Hungarian Flora Research Articles

Multiclavula mucida (Basidiomycota) and other cryptogamic taxa in the Hungarian flora

The paper deals with the species found during cryptogamic flora mapping in 2023 that are remarkable from a floristic, taxonomic or conservational point of view. We present data from the Bükk Mts of two Trapeliopsis species which appear to be rare in Hungary. Multiclavula mucida, which is ap­parently a rare basidiomycete lichen species in Europe that prefers humid, montane habitats was dis­covered in the Mecsek Mts as a new species for the Hungarian flora. Of the knothole moss, Anacampto­don splachnoides, which is now thought to be entomophilic, we communicate the only extant popula­tion from Southern Transdanubia. We report the first occurrence of the atlantic-mediterranean Lepto­don smithii from the Hungarian side of the Great Hungarian Plain. Numerous data of the corticole Neck­era pennata indicate that in Hungary the distributional centre of this species is situated in the county of Baranya in the lowlands. New data from the Bükk Mts underline that in the Pannonian region Buxbaumia viridis is primarily a terricole species of acidophilous beech forests. We communicate the first occurrence from the lowlands of the alien lignicolous Sematophyllum adnatum which is danger­ous­ly spreading in Europe, at the same time one of the most vigorous populations in the Pannonian region. The third Hungarian occurrence of Callicladium haldanianum, a species that seems to spread in bogs, as well as the second occurrence of Racomitrium lanuginosum, growing abundantly on an ande­site boulder scree in Mátra Mts, are also reported here. Of Phegopteris connectilis we present in photo­graphic docu­mentation the first extant population from Southern Transdanubia, and we discuss whether the first publication from Mecsek Mts is correct or exact. In addition to listing the floristic data, we also briefly discuss the (mis)use of distribution data in the context of climate change, the difficulties of distinguish­ing the microtaxa of some pteridophytes, e.g. Asplenium adiantum-nigrum agg. and Dryop­teris affinis agg., and we correct one of our previously published, erroneous Hedwigia stellata data. Some interest­ing data of other taxa (such as Leucobryum glaucum, Palustriella commutata, Tetraphis pellucida, Gym­nocarpium robertianum, Ophioglossum vulgatum) are also mentioned in the paper.

Multiclavula mucida (Basidiomycota) and other cryptogamic taxa in the Hungarian flora

The paper deals with the species found during cryptogamic flora mapping in 2023 that are remarkable from a floristic, taxonomic or conservational point of view. We present data from the Bükk Mts of two Trapeliopsis species which appear to be rare in Hungary. Multiclavula mucida, which is ap­parently a rare basidiomycete lichen species in Europe that prefers humid, montane habitats was dis­covered in the Mecsek Mts as a new species for the Hungarian flora. Of the knothole moss, Anacampto­don splachnoides, which is now thought to be entomophilic, we communicate the only extant popula­tion from Southern Transdanubia. We report the first occurrence of the atlantic-mediterranean Lepto­don smithii from the Hungarian side of the Great Hungarian Plain. Numerous data of the corticole Neck­era pennata indicate that in Hungary the distributional centre of this species is situated in the county of Baranya in the lowlands. New data from the Bükk Mts underline that in the Pannonian region Buxbaumia viridis is primarily a terricole species of acidophilous beech forests. We communicate the first occurrence from the lowlands of the alien lignicolous Sematophyllum adnatum which is danger­ous­ly spreading in Europe, at the same time one of the most vigorous populations in the Pannonian region. The third Hungarian occurrence of Callicladium haldanianum, a species that seems to spread in bogs, as well as the second occurrence of Racomitrium lanuginosum, growing abundantly on an ande­site boulder scree in Mátra Mts, are also reported here. Of Phegopteris connectilis we present in photo­graphic docu­mentation the first extant population from Southern Transdanubia, and we discuss whether the first publication from Mecsek Mts is correct or exact. In addition to listing the floristic data, we also briefly discuss the (mis)use of distribution data in the context of climate change, the difficulties of distinguish­ing the microtaxa of some pteridophytes, e.g. Asplenium adiantum-nigrum agg. and Dryop­teris affinis agg., and we correct one of our previously published, erroneous Hedwigia stellata data. Some interest­ing data of other taxa (such as Leucobryum glaucum, Palustriella commutata, Tetraphis pellucida, Gym­nocarpium robertianum, Ophioglossum vulgatum) are also mentioned in the paper.

