A new species of Veronica (Plantaginaceae) from Western Iran

Abstract

A new species, Veronica kurdistanica (Plantaginaceae), is described and illustrated. It grows on limestone cliffs in mountainous alpine areas of western Iran (Kurdistan province). The new species belongs to the species group of V. kurdica and is considered to be closely related to V. daranica, V. khorassanica and V. kurdica, with which the new species is compared. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA (ITS) region confirms this relationship. Veronica kurdistanica is distinguished from the mentioned species by its glandular indumentum, length and shape of leaves and bracts, number of flowers per raceme, length and width of calyx and corolla, and size of capsules and seeds.