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Home , Ophioglossum, Ophioglossum lusitanicum, Ophioglossum vulgatum

THE EASTERNMOST DISTRIBUTION OF LUSITANICUM L. (), NEW TO FLORA OF IRAN

A. R. Naqinezhad & K. Kavousi

Naqinezhad, A. R. & Kavousi, K. 2004. 10 10: The easternmost distribution of Ophioglossitm lusitanicum L., new to flora of Iran. -Iran Journ. Bot. 10 (2): 167-171.

Ophioglossum lusitanicum L. (Pteridophyta) is recorded from Iran. Based on morphological, anatomical, sporological and ecological investigations, it is possible to distinguish this species from the well-known one in northern Iran, O. vulgatum L. Its discovery in a submountain area of Langerud, Gilan province, represents an extension of its pliytogeographical range in eastern Eurasia. Geographical distribution and characteristic details of the species as well as a concrete comparison with O. vulgatum is presented.

Ali Reza Naqinezhad., Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University o f Tehran, Tehran, Iran.: [email protected]. -Kuroush Kavousi, Department o f Environment, Mahab-Ghodss Company, 17, Zafar avenue, Tehran, Iran.

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Introduction Kazem, Sadegh-ali-Sara village (Bijar- Because of considerable shortage of Cheshmeh), 200-300 m, 18.11.2003, specialized investigations on the Iranian Naqinezhad, 33472 -TUH; as the latter, Pteridophytes, it seems that more studies on 27.2.2004, Naqinezhad, 33473-TUH. this subject are necessary. In order to undertake much intensive taxonomical and Main morphological characters ecological studies on the Pteridophytes and in O. lusitanicum is similar to O. vulgatum but it the framework of the first author's studies on is recognized with some different characters the flora and vegetation of northern Iran, we presented in the table 1. supply a great collection of Pteridophyte flora. Despite the species delimitation in In our collected specimens, a very rare and tiny Ophioglossum is a worldwide problem (Paul, that later named as Ophioglossum 1987), but according to table 1, O. lusitanicum lusitanicum L. (Ophioglossaceae), was is clearly distinct in terms of size, frond, encountered. At first, this plant appeared to be venation, epidermal cells and stomata and as juvenile forms of O. vulgatum L.-another ornamentation. While in most rare but well-known species of northern Iran geographical areas, O. vulgatum is extremely (Hyrcanian area). But later, a deep view on the variable in size and shape even within a single diagnostic characters of the collected population, O. lusitanicum is not a variable specimens and the ever collected of O. species (Paul, 1987). vulgatum revealed that the specimens belong to O. lusitanicum L. It is possible to Habitat and Ecology distinguish this species from O. vulgatum on In Iran: grows on wet the morphological, anatomical, sporological shady places in closed Hyrcanian forests, while and ecological grounds (Boissier, 1884; lljin, O. lusitanicum is adapted to sandy or gravelly 1934; Henderson, 1965; Paul, 1987). O. soils in open forest areas. Small areas along the lusitanicum that is recorded for the first time relatively wide submountain road of Leyla-kuh from the flora of Iran, appears to be restricted is colonized by a dense population of latter to some definite habitats from atlantic Europe species. Habitat of the species is characterized and Mediterranean to the and by an especial accumulated soil with sandy to Hyrcanian area, while O. vulgatum is sandy-loamy texture within which small subcosmopolitan and occurs on the wide gravels are found. Sometimes this soil type is variety of habitats. There is no report of O. named as alluvial-colluvial. The most lusitanicum in the local literatures except Parsa outstanding cover is relevant to Tortula ruralis (1978), that included this species in his book (Hedw.) Smith, a moss that completely covers but without any likely localities and materials. the whole habitat. Also, O. lusitanicum is The species, its habitat and geographical surrounded by some juvenile plants such as distribution are described and a concrete Cerastium glomeratum Thull., Euphorbia comparison with O. vulgatum is presented. peplus L., Geranium molle L., Hypericum perforatum L., Lotus sp., Luzula forsteri Ophioglossum lusitanicum L., Sp. PI. 1063 (Smith) DC., Origanum vulgare L„ Oxalis (1753). Fig. I. corniculata L., Poa annua L. It seems that the Materials examined: Iran, Gilan province, recorded species along with the above Langerud, Leyla-kuh, beside the mountain mentioned plants can be considered as an road of Jir-Sara village to Emamzadeh Seyyed- ephemeral plant community. This community IRAN. JOURN. BOT. 10 (2), 2004 Ophioglossum lusitanicum 169

