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Chouardia (Hyacinthaceae) is a genus restricted to Dinaric Alps that was recently described and segregated from Scilla . It comprises two species, C. litardierei (Breist.) Speta, known as a type species of periodically flooded karst fields across western parts of the Balkan Peninsula, and C. lakusicii (Šilić) Speta, found in dry, stony, calcareous grasslands and rock crevices of Montenegro, southern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. Chouardia lakusicii, as a distinct taxon, was described after vague morphological and phenological characterization of a limited number of individuals from only a few populations. Consequently, it is possible these assumed species present merely divergent ecotypes of the same polymorphic taxon. In addition, based on the ecological preferences, the third ecotype can be recognized as well, the one growing in the coastal grasslands of Northern Dalmatia, Croatia. As a part of substantially larger research activities that aim at deciphering the genomic background of the adaptive divergence process, a comprehensive common garden experiment that included almost 540 individuals (60 individuals from each of three selected populations from each ecotype) was set. During the 2022 vegetation season, we have measured numerous phenological and morphological characters. Based on preliminary analysis, strong contrasts among populations were observed. However, for the majority of these characters, differences were ecotype-independent, meaning they cannot be used as reliable descriptive elements. Here we present the obtained results and discuss their importance for further research on Chouardia as a study system for ecological divergence.

88 lichenized and 2 lichenicolous fungi are reported from the @drocle Forest Reserve. The association Ranunculo platanifolii-Fagetum var. geogr. Calaminthagrandiflora hosts the greatest biodiversity of lichens. One species (Biatora flavopunctata) is new for the flora of Slovenia, two species (Collemafurfuraceum and Lecanora subintricata) and one variety (Cladonia macilenta ssp. floerkeana) are new for the dinaric phytogeographical region. 88 vrst lišajev ter 2 vrsti liheniziranih gliv je bilo zabeleženih v Gozdnem rezervatu @drocle. Največja lišajska diverziteta je bila opažena znotraj asociacije Ranunculo platanifolii-Fagetum var. geogr. Calamintha grandiflora. Zabeležena je ena nova vrsta lišaja za Slovenijo (Biatora flavopunctata), dve vrsti (Collema furfuraceum and Lecanora subintricata) sta novi za dinarsko fitogeografsko regijo.

The outcome of natural hybridization in plants is difficult to predict. The symmetry of the hybridization depends on numerous elements, such as the viability and fertility of hybrid offspring, the initial sizes of the parental populations, and pollinator preferences. If hybridization is asymmetrical, it is expected that the inheritance will be oriented towards the same parental taxon on both molecular and morphological levels. Using molecular and morphological markers, we analysed the natural hybridization between Salvia officinalis, an indigenous species well adapted to the local environment, and S. fruticosa, a non-native species struggling with marginal environmental conditions. Results reveal that hybridization has an asymmetrical pattern and that gene flow is oriented towards S. fruticosa. However, the hybrid individuals resulting from back-crossing with S. fruticosa are more morphologically similar to S. officinalis. We believe that environmental pressure is responsible for such a hybridization outcome. To achieve the phenotypic optimum previously achieved by S. officinalis, hybrids use the genetic potential gained from the hybridization to become morphologically more like the native species.

