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Two new species of eriophyoid mites were discovered in Hungary, viz. Aculodes caespiticolus sp. nov. collected from Sesleria sadleriana Janka (Poaceae) and Aceria cumaniamajoris sp. nov. found on Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae). Detailed morphological description of female, male and nymph is given. A key to Aculodes spp. already known from Hungary is given.

Several names belonging to the Sesleria sect. Argenteae (Poaceae) were discussed in this paper and, where necessary, typified. Lectotypes were designated for the names Sesleria nitida var. brevidentata, S. nitida var. intermedia, S. nitida var. tenoreana f. macrostachya, and S. nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii. Neotypes were designated for the names Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana s.s. and S. nitida var. de-gasperiana. Synonyms were proposed for the following names (accepted names in brackets): S. feretrana (= S. italica), S. italica subsp. mariculensis (= S. italica), S. nitida var. brevidentata (= S. vaginalis), S. nitida var. candae (= S. italica), S. nitida var. intermedia (= S. robusta), S. nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii (= S. italica), and S. nitida var. tenoreana f. macrostachya (= S. italica). As regards Sesleria nitida var. de-gasperiana and S. nitida var. sancti-marinii, they were confirmed as synonyms of S. pichiana. Due to the extremely limited number of herbarium specimens available, we could not confirm the taxonomic autonomy of S. nitida var. pulchella (basionym of the taxon currently accepted as S. pulchella) and consider it as a preliminary synonym of Sesleria italica.

This paper presents the results of a detailed study of leaf blade anatomical traits of populations of the Sesleria juncifolia complex from the Balkan Peninsula. The measurements were performed on cross sections of 302 tiller leaf blades from 24 populations. We calculated basic descriptive statistics for each character state. Principal component and canonical discriminant analyses were used to identify the structure of variability and the characters that majorly contributed to the differentiation of the defined groups. Cluster analysis was done to estimate the distances among the studied populations. We provide a detailed description of the leaf blade anatomy of the different populations of S. juncifolia complex investigated within Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia. The results show that most of the characters exhibit moderate degrees of variation. The principal component analysis shows slight separation of populations from northwestern Croatia. Canonical discriminant analysis shows that the three a priori defined groups—three species, S. interrupta, S. juncifolia and S. ujhelyii, can be distinguished based on leaf blade anatomical characters. In addition to the characters that were singled out as statistically most significant for differentiation of the three species in discriminant function analysis, the most useful characters for their delimitation are the length of the trichomes on the adaxial side of the leaf, as well as qualitative characters such as the sclerenchyma on the abaxial side of the leaf (continuous or interrupted) and the type of indumentum of the adaxial side of the leaf (very hairy, hairs long vs. very weakly hairy, hairs short). The northwestern populations of S. juncifolia mostly have glabrous leaves or single hairs on the adaxial side of the leaf, while in S. interrupta and S. ujhelyii populations, individuals always have hairy leaves. The presence of continuous subepidermal sclerenchyma has proven to be a good differential character for separating S. ujhelyii from the S. juncifolia and S. interrupta.

The genus Sesleria represents a taxonomically intricate polyploid complex of morphologically highly varied and weakly differentiated taxa. In the wider area of the Western Carpathians, the genus is represented by three tetraploid (S. caerulea, S. heufleriana, and S. uliginosa) and three octoploid (S. hungarica, S. sadleriana, and S. tatrae) species. Although these taxa play a dominant role in a number of plant communities, their identification is often problematic. We examined relative (RGS; 637 individuals, 49 populations) and absolute (AGS; 64 individuals, 19 populations) genome size variation of all six taxa and revealed that genome size could be an effective marker for their identification. Genome size allowed not only separation of the two ploidy levels (4x vs. 8x), but helped to identify at least four of the six studied species. Among tetraploids, RGS appeared to be diagnostic for S. heufleriana (even at individual level), but failed to differentiate S. caerulea from S. uliginosa. RGS appeared to be diagnostic for octoploid species at population level, although the identity of populations at Vrsatec (Slovakia) and Naszaly (Hungary) require further studies. We found that octoploid plants from Slavec (Slovakia), formerly identified as S. heufleriana, actually represent S. hungarica, which is the first reliable record of this species from Slovakia. In the geographically isolated or peripheral populations, an increased or decreased genome size has been detected.

This is the thirteenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Amaryllidaceae (incl. Alliaceae), Apocynaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Crassulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Gramineae, Hydrocharitaceae, Iridaceae, Labiatae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Orobanchaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papaveraceae, Pittosporaceae, Primulaceae (incl. Myrsinaceae), Ranunculaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae and Umbelliferae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Allium, Anthemis, Atriplex, Centaurea, Chasmanthe, Chenopodium, Delphinium, Digitaria, Elodea, Erigeron, Eucalyptus, Hypecoum, Leptorhabdos, Luffa, Malvaviscus, Melia, Melica, Momordica, Nerium, Oxalis, Pastinaca, Phelipanche, Physalis, Pittosporum, Salvia, Scorzoneroides, Sedum, Sesleria, Silene, Spartina, Stipa, Tulipa and Ziziphus, new combinations in Cyanus, Lysimachia, Rhaponticoides and Thliphthisa, and the reassessment of a replacement name in Sempervivum.CitationFor the whole article:Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.) 2021: Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 13 [Notulae ad floram euro-mediterraneam pertinentes No. 42]. – Willdenowia 51: 141–168.For a single contribution (example):Kunev G. 2021: Allium melanogyne Greuter. – Pp. 142–143 in: Raab-Straube E. von & Raus Th. (ed.), Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 13 [Notulae ad floram euro-mediterraneam pertinentes No. 42]. – Willdenowia 51: 141–168.Version of record first published online on 30 April 2021 ahead of inclusion in April 2021 issue.

