Scabiosa columbaria subsp. saetabensis (Sect. Scabiosa, Dipsacoideae, Caprifoliaceae), a new taxon for the Iberian flora

Abstract

A new taxon endemic to the Iberolevantine flora (E of Spain), Scabiosa columbaria subsp. saetabensis subsp. nov. (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacoideae), is described, which occurs mainly in coastal areas of the Setabense sector (S of Valencia and N of Alicante). A full morphological description is presented together with ecological and chorological data. Furthermore, its taxonomic relationships to other taxa in S. sect. Scabiosa are discussed, and an identification key and a table including the diagnostic morphological characteristics of the new subspecies with regard to other morphologically closest relatives are shown.