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Species with wide ranges often exhibit morphological variability that is mostly shaped by ecological and evolutionary processes, and the resulting diversity is frequently reflected in intraspecific taxonomy. Dianthus sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula encompasses six subspecies (D. sylvestris subspp. alboroseus, bertisceus, kozjakensis, nodosus, sylvestris and tergestinus), the identification of which is problematic due to a great morphological variability and complex patterns of environmental variation. To explore morphological variation of described subspecies and to investigate how their morphology varies in relation to environmental variations across their geographical distribution, we evaluated 97 populations of D. sylvestris for variability in 25 morphological characters and 20 environmental variables. Number and shape of epicalyx scales, calyx length and petal denticulation captured the greatest extent of morphological variability between populations. Morphometric analyses revealed a continuous variability in quantitative morphological characters and an absence of clear morphological differentiation between the investigated subspecies. However, two main morphologically distinct entities, the north-western Balkan populations and the south-eastern Balkan populations, were identified and they were split approximately along the Neretva River valley. In addition, our results indicate that environment, rather than geography, plays a potentially more important role in shaping the morphological variability of this taxon. Overall, our results do not support the recognition of the described subspecies or the currently accepted taxonomic concept, instead pointing to a continuous morphological variability of D. sylvestris in the Balkan Peninsula.

The name Thymus humifusus var. aureopunctatus, described from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is lectotypified, and its taxonomic value is discussed. Thymus richardii subsp. richardii is currently considered an endemic subspecies common to Mallorca (Balearic Islands) and Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Balkan Peninsula. Specimens identified as Th. richardii from both Balearic Islands and Bosnia and Herzegovina were studied to determine if they are indeed the same taxonomic entity. Detailed micromorphological observations and morphometric analysis, suggest that the Balkan plants (Th. humifusus var. aureopunctatus) and the Majorcan populations (Th. richardii subsp. richardii) are clearly separate entities. For the former name, based on morphological, phytochemical, biogeographical and present results, we propose the subspecific rank, as Th. richardii subsp. aureopunctatus comb. & stat. nov. Full descriptions of all five subspecies currently accepted within Th. richardii are provided.

The name Thymus humifusus var. aureopunctatus, described from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is lectotypified, and its taxonomic value is discussed. Thymus richardii subsp. richardii is currently considered an endemic subspecies common to Mallorca (Balearic Islands) and Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Balkan Peninsula. Specimens identified as Th. richardii from both Balearic Islands and Bosnia and Herzegovina were studied to determine if they are indeed the same taxonomic entity. Detailed micromorphological observations and morphometric analysis, suggest that the Balkan plants (Th. humifusus var. aureopunctatus) and the Majorcan populations (Th. richardii subsp. richardii) are clearly separate entities. For the former name, based on morphological, phytochemical, biogeographical and present results, we propose the subspecific rank, as Th. richardii subsp. aureopunctatuscomb. & stat. nov. Full descriptions of all five subspecies currently accepted within Th. richardii are provided.

The transport of pesticides from application areas to other areas results in pesticide contamination and this sort of contamination has led to unexpected environmental problems worldwide. It is important to determine the responses of phytoplanktonic organisms to these chemicals for an understanding of the effects of pesticides on aquatic ecosystems. In this study, Arthrospira platensis Gomont cyanobacteria were exposed to different concentrations of the pesticides cypermethrin (0-50 µg mL-1) and deltamethrin (0-2 µg mL-1). Changes in chlorophyll-a concentration, the absorbance of OD560, antioxidant parameters (SOD, APX, GR, MDA, H2O2, and proline) were determined under the pesticide exposure. Our results showed that there is a decrease in OD560 absorbance and chlorophyll-a content proportionate to the increase of pesticide levels. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity decreased with Cyp and Dlm application in A. platensis cultures. Glutathione reductase enzyme activity also decreased with Cyp applications but did not change with Dlm application. Ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity increased with Cyp treatments but did not change with Dlm applications. Although malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents did not change with Cyp applications, they increased with Dlm applications. Proline contents increased with Cyp applications but decreased with Dlm applications. In conclusion, deltamethrin is more toxic than cypermethrin in the concentrations applied.

Dosad su u Glasniku Hrvatskog botaničkog društva objavljena tri priloga koja popis flore Hrvatske i bazu podataka Flora Croatica (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd) dopunjuju s novoopisanim i novootkrivenim biljnim svojtama te se provode nomenklaturne preinake već postojećih svojti. Kako bi se taj niz i dalje nastavio, ovaj prilog je četvrti u nizu te je u bazu podataka Flora Croatica dodano sedam novih biljnih svojti (Glaux maritima L., Cystopteris dickieana R. Sim, Teucrium x rohlenae K. Malý, Helianthemum jonium Lacaita & Grosser ex Bég., Ornithogalum sibthorpii Greuter, Carex phyllostachys C. A. Mey. i Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J.D. Sauer) koje se po prvi puta bilježe za Hrvatsku., Till now in the Journal of the Croatian Botanical Society three contributions were published that serve as an update of the Flora Croatica Database (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd) with new entries of a newly described plant taxa and new discovered taxa in the flora, as well as nomenclatural changes were applied on already existing plant taxa. In order to continue this series, this contribution is the fourth in a series and seven new plant taxa (Glaux maritima L., Cystopteris dickieana R. Sim, Teucrium x rohlenae K. Malý, Helianthemum jonium Lacaita & Grosser ex Bég., Ornithogalum sibthorpii Greuter, Carex phyllostachys C. A. Mey. i Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J.D. Sauer) have been added to the Flora Croatica Database, which are being recorded for the first time in Croatia.

Eight new localities of the rare, strictly protected macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis have been recorded during a comprehensive survey of water bodies in Croatia. One record is located in the Mediterranean Region, in Butoniga Reservoir, while the remaining records are from the Continental Region, the majority of them situated along the Kupa River. Vallisneria spiralis occurred in slightly basic and alkaline environments and in a wide range of nutrient availability. In Continental localities, the species was present within Myriophyllo-Nupharetum luteae of the alliance Nymphaeion-albae, while in Butoniga, it occurred within the vegetation of the alliance Potamogetonion. Prior to our research, the species was recorded in Croatia only twice, with the older record dating back to the 19th century and the second from recent years, but neither one was confirmed in later surveys. The low number of records of V. spiralis, in spite of a wide-ranging search through hundreds of localities, confirmed the rare status of this species, although the reasons for such limited distribution remain unclear, especially bearing in mind that suitable aquatic habitats are quite widespread in the country.