Members of the genus Sesleria are important vegetation elements and are regarded as diagnostic or constant species in many plant communities. However, their identification is often problematic due to their similar morphology and phenotypic plasticity. Although the genus has been studied by many specialists, numerous taxonomic problems remain unresolved. A controversial issue is the alleged presence of S. sadleriana and its hybrid with S. kalnikensis in Slovenia and NW Croatia. To resolve the situation, we used flow cytometry and determined the relative genome size in a large set of Sesleria samples, because this marker proved to be an effective tool in species identification in our previous Sesleria study. A total of 287 individuals from 24 Sesleria populations from NE Italy, Slovenia and NW Croatia were analysed in this study, and the results were compared with our previous dataset comprising 717 samples (representing 57 populations) of Sesleria species collected in other parts of Central Europe (Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania). We have revealed that none of the studied populations from Slovenia or Croatia could be assigned to S. sadleriana or the hybrid S. kalnikensis × S. sadleriana. Of the 24 populations, 5 were identified as octoploid S. juncifolia, 3 as octoploid S. kalnikensis s.s., 11 as octoploid S. kalnikensis s.l., and 5 as an unknown tetraploid populations. The identity of S. kalnikensis s.l. and tetraploid populations requires further studies.

In our recent paper, we noticed a mistake concerning figure 2 (Di Pietro et al. 2021: 93). According to the caption, figure 2 should represent the sheet FI051890 (a lectotype of Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii). In fact, in the place of the sheet FI051890, a figure containing two herbarium specimens deposited in PAD (PAD-HD00955 and PAD-HD00956) was erroneously published. These two PAD specimens were discussed in the paper (Di Pietro et al. 2021: 94) where it was highlighted that these could not be considered with certainty as original material for Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii Pampanini (1917: 4).We here, correct the mistake and publish the image of lectotype of Sesleria nitida var. tenoreana f. visianii (FI051890, Fig. 1).

Plants in living walls face challenges from intraspecific and interspecific competition from plants around them, as well as water and nutrient availability in the growing media. This paper explores these challenges using four different species of hardy perennials. Campanula poscharskyana ‘Stella’, Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’, Sesleria heufleriana and Veronica officinalis ‘Allgrun’ were grown in two types of vertical growing media, made of either coir or stone wool, in transparent boxes under greenhouse conditions. In the media, plants were placed above each other, two plants of same species, two plants of different species, or a plant grown alone. Root frequency was registered over 56 days and the activity of individual root systems was studied through uptake of 15N. In addition, plant dry weight and N content as well as water content in the growing media were measured at cessation of the experiment. Shoot and root growth as well as nutrient content in plants were higher in coir than in stone wool and plants placed at the top position had significantly higher biomass than at the bottom position. The stone wool media had significantly higher water content in the lower part of the media while the coir media had water more evenly distributed. Species differences in root frequency were found. Campanula and Geranium showed strong root growth and had root frequencies of up to 0.9, whereas Sesleria and Veronica had less root growth, in some cases only root frequencies around 0.3. The species reacted differently to root competition and planting position and there were differences in the competitive ability between the species. Campanula and Geranium were not affected by competition, whereas both Veronica and Sesleria showed altered root growth due to competition depending on the growing medium. When Geranium was grown above Veronica in stone wool, plant biomass and 15N uptake increased in Veronica indicating environmental modification, with one species improving the growing conditions for another. The results revealed that growing plants vertically in a living wall is complex, and that choice of growing medium and species composition is important for a successful living wall. Planting combinations should therefore be tested before being used in commercial applications.

In this contribution, new chromosome data regarding two taxonomically critical genera of the Italian flora, namely Plantago and Sesleria, are presented. All the specimens analysed in this paper were collected in the Italian territory and include three chromosome counts for Plantago (P. albicans, P. crassifolia, and P. subulata) and two counts for Sesleria (S. caerulea and S. nitida).

To investigate the evolutionary diversification and morphological evolution of grass supertribe Poodae (subfam. Pooideae, Poaceae) we conducted a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis including representatives from most of their accepted genera. We focused on generating a DNA sequence dataset of plastid matK gene–3’trnK exon and trnL– trnF regions and nuclear ribosomal ITS1–5.8S gene–ITS2 and ETS that was taxonomically overlapping as completely as possible (altogether 257 species). The idea was to infer whether phylogenetic trees or certain clades based on plastid and nuclear DNA data correspond with each other or discord, revealing signatures of past hybridization. The datasets were analysed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Instances of severe conflicts between the phylogenetic trees derived from both datasets, some of which have been noted earlier, unambiguously point to hybrid origin of several lineages (subtribes, groups of genera, sometimes genera) such as Phalaridinae, Scolochloinae, Sesleriinae, Torreyochloinae; Arctopoa, Castellia, Graphephorum, Hyalopodium, Lagurus, Macrobriza, Puccinellia plus Sclerochloa, Sesleria, Tricholemma, American Trisetum, etc. and presumably Airinae, Holcinae and Phleinae. ‘Calamagrostis’ flavens appears to be an intergeneric hybrid between Agrostis and Calamagrostis. Most frequently there is good agreement of other regions of the trees, apart from intrinsic different phylogenetic resolution of the respective DNA markers. To explore the to date rather unclear morphological evolution of our study group a data matrix encompassing finally 188 characters was analysed for ancestral state reconstructions (ASR) using the tree from the combined molecular dataset as presumably best approximation to the species phylogeny. For 74 characters ASRs were feasible and yielded partly surprising results for the study group as a whole but also for some of their subdivisions. Considering taxonomy and classification it became evident, that many morphological characters show a very high degree of homoplasy and are seemingly able to change within comparatively short timespans in the evolution of our grasses. Most of the taxonomic units distinguished within our study group, e.g. as subtribes, are defined less by consistent morphological characters or character combinations and should be rather understood as clades revealed by molecular phylogenetic analysis. One reason for this extreme homoplasy concerning traditionally highly rated characters of inflorescences or spikelets and their components might be that they have little to do with pollination (always wind) or adaptation to pollinators as in other angiosperms but rather with dispersal and diaspores. Easily changing structure of spikelet disarticulation, of glume, lemma or awn characters might be advantageous in the rapid adaptation to different habitats and micro-habitats, which was evidently most successfully accomplished by these grasses. A partly revised classification of Poodae is presented, including a re-instatement of tribes Aveneae and Poeae s.str. Following a comparatively narrow delineation of preferably monophyletic subtribes, Antinoriinae, Avenulinae, Brizochloinae, Helictochloinae, Hypseochloinae are described as new. New genera are Arctohyalopoa and Hyalopodium. New combinations are Arctohyalopoa lanatiflora, A. lanatiflora subsp. ivanoviae, A. lanatiflora subsp. momica, Colpodium biebersteinianum, C. kochii, C. trichopodum, C. verticillatum, Deschampsia micrathera, Dupontia fulva, Festuca masafuerana, Hyalopodium araraticum, Paracolpodium baltistanicum, Parapholis cylindrica, P. ×pauneroi. Festuca masatierrae is a new name.Supporting Information may be found online in the Supporting Information section at the end of the article.