Adaptation of Life Form Categorisation of Ellenberg and Mueller-Dombois to the Hungarian Flora

The categorisation of plant species according to their life form has a long history in plant ecology. The most popular system worldwide and also in Hungary is Raunkiaer’s categorisation according to the position of buds (meristems) surviving the adverse season. The original system contains only seven categories, resulting in high diversity within each category. Therefore, different refinements are suggested. This paper aims to apply an internationally accepted refinement of Raunkiaer’s categorisation, the Ellenberg and Mueller-Dombois system, to the Hungarian flora.

The distribution and conservation status of Knautia dipsacifolia (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacales) in Hungary

It was proven during the herbarium revision work that confirmed data of the species Knautia dipsacifolia in Hungary only came from a few stream valleys of the volcanic (andesite) mountains of the Matricum (Visegrád Mts, Börzsöny Mts, Mátra Mts) characterised with cool microclimate. All other data from the country were found to be false reporting. Not a single individual has been found of the species, which is currently threatened with extinction and is disappearing from the Hungarian flora, in any formerly mapped places of occurrence in the last three years. Similarly to other mountainous relict species, K. dipsacifolia seems to be one of the victims of climate change in the Carpathian Basin, which has been characterised by increasingly frequent periods of drought and rising average temperatures.

Comparative analysis of sour cherry cultivars on their ecological and biological indicators

Sour cherries developed in the northern hemisphere, an alloploid hybrid of dwarf sour cherries (Prunus fruticosa) and bird cherries (P. avium), born in the confluence of the two species. However, the ecological and, above all, cold tolerance of the ancestor of cultivated sour cherries is higher than that of wild cherries (De Candolle, 1894; Rehder, 1954; Terpó, 1974; Iezzoni et al., 1991; Faust & Surányi, 1997). The cultivation limits are in the northern hemisphere 38-44. degree. The Carpathian Basin, the Balkans and Asia Minor are considered to be the main birthplaces for sour cherries. The genetic and morphological diversity of sour cherries is greater than that of the basic species (Iezzoni et al. 1991; Faust & Surányi, 1997). In the study, 472 sour cherry cultivars were compared based on 7 relative ecological indicators and 3 biological values. Compared to other Prunus species, we mostly found less variability in sour cherries - not counting their salt tolerance (SB). The partial similarity between open pollination (OP), frost tolerance (FR) and disease resistance (DR) - partly true in terms of varieties, but also reflected the effects of purposeful breeding and selection. The cultivars together - in comparison, showed balance, but in the highlighting, the differences of the 3 cultivar groups became significant. Indeed, the differences between the species of the former Hungarian cultural flora are clearly different (Surányi, 2004), which is also the case when comparing a large number of apricot (Surányi, 2014), plum (Surányi, 2015) and peach (Surányi, 2020) varieties.

In memoriam Klára Verseghy (1930–2020)

Dr Klára Verseghy (1930–2020), a student of the famous Hungarian lichenologist Ödön Szatala, was working as the curator of the lichen collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest between 1958 and 1985. She did a great development in the lichen herbarium arranging and registering the big collections of F. Fóriss, V. Gyelnik and Ö. Szatala in the Zahlbruckner’s system. Separating the type specimens she prepared also the type catalogue of the lichen collection in 1964. Approximately 5,000 lichen specimens were collected by herself in several areas of Hungary (e.g. Bakony Mts, Hortobágy, Kiskunság, Praenoricum, Vendvidék, Villány Mts, Zemplén Mts) and ca 1,500 specimens from other countries (e.g. Finland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine). She published more than a hundred scientific and popular papers mainly on floristics, taxonomy, plant physiology and bioindication. Altogether 46 new taxa (19 species, 27 varieties and forms) and 69 new combinations were described by her. Following her taxonomic revisions (Caloplaca, Gasparrinia, Ochrolechia, Squamaria, Squamarina spp.) and floristical studies she prepared her main work “Magyarország zuzmóflórájának kézikönyve (The handbook of the Hungarian lichen flora)” in 1994. Her publications (106, including 23 in popular subject), her revisions and thousands of lichen specimens, the genus Verseghya and two species, Verseghya klarae and Verseghya thysanophora named after her preserve her memories.

