Serratula Tinctoria Research Articles

Notes floristiques. Observations faites au Luxembourg (2022-2023)

The most important records of vascular plant species made in Luxembourg in 2022 and 2023 are presented. In total, 122 taxa are mentioned. Adiantum aleuticum, Amaranthus blitoides, Bidens radiata, Centranthus calcitrapae, Chiastophyllum oppositifolium, Dipsacus laciniatus, Hibiscus trionum, Lagurus ovatus, Lepidium didymum, Rumex patientia and Sedum hispanicum, as well as the potentially invasive species Erigeron bonariensis, Erigeron karvinskianus, Erigeron sumatrensis and Lysichiton americanus are newly listed species found in Luxembourg. The discoveries of new or confirmed locations for Atriplex nitens, Callitriche obtusangula, Carex brizoides, Dysphania botrys, Filago arvensis, Fumaria parviflora, Hylotelephium telephium subsp. fabaria, Leersia oryzoides, Orchis simia, Panicum barbipulvinatum, Serratula tinctoria and Stachys annua are remarkable. The invasive species Ailanthus altissima, Cochlearia danica, Crassula helmsii, Prunus laurocerasus and Senecio inaequidens are spreading further. The implementation of national action plans for threatened species and habitats, as well as systematic fieldwork carried out over the last years, have resulted in the discoveries of new locations of endangered and/or protected species; other, previously known sites, were confirmed.

A review of the subtribe Centaureinae (Asteraceae, Cardueae) in Lithuania with information on new alien species

The study’s objective was to overview all Centaureinae species recorded in Lithuania, evaluate the distribution and population state of the newly discovered four alien species and provide information on the residence status, distribution and habitats occupied by all species of the subtribe. The subtribe Centaureinae in Lithuania is now represented by five genera: Centaurea, Leuzea, Psephellus, Serratula and Zoegea. The largest genus in the flora of the country is Centaurea, which includes four native and six alien species. The genus Serratula is represented by one native species, while the genera Leuzea, Psephellus and Zoegea each have one alien species. Tree alien species (an archaeophyte, Centaurea cyanus, and neophytes Centaurea montana and Psephellus dealbatus) are naturalised aliens, whereas Centaurea cheiranthifolia, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea iberica, Centaurea macrocephala, Leuzea repens and Zoegea crinita are casual aliens. Five species of the subtribe Centaureinae (Centaurea jacea, Centaurea phrygia, Centaurea scabiosa, Centaurea stoebe and Serratula tinctoria) are native to Lithuania. Maps of the distribution of newly discovered alien species in Lithuania are presented.

Dyes and biological sources in nineteenth to twentieth century ethnographic textiles from Transylvania, Romania

Liquid chromatography with UV–Vis and mass spectrometric detection (LC–DAD–MS) was applied to the identification of dyes and biological sources in samples from nineteenth to twentieth century ethnographic textiles from ASTRA National Museum Complex, Sibiu, Transylvania. The objects are part of the Romanian traditional costume and are among the first to be acquired for the museum collections, around 1905. Oral and written information mention such objects as homemade, with nearby materials, while literature mentions a significant number of local vegetal sources as being used for textile dyeing. The analytical protocol developed, based on the combined use of the UV–Vis and mass spectrometric detectors to associate the information and distinguish between major and minor dyes, facilitates a clear attribution of the dyes and biological source/sources used. Other techniques, such as X-ray spectroscopy and FTIR-ATR were successfully used to identify inorganic dyes, which may not be detected by LC–DAD–MS, as was the case of Prussian blue. A large number of biological sources was identified in the studied objects, both local and imported. The local sources identified include dyer’s broom (Genista tinctoria L.), sawwort (Serratula tinctoria L.), young fustic (Cotinus coggygria Scop.), Rhamnus berries, emodin based dyes (Rhamnus, Rheum, Rumex sp.) and woad (Isatis tinctoria L.), in perfect correlation with literature which states that local dyes were still in use in the period under discussion. Carminic acid containing insects (Dactylopius coccus Costa and Porphyrophora sp.) and redwood type Caesalpinia species should be considered a result of trade. Almost all the natural and synthetic dyes detected are frequently mentioned in a collection of recipes published by the Romanian Academy, in 1914. The richness in colours in belts, the use of insect dyes in shirts decoration and the large amount of cotton in shirts are illustrative for the owners’ status. The study provides a better valorisation of the Romanian traditional costume as witness of the rural society at the end of the nineteenth to beginning of the twentieth century and emphasizes the usefulness of chemistry in cultural heritage dedicated applications.