Sesleria coerulea subvar. microchaeta Hack. in Briq., Prodr. Fl. Corse 1: 110. 1910. Lectotypus (hic designatus): FRANCE. Corse: près de la Chapelle San Angelo, au-dessus d’Omessa (env. de Corté), 1150 m, 13.V.1907, Briquet, Saint-Yves & Cavillier s.n. (G-BU [G00185263]!). Syntypus: (G-BU [G00830019]!). = Sesleria insularis Sommier subsp. insularis, Published as part of Jeanmonod, Daniel, 2018, Typification des noms de taxons corses de l'herbier Burnat (G-BU), pp. 61-74 in Candollea 73 (1) on page 71, DOI: 10.15553/c2018v731a6, http://zenodo.org/record/5722164

Polyploidization has played an important role in the diversification of the genus Sesleria (Poaceae), which comprises c. 48 species and subspecies mostly distributed in Europe. The genus' centre of diversity clearly is the Balkan Peninsula, harbouring about 80% of the species, half of which are endemic to this area. We employed chromosome counts, measurements of absolute genome size and determination of relative DNA-content for 460 populations belonging to 43 species of Sesleria. Our main aim was to provide essential baseline data for future molecular genetic reconstructions of the genus' evolutionary history. Relative genome size allowed for a mostly clear separation of four ploidy levels. The most frequent and widespread cytotypes are tetraploids followed by octoploids, while di- and dodecaploids were only found in a few species. We present first chromosome numbers for the tetraploid species S. doerfleri, S. phleoides, S. skipetarum and S. tuzsonii as well as for diploid S. ovata. Based on relative and partly also on absolute genome size measurements, ploidy level was determined in tetraploid S. rhodopaea and S. voronovii for the first time, and new cytotypes were identified in S. interrupta, S. kalnikensis and S. wettsteinii (tetraploids), S. caerulea, S. klasterskyi, S. latifolia, S. tenerrima, S. ujhelyii and S. vaginalis (octoploids), and S. albanica and S. vaginalis (dodecaploids). While most Sesleria species are ploidy-uniform, several comprise two or even, in the case of S. vaginalis, three ploidy levels. Genome downsizing after polyploidization was confirmed by significant negative correlation between ploidy level and monoploid genome size. Finally, we found a significant increase in monoploid relative genome size towards the margin of the genus' distribution area, which may be triggered by increased activity of transposable element in populations exposed to environmental or genomic stress. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179, 126–143.

The species-rich grass genus Sesleria is one of the most intricate genera of the European flora. Almost all species of the genus Sesleria are polyploid; only two species from the Alps, previously segregated as separate genera Psilathera and Sesleriella, are diploid. In addition, there is controversy about two diploid counts of S. comosa from the Bulgarian Rila and Pirin mountain ranges. These are the single reports of diploidy in Sesleria s. str., which would have significant impact on the future phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus’ evolutionary history. In order to confirm or reject these reports, we determined the relative DNA-content for 67 individuals of S. comosa from the two Bulgarian localities, from which diploid cytotypes have been reported. All analyzed individuals were clearly separated into two ploidy levels: DNA-tetraploids and DNA-octoploids. These results are in accordance with our previous comprehensive study on genome sizes in the genus, but are in stark contrast to the previous reports. Therefore, we suggest that the diploid counts rather refer to co-occurring, morphologically somewhat similar diploid Alopecurus gerardii, which has probably overgrown and outcompeted the slower growing and more susceptible S. comosa during cultivation before root tips were fixed for chromosome counting.

Global climate change may act as a potent agent of natural selection within species with Mediterranean mountain ecosystems being particularly vulnerable. The aim of this research was to analyze whether the phenotypic plasticity of Sesleria nitida Ten. could be indicative of its future adaptive capability to global warming. Morphological, anatomical, and physiological leaf traits of two populations of S. nitida growing at different altitudes on Mount Terminillo (Italy) were analyzed. The results showed that leaf mass per unit leaf area, leaf tissue density, and total leaf thickness were 19, 3, and 31% higher in leaves from the population growing at 1,895 m a.s.l. (B site) than in leaves from the population growing at 1,100 m a.s.l. (A site), respectively. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) and respiration rate (RD) peaked in June in both A and B leaves [9.4 ± 1.3 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1 and 2.9 ± 0.9 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1, respectively] when mean air temperature was 16 ± 2°C. RD/PN was higher in B than in A leaves (0.35 ± 0.07 and 0.21 ± 0.03, respectively, mean of the study period). The mean plasticity index (PI = 0.24, mean of morphological, anatomical, and physiological leaf traits) reflected S. nitida adaptability to the environmental stress conditions at different altitudes on Mount Terminillo. Moreover, the leaf key traits of the two populations can be used to monitor wild populations over a long term in response to global change.

