Hedysarum alamutense (Fabaceae-Hedysareae), a new species from Iran, and its phylogenetic position based on molecular data

Hedysarum alamutense, a new species in the tribe Hedysareae DC. (Fabaceae), is described and illustrated. It belongs to the traditionally recognized Hedysarum L. section Multicaulia (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch., which extends over the West Alborz Mountains in northern Iran. This species is characterized by greenish stems and corolla persisting in fruiting stage and has mostly 1–2-jointed, unarmed, biconvex pods with short hairs becoming bald early, and flattened margins. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular data clearly unite this species with H. formosum Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Basin. The new species is characterized by 4 singleton nucleotide substitutions, suggesting it as a distinct taxon.