Seed and endocarp micromorphology and anatomy of 16 taxa from the genera Ardisia, Geissanthus, Stylogyne, Myrsine (Myrsinoideae), and Jacquinia (Theophrastoideae) were examined using stereo- and scanning electron microscopy and discussed in the light of the current phylogenetic framework. In all species, the ornamentation of the seed surface was reticulate, tuberculate, or tuberculate-colliculate with several differences concerning the cell outline and anticlinal cell wall boundaries. For seeds of almost all Myrsinoideae species, one-layered seed coat devoid of rhomboid or prismatic crystals was characteristic, while seeds of J. armillaris had a two-layered seed coat with prismatic crystals. The one-layered seed coat in Myrsinoideae may be considered a synapomorphy of this subfamily. The endosperm tissue in seeds of Myrsinoideae was differentiated into two types. Seeds of Ardisia and Geissanthus species were characterized by ‘pitted’ endosperm, while in seeds of Myrsine species both the ‘pitted’ endosperm and endosperm with evenly thickened cell walls were present. In seeds of Theophrastoideae, the endosperm was ‘pitted.’ Our results confirmed that the concave hilum area is characteristic of subglobose seeds of Myrsinoideae. The ruminate endosperm was present in all the examined Myrsine species, but it was absent in Ardisia crenata, Geissanthus ambiguus, and Stylogyne pauciflora seeds. Thus, the ruminate endosperm is not the feature clearly distinguishing the seeds of Myrsinoideae and Theophrastoideae. Endocarps of Myrsinoideae vary in terms of their morphology and anatomy. The variation within the primary and secondary sculpture of their inner surface and the presence of stomata in endocarps of particular species may have systematic implications.

The Western Carpathians are traditionally recognized as one of the hotspots of temperate European biodiversity. The polyploid and apomictic group of Cotoneaster integerrimus s.l. is supposed to be particularly variable there, and this is also mirrored by taxonomy. We therefore examined the ploidal and reproductive pattern of C. integerrimus s.l. and its close relative Cotoneaster tomentosus in the Western Carpathians and compared it to that in the Bohemian Massif. Using flow cytometry, we detected tetraploid (468 individuals, 100 populations) and pentaploid (35 individuals, 11 populations) cytotypes, and eight additional mixed populations. The pentaploid cytotype was found exclusively in C. tomentosus, which only occurs in the Western Carpathians. A further flow cytometric seed screen (1114 seeds) revealed facultative apomixis (10.1% of sexual progeny) of tetraploid C. integerrimus s.l., whereas the pentaploid C. tomentosus was almost obligately apomictic. In addition, 3.8% of sexual progeny was formed with the contribution of an unreduced female gamete. Moreover, apomixis in tetraploids was further structured into distinct subtypes: pseudogamy (77.2%), autonomous apomixis (3.7%) and haploid parthenogenesis (0.3%). There were no significant differences in the proportions of sexual and asexual seeds between both species and geographic regions. Our comparative dataset from the Western Alps also included sexual diploids. For this reason, greater ploidal and reproductive variation may be expected in that region. The Western Carpathians therefore do not represent a centre of cytotype and reproductive variation of C. integerrimus s.l., and facultative apomixis is a reproductive strategy that predominates in both the Western Carpathians and the Bohemian Massif.

The hornwort Anthoceros agrestis is emerging as a model system for the study of symbiotic interactions and carbon fixation processes. It is an annual species with a remarkably small and compact genome. Single accessions of the plant have been shown to be related to the cosmopolitan perennial hornwort Anthoceros punctatus. We provide the first detailed insight into the evolutionary history of the two species. Due to the rather conserved nature of organellar loci, we sequenced multiple accessions in the Anthoceros agrestis–A. punctatus complex using three nuclear regions: the ribosomal spacer ITS2, and exon and intron regions from the single-copy coding genes rbcS and phytochrome. We used phylogenetic and dating analyses to uncover the relationships between these two taxa. Our analyses resolve a lineage of genetically near-uniform European A. agrestis accessions and two non-European A. agrestis lineages. In addition, the cosmopolitan species Anthoceros punctatus forms two lineages, one of mostly European accessions, and another from India. All studied European A. agrestis accessions have a single origin, radiated relatively recently (less than 1 million years ago), and are currently strictly associated with agroecosystem habitats.

