Phragmites frutescens H. Scholz (Gramineae), A New Record For The Flora of Turkey

B. Mutlu1

Summary Phragmites frutescens H. Scholz from southwest Anatolia are described as new records for Turkey.

Key Words: Phragmites, Gramineae, new record, Turkey

Introduction Phragmites L. is represented by one species from Turkey. This species is (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. During a botanical trip to SW Turkey, an unrecognised specimen of Gramineae was collected. It was identified from the Flora of Turkey (Davis, 1985) and checked from suplementums (Davis et Tan, 1988; Güner, et al. 2000). After checking these, I realized that the specimen was different from Phragmites australis. By using the species description of “Phragmites in Crete” (Scholz, 1996) and “Phragmites frutescens (Gramineae) re-visited. The discovery of an overlooked, woody grass in Greece, especially Crete” (Scholz, Böhling, 2000) the specimen was identified as Phragmites frutescens H. Scholz. Author abbreviations follow Brummit and Povel (1992). The specimens were deposited at the Herbarium of Hacettepe University, Department of Biology (HUB).

Results and Discussion

Phragmites frutescens H. Scholz, in Taxon 45 (3): 522. 1996.

Perennial, phoenicoid habit. Stems 3-6 m, axillaries sterile shoots present, at base up to 3 cm in diameter. Ligula a dense fringe of hairs, 0.5-1 mm when young also with a row of erect hairs to 1 cm on dorsal surface. Leaf sheaths embracing internodes; both leaf sheaths and blades (laminae) being easily deciduous on older stems, so exposing the culm internodes; apical of leaf blades stiffy pointed. Panicles lax, (10-) 20-35 cm. Spikelets 4-6 flowered, 7-11 mm. Gluma unequal, glabrous, lower ovat, acute, (2-) 3-5 mm; upper ovate-lanceolate, acute, 3-6 mm. Lemma narrowly lanceolate, lower lemma 6-9 mm. Upper lemma 4-7 mm. Paleas 2-3 mm. Callus 0,5-0,7 mm, callus hairs 4-5 (-6) mm. Anthers 1,2-1,8 mm. Flowering; Nov.-Jan.

Type: Greece: Crete: Nomos Hania, Eparhia of Apokoronos, between Jeorhioupolis and Litsardha, in ditches, 24 Apr. 1996. (HT: B).

1 Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science Biology Department, 06532 Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.

General distribution: Mediterranean element. Greece, Crete, Rhodes and SW Anatolia.

Specimen seen: C1 Muğla: Datça-Bozburun road, turn to Bozburun, road side, 10 m, 22/11/2001, B. Mutlu 7868 (Fig.1).

Figure 1. The distribution of Phragmites frutescens in Turkey

Identification key to Phragmites species in Turkey;

1-Lateral shoots usually absent. Leaf blade and tips soft, leaf sheaths tightly enclosing stem. Panicles dense, panicle base often enclosed in uppermost leaf sheath, lower branches with spikelets to the base. Floret per spikelets (3-) 4-12; spikelets 10-18 mm. Upper glume 5-12 mm, upper lemma (7-) 9-12 mm. Callus 1-1.5 mm, callus hairs (6-) 8-10 mm; anthers 2-4 mm. Flowering time August to October australis

1-Axillary sterile shoots present. Leaf blade coarse, tips pungent, leaf sheaths loosely enclosing stem. Panicles lax, panicle base usually free, lower branches without spikelets to the base. Floret per spikelets 4-6; spikelets 7-11 mm. Upper glume 3-6 mm, upper lemma 4-7 mm. Callus 0,5-0,7 mm, callus hairs 4-5-(6) mm. Anthers 1,2-1,8 mm. Flowering time November to January frutescens

The sylleptic and next-year(s)-branching of the culms, the “phoenicoid” habit (resembling the leaves of the Phoenix palm) of unbranched shoots and abscission of the leaves are the most practical features to recognize P. frutescens in field. Flowering period (November to January) and woody culms after flowering are other distinguishing features of P. frutescens.

Tall grasses such as the giant ( donax L.) and Phragmites species are difficult to collect and preserve for taxonomic studies. It may well be assumed that any sterile Phragmites population has been regarded as belonging to P. australis or, perhaps, Arundo L. Because of these reasons were given above, other taxonomists have not been noticed this species until this time.

Acknowledgements I am grateful to Prof. Dr. M. Doğan and Dr. A.A. Dönmez for their critical discussions.

References

1.Brummitt, R.K. & Powell, C.E. (eds.). Authors of Names. Kew. Royal Botanic Gardens, 1992. 2.Davis, P.H. (ed.). Flora of Turkey and The East Aegean Islands, Vol. 9. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Universty Press, 1985. 3.Davis, P.H., Mill, R.R,. Tan, K., (eds.). Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Vol. 10 (supplement 1). Edinburgh: Edinburgh Univ. Press, 1998. 4.Güner, A., Özhatay, N., Ekim, T., Başer, K.H.C. (eds). Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Vol. 11 (supplement 2). Edinburgh: Edinburgh Univ. Press, 2000. 5.Scholz, H., Phragmites frutescens sp. nov.- p.522 in : Greuter, W. & Scholz, H., Phragmites in Crete, frutescens, and the nomenclature of the common reed (Gramineae), Taxon 45: 521-523, 1996. 6.Scholz, H., Böhling, N., Phragmites frutescens (Gramineae) re-visited. The discovery of an overlooked, woody grass in Greece, especially Crete, Willdenowia, 30: 251-261, 2000.