A first step to the knowledge of the Ranunculus auricomus complex in the Czech Republic - two new species Ranunculus kirschneri and R. pseudorubricaulis (Ranunculaceae) for the florula of Břežany, Bohemia

The Ranunculus auricomus complex of the Czech Republic is almost completely unknown. Material from a meadow at the village Břežany, district of Benešov, Bohemia, sent to the author by Jan Kirschner and a visit at the site revealed that there are two different species without any transition or interspecific hybridization: R. kirschneri Dunkel spec. nova and R. pseudorubricaulis Dunkel spec. nova. The first is characterized by wide-angled basis and pedate division of the spring basal leaves and a pilose receptacle, the latter by broad obtuse cauline leaf segments, pilose receptacle and deeper incisions of the blades compared with R. rubricaulis Dunkel. They were described and depicted. Due to their occurrence in a meadow and their hitherto known small distribution area both taxa are probably endangered.