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Ceratocephala testiculata (Crantz) Roth and further data to the flora of the foothills of Bükk Mts.('Bükkalja', NE Hungary)
81-142Views:238This paper reports new floristic data of 367 taxa (365 species and two hybrids) from the foothill region of Bükk Mts. ('Bükkalja', NE-Hungary) based on 5470 field collected data records. The data was collected between 1997–2014 and supplemented with herbaria (altogether 344 herbaria sheets). Data evaluation was based on the comprehensive Bükk Flora of András Vojtkó and further papers. Altogether 45 species were registered as previously unreported from the area, whereas three species had old data (Acer negundo, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Xanthium strumarium). Out of the newly registered species six native species inhabits natural habitats (Carex flacca, Ceratocephala testiculata, Glycerrhiza echinata, Gypsophila paniculata, Kochia laniflora, Marrubium vulgare), whereas five species represents the weed flora (Anthemis ruthenica, Chenopodium ficifolium, Eragrostis pilosa, Senecio vernalis, Xanthium strumarium). The majority of the newly observed species are adventives. Five species were also regarded as recent introduction regionally, although they are native in the country (mostly lowland species: Crypsis alopecuroides, Limonium gmelini subsp. hungaricum, Salsola kali, Scirpoides holoschoenus, Trifolium angulatum). Typical threats observed are landscape and habitat degradation by invasive alien species out of which 11 are newly added. Mass occurrences were detected for the following invasive alien species: Bidens frondosa, Impatiens glandulifera, Phytolacca esculenta, Xanthium italicum. 43 species are also registered, which did not have recently published data from the area. These species include more native elements representing different habitat preferences (dry grasslands, wet meadows, forest and weeds). In case of 65 species the unravelled new occurrences increased significantly, thus contributed to the clarification of their distribution pattern. It was found that the floristic data accumulated on a decade-scale are not sufficient for the analysis of floristic trends, but could serve as a good basis for surveying floristic gradients between the mountainous and lowland areas.
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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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Taxonomic revision of alien Ludwigia species in Hungary
153–164Views:298Some tropical Ludwigia species have been planted as ornamentals in Hungarian thermal springs since the 1920s. Although they have become naturalised or even invasive in a few places, their specific identity remained generally uncertain. Our herbarium and field studies revealed that three species of alien water-primroses occur in Hungary. The most frequently planted one is Ludwigia repens, which is, however, a sporadic species in its native distribution area. We have found this species in several parts of the country. Although a few escaped and self-sustaining populations were also observed, this species has appeared to be non-invasive so far. Ludwigia grandiflora appeared in Hungary at the beginning of the 2000s. At the moment it is known from three localities, though spreading rapidly, becoming already invasive in its locality at Tata city. A similar species, L. peploides has recently been reported from two localities, where it forms small stands; the success of its naturalisation can be assessed in the future. We found no evidence for the Hungarian occurrence of L. alterniflora that had been published from Eger city. Therefore we suggest deleting this species from the current Hungarian checklist.
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The purple viper's bugloss (Echium plantagineum), a new adventive species for Hungary
199-206Views:898Following 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.
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Contributions to the escaped, naturalised and potentially invasive species of the Hungarian adventive flora
111-156Views:609In this paper we compiled data on 157 Hungarian adventive plant species – of which 65 had not been reported from the country previously – from 47 settlements of Transdanubia and the Great Hungarian Plain. These taxa are rare, interesting or not included in the most recent list of the Hungarian neophyte species. The list includes data about many rare, occasionally escaping species (e.g. Lagurus ovatus, Salvia coccinea), taxa considered incapable of reproduction under the recent climatic conditions of the Pannonian Basin (e.g. Cupressus sempervirens, Punica granatum) or naturalised plants that may become invasive in the future (e.g. Celtis sinensis, Lonicera japonica). In the outlook we highlighted some special urban habitats (e.g. private and botanical gardens) and practices (e.g. public green space management) that endanger the native flora. We also describe their role in promoting the appearance and the expansion of alien plant species, and processes (e.g. laurophyllisation, spread of thermophile species) that will become increasingly common in the future as a result of climate change.
