General Overview of the Caryophyllaceae Family in Türkiye

Abstract

This study describes some of our observations from field studies conducted throughout Türkiye over the years regarding the geographic, ecological, and ethnobotanical characteristics of the taxa of Caryophyllaceae family, as well as the systematic status of some taxa. Ethnobotanical characteristics, systematics, and taxonomy are explained based on herbarium, laboratory studies, literature data, and information obtained from local residents. Taxa of the Caryophyllaceae family are insect-pollinated. They are generally plants of the Irano-Turanian element. They grow well in steppe vegetation from vulcanic and limestone. Their populations and taxa numbers increase in the intersection of phytogeographic regions. According to their life form, they are generally chamaephytes, rarely therophytes or geophytes (rhizomed). According to ecological classification, casmophytes and lithophytes (xerophytes) predominate, while mesophytes, ephemerals, and ruderals (cosmopolitans) are in the minority. The most endemic taxa are in the genera Gypsophila, Silene, Bolanthus, and Dianthus. All Bolanthus taxa in Türkiye are endemic. They are generally distributed in the Lakes Region and its surrounding areas.  Its taxa are primarily Mediterranean elements. The genera of Gypsophila are Eastern Anatolia, while the genera of Ankyropetalum are Southeastern Anatolia (Türkiye). Gypsophila originates from the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region. Silene is the largest genus in the family in Türkiye. It is a very taxonomically challenging genus. Therefore, taxonomic problems remain unresolved. A revision of the genus into sections is recommended. It is distributed throughout Türkiye. The most important region for all taxa in the family, but especially for Silene, is the area between Erzincan, Tunceli, and Erzurum provinces. The area between Çemişgezek and Arapgir districts is the most important area to study.Tüm Taxa of the family can be seen from sea level to 3500 (-4000) meters, in almost all seasons. Numerous systematic and taxonomic studies have been conducted on the taxa of the family. However, its systematic status has not yet been established on a solid scientific basis. This can be explained by the family's systematic difficulties, the availability of herbaria, and the experience of researchers. The massive work titled "Illustrated Flora of Turkey" cannot adequately introduce the family. Some genera and species are well-defined, but others have been further complicated. Some genera and species are well-defined, but others have been further complicated. The taxa used as synonyms in this book should be reviewed. These genera are better known systematically than others. Silene is a large and systematically problematic genus. It contains numerous species complexes (S. caryophylloides, S. odontopetala, S. araratica, S. caramanica, S. sipylea, S. armena etc.). Revisions made without clarifying these problematic species, creating an updated section key, and dividing the genus into smaller groups cannot adequately serve systematics.