Dry open rocky grassland vegetation on shallow ultramafic soils in the Central Balkans represents typical secondary grasslands, which have developed mainly in the zone of thermophilous mixed deciduous broadleaved and pine forests. Although all relevant national and regional syntaxonomic reviews classify these rocky grasslands within the distinct order Halacsyetalia sendtneri, the syntaxonomic position of the order in different systems of classification has varied in the past. Considering this as well as the fact that there have been no synoptic works on this specific vegetation type, we gathered all available data on the order Halacsyetalia sendtnerii from the serpentinites of the Western and Central Balkan Peninsula for its critical evaluation. The results obtained in our analyses allowed us to propose a new syntaxonomic concept, which is partly in accordance with previously published syntaxonomic schemes. Two alliances can be distinguished: Centaureo kosaninii-Bromion fibrosi and Potentillion visianii, for which the diagnoses, diagnostic and constant taxa are given. Furthermore, we discussed the syntaxonomic position of the order Halacsyetalia sendtneri with respect to the classes Festuco-Brometea and Koelerio-Corynephoretea, as within the analysed associations, many taxa diagnostic for the class Koelerio-Corynephoretea were registered. The thermophytic pioneer grasslands and therophyte sward communities included in the alliance Thymion jankae nomen. inval., characterised by the absence of typical species of the order Halascyetalia sendtneri and presence of taxa diagnostic for the class Koelerio-Corynephoretea, are temporarily left within the order Halacsyetalia sendtneri. Finally, we provided nomenclatural adjustments for the analysed associations when necessary, although a conclusive judgement regarding all the associations currently included within the analysed order can only be made after more detailed field surveys including data on cryptogams as well as joint analyses including all floristically and ecologically similar syntaxa (e.g. Astragalo-Potentilletalia, Festucetalia valesiacae). Extensive Landnutzung spielte auf dem Balkan lange Zeit eine große Rolle und in Folge davon degradierten die natürlichen Wälder und sekundäres Grasland breitete sich stark aus. Auf flachgründigen Serpentinböden mit hohen Magnesium-Gehalten konnten sich dabei in der Zone der thermophilen Laubmisch- und Kiefernwälder sog. Serpentin-Steppenrasen entwickeln, die in der Ordnung Halacsyetalia sendtneri zusammengefasst sind. Diese Ordnung mit zahlreichen endemischen Serpentinophyten wurde von Ritter-Studnička nach Untersuchungen der Bestände des zentralen und östlichen Bosniens und Herzegowinas aufgestellt und in die beiden Verbände Polygonion albanicae und Potentillion visianii untergliedert (RITTER-STUDNIČKA 1970). Aufgrund des zahlreichen Vorkommens von Charakterarten der Festucetalia valesiacae wurde die Ordnung in die Klasse Festuco-Brometea eingegliedert. Diese Stellung war bislang jedoch umstritten. Einigkeit bestand lediglich darin, dass die Serpentin-Steppenrasen des Balkans eine eigene Ordnung Halacsyetalia bildeten. Eine konsistente Gliederung der Halacsyetalia fehlte bislang ebenfalls. Daher revidieren wir hier das Syntaxon der Halacsyetalia kritisch.

The genus Edraianthus (Campanulaceae) has the centre of its distribution in western Balkans with disjunctions in the Apennines, Sicily and S Carpathians. It has been extensively studied since the end of the 19th century. Initially particular interests were raised to taxonomical and chorological problems, while recent research efforts have been focused on phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships, both between the closely related genera and within the genus. Furthermore, quaternary range shift patterns of some representatives were studied based on the molecular data. Consequently, accurate published data on Edraianthus species occurrences are today available along with existing herbarium specimen collections. The development of GIS software allows us to properly collect and process such data and when combined with environmental data and ecological niche modelling (ENM) we can predict species distribution in a geographic space according to a prediction of their environmental space. Models projected to past environmental conditions can help understanding late quaternary range shifts and to locate potential Pleistocene refugia. Here we present the results of our work on the distribution of Edraianthus tenuifolius using GIS methodology with available environmental data. Combining GIS with standard statistic methods allows us to recognize distributional patterns or biogeographically distinct entities.

Section Incani DC. (= Sect. Proselius Bunge ; Sect. Holophyllum Boriss.) of the genus Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) comprises 135-150 species and represents species richest group of taxa among medifixed hairy Astragalus species (subgenus Cercidothrix Bunge), with the Armeno-Iranian floristic province of the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region in the Middle and Greater Middle East being diversification centre. The species of this section are distributed in Asia, Middle East, Caucasus, Nort Africa and Europe. Based on molecular evidence, taxa of the section Incani represent a monophyletic clade among modifixed hairy Astragalus taxa. Most recent monographic treatment of the European taxa listed only three species (A. incanus L., A. monspessulanus L. and A. spruneri Boiss.) and several other taxa ranked on subspecies level or bellow, distributed mostly in Circum-Mediterranean area. Despite being only a poor reflection of species diversity within the Astragalus section Incani, complex and ambiguous systematics and nomenclature of European species reflect recognition of different number of taxa, most probably based on diagnostic features of dubious taxonomic relevance. Our research aims at more accurate taxa circumscriptions and their distribution ranges as well as examination of taxonomic relevance of characters used in current systematic treatments. Here, the first results of morphometric and AFLP fingerprinting data based on comprehensive sampling across the whole distribution range of the Astragalus section Incani in Europe are presented.

Campanula tommasiniana is a typical chasmophyte occupying calcareous rock crevices and cracks along the wide range of various ecological gradients demonstrating high degree of ecological plasticity and stress tolerance with regards to abiotic factors. Generally, three ecologically and floristically distinct groups of stands were recognized and typified according to sigmatistic approach: (a) Seslerio juncifoliae-Campanuletum tommasinianae ass. nov., with stands occupying higher elevated sites fully exposed to sun and strong winds ; (b) Seslerio automnalis-Campanuletum tommasiniana ass. nov., representing stands predominantly developed within the thermophytic beech stands, semi- to fully-shaded by the nearby tree canopy ; (c) Cystopteri fragilis-Campanuletum tommasinianae, sciophytic, moist and cold adapted stands with high frequency and coverage of bryophytes. Results of DCA analyses using unimodal model suggest that Campanula tommasiniana is primarily a plant of open and exposed sites of higher elevation despite being most frequently found in rock crevices within the thermophytic and altimontane beech forest. With regard to distinct groups of stands, genetic (AFLP) and epigenetic (MSAP) diversities of the species were assessed, compared and discussed.