A new species, Loncomelos koprulense (Asparagaceae), is described and illustrated from southern Turkey. It is a very rare endemic species growing on small semi-rocky escarpments within the Köprülü Kanyon in the province of Antalya. Morphologically for its hairy leaves, L. koprulense shows some relationships with L. malatyanum and L. tardum, species localized in Anatolia too. The chromosome number of the new species is 2n = 2x = 22. Geographical distribution map for L. koprulense, L. malatyanum and L. tardum is provided.

Genome size (GS) is an important characteristic that may be helpful in delimitation of taxa, and multiple studies have shown correlations between intraspecific GS variation and morphological or environmental factors, as well as its geographical segregation. We estimated a relative GS (RGS) of 707 individuals from 162 populations of

Several natural hybrids of Teucrium montanum L. and T. polium L. have been described in certain parts of the area where these two species are sympatric. A new population with intermediate individuals that share morphological characteristics of both T. montanum and T. polium has been found in Croatia (Bisko near Trilj), and most likely represents a hybridogenous taxon. The aim of this study is to compare the morpho-anatomical and phytochemical characteristics of the two parental species and their putative hybrid, as well as to determine the most important distinguishing characters between these three groups. In order to describe the variability and significance of morpho-anatomical and phytochemical differentiation of the analysed groups several multivariate statistical analysis were conducted (PCA, CDA, DFA, UPGMA-clustering). All analyses confirm the separation of two species, T. polium and T. montanum, and reveal the intermediate position of the putative hybrid. In this way, data on morphological and anatomical analysis together with data on the composition of the essential oils support the assumption of the hybridogenous origin of the intermediate individuals. Based on descriptions and original indication of parental species of previously described hybrids T. × castrense Verg., T. × bogoutdinovae Melinkov and T. × rohlenae K.Malý, we found that the intermediate specimens collected in Croatia perfectly correspond to T. × rohlenae, a hybridogenous taxon discovered by Rohlena in the vicinity of Kotor in Montenegro, and thus prove the presence of a new natural hybrid in the flora of Croatia.

Within taxonomic studies on the genus Bituminaria in Morocco, a population previously attributed to Psoralea bituminosa var. atropurpurea is examined. Basing on morphological investigations carried out on living and herbarium material coming from the type locality, it is treated as a distinct species and here proposed as Bituminaria atropurpurea comb. et stat. nov. This species differs from B. bituminosa s.str., as well as from other known taxa of the genus, in several features of the leaves, inflorescence, flowers and pods, as well as the micro-morphology of seeds, pods and pollen grains. Its distribution, ecology and relationships with B. antiatlantica and other allied species, such as B. basaltica and B. tunetana, are also examined. Besides, its detailed iconography and an analytical key of the species currently ascribed to this genus are provided.

The vascular flora of Matokit Mt (Biokovo Massif) in southern Croatia was researched in different vegetation periods from 2010-2015, and a total of 604 vascular plant taxa belonging to 86 families and 337 genera were found. The studied area has never been studied in the past and these are the first detailed floristic data about grasslands in different succession stages of Matokit Mt. Collected herbarium specimens (345 sheets) were digitalized and are available at the ZAGR Virtual Herbarium. The most dominant families were legumes (Fabaceae 9.9%), grasses (Poaceae 9.1%), daisies (Asteraceae 7.4%) and mints (Lamiaceae 6.8%). The analysis of life forms shows the dominance of hemicryptophytes (39.9%) and therophytes (26.2%) on Matokit Mt that indicates a high influence of the Mediterranean climate. A total of 36 endangered and 17 invasive plant taxa across the whole studied area were recorded. Endemic are 32 plant taxa (26 endemics in a broader sense and 6 stenoendemics) and they represent new site of Croatian flora. The occurrence of some very rare endemics (Cardamine fialae Fritsch and Erysimum croaticum Polatschek) in the flora of Matokit Mt is of special interest for the national flora., Istraživana je vaskularna flora planine Matokita (Biokovo masiv) u južnoj Hrvatskoj u različitim vegetacijskim razdobljima od 2010.-2015., a pronađene su ukupno 604 vaskularne biljne svojte, iz 86 porodica i 337 rodova. Proučavano područje nikada nije istraženo u prošlosti i ovo su prvi detaljni floristički podaci za travnjake u različitim stadijima zarastanja. Sakupljeni herbarijski uzorci (345 listova) digitalizirani su i dostupni su na ZAGR herbariju on-line (http://herbarium.agr.hr). Dominantne porodice su mahunarke (Fabaceae 9,9%), trave (Poaceae 9,1%), glavočike cjevnjače (Asteraceae 7,4%) i usnjače (Lamiaceae 6,8%). Analiza životnih oblika pokazuje da su na planini Matokit dominantni hemikriptofiti (39,9%) i terofiti (26,2%) što ukazuje na veliki utjecaj mediteranske klime. Na istraživanom području zabilježeno je 36 ugroženih i 17 invazivnih biljnih svojti. Ukupno 32 biljne svojte su endemične (26 endema u širem smislu i 6 stenoendema) i predstavljaju nova nalazišta u flori Hrvatske. Pojava nekih vrlo rijetkih endema (Cardamine fialae Fritsch i Erysimum croaticum Polatschek) u flori Matokita od posebnog su interesa za nacionalnu floru.

Loncomelos visianicum, a rare and poorly known geophyte of the Croatian flora, was described from the remote and uninhabited Adriatic island of Palagruža as Ornithogalum visianicum, and it has not been collected again for over a century. Basing on living materials, recently rediscovered in the locus classicus, it was possible to carry out a careful investigation regarding the morphology, karyology, leaf anatomy, and ecology of this very peculiar species. It is triploid, showing 2n = 42 + 0–5B chromosomes, taxonomically quite isolated, showing some morphological relationships with L. narbonense and L. creticum. Currently, L. visianicum is represented by a low number of individuals growing in rocky places within the xerophilous maquis. In addition to a detailed description, a new iconography, conservation status and identification key for Croatian taxa of the genus Loncomelos are also provided.

The aim of this research was to produce a georeferenced map of the protected landscape of Donji Kamenjak (Istria, Croatia) and accordingly develop guidelines for sustainable management of rocky pastures based on optimum grazing intensity as an essential factor for habitat and plant diversity sustainability. There are 20 habitat types according to the National Classification of Habitats with the corresponding codes. The presence of habitat types and vegetation was determined on the basis of characteristic and dominant species. On a relatively small area, we find a large number of plant communities. The vegetation is represented mainly by a coastal evergreen forests and maquis with Juniperus oxycedrus L., Pinus halepensis Mill., Quercus ilex L., Erica arborea L. and the eastern Adriatic shrubby habitats of Cisto- Ericetalia Horvatić 1958. It has 76.49 ha identified as belonging to Natura 2000 ecological network habitats, which is 18.78% of the total area of Donji Kamenjak. These are mainly rocky pastures of the Chrysopogoni- Euphorbietum nicaeensis Horvatić (1956) 1958 plant community, dominated by heliophilous plants which significantly enrich plant and landscape diversity. However, this are endangered habitats because of the abandonment of traditional system of sheep farming what causes succession stage and the develop of the maquis and forests, showing its remarkable importance for the biodiversity conservation.

