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Sideritis royoi is found in the rocky limestone habitats of the Port Massif (southern Catalonia, Spain). The species was first collected by the local botanist Lluís de Torres in the late part of the 20th century, but the specimens have remained unidentified positively in herbaria for over 40 years. Sideritis royoi likely belongs to section Sideritis subsection Hyssopifoliae and shows some morphological affinities with the relatively widespread South European species S. hyssopifolia L., but it differs from this species because it has subspinescent upper leaves, the main surfaces of its leaves are glabrous or glabrescent, the main abaxial surface of its bracts is without eglandular hairs, and due to the fact that it has shorter inflorescences. Weaker similarities have also been observed with some species belonging to S. subsection Fruticulosae Obón & D.Rivera. In this paper, a description for the new orophilous species is provided, along with a detailed illustration, field photographs, and a comparison with closely related species. We include an assessment of its conservation status and a dichotomous key for the identification of all the species of Sideritis subsection Hyssopifoliae.

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and exclusions to the Italian administrative regions. New combinations in the genera Pilosella and Roemeria are proposed. Furthermore, the name Papaver siculum is lectotypified. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

The typification of five names in tribe Antirrhineae (Plantaginaceae): Antirrhinum crassifolium (≡ Chaenorhinum crassifolium), Chaenorhinum crassifolium var. parviflorum, C. flexuosum var. hispanicum (≡ C. crassifolium subsp. cadevallii), C. formenterae, and Linaria serpyllifolia (≡ C. serpyllifolium) is discussed. The names are lectotypified using specimens from MA, LAU, COI, LY, and C, respectively.

Silene neglecta has been misunderstood and confused with S. nocturna, although several morphological characters (petal shape, calyx indumentum, hairiness of stamen filaments, seed size, seed-coat surface and shape) allow separation of these species. Moreover, S. mutabilis (which has been considered conspecific with S. neglecta) and S. martinolii (an alleged endemic species to south-western Sardinia) are considered here as taxonomic synonyms of S. nocturna and S. neglecta, respectively. These taxonomic conclusions are strongly supported by multivariate morphometric analyses of 21 characters.

The name Thymus humifusus var. aureopunctatus, described from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is lectotypified, and its taxonomic value is discussed. Thymus richardii subsp. richardii is currently considered an endemic subspecies common to Mallorca (Balearic Islands) and Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Balkan Peninsula. Specimens identified as Th. richardii from both Balearic Islands and Bosnia and Herzegovina were studied to determine if they are indeed the same taxonomic entity. Detailed micromorphological observations and morphometric analysis, suggest that the Balkan plants (Th. humifusus var. aureopunctatus) and the Majorcan populations (Th. richardii subsp. richardii) are clearly separate entities. For the former name, based on morphological, phytochemical, biogeographical and present results, we propose the subspecific rank, as Th. richardii subsp. aureopunctatus comb. & stat. nov. Full descriptions of all five subspecies currently accepted within Th. richardii are provided.

The typification of the name Hippocrepis balearica is discussed. The name is lectotypified on an illustration published by Jacquin in 1781.

For the conservation of species, it is crucial to predict extinction risk by discerning drivers such as biological traits and habitat specificity within the current context of environmental change. However, we lack comprehensive studies for threatened bryophytes that include comparisons to non-threatened ones. We aim to fill this gap and to detect biological traits related to extinction risk that provide new insights to develop conservation strategies for bryophytes. We analyzed the mosses of Spain (n = 771) categorized into two groups (threatened and non-threatened) based on the IUCN Red List categories and considered seven variables related to reproduction and habitat preferences.Threatened mosses show reproductive and habitat preference patterns that differ from those of the non-threatened species. The lack of reproduction, asexual reproduction, and monoicy are more common among threatened than non-threatened mosses. Habitat specialization, acidic and humid substrates are ecological characteristics associated with threatened mosses. In contrast, sexual reproduction and dioicy are more frequent among non-threatened species. Ecological features, such as the colonization of multiple habitats and wider altitudinal ranges, are also more often associated with non-threatened mosses.Overall, we show that the extinction risk of mosses is associated with distinct reproductive traits and habitat preferences that may be related to the current context of global change and the natural rarity of some species.