Connectivity analysis as a tool for assessing restoration success

Methods for measuring restoration success that include functional connectivity between species’ populations are rare in landscape ecology and restoration practices. We developed an approach that analyzes connectivity between populations of target species and their dispersal probabilities to assess restoration success based on easily accessible input data. Applying this method to landscape development scenarios can help optimize restoration planning. We developed an assessment for restoration success and restoration planning based on functional connectivity between species’ populations and spatially explicit scenarios. The method was used in a case study to test its applicability. Based on data on available habitat, species’ occurrence and dispersal ranges, connectivity metrics and dispersal probabilities for target species are calculated using the software Conefor Sensinode. The metrics are calculated for scenarios that reflect possible changes in the landscape to provide a basis for future restoration planning. We applied this approach to floodplain meadows along the Upper Rhine for four plant species and three future scenarios. In the case study, habitats of the target species were poorly connected. Peucedanum officinale and Sanguisorba officinalis were more successful in recolonizing new habitats than Iris spuria and Serratula tinctoria. The scenarios showed that restoration of species-rich grassland was beneficial for dispersal of the target species. As expected in the agriculturally dominated study area, restoration of former arable land significantly increased dispersal probabilities. In the case study, the developed approach was easily applicable and provided reasonable results. Its implementation will be helpful in decision-making for future restoration planning.

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Serratula tinctoria

Summary This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Serratula tinctoria L. that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Serratula tinctoria is a gynodioecious perennial forb of open or semi‐shaded habitats including grassland, heath, mire, open woodland and scrub and their ecotones. It is found throughout most of England and Wales but it is very rare in Scotland and absent from Ireland. Serratula tinctoria is found in Europe as far north as southern Sweden and Norway. It is absent from much of the Boreal biogeographical zone, including most of Fennoscandia and northern Poland, Russia and the Baltic States, and from the lowland Mediterranean zone. Serratula tinctoria occurs on soils overlying a wide variety of superficial deposits and sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks, including ultramafic rocks. The pH range of these soils is wide, ranging from acidic to moderately alkaline but with nutrient status classed as oligotrophic, or more rarely mesotrophic. In mire or fen habitats, it occurs in topogenous or soligenous situations with a similar soil water pH range. It is able to tolerate a wide spectrum of soil water‐table conditions, ranging from very dry to flooded. Serratula tinctoria is pollinated by various insects of the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera, particularly bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. It produces phytoecdysteroids, which mimic a hormone that regulates insect development. The seed has a feathery pappus for wind dispersal and establishment is primarily from seed. However, it has strong dispersal limitation with slow migration rates into restored grasslands of 1 m year−1. The species has a short‐term persistent seed bank. Seedling recruitment is enhanced by disturbance that creates bare ground, increasing light flux and lower cover of bryophytes and litter, and reduced by higher nutrient availability and lack of management. Formerly the source of a yellow dye, S. tinctoria has declined in Britain since at least the late 19th Century primarily due to a combination of drainage, ploughing and agricultural improvement and, conversely, lack of management by cutting and grazing in its grassland, heath and mire habitats. There is evidence that the decline slowed or stabilised between the late‐1980s and the mid‐2000s, in part due to the positive impact of conservation via statutory protection on designated sites and wider measures delivered through agri‐environment schemes.

Predicting the establishment success of introduced target species in grassland restoration by functional traits.

