NOTES ON THE ONOBRYCHIS CRISTA-GALLI (L.) LAM. (FABACEAE) IN IRAN

A taxonomic status of the Onobrychis crista-galli was reviewed in Iran. Morphological characteristics, chromosome number and ploidy level were studied in 30 populations of this species collected from natural habitats. The results showed that the populations of O. crista-galli with 16 or 32 chromosomes are diploid or tetraploid respectively. Diploid populations had 3-seeded pods with a spinulose first row of spines, while tetraploid populations had 2-seeded pods with the first row of spines simple. Thus, O. crista- galli have 2 varieties in Iran namely crista-galli and trilophocarpa (Sirj.) Townsend, that var. trilophocarpa is recorded as a new report to the flora of Iran.