Typification and characterization of Orobanche ritro Gren. & Godr. (Orobanchaceae) of central and southern Europe

Abstract

Orobanche ritro, which is frequently considered a synonym of O. elatior, is lectotypified here from Grenier's original material in the herbarium of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris (P). A morphological description focusing on the particular characters which distinguish it from related species is provided. The conspecificity of O. echinopis with O. ritro is pointed out. O. ritro occurs in central and southern areas of Europe, from north-east Spain to south-west European Russia and warrants recognition at species level. Copyright © 2012 Société botanique de France.