Bellevalia sasonii (Asparagaceae): a new species from Turkey

Abstract

Bellevalia sasonii is herein described as a new species from south-eastern Anatolia, distributed only in the Sason district, in the province of Batman (Turkey), where it grows in oak forest clearances. B.sasonii is morphologically similar to B. malatyaensis, from which can be distinguished by the bulb, leaf, scape, pedicel, bud lobes and capsule characters. A full description and detailed photographs of this new species are provided. In addition, the ecology and phenology of the new species, as well as its etymology and pollen characteristics, are presented and discussed. According to the risk categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), B. sasonii was assessed as Endangered (EN). An updated distribution map of B. sasonii and related species are presented.