Cytotaxonomic revision of Onosma series Aleppica Boraginaceae in Iran

Abstract

In this paper a key, descriptions, morphological characters, chromosome number and meiotic behavior are presented for Onosma series Aleppica in Iran. The series characterized by biennial plants, erect-patent indumentum, glabrous tubercles, leaves without venation, density of inflorescence and the exerted anthers from corolla. Onosma estahbanensis and O. soltanabadensis are described and illustrated as new species based on morphological data and meiotic behavior. All populations of different species are diploid and possess chromosome number 2n = 2x = 18. Moreover, populations limits within O. series Aleppica are evaluated and determined by employing multivariate statistics and found a striking association between phenetic and meiotic behavior