Table of Contents

Centaurea saccensis, a new species endemic to Sicily is described and illustrated here. It belongs to the Centaurea cineraria group and is confined to the Tardara Gorges, near Sciacca town (SW-Sicily). The differences with the related taxa are discussed.

Centaurea erycina, a new species from Sicily is described and illustrated from the calcareous rocks of San Giuliano Mt. near Erice village (NW-Sicily). Information about its karyology, distribution and relationships with the species related belonging to the Centaurea cineraria gr. in Sicily is given. A key to the species of this group in Sicily is also provided.

Dianthus minae, a new endemic species from Sicily belonging to the D. caryophyllus group, is here described from the Madonie Mountains, where it is exclusive to the limestone cliffs between 600-800 m altitude. Remarks on its ecology and taxonomic relationships, especially with D. arrostii C. Presl, are also given.

A new endemic species of Hieracium belonging to the group of Hieracium racemosum is here described from the Madonie Mountains (Sicily) and named H. pignattianum. This new taxon occurs along the border of the Fagus sylvatica wood on carbonate soils. Here, its taxonomic relationship is commented and a key to the group is provided.

The genus Pyrus in Sicily is represented by P. amygdaliformis Vill., P. communis L., P. pyraster Burgsd. and, in addition, by several other taxa such as P. pyrainus Raf., P. cuneifolia Guss., P. parviflora Desf., P. sicula Tin., P. tinei Tod. ex Decne, etc.. These taxa, presently considered at lower rank or quite insignificant from the taxonomical point of view, show on the whole a remarkable morphological diversity. Therefore, new field surveys and collections in the whole Sicilian area as well as the revision of the herbarium material were started up some years ago. As a first result of these surveys, a new species occurring in the Nebrodi Regional Park (NE Sicily) has been found and is here described and named Pyrus vallis-demonis.