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Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae), commonly known as laurel, is an evergreen and edible tree that possess biological properties positively correlated with human health. It is a very popular plant known since ancient times in traditional medicine and considered a symbol of peace and sign of victory in military and sport competitions. Laurel is used as flavoring agent in kitchen for meat, fish, broths, and vegetables. The plant shows a rich content of metabolites including proteins, free sugars, organic acids, PUFA and tocopherols and exhibit a biological potential with a wide range of bioactivity including antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This review is aimed to contribute to the knowledge of the plant by providing a critical overview of the botanic characteristics, the traditional uses, the plant chemistry and the biological activities

The portrayal of plants depicted in works of art in antiquity can provide insights into human–nature relationships. We have identified the botanical species sculpted on marble and stone and depicted on wall paintings, vases, mosaics, and furnishings in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, which houses the greatest collection of Greco-Roman antiquities in the world. In detail, the main objectives of the present study were to analyse and discuss the symbolic role of some plants more strongly linked to a deity or involved in other aspects of Greco-Roman life and customs. The attention was particularly devoted to their symbolic role in mythology, their use in medical and ritual practices, their artistic meaning in domestic representations and their representation in Nilotic scenes. URL:https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts/ &nbsp

Ailanthus altissima is an aggressive invasive tree worldwide, but the ecological factors that lead to the spread of this species in Mediterranean ecosystems are still unclear. Here we aim to identify such factors, focusing on the interaction of human activity with climatic conditions. We determined the occurrence and abundance of Ailanthus in 240 sites and studied their relationship with 20 variables representing climatic, geographic, and topographic factors, as well as land use, in the region of Campania (southern Italy). Overall, we found that temperature and rainfall in Campania are suitable for Ailanthus, with the only major constraint being the temperature at an altitude exceeding 900 m a.s.l.. We found that Ailanthus is unable to spread where the mean annual temperature is lower than 11.1 °C. By contrast, precipitation variables showed poor correlation with Ailanthus distribution, suggesting that rainfall in the selected study sites is suitable to sustain the growth of this tree. About land use variables, roads were the primary landscape feature along which this species spread and invaded new areas. Roads probably combine high propagule pressure and favorable growing conditions in terms of available resources i.e., light, water, and mineral nutrients, that allow Ailanthus to establish and spread along roadside edges in different ecosystems. In conclusion, we found that climate and human-associated variables are correlated with the current occurrence of Ailanthus, with the temperature being more influential at high elevation sites and road distance playing a prominent role in low elevation areas.

Mediterranean grasslands are semi-natural, fire-prone, species-rich ecosystems that have been maintained for centuries through a combination of fire, grazing, and mowing. Over the past half century, however, grasslands have faced numerous threats, including the abandonment of traditional agro-pastoral practices. Our hypothesis was that mowing and prescribed burning are management practices potentially effective in counteracting the reduction of plant diversity triggered by land abandonment. However, the long-term effects of such management practices on plant communities and soil microbiota in Mediterranean grassland remain poorly studied. Here, we conducted a 5-year field experiment comparing prescribed fire, vegetation mowing, and abandonment in a fire-prone Mediterranean grassland in southern Italy in order to evaluate the capability of such management strategies to counteract the detrimental impacts of land abandonment on plant diversity and the associated increase of wildfire. We combined vegetation analysis and soil chemical characterization and several microbiota analyses, including microbial biomass and respiration, arthropod community, and high-throughput sequencing of bacterial and eukaryotic rRNA gene markers. Burning and mowing significantly increased plant species richness and diversity compared to abandonment plots, reducing the abundance of perennial tall grasses in favour of short-lived species. Standing litter followed the same trend, being 3.8-fold greater and largely composed of grass remains in the abandoned compared to burnt and mowed plots. In the soil, prescribed burning caused significant increase in pH, a reduction in organic carbon, total N, and cation exchange capacity. Diversity and taxonomic composition of bacterial and fungal microbiota was affected by burning and mowing treatments. Abandonment caused shifts of microbiota towards a fungal-dominated system, composed of late successional fungi of the Basidiomycota. Fast-growing and putative fungal pathogens were more abundant under burnt and mowed treatments. Soil arthropods were influenced by vegetation and microbiota changes, being strongly reduced in mowed plots. Our study demonstrated that grassland abandonment promotes the spread of tall grasses, reducing plant diversity and increasing the risk of wildfire, while prescribed burning and mowing are effective in counteracting such negative effects.

