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Daphne libanotica: Re-evaluating a Lebanese Endemic Through Morphological Comparison

By Ramy Maalouf | March , 2025

Introduction​

Daphne libanotica, first described by Mouterde in 1970, is a plant historically considered endemic to Lebanon, yet its taxonomic status remains uncertain. For decades, it was thought to have disappeared from the country’s flora—until rediscovered in three separate locations: Wadi Nahr el-Assi (2014), Wadi Jhannam (2020), and Kfertay (2023) (El Zein & Bou Dagher-Kharrat 2021; Maalouf, pers. obs.). Despite strong morphological congruence across these populations—consistency that aligns closely with Mouterde’s original description—leading databases (POWO, GBIF, WFO; accessed March 28, 2025) continue to synonymize D. libanotica with the widespread Daphne pontica L.

This discrepancy between field-based evidence and taxonomic consensus warrants re-evaluation. In this post, we critically assess whether the Lebanese populations—here considered D. libanotica sensu Mouterde—exhibit consistent morphological differences from D. pontica as described by Linnaeus (1753) and subsequent literature. Our aim is to determine whether these populations justify recognition as a distinct taxon.

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Historical Background​

Father Paul Mouterde’s foundational Nouvelle flore du Liban et de la Syrie (1970) provided a detailed diagnosis of Daphne libanotica, based on specimens collected before the 1940s in Keserwan and Metn. His description noted distinctive traits that set it apart from other Levantine species. However, following those early collections, the taxon effectively disappeared from the floristic record for nearly seven decades, raising concerns of possible extinction due to habitat loss (El Zein & Bou Dagher-Kharrat 2021). While Mouterde’s contribution remains indispensable, it predates the integration of molecular tools now standard in taxonomic studies, underscoring the need to revisit his conclusions using modern approaches.

Rediscovery and Field Observations

The narrative shifted significantly with the rediscovery of populations identified as Daphne pontica (following the prevailing synonymy) in Wadi Nahr el-Assi, Baskinta, in 2014, and subsequently in Wadi Jhannam, Akkar, in 2020 (El Zein & Bou Dagher-Kharrat 2021). Adding to these crucial findings, our own fieldwork was prompted by the discovery of another population in Kfertay, Keserwan, by Mounir Maalouf in 2023. This location is geographically relevant, being close to some of Mouterde's original collection sites. Crucially, extensive observations and photographic documentation across these three contemporary sites (Assi, Jhannam, Kfertay) reveal a high degree of morphological consistency among the Lebanese populations. Furthermore, these plants collectively align remarkably well with the specific diagnostic characters outlined by Mouterde (1970) for D. libanotica.

Fig.1. Photos of D. pontica from kfertay - Lebanon

Fig.2. Daphne pontica in Goderdzi Pass (Georgia). Photos by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz 2016

Taxonomic Discrepancies

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Morphological Comparison

To evaluate the justification for synonymy, we compare the unified characteristics of the Lebanese entity (synthesized from Mouterde 1970, El Zein & Bou Dagher-Kharrat 2021, and our Kfertay observations) against D. pontica as described in broader botanical literature (Grimshaw; RHS 2008) and depicted in images from outside Lebanon (BG Flora.net).

Mouterde's (1970) Description of Daphne libanotica:

(Pl. CCXLIX, n. 1). — Bushy subshrub, 30-60 cm high. Upper branches leafy, reddish-brown (rouge-brun), very glabrous (très glabres). Leaves subcoriaceous (somewhat leathery), very glabrous, persistent, paler beneath (plus pâles en dessous), obovate-lanceolate (obovées-lancéolées), wedge-shaped at the base (en coin à la base), subsessile, 5 to 9 cm long, 1 to 2 cm wide. Floral peduncles axillary, puberulent (finely hairy), simple, 1-3 cm long, furnished at their base with short ovate-orbicular bracts measuring 2-4 mm, bearing 5 to 10 flowers at the apex. Flowers puberulent on both surfaces, pale yellowish-white (blanc-jaunâtre pâle), borne on a short pedicel, somewhat elongating after anthesis. Perianth lobes linear, acute, 2-4 mm, twice shorter than the cylindrical tube. Berry ovate, 6-8 mm, black.
Flowering: June-July. Fruit in November. Degraded woodlands.
L. Mi. Entre Dlepta et Mohrab (Vt, Mt, Thiéb, Gb, Pb), entre 'Arameun et Chahtoul (Mt, Pb).
S. Mi. Jaoubat Bourghal (Mt/Nahal). Mm. Slenfé (JL).
Aire géogr. •— Endémique.