A new species, Centaurea lovricii, is described and illustrated from the island of Vis (Dalmatia, Croatia). It occurs on northwest-facing calcareous cliffs near the sea, where it grows with several other rare endemic species. Centaurea lovricii is morphologically similar to C. glaberrima and C. divergens of C. sect. Centaurea, from which it differs in having more succulent leaves with larger and less incised leaflets, bigger capitula, larger phyllaries with more developed appendages and denser and undulate fimbriae, larger florets, bigger achenes, and longer pappus. Its morphological features, distribution, ecology, conservation status and taxonomic affinities are examined. In addition, a new iconography and lectotypification for C. glaberrima and C. divergens is provided.

The Balkan Peninsula played an important role in the evolution of many Mediterranean plants and served as a major source for post-Pleistocene colonisation of central and northern Europe. Its complex geo-climatic history and environmental heterogeneity significantly influenced spatiotemporal diversification and resulted in intricate phylogeographic patterns. To explore the evolutionary dynamics and phylogeographic patterns within the widespread eastern Mediterranean and central European species Aurinia saxatilis, we used a combination of phylogenomic (restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, RADseq) and phylogenetic (sequences of the plastid marker ndhF) data as well as species distribution models generated for the present and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The inferred phylogenies retrieved three main geographically distinct lineages. The southern lineage is restricted to the eastern Mediterranean, where it is distributed throughout the Aegean area, the southern Balkan Peninsula, and the southern Apennine Peninsula, and corresponds to the species main distribution area during the LGM. The eastern lineage extends from the eastern Balkan Peninsula over the Carpathians to central Europe, while the central lineage occupies the central Balkan Peninsula. Molecular dating places the divergence among all the three lineages to the early to middle Pleistocene, indicating their long-term independent evolutionary trajectories. Our data revealed an early divergence and stable in situ persistence of the southernmost, eastern Mediterranean lineage, whereas the mainland, south-east European lineages experienced more complex and turbulent evolutionary dynamics triggered by Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Our data also support the existence of multiple glacial refugia in southeast Europe and highlight the central Balkan Peninsula not only as a cradle of lineage diversifications but also as a source of lineage dispersal. Finally, the extant genetic variation within A. saxatilis is congruent with the taxonomic separation of peripatric A. saxatilis subsp. saxatilis and A. saxatilis subsp. orientalis, whereas the taxonomic status of A. saxatilis subsp. megalocarpa remains doubtful.

Bivša vojarna Čerkezovac nalazi se na području Trgovske gore na Banovini. S ciljem očuvanja bioraznolikosti, obavljena je inventarizacija samonikle vaskularne flore tijekom vegetacijskog perioda 2021. godine. Istraživano je područje od 30 km2 koje se odlikuje kontinentalnom klimom u neposrednoj blizini sliva rijeke Une. Ustanovljeno je 276 biljnih svojti unutar 167 rodova i 60 porodica. Najzastupljenije porodice su Poaceae (7,25 %) te Fabaceae i Lamiaceae (6,16 %). U spektru životnih oblika dominiraju hemikriptofiti (51,80 %) i fanerofiti (15,58 %). Prema IUCN-ovom kategorijama ustanovljeno je osam ugroženih vrsta te šest strogo zaštićenih vrsta od čega je samo jedna endemična vrsta (Helleborus atrorubens Waldst. et Kit.). Također je utvrđeno šest alohtonih invazivnih vrsta. Rezultati ovog istraživanja prilog su poznavanju ukupne flore Hrvatske, ali su također važni za praćenje stanja biološke raznolikosti područja Trgovske gore koje dosad nije bilo temeljito istraživano., The former Čerkezovac military barracks are located in the area of Trgovska gora in Banovina Region. In order to preserve biodiversity, inventarisation of native vascular flora was conducted during the 2021 growing season. An area of 30 km2 with a continental climate in the immediate vicinity of the Una river basin was studied. A total of 276 plant taxa within 167 genera and 60 families were identified. The most represented families are Poaceae (7.25%), Fabaceae and Lamiaceae (6.16% each). The spectrum of life forms is dominated by hemicryptophytes (51.8%) and phanerophytes (15.58%). According to the IUCN categories, eight endangered and six strictly protected species were identified, including the only one endemic species (Helleborus atrorubens Waldst. et Kit.). Six alochtonous invasive species were also recorded. The research results are a contribution to the knowledge of the flora of Croatia, and are also important for the biodiversity monitoring of the area of Trgovska gora that has not been detailed investigated till now.

Glasniku Hrvatskog botaničkog društva do sada je objavljeno pet priloga koji dopunjuju popis flore Hrvatske i bazu podataka Flora Croatica – FCD (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd) s novoopisanim i novootkrivenim biljnim svojtama te se provode nomenklaturne preinake već postojećih svojti. Kako bi se taj niz i dalje nastavio, ovaj prilog je šesti u nizu te su u bazu FCD dodane dvije nove svojte (Centaurea arachnoidea Viv. subsp. adonidifolia (Rchb.) F. Conti, Moraldo et Ricceri i Potamogeton × cooperi (Fryer) Fryer) koje su zabilježene po prvi puta za Hrvatsku i pet svojti koje su novoopisane za znanost (Centaurea ceratophylla Ten. subsp. danielae F. Conti, Moraldo et Ricceri, C. lovricii Bogdanović, Boršić, Ljubičić, Brullo et Giusso, Euphorbia adriatica Stojilkovič, Záveská et Frajman, Rubus maureri Király, Trávn. et Žíla i Stellaria ruderalis M. Lepší, P. Lepší, K. Zdeněk et P. Koutecký). Osim toga, izvršene su dvije nomenklaturne preinake koje se odnose na vrste Centaurea calocephala Willd. i Cirsium greimleri Bureš, a vrsta Bupleurum aequiradiatum (H. Wolff) Snogerup et B. Snogerup je izbačena iz popisa hrvatske flore., In the Journal of the Croatian Botanical Society five contributions were published that serve as an update of the Flora Croatica Database – FCD (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd) with new entries of a newly described plant taxa and new discovered taxa in the flora, as well as nomenclatural changes applied on already existing plant taxa. This is the sixth contribution with two new plant taxa (Centaurea arachnoidea Viv. subsp. adonidifolia (Rchb.) F. Conti, Moraldo et Ricceri and Potamogeton × cooperi (Fryer) Fryer) added to the FCD, as their first record in Croatia. Furthermore, five taxa are described new to science (Centaurea ceratophylla Ten. subsp. danielae F. Conti, Moraldo et Ricceri, C. lovricii Bogdanović, Boršić, Ljubičić, Brullo et Giusso, Euphorbia adriatica Stojilkovič, Záveská et Frajman, Rubus maureri Király, Trávn. et Žíla and Stellaria ruderalis M. Lepší, P. Lepší, K. Zdeněk et P. Koutecký). In addition, two nomenclatural changes that refer to the species Centaurea calocephala Willd. and Cirsium greimleri Bureš were made, and the species Bupleurum aequiradiatum (H. Wolff) Snogerup et B. Snogerup is excluded from the checklist of the Croatian flora.