Phytosociological and numerical analyses of grasslands dominated by Sesleria juncifolia s.l. in Serbia were performed in order to resolve their syntaxonomy and nomenclature. Twelve releves were sampled on Mt. Mučanj (western Serbia), which were then compared with similar releves from other parts of the Balkan Peninsula by means of numerical analyses. The releves were classified using cluster analysis, while the ordination was conducted using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). The results suggest the occurrence of two floristically well defined Dinaric associations in Serbia: Seslerio juncifoliae-Edraianthetum graminifolii ass. nova from Mt. Mokra Gora (Oxytropidion urumovii, Elyno-Seslerietea) and Diantho petraeae-Seslerietum juncifoliae ass. nova (Chrysopogono-Saturejion, Festuco-Brometea) from Mt. Mučanj.

Reconstruction of relationships among populations of the morphologically polymorphic and taxonomically intricate Sesleria rigida sensu Fl. Eur. based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) revealed four clearly differentiated genetic groups that did only partly follow recent taxonomic concepts, but were strictly allopatric. While some of the previ- ously described taxa constitute distinct genetic entities, others have no taxonomic value. Synthesizing our AFLP data with ploidy-level information obtained from all genetically investigated individuals as well as with chromosome counts revealed that tetraploid individuals prevail, while octoploids occur only within S. filifolia. Lack of AFLP divergence between tetra- and octoploids suggests an autopolyploid origin of the latter. The genetic differentiation pattern was reflected by morphological differentiation, allowing for a taxonomic revision of the constituents of S. rigida sensu Fl. Eur. resulting in recognition of the four species S. achtarovii, S. filifolia, S. rigida, and S. serbica.

Sesleria (Poaceae) is a species-rich, taxonomically difficult genus due to high morpho- anatomical variability and weak differentiation of many species. It is distributed throughout western Eurasia and North Africa with highest taxonomic diversity on the Balkan Peninsula. Of the more than 40 species only two are diploid, all others are tetra- to dodecaploid, and many species comprise several ploidy cytotypes. We sequenced the plastid trnL-ndhF region and produced amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) from a comprehensive, ploidy-cytotyped sampling including 292 populations, and produced nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences for a subsample. Our first aim was to determine the relationships among Sesleria and putatively closely related genera. Further, we explored whether diploid S. sphaerocephala and S. ovata should be treated as separate genera Sesleriella and Psilathera as proposed previously, or rather included in Sesleria, following most recent Floras. Finally, we tested previous hypotheses of infrageneric classifications. In the ITS phylogeny tetra- to dodecaploid Sesleria s.str. grouped with diploid S. ovata whereas diploid S. sphaerocephala was more distantly related. In contrast, in the plastid phylogeny Sesleria s.str. grouped with S. sphaerocephala, whereas S. ovata was sister to Echinaria. This suggests an allopolyploid origin of Sesleria s.str. with S. sphaerocephala acting as maternal and S. ovata as paternal species. The lack of monophyly of Sesleria s.l. thus supports the recognition of S. ovata and S. sphaerocephala as separate genera Psilathera and Sesleriella. Their segregation, which is also supported by morphology, increases the number of angiosperm genera endemic to the European Alps from three to five. In congruence with the plastid sequences, AFLPs resolved the traditionally recognized sections (sect. Argenteae, sect. Sesleria) as non-overlapping clusters and identified S. vaginalis as a probably recently evolved intersectional hybrid. Within the two sections, several informal species groups could be recognized, which show limited congruence with those proposed in the most comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus. From an evolutionary point of view it is obvious that ancient as well as recent hybridization coupled with polyploidisation have played a crucial role in diversification within Sesleria.

Seslerio uliginosae-Scorzoneretum purpureae is the only xerothermic community of the Festuco-Brometea class, where a rare species known as Sesleria uliginosa occurs in Poland. A couple of sites hosting this association in the Nida Basin were described in the 1920s and 1950s. All these stands are now situated in the areas designated as xerothermic nature reserves. The study aimed at describing the present-day characteristics of this rare association, the most likely being endemic in Poland, as well as the changes that have occurred in it. The species diversity and the contribution of xerothermic plants have decreased significantly in terms of their number and cover coefficient. Some of the diagnostic species of the association have become extremely rare. Sesleria uliginosa is the only one without visible changes in their dominant position in the community. Mosses, that have played a significant role before, were among the vanished species. At the same time, an increase in number and cover of mesophilous meadows species was observed. Mesophilous grasses belong to the group of species growing in significance in the phytocoenoses. The observed changes in species composition were reflected in a statistically significant increase of nitrogen indicator value. The slow process of succession observed in the Seslerio-Scorzoneretum purpureae could be attributed to the lack of appropriate land use, e.g. mowing and grazing that have been ceased in the nature reserves.

This paper presents the results of a multivariate morphometric study of leaf anatomical characters in different populations of Sesleria rigida sensu lato in Serbia. Morphometric analyses were performed on cross-sections of 521 tiller leaves collected from 21 populations of S. rigida. Principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis were used to identify the structure of variability and to determine which variables discriminate between the groups. The UPGMA (unweighted pair-group average linkage) clustering analyses based on leaf anatomical characters and habitat climatic characteristics were employed to explore whether the observed anatomical differences are a result of adaptive responses. Regression analysis (linear regression) was performed to identify the level of correlation between leaf anatomical characters and basic orographic, geological, and bioclimatic habitat characteristics. DIVA-GIS software was used to extract 19 bioclimatic parameters from the WorldClim set of global climate layers. Our detailed analyses have shown that the studied populations are anatomically very well differentiated into the serpentine populations from western Serbia and carbonate populations from eastern Serbia. The regression analysis has shown that the geological substrate (serpentinites vs. carbonates) represents the most significant abiotic factor that is correlated with the anatomical differentiation of the populations in the studied area. Besides the geological substrate, bioclimatic parameters such as precipitation and habitat humidity are also highly correlated with the leaf anatomical characters, which was not the case with temperature.

Sesleria calabrica (Deyl) Di Pietro is a species belonging to the collective group of S. juncifolia s.l. which has been described recently for southern Italy where it is restricted to the Pollino—Orsomarso massifs. In this area S. calabrica is widespread between 1200 and 2280 m a.s.l where it is the dominant species in two grassland types, Jurineo mollis—Seslerietum calabricae ass. nov. (lower montane belt) and Anthyllido atropurpureae—Seslerietum calabricae ass. nov. (subalpine belt) which belong respectively to Festuco-Brometea and Elyno- Seslerietea classes. The presence of a southern Italy endemic sub—alliance of Seslerion apenninae is hypothesised.