Cardamine occulta Hornem. in Hungary, and other stowaways of the ornamental plant trade

During the study of the weed flora of garden centers in Hungary (among 2017–2020), remarkable populations of Cardamine occulta Hornem., a new alien for the Hungarian flora were found. C. occulta was present altogether in 51 of the 53 visited sites. Dominantly the regularly irrigated and continuously moist microhabitats (pots, containers, muddy surfaces of geotextile-covered beds etc.) were colonized. During the revision of our recently collected specimens, deposited in JPU and DE herbaria as Cardamine hirsuta L., further individuals proved to identical with this till overlooked species. One of them (27.08.2004., Heves county: Eger [8088.3; 8188.1], coll. by A. Schmotzer, deposited in DE collection) proved to the third documented occurrence in Europe, comparing to the accessed literature data. Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. and Urtica membranacea Poir. are also new aliens for the Hungarian flora. Several introduced individuals of these taxa were found in containers of imported thermophilous woody ornamentals at 4 and 2 sites, respectively. Tens of individuals of Eclipta prostrata were also found in a sapling-bed at another site. New populations of scarce or rare Euphorbia prostrata Aiton, E. serpens Kunth and Veronica peregrina L. were also documented.

Spreading to north: naturalisation of Ficus carica (Moraceae) in Hungary

Between the years 2015–2018, 147 stands of Ficus carica L. was found out of cultivation in Baranya county. In 2008 presence of fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes L.) and caprificus individuals that are necessary for pollination, then for producing fertile seeds were detected in Pécs at first time. For germination tests fig seeds were collected from several different stands in Pécs and successful reproduction of the species was confirmed under in vitro conditions. According to former and recent observations (i.e. subspontaneous seedlings and/or successful in vitro germination of common fig seeds in 2010 and 2014) fig wasp may have occurred in Budapest and Máriagyűd too, at least in the last ten years. These results confirm that F. carica is an old ‘new’ casual or may be a naturalised neophyte element of the Hungarian flora. According to the new records the northernmost escaped individuals of F. carica was found at 47.475° N in the Carpathian Basin, 116.5 km N of the closest Slovenian stand in the latitudinal direction.

The checklist of Hungarian bryophytes – second update

According to the checklist presented here, the bryophyte flora of Hungary consists of 2 species in 2 genera and 2 families of hornworts, 146 species and 3 additional infraspecific taxa (1 subspecies and 2 varieties) in 60 genera and 34 families of liverworts, and 521 species and 17 additional infraspecific taxa (5 subspecies and 12 varieties) in 186 genera and 64 families of mosses, in total 669 species, 6 subspecies and 14 varieties or 689 taxa. During the last decade, 40 bryophyte taxa (6 liverworts and 34 mosses) were added to the Hungarian bryophyte flora (Appendix 1.1), and an additional 19 taxa (4 liverworts and 15 mosses) that were already part of the Hungarian flora but not recognised in the previous checklist, are now incorporated in the list (Appendix 1.2). On the other hand, 29 taxa (7 liverworts and 22 mosses) must be excluded according to our present state of knowledge (Appendix 2). Another 13 taxa (2 liverworts and 11 mosses) that are at present not considered members of the Hungarian bryoflora are annotated in Appendix 3. They were not recognised in the previous checklist (with one exception), but are reported from Hungary in some literature and with five exceptions are also recognised in the European checklist. In many cases we have insufficient information to definitely decide upon their status. Annotations to all taxa listed in the three appendices provide additional information. In Appendix 4 to all names of bryophyte taxa that appeared in the previous checklist (except excluded taxa) the presently accepted names are assigned.

