Centers of endemism and areas of endemism are important biogeographic concepts with high relevance for conservation and evolutionary biology. Turkey is located at the intersection of three global biodiversity hotspots (Mediterranean, Caucasian, Irano-Anatolian) and harbors remarkable levels of plant diversity and endemism. Nevertheless, hotspots of vascular plant endemics have never been identified using formal quantitative approaches in this diverse region. Here, using data on 1,102 endemic taxa of three species-rich families (Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Boraginaceae) we identified (i) centers of endemism based on three well-established indices (endemic richness, range-restricted endemic richness and weighted endemic richness) and (ii) areas of endemism using Endemicity Analysis. A total of 14 grid cells belonging to centers of endemism are identified as hotspots by at least one of the indices. Areas of endemism were identified in southwestern Turkey (West-Taurus), southern and central Anatolia (Anatolian Diagonal), in northeastern Turkey (Pontic-Ala), and in southeastern Turkey (Hakkari). All hotspots of plant endemism in Turkey included high mountains, which are severely threatened by anthropogenic activities. Although the identified centers of endemism cover only 16% of surface area of Turkey they harbor 59% of the endemic taxa, emphasizing their conservation priority. As the majority of the endemic taxa of Turkey are local endemics and narrowly distributed, protection of the identified hotspots would allow a high proportion of likely threatened species to be protected.

The vast majority of highly valuable species of the Leguminosae in temperate latitudes belong to the Inverted Repeat-Lacking Clade (IRLC). Despite having a generally conserved monosymmetric floral morphology, members of this group are remarkable with a pronounced diversity of floral sizes, modes of staminal fusion, and pollination strategies. This paper examined androecia and floral nectaries (FNs) in selected genera of the IRLC. External morphology was investigated using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In some cases, the pattern of staminal fusion was additionally examined in transverse sections using light microscopy. Androecia of all selected genera fell into one of four types, viz., monadelphous, pseudomonadelphous, diadelphous or diadelphous reduced (with inner stamens converted into sterile staminodes). However, there was significant variation in the stamens’ mode of contact, as well as the shape and size of the fenestrae providing access to FNs. Some types seemed to arise independently in different genera, thus providing a high level of homoplasy. FNs were more conserved and comprised areas of secretory stomata in the abaxial part of the receptacle and/or hypanthium. Nectariferous stomata could be found in very miniaturized flowers (Medicago lupulina) and could even accompany monadelphy (Galega). This indicates that preferential self-pollination may nevertheless require visitation by insects.

Allochrusa lutea sp. nov. is here described and illustrated from the Zanjan Province, NW of Iran. A comparison with other Allochrusa species is presented. The more similar species is A. persica from which A. lutea differ by shape of ovary and number of ovules, petals color and the ratio of inflorescence length to stem length. A. lutea is to be considered as endemic to the northern-west of Iran.