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An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora
... As further proof, we found that hirsute or glabrous individuals within the same population resulted in genetically undistinguishable; for example, the hirsute CAM1-CAM2\CAM17-CAM18 vs. the glabrous CAM3-CAM4 \ CAM15-CAM16 for the populations from Caggiano and Tramonti, respectively. Accordingly, the specimens from southern Lazio can be attributed to the autonym subspecies despite being somehow intermediate from both the molecular and the morphological standpoints, as testified by different identifications over time (e.g., [8,42,47,98,99]). In the barcoding region of ITS1-5.8S, ...
Campanula fragilis Cirillo is a species distributed in central and southern Italy and includes two subspecies with uncertain taxonomic position and distribution. By means of nuclear and chloroplast markers, we attempted at testing the genetic distinctness of the two subspecies, as well as their possible correspondence with geographical or ecological patterns. After a revision of geographic occurrences based on herbarium data, we carried out species distribution modeling to assess the present and future distribution of this species under different ecological variables, also for conservation purposes. Our findings support the recognition of two weakly differentiated taxa, here accepted at subspecific rank, in agreement with the current taxonomic treatment. We found that C. fragilis subsp. cavolinii is monophyletic and limited to mountains and hills of central Italy. On the contrary, C. fragilis subsp. fragilis shows a higher genetic variability and a broader distribution in central and southern Italy, with a wider altitudinal range from coasts to mountain cliffs. We confirmed that both subspecies are narrowly calcicolous and have similar ecological requirements, but C. fragilis subsp. cavolinii occurs in colder habitats. Our results forecast a significant distribution contraction in the long term.
... Moreover, both density and evenness of weed communities were merged by calculating the relative abundance index (RAI), in accordance with Derksen et al. (1993). The structure of weed communities was analyzed through a classification of detected taxa by botanical family, life cycle (annuals, biennials or perennials) and biological group (life-form category considering the Raunkiaer system), following Conti et al. (2005). ...
The current trend toward sustainable agricultural practices requires to investigate alternatives to conventional soil management, which is mainly based on the intensive use of external inputs with high environmental impact. In this view, mulching with a layer of organic material on topsoil seems an attractive and sustainable alternative for soil management in different open-field crops. It shows several advantages, such as adding organic matter, regulating the soil’s microclimatic conditions (temperature, moisture), and suppressing spontaneous weeds. However, there is no information on its impact on the ‘early’ potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), appreciated for its nutritional characteristics. To address this gap, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic mulching with Cynara cardunculus crop residues, a common herbaceous species in the Mediterranean Basin with high biomass production and allelopathic activity, on selected soil properties, weed control and tuber yield performances of two ‘early’ potatoes cultivars. The soil’s total polyphenol content (TPC) was also taken into account to assess the presence of allelochemicals in the soil. The mulched plots maintained more soil humidity (+ 21%) and reduced both soil salinity (− 39%) and temperature (− 5%) compared with the no-mulched ones (control). Mulching enhanced also the soil TPC compared with the control (2.16 vs. 0.83 mg kg−1 of soil). Moreover, C. cardunculus mulching decreased both weed biomass and species richness, respectively by − 72 and − 40%, compared to the control. These positive effects probably allowed the increase of marketable tuber yield and mean tuber weight (+ 12 and + 39%, respectively) in mulched plots compared with the control. Overall, this research contributes to the development of a sustainable soil management practice by using C. cardunculus residues, with the purpose of improving organic ‘early’ potato cultivation.
... Lombardy's extensive territorial expanse, diverse morphological configurations, and the presence of lakes and rivers correspond to a remarkable climatic variety and, consequently, plant species diversity. The region boasts a total of 3220 floristic species, accounting for just under 50% of the national floristic diversity [55], including 61 endemic species, with 48 exclusive to Lombardy [56]. ...
Wild vegetables (WVs) have been an essential source of human nutrition since ancient times. Foraging is a millennia-old practice that has gained more attention recently and is becoming fashionable, especially in restaurants in urban areas, as they attract customers who see WVs as an innovative sensory element and specialty food. Some cooks have used very few WVs for decades, but most chefs have only recently introduced them in their modern restaurants. Our study aims to have a deeper understanding of the diversity of WVs used by restaurants in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy and to know how they are introduced onto different menus, as well as the source of knowledge and the innovation paths related to the use/introduction of WVs in the selected sample of restaurants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 restaurant managers, chefs, and their professional foragers in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy in 2022; fifty-four wild plant taxa were recorded to be used in the considered restaurants. The collected data were analyzed to understand the current situation and the potential developments of this practice by exploring the reasons/motivations that underpin the inclusion of WVs in restaurants. A broad spectrum of restaurants was considered to evaluate the potential differences in handling and sourcing these ingredients. The results demonstrated that this trend has mainly been driven by attempts to revitalize traditional cuisines and to generate a positive impact on health, but the actual culinary preparations based upon WVs are often original and remarkably diverge from the Italian food ethnobotanical heritage. Moreover, concerns related to the environmental sustainability of these practices have been addressed.
... Lombardy's extensive territorial expanse, diverse morphological configurations, and the presence of lakes and rivers correspond to a remarkable climatic variety and, consequently, plant species diversity. The region boasts a total of 3220 floristic species, accounting for just under 50% of the national floristic diversity [55], including 61 endemic species, with 48 exclusive to Lombardy [56]. ...
