L. Peruzzi

An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to Italy.

Abstract An updated inventory of the native vascular flora of Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 8195 taxa (6417 species and 1778 subspecies), distributed in 1092 genera and 152 families; 23 taxa are lycophytes, 108 ferns and fern allies, 30 gymnosperms and 8034 angiosperms. The taxa currently occurring in Italy are 7483, while 568 taxa have not been confirmed in recent times, 99 are doubtfully occurring in the country and 19 are data deficient. Out of the 568 not confirmed taxa, 26 are considered extinct or possibly extinct.

Hybridity as a main evolutionary force in the genus Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae)

Abstract The important role of hybridity in the evolution of the genus Gagea is becoming clear, through morphological, karyological and molecular evidences. Several species were recently inferred or hypothesized to be of hybrid origin; especially in sect. Didymobulbos, sect. Fistulosae and sect. Gagea. Representative case studies, such as G. luberonensis J.-M. Tison, G. polidorii J.-M. Tison and G. pomeranica Ruthe, are presented and discussed. Since many Gagea species show very reduced or null sexual reproduction vs. a massive vegetative propagation, there are several problems in distinguishing hybrids from hybridogenous species in this genus. The actual trend is to consider them at specific level because of their ability to stabilize, at least through vegetative propagation by bulblets and/or bulbils.

“x” is not a bias, but a number with real biological significance

Recent literature criticized the use of the symbol “x” to denote basic chromosome number in cytotaxonomy. I show here that this criticism is superfluous and is based on historical confusion between the concepts of basic chromosome number (or monoploid chromosome number), which is objective, and ancestral basic chromosome number, which is always inferred, by means of several – more or less reliable – methods. The most relevant literature is discussed and, in the end, I propose the use of x for basic chromosome number and p for (hypothetical) ancestral basic chromosome number.

Gagea bohemica (Liliaceae), a highly variable monotypic species within Gagea sect. Didymobulbos

Abstract Gagea bohemica s.l. (Liliaceae) consists of two morphologically extreme forms (saxatilis and bohemica) which depending on the varying opinions of the authors are considered as separate species, subspecies or as a single variable species. In this study, morphological (form and length of perianth segments, pilosity of pedicles and peduncles) and molecular data (cpDNA trnL–trnF IGS) of 55 samples corresponding to 43 populations from Western Europe to the Mediterranean area and eastern Caucasus were investigated. G. bohemica (Zauschn.) Schult. & Schult. f. represents a highly variable monotypic species from both morphological and karyological (2n = 24, 36, 48, 60, 72) aspects. Based on the molecular and morphological data presented here, a differentiation between specific and infraspecific taxa is not possible. We hypothesize that the morphological variability of this species is largely influenced by different site conditions and ploidy level.

Wikiplantbase #Toscana, breaking the dormancy of floristic data

The online platform “Wikiplantbase #Toscana” provides a framework where the full set of georeferenced floristic records of Tuscany (central Italy) can be entered, stored, updated and freely accessed through the Internet. As of 5 January 2015, the database stores 67,360 floristic records, referable to 3578 accepted specific and subspecific taxa. Most records are based on published data (80.6% of the total), then by published herbarium specimens (15.1%) and on unpublished field data (3.8%); unpublished herbarium records account only for 0.5% of the stored data. At present, the most represented species is the fern Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. aquilinum (Dennstaedtiaceae) with 234 records for 219 localities, but 625 species are still represented only by one record for a single locality. Data acquisition is far from complete, but in slightly more than one year a massive amount of data was accumulated, and can be maintained up-to-date with relatively little effort. This could power several researches such as, for example, (1) taxonomic researches especially on species and genera in Tuscany and Italy; (2) studies on the distribution of diversity across administrative or ecological boundaries; (3) evaluation of conservation status of endangered taxa; and (4) static and dynamic range modelling and evolution niche studies.

