Table of Contents

This paper presents a floristic analysis of the Almeriensian Sierra Nevada, examining several aspects, such as: the distribution of taxa in the main botanical groups, families and genera; the biotype spectrum; the presence of taxa by thermotypes and ombrotypes; their affinity for syntaxonomic units and physiognomic vegetation types; the classification of floristic elements; and their relative abundance.

The tamarisks flora of Sicily is here up dated with the addition of two species new for Italy (Tamarix rosea and T. chinensis) and three new records for the island (T. africana var. fluminensis, T. tetragyna and T. hampeana).

This is the first study deals in-depth with the seed ultra-structure of the genus Euphorbia L in Egypt. It focuses on 29 species belonging to this genus. The seed morphology and seed coat sculpture of those species were studied using Stereoscopic and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Seed characters such as shape, caruncle, epidermal cells, anticlinal boundaries, and periclinal walls were proved to be of taxonomic importance, especially for the delimitation of the concerned species. Based on the general shape of testa surface, six seed morphotypes were recognized as follows: smooth, rugose, pitted, transversely sulcate, tuberculate and reticulate.

The results of a floristic survey carried out in the “Torrente Trasubbie” nature reserve in Southern Tuscany (Grosseto province) are reported and briefly discussed. Firstly, a brief description of the geomorphology, climatic and vegetation of the area is given. Secondly, the list of the vascular flora is reported, which was based on field researches and herbarium material. This list includes 684 species belonging to 85 families and to 358 genera; 662 taxa are native or naturalized, whereas 28 are introduced species. The biological spectrum shows a comparable proportion of therophytes (238, 36.4%) and hemicryptophytes (240 species, 36.6%) suggesting a transition between the flora of coastal areas of southern Tuscany and that of inner mountain systems. However, the chorological analysis reveals the dominance of Mediterranean species. There are 11 endemics and a number of taxa of phytogeographical relevance at the regional and national level. The data indicate that the Torrente Trasubbie is an important area for the conservation of a complex environmental mosaic which contains a fairly high level of floristic biodiversity

The morphology, anatomy of the stems, leaves, SEM of pollen and seed coat surfaces are used to reassess the taxonomic relationships between Ammannia species. The species occurring in Egypt are systematically revised. The results clearly indicate considerable differences between the studied species. The study revealed the presence of five distinct species. On the bases of the observed morphological and anatomical differences Ammannia baccifera is differentiated into 2 different varieties. These varieties are Ammannia baccifera var. baccifera L. and Ammannia baccifera var. attenuata (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Z. Turki. A key to the species is provided.

The taxa of Orobanche occurring in Sardinia and on the surrounding islets have been surveyed in the field and in herbaria. In total, 22 species occur in the region. Among them, 2 (O. foetida and O. teucrii) are new to the island, one (O. lavandulacea) previously doubtfully recorded, is confirmed. O. litorea is considered to be distinct from O. minor, and O. australis from O. canescens.

Macromorphological characters and SEM of pollen grains aspects were used to re-assess the relationships between the different taxa of the genus Neurada. The study revealed the presence of three distinct varieties. The results contradict the consideration by Barsotti & al. (2000) of Neurada aleisawii as a separate species and support the treatment of it as a variety of Neurada procumbens.

The Pigelleto Nature Reserve, situated to the south-east of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany, Italy), is characterized by a relict nucleus of Abies alba Mill. at low altitude, which is probably an autochthonous ecotype. The mycoflora list reported here is the result of past studies and observations carried out during 2005-2006. Among the species of macrofungi accounted for (426, belonging to 144 genera), 158 entities were collected for the first time during this recent study.

A pollen analysis was carried out on 72 samples from six taxa of Genista sects. Acanthospartum and Fasselospartum. The taxa were compared in terms of quantitative and qualitative characters, examined by LM and SEM; the joint use of all characters provides the most complete information. The combined analysis of the pollen characters allows noticing some differences among the taxa. The pollen differences confirm the separation of G. fasselata (an eastern Mediterranean species) from the sect. Acanthospartum and its inclusion in a distinct section, Fasselospartum, as suggested by Gibbs (1966). The results of the present pollen analysis support the distinction of the three species included by Greuter & al. (1989) in G. acanthoclada aggr.: G. acanthoclada (an eastern Mediterranean species), G. sardoa (a Sardinian endemic) and G. valdes-bermejoi (endemic to Mallorca); G. sardoa appears the most distinct species of the aggregate, followed by G. valdes-bermejoi. The releved pollen differences support the subdivision of G. acanthoclada into two subspecies: G. acanthoclada subsp. acanthoclada and G. acanthoclada subsp. echinus, as recognised by Vierhapper (1919). Within Genista acanthoclada subsp. echinus, some pollen differences were found between the two formae (f. rhodica and f. tenuior), described by Vierhapper (1919).

