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The aim of this study was to compare the biological properties, such as antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant, of recently described pentaploid species Rubus oklejewiczii with tetraploid taxa growing in similar habitats including R. plicatus, R. gracilis, and R. wimmerianus. The antiviral potential was analyzed against bacteriophages with different genetic material: phi6 (a surrogate for the SARS-CoV-2 virus), T7, phiX174, and MS2. Antibacterial properties of fruit and leaf extracts were determined against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica. The total phenolic content, as well as anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, pH, and antioxidant properties (FRAP and DPPH) were determined. R. oklejewiczii leaf extract was characterized by the weakest antibacterial and antiviral properties, which was closely correlated with the lowest content of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant properties. The strongest biological properties were observed for R. wimmerianus leaves. Fruit extracts were characterized by lower phenolic content and antioxidant activities than leaves, with the lowest values observed for R. oklejewiczii extract. The antibacterial properties of fruit extracts were strongest for R. gracilis. The strongest antiviral potential was observed for R. oklejewiczii and R. wimmerianus fruit extracts against the bacteriophage phi6, which correlated with the lowest pH and the highest ascorbic acid content. The positive effect of the higher ploidy of R. oklejewiczii for most of the analyzed biological properties was not observed except for the antiviral potential of fruit extract. Due to its large and tasty fruits, this species seems to be very promising for cultivation and attractive for consumers, even though most of its biological properties were not any better compared to other examined tetraploid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dandelions from Taraxacum sect. Erythrosperma are taxonomically well distinguished and ecologically restricted to warm and sunlit habitats of steppes, dry and sandy grasslands, and distributed in temperate regions of Europe and Central Asia, with some being introduced to North America. Despite the long tradition of botanical research, the taxonomy and distribution of dandelions of T. sect. Erythrosperma is still underexplored in central Europe. In this paper, by combining traditional taxonomic studies supported by micromorphological, molecular and flow cytometry analyses as well as potential distribution modelling we shed light on taxonomical and phylogenetical relationships between members of T. sect. Erythrosperma in Poland. We also provide an identification key, species-checklist, detailed descriptions of morphology and occupated habitats as well as distribution maps for 14 Polish erythrosperms (T. bellicum, T. brachyglossum, T. cristatum, T. danubium, T. disseminatum, T. dissimile, T. lacistophyllum, T. parnassicum, T. plumbeum, T. proximum, T. sandomiriense, T. scanicum, T. tenuilobum, T. tortilobum). Finally, conservation assessments performed using the IUCN method and threat categories for all the examined species are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Józef Warszewicz (1812-1864) was one of the first Polish naturalists to explore the flora of the tropical New World. During two expeditions to Central and South America (1844-1850 and 1850-1853) he collected and delivered to Europe up to twenty thousand plant specimens. To honour his service and his achievements in plant collections, different taxonomists described more than 100 taxa using the surname Warszewicz, for example in the genus name (Warszewiczia) and the species epithets (warszewiczii, warscewiczii, warszewicziana). Unfortunately, a large part of Warszewicz's collection of plant species deposited in the Berlin Herbarium (B), including many type specimens was destroyed during World War II. During digitisation of herbarium collections preserved in the Herbarium of the Jagiellonian University (KRA), we reviewed more than 650 herbarium sheets with plant specimens collected by Warszewicz and originating from his trips to Central and South America. In this paper, we present the typification of five names of species, described base on Warszewicz's plant material. We select lectotypes for Berberis warszewiczii, Esenbeckia warscewiczii, Psammisia ramiflora, Remijia involucrata and Rondeletia orthoneura, and provide data on the presence of 17 specimens (isotypes) representing Esenbeckia cornuta, an extremely rare species, that to date is known only from the type locality in Peru. A list of all Warszewicz's specimens preserved at KRA herbarium is also presented. Additionally, in the result of the revision of syntypes of Brerberis multiflora and Rondeletia reflexa we designated here the lectotypes for these taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven Taraxacum species were given from Poland for the first time: T. praecox from the section Borea, T. fusciflorum from the section Hamata, and T. clarum, T. praestabile, T. xanthostigma, T. floccosum, T. lundense, T. ottonis, T. subborgvallii, T. pittochromatum, and T. subleucopodum from the section Taraxacum. A photograph of the herbarium specimen from Poland and distributions in Poland and Europe were given for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1997 and 2010, nine localities of Epipactis greuteri H. Baumann & Künkele were found in the Polish part of the Western Carpathians. Eight of them were confirmed in subsequent years. The distribution of the new species in Poland is mapped. A morphological description of E. greuteri based on specimens from Poland and a key for the Polish Epipactis Zinn species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents ecological characteristics of meadows with Taraxacum sect. Palustria in Pogórze Dynowskie. Field studies were carried out using the patrol method. Floristic description was made, methods of meadow use were evaluated and habitat conditions were determined based on Ellenberg's bioindication method on every meadow with marsh dandelions. Analyses were performed in eight sites with T. mendax, T. paucilobum, T. polonicum, T. portentosum and T. vindobonense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-six different wild blackberry leaf samples were harvested from various localities throughout southeastern Poland. Leaf samples were assessed regarding their phenolic compound profiles and contents by LC/MS QTOF, and their antioxidant activity by ABTS and FRAP. Thirty-three phenolic compounds were detected (15 flavonols, 13 hydroxycinnamic acids, three ellagic acid derivatives and two flavones). Ellagic acid derivatives were the predominant compounds in the analyzed leaves, especially sanguiin H-6, ellagitannins, lambertianin C, and casuarinin. The content of phenolic compounds was significantly correlated with the antioxidant activity of the analyzed samples. The highest level of phenolic compounds was measured for R. perrobustus, R. wimmerianus, R. pedemontanus and R. grabowskii. The study showed that wild blackberry leaves can be considered a good source of antioxidant compounds. There is clear potential for the utilization of blackberry leaves as a food additive, medicinal source or herbal tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description of Taraxacum zajacii J. & P. Marciniuk, a new species of T. sect. Palustria in Poland is given. Taraxacum zajacii is a pentaploid (2n = 40). Morphologically, the new species is closest to the T. subalpinum/T. neterophilum group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description of Taraxacum zajacii J. & P. Marciniuk, a new species of T. sect. Palustria in Poland is given. Taraxacum zajacii is a pentaploid (2n = 40). Morphologically, the new species is closest to the T. subalpinum/T. neterophilum group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]