Newsletter Nº 40 (1-2)
December 2011
OPTIMA Newsletter
OPTIMA Newsletter is a news journal for OPTIMA Secretariat the presentation and discussion of issues Via Lincoln 2/A pertinent to Mediterranean botany, I-90133 Palermo, Italy. Tel.: + 39 091 23891209 published by the Secretariat of the Fax: + 39 091 6165997 Organization for the Phyto-Taxonomic E-mail: [email protected] Investigation of the Mediterranean Area. http://www.optima-bot.org
ISSN: 0376-5016 printed; 2225-6970 online 40: 1-11 (1)-(33), (2011), OPTIMA Newslett.
The OPTIMA Secretariat gratefully acknowledges the support of:
Dipartimento di Biologia Herbarium Mediterraneum ambientale e Biodiversità Panormitanum Università degli Studi di Palermo
OPTIMA Newsletter
Editors: W. Greuter and G. Domina Lay-out: M.J. Albert
Organization for the Phyto-Taxonomic Investigation of the Mediterranean Area
Executive Council 2007-2013 International Board 2007-2013
Francesco M. Raimondo, Italy (President) Executive Council and: Georgia Kamari, Greece (Vice-President) Loutfy Boulos, Egypt Werner Greuter, Switzerland (Secretary) Theophanis Constantinidis, Greece Gianniantonio Domina, Italy (Treasurer) Avinoam Danin, Israel Mohammed Fennane, Morocco Tuna Ekim, Turkey Vernon H. Heywood, U. K. Eleonora Gabrielian, Armenia Daniel Jeanmonod, Switzerland José M. Iriondo, Spain Uzi Plitmann, Israel Nejc Jogan, Slovenia Benito Valdés, Spain Stephen Jury, U. K. Olja Vasic’, Serbia Karol Marhold, Slovak Republic Joël Mathez, France Fréderic Médail, France Christoph Oberprieler, Germany Silvano Onofri, Italy Auditors Dražena Papeš, Croatia Pietro Mazzola, Italy Fátima Sales, Portugal Giuseppe Venturella, Italy Sonja Siljak-Yakovlev, France
Arne Strid, Sweden
Pertti Uotila, Finland
Ernst Vitek, Austria
Vladimir Vladimirov, Bulgaria
Printed in December 2011 by Tipolitografia Euroservice Punto Grafica, Palermo (100 copies), available online at: www.optima-bot.org
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Through an agreement between OPTIMA and barium Mediterraneum reserves the right to return the Herbarium Mediterraneum Foundation, you may specimens judged to be of insufficient quality. pay OPTIMA membership fees, or purchase volumes 3. Each herbarium specimen will be worth 1 €. Each of Bocconea, by sending herbarium specimens to the delivery will consist of a minimum of 30 herbar- Herbarium Mediterraneum in Palermo. The following ium sheets. conditions apply: 4. Each mailing will include the sender’s name, the 1. Only specimens from the following areas are ac- number of herbarium specimens sent, the credit ceptable: peri-Mediterranean countries (except It- earned and and the purpose it is to be used for. aly and France), plus Portugal and Bulgaria, the Atlantic Islands (Macaronesia), and the domain of 5. The specimens and form will be mailed to: Herbar- Boissier’s “Flora Orientalis” (Middle East, Tran- ium Mediterraneum Panormitanum, Via Lincoln scaucasia, Crimea). Material from the country of 2/A, I-90133 Palermo, Italy. residence (if part of this area) should be given 6. Please also send a communication by E-mail, to preference. the OPTIMA Secretariat in Palermo (e-mail: 2. The herbarium specimens must be unmounted, in [email protected]). good condition, identified, and contain complete information on readable, durable labels. The Her-
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ORDINARY AND INSTITUTIONAL OPTIMA MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO REDUCTIONS ON THE PRICES OF SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS
WHEN ORDERED FROM THE OPTIMA SECRETARIAT
Vol. 7: Proceedings of the Workshops on “Con- servation of the Wild Relatives of European Cultivated Plants”. From the OPTIMA Secretariat Vol. 8: Catalogue des plantes vasculaires rares, menacées ou éndemiques du Maroc. Med-Checklist. Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are avail- Vol. 9: The systematics of Anthemis L. (Compositae, able for OPTIMA members with a special discount Anthemideae) in W and C North Africa. (reduced prices: 83€, 101€, 92€ and 117€ respectively, Vol. 10: An annotated checklist of the flora of the including Shipping charges). Please ask for further Abruzzo. information at the following address: OPTIMA Secre- Vol. 11: Results of the Fourth “Iter Mediterraneum” in tariat, via Lincoln 2/A, I-90133 Palermo fax 0039 Cyprus, April 1991. 0916238203, tel. 003909123891209, e-mail: Vol. 12: Catalogue of the benthic marine macroalgae of [email protected]). the Italian coast of the Adriatic Sea. Vol. 13: Proceedings of the IX OPTIMA Meeting. Paris, 11-17 May 1998. F.M. Raimondo & W. Greuter (eds.) Flora Vol. 14: Checklist of the Lichens and lichenicolous Mediterranea and Bocconea (70% and 30% discount). Fungi of the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Is- Flora Mediterranea and Bocconea are published by the lands. Herbarium Mediterraneum Panormitanum under the Vol. 15: The officinal Flora of Sannio (Benevento, SE - auspices of OPTIMA. These publications cover articles Italy). dealing with plant geography, floristics and systematic Vol. 16: Proceedings of the X OPTIMA Meeting. Pal- botany in its widest sense, relating to Mediterranean ermo, 13-19 September 2001, (I & II). plants of all groups, whether living or fossil. A special Vol. 17: Results of the Third "Iter Mediterraneum" in emphasis is placed on articles that exceed national Sicily, May-June 1990. limits in coverage or by their general interest. Flora Vol. 18: Identification key and description of Mediter- Mediterranea is a journal published annually with a ranean maquis litter microfungi. variety of articles whereas Bocconea is devoted to Vol. 19: Prooceedings of the VI Conference on Plant monographic subjects: Taxonomy in Alghero, 31 May - 2 June 2003. Vol. 1: Results of the First “Iter Mediterraneum” in Vol. 20: A catalogue of plants growing in Sicily. south-eastern Spain, June-July 1988. Vol. 21: Prooceedings of the XI OPTIMA meeting in Vol. 2: A check-list of Sicilian fungi. Beograd, 5-11 September 2004. Vol. 3: Results of the Second “Iter Mediter-raneum” Vol. 22: Check-list of the Hornworts, Liverworts and in Israel, March-April 1989. Mosses of Italy. Vol. 4: Current research on the biology of threatened Vol. 23: Prooceedings of the XII OPTIMA Meeting plant species of the Mediter-ranean Basin and Pisa, 10-16 September 2007. Macaronesia: a database. Vol. 5: Proceedings of the VII OPTIMA Meeting in Borovetz, 18-30 July 1992, (I and II). Please send your orders to the OPTIMA Vol. 6: Contributions towards a checklist of Mediter- Secretariat by e-mail or Fax ranean Lichens (out of print).
