Ecological, phenological and morphological featuras of allium ilgazense Özhatay

In this study, the ecological, phenological and morphological features of a local endemic species Allium ilgazense, which was collected for the first time in 1983 from the Ilgaz Mountains and introduced to science in 1986, were determined and the recommendations dealing with its conservation status were presented. The morphological results clearly indicated that A. ilgazense was a polymorphic species and showed distinct variations in almost all the quantitative characters. Also length of pedicels and lateral cusps, width of inner filaments and ovary were not affected by different ecological conditions, whereas the other measured characters showed significant differences among the populations. According to the results, the diagnostic characteristics of A. ilgazense and related species (A. jubatum and A. heldreichii) were specified as flower colour, indumentum and shape of inner and outer perianth segments, shape of spatha valves, exserted or inserted stamen and anther colour. Based on the phenological observations, flowering, fruiting and seed production features of the species were proportionally affected by the temperature changes in the localities where the species occurs. Moreover, in order to protect the natural populations of A. ilgazense, the thereat factors were determined. According to the IUCN criteria, a new threat category (EN, Endangered) was recommended for the species.