Limonium Mill. (the sea lavenders) is the largest genus of Plumbaginaceae. Kubitzki (1993) estimated about 350 species of Limonium, but the actual number is probably higher as new species continue to be described (Lobin & al., 1995;Brullo & al., 1996;Roselló & al., 1997;Sáez & al., 1998;Rizzotto, 1999;Sáez & Rosselló, 1999;Artelari & Kamari, 2000;Erben, 2001; among others). The centre of diversity of the genus is the Mediterranean region, where Limonium species have an important role in coastal ecosystems, from salt marshes to maritime cliffs. Species of Limonium can also be found in other parts of the world mostly with Mediterranean-type climates.In a wide sense, Limonium includes dwarf shrubs and a few herbs with rosulate leaves and scapose inflorescences. Flowers are crowded in 3-bracteate terminal spikelets. The calyx varies in shape, commonly has a ribbed tube with a membranous terminal limb, and is often coloured. Petals are usually free, or more rarely connate only at the base. Styles are free and stigmas are filiform. Fruits are 1-seeded, utriculate (with basal or irregular dehiscence) or sometimes pixidiate (circumscissile).The taxonomic arrangement of Limonium is extremely complex at both infra-and supraspecific levels. The isolated and fragmented nature of habitats where Limonium species grow, together with the frequent occurrence of apomixis within the genus, greatly favour the existence of many geographical variants which are often defined on the basis of little morphological discontinuity (Erben, 1978; Pignatti, 1982: 302;Cowan & al., 1998). Moreover, the circumscriptions of subgenera and sections are not yet satisfactorily defined and many sections appear to be heterogeneous. Currently accepted genera (e.g., Afrolimon Lincz., Ikonnikovia Lincz.) established on the basis of former sections of the genus when it was known as Statice (nom. rej. vs. Armeria; cf. Greuter & al., 2000: 268), are perhaps no more distinct than some groups still included within Limonium. The aim of the present work is to discuss the taxonomic status of one such group, Limonium sect. Myriolepis. A nomenclatural complication in discussing the taxonomy of Limonium should be noted at this point. Until around 1930, the present genus Limonium was known as Statice (a name now correctly treated as homotypic with Armeria), and some sections recognised within Statice have never been formally transferred to Limonium. For this reason, we also refer to the groups by their former names within Statice.Historical background: the genus Limonium Mill. -Only a few comprehensive reviews of the whole genus Limonium have been published, among which the synopsis of Plumbaginaceae by Boissier (1848)