2 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 2011
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PUBLICATIONS ORDER FORM
Please send me the following publications (postage expenses are included in the shown prices if not explicitly indi- cated): Volume OPTIMA member Price Non-member Price Med-Checklist € 83 € 100 (Volume 1) Med-Checklist € 101 € 131 (Volume 2) Med-Checklist € 92 € 112 (Volume 3) Med-Checklist € 117 € 144 (Volume 4)
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Proceedings of OPTIMA Meetings Number Normal Price Member Price Shipping cost II € 60 € 48 € 10 V € 125 € 100 € 10 VI € 60 € 48 € 10 VIII € 45 € 75 € 10 VII, IX, X, XI, see Bocconea vol. 5, 13, 16, 21, 23 XII
OPTIMA Newsletter, issues: 5, 6, 7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37(1), 37(2), 38(1-2), 39 (1-2) Normal Price Member Price Shipping cost per issue € 10 € 5 € 6
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Publications on Orchids: 1) Willing & Willing 1979: Index der Verbreitungskarten für die Orchideen Europas und der Mittelmeerländer; 2) Baumann & al. 1981: Orchideenforschung und Naturschutz im Mittelmeergebiet Internationales Artenschutzprogramm; 3) Künkele & Paysan 1981: Die Orchideenflora von Euböa (Griechen- land); 4) Del Prete & Tosi 1981: Orchidee spontanee dell’Argentario; 5) Gölz & Reinhard 1984: Die Orchideenflora Albaniens; 6) Lorenz & Gembardt 1987: Die Orchideenflora des Gargano (Italien); 7) Bau- mann & al. 1989: Die nomenklatorischen Typen der von Linnaeus veröffentlichten Namen europäischer Or- chideen; 8) Künkele & Lorenz 1990: Die Orchideen in dem Bilderwerk des Carolus Clusius. Normal Price Member Price Shipping cost per issue € 20 € 10 € 6
Publication on Lichens: Nimis & Poelt 1987: The lichens and lichenicolous fungi of Sardinia. Normal Price Member Price Shipping cost € 30 € 15 € 6
Orders: Send all orders to the OPTIMA Secretariat, via Lincoln 2/A, I-90133 Palermo, preferably by e-mail (secr@optima- bot.org) or fax (+39 091 6238203). Payment is required in advance. Please contact the secretariat for multiple dispatches.
Payment: By Credit card, send an email to the secretariat ([email protected]), you will receive further instructions. I am sending a bank transfer to the OPTIMA Publications Commission, account Nº E-1651.05.02 (IBAN: CH23 0078 8001 E165 1050 2) Banque Cantonale de Genève, Genève, Switzerland. (Please, include photocopy of bank slip). I am enclosing with this order form an International bank cheque drawn on a Swiss bank or a Eurocheque extended to OPTIMA Publications Commission. Please send me a pro-forma invoice (items sent upon receipt of payment).
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Ordinary members receive the newsletters and the circulars, a free subscription to Flora Mediterranea, re- duced rates on publications and on OPTIMA Meetings and all the benefits of being a full member. Institutional members, in addition to the above, also receive a free subscription to Bocconea. Associate members receive the newsletters and the circulars, but are not entitled to any other benefits. Associate membership will become effective immediately upon receipt of the signed application form. Ordi- nary or institutional membership will become effective upon receipt of the signed application form and payment of the membership fee for the current year.
Current membership rates: Ordinary (personal) members: ...... € 30.- Life membership: ...... € 450.- Institutional members: ...... € 100.-
Thanks to an agreement signed with the Società Botanica Italiana, it has become possible to pay the Membership dues for both associations – SBI and OPTIMA – with a single money transfer, and at the same time to benefit by a discount. OPTIMA Ordinary + SBI: ...... € 100.- OPTIMA Ordinary + SBI + Plant Biosystems: ...... € 127.-
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Please send this order form to: OPTIMA Secretariat - Dr. G. Domina, via Lincoln, 2. I-90133 Palermo, Italy.
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OPTIMA NEWS
by GIANNIANTONIO DOMINA
OPTIMA Newsletter nº 40 presents the same cover as n. 39, intermediate between newsletter 37 & 38 and the previous ones. The Newsletter is divided into two parts, the first with the News and the second with the Notices of Pub- lications. The first section regarding news has became gradually thinner due to the fast and cheap channel represented by e-mail. The news here reported are only those that it makes sense to also produce as hard copy. Short news from OPTIMA Commissions are included, limited to those that reported activity in 2010 and 2011.
