Typification of the name Asperula rupestris (Rubiaceae)

Asperula rupestris Tineo (1827: 276) is a species endemic to Sicily, southern Italy. It is a chasmophyte growing on northexposed calcareous rocks and cliffs of the main promontories of NW Sicily and the islands of Favignana and Marettimo, Egadi Islands, NW of Siciliy (see e.g., Giardina et al. 2007).A nomenclatural study of Asperula rupestris (Rubiaceae, tribe Rubieae) revealed that this name has not yet been typified (Peruzzi et al. 2015). The present paper is part of ongoing research on the names of vascular plants described using specimens collected in Sicily (e.g., Di Gristina et al. 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020; Domina et al. 2014, 2016, 2017a, 2017b; Scafidi & Domina 2019; Scafidi et al…

Seed germination data of three Hieracium and one Pilosella (Asteraceae) from Sicily and southern Italy

This work reports the first seed germination data of three Hieracium and one Pilosella (Asteraceae) taxa from Sicily and southern Italy. The studied taxa are: Hieracium hypochoeroides subsp. cilentanum, endemic to Campania, H. schmidtii subsp. nebrodense, endemic to Sicily, H. terraccianoi, endemic to Calabria and Pilosella hoppeana subsp. sicula, endemic to Sicily. The obtained results showed that the investigated taxa produce non-dormant seeds, with a high percentage of germination at all tested thermoperiods (15°C to 25°C and the alternating temperature of 25/15°C). Germination tests carried out in gibberellic acid (GA3) provided similar germination percentages. The data presented in thi…

Typification of the name Galatella sorrentinoi (Asteraceae)

The name Galatella sorrentinoi Todaro (Asteraceae) is lectotypified with a specimen housed in the Herbarium Mediterraneum Panormitanum (PAL). The specimen selected as the lectotype agrees with protologue and with the current usage of the name.

Karyological data of three Hieracium (Asteraceae) from Sicily and South Italy

Chromosome numbers are given for three endemic Hieracium taxa from Sicily and Campania (Southern Italy). All the examined taxa resulted triploid (2n = 3x = 27). The triploid chromosome set found in the population of H. pallidum from Rocche dell’Argimusco (Peloritani Mountains, NE-Sicily) differs from the previous counts (2n = 4x = 36) reported for the same species from its locus classicus (Mt. Etna).

Typification of the name Eryngium siculum (Apiaceae)

As part of an ongoing study on the names of vascular plants described from Sicily, a nomenclature study of the name Eryngium siculum Lojacono-Pojero (Apiaceae Lindl.), which appears to be yet untypified, is here presented.

Karyological data of four geophytes native to Tunisia

Chromosome numbers were studied in four geophytes collected in Tunisia. Allium pallens was collected from Zembra island, N of Tunisia, while Drimia purpurascens, Oncostema peruvianum and Pancratium foetidum from continental Tunisia. The chromosome numbers found for Allium pallens, Drimia purpurascens, and Oncostema peruvianum coincides with the previous reports obtained from other Mediterranean populations. The chromosome number 2n = 22, found on material from Toujane is the first reported for Pancratium foetidum.

Lectotypification of six names of species of Scabiosa S.L. (Caprifoliaceae) endemic to north Africa and related taxonomic notes

As part of an ongoing project for the investigation of the Algerian-Tunisian flora, six names of species of Caprifoliaceae subfam. Dipsacaceae, endemic to central and western North Africa, described in the 19th and 20th Centuries under the genus Scabiosa, are here lectotypified. They are: Scabiosa camelorum Cosson & Durieu, Scabiosa cartenniana Pons & Quézel, Scabiosa daucoides Desf., Scabiosa farinosa Cosson, Scabiosa parielii Maire, and Scabiosa robertii Barratte. Taxonomic notes, distributisson and new unpublished data about plant phenology of these taxa are given.

Conservation status of the endemic vascular flora of Sicily

The results of a comparative study of the quantitative data of the IUCN risk categories attributed to the endemic taxa of the Sicilian vascular flora are reported. 430 Sicilian strictly endemic taxa has been evaluated by comparing the data of the risk categories attributed by published sources. 400 taxa have received at least one assessment of their conservation status, 30 taxa have not yet been considered. 278 received an assessment of their conservation status in accordance with the IUCN criteria, while the remaining 152 have not yet been evaluated according to these criteria.

Unpublished aspects of hygrophilous wood vegetation from Nebrodi mountains (N-E Sicily)

In this paper we report the results of a study done on the vegetation of hygrophilous woods and shrubs occurring along the sub montane and montane small rivers of the Alcantara watershed located in the Nebrodi Mountains (N-E Sicily). We have described two new associations: Alno glutinosae-Salicetum rubentis and Euonymo europaei-Salicetum lambertianae, both belonging to the class Salici purpureae-Populetea nigrae. The forest association would belong to the alliance Populion albae of the order Populetalia albae, while the shrubs of pebbly streams would give origin to communities that would belong to the alliance Salicion albae of the order Salicetalia purpureae. The study gave the occasion to…

CONSERVATION STATUS ASSESSMENT OF THE ENDEMIC HIERACIUM S. STR. (ASTERACEAE) OCCURRING IN SICILY

The current status of the majority of apomictic taxa, and therefore their priorities for conservation, are poorly known, and consequently, they are neglected by conservationists. In Sicily 8 species and 4 subspecies of Hieracium s. str. occurs. Eleven taxa are endemic to the area, one has a wider distribution. These taxa were not evaluated within the recent project “Red List assessment of plants and fungi in Italy” because collectively considered with insufficient and unreliable distribution data. The global conservation status of the endemic Hieracium s. str. taxa occurring in Sicily was assessed here using the IUCN categories and criteria, on the basis of the data collected during field s…

Acclimatization, distribution and potential economic use of Argania spinosa (Sapotaceae) in southern Italy

The authors report updated notes on the acclimatization, distribution, areas suitable for cultivation and, potential use of Argania spinosa (Sapotaceae) in southern Italy. Based on observations carried out on the plants cultivated in Bari and the Botanical Garden of Palermo, and on ecological requirements of the species it is possible to consider A. spinosa as a woody species easily adaptable to the coastal climate of southern Italy.

Urban green: taxonomic and distributive update of phytoindividuals found in the “Giardino Inglese” of Palermo (Sicily).

Karyological data of two Sicilian endemic Centaurea species

Chromosome numbers are given for 2 Centaurea species endemic to Sicily. For both studied taxa, Centaurea valdemonensis and C. virescens, the somatic chromosome number, found on material from their loci classici, is diploid (2n = 18).

Hieracium racemosum subsp. lucanum (Asteraceae), a new hawkweed from southern Italy

A new endemic taxon of Hieracium belonging to the H. racemosum aggregate is described from Basilicata (southern Italy) and named H. racemosum subsp. lucanum. Information on its morphology, distribution, ecology and taxonomic relationship is provided.