Mario Martínez Azorín

University of Alicante | UA · Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources

Taxonomy and systematics and specifically the generic circumscription of the Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae have been a matter of controversy in recent decades. Widely contrasting taxonomic treatments have been proposed, ranging from systems comprising only two genera (including a morphologically very variable Drimia covering nearly the whole...

The taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships of several southern African perennial taxa related to Frankenia repens are discussed. In particular, F. nodiflora Lam., a misunderstood species described from the Cape region and synonymised to F. pulverulenta, is restored for plants endemic to salt-pans and riverbeds in the coastal lowlands acr...

The name “Spergularia hanoverensis Simon” has been misapplied for an endemic taxon confined to inland semi-desert ecosystems in central-western South Africa. It is commonly accepted to be a small annual species occurring in saline habitats in a wide elevation range, but its real identity still remains obscure. In the context of a taxonomic and phyl...

The name “Spergularia hanoverensis Simon” has been misapplied to an endemic taxon confined to inland semidesert ecosystems in central-western South Africa. It is commonly accepted as a small annual species occurring in saline habitats in a wide elevation range, but its identity still remains obscure. In the context of taxonomic and phylogenetic res...

Iris subgenus Xiphium is a small group of taxa that occur in the Mediterranean Basin, a long-recognized biodiversity hotspot. Phylogenetic relationships among these Iris were reconstructed based on sequence data from 110 nuclear markers (coding regions) and plas- tomes using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. Best trees based on pla...

The taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships of several southern African perennial taxa related to Frankenia repens are discussed. In particular, F. nodiflora Lam., a misunderstood species described from the Cape region and synonymised to F. pulverulenta, is restored for plants endemic to salt-pans and riverbeds in the coastal lowlands acr...

Our field work in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa revealed an undescribed species of Austronea, which approaches A. marginata and related species, but differs in distinct morphological characters and distribution. We here describe Austronea oblongifolia to include plants showing bulbs with compact scales; a single, oblong, apiculate leaf...

A new nothospecies, Teucrium × murcigerum, is described which comes from the hybridisation between two species of section Polium: Teucrium murcicum (subsect. Polium) and Teucrium lanigerum (subsect. Simplicipilosa), both endemic to SE Iberian Peninsula. This appears to be the first report of natural intersubsectional hybridisation between T. subsec...

A new species, Cathissa villasina, endemic to the Sierra de Las Villas (Jaén province, Eastern Andalusia, Spain), is described, illustrated and compared to its closest relative (C. reverchonii), with which it was initially confused in this area. A comparative morphometric study (quantitative and qualitative) of both species including a statistical...

The taxonomy and systematics of Urgineoideae (Hyacinthaceae) have been controversial in recent decades with contrasting taxonomic treatments proposed based on preliminary and partial studies that have focused on morphology and/or solely plastid DNA sequence data. Some authors have recognised only two genera, with a very broadly conceived Drimia, wh...

Squilla Steinh. was considered to be an orthographic variant of Scilla L., and therefore the new genus Charybdis Speta was created to include Scilla maritima L. and related taxa occurring in the Mediterranean. Molecular phylogenetic studies recovered Charybdis as distant from Urginea; this finding was also supported by morphology and phytochemistry...

A new species of Vera-duthiea (Hyacinthaceae) is described from the southern parts of the Dhofar province of Oman. The species is fully described and illustrated, including information on its taxonomic relationships, biology, habitat and distribution. An assessment of its conservation status is also provided.

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Ornithogaloideae, we present two new combinations in Eliokarmos for South African species, and five new combinations in Loncomelos for taxa occurring in Iran and Iraq. Details on the concerned types are given, and a new lectotype is designated.

A revision of the genus Echinochloa in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands is shown.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Stenotaphrum Trin. in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands is shown

The taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships of several South African perennial taxa often synonymised to the European Spergularia media are discussed. In particular, the case of Arenaria glandulosa Jacq., a species described as native to the Cape region of South Africa, was revisited. We found this taxon to be a Spergularia, endemic to sa...

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae based on morphological, genetic and phytogeographic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus and species from Pella se Berge in northwestern South Africa. Triandra gen. nov. is easily characterized by the absence of stamen...

Se presentan nuevos datos sobre las comunidades rupícolas de la alianza Pinguiculion longifoliae en la Península Ibérica. Estos tipos de vegetación crecen en roquedos calcáreos y dolomíticos, particularmente en paredones y abrigos umbrosos, sobre suelos apenas desarrollados donde se forman tobas que permanecen húmedas y rezumantes durante gran part...

