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Spreading along the railways: morphology and invasion success of Vulpia ciliata in Hungary
145–156Views:524Vulpia 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.
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Contributions to the knowledge of biology and Hungarian distribution range of Orobanche reticulata
95-98Views:434Some new Hungarian occurrences of Orobanche reticulata Wallr. are discussed in this paper. On the Bér-hegy hill (Eastern Bakony Mts) the species was observed on a so far unknown host plant (Carduus hamulosus). Although the species usually flowers from May to July in Hungary, the observed individual was in full bloom in October, probably due to the extremely rainy year (2010). Another population of the species, found at Magyaralmás settlement in the foreground of the Vértes Hills, deserves attention because of its size. In early summer of 2020, individuals of O. reticulata appeared in a great quantity (several hundred ones) on a fallow land that was developed from a natural dry grassland having been ploughed in the previous year. In this case the local host plants were Carduus nutans subsp. leiophyllus and Carduus acanthoides. Some further records of the species from the Transdanubian Mts and the regions of Külső-Somogy and Mezőföld present new data in the Hungarian flora mapping program.
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Rubus armeniacus Focke, an unnoticed invader in the Hungarian flora
220-228Views:115The authors report on the occurrence, distribution and invasion potential of Rubus armeniacus, a bramble species of Caucasian origin, in Hungary. The first verified records of the species are from the 1990s. It has established strong populations in ruderal habitats mainly around Budapest and some other cities, whereas its competiveness is rather weak in closed non-lowland forests rich in native bramble species. In terms of conservation, it constitutes a real threat to the vegetation of Pannonian sandy habitats. The results of this study also emphasize the importance of recognising "nonnative cryptic species" for ecology and conservation biology.
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Distribution of Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid. in Hungary
212-219Views:117Based on field work data collected in 2013–2014, the authors generated a map of the current distribution of Campylopus introflexus for Hungary. Besides the coordinates and geographic name of the localities, an estimated size of the population, the type of habitat and substrate, the co-occurring moss species and affected vegetation types were also recorded. Altogether, 18 stands were found in 8 geographical regions of Hungary, in some cases Campylopus introflexus was found to be a new species record for the moss flora of the respective region (e.g. Dunántúli-dombság, Nyugatmagyarországi peremvidék). In addition to the pine plantations from where it was detected formerly, the mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, the acidophilous oak woodlands and man-made habitats were found to be also proper habitats for this moss taxon. Earlier data mainly originated from pine deadwood, the recently discovered stands were found on acidic soil surfaces. The most important cooccurring moss species were the followings: Hypnum cupressiforme, Polytrichum piliferum, P. formosum, Pohlia nutans and Ceratodon purpureus. Campylopus introflexus had prominently high coverage in the acidophilous oak forests of the Mecsek Mts, where it occurs on acidic sandstone covered with a thin debris of the bedrock. This neophyte moss is widely distributed in Hungary, and has stable populations. Further expansion is expected in the subatlantic and submountain regions of the country, and in regions characterised by acidic soils and pine plantations.
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Contributions to the lichen flora of the Mecsek Mts (South Hungary)
16–26Views:98A checklist of 115 lichen taxa was compiled from the Mecsek Mts, based on floristical records of 221 old or recently collected herbarium specimens (incl. 37 duplicates) deposited in the JPU herbarium (Pécs, Hungary). The occurrence of 22 taxa are new for the Mecsek Mts: Arthopyrenia cinereopruinosa, Baeomyces rufus, Candelariella reflexa, Catapyrenium rufescens, Cladonia macilenta, Dimerella pineti, Hypogymnia tubulosa, Ochrolechia arborea, Pleurosticta acetabulum, Pseudevernia furfuracea, Psilolechia lucida, Pycnothelia papillaria, Rinodina sophodes, Tomasellia arthonioides, Toninia candida, Trapelia involuta, Varicellaria hemisphaerica, Verrucaria marmorea, V. nigrescens, V. parmigera, Xanthoparmelia conspersa, X. verruculifera. One legally protected lichen species (Peltigera leucophlebia) is also represented by two specimens.
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New occurrence of Caldesia parnassifolia (L.) Parl. in Hungary
50-55Views:100Caldesia parnassifolia is a critically endangered and strictly protected species in Hungary. It was known only from one locality of occurrence so far, where it was last reported in 2003. Its new occurrence was discovered in Somogy county, in 2010. It appeared in an artificial pond created in the place of an originally swampy depression. Based on this newly discovered occurrence we can assume that other potential populations might still exist in South-Transdanubium, which could be rediscovered if similar conservation measures occur.
