Some state records and deletions of Asian Cruciferae

Based on revision of various herbaria collections, Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) species lists of certain Asian countries are updated. These include first records of the following species/subspecies from relevant states mentioned in parentheses: Cryptospora trichocarpa (Afghanistan), Guenthera persica subsp. takhtajanii, comb. nova (Turkey, Iran, Syria), Neotorularia brevipes (Tajikistan), Noccaea apterocarpa (Turkmenistan), N. campylophylla s. l. (Iraq). The cases of non-confirmed occurrence of other species in relevant countries are also revealed: Camelina hispida (Uzbekistan), Dontostemon pinnatifidus (Nepal), Erysimum crassipes, Noccaea trinervia and Sterigmostemum acanthocarpum (Turkmenistan), and Noccaea kurdica (Iraq). Additional comments on presence of certain species in the flora of Georgia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia are provided.

The taxon was described as endemic to Armenia (Dorofeyev, 2000). POWO (2021) lists it [as Brassica elongata subsp. takhtajanii (V. I. Dorof.) D. A. German], in addition to Transcaucasia, also for Turkey referring to Dorofeyev (2012). However, in the latter publication Turkey is only mentioned in the general distribution of the species (as Erucastrum takhtajanii) and its presence in the country was not hitherto confirmed by a single cited specimen. As here reported, Guenthera elongata subsp. takhtajanii occurs in four Turkish provinces and the main part of its distribution area is situated there.
Upon studying sufficient additional material I, contrary to the viewpoint of German (2015)  X. An, and B. elongata subsp. duralii Yıld., which clearly represent variants of G. persica s. str. not deserving taxonomic recognition, E. takhtajanii possesses not only higher intensity (exhibited also by B. elongata var. scabra), but also a unique type of indumentum (straight and patent vs. curved upward and antrorse trichomes) which in combination with its well-defined E Anatolian -SW Transcaucasian distribution justifies a rank higher than varietal. On the other hand, rare intermediates to B. elongata var. scabra (e. g., Buttler & Buttler № 20321, Sintenis № 613) along with overall habitual resemblance with G. persica s. str. prevent me from treating it as a distinct species.
Despite its relatively spacious, predominantly Turano-Dzhungarian distribution stretching latitudinally from W Kazakhstan to W Mongolia (but reaching NE Baluchistan in the south), N. brevipes is a rarely collected species, apparently due to its tiny habit and ephemeral life form. While most of (though still not numerous) gatherings originate from Kazakhstan, those from China (Xinjiang), Afghanistan and Pakistan are scarce or even single and distant from each other (Jafri, 1973;Zhou et al., 2001;German, Chen, 2009;Breckle et al., 2013;Al-Shehbaz, 2015) and sometimes mixed with other species (cf. Jafri, 1973;Zhou et al., 2001). The above first record from Tajikistan is just in line with them. It is represented by a single plant found as an admixture to the gathering of Atelanthera perpusilla Hook. f. et Thoms. among numerous specimens of the latter species stored in an envelope attached to the herbarium sheet. Therefore, despite no doubts in the specimen identity, additional gatherings of N. brevipes from Tajikistan are desirable to confirm the present -somewhat ephemeral -finding and exclude the possibility of any confusion.
Distribution of N. brevipes requires further elucidation also with regards to its occurrence in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. As far as I could check, both countries were first listed in the general distribution of the species by Zhou et al. (2001) and then this information was copied by German & Chen (2009), Al-Shehbaz (2015), and POWO (2021). Meanwhile, no specimens have been seen in LE or elsewhere and no respective authors (Bondarenko, 1974;Nikitin, Geldikhanov, 1988;Lazkov, Sultanova, 2014) confirm presence of N. brevipes in any of these two countries.  , Hedge, 1968;Zohary et al., 1980), but nowadays is usually accepted as a distinct species (Al-Shehbaz, 2012, 2014Fakhr Ranjberi, 2017;POWO, 2021). Since the time of its description (Rechinger, 1951) and by now it was known as endemic to Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province of Iran; hence, its occurrence in adjacent Turkmenistan was quite predictable. Revision of herbarium material fully confirmed this expectation and, furthermore, demonstrated that all gatherings of N. trinervia s. l. from Turkmenistan (restricted exclusively to Kopet Dagh) belong to N. apterocarpa. Therefore, N. trinervia s. str. is to be excluded from the flora of the country. Noteworthy, These two gatherings is the only material based on which a related congener, N. kurdica (Hedge) Al-Shehbaz, has been reported for Iraq (Hedge, 1968;Hedge, Lamond, 1980, as Thlaspi kurdicum Hedge). Meyer (2006) questioned this information but, having no opportunity