Table of Contents

The flora of Albania, in relation to its surface, is one of the richest in Europe. Currently, it includes more than 3629 species; 230 species belonging to 58 different families have been documented as alien species in Albania. Acalypha is the fourth largest genus of the Euphorbiaceae with approximately 450-570 species. Acalypha australis found recently in Albania, represents not only a new alien species for the Albania flora, but also a new genus (Acalypha). A. australis is native to the Russian Far East, China, Japan, and the Philippines and naturalized in Australia and other regions in Eurasia, including the Caucasus, Ukraine, Italy, Armenia, and Turkey. In Albania, A. australis was found in the city of Tirana with a small number of individuals (one or two), on third November 2022. In 2023 the species has reproduced successfully and is forming large populations in the new urban ecosystem, becoming potentially invasive in the next years

In the context of creating a new, updated, and revised vascular flora of Sardinia, this work contributes new data on the distribution of various taxa in the island. These include both native and alien taxa, which are characterized by their rarity, limited recognition, phytogeographical significance, potential issues, or novelty to Sardinia. These updates mostly result from floristic research primarily conducted in north Sardinia, with several discoveries in other sectors of the island. The first report of Convolvulus sabatius subsp. mauritanicus, Cyperus brevifolioides (naturalized) and Brachychiton populneus (casual alien) in Sardinia is documented here. Moreover, this study includes new distributional data for 27 taxa, some of which required confirmation. Notably, Trifolium clusii, previously considered doubtful in recent years, along with Fuirena pubescens and Silene inaperta, which were indicated for the southern part of Sardinia over thirty years ago and have not been reported elsewhere since. For others, an expansion or a better definition of their distribution range within the island is documented, as in the case of Chloris gayana, Digitaria ciliaris, Eragrostis curvula, Paraserianthes lophantha, Sporobolus indicus (naturalized alien species), Asparagus asparagoides, Cenchrus setaceus, Eclipta prostrata, Halophila stipulacea (invasive alien species), _Allium sardoum, A. savii, Anthyllis barba-jovis, Asplenium marinum, Bellevalia romana, But...

The region of Moulay Driss Zerhoun, located north of the city of Meknes, hosts a remarkable plant diversity. The sampling conducted in 2022, resulted in the inventory of 407 taxa belonging to 257 genera and 67 families. The objective of the present work is to proceed to the floristic analysis of the species list elaborated to facilitate the implementation of conservation strategy of natural heritage. Thus, the overall biological spectrum shows a dominance of therophytes (49.38%) over other life forms. The endemic element is well represented (8.6%). Also, the rare or threatened flora is estimated at 6.63%. The chorological spectrum indicates a significant dominance of Mediterranean species (60%).

Cirsium eriophorum is reported for the first time to the Bulgarian flora. It was found in the Eastern Rhodope Mts, south of Strazhets village (Krumovgrad District), in the area of Mount Golata Chuka, adjacent to the Bulgarian-Greek border. The species occurs in middle high mountain pastures, in open Fagus sylvatica forests and along forest roads, mainly on serpentine substrates, at 900–1200 m altitude. The recorded localities are the southeasternmost limit of the species range in Europe. The article presents data on distribution, habitats and population of Cirsium eriophorum in Bulgaria. A brief review of the key features of Bulgarian representatives of Cirsium sect. Eriolepis is provided. The recently published phylogeny of Cirsium concerning the restoration of genera Lophiolepis and Epitrachys is also commented on.

The Flora Palaestina is considered to be a well-studied flora in the Middle East and worldwide. Nevertheless, surveys conducted in recent years have revealed new findings in several new areas that were not studied before. In this paper we collect some of these important findings reporting 28 new floristic records for the region.

The aim of this work is to provide a contribution to the flora of Sifnos Island and Kitriani Islet by analyzing the distribution patterns and endemism of their vascular flora. The total flora of Sifnos Island consists of 95 families, 381 genera and 776 taxa including alien species. A comparison, albeit partial, with the first florula of the island compiled by Malakates in 1933 was also made, highlighting the landscape changes that have occurred over the years due to the dessication of the island following human exploitation of its resources. Also in the present paper, 26 additional species for both islands are added as new records. In particular for the island of Sifnos, Gagea pseudopeduncularis, Limonium oligotrichum and L. sitiacum new for the phytogeographic region of the Kiklades, Campanula heterophylla and Galanthus ikariae, endemic species with a rather restricted distribution in the Aegean area.

