Italian Flora Research Articles

Notulae to the Italian flora of Algae, bryophtes, fungi and lichens: 15

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 genus Nitella, for the bryophyte genera Anthoceros, Dicranodontium, Fontinalis, and Riccia, the fungal genera Inocybe and Xerophorus, and the lichen genera Bagliettoa, Biatora, Calicium, Cladonia, Coniocarpon, Lecanora, Opegrapha, Placynthium, Rhizocarpon, Scytinium, Solenopsora, Stereocaulon, and Verrucaria.

Micropropagation of Endemic Endangered Taxa of the Italian Flora: Adenostyles alpina subsp. macrocephala (Asteraceae), as a Case Study.

The conservation of endangered, rare, and endemic plant species is based on in situ and ex situ conservation strategies. When in situ conservation alone is not sufficient to guarantee the survival of the species, ex situ techniques are adopted in support. This study aimed to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for Adenostyles by evaluating the effect of different plant growth regulators on leaf explants. Adenostyles alpina subsp. macrocephala (Asterace) is a perennial herbaceous plant endemic to Calabria (Southern Italy). The genus Adenostyles includes three species confined to the mountains of the Mediterranean and southern Europe. For callus induction, media supplemented with different concentrations of Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg L-1), Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA) (1 mg L-1), and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) (1 mg L-1) were tested. Shoot regeneration and proliferation were obtained in media supplemented with BAP (1, 2, and 3 mg L-1) and NAA (1 mg L-1). Root induction was obtained in media supplemented with IBA (0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg L-1) and NAA (0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg L-1). Statistically significant differences in callus induction and shoot regeneration were observed between the various media tested. The medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with 3 mg L-1 of BAP and 1 mg L-1 of NAA showed the highest percentage of callus induction and increased shoot regeneration. The regenerated shoots showed more effective root induction in the hormone-free MS medium and in the presence of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) at concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg L-1. These results can be used as a basis for the preparation of a micropropagation protocol for different taxa of Adenostyles, as well as other species of Asteraceae specialized to the Mediterranean mountain habitat.

Taxonomy and Distribution of Spiraea hypericifolia in Italy and Typification of the Name S. flabellata (Rosaceae).

Spiraea hypericifolia is a Eurasiatic species, distributed from SW Europe to C and SW Asia. In Italy, only the alien S. hypericifolia subsp. obovata was recorded, as naturalized in the Central Apennines. Spiraea flabellata was described from Abruzzo (Central Apennines, Italy) by Gussone in 1826 and is currently regarded as a synonym of S. hypericifolia subsp. obovata. Based on the study of living plants from locus classicus and the analysis of the original material traced in BOLO and NAP, S. flabellata should be referred instead to S. hypericifolia subsp. hypericifolia, a taxon reported here for the first time in Italy. The name S. flabellata is lectotypified with a specimen kept in NAP. Based on our study, S. hypericifolia subsp. obovata should be excluded from Italian flora. Spiraea hypericifolia subsp. hypericifolia should be considered native to Italy and added to the contingent of steppe plants of phytogeographic and conservation interest recorded in the Central Apennines. Finally, the conservation status assessment of S. hypericifolia subsp. hypericifolia according to IUCN categories and criteria, is proposed and discussed.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 14

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. 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: 14

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algal genus Chara, for the bryophyte genera Bryum, Grimmia, Cephaloziella, Hypnum, Nogopterium, Physcomitrium, Polytrichastrum, Rhynchostegiella, Saelania, and Schistostega, the fungal genera Cortinarius, Lentinellus, Omphalina, and Xerophorus, and the lichen genera Acarospora, Agonimia, Candelariella, Cladonia, Graphis, Gyalolechia, Hypogymnia, Lichinella, Megalaria, Nephroma, Ochrolechia, Opegrapha, Peltigera, Placidium, Ramalina, Rhizoplaca, Ropalospora, Strangospora, Toniniopsis, Usnea, and Zahlbrucknerella.

