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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 supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onobrychis alba subsp. calcarea, an endemic taxon known for central Balkan, is discovered for the first time in Croatia. Field investigations and herbarium researches have allowed to report its current occurrence in Dalmatia on Mt Mosor. Furthermore, the name O. calcarea is typified based on a specimen traced in PR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carex microcarpa (sect. Rhynchocystis) is a Central Mediterranean endemic known from Corsica, Sardinia and the Tuscan archipelago, that has been also reported from scattered localities in mainland Italy (Abruzzo, Lazio and Apulia). We tested by molecular means the identification of three specimens classified as C. microcarpa from continental Italy, as well as a voucher from the Montecristo island (Tuscany) and one from Sardinia, whose taxonomic identity could not be determined with certainty by morphological examination. We performed a DNA barcoding study based on four DNA regions (two nuclear, two plastid). Our results reveal that none of previous mainland Italian records corresponds to C. microcarpa, but to C. pendula, which also belong to section Rhynchocystis, and in other cases possibly to C. acutiformis, from a different species group (sect. Paludosae). The specimen from Montecristo island was confirmed to be C. microcarpa. We conclude that C. microcarpa is likely a Tyrrhenian endemic exclusively known with certainty in Corsica, Sardinia and the Tuscan Archipelago. The presence of C. microcarpa in the Italian peninsula remains highly doubtful and we recommend its exclusion from checklists. Our study highlights the utility of DNA barcoding approaches in Carex when a reliable morphology-based identification is not possible. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2021.1897703. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphometric-based taxonomic revision of the Siler montanum group (Apiaceae) from Italy and the Balkan Peninsula was carried out. Multivariate and univariate analyses were performed on 47 morphological characters including seven ratios, and based on the study of 328 dried herbarium specimens. According to our results, the characters employed in the study revealed their suitability as key characters for the examined taxa. A taxonomic treatment was presented and a new diagnostic key to the S. montanum group is also provided for Italy and Balkan Peninsula. Ten taxa were recognized within the group, and among them three new subspecies were described: S. montanum subsp. apuanum, S. montanum subsp. corrasianum and S. montanum subsp. ogliastrinum. Furthermore, three new combinations were proposed: S. zernyi subsp. laeve, S. zernyi subsp. ochridanum and S. montanum subsp. stabianum. Six names were lectotypified: Laserpitium garganicum var. balcanicum, L. garganicum var. laeve, L. garganicum var. scabrum, L. siculum var. stabianum, L. siler var. ovalifolium and Ligusticum garganicum. Occurrences were confirmed for Siler zernyi subsp. zernyi in Greece and S. zernyi subsp. laeve in North Macedonia. Occurrences were excluded for S. montanum subsp. garganicum in Greece and North Macedonia and S. montanum subsp. siculum in C and S Italy. Citation: Conti F., Bartolucci F., Bacchetta G., Pennesi R., Lakušić D. & Niketić M. 2021: A taxonomic revision of the Siler montanum group (Apiaceae) in Italy and the Balkan Peninsula. – Willdenowia 51: 321–347. Version of record first published online on 16 November 2021 ahead of inclusion in December 2021 issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Anthyllis endemic to central Apennine growing in dry pastures on limestone in the montane belt, within Abruzzo and Lazio administrative regions (central Italy), is here described and illustrated and the IUCN assessment is proposed. This new species belongs to the morphologically very variable Anthyllis vulneraria species complex and it is close to A. pulchella (south-eastern Europe and Caucasus), but it can be clearly distinguished by its smaller flowers, mainly light yellow-coloured, bracts longer than flowers, calyx pink-coloured (usually only at apex) and size of cauline leaves and leaflets. Furthermore, the name A. pulchella is here lectotypified, by a second-step typification, on a specimen preserved at PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The name Allium kermesinum Rchb. is typified, and the correct place of publication of the name is discussed. A specimen issued in 1842 of Reichenbach's "Flora Germanica Exsiccata, Centuria XXII: No. 2141," preserved at HAL, is designated here as the lectotype [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital data concerning the flora of Italy are largely fragmented among different resources hosted on different platforms, and