Table of Contents

The results of a study carried out on the epiflora of a rhodolith bed from the Ustica Island Marine Reserve (Mediterranean Sea) are herewith presented. A list of 117 taxa at specific and infraspecific level (4 Cyanophyceae, 80 Rhodophyceae, 8 Ulvophyceae, 2 Chlorophyceae and 23 Phacophyceae) has been obtained, among which Alsidium corallinum C. Agardh is a new record for the Island of Ustica. Among Rhodophyceae, eight hodolith-forming taxa have been recognised; Lithophyllum, Lithothamnion, Neogoniolithon and Phymatolithon were the predominant genera. The calculated Rhodophyceac/Phacophyceac index value of 3.5 shows evi- dence of the high abundance of the red algae and of the subtropical character of this flora The floristic composition of this rhodolith bed could suggest the presence of the facies com- monly known in the Western Mediterrancan as “Free Melobesiae”, of which the Phymatholitho-Lithothamnietum corallioidis association (Giaccone 1965) Giaccone 1994 represents the typi- cal aspect. Moreover, the transitional position of this community, probably due t0 a locally ‘occurring combination of both climatic and edaphic factors, has been demonstrated.

Carex stellulata is the only European species related 1o the sect. Stellulatae (Kunth) Christ. While being already known in almost all the Italian regions and in Cors recorded for the first time in Sicily. Its finding in a little peat-bog in the Madonie Mountains is here reported. The local phytocoenosis is characterized by some species of Sphagnum and others acidophilic bryophytes, oceanic ferns and various, mostly endemic. anthophytes.

In this work the vascular flora of the “Bosco Isola” at Lesina (Foggia, Apulia). which is almost included within the Gargano National Park, is analysed. The study was carried out taking into account soil, climate and bioclimate that are the main factors affecting the chorological and bio- logical aspeets. In total 678 taxa of subgeneric rank were found, 521 by field investigation and 157 by litera- ture, that are equivalent to 32,67% of the entire Apulian flora. 19 of them are new to Apulia and 131 10 the “ Bosco Isola”. In the studied arca there were ascertained 161 and 28 subgeneric taxa more than in previous works concerning the Lesina area and the whole Apulia, respectively. ‘The chorological spectrum shows the dominance of the Mediterranean elements and. even if to a lesser extent, some others occurring under cooler and more humid climates.

The red algae (Rhodophyta) currently comprise some 828 genera and over 4500 species of which some 200 genera and over $50 species are recorded in the Mediterranean region. Molecular data along with ultrastructural characteristics support the subdivision of red algac in the Bangiophyceae and the Florideophyceae, the latter group distinguished mainly by having cap membranes covering pit-plugs and specialised gametangia (spermatangia and carpogonia the latter provided with trichogynes). The Florideophyceae are subdivided in two main lineages: the first includes the Acrochactiales, Palmariales, Nemaliales, Corallinales. Barrachaspermales and the Rhodogorgonales, which are distinguished by having outer cap lay- ers covering their pit-plugs: the second lineage is distinguished by the loss of inner cap layers and includes the Gigantinales. Cryptonemiales. Rhodvmeniales. Gracilariales, Bonnemaisoniales, Gelidiales, Ceramiales, and the Ahnfeltiales. Multicellular carpogonial branches, auxiliary cells, ooblasts, axial or lateral carpogonial branches, and procarpic or non- procarpic conditions have independently developed in both lineages and apparently represent non-homologous structures at this level of phylogenetic resolution. Relationships at infra-ordi- nal level remain largely speculative and it is here where the above mentioned morphological characters will contribute in the systematics. The Mediterranean marine flora has undergone profound cha...

A total of 97 species belonging to 52 genera of the family Brassicaceae are reported for the flora of Egypt. Taxonomic, nomenclatural, synonymy and distribution problems are discussed. Useful notes after each genus are provided.

The ploidy level of fificen populations of Scilla autumnalis L. was investigated in Sicily. On such basis, both tetraploid and exaploid levels were found occurring in the study area, in addi- tion 10 old and new other diploid populations. Furthermore, B-chromosome were found in the Favignana islet (Egadi archipelago, W-Sicily). The results are discussed here with respect to the occurrence of different ploidy levels in the whole distribution area of this species.

A list of all bryaphytes recorded for Aragdn in the literature from 1779 until 2000 is provided. It includes 674 infrageneric taxa (116 Liverworts and 558 Mosses). Information on the presence of these taxa in cach of the Aragonian provinces (Huesca, Zaragoza and Teruel) is included. Huesea is the province with the highest number of taxa (584).

The genus Acinos Miller is a member of Labiatae. A. alpinus (L) Moench is a decumbent, rarely ascending perennial herb which grows in 900-2200 m in Western Turkey. A. rotundifolius Pers. is also an erect or ascending annual (in Turkey) herb which grows in 0-2200 m and it is the most widespread Acinos species in Turkey (rare in extreme East). In the study, the diagnostic features, a detailed description and figures of the species are given of A. alpinus and A. rotundifolius are accepted as complex species which show variations from population to population.