Remarks on the exotic flora of Capo Mortola (Ventimiglia, northern Italy) and its changes over time

In this study, we compared current data and data of the census made in the 1990s related to the vascular flora of Capo Mortola (Ventimiglia, Italy), considering 270 taxa not dependent on crop management. The current status reported 198 alien species: 5 invasive, 65 naturalized 75 casual, 38 occurring as casual in human-dominated systems, but without direct intervention by humans and not close to parent plant, 15 occurring as casual alien, but still with some uncertainties for a definitive classification, and plus 3 cryptogenic and 1 eradicated (extinct) taxa, while in 1996 were 229 species: 87 naturalized and 142 adventitious (casual). Of these, 40 taxa show an increasing trend and 41 a decreasing or disappearing trend. If we consider the wild areas of Capo Mortola, 10 taxa are new to the Italian flora (7 casual and 3 naturalized) while 13 are new to the Ligurian flora only (all casual). If we also consider the neglected areas of the Botanical Gardens, 18 new casual species for the Italian flora and 10 for the Ligurian one would be added. In addition, 9 status changes are proposed on a national scale and 17 on a regional scale. An in-depth analysis was conducted on the presence and the local history of a subset of 34 exotic plants, 11 of which are new or have a new status for the Italian flora.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 13

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. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

First record of Sida rhombifolia L. (Malvaceae) for Italian flora

Sida rhombifolia L. (Malvaceae) has been reported for the first time in Italy. This species with a Paleotropics geographic origin represents a new invasive alien species in the flora of Italy. It was already reported in several European countries as invasive species, but this plant is also known for its medicinal properties in many areas of the world. The species was found in the anthropic environments of Sicily. In particular, the study area is localized in the Peloritani Mounts (NE Sicily) where the species was discovered in five stands. Our new discovery confirmed the role of anthropic activities have had in the alien species invasion in Italy. Diagnostic features, ecological and geographic data are provided. From a phytosociological viewpoint, this plant characterizes a plant community that includes various nitrophilous species such as Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Moreover, invasiveness and impacts associated to this species were assessed by using EPPO prioritization protocol. The specimens were deposited in the herbaria of Catania and Messina University.

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 13

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte generaBryum,Cryphaea,Didymodon, andGrimmia; the fungal generaBryostigma,Cercidospora,Conocybe,Cortinarius,Endococcus,Inocybe,Psathyrella, andSphaerellothecium; the lichen generaAgonimia,Anisomeridium,Bilimbia,Diplotomma,Gyalecta,Huneckia,Lecidella,Lempholemma,Myriolecis,Nephroma,Pannaria,Pycnothelia,Pyrrhospora,Rinodina,Stereocaulon,Thalloidima,Trapelia,Usnea,Variospora, andVerrucaria.

Contribution to the knowledge of the flora of Italy

Contribution to the knowledge of the flora of Italy

Genetic Diversity and Differentiation of Eleven Medicago Species from Campania Region Revealed by Nuclear and Chloroplast Microsatellites Markers.

The species belonging to the genus Medicago are considered a very important genetic resource at global level both for planet’s food security and for sustainable rangelands management. The checklist of the Italian flora (2021) includes a total number of 40 Medicago species for Italy, and 27 for Campania region, with a number of doubtful records or related to species no more found in the wild. In this study, 10 Medicago species native to Campania region, and one archaeophyte (M. sativa), identified by means of morphological diagnostic characters, were analyzed in a blind test to assay the efficacy of nine microsatellite markers (five cp-SSRs and four n-SSRs). A total number of 33 individuals from 6 locations were sampled and genotyped. All markers were polymorphic, 40 alleles were obtained with n-SSRs ranging from 8–12 alleles per locus with an average of 10 alleles per marker, PIC values ranged from 0.672 to 0.847, and the most polymorphic SSR was MTIC 564. The cp-SSRs markers were highly polymorphic too; PIC values ranged from 0.644 to 0.891 with an average of 0.776, the most polymorphic cp-SSR was CCMP10. 56 alleles were obtained with cp-SSRs ranging from 7 to 17 alleles per locus with an average of 11. AMOVA analysis with n-SSR markers highlighted a great level of genetic differentiation among the 11 species, with a statistically significant fixation index (FST). UPGMA clustering and Bayesian-based population structure analysis assigned these 11 species to two main clusters, but the distribution of species within clusters was not the same for the two analyses. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the combination of the used SSRs well distinguished the 11 Medicago species. Moreover, our results demonstrated that the use of a limited number of SSRs might be considered for further genetic studies on other Medicago species.

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 12

In this contribution, new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes the first counts for Hieracium glanduliferum s.str. and H. tenuiflorum, counts for two Armeria species endemic to Italy, and for Onopordum illyricum subsp. illyricum. We also present here the first chromosome count of Allium permixtum for Italy, where this species is known for few localities.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 12

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 11

In this contribution, new chromosome data obtained on material collected in Italy are presented. It includes counts for Centaurea aegusae, Hieracium racemosum subsp. lucanum, H. australe subsp. australe, Lysimachia arvensis subsp. arvensis, Micromeria graeca subsp. graeca, and M. graeca subsp. consentina.