SECRETARIAT HERBARIUM MEDITERRANEUM COMMISSION 2011. The Secretariat kept OPTIMA’s accounts and the accounts of the Publications Commission and The commission is looking for new funding so- Prize Commission. It also administered the member- lutions to the building of the new seat of the Herbarium ship files and managed the distribution and sale of Mediterraneaum after the withdrawal of the funding OPTIMA’s publications. It worked as a liaising centre allocated by the Italian government, as part of the the for the Council and Board members and the working 150th Jubilee Celebration for the Unification of Italy. groups and commissions of our Organization. The digitisation programme of the Herbarium until now, produced high-resolution digital images of 90,000 DEATHS specimens.
Prof. Frank Bisby, U.K., died 25 October 2011.
UPDATES ON COMMISSIONS WEB COMMISSION
This Commission designs and implements the PUBLICATIONS COMMISSION spread of information on OPTIMA activities by means In 2010 the Herbarium Mediterraneum pub- of the OPTIMA Web Pages. New procedures for the lished the 20th volume of Flora Mediterranea, which spread of information (Facebook, etc.) where evaluated was distributed to the regular members of OPTIMA with poor success. The Website News section, and free of charge. above all regular e-mailing, still appear to be the most suitable ways to communicate with OPTIMA members. The Newsletter 39(1-2), was published both in electronic format for distribution to the membership and in a small number of hard copies (150) for archival purposes and distribution to Institutional Members. Personal members may purchase the Newsletter for an extra 5 €.
6 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 2011 OPTIMA NEWSLETTER OPTIMA NEWSLETTER OPTIMA NEWSLETTER
ACTIVITIES
by GIANNIANTONIO DOMINA
PLANT DIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL 2011: KNOWLEDGE, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PLANT BIODIVERSITY OF MEDITERRANEAN MOUNTAIN SYSTEMS
The Plant Diversity Summer School: Knowl- teachers. 25 participants had been selected from among edge, Conservation and Management of Plant Biodi- the applications received. Up to two students per Medi- versity of Mediterranean Mountain Systems was held terranean border Country where chosen in the first from 29th August to 11th September 2011 in Castel- round, then the remaining places were assigned to buono, Geraci Siculo, Petralia Soprana (PA) and Ucria further applicants from Mediterranean or other Euro- (ME), under the lead of Francesco M. Raimondo who pean countries. As a result participants were a mixed worked passionately for its organization with the assis- lot, coming from 9 different countries: Algeria, Bul- tance of Riccardo Guarino and Gianniantonio Domina. garia, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Tunisia It was placed under the auspices of the Department of and Turkey. In addition, PhD students of the Course of Environmental Biology and Biodiversity, the Faculty Doctorate in Plant Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology of Sciences and the Course of Doctorate in Plant Bio- of the University of Palermo participated on an ad-hoc diversity and Landscape Ecology of the University of basis. Five days were devotes to field activities on the Palermo and the FIP (International Federation of Phy- Madonie, Nebrodi and Etna Mountains. Classes were tosociology). It was funded in part by the University held by international experts, all of them old friends Consortium of the Palermo’s Province and also bene- won through OPTIMA, representing different disci- fited by the support of OPTIMA, the International plines such as vascular plants, vegetation science and Foundation pro Herbario Mediterraneo, the Natural taxonomy. They were: Salvatore Brullo, José A. Car- Museum Francesco Minà Palumbo and by the hospital- reira, Avinoam Danin, Gianniantonio Domina, Giam- ity of the municipalities of Castelbuono, Geraci Siculo, pietro Giusso del Galdo, Werner Greuter, Riccardo Petralia Soprana, Ucria and of the Natural Parks of Guarino, Vernon Heywood, Pietro Mazzola, Gerald Madonie and Nebrodi. Thanks to these all supports, Parolly, Franco Pedrotti, Sandro Pignatti, Richard Pott, accommodation and meals could be offered to the Francesco M. Raimondo, Mohamed Rejdali, Rosario participants, who had to pay only a little registration Schicchi, Angelo Troia, and Benito Valdés. At the end fee (250€, or 150€ for developing Countries) and their of the course, after an exam that all students passed travel expenses. with good results, certificates of attendance were is- The School was a learning experience of excel- sued and 5 ECTS or 5 Italian CFU were acquired. A lence for graduates, doctoral students and scholars who pleasant closing ceremony was held in the Botanical wanted to increase their knowledge of theoretical and Garden of Palermo, in the presence of Dott. Antonio applied aspects of conservation and management re- Ticali director of the University Consortium of the lated to plant species and plant communities on the Palermo Province. mountains of the Mediterranean Sea. The Summer School provided to the participants an opportunity to meet with leading experts in the field, share daily life, and establish contacts among themselves and with their
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MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Don't miss the XIV OPTIMA Meeting in Palermo, scheduled to take place in September 2013!
The preliminary Scientific Program for the XIV OPTIMA Meeting shall include the following Symposia: 1. Taxonomy and floristics in Italy. 2. Progress in Mediterranean karyosystematics and molecular systematics. 3. Mediterranean Umbelliferae. 4. Floristic relationship of Italy with the Balkan Peninsula. 5. Collection data in the information age. 6. Taxonomic data in the information age. 7. Conservation: legal instruments and their application. 8. In-situ conservation of target species. 9. The present and future of Mediterranean floristics. 10. Mediterranean palaeo-palynology. 11. The Mediterrenean as source of ornamentals. 12. Writing monographs: Past, present and future. Moreover, there will be room for four half-day symposia, one for each of the major non-vascular cryptogamic groups (Algae, Fungi, Lichens, Bryophytes).
