Contributions to taxonomy of subtribe Lactucinae (Cichorieae, Cichorioideae, Asteraceae) in Iran
摘要
During revisional works and based on newly collected specimens, new data are provided on the diversity, distribution and phylogeny of three species of subtribe Lactucinae in Iran. The annual Lactuca austroiranica is described from southern Iran as new to science. It is endemic to the Irano-Turanian region and grows in the Juniperus-Pistacia woodlands. Morphologically it is most similar to L. dissecta and L. dolichophylla and molecular phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA ITS sequences support its position as sister to the two species. Lactuca leucoclada, previously known only from Afghanistan and Türkiye, is newly recorded for Iran. The recently described L. birjandica is demonstrated to be conspecific with the regional endemic and phylogenetically isolated L. picridiformis. Own collections of this species helped to improve the knowledge of its distribution in eastern Iran. A second step lectotype is designated for the name L. picridiformis. Photographs of living plants and a distribution map of the studied species in Iran are presented. An updated inventory of the Lactucinae in Iran, including 35 taxa (31 species belonging to Lactuca and 4 to Cicerbita), is provided.