Table of Contents

As a result of floristic investigations in the Valamara mountain range carried out between 2007 and 2016, 567 taxa belonging to 305 genera and 89 plant families were recorded, of which 307 taxa are reported as new for the area. A phytogeographical analysis showed that the Eurasian chorological type was the most dominant comprising 126 taxa (22.2% of the flora), the second was Balkan with 104 taxa (18.3%). There are 9 endemic and subendemic taxa. Epilobium alsinifolium, Dichoropetalum stridii and Taraxacum pindicum are new for the Albanian flora. Life-form analysis indicates that 56.8% of the species are hemicryptophytes; this high percentage points to the Mediterranean nature of the investigated area. A total of 119 species (20.9 %) are listed as deserving conservation status. Of these, 49 are in the Albanian Red List, 76 species in the IUCN Red List, two in the Habitats Directive, one included in Annex I of the Bern Convention and seven species in Appendix II of CITES.

Physalis acutifolia (Solanaceae), native to the southwestern United States, California Texas, and northern Mexico, has been observed in many localities in the M'Sila region, central north Algeria. Distribution and ecological notes are also provided. This is the first report of this species in N Africa.

A revision of species in Allium subsect. Allium occurring on the Maltese Islands was done on field and herbarium data. A. ampeloprasum L., the presumed endemic A. melitense (Borg.) Ciferri & Giacomini and A. commutatum Guss. are the three species mentioned in the Maltese floras within this group. The results clearly encompassed four different taxonomic units, corresponding to A. polyanthum Schult. & Schult. f. which has never been recorded for the Maltese Islands, two populations of A. commutatum and two forms (one sterile, one fertile) of their putative hybrid A. commutatum × A. polyanthum growing on few coastal areas. A. ampeloprasum is excluded from the Maltese islands while A. melitense is synonymised with A. polyanthum. All past records of A. commutatum (apart from a giant form) are referred to A. polyanthum. Moreover, A.. commutatum × A. polyanthum is reported from Sicily for the first time.

Studies to date about plants alien to Italy have had limited focus on the ecology of this component of the flora. Ellenberg’s indicator values are a useful tool to delineate the relationship between plants and environment, recognizing for each species a functional role as biological indicator; these values have been proposed for estimating the influence of the main environmental factors in determining flora and vegetation changes on a specific surface area. This contribution includes a list of 1206 taxa of plants naturalized in at least one administrative region or casual in at least three regions of Italy. In addition, some methodological considerations on the attribution and use of Ellenberg’s indicator values and a comparison with the average indices for the native Italian flora are reported.

The typification of the name Salvia valentina Vahl (Labiatae) is discussed. A lectotype collected in Sierra de la Murta (Valencia province, Spain) by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1716 and preserved in the herbarium of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle de Paris at P is designated as the lectotype.

The floral diversity’s analysis of cork oak forests in Tlemcen mounts has revealed the existence of 429 taxa belonging to 65 families and 265 genera. The comparaison of the flora in three cork oak forests allowed us to highlight the occurrence of an important original flora, where 85 taxa are present only in the forest of Hafir-Zarrifette, 87 in the forest of Sidi Hamza-Ain SoukZerdeb and 65 belong to for the forest of Ifry, 84 taxa are common to all the three forests. The number of endemic and/or rarely inventoried taxa contains 14 endemic algero-moroccan and 17 ibero-algero-moroccan ; 9 are endemic to North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) ; and 11 are endemic to the Iberian peninsula and North Africa. So, despite the degradation of the endemic and rare flora, what remains, is often accompanied by stable species in all the three forests. These species can be used for the reconstruction of cork oak forests in the Tlemcen mounts.

Pilea microphylla (Urticaceae) is a species native to Mexico and tropical South America that has been collected for the first time in Sicily in the surroundings of the city of Palermo. According to our observations, this species is to be considered as a casual alien.

