Table of Contents

The biogeographical significance and the plant diversity of the Mediterranean forests are analysed, taking into account pre-steppie, pre-forest and forest communities. The authors ha ve studied this biodiversity in variolls areas: either continental (North Africa, Syria- Lebanon, Greece, France) or insular (Crete, Cyprus, Corsica). These assessments are based on the total plant richness, the leve! of endemism sensu Iato and the riehness of phanerophytes. The results are diseussed taking into consideration the environmental constraints (bioc\imate, vegetation level, substratum diversity) and the regional biogographic patterns, notably those linked to insularity. Broad-leaved forests show the highest plant richness and endemism level, notably at the humid supra-mediterranean belI. Altieolous forests with Pinus and Abies, and Cedrus forests ex hibit al so numerous endemovieariant species. Some substrata (serpentines, dolomites) appear to be more favourabl e to endemism and speciation processes.

The frame ofthe main works dealing with flora and vegetation of Corse from 1966 on (2 12 references) is outlined here. Coneeming flora, 230 taxa have been added, of whieh about 30 new to seienee. The rest were new to Corse, 80 native and 130 alien, respectively. Certain groups have taxonomieally been pointed out, while the works on the endemie taxa have provided a better understanding of both their origin and speciation proeesses. As regards vegetation, although several features coneeming eeology and vegetational dynamies are stili to be foeused, at present its main aspects appear well known.

Between 1955 and 1977, the main contributions to the systematics ofthe Cardueae were made by Wagenitz (pollen: 1955), Dittrich (histology of cypselas: 1966, 1968a, 1968b, 1969, 1977, 1984) and Meusel & Kohler (growthforrn: 1960). Since 1980, new approaches have provided an impetus to a new look at the group. Different authors used cladistic methods to analyse morphological, paJynological and molecular characters [Bremer (1994), Susanna & al. (1995), Petit (1997) and Petit & al. (1996)]. We here present results of a cladistic analysis based on two characters sets, one morphological (33 characters), the other palynological (41 characters), of 34 taxa close to Centaurea. The morphological characters come mostly from previous published studies, whereas the palynological ones, defined in a previous work, are applied to the Centaureinae for the first time. Special emphasis is placed on the Carthamus complex. Several approaches were investigated: two outgroups (Jurinea and Saussurea) and, with respect to the pollen analysis, different qual· itative and quantitative character codings. The very high sensibility of obtained topologies when the data sets are considered alone or together is remarkable. We interpret the lack of robustness of relationships between clades by the probable "burst" nature of evolution in this group; the origin of the group is doubtless in the Mediterranean region. This "star-like" phylogeny, the probable result of ecological factors, has yet to...

The awareness of the importance of exploring and safeguarding the floristic diversity of Mediterranean islands has increased dramatically in the last few years. A symposium on the topic was held in Ajaccio, Corsica, in October 1993. Since then, a Mediterranean Islands Plant Specialist Group has been established within IUCN's Species Survival Commission, which has developed a strategic pian for action. From this document, it is obvious that there is still a major "taxonomic impediment", or lack ofbasic knowledge ofthe plants themselves, that hinders the implementation of fully openitional action plans for the efficient safeguard of the Mediterranean islands' botanical patrimony. A number of relevant questions is addressed here, such as: How much do island floras contribute to the floristic diversity of the Mediterranean region as a whole? What is the historical, evolutionary background oftoday's insular floras? To what extent did human activities either enrich or deplete these floras? How well are island plants known, and where are our gaps ofknowledge? What kinds ofislands and island habitats, being particularly at risk and of special interest, olfer themselves as prime targets for future, scientifically based action plans?

Fortunately, it is a long time since the plant diversity of Corsica has been thoroughly investigated, and global action plans have started already several years ago. The following diversity values are given here for taxa and habitats, but also the rate of endemism (5.2-12.2 %), rarity degrees (43.5 % of the flora), some aspects of genetic diversity, as well as importance of certain keystone species and other highly informative species. The threats are analysed, particularly the impact of agricultural decline, of tourism, and of the presence of xenophytes (17 % of the flora). Consequently, a.global management pian was elaborated, in eollaboration with multiple organisms and institutions, and partially within the framework of European programs. These aetions are linked to the protection, the management and the rehabilitation of the most remarkable sites, mainly those considered as priority habitat of the European "habitat direetive" (dunes, temporary ponds, pozzines, bogs, etc.) Wetlands are once again among the most sensitive environrnents. For rare endemie speeies ex situ (seed banks, handling of germination and eulture) and in situ (strengthening of the populations but also reintroductions, partieularly for Anchusa crispa, Rouya polygama, Lippia nodiflora and Naufraga balearica) actions are carried ono These present programs involve numerous partners. The success of this experience will be brought to light in the future.

A survey on the state of bryofloristic knowledge of the area around the Mediterranean Sea includes very approximative species numbers of the related countries, a review of bryogeographical terrns used for this area and some delimitations to be considered for a program to establish a checklist of bryophytes in the Mediterranean area.