Species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands are highly endangered habitats in Central Europe and numerous restoration efforts have been made to compensate for the losses in the last decades. However, some plant species could become more easily established than others. The establishment success of 37 species was analyzed over 6 years at two study sites of a restoration project in Germany where hay transfer and sowing of threshing material in combination with additional sowing were applied. The effects of the restoration method applied, time since the restoration took place, traits related to germination, dispersal, and reproduction, and combinations of these traits on the establishment were analyzed. While the specific restoration method of how seeds were transferred played a subordinate role, the establishment success depended in particular on traits such as flower season or the lifeform. Species flowering in autumn, such as Pastinaca sativa and Serratula tinctoria, became established better than species flowering in other seasons, probably because they could complete their life cycle, resulting in increasingly stronger seed pressure with time. Geophytes, like Allium angulosum and Galium boreale, became established very poorly, but showed an increase with study duration. For various traits, we found significant trait by method and trait by year interactions, indicating that different traits promoted establishment under different conditions. Using a multi‐model approach, we tested whether traits acted in combination. For the first years and the last year, we found that models with three traits explained establishment success better than models with a single trait or two traits. While traits had only an additive effect on the establishment success in the first years, trait interactions became important thereafter. The most important trait was the season of flowering, which occurred in all best models from the third year onwards. Overall, our approach revealed the potential of functional trait analysis to predict success in restoration projects.

Mycorrhizal status of selected herbaceous plants in Molinia meadows of Folusz, near Szubin (Poland)

This preliminary study examined the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of native plant species in the Molinia meadows of Folusz in the Kujawy region, Poland. Root samples from ten plant species characteristic of Molinia meadows ( Betonica officinalis , Dianthus superbus , Galium boreale , Inula salicina , Ostericum palustre , Sanguisorba officinalis , Selinum carvifolia , Serratula tinctoria , Silaum silaus , and Succisa pratensis ) were collected in August 2014. Root colonization by AM fungi was considered an indicator of symbiosis development. AM was found in all plant species examined. The frequency of mycorrhizal structures ranged between 68% and 99%. The intensity of mycorrhizal colonization in roots varied with the plant species, ranging between 3.9% ( O. palustre ) and 40.1% ( B. officinalis ). To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the mycorrhizal status of three species: D. superbus , O. palustre , S. carvifolia . Because AM colonization depends on plant genotype and environmental factors, further studies should examine seasonal variability in plant root colonization and the compositions of AM fungal communities, which may serve as indicators of site conditions

A simple and effective enrichment process of the antiproliferative lignan arctigenin based on the endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis of Serratula tinctoria and Arctium lappa fruits

A simple, effective and environmentally friendly method was developed to prepare the precious lignan arctigenin, in as high as 88.1% and 85.2% purity, from the fruits of Serratula tinctoria and Arctium lappa. In the course of this study, arctiin, the glycoside of arctigenin already known in A. lappa, was determined as the main compound in S. tinctoria fruit for the first time. In both samples, hydrophilic arctiin was converted into its hydrophobic aglycone arctigenin by endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis, allowing the preparation of high-purity arctigenin extract (HPAE) by an optimized three-step process. Firstly, fruits were purified with diethyl ether to remove all of their hydrophobic constituents. Thereafter, the arctiin remaining in the fruits was converted into arctigenin in aqueous medium by enzyme treatment. Finally, formed arctigenin was extracted with diethyl ether to prepare HPAE. Thus, 11.3mg and 10.1mg HPAE containing 9.96mg and 8.61mg arctigenin was isolated from 200.0mg S. tinctoria and A. lappa fruits respectively, using only 16mL ether and 0.5mL water. The applicability of the method to a large-scale HPAE isolation was also confirmed. Arctigenin and its structurally related compound trachelogenin were proved to significantly inhibit the microtubular system of SW480 adenocarcinoma cells.

AreDeschampsia caespitosa(L.) Beauv. Tussocks Safe Sites for Seedling Recruitment in the Succession of Wet Meadows?