The western Balkans represents an area of significant topographic and environmental heterogeneity, harbouring high species and intraspecific diversity. Similar genetic and distributional splits observed in unrelated species have suggested some common features in their glacial response and biogeographic history. Here, we studied the western Balkan endemic Alyssum austrodalmaticum with the aim to explore and understand its intraspecific structure and processes that shaped the present patterns. We employed data from AFLPs, two low-copy nuclear genes, genome size, morphometrics and species distribution modelling. Four genetic lineages were identified within the species, which were geographically structured and showed cytotype-specific patterns. The observed phylogeographic structure is congruent with the predicted species distribution during the Last Glacial Maximum. Two allopatric diploid lineages (referred to as N2x and S2x) reflect glacial range disruption and survival in distinct refugia inferred in north-western (Istria, Kvarner) and south-eastern Adriatic areas (northern Adriatic palaeo-coastline and southern Dinarides). AFLP analyses with in silico-generated polyploid genotypes and nuclear genes proved that the two tetraploid lineages (C4x, S4x) were genetic allopolyploids and arose independently. The central tetraploids (C4x) originated through secondary contacts of the two diploid lineages. The origin of the southern tetraploids (S4x) is somewhat ambiguous. Apart from the southern diploids (S2x), the involvement, either direct or through later introgression, of the central tetraploids (C4x) or even other Balkan relatives is possible. Our study highlights the role of glacial range dynamics and secondary contacts, triggering introgression and polyploid evolution, in the formation of genetic diversity and intraspecific patterns in the western Balkans.

The pantropical Caesalpinia group includes 225 species in 27 monophyletic genera, and the group has undergone recent phylogenetic, taxonomic and biogeographic revisions. Previous works have reported a diverse pattern of heterochromatin distribution related to ecological niche/geographic distribution, and variation in genome size also correlated with environmental variables. In order to investigate the relationship between cytogenetic and ecological traits using the Caesalpinia group as a model, new cytomolecular data (chromosome number and morphology, CMA/DAPI staining and number and position of 5S and 35S rDNA sites) for 14 species in six genera were generated. These data were analysed by phylogenetic comparative methods. All species studied have 2n = 24 (16 M/SM + 8A), and most of them just have one pair of 5S rDNA sites and two to five pairs of 35S rDNA sites. Three heterochromatic patterns were observed on the chromosomes: (i) proximal CMA+/DAPI− bands, (ii) proximal CMA0/DAPI− bands and (iii) proximal CMA0/DAPI0 bands. The “Coulteria + Tara” and “Arquita + Balsamocarpon + Erythrostemon + Pomaria” clades (except for E. gilliesii, E. hughesii and E. mexicanus) independently showed CMA0/DAPI− bands associated with larger genomes and geographic distributions at higher latitudes. We statistically demonstrate that heterochromatin (CMA/DAPI intensity along the chromosome), genome size and latitude are autocorrelated in the Caesalpinia group. On the other hand, we found a non-significant correlation between genome size and amount of heterochromatin. We argue that environmental factors associated with different latitude may have played a role in contributing to the diversification of the heterochromatin in Caesalpinia group.

Fomitiporella has been phylogenetically studied in order to taxonomically treat it more naturally. In order to establish Fomitiporella s.s., studies on the holotype of F. umbrinella (the type species of Fomitiporella), and new specimens from the type locality, were carried out. Additionally, the holotype of Fuscoporella coruscans (the type species of Fuscoporella) was studied. A new morphological conceptual delimitation of Fomitiporella s.s. is presented, with a more restricted distribution pattern, and Fuscoporella is chosen as a synonym of Fomitiporella. Moreover, Rajchenbergia, gen. nov. is segregated from Fomitiporella s.l. based on morphology, phylogenetic relationships and host distribution. Taxonomic implications for the group and other related taxa are discussed. Fomitiporella americana is synonymized with F. umbrinella, F. micropora with Fomitiporella coruscans, comb. nov., and F. melleopora is now in Tropicoporus melleoporus, comb. nov., based on type and reference material studies.