The total number ofbryophyte taxa for each UTM square (10 km) in Portugal is given and the generai phytogeographical variation ofthe bryoflora is outlined, Some cumulative maps are discussed and finally a phytogeographycal synthesis is presented. Maps of species distribution have always been a valuable tool for the evaluation of bioclimatic zones and for the Mediterranean area, some bryophytes taxa, as Riccia and Sphagnum, are good examples. The limit of Mediterranean influenee in Portugal given by this bryofloristic analysis is compared with the phytogeographical division proposed by different authors for Portugal. The conclusions lead to the identification oftwo different situations in Portugal relative to endemie groups, that are related with the possible center of origin,

Recent evolution of the knowledge and diversity of the genus Orthotrichum Hedw. in the Mediterranean Bassin is briefty surveyed, with comments on the distribution and ecological adaptions ofthe most representative taxa that are endemie to the Western Mediterranean Bassin.

Processing (FAC) of 80 bryophytoecological relevés from the north-westem border of tbe Maures massif (Var, France, siliceous bed-rock) shows that the main factors determining bryodiversity within the domain of lawns of the Tuberarietea guttatae Rivas-Goday 1957 are tbe degree of substratum stability and second1y the edaphic humidity. Three communities of bryophytes have been distiRguished : the thermo-hygrophilous association with Campylopus pilifer and Bryum alpinum Hébrard 1970 corro Hébrard, Loisel & Jauffret, on the bottom of bowls on rocky flags, the dense and more xerophilous formations with Pleurochaete squarrosa and the diffuse and fugacious community witb Archidium alternifolium, Entosthodon obtusus and Riccia michelii which occurs in c\earings within scrubs and on the edge oftracks. A crossing of the bryofloristical data and some mesologic and edaphic variables revealed that the discriminant factors are the cover values of bryophytes and therophytes, the slope, the degree ofisolation ofthe relevés and tbe depth ofthe soil, the percentage ofbare soil, the number of species of bryophytes and the surface of the habitats. Thus, the bryophytic cover increases with tbe value of the slope and of the cover of tberophytes, whereas the number of species of bryophytes decreases in isolated habitats of reduced surface (bowls with Campylopus pilifer). FinaIly, the adequation between the communities of bryophytes and the edaphic variables is bado

Research on fungal biodiversity and conservation has been fragmentary and inadequate in Greece. Large gaps exist in our knowledge, despite the ecologica I importance and value of this region. The geographic position, the variety of landscapes and climatic conditions, the distinct topography and geology combined to create a multitude of habitats for living organisms. As concerns fungi in particular, the large number of host plants, many ofwhich are endemie, provides an additional clue for the alleged existence of a particularly rich mycoflora. Based on scarce and rather ancient literature data, the number of funga I species is about 2,500. In contrast, relatively recent, but stili limited, interest in macromycetes contributed at establishing an estimate of935 species, ofwhich 815 be long to Basidiomycota and 120 to larger Ascomycota. However, these figures represent only a small fraction of the existing mycodiversity as it is al so evidenced from relevant detailed studies in other European countries, and from the rate of recording new species for Greece. The need for intensifying this type ofwork and producing an inventory of the fungal biota is here emphasized. The acquisition and evaluation of new data, first in selected representative ecosystems, could eventually contribute at accomplishing the goal of mapping the Greek mycoflora. Of great priority is also the issue of conservation, and protection of sites which are rich in macrofungi, but nowadays they are rap...

Laboulbeniales are obligate parasitic fungi on living arthropods, mostly insects. The present knowledge of these fungi from the Mediterranean countries is far from complete and very uneven. Laboulbeniales have been extensively studied in very few countries, such as Spain (221 record ed species), Ilaly (180), France (149), and Algeria (72); in ali the other countries these parasites are very poorly known: Albania (3 recorded species), Cyprus (I), Egypt (7), Greece (13), Israel (11), Lebanon and Malta (no record), Lybia (2), Morocco (25), Portugal (18), Syria (3), Tunisia (8), Turkey (18), and the counlries oflhe fonner Yugoslavia (27). These figures are lo be considered very provisional.

The eastem part of the mediterranean sea is the mariti me facade of the geopolitical Middle East. lts fifteen states cover around 9 million km"', ali subjeeled IO an arid climate. Researeh on loeal microorganisms led to the diseovery of taxa then regarded as being new to Science. Sinee 1940, simply 209 taxonomic units were introduced. For most, collecting sites are in Egypt, PalestineIsrael or Irak ; only one quarter relates to eight other states. Ali novelties are linked with 122 genera comprising 51 Ascomycetes, 41 deuteromycetes and only 15 Basidiomycetes ha1f of which are plant pathogenic forms. Zygomycetes, Oomycetes and Chytridiomyeetes are less represented. Ten new genera of Ascomycetes and deuteromyeetes were proposed with originai sites almost limited to the former three states. Minor taxonomic groupings have thus not reeeived proper attention though following the prevalent aridity interesting relevant discoveries should be expected. For Ascomycetes and deuteromycetes, more interest was directed to their soil-bome fraction than to plant-related forms including standing crops. Basidiomycetes proved to be less explored on the regional scale, despite of a fair number of rust and smut fungi being of economie importance. On the basis of their ecology, a limited fraction of introduced taxa exhibits notable thermotolerant abilities and some even qualify as thermophiles though definitely less xerotolerant fungi were disclosed. Since 1940, less than four taxonomi...