Brassicaceae are rich in healthy phytochemicals that have a positive impact on human health. The aim of this study was to analyze the phenolic compounds and antioxidant and anticancer potential of traditional Croatian kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) and wild cabbage (Brassica incana Ten.) extracts. The phenolic groups and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometry, selected phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, sinapic acid, salicylic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin) were analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and anticancer potential was evaluated in vitro using HeLa cells. The extracts of both plant species are rich in phenolic compounds and showed significant antioxidant activity at similar levels. LC-MS/MS detected sinapic acid as the most abundant phenolic acid, followed by ferulic acid, while salicylic acid was present at lower concentrations. A comparative analysis showed that wild cabbage contained significantly more sinapic acid, while kale contained more kaempferol and quercetin. Both Brassica extracts at a concentration of 50 µg mL−1 showed an antiproliferative effect on HeLa cells, while they did not affect the proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts. Wild cabbage extract also showed an antiproliferative effect on HeLa cells at a lower applied concentration of 10 µg mL−1 of extracts. The clonogenic analysis also revealed the inhibitory effect of the extracts on HeLa colony growth.

The Balkan Peninsula played an important role in the evolution of many Mediterranean plants and served as a major source for post-Pleistocene colonisation of central and northern Europe. Its complex geo-climatic history and environmental heterogeneity significantly influenced spatiotemporal diversification and resulted in intricate phylogeographic patterns. To explore the evolutionary dynamics and phylogeographic patterns within the widespread eastern Mediterranean and central European species

Within the isophyllous group of Campanula ser. Garganicae, represented by species of prevalent Adriatic and Ionian distribution, a rare new endemic species named C. cremnophila is described and illustrated from Pelješac Peninsula and the nearby Elaphite islands of Olipa and Jakljan (southern Croatia). It is a chasmophyte growing on calcareous rocky crevices near the sea, showing close relationship with C. garganica from southern Italy. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL–trnF data emphasized that C. cremnophila is distinct from other species of this group, forming a subclade with C. garganica and C. poscharskyana. The morphology, SEM microstructure of seeds and pollen grains, taxonomical relationships, ecology, conservation status of C. cremnophila, as well as an identification key including the species of the ser. Garganicae, are provided.

Surina, Bostjan/0000-0002-2635-315X; Satovic, Zlatko/0000-0002-9848-1601; Liber, Zlatko/0000-0002-2370-6650; Bogdanovic, Sandro/0000-0002-1952-6059; Celep, Ferhat/0000-0003-3280-8373 WOS: 000459983900082 PubMed: 30824783 The inheritance of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic traits in hybridization events is difficult to predict, as numerous evolutionary, ecological, and genetic factors can play a crucial role in the process of hybridization. In the middle Adriatic island of Vis, we investigated hybridization between Salvia officinalis and S. fruticosa at morphological, genetic and epigenetic levels. SSR results revealed that hybrid individuals were characterized by diploid set of chromosomes suggesting homoploid hybridization. A well-defined group that mostly comprised of F-1 generation individuals was detected. For the majority of analysed morphological characteristics, hybrids were placed in-between parental taxa, while at the same time, values of different genetic parameters were mostly higher in hybrids than in parental species. The results revealed a high contrast in the levels of phenotypic variability and epigenetic excitation between parental taxa. Environmental niche modelling confirmed that in the studied location S. officinalis experiences optimal climatological conditions, while S. fruticosa struggles with unsuitable conditions. Very low levels of gene flow between the parental species were detected. In addition, contrasting levels of epigenetic excitation in the studied groups clearly demonstrated the importance of an epigenetic response to an altered environment and confirmed the trans-generational nature of the epigenetic changes. project Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding, Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Zagreb, Croatia [KK.01.1.1.01.0005] This research has been funded by the project KK.01.1.1.01.0005 Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding, Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Zagreb, Croatia. The authors would like to thank Oleg Antonic and Martina Temunovic for helpful discussion on environmental niche modelling.

Chilean needle grass, Nassella neesiana belonging to the tribe Stipeae (Poaceae), native to South America was recorded for the first time in Croatia. It was found in ruderal vegetation on the island of Veli Brijun in the Brijuni National Park (Istria, NW Croatia). This species can cause negative impacts to native grasslands, outcompeting native grasses or can increase fire hazards in peri-urban areas. Considering the species has already naturalized in a number of European countries, and the fact that the territory of Northern Croatia has been evaluated as suitable for its eastward expansion, it is of great importance to monitor and control the spread of the species in the Adriatic and possibly promote an early eradication. Notes on the environment in which it was found and its invasive status in Croatia are discussed.

The Herbarium ZAGR of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb is one of the youngest in Croatia. The international acronym ZAGR was assigned by Index Herbariorum in 2013 when it was founded. Recently, in addition to the wild vascular flora, a collection of cultivated plants has been added to the herbarium material stored in the Herbarium ZAGR. Analysis has shown that 1737 herbarium specimens belong to the collection of cultivated and wild useful plants. There are 499 species and subspecies of useful plants, which are classified in 315 genera and 104 families. In total, the Herbarium ZAGR holds 18 useful species with cultivars. According to their employment, most taxa (326) can be used as medicine, 254 taxa can be used as food (166) or food additives (88), while bee plants include 172 taxa. The collection of cultivated and wild plants is available at http://herbarium.agr.hr/., Herbarij Agronomskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu (ZAGR) jedan je od najmlađih herbarija u Hrvatskoj. ZAGR je međunarodni akronim koji mu je pri osnivanju 2013. godine dodijelio Index Herbariorum. Odnedavno herbarijska građa pohranjena u ZAGR Herbariju obuhvaća, pored samonikle vaskularne flore, također i zbirku kultiviranih biljaka. Analiza je pokazala da 1737 herbarijskih primjeraka pripada zbirci kultiviranih i samoniklih korisnih biljaka. Ustanovljeno je 499 vrsta i podvrsta korisnih biljaka koje su razvrstane u 315 rodova i 104 porodice. Ukupno je u ZAGR Herbariju zastupljeno 18 kultiviranih vrsta sa sortama. Prema načinu upotrebe, odnosno korištenju najviše svojti - njih 326 - može se koristiti u ljekovite svrhe, 254 svojte se mogu koristiti kao hrana (166) ili dodatak hrani (88), dok medonosnih biljaka ima 172 svojte. Zbirka kultiviranih biljaka i samoniklih korisnih biljaka dostupna je na http://herbarium.agr.hr/.

