Zoltán Barina

Early distribution and spread of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Central and Eastern Europe

The introduction and early spread of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in Central and Eastern Europe were reconstructed based on a study of all herbarium specimens of common ragweed deposited at six herbaria in Austria, Hungary and Serbia. More than 450 specimens were examined and the oldest ones, collected from 1907 to 1927, were used to map the historical spread of this highly allergenic invasive weed in this region. The herbarium records back-date the first known introduction of this noxious weed to Central and Eastern Europe as well as its early spread on the Danube-Tisza Plain, and in the North-Eastern part of Hungary. The data also confirm that the introduction of common ragweed to Central and Eastern Europe took place later than its introduction to the Western part of the continent.

Contributions to the flora of Albania, 3

Abstract Barina Z., Pifkó D. & Mesterházy A.: Contributions to the flora of Albania. — Willdenowia 39: 293–299. — Online ISSN 1868-6397;

Additions and amendments to the flora of Albania

Abstract Barina, Z. & Pifkó, D.: Additions and amendments to the flora of Albania. — Willdenowia 38: 455–464. — ISSN 0511-618;

First record of Vipera ursinii graeca in Albania (Reptilia: Serpentes, Viperidae)

In the framework of the botanical and zoological expeditions of the Hun - garian Natural History Museum to the Balkans, a specimen of Vipera ursinii graeca was observed in the southern Nemercke Mountains of Albania. It is the first record of the subspecies outside Greece, but zoogeographically it belongs to the northern Pin -

Current distribution and spreading of Euphorbia davidii (E. dentata agg.) in Europe

Of the Euphorbia dentata aggregate, both E. dentata and E. davidii have been reported from Europe. A revision of herbarium and published materials, however, indicates that only E. davidii can be confirmed in Europe. Although known in Europe since 1968, most records are from the 1990s. There are 46 known populations scattered throughout the continent, in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and France. Most populations are small and restricted to railway areas; however, the species can also invade agricultural fields. Due to its wide distribution, the growing number of recently established populations, and its invasive ability, special attention should be paid to changes in distribution and population sizes in Europe.

Bioactive Segetane, Ingenane, and Jatrophane Diterpenes from Euphorbia taurinensis

A novel segetane (1: ) and jatrophane diterpene (2: ), together with five known diterpenoids possessing segetane (3: ), jatrophane (4: ), and ingenane skeletons (5 - 7: ), were isolated from the methanol extract of Euphorbia taurinensis All. The structure elucidation of the compounds was performed by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS and 1D (1H, J-modulated spin-echo carbon experiment) and 2D (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESY) NMR experiments. The multidrug resistance reversing and cytotoxic effects of five diterpenes (1, 4:  - 7: ) were studied on the L5178 mouse lymphoma cell line using rhodamine 123 accumulation and the MTT cell viability assay. Segetane and jatrophane diterpenes had no cytotoxic activity on the sensitive parent and multidrug resistance cells, while ingenane diterpenes showed a cytotoxic effect on both cell lines. Ingenanes 6: and 7: and segetane 1: demonstrated the remarkable multidrug resistance modulating effect at 20 µM.

TAXONOMICAL AND CHOROLOGICAL NOTES 1 (1–19)

Th e present part of the series of miscellaneous new records provides new chorological data of one moss and ten vascular plants. Six species (Ammannia coccinea, Chenopodium pumilio, Elodea nuttallii, Lindernia procumbens, Paspalum dilatatum, Verbena supina) and one hybrid (Potamogeton ×angustifolius) are reported for the fi rst time from the territory of Albania, one (Potamogeton pusillus) is confi rmed there and it is ascertained that one further species (Potamogeton praelongus) was previously reported there in error. One alien species (Ammannia coccinea) is reported from the territory of the Republic of Macedonia for the fi rst time and one alien (Atriplex micrantha) from Hungary for the fi rst time. One species (Ptilium crista-castrensis) is new to the southern Nyírség region (E Hungary) and one (Carex pilulifera) is new for the Aggtelek, Bükk, and Zemplén Mts (N Hungary).

Taxonomy of Scilla albanica Turrill (Asparagaceae)

We aimed to clarify the taxonomic position of the poorly known Scilla albanica, described Albania ca 80 years ago in which completely fell into oblivion because of the lack of any confirming records of the taxon. Morphological, cytological and ecological comparisons with supposedly related taxa are presented based on collected living and herbarium material, on type material, and by using previously published results. Our studies concluded that S. albanica is a distinct species with remarkable morphological differences with regards to related taxa. The chromosome number of S. albanica is 2n  =  20. Unlike related taxa, all occurring on limestone, S. albanica is restricted to serpentine bedrock in northeastern Albania, without any known occurrences on other substrates and with a very limited distribution range, but showing large population sizes and occurring in a wide range of habitats. According to our results, four species previously assigned to the Scilla litardierei complex can be distinguished in the Balkan Peninsula: Scilla albanica, S. lakusicii, S. litardierei and S. messeniaca.