In stressful and harsh environments, safe sites for seedling recruitment may be created by nurse plants, which accumulate propagules and subsequently facilitate the establishment of individuals. The main goal of the presented studies focused on observations of seedling recruitment in small and large tussocks of Deschampsia caespitosa derived from patches of unmanaged Molinietum caeruleae meadows situated along the successional gradient and dominated by small meadow species (Patch I), by macroforbs (Patch II), or overgrown by trees and shrubs (Patch III).The studies showed that, irrespective of patch character, Serratula tinctoria, Selinum carvifolia, Lysimachia vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria are among the best colonizers of Deschampsia caespitosa tussocks. The gradual decrease in number of species and offspring abundance along the successional gradient may be connected with a prolonged period of water stagnation accelerating the development of fungal pathogens, a major cause of mortality for buried diaspores. The growing frequency of species present in standing vegetation and the gradually rising contribution of swamp and forest taxa in consecutive patches may be due to the production of non-persistent diaspores by early successional species, as well as reduced seed immigration from neighboring sites.The obtained results included evidence that, regardless of patch character, the percentage of seedlings representing species present in and absent from existing vegetation as well as taxa with various vegetation types is similar in small and large tussocks. Furthermore, in small tussocks, regardless of patch character, anemochorous and hydrochorous taxa dominated, the frequency of endo- and epizoochorous taxa was much lower, while the percentage of species characterized by other modes of diaspore dispersal attained the lowest rates. In large tussocks, anemochorous and epizoochorous species prevailed, the share of endozoochorous and hydrochorous taxa was lower, and the contribution of species characterized by other modes of dissemination was very scarce.On the basis of these studies it might be concluded that, despite the successive decrease of species and seedling abundance, and along with the increase in the recruitment of taxa resident in standing vegetation, especially woody species, the tussocks of Deschampsia caespitosa are reservoirs of meadow species even in advanced successional stages and may play a significant role in the process of long-term species turnover.

Species Structure of Plants in the Báb Forest Clearcuts

Abstract In the paper we have summarized the results of a research which was realized in the Báb forest (Veľký Báb, Nitra upland). The target of the research is the evaluation of species composition in the clearcuts in 2012. In the Báb forest, during spring records there were 80 and during summer records 102 taxa of taxons recorded. The woody plants of spring and summer reports were mainly represented by typical forest species. Moreover, these are woody plants of forest open parts and there are also two invasive woody Ailanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia plants documented. During the summer reports, three new woody plants Clematis vitalba, Lonicera caprifolium, Ulmus minor appeared in the herb layer. Herbs are represented during the spring reports by typical spring ephemeroids, geophytes and forest herbs presenting the spring synusia. During the summer reports, ephemeroids are absent and there were new species, mainly Alliaria petiolata, Convallaria majalis, Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum, Melica nutans of forest herbs reported. In the clearcut areas also clearcut, synanthropic, mainly Cirsium vulgare, Lamium purpureum, Sambucus ebulus, Serratula tinctoria, Torilis japonica and invasive species Aster lanceolatus, A. novi-belgii agg., Erigeron annuus ssp. annuus, Impatiens parviflora occurred. Generally, we can state that the diversity of clearcut plant taxa is high. Taxa are represented by forest woody plants, woody plants of clearcuts, forest open parts and forest edges. Within clearcut herbs, there are typical forest species of oak-hornbeam forests represented, species of clearcuts and human-influenced posts and there are also invasive taxa found

The Effect of Neighbouring Plant Height, Disturbance Level and Gap Size on Spontaneous Recruitment of Large-Seeded And Small-Seeded Species in Molinietum caeruleae Meadows

The seed size is considered as a key feature, which effects both: colonizing and competitive abilities of species. The disturbance dependent small-seeded taxa are regarded as superior colonists, whereas the large-seeded taxa are considered as best competitors able to survive the competition from adjacent plants and negative effect of litter. The impact of character of standing vegetation, disturbance level and size of gaps on spontaneous recruitment of seedlings of selected light-seeded species (Gentiana pneumonanthe L., Dianthus superbus L.) and heavy-seeded taxa (Serratula tinctoria L., Gladiolus imbricatus L.) were conducted. The investigations were carried out in two areas (A and B). Both of them were consisted of three adjacent patches of Molinietum caeruleae: dominated by small meadow species (labeled MC), prevailed by large-tussocks grasses (labeled GR), and overgrown by willows (labeled SA). In the year 2007, in all patches, ten permanent experimental plots were randomly arranged. In Area A, plots were divided in four square-shaped, neighboring subplots subjected to: no treatment; the removal of litter and moss layers; the removal of litter, bryophytes, and above-ground parts of plants; the removal of litter, moss and the plants, as well as top soil stripping. In the Area B, plots were divided into four subplots measuring from 0.16 m2 to 0.01 m2. In each of them the litter and above-ground part of plant biomass were clipped and removed. The recruitment of seedlings was monitored from 2007 through 2010. In both studied areas, regardless of seed mass, the greatest abundance of seedlings were found in patches MC, and decreased gradually in sites GR and SA. Irrespective of seed size, in subplots where plant cover and litter stayed intact no new genets was noted, moderate appearance of seedlings was observed in subplots without plant necromass, whereas the greatest number of generative progeny was found in subplots without necromass and aboveground parts of plants. The lower abundance of seedlings in subplots without litter, plants and topsoil might have been caused by depletion of seed bank reserves. Moreover, in all patches the number of seedlings of small- and large-seeded taxa increased significantly with augmentation of gap size. In light of performed studies it might be concluded, that the disturbances might play very important role in active protection of studied taxa. The positive impact of disruption diminishes with increasing of plant canopy height. The removal of plant cover and litter contributes to the greatest seedling recruitment but its beneficial effect diminishes with decreasing of opening size.

