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In this paper, we present preliminary results from the study on the effect of fruit storage period on seed germination in Solidago ×niederederi and its parental species (S. canadensis and S. virgaurea). We aimed to test the hypothesis that a long fruit storage period (i) reduces the final percentage and speed of seed germination, as well as (ii) increases the number of dead seeds among non-germinated ones. We used fruit samples collected in Kraków, southern Poland, in 2013 and 2016, designating two different fruit storage periods of 3.5 years and 0.5 years, under dry, room temperature conditions. Seeds of all the observed species presented remarkably higher final percentage of germination after the short storage period than after the long one. The seeds subjected to the short fruit storage period achieved significantly higher values of Timson's index and coefficient of velocity, as well as significantly lower values of the mean germination time than samples subjected to the long fruit storage period. After the long storage period, a significantly higher number of dead seeds among non-germinated seeds was found in S. ×niederederi and S. virgaurea. The performed studies showing that the long fruit storage period led to low contribution of germinated seeds in S. ×niederederi and its parental species suggested that the longtime seed desiccation had a negative impact on final germination. Considering that the hybrid can be potentially cultivated for scientific, medicinal or ornamental purposes, the suggested fruit storage period, under dry, room temperature conditions, should be shorter than three years. However, we realize that the response to long storage may vary in different populations and, therefore, further investigations are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented study, male and female reproductive success was analyzed in relation to the population size, floral display and pollinators' availability in natural and anthropogenic populations of the orchid Malaxis monophyllos (L.) Sw. Our results indicated significant differences between all investigated populations in parameters of floral display, including heights and number of flowers per inflorescence, as well the number of flowering individuals and their spatial structure. Additionally, populations differed both in male (pollinia removal) and female (fruit set) reproductive success, but only the fruit set clearly differentiated anthropogenic and natural populations. Despite the average flower number per plant being significantly higher in two of the anthropogenic populations, it was not related to the fruits set, which was significantly lower there. Moreover, our preliminary study concerning the potential pollinators of M. monophyllos showed a higher contribution of flies in natural habitats than in anthropogenic ones. Thus, we can suspect that the main factors influencing the level of female reproductive success in M. monophyllos populations are abundance of effective pollinators, as well as flower visitors, which may have resulted in a different level of pollen discounting in populations. Therefore, further studies concerning breeding system and pollination as important forces that shape demographic processes in M. monophyllos populations are necessary. Our results also indicate that suitable conservation methods in M. monophyllos should always include the preservation of potential pollinators, especially in these new, secondary habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persicaria nepalensis (L.) Mill. is an annual herb occurring natively in South, East and Southeast Asia, having a range extending from Oceania to East Africa. Here we report the first Polish stand of this species, found in 2011 near Baligród (Western Bieszczady Mountains), followed by the discovery of two more stands in the surrounding area up to 2013. The floristic composition of vegetation impacted by P. nepalensis is presented, and the invasive potential and pathways of introduction of the species are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a new Polish record of Badhamia versicolor, a nationally rare and red-listed species of Myxomycetes. It was discovered on the edge of the disused sand and gravel pit (formerly, a gravel mine of the Polish State Railway) in the town of Suwałki, north-eastern Poland. Two small clusters of mature fruiting bodies of B. versicolor were noticed on a bark of living poplar (unidentified species of Populus) and on a fallen leaf of the same poplar tree. Photographic documentation of specimens collected from a new locality is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]