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 11

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes to the Italian administrative regions. A new combination in the genus Pilosella is proposed. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Design a Database of Italian Vascular Alimurgic Flora (AlimurgITA): Preliminary Results.

Despite the large number of data published in Italy on WEPs, there is no database providing a complete knowledge framework. Hence the need to design a database of the Italian alimurgic flora: AlimurgITA. Only strictly alimurgic taxa were chosen, excluding casual alien and cultivated ones. The collected data come from an archive of 358 texts (books and scientific articles) from 1918 to date, chosen with appropriate criteria. For each taxon, the part of the plant used, the method of use, the chorotype, the biological form and the regional distribution in Italy were considered. The 1103 taxa of edible flora already entered in the database equal 13.09% of Italian flora. The most widespread family is that of the Asteraceae (20.22%); the most widely used taxa are Cichorium intybus and Borago officinalis. The not homogeneous regional distribution of WEPs (maximum in the south and minimum in the north) has been interpreted. Texts published reached its peak during the 2001–2010 decade. A database for Italian WEPs is important to have a synthesis and to represent the richness and complexity of this knowledge, also in light of its potential for cultural enhancement, as well as its applications for the agri-food system.

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 11

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte generaAneura,Aulacomnium,Dumortiera,Fossombronia,Hennediella,Hygrohypnella,Pohlia,Porella,Riccardia,Tortella, andTortula, the fungal generaCortinarius,Mycena,Naucoria,Trichoglossum, andTubariaand the lichen generaAgonimia,Blastenia,Chaenotheca,Cladonia,Endocarpon,Gyalecta,Lecanographa,Parmeliella,Porpidia,Stenhammarella, andThelidium.

Acta Plantarum, more than a forum: a new national floristic distribution database completes the numerous online IPFI facilities

Citizen science projects are able to collect massive amounts of data engaging thousands of motivated volunteers. Moreover web-based communities are a powerful way to promote citizen involvement. This paper describes Acta Plantarum (www.actaplantarum.org), an open source project born in 2007, aiming at the study of spontaneous Italian flora and hosting one of the most popular floristic web-based communities in Italy. Participation in the project is free and takes place, upon registration, by posting pictures and contributions in a discussion forum. This represents the heart of the website together with IPFI (Index Plantarum Florae Italicae), a complete nomenclatural database of Italian flora species created to archive all the botanical information. Over the years, thanks to the participation of amateur botanists from all Italian regions, a relevant amount of floristic records has been accumulated in Acta Plantarum. A new utility now allows the retrieval of floristic records stored in the forum through automatic and semi-automatic functions. As of 30 June 2020, Acta Plantarum had 1,793 active members and 74,188 floristic records were automatically or manually extracted, covering about 70% of the specific and subspecific taxa occurring in Italy. An appropriate validation process ensures reliability of data that can be extremely useful to the general audience, policy makers, amateur and professional botanists. Acta Plantarum results confirm the fundamental role of amateurs to develop large floristic databases and to increase floristic knowledge both at local and national level.

Towards a new flora of Liguria: the usefulness of citizen science through the Wikiplantbase floristic surveys

The current understanding of the richness and distribution of plant species on a national scale, achieved by the recent checklists of Italian flora, is largely based on the quality and thoroughness of the data provided by regional floristic studies. This knowledge benefits from regional databases, such as the Wikiplantbase #Liguria project, which offers an online platform where thousands of geo-referenced floristic records from Liguria (north-western Italy) are stored and freely accessible. In 2019, adopting a citizen science approach, a floristic survey program consisting of 11 excursions opened to the public was implemented, with the aim of deepening the floristic knowledge of some poorly investigated areas of the region. The active collaboration between scientists and volunteers led to the collection of about 4000 floristic data corresponding to more than 800 taxa, including 13 taxa unknown or no longer recorded for Liguria. These results suggest that citizen science can be a useful tool to address the knowledge gaps of regional floras. In particular, collaboration between experts and non-professional botanists allows to collect reliable data even for hardly-to-recognize taxa, contributing to fix some gaps occurring in the Wikiplantbase #Liguria project.

Germination requirements of three segetal species of the Italian flora

Germination requirements of three segetal species of the Italian flora