Chorispora tenella (Brassicaceae) is reported here as an alien species with an invasive potential in mountain pastoral habitats in Morocco. Illustrations of this and of similar species present in the country are provided, as well as its geographical distribution.

Verbascum lydium (Plantaginaceae) has recently been found in the Valencian Community, and this population represents a new exotic species for the Spanish flora. Verbascum lydium is native to Turkey and East Aegean Islands. In 2023 the species has been located in the port of Castellón, where has successfully reproduced and is forming a stable population in a new urban ecosystem, which opens the possibility to expand in the coming years as other exotic species with invasive potential.

While Epipactis palustris has been documented for the first time in Lebanon (at Mount Lebanon Governorate), this presence in the Middle East outside its classical range questions us. The species is widely distributed through Europe until Central Asia, but this southernmost location is isolated from the Turkish nearest ones from at least 500 km. Its ecology is classical but very restricted to a punctiform habitat hosting other regional rarities. The orchids family is known to be the best wind dispersed of the vascular plants because of its vestigial seeds kept to a minimum. The sink-source metapopulation characteristic model of this species is debated and the issue for its regional conservation evocated.

Different floristic surveys in Algeria led to the discovery of xenophytes. Eclipta prostrata (Asteraceae) is a new one and was recently discovered in Algiers beach, Zemmouri El Bahri. A brief description of its location and ecology are provided. This information completes the recent records in Tunisia and Morocco and confirms that E. prostrata is widespread throughout most of North Africa.

The Morocco's geographical position makes it an ecologically and climatically diverse country, home to various plant species of ecological, cultural and medicinal importance. Some of these plants are widely used in traditional Moroccan medicine, although their toxicity has been reported in previous studies. This could pose a threat to human health. This investigation seeks to catalog the spontaneous poisonous plants found in Morocco. Although these plants have an important heritage in traditional medicine, unintentional poisoning, particularly in the case of poor and financially sensitive populations, remains a major obstacle. In this work, we have compiled a comprehensive database of toxic plants found in Morocco, describing in detail the equipment and methods used on the one hand, and enriching our study with a detailed discussion on the other. As part of this study, we have identified 189 toxic species in Morocco. However, we will focus on the 138 spontaneous Moroccan species that are toxic to humans. These species are belonging to 99 genera and 46 botanical families, of which five are the most representative and total 66 species (47.82%), namely: Fabaceae, Ranunculaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbiaceae. Among the cataloged taxa, 21 are strictly endemic to Morocco and 20 occur also in other sourrounding countries. In addition, the classification by life forms showed that the Therophytes (34 species) and Hemicryptophytes (27 species) are the mos...

This is the sixth issue of the series of germination reports from Mediterranean areas (sensu MedChecklist). It comprises germination protocols for 29 taxa, 19 of which are endemic, preserved in six seedbanks from the Ribes and/or GENMEDA networks. The investigated taxa and populations are Leucanthemum tridactylites, Achillea barrelieri subsp. barrelieri, Erysimum majellense, Digitalis micrantha and Saxifraga porophylla subsp. porophylla from Abruzzo (Italy) by Di Cecco & al. (Nos. 121-125), Armeria sulcitana and Iberis integerrima from Sardinia (Italy) by Boi & al. (Nos. 126-127), Eokochia saxicola and Primula palinuri from Campania and Lythrum tribracteatum from Latium (Italy) by Crocenzi & al. (Nos. 128-130), Hyoseris lucida subsp. taurina, Lotus cytisoides, Senecio leucanthemifolius, Silene neglecta from Lipari (Aeolian Islands) and Linaria pseudolaxiflora from Gozo (Maltese archipelago) by Di Paola & al. (Nos. 131-135), Gadoria falukei from Almería (Spain) by Nebot & Güemes (No. 136), Coris monspeliensis, Limonium dufourii, L. furfuraceum, L. lobatum, L. perplexum, L. supinum, Nigella nigellastrum, Parentucellia viscosa, Silene mellifera and S. tridentata from Valencian Community (Spain) by Escribá & al. (Nos. 137-146), Erysimum metlesicsii, Jacobaea lycopifolia and Matthiola incana subsp. rupestris from Sicily (Italy) by Scafidi & al. (Nos. 147-149).

