Table of Contents

Cadia purpurea, an unarmed shrub to small tree of the tribe Podalyrieae, is native in East Africa and southern Arabia. Seeds collected by James Bruce in Eritrea or Ethiopia in 1770-1772 were raised in gardens in Fiesole, Kew and Paris. Several names were based on this cultivated material. The nomenclature is clarified, a neotype superseded and a revised typification presented.

The role of similarity-dissimilarity matrices is discussed within a conceptual framework that shows the strict connections between similarity, classification and diversity in vegetation studies. Examples of application of the evenness of the eigenvalues of similarity matrices (E()) to define classes, to measure correlation between biological communities and environmental factors and to measure diversity of vegetation systems as a parameter , by the formula k, where k is the number of classes and   E(), are given by considering two data sets regarding beech forests of the Italian peninsula.

A numerical analysis of data more than 50 years old shows that two zones of particularly high fuzziness appear in the as yet valid classification of forest vegetation in Switzerland. This raises the question of the causes of the phenomenon, but also that of a possible correction. The results show that the crispness of the classification is significantly improved by bypassing some dominant tree species. This is true for Fagus sylvatica in lower altitudes of the country, but especially for the beech forests in general. Picea excelsa, probably the most frequently tree species planted in the past, predominantly blurs the subalpine forest classification. For some less frequent tree species (Castanea sativa, Larix decidua) it can be shown that rare plantings were often made in locations unsuitable for the species. Many analyses are only possible with the help of a more recent, systematically collected data set, which also includes numerous environmental variables. This is now already 25 years old, which means that the species composition known today is not up do date. The general species poverty of all forests of Central Europe is likely to make them particularly vulnerable to drought events, storms and insect infestation

This paper includes a dichotomous key, descriptions and predictive distributional maps for all of the 9 infrageneric taxa of the lichen genus Solenopsora (Leprocaulaceae) known to occur in Italy. The genus includes obligatory saxicolous lichens with the main centre of diversity in the Mediterranean, Macaronesian, and Madrean biogeographical regions. All taxa have their optima below the montane belt. Most of them have a distinctly Thyrrenian-Mediterranen distribution pattern in Italy, being most frequent in areas with a mild, suboceanic climate.

Since the catalogues of the zoological (1994) and botanical and landscape (1999) drawings of Ferdinand Bauer in the Natural History Museum, London were published, it has been possible to refine the attributions of the “finished” watercolours held there through examination of more of the original field drawings held at the Archiv, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien. As a result, locality and chronology information for many zoological and botanical drawings held in London are updated here. Such precision has bearing on phenology of the germane plant species in light of climate-change and distributions now reduced through European land-use practices. In an appendix there is discussion of the drawings attributed to Bauer and now held in the Linnean Society of London; some are possibly the work of Franz Bauer

This contribution describes a new plant association of marshy meadows, named Deschampsio cespitosae-Caricetum buxbaumii ass. nova hoc loco, occurring in the karstic basins of Sibillini Mountains (Pian Grande, Pian Piccolo and Savelli-Castel S. Maria, Umbria Region) between 1000-1350 m above sea level. The new association is distinguished from Ranunculo-Caricetum buxbaumii Pedrotti 2016 and Galio palustris-Caricetum buxbaumii Ciaschetti & al. 2020 for its floristic and ecological features. After the comparison with the original tables of Issler's Caricetum buxbaumii and Ritter-Studnicka’s Valeriano-Caricetum buxbaumii, all Apennine associations belong to Caricion gracilis alliance, and are southern synvicariants of the Caricetum buxbaumii Issler 1933 of Central Europe.

The similarity index suggested by Paul Jaccard 120 years ago has been one of the best-known coefficients in statistical ecology and other research fields in which the objects to be compared are described in terms of the presence or absence of many characters. Jaccard and his immediate followers used the coefficient for the comparison of floras of different localities and phytosociological relevés, based on the list of constituting species. A historical and mathematical overview reveals that, in addition to applications in ordinations and classifications, partitioning the coefficient into additive fractions opens unlimited opportunities for evaluating taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity and related phenomena of ecological communities.

A preliminary list of 22 bryophytes growing in the Batumi Botanical garden is provided. From chorological point of view, temperate and boreo-temperate taxa prevail while with regard to ecological behaviour, mesophilous taxa are the most numerous and with respect to light requirements equivalently sciaphilous and eliophilous taxa are represented The mosses Fissidens dubius and Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides are recorded for the first time in Georgia.

