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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]

This is the fifth issue of the series of germination reports from Mediterranean areas (sensu Med- Checklist). It comprises germination protocols for 18 taxa: Hieracium and Pilosella from South Italy by Di Gristina & al. (Nos. 103-106); Genista from Sardinia by Deplano & al. (No. 107); Antirrhinum, Anthyllis, Digitalis, Echium, Jasione, Nothoscordum, Silene and Verbascum by Martínez-Oliver & al. (Nos. 108-116); Dianthus, Helichrysum and Silene from Sicily by Scafidi & Salmeri (Nos. 117-120). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genista etnensis is a remarkable and well-known tree endemic to Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica (Mediterranean Basin). Nevertheless, its morphological variability and its native status throughout its range need to be further investigated. In this study, we aim to clarify some aspects of this infraspecific variability by molecular means. Sequences of one nuclear and five plastid markers were analyzed under maximum parsimony by using TCS software. Plastid data were also time-calibrated under a Bayesian Inference framework. Plastid data revealed strong isolation between the populations from the Cyrno-Sardinian biogeographical province, which are also the most diverse and presumably the most archaic, and those from Sicily and Southern Italy (in this latter area, the species is naturalized). The calibration analysis indicates that the last common ancestor between G. etnensis and its sister group G. fasselata dates back to the middle Pliocene or slightly later, when sclerophyllous Mediterranean vegetation spread, whereas G. etnensis itself might have originated in the middle Pleistocene. The current, rather unusual distribution of G. etnensis could be explained by long-range seed dispersal from the western part of the range or by anthropogenic introduction into Sicily, with extinctions of transported haplotypes in the region of origin. Interestingly, the Vesuvius population, introduced from Sicily in recent times and locally naturalized, shows private genotypes, and was richer in both genotypes and haplotypes than the Sicilian ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic revision of the populations belonging to the Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen group (Caryophyllaceae) occurring in central and southern Italy, Sardinia and Sicily has been made. This group is represented in the surveyed territories by 17 morphologically and ecologically well differentiated species: Dianthus arrosti C. Presl, D. siculus C. Presl, D. graminifolius C. Presl, D. cyathophorus Moris, D. gasparrinii Guss., D. longicaulis Ten., D. virgatus Pasquale, D. tarentinus Lacaita, D. morisianus Vals., D. japygicus Bianco & Brullo, D. sardous Bacch., Brullo, Casti & Giusso, D. busambrae Soldano & F. Conti, D. brachycalyx Huet sp. nov., D. oliastrae sp. nov., D. insularis sp. nov., D. genargenteus sp. nov. and D. ichnusae sp. nov. Besides, two new subspecies are recognized within D. ichnusae (subsp. ichnusae and subsp. toddei). This taxonomical treatment is supported by a multivariate analysis based on 25 morphological characters and 1 phenological character. Each of the taxa is described and illustrated. In addition, notes on nomenclature, ecology, chorology, taxonomical relationships and conservation status are given. Lectotypes are designated for those taxa that are based on material from the investigated territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rosemary essential oil (EO) can be an effective method for biological control. • Rosemary EO successfully inhibit the emergence and growth of A. saligna seedlings. • Minimum amount of Rosemary EO necessary to inhibit A. saligna seedling growth. • Effects of EO concentration at 15.6 mL/L are different from the other treatments. • Biological control protocol for A. saligna seedlings in the Mediterranean Basin. Using essential oils (EOs) to suppress unwanted species at the seedling stage is a promising way to decrease the use of synthetic herbicides and thus protect native plant diversity. We verified the effects of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) EOs at different concentrations on the growth and mortality of seedlings of the invasive alien species Acacia saligna derived from seeds collected at four wild populations in Sardinia and Sicily (Italy), by monitoring their survival, dry weight, shoot and root length during their early development. Six different spray solutions were applied to A. saligna seedlings: one with only distilled water; one with a solution of distilled water, ethanol and Tween 20; three with a rosemary EO concentration of 3.9, 7.8 and 15.6 mL/L; and one with the commercial herbicide DICOTEX© RTU. The seedling survival and growth decreased with the increase of EO concentrations; the patterns were similar for all populations. The highest rosemary EO concentration tested (15.6 mL/L) strongly inhibited shoot and root length, dry weight and survival of A. saligna seedlings and its effect was significantly different compared to the other EO and control treatments, except for the control with commercial herbicide, that was the more effective compared to all other treatments. Our results suggest that the rosemary EO concentration at 15.6 mL/L is a valid tool for the biological control of A. saligna. This treatment is promising because it could be applied primarily to reduce the seedlings' emergence/development and establishment while ensuring the conservation of native plant diversity and the preservation of the Mediterranean habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]