often with different data standards, which are neither connected by a common access point, nor by web services, thus constituting a relevant obstacle to data access and usage. Taxonomic incongruences add a further complication. This paper describes "FlorItaly", an online information system which allows to access and query updated information on the checklist of the flora of Italy, aiming at becoming an aggregator for Italian botanical resources. "FlorItaly" was developed in a collaborative effort by more than 50 taxonomists, with the support of the Italian Botanical Society, and of Project "Dryades" (University of Trieste), to provide a better and reliable organization of botanical knowledge in Italy, as well as a relevant simplification for data retrieval, and a further stimulus towards a more collaborative approach in botanical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the typification and taxonomy of five Mediterranean Cytisus species. Cytisus affinis, C. candidus, and C. spinescens nom. illeg., non Sieber ex Spreng. were described from Sicily by Karel Bořivoj Presl, Cytisus spinescens was described from Apulia (southern Italy) by Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel, and C. villosus was described from southern France by Pierre André Pourret (1788). Lectotypes are here designated for Presl and Sprengel's names. A neotype is designated for C. villosus. The taxonomic revision of these five names confirmed that C. villosus Pourr. (= Cytisus affinis C.Presl) is the name to be used for the species occurring in the large part of the Mediterranean countries. Cytisus spinescens Sieber ex Spreng. (= C. candidus C.Presl = C. spinescens C.Presl, nom. illeg.) is the correct name for the amphiadriatic species occurring in peninsular Italy, and along the NE coast of the Adriatic Sea. This species does not occur in Sicily and reference to this latter region in the protologues of both C. spinescens C.Presl and C. candidus C.Presl is a misinterpretation due, possibly, to exchange of labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Two new combinations are proposed. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 for taxa in the genera Acer, Alchemilla, Andrachne, Bromus, Clinopodium, Colchicum, Damasonium, Erodium, Festuca, Hieracium, Hyparrhenia, Ipomoea, Linaria, Lolium, Narcissus, Ranunculus, Sisymbrium, Stipa, Valerianella, Vicia, and Zannichellia. New combinations in the genus Ziziphora (Z. sardoa and Z. corsica) and the new subspecies Ulmus minor susbp. canescens are proposed. Furthermore, the name Calamintha alpina var. sardoa is here lectotypified. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of the taxa collected 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 2016 along the Velino and Aterno valleys located between Lazio and Abruzzo administrative regions (central Italy). The flora documented for the studied area amounts to 629 specific and subspecific taxa (including two hybrids) belonging to 300 genera and 69 families. Thirty-eight taxa are endemic to Italy, and only 16 alien taxa were detected. Thirty-eight taxa are included in the IUCN Red List of the Italian Flora. Twenty-four taxa have to be considered as floristic novelties because either new or confirmed for the regional flora of Lazio or Abruzzo. In particular, 15 taxa are new and 6 are confirmed for Lazio. Regarding Abruzzo, 2 taxa are new for the regional flora and one is confirmed. Furthermore, the alien status in Lazio has been updated for one taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 for taxa in the genera Alchemilla, Arundo, Bupleurum, Clematis, Clinopodium, Cota, Crassula, Cytisus, Euphorbia, Hieracium, Isoëtes, Lamium, Leontodon, Linaria, Lychnis, Middendorfia, Ophrys, Philadelphus, Pinus, Sagina, Sedum, Taeniatherum, Tofieldia, Triticum, Veronica, and Vicia. Nomenclature and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records and confirmations to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Allium, Arabis, Campanula, Centaurea, Chaerophyllum, Crocus, Dactylis, Dianthus, Festuca, Galanthus, Helianthemum, Lysimachia, Milium, Pteris, and Quercus. Nomenclature and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrections are provided as supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a statistically derived phytogeographic regionalization based on the spatial distribution of native woody flora, investigating environmental correlates and assessing congruence between the spatial patterns of species, genera, and families. A sector of central peninsular Italy (Lazio and Abruzzo regions) was selected as a case study. A rich georeferenced floristic database was compiled, including information from different sources. A total of 43,968 occurrence data, 290 10 × 10 km cells, 224 species, 103 genera, and 80 families was used; Ward's clustering was performed to identify phytogeographic