The reproductive traits in Gagea are affected by both abiotic and biotic environmental factors. However, further intrinsic drivers, like the ploidy level, could also have a significant influence on the sexual efficiency of these geophytes. Here, we present a comparative study involving the reproductive biology of five species of Gagea occurring in southern Italy, and representing different ploidy levels. The experimental investigations included flower phenology, pollen quality (i.e., morphology, viability, and germination), and stigma receptivity. Such data were then combined with information on seed-set available from previous work. All the studied species showed a gradual pollen presentation, and an early and durable stigma receptivity. Such traits represent effective functional adaptations to prevent pollen limitation under the unpredictable weather dynamics typical of the early blooming season of these plants. The use of a diluted substrate favoured the rate of pollen germination in vitro and, likely, it represents a further adaptation versus adverse environmental conditions (i.e., rain damage on exposed pollen). However, the rates of pollen viability and germination were generally low and appeared related to the ploidy level. Data inherent pollen quality (i.e. morphology, viability and germination) and seedset indicated the hexaploid G. lutea as the most fertile species, while the heptaploid G. fragifera had the lowest scores for all the considered trai...

In this paper we report the results of a study done on the vegetation of hygrophilous woods and shrubs occurring along the sub montane and montane small rivers of the Alcantara watershed located in the Nebrodi Mountains (N-E Sicily). We have described two new associations: Alno glutinosae-Salicetum rubentis and Euonymo europaei-Salicetum lambertianae, both belonging to the class Salici purpureae-Populetea nigrae. The forest association would belong to the alliance Populion albae of the order Populetalia albae, while the shrubs of pebbly streams would give origin to communities that would belong to the alliance Salicion albae of the order Salicetalia purpureae. The study gave the occasion to produce a new syntaxonomic framework of this vegetation.

Within taxonomic studies on Allium sect. Codonoprasum from Mediterranean flora, populations belonging to A. hirtovaginum Candargy group were examined. Based on field investigation and herbarium surveyes, this group is represented by very critical and not well known taxa, distributed in the East Mediterranean, showing a marked morphological variability. Currently, the species referable to this group in addition to A. hirtovaginum are also A. pilosum Sibth. & Sm., A. aeginiense Brullo, Giusso & Terrasi and A. nerimaniae Koçyiğit & Kaya. Besides, other 13 species are here described as new to science, they are A. pythagoricum, A. pignattii, A. hippocraticum, A. abanticum, A. velutinum, A. carium, A. papillosum, A. adenanthum, A. smyrnaeum, A. pavonianum, A. denticulatum and A. compactatum. A detailed morphological description together with a careful illustration, as well as remarks on their karyology, phenology, ecology, geographic distribution, and taxonomic relationships are provided for each investigated species. An analytical key regarding all the species attributable to this group was processed too.

Accurate updating of systematic information for protection and preservation of plant biodiversity can encounter many problems, both in floristics and in the context of other appropriate and useful technologies. We highlight ongoing studies on the complex genus Iris Tourn. ex L. in Italy as a case-study to stimulate researchers into providing new data for the understanding and conservation of natural biodiversity. Iris is species-rich, with 300 species and many hybrids, allowing a wide range of suitable techniques and methods, including experimental crosses. We provide examples in which dissemination of hasty, conflicting, misleading or erroneous information through the literature and inaccurate websites can be filtered and validated. Careful initial identification of the taxa and a synergistic biosystematic investigation can help to improve effective quantification and qualification of biodiversity among experts and nature lovers

This paper aims at improving the knowledge of the genus Alchemilla in the flora of Friulian Alps (North-Eastern Italy). During 15 years of field observations 33 species were verified, while the sites of A. coriacea represent an unconfirmed historical bibliographic data. Alchemilla carniolica, A. filicaulis, A. glomerulans, A. hirtipes, A. propinqua, A. venosula and A. versipila occurred in a single population, whereas A. monticola, A. flabellata, A. connivens and A. xanthochlora were the most common, having more than 40 records on average. The most frequent geoelements were the orophytes, in particular S-European (12 species), the endemic ones, in particular alpics (8) and finally of the Eurosiberian elements (6). The distribution of the genus in the Friulian Alps, reveals that the maximum presence occurs in the western Main Carnic Chain.