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples across its whole range of distribution, we here present a taxonomic revision of Tenicroa. Species of Tenicroa have a very intricate history and therefore, unlike many othe...

A new species of the southern Africa endemic genus Eliokarmos, that includes the well-known chincherinchees, is described from the vicinity of Kotzesrus, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Eliokarmos humanii sp. nov. is unique in the genus based on its single, slightly fleshy, suborbicular, convex leaf with ciliate margin, and the short subspi...

Urginea zambesiaca Baker (1873: 223) (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae) was originally described from Mozambique and has been erroneously taxonomically interpreted in recent decades (e.g. Polhill 1962, Kativu & Drummond 1994, Manning & Goldblatt 2018, Manning 2019). Among those interpretations, the recently described Zingela pooleyorum Crouch et al. (20...

Linnaeus (1753) described his Panicum crus-galli based on material from Europe and North America (Virginia), which indeed corresponded to two currently accepted distinct species. Lectotypification by Hitchcock (1908) selected as lectotype the sheet LINN No. 80.18, collected in Canada by Pehr Kalm, which indeed belongs to the currently accepted E. m...

Two new rupicolous species of Pinguicula are described from the limestone and dolomitic mountain ranges of central and southern Iberian Peninsula, which were previously identified as P. submediterranea, P. mundi or P. dertosensis. First, the name P. tejedensis sp. nov. is applied to populations concealed to the high elevation areas of Sierra de Tej...

Nomenclatural types of eleven names of Paniceae described from the Old World are indicated and discussed. This includes designation of ten new types (i.e. four lectotypes, one second-step lectotype, three epitypes and two neotypes) for names currently accepted at different ranks in Cenchrus, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Oplismenus and Setaria. Furthermo...

Se cita por primera vez la presencia de Calicotome villosa en los territorios iberolevantinos. Es ésta una especie ampliamente repartida por la Cuenca Mediterránea, que en la Península Ibérica presenta una distribución Bética y Luso-Extremadurense, con preferencia por suelos ácidos, en el piso de vegetación termomediterráneo subhúmedo-húmedo. En es...

Among the recently described genera in Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (= Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae tribe Urgineeae), Austronea Mart.-Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Pinter & Wetschnig in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2018: 105) includes 20 species restricted to southern Africa (Martínez-Azorín et al. 2018, 2019a, 2019b). Some such species were traditi...

The identity of Drimia purpurascens, a name usually synonymised to the African D. elata, is clarified. Morphological data in the protologue allow identification of the former with the Mediterranean D. undata (Urginea undulata), which is usually treated as belonging to Charybdis, a genus morphologically and molecularly separated from both Drimia s.s...

Hyacinthaceae subfam. Ornithogaloideae (= tribe Ornithogaleae of Aparagaceae sensu APG 2009, 2016, Chase et al. 2009) includes about 300 species of bulbous plants mainly distributed throughout Europe, Africa and south-west Asia. The latest comprehensive study in Ornithogaloideae (Martínez-Azorín et al. 2011) demonstrates the existence of 19 monophy...

In the framework of a revision of the Iberian Paniceae Brown (1814: 582) for the Flora iberica project, we came across the aggregate of the “Natal grass”, Melinis repens (Willdenow 1797: 322) Zizka (1988: 55), a group of annual to short-lived perennial grasses being native and widely distributed in Tropical Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Cape Ve...

In the frame of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples across its whole range of distribution, we here present a taxonomic revision of Geschollia, a genus originally accepted as monotypic to include G. anomala. This genus was characte...

Data on seed morphology of 132 species from 40 genera of all subfamilies (Ornithogaloideae, Hyacinthoideae, Urgineoideae, Oziroëoideae) of Hyacinthaceae are presented. So far, this is the most extensive study on the seed surface of Hyacinthaceae using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and we also give insights into the systematic implications of...

Within the framework of the taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae of Hyacinthaceae, we here describe the new genus Striatula from South Africa and southern Namibia. Striatula is at first sight related to Rhadamanthus species, but can be easily distinguished by the one or two flat, ovate to elliptic, sulcate leaves which are appressed to the...

A new Saetabensian subrupicolous black-sedge community: Erico terminalis-Schoenetum nigricantis (Molinio-Holoschoenion). A new endemic plant association, Erico terminalis-Schoenetum nigricantis (All. Molinio-Holoschoenion vulgaris), is described from the thermomediterranean areas of the low- or medium-elevation mountains of the southern parts of Va...