A karyosystematic study of five characteristic taxa from the Ionian Islands (Greece) is presented. The cytogeography of Centaurea subciliaris is commented. The chromosome number of a newly studied Teucrium halacsyanum population from Lefkada island is given. The taxonomic position of Viola alba s. l. is also discussed and a microphotograph (for the first time) of its karyotype from Lefkada island is provided. The chromosome number and karyotype morphology of Moraea mediterranea and Crocus speciosus subsp._ speciosus_ are confirmed on material from Lefkada island and the presence of the latter in the island is referred for the first time.

The floristic investigation of the area of Mt Imittos in Sterea Ellas, Greece, resulted in the addition of 95 specific and infraspecific vascular plant taxa. As a result the flora of the mountain now comprises 869 taxa. For each newly recorded taxon local distribution and habitat types are presented. A significant part of the new records concern adventive taxa a fact that reflects the present day dynamics of the flora of human influenced and heavily urbanized areas of Greece. Old records of the Greek endemics Anthemis tomentosa subsp. heracleotica and Centaurea orphanidea are also confirmed. A detailed checklist of the total vascular flora is also presented. The results of floristic analysis and phytogeographical aspects demonstrate the pronounced Mediterranean character of the mountain's flora. Floristic similarities to other mountains of Sterea Ellas and Peloponnisos are discussed.

Arrival of Senecio angulatus (Asteraceae) in Algeria. — In this contribution, the authors report for the first time the presence of Senecio angulatus L. (Asteraceae) in Algeria. Field observations have shown the presence of this taxon in five localities in the center of the country. The identification was checked with particular regard to closely related taxa (e.g. Senecio mikanioides Harv.). This report indicates a recent arrival of this taxon in Algeria. The ecological and economic consequences of this finding are mentioned while a careful oversight of the spread of this invasive plant in the country is needed.

Recent field work by the authors in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) yielded records of non-native vascular plants that were not previously reported in the wild. Acokanthera oblongifolia, Alstroemeria ligtu, Capsicum annuum, Chasmanthe bicolor, Cotyledon orbiculata var. spuria, Digitaria setigera, Phlomis purpurea, Setaria pumila subsp. pallide-fusca, Solanum betaceum, S. seaforthianum, Syzygium cumini, Tecoma ×smithii, and Tradescantia spathacea are newly recorded for the Canary Islands whereas Bauhinia variegata, Chasmanthe floribunda, Crassula multicava, Cupressus sempervirens, Ficus rubiginosa, Galinsoga quadriradiata, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Kalanchoe ×houghtonii, Merremia tuberosa, Nerium oleander, Passiflora morifolia, Phytolacca dioica and Salvia hispanica are new records for the flora of Gran Canaria. Although several of these taxa are considered mere ephemerals at present, nearly all of them have the potential to naturalize and/or become invasive.

This survey is part of the floristic exploration activities on the Italian territory related to the identification of spontaneous and cultivated plants of the genus Tamarix L. A list of tamarisks from Apulia (southern Italy) is here reported together with ecological and distributive data. On the whole, 7 species and 1 variety were recorded in the Apulian region. T. arborea var. arborea is the species with the widest distribution in the Apulian territory. The presence of T. canariensis, T. dalmatica and T. gallica, previously indicated for Apulia by other authors, is currently not confirmed.

Floristic and phytosociological surveys in NE-Tunisia allowed to discover Eclipta prostrata (Asteraceae) which represents the first record at national level. A description of the species, notes on its ecology and phytosociological remarks are provided. We also stated, for the first time in Tunisia, the status of naturalization of three species (Erigeron bonariensis, Symphyotrichum squamatum, and Lepidium didymum) which does not appear still published until now.

Discovery of Gamochaeta antillana (Asteraceae) in eastern Numidia (El Tarf-Algeria) — The new presence of Gamochaeta antillana (Urb.) Anderb. in Algeria is discussed. Its presence in Garâat Dakhla pond in eastern Numidia (North-East Algeria) is considered in perspective with the diversity and wetlands conservation.