Table 1. Morphological differences between the two Ophioglossum species. Spccies Height L eaf Sterile blade Epidermal cell Vein Fertile portion Sporangia Spore (cm) o f blade 3-7 1-3 Lanceolate to Almost Forming Arising near 6-10 pairs Smooth linear- rectangular elongate the base of the lanceolate, 8 x witli straight areole sterile portion O lusitanicum 2 to 40 x 7 mm margin without included free veins

Up to 1 Broadly ovate Margin Vein areole Arising from Up to 40 Tubercu 30 or oblong, sinuate to with included the middle of pairs late strongly undulate free veins the sterile O vulgatum narrowed portion toward base 17x8 to 100x50min

grow on an open degradaded submountain area its absence in the main botanical collecting surrounded by a large tea plantation which season accounts for its being seldom recorded formerly seemed to have been a closed and its disttibution may still be inadequately hyrcanian forest. known. In other geographical areas. It is necessary to state that O. vulgatum has a wide variety of Geographical distribution habitats in its distributional places and Distributional areas of O. lusitanicum is wouldn’t grow as luxuriantly in exposed or basically Circum-mediterranean extending to heavily grazed coastal sites as in a damp the Atlantic Islands in western Europe and meadow. By contrast, O. lusitanicum prefers with isolated outposts in St. Helena, the Scilly relatively exposed habitats. In Europe, this from the Coast of Britain (Maire, 1952; species is a predominantly coastal plant with Clapham, et al, 1962; Jalas & Suominen, some inland stations (Valentine, 1964; Paul, 1972). The westernmost habitat for the species 1987) and part of an ephemeral plant has been found in Canarian and Madeiran community colonizing areas with shallow, islands (Boissier, 1884; Coste, 1901; clayey to sandy soil that is moist (or even Valentine, 1964). The nearest record of the flooded) in winter but completely dries out in species to Iran is in the west of Transcaucasus summer. In British Isles, this is mainly to area (Abkhazia) (Iljin, 1934). Thus new be found in short turf on the moist peaty or discovery of O. lusitanicum in Hyrcanian area sandy soil of coastal rocky downs and cliff-tops. of Iran is the easternmost record of this species In Turkey, it grows in open associations with uptil now. According to these distributional Pintis brutia, Arbutus & Erica (30-350 m). places, this species is a Mediterranean element extending into some areas of Euro-Siberian Note on growing season region. In contrary, O. vulgatum extends in It is interesting that O. lusitanicum has a winter North temperate regions from Northern growing season and is apparent only in the America, almost throughout Europe, temperate winter month (in contrary to O. vulgatum as a Asia to Sibiria and as a disjunct in Algeria spring species) thus its aerial parts completely (Boissier, 1884; Coste, 1901; Henderson, disappear as soon as the spring drought. In 1965). other word, the unobtrusive habit together with 170 Naqinezhad & Kavousi IRAN. JOURN. BOT. 10 (2), 2004

Fig. 1. Ophioglossum lusitanicum L. (nat. size); spike (x4).

Acknowledgment References The authors wish to thank the authorities in the Boissier, E. 1884: Flora Orientalis. 5. - Central herbarium of Tehran University Genevae et Basileae. especially its manager, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. G. & Warburg, E. F. Ghahreman, who allowed them to work in the 1962: Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge Herbarium. We thank Mr. Mehdi Ajani for University Press. drawing. The first author is grateful to Mr. Coste, H. 1901: Flore Descriptive et illustree Mehdi Zarrei, who accompanied him on one of de la de la corse et des contrees his journey to northern Iran. limitrophes. III. Librairie Scientifique et Technique. IRA N . JO U R N . B O T. 10 (2), 2004 Ophioglossum lusitanicum 171

Henderson, D. M. 1965: Filicales in P. H. Maire, D. R. 1952: Flore de L’Afrique du Davis (ed.) Flora of Turkey and the east Nord. vol. 1. Paris. Agean Islands, vol. 1: 40. Parsa, A. 1978: Flora of Iran. vol. 1. Ministry lljin, M. M. 1934: Archegoniatae and of Science and Higher Education of Iran. Embryophyta in V. L. Komarov (ed.), Flora Paul, A. M., 1987: the status of Ophioglussum of the U.S.S.R. v. 1. Leningerad (translated azoricum in the British Islans, -Fern from Russian by Israel program for gazette, 13(3). scientific translation, Jeursalem 1968). Valentine, D. H. 1964: Ophioglossaceae in T. Jalas, J. & Suominen, J. 1972: Atlas Florae G. Tutin et al.(eds.) Flora Europaea. vol. 1: Europaeae (Pteridophyta) vol.l. Helsinki. 8. - Cambridge University Press.