Renata Piwowarczyk

Contribution to the flora of Asian and European countries: new national and regional vascular plant records, 4.

Abstract The paper presents new records for 20 vascular plant species from eight Asian and two European countries. Five taxa (Artemisia campestris, Artemisia tanacetifolia, Delphinium sajanense, Diarthron vasiculosum var. undulatum, Epilobium adenocaulon) are reported from Kazakhstan, four (Deyeuxia yanyuanensis, Poa arnoldii, Stipa gracilis, Stipa macroglossa subsp. kazachstanica) from China, three (Nepeta pamirensis, Silene bucharica, Scrophularia pamiro-alaica) from Uzbekistan, two (Epilobium nervosum, Stellaria zolotukhinii) from Mongolia, two (Oenothera deflexa, Scirpus georgianus) from Poland, one (Coronopus didymus) from Tajikistan, one (Orobanche rumseiana) from Italy, one (Stipa macroglossa subsp. kazachstanica) from Kyrgyzstan, one (Poa polozhiae) from Russia, and one (Agrostis rupestris) from Azerbaijan. All of these taxa are new to the floras of listed Asian and European countries or its regions (as it is in the case of China or Russia). Four of the presented taxa (Coronopus didymus, Epilobium adenocaulon, Oenothera deflexa and Scirpus georgianus) are regarded as alien to the studied areas, whereas the other 16 are new native elements to the flora of the countries. For each species synonyms, general distribution, habitat preferences, taxonomy with remarks on recognition and differentiation of the species from the most similar occurring in a given country, as well as a list of localities recorded (often far from the previously known areas) are presented. In the case of Orobanche rumseiana, a new variety O. rumseiana var. sarda R. Piwowarczyk and A. Pujadas is described and illustrated.

Seed and pollen morphology in the Orobanche alsatica complex (Orobanchaceae) from central Europe and its taxonomic significance

Abstract. Micromorphology of seeds and pollen of Orobanche alsatica, O. bartlingii and O. mayeri, the central European representatives of the O. alsatica aggregate (Orobanchaceae) was investigated on the basis of 32 samples from 18 localities in Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Russia. Concerning seeds, the best taxonomic character is a narrow trough on external sides of radial walls of cells of the seed wall, which is always present and continuous in O. bartlingii, mostly absent in O. mayeri, and mostly present solely at wall segment junctions (vertices) in O. alsatica (individuals parasitising Peucedanum spp.; continuous in parasites of Seseli osseum). As for pollen, the exine sculpture is verrucate in O. mayeri, granulate in O. bartlingii, and granulate to scabrate in O. alsatica. O. alsatica parasitising Peucedanum spp. and Seseli osseum (host-related morphotypes) differ in seed shape, ornamentation and wall-perforation diameter. Variability of seed and pollen characters is high, and identical morphologies occur among the investigated species. The variation coefficient is too strongly correlated with the sample size to be a reliable estimator the taxonomic value of a character. Differences in seed and pollen sculpture, hosts and ecological preferences confirm the separation of the three examined taxa at species level.

New national and regional bryophyte records, 44

Syntrichia norvegica is a circumpolar arctic- montane species (Smith, 2004), rare at lower altitudes and in southern Europe (Frey et al., 2006). It is known from several south-eastern European countries (Sabovljevic et al., 2008) and now it is recorded for the first time in Croatia. Regarding its conservation status, S. norvegica is red listed in Great Britain (EN), Czech Republic (CR), Slovakia (VU), Bulgaria (NT), Hungary (DD), Romania (VU) and Estonia (VU) (Hodgetts, 2014). It was found in the northern Velebit Mountains, in an area with the most outstanding and extreme karst relief, with steep slopes, perpendicular rocks, screes and deep dolines. The locality is situated in the Pinus mugo Turra belt, but owing to its position in the shaded bottom of a deep, funnel-shaped doline with slopes inclined at more than 70u, the zonal vegetation is replaced by frigoriphilous communities. The main community on the very bottom is Drepanoclado uncinati-Heliospermetum pusillae Surina & Vres 2004, which encompasses many species of cold habitats characterized by long-lasting snow cover, e.g. Saxifraga sedoides L. subsp. prenja (Beck) Beck (glacial relict in the Velebit), Heliosperma pusillum (Waldst. & Kit.) Rchb., Polygonum viviparum L., Myosotis alpestris F.W.Schmidt, Poa alpina L. and Festuca nitida Kit. This community was spread over ca 250 m2 and was bordered by low shrubs of Salix waldsteiniana Willd., which form another frigoriphilous community Salicetum waldsteinianae Beger 1922. In the moss flora, another arctic- montane species, Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides (Huebener) T.J.Kop., is very abundant, and this is the only known locality in Croatia (Blockeel et al., 2009c). Further bryophytes that were present include Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske, Orhothecium rufescens (Dicks. ex Brid.) Schimp., Campylium protensum (Brid.) Kindb., Campylophyllum halleri (Hedw.) M.Fleisch., Sciuro-hypnum reflexum (Starke) Ignatov & Huttunen, Platydictya jungermannioides (Brid.) H.A.Crum, Hypnum bambergeri Schimp., Plagiopus oederianus (Sw.) H.A.Crum & L.E.Anderson, and Plagiochilla porelloides (Torr. ex Nees) Lindenb. among others. The population of S. norvegica was vigorous, forming dozens of dense patches of several dm2 on rocks and among other bryophytes and herbs. Plants were typically developed, deep green, with long, reddish leaf points, but capsules were not found.