The occurrence of Carex phyllostachys (Cyperaceae) in the Croatian flora is documented here for the first time. This rare Euro-Caucasian species was found in June 2019 in deciduous sub-Mediterranean Quercus pubescens-Carpinus orientalis forests on Mt Mosor in central Dalmatia. This record represents the north-western distribution limit of this species. The habitat and ecology of C. phyllostachys in the Croatian flora is presented, and morphological similarities with allied species (C. distachya and C. illegitima) are discussed. An identification key for Carex species belonging to the subgenus Indocarex in Croatia is provided.

Do sada su u Glasniku Hrvatskog botaničkog društva objavljena četiri priloga koja popis flore Hrvatske i bazu podataka Flora Croatica (https://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd/) dopunjuju s novoopisanim i novootkrivenim biljnim svojtama te se provode nomenklaturne preinake već postojećih svojti. Kako bi se taj niz i dalje nastavio, ovaj prilog je peti u nizu te su u bazu podataka Flora Croatica dodane tri nove biljne svojte (Veronica dalmatica Padilla-García, Rojas-Andrés, López-González et M.M.Mart.Ort., Betula × aurata Borkh. i Alnus × pubescens Tausch) koje su zabilježene po prvi puta za Hrvatsku. Osim toga, izvršena je jedna nomenklaturna preinka koja se odnosi na vrstu Veronica orbiculata A. Kern., a vrsta Asyneuma pichelrii (Vis.) Lakušić et Conti je izbačena iz popisa hrvatske flore., an update of the Flora Croatica Database (https://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd/) with new entries of a newly described plant taxa and new discovered taxa in the flora, as well as nomenclatural changes were applied on already existing plant taxa. In order to continue this series, this contribution is the fifth in a series and three new plant taxa (Veronica dalmatica Padilla-García, Rojas-Andrés, López-González et M.M.Mart. Ort., Betula × aurata Borkh. and Alnus × pubescens Tausch) have been added to the Flora Croatica Database, which are being recorded for the first time in Croatia. Besides, one nomenclatural change was made that refers to the species Veronica orbiculata A. Kern., and the species Asyneuma pichleri (Vis.) Lakušić et Conti is excluded from the checklist of the Croatian flora.

Genome size (GS) is an important characteristic that may be helpful in delimitation of taxa, and multiple studies have shown correlations between intraspecific GS variation and morphological or environmental factors, as well as its geographical segregation. We estimated a relative GS (RGS) of 707 individuals from 162 populations of Dianthus sylvestris with a geographic focus on the Balkan Peninsula, but also including several populations from the European Alps. Dianthus sylvestris is morphologically variable species thriving in various habitats and six subspecies have been recognized from the Balkan Peninsula. Our RGS data backed-up with chromosome counts revealed that the majority of populations were diploid (2n = 30), but ten tetraploid populations have been recorded in D. sylvestris subsp. sylvestris from Istria (Croatia, Italy). Their monoploid RGS is significantly lower than that of the diploids, indicating genome downsizing. In addition, the tetraploids significantly differ from their diploid counterparts in an array of morphological and environmental characteristics. Within the diploid populations, the RGS is geographically and only partly taxonomically correlated, with the highest RGS inferred in the southern Balkan Peninsula and the Alps. We demonstrate greater RGS variation among the Balkan populations compared to the Alps, which is likely a result of more pronounced evolutionary differentiation within the Balkan Peninsula. In addition, a deep RGS divergence within the Alps likely points to persistence of the alpine populations in different Pleistocene refugia.

The strawberry tree fruit and leaf are a rich source of minerals, easily digestible sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and many bioactive compounds of significant functional value. Due to their favorable chemical composition, fruits have recently become increasingly popular in consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the physical-chemical composition, content of bioactive compounds, and also the antioxidant capacity of the fruit and leaves of wild strawberry tree populations among the Adriatic coast in Croatia, as well as to investigate the influence of location on the content of specific bioactive compounds. According to the obtained results, both fruit and leaves are pronouncedly high in vitamin C content, the average value for fruits amounted to 224.21 mg/100 g FW, while that for leaves amounted to 138.08 mg/100 g FW. Additionally, significantly high values of total polyphenolic compounds were recorded both in fruits (average value of 637.94 mg GAE/100 g FW) and especially in leaves (average value of 2157.01 mg GAE/100 g FW). Several pigments from different categories were determined in the fruit depending on fruit maturity, including: total anthocyanins, β-carotene and lycopene; while in leaves chlorophylls and carotenoids. Given the high content of different bioactive compounds high values of antioxidant capacity were determined (the average value for fruits was 2269.96 µmol TE/kg and for leaves, 2237.16 µmol TE/kg). Location strongly influenced the physical-chemical composition and also the content of specialized metabolites; populations collected from southern areas (central and south Dalmatia) of the Adriatic coast tended to have higher amounts of vitamin C, total phenols, total anthocyanins and β-carotene.

Campanula fenestrellata subsp. fenestrellata and C. fenestrellata subsp. istriaca belong to the morphologically and phylogenetically well established amphi-Adriatic group Campanula ser. Garganicae. The two morphologically differentiated endemic taxa are distributed on the north-eastern Adriatic islands and coast. In order to study the relationships among C. fenestrellata s.l. populations and to gain insight into genetic basis of taxonomic separation established on morphology, we examined amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) as well as nuclear and plastid DNA sequences (ITS and trnL–trnF). With the sequence data, no structure and no distinction between the two subspecies were observed. The AFLPs separated populations geographically and inferred high number of most likely clusters. The northern and the southernmost populations were assigned to uniform separate clusters indicating the longer isolation of respective populations, while the admixed populations were evident in the central area where the two taxa geographically overlap, indicating the presence of gene flow. Distinct fragmentation patterns and the existence of several temporally continuous microrefugia during the Quaternary climatic oscillations likely promoted strong genetic differentiation within the species range, while secondary postglacial contacts are reflected in observed admixture. Although the two taxa exhibited differences in ecological preferences, niche conservatism was detected. Overall, phylogeographic reconstruction of C. fenestrellata s.l. populations highlights the importance of microrefugia in shaping the intraspecific genetic variation as well as of melting-pot areas in rearranging such variation as a result of a more recent admixture.