Medicinal plants have a significant role in women's healthcare in many rural populations in Italy. Herbal remedies are mainly used to treat women’s conditions such as menstrual disorders, infertility, discomforts and dysfunctions of pregnancy, labor, uro-genital diseases and menopause. In the recent decades, ethnobotanical surveys have received increased attention among populations in Italy traditionally highly conservative regarding knowledge of folk medicine. This review highlights the use of plants in women’s health care. From a search of articles published between 1963 and 2017 we found a total of 73 containing reports of medicinal plants specifically used for treating women’s diseases, listing 197 taxa belonging to 61 families. Adiantum capillus-veneris is the most commonly reported species, followed by Malva sylvestris, Petroselinum crispum and Urtica dioica. We identified eighteen ailment and cosmetic categories. Plants used for menstrual cycle and breastfeeding are widely used.

Aims Data on the decomposition of fine roots are scarce for the Mediterranean basin. This work aims to compare chemical traits, decomposition rate, and temperature sensitivity (Q10) for root and leaf litter of 43 Mediterranean species. Methods We carried out a two-years litterbag decomposition experiment using 43 fine roots litter and leaf litter types incubated in laboratory conditions at three different temperatures, i.e. 4 °C, 14 °C, and 24 °C. Litter was characterized for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), lignin and cellulose concentration, C/N, and lignin/N ratios. Results Fine root litter had lower N content but higher lignin concentration, lignin/N, and C/N ratios compared to leaf litter. The decay rate of fine root litter was slower than leaf litter. For both tissues, the decay rate was negatively associated with lignin concentration, lignin/N, and C/N ratios but positively with N concentration. Q10 was higher for fine root than leaf litter, with a positive correlation with lignin while negative with N concentration. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a higher Q10 accompanied by a slower decomposition rate of fine root litter compared to leaf litter in Mediterranean ecosystems. These results must be considered in modeling organic C at the ecosystem scale.

Among angiosperm families, the Solanaceae is one of the most important one to human beings and has extensive economic importance, mainly as a food source. It is distributed in all continents except Antarctica and the greatest concentration of diversity is in Central and South America. Many of the economically important crops in the world belong to the genus Solanum, Capsicum, and Nicotiana with about 28 million hectares cultivated globally. In addition to species that underwent domestication, this family encompasses several wild species used in traditional cuisine or as a font of useful genes/alleles for breeding efforts. Solanaceae are also known for possessing a diverse range of biologically active compounds that may be used to benefit human health and for crop protection. The Solanaceae family includes about 100 genera and approximately 2500 species; recent classification has identified nine clades at subfamily level and 14 at tribe level.

Papaver rhoeas L. (Papaveraceae), commonly known as corn poppy, is a cosmopolitan weed and edible plant capable of possessing biological properties, thus positive correlating with human health. The plant is also known as field poppy, flanders poppy or shirley poppy. It can be consumed raw or cooked, and has been traditionally used to treat nervousness, insomnia, digestive and respiratory disorders, baldness, eye infections, as well as measles treatment. This paper is aimed to contribute to the knowledge of corn poppy by providing a critical review of the botanic characteristics, the traditional uses, the plant chemistry and pharmacology.

Question: In the fall 2018 we observed an atypical pattern with concentric belts of green, yellow, and brown vegetation. What are the causes of the pattern? Localized water depletion, soil spatial heterogeneity and the activity of pathogenic organisms were tested as alternative hypotheses. Location: Banks of a water reservoir, Alento basin in south Italy (40°19′04.50″ N; 15°06′45.35″ E). Methods: Belts were monitored for floristic composition and plant health status. In each zone, 17 soil parameters were analysed (soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, limestone content, organic C, Olsen P, total N, C/N ratio, cations exchange capacity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn). Soil moisture was monitored by soil probes, positioned at 10 cm depth. The incidence of pathogens and parasitic plants was visually estimated. Finally, model simulations were carried out to explore the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in the formation of the belts. Results: The vegetation survey revealed that the green belt was characterized by a monospecific stand of Xanthium italicum with a plant density >190 individuals per m2. All plants were healthy. In the yellow belt, instead, Xanthium italicum was attacked by the parasitic plant Cuscuta campestris with an incidence >70%. In the brown belt all Xanthium italicum was still standing but dead, with an incidence of Cuscuta campestris attack >94%. No differences in soil chemistry were recorded in the three belts, while soil moisture was slightly lower in the green belt, likely as a result of a higher evapotranspiration rate. The modelling simulation well reproduced the banded vegetation, supporting the role of the parasitic plant in the formation of the pattern. Conclusions: By combining extensive field measurements with detailed modelling work, we revealed, for the first time, the primary role of a parasitic plant in the formation of a regular and ephemeral vegetation pattern.

