DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.32.e189540

Authors: Ana Petrova

Abstract: Book Review

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.32.e187443

Authors: Temitope Omoniyi Oyebola, Adeniyi Akanni Jayeola, Kafilat Abiodun Odesola, Temitope Esther Shonde, Temitope Esther Owoeye

Abstract: Dacryodes edulis is a culturally and economically important fruit tree native to Central and West Africa. Despite its benefits, its genetic diversity remains underexplored. This study has used Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers to assess the genetic diversity and relationships among 32 accessions collected from Nigeria. Genomic DNA was extracted using a modified CTAB protocol and amplified by 15 ISSR and 10 SCoT primers. The results highlight the effectiveness of these markers in elucidating genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships, thus providing a foundation for genetic resource management and conservation.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.32.e187434

Authors: Ruchi Mani, Ankita Verma, Swapnil Anand, Rupendra Kumar Yadav, Shubhra Singh, Deepak Kumar Gond

Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the floristic diversity and conservation status of climbers in the Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Climbers have special horticultural characteristics due to their ornamental features but they have inherently weak stems; hence, they develop a variety of climbing mechanisms to support their growth and development in diverse habitats. To document the diversity of climbers in the sanctuary, extensive field surveys have been conducted, supplemented by herbarium studies and evaluation of their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List. A total of 95 climbers, constituting of 53 lianas and 42 vines, under 33 families, have been recorded. Convolvulaceae was found to be the largest family of 17 species. The study also reveals the twinning behavior of plants with species exhibiting right- or left-handed twinning patterns, and, notably, the right-handed have been found to be more prevalent in that area. The conservation assessment according to the IUCN data has assigned to these climbers a threat status, including NE (78 sp.), LC (16 sp.), and CR (1 sp.).

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.32.e187429

Authors: Osama H. Sayed, Yahya S. Masrahi, Moochikkal Remesh

Abstract: The rangelands of Saudi Arabia are important for the livelihood of local pastoral communities. Lowland rangelands cover huge areas in the saline saltmarshes, dry sand dunes and arid desert plains, with noticeable latitudinal and edaphic gradients, marked floristic zonation, and vegetation influenced by limited water availability. Highland rangelands display altitudinal gradients, mild wet conditions and plentiful pastoral output. This review provides insights into those rangelands’ geodiversity, distribution, characteristics, and phytodiversity in relation to climatic conditions and species acclimatization potential. It also provides analysis of soil erosion, overgrazing, alien and invasive plants, urban sprawl, and intrusive recre-ational activities, as serious threats facing rangelands. A discussion of the necessary monitoring and management measures is also presented in terms of environment management goals.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.32.e187427

Authors: Kenan Yazıcı, Andre Aptroot

Abstract: As a result of the lichenological exploration in the Siirt Province of Turkey, the authors report 327 lichens, seven lichenicolous lichens and 27 lichenicolous fungi, representing 135 genera of Ascomycota. Thelidium pyrenophorum is new to Turkey, and 301 lichens and 26 lichenicolous fungi are new records for the Siirt Province. Furthermore, five lichens (Anema decipiens, Lecanora stenotropa, Peccania tiruncula, Sarcogyne arenosa, and Verrucaria bryoctona) have been found for the second time in Turkey. The localities where the taxa have been collected and their substrata are presented.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e177410

Authors: Stănilă Iamandei, Eugenia Iamandei, Vladimir S. Bozukov, Valeri V. Sachanski, Milorad D. Vatsev

Abstract: The paper presents a xylotomic study of some samples of petrified wood collected from alluviums in the Vladimir village (Radomir Depression, Bulgaria). Most likely they were transported from Late Oligocene coal-bearing sediments (Chattian) of Pernik or Bobov Dol areas. The samples have been identified as wood of Taxodioxylon taxodii, a fossil equivalent of the recent species of Taxodium distichum. The latter is a tree which grows presently in restricted areas of South USA, Mexico and Guatemala, but used to be widespread in the fossil records of the European Cenozoic flora as leaf imprints, wood remains and even as an important member in the Tertiary coal forests.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e169789

