A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE GENUS LOTUS L. (FABACEAE) IN IRAN

In a revision of the genus Lotus L. in Iran, the specimens of several herbaria were studied, moreover, the studies were completed in the field. Based on the studies, an identification key to the Iranian species and their selected specimens was prepared. According to the results of this study eight species within the Iranian materials of Lotus were recognized. Also the following changes were applied: two varieties of L. corniculatus L. (var. corniculatus and var. tenuifolius L.) were accepted; L. krylovii Schischk. & Serg. and L. tenuis Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd. as synonyms to L. corniculatus L. var. tenuifolius L.; three varieties including L. corniculatus L. subsp. corniculatus var. kochii Chrtkova-Zertova, var. hirsutus W. D. J. Koch and var. brachyodon Boiss. as synonyms of L. corniculatus L. var. corniculatus L.; L. michauxianus Ser. as synonym to L. gebelia Vent. Furthermore, no infraspecific taxa were recognized for L. gebelia Vent.