Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 14

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algal genus Chara, for the bryophyte genera Bryum, Grimmia, Cephaloziella, Hypnum, Nogopterium, Physcomitrium, Polytrichastrum, Rhynchostegiella, Saelania, and Schistostega, the fungal genera Cortinarius, Lentinellus, Omphalina, and Xerophorus, and the lichen genera Acarospora, Agonimia, Candelariella, Cladonia, Graphis, Gyalolechia, Hypogymnia, Lichinella, Megalaria, Nephroma, Ochrolechia, Opegrapha, Peltigera, Placidium, Ramalina, Rhizoplaca, Ropalospora, Strangospora, Toniniopsis, Usnea, and Zahlbrucknerell

At the intersection of cultural and natural heritage: Distribution and conservation of the type localities of Italian endemic vascular plants

We conducted a GIS spatial analysis with the aim of providing the first quantitative large-scale overview of the distribution patterns of 1536 type localities (loci classici) of 1216 Italian endemic vascular plants and their relationship with a set of descriptive variables. Whereas some variables were used to model the presence-absence distribution patterns of the type localities for the whole set of endemics as well as for the subset of narrow endemics, others (e.g., presence inside or outside protected areas and Italian Important Plant Areas) were considered with the purpose of assessing potential assets or risks for conservation. The largest number of type localities was found within the Mediterranean biogeographic region (1134), followed by the Alpine region (306) and Continental region (96). A total of 670 locations are located on islands, whereas 866 are located on the Italian mainland (139 and 124 in the case of narrow endemics, respectively). A large number of type localities are located in mountainous areas and along the coastline, which can be seen as a potential risk for conservation. On the contrary, we detected a positive correlation with the distance from roads, which might be considered to be an asset. Importantly, 1030 type localities fall inside protected areas, whereas 506 localities fall outside protected areas, with 259 of these unprotected localities on islands. We propose considering the results of the analysis of the distribution of type localities of Italian endemics to be a strategic tool for conservation planning and resource management. Application of plant micro-reserves and integration of diverse legislation tools are suggested to strengthen efforts and increase conservation success

A morphometric study of Armeria canescens aggr. (Plumbaginaceae) in the Italian Peninsula

Armeria Willd. is a genus of diploid, self-incompatible plants with weak internal reproductive barriers, in which hybridisation and introgression play a fundamental role and are partly responsible for patterns of variation. One of the most critical groups in Italy comprises Armeria canescens (Host) Ebel and Armeriamajellensis Boiss., species living in grasslands and pastures of central and southern Apennines. The taxonomic status of A. majellensis is not clear: for some authors it must be considered as a species endemic to Italy, but according to others it must be included in A. canescens because of their poor morphological separation. With the aim of clarifying the real status of A. majellensis and its relationship with A. canescens, we performed a morphometric study using materials coming from field collections throughout their Italian distribution area, herbarium specimens and samples coming from the loci classici of the species. The morphometric multivariate analyses showed that there are no significant differences in morphology among the Italian sampled populations referable to A. canescens/A. majellensis and so they should be referred to the same biological entity. The priority name for the A. canescens/A. majellensis complex, at the specific level, is A. canescens

Morphological study of three taxa of the genus Rubus L. sect. Rubus (Rosaceae) in Western Central Italy

The three most frequent taxa of Rubus subgen. Rubus sect. Rubus in Western Central Italy are here examined from a morphological point of view. The study is based mostly on new collections. The morphological variability of each taxon is analyzed at the regional scale, and a complete description for the three entities is provided

Lectotypification of Statice canescens Host and Armeria majellensis Boiss. (Plumbaginaceae)

We designate lectotypes for Statice canescens Host [= Armeria canescens (Host) Ebel] and A. majellensis Boiss. (Plumbaginaceae), selected from the original material stored at the Herbarium of Naturhistorische Museum in Wien (W) and at the Herbarium of the Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Geneve (G), respectively