Authors: Kit Tan, Arne Strid

Abstract: Allium kofinae from Sterea Ellas (South Central Greece) is described and illustrated as a species new to science. It belongs to Allium sect. Pseudoscorodon of subgen. Allium and is closely related to three other members of this group, viz., A. meteoricum, A. lagarophyllum and A. albanicum by virtue of its spathe features, inflorescence and floral parts. It is a Greek endemic restricted to stony or rocky serpentine slopes in nomos Fthiotidos where it exists in moderately large populations. Allium albanicum is a recently described taxon from Albania which had been confused with A. meteoricum. It is now reported as new for Greece, occurring on the serpentine massifs of Smolikas and Vasilitsa (N Pindos in northwest Greece) and Vourinos (in N Central Greece). Allium meteoricum is considered a Greek endemic described from the sandstone area of the Meteora monasteries in S Pindos. The discovery of A. arampatzisii in the southern foothills of Mt Olimbos (N Central Greece) extends its previously known occurrence in nomos Kilkis (NE Greece) ca. 120 km southwards.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e162580

Authors: Sunday Adebunmi Adeniran, Abdulquadri Sagaya, Aderiike A. Adewumi, John Omoniyi Alabi, Abdullahi Alanamu Abdulrahaman

Abstract: This study uses xylem-based traits to examine the anatomical and ecological adaptations of four Euphorbia species (E. milii, E. hirta, E. heterophylla, and E. thymifolia). The research aims to investigate the xylem anatomy of these species to provide valuable taxonomic data for classification and identification. By analyzing and comparing the xylem characteristics, this study highlights the effects of xylem structure on the species’ adaptation and ecological strategies. Four species have been collected from the garden within the premises of the Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin and submitted after identification to the Herbarium. Thin transverse stem sections have been prepared using a manual microtome, then processed with graded isopropanol, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned at 4 μm, stained with safranin, and observed under a light microscope. The results have revealed significant variations in vessel dimensions, fiber thickness, and parenchyma organization among the species. E. milii has exhibited large vessel lumens for rapid water conduction, while E. thymifolia hasshown smaller vessels and thinner fibers, suggesting adaptation to water-limited environments. Euphorbia heterophylla has demonstrated the largest pit diameters and abundant ray parenchyma supporting efficient water transfer. A principal component analysis (PCA) has revealed that Principal Component 1 (PC1) (53.82% variance) and Principal Component (PC2) (40.03% variance) feature the species variation, with E. milii and E. thymifolia separated by PC1, and E. heterophylla distinguished by PC2. These findings underscore the ecological significance of xylem adaptations in water transport, mechanical stability and environmental resilience, offering insights into the taxonomy and functional anatomy of the genus Euphorbia.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161723

Authors: Kit Tan, Naim Berisha, Vlado Matevski, Lulëzim Shuka, Jerzy Zieliński

Abstract: Podocytisus caramanicus (Fabaceae) is disjunct in southern Anatolia (Turkey) and the Balkan Peninsula, areas representing the entire distribution of the species. It is lectotypified for the first time. A description of the species within its geographical range, and its distribution in the Balkan Peninsula are presented. Habitat, altitudinal and substrate preferences are outlined for each country based on field observations, herbarium and literature data. Recent evaluation by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirms that the Anatolian plants and the Balkan plants belong to the same species, a situation paralleling that of Gonocytisus dirmilensis (Fabaceae), which has a similar disjunct distribution in SW Anatolia and Greece.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161721

Authors: Attila Mesterházy, Roman Romanov, Filip Verloove

Abstract: This paper describes the first find of Eleocharis caduca (Cyperaceae) in Montenegro, which is also the first record for the Balkan Peninsula. A large population has been found at one location in Southeast Montenegro, in the coastal area of Long Beach near the village of Donji Štoj. The species is native to Tropical Africa. Some populations of that species are known in the Mediterranean part of Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Crete), but the species’ status in Europe remains uncertain. The distribution, morphological features and the habitat preferences of the species are presented. Based on field research, the authors think that the species can be considered a naturalized non-native in the flora of Montenegro that may appear in other parts of the Balkan Peninsula in the future.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161718

Authors: Kit Tan, Giannis Kofinas, George Zarkos

Abstract: Senecio angulatus and S. tamoides (Asteraceae), two species native to South Africa and naturalized in Greece are described and illustrated by photographs. A third species Roldana petasitis (syn. Senecio petasitis) native to Central America is similarly treated. The flowers resemble each other but the plants differ most clearly in their leaves. In S. angulatus the leaves are truncate or cuneate at base, entire or shallowly lobed while in S. tamoides the leaves are hastate or cordate at base and acutely angular-lobed. Roldana petasitis differs in having Petasites-like leaves, densely pubescent stems and involucres without supplementary phyllaries. It is a first report for the alien Greek flora. Distribution, ecological and habitat notes are provided for all three species together with a map of known occurrences in Greece.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161716