Goniolimon species are mainly components of the Eurasian steppe or steppe-like rocky vegetation, with some taxa occurring also in south-eastern Europe and northern Africa. We analysed the variability of: (i) two maternally inherited plastid loci (rpl32-trnL and 3′rps16-5′trnK) in 110 individuals of six currently accepted species from the Balkans and one species from the Apennines, to provide new insights into their origin and evolutionary history ; and (ii) quantitative morphological characters (14 independent characters and one ratio character) in 641 individuals of three species of which two are morphologically and ecologically similar (G. italicum and G. tataricum) and the third, G. dalmaticum, was frequently misidentified as G. tataricum in the past, to provide new taxonomic treatment for proposed G. tataricum subspecies. We delineated several quantitative and five qualitative characters studied in a more limited sample as diagnostic for the identification of four subspecies (three newly described and one in a new rank) of G. tataricum. The history of westward peripheral populations of this species in the Balkans and the Apennines was rather complex and driven by local geo-historic events. These events facilitated multiple waves of east–west expansion of lineages originating from sources outside of the Balkan Peninsula which periodically diversified and occupied localised areas in the Balkans during the Pleistocene. An initial spread of an ancient G. tataricum lineage throughout south-eastern Europe probably occurred during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Inter- and intraspecific hybridisation/introgression, as well as retention of ancestral polymorphisms, was common in G. tataricum and related taxa over time.

The Dalmatian coast (Croatia) represents the second largest Archipelago within the Mediterranean area and contributes considerably to the Mediterranean biodiversity. The islands of the Vis Archipelago, in particular, contain an exceptional richness of endemic and rare plant taxa. The aim of this paper is to provide a phytosociological description of the rare plants communities occurring in the Vis Archipelago and define their syntaxonomic position in the Mediterranean context. A data- set consisting of 90 phytosociological relevés was subjected to cluster analysis (Ward’s method on a Chord distance matrix) and non- metric multidimensional scaling ordination. The Indicator Species Analysis was used to identify the diagnostic taxa of the main clusters of relevés. The occurrence of the Anthyllidion barbae-jovis in Croatia was documented with new relevés. Four new associations of the Crithmo- Staticetalia and four further new ones of the Helichrysetalia italici were described for the first time. A endemic alliance to the Vis archipelago (Croatia) and Tremiti islands (Italy), Capparo orientalis-Aurinion leucadeae, was validated in order to include plant communities of coastal rocky cliffs which are not directly exposed to sea-borne salt-spray but are still under the influence of sea-born salt due to the intense offing storms, in the middle Adriatic. The results were discussed in the light of the European syntaxonomic framework of the EuroVegChecklist. Several syntaxonomic interpretative problems regarding the interface between the Helichrysetalia italici and the Centaureo-Campanuletalia have arisen and they have been only partially solved with the validation of the Capparo-Aurinion. New investigations are required on this topic.

Allium chamaespathum Boiss., the only autumn-flowering species of Sect. Allium, was studied based on morphology, karyology, seed coat microsculpturing and DNA sequences from several populations.

The strawberry tree fruit and leaf are a rich source of minerals, easily digestible sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins (especially vitamin C) and many bioactive compounds of significant functional value. Due to their favorable chemical composition, fruits have recently become increasingly popular in consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the physical-chemical composition, content of bioactive compounds, and also the antioxidant capacity of the fruit and leaves of wild strawberry tree populations among the Adriatic coast in Croatia, as well as to investigate the influence of location on the content of specific bioactive compounds. According to the obtained results, both fruit and leaves are pronouncedly high in vitamin C content, the average value for fruits amounted to 224.21 mg/100 g FW, while that for leaves amounted to 138.08 mg/100 g FW. Additionally, significantly high values of total polyphenolic compounds were recorded both in fruits (average value of 637.94 mg GAE/100 g FW) and especially in leaves (average value of 2157.01 mg GAE/100 g FW). Several pigments from different categories were determined in the fruit depending on fruit maturity, including: total anthocyanins, &beta, carotene and lycopene, while in leaves chlorophylls and carotenoids. Given the high content of different bioactive compounds high values of antioxidant capacity were determined (the average value for fruits was 2269.96 &micro, mol TE/kg and for leaves, 2237.16 &micro, mol TE/kg). Location strongly influenced the physical-chemical composition and also the content of specialized metabolites, populations collected from southern areas (central and south Dalmatia) of the Adriatic coast tended to have higher amounts of vitamin C, total phenols, total anthocyanins and &beta, carotene.

A regionally extinct taxon, Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link subsp. arundinacea H. Lindb., has been rediscovered in the Croatian flora after 78 years. Previously it was known only from two coastal sand dune sites in Northern Dalmatia. The habitat at the locality of Crnika near Lopar on the northern Adriatic island of Rab is destroyed and A. arenaria subsp. arundinacea does not grow there anymore. At the second locality, on the sand dunes of Kraljičina plaža in the vicinity of the town of Nin, A. arenaria subsp. arundinacea was rediscovered and confirmed after 174 years. This is the only population of this taxon in Croatia, counting 48 mature individuals where the psammophylous habitat of Kraljičina plaža is under strong anthropogenic influence. This taxon is now classified as critically endangered (CR) and merits adequate active protection and conservation of its psammophylous habitat.

The aim of the study was to confirm the hybridogenous status of several populations of putative Serapias × todaroi along the eastern Adriatic coast, and identify the most useful morphological traits for recognizing the hybrid in the wild. We have performed a karyological study, and compared the morphology of the hybrids with the assumed parental species S. lingua and S. parviflora. The intermediate features of the studied populations, particularly chromosome number and shape of the base of the labellum, strongly support its hybridogenous origin. Although morphometric analysis found certain traits of the hybrid to be intermediate with respect to the parental species, in general the hybrid plants closely resembled S. lingua. The flowers of the hybrid were mostly influenced by S. lingua, while the vegetative traits were mostly influenced by S. parviflora. To distinguish the hybrid in the field successfully, most attention should be paid to the shape of the base of the labellum and plant height, while flower size (particularly of labellum) can also be useful to some extent.