Biodeterioration, the alteration caused by living organisms, on historical buildings and stone monuments is a widespread problem affecting two-thirds of the world's cultural heritage. Deterioration and weathering of stone monuments are caused by abiotic, anthropogenic and microbial factors, with few studies focusing on the role of higher plants. In this study, we investigate how rock type, exposure and inclination of the wall, as well as current management, affect the biodeteriogenic vegetation at four stone monuments. For this purpose, we selected four castles situated in the province of Naples in southern Italy. For each castle, we analysed linear transects 1 m long (N = 74), representing the different associations of the main biodeteriogenic vascular plant species. The total number of plant species recorded was 28, belonging to 17 families. Floristic composition and hazard index (HI) varied greatly among the four study sites. Exposure, substrate type and surface inclination significantly affect floristic composition, with plant cover and HI highest on south-facing walls. As regards the rock substrate, HI was significantly higher on plaster, compared to piperno and tuffs. Finally, substrate inclination did not affect plant occurrences although the HI was significantly higher on horizontal surfaces than vertical ones. Our study revealed that the walls of four castles harboured specific flora, whose composition depends on local environmental factors, current management as well as the surrounding vegetation. The present findings concerning the colonisation capabilities of the main biodeteriogenic species provide useful insight to clarify the relationship between plant cover and hazard risk in the context of wall deterioration.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consists of systems and practices used to prevent or treat illness, and/or promote health and wellbeing, generally with herbal remedies. In recent decades, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys have received increased attention among populations in central and southern Italy traditionally highly conservative regarding knowledge of folk medicine. This review highlights the use of wild and cultivated plants in paediatric health care. From a search of articles published between 1978 and 2017 we found a total of 34 containing reports of medicinal plants specifically used for treating children’s diseases, listing 83 taxa belonging to 37 families in 116 recorded cases of medicinal plant use. Tuscany has the highest number of plant use reports and the highest number of species used in a single region, followed by Campania and Sicily. Allium sativum is the most widely reported species, cited in eight regions. We identified eight ailment categories. Plants used as anthelmintics and for gastro-intestinal and skin diseases are widely used.

Colonisation of vascular plants on ancient historical buildings is known to cause severe damage. The aim of the present work was to analyse the deteriogenic vascular flora of Villa Rufolo in Ravello, one of the most famous heritage sites in southern Italy. The deteriogenic flora were analysed in terms of diversity, structure, chorology, origin and potential damage to the building. The hazard index (HI) was applied to evaluate the impact of the biodeteriogens in question. The total flora included 61 taxa with the prevalence of therophytes (42.6%) and widely distributed species (42.6%), mostly derived from natural or semi-natural environments in the surrounding area (95.1%). The plant colonisation pattern showed the presence of some very harmful but not very abundant vascular plants (6.6%), including Ficus carica, Hedera helix subsp. helix, Capparis orientalis and Parthenocissus tricuspidata. Analysing the potential deteriogenic impact of each species (DI), a new index proposed by the authors, it emerged that the most dangerous were Centranthus ruber subsp. ruber and Parietaria judaica. Methods for the eradication of the most damaging species are discussed and proposed.

Litter decomposition provides a continuous flow of organic carbon and nutrients that affects plant development and the structure of decomposer communities. Aim of this study was to distinguish the feeding preferences of microbes and plants in relation to litter chemistry. We characterized 36 litter types by 13C-CPMAS NMR spectroscopy and tested these materials on 6 bacteria, 6 fungi, and 14 target plants. Undecomposed litter acted as a carbon source for most of the saprophytic microbes, although with a large variability across litter types, severely inhibiting root growth. An opposite response was found for aged litter that largely inhibited microbial growth, but had neutral or stimulatory effects on root proliferation. 13C-CPMAS NMR revealed that restricted resonance intervals within the alkyl C, methoxyl C, O-alkyl C and di-O-alkyl C spectral regions are crucial for understanding litter effects. Root growth, in contrast to microbes, was negatively affected by labile C sources but positively associated with signals related to plant tissue lignification. Our study showed that plant litter has specific and contrasting effects on bacteria, fungi and higher plants, highlighting that, in order to understand the effects of plant detritus on ecosystem structure and functionality, different microbial food web components should be simultaneously investigated.