to check the specimens, left the problem open. A study of relevant plants revealed that they form very dense (vs. rather loose) cushions and possess profoundly veined and rigid, rosette chiefly linear to linear-oblanceolate and acute (vs. obscurely veined and softer, rosette spatulate and predominantly obtuse) leaves. Relevant characters distinguish N. kurdica, whos features are given in brackets, from a group of three closely related species, viz. N. campylophylla, N. pulvinata (F. K. Mey.) Al-Shehbaz, and N. iranica Al-Shehbaz, none of which was hitherto recorded from Iraq. Exact identification of the Iraqi plants is problematic for two reasons. The first is the scarcity and condition of specimens represented collectively by just three small fruiting plants with nearly all valves fallen off. The second is a closeness to each other of the mentioned three species, referred to herein as N. campylophylla s. l., and lack of a clear morphological distinction among them. Formally, because of the completely exauriculate cauline leaves, the discussed specimens are assignable to N. iranica. However, they do not exhibit sharp leaf heteromorphy (linearfiliform rosette vs. lanceolate to narrowly so stem leaves) reported for the latter species (Mozaffarian, 1996, as Thlaspi pulvinatum Mozaff.) and discernable on its type (TARI) and often, though not always so clearly, observed in N. campylophylla. In this, the Iraqi plants are most similar to the habitually and geographically closest N. pulvinata, but differ from it in bigger fruits (of the size and shape characteristic to N. campylophylla) without apical notch and absence of auricles in cauline leaves. In terms of stem leaf base, the most distant from the discussed specimens are typical plants of N. campylophylla which demonstrate clearly auriculate and deeply sagittate leaves, but it is noteworthy that others exhibit much less developed auricles approaching in this respect N. pulvinata. It is a matter of further study to elucidate whether such characters as morphology of leaf base, fruit and petal size, development of valve wing and others used to distinguish the mentioned three entities of N. campylophylla s. l. (Meyer, 2006;Al-Shehbaz, 2014) are species-specific [and then all three if not four species, meaning additionally the Iraqi one, should be recognized] or there is a continuum of combinations reflecting differences in ecological conditions and possibly onthogenetic stage of individual plants. Available material is quite limited which hampers making sound conclusion on this matter.
By contrast and based on the above-said, it is difficult to agree with synonymizing N. iranica with N. kurdica proposed by Fakhr Ranjberi (2017) Ranjberi (2017: 156). I fully agree with Meyer's identification, and revision of other collections given in the Flora of Iran is needed to clarify whether they all belong to N. campylophylla and N. iranica or true N. kurdica still occurs in the country. Noteworthy, Termé's collection [along with other three from Turkey cited below, all also from north-eastern part of the distribution area of the species] is peculiar for combining profoundly auriculate stem leaves with relatively broad, oblong-elliptic, distinctly winged and apically notched fruits, i. e., the characters of both N. campylophylla and N. pulvinata, thus stressing the above-mentioned problem of delimitation and status of the members of N. campylophylla s. l. Lepidium caespitosum Desv. by him and the second one additionally as "Lepidium sp. nov.?" by P. H. Davis in 1959) are apparently the earliest and northernmost gatherings of N. campylophylla. They also appear to be a new record for Ağrı vilayet and the first of them is very likely a novelty for B10 grid square, but the lack of exact locality designation prevents claiming this for sure. The gathering from Özalp can similarly belong to any of B9 or B10 squares. Additional grid square and vilayet record for N. campylophylla s. str. is: "C10 Hakkari, Mor Dag. Mtn steppe, stony ridges screes, crevices, sparse herbage, common, scattered. Alt. 3250 m. 30 June 1967. A. R. Mitchell. Albury, Cheese & Watson 2994" (K, previously determined as Thlaspi kurdicum and "sp. aff. Thlaspi kurdicum").
Based on the cited specimen, this SW Asian (west Irano-Turanian) species has been reported by Mirek (1988) as a novelty for the flora of Uzbekistan and USSR as a whole. This information was not taken into account by subsequent authors (e. g., Czerepanov, 1995;Dorofeyev, 2019) apparently due to omitment because no rebuttal has been hitherto published which is given below.
Unfortunately, a thorough search of the specimen in GZU yielded no result: most likely it was misplaced. At the same time, there are no doubts that it existed and was correctly identified which is supported not only by the authority of Camelina Crantz monographer, but also by a well-drawn illustration made from relevant plant clearly showing C. hispida var. hispida, in full accordance with Mirek's determination.