Adianto-Pinguiculetum saetabensis (Pinguiculion longifoliae): a new rupicolous Saetabensian plant association. A new plant association, Adianto capilli-veneris-Pinguiculetum saetabensis (All. Pinguiculion longifoliae), is described from the thermomediterranean areas of Sierra de Enguera (C-S province of Valencia, E of Spain), which is dominated by...

As part of a taxonomic revision of Rhodocodon, five new species are here described based on distinct syndromes of morphological characters and biogeographical patterns. Rhodocodon petrae resembles R. calcicola but differs in flower morphology and leaf size. Rhodocodon viridans is related to R. intermedius but differs in its proliferous bulb, synant...

Scilla undulata Desfontaines (1792: 161) was described for plants occurring in Barbary, namely on the northern coastal areas of Tunisia and Algeria. The name has been applied to hysteranthous plants with undulate, glabrous leaves; inflorescence long racemose, usually loose; flowers pedicellate, stellate, with small, shortly spurred, deciduous bract...

Our fieldwork in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa revealed an undescribed species of Austronea which was named by Schonland as “Urginea Patersoniae Schonl. Ms.”, but never validly published. We here describe Austronea patersoniae to include plants showing bulbs with loose scales; 5–9 narrowly linear erect leaves with papillate margins; elo...

As part of a taxonomic revision of tribe Urgineeae, and informed by morphological and phylogenetic evidence obtained in the last decade, we present 17 new combinations in Austronea, Indurgia, Schizobasis, Tenicroa, Thuranthos, Urgineopsis, and Vera-duthiea. These are for taxa recently described in Drimia sensu latissimo or otherwise named during th...

In a recent publication on nomenclature and taxonomy of the genus Juno, we have established several new combinations for irises, including Iris koyuncui Fırat. When stating the intended new combination in Juno for the latter name, a partially wrong citation of its basionym was made. Although the publication year, page number and holotype data were...

As part of studies of seeds in Hyacinthaceae, we detected the genus Rhodocodon as a rare example in the family that shows remarkable variability in seed morphology. Detailed descriptions and a key for the seeds of 13 species and their systematic implications are presented.

In the framework of a taxonomic revision of subfamily Urgineoideae based on morphological and genetic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus from Southern Africa. Iosanthus gen. nov. includes Ornithogalum toxicarium, a highly toxic species originally placed in subfamily Ornithogaloideae. Ho...

El RD 1791/2010, del Estatuto del Estudiante Universitario, establece como derechos comunes del alumnado: la igualdad de oportunidades, sin discriminación alguna, en el acceso, ingreso y permanencia en la universidad; y la atención y diseño de actividades académicas. La misión principal de esta red de investigación docente es conseguir que el alumn...

Juno (Iris subg. Scorpiris) is a distinct group of bulbous irises, widely diversified in central and southwestern Asia and the Caucasus with some representatives in the Mediterranean basin. It is a monophyletic group with remarkable morphological, biogeographical and molecular peculiarities, which is accepted here as an independent genus. In the pr...

In the course of revising the subfamily Urgineoideae of the Hyacinthaceae it became evident, based on molecular and morphological data, that some plants usually named ‘Drimia indica’ from northeastern South Africa represent rather an undescribed species of Vera-duthiea. This is the first record of this genus occurring in southern Africa. The new sp...

In the course of resolving the identity of plants usually named ‘Drimia indica’ from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, molecular and morphological data revealed the identity of more than one taxon carrying this name. Our studies support the establishment of a new urgineoid genus, Zingela gen. nov., to accommodate a species (Z. pooleyorum) colle...

As part of a taxonomic revision of Urgineeae, combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples from a large range of its distribution, here we describe Austronea, a new genus from South Africa and southern Namibia. This genus is related to Fusifilum based on general inflorescence and flower morphology, but it differs from it by the le...

A new rupicolous species, Pinguicula saetabensis, belonging to P. sect. Pinguicula is described from calcareous cliffs of central-southern Valencia province, in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. It has previously been confused with P. mundi and P. vallisneriifolia, two close allies endemic to southern Spain which share some morphological traits and a...

In the framework of our studies on Lamiaceae from the eastern Iberian Peninsula, for the forthcoming fourth volume of Flora valentina, a new infraspecific arrangement is proposed here for the Iberian endemic Teucrium thymifolium. Besides the type subspecies, T. thymifolium subsp. thymifolium, which is widely distributed through the eastern Iberian...

Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014).

As part of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) based on morphological and genetic data covering numerous samples from its whole range of distribution, we here describe a new genus from south-eastern South Africa. Aulostemon includes Drimia mzimvubuensis, a species recently placed in Sagittanth...

