Paeonia daurica Andrews or P. mascula ssp. triternata (Pall. ex DC.) Stearn & P. H. Davis (Paeoniaceae)?

Abstract

The peony in the Crimea of Ukraine and its allied populations have been variously taxonomically treated, as Paeonia daurica Andrews or P. mascula ssp. triternata (Pall. ex DC.) Stearn & P. H. Davis. Supported by the National Geographical Society, we have conducted extensive field observations and population sampling of this group in Turkey. In addition, relevant herbarium specimens from the herbaria B, BEO, BM, BUCA, E, G, GZU, K, P, SA, SOM, UPA, and WU were critically examined. Principal coordinate analysis was performed using MVSP-Version 3.13b analysis software. As a result, P. daurica was shown to be clearly differentiated from P. mascula in the number of leaflets/segments of the lower leaves and the shape of the terminal leaflets. P. daurica is diploid, except for three local tetraploids in the Caucasus, whereas P. mascula is consistently tetraploid. The two units were not found growing together, even in southern Turkey, where they are sympatric. P. daurica is considered to be a good species, which ranges from Croatia to Iran through Turkey and the Caucasus, and comprises six subspecies. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London.