Finnish botanists on the Kola Peninsula (Russia) up to 1918

Finnish botanists actively studied the flora of Karelia (Karelian Republic) and the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk Region) when Finland was a Grand Duchy of Russia in 1809–1918. J. Fellman’s expeditions in 1829 were the first notable botanical expeditions to the area. Geologically and floristically the area was similar to Finland, and exploring the area was considered to be a national duty for Finnish biologists. Almost 40 Finnish scientists who travelled on the Kola Peninsula collected significant amounts of herbarium specimens from there. The specimens are mostly in H, but duplicates were distributed widely. The collectors include M. Aschan, W. M. Axelson (Linnaniemi), V. Borg (Kivilinna), M. Brenner, V. F. Brotherus, R. Envald, J. Fellman, N. I. Fellman, C. W. Fontell, E. af Hällström, H. Hollmén, P. A. Karsten, A. Osw. Kihlman (Kairamo), F. W. Klingstedt, H. Lindberg, J. Lindén, A. J. Malmberg (Mela), J. Montell, F. Nylander, J. A. Palmén, V. Pesola, P. A. Rantaniemi, J. Sahlberg, and G. Selin. A short description is given of the biographies of the most important collectors with notes on their itineraries. Details of the collections from the Kola Peninsula are mostly taken from the vascular-plant specimens kept in the Finnish main herbaria and entered in the Floristic database Kastikka of the Finnish Museum of Natural History. As to bryophytes, lichens and other fungi, only a small proportion has been entered into the database. A network of biogeographic provinces for the Kola Peninsula was created by Finnish scientists in the mid 1800s, and it is still commonly used. Changes in the boundaries of provinces in the peninsula are discussed. The herbarium data are given according to the provinces

New combinations and notes on Oxybasis (Amaranthaceae) from southern South America

The new combinations Oxybasis frigida (Phil.) Uotila, O. halophila (Phil.) Uotila and O. macrosperma subsp. salsa (Phil.) Uotila are proposed according to the recent splitting of the heterogeneous genus Chenopodium L. Chenopodium glaucum var. divaricatum Hook. f. is considered to be a synonym of Oxybasis ambigua (R. Br.) de Lange & Mosyakin. Lectotypes are designated here for the names Chenopodium halophilum Phil. and C. macrospermum f. nanum Aellen. Nomenclatural notes are also provided for Oxybasis macrosperma (Hook. f.) S. Fuentes et al. and O. ambigua. Finally, O. parodii (Aellen) Mosyakin & de Lange is newly recorded from Tierra del Fuego Province in Argentina.Peer reviewe

The change in the distribution of arable weeds in Europe as a consequence of climate change

This study aimed at exploring the future distribution of 25 weeed species, representing different distribution patterns and taxa, at European scale. Using generalized additive models, and data on current climate and species distributions and two different climate scenarios for the period 2051-2080, we developed predictions of the currently suitable area and potential range size changes of 25 European weed species

Callitrichaceae, Polygonaceae: Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae 6

Peer reviewe

New combinations in the vascular flora of Finland, in the genera Spinulum, Oxybasis and Potentilla

In the course of compiling an updated checklist of vascular plants of Finland, a few cases were revealed where nomenclatural changes proved necessary. Four new nomenclatural combinations are proposed: Spinulum annotinum (L.) A. Haines subsp. alpestre (Hartm.) Uotila (Lycopodiaceae), Oxybasis salina (Standl.) Uotila (Chenopodiaceae), Potentilla neglecta Baumg. var. acutifida (Markl.) Kurtto (Rosaceae) and Potentilla neglecta var. decora (Markl.) Kurtto (Rosaceae)

Accessions to the Botanical Museum of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, in 2009

The herbarium accessions amount to 17,972 specimens, including 6,193 phanerogams and pteridophytes, 2,118 specimens of bryophytes and algae, 9,605 specimens of fungi (incl. lichens), and 56 specimens of zoocecidia. Some details of noteworthy accessions are given here

Accessions to the Botanical Museum of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, in 2008

The herbarium accessions amount to 19,139 specimens, including 5,238 phanerogams and pteridophytes, 2,598 specimens of bryophytes and algae, and 11,303 specimens of fungi (incl. lichens). Some details of noteworthy accessions are given here

Accessions to the Botanical Museum of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, in 2006

The herbarium accessions amount to 19,919 specimens, including 6,570 phanerogams and pteridophytes, 2,103 specimens of bryophytes and algae, and 11,246 specimens of fungi (incl. lichens). Some details of noteworthy accessions are given here

Morphological variation and a new variety of Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) in Finland

Populations of Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. have been studied and monitored for many years in the Savonlinna area, in the Province of South Savo, South Finland. Two kinds of populations were recognized, one with red flowers and another with white flowers, the latter being taller, with longer and denser inflorescences and broader leaves. There is also a difference in the flowering time: the white-flowering populations flower ca. seven to ten days later than the red-flowering ones. Genetically, the white-flowering populations belong to G. conopsea, even though morphologically resembling G. densiflora (Wahlenb.) A. Dietr., which has not been recorded from Finland. The white-flowered, tall plants are described here as a new variety G. conopsea var. scitula T. Kettunen. In addition to the Savonlinna area, similar plants have been collected or recorded from a few places in the provinces Satakunta, South Häme, North Häme, North Savo and North Karelia. In Finland Gymnadenia conopsea has often been divided into two geographical races, mostly treated as varieties. The northern race is here recognized as a subspecies, G. conopsea subsp. alpina (Turcz. ex Rchb. f.) Janchen ex Sóo, and its taxonomy, synonymy and nomenclature are discussed. If treated as a variety, the accepted name is G. conopsea var. lapponica (Zetterst.) Hartm. Its basionym, Orchis conopsea var. lapponica Zetterst., is lectotypified and its identity confirmed