The research was conducted in six areas of the Maritime Alps Natural Park to examine the bryophyte flora of this territory and to identify priority areas for conservation, with particular reference to those where livestock graze and that are marked by evident disturbance. The data on the ecological factors of humidity, light, nitrogen/fertility, and pH were elaborated to address ecological state of the studied sites. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used in order to highlight the role of these factors on the impact of anthropic activity and of grazing. Analysis of the sensitivity of the species to anthropic impact reveals that, on one side, there is a prevalence of species preferring moderate anthropic impact, but on the other hand, many are the species adapted to living in conditions strong anthropic impact

For long time in scientific botany the genus Gundelia (Compositae) was treated with only one polymorphic species Gundelia tournefortii L. When finding new populations in Armenia it was realized, that several species are hidden in the variety. At the moment 15 species are accepted as distinct taxa. The genus can be found from Turkey eastwards to Afghanistan, southwards to Israel and Iraq. The centre of diversity is in Eastern Turkey

Leontopodium nivale subsp. nivale is a local and disjunct endemic of the central Apennines in Italy and the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria. The aim of this study is to investigate in situ microhabitat specifics and ex situ ontogenesis regarding the possible future cultivation and to evaluate hazards for wild populations in conditions of human impact and climate change. Leontopodium nivale subsp. nivale is stenobiont which is difficult to grow ex situ and therefore particularly vulnerable. Its wild habitats and populations in Pirin Mts. should be efficiently protected. The results of our study indicate that the stenobiontic plants such as Leontopodium nivale subsp. nivale are particularly subject to hazard.

Mediterranean botanic gardens represent a rich and diverse cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. They include spectacular landscapes and the plantings include many important introductions of both ornamental and economically important species. The gardens also contain many buildings of great architectural merit, some historic, some modern. Also important are the historic glasshouses and shade houses. Many of these gardens contain important herbarium collections that have served a key role in the preparation of Floras and major botanical libraries containing historical works of great value as well as works of art, sculptures paintings, drawings, and other illustrations and invaluable historic archives. The intangible cultural heritage of these gardens is represented by the impact that they have had the inhabitants of the cities and towns in which they are located and on generations of visitors – students, professionals and the public. With the decline of teaching and research in botany as a university discipline, some of these collections are at risk of dispersal or an even worse fate. In the face of these uncertainties a series of proposals to help safeguard this invaluable heritage is given, including the compilation of an inventory of these historically important buildings, libraries, works of art and archives and the use of the latest scanning and imaging techniques so that a visual record is prepared.

This review includes the data concerning the presence of Tamarix species in old and contemporary landscapes, and their presence in archaeological areas. Their role as wild and ornamental plants, their use in sacred places, and their depiction in old relief sculpture, old and more recent paintings is also reported. Notes on the presence of Tamarix species in current landscapes and their invasiveness are discussed.

This study aims to present a complete inventory of the vascular flora of the Archaeological Park of Selinunte. A total of 443 specific and infraspecific taxa are here reported. Fabaceae was the most collected family with 47 species. Asteraceae and Poaceae were the next largest families with 45 and 35 species, respectively. Euphorbia was the largest genus, represented by 9 species. The analysis of the biological spectrum of the vascular flora indicate the predominance of therophytes (42%) and hemicryptophytes (22%) while, from a chorological point of view, most of the species show a Mediterranean distribution. The presence of Cynara cardunculus subsp. zingaroensis (taxon endemic to W-Sicily) is reported for the first time for the investigated area

Biodeterioration is a complex process induced by the growing and metabolic activity of a wide range of macro and microorganisms, becoming a revelling problem also for the mosaic tesserae of “Casa di Leda” in the Greco - Roman site of Solunto in Sicily. In this case-study, a thick biofilm inducing a deep alteration of mortar and consequently the mosaic tesserae detachment has been highlighted during the restoration plan. The biofilm microbial consortium has been investigated by an integrate approach based on Microscopy analysis (O.M., C.L.S.M.), in vitro culture (Nutrien and Saboraud media) and molecular biology investigation (DNA target sequence amplification, sequencing, sequence analysis). A microbial diversity has been revealed belonging to bacteria (Bacillus) and fungi (Alternaria, Aspergillus), besides cyanobacteria (Chroococcus) and green algae (Chlorella). In order to control the biofilm colonization two essential oils (EO), Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare, have been utilized and their antimicrobial activity, preliminarily in vitro (agar disc diffusion methods) and after ex situ and in situ evaluated. This experimentation is aimed at identifying and implementing green biocides for the control of microbial colonization, a promising technology with a reduced impact on human health and environment, able to replace traditional biocide action