An annual phenological survey was carried out between 1981 and 2020 in a mesic beech forest on limestone (Hordelymo-Fagetum lathyretosum) in Germany. Symphenological groups of species were defined according to concurrent flowering times. Using these groups, the vegetation period was subdivided into 9 phenophases, which are a refinement of the flowering waves introduced by Sandro Pignatti for European beech forests. For the three spring phases 2, 3 and 5 the starting time was analysed for a period of 40 years. Despite obvious fluctuations from year to year, the phases tended to start earlier, often in all phases in a synchronous manner. The extension of the vegetation period by 10-11 days is a striking sign of climate change. Finally, 60 years of cooperation and joint experiences of Sandro Pignatti and Hartmut Dierschke are briefly commented on

The high degree of polymorphism found in the genus Quercus is certainly the main cause of the divergent taxonomic treatments that have often generated more uncertainties, if not confusion, than clarity. However, in recent years, also thanks to the use of molecular investigation techniques, several doubts have now been overcome. In this paper we summarized the main literature on the topic and provide a synthetic evaluation of the systematic position of the Italian taxa belonging to the so-called “Quercus pubescens group” (“downy oaks”).

Plant reproductive phenology has evolved to enable species to persist within the constraints of the environmental conditions in which they grow. Climate is an important control over phenology but other environmental factors such a disturbance will also influence when reproduction can occur. Quantitative reproductive phenology – flowering and fruiting, were examined in heath (kwongan) and coastal scrub near Lancelin, Western Australia. Two questions were addressed - how is reproductive phenology affected by time since fire and do communities on different substrates under the same climate have different reproductive timing? In five sites with a range of fire histories differences were observed in both within-year reproductive patterns and total reproductive performance. The most prolific flowering occurred early in the season and preceded the time when the majority of species were flowering. Reproductive activity was more seasonally constrained in the most recently burnt site compared with more protracted flowering at the sites several years after fire. Flowering and fruiting were greatest at the longest unburnt site, more than 6 years post-fire. Life history characteristics and juvenile period of species were important influences on reproductive output, with annuals the main contributors to reproduction soon after fire while woody plants took longer to resume or begin reproduction. A comparison of reproductive phenology on a range of substrates showed the coastal...

The spatial phylogenetic metrics of pteridophyte diversity and endemism may provide useful information to prioritize protected areas for conservation planning. We analysed spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity (PD) and phylogenetic endemism (PE) of native pteridophytes across Latium, to recognise diversity and endemism centres. and to discuss implications for conservation in the region. We identified the main PD and PE centres that should be considered as valuable biodiversity hotspots, due to their high evolutionary and conservation value. Most, but not all of them correspond to protected areas Monitoring programmes of the rarest taxa are proposed.

In this study we consider the use of ecoindicators to explain the complex relationships between vegetation and humus in forest ecosystem from all the Italian Peninsula. In particular we concentrate the study on the rarely applied indicators of Rogister’s: RxN and R/N, that would represent the humus quality of soil. They are derived from the Ellenberg Indicator Values (EIV), R and N (R = Reaction, N = Nutrients). The aim of the study was to test their effectiveness to distinguish vegetation types and to define meaningful gradients related to humus quality (forms). The focus on the role of humus is justified by the fact that it is a direct result from the interaction between the type of soils and the components of ecological communities of which the plants are playing the primary role. We considered a dataset of 789 forest vegetation relevés (489 obtained from a data base and 300 made by us) and 847 species that we described by all the EIV and by the two Rogister indicators (RO). We grouped the relevés in 9 vegetation types according to the dominance of the most important and common tree species of Italy (1. Quercus suber, 2. Q. ilex, 3. Q. pubescens, 4. Q. cerris and Q. cerris-Q. Frainetto, 5. Carpinus betulus, 6. Fagus sylvatica, 7. Picea abies, 8. Abies alba, 9. Hygrophilous woodlands with Salix spp., Populusspp., Fraxinus oxycarpa and Alnus glutinosa) and we have used the evenness of the eigenvalues of the similarity matrices (Eλ), obtained by EIV and...