Harjumaa loometsad Alvar forests in Harjumaa district, NW and N Estonia, were studied. Eight community types were established: (i) Inula salicina-Potentilla fruticosa-Pinus sylvestris, (ii) Carex panicea-C. cespitosa-Pinus sylvestris-Betula pubescens, (iii) Filipendula vulgaris-Brachypodium pinnatum-Pinus sylvestris, (iv) Brachypodium pinnatum-Calamagrostis arundinacea-Picea abies-Pinus sylvestris, (v) Hepatica nobilis-Brachypodium pinnatum-Picea abies-Pinus sylvestris, (vi) Paris quadrifolia-Anemone nemorosa-Fraxinus excelsior, (vii) Mercurialis perennis-Picea abies, and (viii) Pulmonaria obscura-Viola mirabilis-Betula pendula-Picea abies. The 2nd community type represents the Sesleria alvar forest site type (FST) habitats, while communities of the 1st, 3rd and 4th types belong to the Calamagrostis alvar FST. These communities grow mainly on medium thick or thin Calcaric Skeletic Regosols, less frequently on thin Renzic Leptosols or on other types of soil. Other communities qualified by forest inventory as alvar forests factually belong to the boreo-nemoral Hepatica FST (communities of 5th type) and Aegopodium FST (communities of 6th, 7th and 8th types). Alvar forests are characterized by remarkably high species diversity deriving first of all from the number of field and moss layer species. The number of species in all layers, except moss layer, depends significantly from the community type reflecting in integrated form effect of communities' structure. Diversity of field layer species is positively affected by the ratio of carbon and nitrogen content in soil humus horizon, whereas the higher abundance of pine trees has negative effect on the species number in moss layer.

A taxonomic study of the Sesleria juncifolia complex in the Italian Peninsula is presented, with a focus on southern Italian populations here named as Sesleria calabrica (DEYL) D! PIETRO comb. nov. et stat. nov. Karyological, morphological and anatomical characters were used for comparative analyses with populations of closely related species, such as S.juncifolia SUFFREN and Sesleria apennina UJI-IELYI occurring in the Italian Peninsula. Multivariate and univariate morphometric analyses, and qualitative morphological characters showed a distinct position of S. calabrica. Populations of S. calabrica differ in respect to various morphological characters of leaf and spikelet, such as the glume, lemma and palea length, stem length, the leaf sheath, leaf width, leaf thickness, and the total number of vascular bundles. Furthermore, previous karyological studies demonstrated that all the populations of both S. juncifolia and S. apennina examined are octoploid (2n=8x=56), whereas S. catabrica was found to be dodecaploid (2n= 12x=84). S. calabrica is strictly confined to the Pollino massif and the Orsomarso mountains in southern Italy, which represent the southernmost limit of the Sesleria juncifolia complex distribution area both in Italy and in Europe. In addition to S. juncifolia and S. calabrica, the recognition ofS. apennina as a taxon distinct from S. juncifolia is supported, at least for the area of the Apuan Alps.

A new species belonging to the genus Sesleria Scop., S. pichiana, was described as new for the Italian Flora. Hypotheses on its relationships with the Sesleria insularis aggr. from the Cyrno-Sardian Dominion and S. italica from the North-central Apennine were discussed.

A taxonomic revision regarding the Italian and Sicilian populations of Sesleria nitida Ten., critical species of the Tyrrhenian flora, is presented. It is a peculiar orophyte occurring on the carbonatic substrata of many central-southern Apennine massifs and northern Sicilian ranges. Based on several morphological features, it is possible to distinguish three new subspecies, well differentiated also from a phytogeographical viewpoint. They are subsp. nitida (Abruzzi to Mt. Pollino), subsp. aprutia (C-Apennines) and subsp. sicula (N-Sicily). Each taxon is also examined from the chorological, ecological, and nomenclatural point of view. An iconography is also provided.

An expression of plants response to light availability is their shade tolerance which refers to the capacity of a given plant to tolerate low light levels. Survival in a shaded environment can determine phenotypic consequences at morphological and/or physiological levels and such changes may be crucial to survive in heterogeneous and variable conditions. However, the potential plastic response of a given plant trait may be large but the observed plasticity may be lowered by resource limitations or environmental stress factors. In this context, the aim of this research was to analyze morphological, anatomical and physiological leaf traits variations of Sesleria nitida Ten. growing in different light conditions. In particular, plants growing in open (PO) and shade (PU) conditions were analyzed. The results show a 35% higher specific leaf area (SLA) in PU than in PO due to a 94% larger leaf area (LA). The higher height and width of the central and the major lateral vascular bundle in PO than in PU c...

Leaf mass per area (LMA) is an important variable in a set of coordinated leaf traits to determine plant species' ecological strategies. We hypothesized that LMA was the main predictor of the adaptive strategies of Sesleria juncifolia and S. nitida (Poaceae), growing on Mount Terminillo (Central Apennines) and cultivated ex situ. We broke LMA down into leaf anatomical components (i.e. leaf tissue density and thickness) and then related them to physiological traits. We found that the different habitats of the two species determine a different control of the anatomical components of the LMA variation. These differences are related to photosynthetic capacity, scaling linearly with leaf biomass investment per unit leaf area. On the whole, our study, taking into account the changes in LMA and its anatomical components, provides a trait framework which could be used to analyze adaptive strategies of other species in dry, mountain grasslands.