The Mediterranean islands are exceptionally rich in endemism, most of which is narrowly distributed. Conservation measures, such as protected areas, have been prioritised, mainly on the basis of species richness and endemism, but phylogenetic information should also be taken into account. In this study, we calculated several taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics at a high resolution for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands (154 taxa), in order to identify (i) the spatial patterns and environmental factors that explain this endemism, (ii) hotspots of species and phylogenetic endemism, and (iii) gaps in the protected areas. The taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics showed different distribution patterns, but the mountainous areas of Mallorca, and some coastal areas of the Balearic Islands, have the highest values. These values were positively related to elevation, precipitation, temperature, and slope, and negatively related to the distance from the coast, aspect, and the temperature of the wettest quarter. We identified top grid hotspots where all the metrics had the highest values, and we also identified nano-hotspots within these hotspots, in some of the highest peaks of Mallorca, where most of these metrics’ maximum values coincided. This approach allowed us to identify some gaps in the conservation priority areas, and to highlight the need to review their boundaries and definition.

The genus Santolina (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) includes 26 species of aromatic evergreen shrubs endemic to the western Mediterranean Basin. Santolina is widely used as ornamental plant, in xerigardening, and in ethnobotany. The Santolina chamaecyparissus complex, including about half of the known species diversity, has been properly investigated on systematic and taxonomic grounds only recently, and a complete morphometric study is still missing. Here we provide a morphometric characterization and comparison of all the 14 species of this complex, using both univariate and multivariate analyses. Our results suggest that species of this complex can be distinguished using combinations of quantitative and qualitative character-states, mostly related to the leaf morphology. The analysis of S. villosa, a tetraploid/hexaploid Spanish endemic, showed that the two cytotypes cannot be safely identified based on morphology. Coupling this evidence with available phylogenetic information, we conclude that there is no reason to split the two cytotypes of S. villosa in two distinct taxa. An identification key for all the species of the complex is presented.

Abstract The Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia (BCS) constitute biodiversity hotspots in the western Mediterranean Basin. Oligocene connections and long distance dispersal events have been suggested to cause presence of BCS shared endemic species. One of them is Cymbalaria aequitriloba, which, together with three additional species, constitute a polyploid clade endemic to BCS. Combining amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting, plastid DNA sequences and morphometrics, we inferred the phylogeography of the group and evaluated the species’ current taxonomic circumscriptions. Based on morphometric and AFLP data we propose a new circumscription for C. fragilis to additionally comprise a group of populations with intermediate morphological characters previously included in C. aequitriloba. Consequently, we suggest to change the IUCN category of C. fragilis from critically endangered (CR) to near threatened (NT). Both morphology and AFLP data support the current taxonomy of the single island endemics C. hepaticifolia and C. muelleri. The four species had a common origin in Corsica-Sardinia, and two long-distance dispersal events to the Balearic Islands were inferred. Finally, plastid DNA data suggest that interspecific gene flow took place where two species co-occur.

Potentilla asturica, an Iberian endemic species included within sect. Recta, is typified.

This is an inventory of the vascular alien flora of Catalonia (northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) updated to 2018, representing 1068 alien taxa in total. 554 (52.0%) out of them are casual and 514 (48.0%) are established. 87 taxa (8.1% of the total number and 16.8 % of those established) show an invasive behaviour. The geographic zone with more alien plants is the most anthropogenic maritime area. However, the differences among regions decrease when the degree of naturalization of taxa increases and the number of invaders is very similar in all sectors. Only 26.2% of the taxa are more or less abundant, while the rest are rare or they have vanished. The alien flora is represented by 115 families, 87 out of them include naturalised species. The most diverse genera are Opuntia (20 taxa), Amaranthus (18 taxa) and Solanum (15 taxa). Most of the alien plants have been introduced since the beginning of the twentieth century (70.7%), with a strong increase since 1970 (50.3% of the total number). Almost two thirds of alien taxa have their origin in Euro-Mediterranean area and America, while 24.6% come from other geographical areas. The taxa originated in cultivation represent 9.5%, whereas spontaneous hybrids only 1.2%. From the temporal point of view, the rate of Euro-Mediterranean taxa shows a progressive reduction parallel to an increase of those of other origins, which have reached 73.2% of introductions during the last 50 years. The most important way of introduction is gardening (58.0%), followed by agriculture and commerce, while forestry is marginal. Invasive taxa mainly come from gardening and trade, but the proportion of the latter that become invasive is higher (6.1% and 15.6%, respectively). Most of the established aliens are annual and perennial forbs, while other biological types are less represented. Annual and perennial forbs are also dominant among the invasive alien species, although there is a noticeable increase of trees and climbers.