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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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Interesting moss and liverwort records from the Western Mecsek Mts (South Transdanubia, Hungary)
29-38Views:107During an extensive field work in the acidophilous forests and fens of the Western Mecsek Mts. current localities of several species, which haven’t been recognised here for 50 years, were revealed (e.g. Bazzania trilobata, Diphyscium foliosum, Scapania nemorea). The authors also found some new stands of regionally and/or locally rare taxa (e.g. Buxbaumia aphylla, Dicranum tauricum, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Lepidozia reptans, Sphagnum squarrosum) as well as species new to the moss flora of the Mecsek Mts. (e.g. Aulacomnium androgynum, A. palustre, Calliergon cordifolium, Hedwigia stellata). Both investigated habitat types were found to be infected by invasive moss (Campylopus introflexus) and liverwort (Riccia rhenana) species. It is noteworthy that most of the species were found in winter or at the beginning of spring, when most vascular plants are inactive and their coverage is negligible. In this period moss and liverwort taxa are active, and are therefore easily noticeable. The authors raise the possibility that the expansion of Dicranum tauricum in Hungary is a consequence of former coniferous (especially Pinus spp.) plantations, since the old, dead trunks of pine species can serve as stepping stones to colonization for this taxon.
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Contributions to the flora of railway-side pioneer habitats on Tiszántúl region
86–101Views:436Verges have considerable importance to preserve diversity in arable landscape. The modernized railway embankments are a great surface to the spread of native pioneer or adventive (invasive) plant species. The new data are about the flora of railway embankments mainly from Tiszántúl region. I present some species found on railway verges (e.g. Equisetum ×moorei, Equisetum ramosissimum, Lycopsis arvensis, Euphorbia maculata, Lepidium densiflorum Tragus racemosus, Vulpia myuros). An especially important new data is the refinding of Galium humifusum in Hungary. Locally non-native and adventive species can use the blanketing materials (sand or gravel) of railway embankments as dispersal corridor and colonize them. The railwayside habitats could contribute to the conservation of rare native pioneer species.
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Occurrences of sea lyme grass (Leymus arenarius) in the Kiskunság, Hungary
106-108Views:249We present six new occurrences of a rare non-native species, the sea lyme grass (Leymus arenarius (L.) Hochst.) in the Kiskunság region, Hungary. The populations grow in disturbed, secondary habitats (e.g., abandoned fields, recultivated landfills, surroundings of farms), but one of them begins to expand on the adjacent natural open sandy grassland. Most of the occurrences occupy several hundred square meters and in some cases it forms almost monodominant stands. We suppose that the species has the potential to become an invasive species in this inland sand region.
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Research on the distribution of woolly cup grass (Eriochloa villosa) in the northern part of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Hungary
27–32Views:503Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth was recorded for the first time in Hungary in 2007. Since then, the species spread intensively in the area and appeared at some other parts of Hungary. We carried out a research at the current distribution range of the species in the northern part of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county. We asked how big is the infested area surrounding the place of the first occurrence and whether other occurrences could be found in other parts of the investigated area. This article also gives a review on its known localities in Hungary and neighbouring areas. During the field research, 58 locations of the species were identified, it occurred mainly in ploughed and unploughed agricultural fields, and at some places in disturbed grasslands, too. It has spread on a large scale around the neighbouring areas of the first location found in 2007. Other locations were also found even at more distant places such as in the valley of the Sajó and Bódva rivers and in the Cserehát region. This means that further spread of Eriochloa villosa can be expected, especially in areas with an intensive agricultural activity, in disturbed grasslands, and a threat of its appearance is also suspected in open natural habitats.
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Cyperus odoratus in Hungary
157–164Views:331Eleven 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.
