Abstract

Fritillaria baskilensis Behçet (Liliaceae) is described as a species nova in 1998 from Turkey. This species grows in Elazğ-Baskil province (Şelil Dağ) in East Anatolia and known only from one locality. In this study, endemic Fritillaria baskilensis Behçet is presented with anatomical, morphological and palynological features. Plant samples have been collected from type locality in Elazğ, Baskil. The most important features that distinguish this species from other species are, it has got a shorter stem, smaller perianth and exerted stamens. In addition to the morphological features described in the flora of Turkey, fruit and seed characteristics are also given. The anatomical and palynological features of Fritillaria baskilensis are reported for the first time in this study. For anatomical studies cross-sections of the root, stem and leaves and surface sections of the leaves of Fritillaria baskilensis have been investigated. It has been determinated that polen type is monosulcate, polen shape is subprolate, ornamentation is reticulate in investigated species. Although threat category of the species is given as Endangered (EN) in the Red Data Book of Turkish Plants, its category could be reclassified as Critically Endangered (CR) according to our field observations