Scrophulariaceae

V. multifida L., Sp. Pl. 13 (1753) emend. Bentham in DC, Prodr. 10:470 (1846). Syn: V. tenııifolia Bieb., Fl. Taur.-Cauc. 1:13 (1808); V. biebersteinii Richter ex Stapfin Denkschr.Akad.Wiss.Wien, Math.-Nat. Kl. 50(2): 24 (1885). Ic: Fl. URSR 9:522, f. 80 (1960).
Differing from V. orientalis by its pinnatisect or ± bipinnatisect leaves. Leaves 5-14(-20) mm, (lobes 0.5-1.5 x rachis), pubescent with 0.1-0.7 mm upward-curved or ± crisp eglandular hairs, sometimes ± greyish, or glabrous; leaf rachis never broader than narrowly linear to linear-lanceolate lobes; lowest leaves sometimes ovate, serrate, leaves of shoot apex often entire, narrowly linear; 3-7 pairs of leaves present below lowest racemes. 2n= 16, 32, 48. Fl. 4-6. Open forests, scree, rocky slopes, steppe, pastures, fallow fields, roadsides, 100-2300 m.
Described from Armenia and Iberia (Caucasia) (Buxbaum, Pl. Byzant. Or. Cent. 1: t. 38!).
N., W., C. & S. Anatolia. A2(A) Istanbul: Erenköy station, 7 xi 1893, Azn.! A3 Sakarya: Geyve to Osmaneli, nr Turgutlu, 100 m, A.Baytop (ISTE 27713)! A4 Ankara: Karagöl, 64 km N. of Ankara, 1600 m, Coode & Jones 2151! A5 Çorum: Hattuşaş (Boğazkale), A. & T.Baytop (ISTE 15230)! A6 Sivas: Yildiz Da., 1500-2200 m, Rix 2032! A7(?) Gümüşane: mt. 'Fecelem' nr Gümüşane, Bourgeau 177! A8 Gümüşane: Bakir Madeni nr Bayburt, 1750 m, A.Öztürk 57! A8/9 Erzurum: S. of Oltu, 1300 m, A.Öztürk 81el! B2 Kütahya: Murat Da. above Gediz, below Hamam, 1300 m, D. 36847! B3 Eskişehir: Mihaliççik to Sariyar baraji, 1250 m, D. 37223! B4 Ankara: 5 km N. of Tuz G., 950 m, Coode & Jones 112! B5 Kayseri: Erciyas Da., 1830 m, Kotschy 1859: Suppl. 244! B6
Sivas: above Zara,'c. 1 km from Imranli, 1500 m, Lamond 2620! C2 Denizli: above Kazi Beli pass, 1300-1700 m, Ehrend. 62-1/32-54 (2/7 = 48)! C3 Burdur: 13 km S.E. of Burdur, 1100-1200 m, Ehrend. 62-1/38-14 (2n= 16!) C4 Konya: 20 km W. of Konya, 1250 m, Ehrend. 62-1/62-17 (2n = 32)! C5 Adana: d. Karai-sali, nr Findikli, 1100 m, O.Polunin (D. 26158)!
Endemic.
Distribution of species: E. Bulgaria, Caucasia. Ir.-Tur. element. Rather closely related to V. orientalis (q.v. for intermediates) from which it differs almost only by its pinnatifid leaves. V. multifida has sometimes been confused with V.jacquinii which also has pinnatifid leaves but is probably not closely related, and which is distinguished by erect stems, larger leaves, flowers, styles, capsules and hairs, and capsules longer than broad with rounded base. V. multifida is very variable, especially in size and shape of leaves and size of flowers and consists of several races having different ploidy levels. These races need further study in order to assess their taxonomic status. The following gatherings are of uncertain status; they are perhaps hybrids between V. multifida and V. fuhsii (or V. pectinata or V. thymoides?): A4 Zonguldak: Kel Tepe, 1450 m, Tobey 1872! Kastamonu: Ilgaz Da., 2300 m, Darrah 75! B3 Eskişehir: Eskişehir to Sündiken Da., c. 800 m, Ekim 206!