Dysphania pumilio (Dysphanieae, Chenopodioideae, Amaranthaceae) is here reported for the first time to North Africa in northeastern Tunisia, based on floristic surveys, analysis of literature, and examination of herbarium specimens. Morphology, distribution, current status of naturalization, and ecological features of this alien in Tunisia are presented.

This study explores the rich diversity of Algeria, with a particular focus on the Sidi Bel Abbès region, which is renowned for its floristic richness, its ecological diversity and its phytodiversity. Our research aims to identify and map orchids, which face challenges due to both climate constraints and increasing anthropozoogenic activities impacting their habitats. Between 2015 and 2022, we carried out an extensive orchid inventory, resulting in the observation, identification, and geolocation of 25 species belonging to 4 genera in the study area. Among the orchids, Ophrys species were the most prevalent, with a total of 17 species, including one hybrid, followed by Anacamptis and Orchis, each comprising three species. Himantoglossum was the least represented with only two species recorded. Detailed characterizations and ecological data were established for each species to acquire comprehensive understanding of their habitats and distributions. While some taxa demonstrated widespread distribution across the Sidi Bel Abbès region, others exhibited highly localized occurrences.

In order to conserve plant diversity and ecosystems in which it coexists, in Tissemsilt provence, our work will be representing as a contribution, to the botanical knowledge of Algeria, not only at local scale, but also at the regional and national ones. We provide, here, for the first time, a preliminary inventory of the vascular plants of the culminating zone (and its surroundings) of Ouarsenis sensu stricto (or Djebel Ouarsenis). Djebel Ouarsenis which culminates at 1985m altitude (in Bordj Bounaama), owes to a whole mountain range, its current typonomy «Ouarsenis» (in the broader sense of the word), which extends over a length of 200 km, from east to west, from the Titteri mountains to those of Beni Chougrane. With this elevation, the Sidi Amar peak represents the highest peak in the northwestern Algeria (Algiers and Oran Tell Atlas). During the period 2018 to 2023, following the phytosociological methodology, which consists of carrying out floristic surveys, we carried out about a hundred surveys (126) of predetermined surface, to which added, independently, many other parallel observations. We were able to produce a catalog of more than 558 taxa, divided into 316 genera and 78 families. As for the identification of plants. It based mainly on the old floras of Algeria and/or the two neighboring countries and/or the western Mediterranean region. Then, before the synonymy was updated (as well as the chorology), it was compared with the databases currently in f...

Two new species for the flora of Georgia - Cerastium perfoliatum and Valerianella sclerocarpa are recorded. They were found in the semiarid climate zone (BSxa) on the eastern ending of Iaghluja Ridge in the Rustavi vicinity (Kvemo Kartli region, East Georgia). They grow in the hemixerophytic and xerophytic shrubberies on the dry grey-cinnamonic soils. Coordinates, altitude and a map of the new location of target species are given in the article. The voucher herbarium specimens are housed at the National Herbarium of Georgia (TBI).

The genus Crataegus, distributed across the temperate regions of almost all continents, constitutes an extremely variable taxon within Rosaceae family. Hundreds of tree and shrub species have been described within it, along with an unknown number of subspecies, varieties and hybrids, partly of medicinal interest and in some cases also with edible fruits. According to recent studies, Sicily – an island in the center of the Mediterranean – constitutes a biodiversity hotspot for this genus in Italy. In this article the authors outline the biological diversity of Sicilian populations recognized at various taxonomic levels. In addition to the known specific and infraspecific taxa, two new species are described: Crataegus drepanensis and Crataegus zichichii. Also, the results of recent studies on the biological activity of extracts of flowers or fruits of some Sicilian populations of hawthorn investigated so far are recalled, thus proving that they represent a valuable resource of natural health products. Regarding one of the described species (C. zichichii), on the basis of the environmental and landscape value it possesses – as well as decorative – a possible enhancement of it in the forest nursery field and in urban greenery is advocated. Finally, in view of the dangers to which the populations are subjected – particularly that of C. drepanensis – ways of in situ and ex situ conservation are envisaged, and for this possible actions to be implemented are pr...

Dysphania atriplicifolia (Amaranthaceae), a species native to North America, has been recorded in 2024 from Algeria (Aïn Sefra, Naâma). This is the first record from Algeria and the second from the African continent; an unpublished old record from Egypt is published here. Brief information is provided about its morphology, distribution and habitat, and its biological traits and potential for invasiveness are discussed.

