Hacquetia

Vegetation of the coastal dunes and wetland of Schinias National Park (NE Attica, Sterea Ellas, Greece)

2022-07-06T10:36:15+02:00

The vegetation developing on the coastal sand dunes and wetland of Schinias National Park, a Natura 2000 Site, was studied following the Braun-Blanquet method. Vegetation units were delimited using cluster analysis and by applying the fidelity measure; the phi-coefficient was used for the definition of diagnostic species. The vegetation types distinguished (twenty associations, two sub-associations and thirteen communities not assigned formal rank), which belong to 18 alliances, 16 orders and 12 classes, are discussed and presented in phytosociological tables. Among them Mathiolo tricuspidatae-Anthemidetum tomentosae, Pistacio lentisci-Pinetum halepensis pinetosum pineae, Puccinellio festuciformis-Aeluropetum litoralis cressetosum creticae and Tamaricetum tetrandrae are described for the first time. The vegetation types recognized in the study area are linked to twelve EUNIS habitat types, nine of which are related to 13 Annex I habitat types (Directive 92/43/EEC), and one to a habitat type of national interest (72A0). One Annex I habitat type occurring in the study area has scattered presence in the Natura 2000 network in Greece (1420), two are infrequent (2190, 2260), two are rare (2230, 2270) and three are priority habitat types (1150, 2250, 2270).

About some autumn weed vegetation in small size arable fields of Veneto: their framing and remarks on summer crop weed associations of Northern Italy

2022-03-24T14:19:53+01:00

A late summer-autumn research was conducted in Veneto region (NE-Italy) inside kitchen gardens and patato fields of outer pre-Alps, and in asparagus growing in low Po plain nearby the Adriatic coast. Original vegetation-plot records were compared with outdated and recent materials from Italy, especially N-Italy, and with comparable associations from Central and South-Eastern Europe, to ensure a consistent syntaxonomical frame of this highly dynamic vegetation. At the same time it was possible to clarify the actual occurrence of past coenosis, quoted by Italian authors for the Po plain. The analysis resulted in confirming and extending the occurrence of Echinochloo-Setarietum pumilae in north-eastern Italian territories, and also in confirming the persistence of Panico-Polygonetum persicariae. The recognised historical presence of Veronico-Lamietum hybridi occurring in pre-Alps and Dolomites needs confirmation. Further regional-scale investigations inside summer crop weed vegetation appear necessary.

Phenotypic diversity of natural populations of an endemic Moroccan plant (Euphorbia resinifera Berg)

2022-03-25T11:40:16+01:00

The Euphorbia resinifera is melliferous and medicinal plant and one of the endemic species of Moroccan Atlas Mountains. It is very well known for its honey of high nutritional and therapeutic quality. The objective of our study is to characterize and evaluate the phenotypic variation of this spontaneous species. Seventeen qualitative and quantitative morphological characters related to the bush, stem, spine, flower, and fruit of the plant were used to assess the morphological variability of twelve natural populations collected from its geographical range in Morocco. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant differences between the studied populations for the most examined traits reflecting the existence of a high phenotypic variability within this species. The principal component analysis showed that E. resinifera populations were clustered in three distinct groups not related to mountain range type. The results highlight a high phenotypic diversity within studied populations of this species in Morocco. This work aims to study the phenotypic variability of E. resinifera to delineate conservation strategies and also to establish forms of rational economic exploitation.

Carex × takhtadjanii (Carex diluta × C. distans; Cyperaceae), a new hybrid for the flora of Ukraine

2022-07-07T08:27:17+02:00

There are 96 species of the genus Carex (Cyperaceae) known in the flora of Ukraine, but so far there are no data about its hybrids for the country yet. However, the first one, C. ×takhtadjanii [C. diluta × C. distans], was discovered in Starobilsk town (Luhansk region) during a field investigation in 2021. Detailed information about this floristic finding with the description of morphological characters of this hybrid and its habitat is given in this short communication. Also a map with known locations of C. ×takhtadjanii around the world is compiled, as well as the main morphological differences between this hybrid and its parental species are reported.

Studies on the genus Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae) in Italy. VII. Atriplex micrantha and A. oblongifolia

2022-05-28T16:56:44+02:00

A note on Atriplex micrantha subsp. micrantha and A. oblongifolia is presented.