Anatomical observations at the S.E.M. have been carried out on Trifolium bivonae Guss., an endemic species occurring in northern Sicily only on flyschoid substrate. In order to clarify possible signs of the plant response to ecological factors, the research has been conducted both by analysing the foliar epidermis and the morphology of the root. The latter seems to play an important role in determining the plant adaptation to the environment.

Eighteen new lichen species (Acarospora cervina, Arthonia lapidicola, Aspicilia calcarea, A. cinerea, Caloplaca chalybaea, Fulgensia schistidii, Hymenelia prevostii, Lecanora albescens, L. rupicola ssp. rupicola, Lecidella stigmatea, Placynthium subradiatum, Psorotichia schaereri, Rinodina gennarii, R. immersa, Sarcogyne privigna, Verrucaria calciseda, V. muralis and V. nigrescens) are first recorded for Israel. The biggest number of species was collected around Mt. Hermon. For the first time two lichen species are recorded from the region of Akko Plain. Fourteen species were found on calcareous rocks and two — on basaltic rocks. Rinodina gennarii occurred on both substrates. Fulgensia schistidii was found among moss on calcareous rocks. Most lichen species have worldwide distribution. Aspicilia cinerea, Fulgensia schistidii, Hymenelia prevostii and Sarcogyne privigna are distributed from the Boreal zone to the Mediterranean mountains. In Israel, they occur predominantly in mountainous regions. We present synonyms, descriptions, ccological peculiarities, localities and habitats in Israel, general distribution, as well as some taxonomic remarks.

This study deals with the flora and certain ecological factors of Vouraikos gorge district, Our floristic records in the area reach the number of 275 species and 19 subspecies, a total of 290 taxa, which belong to 214 genera and 58 familics. The richest in members families are the Asteraceae with 37 species and 4 subspecies (a total of 41 taxa), the Fabaceae with 34 species and 5 subspecies (a total of 39 taxa), the Lamiaceac with 21 specics and the Poaccae with 18 species and 2 subspecies (a total of 20 taxa). Also, Asperula arcadiensis, Aurinia moreana, _Colchicum peloponnesiacum: and Peucedamum achaicum are local endemic taxa of Peloponnesos. Finally, Silene conglomeratica is a rare specics, endemic to the Vouraikos gorge area.

The lichen flora of the western part of the Black Sea region is still very poorly known, although it is known as one of the most interesting and species rich biogeographic elements in Turkey with some strongly oceanic floristic elements (John 1996). In nine papers referring to lichens in the province of Kastamonu (Czeczott 1939; John 1992, 1996; Motyka 1936; Ozdemir Tiirk 1997; Szatala 1927; Yildiz & Yurdakulol 1998a, 1998b; Zeybek et al. 1993) only 50 species are considered. The following list is restricted to the 66 taxa new to Kastamonu province. Five species are reported for the first time from Turkey: Bacidia circumspecta, B. friesiana, Diplotomma nivale, D. venustum, Schismatomma pericleum. The paper is a further contribution towards a checklist of the Mediterranean lichen flora (Nimis 1996).

An inventory of 318 taxa of vascular plants growing in the suburban-industrial area of Thessaloniki is presented, based on own collections. Therophytes and hemicryptophytes are the most abundant life forms (85% of the total number). In respect to chorology, Mediterranean (c. 33%) and the widespread Eurasiatic/Paleotemperate and (sub-) Cosmopolitan/Circumboreal taxa (c. 45% in total) prevail. The flora also includes some spontaneously growing xenophytes (¢. 10%) and cultivation escapes (4%). Euphorbia maculata is firstly reported for Greece, whereas the occurrence of Comyza albida, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Bifora radians and Sporobolus indicus has been confirmed for the area of Thessaloniki.

The oceurrence of Amsinckia Lehm. and Leptochloa Beauy. in Spain is studied following new records of A. lycopsoides and L. uninervia for Spain. Brief taxonomic considerations about the species found in Spain are discussed. Finally, their present distribution in Spain is reported.

The study of Balanities aegyptiaca populations in Egypt is carried out to verify the taxonomic rank of these populations. This study was based on the morphological, soil physico-chemical characters and cighteen straight chain hydrocarbons in addition to RAPD markers. The study revealed that all the Balanities aegiptiaca (L.) Del. populations are belonging to Balanities aegypiiaca (L) Del. var. aegyptiaca. This variety is represented in Egypt by three ecotypes namely: Nile valley type, Sahelian type and Xerotype.

