Table of Contents

The taxonomy of the genus Armeria depends strictly on its obligate outbreeding mechanism, a key feature of this group of plants that plays a decisive role in their geographical differentiation. With no breeding barriers it is the geographical isolation that operates in the differentiation processes of species (or subspecies when isolation is not complete and morphological differences are less significant). The exsiccata examined, preserved in the Erbario Centrale Italico of the Museo Botanico dell’Università di Firenze (FI), confirm this taxonomical approach. The genus Armeria in Italy exhibits disjunct distribution on isolated mountains. There are 12 taxonomically defined species plus 4 subspecies; they include 1 new species (Armeria garganica) and 1 new subspecies (A. arenaria subsp. apenninica).

East Mediterranean deserts of Israel, Jordan, and Sinai have a few endemic species which firmly occur on specific rocks. The extent of these rocks and the size of their outcrops have a profound impact on the distribution of certain narrow endemics. The aim of the present article is to deal with examples of distribution of a few endemic plants as related to their specific rock types.

Exchange of domesticated plants between Europe and the Americas has been a paramount episode of World History, which transformed agriculture and food habits at both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. However, many plant species have been inadvertently introduced mostly as contaminants of crop seeds, causing important changes in the flora. Here, we present a brief description of the floristic enrichment of the Pampa grasslands of Argentina due to the naturalisation of plant species from the Mediterranean Basin. Since the European colonisation in the 16th century, Old World plant species have been continuously introduced, intentionally or not, in the Pampas, especially during the expansion of agriculture in the late 19th century. Four botanical families comprised the highest numbers of species (Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae), which have been recognised for having the largest contribution to the total number of alien species in local floras. Some families were only present in the Pampas by Mediterranean species occurring as weeds in croplands. The flora of the Pampas was also enriched with life-forms that were poorly represented in the pristine grasslands, such as species from Fabaceae and short-lived species vegetating during the cool season. Finally, seed trade from South America to Europa provided a vector for the dispersion of Neotropical and Pampean species naturalised in Mediterranean ecosystems. While the long term impact of alien natural...

The Territory of Doñana covers c. 230,000 ha mainly to the West side of the Guadalquivir river mouth. It includes the National and Natural Parks of Doñana and two other protected areas: Estero de Domingo Rubio and Laguna de las Madres, as well as the surrounding unprotected areas. A checklist published in 1980 covering the National park and part of the Natural Park listed 15 naturalized species. A checklist published in 2007 that covers the territory of Doñana, increased this number to 86. But new naturalized xenophytes have since been recorded in this territory raising the number to 99, 38 of which are native to the Old World and 61 to America. One of them, Carpobrotus edulis, is a harmful invader and at least two more, Cortaderia sellowiana and Lantana strigocamara, may become invaders in this area in the near future. The continuous population increase in the cities and villages around the territory, the presence of two tourist resorts within the territory (Matalascañas and Mazagón), the annual pilgrimage to El Rocio chapel and the increase in the roads net-work in the territory likely constitute the main factors responsible for this increased naturalization of introduced plants.

The aim of this study was to select a list of Mediterranean taxa (sensu stricto) from the vascular flora of Romania as well as to reveal the vegetation types in which these species occur and the community types in which they are dominant. A total of 139 Mediterranean taxa were selected, of which 121 were recorded in phytosociological releves and 18 were considered as subspontaneous i.e., escaped cultivation. The relatively high proportion (up to almost 9%) of Mediterranean taxa in the flora of some regions of Romania suggests the potential role of calcareous, open habitats in their establishment. Most community types that host Mediterranean species were described in Dobrogea (the Black Sea coast included), the Danube Plain and adjacent calcareous mountains, a pattern suggesting that the dispersal of these plants followed the Illyric route and then the fluvial corridors across the south Carpathians.

