A taxonomic study on the genus Silene (Caryophyllaceae) in Iran

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 most important characters that separate sections are morphology and venation of the calyx, length and pubescence of the anthophore, shape and size of the corolla and coronal scales, capsule and seed. During the work on species existed in Herbarium of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad [FUMH], S. parjumanensis Podl. (Sect. Auriculatae) that had just been reported from Afghanistan in flora Iranica and a new taxon Silene renzii var. khorassanica at a variety level is also described from Iran (southern Khorassan province) for the first time.