The Sicilian hellebore (Helleborus bocconei subsp._ intermedius_) is an endemic plant of the family Ranunculaceae from southern Italy and Sicily. This plant is known for the traditional use of dried rhizomes for treating pneumonia in domestic animals, cattle and horses in particular. In recent years, this plant was subject to various ethnobotanical, phytochemical, morpho-anatomical and mycological investigations. In addition, lately, was evaluated antibacterial activity of Chaetomium strumarium strain RR1, an endophytic ascomycete of this plant. On the whole, the different phases of this study are here reported and can be interrelated. However, they support our initial hypothesis, that the therapeutic effect of the hellebore’s rhizomes extract is due to metabolites reputedly produced by an endophytic fungus

This review include the data concerning the presence of representations of fungi since prehistoric times. Particular attention is paid to their use in magical rituals, in nutrition and as a remedy for certain diseases. The work also examines some examples of megaliths whose shape recalls that of a mushroom, and the role of mushrooms in anthracological studies. Finally, data on the presence of mushrooms, some of them rare, of reforested areas and residual dune systems within the Archaeological Park of Selinunte are reported

In this paper, based on mainly recent bibliography and some own field observations, 105 more taxa (neophytes) are added to the catalogue of the exotic (or xenophytic) naturalized or subspontaneous vascular flora of continental Portugal, which includes now 772 taxa (species, subspecies, varieties and hybrids), a growth corresponding to more than 15 % of the previous total number of 667 taxa, since our last reassessment, published in 2012 (Almeida & Freitas 2012), and our earlier surveys (Almeida & Freitas 2006; Almeida 1999).

Biodiversity is undergoing rapid and worrying changes, partially driven by anthropogenic activities. Human impacts and climate change (e.g. increasing temperature and ocean acidification), which act at different spatial scale, represent the most serious threats to biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. In this overview, the effects of anthropogenic pressures on unique and valuable Mediterranean systems, such as Cystoseira sp. pl. forest and Posidonia oceanica meadows, are examined. These complex systems, characterized by a high associated biodiversity, are regularly exposed to natural and anthropogenic pressures. Due to the central role they have for several important ecological processes in marine ecosystems, their loss can lead dramatic consequences. Since these ecosystems are often unable to recover naturally, it is necessary to reinforce their resilience. Therefore, reintroduction by transplantation and reforestation methods have been recently proposed. Considering future increase in anthropogenic and climatic pressures, understanding how these systems respond to stressors and preserving their resilience should be an essential component of any conservation management plan.

The paleoendemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile represents a key species of the most important and productive ecosystem in subtidal habitats of the Mediterranean Sea. This species is the most common seagrass in Sicily where it forms dense and extensive beds, which are characterized by high coverage and primary production values. The beaching of P. oceanica detritus (banquette) can be an environmental, economic and social problem, if it comes into conflict with a number of activities (tourism, bathing establishments, etc.). Even though seagrasses play a fundamental ecological role in limiting coastal erosion and promoting the origin of the coastal dunes, the presence of P. oceanica detritus along the coasts can negatively decrease the tourism value of beaches. As a result, according to national and regional laws and guidelines, local authorities are required to remove banquette and to accumulate it in landfills. In this survey, the ancient exploitation and current uses of P. oceanica detritus are reported according to literature data. Moreover P. oceanica detritus were used to replace soil in an experimental installation located at the University of Palermo. Meanwhile, continuous temperature values measurements by using hobo data logger sensors were carried out. The results confirm the thermal insulation role of this material and highlight potential applications in the field of Soil Bioengineering.

