Orazio Caldarella

Hieracium busambarense, a new species of the sect. Grovesiana (Asteraceae) from Sicily (Italy)

Hieracium busambarense (Asteraceae), a new species from calcareous-dolomite cliffs of Rocca Busambra (western Sicily, Italy) is described and illustrated here.

Distribution, ecology and conservation survey on Trifolium michelianum Savi (Fabaceae) in Sicily (Italy)

We report the identification of four residual stations for Trifolium michelianum Savi (Fabaceae) in Sicily, whereas the species was documented to be extinct at the Gorgo Cerro station (western Sicily), the only locality previously reported in the literature. In addition to an update on the distribution of the species, a survey on the new Sicilian populations led to their biological, ecological and phytosociological characterization, as well as to an assessment of the risk factors. The species, here relegated to the limit of its distribution area, occurs in particularly sensitive and vulnerable environments, such as the “Mediterranean temporary ponds”, considered “priority” by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC. Moreover, a new Sicilian association (Trifolio micheliani–Glycerietumspicatae ass. nova), framed in the alliance Glycerio-Sparganion (class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea), is described.

First record of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) from the Madonie Mts., a new species of the Sicilian flora

Abstract In this study, a first record of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) – a new species of the Sicilian flora – from the Madonie Mts. is reported. The autochthonous and relict new population of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) is found on Mount Carbonara (Madonie Mts., North-Central Sicily), which is several hundred kilometers away from the Central Apenninic and the South Mediterranean locations of its distribution range. R. uva-crispa shows a distribution similar to other taxa extending from the Euro-Asiatic area to the mountains of North Africa with disjunct populations on the main Sicilian reliefs (Madonie and Nebrodi Mts.), testifying ancient phytogeographical connections. This noteworthy record adds a new species – as well as a new genus and new family – to the vascular flora of Sicily. Based on the morphological characters, the population found is to be referred to Ribes uva-crispa L. subsp. austro-europaeum (Bornm.) Bech var. glanduligerum (Lindberg) Maire.

Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy

Abstract Our understanding of the richness and uniqueness of the flora growing on gypsum substrates in Italy has grown significantly since the 19th century and, even today, new plant species are still being discovered. However, the plants and plant communities, growing on gypsum substrates in Italy, are still a relatively unknown subject. The main aim of this paper was to elaborate a checklist of the Italian gypsophilous flora, to increase knowledge about this peculiar flora and for which conservation efforts need to be addressed. Through a structured group communication process of experts (application of the Delphi technique), a remarkable number of experienced Italian botanists have joined together to select focal plant species linked to gypsum substrates. From the results obtained, 31 plant species behave as absolute or preferent taxa (gypsophytes and gypsoclines) and form the ‘core’ Italian gypsophilous flora. The most abundant life forms were chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, belonging to Poaceae and Brassicaceae; as for chorotypes, the most represented are Mediterranean and narrow endemics. By improving on previously available information about the flora with a clear preference for gypsum in Italy, this undertaking represents an important contribution to the knowledge of a habitat which is today considered a priority for conservation.

The vascular flora of Nature Reserve "Pizzo Cane, Pizzo Trigna and Grotta Mazzamuto" (NW Sicily).

Summary A floristic investigation was carried out in “Pizzo Cane, Pizzo Trigna and Grotta Mazzamuto” Nature Reserve, one of the largest in Sicily. In spite of the considerable botanical interest of this area, few data were available from classic and recent literature. Based on field investigations, coupled with bibliographic and herbarium researches, we have listed 951 infrageneric taxa belonging to 103 families and 446 genera. A lot of these entities are reported in this area for the first time, for others ancient records are confirmed. Life form analysis shows the dominance of therophytes (44,79%) and hemicryptophytes (27,77%). From a chorological point of view, Mediterranean elements show a great incidence (72,12%). Endemism, at different levels, is represented by 59 taxa (6,20% of the local flora); some of these are exclusive of northwestern Sicily (Centaurea ucriae, Centaurea umbrosa and Oncostema cerulea), others are endemic to whole Sicily (Erysimum metlesicsii, Helichrysum pendulum, Eryngium bocconii, Leontodon siculus, Ophrys panormitana, Ophrys lunulata, etc.) or to central Mediterranean area, i.e. Sardinia, Italian Peninsula, Maltese Islands, Tunisia (Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. arbuscula, Orchis brancifortii, Arabis rosea, Brassica rupestris, Matthiola incana subsp. rupestris, Dianthus rupicola, Iberis semperflorens, Ophrys oxyrrhynchos, Stipa austroitalica subsp. appendiculata). Some other species are interesting from a phytogeographical and conservational point of view, e.g. Eryngium pusillum, Ilex aquifolium, Potamogeton pusillum, Rhaponticum coniferum, Sorbus torminalis, Trifolium physodes, Vicia sicula, etc. Furthermore, this area represents the unic sicilian site of Hornungiapauciflora. The high floristic biodiversity of the area is threatened by fire events, reafforestation with allochthonous species and other human activities suggesting the urgent need of a more effective policy of sustainable management.