Taxonomic Studies on Rosa damascena Miller Complex in Türkiye and Two New Species: Rosa stipulata, Rosacomantema

Abstract Rosa damascena Miller known as ‘Oil rose, Isparta rose’ in Türkiye was a species complex. It is considered to be formed by hybridization. There is not type specimen and noexact description of it. Economic importance of the species is very high. But, its systematic basis remained very weak. The study was conducted between 2009-2016. In the study, it was aimed to examine samples belonging to R. damascena found in Türkiye and to re-evaluate the taxonomical status of its allied taxa. Totally 164 samples were collected from gardens in all regions of Türkiye. The studies were conducted on herbarium materials and observations of living samples in gardens. There were three varieties of R. damascena in the country. These varieties were recorded as R. d. var. trigintipetala, R. d. var. semperflorens, and R. d. var. versicolor. However, there were no identification keys, descriptions, and type specimens of the varieties. In this study, R. damascena (including var. trigintipetala) has been redefined and its taxonomical foundation strengthened. Other varieties (var. semperfloren sand var. versicolor) have been upgraded to the species category and renamed as Rosa stipulata sp. nov., Rosa comantema sp. nov., respectively to systematical rules. Lectotype of R. damascene was created and its current description was prepared. Our studies on the naming, description, and classification of cultivars continue.