The Contribution of Wild Edible Plants to the Mediterranean Diet: An Ethnobotanical Case Study Along the Coast of Campania (Southern Italy). Wild edible plants, an essential component of people’s diets in the Mediterranean basin, are consumed because they have a positive influence on health, supplying the body with microelements, vitamins, phenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, and fiber. In this paper we provide a list of wild plants used in the local cuisine along the coast of Campania, highlighting the medicinal properties of the most widely used species. Fieldwork was conducted from April 2017 to September 2019; in all, 69 informants were interviewed. We carried out an extensive literature review searching both national and international journals for ethnobotanical articles concerning the whole of Italy and especially the region of Campania, published from 1963 to 2019. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) index for each species is provided. Based on the interviews, 85 species and subspecies distributed in 29 families are documented as being used as food. Asteraceae was the most cited family (26.5%) followed by Brassicaceae and Lamiaceae (7.2%). The culinary uses of 11 wild species (13.5% of the total) were hitherto unreported in the ethnobotanical literature for Campania. The present study confirms the persistence of traditional plant use in the region of Campania. Ethnobotanical data, as well as the phytochemical and nutritional profiles of the species in question, offer insights into designing new dishes such as food pairing with other ingredients to improve nutritional and/or sensory quality (e.g., bitterness reduction, flavor enhancement, antioxidant bioavailability).

Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae), commonly known as stinging nettle, is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the group of phytoalimurgic vegetables, including the wild edible species that were all used in the past when there was a shortage of food. The plant is well known from everybody for the dermatitis it causes when touched, due to biochemical mediators such as histamine and acetylcholine. Recently there was a rediscovery of the plant as food and medicine because of the range of biological activities exhibited such as antirheumatic, anti-infective, immuno-modulatory, anti-hyperglycaemic, and allergy relief. This review, providing a botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview of the species, aims to contribute to arouse interest in the scientific community on this promising plant.

Biodeterioration, the alteration caused by living organisms, on historical buildings and stone monuments is a well-known problem affecting two-thirds of the world’s cultural heritage. The study of the flora growing on wall surface is of particular importance for the assessment of the risk of biodeterioration of stone artifacts by vascular plants, and for maintenance planning. In this study, we investigate how rock type, exposure and inclination of the wall affect the biodeteriogenic flora at 13 sites of the Archaeological Park of the Phlegraean Fields located in the province of Naples, in southern Italy. For each site, we analysed randomly selected square areas with 2 × 2 m size, representing the different vegetation types in terms of vascular plant species cover. The total number of plant species recorded was 129, belonging to 43 families.Erigeron sumatrensis, Sonchus tenerrimus, andParietaria judaicaare the most commonly reported species, whileCapparis orientalisis the species with the highest average coverage. Substrate type, exposure and surface inclination affect the floristic composition, with the average plant cover significantly higher on vertical surfaces and at western and southern exposure. All the main biodeteriogenic vascular plant species grow on more or less porous lythotype like yellow tufa, conglomerate and bricks. Finally, woody plants eradications methods are proposed by the tree cutting and local application of herbicides, to avoid stump and root sprouting and to minimize the dispersion of chemicals in the surrounding environment.

Litter decomposition mobilizes nutrients that sustain ecosystem productivity, but decomposition by‐products may also hamper root proliferation by phytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the litter substrate preferences of tropical tree seedlings in relation to litter chemical traits. We characterized 44 litter types (11 species at four decomposition ages; 0, 30, 90 and 180 days) for nutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Fe and Zn) and proximate chemical parameters (cellulose, extractive, lignin and C) and tested the effect of such litter materials on seedling root growth of Albizia procera, Dalbergia sissoo and Terminalia arjuna. Albizia procera root growth was inhibited by all litter types and ages, including conspecific materials, while different heterospecific litters had inhibitory or stimulatory effect on D. sissoo and T. arjuna root growth, compared to the control. Interestingly, inhibitory and stimulatory effects of heterospecific litters significantly changed with litter age, although with no clear‐cut pattern among target species and litter species and age, while conspecific litters consistently inhibited root growth when aged, but not when fresh. Litter nutrient, extractive, C, cellulose and lignin showed no consistent association with root growth of tested plants. Albizia procera root growth was positively associated with Na content and N:P ratio. Dalbergia sissoo root growth was positively associated to C:N and lignin:N ratios, and negatively to K, Na and Zn content. Finally, T. arjuna root was positively associated to cellulose and N:P ratio, but negatively to extractive. We conclude that studied nutrient, cellulose and lignin do not consistently explain the species‐specific response of root of tree seedlings to decomposing litter.

