Metallophytes and thallium hyperaccumulation at the former Raibl lead/zinc mining site (Julian Alps,Italy)

An ecological survey of metallophytes belonging to the Thlaspietum cepaeifolii plant community was carried out at the former Raibl lead and zinc mining site (Julian Alps, Italy). The aims of this work were to evaluate metal hyperaccumulation and to determine whether it was restricted to a single element or, instead, involved multiple elements. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Tl and Zn were measured in specimens of Alyssum wulfenianum, Biscutella laevigata subsp. laevigata, Minuartia verna and Thlaspi rotundifolium subsp. cepaeifolium collected from native and mining soils, mine tailings and stream banks. Cadmium hyperaccumulation was not demonstrated, whereas in the case of Pb and Zn contradictory results were obtained. Thallium hyperaccumulation was strongly confirmed in B. laevigata subsp. laevigata (up to 32,661 mg kg^?1 of Tl in shoots and bioconcentration factor > 1). Surprisingly, this was also discovered in A. wulfenianum and M. verna (up to 1934 and 3632 mg kg^?1 of Tl in shoots, respectively, and bioconcentration factor >1). Multiple metal hyperaccumulation was verified in B. laevigata subsp. laevigata (Pb and Tl), M. verna and T. rotundifolium subsp. cepaeifolium (Pb, Tl, and Zn) although it could not be confirmed in any of these species when coefficients calculated on shoot concentration of the elements were considered.     

The origin of the serpentine endemic Minuartia laricifolia subsp. ophiolitica by vicariance and competitive exclusion

Serpentine soils harbour a unique flora that is rich in endemics. We examined the evolution of serpentine endemism in Minuartia laricifolia, which has two ecologically distinct subspecies with disjunct distributions: subsp. laricifolia on siliceous rocks in the western Alps and eastern Pyrenees and subsp. ophiolitica on serpentine in the northern Apennines. We analysed AFLPs and chloroplast sequences from 30 populations to examine their relationships and how their current distributions and ecologies were influenced by Quaternary climatic changes. Minuartia laricifolia was divided into four groups with a BAPS cluster analysis of the AFLP data, one group consisted only of subsp. ophiolitica, while three groups were found within subsp. laricifolia: Maritime Alps, north‐western Alps and central Alps. The same groups were recovered in a neighbour‐joining tree, although subsp. ophiolitica was nested within the Maritime Alps group of subsp. laricifolia. Subspecies ophiolitica contained three different chloroplast haplotypes, which were also found in the Maritime Alps group of subsp. laricifolia. Given its high genetic diversity, subsp. ophiolitica appears to have arisen from subsp. laricifolia by vicariance instead of by long‐distance dispersal. Genetic and geographic evidence point to the Maritime Alps populations of subsp. laricifolia as the closest relatives of subsp. ophiolitica. We hypothesize that M. laricifolia was also able to grow on nonserpentine rocks in the northern Apennines during glacial periods when the vegetation was more open, but that only the serpentine‐adapted populations were able to persist until the present due to their competitive exclusion from more favourable habitats.     

Note critiche sulla Flora d'Italia. V. Nuovi appunti miscellanei

Abstract

Critical notes on the flora of Italy. V - Further miscellaneous remarks.—The present paper includes a number of changes of rank and nomenclatural transfers in the genera Salix, Dianthus, Papaver, Anthyllis, Vitaliana, Armeria, Gentianella, Vinca, Micromeria, Odontites, Pedicularis, Cephalaria, Phyteuma, Laurentia, Bellis, Oglifa, Senecio, Andryala, Rhaponticum, Tolpis, Tragopogon, Hieracium, Hordelymus, Bromus, Trisetum, Trisetaria, Lophochloa, Typhoides, Cymbopogon, some of them of others collaborators to the flora (F. Bianchini, E. Pignatti Wikus); the infraspecific variability of Laserpitium garganicum (Ten.) Bertol. and in the group of Acinos alpinus (L.) Moench are discussed in detail. The typus of Luzula italica Parl. is described and precised. Armeria majellensis Boiss, subsp. ausonia Bianchini and Phyteuma ovatum Honck. subsp. pseudospicatum Pign. are described as new subspecies.     

Minuartia graminifolia (Caryophyllaceae), a south-east European species

A re-evaluation of Minuartia graminifolia has been undertaken based on comparative morphological studies. M. graminifolia subsp. rosani (an endemic of the south-central Apennines and Sicily) and subsp. hungarica (an endemic of the Banat region of Romania) are accepted infraspecific taxa. M. graminifolia subsp. hungarica is lectotypified. M. graminifolia subsp. clandestina is confirmed for Italy; the taxon is neotypified. The type subspecies is considered an endemic to the east-central Alps. Keys to the species of Minuartia ser. Graminifoliae and to the subspecies of M. graminifolia are provided.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 143 , 419–432.     