This volume invites papers that connect floras, i.e. species, with concepts of vegetation, which may or may not be based directly on species. There is a long history of attempts to relate vegetation to climatic conditions, but only a very few attempts to relate species to climate. This study demonstrates how widely available floristic data can be used to evaluate non-floristic models that describe vegetation by means of its structure and constituent plant types, using the climatic limits of those types. Climatic envelopes have been criticized strongly as based only on “empirical” relationships, and the accuracy of the first world climatic-envelope model, for 90 plant types, was only “fair”. That first envelope model, however, was improved by adding better estimates of potential evapotranspiration and critical minimum temperatures, better representation of foliage types; and by increasing to 115 the number of plant types. That model, now much more accurate, still lacks a formal, global validation. This short paper demonstrates how such a worldwide validation might be done, where the necessary floristic and pheno-morphological data are available.

Based on studies carried out in the mountain ranges of the South-eastern Carpathians (Romanian Carpathians) and on local geobotanical (phytosociological) data, we present a detailed syntaxonomical characterization of the 4 vegetation belts (hill, montane, subalpine and alpine) of this region. The syntaxa for each vegetation belt are analogous to those described in the North-western Carpathians (Tatra Mountains) regarding the dominant species, but have different regional and local endemic species. The latter supported the description of new regional syntaxa by Romanian phytosociologists, which are employed in the characterization of each vegetation belt.

There are three big restored forest areas in Tokyo and Yokohama. These were planted using the main trees of the natural forest for landscaping in Meguro (Tokyo), for restoring natural forest following succession in Shinjuku (Tokyo), and by planting saplings for developing natural forest directly in Yokohama. The biggest area is around the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine, which was constructed in 1915- 1920 with a designed pine plantation and trees from the flora of selected natural forests, donated from throughout the whole Japanese Archipelago. Now this forest has developed into a semi-natural forest with landscaping trees and successional forests. The second large forest is around the Institute for Nature Study of the National Museum of Nature and Science in Meguro (Tokyo). It began as a lord’s residence during the Kamakura Era, and the grounds became an Imperial estate from 1917. Since then the natural environment has been conserved. It was mostly a Japanese Garden, with old Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii forest on the embankment (believed to have been built during the Muromachi period) and secondary forests. Tall, well-shaped pines (Pinus thunbergii), C. cuspidata var. sieboldii and Quercus acuta with 17 other species (totally 575 trees) were transported from here to the Meiji Jingu Shrine for its construction. Since 1947 the Institute for Nature Study belongs to the Ministry of Education, which opened it to the public. The third large forest is...

Old, veteran and notable trees are ecologically important keystone organisms, have tangible connections to folklore, history and, sociocultural practices, and functional characteristics fundamental for sustaining complex and unique assemblages of species. These trees can be found in different landscapes, ranging from remote mountain areas to cities, historical gardens and, agricultural areas. In Italy, an official list of monumental trees was recently published under the national law no. 10/2013 and the ministerial Decree 23 October 2014. A number of criteria can be used to identify these trees such as age and/or size, shape and growth habit, ecological value, floristic rarity, interest for its architectural structure, landscape quality, and historical, cultural and religious value. In this article we aim to provide some general information on monumental and notable trees in Sardinia, as well as on old-growth forest, based on the recent monograph published for Sardinia by I. Camarda.

This study aims at presenting an updated inventory of the vascular flora of the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, including the Sites of Community Importance “Isola dei Cavoli, Serpentara, Punta Molentis e Campulongu” and partially of “Costa di Cagliari”, in Sardinia (Italy). A total of 653 taxa are reported, 84% of which are native (5% endemics) and 16% non-native (10% neophytes, 6% archaeophytes). The native component includes 406 species, 135 subspecies, two variety and one hybrid, belonging to 75 families and 313 genera. The non-native taxa are 94 species, 13 subspecies, one variety and one hybrid, belonging to 40 families and 81 genera. Life-form analysis of native species revealed a prevalence of therophytes (49%) followed by hemicryptophytes (21%), geophytes (14%) and chamaephytes (7%). Therophytes (33%) followed by phanerophytes (32%) are prevalent among the non-native taxa. Biogeographically, among native species, the Mediterranean element is largely prevailing (81%), mainly consisting of Circum-Mediterranean (39%) and Euro-Mediterranean (27%) taxa, while the American element (35%) prevails over the Mediterranean species (29%) among the non-native taxa. Among endemics, the Sardo-Corsican taxa are dominant (55%), followed by Sardo-Corsican-Tuscan Archipelago (14%) and Sardinian (10%) taxa.

In this series of short notes dedicated to the knowledge of some aspects of Italian vascular flora, 10 contributions were put together and presented. They are dedicated to floristic, chorological and/or taxonomic topics relating to both native or endemic and exotic plants in three Italian regions (Campania, Sicily and Trentino).