Serpentine is formed during chemical transformation of ultrabasic magmatic rocks. The characteristics of serpenti ne soil are its high Mg and low Ca contenI. Various factors have lead to the formation of specific serpentine flora and vegetation. In the serpentine flora both basophi10us and acidophilous plant species are present, and a small number of families and often genera predominate. Most species growing on serpenti ne soil tolerate the hostile edaphic factors by concentrating low Ca quantities in their tissue, to protect themselves from toxic metals. Generally, the serpenti ne flora is relatively poor in species as well as individuals. Many species are represented by particular races on serpentine. Obligate serpentinophytes occur only on open spots on ultramafic rocks. The unfavorable, selective soil of Serpentine areas contributes to the floristic wealth of the Mediterranean region, which is one of the major centres of plant diversity.

In the western, south-western, and centraI parts of Serbia, huge serpentinized masses occur, among the largest on the European continent. The combination of geographical, geomorphological, and ecological characteristics with geohistorical factors has led to a peculiar flora and vegetation in that area. Josif Pancié was among the first to point out the unique features of serpentine flora. He noted that the flora thriving on serpenti ne chiefly consists of endemie, often relict taxa, adapted to the extremely unfavourable conditions of these habitats. PanCié 's view was confirmed by subsequent investigations. A large number of rare plant species, mentioned in numerous papers, confirm the uniqueness of Serbian habitats. Their vegetation shows peculiar syntaxonomic, ecological, physiognomic, and floristic features especially manifest in open phytocoenoses on rocky ground, where physical-chemical effects of the parent stone on the pIan! world are mos! conspicuaus.

The Mediterranean flora contains many examples of disjunct species distributions. In the genus Cyclamen (Primulaceae) three species show disjunct distribution patterns in the western Mediterranean basin that suggest the importance of physical isolation events for speciation in the genus. C. balearicum occurs in five fragmented sites in southern France and on four of the Balearic Islands, C. creticum is endemic to Crete and Karpathos and C. repandum is more widely distributed from southern France to southern Greece including ali the main Mediterranean Islands. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how studies of the ecology and genetics of spatial population structure within and between species can provide important information on the role of physical isolation events for speciation. Continental populations of C. balearicum show extremely high levels of genetic differentiation which greatly exceed those among true island populations. Human fragmentation and/or glaciation may have drastically reduced population sizes on the continent causing such higher levels of differentiation. Il is also possible that because Balearic island populations have a wider ecological amplitude than continental populations they show less differentiation. C. repandum also shows significant levels of population differentiation. The genetic distances among the three species indicate that this species, or an ancestral form, has given rise to C. balearicum and _C. creticu...

A synthesis ofthe up-to-date knowledge on Centaurea corimbosa Pourret is here made as far as biology and demography are concerned. Then, some recommendation are proposed in order to setup an effective running pian for conservation of this threatened species endemie to S France and included in the French and European red lists.

Arenaria grandiflora L. (Caryophyllaceae) is a species occurring in centrai and southem Europe more or less frequent in the mountain calcareous cliffs and slopes. Il al so occurs in the Ile-de-France where it is very rare and therefore included among the protected taxa.With the aim of clarifying the origin of such local rarity, some populations of A. grandiflora from Fontainehleu (ÃŒle-de-France) and other localities, where this species is more spread, have been studied as far as their genetic diversity and germinating rate are concemed. On the basis ofthe resul ts, some considerations are made in order to rescue the species in questiono

An overaI! anaIysis of the Delphinieae has been carried out in order to cIarify the phyIogenetic pIace ofthe subgenus Staphisagria. The main evolutionary trends ofthe tribe were given, especiaI!y examplified by cytogenetic and morphoIogicaI features. This weI! threatened subgenus appears as a peculiar and primitive group Iocated at the beginning ofthe Delphinium differentiation.

Allochthonous ecosystems occur under extreme conditions which do not allow the growth of green plants. They are lacking in producers, in diaspore banks, and in herbivores. Allochthonous ecosystems are bes t known from extreme deserts. Two examples from the E Sahara (SW Egypt) are discussed. Here the completely vegetationless area is surrounded by a belt of accidental vegetation (in the sense of Kassas 1952) which is almost exclusively dependent on rainfall and duration of water resources. Since precipitations events do not take piace annually but in much longer periods (if any) an annual rhythm does not exist. The life form of a typical member of accidental vegetation is neither annual nor therophytic, and it only facultatively carri es out a perenniallife cycle. For this life form the new term "poikilorhythmic" is proposed.

Phytogeographic considerations on the flora of N Cyrenaica emphasizing its remarkable peculiarity are presented. This area ean be considered as an island surrounded in the north by the Mediterranean Sea and in the south by tbe Libyan Desert. Tbis is testified by tbe relevant percentage of Mediterranean species (c. 40%), generally absent in the rest of NE Africa, and of endemics (c. II %), most of them paleoendemics. Moreover the occurrence of numerous and rare E Mediterranean species (c. 9%) suggests ancient paleogeographic connections mainly with the Aegean territories. Chorological observations on the floristic arrangement of the chief plant communities occurring in Cyrenaica are al so given.

