A NEW RECORD FOR THE FLORA OF IRAN: LONICERA MICROPHYLLA (CAPRIFOLIACEAE)

Introduction Lonicera L. (Caprifoliaceae) includes more than 180 species in the world (Mabberley 2008), with 19 species in the Flora Iranica region (Wendelbo 1965). Six species occur in Iran based on a treatment by Wendelbo (1965), while eight are listed in a treatment by Khatamsaz (1995). During floristic investigation by the authors in Saluk National Park, Khorassan province (NE Iran) that started in spring 2008, one rare and interesting Lonicera shrub was observed and herbarium specimen was collected for the further taxonomic study. Based on the Flora Iranica treatment (Wendelbo 1965), this specimen is determined as Lonicera microphylla Willd. ex Roem. & Schultes a new record for the flora of Iran. The total species for the genus with this new record has now reached to nine in Iranian territory.