• 2: Breaking Research in Ecology and BioDi- 25-28 April 2012 versity • 3: Targets of BioDiversity • 4: Environment Biotechnology and BioDiver- BIT’s 1st Annual World Congress of Biodi- sity Conservation • 5: Eco-Economy, Eco-Civilization and Bio- versity Diversity Xhian, China • 6: Biologically Invasions and BioDiversity Management BIT Congress Inc. is proud to present BIT’s 1st Annual World Congress of BioD 2012. With the theme • 7: Ecosystem Management and International of Today Eco-civilization, Tomorrow Happiness the BioDiversity Business conference will be held during April 25-28, 2012 in Deadlines Xi’an, China. This event will continue to offer profes- June 15, 2011 Start Date for online Abstract Submis- sionals in the field a multidisciplinary informative sions platform. June 30, 2011 Start Date for online Early Bird Regis- trations BioDiversity as the measure or degree of eco- August 15, 2011 Deadline for online Early Bird regis- systems determines species on earth. The topic of Bio- tration Diversity has been accepted as an important global October 15, 2011 Second Round of Abstract Submis- issue, and the precarious balance are affected by vari- sions ous complicated aspects. The BioD 2012 is bringing February 25, 2012 Deadline for cancellation of hotel together scientists, industrial leaders and decision mak- reservations ers from all over the world in a great range of subjects February 25, 2012 Deadline for abstract submission through cluster conferences, expositions, excellent lectures, tech tours and training programs. For further information see: http://www.bitlifesciences.com/BioD2012/default.asp Symposia
• 1: Global Policy, Economics and Actions on BioDiversity Protection
8 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 2011
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23-25 March 2012 ported the inextricable linkages between biological and cultural diversity and the vital role of Indigenous and local peoples in stewardship of biological diversity and cultural heritage, which includes recognition of land Rencontres naturalistes 2012 and resource rights, as well as rights and responsibili- Elbeuf-sur-Seine, France ties over tangible and intangible cultural and intellec- tual properties. The ISE is committed to understanding Days dedicated to Jean Péricart (1928 -2011) the complex relationships which exist between human In order to boost joint work between the different societies and their environments. A core value of the member associations FFSSN (Fédération Française des ISE is the recognition of Indigenous peoples as critical Sociétés de Sciences Naturelles) and a common reflection players in the conservation of biological, cultural and with respect to the Life Sciences and Earth, it appeared linguistic diversity. important that each association would be represented in this
Assembly general. FFSSN aimed the progress of science, protection of Key Dates nature, development and coordination of Federated Asso- Call for individual contributions is now closed ciations and the French scientific development in the field Early bird registration deadline 22 February 2012 of Life Sciences and Earth, it seems essential that everyone can give his opinion and discuss. For further information see: http://congress- ise2012.agropolis.fr/ftpheb.agropolis.fr/en/Home.html In 2012, a conference will be held at the FFSSN El- beuf in partnership with the Museum of Elbeuf (CREA) and the Society for the Study of Natural Sciences of Tweed. 24-27 May 2012
Themes The dissemination of naturalistic knowledge. 21th European Vegetation Survey Exchanges, collaborations and work of the FFSN member associations, the role of amateurs. Vienna, Austria Natural and cultural heritage. The 21st Workshop of the IAVS Working Group Collections of Life Sciences and Earth. for the European Vegetation Survey will take place in The scientific and common names of species today. Vienna from Thursday 24 May to Sunday 27 May Taxonomy and legislation. 2012, with a post-Workshop Excursion on Monday 28 For further informations and specific enquiries write May. Registration, Lectures and Poster Sessions will to: [email protected] take place in the Main Building of the University of Vienna (see Venue).
Main Topics 20-25 May 2012 Vegetation databases and large-scale classification
Biogeographical patterns in vegetation th 13 Congress of the International Society Vegetation and global change of Ethnobiology Working Group on Vegetation Databases Montpellier, France This workshop is a joint meeting with the Ger- For two decades, the International Society of man Working Group on Vegetation Databases which is Ethnobiology (ISE) has actively promoted and sup- dedicated to the promotion of electronic plot archives
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and coordinates activities concerning the stimulation, and transitional systems worldwide, catching up on compilation, dissemination and utilisation of vegetation leading-edge techniques and, lastly, appreciating the data. Since 2002 the Working Group has organised ten constraints of the science and the management. annual meetings. The 21st Workshop of European Main Topics Vegetation Survey is at the same time the 11th Meeting on Vegetation Databases, focusing on Vegetation data- •Ecosystem structure and functioning bases and large-scale classification. •Systems analysis •Anthropogenic change •Ecosystem services and societal benefits Programme Outline •Valuing ecosystems •‘Future-proofing the science’ Thursday 24 May Registration, Opening Ceremony,
Sessions Programme Outline Friday 25 May Mid-Symposium Excursions Sunday, 3 June Saturday 26 May Sessions, Social Dinner Registration Sunday 27 May Sessions, EVS Business Meeting, Opening Address Closing Ceremony Drinks reception Monday, 4 June Monday 28 May Post-Symposium Excursion to the Scientific Presentations Vienna Woods (restricted number of partici- Poster Viewing pants) Tuesday, 5 June Scientific Presentations ECSA meeting Deadlines Gala Dinner Second Circular: January 2012 Wednesday, 6 June Registration & abstract submission: 28 Febuary 2012 Scientific Presentations Payment: 31 March 2012 Thursday, 7 June Final Circular: April 2012 A site visit may be organized by ECSA (TBD)
For further information see: http://evs2012.vinca.at/index.shtml Deadlines
Abstract Deadline 13 January 2012
Author notification deadline 24 February 2012 3-7 June 2012 Author registration deadline 9 March 2012
For further information see: th 50 ECSA Conference: Today's science for http://www.estuarinecoastalconference.com/index.html tomorrow's Management
Venice, Italy Following the success of the renowned ECSA 28 August -1 September 2012 conferences and workshops, the 50th ECSA Confer- ence: Today's science for tomorrow's Management will bring together researchers, environmental managers, 3rd European Congress of Conservation policy makers and graduate students to present re- Biology search results, explore collaborations and to spark new ideas, with the aim of learning about marine, coastal Glasgow, UK
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The Congress is hosted by the University of Agriculture, Agroecosystems and Landscape Cumbria's National School of Forestry and marks the Syntaxonomy 10th anniversary of the formation of the SCB-Europe. The theme of the congress will be "Conservation on the Vegetation Databases Edge" and we hope to attract participants from the conservation policy, practice and education arenas as More informations will be soon available at: well as academics and researchers. For ECCB2012 we www.scienzadellavegetazione.it have moved to the "edge" of Europe and in addition to the terrestrial themes which have been well represented at previous ECCB we hope to develop the participation of those involved in marine and coastal conservation. Interaction and effective communication be- tween researchers, policy makers, conservation practi- tioners and resource users is fundamental to the success of conservation endeavours. We especially welcome students and early career researchers. We invite all those involved in conservation to participate in the ECCB2012 which will be held at the Scottish Exhibi- tion and Conference Centre (SECC) from 28 August to 1 September 2012.
