Limonium ammochostianum, L. karpasiticum and L. paralimniticum (Plumbaginaceae), three new endemic species from the eastern part of Cyprus

Abstract

Erben, M., Christodoulou, C. S., Hand, R. & Kefalas, K.: Limonium ammochostianum , L. karpasiticum and L. paralimniticum ( Plumbaginaceae ), three new endemic species from the eastern part of Cyprus. — Fl. Medit. 32: 35-45. 2022. — ISSN: 1120-4052 printed, 2240-4538 online. Limonium ammochostianum , L. karpasiticum and L. paralimniticum ( Plumbaginaceae ) are described as new to science. The former species was long time known in Cyprus under the mis-applied name L. ocymifolium subsp. bellidifolium . The three species occur in a few coastal stretches in the east of the island. The new taxa show strong morphological similarities and can be considered as segregates of a L. ammochostianum species group. All hitherto known populations of the species group make up about 6000 individuals. L. ammochostianum and L. paralimniticum should be classified as “Endangered”, whereas L. karpasiticum as a “Data Deficient” taxon.