Újabb adat a magyarországi adventív flóra ismeretéhez: Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr.

Jelen dolgozat a Magyarországon korábban elő nem forduló Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr. első hazai adatait közli. A Mediterráneumból származó faj a Dunántúl több pontján került elő kertészetek és faiskolák telephelyeiről, illetve kültéri virágcserépből. Jelen megfigyelések egybeesnek a külföldi tapasztalatokkal, miszerint a faj terjedésében a dísznövény kereskedelem fontos szerepet ját­szik. A továbbiakban megtörtént a faj morfológiai jellemzése és a hazai határozókulcsba történő beillesztése. Mivel a P. viridis néhány lelőhelyen nagyobb egyedszámban került elő, az inváziós képes­sé­gé­nek meghatározása szempontjából a jövőben fontos lehet a faj terjedésének monitorozása.

Identification of Floral Relicts Based on Spatial Distance of Isolation

The identification of climatic relicts is seldom straightforward. These species are threatened owing to current climatic trends, which underlines the importance of carrying out ecological and biogeographic investigations of them. Here we introduce a novel approach to improve the identification of climatic relicts. We are focusing on thermophilic relict plants of the Pannonian biogeographic region from the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM). We argue that a minimal mean annual temperature difference (MATD) of the HTM compared to the recent climate allowed a continuous northward expansion for the taxa investigated. We measured latitudinal distances between the recent occurrences of relicts and those of the main distribution found further south. Regarding estimates for MATD (1.0–2.5 °C), we only consider species with a distribution which has a 150–350 km North-South gap, since a latitudinally directed distance can be translated into temperature, showing a poleward cooling trend. Of the 15 selected species, 12 were recorded with values of 1.0–1.7 °C MATD, and three with values of 1.8–2.5 °C, some of which are presumably interglacial species. Woody species are over-represented among them (four species), using the Hungarian flora as a reference. The proposed method allows the prediction of potential climate-related changes in the future distribution of species, constrained by the topographic features of their habitats.

Analysis of the Transdanubian region of Hungary according to plant species diversity and floristic geoelement categories

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe the proportion of floristic geoelements and plant biodiversity in the macroregions of Transdanubia. The core data source used for the analysis was the database of the Hungarian Flora Mapping Programme. The analysed data were summarized in tables and distribution maps. The percentage of continental elements was higher in dry areas, whereas the proportion of circumboreal elements was higher in humid and rainy parts of Transdanubia. According to the climatic zones, the highest value of continental geoelement group occurred in the forest-steppe zone. The plant species diversity and geoelements were analysed also on a lower scale, with Transdanubia specified into five macroregions. The highest diversity values were found in the Transdanubian Mountain and West-Transdanubian regions because of the climatic, topographic, and habitat diversity.

Comparative analysis of apricot cultivars based on their ecological and biological indicators

The herbaceous plants organic characterize Ellenberg et al. worked out (1991), well-use system, which is updated with herbaceous and woody plant in the Hungarian flora species, so Soó (1964-1985), Zólyomi et al. (1967), Précsényi (1986) and Simon (1988) also addressed by different aspects of this problem circuits. The author is the first extended-Borhidi –Ellenberg’s system of wild fruit species (Surányi 2000, 2006) and cultivated of fruit (Surányi 2014) as well. Additional considerations there were aspects of the study of fruit varieties, these biological indicators following open pollination, frost tolerance, resistance of Sharka virus and disease susceptibility for. Firstly, we introduced a system for improving it a plum species and cultivars (Surányi 2015). In this case we used the new system among species and varieties of apricots, because diversity was able to express significantly. Especially the SB, WB, NB, and the relative biological value figures showed the variety. RB (reaction figures) fluctuated only slightly among the 463 varieties, but the dynamic difference between the 11’s was an indicator for the characterization of apricots. If the comparison performed plum and apricot variety’s level anyway justified the use of 11 kinds of organic and biological indicators.