This study provides a view of vegetation types dominated by Sesleria species in the Western Carpathians (Sesleria caerulea, S. heufleriana, S. tatrae, and S. uliginosa). We also took into account characteristics/traits such as plant life forms, autochthonous status, endemism, and ploidy level occurring within each relevé in our data set. Altitude and Ellenberg indicator values derived for each relevé were considered as well. Eight vegetation types/formations/habitats were recognized in a data set of 942 phytosociological relevés: (1) synanthropic vegetation, (2) rock fissures and screes, (3) alpine grasslands and heaths, (4) mesic grasslands and pastures, (5) springs and fens, (6) forests, (7) xerophilous shrubland, and (8) high-mountain scrubs (krummholz). Results corroborated and clearly emphasized that Sesleria caerulea has the widest ecological amplitude of all studied species because the species occurred among all studied vegetation types. Sesleria tatrae was present only in several vegetation types occurring from montane to alpine vegetation belts in the highest mountains. Sesleria heufleriana and S. uliginosa were recorded only in low-altitude areas. The difference between them lies mainly in the dampness of each locality. Sesleria heufleriana was frequently found in xerophilous communities, whereas S. uliginosa preferred humid habitats of springs and fens.

In this paper we typify and discuss 14 species and infraspecies names belonging to Sesleria sect. Argenteae (Poaceae). Lectotypes are designated for the names S. alba , S. anatolica , S. anatolica var. rossica , S. anatolica var. voronovii , S. doerfleri , S. gigantea , S. latifolia , S. latifolia var. serpentinica , S. pontica , S. robusta , S. sillingeri , S. vaginalis and S. wettsteinii . A neotype is designated for the name S. nitida . Previous typifications and holotypes for other names in S. sect. Argenteae are summarized.

Vrste roda Sesleria (Seslerieae, Pooideae, Poaceae) su rasprostranjenje u većem delu Evrope, a javljaju se marginalno i u severnoj Africi (Maroko, Libija) i zapadnoj Aziji (Kavkaz). Rod obuhvata oko 40 taksona u rangu vrsta i podvrsta, rasprostranjenih na (...) Species of the genus Sesleria (Seslerieae, Pooideae, Poaceae) are distributed throughout most of Europe, but could also be found marginally in Northern Africa (Morocco, Libya) and Western Asia (Caucasus). Genus comprises about 40 taxa on species and subspe (...)

After a close examination of the historical aspects of the typification of Sesleria caerulea, the correct names of the two allied species of the group are established as being S. caerulea (L.) Ard. and S. uliginosa Opiz. This permits unambiguous lectotypification of Sesleria. In addition, the types of the names S. albicans and S. uliginosa are designated.

Taxonomy of the genus Sesleria Scop. is complicated by the fact that most of the typical characters are of quantitative nature and under strong environmental control. In some cases, unequivocal det...

The Sesleria juncifolia calcareous grasslands in the Apulia region (southern Italy) were studied on the basis of 24 phytosociological relevés. According to UPGMA cluster analysis division and NMDS ordination the relevés were classified into four major groups which gave rise to three sub-associations (Gargano) and a geographically impoverished variant (Alta Murgia). The new association Stipo austroitalicae-Seslerietum juncifoliae ass. nova was proposed. Due to the relict and scattered distribution of Sesleria juncifolia in Apulia region, the variances in species composition amongst the different subassociations are mainly influenced by local factors. The community Stipo-Seslerietum should be included in the south-eastern Italian alliance Hippocrepido-Stipion austroitalicae while at the rank of order it exhibits intermediate coenological features between the Central-South Apennine endemic suborder Festuco-Seslerienalia nitidae and the North-West Balkan order Scorzonero-Chrysopogonetalia.

Sesleria juncifolia Host (1809: 13), nom. illeg., non Suffren (1802: 113) Lectotype (designated here): — CROATIA. Split-Dalmatia: Biokovo, 3 May, Host 113 (W1885-0002432!). Fig. 3. Image available at: http://herbarium.univie.ac.at/database/detail.php? ID =256624 Other original material examined:— [Icon] Tab. 22 (Host 1809). Notes:—The name S. juncifolia was proposed by Host (1809) to describe plants from Dalmatia (" in rupestribus Dalmatiae "). The protologue includes a detailed morphological description, iconography (" Tab. 22 "), a description of the geographical area in which the specimen was collected (Dalmatia), and the species' habitat (cliffs). Among Host's collections deposited in W (see Foggi et al. 2004) there is a single herbarium gathering of S. juncifolia (W 1885-0002432) reporting the site of collection as " Biocovo ", a locality in the central Dalmatia area. This gathering bears four plant fragments, which probably belong to a single S. juncifolia individual, whose features match Host's diagnosis. Corresponding in both morphological characters and collection locality, this specimen represents original material for the name Sesleria juncifolia. Having at disposal both a specimen and an illustration, we choose the specimen as the lectotype for this name. Sesleria juncifolia Host (1809) is a later homonym of Sesleria juncifolia Suffren (1802) and is therefore illegitimate (Art. 53.1, McNeill et al. 2012). According to Deyl (1946), S. juncifolia Host is a synonym of S. tenuifolia Schrader (Deyl's annotation " Sesleria tenuifolia " is also present on the lectotype; Fig. 3), whereas according to Alegro (2007), S. juncifolia Host is a synonym of S. interrupta Visiani., Published as part of Pietro, Romeo Di, Kuzmanović, Nevena, Iamonico, Duilio, Pignotti, Lia, Barina, Zoltan, Lakušić, Dmitar & Alegro, Antun, 2013, Typification of names in the Sesleria juncifolia species complex (Poaceae), pp. 18-32 in Phytotaxa 152 (1) on pages 23-24, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.152.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/5100628, {"references":["Host, N. T. (1809) Icones et Discriptiones Graminum austriacorum 4. M. A. Schmidt, Vindobona, 58 pp.","Suffren, P. (1802) Principes de Botanique, suivis d'un Catalogue des plantes du Friaul et de la Carnia. Antonine Rosa, Venise, 208 pp.","Foggi, B., Signorini, M. & Vitek, E. (2004) Types of Festuca (Gramineae) names in the herbarium W: types from Host's herbarium. Annalen Des Naturhistorischen Museums In Wien. Serie B, Fuer Botanik Und Zoologie 105 b: 597 - 612.","McNeill, J., Barrie, F. R., Buck, W. R., Demoulin, V., Greuter, D. L., Hawksworth, D. L., Herendeen, P. S., Knapp, S., Marhold, K., Prado, J., Proud'Homme van Reine, W. F., Smith, J. F. & Wiersema, J. H. (eds.) (2012) International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (Melbourne Code): Adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress, Melbourne, Australia, July 2011. Regnum Vegetabile 154: 1 - 208.","Deyl, M. (1946) Study of the genus Sesleria. Opera Botanic Cechica 3: 1 - 246.","Alegro, A. (2007) Sistematika i rasprostranjenost kompleksa Sesleria juncifolia na podrucju Dinarida. Dissertation, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Zagreb, 132 pp."]}