Although constituting one of the essential activities, practised by people everywhere in mediterranean arid and semi-arid zones, pastoralism - i.e. livestock and range management- is usually associated in complex ways with other soci al practices such as dryland plough farrning, brush clearing and fuelwood harvesting, etc. As a result, it is difficult or impossible to analyse the effects of pasloralist practices in isolation. Moreover, lo have any sense at all, such studies have to be carried out over ecologically significant periods of times. This article assembles data and conclusions from several different studi es carri ed out in various North African rangelands, and seeks lo provide insight into the consequences of pastoralism in these areas on biodiversity, in various aspects or hierarchicallevels ranging from whole ecosystems right down to infra-specific populations. Arising in the course of a long, presumed 'co-evolution' wilh man and his livestock, the native vegetation of these steppic zones actually responds just as poorly to extensification of pastoral pressure as lo an intensification thereof. By focussing on maximizing biodiversity of native taxa, intelligent pastoral management scheme - incorporating close attention to animai load and grazing pressure, lenght of grazing peri od, etc., - allow maintaining high levels of pasture productivity over long periods of time.

In the Mediterranean area to-day, live and are cultivated species of the cucurbitaceae from ali around the world. Those are Citrullus, Lagenaria, Cucumis, Ecballium, Luffa, Coccinia, Cora//ocarpus, Momordica, Bryonia, Bryonopsis, Cucurbita, Sechium. Some of them are now subspontaneous. First we try to deterrnine their precise origin, the way and by whom they have been diffused, what they are used for and, in the case offood plant, how the mediterranean gardeners diversified them, giving them different names. Some of them were problematic, such as the courgette, which is a very recent variety of the american Cucurbita pepo, some stili are areai problem of deterrnination with the case of faqqiìs, a polisemic word of babylonian origino

The family of Solanaceae includes about 90 genera and over 2000 speeies. Among them a great number of important plants has agronomie and phannaeeutieal uses. They contai n alkaloids and triterpenoids as main aetive eonstituents. Among the last eompounds, it is important to eonsider a group of eompounds speeifie to Salanaceae, the withanolides, present in partieular in Withania somnifera. W samnifera is reported to have several properties: analgesie, antipyretie, antiinflammatory, abortifieient, but in partieular it is well known and used in the Indian traditional medicine as atonie. Our researeh on W. somnifera was prompted by the possibility of studying the ltalian plants of W somnifera and verifying their chemotype on the basis of withanolide composition. These plants were repropagated by in vitro culture, but only traees of withanolides. with prevalenee ofwithanolide L, were deteeted by HPLC in the regenerated tissues.

"BioCISE Resource Identification" is a Concerted Action project funded by the European Union with members from lO EU countries and Israel. The project has the aim ofpreparing the ground for the implementation of a generai biological collection information service in Europe. For this purpose a survey is under way to identify available data sources as well as the needs and expectations of potential users of biological collection information. The results will serve as a base for a proposal for the implementation of a European Biological Collections Information Servi ce.

The generaI concept of designing biological databases from modular applications is presented and exemplified by DeltaAccess, a database subsystem for descriptive information in taxonomy. DeltaAceess makes DELTA, the "Deseription Language for Taxonomy", aeeessible to the world of relational databases and to modem graphical user interfaces. The advantages of DELTA compatible database applieations are outlined in comparison with conventional DELTA prograrns. Using a database for managing descriptive information opens exciting new perspectives for local as well as intemational collaborative projects. Specific database features important for sue h projects (like subproject views, summarizing data, and data replication) are discussed in more detail. The subject is relevant to anyone planning large-scale projects involving taxonomy, interactive identification, or checklist data in botany or zoology.

The structure, contents and current progress of the Chromosome Database of the Catalan Countries are presented. This database, named CROMOCAT, covers a flora of 4,360 taxa of vascular plants on an area of nearly 70,000 square kilometres. The total number of records are 23,610 for the table named CRO-OUT and 2,332 for the table named CRO-IN; the territories with the highest number of chromosome reports are the Balearic Islands and the Pyrenaean provinces.

During the past two years, considerable progress has been achieved towards the preparation of a checklist of lichens for Mediterranean countries. Checklists for numerous operational geographical units are available and compilations have started for further countries. The existing checklists, which are being continuously updated, are available via the Internet. Standardization of the data and the preparation of databases, some of which are already accessible on the World Wide Web, is part of ongoing activities. An important step towards a synthesis is the development of a thesaurus of synonyms which will facilitate the linking of checklists and databases following different taxonomic concepts into a single information system.

Within the census programme ofthe macrofungi in Sicily, attention has been devoted to hypogeous species and to genus Tuber P. Micheli ex Wigger in particular. Ihis work reports the finding of Tuber rufum Pico and T. panniferum Tul., the latter new for Sicily. For each taxon found, the distributiol1 on the Italian tenitory and the ecological data of the finding areas are presented. The record of the two species allows to define the southem limit of their area of distribution in Italy.

This study aims to describe the different ectomycorrhizal morphological types which occur in natural evergreen oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) stands located in Navarra (Spain). The descriptions of the nine ectomycorrhizal morphotypes found are provided, as weIl as the distribution of each morphotype represented by their occurrence as a percentage of the total ectomycorrhizal tip occurrence.

