). Known from a single macrolocality in Bulgaria only.

Affinities — Taraxacum abruptilobum belongs to the group of T. subalpinum Hudziok and T. noterophilum Kirschner & al. (Kirschner & Štěpánek 1998) and is quite close to T. ambitiosum, particularly in outer phyllary features, but the latter has a different character of achenes: much less densely spinulose, with a subgraduai transition of body into a longer, usually 1.3–1.5 mm-long cone. Also the leaf shape is useful to tell the two taxa apart. Another taxon similar to T. abruptilobum is the Turkish T. pseudopulchrum Kirschner & Štěp´nek (Kirschner & Štěpánek 1998). Again, T. pseudopulchrum differs from T. abruptilobum in its achenes with a very short cone (0.5–0.7 mm long) and shorter beak; its outer phyllaries are indistinctly bordered, and its leaf lateral lobes are much more densely dentate.

Fig. 2.

Taraxacum abruptilobum sp. nov. — Holotype specimen (PRA).

Etymology — The adjectival epithet refers to the abruptly incised lateral segments of the leaves.

Specimens examined — Bulgaria: Haskovo District, near the crossroads c. 3 km S of Polyanovo, 2 May 1990, K. Sutorý, cultivated as JŠ 4763, collected 1992 (PRA no. det. 28548); ibid., cultivated from achenes of JŠ 4763 as JŠ 6031, collected 1998 (BRNM, PRA no. det. 28546, distributed also as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1016).

Taraxacum basilicum Štěpánek & Kirschner, sp. nov. — Fig. 3, 4.

Holotype: Bulgaria, Sofia region, Gorni Lozen, summit grasslands of Lozenska planina, 1000–1100 m, 29 May 1988, J. Kirschner, cultivated as JŠ 3088 (PRA no. det. 28593; isotypes: PRA no. det. 29010, also Taraxaca Exs. no. 1012). — Exsiccates: Taraxaca Exs. no. 1012—1014.

Diagnosis — Plantae mediocres, primo adspectu Taraxaco obunco et T. copidophyllo affines, sed phyllariorum exteriorum marginibus pallidis carentibus, acheniis multo longioribus, pappo sordide albido discrepant.

Description — Herbs medium-sized, usually 12–18 cm tall. Plant base densely brownish arachnoid. Leaves erect-patent, usually 6–14 × 1.3–4.5 cm, light olivaceous green, adaxially often suffused bronze, unspotted, sparsely araneous to glabrate; leaf blade elliptic to narrowly oblanceolate in outline, pinnatisect; terminal segment dominant, usually 1.3–3 × 1.5–4 cm, triangular to narrowly so, approaching helmet-shaped, apex subacute, distal margin ± concave to slightly sigmoid, entire, basal lobules subrecurved, acute, proximal margin convex to sigmoid, entire, whole terminal segment ± sagittate; lateral segments 2 or 3(or 4) pairs, proximal ones smaller, slightly recurved, deltoid-triangular, sometimes birdwing-shaped, acuminate, distal margin ± convex to ± sigmoid, entire, or with a few minute teeth, proximal margin sigmoid to ± concave, entire; interlobes long, relatively narrow, usually 3–11 × 2–4 mm, not darker coloured, entire, less often with a single thin, long, acute tooth or several filiform teeth, margin ± brown-purple; midvein distally pale, proximally pinkish to purplish (brown); petiole narrowly to medium broadly winged, usually 2–3.5 cm long, greyish purple. Scapes equalling to ± overtopping leaves, scattered floccose-araneous, densely so below capitulum, light green. Capitulum relatively large, 3–4 cm wide, slightly convex, (dirty) yellow. Involucre dark olivaceous, flat to ± truncate at base, c. 8 mm wide. Outer phyllaries 16–20, loosely appressed to almost patent (appressed at base, distally arcuate to sigmoid-patent), not imbricate, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, 8–11 × 2–3.3 mm, lowermost ones with margin at base with 1–3 narrow, fimbriate teeth to 0.4 mm long, adaxially paler green and often suffused bluish purplish, abaxially dark blackish olivaceous green (brownish black-green when dry), often suffused violet in distal ½, border not developed or border only in proximal part, reduced to a very narrow (to 0.1 mm wide), dark membranous fringe, apex ciliate, flat to callose. Inner phyllaries 12–13 mm long, dark olivaceous green. Outer ligules slightly canaliculate, more distinctly so near apex, striped dark purplish grey-black outside, apical teeth black-purple; inner ligule teeth light purple. Stigmas dark, grey-green, with black pubescence outside. Anthers polliniferous; pollen irregular in size. Achenes light grey-brownish to light olivaceous grey-brown, 4.4–5.3 × 1–1.1 mm, body coarsely spinulose and ribbed, either throughout (outer achenes) or in distal (inner ones), spinules short, longest ones (to 0.4 mm long) just below cone, these sometimes coalescing in squamules, erect-patent, body subgradually narrowing into a ± thick, subcylindric cone 0.8–1.4 mm long, often with a few spinules at base; beak (6-)7–9 mm long; pappus light brownish white, 6.5–7.5 mm long. Agamospermous. Flowering from April to May; fruiting from May to June.