Authors: Oluwaseun Adeniyi Osiyemi, Kehinde Adegoke Adeniji, Temitope Omoniyi Oyebola, Omokafe Alaba Ugbogu

Abstract: A comparative leaf epidermal study of four species of the genus Entandrophragma used in Nigerian ethnomedicine was conducted by light microscopy. The aim was to explore their taxonomic significance and provide further pharmacopoeial information for delimitation and on the relationship among these species. The results have shown diagnostic characters, including wavy anticlinal cell walls with trichomes on the adaxial surface in E. angolense, straight to curved anticlinal cell walls on the adaxial surface in E. candollei, cyclocytic stomata in E. cylindrium, and striations on the abaxial surface in E. utile. All species were hypostomatic, with anomocytic stomata.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161685

Authors: Kit Tan, Kostas Giannopoulos, Naim Berisha

Abstract: Gonocytisus dirmilensis (Fabaceae) was originally described from SW Anatolia, Turkey. It occurs disjunct in south and south-central Greece where it is the sole representative of its genus. The Greek plants from south-central Greece were recently named G. graecus. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals that the morphological variation between G. dirmilensis and G. graecus is limited and there is no justification in treating the Greek populations as a separate species. Gonocytisus graecus is thus relegated to synonymy of G. dirmilensis. A description of the species in Greece, its ecology and distribution together with a map of total distribution are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161611

Authors: Kenan Yazıcı, Ali Aslan

Abstract: This study is a contribution to the lichen biota of Turkey. A total of 360 taxa (324 lichens, 29 lichenicolous fungi and seven lichenicolous lichens) have been identified from 124 sites in the Batman Province of Turkey. Of these, 291 lichens, 28 lichenicolous fungi and six lichenicolous lichens are new records for the Batman Province. Lobothallia parasitica, a lichenicolous lichen, is new to Turkey. Seven lichens (Candelariella oleifera, Circinaria scabridula, Clavascidium lacinulatum, Johnsheardia zwackhiana, Miriquidica leucophaea, Sarcogyne platycarpoides and Staurothele bacilligera) and one lichenicolous fungus (Lichenochora verrucicola) have been recorded for the second time from Turkey.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161610

Authors: Mehmet Aybeke

Abstract: This checklist is an extension of an earlier one, with most of the new records derived from the Trakya University Herbarium (EDTU) and published between 1982 and 2023. It comprises a total of 712 new records, representing 79 families, 283 genera, and 548 taxa. The new records are organized by five provinces of the European Turkey and presented in alphabetical order in a table. A total of ten taxa have conservation categories and five taxa are endemic to Turkey. The data about 28 previously unpublished taxa collected from some provinces are published here. From the Edirne Province, 389 new records have been documented, rated as follows: five taxa with VU status, one CR taxon, one EN taxon, and two endemic taxa. From the Kırklareli Province, a total of 217 new records have been provided, three classified as VU and two endemic. The totalnumber of new records for Tekirdağ is 59, of which three have VU status and one is endemic. For Çanakkale, 43 new records are documented, including two VU taxon. Istanbul has provided four new records, of which one taxon is endemic. The most numerous taxa belonged to Fabaceae (108), Asteraceae (55), Caryophyllaceae (29), Orchidaceae (29), Ranunculaceae (27), Brassicaceae (21), Poaceae (18), Liliaceae (18), etc. These taxa have not been listed in any earlier volumes of the Flora of Turkey, or checklists. The inclusion of all new records in virtual databases related to the Flora of Turkey has been examined, and it was concluded that none of them have been processed in these databases. Furthermore, these new records have been cross-referenced with numerous virtual databases of European origin, and it was found that they have not been included in those databases yet.

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DOI: 10.3897/phytolbalcan.31.e161608

Authors: Semir Maslo, Attila Mesterházy, Aldin Boškailo

Abstract: During systematic field research carried out in the wider area of Hutovo Blato (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the following three aquatic macrophytes new for the flora of the country are documented: Egeria densa, Myriophyllum heterophyllum and Najas marina subsp. armata. While the first two taxa have been recorded earlier from the region (Croatia), Najas marina subsp. armata is registered here as new for the flora of the Balkan Peninsula.

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