The Italian Vegetation Prodrome (IVP), implemented on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea (also known as MATTM) on the basis of two agreements entrusted to the Italian Botanical Society, has been drawn up to the lower level of suballiance. In the current paper, the syntaxonomical choices adopted in the description and the typification of the new syntaxa are explained through eight main conceptual issues. Among these, there are several Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean syntaxa, which contribute to improve knowledge of the phytocoenosis biodiversity of these biogeographic areas. Indeed, these Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean territories are the most important European areas in terms of flora, vegetation and habitats. In the past, the syntaxa of these bioclimatic and phytogeographic areas were mainly included in classes widespread over Europe and in hierarchical levels that are, in our opinion, inappropriate for describing their floristic and phytocoenotic richness. Therefore, we decided, in some cases, to raise their hierarchical level in order to promote a better and more appropriate syntaxonomical classification. The definition of such syntaxa is the result of a research carried out on various aspects of the flora, ecology and dynamic features of the plant communities; they have often considered large geographical territories, wider than Italy and, sometimes, even Europe. The case study of some syntaxa belonging to the cla...

The botanic gardens of the Mediterranean have played an important role in the study of the plant life of the region through exploration, taxonomic and ecological studies, introduction of new material and more recently in the conservation of germplasm in genebanks, living collections and conservation, recovery and reintroduction of threatened species. Many gardens still house important germplasm of early introductions such as citrus fruits. The region houses a large number of botanic gardens but their distribution and range of facilities is very uneven and proposals are made for actions to remedy these problems.

The bryophyte flora of two areas adjacent to the petrochemical pole of Augusta-Priolo in the South-Eastern Sicily was investigated: Punta Cugno and the Nature Reserve Saline di Priolo. A biological and ecological analysis was made, showing: the predominance of species of the Mediterranean phytogeographical element, with prevailing life strategy colonist and life form turf; the low occurrence of species sensitive to pollutants and the high occurrence of species tolerant human impact. The occurrence of some species of phytogeographical interest, deserving protection, was detected. They are Didymodon sicculus, Ditrichum pusillum, Tortula solmsii, Tortula viridifolia. For these species the IUCN category for Sicily is proposed too.

A karyological study of six characteristic archeophytes from the island of Crete is presented, along with comments concerning their taxonomy and IUCN conservation status, whenever appropriate. For Leontice leontopetalum subsp. leontopetalum the chromosome number 2n = 16 is given for the first time in material from Greece. Additionally, new chromosome numbers for Geranium tuberosum and Ranunculus asiaticus var. sanguineus are reported. Karyotype microphotographs and karyological features for all taxa examined are provided and their karyotype morphology is also discussed.

On the basis of personal observations, herbarium specimens and, data reported in the literature the authors report morphological, ecological and distributive data on Pleurotus taxa from Italy. New descriptions are here provided based on the most distinctive-discriminating eco-morphological characters of twelve Pleurotus taxa

Cynoglossum marifolium was described and validly named in 1824, in a posthumous publication of Roxburgh. Clarke in 1885 unaccountably relegated it to the synonymy of Heliotropium marifolium Retz., where it has since remained, even though the original description forbids such placement. No original specimen is known to exist, but an original watercolour drawing inscribed “Cynoglossum marifolium R.”, commissioned by Roxburgh from an unknown Indian artist, was recently offered for sale and has been acquired for the Palermo Herbarium (PAL-Gr). It is here designated as lectotype. An almost identical drawing exists at Kew. Roxburgh’s plant’s correct identity is Bothriospermum marifolium (Roxb.) DC., a species that has so far been confused with the closely related B. zeylanicum (J. Jacq.) Druce.

Life forms, life strategies and ecological indices of bryophytes which live in evergreen and deciduous Quercus woods as well as in a Pinus halepensis artificial system within the "Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere e Gorgo del Drago” Oriented Nature Reserve are analysed and compared. The study highlights that in the same local climatic conditions the Quercus and Pinus trees select different bio-ecological types in the bryophyte communities. They appear to be especially useful to detect physionomic-structural differences in the woods, integrating the information provided by the ecological indices.