Megathyrsus maximus var. maximus is reported for the first time in Italy. This grass native to South-Saharan East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar, now widespread in vast areas including Mauritania, Mali, Egypt, Spain, Middle East, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia and the Americas from the southern United States to Argentina, has been found widely and with invasive character along almost all the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily. Data on its distribution in the island are given, in addition to some taxonomic considerations with reference to the correspondence of M. maximus var. pubiglumis with Panicum compressum (= Megathyrsus bivonanus).

Thanks to the discovery of a new important site in the Trapani Mountains, the distribution of Euphorbia papillaris, a rare plant endemic to N-W Sicily, is revised. On the basis of the unpublished record, one of the two hypotheses on the discovery of the species in Sicily, previously advanced, is here confirmed. Floristic and ecological information on the new locality are also provided.

Centaurea pandataria is a very narrow endemic with unclear taxonomy and some uncertainness even about its nomenclature. In this contribution, the correct authorship of the basionym C. cineraria var. pandataria Bég. & Fiori ex Fiori is clarified and, as a consequence, the recent lectotypification of the name is re-examined, resulting fully acceptable. Founding on the review of bibliographic data and on herbarium and field observations, a treatment at species-level is deemed the most consistent. Authors also report the first chromosome count of C. pandataria, which is diploid (2n = 18), as the close C. aeolica.

Muehlenbeckia sagittifolia, native plant from South America, is reported for the first time as naturalized in Italy. The Italian site is located in Palermo (CN-Sicily), within the Parco della Favorita where the species occurs climbing partly exotic trees and shrubs. Taxonomic, biological and chorological information on the species together with the characters of the Sicilian site are provided.

Wedelia glauca (Ortega) Blake (Asteraceae), perennial herb native to the tropical regions of South America, was found naturalized in the suburbs of Palermo (Sicily). This is the first report to Italy. In Europe this plant is known from Spain and Portugal.

Aloë arborescens, A. brachystachys and A. maculata (Asphodelaceae) are reported for the first time as casual aliens in Sicily. A. brachystachys is new also for the alien flora of Italy.

The presence of Juncus fontanesii subsp. fontanesii is reported for the first time for Trentino (Province of Trento, Central Alps, Northern Italy). In addition to the distinctive features of the taxon, the author recalls the stationary characteristics of the new record followed by some brief phytogeographic considerations.

The occurrence of Anredera cordifolia as invasive element of the vegetation of the watercourses of the Tyrrhenian East coast of Sicily is reported. The species - indicated in Sicily as alien and then as a rapidly spreading plant in the Western sector of the island - had already been reported for some generic localities in the province of Messina. Here it is reported its abundant presence, within hygrophilous forest phytocoenoses where the species ends up physiognomizing the woody vegetation of a stream. In this vegetation, A. cordifolia exerts an indisputable synecological role and, at the same time, has an impact that deserves to be monitored.

The morphological variability of the Sicilian population of Celtis australis is examined. On the basis of leaf and branching characters, recurrent in various trees growing both in natural and urban environment, a new variety is recognized and described, indicated as Celtis australis var. panormitana. The most significant differential characters and the ecology of the new taxon are reported. Finally, the taxonomic affinities with the two other conspecific taxa are recalled. At the current state of knowledge the new variety is endemic to Sicily.

The first case of spontaneous regeneration of Araucaria columnaris in Europe is reported. Data are given on the taxon and on the Sicilian site where A. columnaris - native to New Caledonia (Australia) - tends to spread autonomously.

This contribution summarizes the state of the geobotanical knowledge of the Dolomite area starting with the excursions made in the early 1970s with Erika and Sandro Pignatti. The references are limited to the main titles and a meaningful increase in knowledge has been detected, especially at floristic level, also with the discovery of new taxa. The Dolomites were recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2009 by UNESCO on the basis of geological and landscape criteria. The conservation and protection of the Dolomite landscape therefore assumes priority in a historical period in which the natural resources of the planet are increasingly threatened by interventions and projects based on further exploitation initiatives, called “enhancement” for touristic purposes. The article refers to the centrality of geobotanical knowledge and the priority to be attributed to biodiversity, also considering the current evolutionary dynamics. Adequate protection of naturalistic values, as well as landscape values, should be guaranteed by the existence of a large network of national, regional protected areas and/or belonging to the Natura 2000 network.