The vascular flora of Significant Landscape Gornji Kamenjak in Istria was investigated in different vegetation periods from 2012 to 2013, and a total of 507 plant taxa (468 species and 39 subspecies) were recorded. Part of them werw previously registered, while some are recorded for the first time. The studied area was poorly investigated in the past, therefore there was a need for this study, representing a very detailed floristic survey of the area. The most dominant families were grasses (Poaceae, 11.8%), legumes (Fabaceae, 10.6%), daisies (Asteraceae, 6.5%) and mints (Lamiaceae, 5.5%). The domination of therophytes (37.0%) indicates that the climate of Gornji Kamenjak shows a high influence of the Mediterranean climate, followed by hemicryptophytes (30.8%) and geophytes (12.6%). We recorded a total of 11 invasive species across the whole investigated area, as well as the occurrence of 15 endangered and 13 endemic plant taxa. The results of our research of autochthonous vascular flora indicate high richness and diversity of plant species in the studied area.

A total of 289 herbarium sheets with 803 specimens from the genus Fritillaria within ZA, ZAHO, CNHM and ZAGR collections were digitized. Altogether 23 taxa were registered within studied collections. The exsiccata originate from 20, mostly European countries; however 72% are from Croatia. The revision of the herbarium sheets collected in Croatia resulted with five native taxa and their historical distributional data for the country. The average age of the collected specimens was 85 years. Based on our herbaria revision, the area of distribution of F. messanensis ssp. gracilis greatly increased., Digitalizacijom roda Fritillaria (kockavica) u herbarijskim zbirkama ZA, ZAHO, CNHM i ZAGR obuhvaćeno je ukupno 289 herbarijskih listova s 803 jedinke. Zabilježene su ukupno 23 svojte. Eksikati potječu iz 20 uglavnom europskih država, od čega 72 % iz Hrvatske. Revizijom herbarijskih listova sakupljenih na području Hrvatske zabilježeno je pet autohtonih svojti kockavica te su dobiveni povijesni podaci o njihovoj rasprostranjenosti. Prosječna starost herbarijskih primjeraka je 85 godina. Revizijom herbarijskih primjeraka areal svojte F. messanensis ssp. gracilis je značajno povećan.

A new species of Campanula from Central Albania, named C. skanderbegii, belonging to isophyllous Campanula ser. Garganicae is illustrated and described. Morphologically and phylogenetically it is well differentiated from other species of this series. It is morphologically similar to C. portenschlagiana from Central Dalmatia (Croatia) based on corolla shape. Phylogenetic analyses, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference, based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL—trnF data support C. skanderbegii as a clearly distinct taxon within the isophyllous species of Campanula. A distribution map for C. skanderbegii and a key to all species of Campanula ser. Garganicae are provided. Because of its rarity and highly restricted distribution, C. skanderbegii should be included in the IUCN red list as a critically endangered species.

The Campanula pyramidalis complex is a group of closely related taxa with a distribution across the Balkans, from the Gulf of Trieste in the north to the Peloponnese Peninsula in the south, with small disjunct parts of the range in the south Apennines. Although 21 taxa were described within this complex, only three, C. pyramidalis, C. versicolor, and C. secundiflora, have been generally accepted in recent synoptical taxonomic treatments. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of three non-coding chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH, psbZ-trnfM, trnG-trnS) as well as of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS), lend strong support to the recognition of several lineages which only partially correspond to generally accepted taxonomic concepts. Molecular data presented in this study showed that C. pyramidalis is a polyphyletic assemblage that segregates into three distinct lineages, one of which is described here as a new species, C. austroadriatica sp. nov. The lectotype of C. pyramidalis, redefined in a strict sense, is designated. Neither C. versicolor nor C. secundiflora were found to be strictly monophyletic, but their monophyly could not be rejected. Morphological and biogeographical implications are discussed.

This paper presents the distribution of the rare plant species Matthiola fruticulosa (L.) Maire in Croatia. During our study, previous records on the Pelješac peninsula were confirmed, and new records were found, extending the Croatian areal to the southern U radu se analizira rasprostranjenost rijetke biljne vrste Matthiola fruticulosa (L.) Maire u Hrvatskoj. Tijekom našeg istraživanja potvrđena su prethodna nalazišta vrste na Pelješcu, a nova nalazišta su proširila areal vrste u Hrvatskoj sve do južnih, U radu se analizira rasprostranjenost rijetke biljne vrste Matthiola fruticulosa (L.) Maire u Hrvatskoj. Tijekom našeg istraživanja potvrđena su prethodna nalazišta vrste na Pelješcu, a nova nalazišta su proširila areal vrste u Hrvatskoj sve do južnih padina Svilaje. Vrsta se pojavljuje na vapnenačkim kamenjarskim staništima (točila, kamenjarski pašnjaci i šikare). U radu su predloženi ključevi za određivanje vrsta, kako u vegetativnom obliku i tijekom cvatnje, tako i u plodu.

Popis flore Hrvatske i baza podataka Flora Croatica (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd) dopunjeni su i preinačeni s jednom novoopisanom vrstom (Luzula divulgatiformis Bačić et Jogan), tri novopronađene vrste (Phytolacca acinosa Roxb., Cardamine fialae Fritsch, Goniolimon tataricum (L.) Boiss.) te s dvije nomenklaturne preinake., The checklist of the Croatian flora and the Flora Croatica database (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd) are modified and updated with one new described species (Luzula divulgatiformis Bačić et Jogan), with three new discovered species (Phytolacca acinosa Roxb., Cardamine fialae Fritsch, Goniolimon tataricum (L.) Boiss.) and two nomenclatural changes.

The Illyrian-Balkan species Cardamine fialae Fritsch was found for the first time in Croatia. It belongs to C. maritima complex, which includes seven endemic species with very restricted distribution. Six of them occur on the Balkan peninsula (C. maritima Port. ex DC., C. adriatica Jar. Kučera, Lihová & Marhold, C. serbica Pančić, C. fialae Fritsch, C. montenegrina Jar. Kučera, Lihová & Marhold and C. rupestris (O.E. Schulz) K. Malý), since one is distributed on the Apennine peninsula (C. monteluccii Brilli-Catt. & Gubellini). During a floristic survey of northern slopes of the Matokit Mt in surrounding of the town Vrgorac in inland of southern Dalmatia, a peculiar population of Cardamine has been found. Regarding its morphology, general habit, type of leaves and fruits, collected plants were determined as C. fialae. Herbarium vouchers of collected plants are digitalized and deposited in the herbarium ZAGR. Type specimens of C. fialae are deposited in herbarium GZU and they were consulted and confronted with specimens from Croatia. C. fialae was described in 1897 from surrounding of the settlement Klobuk in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is eight kilometres air distance from the new locality on the Matokit Mt. Morphologically, C. fialae is similar to C. serbica, endemic in Serbia, with which it shares following characters: auricules at the base of lower cauline leaves, main stem and sepals hairy, stem and rosette leaves bipinnate, with serrate margin of leaflets. However, C. fialae differs by larger petals and sepals and by 1-2 lateral stem branches. On the Matokit Mt, C. fialae grows on lower altitudes in rocky crevices within the zone of sub-Mediterranean vegetation of forest fringes.