This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic relationships of Silene sericea var. balearica based on morphological features Critical examination of herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants has shown that S. sericea var. balearica should be recognized at species level. Therefore, the new name, Silene migjornensis, is proposed to designate the endemic species growing on maritime sands in southern Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). This taxon is described, illustrated and compared with its morphologically closest relatives from Silene sect. Dipterosperma.

Petrocoptis montsicciana and P. pardoi are two Iberian endemic taxa of Caryophyllaceae family with an unclear taxonomic delimitation, being variously treated as independent species, subspecies or even synonyms. In the present study, allozyme raw data obtained in the early 2000s have been reused with improved tools to survey genetic structure, and complemented with modeling and niche comparative analyses to shed light on species delimitation. Genetic structure was investigated using four approaches: Bayesian clustering, Monmonier’s algorithm, Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA), and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). Ecological niche differences have been assessed through Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) using MaxEnt, and Principal Component Analysis using both occurrence records and background climate (PCA-env). Genetic analysis confirms the distinction between both taxa, and the scenario of a progenitor–derivative (P–D) is suggested. In agreement with genetic data, niche analysis shows clear differences between their climate regarding species occurrences and background spaces. Climate divergence could be explained, at least partially, by the abundance of rocks where species live although differences at the microclimate instead of the regional climate should be explored in future research. Given the genetic distinction between P. montsicciana and P. pardoi, both taxa should be regarded as separate ‘Management Units’ (MUs).

This article is a review of the conservation status of several taxa of bryophytes that were included in the Red List of Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, and those that were omitted, but should have been featured on the basis of most recent data. Of the 33 studied species that were regarded as threatened in the Red List, 31 have been downlisted upon re-evaluation, mostly as a result of better knowledge of species and their distribution. On the other hand, this study highlights the most urgent need to review all taxa assigned to the “Deficient Data” category in the Red List since most of these taxa are precisely the most likely to be truly threatened.

RESUMEN: Se aportan datos sobre algunos táxones del grupo de Centaurea linifolia presentes en las sierras de la Comunidad Valenciana y áreas limítrofes. Como resultado se propone reconocer en C. antennata tres subespecies, con síndromes de caracteres propios, que ocupan áreas geográficas bien delimitadas y presentan un comportamiento ecológico diferenciado. Según esto, se propone la nueva combinación C. antennata subsp. caballeroi para las poblaciones del sur de Tarragona y norte de Castellón, seleccionándose además un lectótipo. Para cada taxon aceptado se indican sus caracteres morfológicos diferenciales, distribución y ecología. Además, se aporta una clave de identificación. SUMMARY: On the circumscription and taxonomic status of Centaurea caballeroi (Compositae): Data are reported on several taxa of the aggregate of Centaurea linifolia that grow in the mountains of the Valencian Community and neighboring areas. As a result, in the complex of C. antennata three taxa are accepted at the subspecific rank, which have their own syndromes of morphological characters, occur in well-defined territories and show different ecological behavior. The new combination C. antennata subsp. caballeroi is stated to name populations from southern Tarragona and northern Castellón provinces. Moreover, a lectotype is selected for the latter name. For each accepted taxon, its diagnostic morphological traits, distribution and ecology are commented. An identification key is also presented.

