Crepis purpurea Subsp. gulderenae (Asteraceae: Cichorieae), A New Subspecies from Türkiye

Crepis purpurea subsp. gulderenae is described and illustrated as a new subspecies belonging to tribe Cichorieae of family Asteraceae. It is morphologically similar to the typical C. purpurea from Crimea (Ukraine) but differs in leaf and bract size, peduncle and involucral hair types, inner involucral bract size, bracteole shape and size as well as length of corolla, stamen, anther, filament, stigma, ovary size, and width of sterile achene. Crepis purpurea subsp. gulderenae is distributed in the marly and gypsiferous soils around the Aysantı pass in the Ayaş district in the northwest of Ankara province, Türkiye. This region is an important plant biodiversity hotspot, where many newly discovered endemic species reside. Previously Crepis purpurea subsp. gulderenae was known as C. purpurea in Türkiye, and its taxonomy was updated based on field surveys data and macro- and micromorphological studies. Two DNA regions were examined: nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS) which was identical for typical and new subspecies of C. purpurea and chloroplast region atpB-rbcL which was also very similar. A comprehensive description, distribution map, habitat and ecological preferences, IUCN category, and diagnostic key for Crepis purpurea subsp. gulderenae are presented.