A new Asperula L. (Rubiaceae) species from gypsum steppes of Çankırı province in Turkey.

Asperula cankiriense B.Şahin & Sağıroğlu, a new species discovered in the central Anatolian region of Turkey (Çankırı), is described herein. A. cankiriense is similar to Asperula bornmuelleri Velen. However, A. cankiriense differs mainly in its habitus, stem, leaves, and inflorescence features. In this study, the diagnostic morphological features, distribution, habitat and ecology, etymology, conservation status, and taxonomic features of the new species are discussed. Additionally, pollen micromorphological characteristics of A. cankiriense and A. bornmuelleri are examined and compared using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The pollen grains are subprolate, aperture type 6-7 or rarely 8 zonocolpate and heterosincolpate and their exine ornamentation is microechinate-perforate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]