A fact that the finding is highly unexpected was mentioned by Mirek (1988) himself who stressed that "it lies about 1000 km to the east to the continuous range of the species" and admitted that it could be of anthropogenic origin. Available facts demonstrate that another explanation is more likely. It was noticed that some specimens of Husák stored in GZU cannot originate from the localities mentioned in their labels and cases of confusion Having these examples in mind, it is obvious that a surprising record of Camelina hispida from Uzbekistan represents similar case and finds its explaination in the label confusion. Occurrence of the species in Middle Asia is not confirmed. This gathering is the single basis for the report of D. pinnatifidus for Nepal in the most recent treatment (Al-Shehbaz, 2015: 347, with reference to the specimen from BM). Simultaneously, both duplicates were cited under the name D. glandulosus (Kar. et Kir.) O. E. Schulz (Al-Shehbaz, l. c.: 346) and they in fact belong to this species. It appears that BM specimen was cited twice, under previous (wrong) and subsequently corrected (though missing on the sheet) determination. In earlier treatment of Al-Shehbaz and Watson (2011), D. pinnatifidus was mentioned for the same and the only Nepalese region, Mustang. In addition to the above gathering, another specimen with relevant identification from that region was found: "Ghiling, 29°00' N, 83°52' E, 4000 m. 17. 05. [19] Erysimum crassipes, one of the most common SW Asian wallflowers, has not been known from the Middle Asian region before recently when Polatschek (2010) reported it for Turkmenistan based on the single, above-cited specimen.
There are no problems with its identification: the plant is unambiguously E. crassipes, as initially annotated (by J. Freyn? J. Bornmüller?) and later (in 2002) confirmed by Polatschek. In contrast, label information is not as unambiguous. First, the gathering is not numbered which is a rare case for P. Sintenis's material collected in 1901. Similarly, quite untypical for this collector is that the gathering is confined to the single specimen (and plant). Third, the species is not included into respective account by Freyn (1903Freyn ( -1906. Fourth, the locality Kasandschik is accompanied throughout the text (Freyn, l. c.) exclusively with the date 28 IV 1901 and not June 1901. All this in sum combined with the fact that no other collections of E. crassipes from Turkmenistan are known, support the suspicion that the label of the discussed specimen is wrong and the species has never been collected from this country and Middle Asia in general.
Noteworthy, the species was also reported by Polatschek (2011) for Georgia based on three gatherings of R. F. Hohenacker from Swant (Zuvand) region, i. e. originating from Talysh (Azerbaijan). This agrees with the fact that E. crassipes is absent in floristic treatments on Georgia (e. g., Khintibidze, 1979;Gagnidze, 2005) and within Caucasus/ Transcaucasia is only known from southern regions of Armenia and Azerbaijan (Dorofeyev, 2012). No material from Georgia has been seen.
Noccaea kurdica (Hedge) Al-Shehbaz: not confirmed to occur in Iraq and presence in Iran requires confirmation (see comment to N. campylophylla above).
Noccaea trinervia (DC.) Steud.: occurrence in Turkmenistan is not confirmed on account of assignment of all relevant collections to N. apterocarpa (see comment to the latter speceies above).
Before the present time C. falcata s. l. has been registered in Russia only in Izhevsk in 1992-1993 as a rare alien plant found in the yard of a fruit/ Some state records and deletions of Asian Cruciferae vegetable warehouse (Ilminskikh et al., 1998;Baranova, Puzyrev, 2012) -apparently as an ephemerophyte. The finding in Astrahkan region is clearly of the same status. Unfortunately, lack of ecological information on the label prevents making suggestions on possible way of introduction. Morphologically, the plant, similarly to gatherings from Izhevsk (one specimen seen in LE), corresponds to C. omissa covering the southern part (Middle Asia, Iran, Afghanistan) of C. falcata s. l. distribution area (Botschantzev, 1963).
Quite spacious, though disjunctive area of this most widely distributed species of Rhammatophyllum O. E. Schulz stretches from NW to E Kazakhstan "within 45°30' and 50° N" (Kamelin, 2002: 101). Northernmost locality (mt. Ishkaragantau in ca. 30 km SW Akrab) stands about 15 km from the border with Russia (Knjasev, 2011) admitting the possibility of finding the species in the latter country. The above label points vicinities of Orsk which in case of old collections may include dozens of kilometers, i. e., can refer to both Russia and Kazakhstan. However, the closest known locality (the above form Ishkaragantau) stands ca. 270 km apart from Orsk. The only other specimen with similar label seen is that of Megacarpaea megalocarpa (Fisch. ex DC.) Schischk. ex B. Fedtsch. (LE), a species also unknown in neighbourhood of Orsk but occurring much to the south. Hence, actual locality seems to be undetectable. Having in mind the lack of properly documented records of Rh. pachyrhizum from Russia, Kazakhstan appears the only option for the origin of this collection and the species therefore remains endemic to this country.