A new association, Trisetarietum hispidae, belonging to the class of perennial pratense herbaceous vegetation Stipo giganteae-Agrostietea castellanae, dominated by Iberian endemic grass Trisetaria hispida (Gramineae), from the Eastern Beira-Duriense mountains (province of Beira Alta) is described here for the first time. A vegetal community dominated by the exotic species Watsonia meriana (Iridaceae), from the coastal region of SW Portugal (provinces of Algarve and Baixo Alentejo) is also described.

Along with high degree of vascular plant endemism (more than 25%) the existence of two refugia of the Tertiary flora – Colchic and Hyrcanian – are the most unique features of the Caucasus ecoregion. Likewise, Colchic and Hyrcanian forests are classified as temperate rainforests.There are certain physical-geographical and biological similarities and even more differences between Colchic and Hyrcanian regions, reflected on compositions of flora, types of vegetation zonation, as well as spectrums of vegetation formations. An “individualities” of these two unique nature phenomena definethe necessity of their equal and effective conservation. Currently, the Colchic forests are better protected: almost half a million hectares, or 16.5% of Colchic region, is covered by protected areas, but there are still some evident gaps to be filled with regard to improve spatial structure of protected areas system and properly cover the most vulnerable ecosystems. More problematic situation is observed in case of Hyrcanian forests, particularly in Iranian part: lack of high categories of protected areas (IUCN categories I-IV), in terms of both number and territory, is the main obstacle for development of protected areas system in Hyrcanian region.

Based on recent bryophyte collections five records are added to the bryophyte flora of some Italian regions. The hepatic Riccia beyrichiana is new to Campania, Archidium alternifolium, Campylopus introflexus and Hedwigia stellata are new mosses to Lazio and Hylocomium splendens to Basilicata. In addition, the presence of Campylopus atrovirens and Pleuridium acuminatum in Lazio is confirmed after more than half a century

Fritillaria asumaniae R. Wallis, R. B. Wallis & N. Özhatay from Antalya province, situated in the Mediterranean region of Turkey is described as a new species. Approximately 20 species of the genus Fritillaria occur in Mediterranean region of Turkey, nearly 50% of which are endemic. In habit and shape of the perigone, the new species is reminiscent of F. forbesii Baker, a Turkish endemic species distributed around Muğla province and F. elwesii Boiss. scattered throughout SW Turkey and Aegean Islands. It differs from F. forbesii in its very dark brownish or blackish flowers, anthers and pollen grains. It also differs from F. elwesii in its undivided style, lack of green fascia on the perigone segments, the dark colored pollen grains and absence of bulbils. Description of the new species, taxonomic relationships, anther and pollen grain characteristics with color photographs are given.

Allium cupani Raf. is a species complex of the subgenus Allium L., which is taxonomically quite critical mainly for its marked karyological and morphological variability. In the present study, karyo-taxonomic characterization of some peculiar populations of this group from Italian, N African, Balcan and Aegean territories has been performed, using both living plants collected in the field and herbarium material. As a result, ten new species have been recognized and described within the A. cupani complex. They are A. panormitanum from N Sicily, A. samniticum from C Italy, A. mauritanicum from N Morocco and NW Algeria, A. balcanicum from mountains of Balkan Peninsula, A. tzanoudakisanum from Aegean area, A. cephalonicum from Cephalonia island, A. meikleanum from Cyprus, A. pelagicum from Lampedusa island, A. maghrebinum from Tunisia and NE Algeria, and A. tingitanum from N Morocco and NW Algeria. A comprehensive description and detailed illustration, together with significant notes on karyology, phenology, ecology, geographic distribution, and taxonomic relationships are provided for each species

The analysis of the horizontal and internal/vertical structure (profile) of the forest and forested areas of Mt. Ainos National Park on Cephalonia Isl. is presented in this study. The horizontal structure of the forest and forested areas of Mt. Ainos National Park concerned the spatial distribution of the land-cover categories, which have been used in established forestry practices during approximately the last twenty years (1990-2009). The evaluation of the results shows a decrease of the Abies cephalonica forest and an increase of the pasture areas through time. A modern vegetation map of the National Park has been produced through this study from satellite data collected in 2009, with the assistance of remote sensing and GIS. The vertical structure of the Abies cephalonica forest stand of Mt. Roudi of the National Park was assessed, using data collected in sampling plots. The analysis provided data for important stand density indices that can help authorities in planning sustainable management interventions in the entire forest area.