The genus Orobanche L. (Orobanchaceae) in the Małopolska Upland (S Poland): distribution, habitat, host preferences, and taxonomic problems

Abstract The paper presents the distribution of Orobanche species (parasitic herbs known as broomrapes) in the Małopolska Upland (Wyoyna Małopolska) in southern Poland. During floristic research conducted there in 1999-2011, 12 species of this genus were recorded: O. alba, O.alsatica, O .arenaria, O.bartlingii, O .caryophyllacea, O. coerulescens, O. elatior s.str., O. kochii, O. lutea, O. pallidiflora, O. picridis and O.ramosa. Eight species were not previously known from this area. Information on the hosts, abundance, and habitat preferences at the localities is given, and an updated map of the distribution in the Małopolska Upland is included. The taxonomic position of O. elatior s.str. and O.k ochii, diagnostic features to differentiate between them, and a revised map of distribution of both species in Poland are also presented.

Orobanche alba subsp. alba and subsp. major (Orobanchaceae) in Poland: current distribution, taxonomy, plant communities, hosts, and seed micromorphology

Abstract The paper presents the current distribution of Orobanche alba subsp. major and subsp. alba in Poland, based on a critical revision of herbarium and literature data as well as results of my field studies. Most of their localities are in southeastern Poland: in the Małopolska Upland, Lublin Upland, Roztocze Hills, Polesie, Przemyśl Foothills (Pogórze Przemyskie), and Western Bieszczady Mts. These are the northernmost sites known for the species in Central Europe, so the new data extend its distribution range. Maps of distribution of both the subspecies in Poland and of subsp. major in Central Europe are included. Additionally, their seed micromorphology was compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The taxonomy, biology, and ecology of both the subspecies of O. alba are also discussed.

Pollen morphology of the Central European broomrapes (Orobanchaceae: Orobanche, Phelipanche and Orobanchella) and its taxonomical implications

Pollen grains of 450 samples of 25 species of the genus Orobanche and Phelipanche occurring in Central Europe were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Palynological data on 18 species are reported here for the first time. The usefulness of micromorphological studies on pollen of Orobanche and Phelipanche is demonstrated. Previous research showed the separation of Phelipanche from Orobanche, a finding which is also supported by pollen aperture type and exine ornamentation. The pollen of Phelipanche is tricolpate, while that of Orobanche is inaperturate. Our research showed that one of the species included so far within Orobanche, namely O. coerulescens, has tricolpate pollen with microreticulate sculpture. As a consequence of the finding of tricolpate pollen and intermediate macromorphological characteristics of this species between Orobanche and Phelipanche, it is proposed to transfer it to a new genus, Orobanchella, described in the paper. A comparison of the main characteristics distinguishing Orobanche, Phelipanche, Boulardia and Orobanchella is also presented and discussed.

Revised distribution and plant communities of Orobanche alsatica and notes on the Orobanchaceae series Alsaticae in Poland

Abstract The paper presents the current distribution of Orobanche alsatica in Poland, based on a critical revision of herbarium and literature data and on my field studies conducted in 2006-2011. The recorded localities are mainly in Polish Uplands: the Lublin Upland (Wyżyna Lubelska), Roztocze, and Polesie, less frequently in the Małopolska Upland (Wyżyna Małopolska) and Silesia-Kraków Upland (Wyżyna Śląsko-Krakowska). Distribution maps of O. alsatica and other species of the series Alsaticae (O. bartlingii and O. mayeri) in Poland are included. Their taxonomy, biology, ecology, and habitat preferences are also discussed.