The Influence of Standing Vegetation Height on the Reproductive Allocation in Populations ofSerratula tinctoriaL. (Asteraceae)

ABSTRACT: The advantage of the clonal plants over the nonclonal species in colonization of all biomes and biogeographical regions primarily is due to occurrence of two modes of reproduction. The creating of vegetative propagules with high vitality and survivability, enables the spread in the newly colonized site, while seed production increases the chances for successful recruitment of seedlings, ensuring the genetic diversity of the population. The differences in allocation into vegetative reproduction and generative propagation in relation to rising height of adjacent plants was investigated in populations of Serratula tinctoria L., occurring in Molinietum caeruleae meadows localized in Southern Poland. Each locality was represented by randomly established three permanent study plots: dominated by small meadow species (LOW), prevailed by large-tussock grasses (INTER) and overgrown by shrubs and trees (HIGH). In the years 2009–2011 the number of leaf rosettes and length of the longest leaf in rosette (as...

HPLC–UV–ESI MS/MS identification of the color constituents of sawwort (Serratula tinctoria L.)

Extracts from wool dyed with sawwort (Serratula tinctoria L.) obtained with methanol/formic acid and methanol/hydrochloric acid solutions were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatograms and mass spectra were registered in the negative ion mode under various orifice voltages and collision energies, which enabled us to observe signals corresponding to [M − H]− ions and also Y− and/or Y−• ions, which were further subjected to fragmentation. The results obtained allowed us to define previously unknown constituents of sawwort, which are proposed as specific markers for its identification: chlorogenic acid and its isomers, luteolin-O-glucuronides, eriodictyol-O-glucuronides, and diosmetin-O-glucuronides. Moreover, it was found that during extraction, flavonoid O-glucuronides react with methanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid, forming stable O-methylated derivatives.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00216-013-7589-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Succession of floodplain grasslands following reduction in land use intensity: the importance of environmental conditions, management and dispersal

Summary Classical ecological theory predicts a succession towards plant communities that are determined by environmental conditions. However, in ecological restoration, species composition often remains different from the predicted target community, compromising the success of restoration measures. We analysed the relative importance of environmental conditions, management and distance to source populations for floodplain grassland succession following re‐conversion from intensive to traditional use. The study was established at 33 grassland sites in central German river valleys. Species composition, environmental variables, past and current management, and the distance to source populations of characteristic species of traditional management (indicator species) were recorded and compared using multivariate statistics. We further tested the speed of colonization by two indicator species, Silaum silaus and Serratula tinctoria, along transects from source populations into unoccupied fields. The species composition of the successional grassland was mainly determined by elevation, total soil nitrogen, distance to remnant species‐rich grasslands and frequency of mowing or grazing. Elevation and distance were negatively, and frequency was positively related to the occurrence of late successional species. Colonization by indicator species was only dependent on the distance to source populations; other explanatory variables were not significant. Migration from adjacent source sites of S. silaus and S. tinctoria into re‐converted grasslands was slow, reaching only 40 m and 15 m after 15 years. Synthesis and applications. The results demonstrated the limitations of the deterministic view on plant succession and the high relative importance of propagule availability in grassland restoration. Natural colonization will only be successful if source populations of the target species are adjacent to the restoration sites. Artificial introduction techniques are recommended to overcome dispersal barriers.