In order to update the knowledge on the flora of the Babors’ Kabylia (North-East algeria), with the objective of conservation of the local flora, a floristic and biogeographical analysis was conducted on the vegetation of one mountain very little studied (Tababort, 1969 m). The surveys carried out at the level of forest and pre-forest formations of Cedrus atlantica, Quercus canariensis, Abies numidica as well as mountain grasslands, led us to identify 290 taxa belonging to 207 genera and 68 families of vascular plants. The studied flora essentially belongs to the mediterranean element (53.4%), followed by the northern element (28.6%). The endemic element is appreciable with 14.1% of the flora analyzed. The hemicryptophytes predominate the biological spectrum.

In this paper, based on recent and old bibliography and some own field observations, 69 more taxa (neophytes) are added to the catalogue of the exotic (or xenophytic) naturalised or subspontaneous vascular flora of continental Portugal, which includes now 841 taxa (species, subspecies, varieties and hybrids), a growth corresponding to more than 8.9% of the previous total number of 772 taxa, since our last reassessment, published in 2018, and our earlier surveys.

In Algeria during the 1970s, large-scale of reforestation projects were carried out, particularly in the Oran region and have been subject to great criticism. One of these criticisms is the floristic poverty of pinewoods compared with other plant formations. In this study, we examined the floristic diversity of few representative reforested areas in north-western Algeria. We established a floristic catalogue that revealed the presence of 390 species, a figure similar to those found in natural stands of other forest species in the region. Analysis of biological type, rarity and endemism also showed similar results to those of other stands. Our results encourage such type of plantation, but require the application of appropriate silviculture.

A thorough knowledge of the alien flora is an important basis for science and management. In Algeria, a first checklist of the alien flora was published in 2020. Since then, several new taxa have been observed for the first time in this country. This study therefore presents additions to the alien flora of Algeria, based on bibliographic and field research carried out since 2021. For each taxon recorded, the botanical family, life form, geographical origin, invasion status, distribution in Algeria, type of colonized habitat and introduction pathways were indicated. In total, 74 additional alien vascular plant taxa, belonging to 30 families and 53 genera were recorded. Data on the occurrence of seven alien species are reported here for the first time from Algeria: Chlorophytum comosum, Helianthus annuus, Salvia hispanica, Sapindus mukorossi, Tradescantia pallida, Triadica sebifera, and Zinnia elegans, four of these species are also new to North Africa. Most of the newly recorded taxa originate from America (55.4%), Africa (14.8%) and Asia (9.4%). The most represented life forms, are phanerophytes (31 taxa), followed by therophytes (18 taxa) and geophytes (12 taxa). In terms of habitats, 43.2% of the taxa were found in humanmade habitats, 12.1% in semi-natural habitats and the same percentage in natural habitats. Most of the taxa were introduced for ornamental purposes (71.6%). More than half (55.4%) of the taxa are naturalized, 14.8% are in the process of nat...

Aristolochia gigantea (Aristolochiaceae), Distimake dissectus, Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae), and Passiflora caerulea (Passifloraceae) are newly reported from Tunisia and the distribution range of Anredera cordifolia (Basellaceae), Ipomoea indica and I. purpurea (Convolvulaceae) is extended as a result of botanical surveys during the last two decades. All the species are considered casual to naturalizing aliens and the horticultural trade is the most likely pathway for their introduction. General macromorphological characteristics together with original photographs are provided. Actual distribution, ecological notes (habitat, phenology) as well as the degree of naturalization are reported.

Fieldwork in the autumn of 2023 in the Spanish provinces of Castellón and Valencia yielded some interesting plant records, mainly (but not exclusively) of non-native taxa. Their degree of naturalization varies from ephemeral garden escapes (such as Clerodendrum trichotomum or Erythrina crista-galli) to well-established, fast-spreading weeds (such as Chloris truncata). Arthraxon hispidus is reported for the first time in Spain.

General distribution, localities, chromosome numbers, ploidy levels, and selected previous chromosome counts are provided for eight taxa belonging to the Asteraceae family growing in the Pyrenees.

Vernon Hilton Heywood was an eminent botanist who had been active for many years on several fields of plant sciences. He was born on the 24 December 1927 at Edinburgh and died on 17 September 2022 at Reading, shortly before reaching the age of 94. This memoir is dedicated to remember his activity as scientist and teacher and highlight his personality. Special attention is paid to the first decade of his professional and personal activity, little known to conservationists and even to most botanists.