The paper describes a new taxon, Juncus bulbosus f. submucronatus J. Proćków, designates an epitype for J. bulbosus L. f. bulbosus, and details the distribution of both forms. The new form is native to most of Europe, NW Africa and Azores, and introduced to E Canada, SE Australia and S Chile. It is more frequent in western, central (excluding Poland) and southern Europe, contrary to f. bulbosus which is more common in northern Europe (excluding Iceland and Faroe Islands) and in Poland. A detailed key to all the infraspecific taxa of J. bulbosus is given. The new taxon differs from its closest relatives by the presence of dorsal (i.e. localised just below the apices of perianth segments) mucros usually pronouncedly or at least distinctly exceeding the perianth tops. The chromosome number for the new taxon (2n = 40) and ecological differences between the forms are given. In Poland f. submucronatus grows in eutrophic ponds and f. bulbosus thrives in oligotrophic Lobelia lakes.

Our aim in this study was to evaluate whether coverage change in the vegetation of a forestry buffer wetland can be used to reveal a possible increase in nutrients. To achieve this, we followed changes in vegetation on two peatland buffers, and biomass with nitrogen content in one of them. Nutrient concentrations were periodically lower in the water inflow than in the outflow. Flooding caused a species change in favor of flood-tolerant grasses and Sphagna, but this species composition did not indicate a higher trophic level. Nitrogen content in the reference site's original surface peat layer, which was rich in woody remains, was higher than that of the newly formed, more acidic Sphagnum peat of the spruce swamp buffer. Changes in biomass did not indicate an increased nutrient-binding capacity of the spruce swamp buffer vegetation. On the other hand, the changes in species cover outlined the area of effective water flow paths within the buffer and suggested that severe eutrophication of peatland forestry buffers does not seem likely.

Numbers of flowers and their arrangement in time and space greatly influence levels of pollination and fruit set in natural populations of flowering plants. We examined relations between flowering phenology, floral display and reproductive success in the nectar-producing orchids Sirindhornia mirabilis, S. monophylla and S. pulchella in Thailand. We found each species to be self-compatible and dependent on insects for pollination. Sirindhornia mirabilis exhibited prolonged longevity of individual flowers and produced more flowers per inflorescence — features that may have evolved in response to low visitation rates. Patterns of reproductive success in relation to floral display suggest selection for increased inflorescence size in S. mirabilis and S. monophylla, but this may be counterbalanced by selection for a sustainable annual fruit set. In all three species, the female (and in S. mirabilis also the male) reproductive success decreased from the basal to the apical part of the inflorescence. Against this background, we propose a hypothesis for explaining differential fruit set in polinator-rewarding orchid species.

Narrowly (neo)endemic species often attract special attention in conservation contexts, because their restricted distributions render them more vulnerable than most widespread species. However, little attention is given to the question whether time since speciation is the (only) factor responsible for the narrow ranges of neoendemics, or if biological or ecological factors are (also) involved. The Southeast Asian orchid genus Sirindhornia comprises three terrestrial species. In Thailand, we compared demographic and reproductive characteristics between the local endemics S. mirabilis and S. pulchella and the widespread S. monophylla. The three species had similar demographic characteristics, but different reproductive attributes. In most contexts where they differed, the local endemics were more reproductively restricted than the widespread S. monophylla. Thus, the latter exhibited higher relative fruit set, higher seed production per inflorescence and more equal individual contributions of progeny. However, recruitment appeared to be more efficient in S. pulchella than in the other two species.

We assessed genetic diversity and structure in the outcrossing orchid Goodyera rosulacea, endemic to limestone regions in Korea. Using allozymes as genetic markers, standard genetic diversity measures within and among populations as well as genetic structure were estimated. In addition, a regression analysis between pairwise genetic and geographical distances and correlation analyses between population sizes and estimates of genetic variation within populations were conducted to gain insights into the past evolutionary processes. Moderate levels of genetic variation were found in the species (%P_s = 31.6%, A_s = 1.37, H_es = 0.126); at the population level, slightly lower levels were estimated (%P_p = 27.8%, A_p = 1.31, H_ep = 0.100). Overall fixation index was not significantly different from zero (F_IS = 0.160). As compared with that in most terrestrial orchids, the measure of genetic differentiation among populations was also moderate (F_ST = 0.150). At the regional scale, a weak linear regression between pairwise genetic and geographical distances was found, suggesting that populations are not at equilibrium between gene flow and genetic drift (i.e., little evidence of isolation-by-distance effect). A significant correlation between population size and mean number of alleles per locus was detected (p = 0.006). These results suggest that genetic drift, coupled with limited seed dispersal, has played an increasing role in the genetic dynamics of small populations, though outcrossing breeding system might have in part counterbalanced against these negative effects. Threats to the species are considered to be anthropogenic. In situ and ex situ conservation strategies are suggested to preserve the genetic variation in the rare G. rosulacea.

Aiming to differentiate Turnera orientalis (2n = 6x = 30) from T. occidentalis (2n = 6x = 30), traditional and molecular cytogenetic techniques were used. Numerous hybrids were obtained from controlled crosses between T. orientalis and T. occidentalis. An analysis of their pollen viability and the failure to obtain F2 provided evidence of reproductive isolation. The present study reports for the first time the karyotype 22 metacentric 8 submetacentric for T. occidentalis, and confirms the karyotype of T. orientalis. These species differ in a chromosome pair with secondary constriction and satellite. A FISH analysis showed six rDNA sites located on different chromosome pairs. Although the meiotic chromosome pairing of hybrids suggested a close relationship of the two species, the karyotype and mapped location of rDNA sites were different between the taxa, supporting that T. orientalis and T. occidentalis are distinct species.

This paper presents a karyological and cytogenetic characterisation of Artemisia absinthium var. absinthium and A. absinthium var. calcigena (Asteraceae, Anthemideae). Genome size (assessed as nuclear DNA amount), chromosome number, karyotype parameters, fluorochrome banding and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) of 18S–5.8S–26S and 5S rDNA were studied in Polish specimens of both varieties whose phylogenetic relationships were also established based on their molecular structure. The present study is the first with a focus on A. absinthium var. calcigena. The results basically agree with those previously reported from other A. absinthium populations and show no essential genome organization differences between the varieties.

Verbascum turcicum B. Bani, Adigüzel & Karavel. sp. nova (Scrophulariaceae), collected from B6 Adana province in South Anatolia, Turkey, is described and illustrated. The diagnostic morphological characters of the new species and the closely similar V. leianthoides and V. leiocarpum are discussed. A distribution map of V. turcicum and the two other species are provided.

The name Senecio arnautorum Velen. is lectotypified with a herbarium specimen kept at PR. In most taxonomic works the taxon was considered synonymous with Senecio pancicii Degen or treated at infraspecific rank under the latter species. Careful examination of Velenovský's material revealed that S. arnautorum differs from S. pancicii and is identical to Jacobaea subalpina (W.D.J. Koch) Pelser & Veldk. (Senecio sub-alpinus W.D.J. Koch).