A new plant species belonging to the genus Onosma, known among locals in Tunceli’s Pülümür district as ’emzik otu, emcek, mıjmıjok,’ was discovered by Prof. Dr. Rıza Binzet. The new species was named ‘Pülümür emceği,’ and its scientific name was dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. Zafer Kaya, who passed away in 2023.
Prof. Dr. Rıza Binzet, a faculty member at the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Science at MEU, conducted fieldwork covering Eastern Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia in June 2023. During his research in Pülümür district of Tunceli, Prof. Dr. Binzet discovered a new plant species belonging to the genus Onosma, which is locally known as ’emzik otu, emcek, mıjmıjok.’
DISCOVERY PUBLISHED IN A JOURNAL OF FINNISH ORIGIN
Approximately 27 years of studying the genus Onosma, the new species found by Prof. Dr. Binzet was distinguished from other species through detailed systematic examinations and comparisons with other Onosma species in herbaria based on morphological differences. The new species was named ‘Pülümür emceği’ and its scientific name was determined as ‘Onosma zaferkayae’ in honor of Prof. Dr. Zafer Kaya, who was a significant contributor to the field of Plant Systematics and passed away on March 12, 2023. The discovery was published in a taxonomic botanical journal of Finnish origin named Annales Botanici Fennici, introducing it to the scientific community. Prof. Dr. Rıza Binzet provided explanations to journalists regarding the species, emphasizing Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia as the main centers of diversity for the genus.
Prof. Dr. Binzet, who has been working on the genus Onosma since 1998, stated that approximately 375 species are distributed in Turkey, with about 108 belonging to the Onosma genus. Globally, there are at least 270 species, of which 108 are naturally distributed in Turkey, with around 60% of these being endemic to the country. Prof. Dr. Binzet continued by highlighting Iran as the next country with 72 species, 34 of which are endemic, especially in the Zagros Mountains. Discussing the significance of the genus they are studying, Prof. Dr. Binzet expressed that it is predominantly present in the Iran-Turan phytogeographic region, indicating Turkey and Iran as the primary centers, making it highly important.