Vol. 26 No. 2 (2021)

Published September 16, 2021

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  • Contributions to the algal flora of a recently-formed peat moss bog near Kőszeg (W Hungary)
    113–130
    Views:
    364

    The Alsó-erdő peat bog near Kőszeg has undergone a significant transformation since its first mention in the literature. In addition to the original single patch, a smaller one appeared a few decades later. The process did not stop and a third unit, discussed here, was formed. The succession of its macrovegetation towards the typical peat moss association started slowly but surely, due to balanced water regime and other optimal environmental conditions. The process is more advanced for the algal vegetation, which shows the characteristics of peat bogs already. The high species diversity found makes the habitat highly valuable itself. Although a special, unique algal species has not been found in previous studies, 27 Desmidiales taxa listed as endangered occur sometimes with high density and make the habitat even more valuable. Based on our results, the area deserves special attention both from the habitat conservation and research point of view. At the same time, its further monitoring can provide crucial information for exploring and understanding the succession of similar habitats, and thereby for their more efficient protection.

  • Critical review of the distribution of Equisetum × moorei and E. hyemale in the Nyírség (East Hungary)
    131–144
    Views:
    466

    Confusing Moore's horsetail (Equisetum × moorei Newman) with rough horsetail (Equisetum hyemale L.) is a known problem in many countries. In our paper, we review some of the features used for their identification concerning their usability. We examined Equisetum hyemale stands in the Nyírség reported in the literature and E. hyemale specimens of the Herbarium of the University of Debrecen that were collected in the Nyírség. We found that most of these stands and herbarium specimens are actually E. × moorei. The occurrence of E. hyemale was only confirmed in Bátorliget. We also report several new occurrences of Equisetum × moorei in the Nyírség. To better separate the two taxa, we recommend micromorphological examination of the surface of the shoots, which can be performed in the field, as well as observing the height of the leaf-sheath.

  • Spreading along the railways: morphology and invasion success of Vulpia ciliata in Hungary
    145–156
    Views:
    456

    Vulpia ciliata Dumort, a widespread species in the Mediterranean region, has been introduced in several European countries in recent decades, mainly along railways. The species was first discovered in Hungary at Szolnok railway station in May 2016, then a few days later at Keleti railway station in Budapest. In 2020 the species was found in several Transdanubian railway stations. Apparently, V. ciliata has recently been established in numerous parts of the country, probably spreading by railway transport. Until now, the species has only been found in the vicinity of regularly used tracks (in a distance of 20 m at the most). Being an invasive alien species, V. ciliata can displace the native Vulpia myuros in ruderal vegetation along railway lines. The species can easily be distinguished from V. myuros by its hairy lemma. Moreover, it flowers earlier than the other two indigenous species in Hungary, often already in late April. Based on the characteristics examined (number of nodes in the upper 2 cm zone of the rachis, number of fruits per spikelet, rate of fertile and sterile florets within the spikelet, lower and upper glume length, lemma and awn length separately, rachis width in the upper 2 cm zone) we have concluded that V. bromoides and V. myuros are less different from each other than V. ciliata from these two species. In the case of V. ciliata subsp. ciliata, we observed that spikelets (detached from the inflorescens) function as dispersal units. Therefore we assume that the observed low fertility rate within the spikelets, as well as the presence of marginal cilia on lemmas promote the spreading success of V. ciliata (spreading in clusters, anemochory, zoochory, anthropochory). Its early maturation (in May) can also facilitate its spread along railways, because the populations survive the chemical weed control usually carried out in late spring. The other two Hungarian species usually ripen later (in June). For the time being, the spread of V. ciliata outside the Hungarian railway network may be hindered by climatic conditions, or by the lack of seasonal weed control outside that network, which otherwise offers a relative survival advantage for V. ciliata along railway tracks.

  • Cyperus odoratus in Hungary
    157–164
    Views:
    267

    Eleven species of the genus Cyperus have been reported from Hungary so far, of which 3 are certainly aliens. A small population of C. odoratus, new for the flora of Hungary, was found along the River Danube near Foktő settlement (Bács-Kiskun County, S Hungary) in late autumn of 2019. On this occasion blooming specimens were observed in the floodplain ruderal vegetation on the bank of a fork of the Danube. This species is widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of the World, and was first introduced to Europe in the early 1950s.  More recently it has been spreading along certain rivers of Italy and Spain. It was discovered along the river Danube in Romania in the early 1990s, and later at the upper parts of the river in Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia. Its introduction into Hungary is connected with the Danube, too. Based on foreign experience, it is probable that C. odoratus will be spreading along the Hungarian Danube system, hopefully, not as an invasive species.

  • Data on the occurrence of sedge species (Carex, Cyperaceae) in and around South Nyírség (East Hungary)
    165-198
    Views:
    396

    We provide floristic data on a total of 38 sedge species in the area of South Nyírség and its immediate surroundings. We also detected some populations of previously undescribed or rare species in the Hungarian Great Plain, such as Carex buxbaumii, Carex hartmanii, Carex umbrosa, and Carex paniculata. We report several new occurrences of species with little literature data from the area, such as Carex brizoides, Carex michelii, Carex pallescens, Carex elongata. However, during the last 13 years, we were not able to detect seven species previously mentioned in the literature. Herbarium data confirmed that some of the older Carex nigra occurrences for the area actually refer to Carex cespitosa. Based on herbarium data and the literature, we think that local data on Carex pairaei may largely refer to Carex divulsa subsp. leersii and/or Carex spicata. Contrary to many pieces of literature, Carex vulpina was not observed inside the sandy area.

  • The purple viper's bugloss (Echium plantagineum), a new adventive species for Hungary
    199-206
    Views:
    828

    Following global trends, the number of newly established alien plant species is increasing in Hungary. Not only professional scientists but also citizens could contribute to the discovery and documentation of new occurrences. One of the first records of the purple viper’s bugloss (Echium plantagineum L.) in Hungary originate from an online group dealing with wild plant species identification. This species is native in Western Mediterranean countries, and is introduced to other continents. In Australia, it is a well-spread, largely problematic invasive species, and it might show similar tendencies in Hungary as well. In order to acquaint the wider public with this species, we present its morphology, phenology and other characteristics and provide a possible inlay in the Hungarian identification key.

  • The flora of the Sárvíz plain (Mezőföld, Hungary)
    207–226
    Views:
    307

    In this paper, I present chorological data on the plants growing on the alluvial plain of the Sárvíz river in eastern Transdanubia, Hungary. Species characteristic of reed and sedge marshes, salt lakes and alkali flats, as well as remnants of hardwood forests and mesoxeric grasslands are listed in the enumeration. Since 2004, I have confirmed the occurrence of 50 species previously not recorded in the study area. Here, I report the species names, followed by data on the locality: the name of the township, the geographical name of the locality, and the code(s) of both grid systems, the Central European Flora Mapping System (CEU) and the UTM. Sites where I observed or collected the species after 2004 are in bold. Names of species new to the study area are underlined.

Short communications