New plant trait records of the Hungarian flora

Canopy height, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) data of 210 species of the Hungarian flora resulting from our field sampling are presented in this data paper.

In vitro antibacterial and antiproliferative screening of Hungarian bryophytes

The bryophytes comprising of liverworts (Marchantiophyta), mosses (Bryophyta) and hornworts (Anthocerotophyta), can be found everywhere in the world except in the sea. In the Hungarian flora, more than 600 species are present, with the predominance of mosses. Although not applied in human nutrition, a number of bryophytes have been widely used as medicinal plants, especially in China for various illnesses, including diseases of bacterial origin (cystitis, pharyngitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, erysipelas) or as local antiseptics [1].

DETERMINATION OF ESSENTIAL OIL AND POLYPHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN THYMUS SPECIES

Thymus pannonicus All., T. glabrescens Willd., T. pulegioides L., T. praecox Opiz and Thymus serpyllum L., indigenous collective species in the Hungarian flora, were involved in our studies. Content and composition of essential oils and polyphenolic fractions were examined in grown populations, originating from different wild habitats, at the Experimental Station of the Corvinus University of Budapest, in 2009-2010. Essential oil analyses were performed by GC after hydrodistillation. HPLC-DAD and on-line mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) method was used for the measurements of polyphenols. Almost all grown populations of Thymus pannonicus, T. glabrescens and T. serpyllum met the requirements (min. 3 ml/100 g essential oil) of the Pharmacopoeia Hungarica concerning dried flowering parts. According to the GC analysis, it can be concluded that taxa belonging to T. praecox possess sesquiterpene dominated chemotypes with main components of germacrene-D, β-caryophyllene, β-bisabolol, β-cadinene, germacrone and elemol, while Thymus pannonicus, T. glabrescens and Thymus pulegioides populations contain mainly monoterpenes in the essentail oils such as thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and thymol methyl ether. The chemotype pattern of the examined Thymus serpyllum population was unique because its essential oil was dominated by 1,8-cineol. The polyphenolic pattern in the same samples of the Thymus species involved was also characterized. The dominant compound was rosmarinic acid, which ranged between 83.49 µg g-1 and 1.436 mg g-1. Other phenolic acids (ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid) were present in every examined Thymus species, as well as flavanones: naringenin, eriodictyol and dihydroquercetin; flavones: apigenin and apigenin-7-glucoside, flavonols: quercetin and rutin. The polyphenolic composition was found to be a useful additional chemotaxonomic tool for classification purposes and for evaluating the drug quality. Promising taxa of high essential oil and polyphenol accumulating ability and quite constant essential oil pattern have been selected for further breeding and cultivation.

Is the positive response of seed germination to plant-derived smoke associated with plant traits?

Relationships between seed germination response to plant-derived smoke and various plant traits (habitat requirements, life form, seed morphology, seed bank type) were analysed for 97 species of the Hungarian flora using published data. It was hypothesized that smoke-responsive species – those displaying enhanced germination in response to smoke – differ from non-responsive species – smoke having an indifferent or inhibitory effect on germination – in habitat requirements and/or certain life history traits. To our knowledge, no such comparison has previously been reported for a European flora. We found that species indicating disturbance and those preferring soils rich or moderately rich in nitrogen were more frequent in the smoke-responsive group (80% and 41%, respectively) than in the non-responsive group, while the non-responsive group contained a high percentage of natural species (i.e. species dominant or characteristic in natural plant communities; 47%) and species indicative of nutrient poor (38%) or (sub)mesotrophic (38%) soils. Annuals or biennials (67%) dominated the smoke-responsive group, whereas in the non-responsive group these short-lived species and perennial herbs were equally abundant (43% each). There was a tendency for higher frequency of long-term persistent seed bank among smoke-responsive species (78%) than in the non-responsive group (54%). These findings suggest that smoke-stimulated germination is associated with only a few specific plant traits for species from a semiarid temperate region of Europe, but highlight the frequent occurrence of smoke-enhanced germination among short-lived, nitrophilous or disturbance tolerant species. These results can contribute to a better understanding of post-fire regeneration of plant communities, and could also be considered during vegetation restoration or weed management.