Serratula tinctoria, a source of natural dye: Flavonoid pattern and histolocalization

In the context of new alternative crop development in Europe, flavonoids were investigated in saw-wort, Serratula tinctoria L., a perennial Asteraceae which was used as a yellow dye until the 19th century. The phytochemical study described in this report indicates that leaves rather than stems should be used, and harvested at the end of the plant growing cycle, when flavonoids are particularly concentrated. Microspectrofluorometry showed a specific distribution of the flavonoid aglycone, luteolin in stomatal cells whereas the corresponding glycoside (luteolin-7- O-glucoside) was observed in palisade parenchyma cells. The flavonoids luteolin-4′- O-glucoside and 3-methylquercetin were isolated for the first time in S. tinctoria leaves and identified by NMR spectroscopy. The role of these flavonoids is discussed in this paper. Using a rapid and simple method, i.e. flavonoid histolocalization associated with UV, it was demonstrated that saw-wort contains high concentrations of luteolin derivatives and could be considered for use again as a natural dye.

Variability of the Molinion meadows in Slovakia

Nine vegetation types were distinguished using cluster analysis within Molinion meadows in Slovakia. Vegetation of cluster 1 occurs on most acidic soils and is characterized by the occurrence of species of the Caricion fuscae alliance and of the Nardus grasslands. Vegetation of cluster 2 is also found on rather acidic soils but in contrast to cluster 1 vegetation it contains species of base-rich sites, such as Betonica officinalis, Galium boreale or Serratula tinctoria. Vegetation of cluster 3 occurs in wet base-rich habitats and often contains species of the Caricion davallianae alliance. Species of dry and Nardus grasslands are typical for vegetation of cluster 4, which is found at the driest sites and is confined to oligotrophic sandy soils. Vegetation of clusters 5 and 6 occurs on moist mesotrophic soils. Their species composition is quite similar, the main difference being that the former includes species-poor releves and the latter includes species-rich releves. Releves of cluster 7 include species of dry grasslands and some ruderal species and represent degraded types of inundated floodplain meadows of the Deschampsion alliance. Vegetation of clusters 8 is characterized by species of the Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class and of the Deschampsion alliance, and occurs in wet nutrient-rich habitats. Vegetation of cluster 9, which usually develops from vegetation of cluster 8 due to decrease in the ground-water table, often contains species of dry grasslands and mesic meadows. Except for releves of clusters 1 and 7, all others can be assigned to the Molinietum caeruleae Koch 1926 association. Cluster 1 corresponds to the Junco effusi-Molinietum caeruleae Tuxen 1954 association. Average Ellenberg indicator values for releves, which were passively projected on the ordination biplot of detrended correspondence analysis, showed that the first ordination axis correlates with nutrients, soil base status and temperature, and second axis with moisture.

The Role of Leaf Lobation in Elongation Responses to Shade in the Rosette-forming Forb Serratula tinctoria (Asteraceae)

Lobed leaves are considered selectively advantageous in conditions of high irradiance. However, most studies have involved woody species, with only a few considering the role of leaf lobation in herbaceous rosette species. In this study, it is hypothesized that, in addition to its adaptive value in high light, leaf lobation may add to the function of petioles as vertical spacers in herbaceous species in conditions of strong competition for light. To test this hypothesis, leaf development was examined under seasonally changing natural light conditions and a field experiment was conducted in which light climate was manipulated in a wooded meadow population of Serratula tinctoria. No changes in leaf lobation were observed in response to experimental shading or different natural light conditions. However, in tall herbaceous vegetation, plants with highly lobed leaves achieved significantly greater vertical elongation than plants with less-lobed leaves. In contrast to herbaceous shade, tree shade had no effect on leaf elongation, suggesting differential responsiveness to competition from neighbouring herbs versus overhead shade. In shading treatments, imposed shade could only be responded to by the elongation of leaves that were produced late in development. The results show that extensive leaf lobation can enable greater leaf elongation in response to shade from surrounding herbaceous vegetation. The different morphological responses displayed by Serratula tinctoria to different types of shade demonstrate the importance of critically assessing experimental designs when investigating phenotypic plasticity in response to shade.

