Allium akirense

Allium akirense is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae endemic to Israel.[2] Is it closely related to Allium qasyunense. It is diploid having 14 chromosomes.[3]

Allium akirense
Allium akerense, by Ron Frumkin
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Allioideae
Genus: Allium
Species:
A. akirense
Binomial name
Allium akirense
Friesen and Fragman-Sapir

Etymology

The name "akirense" derives from the Biblical Hebrew word "Ekron" and the Arabic word "Akir", both referring to the area where the species is found.[4]

Description

Allium akirense roots are between 10–15cm long. Its stem is erect, cylindrical, smooth and between 15–50 cm tall. It also have green, dry leaves that are linear and flat between 12-40 cm and 1-3 mm wide. The leaves narrow towards the tip. Its ovary is yellow and sub-cylindrical.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is exclusively found on the coast of Israel, 25 km south of Tel Aviv, The plain is densely settled and a lot of agriculture and cultivation occurs there. The original distribution of the species is unknown. It is estimated to occupy an area of around 8 km2.

There are eight known sub-populations of Allium akirense. Three of them have hundreds of individuals, while the other five only have a few.[2]

Conservation

It is list as critically endangered by IUCN with a decreasing population trend. It is believed that there are only about 3,000 mature individuals left.

Threats

Urban and industrial development poses a serious threat to the species. They are also threatened by agriculture of non-timber crops which has caused stress on the local ecosystem.[2]

Conservation

Although this species is critically endangered, the species is not in protected areas. They are currently under ex-situ conservation at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.[2]

See also

References
  1. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/71245143/71245252
  2. Ori Fragman-Sapir (Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, The Hebrew University); University), Yuval Sapir (Tel Aviv (2015-02-11). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Allium akirense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  3. Draghia, Lucia; Chelariu, Elena Liliana; Sîrbu, Culiţă; Brânzä‚, Maria; Miculschi, Cristina SANDU (2013-05-28). "Analysis of Chromosome Number in Some Allium and Silene Wild Species with Ornamental Use". Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. 41 (1): 294–300. doi:10.15835/nbha4119006. ISSN 1842-4309.
  4. Friesen, Nikolai; Fragman-Sapir, Ori (2014-06-25). "A new Allium species from section Molium from Israel: A. akirense (Amaryllidaceae)". Phytotaxa. 173 (2): 140–148. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.173.2.4. ISSN 1179-3163.
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