A biometric study of Fritillaria montana Hoppe ex W.D.J. Koch s.l. (Liliaceae) shows a single polymorphic species, with no infraspecific taxa

Abstract The large amount of morphological variability within Fritillaria montana Hoppe ex W.D.J. Koch, a southeastern European species described from northeastern Italy, led to the creation of several further taxa: Fritillaria caussolensis Goaty & Pons ex Adoino from southeastern France, Fritillaria orsiniana Parl. from central Italy, Fritillaria intermedia N. Terracc. and Fritillaria pollinensis N. Terracc. from southern Italy. Aiming to test the taxonomic value of these taxa, a biometric study of both herbarium and living specimens of F. montana s.l. is carried out. A total of 22 morphological features were analysed and measured in 417 plants from 46 different localities, including loci classici of all the involved taxa. In addition, typical populations of F. montana, F. caussolensis, F. intermedia, F. orsiniana and F. pollinensis and also several other Italian populations resulted with 2n = 18 chromosomes. We also counted 2n = 27 chromosomes in endotriploid cells of plants from Abruzzo. However, there is no clear‐cut correlation between morphology and karyology. The biometric analysis, together with many observations on fresh material in the field, revealed that F. montana is a single polymorphic species with no infraspecific taxa.

A new infrafamilial taxonomic setting for Liliaceae, with a key to genera and tribes

Abstract Based on currently available morphological, karyological, and phylogenetic information, a taxonomic setting of Liliaceae is provided. The family is here organized in 6 tribes, for a total of 15 genera and about 900 species. An identification key for tribes and genera is also provided.

Does Plantago brutia Ten. (Plantaginaceae) merit specific rank? Insights from nrDNA and cpDNA data

Abstract Recent work, based on morphological and cytotaxonomical information, claimed the independence of Plantago brutia Ten., a narrow endemic of South Italy, with respect to Plantago media L. Here, we present a further evaluation of the systematic relationships occurring between these two taxa as revealed by molecular studies. We sampled P. brutia in most of the known populations and P. media in several European stands, from Sweden to the Iberian Peninsula and Balkans. We then investigated the relationships among the sampled populations by using as molecular markers the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2. Furthermore, we considered cpDNA to gain further insight into the relationships among P. brutia/P. media populations. Based on nrDNA data, P. brutia appeared to be nested within the P. media complex, but as a well distinct subunit. This is congruent with a subspecific rank for this taxon within P. media. The cpDNA revealed the occurrence of several haplotypes in the studied material. Most of the assessed haplotypes were exclusive for single populations and thus phylogenetically uninformative. Nonetheless, we have found some haplotypes that are shared by different cytotypes or populations throughout the species range, suggesting possible explanations for the phylogenetic relationships occurring between P. brutia and the autopolyploid complex P. media.

Biosystematic and taxonomie considerations about Italian units of the genus Ornithogalum (Hyacinthaceae) showing reflexed pedicels

Summary Live plants belonging to O. ambiguum N. Terracc. and O. brutium N. Terracc. from loci classici have been investigated for the first time, in order to clarify the relationships with similar taxa as, respectively: O. exseapum Ten., O. corsicum Jord. et Fourr.; O. adalgisae Groves, O. refractum Kit. ex Willd. Chromosome numbers, morphology, herbarium data are presented and discussed, trying to demonstrate that three species occur in Italy: O. exseapum Ten., O. corsicum Jord. et Fourr., O. refractum Kit. ex Willd.; O. exseapum Ten. var. parlatorei Peruzzi et Passalacqua var. nova is proposed. The names of O. ambiguum and O. brutium are lectotypified.

New trends in plant cytogenetics and cytoembryology: Dedicated to the memory of Emilio Battaglia

Abstract A survey of all the 154 scientific publications of Emilio Battaglia (1917–2011) is presented, grouped in three main research interests – plant embryology, cytogenetics in plants and cytological terminology – plus other less relevant contributions. Battaglias past and present role in these disciplines is briefly discussed, in the light of current research on these topics, partly reviewed also in other contributions of the present Plant Biosystems issue.