ANCHUSELLA, A NEW GENUS OF BORAGINACEAE FROM THE CENTRAL-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

The two closely related species Lycopsis variegata and Anchusa cretica , formerly placed in Anchusa subg. Rivinia, were compared with the typ e species of Lycopsis and Anchusa, on the basis of a set of macro and microcharacters. The presence of only two fertile stamens as well as o ther peculiar characters in flower structure, androecium, gynoecium, p ollen and fruit, supports the institution of the new genus Anchusella, consisting of A. variegata and A. cretica. Karyological and eco-choro logical aspects are consistent with morphological data in pointing to the autonomy of this genus, which appears characterized by autapomorph ic, advanced traits.