Iris pskemensis Rukšāns (2007: 363) was described on the basis of materials collected near Ihnachsai (Ikhnachsay) in the higher areas of Pskem mountain range (eastern Uzbekistan), which were propagated in Latvia. In the short protologue it was placed in Iris subg. Hermodactyloides Spach (1846: 16) and was briefly compared to I. kolpakowskiana Regel...

Lamiaceae is one of the most diversified families in the Mediterranean basin. In particular, the Iberian Peninsula and Northern Africa concentrate about one third of the described taxa (Greuter & al. 1989, Navarro & al. 2002), many of which are endemics with very narrow distribution areas.

Asparagaceae (subfamily Scilloideae, tribe Hyacintheae) is alternatively regarded as Hyacinthaceae subfam. Hyacinthoideae, an option of our choice. Additional information on generic circumscriptions in Hyacinthoideae can be found in Martínez-Azorín et al. (2013, 2014a, 2014b), Pinter et al. (2013) and Wetschnig et al. (2014).

The study of plant material from three populations in northeastern Spain and southern France revealed the presence of O. umbellatum as a new record for the Iberian flora. Although this species had been cited in the Iberian Peninsula by various authors within the last two centuries, its presence in this territory could not been confirmed in recent y...

El reglamento de Adaptación Curricular de la Universidad de Alicante (UA) define una estrategia educativa para que el alumnado complete su currículum, con competencias y contenidos académicos suficientes para el correcto ejercicio profesional. Sin embargo, en muchos grados de la UA, las adaptaciones para el alumnado discapacitado se realizan indivi...

Following Rafinesque’s (Flora Tellur. 2: 13. Jan–Mar 1837) typification, the well-established name Scilla will have to be applied in a sense that is contrary to its traditional usage, and applied to plants currently placed in a different subfamily. Furthermore, the current Asparagaceae tribus Urgineeae would be replaced by Asparagaceae tribus Scill...

We are requesting a binding decision as to whether Scilla L. and Squilla Steinh. are to be treated as independent names or are sufficiently alike to be confused (under Art. 53.5 of the ICN, McNeill & al. in Regnum Veg. 154. 2012), and accordingly either orthographic variants with the current typification (under Art. 61.2 of the ICN) or treated as h...

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of Drimia sensu lato we here describe a new species from the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Drimia trichophylla sp. nov. is at first sight related to D. vermiformis, but it can be clearly differentiated by the flower and leaf morphology and distribution. A complete description is presented for th...

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia (Hyacinthaceae-Hyacinthoideae-Massonieae), a new species, M. thunbergiana Wetschnig, Mart.-Azorín & M. Pinter is here described from the Roggeveld, the coldest region of South Africa. This species is at first sight similar to some populations of the heterogenous M. depressa-aggregate but it diff...

Rhodocodon jackyi is here described as a new species related to R. urgineoides, they both belonging to Rhodocodon subg. Urgineopsis. The new species shows a distinct syndrome of morphological characters, such as the deciduous, large, spirally arranged, synanthous leaves; the multiflowered, lax, secund raceme; flower pedicels 12‒22 mm long; and whit...

El Programa de grupos de Alto Rendimiento Académico (ARA) es una experiencia innovadora de la Universidad de Alicante (UA), en la que solamente cuatro titulaciones lo han implantado, siendo el Grado en Biología pionero en dicho programa. Tras cuatro años de experiencia docente en grupos ARA de las asignaturas Botánica y Biodiversidad vegetal, respe...

Uno de los retos más destacables en materia de innovación universitaria es el Programa de grupos de Alto Rendimiento Académico (ARA) implementado en la Universidad de Alicante (UA). Éste constituye una experiencia novedosa solamente en cuatro titulaciones de dicha universidad, siendo el Grado en Biología pionero en dicho programa. En origen, el gru...

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, we here clarify concepts of Massonia echinata, M. latebrosa and M. tenella-all frequently misunderstood or reduced to synonymy. We discuss their history, biology, habitat preferences and distribution. Our study also shows that the current concept of M. echinata, including M. angustifolia and M....

When treated in a broad sense, Iris (the ‘rainbow-flowers’) is one of the most diverse and well-known genera in the Asparagales. However, recent conventional phylogenetic and three-taxon statement re-treatments of the molecular data (cpDNA) for the irises (‘Iris sensu latissimo' clade) showed that the obtained patterns of relationships appeared to...