Herbarium ZAGR of the Faculty of Agriculture (Zagreb) is the youngest registered herbarium in Croatia. Currently the collection has estimated from 7.500 to 10.000 herbarium sheets of vascular plants, especially rich in specimens from the Adriatic part of Croatia, Balkan territories and other Mediterranean areas. Currently the ZAGR collection has 1275 plant taxa and covers 25% of Croatian national flora. The families with the largest number of herbarium specimens are Poaceae, Fabaceae and Asteraceae. A total of 1655 herbarium sheets are digitalised and are accessible online throughout ZAGR Virtual Herbarium database http://herbarium.agr.hr/. The particular interest of ZAGR collection are 26 type specimens of recently described new taxa to science from Croatia, Albania and Greece. Of important value in ZAGR herbarium are specimens of rare and endemic plants (435 sheets) out of which 101 belong to endemic taxa, which is 26% of total recorded Croatian endemic taxa. In total 1254 sheets of weed taxa and 31 invasive species are stored in herbarium. ZAGR collection contains more than 100 sheets of different specimens of agricultural important traditional and modern cultivars.

Goniolimon tataricum (L.) Boiss. is recognized as a new species for the Croatian flora. Besides G. dalmaticum Rchb. f., G. tataricum represents the second species of this genus in Croatia. To confirm the identity of G. tataricum as a new species, morphometric study and multivariate statistical analysis were performed on the data from four Croatian populations of G. dalmaticum and G. tataricum. Based on results of morphometric analysis, an identification key for these two species is provided. Data about distribution in the Balkan Peninsula, habitat and ecology of the newly-recorded species are also presented. Typification of G. dalmaticum was performed for the first time.

Based on the diagnostic morphological characters of the Arundo taxa, and after both field and herbarium observation, three species (A. micrantha, A. plinii and A. donax) were found along the eastern Adriatic coast. Altogether, 50 phytocoenological relevés from Arundo stands were collected in Croatia, Montenegro and Albania between 2010 and 2013. Three associations with a predominance of Arundo species were determined: Arundinetum plinianae, Arundinetum micranthae and Arundini donacis–Convolvuletum sepium. Among them, Arundinetum micranthae is described and proposed as a new association, belonging to the Artemisietea vulgaris class. It occurs frequently along the coastal belt between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik in South Croatia. The syntaxonomy of the associations is discussed and comparison with similar communities from Italy is made. The vegetation and floristic structure of the associations is discussed as a potential basis for biodiversity conservation programmes and for evaluating the state of these ecosystems in the future.

Background – Bituminaria is a small genus of the family Fabaceae that belongs to the tribe Psoraleeae distributed both in the Mediterranean and Macaronesian region. In the framework of taxonomic research on this genus, an unresolved species described from Croatia, and previously attributed to Psoralea, is here restored and properly transferred to Bituminaria, thus proposing a new combination.Methods – Field investigations, herbarium specimens, morphological analyses and literature were used for a correct identification of this species and its comparison with the other known taxa of the genus Bituminaria.Results – Bituminaria plumosa (Rchb.) Bogdanović, C.Brullo, Brullo, Giusso & Ljubičić (= Psoralea plumosa Rchb.), originally described from Istria (North Croatia), is recognized as a distinct species of this peculiar genus. Considerations on its morphological features, seed testa micro-sculptures, ecology, chorology, taxonomical relationships, as well as a new and detailed iconography are provided. This species is morphologically well distinct from the other known species of the genus in having a densely villous indumentum, with very long hairs, leaf petiole very short, leaf blades ovate to ovate-lanceolate, long aristate, corolla purplish-pink, standard elliptical, long pistil, and large seeds.

BOGDANOVIC, S., C. BRULLO, S. BRULLO, G. GIUSSO DEL GALDO, C. M. MUSARELLA & C. SALMERI (2011). Allium cithaeronis Bogdanovic, C. Brullo, Brullo, Giusso, Musarella & Salmeri (Alliaceae), a new species from Greece. Candollea 66: 377-382. In English, English and French abstracts. A new species of Allium sect. Scorodon Koch, Allium cithaeronis Bogdanovic, C. Brullo, Brullo, Giusso, Musarella & Salmeri, is described and illustrated from Greece. Its chromosome number (2n = 16), karyogram, leaf anatomy, ecology, and taxonomical relationships are examined. For some morphological features, such as exserted stamens from perigon and tuberculate lobes in the upper part of the ovary, it represents a very isolated species within the section Scorodon.

A new species, Goniolimon africanum is described and illustrated from Algeria and Tunisia (North Africa). This study, based on investigations of herbarium specimens and data from literature, highlights the fact that this species was collected for the first time by Ernest Cosson and provisionally named ‘Goniolimon luteolus’ nom. nud., while it was later attributed to G. tataricum. A detailed morphological study, carried out on some related European species of Goniolimon, has emphasized that African populations are taxonomically well differentiated from European ones. Its distribution, ecology and relationships are also examined. A table comparing the new species with the closest allied European species of Goniolimon is provided.

The European Mediterranean region is one of the world's major centres of biodiversity. Within the research of plant species diversity of this region, area along the eastern part of the Adriatic basin has been rather neglected in comparison to other Mediterranean areas. The main aims of this study, focused to this neglected area, were to complete the present lack of data and to discuss the species-area relationship, floristic richness and endemism of the Adriatic islands and coast at the preliminary level. Floristic data for 106 Croatian islands collected by different authors were integrated, systematized and presented in the form usable for other researches worldwide. Power (Arrhenius) function was used for the modeling (by non-linear regression) of species-area relationship. Residuals around regression curve (as indicators of floristic diversity without influence of island area) were calculated for each particular island. The proportion of endemics in total island flora varies from 0% up to 28.6% for total and 17.5% for narrow endemics. Floristic richness of the broader region was estimated (on the basis of SAR extrapolation) on 1807 species for all Croatian islands and on 2797 species for the entire Mediterranean area in Croatia.

After 88 years, occurrence of Aegilops uniaristata Vis. (Poaceae) in Croatian flora was confirmed and its distribution is supplemented by new localities. It has been confirmed and its distribution supplemented by new localities. Populations of a few specimens were found in southern Istria, in the vicinity of the small town of Bale, in the village of Krnica and on the Rt Kamenjak promontory, growing within dry Mediterranean grasslands. Based on herbarium revision a lectotype from Visiani’s collection in herbarium PAD and an epitype from the herbarium W were designated.