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  • Lactuca tatarica (Asteraceae), a new species for the Hungarian alien flora
    170-178
    Views:
    150

    The first occurrence of blue lettuce (Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A. Mey.) is reported from Hun­ga­ry. Information on its taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat preference and nature conservation aspects is presented. The European local spread of this Eurasian and North American species started at the end of the 1800s. The first localities were reported from the shores of the Baltic and North Sea. Its alien occurrences in inland European regions have been noticed since the 1920s. As L. tatarica have pre­viously been known from the neighbouring territories of Slovakia and Austria, its appearance in Hun­gary is not at all unexpected. However, the species was found (August 2018) in the southern part of Csongrád county, i.e. far away from the above-mentioned countries. Due to the species’ habitat preference (ruderal ground), ecological requirements and successful vegetative propagation, which correspond to foreign observations, its future spread is highly probable.

  • Spreading along the railways: morphology and invasion success of Vulpia ciliata in Hungary
    145–156
    Views:
    524

    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.

  • The Wildflower of the Year 2016 in Hungary: snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris)
    79–100
    Views:
    1055

    In this paper a short review of the nomenclature and etymology, taxonomy, morphology, histology, life cycle, phenology, reproduction, habitat preference, biotic interactions, biologically active compounds, micropropagation, applications possibilities and conservation status of snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.) can be found. Refining of the European distribution area and contributions to the distribution in Hungary are also presented. Primer seed-set, thousand-seed weight, soil charac¬teristic and demographic data are published.

  • Critical review of the distribution of Equisetum × moorei and E. hyemale in the Nyírség (East Hungary)
    131–144
    Views:
    494

    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.

  • New occurrences of Ranunculus strigulosus in East Hungary
    3–8
    Views:
    360

    The exact distribution of Ranunculus strigulosus Schur is poorly known in Hungary. Current occurrence data of the species mainly from Békés county and only one archive data from the Nyírség region, from the 1920s were known. This study presents eleven newly discovered occurrences in East Hungary. Populations were found in wet meadows, forest glades and poplar plantations. Nine of these populations are located at the southeastern edge of the Nyírség region and most of them are quite small. Three larger population were found in Nyírábrány, Álmosd and the Tócó Valley between Debrecen and Hajdúböszörmény. One of the newly discovered populations provides a new contribution to the flora of Bátorliget Marsh and Fen-wood NCA. Some morphological characters (hairs on the stem and the leaves, shape of the leaves developed before and after the mowing) are also discussed.

  • Hybrid leopard’s bane (Doronicum ×sopianae) in the West-Mecsek Mts (SW Hungary)
    251–252
    Views:
    265

    The hybrid of leopard’s bane (Doronicum orientale Hoffm.) and the Hungarian leopard’s bane (Doronicum hugaricum (Sadler) Rchb.f.) was discovered by Tamás Nendtvich in the Mecsek Mts over Pécs in the 1820’s. During the past two centuries several researchers confirmed the occurrence of this plant in the region. The occurrences of the hybrid ever known are concentrated in a relatively limited range, and the single currently known occurrence is on “Zsuppon-parlag”.  In this paper, I report a new occurrence, found on 16th April 2020, close to the village of Kővágószőlős, which is 8 km away from the single currently known locality. I found only one flowering specimen, as well as five vegetative individ­uals with leaf rosettes. The parental species grew only 50 cm away from each other. Here, I provide a detailed morphological description about the flowering individual, and a vegetation relevé of the ac­companying species in a 10×10 m quadrat around the hybrid plant.

  • The Wildflower of the Year 2013 in Hungary: Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum L.)
    354-364
    Views:
    135

    In this paper a short review of the taxonomy, nomenclature, morphology, distribution, habitat characteristics, phenology, reproduction, biotic interactions, biologically active compounds, conservation status and threatening factors of Leucojum aestivum can be found.

  • Sphaerocarpos michelii, a new liverwort species in Hungary
    19-25
    Views:
    199

    Until now, the genus Sphaerocarpos, which can be recognized at first glance due to its characteristic appearance, was represented in Hungary by S. europaeus only, for which a single old record exists. In January 2022 the other widely distributed European congener, S. michelii Bellardi, was discovered on an arable field of lucerne in Somogy county. We report the habitat characteristics of the single known population of S. michelii in Hungary, describe the morphology of the species and deal with the differentiation of the two Sphaerocarpos species. In order to facilitate species identification, we include light and electron micrographs showing essential details of the spore surface of S. michelii.

