One of the long-standing mysteries in genomic evolution is the observation that much of the genome is composed of repetitive DNA, resulting in inter- and intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content. Our discovery of a negative correlation between nuclear DNA content and flower size in Silene latifolia has been supported by our subsequent investigation of changes in DNA content as a correlate...

The genus Silene, with more than 100 species in Iran is an important genus of Iranian flora. According to available data on the northwestern parts of Iran, including three provinces of Ardabil, East and West Azarbaijan are considered as a major diversity center of perennial species of the genus Silene in Iran. In the course of a revision of Silene in this area, some interesting specimens were c...

The genus Silene includes 98 species in Iran, with 35 endemic to the Iranian plateau (26 species for Iran). The Iranian species are placed in 21 sections. In this article, the most important characteristics for the separation of the sections, relationships between the sections, and an identification key for the sections in Iran are presented. For each section a distribution map is provided. The...

Silene porphyrantha, established by Boris K. Schischkin on the basis of specimens collected during his expedition to Turkey in 1916, is earlier and correct name for S. konuralpiae (“konuralpii”), which was recently described from same area. A new description a distribution map are provided this species. Two more species sect. Auriculatae assessed synonymised with broadly distributed species: mu...

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, two new species of Silene are recognized described here, S. penduliflora F.Jafari, Keshavarzi & Doostm. sp. nov. thyrsiantha Mirtadz. The newly discovered distributed in the central southeastern parts Iran, growing rocky habitats. Relationships among these their close relatives demonstrated using nrDNA ITS cpDNA rps16 phylogenies. ghahremaninej...

Background and aims – Species delimitation is a necessary investigation for widely distributed species. Examination of herbarium specimens descriptions in local floras revealed that two forms Silene villosa were recognized. Form B S. has been identified as separate species named wendelboi . However, the latter was not treated floras. By using molecular tools, we investigated if these should be ...