A new species and a new natural hybrid of Origanum L. (Lamiaceae) from the west of Turkey

Abstract

Origanum ayliniaeDirmenci & Yazıcı, which differs significantly fromO. dictamnusL., is described for the first time in thispaper. In addition, a new hybrid,O. × adaeDirmenci & Yazıcı, betweenO. ayliniaeandO. sipyleumL., is described and investigated indetail. The general morphology, pollen structure, chromosome features, and nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (rpl32) genomes of collectedspecimens were studied.O.×adaewas determined to have some intermediate properties morphologically and palynologically thatplace it between the parents. Pollen size and shape were important features in the diagnosis of the hybrid and its parents in this study. The somatic chromosome number ofO. ayliniae ,O . ×adae , andO. sipyleumwas counted as 2n = 30. According to the results of thesedifferent approaches,O. ayliniaediffers significantly fromO. dictamnus , which has a close relationship withO. ayliniae , andO. × adaehas a hybrid nature. These results support previous reports for the speciation ofOriganummembers via hybridization. This studyaimed to present a new species ( O. ayliniae ), a new hybrid ofO.×adae , and their differences. In conclusion,O. ayliniae ,O. × adae , andO. sipyleumprovide significant morphological, micromorphological, palynological, cytological, and molecular information abouthomoploid hybridization.