The levels of genetic variation in dioecious plant species have been reported to differ between male and female populations. This has been attributed to different factors including distribution patterns of individuals, sex ratio and also stochastic events. We measured the levels of genetic diversity in male and female populations of dioecious Pistacia atlantica (pistachio, Anacardiaceae) separately for each region and genders in two eco-geographically different regions over 350 km apart and of different population sizes in East Azerbaijan, Iran by randomly sampling 15 individuals of male and female from each of the regions using randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs. The percentage of polymorphic RAPD bands in the male populations of dioecious Pistacia atlantica was significantly higher (88.9%) than that of female populations (80.8%), and similarly, male populations had greater genetic diversity (0.387, Shannon; 0.252, Nei's) compared to female populations (0.381, Shannon; 0.249, Nei's). Genetic variation in larger population (Arasbaran) of P. atlantica (0.387, Nei's) was greater than that of the smaller (Jazire) population (0.312), indicating the impact of population size on genetic variation. Partitioning the total genetic variation using an analysis of molecular variance indicated that 77% of total genetic diversity was allocated within populations while 23% of this variation was dedicated among populations.

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Allium subg. Melanocrommyum is the second largest subgenus of Allium (Amaryllidaceae) and encompasses several taxonomically difficult groups. One of these is comprised of A. stipitatum and allies referrable to a vague number of sections, subsections and species. We investigated the anatomical characters of the scape in 12 species of this complex and its allies representing four recognized sections, viz Compactoprason, Megaloprason, Procerallium and Pseudoprason, and evaluated their systematic importance. The following features were found to be most informative for taxonomic classification of the complex at sectional and subsectional level: number of vascular bundles and their conforming rings, diameter of scape (or the cross‐sections), diameter of parenchymatous pith, thickness of sclerenchymatous ring and thickness of parenchymatous cortex. Statistical analyses (Kruskal‐Wallis, Anova and principal factor analysis) of 23 examined characters allow appropriate circumscription of species and sections in this species complex. In general, the results corroborate the conclusions from previous anatomical, morphological and molecular studies and phylogenetic reconstructions, but a few species are suggested to be reallocated among the sections.

Taxonomically, Allium subg. Melanocrommyum (Webb & Berth.) Rouy is a controversial group with about 76 Iranian species and subspecies of the total taxanumber of 140-170 spp. Also, the subgenus encompasses A. Stipitatum Regel complex with vague borders at various taxonomic levels (Khorasani et al., 2018a). Allium stipitatum group consists of plants with basal leaves, inflorescence a dense umbel rich in flowers, long pedicles, pink to purple-violet flowers distributed mainly over western parts of Iran (Khorasani et al., 2018a). The earlier taxonomical works by Wendelbo (1971) placed the members of this group in two sections, A. sect. Megaloprason Wendelbo, including A. stipitatum Regel, A. altissimum Regel, A. chelotum Wendelbo, A. giganteum Regel, A. jesdianum Boiss. & Buhse, A. sarawschanicum Regel, and A. sect. Regeloprason Wendelbo, including A. bakhtiaricum Regel, based on size and shape of tepals and scape. The subsequent studies on members of complex recorded new taxa and revised the systematic position of some species (

Allium ampeloprasum (Amaryllidaceae) is recorded as a new taxon for the flora of Iran. It is morphologically most similar to Allium atroviolaceum and Allium iranicum. This species is compared with its two aforementioned relative species and some notes are given on its affinities. A full description, images and a distribution map are also provided. In addition, a lectotype is selected for A. atroviolaceum.