For further information see: http://eccb2012.org/index.asp
October 2012
47° Congress of the Italian Society for Vegetation Science
Perugia, Italy The 47th Congress of the Italian Society for Vegetation Science will take place in Perugia, October 2012; it will include a one-day Excursion. Scientific Commitee: Carlo Blasi, Gianni Bacchetta, Francesco Bracco, Daniela Gigante, Riccardo Guarino, Giovanni Spampinato, Roberto Ve- nanzoni Organizing Committee: Roberto Venanzoni, Daniela Gigante, Flavia Landucci, Fabio Maneli, Silvia Poponessi, Alessandro Properzi Main Topics Habitat Directive: Monitoring and Assessemnt in Natura 2000 Sites
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 11
NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS*
by WERNER GREUTER
General Topics To my mind, the book suffers from a general lack of precise targeting. To begin with the obvious, I nowhere found a clear 1. Tod F. STUESSY & H. Walter LACK definition of what it means by “monogra- (ed.) – Monographic plant systematics. phy”. (Turning to the Oxford Dictionary for Fundamental assessment of plant biodi- help I drew a blank: the word – a percursor versity [Regnum Vegetabile, 153. ISSN of the modern “monograph” – no longer 0080-0694]. Gantner, Ruggell FL, 2011 exists in the English language.) Accepting (ISBN 978-3-906166-98-8). IX + 222 the term to mean “production of a mono- pages, 32 text figures, 2 tables; hard co- graph” does not answer the question: what is ver. a monograph. Oxford again: “a detailed written study of a single specialized subject Many feel that monographic work now- or an aspect of it”. But that is far too wide a adays is unfashionable, and some diagnose definition for this book’s purpose. True, in its decline, yet few fail to recognise its the first chapter is a wish list of topics top- usefulness or, rather, the urgent need for it. ics a “monograph” as here meant should A book written in support of monography is cover; yet a definition proper I did not find. therefore not only a pleasant surprise but a Nor could I find a clear statement of the welcome support for an important discipline readership the book wishes to address and that may well need it. As part of the pres- the effects it hopes to produce. tigious Regnum Vegetabile series it will, let Let me try to conduct that analysis by us hope, have an appreciable impact. myself. In the concluding chapter mention is A team of ten renowned authors, the edi- made of biotic resource managers (but they tors among them, has written a book with 12 will, if anything, use the monograph itself, commissioned chapters grouped in four parts: not this manual) and funding agents (who the first on policy (“importance of botanical will not read it either). The main target monography”), the second on knowledge group, then, are botanical teachers and post- acquisition (“data and analysis”), the third graduate students. Speaking as one who on tools and craftmanship (“literature and wrote a monograph to obtain his PhD, I nomenclature”), and a final outlook (“per- doubt whether this is a fair suggestion. spectives”). The texts are well and compe- Modern monographic work requires too tently written, most are easily understood many different skills, both experimental and (but for some you will need your maths, if traditional, for a single person to master. you have them). I enjoyed reading some and Monograph production nowadays calls for scanning the others; yet I confess it left a teamwork, which is the one notion one does shale aftertaste with me. Why so? not find in the book (as if the particle
* Please send all items for announcement or review directly to the column editor: Prof. W. Greuter, Her- barium Mediterraneum, Giardino Botanico, Via Lincoln 2/A, I-90123 Palermo.
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (1) Publications
“mono” referred to the author rather than to 2. Peter GOLDBLATT & Dale E. JOHN- the subject). However, the editors’ final SON – Index to plant chromosome plea for more and better training in mono- numbers 2004-2006. [Regnum Vege- graphic work, in special courses in which all tabile, 152 (ISSN 0080-0694).] – Gant- aspects and skills are taught, the modern as ner, Ruggell FL, 2010 (ISBN 978-3- well as the traditional, deserves to be sup- 906166-89-6). IX + 246 pages; paper. ported. Some of the chapters are excellent con- Welcome back home! Index to Plant tributions to such teaching, as they give a Chromosome Numbers started at UC Berke- complete, concrete and competent overview ley for the year 1956 under Marion Cave, of what monographers are supposed to being first published as an independent se- know. Examples are Karol Marhold’s highly ries with 9 yearly issues (2 volumes, 1958- technical text on “Multivariate morphomet- 1965) in Berkeley then Chapel Hill. As from rics”, Christiane Anderson’s basic introduc- 1967 (index for 1965), 9 volumes (covering tion to “Literature and online sources”, and 1965 to 1974) were published as parts of the Nick Turland’s surprisingly full and well Regnum Vegetabile series, under the care of balanced treaty on botanical nomenclature – Robert Ornduff then Raymond Moore, whe- his successful debut as Rapporteur-général. reupon Peter Goldblatt and the Missouri Walter Lack’s essay on “Botanical Latin” Botanical Garden took charge. The follow- ironically appears at a time when the Latin ing 12 volumes, covering the years 1975 to obligation for diagnosing new taxa disap- 2003, appeared as Monographs in System- pears from the Botanical Code, but as many atic Botany from the Missouri Botanical of the older botanical texts are in Latin it Garden. retains its reason of being. All this you can read, in more detail, in The book was written with the aim of Goldblatt’s account (in Taxon 56: 984-86. highlighting monographic work, and it is but 2007) in which we were informed that natural that it tends to exalt its subject. In IPCN’s future was in jeopardy. At that point some places where monographs and Floras Tod Stuessy stepped in as deus ex machina, are compaired, however, it is all but offering the help of the International Asso- haughty. Monographers and Flora writers ciation for Plant Taxonomy to get the most each work on an important aspect of plant recent Index printed. And here we are, with taxonomy. They profit mutually but do not Regnum Vegetabile again hosting IPCN. depend upon each other. To pretend, as the The future of IPCN is not secure, but editors do, that “Floras ... cannot be done looks brighter now than a few years ago (see with any level of competence if mono- Goldblatt & Lowry in Ann. Missouri Bot. graphic information for the plants within the Gard. 98: 226-227. 2011). Contingent upon region does not exist” is a trifle arrogant. continued support by the IAPT under its Were that statement true there would be no new Secretary Karol Marhold, and thanks to Flora in existence with “any level of compe- Missouri’s commitment to continued data tence”. In my experience, a good monogra- input and databasing, we may hope that pher will use, and profit from, the first-hand future volumes can be produced regularly. information to be found in Floras just as The major challenge will be to find willing much as the author of a Flora will, as a mat- and competent editors to replace Peter Gold- ter of course, take advantage of any relevant blatt and Dale Johnson who are stepping monograph that happens to exist – and they down. Their contribution, spanning 32 and are few enough. To the extent to which the 21 years, respectively, has been impressive present volume can remedy that sad deficit, and immensely valuable: our thanks to them it is very welcome indeed. W.G. both! W.G.
