Paeonia saueri (Paeoniaceae), a new species from the Balkans

Paeonia saueri D. Y. Hong, X. Q. Wang et D. M. Zhang is described as a new species from Greece and Albania based on population sampling, statistics, chromosome observation, and SEM observations. It is characterized by tuberous roots, a high number of leaflets/segments, adaxially setulose along the veins on leaves, and a chromosome number of 2n = 20. It is closely related to P. peregrina. However, as shown by cluster analysis (Fig. 3) and principal coordinate analysis (Fig. 4), it differs distinctly from the latter in having mostly entire leaflets/segments that are hispidulous beneath, and red stigmas. From P. officinalis it differs in having the leaves setulose along the veins above and sparsely hispidulous below, and the stems, petioles and sepals always glabrous. Furthermore, it differs from those two species by its relatively short and wide follicles. The somatic chromosome number of the new species, 2n = 20, is reported here for the first time.