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Hyperaccumulators are unusual plants that accumulate specific metals or metalloids in their living tissues to concentrations that may be hundreds or thousands of times greater than those normal for most plants. Hyperaccumulator plants are of practical importance as they can be used in soil remediation technologies. The Shebenik Mountain massif, located on the eastern border of Albania, hosts a wide diversity of rare and endemic plant species, including nickel hyperaccumulators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the taxa present on the Shebenik Mt. in relation to soil conditions and to test their potential for phytomining in a replicated field trial. Previous morphological and karyological analyses of material from field collections across ultramafic outcrops of the Shebenik resulted in the identification of the following nickel hyperaccumulator taxa: Odontarrhena chalcidica (Janka) Španiel & al., Odontarrhena smolikana subsp. glabra (Nyár.) Španiel & al., Odontarrhena rigida (Nyár.) L. Cecchi & Selvi, and Bornmuellera baldaccii (Degen) Heywood. In addition, a species of the genus Noccaea, formerly referred to Noccaea ochroleuca (Boiss. & Heldr.) F.K. Mey, but likely belonging to a still undescribed taxon, was also collected. An in situ replicated trial was undertaken to evaluate the potential for phytomining of three nickel (Ni) hyperaccumulators collected in the Shebenik Mt. Measurement of aboveground biomass, analysis of nickel in the biomass, and analyses of plant‐available nickel in the soil allowed calculation of bioaccumulation and phytoextraction yield. This provides a realistic evaluation of the efficacy of the plant taxa in hyperaccumulating nickel and their potential use for phytoextraction/phytomining technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the diversity and characteristics of spontaneous flora in urban areas of Tirana, capital of Albania. Field surveys, based on a defined methodology, conducted during the spring-summer period of 2023, revealed a total of 262 plant species belonging to 53 families. The taxonomic distribution highlights Poaceae and Compositae as the most species-rich families. Three new plant species were documented for the first time in Albania, increasing the list of flora diversity of the country. Biogeographical analysis indicates a dominance of Euro-Mediterranean species, reflecting the region’s geographical influences. Furthermore, an analysis of flowering periods shows seasonal variations, with summer hosting the highest number of flowering species. These findings contribute to our understanding of urban plant diversity, adaptation strategies, and biogeographical patterns in Tirana. Nevertheless, the surveyed area is rather small, only 125 ha, and further research in the future is needed and might reveal new findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the palynomorphological features of pollen grains of Rumex scutatus (Polygonaceae) have been studied. Samples of flowers and pollen grains were found and collected during field expeditions by various plant individuals in the "Shebenik" National Park in Albania. Two methods have been used for the preparation of pollen slides: acetolysis according to Erdtman and basic fuchsine method according to Smoljaninova and Gollubkova. The Kisser method was used to fix the slides. The results obtained regarding the palynomorphological features and the size of pollen grains for Rumex scutatus have been studied for the first time in the albanian literature and they are compared with those of the other two species, Rumex pulcher and Rumex acetosella, previously studied by other authors. The study showed that the pollen grains of Rumex scutatus are monads with radial and isopolar symmetry. Their dimensions at the polar and equatorial axis and the dimensions of their colpi and pores are larger than those of Rumex acetosella but smaller than those of Rumex pulcher. The exine layer had a thickness of about 1.45 µm and was presented perforate, unlike that of Rumex acetosella (reticulate) and Rumex pulcher (microreticulate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynomorphological features of four plants of Anemone genus, collected in fresh conditions in different areas of Elbasan region (Krastë-Elbasan, Ruen-Rrajcë, and Guri i Zi) were studied by light microscope X 400-1000. Similarities of aperture were identified, which appeared variable from three furrows at apenina, nemorosa, and ranunculoides plants to six or more furrows at hortensis plant. The sculpture of exine varied from microechinate to perforate at nemorosa, ranunculoides, and hortensis plants, varied from microechinate to reticulate at apennina plant. While furrows were sharp tips with membranes equipped with ornamentals. The pollen grains of Anemone apennina plant were the smallest ones in almost all dimensions among all palynomorphological features studied, except for the furrow length of pollen grains of Anemone ranunculoides plant, which appeared smaller than those of other plants studied. The biggest polar and equatorial axis dimensions were identified at Anemone ranunculoides plant, while in terms of exine thickness, the biggest size of pollen grains were found at Anemone hortensis plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we present data for new floristic records on the flora of Shebenik- Jabllanicë National Park, which extends at north - east of Librazhdi town, in the border with Macedonia. It has a total surface 33,927.66 ha and the altitude varies from 300 m to 2264 m a. s. l. The Park is under the administration of Elbasan Regional Administration of Protected Areas (RAPAs) and is one of the largest Albanian National Parks, with great values especially of being home to a rich wild flora and fauna as well, that needs further explorations due to difficult terrains and roads. The Park is known for its diversity of vascular native flora and until now it comprises more than 1000 taxa, with a large number of endemic and sub-endemic species. During our exploration we found many taxa, which are reported here for the first time as present in the park area. Many of them have limited Europe distribution being native to Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey such as: Fritillaria macedonica Bornm., Vincetoxicum speciosum Boiss. & Spruner, Crocus jablanicensis N. Randjel. & V. Randjel. and others widespread, as: Tulipa sylvestris L., etc. that increase even more the number of floristic richness of this protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynomorphological features of the pollen grains of four honey plant: Foeniculum vulgare, Eryngium maritimum, E. campestre and Crithmum maritimum from 61 genera of Umbelliferae family present in Albania, were studied and examined by compound microscope. By the palynomorphological study of Eryngium maritimum plant compared with pollen grains of E. campestre resulted that there were similarities in the majority of their palynological features on one side, and there were differences in terms of the dimensions of pollen grains and furrows, the aperture and sporoderme features, on