Genetic relationships within and among Iberian fescues (Festuca L.) based on PCR-amplified markers

The genus Festuca comprises approximately 450 species and is widely distributed around the world. The Iberian Penninsula, with more than 100 taxa colonizing very diverse habitats, is one of its main centers of diversification. This study was conducted to assess molecular genetic variation and genetic relatedness among 91 populations of 31 taxa of Iberian fescues, based on several molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, and trnL sequences). The analyses showed the paraphyletic origin of the broad-leaved (subgenus Festuca, sections Scariosae and Subbulbosae, and subgenus Schedonorus) and the fine-leaved fescues (subgenus Festuca, sections Aulaxyper, Eskia, and Festuca). Schedonorus showed a weak relationship with Lolium rigidum and appeared to be the most recent of the broad-leaved clade. Section Eskia was the most ancient and Festuca the most recent of the fine-leaved clade. Festuca and Aulaxyper were the most related sections, in concordance with their taxonomic affinities. All taxa grouped into their sections, except F. ampla and F. capillifolia (section Festuca), which appeared to be more closely related to Aulaxyper and to a new independent section, respectively. Most populations clustered at the species level, but some subspecies and varieties mixed their populations. This study demonstrated the value in combining different molecular markers to uncover hidden genetic relationships between populations of Festuca

Achene slime content in some taxa of Matricaria L. (Asteraceae)

The achenes of Matricaria aurea and two varieties of M. chamomilla (var. chamomilla and var. recutita) have slime cells on the surface and they are characterized by slime envelope formation during hydration. The slime in these taxa is composed of pectins and cellulose. The slime could play important role in the distribution and colonisation of new habitats in Matricaria taxa

Index synonymique de la flore de France

Cet index est le fruit de dizaines d\u27années consacrées à la recherche en botanique. Il a nécessité la consultation de centaines de documents et a été informatisé par traitement de texte. Ce document est très attendu par les botanistes de France et d\u27Europe qui sont perpétuellement confrontés au problème de l\u27actualisation nomenclaturale. Toujours inachevé ce travail fera l\u27objet d\u27une informatisation plus systématique, réalisée sous la responsabilité du Secrétariat de la Faune et de la Flore.</p

"Festuca graniticola", nueva especie del noroeste de la Península Ibérica

A new species of Festuca (F. graniticola) is described from Cabeza de Manzaneda (Orense, Spain). Some ecologic and chorologic data about this taxon are presented.Se describe Festuca graniticola sp. nov. de Cabeza de Manzanéela (Orense, España) aportando además algunos datos corológicos y ecológicos de la misma