Effects of experimental and real land use on seedling recruitment of six fen species

Summary Seedling emergence and early establishment of six fen species differing in seed mass and growth form were investigated under experimental land use with changed vegetation structure and under real land use in a calcareous fen. Seeds of all six species were sown in plots with different experimental land-use treatments: summer and autumn mowing with or without litter removal, trampling and abandonment. Additionally, emergence and survival of experimentally sown seeds was investigated under real land use on adjacent sites managed by mowing, grazing, intense trampling or abandonment. On abandoned plots and on plots without litter removal of the land-use experiment, emergence rates of all species were negatively affected either by high litter and moss cover or by tall canopy. No differences were found between autumn and summer mowing. Gap creation by experimental trampling did not increase germination rate. Under real land use, establishment of seedlings of most species was positively affected by litter cover and tall canopy. Trampling, in contrast, had a severe negative effect on seedling survival. The investigated species differed in their germination ability which was tested in the germination chamber and in their response to land use. Succisa pratensis with the highest seed mass germinated well in the chamber and in the field more or less regardless of land use. The low germination rate of Parnassia palustris in the germination chamber indicated a limitation of viable seeds. In the field, however, seedling emergence was additionally limited by microsite availability. Seeds of Serratula tinctoria and Primula farinosa germinated well in the germination chamber, but seedling recruitment in the field was hampered in the presence of a high litter or moss cover. Seeds of Tofieldia calyculata and Pinguicula vulgaris were strongly dependent on the availability of suitable microsites in the field. They hardly germinated under natural conditions, in spite of a high number of germinable seeds in the germination chamber.

Effects of different mowing regimes on seedling recruitment in alluvial grasslands

Summary The availability of suitable microsites for seedling recruitment is of high importance for the successful restoration and maintenance of species diversity in semi-natural grassland communities. In this context, disturbances imposed by management are known to have a strong impact on microsite quality. We investigated the effects of different mowing regimes on seedling recruitment of six typical flood-meadow herbs in seed addition experiments in two alluvial grasslands with different flooding regimes. One study site was situated in the functional floodplain and the other one in the fossil floodplain, which is protected against direct flooding by a dyke and only submerged by ascending groundwater. Treatments included three different mowing regimes: (i) mowing in September, (ii) mowing in June, (iii) mowing in May and August. Seedling recruitment was monitored over 2 years. In both studied meadows a low percentage of final establishment ( Inula salicina largely failed while the large-seeded Iris spuria showed the highest number of germinated seeds. The applied mowing regimes affected recruitment of individual flood-meadow species differently. A positive effect of mowing twice in May and August could only be found for Serratula tinctoria. Thus, flexible mowing regimes that vary among years are probably most useful to ensure seedling recruitment of a broad variety of flood-meadow species.

Red list plants: colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes.

Since information concerning the mycorrhization of endangered plants is of major importance for their potential re-establishment, we determined the mycorrhizal status of Serratula tinctoria (Asteraceae), Betonica officinalis (Lamiaceae), Drosera intermedia (Droseraceae) and Lycopodiella inundata (Lycopodiaceae), occurring at one of two wetland sites (fen meadow and peat bog), which differed in soil pH and available P levels. Root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) was quantified. Colonization by AMF appeared to be more frequent in the fen meadow than in the peat bog, and depended on the host plant. Roots of S. tinctoria and B. officinalis were well colonized by AMF in the fen meadow (35-55% root length) and both arbuscules and vesicles were observed to occur in spring as well as in autumn. In the peat bog, L. inundata showed a low level of root colonization in spring, when vesicles were found frequently but no arbuscules. In roots of D. intermedia from the peat bog, arbuscules and vesicles were observed, but AMF colonization was lower than in L. inundata. In contrast, the amount of AMF spores extracted from soil at the peat bog site was higher than from the fen meadow soil. Spore numbers did not differ between spring and autumn in the fen meadow, but they were higher in spring than in autumn in the peat bog. Acaulospora laevis or A. colossica and Glomus etunicatum were identified amongst the AMF spores extracted from soil at the two sites. S. tinctoria and B. officinalis roots were also regularly colonized by DSE (18-40% root length), while L. inundata was only rarely colonized and D. intermedia did not seem to be colonized by DSE at all.