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Gymnosperms cago. – NRC Research Press, Ottawa, 2011 (ISBN 978-0-660-19979-5). XXXIV + 727 pages, numerous black-and-white 3. Robert P. ADAMS – Junipers of the illustrations (drawings, photographs, world: The genus Juniperus. 3rd edi- some graphs and maps), tables, 50 col- tion. – Trafford, Bloomington, 2011 our photographs; hard cover. (ISBN 978-1-4269-5382-8). v + 426 pages, numerous black-and-white illus- Ernie Small’s work of a lifetime on the trations (photographs, maps, graphs), ta- genus Medicago has resulted in an impres- bles; laminated cover. sive, monumental monograph. From among other monographic studies it stands out by Editions of Adams’s juniper monograph its use of plain language, so as to be under- follow one another with astounding fre- stood by a practical readership including quency. Just over two years have elapsed agronomists and breeders, and by the con- since the second edition was published, and comitant emphasis on applied aspects; which less than seven since the first appeared (see does not prevent it, however, from including OPTIMA Newslett. 3:(8-9). 2009; 39: (2). all the classical elements such as descrip- 1910), and already we behold the third. tions, full synonymies and keys. There are no fundamental changes to be An important chapter deals with the cir- mentioned with respect to its forerunners cumscription of Medicago and its delimita- (see previous reviews), but many details, tion against other genera, the closely related and of course the list of references, have Trigonella in particular. This is a field in been updated. New molecular data are in- which Small has done pioneer work, his use cluded, resulting among other things in the of flower features as the main criterion being reduction of Juniperus mucronata to varietal widely followed in modern literature (in- status under J. blancoi. Two chapters have cluding Med-Checklist). His illustration (p. been added that are entirely new, one on seed 81) of the structures of the Medicago flower, dispersal, the other on sex expression (how with its explosive pollen release onto trip- refreshing to see that some still dare to use ping pollinators, as opposed to the repeat- the correct word, sex, where many would edly functioning tripping mechanism of now sheepishly, and wrongly, write gender). Trigonella, is helpful to understand the why These chapters, as all the others, abound in and how of this distinction. Modern clado- observations made by the author himself, grams based on various nuclear and chloro- e.g. of seed dispersal by harvester ants. plast gene sequences are reviewed and Edition three comes in the larger size of shown to differ widely depending on the the first edition, but same as the (smaller) marker used, so that the (partly new) sec- second it lacks the four plates of colour pho- tional and subsectional classification here tographs. The soft-cover edition of the book proposed, while taking into account the mo- is sold at US$ 29.95 by Trafford lecular studies, is based primarily – and (www.trafford.com), but the hardback edi- wisely – on morphological traits. It was tion that was also announced I could not perhaps a bit risky to propose two new find. W.G. subsectional combinations under the gen- eral heading “Provisional sections and sub- sections”, but from the context it is clear Dicotyledons that the names are definitely accepted and the expressed taxonomic doubt concerns only the taxa; so that one of the two combi- 4. Ernest SMALL – Alfalfa and relatives. nations is validly published here, and the Evolution and classification of Medi- second fails to be so only because the in-
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (3) Publications
tended basionym lacks a Latin description (a 5. Krzysztof ROSTAŃSKI, Adam ROSTAŃ- few months too early, Earnie: starting next SKI, Izabela GEROLD-ŚMIETAŃSKA & January your English diagnosis would have Pawel WĄSOWICZ – Evening-primroses done the job!). (Oenothera) occurring in Europe. Wi- The most sizeable chapter, of over 60 esołki (Oenothera) występujące w Eu- pages, is devoted to the taxonomy of alfalfa ropie. – W. Szafer Institute of Botany, (Medicago sativa). This is a difficult, ex- Kraków & University of Silesia, Ka- tremely variable complex of diploid and towice, 2010 (ISBN 978-83-89648-92- tetraploid, frequently hybridising taxa, some 1). 157 pages, 6 drawings, numerous co- of which are now cultivated all over the globe. lour photographs, 61 maps, table; lami- Synonymy involves hundreds of names and nated cover. runs over pages and pages – a major tidying- up operation. Small’s synthetic treatment Krzysztof Rostański is the undisputed recognises four subspecies, one additional Nestor of European Oenothera studies. variety and one named nothosubspecies. It Aged 80, he presents us here with the syn- looks nicely manageable. thesis of over half a century of scientific The remaining 86 species of the genus endeavour. During that time, alone or in are, oddly to my mind, treated in alphabeti- collaboration with others, he wrote at least cal order. The strength of this part of the 50 relevant papers, describing numerous monograph is the wide variety of aspects it new species and revising the genus country- considers and the impressive amount of lit- wise for large parts of Europe. His Oeno- erature that has been worked into it. Its thera collections at the herbarium of the weakness, I dare say, is the almost total University of Silesia in Katowice-Chorzów absence of distribution maps. The written comprises, we are told, about 10 000 speci- distribution statements, often reduced to an mens – by far the largest such collection on enumeration of countries (with Yugoslavia our continent, accounting for no less than still being treated as a single unit), are a poor one tenth of the whole KTU Herbarium. surrogate. The enumerations of representative The revision is fully bilingual (English collections help to an extent, but are error- and Polish) and treats 61 species found in prone. An example is Medicago prostrata Europe in the wild or in cultivation. [There subsp. pseudorupestris, for which a speci- are 30 more species that are mentioned only men from the Crimea is cited: neither the by name, having been found but locally, or subspecies nor the species as a