  • The Wildflower of the Year 2014 in Hungary: Siberian flag (Iris sibirica L.)
    268-285
    Views:
    190

    In this paper a review of the nomenclature, etymology, taxonomy, morphology, histology, life cycle, phenology, reproduction, habitat preference, biotic interactions, biologically active compounds, micropropagation, application possibilities and conservation status of Siberian flag (Iris sibirica L.) can be found. Leaf traits, phenological data, seed-set, thousand-seed weight, germination, growth rate and soil characteristic data are published based on original observations:

    • Leaf area is between 25,3 and 52,9 cm2, its dry mass is 232 and 272 mg/g, specific leaf area is 14,5 and 15,0 m2/kg; based on measurement of 5–5 leaves of sibirica, collected from Tapolca and Létavértes (Hungary) in May of 2014.
    • Based on herbarium dataset, blooming of sibirica begins at the end of April and lasts to early-July, contrary to the literature data (May–June).
    • Capsules contain (0–)58–76(–121) fertile seeds. (20–)60–80(–90)% of ovules develops to (seemingly) viable seeds, meanwhile the other ovules remain as aborted ones or develop to infertile seeds (probably because of absence of resources); based on fruits collected from Regéc (Hungary) in 2014 and 2015.
    • Thousand-seed weight of sibirica is 8,8298–11,2914 g (based on 3×100–100 seeds collected from Regéc and Tapolca in 2014 and 2015), which is lower value than the literature data.
    • In our germination test (50–50 seeds sowed to wet soil, after different treatments) 14% of scarified seeds, 6% of scalded seeds, 4–4% of imbibed and control seeds, 0–0% of cooled and refrigerated seeds are germinated. Scarified seeds germinated in the 8–26th days, imbibed seeds 15–19th days, control seeds 16–20th days, scalded seeds 20–23th days after sowing. It seems that scarification stimulates, meanwhile temperature-treatments inhibit the germination. Until 18 weeks the seedlings grow to 30 cm (in mean) and develop 5–7 leaves (in mean). After the 14th week, the first and littlemost lateral leaves are necrosed.
    • Analyses of soil samples collected from 17 locations of sibirica in Hungary, suggest that the species prefers highly acidic to slightly alcalic, lime-free to highly calcareous soils with generally high amount of humus and clay, different amount of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen and low concentration of salt.
  • Occurrences of Kievan nettle (Urtica kioviensis) in the South Nyírség (East Hungary)
    126–131
    Views:
    266

    So far, only one herbarium data and one flora mapping data on Kievan nettle (Urtica kioviensis Rogow.) has been known from the Southern Nyírség. Since 2004, the species has been detected in 14 flora mapping quadrats. Its data were also collected in winter because its habitats are more easily accessible on ice, its overwintering shoots are more noticeable, and they are strikingly morphologically different from the great nettle (Urtica dioica L.). Typical habitats were willow carrs (Calamagrosti-Salicetum cinereae), reeds (Phragmitetum communis), rush-beds (Typhetum latifoliae, Typhetum angustifoliae), tufted sedge communities (Caricetum elatae) and tall sedge meadows (mainly Caricetum acutiformis). The largest stocks live in reservoirs in secondary habitats. A significant part of the stocks is located in the wide valleys of the main watercourses in the area.

  • Salutation of Professor László Almádi on his 80th birthday
    3–15
    Views:
    159

    László Almádi, the 80 years old professor at the Georgikon Faculty of Keszthely University, has a several decades long history in teaching. During this period, he taught a large number of students in agriculture with an up-to-date agrobotanical knowledge, and launched the career of or had a great impact on many field botanists working in nature conservation. His ability to identify plants is excellent, and he did pass this knowledge on. Besides his huge fascination for plants, his precision, broad and well-founded knowledge serve exemplary for us. Professor Almádi’s rich life is presented in this tribute paper based on his personal stories and written publications, and is supplemented with our own memories, experiences. We cordially greet our Professor on the occasion of his birthday!

  • The purple viper's bugloss (Echium plantagineum), a new adventive species for Hungary
    199-206
    Views:
    898

    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.