New taxa of the genus Clinopodium L. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

The history of studying species of Clinopodium vulgare L. affinity belonging to the type section of the genus is briefly outlined. Heterogeneity of this kinship complex and its natural division into two groups is shown. These groups are treated as subsections: Clinopodium and Curvitricha Melnikov subsect. nova. Eight new species and one variety from the Eastern Europe and the Caucasus are described: C. caucasicum Melnikov sp. nova, C. abchasicum Melnikov sp. nova, C. kurachense Melnikov sp. nova, C. elegans Melnikov sp. nova, C. austroosseticum Melnikov sp. nova, C. menitskyi Melnikov sp. nova, C. lanceolatum Melnikov sp. nova, C. soczavae Melnikov sp. nova, and C. abchasicum var. strigosum Melnikov var. nova. Three new combinations in the rank of species are published: C. cimbricum (Böcher) Melnikov comb. et stat. nov., C. neogaeum (Fernald) Melnikov comb. et stat. nov., C. orientale (Bothmer) Melnikov comb. et stat. nov.