Fig. 3.

Taraxacum basilicum sp. nov. — A: general habit (scale bar = 5 cm); B: achenes (scale bar = 1 mm). — Del. J. Štěpánek according to cultivated plants of JŠ 3088.

Ecology and distribution — At most of its sites, Taraxacum basilicum grows in temporarily wet meadows (vernal spring patches in meadows); the only known exception is the Vitosha locality with a slope permanently soaked with spring water. It is apparently, so far as the material goes, quite common in mountain ranges S of Sofia (from Vitosha to Golo Bardo).

Affinities — Taraxacum basilicum, when compared with the other members of T. sect. Palustria in Bulgaria, apparently approaches the group of T. subalpinum (represented by seven species), and T. obuncum in particular. T. basilicum differs from the latter in having substantially longer achenes, much longer and pale brownish white pappus, and longer outer phyllaries with almost absent borders. Taraxacum basilicum may be compared with the group of T. copidophyllum Dahlst. of T. sect. Taraxacum. The closest species, T. copidophyllum is characterized by much shorter achenes with short cone, different leaf shape (particularly the terminal segment and denticulate distal margins to proximal leaf lateral segments).

Fig. 4.

Taraxacum basilicum sp. nov. — Holotype specimen (PRA).

Etymology — The epithet is a Latin adjective, basilicus (-a, -um), meaning kingly or noble.

Specimens examined — Bulgaria: Golo Bardo Mts, along path between alpine chalets of Orlite and Slavej, 19 May 1989, B. Kuzmanov 89109, cultivated as T 221 (PRA no. det. 26015, distributed also as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1014); Sofia, Ljulin planina, near the monastery, 29 May 1988, J. Kirschner (PRA no. det. 26014); Sofia, Gorni Lozen, summit part of Lozenska planina, 1000–1100 m, 29 May 1988, J. Kirschner, cultivated as JŠ 3087 (PRA no. det. 26013, distributed also as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1013); ibid., cultivated as JŠ 3088 (PRA no. det. 26010, distributed also as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1012); ibid., cultivated as JŠ 3089 (PRA no. det. 26009, distributed also as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1013); Sofia, Lozenska Planina, wet slopes above Gorni Lozen, May 1990, J. Kirschner, cultivated as JK 1071 (PRA no. det. 26012); Sofia, Vitoša Mts, meadows along path SW of alpine chalet of Aleko, 1600 m, 3 Jun 1988, J. Kirschner, cultivated as T102 (PRA no. det. 26011).

Taraxacum rumelicum Štěpánek & Kirschner, sp. nov. — Fig. 5, 6.

Holotype: Bulgaria (southern), Rodopi Mts, Čepelare, Mursalica (= E part of Perelik Mts), Široka Läka, wet meadows at W foot of Mt Goljam Sněžnik (2188 m), between Lednicata and Mugla, c. 2 km NE of Mugla, 41°37′N, 24°31′E, 1700 m, 23 Jul 1998, J. Štěpánek, R. Bělohlávková, V. D. Vladimirov & D. Petkova, cultivated from root sample no. 41 as JŠ 6829/C (PRA no. det. 28595; isotypes: PRA no. det. 28555, and 15 duplicates distributed as Taraxaca Exs. no. 1015). — Exsiccates: Taraxaca Exs. no. 1015.