units. Three well-defined and relatively spatially coherent units were identified at the species, genus, and family levels: a Mediterranean unit, a Transition unit, and a Eurosiberian one. Congruence between taxonomic levels was well supported. Further divisions in subunits were detected using species data. The main environmental descriptors of the clusters were distance from the sea, elevation, temperature, and lithology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, exclusion, extinction and confirmations to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Androsace, Artemisia, Fragaria, Melampyrum, Myosotis, Petrorhagia, Phillyrea, Rosa, Rumex, Spiranthes, Trifolium, and Vicia. Furthermore, a new combination in the genus Omalotheca is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Ranunculus giordanoi, belonging to the R. auricomus complex is described from Latium, central Apennines (Italy). It grows in damp meadows on Monti della Laga (National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga), the largest sandstone massif of central Italy. The new species differs from the closely related R. silanus, endemic to Sila (Calabria, southern Apennines), by leaf aperture, shape of the basal leaves, entire or sometimes deeply lobed cauline leaves, gynoclinium without intervallum and longer carpellophores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laserpitium siler , currently recognized as Siler montanum , is a polymorphic species belonging to the Apiaceae family and distributed in mountains of Southern Europe. In the present work we have analysed five accessions from Italy (Piemonte, Valle d'Aosta and Abruzzo) belonging to S. montanum subsp. montanum and subsp. siculum for the essential oil composition with the aim to find correlations between chemical data and taxonomic relationships. Results, obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), showed a significant variability, with the subsp. siculum characterized by one chemotype (sabinene/perilla aldehyde/chamazulene), and the subsp. montanum belonging to three different chemotypes (I ( E )-anethole, II sabinene, III limonene). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the chemical differences among the five accessions according to geographical origin and subspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, exclusions, and confirmations to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Asplenium, Bolboschoenus, Botrychium, Chamaerops, Crocus, Galeopsis, Grafia, Helosciadium, Hieracium, Juniperus, Leucanthemum, Lolium, Medicago, Phalaris, Piptatherum, Potamogeton, Salicornia, Salvia, Seseli, Silene, Spiraea, Torilis and Vicia. Rhaponticoides calabrica is proposed as synonym novum of R. centaurium. Furthermore, new combinations in the genera Galatella and Lactuca are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of Alyssum desertorum, a species belonging to A. sect. Alyssum, is reported for the first time in Italy. It was found in Abruzzo (central Italy) in the territory of National Park of Gran Sasso and Laga mountains and surrounding areas. Morphological similarities with the other taxa recorded in Italy belonging to A. sect. Alyssum are briefly discussed. Information about the typification of the name, habitat, phenology and distribution in Italy are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of the taxa collected in 2022 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 from 19th to 22th April in the islands of Lipari and Panarea (Aeolian Islands, Sicilia). Overall, 1,664 herbarium specimens were deposited in public and private herbaria. The flora documented for the studied area amounts to 386 specific and subspecific taxa, belonging to 241 genera and 74 families. Centaurea aeolica, Helichrysum litoreum (Asteraceae), and Dianthus rupicola subsp. aeolicus (Caryophyllaceae) were the only three Italian endemics found in the study area, whereas 48 alien taxa were recorded. Dimorphotheca ecklonis (Asteraceae), Nassella tenuissima (Poaceae), Solanum torvum (Solanaceae), and Viola wittrockiana (Violaceae) are casual alien species new to Sicilia, whereas Oenothera odorata (Onagraceae) is a new naturalized alien species for the Italian vascular flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus longicaulis C. Presl, described from Sicily by Carl Bořivoj Presl, is a critical Mediterranean species, often confused with other taxa belonging to Thymus sect. Serpyllum. In order to preserve the current application of this name, a lectotype is designated. We provide a detailed morphological description and information about its habitat, phenology, distribution and taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic position of Thymus paronychioides Čelak ., a neglected species until recently treated as a synonym of Th. striatus or Th. spinulosus, is reviewed. Karyological and morphological