A population of Atriplex micrantha subsp. micrantha was found in Valle d’Aosta region representing the first north-western Italian record. Moreover, our discovery is the second one at national level after being found in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy) about 20 years ago. The newely found population (about 100 indivuduals) covers an area of about 200 m²_, and grows on uncultivated and saline lands at 950 m a.s.l. Despite the inland locality (the species naturally grows in saline places or, if alien, in human-made habitat strictly linked to saline area like the sea), we hypothesize that its occurrence is linked to the use of salt-spreading vehicles.

Concerning Atriplex oblongifolia, only one Italian record was published up to now (by Fiori in 1898) and it regards Emilia-Romagna region (north Italy). We have not able to trace any herbarium specimen referred to the locality above mentioned, and no plants were discovered after field surveys.

Finally, we studied in detail the types of the names Atriplex micrantha subsp. micrantha , A. oblongifolia, and A. heterosperma. We designate the lectotype of A. micrantha and A. oblongifolia on, respectively, a Ledebour’s and Waldstein & Kitaibel’s illustrations; we also correct Schwarz’s typification of A. heterosperma according to the Art. 9.10 ICN (a LE specimen), and confirm the synonymization of this name with A. micrantha subsp. micrantha.

Spiraea decumbens Koch subsp. tomentosa (Poech) Dostál (Spiraea hacquetii Fenzl & K. Koch), novelty for the flora of Slovenia and the Dinaric Alps

2022-03-24T12:08:18+01:00

In Govci under Mt. Poldanovec above the Trebuša Valley we found a new locality of southeastern-Alpine endemic Spiraea decumbens subsp. tomentosa, which is new to the flora of Slovenia and the Dinaric Alps. Its closest known localities are in the western Julian Prealps in Northeastern Italy. A small population of several ten shrublets occurs at elevations of about 570 m in shady, almost vertical dolomite rocks, in a stand of the endemic association Phyteumato columnae-Primuletum carniolicae. Despite a very small population we assume there are other localities in this area, where numerous gorges are very difficult to reach and have therefore not yet been sufficiently studied.

Pollen limitation failing reproductive success in selected animal pollinated trees of tropical moist deciduous forest of north-eastern hill region, India

2022-06-30T12:35:37+02:00

The aim of this study was to estimate reproductive effort and success in tropical trees and to examine the effect of pollen limitation of reproductive success. Pollen limitation was assessed through pollen supplementation experiment in response to open pollination treament. The taxa selected were Bombax ceiba, Erythrina stricta (ornithophilous trees), Lagerstroemia speciosa, Mesua ferrea and Schima wallichii (entomophilous trees). Index of pollen limitation was maximum in Bombax ceiba and Erythrina stricta (both self - incompatible species). The remaining three species were partially self-incompatible with favouring selfing by Lagerstroemia speciosa and Mesua ferrea and supporting outcrossing by Schima wallichii. Therefore, the high index of pollen limitation in Bombax ceiba and Erythrina stricta might be due to the effect of either being lack of quality pollen or lack of bird pollinators. All five species produce a large amount of pollen at individual tree level in the order of 10⁸ (Erythrina stricta) to 10¹⁰ (Mesua ferrea). Fruit and seed set following pollen supplementation were higher than the open pollination (as control) in all the study species. Pollen limitation was the result of limited pollen quantity and quality. Pollen limitation in this study is likely associated with the effectiveness of pollinator and their frequency, as all the studied species had produced ample pollen at tree crown level which ultimately leading to pollinator resource limitation in tropical trees.

Diagnostic micromorphological features of leaf surface of some Artemisia species (Asteraceae)

2022-04-08T16:12:17+02:00

The leaves of different species of Artemisia genus show considerable inner and external structural diversity. This paper presents a comparative study of the micromorphological features of leaf surface for seven species from different regions of Ukraine: A. absinthium L., A. annua L., A. dracunculus L., A. marschalliana Spreng., A. vulgaris L., A. argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot, and A. verlotiorum Lamotte. The vegetative organs of these plants have potentially significant value as medicinal raw materials. This study was carried out using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The main diagnostic characteristics for each species—in terms of form and structure of epidermal cells, stomata, trichomes, and glandules—were described and illustrated. Using combinations of selected qualitative micromorphological characteristics of the investigated species of Artemisia, it is possible to detect the species identity of these raw materials.