The botanical exploration of Greece from Sibthorp (1786–1787) to the present time is outlined. Biographical sketches are given for the main contributors from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century. Important names are Sibthorp, Sieber, Dumont d’Urville, Bory de Saint-Vincent, Grisebach, Heldreich, Orphanides, Halacsy and Rechinger. These pioneers laid the foundations for contemporary research on the Greek flora which is also briefly described.

A taxonomic revision of Capanemia (Orchidaceae) was completed after morphological, nomenclatural and phylogenetic studies. Our analyses do not support the infrageneric classification (Capanemia sect. Capanemia and Capanemia sect. Planifolia) proposed by Pabst in the seventies and recovered Sanderella as the sister group of Capanemia, albeit with low statistical support. We herein recognized six species of Capanemia, proposed five new synonyms, designated one lectotype and excluded one name.

The subtribe Laeliinae (Orchidaceae) comprises approximately 2000 species and 38 genera, with numerically stable karyotypes of 2n = 40 (x = 20) in most species. Cytomolecular and chromosome banding analyses have not yet been combined with phylogenetic studies, making the understanding of chromosomal evolution in the group more difficult. The present work sought to perform comparative cytogenetic analyses of representatives of the subtribe Laeliinae, followed by the interpretation of that data within an evolutive context. We analyzed 23 species from seven genera for their chromosome numbers and morphology, the distribution of CMA and DAPI bands, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5S and 35S rDNA and DNA quantification by flow cytometry. All of the species showed 2n = 40, suggesting an apparent macrostructural karyotypic stability, except the polyploids Encyclia alboxanthina, E. jenischiana, E. seidelii, Laelia gouldiana and Prosthechea faresiana (2n = 80). At least two CMA+/DAPI− terminal bands were observed in all analyzed species. Additionally, CMA+/DAPI− blocks were observed in the pericentromeric region of species of the genera Brassavola, Cattleya (except C. trianae) and Laelia. Terminal CMA−/DAPI+ bands were observed in representatives of Brassavola, Laelia and Guarianthe. The clade Brassavola + Cattleya + Laelia, that presented high number of heterochromatic bands, also showed expansions of the numbers of 5S rDNA sites. DNA contents varied from 2C = 2.85 pg (Prosthechea fragrans) to 2C = 5.76 pg (Laelia gouldiana) without relation with number of CMA/DAPI bands or 5S rDNA sites. The relationship between the amplification of repetitive DNAs (viewed here as rDNA sites or heterochromatic bands) and genome size variation is discussed and compared with other plant groups.

Geranium macrorrhizum is an aromatic plant native to the Southern Alps and the Balkan Peninsula. In Europe, it is increasingly cultivated for its ornamental flowers, as well as for use in aromatherapy and traditional herbal medicine due to its broad spectrum of biological activities. Essential oil of G. macrorrhizum is highly valued in perfumery and is also used as a food-flavouring agent. In this work, we report the essential oil composition, total phenolics and antioxidant activity of several samples of G. macrorrhizum collected from natural habitats in Croatia (Mt Biokovo) and Greece (Mt Smolikas, Mt Olimbos and Mt Giona). Some of these samples were cultivated in the greenhouse or botanical gardens at separate locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo), France (Orsay) and Denmark (Copenhagen). Since the plant samples had different cytotypes, a possible correlation between ploidy level, phenolic content and antioxidant activity was examined in this study. It was found that the total phenolic content, as well as the radical scavenging activity of residual water remaining after hydrodistillation of G. macrorrhizum, is related to the plant ploidy level. The essential oil composition, however, clearly depends on environmental factors. The main components of almost all essential oils of cultivated plants were oxygenated sesquiterpenes with germacrone as the most abundant compound (34.7–62.9%), while essential oil of plants growing wild was rich in long-chain alkanes (27.0–40.0%).