Sesleria interrupta Visiani (1842: 87) Lectotype (designated here):— CROATIA. Split-Dalmatia: Ad rupes prope Oneum, sine die, Visiani 324 (PAD0023202!). Fig. 4. Other original material examined: — CROATIA. Split-Dalmatia: " Sesleria 223 S. interrupta. N ° 42 " Visiani 324 (PAD 0023201!); " S. tenuifolia ss capillaris mihi ", In rupib. montium propae Admissa, sine die, Visiani 971 (PAD!); S. interrupta Vis. Almissa a rupes, sine die, Visiani 971 (PAD!); Dalmat., sine die, Visiani 343642 (PR). Notes:— Visiani (1842) described S. interrupta on the basis of material collected in Turnasa (a low hill with a castle located behind Omiš), along the river Cettina (" In rupestribus loco Turnasa dicto secus flumen Cettina prope Almissa "). Specimens of S. interrupta collected by Visiani were found in PR (one) and PAD (four). The PR specimen bears three pieces of a single individual collected in Dalmatia, all matching the diagnosis. In Visiani's herbarium in Padova (PAD) (Lorenzoni 1983) two gatherings were found. The first (No. 971) bears two labels. The left label is older and was probably affixed when Visiani collected the specimen near Almissa (the ancient name of Omiš). This label bears the text " S. tenuifolia ss capillaris mihi. In rupib. montium propae Almissa". On the right label in Visiani's hand is " S. interrupta Vis. Almissa a rupes ". It is possible this specimen was collected before 1842 (when Visiani classified it as the new form S. tenuifolia " capillaris ") and that he himself re-classified this same specimen subsequently to his description of S. interrupta. Visiani never published the name " capillaris ", therefore there is not any link between this name and S. interrupta. On the basis of the name, however, it is evident that he considered the plant morphologically similar to S. tenuifolia, but with the following differences as reported in his diagnosis in Flora Dalmatica: " Affinis S. tenuifoliae SCHRAD.... a qua tamen videtur differe... Magis autem differt a S. juncifolia cum qua S. tenuifolia pluribus consociatur...". The second herbarium sheet (No. 324) also bears two specimens, each with its own label. The label of the specimen on the right side (PAD 0023202) reports the following in Visiani's hand: " Sesleria interrupta nob. Ad rupes prope Oneum ". The label for the specimen on the left side (PAD 0023201) reports (not in Visiani's hand) the script " Sesleria 223 S. interrupta. N ° 42 ". The five specimens mentioned above are part of the original material and are considered syntypes. We choose the specimen PAD0023202 as lectotype of the name Sesleria interrupta Vis., Published as part of Pietro, Romeo Di, Kuzmanović, Nevena, Iamonico, Duilio, Pignotti, Lia, Barina, Zoltan, Lakušić, Dmitar & Alegro, Antun, 2013, Typification of names in the Sesleria juncifolia species complex (Poaceae), pp. 18-32 in Phytotaxa 152 (1) on page 24, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.152.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/5100628, {"references":["Visiani, R. (1842) Flora Dalmatica 1. Apud Fridericum Hofmeister, Lipsiae, 252 pp."]}

Sesleria apennina Ujhelyi (1959b: 609) Holotype:— ITALY. Tuscany: in Alpibus Apuanis Hetruriae, Circa 1000 m, May 1863, Ball (sub Sesleria juncifolia ?), s.n. (BP!). Fig. 7., Published as part of Pietro, Romeo Di, Kuzmanović, Nevena, Iamonico, Duilio, Pignotti, Lia, Barina, Zoltan, Lakušić, Dmitar & Alegro, Antun, 2013, Typification of names in the Sesleria juncifolia species complex (Poaceae), pp. 18-32 in Phytotaxa 152 (1) on page 28, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.152.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/5100628, {"references":["Ujhelyi, J. (1959 b) Revision des especies du genre \" Sesleria \" en Italie. Webbia 14: 597 - 614."]}

The Sesleria autumnalis species complex belongs to Sesleria sect. Argenteae Deyl, “Turma” (=swarm) Argentea. According to Deyl, this Turma comprises the following species: S. argentea Savi, S. autumnalis (Scop.) F.W. Schultz, S. latifolia (Adam.) Degen, S. pontica Deyl, S. alba Sibth. & Sm. and S. anatolica Deyl. In the strict sense, S.autumnalis complex includes three closely related and morphologically similar species – S. autumnalis, S. argentea and S. tuzsonii Ujhelyi, which can be easily distinguished from other species of turma Argentea by very elongated and thin spikes (sometime even ten or more times longer than wider). Although recent relevant floristic literature and check-lists accept the existence of this three species, some authors consider taxa S. argentea and S. tuzonii as synonyms of S.autumnalis. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among populations of the S. autumnalis species complex based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Our results show a clear differentiation between the Balkan populations (S. autumnalis s.str.) and the central and western Mediterranean ones (S. argentea, S. tuzsonii and S. autumnalis s.l.), thus supporting the opinion of those authors who considered that the Balkan and the Apennine populations of S. autumnalis are differentiated into two geographically distinct groups. Morphological, taxonomical, and biogeographical implications of these relationships are also discussed.