characters were used for comparative analyses with closely related taxa belonging to Th. sect. Hypodromi, such as Th. striatus and Th. spinulosus, occurring in the Mediterranean area (Italy, Balkans and Turkey). Multivariate and univariate morphometric analyses showed that Th. paronychioides is clearly distinct from Th. striatus and Th. spinulosus in the unique features of leaves (elliptical-spathulate, fleshy, with ± curved and prominent lateral veins), in the inflorescence being always capitate with few flowers, and in the larger corolla with the tube usually exceeding the calyx. Furthermore, chromosome counts showed that Th. paronychioides is polyploid (2 n = ca. 60), whereas Th. spinulosus and Th. striatus are diploid (2 n = 2 x = 26). Hence, Th. paronychioides is shown to be an independent taxon, endemic to NW Sicily, placed within Th. sect. Hypodromi subsect. Serpyllastrum. Finally, an identification key to the Italian species of Th. sect. Hypodromi is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gagea tisoniana Peruzzi et al. sp. nov. is described and its taxonomic relationship is discussed. The new species, which appears to be endemic to central Italy, is close to G. pratensis (Pers.) Dumort., G. pusilla (F. W. Schmidt) Sweet, and other mainly poorly known [i.e. G. succedanea Griseb. et Schenk, G. transversalis Stev., and G. paczoskii (Zapal.) Grossh.] or as yet undescribed taxa from eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean area. The recognition of the new taxon G. tisoniana is claimed on the basis of anatomical, karyological, ecological, and phytogeographical data. Maps of the Italian distribution of G. pratensis (2 n = 60), G. pusilla (2 n = 24), and G. tisoniana (2 n = 24) are presented, together with an analytical identification key. Finally, G. pratensis is recorded here for the first time in Tuscany (Monte Cetona). © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 337–347. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Armeria arenaria is a highly variable Western European species, for which three subspecies are recorded in Italy. Armeria arenaria subsp. arenaria has been reported from Northern Italy, while A. arenaria subsp. marginata and A. arenaria subsp. apennina are considered endemic to the Apennines. The taxonomic value of these two latter taxa is unclear and the actual occurrence of A. arenaria s.str. in Italy has never been addressed. Following an integrated taxonomic approach, in this study we show that all the Italian records of A. arenaria s.str. should be actually referred to A. arenaria subsp. praecox and that only one Northern Apennine endemic taxon can be recognized, namely, A. arenaria subsp. marginata. Three subspecies of Armeria arenaria are reported from Italy, two of which are considered endemic to the Apennines. The taxonomic value of these two taxa (A. arenaria subsp. marginata and A. arenaria subsp. apennina) is unclear. Moreover, the relationships between A. arenaria subsp. praecox and Northern Italian populations—currently ascribed to A. arenaria subsp. arenaria—have never been addressed. Accordingly, we used an integrated taxonomic approach, including morphometry, seed morpho–colorimetry, karyology, molecular systematics (psbA–trnH, trnQ–rps16, trnF–trnL, trnL–rpl32, and ITS region), and comparative niche analysis. According to our results, French–Northern Italian populations are clearly distinct from Apennine populations. In the first group, there is evidence which allows the recognition of A. arenaria s.str. (not occurring in Italy) and A. arenaria subsp. praecox. In the second group, the two putative taxa endemic to the Northern Apennines cannot be separated, so a single subspecies is here recognized: A. arenaria subsp. marginata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: Semi‐natural grasslands in Southern Europe are biodiversity hotspots, yet their patterns of plant species richness are less studied than in Central Europe. In the Central Apennines (Italy), there are large areas of dry calcareous grasslands, across a steep gradient of mean annual precipitation (from 650 to 1350 mm within c. 30 km). We asked: How do these grasslands compare to other Palaearctic grasslands in richness levels? How do the precipitation gradient and other environmental predictors influence species richness? Does this influence differ among taxonomic groups? Location: Submontane and lower‐montane belt of the Central Apennines (Abruzzo and Lazio, Italy). Methods: We recorded the species richness of vascular plants and (terricolous) bryophytes and lichens in 97 plots of 10 m2, aligning them with the precipitation gradient while maintaining geological substrate and elevation similar. Mean temperature and precipitation were estimated with a high‐resolution regional model. A wide array of environmental variables (including soil properties and grazing load) were