The \iehen flora on Juniperus oxycedrus L. in the aneient, montane holm-oak forest at Campu Su Disterru (Supramonte di Orgosolo, eentral-east Sardina, Italy) has been investigated and 68 taxa of \iehens plus 3 lieheni eolous fungi were identifi ed. The most remarkable findings are: Ophioparma rubricosa (Miill. Arg.) Ekman. , new to Europe, and Chaenotecopsis nana Tibell, new to Italy. 8 species are reported for the first time from Sardinia: Agonimia octospora Coppins & P. James, Calicium adspersum Pers. , Caloplaca hungarica_ Magnusson, Chaenotheca phaeocephala (Turn.) Th. Fr., Hypocenomyce scalaris (Ach. ex Lilj.) M. Choisy, Lecanora argentata (Aeh.) Malme, Lepraria umbricola Tensb. and Rinodina archaea (Ach.) Arnold. Many further speeies are rare in Ttaly and in Sardinia. The number of speeies exeeeds that on Quereus ilex L. on the same site. This demonstrates the importanee of a non-dominant tree species for the epiphytie liehen flora of a forest. A phytogeographieal analysis shows that speeies with a wide distribution in temperate areas of Europe are dominant (Temperate element, 72 %). The Atlantic/Oeeanie element eomprises 13%, whil e few speeies belong to other elements: Aretie-alpine / Boreal-montane 3%, Mediterranean-montane 5% and Mediterranean 7%.

The bryoflora of fumaroles occurring in some volcanic localities of C Mediterranean and Canary Islands is examined. The phytogeographical analysis has emphasized the presence of very rare species mainly belonging to the endemie, Mediterranean-Tropical and Atlantic elements. The very peculiar hot-hurnid ecological conditions of tropical type lead to the establishment or very specialized communities. The new combination Campylopus pilifer subsp. vaporarius is proposed.

The knowledge about the bryoflora in both biogeographical zones of Navarra (Eurosiberian and Mediterranean regions) is commented and compared, and pieces of information about our most recent efforts to boost and bai ance the bryophytic studies in the Mediterranean zone are reported.

At 10 well-springs of the Dinaric Alps and Carpathian karsts in Serbia, 123 taxa ofbryophytes were recorded: 26 liverworts and 97 mosses. Porella obtusata, Metzgeria furcata var. ulvula and Fissidens mildeanus were recorded for the first time to the bryoflora of Serbia.

Some reproductive aspects are studied in Thymus albicans Hoffmanns. & Link, endemie to SW Iberian Peninsula. Pereentage of herrnaphrodite plants fruit set, nutlet production, seed set, reproductive effieiency and percentage of gerrnination of seeds produced by female and hermaphrodite plants are studied. Percentage of female and herrnaphrodite plants is very variable between populations. Nutlet produetion and reproduetive efficiency are higher in female than in herrnaphrodite plants, and this, together with a slightly advaneed gerrnination of seed pro- . duced by females, may inerease female fitness in natural populations

The flora of Apuan Alps is rather known, as it has been studied sin ce 1700s and it is composed of 1922 species, 3.27% ofwhich are endemics to the region and 1.50% endemics to Italy. Our research represents the first contribution to the knowledge of the reproductive biology of the species of this region. As regards sex expression, hennaphrodite are about 90 %, monoecious 7% and dioecious 3%. H life fonn is the most represented (above 36%), followed by T and G. lune and luly are the months with a highest percentage of blooming species. Entomophilous species are the most represented and bloom during late springtime and summer, whilst more anemophilous species bloom in winter, autumn and early springtime. Passive dispersal of seeds is predominant (above 54%), followed by the anemochorous one. There are more dry fruits than the fleshy ones (only 10%). The most frequent type of dry fruits is the achene in dicots and the capsule in the monocots ; the most frequent fleshy fruit is the drupe. Fleshy fruits mostly ripe in late summer-early autumn, whilst dry fruit from springtime up to the winter.

Comparing myrmecochory in Mediterranean to tropical South American region many similarities are revealed: main location in herbaceous and preferentially anthropogenic vegetation; similar morpho-anatomical features of diaspores; many genera and families of ants as well as of plants common to both regions. In the Mediterranean region, some disseminating ants with granivorous diet are "harvesters" that store seed reserves with regard to the inproductive season (Aphaenogaster, Messor and Tetramorium). In contrast, in the tropical American region only omnivorous ants are found, related to food being available throughout the year.

Karyotypes oftwo populations of Lygeum spartum L. from different algerian localities are presented. The first population which grows in semi arid coastal region has 2_n_ = 4x = 40 and the second one, which grows in arid high plateaus, has 2_n_ = 2x = 16. The basic numbers are: x = IO and x = 8 the latter of them has been found for the first time in the species studied.

A population of Crepis pannonica, growing in the Hosrov reserve in Armenia, at the southem limit ofthe species' area, has been investigated over a period ofmore than 20 years. An extraordinary chromosomal polymorphism has been detected by the study ofroot tip mitoses ofseedlings. 40 different chromosome complement variants were found, including a full range of aneuploids, B-chromosomes, structural hetero- and homozygotes, witnessing active chromosomal restructuring and karyotype evolution.

In parallel to the taxonomic treatment of Muscari and Bellevalia for the Flora of Armenia, the karyology of the Armenian representatives of these genera was studied. The obtained data confirm the cytological distinctness of Muscari (x = 9) and Bellevalia (x = 4). The karyotypes of all Bellevalia species investigated corresponds to the basic Bellevalia karyotype. Polymorphism was observed only with regard to satellites, which in B. glauca as a rule are found on one of the homologues of pairs 1 and 4 and vary in size, with a tandem satellite fixed on pair 1; in B. paradoxa a satellite is seen on the distai arm of pair 2. In octoploid B. longistyla a pericentric inversion and formation of a metacentric chromosome was found . Muscari caucasicum and M. tenuiflorum are characterised by the diploid chromosome number 2_n_ = 18, M. sosnowskyi has 2_n_ = 36, while in M. neglectum a hexaploid cytotype was found.