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The herbarium of the Botanical Garden of Eötvös Loránd University (BPU)
55–59Views:259The paper introduces the herbarium of Eötvös Loránd University (BPU), currently stored at the Botanical Garden of the University, according to its state in the year 2013. The BPU herbarium consists of ca. 16 000 specimens the relevant data of which have been organised into an OpenOffice Calc spreadsheet database. The specimens were collected in 16 European countries, mainly in the current territory of Hungary (80%), Romania (12%) and Slovakia (5%). Other countries are represented with very few specimens. The vast majority (ca. 70%) of the Hungarian specimens were collected in Pest, Veszprém, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hajdú-Bihar and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg counties. Although the gatherings cover a century and a half period of time, the most rapid growth of the collection took place from the 1930s to the 1960s. The most prolific collectors were Rezső Soó and his followers: Lajos Felföldy, Tibor Simon and Szaniszló Priszter. Felföldy and Simon enriched the collection through more than 60 years. Data on the native plants collected in the present-day Hungary are summarized in Electronic Appendix 1. (incl. taxon name, settlement, collecting year, collector, file name of documentary photograph).
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New montane species in the Hungarian bryophyte flora
16-26Views:681During a bryofloristical investigation in the vicinity of Ómassa (Miskolc) in the Bükk Mountains (NE Hungary), three montane-boreal bryophyte species new to the Hungarian bryoflora were collected. Encalypta spathulata Müll.Hal. was found on the ledges of limestone cliffs of Vörös-kő Hill as well as on the rocky debris among roots of a fallen tree lying under the cliffs. Hydrogonium croceum (Brid.) Jan Kučera and Orthothecium rufescens (Dicks. ex Brid.) Schimp. were found in the crevices of dolomite cliffs on the north-facing steep slope of Jávor Hill. While the latter two species are widespread in European Mountains, E. spathulata is considered to be a rare species, and is assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN red list.
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The clammy goosefoot (Chenopodium pumilio R.BR.) in Zugló (Budapest) and new data on the distribution of invasive species in NE Hungary
221-226Views:143The paper summarise occurrences of some rare invasive weeds of Hungary. We found currently second population at the Australian origin Chenopodium pumilio in Budapest (Zugló) in September 2016. Further, 27 occurrence data of 8 other species (Amaranthus deflexus, Echium maculatum, Lepidium densiflorum, Oxybaphus nyctagineus, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Portulaca grandiflora, Sarothamnus scoparius, Tragus racemosus) is also reported in the persent paper from the ‘Északi-középhegyég’ area (Northeast-Hungary), and some data from beside the Hungarian–Slovakian border, especially settlements, strongly disturbed places (especially road curbs, pavement cracks, train stations), indicating the Central European flora mapping system quadrate number. Voucher specimens were deposited in herbarium of Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest (BP).
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Contributions to knowledge on the distribution of nine adventive or invasive algae species in Hungary
11-21Views:128Hungarian records of nine adventive or invasive algae [Didymosphenia geminata, Nitzschia closterium, Reimeria sinuata, Navicula schroeteri, Pleurosira laevis (Bacillariophyceae); Pediastrum simplex (Chlorophyceae), Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides (Cyanobacteria)] are presented. Navicula schroeteri Meister is a new species for the Hungarian flora. Although the observed distribution patterns of these species were very different, the increasing frequency of their appearance indicates significant effect of climate change on abiotic environment of inland waters, such as the increase in water temperature, increase in salt concentration, and eutrophication. The significance of continuous biomonitoring is emphasized, which, through the recognition of natural and human-induced changes in species composition of algae, or the appearance and rapid expansion of non-indigenous species, can detect environmental changes of inland waters.
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Sorbus udvardyana Somlyay & Sennikov in the eastern part of the Balaton Uplands
55-58Views:293Related to distribution of S. aria s.l. × S. torminalis hybrid taxa in the eastern part of the Balaton Uplands just data of „S. balatonica” is in the literature based on collection of Ádám Boros (Kárpáti 1960). In the summer of 2014 the author found and mapped a few (sub)populations of S. aria s.l. × S. torminalis at Lovas (Királykúti-völgy, Atya-hegy, CEU: 8973.4) and Felsőörs (Malom-völgy, Kopasz-tető, CEU: 8973.4) villages. Based on leaf-morphological traits the specimens were identified as S. udvardyana.
