Astragalus sect. Elvendia (Fabaceae), a new tragacanthic section recorded from Mt. Alvand, a center of endemism in W Iran

Abstract

A new section of Astragalus from Mt. Alvand, W Iran, was recognized namely Astragalus sect. Elvendia Bagheri & Maassoumi, sect. nov., which is described here based on A. leucargyreus Bornm. A full description and diagnosis of the new section are given and taxonomic relationships of the section and its allied taxa are discussed. Molecular phylogenetic data obtained from the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as well as plastid ycf1 and matK genes strongly support that the species of the new section is separated from sections Hymenostegis and Adiaspastus, where A. leucargyreus was placed before, and forms a distinct clade. In addition, we discuss the floristic, endemism, and conservation status of the Mt. Alvand region (type locality of the new section). Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2022.2036846. © 2022 Societá Botanica Italiana.