A NEW SPECIES OF LENS FROM SOUTH-EAST TURKEY

A new species of Lens (Leguminosae), L. tomentosus, is descibed. It re sembles L. culinans except in its tomentase pods. Karyotypically it di ffers from other Lens species by the satellited chromosome which is mu ch smaller, extremely asymmetrical and bears a minute satellite. Lens tomentosus is reproductively isolated from all othe Lens species. Hybr ids cannot be obtained because of embyro abortion, and irregular meios os in hybrids raised via embryo culture. Currently, three populations of L. tomentosus are known in the Mardin area, south-east Turkey. (C) 1997 The Linnean Society of London.