Search results for "Botanica"

Guide to the Palermo Botanical Garden

2009

Flowers and inflorescences of the seagrassPosidonia(Posidoniaceae, Alismatales)

2012

Premise of the study: The predominantly aquatic order Alismatales displays a highly variable fl ower groundplan associated with a diverse range of developmental patterns. We present the fi rst detailed description of fl ower anatomy and development in Posidonia , the sole genus of the seagrass family Posidoniaceae. Existing accounts provide confl icting interpretations of fl oral and infl orescence structure, so this investigation is important in clarifying morphological evolution within this early-divergent monocot order. • Methods: We investigated two species of Posidonia using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Our observations are interpreted in the framework of a recent…

Chemical, Antioxidant and Biological Studies of Brassica incana subsp. raimondoi (Brassicaceae) Leaf Extract

2023

Brassica incana subsp. raimondoi is an endemic taxon present in a restricted area located on steep limestone cliffs at an altitude of about 500 m a.s.l. in eastern Sicily. In this research, for the first time, studies on the phytochemical profile, the antioxidant properties in cell-free and cell-based systems, the cytotoxicity on normal and cancer cells by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, and on Artemia salina Leach, were performed. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract were spectrophotometrically determined. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) analysi…

Phytochemical-rich extracts of Helianthemum lippii possess antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-biofilm activities

2022

Helianthemum lippii is a perennial shrubby plant growing in the sandy environments of Italy, Mediterranean countries of North Africa and Middle East. H. lippii is used in traditional medicine but there are very few reports referring to the phytochemical characterization, the ethnopharmacology, and the biological activity of H. lippii. The goal of this study was todetermine the phytochemical composition of different H. lippii extracts, cold (CME) and hot (HME) methanol, cold (CPEE) and hot (HPEE) petroleum ether, as well as to evaluate their anticancer and antimicrobial activities and biofilm formation reduction. Fifty-fours phytocompounds have been determined by HPLC-UV-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis…

NUOVE AREE DI RILEVANTE INTERESSE NATURALISTICO NELLA SICILIA CENTRO-OCCIDENTALE: PROPOSTA DI TUTELA

2011

New areas of outstanding natural importance in central-western Sicily: a proposal for their conser- vation. With a view to the expected updating of the Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and the following designation of the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) by the Italian Ministry according to the Council Directive 92/43/EEC, some areas of outstanding natural importance in central-west- ern Sicily, currently not protected, are identified and described. Fifteen areas of various sizes are located in five different provinces (Trapani, Palermo, Agrigento, Caltanissetta and Enna); here sev- eral habitats of Community interest, including some prioritary ones, and numerous endemic and/or rare s…

On the pyrophytism in the Mediterranean area

2015

Authors briefly present some observations and reflections on the “seeding strategy” of some plant species (Cistus spp., Cistaceae, in particular) in the Mediterranean area in relation to fire: they conclude it does not seem a specific adaptation to wildfires (as suggested in a relevant part of the recent literature), but a generalistic adaptation to open, high energy and variable habitats with aleatory fluctuations. The difference is important both for theoretical and applied aspects, e.g. for the correct management of Cistus species and of other Mediterranean species and habitats. Fire is undoubtedly a major ecological factor in the Mediterranean area. Many botanists have postulated the re…

Adhesive root hairs facilitate Posidonia oceanica seedling settlement on rocky substrates

2015

Posidonia oceanica, the dominant Mediterranean seagrass, has been historically described as a species typically growing on mobile substrates whose development requires precursor communities. During more than 10 years of direct observations, we noticed that P. oceanica seedlings were often firmly anchored to rocky reefs, even at exposed sites. Thus, we analysed the ultrastructural features of seedling root systems to identify specific traits that may represent adaptations for early seedling anchorage on rocky bottoms. Subapical sections of adventitious roots were obtained from 2-3 months old specimens collected in the field and were observed at SEM revealing an extensive coverage of adhesive…

8130 Ghiaioni del Mediterraneo occidentale e termofili

2016

6510 Praterie magre da fieno a bassa altitudine (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)

2016

The SISV support to the implementation of a national manual for monitoring the Habitats of the 92/43/EEC Directive in Italy.

2016

The 4th National Report ex Art. 17 of the 92/43/EEC Directive in Italy (period 2013-2018) will try to fill a number of gaps still affecting the former versions of the Italian Reports, where territorial data were still missing for large parts of the country and the assessment was mostly based on the use of the expert opinion. Similar inconsistencies also emerged in other European countries (State of nature in the EU, EEA 2015). In order to reach this aim, a nationally shared protocol for monitoring the vegetation-based Annex I Habitats is currently under development. The most prominent issues addressed by the ongoing project are: i) fixing standardized, updated and scientifically grounded me…