The risks for human health and the ecosystem due to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were investigated in a farmland classified as potentially contaminated by Cr and Zn by analysing native vegetation and relative rhizo-soils. Rhizo-soils of different plant species were found to be enriched by Cr and Zn as well as by elements omitted from official environmental characterization, namely Cd, As and Pb. The ecological risk index (ERI) had a mean value of 510, indicating high to “very high” risk in different habitats. ERI above the very high risk threshold characterized the rhizo-soils of Lolium perenne , Erigeron sumatrensis , Oloptum thomasii and Amaranthus retroflexus . Two of these plant species ( E. sumatrensis and A. retroflexus ) are exotic in Italy and accumulated Cd in the shoots above the EU threshold for forage, suggesting a potential risk of Cd transfer to the food chain. Hence, this element was found to contribute most to the ERI. Cynodon dactylon was recognized as the most suitable plant species for the phytostabilization of the contaminated site, as it showed the highest bioavailable Cd accumulation in roots coupled with the highest frequency and soil-cover capacity during spring-summer, when the risk of soil resuspension is generally more intense.

New data concerning the distribution of 41 non-native species for Campania are presented. Acer saccharinum subsp. saccharinum and Jacaranda mimosifolia are reported for the first time in the Italian peninsula and in continental Italy, respectively. Euphorbia pulcherrima is excluded from Italian exotic flora. Using data from field surveys in Campania the naturalization status of Cenchrus longispinus was also updated. Finally, new sites are given for 37 other alien species previously reported for Campania.

The Phlegraean Fields Regional Park in southern Italy has an especially long history of human exploitation. For our ethnobotanical studies we interviewed 39 people native to the area and recorded 962 use-reports. For each species, we provide scientific and vernacular names, plant parts used, and preparation and administration processes. In all, 69 species belonging to 35 families were classified. The species most frequently mentioned were Citrus limon, Chamomilla recutita, Malva sylvestris, Parietaria judaica, Ficus carica, Foeniculum vulgare and Laurus nobilis. The commonest plant use recorded is medicinal, followed by culinary and domestic; for 26% of the species inventoried, more than one use was recorded. The present study confirms the persistence of traditional plant use in regions of central and southern Italy.

Riassunto Gli Autori hanno indagato la flora del comprensorio dei monti Vesole, Soprano, Sottano e Chianello per la quale non esistevano in letteratura dati preesistenti.; tale lavoro va dunque ad integrare le conoscenze realtive alla parte settentrionale del Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano. Nel corso del lavoro sono state individuate e classificate 861 entita; di queste 21 non risultavano segnalate in precedenza per il territorio del Cilento. Per alcune specie di rilevante interesse fitogeografico (Geranium macrorrhizum L., Ophioglossum vulgatum L., Cleistogenes serotina (L.) Keng, Genista sagittalis L., Lathyrus niger (L.) Bernh. subsp. jordanii (Ten.) Arcangeli) si tratta del primo ritrovamento per la Campania o di conferma della loro presenza nella regione. Nel complesso le 861 entita ritrovate definiscono uno spiccato carattere di mediterraneita del popolamento floristico; ben rappresentato e inoltre il contingente di specie eurasiatiche dovuto allo sviluppo degli orizzonti montano e sub...

Riassunto E stata condotta un'indagine floristica nell'area vulcanica Campi Flegrei, territorio per il quale si dispone di numerosi studi di questo tipo fino ai primi decenni del secolo XX. Nel complesso vengono elencate 1374 entita. Di queste, nel corso dello studio, ne sono state ritrovate 748 delle quali 89 sono risultate nuove per la zona. Bidens bipinnata L. e Orobanche arenaria Borkh. non risultavano segnalate per la Campania. Cortaderia selloana (Schultes et Schultes fil.) Ascherson et Graebner non era nota allo stato spontaneizzato per la stessa regione. Non e stato possibile ritrovare 626 entita segnalate in passato. Questa forte diminuzione viene attribuita all'intenso disturbo antropico che, dagli anni intorno al 1950, ha influito sempre piu pesantemente nell'area. A tale fattore e in particolare alla variazione d'uso del territorio da agricolo a in-sediativo, e da ricondurre la scomparsa anche di ambienti ad alto grado di naturalita e la conseguente banalizzazione della flora. La lettura degli...