This work presents the list of species of Cerastium L. (Caryophyllaceae) collected in the Stelvio National Park (the Ortles-Cevedale group in the central Alps) in the years from 1961 to 1970 by F. Pedrotti, E. Orsomando and C. Cortini Pedrotti (Camerino). A total of 9 entities were found and identified by W. Moeschl (Graz) (†); in addition, Cerastium holeosteoides from the Val di Sole (Trentino) is reported. The material collected was deposited in the Herbarium of the former Department of Botany and Ecology of the University of Camerino (CAME).

We analysed the relationship between the 302 endemic entities of the Sardinian flora and the free-ranging domestic herbivores. This study highlights that the presence of spines, toxic compounds, resins, aromas and the adaptation to specific habitats are very effective defense traits that concur to the conservation of these species. The presence and abundance of 45.4 % endemic entities of the Sardinian flora is not affected by grazing and browsing, while domestic herbivores promote the presence and abundance of 38.4 % of endemic entities by reducing other competing species such as pabular herbs and woody species. However, grazing and browsing may threaten 16.2 % of the endemic species. This study remarks the importance of the management of free-ranging domestic herbivores for effective conservation politics aiming to protect the endemic entities of the Sardinian flora.

A potential area of around 300.000 hectares of cork oak trees, that turned nowadays to a low density tree cover of less than 50.000 hectares, with a very disturbed or even absent climax environment. This is the case of the world largest cork oak Maamora forest located at the Moroccan Atlantic plain between Rabat and Kenitra cities. Research programs and scientific articles related to this magnificent forest are various and dealt with all its aspects: ecologic, floristic, faunistic, socio-economic, cultural, etc. The future of the Maamora forest, however, causes much concern despite the many initiatives and lots of efforts made to protect, conserve and rehabilitate its ecosystems. Both decision makers and managers failed to refrain this rapid regression and decline of this forest caused mostly by heavy and anarchic human pressure. The authors of this paper try to present an outcome of the situation and presume that nature by itself and through fencing might be the appropriate way to meet the challenge. The current paper is a synthetic review of some of the work done about Maamora forest and the initiatives made to safeguard this green heritage.

Invasive species are usually well known but only make up a small percentage of the European’s alien plants and insects. The ways these exotic species interact with our natural and cultural heritage are very complex and even some species considered invasive had and could have positive aspects on some European landscape and culture. A close look at the complicated relationship between non-native and native plants and insects in the Mediterranean areas reveals some unexpected twists in the story. Here are some cases of when aliens can threaten our cultural heritage or being part of it.

A new species, Isatis raimondoi (Brassicaceae) is described from Mt Alpi in the Pollino National Park (Basilicata, Southern Italy). Its relationships with the other species of Isatis occurring in Italy are examined.

Centaurea raimondoi (Asteraceae) is described as a new species from surroundings of the cities of Mengen and Pazarköy, Turkey: A3 Bolu and is a steno-endemic species. The closest affinities are with C. eflanensis Kaya & Bancheva from Turkey, Karabük (A4): Eflani town, which occurs in an area of ca. 200 km distance. The new species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria.

On the basis of the taxonomic study of the collections made by F. M. Raimondo, kept in PAL, a new species of Clinopodium is described. The new taxon, named Clinopodium raimondoi, occurs in N-W coast of Sicily on limestone substrata, in steppe communities dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta. The main distinctive characteristics of C. raimondoi, with respect to other taxa known from Europe and other Mediterranean countries, are the large size, the opposite and decussate branches, and the clearly woody at base stems of mature plants as well. Relationships of the new taxon with the Mediterranean ones in the C. nepeta group are also discussed.