whole is not being extensively grown.] Oenothera is known from there, or anywhere nearby, and a New-World genus which, although not duplicates of the same gathering are (cor- autochthonous with us, paradoxically in- rectly) cited under the Crimean subendemic cludes several European endemics. This is Medicago rupestris. due to its particular genetic setup: whenever The illustration is generous and informa- its species hybridise (as they often do) they tive, particularly the drawings. Some of the give rise to true-breeding, sexually repro- colour photographs (perhaps chosen by the ducing plants that willy-nilly one considers publisher rather than the author?) are inap- as a species. propriate, such as the one (5B) allegedly The present treatment includes full keys showing a botanic-garden-grown Medicago and descriptions. Moreover, all but two of strasseri that is certainly misidentified; and the species are illustrated by several colour worse, N° 4 of Medicago marina: that spe- photographs showing the plant habit, live or cies may indeed be present in the back- in the herbarium, and details aiding identi- ground, but the plant featuring centrally up fication (leaves, flower, indumentum, bud front is Achillea maritima. W.G. apex, whole fruit, capsule teeth). The book
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will doubtless promote the study and im- witnessing an upward spiral, a self-reinfor- prove the understanding of evening prim- cing process, just as real as, and infinitely roses throughout the European continent. more enjoyable than, the fatal downward W.G. spiral that has affected our discipline in other countries of Europe. The two present volumes cover widely Floras different groups of plants. The smaller one, N° 17, is devoted for one half to the aquatic 6. Santiago CASTROVIEJO † (gen. ed.), R. (freshwater and marine) families of the for- MORALES, A. QUINTANAR, F. CABEZAS, mer Helobiae, no less than 22 in number A. J. PUJADAS & S. CIRUJANO (vol. (and there might have been one more, had ed.) – Flora iberica. Plantas vasculares not Cymodocea been included in Zannichel- de la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares. liaceae), totalling only 58 species among Vol. XII, Verbenaceae-Labiatae-Calli- them. The second half, disregarding the sin- trichaceae. – Consejo Superior de Inves- gle naturalised representative of Commeli- tigaciones Científicas, Real Jardín naceae, is devoted to Juncaceae, with only Botánico, Madrid, 2010 (ISBN 978-84- two genera but no less than 59 species. The 00-09041-8, volume; 978-84-00-06221- Juncus treatment follows faithfully Sno- 7, set). LIV + 650 pages, map, 149 plates gerup’s excellent revision, and that of of drawings; cloth with dust jacket. Luzula Kirschner’s, but both look very well structured and are (as the whole Flora) 7. Santiago CASTROVIEJO † (gen. ed.), S. superbly illustrated. I for one will certainly TALAVERA, M. J. GALLEGO, C. ROME- often use the comparative drawings of fruit- RO ZARCO & A. HERRERO (vol. ed.) – ing Juncus perigons, grouped together on Flora iberica. Plantas vasculares de la two opposite pages, which better than any Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares. Vol. key helps recognise the different species. XVII, Butomaceae-Juncaceae. – Consejo As to vol. 12, it has the major family Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Labiatae at its core, sandwitched so-to-say Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid, 2010 between two much smaller ones: Verbena- (ISBN 978-84-00-09112-5, volume; 978- ceae and Callitrichaceae, each with 10 spe- 84-00-06221-7, set). XLVIII + 298 pages, cies. Callitriche, another of those tricky aqua- map, 55 plates of drawings; cloth with tics with extreme phenotypic plasticity that dust jacket. makes it almost impossible to key them out A year of bliss: two volumes of Flora properly, are also an example of a treatment iberica have been published in 2010. This is that I will often consult when looking at quite remarkable, taking into account the non-Spanish plants, as the illustrations, quite very thorough editing that the Flora under- apart from the text, are extremely helpful. goes before it is cleared for printing. The As to the Labiatae, much could and volume editors must have had a busy time. should be written about them, but I will limit But then, Spain is rich enough in botanical myself to pointing out those genera which brainpower to afford two full and fully dif- have a main centre of diversity in Spain, ferent editorial teams of four to be entrusted where they are represented by many species with that job. Not to speak of the two dozen often difficult to define, last not least be- authors of the treatments. cause of frequent intraspecific hybridization Yes, indeed: Spain is a fortunate, a rich and introgression phenomena. They are: country, botanically speaking. And undoubt- Teucrium (67 species, 22 hybrids), Thymus edly it owes that wealth to the very flora (36 species, 71 hybrids), Sideritis (34 spe- project that now benefits from it. We are cies, 35 hybrids), and Lavandula (8 species,
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (5) Publications
9 hybrids). The present treatments are a ma- (without page number) to the former in the jor if basic step toward a proper understand- latter treatment. ing of the evolutionary processes that have In the preface we are told that the main led to their present multiformity. W.G. advantage of climbing that high is the fact that, above 3000 m, one may be certain that one encounters only plants described in this 8. Mariano GARCÍA ROLLÁN – Plantas book. One may also say, conversely, that the españolas a más de 3.000 metros. – main advantage of confining the coverage to Ministerio de medio ambiente y medio high altitudes is that the book is not too rural y marino, Madrid, 2010 (ISBN heavy to be carried that high. To which I 978-84-491-1027-6).143 pages, maps, may add that the colour photographs, while numerous drawings, 73 colour photo- increasing weight, are the main justification graphs; laminated cover. to carry the book at all. W.G. The idea of writing a Flora specifically for mountain plants is not without precedent. 