Italian Flora Research Articles

The essential oil chemical composition of the aerial parts of Asparagus pastorianus Webb & Berthel growing wild in Sicily (Italy)

The genus Asparagus L. (Asparagaceae) has a wide geographical distribution being present in Europe, Africa, and Asia to N. Australia. The use of Asparagus ssp. dates since Ancient Grecians and Romans and several ethnopharmacological properties have been reported for many species. Asparagus pastorianus Webb & Berthel is a taxon described for the flora of the Canary Islands. The species is also reported in northern Morocco. Recently it has also been included in the Italian flora as present in southern Sicily. In this study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts (Ap) of a Sicilian accession of this plant, never previously investigated, was evaluated by GC-MS. The essential was characterised by large amounts of aldehydes (65.5%) and alkanes (19.3%) whereas terpenes were very poorly represented. An update of all the essential oils of Asparagus species, studied so far, was carried out.

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 15

The chromosome numbers for seven Italian endemic taxa of Armeria (Plumbaginaceae) are here presented, including three species (Armeria aspromontana, A. garganica, and A. macropoda) for which chromosome data are reported for the first time. Overall, this study confirms the diploid status and the chromosomal stability of Armeria.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 18

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and exclusions to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Alchemilla, Carex, Chenopodium, Cistus, Convolvulus, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Festuca, Klasea, Lotus, Orobanche, Poa, Stellaria, Trifolium, Viola. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 18

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records, confirmations or exclusions for the algal genera Chara and Tolypella, the bryophyte genera Pogonatum, Pseudephemerum, and Riella, the fungal genera Arrhenia, Arthonia, Buchwaldoboletus, Dacampia, Hebeloma, Inocybe, and Trechispora, and the lichen genera Aspicilia, Bellemerea, Cladonia, Hypotrachyna, Maronea, Parvoplaca, Polyozosia, Schismatomma, Solenopsora, Trapelia, and Zwackhia.

Typification of the names in Armeria (Plumbaginaceae) recorded for Italy

A contribution to the nomenclature of the genus Armeria is presented. Armeria alpina, A. gracilis, A. macropoda, A. plantaginea, Statice nebrodensis, S. plantaginea, and S. pungens, recorded for Italy, are typified here based on specimens deposited at B, G, MA, and NAP, plus an illustration by Allioni. The current application of these names is confirmed in most cases, except for Statice plantaginea, which is shown to be a heterotypic synonym of the Alpine endemic Armeria arenaria subsp. praecox, and not of the western Mediterranean A. alliacea, as previously thought. Accordingly, the latter species is excluded from the Italian flora.

Contribution to the floristic knowledge of Mount Pennino massif (Umbria-Marche Apennines, central Italy)

The inventory of the taxa collected in 2021 during the annual field trip of the Working Group for Floristics, Systematics, and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society is reported. The field trip was held in the Mount Pennino massif, between Umbria and Marche administrative regions (central Italy). The flora documented for the study area amounts to 413 specific and subspecific taxa (including one hybrid), belonging to 234 genera and 64 families. Thirty-seven taxa are endemic to Italy; 42 are included in the IUCN Red List of the Italian Flora. Only three alien taxa were found. Ten taxa and one hybrid are considered floristic novelties because either new or confirmed for the regional flora of Umbria and/or Marche. Particularly, 6 taxa are new and 4 are confirmed for Umbria; one taxon and one hybrid are new for Marche.

Checklist of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Succulents of Apulia (Southern Italy).

In this study we focused on the need to fill a knowledge gap among Italian botanical studies namely that of ornamental species census. In particular, we addressed one of the regions in southern Italy with less knowledge in the field of such studies and with an obvious presence of non-native species. A widespread census of the Apulian territory was carried out between 2021 and 2024 in both urban and suburban areas including street trees, parks, and private and historic gardens. The inventory of ornamental trees, shrubs, and succulents of Apulia (southern Italy) was carried out in six provinces, i.e., Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, and Taranto. The checklist comprises 287 taxa (including 265 species, 6 varieties, 5 subspecies, and 11 forms) included in 179 genera belonging to 78 families. We evaluated the number of taxa per families and genera, the presence of each taxa in the provinces of Apulia, the number of taxa per occurrence status, growth forms, geographical origin, and the number of native and alien taxa and also the artificial hybrids. Remarks of the most significant taxa and evaluation of geographical distribution in Italy were also taken into consideration. A large number of surveyed taxa (51.74%) are comprised in the list reported in the recent study on allochthonous vascular flora in Italy with a marked prevalence of Neophyte Casual Alien and Neophyte Naturalized Alien species.

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 14

In this contribution, new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes the first counts for four subspecies of the Italian endemic Centaurea aplolepa Moretti, i.e. C. aplolepa subsp. aplolepa, C. aplolepa subsp. bertolonii, C. aplolepa subsp. levantina, and C. aplolepa subsp. parvula. In addition, the first chromosome count for an Italian population of Silene canescens (Caryophyllaceae) is provided.