Segnalazione di Piante Nuove,Inedite o Notevoli per la Regione Marchigiana. I

Abstract

A report about new or interesting plants in the Marche region. I. — The author points out or in some cases confirms the occurrence in this region of 107 species or subspecies. The report is based on the collections and observations made by the author himself and his collaborators during the last years. 31 of such entities (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens, Amaranthus blitoides, Cerastium brachypetalum subsp. roeseri, C. silvaticum, Silene alba subsp. divaricata, Ceratocephalus falcatus, Malcolmia orsiniana, Arabis collina, Fibigia clypeata, Neslia paniculata subsp. thracica, Hymenolobus pauciflorus, Biscutella didyma, Hirschfeldia incana, Rapistrum rugosum subsp. orientale, R. rugosum subsp. linnaeanum, Sempervivum italicum, Lembotropis nigricans, Chamaecytisus polytrichus, Ononis mitissima, Melilotus neapolitana, Trifolium hybridum subsp. hybridum, T. phleoides, Lotus edulis, Oxalis europaea, O. articulata, Euphorbia prostrata, Rhamnus alpinus subsp. fallax, Fumana arabica, Oenonthe lachenalii, Pimpinella tragium subsp. lithophila, Ferula communis subsp. glauca) are quite new or never dealt with for the Marche region, sometimes even for the whole central section of the Italian Peninsula; other 18 (Moehringia pentandra, Minuartia mediterranea, Stellaria nemorum subsp. glochidisperma, Cerastium semidecandrum subsp. semidecandrum, Sagina maritima, Spergularia marina, S. bocconii, Petrorhagia velutina, Adonis flammea, Sisymbrium orientale, Rorippa amphibia, Cardamine resedifolia, Capsella rubella, Potentilla detomasii, Vicia lathyroides, Trigonella monspeliaca, Hippocrepis ciliata, Geranium purpureum) are briefly reported in Middle Italy by the Italian general Floras, but till now have not been mentioned in works dealing with regional floristic. The remaining 58 entities are already known in the Marche, but scarcely reported, or their location is either not clearly defined or insufficiently described. For these new localities and stations are given, or general information on their distribution throughout the region is provided.     

Minuartia aksoyi sp. nov. and M. buschiana subsp. artvinica subsp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

Two new taxa of Minuartia L. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey, Minuartia aksoyi M. Koç & Hamzao?lu sp. nov. and Minuartia buschiana Schischk. subsp. artvinica M. Koç & Hamzao?lu subsp. nov. are described and illustrated. Their taxonomic positions are discussed and they are compared with allied taxa. The distributions of the new and closely related taxa are given. Seed structures were examined by SEM.     

Micromorphological and chemical characterisation of Stachys recta L. subsp. serpentini (Fiori) Arrigoni in comparison to Stachys recta L. subsp. recta (Lamiaceae)

Stachys recta L. is a very polymorphous species in which numerous subspecies were recognised. S. recta L. subsp. serpentini (Fiori) Arrigoni is a typical endemism growing on serpentine soils in northern Apennines and particularly in Tuscany (Italy). In order to contribute to a better knowledge of this plant and to its differentiation with respect to S. recta L. subsp. recta, the micromorphological characters (non-glandular and glandular trichomes) and the essential oil composition of the two subspecies were investigated. Micromorphological characters were studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, while light microscopy was used for histochemical observations. Essential oil analysis was carried out by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.In the two examined taxa, the morphology and distribution of glandular and non-glandular trichomes, and the different essential oil composition, may be considered distinctive characters at subspecies level. This is consistent with the taxonomic classification considering S. recta subsp. serpentini a subordinate taxon of S. recta.     

Segnalazione di piante nuove,inedite, o notevoli per la regione marchigiana. III

Abstract

A report about new or interesting plants in the Marche region. III. — The authors report about the occurrence in the Marche of 61 entities of specific or infraspecific rank, 22 of which are new or unpublished concerning the region, while the remaining 39 have been previously very little or imprecisely mentioned; as to the latter new localities and stations are shown or general information on the distribution over the Marche district has been supplied. Out of the first 22 entities, 18 (Fumaria muralis subsp. muralis, Cardamine flexuosa, Lunaria annua subsp. pachyrhiza, Colutea arborescens subsp. gallica, Astragalus monspessulanas subsp. illyricus, Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis, Galium verrucosum, Hedypnois rhagadioloides subsp. tubaeformis, Andryala tenuifolia, Sonchus asper subsp. glaucescens, Rheichardia picroides var. maritima, Podospermum canum, Scorzonera austriaca, S. hirsuta, Bidens frondosa, Guizotia abyssinica, Ambrosia elatior, A. trifida) are, as far as the authors know, quite new or unpublished concerning the Marche, while 4 (Rumex angiocarpus, Trifolium repens subsp. prostratum, Epilobium lanceolatum, Picris hieracioides subsp. spinulosa) are generally reported in Middle Italy or over the whole Italian territory by the general Floras, but till now have not been mentioned in works dealing with regional flora.     

