susietas

Susietas is a genus of flowering plants in the carrot family Apiaceae. The genus was erected in 1999 by botanists L. Marin and K. Ito to accommodate species characterized by a distinctive combination of leaf morphology and umbel structure that had previously been placed in related genera. As of the latest treatments, Susietas contains two accepted species. Members are herbaceous perennials, typically 20–60 cm tall, with finely dissected, usually pinnate leaves and compound umbels bearing small white to pale yellow flowers. The fruit is a two-meric schizocarp, with each mericarp containing a single seed.

Distribution and habitat: Susietas is native to the western Mediterranean region, with populations reported in parts of Iberia and along the Atlantic coast of northern Africa. It favors rocky slopes, scrublands, and open woodlands on calcareous or well-drained soils, from near sea level to montane elevations.

Taxonomy and phylogeny: The genus is placed in the subfamily Apiaceae (Apioideae). Molecular data from plastid markers support Susietas as a distinct lineage within Apiaceae, though its exact sister relationships remain incompletely resolved. Morphological traits that help diagnose the genus include the leaf dissections and the shape of the mericarps.

Etymology and history: The name Susietas derives from a personal name Susie, with the Latin-sounding suffix -etas. The genus description was published in 1999 accompanying a revision of related taxa.

Conservation and uses: There are no well-documented commercial uses. Some populations are localized and may be sensitive to habitat disturbance and climate change. Conservation assessments have not been widely published.