EXPERIMENTAL TAXONOMY OF THE GENUS SALIX L. (SALICACEAE) IN IRAN

The genus Salix in Iran is revised. In this study a living collection of the species in Iran was prepared and used in taxonomic and experimental studies. As a result of this study the total number of species in Iran was increased from 12 to 31. Also, 7 hybrids were recognized in Iran.. The species S. daviesii, S. dinsmorei, S. persica and S. australior were excluded from the synonymy of their related species, S. acmophylla and S. excelsa. Comparing the species in natural habitats and in cultivation several cryptic characters were reevaluated for preparing the key and descriptions. S. zygostemon is shown to be a biparental hibrid of S. cinerea and S. elbursensis. Several new records for Iran such as: S. daviesii, S. persica, S. dinsmorei, S. australior, S. tetrasperma, S. fragilis, S. denticulata, S. pentandra, S. atrocinerea, S. cinerea, S. caprea, S. pedicellata subsp. pedicellata, S. pseudomedemii, S. caucasica, S. caspica, and S. fedtschenkoi were recognized. S. firouzkuhensis, S. lacus-tari, S. viridiformis and S. elymaitica for the first time is described. For all species occurring in Iran key, short notes, habitat, distribution and general distribution are given. All living plants are in Karaj experimental station and the herbarium materials are preserved in the National Herbarium of Iran (TARI).