Asperula calabra (Rubiaceae) and allied taxa in southern Apennines,Italy

The present work is aimed at studying several Asperula (Rubiaceae) sect. Cynanchicae populations in southern Apennines, Italy, with particular reference to those referred to A. calabra, by employing biometrical methods on macromorphological data. Among other historical misapplications, A. cynanchica subsp. cynanchica seems to be very rare or missing in southern Italy. The enigmatic Asperula calabra, confirmed to be limited to a single mountain population in Calabria, appears to be strictly related to A. aristata subsp. scabra, so we suggest to treat it as a further subspecies of A. aristata. This latter species is otherwise distributed throughout southern Italy with subsp. scabra and subsp. aristata, characterised by slight morphological differences, which are correlated to altitudinal ranges.     

Heavy-metal uptake and distribution in Silene vulgaris and Minuartia verna growing on mining-dump material containing lead and zinc

Plant and soil samples from a mining area in Carinthia (Austria) were investigated for their heavy metal content. In the soil surrounding roots of plants (Minuartia verna and Silene vulgaris) growing on the mining dumps, high concentrations of lead and zinc are to be expected. The two species (Minuartia and Silene) show very different heavy metal concentrations in their above- and belowground organs. From these observations it can be concluded that the divergent distribution of heavy metals within the plants is an important mechanism of tolerance to heavy metals.     

Seed germination in the Sicilian subspecies of Dianthus rupicola Biv. (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract

Five populations belonging to three subspecies of Dianthus rupicola Biv. (D. rupicola subsp. rupicola, D. rupicola subsp. aeolicus, and D. rupicola subsp. lopadusanus) and growing in different geographical areas of Sicily were tested for seed germination at various temperatures. All populations showed high germination rates with an optimum temperature between 15°C and 25°C. Efficient seed germination might contribute significantly to the preservation of these subspecies which are currently exposed to several environmental threats.     

Root plasticity in Mediterranean herbaceous species

Abstract

Root plasticity has been largely studied on herbaceous species of north European temperate flora and is defined as the ratio between root depth in dry soils and root depth in wet soils. In summer dry habitats such as Mediterranean environments, the soil water deficit is a common feature to which root systems of plant species should adapt to improve their ecological efficiency. The aim of this study was to compare root plasticity in annual Mediterranean species that regenerate exclusively from seeds, and herbaceous perennial Mediterranean species that use dual regeneration strategies. Root plasticity of ten herbaceous species, six perennials and four annuals, was compared in this study. The annuals species studied occur in lowland Mediterranean grasslands referred to Tuberarietea guttatae class (Dasypyrum villosum, Lophochloa pubescens, Ornithopus compressus, Rumex bucephalophorus), while the perennial species occur in montane sub-Mediterranean grasslands referred to Festuco brometea (Bromus erectus, Festuca ovina., Lotus corniculatus., Minuartia verna, Sanguisorba minor, Thymus longicaulis). The examined species were subjected to water stress according to standard methods applied in comparative ecology, i.e., half of the seedlings of each species received 20 ml de-ionized water daily for three weeks, while the other half did not. After seedling harvesting the following parameters were analysed: (i) total root length; (ii) root length in the first 10 cm of soil; (iii) shoot height; (iv) root biomass in the first 10 cm of soil; (v) shoot biomass; (vi) shoot and root plasticity. Results show that root plasticity increased significantly in dual-regenerator sub-Mediterranean mountain species.     

Parallel Evolution Under Domestication and Phenotypic Differentiation of the Cultivated Subspecies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucurbita pepo</Emphasis> (Cucurbitaceae)

Parallel Evolution under Domestication and Phenotypic Differentiation of the Cultivated Subspecies of Cucurbita pepo (Cucurbitaceae). Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin, squash, gourd, Cucurbitaceae) is an ancient North American domesticate of considerable economic importance. Based on molecular genetic polymorphisms, two cultivated lineages of this species, each consisting of very many edible–fruited cultigens, have been recognized, C. pepo subsp. pepo and C. pepo subsp. texana. However, the phenotypic commonalities and differences between these two subspecies have not as yet been systematically collected and organized. Among the evolutionary developments common to the two subspecies are the increased size of the plant parts, less plant branching, and premature loss of chlorophyll in the exocarp of the fruits. In both subspecies, bush growth habit, conferred by allele Bu, is common to the cultigens grown for consumption of the immature fruits, as is the deviation from the 1:1 ratio of fruit length to fruit width. A major characteristic differentiating between the edible–fruited cultigens of the respective subspecies are the longitudinal protrusions, in subsp. pepo, versus depressions, in subsp. texana, of the fruit surface corresponding with the subsurface primary carpellary vein tracts. Subsp. pepo also has larger fruits and larger and longer seeds. In addition, some alleles affecting stem color, leaf mottling, multiple flower bud production, and fruit characteristics are frequently occurring to nearly fixed in one subspecies but are rare to less common in the other.     

