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Based on field, herbarium and bibliographic research, we report distributional data for 21 species and subspecies (11 natives included 1 regional alien and 1 cryptogenic, 10 aliens) whose presence has been ascertained for some administrative regions of central Italy. In particular, 10 taxa are new or confirmed to Abruzzo, 7 to Umbria, 2 to Lazio, and 1 to Marche. Some taxa are particularly interesting from a phytogeographical or conservational point of view. Specifically, Astragalus exscapus and Salix pentandra are very rare in Italy. The new findings of Erythronium dens-canis and Thesium alpinum, in Umbria and Lazio respectively, represent the southernmost limits of their Italian distribution.

The composition of the essential oils of the leaves and female cones of Juniperus oxycedrus L. ssp. macrocarpa (Sibth. & Sm.) Ball. and J. oxycedrus L. ssp. oxycedrus were compared. The oils were isolated by water distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. More than 60 components were identified in the oils with α-pinene being found as a major component in all oils. In the leaf and cone oils of J. oxycedrus ssp. macrocarpa it ranged from 33.8–81.3% and 50.3–85.1%, respectively. The main components in the cone oil of J. oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus were α-pinene (31.6%) and myrcene (40.4%), whereas the leaf oil contained α-pinene (26.3%) and limonene (30.0%) as major components.

Alkaloid content variations were studied in four Spartium junceum populations in different dynamic stages. The highest alkaloid content was found in young plants, in reproductive organs, particularly in seeds, and in the twigs with primary structure. In addition, among the four populations, the highest alkaloid values were noted in the pioneer population, the lowest in the more vigorous population. These alkaloid contents can be interpreted as a defensive strategy of the species, and more specifically, of individuals in the pioneer population, which are the most vulnerable to predators and parasites.

Phytosociological description of Juniperus macrocarpa and Cymbopogon hirtus vegetation types discovered in the drainage-basin of the Sangro river (South of Abruzzo).—The Authors use a phytosociological method to study the vegetation forms dominated by Juniperus macrocarpa and Cymbopogon hirtus discovered in the drainage-basin of the Sangro river in the Abruzzo region (Central Italy). The juniper vegetation is attributed to a new association: Clematidi flammulae-Juniperetum macrocarpae that is considered a relict vegetation type. The Cymbopogon hirtus vegetation has a dynamic relationship with the former and is attributed to a new association Onosmato echioidis - Cymbopogonetum hirti.