Kit Tan

Distribution of the endemic Balkan flora on serpentine I. – obligate serpentine endemics

Abstract.Serpentine (ophiolithic) substrate covers large areas in the Balkans, more so than in any other part of Europe. These areas extend from north to south mainly in the mountainous central regions and represent specialized habitats for basiphilous-calcifugal plants. Biodiversity in the area is high, with a great number of interesting local and regional endemics. The high number of endemics indicates the importance of serpentine habitats as centres for floristic differentiation and speciation. The number of Balkan endemics growing on serpentine is c. 335 taxa (species and subspecies) of which 123 are obligate. Their distribution is presented in 50 × 50 km UTM squares as adopted in the Atlas Florae Europaeae project coordinated at Helsinki. The richest (in number of taxa) squares are situated in NW Greece (Epirus), the island of Evvia, N Albania together with SW Serbia, and N Greece (Vourinos). They indicate important centres of plant diversity in the Balkans, areas to be noted for conservation strategy. Features responsible for the distribution and abundance of these obligate serpentine endemics include: 1) edaphic isolation in relation to type of bedrock (lime, dolomite, marble, schist, etc.), 2) mountain island isolation (Smolikas, Vourinos, Ostrovica, etc.), 3) island isolation (Evvia) and 4) continuous long-term isolation without interruption or disturbance of speciation.

Composition and Antimicrobial Studies of the Oils of Origanum calcaratum Juss. and O. scabrum Boiss. et Heldr. from Greece

Abstract The chemical composition of the oils from two endemic and rare taxa of the genus Origanum L., i.e O. calcaratum Juss. = O. tournefortii Aiton and O. scabrum Boiss. et Heldr., from Greece, were investigated by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-two compounds were identified into the oil of O. calcaratum, representing 98.0% of the oil composition. The main compounds were p-cymene (18.1%), γ-terpinene (9.6%), thymol (42.8%), carvacrol (12.9%) and isocaryophyllene (4.7%). In the oil of O. scabrum, 28 compounds were identified, representing 98.0% of the oil composition. The main compound was carvacrol (66.7%), while p-cymene (7.8%), γ-terpinene (3.6%), caryophyllene oxide (2.1%) and manool (2.7%) were found in large amounts. The oils were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Gram-negative, i.e., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae microorganisms.

Distribution and diversity of Arctic-Alpine species in the Balkans

The distributions of 77 Arctic-Alpine species in the Balkans are mapped and the centers of their richness and diversity presented. Within the Dinaric Alps these are Mts Vranica, Durmitor, and Prokletije; in the Scardo-Pindhic mountains, Šarplanina–Rudoka–Korab form a continuous chain; in the Rhodope-Rila mountain system there are Mts Vitoša, Rila, and Pirin; while in the Balkan mountain system there are the West and Central part of Stara planina. A comparison of floristic richness and distribution of Arctic-Alpine flora in relation to altitude, geographical location, and geological substrate is made. Correlations between floristic richness and geographical distance of the Balkan mountains from the two main centers of Arctic-Alpine flora in Central Europe are also provided.

A new species of Hesperis (Brassicaceae) from SW Anatolia, Turkey*

Abstract Parolly, G. & Tan, K.: A new species of Hesperis (Brassicaceae) from SW Anatolia, Turkey. — Willdenowia 36: 851–856. — ISSN 0511-9618;

Verbascum lindae(Scrophulariaceae), a new species from SW Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract Parolly, G. & Tan, K.: Verbascum Undae (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from SW Anatolia, Turkey. — Willdenowia 37: 277–282. — ISSN 0511-9618;

A new autumn-flowering species of Allium (Liliaceae) from the island of Sifnos (Cyclades, Greece)

Abstract Biel, B., Tan, K. & Tzanoudakis, D.: A new autumn-flowering species of Allium (Liliaceae) from the island of Sifnos (Cyclades, Greece). — Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 367–372. — ISSN 0511-9618;

ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUBTROPICAL SHRUB ZANTHOXYLUM ACANTHOPODIUM (RUTACEAE) IN CONDITIONS OF A TEMPERATE CONTINENTAL CLIMATE (SERBIA)

The evergreen shrub Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. (Rutaceae), originating from warm temperate and subtropical Asia, has existed successfully in the Jevremovac Botanical Garden in Belgrade for more than 80 years. The seasonal pattern of water management in leaves, electrolyte leakage, essential oil composition, and leaf anatomy were examined in order to understand the resistance and viability of this subtropical shrub in the temperate continental cli- mate of Belgrade, Serbia.

A newAstragalus (Fabaceae) from southern Peloponnisos

Astragalus maniaticus (Fabaceae), a new species endemic to the Mani Peninsula in Peloponnisos, southern Greece, is described and illustrated. Its closest affinities are still uncertain but within Greece, it lacks close allies.

Helichrysum yurterianum (Asteraceae, Inuleae), a New Species from NE Anatolia, Turkey

Helichrysum yurterianum Y. Gemici, Kit Tan, H. Yildirim & M. Gemici (Asteraceae, Inuleae) is described and illustrated. It is a serpentine endemic restricted to the province of Erzincan in NE Anatolia, Turkey. Its affinities are with H. arenarium and H. noeanum, which both have a wider distribution. Anatomical and ecophysiological data for the new taxon are provided.

Polygala rausiana (Polygalaceae), a new species from the northern Peloponnese, Greece

Abstract Raabe U., Tan K., Iatroú G., Vold G. & Parolly G.: Polygala rausiana (Polygalaceae), a new species from the northern Peloponnese, Greece. — Willdenowia 39: 69–75. — Online ISSN 1868-6397;