Hieracium umbrosum subsp. abietinum (Asteraceae), a further example of amphi-Adriatic disjunction

So far considered as endemic to Greece, Hieracium umbrosum subsp. abietinum is reported as new for the Italian flora. Its presence has been noted on the Pollino National Park (S Italy). Morphological, ecological and taxonomical notes are given. This discovery increases the list of taxa showing an amphi-Adriatic distribution.     

Klasea serratuloides subsp. karamanica subsp. nov. (Asteraceae), from the central and south Anatolia transition zone,Turkey

A new subspecies, Klasea serratuloides (DC.) Greuter & Wagenitz subsp. karamanica B. Dogan & A. Duran (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The subspecies grows on stony places in the Ayranc? and Ermenek district (C4 Karaman Province), Ere?li district (C5 Konya province) and Uluk??la (C5 Ni?de province) in the central and south Anatolia transition zone. It is morphologically similar to K. serratuloides subsp. serratuloides. Diagnostic morphological characters from closely similar taxa are discussed and arranged in a key. Ecology and conservation status of the subspecies is also presented. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new subspecies and other related species is mapped. The pollen morphology and achene surface of K. serratuloides subsp. karamanica and K. serratuloides subsp. serratuloides were examined by SEM.     

Jurinea cataonica subsp. mardinensis subsp. nov. (Asteraceae) from southeast Anatolia,Turkey

A new subspecies, Jurinea cataonica Boiss. & Hausskn. subsp. mardinensis B. Do?an & A. Duran (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The subspecies grows on abandoned fields in the Bakirkiri place (C8 Mardin Province) in southeastern Anatolia. It is morphologically similar to J. cataonica subsp. cataonica. Diagnostic morphological characters between these closely similar taxa are discussed and arranged in a key. Ecology and conservation status of the subspecies is also presented. In addition, the geographical distributions of the new subspecies and other related species are given.     

Simaba guianensis subsp. huberi, a new Venezuelan taxon of Simaroubaceae

Simaba guianensis subsp.huberi (Simaroubaceae), restricted to the savannas of the Venezuelan State of Amazonas, is described and illustrated. The new subspecies is distinguished from the other two subspecies ofS. guianensis by its smaller size, characteristics of the leaflets (size, texture, apex shape, and margin curvature), and fruit color.     

Taxonomic revision of the Koeleria splendens C. Presl group (Poaceae) in Italy based on morphological characters

Abstract

The Italian populations of Koeleria splendens C. Presl, critical group of the Mediterranean flora, are examined from the taxonomic and nomenclatural viewpoints. On the basis of literature data, herbarium investigations and field surveys, many morphologically well-differentiated taxa have been recognized. This group is widespread in the Italian peninsula and Sicily, where it is represented by the following units: K. splendens C. Presl, with four subspecies [subsp. splendens, subsp. grandiflora (Bertol. ex Schultes) Domin, subsp. brutia Brullo, Gangale & Uzunov, and subsp. ophiolitica subsp. nova], K. lucana sp. nova, K. subcaudata (Ascherson & Graebner) Ujhelyi, K. australis Kerner, K. callieri (Domin) Ujhelyi, and K. insubrica sp. nova. As concerns their distribution, both K. splendens and K. lucana are endemic to the Italian territory, while the other species occur also in some eastern Mediterranean countries. The taxonomic position of K. lobata, recently treated by some authors as a synonym of K. splendens, is also examined. A phylogenetic analysis was performed using morphological characters. Finally, a detailed iconography of the main morphological features and an analytical key of the Italian taxa (K. lobata included) are given.     

Centaurea cadmea subsp. pontica subsp. nov. (Asteraceae) from northwest Anatolia,Turkey

Centaurea cadmea Boiss. subsp. pontica Wagenitz ex Y.B. Köse & Ocak (Asteraceae), a new subspecies occuring in north Anatolia, Turkey, is described and illustrated. The new subspecies grows in rocky places in the Zonguldak province. It is closely related to C. cadmea subsp. cadmea, but differs in its involucrum, achen, appendage and radiant flowers. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and notes are presented on ecology and conservation status. In addition, the pollen characteristics of both subspecies have been examined by SEM.