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Results of floristic and phytogeographical research in the Velence Hills (Hungary, Transdanubian Mts)
117–152Views:436A recent floristic mapping of the Velence Hills has clarified the local distribution of many plant species. This study presents records of 219 phytogeographically significant or sporadic/rare taxa (216 species/subspecies and 3 natural hybrids). The local distribution of some species representing typical regional distribution patterns (Alyssum turkestanicum, Artemisia austriaca, Bupleurum pachnospermum, Doronicum hungaricum, Hypericum elegans, Lathyrus sphaericus, Minuartia viscosa, Ornithogalum comosum, Scabiosa canescens, Sedum caespitosum, Sternbergia colchiciflora, Vinca herbacea) are shown on maps. More than fifty taxa previously unknown from the area were recorded during the floristic mapping, including phytogeographically significant ones, such as Bassia laniflora, Brassica elongata, Bupleurum praealtum, Centunculus minimus, Hypericum elegans, Orlaya grandiflora, Phleum bertolonii, Silene dichotoma, Stipa tirsa, Tordylium maximum, Trifolium diffusum, T. ochroleucon and Valeriana dioica. In terms of phytogeography, the Velence Hills can primarily be characterised by the co-existence of continental and sub-Mediterranean elements as well as species of acidophil and strongly basic habitats.
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The Algae of the Year 2015 – Candidates of the election
148-158Views:130While science-based education is widespread for macroscopic flora and fauna, the microscopic world has received much less attention. In 2015, having the aim of establishing a tradition, the Phycological Forum announced its first “Alga of the Year” in form of an online voting. The three candidates of algae were Didymosphenia geminata, Haematococcus pluvialis and Prymnesium parvum, from which the Haematococcus pluvialis received the overwhelming majority of votes. Introducing the ecological and economical aspects and distribution of the candidate taxa in Hungary, we aimed at to stress that there is a high educational potential of microscopic life. Furthermore, our study draws the attention to the fundamental role of algae in aquatic ecosystems, stressing their importance in maintaining life.
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The Herbarium of Debrecen University (DE) II.: The „Zoltán Siroki Herbarium”
15-22Views:466The paper introduces the “Zoltán Siroki Herbarium” (on the basis of the MS Excel spreadsheet database of the collection) which is a separate section within the Herbarium of Debrecen University (DE). The Zoltán Siroki Herbarium consists of ca. 20 000 specimens from almost all European countries, but mainly from the historical territory of Hungary. Although ca. 400 botanists contributed to this collection, most of the specimens were collected by Zoltán Siroki in Hajdú-Bihar, Pest and Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén counties. The most rapid growth of the Herbarium took place in the middle of the last century (from the 1940s to 1960s), but Siroki remained an active collector until the 1980s. Some specimens from the Herbarium of former Royal Seed Testing Station (Budapest) was also incorporated in this collection; they represent gatherings from the last decades of the 19th century and first decades of the 20th century. Data on the most significant part of the collection, representing native plants collected in the present-day Hungary, are summarized in Electronic Appendix 1. (incl. taxon name, settlement, collecting year, collector, file name of documentary photograph).
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Data to the distribution and nature conservation of Sorbus bakonyensis
229-233Views:1330Sorbus bakonyensis (Jáv.) Jáv. (syn. S. majeri Barabits) is an apomictic species with a very narrow distribution range in the Bakony Mts (Hungary). Its previous occurrence data were published only from Kopasz Mt. (~Kápolna Hill, Csordás valley) above the village Márkó. It was possible to slightly expand the known area of the species to the East and to the West (Kis-Bükk Mt) of Kopasz Mt. with a detailed mapping. Due to the number of known individuals (six mature trees and a variable number of seedlings) and its small distribution range (~2 km2) the species is critically endangered. Regarding its small population, the high number of big game (wild boar, red deer) and the more and more frequent drought periods are significant risk factors. In situ preservation of the species is still a realistic goal, but ex situ propagation in tree nurseries and reintroduction to the suitable habitats of the mapped area (clearings, forest edges) are also justified.
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On the former occurrence of Calla palustris in Hungary
200-210Views:1731The origin of a more than 150 years old herbarium specimen of Calla palustris L. stored in JPU is reconsidered in this study. According to the information on its label, the specimen was collected in 1856 at Lake Velence, close to Székesfehérvár city (central Hungary). Some Hungarian botanists are skeptical about the authenticity of this record. Based on the current occurrences of some remarkable swamp species (e.g. Carex pseudocyperus, Liparis loeselii, Sphagnum spp.) and habitat types (e.g. willow carrs and swamp forests) at the lake, as well as the habitat preference of bog arum, there is no reason to question the former occurrence of the species here or even in other Hungarian localities. The content and accuracy of the examined voucher meet the expectations of floristic data. However, in the absence of recent data the species can be considered extinct from Hungary.