Crataegus azarolus var. sharania from Dohuk, Iraq is described as a new variety new to science. Morphological characteristics of twig, leaf, inflorescence, and infructescence are studied. Chromosome counting proved to be N= X=17. Results are compared with that of local varieties of C. azarolus.
Rhus coriaria var. zebaria from Duhok/Aqrae, Kurdistan, Iraq is described as a variety new to science. Field expeditions started in spring 2011, continued during 2012 and 2013 with the aim of collecting sumac specimens from diff erent physiographic regions of Kurdistan, Iraq. A total of ten plants for each variety were sampled. An equal number of tagged herbarium specimens were prepared. Th e holotype was designated and deposited together with other herbarium specimens in the herbarium of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Univ. of Duhok. Morphological characters of the leaf, infl orescence, fl owers, infructescence, and fruit were studied. Th e pH value of the pericarp in addition to the hilum length was measured. Results were compared with Rhus coriaria L. var. coriaria . Th e most distinctive feature of the new variety is the dull whitish brown color of the drupe pericarp of var. zebaria as compared to the reddish brown color of the drupe pericarp of var. coriaria . Th e whitish color of the drupes of var. zebaria , in combination with their larger size, represents diagnostic characters for distinguishing this variety. In contrast, most leaf characters are of little or no taxonomic value in this species. Only shape, apex and marginal teeths of the leafl ets show minor diff erences for separating the two varieties. Female and male infl orescences and fl owers characters show no signifi cant diff erences. Both hilum length and pH value characters may be useful for taxonomic application if mean values are taken in consideration.
The polleniferous material of Centaurea taxa grow in Kurdistan-Iraq was collected. Samples were tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). In the polar view, pollen grain outlines are mostly triangular or triangular-circular. In equatorial view, the elliptic shape is common, while circulars or semicircular shapes are rare. The exine sculpture is scabrate, and the tectum is perforate. Number of sculpture microspinules/ µm², and their heights together with the number of wall perforations provide significant characters for taxa delimitation. Pollen grains of all species are of medium size, very few of some species pollen are larger or smaller in size. Species producing subprolate pollen shape is common, while oblate spheroidal and Prolate spheroidal shapes are less common. The principal component analysis and the discriminant analysis can recognize 65.478% and 87.54% of the total variability respectively; moreover, the discriminant function can correctly classify 125 or 78.125% out of 160 observations for pollen traits.
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