The first archaeobotanical evidence of Dasypyrum villosum in Hungary: an archaeophyte weed or a native grass?

Caryopsis and spikelet fork remains of Dasypyrum villosum (L.) Coss. & Durieu ex P. Candargy have been recovered from a Hallstatt period archaeobotanical assemblage (ca. 900/800–450 cal. bc) in western Hungary (Carpathian basin). The presence of D. villosum has not been reported previously from any Hungarian archaeological sites, however there are accounts of its possible occurrence from the Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Age in northern Serbia. The exact identification of the species has been hindered by its morphological similarity to wild rye and wheat species, as well as to Secale cereale L. and Triticum timopheevii Zhuk. ssp. timopheevii. D. villosum has been found growing at seven locations in Hungary during the past 100 years. Most of these occurrences do not exist today, and the species is not considered indigenous to the present Hungarian flora. The new finds of this species from an Iron Age feature dated to 702–696 cal. bc in western Hungary leave doubts as to whether it is indigenous or not, and should encourage archaeobotanists to consider the possibility of the occurrence of this species on other sites.

Impact of mid‐successional dominant species on the diversity and progress of succession in regenerating temperate grasslands

AbstractQuestions(i) Which species dominate mid‐successional old‐fields in Hungary? How does the identity of these species relate to local (patch‐scale) diversity and to the progress of succession? (ii) Which species have the strongest negative impact on diversity in spontaneous old‐field succession and what generalizations are possible about traits of these species? (iii) Are these species dominant or subordinate components in mature target communities? (iv) Do native or alien species have stronger effects on the diversity and progress of succession?LocationAbandoned agricultural fields (abandoned croplands, orchards and vineyards) at various locations throughout Hungary.MethodsVegetation patterns on 112 old‐fields, in 25 sites varying in soil and climatic conditions, topography, landscape contexts and land‐use histories were sampled. Most old‐fields had appropriate seed sources in the immediate vicinity, i.e. natural or semi‐natural grasslands (meadows steppes, closed and open sand steppes) as source and target habitats. Age of abandoned fields ranged from 1 to 69 yr, but most sites were between 15 and 60 yr. The cover of vascular plant species (%) was estimated in 2 × 2‐m plots. Relationships between diversity, progress of succession (similarity to target communities) and identity of dominants were tested.ResultsA small portion of successional dominants (eight species) had strong negative impacts on diversity. These species belonged to Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Most of these species were wind‐pollinated, and capable of lateral vegetative spread. Dominant species varied in size and had, on average, a low requirement for N but a high requirement for light. With one exception, Solidago gigantea, they were native to the Hungarian flora. Significant differences were found among the impact of successional dominants when dominant species were grouped according to their original role (dominants or subordinates) in natural communities. The overall effect of species identity was also significant. Bothriochloa ischaemum was identified as the species with the strongest negative effect on species diversity.ConclusionsOur results suggest that mid‐successional dominant species differ in their impact on diversity and progress of succession. Mid‐successional plots dominated by alien species, or by native species that were originally subordinate in natural communities, regenerate less successfully and may temporarily arrest succession. Therefore, early colonization of native dominants should be enhanced with restoration measures.

Euphorbia prostrata(Euphorbiaceae), a new alien in the Carpathian Basin

During the study of the urban flora of the city of Szeged (southern Hungary) in 2011, about 100 specimens of Euphorbia prostrata Aiton, a new alien for the Hungarian flora, were found in a city park. Characterisation of the locality is provided. This record, being the one and only in the Carpathian Basin so far, confirms former observations that this meridional-subtropical species is in expansion in many parts of the world, including proper habitats of the temperate regions. A key for all species of the genus Euphorbia subgenus Chamaesyce for the region is given.