Diagnosis — Plantae mediocres vel subrobustae, primo adspectu Taraxaco subudo et T. vindobonensi similes, sed acheniis et pyramide longioribus, pappo multo longiore, phyllariis involucralibus exterioribus latioribus discrepant.

Description — Herbs usually medium-sized, ± subrobust, most often 12–25 cm tall. Plant base medium densely brownish arachnoid. Leaves variably erect-patent, usually 9–16 & 1.5–3 cm, light subglaucous green, not spotted, glabrous or subglabrous; leaf blade linear-oblanceolate to linear-oblong in outline, pinnatipartite to pinnatisect; terminal segment medium-sized to ± large, usually 1.2–4 × 1–3 cm, triangular or narrowly so, acute to subacuminate, distal margin slightly convex to ± sigmoid, entire, or with a single shallow acute incision, basal lobules subrecurved or patent, quite often asymmetric, whole terminal segment therefore sometimes ± sagittate; proximal margin ± straight or subconcave, entire; lateral segments 3 or 4 pairs, deltoid-triangular to narrowly triangular, recurved, acute, usually 5–19 mm long, 7–15 mm wide at base, from a very broad base ± gradually narrowing into a long, narrowly triangular, acuminate apex, distal margin ± straight or subconvex or subsigmoid, ± entire, proximal margin similar, entire; interlobes long and relatively narrow, usually 5–12 × 3–4(-6) mm, green or distally with narrowly bordered brownish purple, with ± raised margins, entire or with a few small, narrow teeth; midvein proximally pinkish, distally light green; petiole narrowly winged, greyish light purple. Scapes overtopping leaves, usually 10–22 cm long, slightly suffused purplish at base, distally green, purple to bronze below capitulum, very sparsely araneous to floccose-araneous. Capitulum large, 3.5–4.5 cm wide, ± flat, deep yellow. Involucre rounded at base, c. 9 mm wide, not pruinose. Outer phyllaries 20–26, slightly imbricate, loosely appressed with erect apex, outermost (1 or 2) ones linear, middle ones ovate to ovate-lanceolate, uppermost ones ± lanceolate, 7–8 × (2-)3.5–5 mm, often with an elongated obtuse apex, flat, suffused purple in distal , with a variably broad, dark green to black-green middle part (0.3–2 mm wide), with a gradual transition into variably broad, pale olivaceous to whitish green marginal part bordered by a 0.1–0.4 mm-wide, pale membranous, distally ciliate margin. Inner phyllaries 13–14 mm long, of equal width, ± dark olivaceous green, apex suffused pink-brown. Outer ligules flat, striped dark olivaceous grey outside, apical teeth grey-black; inner ligules subcanaliculate, with apical teeth dirty yellow. Stigmas exserted, relatively dark, yellowish grey-green, with a black pubescence outside. Pollen abundant, irregular in size. Achenes light greyish stramineous-brown, 5.1–5.8 × 1.2–1.3 mm, achene body medium densely and shortly spinulose in distal ¼, ± gradually narrowing into a cylindric to subcylindric, narrow cone 1–1.5 mm long; beak 7.5–9 mm long; pappus conspicuously long, c. 8.5 mm long, pale yellowish white. Agamospermous. Flowering from April to May; fruiting from May to June.

Ecology and distribution — Taraxacum rumelicum grows in wet meadows around mountain springs. It is known from a rich population at the type locality only.

Affinities — Taraxacum rumelicum is a quite robust plant, relatively close to T. subudum, but differing from it primarily in darker, more numerous outer phyllaries and longer achenes with much longer pappus. Also the group of T. paucilobum Hudziok and T. vindobonense Soest (as defined in Kirschner & Štěpánek 1998) is to be compared with T. rumelicum. If we disregard the small, slender plants of T. paucilobum and its allies, T. vindobonense and a few taxa closely related to it have much shorter achenes and cones, substantially shorter pappus, and a narrower shape of middle outer phyllaries.

Fig. 5.

Taraxacum rumelicum sp. nov. — A: general habit (scale bar = 5 cm); B: achene (scale bar = 1 mm); C: outer involucral phyllaries (scale bar = 1 mm). — Del. J. Štěpánek according to cultivated plants of JŠ 6829/C.

Etymology — The epithet derives from Eastern Rumelia, the historical Balkan region where the species occurs.

Fig. 6.

Taraxacum rumelicum sp. nov. — Holotype specimen (PRA).