A further contribution to the cytotaxonomy of the genus Erysimum L. in NW lta1y has been carried out. In the present study 19 popu1ations of Erysimum jugicoòa Jordan, E. nevadense Reuter subsp. collisparsum_ (Jordan) P. W. Ball, E. rhaeticum (Schleicher ex Hornem.) DC., E. pseudorhaeticum Polatschek and E. virgatum Roth. have been analysed. Six populations with a new cytotype (2_n_ = 36-40) were found in W Liguria and new locali ti es for already known cytotypes have been recorded. The results are shown in the geographical distribution map.

The paper reports the results of karyological investigations made on somatic cells of the Mediterranean Isoetes duriei Bory. Counts, made on plants from Sicilian populations, vary between ca. 104 and ca. 132, showing a high ploidal leve!. Results are discussed in the framework of the karyological data available for the genus.

The results of morpho-biometrical, anatomical and karyological investigations on some populations of Cerastium scaranii Ten. sensu Busehmann, from the centraI and southem mountains of Italy, are presented. Two distinet taxa ean be recognized: C. lacaitae Barberis, Beehi & Mieeli, endemie to some mountains of Southem Italy, and belonging to the C. banaticum group, and C. scaranii Ten., endemie to the central-southem Apennines, and belonging to the C. arvense group.

Festuca humifusa, a new species from Cape Tyndaris (NE-Sicily) is described and illustrated. Its ecology, distribution and relationships with the allied species are discussed.

Alliwn brachyspathum, a very rare geophyte occurring in rocky places of Karpathos island (S Aegean area, Greece), is described as new to science and illustrated. Its karyology, ecology, leaf anatomy and taxonomic relationships are discussed.

Salix ionica, a new species belonging to the S. pedicellata group, is described and illustrated from riversides of Aspromonte (S Italy). Its ecology, chorology and relationships with the allied species are examined.

The species of Adenocarpus occurring in the ltalian territory are examined. Their taxonomic investigation has allowed to recognize four species which are represented by A. commutatus Guss., A. bivonii C. PresI. , A. brutius sp. nov. and A. samniticus sp. nov. The morphological features, ecology, chorology and relationships of tnese species are discussed.

Several infraspecific taxa within Arum italicum have been reported for the lberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Nevertheless morphological distinction of these taxa is made difficult by very high individuai variation within the whole specific population. In order to provide new suitable additional characters for ii better infraspecific distinction an ecological method has been tried. A Digitai Terrain Model (DTM) of the studied area was elaborated in order to obtain, by an interpolation process, geographical and meteorologicalinforrnation for each plant locality. Canonical redundance analysis was run to evaluate relationships between morphological data and environrnental variables, and the Mantel test was used to evaluate the influence ofthe spatial distribution on the plant localities.

The S Transcaucasian representatives ofthe genus Gladiolus are revised. Nine species and two additional subspecies are recognised. Their morphological features are illustrated, their distribution, ecology and relationships are discussed. A key for their identification as well as some distribution maps are provided.

Two new hybrids from Turkey and Spain are described: Verbascum xedremiticum (Verbascum gnaphalodes Bieb. xV parviflorum Lam.) from Turkey. and Verbascum xpobicum (Verbascum giganteum Willk. xv. haenseleri Boiss.) from Spain. The differences between them and their parental species are tabulated.

Swerlia punelala was first recorded from Bulgaria in 1883 by J. Pancié from the Western Stara Planina and the Rila Mountains to the south. Since no herbarium materia I was avoilable to Bulgarian botanists, the plants from Western Stara Planina were considered a misidentification for S. perennis. This was corroborated by the fact that ali Swertias collected later from Rila are indeed of the latter species. 80th taxa have been confused by many European botanists but are clearly distinct. A revised description of S. punelala is now presented, together with diagnosti c characters, ecological and distributional data for both taxa.

A series of crosses was performed to investigate relationships between 7 taxa of the genus Coincya Rouy: C. hispida var. hispida, C. hispida var. deflexa, C. leptocarpa f. leptocarpa, C. leptocarpa f. calatrava, C. longirostra, C.pseudoerucastrum subsp. pseudoerucastrum and C. pseudoerucastrum subsp. cintrana. Several viable seeds were obtained from the hybrid crosses performed and the number of seeds per pollinated flower was counted for each cross. Pollen fertility was determined in 18 of the crosses, and the stability of meiosis was estimated in some of the F l hybrids. Fruit morphology and seed production in 9 of the crosses was compared to those of the parents. Data corresponding to interfertility, pollen fertility and fruit morphology were used to draw taxonomic conc\usions.

The RAPD technique was tested on 18 species of 4 genera of Valerianeae in order to perform a comparison with the non-molecular current classification of this tribe of Valerianaceae. Molecular results (presence/absence ofRAPD bands) were exploited with two phenetic and one cladistic methods. Only the genus Centranthus and the section Porteria of Valeriana were robustly recognised on this base. So it seems not convenient to extend the use of the RAPD technique for phylogeny inference in this tribe.