Starch grains and phytoliths are often found trapped in dental calculus or on the surface of lithic grinding tools. In the last decades, their analysis provided new information about the dietary habits of ancient populations, a topic that has recently become the object of numerous researches by archaeobotanists, archaeozoologists and anthropologists. The study of these micro-remains not only indicates which plants were used for feeding purposes but may also highlight our ancestors’ ability to manipulate food.

Since prehistoric times, temperate grasslands have provided favorable habitat for human subsistence. Ease of exploitation, however, has caused that temperate grasslands are among the most destroyed terrestrial ecosystems. The region known as the Pampas or Rio de la Plata Grasslands, extending over some 750,000 sq. km in central eastern Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil, comprises the largest temperate grassland area in the southern hemisphere. Flat topography, humid temperate climate, grassy natural vegetation, and absence of large native herbivores have conditioned multiple aspects of human life in the region, like patterns of population settlement, techniques for acquisition and transportation of goods, aesthetic preferences, and social structure. In this article, we present some writers inspired by the Pampas, we briefly summarize the main results of scientific research on the drivers of vegetation physiognomy and heterogeneity in the Pampas, based on the invaluable floristic database compiled by Professor Rolando J. C. León, and we sketch one of Professor León´s scientific-historic tours to the Pampas. Finally, we call attention to currently threats to the persistence of Pampean Grassland

Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Bignoniaceae) is an ornamental tree native to different regions of South America (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay). Here we report from Sicily the first case of natural regeneration in Europe.

Morocco’s ecosystems, like the ones of the other southern and eastern Mediterranean countries, have been for decades undergoing very harsh anthropo-zoogenic pressure. Threats of regression or even extinction of plant (and animal) species are real and serious. Researchers and decision makers are all encouraged to work hard for the conservation of the national biodiversity. In order to achieve this goal with full knowledge, an inventory of the situation seemed essential. This is how the idea of a Red Data Book emerged. The project "Red Data Book of the vascular flora of Morocco" is currently very well advanced. A first version was published, between November 2016 and November 2018, in ten fascicles, via the website of the Tela-Botanica Association, in order to collect suggestions, comments and complements from the botanical community. The Red Data Book deals with all the existing or doubtful plant species in Morocco, whatever their status: natural, naturalized or adventitious. They are classified according to the IUCN Red List Categories (World Union for Nature), slightly amended. For Categories VU (Vulnerable), EN (Endangered) and CR (Critically Endangered) species, the following information is provided: biological type, world distribution and distribution in Morocco. The Red Data book also provides an updated national floristic inventory, with updated nomenclature and taxonomy.

Potentilla greuteriana Kyriak., Kamari, Kofinas & Phitos is described as a new species of P. sect. Plumosistylae, known from two localities (summit Xerovouni and Langada gorge) on Mt. Taigetos (S Peloponnisos). The habitat of this new Potentilla species is black bituminous, deeply karstified limestone. The closest relative of P. greuteriana is P. arcadiensis, which is distributed on the neighbouring Mt. Parnonas (E Peloponnisos), but belongs, to P. sect. Crassinerviae. The main morphological differences between the new species and its related taxa of P. sect. Crassinerviae (P. ulrichii, P. nerimaniae, P. davisii) and P. sect. Plumosistylae (P. libanotica and P. isaurica) are discussed. Additionally, the conservation status of the new species is provided.

The BRAIN (Botanical Records of Archaeobotany Italian Network) database and network was developed by the cooperation of archaeobotanists working on Italian archaeological sites. Examples of recent research including pollen or other plant remains in analytical and synthetic papers are reported as an exemplar reference list. This paper retraces the main steps of the creation of BRAIN, from the scientific need for the first research cooperation to the website which has a free online access since 2015.

Italy is one of the richest countries in historical and artistic heritage. The occurrence of vascular plants on monuments has always been analysed with some concern about conservation issues of the buildings. In order to present a framework of floristic research done in Italy within the archaeological areas and monumental sites in the country, the list of the basic references is presented. These 97 contributions are divided by publication date, area, and main historical period or civilization to which the complex refers. The most studied archaeological areas belong to the Roman civilization and occur in Latium and Sicily

New records of allochthonous vascular Tunisian flora are here discovered. All the new taxa (Jacobaea erucifolia s.str., Kleinia mandraliscae, and Senecio angulatus) belong to the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). Updated nomenclature, description and national distribution are provided for each species. K. mandraliscae is here reported for the first time from North Africa.

