Brian Mathew

Crocus sativus and its allies (Iridaceae)

Crocus sativus is an autumn-flowering species, unknown as a wild plant but long-cultivated for its scarlet style branches which yield Saffron, the dye and flavouring agent. There are several naturally-occurring related species from southern Europe and south western Asia which form a natural group within the genus.C. niveus from Greece is similar to these morphologically and is included here but is less closely related. The characters of the group are defined, a key to the taxa is provided and their relationships discussed.

Red Data Book of Iran. A Preliminary Survey of Endemic, Rare and Endangered Plant Species in Iran

Red Data Book Of Iran : A Preliminary Survey of Endemic Rare & Endangered Plant Species in Iran , Red Data Book Of Iran : A Preliminary Survey of Endemic Rare & Endangered Plant Species in Iran , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی

New species of Alliaceae & Hyacinthaceae from Turkey

Summary. Three new species to the Turkish flora are described and illustrated; Allium turcicum (Alliaceae), Bellevalia anatolica and Muscari anatolicum (Hyacinthaceae). Recent specimens collected by the authors and N. Stevens from Turkey included three undescribed geophyte species. This adds to those species included in the most recent revision of Turkish geophytes in Flora of Turkey (Davis 1984, 1988) and further demonstrates the importance of studying living material. Details of the collecting expeditions and voucher specimens for cytological work are given in the following paper (Johnson 1994).

A chemical appraisal via leaf flavonoids of dahlgren's Liliiflorae

Abstract Leaf flavonoids have been identified in 91 species of the new superorder Liliiflorae. The results have been combined with those obtained earlier on 181 species so that data are now available on 29 of the 52 families. The flavonols quercetin and kaempferol occur in about half the sample, while the flavones apigenin and luteolin are present in about a fifth. O -Methylated flavonoids (isorhamnetin, tricin, diosmetin, etc.) are uncommon, as are other classes of flavonoid. The rare flavonol, 3- O -methyl-8- C -methylquercetin, previously reported in Dasylirion acrotrichum , was found in three other members of the family Nolinaceae and seems to characterize it. Otherwise, the 29 families fall into two groupings: 23 with flavonols in the leaves and six with flavonols and flavones. The limited diversity in flavonoid patterns and in other chemical features within these plants argues for a more conservative treatment at the family level.

A detailed study ofCrocus speciosus and its allyC. pulchellus (Iridaceae)

Crocus speciosus is a widely distributed autumn-flowering species showing considerable variation in its morphological characters. Three subspecies are recognised, two of which are endemic to small areas of Turkey. The third, subsp.speciosus, occurs in a much wider area and contains a number of different cytotypes.C. pulchellus is a distinct but closely related species. The morphological relationships between the species and subspecies are discussed and a key to the taxa is provided. Cytological data are given and a distribution map of the cytotypes is provided. A detailed study of the leaf anatomy is presented.

A new species of Grewia (Tiliaceae) from northeast tropical Africa

Shrub 2-3 m in height. Branches dark grey to purplish, pubescent when young, becoming glabrous. Stipules linear, c. 4 mm long, pubescent, caducous. Leaves shortly petiolate; petiole densely pubescent; lamina elliptic, 1 5-4-5 x 1-2 3 cm, acute at the apex, rounded, cuneate or sometimes truncate at the base, either green and ? concolorous or discolorous, green above and whitish-tomentose below; margin strongly crenate-serrate. Inflorescence axillary, consisting of solitary 3-flowered cymes; peduncles 4-9 mm long; pedicels 5-12 mm long. Flowers bisexual, c. 12-18 mm diam. Sepals narrowly elliptic, cucullate, densely grey-pubescent outside, glabrous and yellow inside, 6-10 x 2-5-3 mm. Petals yellow, obovate, 5-8 x 2-3 mm, with or without a nectariferous claw. Androgynophore much reduced, to about 1 -5 mm long. Ovary 2-locular with 4 ovules per loculus; style c. 5-6 mm long; stigma with 4 broad lobes. Fruit 2-lobed (or 1-lobed by abortion), each lobe c. 5-6 x 5-6 mm, sparsely stellate-hairy; pyrenes pea-shaped with a rugose surface. (Fig. 1, Map 1).