Wild vegetables (WVs) have been an essential source of human nutrition since ancient times. Foraging is a millennia-old practice that has gained more attention recently and is becoming fashionable, especially in restaurants in urban areas, as they attract customers who see WVs as an innovative sensory element and specialty food. Some cooks have used very few WVs for decades, but most chefs have only recently introduced them in their modern restaurants. Our study aims to have a deeper understanding of the diversity of WVs used by restaurants in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy and to know how they are introduced onto different menus, as well as the source of knowledge and the innovation paths related to the use/introduction of WVs in the selected sample of restaurants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 restaurant managers, chefs, and their professional foragers in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy in 2022; fifty-four wild plant taxa were recorded to be used in the considered restaurants. The collected data were analyzed to understand the current situation and the potential developments of this practice by exploring the reasons/motivations that underpin the inclusion of WVs in restaurants. A broad spectrum of restaurants was considered to evaluate the potential differences in handling and sourcing these ingredients. The results demonstrated that this trend has mainly been driven by attempts to revitalize traditional cuisines and to generate a positive impact on health, but the actual culinary preparations based upon WVs are often original and remarkably diverge from the Italian food ethnobotanical heritage. Moreover, concerns related to the environmental sustainability of these practices have been addressed.
... For each phytosociological relevés were recorded the total vegetation cover (%), the species richness and coverage (%) of each plant species (visually estimated with a range from 0 % to 100 %) with mosses and lichens treated as general categories (Cannone et al., 2007;Cannone and Pignatti, 2014;Malfasi and Cannone, 2020). Species' determination and nomenclature followed Pignatti (1982), Lauber andWagner (1998), Wilhalm et al. (2006) and Conti et al. (2007). ...
... Notes: Temporary ponds are a type of biologically important habitat that has specialized vegetation dominated mainly by therophytes ). However, it may also be associated with dwarf geophytes and hemicryptophytes (Brullo et al. 2023 Allegrezza et al. (2013); taxonomic nomenclature according to Conti et al. (2005Conti et al. ( , 2007. Notes: The Salicetum apenninae plant community refers to Salix apennina and S. purpurea pioneer willow woods that develop near water sources and within watersheds in mountain and sub-mountain sectors of the Central Apennines. ...
New Italian data on the distribution of the Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 9 new occurrences in Na-tura 2000 sites are presented and 34 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Abruzzo,
Contributions for a vascular flora of Tuscany. VIII (440-506). New localities and/or confirmations concerning 67 specific and sub-specific plant taxa of Tuscan vascular flora, belonging to 59 genera and 37 families are presented: Alisma (Alismataceae), Amaranthus Riassunto-Contributi per una flora vascolare di Toscana. VIII (440-506). Vengono presentate nuove località e/o conferme relative 67 taxa specifici e sottospecifici di piante vascolari della flora vascolare toscana, appartenenti a 59 generi e 37 famiglie: discusso lo status di conservazione delle entità e gli eventuali vincoli di protezione dei biotopi segnalati. Parole chiave-conservazione-flora-Italia-Toscana. INTRODUZIONE Il presente lavoro rappresenta la continuazione di una già avviata serie di contributi dedicati specificatamen-te ad accumulare conoscenze sulla distribuzione della LORENZO
Islands are renowned as evolutionary laboratories and support many species that are not found elsewhere1,2. Islands are also of great conservation concern, with many of their endemic species currently threatened or extinct³. Here we present a standardized checklist of all known vascular plants that occur on islands and document their geographical and phylogenetic distribution and conservation risk. Our analyses of 304,103 plant species reveal that 94,052 species (31%) are native to islands, which constitute 5.3% of the global landmass⁴. Of these, 63,280 are island endemic species, which represent 21% of global plant diversity. Three-quarters of these are restricted to large or isolated islands. Compared with the world flora, island endemics are non-randomly distributed within the tree of life, with a total of 1,005 billion years of unique phylogenetic history with 17 families and 1,702 genera being entirely endemic to islands. Of all vascular plants assigned International Union for Conservation of Nature conservation categories⁵, 22% are island endemics. Among these endemic species, 51% are threatened, and 55% of all documented global extinctions have occurred on islands. We find that of all single-island endemic species, only 6% occur on islands meeting the United Nations 30×30 conservation target. Urgent measures including habitat restoration, invasive species removal and ex situ programmes are needed to protect the world’s island flora. Our checklist quantifies the uniqueness of island life, provides a basis for future studies of island floras, and highlights the urgent need to take actions for conserving them.
The globe artichoke, scientifically known as Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus
(formerly Cynara scolymus L.) is an ancient herbaceous perennial plant belonging to
the Asteraceae or Compositae family. Its botanical name has roots in Latin and Greek,
reflecting its historical significance and physical characteristics. The tradition of
fertilizing the plant with ashes is reflected in its Latin name, with "cinis" meaning ashes,
while "skolymos" in Greek refers to "thistle," indicative of the spiny bracts surrounding
the flower heads, which are the edible part of the plant. Globe artichoke is valued for its
high vegetative vigour and productivity, making it appealing to both farmers and
pharmaceutical industries. It thrives in regions with a Mediterranean climate,
characterized by warm summers and mild winters, which explains its widespread
cultivation in the Mediterranean Basin (Leskovar et al., 2013). Dating back to the 4th
century B.C., the globe artichoke has been utilized as both food and medicine. Ancient
civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans recognized its nutritional and
medicinal properties, incorporating it into their diets and pharmacopeias. This
longstanding history underscores the plant's enduring significance and cultural value.
Dissertation in the frame of the Mainomai project (With M.Sc Laura Noviello, B.Sc Marco Martinelli and Marco Sciascia)
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.