Ecological properties and close relationships of some Scilla L. Taxa (asparagaceae) in Turkey

Abstract

Ecological properties of some Scilla L. taxa [S. bifolia L., S. melaina Speta, S. siberica Haw. subsp. armena (Grossh.) Mordak, S. leepii Speta, S. ingridae Speta, S. mesopotamica Speta, S. autumnalis L., S. monanthos C. Koch., S. rosenii C. Koch. and S. cilicica Siehe] were compared and relationships among taxa were determined. S.leepii and S. mesopotamica are endemic to Turkey. Because of various reasons, S. melaina, S. leepii, S. ingridae, S. mesopotamica, S. monanthos, S. siberica subsp. armena, S. rosenii and S. cilicica have limited distribution in Turkey. The investigated taxa have fragrant flowers, so are used as ornamental plant in gardens, parks and balconies in Turkey. Soil samples of the taxa were taken in flowering periods and physical and chemical properties (texture class, % of total salinity, pH, % of CaCO3, % of organic matter, % of total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn (in mg/kg) were determined. According to the similarities and differences in ecological characteristics, the taxa were divided into four groups. 1st group: S. melaina, S. leepii, S. ingridae and S. mesopotamica; 2nd group: S. siberica subsp. armena and S. cilicica; 3rd group: S. bifolia and S. autumnalis; 4th group: S. rosenii and S. monanthos. From the data, it has been found that organic matter, N, P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn values are more effective than the other soil factors in the distributions of the investigated taxa.