Orobanche bohemica Čelak. (Orobanchaceae) at the eastern limit of its geographical range: new data on its distribution in Poland

Abstract A new locality of Orobanche bohemica Čelak., one of the rarest representatives of the family Orobanchaceae in Central and South-Western Europe, is reported from Poland. This is the first confirmed record of the species in Poland. It is the easternmost site known for the species, so it extends its distribution range. The species was recorded in Zawiercie-Bzów in the Czȩstochowa Upland (Wyżyna Czȩstochowska) in July 2010. Its host, abundance, and habitat preferences at the new locality are described, and a supplemented map of its distribution in Europe and Poland is given. Its taxonomic position as well as some diagnostic features that distinguish O.bohemica from O.purpurea are also discussed.

Intra-specific diversity of seed productivity and morphological features in parasitic species Orobanche bartlingii Griseb. (Orobanchaceae)

ABSTRACT: Parasitic plants are characterized by production of a large number, of one of the smallest seeds in the worlds flora, of length less than 1 mm, frequently called ‘dust seeds’. The paper presents detailed data concerning the seed productivity and their size as well as morphological diversity of a very rare and endangered parasitic species Orobanche bartlingii (Orobanchaceae). O. bartlingii occurs from central and eastern Europe to China, although it is very rare and sporadic, totally absent in large parts of Europe. In Poland, O. bartlingii occurs mostly in the Silesia-Cracow Upland, sporadically in the Małopolska Upland and in the Noteć valley. Libanotis pyrenaica is the most frequently reported as the host plant of the Bartlings broomrape. O. bartlingii in Poland prefers thermophilous fringe vegetation of the Geranion sanguinei (Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei class) and Prunetalia spinosae alliances (Rhamno-Prunetea class), xerothermic grasslands of the Festucetalia valesiacae order, usually with the saxicolous Festucetum pallentis association (Festuco-Brometea class). The studies were conducted at the most abundant population of the species in the Silesia-Cracow Upland (S Poland). The populations of species are located in the Podzamcze near Ogrodzieniec, on the highest elevation of the Silesia-Cracow Upland, the Janowski Mountain (515.5 m). The working hypothesis of this study was that: (i) Orobanche bartlingii seeds coming from the same ovary differ in size and dimension, (ii) the slope exposure where Orobanche plants grew influences the seed productivity as well as some morphological traits. We examined the diversity of some morphological traits: the length of shoot (A) and corolla tube (B), the number of flowers per shoot (C). The aim of the studies was to show the seed dimensions and individual productivity, i.e. numbers of seeds per fruit (D), percentages of smaller seeds in ovaries (E), total number of seeds per plant (F). We also analyzed the data as well as the correlation between measured traits for all population and independently for plants growing on different slope exposure. The O. bartlingii seeds differ in terms of size and dimension. In each individual we found smaller oval seeds and bigger, more oblong ones. We state that the exposure does not have a significant impact on the (A, B, C, F traits) but individuals from N exposure featured a significantly lower percentage of smaller seeds in ovaries. We noted that more fertile individuals, i.e. those producing more seeds per individual contain smaller number of small seeds. The number of seeds per individual ranged from 1,870 to 627,250 with the coefficient of variation of about 99%. We found that higher individuals were characterized by a greater number of flowers, a higher seed production, a longer corolla tube and a higher number of seeds in the ovary no matter on which slope exposure they grew. Knowledge of the biology of endangered species, especially fertility and morphological diversity in microhabitat is essential for their protection.

Orobanche purpurea (Orobanchaceae) in Poland: current distribution, taxonomy, plant communities, and preferred hosts

Abstract The paper presents the current distribution of Orobanche purpurea s. str. (excl. O. bohemica) in Poland, based on a critical revision of herbarium and literature data as well as results of my field research. Most of the records date back to the 19th or early 20th century and are now historical. Most of them lack also herbarium documentation. Since the 1950s the species has been found in 10 new localities, only partly documented by herbarium specimens. Currently it is present in only 4 localities, in valleys of the Lower Vistula and the Lower Oder (Odra) rivers and in the Silesian-Kraków Upland (Wyżyna alπsko-Krakowska). These are some of the northernmost sites known for the species, and the new data extend its continuous distribution range. A map of its distribution in Poland is included. The taxonomy, biology, and ecology of O.purpurea are also discussed.