For å auke kunnskapen om prydgras i Noreg vart det gjort ei utprøving av 35 ulike prydgrasslag med omsyn til herdighet og eigenskapar knytt til prydverdi og bruk ved Universitet for miljø- og biovitskap (UMB) i Ås. Formålet med denne oppgåva var å vidareføre utprøvinga til ein tredje vekstsesong. Risiko for uønskt spreiing til omgjevnadane var også testa ved å undersøke om fire av prydgrasslaga som produserte spiredyktige frø i utprøvinga, klarte å etablere seg i fire ulike skogsmiljø; i skog og i bryn, i botnvegetasjon og i open jord. Dei fire prydgrasslaga var Carex muskingumensis, Luzula nivea, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’ og Sesleria autumnalis. I utprøvinga hadde elleve prydgras eit heilskapsinntrykk som var godt eller betre. Grasa med gode karakterar var Molinia caerulea ‘Overdam’, M. c. ‘Variegata’ og M. c. ‘Edith Dudszus’, Miscanthus sinensis *, M. s. ‘Silberfeder’ og M. s. ‘Malepartus’, Molinia arundinaceae ‘Cordoba’, M. a. ‘Karl Foerster og M. a. ‘Transparent’, Carex muskingumensis og Calamagrostis brachytricha. Fjorten prydgrasslag hadde eit middels godt heilskapsinntrykk. Ti prydgrasslag hadde under akseptabelt heilskapsinntrykk. Desse var Stipa gigantea, Hakonechloa macra, H. m. ’Aureola’ og H. m. ‘Albostriata’, Miscanthus x giganteus, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Undine’, Panicum virgatum ‘Squaw’ og P. v. ‘Heavy Metal’, Molinia arundinaceae ‘Windspiel’ og Sesleria nitida. Sjukdom, manglande bløming, dårleg vekst og utgang var årsak til redusert heilskapsinntrykk. I etableringsforsøket etablerte alle dei fire grasslaga seg godt i alle miljø. Det var lite utgang. Generelt vaks grasa best i bryn, som var betydeleg lysare enn skog. Dette tyder på at ljos var den viktigaste faktoren for god etablering. Unnataka var M. sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’ og S. autumnalis som ikkje hadde så ulik vekst og tilvekst i skog og i bryn. Tilveksten i antal skot var derimot ikkje så ulik i bryn og i skog. L. nivea og M. sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’ hadde likevel størst tilvekst i antal skot i bryn. Grasslaga vaks også best i ruter med open jord, der konkurransen var mindre. Skilnadane var likevel ikkje så store hjå S. autumnalis og L. nivea. For høgdetilvekst var det berre C. muskingumensis som hadde størst tilvekst i ruter med open jord. S. autumnalis var det einaste grasslaget som bløma. Bløminga var best i bryn. Ein vekstsesong er for lite til å seie noko sikkert om artane sitt spreiingspotensiale. Feltet bør vidareførast for å sjå meir på spreiingspotensialet frå både frø og utløparar. To increase knowledge about ornamental grasses in Norway, a trial of 35 different ornamental grasses was conducted with regards to frost hardiness and characteristics associated with ornamental value and use at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) at Ås. The objective of this thesis was therefore to continue the trial to a third growing season. Risk of invasion was also tested by examining if four ornamental grasses, that produced viable seeds in the trial, managed to establish themselves in four different treatments; in partial shade and shade, in existing undergrowth and in open ground. The four ornamental grasses were Carex muskingumensis, Luzula nivea, Miscanthus sinensis 'Kleine Fontäne' and Sesleria autumnalis. In the trial eleven ornamental grasses had a good total impression or better. The grasses with good grades were Molinia caerulea ‘Overdam’, M. c. ‘Variegata’ and M. c. ‘Edith Dudszus’, Miscanthus sinensis *, M. c. ‘Silberfeder’ and M. c. ‘Malepartus’, Molinia arundinaceae ‘Cordoba’, M. a. ‘Karl Foerster and M. c. ‘Transparent’, Carex muskingumensis and Calamagrostis brachytricha. Fourteen ornamental grasses had a medium well appearance. Ten ornamental grasses had a low total impression. These were Stipa gigantea, Hakonechloa macra, H. m. ’Aureola’ and H. m. ‘Albostriata’, Miscanthus x giganteus, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Undine’, Panicum virgatum ‘Squaw’ and P. v. ‘Heavy Metal’, Molinia arundinaceae ‘Windspiel’ and Sesleria nitida. Disease, lack of blooming, poor growth and death decreased the total impression. In the field trial, the four grasses established themselves well in all treatments. Generally, the grasses grew best in partial shade where the level of light was significantly higher than in shade. This suggests that light was the most important factor for the species to establish well. The exceptions were M. sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’ and S. autumnalis who grew about as well in shade as in partial shade. However, the increase in number of shoots was not so dependent on light. But L. nivea and M. sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’ had the greatest increase in shoots in partial shade. The grasses also grew best in squares with open ground, where the competition was smaller. However, the difference was not as large in S. autumnalis and L. nivea. C. muskingumensis was the only grass that had the greatest increase in height in open ground. S. autumnalis was the only grass that bloomed. It bloomed best in partial shade. One growing season is too little to say something certain about these species invasive potential. The experiment should be recorded in the following years to examine the species invasive potential further.

The Sesleria robusta species complex belong to Sesleria sect. Argenteae Deyl, "Turma" (=swarm) Nitida Deyl, which comprises the following species: S. doerflerii Hayek, S. italica (Pamp.) Ujhelyi, S. nitida Ten., S. robusta Schott, nyman et Kotschy, S. vaginalis Boiss. & Orph., S. wettsteinii Doerfl. & Hayek and S. sillingerii Deyl. In the strict sense, S. robusta comlex includes three closely related and morphologically similar species - S. doerfleri, S. robusta and S. wettsteinii, distributed in the Western and Southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among populations of the S. robusta species complex based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Our study identified several distinct groups, some of which are identified here for the first time. Morphological, taxonomical and biogeographical implications of these relationships are also discussed.