Centaurea species in Turkey (A): Centaurea odyssei Wagenitz (Asteraceae) in Kazdagi (Mt. Ida) National Park

Abstract

Kazdagi (Mt. Ida: 1774 m) is in northwestern Turkey. The rock type is mainly schist, and the soil is brown forest soil without lime. For these reasons, Kazdagi is one of the most important floristic areas in Turkey. With regard to genetic resources, this area is of major importance for in situ conservation of plant genetic diversity. Centaurea odyssei Wagenitz is a threatened very local endemic species, growing only in three small areas on Kazdagi. These populations are under heavy grazing stress. Morphological, anatomical and palynological studies are described and autecological and conservation aspects of the species are discussed.