Tripleurospermum eskilensis (Asteraceae): a new halophytic species from Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

In the present study, a new species of the genus, Tripleurospermum eskilensis (Asteraceae), is described from Central Anatolia, Turkey. The new species has been collected from Eskil region in a restricted area (Aksaray Province). It grows in salty steppe, and is closely related to T. decipiens in terms of morphological characteristics. It has also been morphologically compared with discoid and disciform capitulated species in Turkey. This study includes its detailed description, diagnostic characters, original photographs, geographical distribution, habitat and ecology, conservation status, and identification key. The comparison of Tripleurospermum eskilensis with closely related species was conducted in terms of morphological characteristics, pollen, achene morphology and anatomy, stomatal length, and molecular phylogenetic analysis.