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The role of clothing in antropochorous seed dispersal
77-86Views:161Humans play an increasing role in seed dispersal. Through human help, seeds can bridge distances which otherwise would not be possible. The most important human-mediated dispersal types are: the spread on clothing, shoes and vehicles. The effect of these dispersal types can be combined in many cases. During dispersal with clothing, the seeds attach to cloths, but its probability depends on whether the seeds or other parts of the plant have morphological characteristics which make the attachment possible (e.g. hooks, hairs, spikes) and on the adhesion characteristics of the clothing (cotton/nylon, drill/cotton). This way, cloth-dispersal can be considered analogous to epizoochory. In our review, we evaluated the publications about human-mediated seed dispersal on cloths. In total we have found twelve experimental and field studies on the topic. So far, seeds of 449 species have been documented to be able to spread on clothing worldwide, out of the 449 species, 262 occur in Hungary. With future studies, these numbers will be increasing considerably. The average dispersal distance of the seeds was estimated between 150 and 5000 m, but the distance could be significantly increased, if means of transport are used during the dispersion. According to the results, the seeds of weed and invasive plants are dispersed most frequently on clothing (87% of all species, 26% of species occurring in Hungary). These cause serious damage worldwide. We emphasise that people should pay attention to the type of clothing, when they are visiting remote and unique nature reserves. For instance, waterrepellent foot wears could significantly reduce the adhesion of the seeds therefore it can prevent unintended seed dispersal. Further investigations are needed to find solutions to these problems, especially in regions with lack of these studies, such as in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.
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The role of soil seed bank in restoration and dynamics of Hungarian plant communities
116-135Views:133Soil seed bank has an important role in maintaining plant populations and communities, in regeneration processes, and also provides information about the history of the studied site, the past land use practices, the biotic and abiotic changes and about the current degradation degree. In Hungary there are many researchers related to the seed bank, but from the last few years we do not have a comprehensive work about the results of these works. My goal is to report on the results of former seed bank researches in Hungary and also to highlight the missing topics and further research opportunities. The review is based on 49 articles, the oldest one dates back to 1922, the newest one was published in 2015. Most of the studies use greenhouse or laboratory germination tests to determine the viability of seeds. The earliest studies, which examined the weed seed bank of farmland soils found, that the seed bank was much higher than the total seed bank found on natural and semi-natural habitats studied later. Researchers found the lowest seed bank density in forests. Disturbed sites and former agricultural sites had higher seed bank densities than sites without agricultural use. Most part of seed bank was located in the upper soil layer in all studied communities. In most studies usually a small similarity was detected between the composition of soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation, which suggests that the seed bank has a subordinate role in regeneration processes. Seed bank type classification is lacking from the three-quarter of Hungarian flora species, despite that it is essential for protecting species and communities and for developing proper protection against invasive and alien species.
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Flora of Sztána and Zsobok villages (Transsylvania, Apuseni Mountains, Kalotaszeg)
114-132Views:136The botanical and ethnobotanical studies of PÉNTEK & SZABÓ (1985) were repeated after 30 years, during an ethnobiological summer school held in Kalotaszeg region (Romania), in Apuseni Mountains. However, our intensive floristical researches focused only on two villages (Sztána and Zsobok). A list of the observed taxa and their frequency values are presented. Of the 747 taxa 52 are new to the narrow region. 74 species reported formerly from here were not found by us. The disappearance of some taxa (e.g. Crepis praemorsa, Conringia orientalis, Lolium temulentum) are probably due to changes in agricultural land use methods. The spread of a few new invasive species (e.g. Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Galinsoga ciliata, Senecio vernalis) as well as the presence of some floristically interesting species (e.g. Centaurium pulchellum, Carex otrubae, C. serotina, Lathyrus pannonicus subsp. collinus, Leucanthemum irrcutianum, Minuartia viscosa, Peucedanum rochelianum, Quercus pubescens, Trifolium diffusum, T. micranthum) and a notomorpha (Cirsium × tataricum) were also noticed.
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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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Campylopus flexuosus (Hedw.) Brid. in the Western Mecsek Mts. (South Transdanubia, Hungary)
28-37Views:157During a field survey in 2014, new localities of Campylopus flexuosus, were found in humid acidophilous oak and beech forests in the Western part of the Mecsek Mts. As a new element of the Hungarian bryoflora, C. flexuosus was discovered in 2013 in the Bakony Mts by Peter Erzberger and Csaba Németh. The localities of the sometimes extensive stands are enumerated, the size of the populations is estimated and the associated bryophyte and higher plant species are listed. Some morphological differences between C. flexuosus and the similar moss Dicranum flagellare are described and illustrated. Some interesting results of a revision of D. flagellare specimens in BP are compared with the actual distribution of C. flexuosus and lead to the conclusion that this species can be treated as a potentially expansive moss in humid acidophilous forests of the Mecsek Mts.