As a result of the revision of Nigritella L.C.M. Richard in the Iberian Peninsula, here we recompile information of its variability, taxonomy, nomenclature and chorology. Two taxa are recognized: Nigritella austriaca subsp. iberica (Teppner & E. Klein) L. Sáez, comb. nov. and N. gabasiana Teppner & Klein, and the presence of N. corneliana is excluded. Detailed phytodermologic analysis showed that size of guard cells is useful for species identification.

[ca] Es presenta una check-list deis noms de plantes vasculars el material tipus de les quals es originari si més no presumiblement, de les illes Balears. Per a cada nom s'indiquen els sinònims nomenclaturals, juntament amb la localització deis materials tipus així com comentaris de caire taxonòmic, corològico nomenclatural. Es tipifiquen 176 noms i es proposen tres canvis nomenclaturals: Arenaria bolosii (Küpfer) comb. nov., Coristospermum huteri (Porta) comb. nov. i Dactyliss glomerata subsp. ibizensis (Gand.) combonov. [es] Se presenta una check-list de nombres de plantas vasculares basadas sobre material originario, o presumiblemente originario, de las islas Baleares. Para cada nombre se indican los sinónimos nomenclaturales, la localización de los materiales tipo, así como comentarios de carácter taxonómico, corológico o nomenclatural. Se tipifican 176 nombres y se proponen tres cambios nomenclaturales: Arenaria bolosii (Küpfer) comb. nov., Coristospermum huteri (Porta) comb. nov. y Dactyliss glomerata subsp. ibizensis (Gand.) combonov.

A new triploid apomictic species (Limonium perplexum) is described from a single coastal locality of E Spain. The new species has been previously confused with L cavanillesii Erben, which is only known from few herbarium specimens and it is believed to be extinct. Overall morphology, chromosome number, and the pollen/stigma combination suggest that L perplexum belongs to the L. duriusculum complex. Based on morphological grounds it is suggested that L. cavanillesii Erben could have been originated through a crossing between L perplexum and L dufourii.

A new tetraploid agamic species, Limonium vigoi, is described from coastal populations of the Northeast of the Spain (Ebro delta). The new species is related, on morphological grounds, to L. girardianum (Guss.) Fourr. and L. grosii L. Llorens, from which it could be easily discriminated by its retuse leaves, the basal ones usually withered at anthesis, the very short (or even absent) leaf apiculum, the denser and longer (up to 0.7 mm) hairs of the calyx tube and the deeper colour of the corolla. In addition, L. girardianum is triploid, whereas L. vigoi and L. grosii are tetraploid. Limonium girardianum and L. grosii show the same pollen/stigma combination (A/cob type) which differs from that exhibited by L. vigoi (B/papillate type). The types of Limonium girardianum f. retusum Pignatti and L. glaucophyllum Pignatti, two taxa described from the Ebro delta, could not be distinguished from L. girardianum, but they clearly differed from L. vigoi.

A new triploid agamic species, L. leonardi-llorensii, is described from coastal populations of South-West Mallorca. The new species is closely related, on morphological grounds, to the endemic L. marisolii L. Llorens, from which it could be distinguished by several morphological characters (leaves without papillae, longer calyx, more flowers per spikelet) and by a different chromosome number (2n = 26, L. leonardi-llorensii; 2n = 27, L. marisolii). The relationships between both species are discussed, and it is suggested that both taxa might share some common evolutionary history despite their divergent chromosome number. The origin of L. marisolii from L. leonardi-llorensii through chromosome fission or by a hybridization event is considered.

Limonium carvalhoi Rosselló & L. Sáez is described from a single salt marsh locality in southwest Majorca. Morphologically, L. carvalhoi is close to L. inexpectans, L. migjornense and L. magallufianum, all Balearic endemics. The new species has an apomictic breeding system and shows a single pollen/stigma combination (B/papillate type). Chromosome number ranges from 2n = 24 to 2n = 26. Based on the occurrence of a long metacentric chromosome in all cells examined, it is suggested that the original chromosome complement is 2n = 26, the other chromosome numbers being derived by descending aneuploidy.