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, a new species, M. bakeriana, is here described from the Northern Cape (South Africa). This species is at first sight similar to M. echinata and M. mimetica, but it differs in vegetative, floral, and molecular characters as well as by its ecology and distribution. A complete morphological descri...

Desertia gen. nov., which belongs to tribe Massonieae, is described from south western Namibia and north western South Africa. Desertia is at first sight related to Whiteheadia and Massonia, but it can be clearly differentiated by the papillose bracts, subcampanulate flowers with straight, suberect or slightly spreading free portion of tepals and t...

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, a new species, M. obermeyerae is here described from South Africa. This species is at first sight similar to M. depressa, but it differs in the inflorescence and flower morphology, as well as its distribution. A complete morphological description of the new species and data on biology, habitat,...

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of the genus Stellarioides we here describe a new species from South Africa, Stellarioides exigua. This taxon is, at first sight, related to S. arida and S. tenuifolia s.l., but it can be clearly differentiated by the small general size; the filiform, free leaves; the small narrowly lanceolate capsules a...

Within the framework of a taxonomic revision of the genus Eliokarmos we here describe a new species from Pella se Berge in South Africa. Eliokarmos craibii sp. nov. is at first sight related to E. decus-montium and E. pendens, but the former can be clearly differentiated by the 2(−3) succulent, appressed, proteranthous leaves with lateral portions...

Hyacinthaceae (Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae) are commonly hysteranthous or proteranthous plants, in which leaves and inflorescences usually are not present simultaneously. Consequently, to facilitate future identification, type “specimens” were sometimes prepared to combine fragments gathered at different times so as to include as many vegetati...

The genus Rhodocodon is here reinstated based on morphological, biogeographical and molecular evidence. On the basis of the work presented by H. Perrier de la Bâthie in Flora of Madagascar, one subgenus and ten species of Rhodocodon are validated here. Furthermore, Rhodocodon madagascariensis and R. urgineoides are lectotypified, and Hyacinthus cry...

A new species endemic to South Africa, Drimia edwardsii, is described and illustrated, with data provided on its morphology, ecology and distribution. The species appears to be closely related to Drimia delagoensis and Urginea lydenburgensis, and whereas all are synanthous and produce small, pale-brownish campanulate flowers, several leaf and bulb...

Hyacinthaceae includes many taxa of hysteranthous or proteranthous plants, in which leaves and inflorescences are not coetaneous. Many herbarium sheets of such taxa, including type specimens, were prepared with samples gathered at different times to include as many vegetative and reproductive structures as possible to facilitate future identificati...

As part of an ongoing study towards a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia Houtt., a new species, Massonia amoena Mart.-Azorín, M.Pinter & Wetschnig, is here described from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This new species is characterized by the leaves bearing heterogeneous circular to elongate pustules and the strongly reflexed peri...

A new South African endemic species, Stellarioides littoralis is described and illustrated, with data provided on morphology, ecology and distribution. The species appears to be closely related to S. longibracteata and whilst it shares in common an epigeal habit of the bulb with the latter species, several reproductive and vegetative morphological...

Background: Iris L. s.l. is one of the most diverse and well-known genera in the Asparagales, with approximately 250-300 circumscribed species and significant economic impact. The taxonomy of the genus has suffered dramatic changes in the last century, particularly in the last decades after the application of molecular techniques. As a result seve...

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia Houtt., a new species, Massonia dentata Mart.-Azorín, V.R.Clark, M.Pinter, M.B.Crespo & Wetschnig, is here described from the Nuweveldberge on South Africa’s southern Great Escarpment. This new species is, at first sight, related to M. calvata Baker and M. echinata L.f., but it differs in floral...

Abstract— A new species of Nicipe from the Little Karoo in South Africa is here described. Nicipe rosulata sp. nov. is characterized by its (3‐)5‐8 short and broad, somewhat leathery leaves disposed in a basal rosette, its narrowly ovate, acute-apiculate capsules, and its long papillate-echinulate seeds. This species is at first sight related to Ni...

As part of a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia, a new species, M. saniensis is here described from Lesotho (southern Africa). This species is at first sight similar to both M. wittebergensis and M. jasminiflora, but it differs in vegetative, floral, and molecular characters as well as by its distribution. A complete morphological description...

In the framework of a taxonomic revision of Battandiera, we present two nomenclatural changes in the genus. Urginea angolensis is the priority name for Battandiera pulchra (Ornithogalum pulchrum), and therefore, the new combination of Battandiera angolensis is required. Ornithogalum recurvum, a taxon that has been considered as a synonym of Battand...