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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 the flora of the Danube River in Komárom-Esztergom and Fejér counties (Hungary)
157–168Views:289The present paper focuses on the aquatic and Nanocyperion vegetation of the Danube floodplain. Most of the data show the results of the surveys in 2019 at low water levels. The Nanocyperion and aquatic vegetation of the Komárom-Esztergom County section is relatively well researched compared to the Fejér County section which was previously poorly known. In the last decade, two rare species – Hippuris vulgaris and Hydrocharis morsus-ranae – have disappeared between Gönyű and Neszmély (Komárom-Esztergom County). In contrast, several new invasive plants have appeared: Salvinia molesta, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Limnobium laevigatum, and Crassula helmsii (first record from Hungary). Vallisneria spiralis and Elodea canadensis were detected again after several decades. Elodea nuttallii and Azolla sp. have become more widespread and abundant than previously. New and uncommon Nanocyperion species were the native and protected Lindernia procumbens and the invasive Lindernia dubia. New invasive plants in the studied Danube sections were: Cyperus esculentus, Euphorbia maculata, and Eleusine indica. The native Veronica catenata and Schoenoplectus triqueter have become more widespread than before. Polygonum graminifolium was an interesting find of open pebble surfaces in several parts of the examined area, which has no recent records in Hungary from before 2015 (published here).
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Current distribution of the potentially invasive narrow-leaved ragwort (Senecio inaequidens DC.) in Hungary
179-187Views:285Our study presents the actual status of potentially invasive Senecio inaequidens in Hungary. Literary and herbarium data are also discussed. We report some new data from ruderal places and near highways which are unmarked until now. The actualized distributional map of the species are given. We sign the potential habitat threats too.
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Dry oak woods on the Szentendre Island
147-178Views:162The phytosociological characteristics of the oak woods on the Szentendre Island were first studied 70 years ago. We conducted a follow-up study to determine the phytosociological relationships of theses woods and assess their possible changes over time. We found that these woods are most similar in their phytosociological characteristics to the closed pedunculate oak forests occurring in the high floodplain in the Szigetköz area (Melico nutantis-Quercetum roboris) along the Danube. Our results also showed a marked increase in the proportion of natural weeds, introduced species and invasive aliens in the studied woods.
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Literature reviews
109-110Views:187Bartha D. (szerk.) (2019): Vörös Lista – Magyarország fa- és cserjefajai. Soproni Egyetemi Kiadó, Sopron, 59 pp. ISBN 978-963-334-328-9
Bartha D. (szerk.) (2020): Fekete Lista. Magyarország inváziós fa- és cserjefajai. ● Szürke Lista. Magyarország potenciálisan inváziós fa- és cserjefajai. Soproni Egyetemi Kiadó, Sopron, 84 pp. ISBN 978-963-334-357-9
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A new alien species in Hungary: Limnobium laevigatum (Hydrocharitaceae)
9-15Views:262The South American Spongeplant (Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. & Bonpl. ex. Willd.) Heine) is a floating aquatic plant native to freshwater habitats of tropical and subtropical Central and South America. It is frequently used for ornamental purposes in ponds and aquariums, and became invasive in the recent decades around the world. It has a high reproductive potential and a high dispersal capacity as well. It can form massive floating mats causing light limitation and creating anoxic conditions in the underlying water column, which strongly reduces native animal and plant biomass and diversity. It can also hamper navigation and water flow in rivers and canals. It has been introduced to the United States, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There is only one previous record in Europe (Belgium). This article is about the first record of Limnobium laevigatum in Hungary. I found two localities situated near Tata-Naszály and Dunaalmás (North-western part of Hungary). Both localities are fed by hot-water springs. It forms a small but dense population in Dunaalmás located near to the hot spring. The population in Tata-Naszály can be found in a 1.3 km long section of a stream, where it formed a sparse population in 2018.