measured for each plot. Multivariate relationships within and between response and predictor variables were studied with Canonical Correlation. The relative importance of predictors on response variables was modeled with Boosted Regression Trees. Results: The sampled grasslands were very species‐rich in the Palaearctic context. Vascular plant richness was negatively influenced by topographic heat load and soil sand content, but we did not detect a relationship with mean annual precipitation. Bryophyte richness was poorly modeled by the measured variables, although it was positively correlated with lichen richness. Lichen richness had a marked negative relationship with soil phosphorus and mean annual precipitation. Conclusions: In Southern European semi‐natural mountain grasslands, vascular plant richness is driven more by fine‐scale edaphic factors than by precipitation gradients. In contrast, bryophyte and lichen species richness is predicted by a mixture of climatic and edaphic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation translocations are becoming common conservation practice, so there is an increasing need to understand the drivers of plant translocation performance through reviews of cases at global and regional levels. The establishment of the Italian Database of Plant Translocation (IDPlanT) provides the opportunity to review the techniques used in 186 plant translocation cases performed in the last 50 years in the heart of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. We described techniques and information available in IDPlanT and used these data to identify drivers of translocation outcomes. We tested the effect of 15 variables on survival of translocated propagules as of the last monitoring date with binomial logistic mixed‐effect models. Eleven variables significantly affected survival of transplants: life form, site protection, material source, number of source populations, propagation methods, propagule life stage, planting methods, habitat suitability assessment, site preparation, aftercare, and costs. The integration of vegetation studies in the selection of suitable planting sites significantly increased the success of translocation efforts. Although posttranslocation watering had a generally positive effect on translocation outcome, other aftercare techniques did not always increase transplant survival. Finally, we found that how funds were spent appeared to be more important than the actual amount spent. Plant translocations in Italy and in the Mediterranean area should account for the complexity of speciation, gene flow, and plant migrations that has led to local adaptations and has important implications for the choice and constitution of source material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European wild carnations (Dianthus) are represented by a high number of taxa organized in unresolved taxonomies. In particular, taxa belonging to the Dianthus virgineus L. complex in the Central Mediterranean have been delimited mainly with qualitative morphological data and still await quantitative investigations, which are vital to understand boundaries and relations among plant diversity groups. Here, we examine the phenotypic features of nuclear genome organization testing for species boundaries in this complex. We have studied the chromosome number, the total haploid length (THL), and the relative genome size (RGS) in 122 populations belonging to 25 out of 33 taxa of the complex. All the studied populations have 2n = 2x = 30 chromosomes, and the THL ranges from 14.09 to 20.71 μm. Genome size estimations support the absence of polyploidization events, but show a certain degree of variation (0.318–0.423 arbitrary units). The RGS variation is not in agreement with current taxonomic treatment, but rather shows a geographical pattern, with higher values in Sicily and Sardinia. No correlation between the THL and the RGS was detected, possibly due to the stable chromosome number and the small size of chromosomes. A number of evolutionary unique groups lower than the number of currently accepted taxa may be hypothesized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four Italian Thymus taxa were studied for essential oil chemical composition. • Five main chemotypes were found. • Th. spinulosus and Th. longicaulis subsp. longicaulis were the richest in essential oil. • Th. spinulosus essential oils were the most active as insecticides. • Th. spinulosus most significant LC 50 on Culex quinquefasciatus was 21.7 μL L−1. Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis , Th. picentinus , Th. spinulosus , and Th. zygiformis var. magellensis are chamaephytes occurring in rocky places of central and southern Italy and are poorly explored for the chemical composition and biological activity of their essential oils. In the present work, we analysed the essential oil composition of twelve samples coming from the aforementioned species by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, the taxa producing the highest amounts of essential oil, namely Th. longicaulis subsp. longicaulis and Th. spinulosus, were investigated for the first time for insecticidal efficacy against three target insect species, i.e., the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Spodoptera littoralis as well as the adults of Musca domestica. Chemical and principal component (PCA) analyses allowed us to discriminate five main groups of samples, thymol-, carvacrol-, thymol/carvacrol-, geranyl acetate and (E)-nerolidol-types with the ones showing the highest yields (Th. longicaulis subsp. longicaulis and Th. spinulosus) being characterized by phenolic monoterpenes. The Th. spinulosus and Th. longicaulis subsp. longicaulis essential oils were assayed for toxicity against the three target insect species showing significant toxic effects, with LC 50 /LD 50 values in the ranges 39.6–87.1 μg.larva−1, 21.7–62.4 μl.L-1 and 35.9–147.3 μg.adult−1, for S. littoralis , C. quinquefasciatus and M. domestica, respectively. Notably, the most active samples were those with the highest amounts of thymol that were also obtained from Th. spinulosus plants with the highest yield of essential oils. Overall, our results indicate very prospects for using the essential oil from Th. spinulosus in the development of environmentally safe botanical insecticides designed for protection against insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Festuca valesiaca Schleich. ex Gaudin subsp. valesiaca is acknowledged as one of the most characteristic grasses of the continental grasslands and steppes of Eurasia. In Italy, the species was known almost only from the continental valleys of the Alpine chain (with the exception of two small populations at the northernmost edge of the Apennines). Here, we report on the first confirmed finding of F. valesiaca subsp. valesiaca in the surroundings of the Fucino Basin, Central Apennines. This finding expands by c. 400 km southwards the species' range in Italy. The identity of the species was first ascertained by means of leaf cross-sections and stomata measurements, and then confirmed by chromosome count. Its habitat preferences within the area were found to match well with those described in the literature for C-Europe. After discussing some identification issues and the population's ecological niche, we present the main biogeographic implications of our finding. By recalling and discussing similar examples, we conclude that during the Holocene forest spread some Apennine "dry valleys" performed as refugia for a number of Pleistocene steppic taxa. The grasslands of these areas may thus be ancient and valuable ecosystems maintained by climate and disturbance throughout the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Herbarium Apenninicum (international code: APP), hosted in the Floristic Research Center of the Apennines (Abruzzo, central Italy), is approximately composed of about 80,000 specimens of vascular plants; 66,352 of them are mounted with data labels and entered in a database. The specimens from the Abruzzo administrative region (central Italy) correspond to more than half of the collection (57.8% of the specimens), while immediately afterwards, other neighboring provinces of central Italy follow. Outside of Italy, the most represented areas are Morocco and southern European countries. Most of the specimens were collected between 2001 and 2020; nevertheless, the herbarium also contains two historical collections from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. The herbarium houses 146 types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malva micans subsp. pallescens (Moris) F. Conti & Bartolucci comb. nova and Malva micans subp. minoricensis (Cambess.) Bartolucci & F. Conti comb. nova are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records and status changes from casual to naturalized for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrections are provided as supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of the taxa collected during the annual field trip of the working group for Floristics, Systematics and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society is reported. It was held in 2013 along the Maddalena Mountains, a mountain ridge of the southern Apennines located between the Basilicata and Campania administrative regions (southern Italy), considered as being poorly characterized in terms of vascular flora. A total of 701 units belonging to 74 plant families were recorded including two varieties and four hybrids. Thirty-five taxa resulted endemic to Italy and only 11 alien species were detected, while 36 taxa are new or confirmed for the regional floras of Basilicata and/or Campania. In particular, 12 taxa are new for Basilicata, while four are confirmed. Regarding Campania, 14 taxa resulted new for the regional flora and five were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of four vascular plants are presented according to IUCN categories and criteria. It includes the assessment at global level of Crepis lacera Ten subsp. titani (Pamp.) Roma-Marzio, G.Astuti & Peruzzi and Anthyllis hermanniae L. subsp. sicula Brullo & Giusso and the regional assessment of Commicarpus plumbagineus (Cav.) Standl. (Spain and Europe) and Ambrosia maritima L. (Italy). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Adonis sect. Adonanthe is characterized by species with strongly gibbous abaxial side of achenes, reticulate-venation on its surface, with short and recurved style and includes four series: ser. Amurenses, ser. Coeruleae, ser. Apenninae, ser. Vernales. In the Euro-Mediterranean area three species belonging to A. sect. Adonanthe are currently recognized: A. apennina (ser. Apenninae), A. volgensis (incl. A. transsilvanica; ser. Vernales), A. vernalis (ser. Vernales). In 2021 was discovered in the Central Apennines (Italy) a yellow-flowered Adonis population belonging to sect. Adonanthe similar to A. volgensis. Following an integrated taxonomic approach, we have shown that the newly discovered population should be regarded as a new species, named A. fucensis, endemic to Abruzzo (Central Apennines, Italy). Adonis fucensis is herein described as a new species based on morphological and molecular analyses. It is endemic to one locality of the Central Apennines between Amplero and Fucino plains within the NATURA 2000 network in the SAC IT7110205 (Central Italy). The only discovered population is composed of 65 individuals and is at risk of extinction. The conservation status assessment according to IUCN categories and criteria is proposed and discussed. The new species belongs to A. sect. Adonanthe and is morphologically similar to A. volgensis (incl. A. transsilvanica), a species distributed in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey as well as eastward to SW Siberia and Central Asia. Adonis fucensis can be distinguished from A. volgensis by larger cauline leaves, pentagonal with lobes lanceolate, larger stipules with more lobes and teeth, and larger flowers. Finally, an analytical key to Adonis species belonging to sect. Adonanthe distributed in Europe is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper new floristic records for 41 taxa (species and subspecies) are reported. In particular, 30 taxa are natives and 11 aliens. Among the natives 1 is new for Veneto, 7 are new or confirmed for Marche, 1 is new for Lazio, 9 are new or confirmed for Abruzzo, 2 are new or confirmed for Molise; 13 aliens taxa are new for Abruzzo, Lazio and Marche. Some findings are very interesting from a phytogeographic and/or conservation point of view, such as Allium guttatum subsp. dalmaticum new for Italy, Astragalus austriacus and Myosotis minutiflora subsp. minutiflora new for the Apennines, and, a species deserving urgent conservation actions, of which we report the second location at national scale. Furthermore, we report some new locations for very rare species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper new floristic records for 21 units are reported. In particular, 8 taxa are native, 1 is cryptogenic and 12 aliens, 9 are new or confirmed for Molise, 7 are new or confirmed for Abruzzo, 1 reported as doubtful for Abruzzo, 2 are new for Lazio and Basilicata, 1 is new for Marche. Two alien taxa are new to Italy: Acer tataricum subsp. tataricum and Campanula grandis subsp. grandis. The last one is new to Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reports an integrated environmental quality monitoring of a 100 km 2 area in central Italy mostly occupied by an underground station of methane storage, working since 1982. The nitrogen oxides, ozone and isoprene concentration detached with a network monitoring of passive filters were compared with the results of lichens biomonitoring. Data from the two monitorings were in accordance: there was an inversely correlation between lichen biodiversity index (IBL) and NOx (−0.96) and ozone (−0.80), and a positive correlation between IBL and isoprene (0.67). IBL indicated that the area ranged between medium naturalness and medium alteration status, values fully compatible with the medium–high level of eutrophication, caused by intensive agriculture. Only two areas were in high alteration status, due to their proximity to glass factories and to a quarries area. Despite almost thirty years of activity, the environment quality of the area around the station did not show signs of declining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrections are provided as Suppl. material 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the utility of the core barcode regions ( matK and rbcL) and the plastid