In: Phyton, 49 Fasc. 2 (2010), S. 145-220 with 7 figures


Key words: Allium subgenus Melanocrommyum, Alliaceae. – Classification, distribution, molecular marker systems, morphology, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomy.

Summary

Fritsch R. M., Blattner F. R. & Gurushidze M. 2010. New classification of Allium L. subg. Melanocrommyum (Webb & Berthel.) Rouy (Alliaceae) based on molecular and morphological characters. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 49 (2): 145–220, with 7’figures.

Allium subgenus Melanocrommyum from Eurasia is taxonomically complicated with different and contradictory taxonomic treatments proposed in the past. A comprehensive study, covering nearly all existing taxonomic groups and their entire geographic distribution, by sequencing the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) confirmed the monophyly of the subgenus, while most traditionally used sections were either para- or polyphyletic. Addition of ten more species and 150 new accessions to that dataset confirmed the earlier results and underlined that multiple rapid radiations occurred within different monophyletic groups of the subgenus. About 40 well separated molecular clades were recognized, and taxonomically discussed and affiliated, but their phylogenetic relations remained often unresolved. The splits of some large “classical” sections was unavoidable. Therefore the sections Asteroprason R. M. Fritsch and Procerallium R. M. Fritsch as well as the subsections Humilicognata R. M. Fritsch, Diffusoumbellata R. M. Fritsch, Keratoprason R. M. Fritsch and Pharmakoprason R. M. Fritsch were newly described, the subsections Decipientia (Omelczuk) R. M. Fritsch and Stellata (F. O. Khass. & R. M. Fritsch) R. M. Fritsch were raised to sectional level, four subspecies were raised to species level, and the name Allium jaubertii R. M. Fritsch was created for an illegitimate species name.

Altogether 160 species and subspecies were accepted (plus 53 unclear or synonymous names) in the updated conspectus of A. subg. Melanocrommyum. They were affiliated to 20 sections and 22 subsections (sect. Acanthoprason Wendelbo and sect. Melanocrommyum Webb & Berthel. were only subdivided in alliances). Lectotypes of 17 species were designated or validated, and neotypes for A. isfairamicum O. Fedtsch., A. suworowii Regel, A. viridiflorum Pobed., and epitypes for A. bakhtiaricum Regel and A. derderianum Regel were designated.