the other side. Based on the results obtained by this study, it was noted that the pollen grains of two plants: Foeniculum vulgare and Eryngium campestre were triaperturate, while at the pollen grains of E. maritimum and Crithmum maritimum showed three furrows and three pores. The exine sculpture of the four plants varied from granulate to rugulate at the pollen grains of Foeniculum vulgare and Eryngium campestre, reticulate to scabrate at Crithmum maritimum, and rugulate at E. maritimum. The largest dimensions for the majority of the palynological indicators were identified for Eryngium campestre pollen grains and the smallest ones were found in Crithmum maritimum pollen grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palynomorphological features of four species belonging to the genus Silene (Silene italica, Silene armeria, Silene pusilla and Silene fabarioides) from different regions of Albania, were investigated and studied by light microscope. This study aims to assess and highlight the existence of significant differences in pollen size, distance between two pores, the exine sculpture and pores number found in these species. Pollen grains were usually radially symmetrical, polar, polypantoporate, spheroidal. The pores were circular contours, operculate which due to thickening of intine in this zone, come out like a cupole. The number of pores varied from 20 to 26 in Silene italica, from 16 to 20 pores in Silene fabarioides and Silene armeria, and from 12 to 16 pores in Silene pusilla. The ornamentations of exine varied from microechinate to microperforate (punctate) at Silene italica, Silene fabarioides and Silene pusilla, whereas at Silene armeria the sculpure of exine was reticulate. The biggest pollen grains were found in Silene fabarioides, whereas the smallest ones were found in Silene armeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmetal factors, such as climate and chemical land composition, are a primary force in shaping the distribution of plant species. While many plant species can be found growing in a variety of habitats, some species become entirely restricted to a particular soil type. Serpentine soils, that constitute 10% of the Albanian surface, provide one of the most remarkable examples of plant adaptation to atypical soils. Albania has a very rich nickel hyperaccumulatorflora which could serve as candidates to be used in phytoextraction and phytomining. Phenological studies give contribution for obtaining adequate information on the way to the appropriate time of collection of the hyperaccumulator plants. The metal accumulation amounts vary based on the plant organs, and as well as by the stages of its biological cycle. During our work we observed the variation in nickel absorption in the organs of Alyssum murale in a typical Albanian Vertisols; Prrenjas. Samples of soils and plants were collected during the flowering period of A. murale plant. In serpentine soils of Prrenjas the available nickel was 24 mg kg-1. Depending on climate, macronutrient and heavy metals in soils the heavy metal concentration in steams, leaves and flowers in Prrenjas samples of A. murale were respectively 4666, 15855, 12302 mg kg-1 Leaf and flower were the plant organs with the highest concentration of nickel. So this population is promising for the phytomining processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shebenik - Jabllanica National Park was proclaimed by Albanian Government with special Decision nr. 640 of May, 21st 2008 as "Protected Area" of the second Category. This area lies in north-east of Librazhdi town, and is situated at the bordering area among Albania and Macedonia, with surface 33 927,66 ha and altitude that vary from 300 m a.s.l. to 2244 m a.s.l. The Park is of a great interest from the point of nature conservation being home of extremely valuable natural habitats, flora and wildlife fauna as well. In this article are described some of the National Park habitats types which belong to the determinations and codes of Directive 92/43/EEC and is presented their spatial coverage by mapping, using geographical information software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although middle flow of Shkumbini river basin's territory is small, its flora is characterized by a considerable species richness of higher plants c. 700 - 750, greater than that in much larger area. This is due to its geographical position, geological factors, relief, climate and hydrology. The total number of plants of economic importance in area is larger than many might suspect. The presence of about 172 medicinal and aromatic plants, such as mints (Mentha), Thyme (Thymus), marjoram (Origanum) and leek (Allium), improves the biodiversity values in this area and also play an important role in everyday life in this region, because of the locality consume as phytomedicines, herbal teas etc. Also very rich, about 228 plant species is the assemblage of well-known plants for honey producing by bees. 42 plant species have forage values, distinguished for their nutritional values and as food for the animals. A great importance represents the recognition of 59, harmful and toxic plants in preventing and avoiding the damages which may be caused by them. This great diversity constitutes a rich reservoir and is of great importance not only from the scientific, but also from the economic point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynomorphological characteristics of the five plants of Compositae Family: Arctium lappa, Solidago virgaurea, Cichorium intybus, Senecio vulgaris and Leontopodium alpinum (the latter is very rare plant (status R) according to the data of IUCN), pollens of which were collected in fresh condition to the habitat of Great Site of the mountain Polis, were provided for the first time in the Albania's palynological literature by this article. This article aims to assess and highlight the existence of differences of some morphological features of the pollen grains of this family, regardless common particulars which distinguish the pollens of Compositae plants such as: the aperture three furrows three pores and the echinate exine. Regular pollen grains of three plants: Senecio, Leontopodium and Solidago were 3-zonocolporate, oblate spheroidal to prolate spheroidal and could be classified as Senecio type based to the data of the palynological literature. Three sharp tip furrows with smooth membrane and three pores with circular frames which due to thickening of intine in this zone, come out like cupoles, were identified to the pollen grains of the plants of genus: Senecio, Solidago and Leontopodium. Based on the results obtained by this study, it was concluded that the exine sculpture of the pollen grains of the five plants was echinate which vary from fenestrate-perforate at Cichorium, to echinate accompained by small verruca at the pollen grains of Arctium, echinate accompained by small granules at the pollen grains of Senecio, echinate accompained by hools in the base of every spine at the pollen grains of Solidago, and echinate accompained by microspinules at Leontopodium alpinum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]