Hidden in tepals: a new Crocus L. Species from southwestern Türkiye

It is easy to neglect less salient characteristics of a species if said species has a single unique characteristic among its close relatives. The coloration of the throat of Crocus is rightly considered to be systematically important, although a new species from southwestern Turkey shows that it may sometimes be misleading. With its unique coloration the new species described in this paper at first glance looks similar to its close relative, C. mathewii, because of the flower color pattern. Although the habitat of the new species is easily accessible, it has been overlooked because of this feature, whereas it is distinguished by its slenderer habit, narrower tepals and lower width to length ratio, shorter corm tunic neck and longer style branches. This paper describes a new species from southwestern Türkiye, which shows that a once unique character may be more common. Therefore, it is important to use comprehensive characters and include a sufficient number of individuals when describing new species. This study provides a detailed description, leaf anatomy, both photographic and illustrated composition, chromosome number and molecular phylogeny based on GBS data in support of the new species.