The results of the exploration of Molara Island (in Northeastern Sardinia) recorded in the framework of a bryophytic research programme are given. 80 taxa have been registered, 69 of which belong to the Bryophyta, 10 belong to the Marchantiophyta and 1 to the Anthocerotophyta. Scorpiurium sendtneri (Schimp.). M. Fleisch is new to the Sardinia bryoflora. Moreover, the analysis of phytogeographic elements and the elaboration with the multivaried analysis of the ecological data are reported.

Ononis oligophylla (Fabaceae), last recorded during the first 2 decades of the twentieth century, and Pteranthus dichotomus (Caryophyllaceae), last recorded in the nineteenth century, and thereafter both thought to be extinct in the Maltese Islands, were rediscovered on coastal clay slopes in Gozo. Details regarding population size and accompanying vegetation are given. Both species have a restricted Mediterranean distribution and are in danger of extinction due to anthropogenic factors, particularly soil erosion.

Senegalia visco (Lorentz ex Griseb.) Seigler & Ebinger and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) subsp. glabrata (Rose) S. Zárate (Mimosaceae) were found cultivated and naturalized, the former in Termini Imerese (Palermo), the latter in Agrigento and in Palermo provinces. These are the first findings in Sicily and in Italy.

Greece is one of the world’s richest countries in Medicago taxa, counting 7 perennial and 27 annual species. This high diversity can at least partly be attributed to the geographical position of the country, which enabled its enrichment with different chorological elements. Furthermore, Greece is the outermost phytogeographical boundary of more than one third of the Medicago species present in its territory. The distribution of species varies considerably, from endemic taxa known to exist in only a few localities (M. strasseri) to species having their only European records in Greece (M. heyniana, M. carica) and also widespread species found in several areas of the Mediterranean. Between different regions, islands and islets an uneven distribution of Medicago species is found, attributed to populations’ fluctuation or/and undercollection. Isoflors showed that the higher concentration of species forms a belt defined by Kerkira to east Thraki via Kriti. In the mainland, species concentration is dramatically reduced towards a northwards direction. The Greek Medicago species exhibit a considerable altitude range, from sea level up to ca. 2300 m and appear in various habitats, although they show a particular preference for limestone substrates, sand, sandy loam and loam soil textures. The preferences of certain Medicago species in Greece are restricted to very specific vegetation types, while others are found in a wide range of plant communities. Some a...

The results of a morphoanatomical study carried out on various organs of Helleborous bocconei subsp. intermedius, an endemic to South Italy and Sicily, which roots are traditionally used to treat pulmonary diseases of cattle. S.E.M. observations have shown diffuse fungal structures in the internal organs, perhaps spreading out on the exterior of the plant. The endophyte, which will be studied in detail in future, has been temporarly referred to Botrytis sp. Such study, extended for verification also to H. lividus subsp. corsicus, endemic to Corsica, has shown analogous fungin structures, confirming thus in another species of Helleborus the same endophytic manifestations observed in H. bocconei subsp. intermedius. Such evidence, contextually verified on two isolated taxa of Helleborus and even on other findings of congeneric species belonging to Palermo’s Botanical Garden, lead the authors into extending this endophytic relation to the whole genus, which unpublished in Helleborus, was already known for Ranunculaceae, since already observed in Ranunculus bulbosus.

The occurrence of Linaria vulgaris is reported in Sicily. Such species is known in the Italian Peninsula. Populations of this species have been observed respectively on the Nebrodi Mountains (N Sicily) and in proximity to Aidone (C Sicily).

This is the seventeen 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 28 taxa: Allium, Ornithogalum from Italy and France, by K. F. Caparelli & L. Peruzzi (Nos 1617-1619); Cytisus from Italy and Greece, by T. Cusma Velari, L. Feoli Chiapella & V. Kosovel (Nos 1620-1622); Chenopodium, Atriplex from Bulgaria, by N. Grozeva (Nos 1623-1630); Crotalaria, Cytisus, Genista, Hesperolaburnum, Stauracanthus, Ulex from Morocco and Spain, by H. Tahiri, P. Cubas & C. Pardo (Nos 1631-1639); Hieracium, Hypochoeris, Jacobaea from Sicily, by A. Geraci, E. Di Gristina & R. Schicchi (Nos 1640- 1644).