Nina Vuković

Orchid diversity of the cape of Kamenjak (Istria, Croatia)

Orchid diversity of the cape of Kamenjak (Istria, Croatia) Twentytwo taxa have been recorded in the south of Istrian peninsula (north Adriatic coast, Croatia). The research was performed in the period 2003-2004. A great majority of taxa belong to Euri-Mediterranean (seven taxa, 41.18%) and Steno-Mediterranean (six taxa, 35.29%) floral elements. Eurasiatic (two taxa, 11.76%), Atlantic (one taxa, 5.88%) and endemic (one taxon, 5.88%) plants were also present. Almost a half of recorded orchids are abundant or frequent. The most of taxa are endangered s.l.; nine vulnerable (VU) plants (52.94%), and one species endangered s.s. (EN) (5.88%). There are also near threatened (NT) (two taxa, 11.76%), and data deficient (DD) (one taxon, 5.88%) plants, while others have no category assigned (four taxa, 23.53%).

The orchid Ophrys speculum Link (Orchidaceae) in Croatia

Abstract The orchid Ophrys speculum Link is widely distributed in the Mediterranean. Since its inclusion in the checklist of Croatian flora, the species has not been confirmed in the field, but has recently been found on Cape (rt) Kamenjak, southern Istria. Afew plants were growing within garrigue vegetation of Cisto-Ericetalia.

Rare plants of threatened habitats – the Croatian case of Corrigiola litoralis L. (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract Corrigiola litoralis is the only member of the genus in the Croatian flora. Most available data are more than 50 years old, and include only four localities in Croatia, exclusively in the islands of the Mediterranean region. During a floristic survey of the island of Molat (Northern Dalmatia) we recorded a small population in Zapuntelsko polje, in a damp, shallow depression, seasonally occurring as a temporary pond. Comparison with the existing literature shows that C. litoralis often occurs in Mediterranean temporary ponds and similar globally important and threatened habitats. We strongly believe that careful studies of populations of C. litoralis and other species with similar ecologies are necessary in order to preserve these habitats and therefore propose actions to achieve this goal.

Glaux maritima L. (Primulaceae), a new plant species in SE Europe

Abstract A small population of the circumholoarctic species Glaux maritima L. (Primulaceae) was discovered in the Mediterranean part of Croatia, on the bank of the River Zrmanja. This is the first record of G. maritima in SE Europe, and the third record in the Mediterranean, apart from in Spain and the Asian part of Turkey. It was found on the open riverbank within sub-halophytic vegetation, forming a small population of several dozen erect stems, most probably clonally propagated. The site is characterized by a periodic intrusion of seawater. We propose to classify this species as critically endangered (CR) on a national level due to the small population size and the fragile habitat, which requires active protection and conservation.

New sites of rare cold-water golden algae Hydrurus foetidus (Villars) Trevisan (Ochrophyta: Chrysophyceae) in Croatia

Two new sites with benthic freshwater alga Hydrurus foetidus (Villars) Trevisan have been discovered in Dinaric Ecoregion of Croatia. The sites are located in two karst watercourses: Kupa River and Slušnica River. Both sites are non-shadowed aquatic habitats, with developed vegetation characteristic for clear, running waters. The alga was found during summer months at its disintegration stage, and during autumn at the beginning of its growing stage. In the Kupa River, incrusted calcium carbonate was found within the thalli of H. foetidus. After the first known record in Bijela Rijeka River from 2015, our findings represent the second and the third known localities of this species in Croatia. Even though the vegetation composition indicates high ecological status of the sites, future anthropogenic impacts and climatic changes could become a threat to this underexplored species in Croatia.

Nedovoljno poznata Sternbergia colchiciflora Waldst. & Kit. (Amaryllidaceae) u hrvatskoj flori – uklanjanje vela tajni

Sternbergia colchiciflora is a rare species in Croatia, estimated as data deficient (DD), and therefore every new finding represents a valuable contribution to the knowledge of its distribution, with implications for its conservation status in the future. In this paper we describe newly found localities, and provide observations on its current distribution and IUCN status, based on all known sites and population trends. So far, this taxon has been recorded only at a few localities along the Eastern Adriatic coast. Here, we report Mt Velebit and Krka National Park as new localities for S. colchiciflora, and confirm its occurrence on Mt Biokovo and on the island of Brač. The species typically occupies dry calcareous grasslands within euand sub-Mediterranean vegetation in different stages of vegetation succession.

Least Adder’s-Tongue (Ophioglossum Lusitanicum L.) in Croatia - Distribution, Ecology and Conservation

Abstract The presence of the least adder’s tongue (Ophioglossum lusitanicum) in Croatia is sparsely documented in scientific literature, with only a few records to date. After findings from the 19th century, the species was not confirmed in the field for a whole century, and was consequently considered extinct in the Croatian flora. It has been recently confirmed in southern Istria (Croatia), in habitats with moderate anthropogenic impacts.