Plant species distribution on Earth is a consequence of geographical biotic or abiotic barriers. Since its appearance on Earth, man has largely affected the presence of organisms in nature and for many of them he has been a voluntary and/or accidentally diffusion agent. This is particularly true for agricultural crops. This has represented a major threat for biodiversity conservation. Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Rosaceae Juss.], a phanerophyte-scapose native of western China, in Italy was probably introduced in the 1st century AD and today is widely cultivated. To quantify the dynamics of its naturalization and its current distribution in Italy and in the Campania region (Southern Italy), research was carried out in the national and regional floristic literature and by field surveys. At the present, this archaeophyte is reported in all the Italian regions, except the Apulia. In Campania its first finding in the wild occurred in 1955 near Mount Alburno (Salerno province). Recently, it was found in natural areas on the Vesuvius Grand Cone. At the present this species is reported for the provinces of Caserta, Naples, and Salerno and is considered as a casual alien plant of the Italian vascular flora.

This paper analyses the effects of substrate properties and environmental conditions on spontaneous vegetation of soil and sludges from a dismantled steel plant moderately polluted by heavy metals and polycyclic aro- matic hydrocarbons. Plant colonization was monitored in the presence or absence of acidic peat for 5 years both inside the degraded brownfield site and after transferral into a nearby Oak Park environment. Overall, 57 plant species grew healthily on the substrates, with peat enhancing plant growth in the unfavourable brownfield site. Most of the species were found in the park (91 %), showing plant colonization was mainly affected by the immediate environment rather than by substrate properties. Restricted metal uptake and tissue accumulation by selec- ted plants were measured, with only Daucus carota showing a higher ability to translocate metals to shoots (shoot/root metal concentration quotient [1 with peat). Phytostabilization with native plants represents an eco- nomically more realistic and cost-effective option than excavation, soil washing and sludge disposal, especially for vast industrial sites. Addition of organic matter and planting strategically selected vegetation islands could facilitate the spontaneous recovery of such highly degraded environments.

According to recent molecular studies (Hardway et al. 2004, Spalik & Downie 2006, Spalik et al. 2009), the genus Helosciadium Koch (1824: 125) was segregated from Apium Linnaeus (1753: 264). The separate position of Helosciadium is supported also by morphological characters and fruit anatomy (Ronse et al. 2010).

In the present work the presence of Manihot esculenta Crantz is reported for the first time for Italy and Europe, a neophyte native to South America: ecology and invasive status are presented.

A study was carried out on the biodeteriogenic vascular flora at the Royal Palace of Portici in southern Italy. In all, 160 species were found on the building, which represents approximately 35.5% of the flora found in the whole grounds (450 taxa). Ecological analysis of the plant population highlighted the decisive role of xeric climatic conditions, the lack of substrate, use of the site, and ordinary and restorative maintenance work. Therophytes (48.8%) broadly prevail over other biological forms. Most of the taxa censused (38.2%) may be considered ubiquitous and hence found at the same time on different types of substrate. Measured against the Hazard Index (HI), 62.5% of the species detected may be considered low-hazard (HI 0-3), 31.9% medium-hazard (HI 4-6) and 5.6% very hazardous (I.P. 7-10). Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (HI 10), Ficus carica L. (HI 10) and Quercus ilex L. subsp. ilex (HI 9) were the species which had the most impact of the architectural structures in question A study was carried out on the biodeteriogenic vascular flora at the Royal Palace of Portici in southern Italy. In all, 160 species were found on the building, which represents approximately 35.5% of the flora found in the whole grounds (449 taxa). Ecological analysis of the plant population highlighted the decisive role of xeric climatic conditions, the lack of substrate, use of the site, and ordinary and restor- ative maintenance work. Therophytes (48.8%) broadly prevail over other biological forms. Most of the taxa censused (38.8%) may be considered ubiquitous and hence found at the same time on different types of substrate. Measured against the Hazard Index (HI), 62.5% of the species detected may be considered low-hazard (HI 0e3), 31.9% medium-hazard (HI 4e6), and 5.6% very hazardous (HI 7e10). Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (HI 10), Ficus carica L. (HI 10), and Quercus ilex L. subsp. ilex (HI 9) were the species that had the most impact of the architectural structures in question.