Dinaric silver fir – beech forests, with almost continuous area of 3000 km2, are the most widely distributed altimontane climatogenic forests in the Croatian high karst. Parts of it contain virgin stands, while the majority of the area is composed of selectively logged stands with naturally grown forest. Despite many researches dealt on these forests in the past, the relationships between plant diversity and the very complex environmental gradients that occur in this landscape has not been done yet. Here, we present the results of a unified survey of 151 plots distributed throughout the entire distribution area of these forests in Croatia, including virgin and managed stands. Data on floristic composition, climate, and geomorphology were gathered for all plots. After TWINSPAN and PCoA analyses of floristic data, we identified six subassociations of the Omphalodo-Fagetum association: homogynetosum, galietosum, aceretosum, mercurialetosum, asaretosum and seslerietosum. RDA analysis revealed that elevation, precipitations and latitude were the most important variables explaining variance in species composition. Partial RDA analysis has shown that latitude and longitude had highest unique contribution, while highest shared effects upon the species composition was that of climatic and elevation data. Latitude was negatively correlated with the number of plant species, Shannon-Wiener index and Evenness, while longitude was positively correlated with all these indices. Stands belonging to -asaretosum and -mercurialetosum subassociations had the highest plant diversity, while -galietosum and -homogynetosum hosted the lowest. Differences in life form spectra across subassociations, additionally confirmed significant influence of latitudinal gradient on flora of these forests. Based on their floristic assemblage, virgin stands did not aggregate together apart from managed ones, but they grouped with managed stands in different subassociations across geomorphology, elevation, climatic and geographical gradients. The present results suggest that environmental conditions are prevailing driving forces influencing plant diversity of these forests, and that present management seem to preserve that diversity.

With observations and photography, the collecting of Onosma (Boraginaceae) pollen and nectar by Osmia apicata Smith, 1853 bees was studied. Pollen is collected by shaking the anther cone using the legs, an alternative method to the buzzing in this oligolectic bee species. Opazovali in fotografirali smo nabiranje peloda in medičine rdečega korena (Onosma, Boraginaceae) čebel vrste Osmia apicata Smith, 1853. Pelod zbirajo s tresenjem prašničnega stožca z nogami, tehnike alternativne brenčanju, te oligolektične (malobralne) vrste čebel.

Campanula pyramidalis complex (also considered as rapunculoid aggregate or subsection of the Campanulaceae family) is group that includes three closely related and morphologically similar species (C. pyramidalis L., C. versicolor Sibth. & Sm., C. secundiflora Vis. & Pančić). The distribution of this complex is centered mostly in the Balkans, from Istria to the north, to Peloponnese Peninsula to the south, and to Mt. Konjevska planina in Bulgaria in the east, while some small disjunct parts of the range lie in the S Apennines. To capture morphological diversity observed within this group, a number of taxa related to the broadly circumscribed Campanula pyramidalis complex were described over the years (e.g., Campanula pyramidalis var. calycina A. DC., C. pyramidalis var. compacta auct., C. plasonii Formanek, C. tenorii Moretti ; C. versicolor var. tomentella Hal., C. versicolor var. thessala Boiss., C. mrkvickana Vel. ; C. secundiflora subsp. limensis R. Lakušić and C. secundiflora subsp. montenegrina R. Lakušić). However, their taxonomic and geographical distinctiveness is far from clear, to the point that the modern floristic literature does not recognize these taxa, and either neglects them completely of reduces them to synonymy. The basic aim of this research was to test a series of taxonomic and biogeographic hypotheses using explicit phylogenetic approaches. To reconstruct the phylogeny, gain a better understanding of the evolutionary history, and determine species boundaries within this complex, a broad dataset was constructed containing representatives from across its entire morphologic and geographic range. We present here the results of molecular phylogenetic analyses based on sequences from three non-coding chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH, trnS-trnQ, and trnfM-psbZ) as well as nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS). Our study identified several distinct monophyletic groups, some of which correspond closely to previously established taxonomic treatments and some of which are new. Taxonomical and biogeographical implications of these relationships are also discussed.

Until recently, Campanula waldsteiniana was known only from the Dinaric Mts of Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. New recording from Mt. Snežnik (Liburnian karst, SW Slovenia) was reported, and chorology of C. waldsteiniana agg. briefly discussed. Mt. Snežnik is the northern-western-most locality in its distribution area.