intergenic spacer trnH- psbA to distinguish between Thymus spp. This is a taxonomically complex group that has been investigated so far mainly using morphological approaches. Thirty-six samples representing nine different morphospecies were collected and used for molecular analysis. The three markers showed clear amplification and sequencing. However, the genetic variation and the resulting haplotype networks showed that only Thymus capitatus forms a well-defined 'barcoding gap' compared with the other taxa. The identification problems observed in the other Thymus spp. may be related to reduced gene flow among populations, resulting in high intraspecific and low interspecific genetic variation. This situation does not permit the definition of species-specific barcodes. A second hypothesis suggests that morphological traits used for the delimitation of Thymus spp. do not reflect real biological and molecular species boundaries. If this is the case, the taxonomy of Thymus should be revised through extensive sampling and analyses with different tools (i.e. molecular variability, morphology, geographical distribution, etc.) to define the natural units at the species level. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IDPlanT is the Italian Database of Plant Translocation, an initiative of the Nature Conservation Working Group of the Italian Botanical Society. IDPlanT currently includes 185 plant translocations. The establishment of a national database on plant translocation is a key step forward in data sharing and techniques improvement in this field of plant conservation. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2021.1985004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the 4th National Report for the Italian flora under the 92/43/EEC 'Habitats' Directive are presented. The outcomes showed a general negative conservation status for plant species, with the worst situation being in the Mediterranean bioregion. At the National level, significant monitoring and conservation activities are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The split between conservation science and real‐world application is an ongoing issue despite several calls for unification. Researchers are empowered to partially bridge the research‐implementation gap by making their findings more accessible. Cypripedium calceolus is the most recognizable orchid of the European flora, and is currently facing habitat change and fragmentation, in addition to threats from collectors and illegal traders. Although several studies have focused on the ecological and genetic features of the species, a comprehensive account of how such aspects can be translated into concrete conservation recommendations is still missing. In this study, we describe microsatellite genetic variation in 188 individuals from different Italian populations of C. calceolus. Our results indicate the need for immediate conservation action for the most isolated populations in the Central Apennines and north‐western Italy. Although our genetic findings are specific to the Italian populations, our aim is to review ecological and population genetic aspects in C. calceolus and their implications for conservation against the existing threats. Therefore, our detailed guidelines for translocation, habitat management and post‐translocation monitoring can be used to inform conservation strategies in threatened populations of C. calceolus across its range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy has a rich natural heritage, which is dangerously under pressure. In recent years, there is an increased awareness of the crucial role of plants in ecosystem functioning and in providing ecosystem services. Consequently, an updated Red List of the Italian vascular flora was compiled in this work, at the request of the Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea Protection, with the scientific support of the Italian Botanical Society. The IUCN Red List criteria were applied to 2,430 Italian native vascular plant taxa to assess their current extinction risk and to highlight the major threats affecting the Italian flora. Our results revealed that 54 taxa (2.2% of the assessed taxa) are extinct or possibly extinct at regional level, while 590 taxa (24.3%) were assigned to a risk category. Moreover, 404 taxa (16.6%) were categorized as Data Deficient. The Italian vascular flora is primarily threatened by habitat modifications due to anthropic disturbance and, especially, to agriculture, tourism and residential development. Coastal areas and lowlands, where anthropogenic impacts and ecosystem destruction are more pronounced, host the greatest number of extinct or declining taxa. Our results represent an important baseline to establish conservation priorities, legislative choices and intervention strategies on a national scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]