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 17

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algal genera Chara and Nitella, the bryophyte genera Brachythecium, Didymodon, Fissidens, Physcomitrium, and Riccia, the fungal genera Biatoropsis, Cantharellus, Coprinellus, Dacrymyces, Inosperma, Nigropuncta, Urocystis, and Xanthoriicola, and the lichen genera Arthonia, Bellemerea, Circinaria, Lecania, Lecanora, Lecidella, Mycobilimbia, Naetrocymbe, Parmelia, Peltigera, Porpidia, Scytinium, and Usnea.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 17

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and exclusions to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Anacyclus, Anthyllis, Bolboschoenus, Catapodium, Festuca, Hordeum, Lavandula, Ophrys, Pseudopodospermum, Rosa, Sorbus and Spergula. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Grasslands Habitat Types: A Case Study in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

Grasslands differ in many types depending on the diversity of climatic conditions and substrates. Due to the great wealth of species found in semi-natural grasslands, they conserve an essential part of the biodiversity of the European Union (EEC 43/92), defined as habitats of community interest. Using the region of Calabria (southern Italy) as a case study, this study aims to evaluate how species assemblages and a set of indicators applied to them can be used to analyse and characterize the diversity, ecological features and conservation status of grassland habitats. Vegetation analysis was carried out using the phytosociological method, and habitat ecological characteristics were defined by Ellenberg’s ecological indicator adapted to the Italian flora. Multivariate analysis of the surveys by means of cluster analysis and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) made it possible to define eight habitat groups according to EEC Directive 43/92: 6110 Rocky or basophilous calcareous grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi, 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands, 6220*a Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by a Lygeum spartum, 6220*b Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta, 6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Bromometalia) (*important orchid sites), 6230* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe), 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion caeruleae), 6420 Mediterranean tall humid herb grasslands of the Molinio-Holoschoenion, 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels. Temperature (T) and oisture (U) are the most statistically significant ecological factors in differentiating different habitat types. Analysis of diversity, assessed through Shannon and Evenness indices, showed that it is strongly correlated with habitat diversity as soil moisture increases. The study of ecological characteristics, correlated with biodiversity indices, helps to characterize grassland habitats, providing guidance for the implementation of active conservation policies for these habitats.

A second update to the checklist of the vascular flora alien to Italy

Critical and updated alien species inventories are crucial to properly manage and contrast biological invasions. After 6 years, a second update to the inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy is presented. It provides details on the occurrence at administrative regional level and, for the first time, floristic data for San Marino. The checklist includes 1782 taxa (1673 species, 28 subspecies, 69 hybrids and 12 cultivar groups not attributable to a specific binomial), distributed in 786 genera and 159 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 13 ferns and fern allies, 37 gymnosperms and 1730 angiosperms. Among these, 154 taxa are archaeophytes and 1628 neophytes. The alien taxa currently established in Italy are 899 (649 naturalized and 250 invasive), while 796 taxa are casual aliens, 1 is not assessed, 38 have not been confirmed in recent times, 4 are considered extinct or possibly extinct in the country, 40 are doubtfully occurring in Italy, 4 are of unknown regional distribution and 110 are reported by mistake and to be excluded at national level. This checklist allows to establish an up-to-date number (10,023) of taxa currently constituting the whole (either native or alien) Italian flora.

Exotic species in the Erbario Estense: new plants from the world to sixteenth-century Italy

Renaissance herbaria may provide precious information on exotic plants known or even introduced in Italy during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries AD. In the Erbario Estense, preserved in the Archivio di Stato di Modena (northern Italy), there are 14 species considered as allochthonous neophytes or not present in the Italian flora. First, we accurately verified the taxa identification; then, we searched for the same species in the other coeval Italian Renaissance herbaria and collected the information present in the written sources of the second half of the 1500s (concerning, above all, the use of these species as medicinal plants); finally, we paid attention to their current uses in ethnobotanical tradition and their market value. For 12 taxa, we could confirm the former identification; whereas for 2, we came to a different conclusion; the comparison with other Renaissance herbaria, particularly Aldrovandi’s, greatly helped this evaluation process. The species treated here are not placed according to a precise order nor do they have particular medicinal values in common: probably, the specimens were simply added to the existing nucleus, as the species were known or were proven to be rather useful. We shall be able to gain further knowledge when it shall be possible to study all the remaining species. In any case, the Erbario Estense is an important testimony for sixteenth-century botany, that contains some of the most ancient specimens of exotic species that are of common use in large parts of the world today.Graphical abstract

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 13

In this contribution, new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes the first count for Dianthus carthusianorum subsp. tenorei, Helosciadium nodiflorum, Hieracium hypochoeroides subsp. cilentanum, H. lesimanum, H. scopolioides, H. terraccianoi. In addition, first Italian counts for Crupina vulgaris, Damasonium alisma, and Illecebrum verticillatum are reported.

