Gagea bohemica (Liliaceae), a highly variable monotypic species within Gagea sect. Didymobulbos

Abstract

Gagea bohemica s.l. (Liliaceae) consists of two morphologically extreme forms (saxatilis and bohemica) which depending on the varying opinions of the authors are considered as separate species, subspecies or as a single variable species. In this study, morphological (form and length of perianth segments, pilosity of pedicles and peduncles) and molecular data (cpDNA trnL–trnF IGS) of 55 samples corresponding to 43 populations from Western Europe to the Mediterranean area and eastern Caucasus were investigated. G. bohemica (Zauschn.) Schult. & Schult. f. represents a highly variable monotypic species from both morphological and karyological (2n = 24, 36, 48, 60, 72) aspects. Based on the molecular and morphological data presented here, a differentiation between specific and infraspecific taxa is not possible. We hypothesize that the morphological variability of this species is largely influenced by different site conditions and ploidy level.