In the genus Quercus L., distinction between nothotaxa and parental species is usually guite difficu lt, even impossible since macro-morphological characters are often inadeguate to taxonomical delimitation at specific rank. On the contrary, a better knowledge ofthe hybrids can great1 y help in the taxonomical understanding ofthe parents. In this contribution, micro-characters such as stornata, hairs, waxes and trichomes on leaf blades, have been studi ed by SEM, in both the hybrids Quercus xsoluntina, Q. xmorisii, Quercus xcrenata, Q.xbivoniana, Q. xfontanesii and the relevant parental taxa occurring in Sicily. This, in order to evaluate their possible employ in the current taxonomical practise. The results show that superfi cial microstuctures and wood anatomy as well, could be encouraged as additional characters to traditional taxonomy.

96 taxa of vascular plants are reported as new to the whole Foumi island group, Greece. After this addition, the total number of taxa known from the islands is about 334.

In the present study 100, almost vertical, limestone cliffs on the island of Crete have been investigated floristically and a total of614 taxa has been registered. According to the degree ofspecialization to the cliff habitats four categories of chasmophytes have been recognized. The biological and the chorological spectra ofthe Cretan chasmophytic flora have been constructed and compared to the corresponding ones of the Cretan flora. Annual therophytes are almost absent from the category of the obligatory chasmophytes and the percentage of endemism (including Greek andlor Aegean endemics) comes up to 76% suggesting a positive correlation between chasmophytism and endemismo This notion is also supported by the observation that the cliffs on the western side of the island, an area rich in endemics, house also the richest and the most diverse chasmophytic flora

Ildefonso Zubia Icazuriaga (1819-1891) was a pharmacist, naturalist, and Secondary School teacher in Logrono (La Rioja, Spain). He was al so a professor of Natural History at the University of Oviedo (Spain) and a corresponding member of several scientific associations. His scientific work dealt with a variety of research fields, especially Botany. His herbarium consisted of 4,300 samples of algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants collected in the northern Spanish provinces ofLa Rioja, Vizcaya, Huesca, Burgos and Asturias. His herbarium was published 30 years after his death. In this work, both the most recent advances in Zubia's botanical research and his scientific relationships with European botanists, are presented.

Flora, vegetation, and inundation regime of rock pools on Gavdos, the southemmost European island, are described in detail. Requirements for nature conservation are also addressed. The seasonally water-filled cavities provide habitat for several rare species, inc1uding Callitriche pulchra, and Matricaria aurea with their single Greek locali ti es in the island. Five plant communities may be distinguished along an ecological gradient of decreasing water level and inundation periodo

In proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the dune-wadi ecosystem of south-westem Mauritania is characterized by the Zygophyllum waterlotii-vegetation complex. Within this habitat, the feeding and migration behaviour of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria is investigated.

Using a climatic mode I which predicts vegetation types, the relationship between characteristic taxa of different humid forests has been studi ed. A biogeographical assay of the origin and evolution of the vegetation, especially the Mediterranean vegetation, has also been made. To complete the biogeographical correlation between the different humid forests of the world, a comparison between their floristic composition and some subfamilies of butterflies has been made.

The Berlengas islands are located in the transition area between the mediterranean and atlanti c regions. The increase in the Larus argentatus population brings to a modification of the vegetation structure. In order to study to which region the autochtonous vegetation is close, ressembI ance analysis is made between these islands, the Cies islands in the Galicia Iittoral and Medes islands in the mediterranean littoral, who are subjected to the same conditions of blooming of maritime birds.

In this work, the pollination effectiveness in two populations of Antirrhinum microphyllum, endemie to Centrai Spain, were investigated. The mean number of flowers per plant (54) and the percentage offlowers that produced seeds was high at both locations (84% and 92%). The fiorai advertisements (ultraviolet pattem) and rewards (volume and sugar concentration ofnectar), and pollinators were al so studied. The flowers produced an average of3 !-lI neclar with 40- 45% sugar. The most frequent flower visitor was a solitary bee, Rhodanthidium sticticum. II is active only on sunny days between 9 a. m. and 4 p. m., solar time, with a maximum between II a. m. and 1 p. m. The percentage of flowers visited per day in a pIanI ranged from 6-24%. The behaviour of nectar-collecting is described. The results indicate that the narrow distribution of this species cannot be explained by factors linked to the pollination processo

Soil and climate properties, plant eommunities and population strueture were studied at the two exclusive loeations of the endemie Erodium paularense. Il was eoncluded that the affinity for rare dolomite and andesite outerops in silieeous landseape, the striet water requirements during the reproduetive period and seedling establishment, and the need for shallow soils affeeted by freezing-thawing climatie perturbations make this speeies highly vulnerable to ehanging elimatie eonditions.

The floristic check-list ofultramafic (serpentine) outcrops ofTuscany is presented. Papers, dating from 1841 to 1998 concerning flora, vegetation, ecophysiology and soil, were accurately ehecked in order to obtain floristic data which were stored in a data base. From the analysis of the resulting checklist 809 sub-generic taxa were recorded, i.e. about 14.5% of the whole ltalian flora. The most represented families were Compositae (12.6%), Graminaceae (11.6%), Leguminosae (10.4%), Caryophyllaceae (5.0%), Rosaceae (4.9%), Labiatae (4.5%), Umbelliferae (3.3%) and Cruciferae (3.2%). The life form spectrum was dominated by hemicryptophytes and therophytes in aeeordanee with the generaI features of the Tusean flora, whereas the proportion of woody speeies (ehamaephytes and phanerophytes) was relatively higher. The list of endemie and serpentine-preferential plants is provided and some taxa needing in-depth studi es are diseussed.