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophtes, fungi and lichens: 16

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophtes, fungi and lichens: 16

On the identity of Rumex uliginosus and the occurrence of R. dentatus in Italy (Polygonaceae)

The identity of the name Rumex uliginosus is investigated. This species was validly described by Giovanni Gussone from central Italy (Abruzzo region) and currently considered as synonym of R. dentatus or R. palustris. The occurrence in Italy of R. dentatus is based on an old record in NW-Sicily (Boccadifalco near Palermo) as R. uliginosus by M. Lojacono-Pojero in his Flora Sicula but, actually, it is not supported by herbarium material. This Sicilian locality was reported as the only place in which R. dentatus occurs in Italy. The study of the original material of R. uliginosus allowed to: 1) lectotypify the name (on a NAP specimen) and 2) highlight that this taxon can be ascribed to R. palustris (lectotypified in this paper on a Pitchford’s collection at LINN, from Great Britain). Therefore, we here propose to exclude R. dentatus from the flora of Italy.

Mediterranean Plants with Antimicrobial Activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a Meta-Analysis for Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applications.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global health crisis, necessitating the search for innovative strategies to combat infectious diseases. The unique biodiversity of Italian flora offers a treasure trove of plant species and their associated phytochemicals, which hold immense potential as a solution to address AMR. By investigating the antimicrobial properties of Italian flora and their phytochemical constituents, this study aims to shed light on the potential of phyto-complexes as a valuable resource for developing novel or supportive antimicrobial agents useful for animal production.

The Genus Sagina (Caryophyllaceae) in Italy: Nomenclatural Remarks.

A contribution to the nomenclature of the genus Sagina is presented. The following 10 taxa are recognized as being part of the Italian flora: S. alexandrae, S. apetala, S. glabra, S. maritima, S. micropetala, S. nodosa, S. pilifera, S. procumbens, S. revelierei, and S. saginoides subsp. saginoides. The names S. apetala var. decumbens (=S. apetala subsp. apetala), S. bryoides (=S. procumbens), S. patula (=S. apetala subsp. apetala), S. revelierei, Spergula glabra (=S. glabra), Spergula pilifera (=S. pilifera), and Spergella subulata var. macrocarpa (=S. saginoides subsp. saginoides) are here typified. Specimens deposited at B-W, C, E, and LY, and illustrations by Reichenbach were considered for the typifications. Specifically, two Reichenbach's illustrations are chosen for S. bryoides and S. saginoides var. macrocarpa. A specimen at B-W is designated as the lectotype of S. glabra. Two specimens at C and G are designated as the lectotypes of S. apetala var. decumbens and S. revelierei, respectively. A specimen at LY is designated for S. patula. As we did not find original material, a neotype at G is designated for S. pilifera.

Assessment of residual plant DNA in bulk milk for Grana Padano PDO production by a metabarcoding approach.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of DNA metabarcoding, by rbcl as barcode marker, to identify and classify the small traces of plant DNA isolated from raw milk used to produce Grana Padano (GP) cheese. GP is one of the most popular Italian PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) produced in Italy in accordance with the GP PDO specification rules that define which forage can be used for feeding cows. A total of 42 GP bulk tank milk samples were collected from 14 dairies located in the Grana Padano production area. For the taxonomic classification, a local database with the rbcL sequences available in NCBI on September 2020/March 2021 for the Italian flora was generated. A total of 8,399,591 reads were produced with an average of 204,868 per sample (range 37,002-408,724) resulting in 16, 31 and 28 dominant OTUs at family, genus and species level, respectively. The taxonomic analysis of plant species in milk samples identified 7 families, 14 genera and 14 species, the statistical analysis conducted using alpha and beta diversity approaches, did not highlight differences among the investigated samples. However, the milk samples are featured by a high plant variability and the lack of differences at multiple taxonomic levels could be due to the standardisation of the feed rationing, as requested by the GP rules. The results suggest that DNA metabarcoding is a valuable resource to explore plant DNA traces in a complex matrix such as milk.

An overview on the presence of Iris unguicularis (Iridaceae) in Salento (Apulia, southern Italy) and a new record of Iris unguicularis subsp. carica for the Italian vascular flora

Iris unguicularis sensu lato is an endemic species to the Mediterranean region. In Italy, the species is alien and recorded in Liguria, Tuscany, Abruzzo, and Apulia administrative regions. In the latter region, the species was recorded in Salento, Province of Lecce (Southern Apulia), in three main stations: Li Fani, in the administrative territory of the municipality of Salve, Serra del Rio, Castiglione d’Otranto (Andrano) in the residual Mediterranean scrub areas, along with the new station of Serra of Masseria Grande, Spongano, and on a site near Surano. Morphological analyses and genetic investigations made it possible to establish how the specimens from Li Fani (Salve) belong to I. unguicularis subsp. unguicularis, a species of allochthonous origin, while the plants of Castiglione d’Otranto and Spongano represent a taxonomically distinct group, identifiable as I. unguicularis subsp. carica. The presence of this subspecies in Salento redefines the western boundaries of the area known to date, constituting a novelty for the Apulian and Italian flora.