The first records of Predaea ollivieri from the Apulian coasts are reported. Such records extend the distribution area of this Mediterrancan species to the southern Adriatic Sea, where it was previously known only from Yugoslavia and the Gulf of Trieste, and to the northern lonian Sea, A brief deseription of vegetative, female and cystocarpic characters of Apulian specimens is given too.

The genus Olymposciadium Wolft (Umbelliferae) is represented by only one species (O. caespitosum (Sm.) Wolff ) in the Flora of Turkey. It was collected from Karabik province. In this study. morphological and anatomical features of the plant are described. It is a caespitose-perennial with 30-55 cm height. Leaves mostly basal, oblong, I-pinnate or pinnatisect. Umbels usually equal, 6-14 rayed. Petals white, yellow-striated in the middle. Fruit glabrous, oblong. Stem is often ribbed. The secretory canals are embedded in paranchyma tissuc. Isolated bundles sepa- rated from one another by ground tissue. Leaf is bifacial. Mesophyll s differentiated into 2-seri- ate palisade and 3-5- e. The different types of stomata (anisocytic, diacytic and paracytic) are observed. Each mericarp has four vittae on the dorsal surface and two to four on the comissural; numerous inconspicuous vittae also present. Ridges are inconspicuous.

The morpho-anatomical adaptations of Limonium cosyrense (Guss.) Kuntze, L. tenuiculum (Tineo) Pign., L. bocconei (Lojac.) Litard., L. flagellare (Lojac.) Brullo, L. ponzoi (Fiori & Bég) Brullo, L. syracusanum Brullo, L. panormitanum (Tod.) Pign., L. albidum (Guss.) Pign., L lopadusanum Brullo, L. hyblaeum Brullo, L. intermedium (Guss.) Brullo, L. mazarae Pign., L virgarum (Willd.) Fourr, L. pignattii Brullo & Di Martino, L. catanzaroi Brullo, L. aegusae Brullo, L. secundirameum (Lojac.) Brullo, L. todaroamum Raimondo & Pignatti, L. minutiflorum (Guss.) Kuntze, L. lojaconi Brullo, L. melancolicum Brullo, Marcend & Romano, L. optimae Raimondo, L. calcarae (Tod.) Pign., L. sinuatum (L.) Miller, L. serotinum (Rehb.) Pign. are Ilustrated here. An explanatory table also included showing ecological data pertaining to the above species and to their foliar organization

The vascular flora of Mt Boumistos, part of Akarnanika Ori, comprises 502 taxa. Of these, 401 are recorded for the mountain for the first time, 31 are Greek and 32 Balkan endemics. Among the Greek endemic taxa, three (Cerastium illyricum subsp. crinitum, Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis, Allium callimischon) are new records for the study area, two (Mentha pulegium subsp. cephalonia and Scutellaria rupestris subsp. cephallonica) are new additions to the flora of the Greek mainland and one is a local endemic (Campanula garganica subsp. acarnanica). Avena lusitanica and Melica cupanii are reported as new for the Greek flora. The flora of Mt Boumistos is divided into 21 chorological groups and 22 subtypes of 6 main life forms. The high proportion (36.6%) of therophytes and prevalence of the Mediterranean element in its broad sense (57.5%) confirm the Mediterranean nature of the flora of the study area. The relatively high percentage of geophytes (15.1%) seems to be associated with the presence of man.

On the basis of recent studies using RAPD markers it has been verified that Brassica rupestris subsp. brevisiliqua Raimondo & Mazzola belongs to B. villosa. The new combination B. villosa subsp. brevisiliqua is therefore here proposed

This is the twelfth of a series of reports of chromosomes numbers from Mediterranean area, peri-Alpine communities and the Atlantic Islands, in English or French language. It comprises contributions on 38 taxa: Cyclamen, Crocus, Ajuga, Ornithogalum, Allium and Bellis from Greece, by E. Kriemadi, P. Bareka & G. Kamari (Nos. 1278-1283); Ononis and Astragalus from Bulgaria and Turkey, by D. Pavlova & A. Tocheva (Nos. 1284-1287); Geranium from Bulgaria, by A. Petrova & P. Stanimirova (Nos. 1288-1294); Scabiosa, Groenlandia, Hypericum, Crocus, Ajuga, Colchicum, Euphorbia, Centaurea, Aconitum and Leopoldia from Italy, by L. Peruzzi & G. Cesca (Nos. 1295-1304); Delphinium from Tunisia, Morocco, France, Armenia, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, by M. Bosch, J. Simon & C. Blanché (Nos. 1305-1311); _Anthyllis- and Genista from Spain and Sardinia, by T. Cusma Velari, L. Feoli Chiapella, V. Kosovel, G. Bacchetta & S. Patui (Nos. 1312-1314); Genista from Turkey, by T. Cusma Velari, L. Feoli Chiapella & Z. Aytag (No. 1315); Colchicum, Silene and Halocnemiim from Italy, by O. Cecchi & G. Fiorini (Nos. 1316-1318).