New species of Limonium from Italy and Tunesia

Summary The polymorphism of the Limonium multiforme— L. pontium complex has been investigated. The group can be divided into several local endemic species distributed on the islands of Tuscany and Latium and on the coast of the mainland. Cytotaxonomical investigations and the control of pollen sterility lead to the hypothesis that the taxa recognized can be (at least partly) considered as agamo-species which differ by feeble but constant characters and exhibit strong geographical localization. The following new species are described: L. amynclaeum Pign., L. argentarium Pign., L. circaei Pign., L. dianium Pign., L. gorgonae Pign., L. herculis Pign., L. ilvae Pign., L. planesiae Pign., L. trojae Pign., L. pandatariae Pign.; furthermore L. peucetium Pign. (from Bari), L. zembrae Pign. (from Tunesia) and L. dolcheri Pign. and L. tibulatium Pign. (both from Sardinia). The new combination L. doriae (Sommier) Pign. is proposed.