The taxonomy of genus Tamarix L. is notoriously controversial and many taxa are still not or wrongly identified. A huge number of tamarisk specimens are kept in the most important herbaria of Spanish universities but many labels needs a deep nomenclatural revision. The Tamarix collection in Universitat de Barcelona (BCN) is composed by 158 samples, collected in different Comunidades Autónomas de España, and corresponding to 14 taxa.

In Bulgaria and the eastern Mediterranean, dried tubers of terrestrial orchids are known as “salep”, which also refers to ground tuber powder and the beverage made from this powder. Collection of “salep” from wild populations was shown to be hazardous factor for the native populations. In this preliminary study we investigate how popular “salep” is in the Bulgarian Rhodopes and to what extent it is collected and utilized. Distribution maps were constructed based on personal data, data from Herbaria, and publications from the Bulgarian part of the Rhodopes. During 2014 and 2015 we performed semi-structured interviews in different locations in the Rhodopes in order to evaluate the popularity, use and collection of “salep”. The initial data obtained from the interviews indicate that “salep” is not popular amongst the local people in the Rhodopes and especially Central Rhodopes. Most informants responded that “they have never heard of “salep”. Some informants responded that they know the name but details about use are blurring. For the moment the local human activity does not threaten the wild orchid populations, but permanent monitoring in necessary.

This is the twenty-eight of a series of karyological data from Mediterranean area, peri-Alpine communities and the Atlantic Islands, in English or French language. It comprises contributions on 27 taxa: Alnus, Erythronium, Genista, Leucanthemum, Melittis, Orchis, Stachys, Scorzonera from Bosnia-Herzegovina and F.Y.R.O.M. by F. Pustahija, N. Bašić & S. Siljak-Yakovlev (Nos 1935- 1942); Taraxacum from Turkey by B. Gürdal & N. Özhatay (Nos 1943-1954); Centaurea, Cichorium, Glebionis, Pallenis, Lactuca, Phagnalon, Silybum from Morocco by A. Gounssa, K. Hormat, A. El Aboudi, F. Ezzahra, F. El Alaoui Faris & M. Arahou (Nos 1955-1961).

Chromosome numbers and metaphase plates are given for eight species, seven from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Alnus × pubescens, Erythronium dens-canis, Genista tinctoria, Leucanthemum vulgare, Melittis melissophyllum, Orchis mascula, Stachys recta), and one species from F.Y.R.O.M. (Scorzonera austriaca). Chromosome counts and genome sizes are discussed.

The somatic chromosomes and karyotypes of 12 Taraxacum species were determined. All studied species were collected from natural habitats in Marmara Region, NW Turkey. The chromosome numbers of Taraxacum aznavourii (2n = 24), T. gracilens (2n = 24), T. hyberniforme (2n = 32) and T. pseudobrachyglossum (2n = 24) are reported here for the first time. The basic chromosome number was found as x = 8 and all the examined taxa are triploid or tetraploid. All the examined species of the sections Erythrosperma and Palustria are triploids (2n = 3x = 24), while of the section Scariosa all are tetraploids (2n = 4x = 32), with the exception of T. minimum, which is both triploids and tetraploids. The detailed karyotype features of the 12 Taraxacum species are also presented.

The chromosome number of seven wild Moroccan species belonging to the Asteraceae family has been investigated for the first time in the region of Rabat-Salé-Kinétra (Morocco), using the root-tip squash. All these species show a diploid chromosome number which ranged from 2n = 18 to 2n = 34. Thus, we obtained for the following species: Centaurea calcitrapa 2n = 20, Cichorium intybus 2n = 18, Glebionis segetum 2n = 18, Pallenis spinosa subsp. maroccana 2n = 10, Lactuca serriola 2n = 18, Phagnalon rupestre 2n = 18, Silybum marianum 2n = 34. These findings are discussed and compared with other results from elsewhere.