A research programme for describing the vegetation settled on the northem Apennine ophiolitic screes and its relationship with their geochemistry is in progresso Vegetation and soil samplings in ali the three different geochemical types (serpentinites, gabbros and basalts) were considered in this work.

Verbascum phoeniceum L. grows on various geological substrates, such as serpenti ne, andesite, dacite and limestone. The specificity of these substrates deterrnines the forrnation of morphologic characteristics, minerai content of the plant organs and biomass production of the plants since they acumulate some metals from geological substrates and soil.

In the Limousin region (France), serpentinites forrnations are linked to landscape morphologically, characterised by a clear karstification. Rock decomposition has lead to the constitution of lithic magnesisols, deeply mobisted by iron exudation. In the flora can be recognized three phytogeographic groups:

• serpentinophytes,
• therrnophilic and xerophilic species and species of mediterranean affinity,
• acidiphilic species. The Pteridophitic rocky groupement is close to Asplenium serpentinii Alliance and the pelouse groupement to Koelerio - Phleion Alliance. We detected no species to be a bioaccumulator of heavy metals.

Floristic data are given on the occurence in Lesvos (East Aegean islands, Greece) of Baldellia ranunculoides (L.) ParI., _Crassula vaillantii: (Willd.) Roth, Elatine macropoda Guss. , Gratiola officinalis L. Illecebrum verticillatum L., Iris pseudacorus L., Juncus tenageia Ehrh., Lythrum tribracteatum Sprengel, Myriopliyllum alterniflorum: DC. and Radiola linoides Roth which are ali new to this island. To the best of our knowledge four of them, i.e. C. vaillantii, I. verticillatum, G. officinalis and L. tribracteatum are not only new to Lesvos but al so to ali the Eastern Aegean islands and three other, i.e. E. macropoda, J. tenageia and M. alterniflorum are new to the Aegean Archipelago as a whole.

The ex situ available genetic diversity of three extremely rare Spanish endemie plants now eonsidered extinet in Nature - Lysimachia minoricensis Rodr., Diplotaxis siettiana Maire and Helianthemum cirae Santos - has been studied on material preserved in a genebank using RAPDs markers. Either eonsidering the number of amplifieation products obtained, the nUffiber of polymorphic bands, the similarity among individuals or the total vari ance detected, the maximum diversity always corresponded to Diplotaxis siettiana while interrnediate values were obtained for Helianthemum cirae and the lowest for Lysimachia minoricensis. The correspondence of these results with the case histories of the three species is discussed.

The frrst approach to the catalogue of the uses of pteridophytes in the Pyrenees and some close mountains, done by the ethnobotanical interview method applied to some 400 informants is presented here. The inventory consists of} 2 taxa, meaning about 20% of the pyrenean pteridoflora. The different uses are reported classified by types (medicinal, for food, ornamental, folk:loric, in the home rural and for rural building). Concerning the medicinal properties, the comparison with the literature allowed us to find some non previously documented uses and so some taxa which could be object of phytochemical and pharmacological researches addressed to obtain new drugs of plant origino

The discovery of the lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.) and the horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in the sixteenth centiury are brief1y described as is the sequence of events which lead in the late eighteenth century to their discovery in the wild - ofthe lilac in modern Bulgaria, of the horse-chestnut in modern Greece.

Samples of both Cynara scolymus and the relevant agricultural soil, taken along 7 different and successive stages of their growth cycle, have been submitted to AES/ICP, INAA, FRX and Kjeldahl elementary analysis. The results show that of27 analysed elements the plant accumulates 4 (N, Na, P and W), rejects 2 I elements (B, Mg, Ca, Se, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cs, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Hf, Ta and Th), and accumulates or rejects 2 other (K and Br) depending on developmental stage. Comparisons with similar studi es carri ed out on Capsicum annuum, the pepper plant, show that the "compositional plant behaviour" related to that of its soil is common to both plants as regards 21 out of the 27 studi ed elements (N, Mg, P, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cs, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Hf, Ta and Th), while it differs by only 6 elements (B, Na, K, Co, Br and W). We may conclude that, for most ofthe analyzed elements (21 out of27), both plants accumulate or reject them in the same way, the same non-metals are accumulated and the same metals are rejected in both plants. Moreover, the "rooted plant" is the most physiologically active stage. Such results may be looked at as an example of ecophysiological similarity within the vegetalliving matter, in spite of its morphological and taxonomical diversity.

The world-wide genus Artemisia L. contains some 500 species and is largely distributed in the Mediterranean region. Three taxa (four populations from the Iberian Peninsula and Egypt) trom subg. Dracunculus Besser were studi ed trom cytogenetical point of view. They form a polyploid seri es with the basic chromosome number x=9. Two fluorochromes, chromomycinA3 and bisbenzimide Hoechst 33258, reveal the chromosomal regions where repetitive DNA is rich in GC and AT, respectively. The genes for the ribosomal DNA have been located by in situ hybridization for the first time in this genus. This first approach to a more detailed knowledge ofthe genome organisation ofthe taxa studi ed may be relevant to future taxonomic and evolutionary studies.