Collaborative mapping of new localities of Iris antilibanotica Dinsm. (Iridaceae) in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Iris antilibanotica Dinsm. is a narrow endemic species of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains with an incompletely documented distribution. We report a range-wide survey effort of the species with new Lebanese and Syrian localities, including populations near Arsal, Halbon, and Bloudan, recorded with the help of local pastoralists. Plants occurred in remote rocky habitats and anthropogenic edge environments. Grazing caused only limited localized herbivory in Syrian sites, whereas agricultural conversion, stone clearance, orchard establishment, and uprooting were the main observed threats near Arsal. Precise locality information is withheld for conservation reasons.