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Compiled Description of Daphne pontica (from various literature/websites, representing typical external view):

General Habit and Growth: Daphne pontica is a small, evergreen shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.8 to 1 meter (approximately 2.6 to 3.3 feet) and can spread up to 1.5 meters (about 4.9 feet) in width, forming a rounded to spreading habit. The plant is multi-stemmed, with branches that are slender, often arching, and glabrous (lacking hairs). It is a slow-growing species, taking 10 to 20 years to reach its mature size.
Leaves: The leaves are simple, undivided, and alternately arranged, often appearing clustered toward branch ends. They are obovate (egg-shaped with the wider part toward the apex), measuring 2.5 to 10 cm (1 to 4 inches) in length and 1.3 to 3.2 cm (0.5 to 1.25 inches) in width. The leaves are sessile or nearly so, tapering gradually toward the base. The leaf surface is smooth, glossy, dark green, and leathery.
Flowers: Bloom in spring (typically April to May). Inflorescences are often borne in pairs on short peduncles from axils of reduced leaves at the base of current growth, resulting in clusters of up to 10 flowers near shoot tips. Each flower is tubular, with a slender hypanthium (8–10 mm long). The perianth consists of four narrow, pointed, recurved lobes, pale yellow to yellowish-green. Flowers lack true petals. Fragrance is sweet, intense in the evening. The flowers are typically described as glabrous.
Fruit: Fleshy drupes ripen June to August. Fruit is ovate, 8–10 mm long, typically black (subsp. pontica), though red-fruited subspecies exist (haematocarpa). Highly toxic.

Morphological Comparison

To evaluate the justification for synonymy, we compare the unified characteristics of the Lebanese entity (synthesized from Mouterde 1970, El Zein & Bou Dagher-Kharrat 2021, and our Kfertay observations) against D. pontica as described in broader botanical literature (Grimshaw; RHS 2008) and depicted in images from outside Lebanon (BG Flora.net). The key distinguishing morphological and phenological traits are summarized below:

Several key differences emerge consistently:

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  1. Habit and Stem: The Lebanese entity is consistently a smaller subshrub (30-60 cm) often with distinctive reddish upper stems, whereas typical D. pontica is described as a larger shrub (up to 1m) with brownish-gray stems.

  2. Leaf Morphology: Lebanese plants possess narrower leaves (obovate-lanceolate or narrower elliptic-obovate, 1-3 cm wide) that are conspicuously paler on the underside – a trait clearly visible in the field, noted by Mouterde, and evident on herbarium specimen P05398974 (GBIF [March 28, 2025]). This contrasts with the broader (1.3-3.2 cm), uniformly glossy green obovate leaves typically described for D. pontica from its wider range. The leaf base also tends to be wedge-shaped in the Lebanese plants versus gradually tapering.

  3. Pubescence: This is perhaps the most critical morphological distinction. The peduncles and exterior/interior surfaces of the flowers of the Lebanese entity are consistently finely hairy (puberulent), as described by Mouterde (1970) and confirmed in our Kfertay observations. In contrast, D. pontica from Turkey and Europe is characteristically described and depicted as having glabrous flowers and peduncles.

  4. Flower Color: While variable lighting affects perception, flowers of the Lebanese entity are consistently pale yellowish-white or creamy white. Typical D. pontica from external populations is generally described and shown with a distinct pale yellow-green or chartreuse hue.

  5. Phenology: The Lebanese plants exhibit significantly later flowering (June-July vs. April-May) and fruit ripening (Oct-Nov vs. June-Aug) compared to typical D. pontica phenology reported in literature.

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Implications and Future Research

The suite of consistent morphological and phenological differences outlined above—particularly the combination of subshrub habit, reddish stems, narrower leaves paler beneath, consistent flower/peduncle pubescence, creamy-white flower color, and later phenology—strongly differentiates the Lebanese entity from Daphne pontica found elsewhere in its range. The alignment of contemporary observations across multiple Lebanese sites with Mouterde's historical description reinforces the existence of a stable, distinct taxon in Lebanon.

While acknowledging the limitations of relying solely on morphology in modern taxonomy, the number and consistency of these differentiating characters challenge the current synonymy. Therefore, we propose revisiting the taxonomy of this group. We strongly encourage further research, particularly comparative molecular phylogenetic analysis. DNA sequence data from the Lebanese populations (Kfertay, Assi, Jhannam) compared against samples of D. pontica from Turkey, the Caucasus, and Southeastern Europe is essential to definitively resolve the taxonomic status of Daphne libanotica.

Clarifying this taxonomy is not merely an academic exercise; it has direct conservation implications. If D. libanotica is, in our opinion, a distinct endemic species, its conservation status (currently assessed as Critically Endangered nationally under the name D. pontica; El Zein & Bou Dagher-Kharrat 2021) and required protective measures warrant specific attention focused on its unique ecological niche and restricted Lebanese range.

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References

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© Ramy Maalouf 2020 - 2025

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