Taxonomic consideration on the genus «Darniella» (Chenopodiaceae)

Abstract

Abstract The author provided a full taxonomic treatment with descriptions, illustrations, herbarium specimens seen, distribution map, keys and relationships of the species of Damiella Maire & Weiller (Chenopodiaceae). This genus includes the species belonging to Salsola sect. Damiella (see BRULLO 1982), viz.: D. longifolia (Forsskal) Brullo comb, nov., D. verticillata (Schousboe) Brullo comb, nov., D. zygophylla (Batt. & Trab.) Brullo comb, nov., D. schweifurthii (Solms-Laub.) Brullo comb, nov., D. cruciata (Chevall. ex Batt. & Trab.) Brullo comb, nov., D. gymnomaschala (Maire) Brullo comb, nov., D. cyrenaica Maire & Weiller, D. glomerate (Maire) Brullo comb, nov., D. melitensis (Botsch.) Brullo comb, nov., D. tunetana (Brullo) Brullo comb, nov., D. sinaica (Brullo) Brullo comb. nov. The genus Damiella differs from the genus Salsola for the presence a well developped hypoginous disc, of staminodes alternating with the stamens, of leaves cylindrical or davate articulating at the base with a short coriaceous whitish pulvinus which is ventrally hollowed out and more or less wooly. Whilst it differs from the genus Seidlitzia, with which has close resemblance, for the presence of brances not jointed, leaves articulated on a basal pulvinus, hypogynous disc well developped, staminodes and stamen filaments shortly fused at the base, anthers appendaged, perianth segments equal or subequal enterely or only in the central part membranaceous. Phytogeografical and ecological informations are given too.