9. Enrico CASTROVIEJO & Gabriele GA- A well known recent example is Arne LASSO – La flora esotica lombarda. – Strid’s Mountain Flora of Greece. The pre- Regione Lombarda & Museo di Storia sent book, limited to plants found above Naturale di Milano, Milano, 2010. Pages 3000 m of altitude, starts so to say where [3]-273, map, 727 colour photographs, 1 Strid’s Flora ends (there is no mountain CD-ROM; paper. reaching up to 3000 m in Greece, nor any- where on the Balkan Peninsula) and is by When you consider this book you will consequence much less bulky. find, so-to-say, a medal with two very dif- There are three areas in Spain where ferent sides: intrinsic value and facility of such altitudes are found: Tenerife in the use. Concerning the contents’ side, I am Canary Islands with the Teide volcano impressed. The authors and their many field (3718 m); the Sierra Nevada in Andalucía, aids have done an incredibly thorough job in where Mt. Mulhacén attains 3482 m; and the documenting the alien flora of their home Pyrenees close to the French border, where region of Lombardy, taking the whole exten- among several high massifs Mt. Aneto comes sive literature into account, complemented first, with 3404 m. Here, each of these areas by new field observations and even herbar- is treated separately, as a florula with its ium studies. The known alien flora of Lom- own descriptions and keys, which is a sensi- bardy now comprises no less than 619 taxa, ble choice as there is scant overlap. In each not counting 33 that are doubtfully native. florula, families are arranged alphabetically Of these, 312 are of casual occurrence and – but watch out: by Spanish family names, 85 are archaeophytes, being therefore ex- so you will have to look for Scrophulari- cluded from the treatment in the book, which aceae under the letter e (escrofulariáceas). is limited to 242 naturalised neophytes. (You The Teide florula is an easy one, as it may wonder, as I did, why these figures consists of a single endemic violet species. apparently do not tally; the only logical an- The number of high-mountain taxa in the swer is that there must be 20 casual archaeo- Sierra Nevada (108) and Pyrenees (142) is phytes.) A valuable aspect of the authors’ not excessive either. The total number of work is their painstaking investigation of species treated is 223, each of which is doubtful published records, resulting in the represented by an exceedingly rough and exclusion of 37 species as having been men- sketchy drawing; for the species that are com- tioned in error, due to proven or probable mon to the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees, misidentification, misplacement of localities, 28 in number, there is a cross-reference or a number of other causes.
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The 242 species treated are each as- 10. Pier Virgilio ARRIGONI – Flora signed a full page, on which you will find dell’isola di Sardegna, 2, 3. – Delfino, three colour photographs showing different Sassari, 2010 (ISBN 88-7138-515-0, 88- aspects of the species, a concise synonymy 7138-525-9). 623 + 550 pages, 281 + and description followed by the indication of 234 plates of drawings or in facsimile, 9 flowering period, origin, habitat, local dis- maps; 2 hard cover volumes. tribution, history of introduction, status, risks and measures of control, as well as All or almost all has been said on this notes and bibliographic references. For the beautiful and masterly written Flora when other 410 species (archaeophytes, casuals, the first of its volumes was presented (see doubtful natives) the reader is referred to the OPTIMA Newslett. 38: (19-20). 2008). Af- CD-ROM that accompanies the book. So far, ter a break of four years, two sizeable vol- no complaints whatsoever, and warm com- umes have now been published simultane- pliments to the authors. If only, sigh, the ously. They complete the treatment of the book could be used ... dialypetalous dicots with for the single ex- Well, it can; but not by itself alone. First, ception of the umbel family. This means, in you not only need normal glasses but a other words, that an estimated 40 % of the hand-lens to read the microscopic text. The Flora is now available. single oversize text element is the plant’s When in volume one much space has common name in Italian, which has no ma- been devoted to introductory matter, the jor relevance, not even an ordering function. same is not the case now. All available The family sequence followed is a spinoff of space, discounting the index and table of APG III, with which a few forefront phy- contents, is devoted to the treatment proper. logeneticists are likely familiar (whereas This follows faithfully the initial plan (see most people of my acquaintance are pretty previous review), both with respect to the well acquainted with the Latin alphabet, here text and the illustration. Numerous original used to arrange genera and species). So you drawing have been skilfully prepared by the turn to the index; but nope – there is no in- same four artists who illustrated volume 1, dex in the book, nor a table of contents, nor and many good reproductions of previously a list of references: that’s all on the CD. So published ones, old and new, fill the gaps. what you next need to find your way is a Orientation may pose a little problem. It laptop, by which you can at least read the is a pity that, starting with volume three, searchable pdf files with the missing essen- mention of the family name in the right-hand tials. But you still cannot get at the other running title has been discontinued. Dahl- information promised on the remaining 410 gren’s system, after which the families are species, or perhaps even higher-resolution arranged in the Flora, is unfamiliar to many, versions of the printed photographs. You and with the number of published volumes have to install the reading software first, for increasing one feels the need for a cumula- which purpose you need Internet access – tive index, still lacking. For my own benefit and if you are unlucky, as is my own case, I have made a family index for volumes 1-3 the installation programme may refuse to (dicots only, omitting families not found in function. Call me a fossil if you wish, but I the wild but adding some important syno- still prefer a normal, self-contained book; nyms) which I reproduce below, as others and if there are additional features to it that may find it useful as well. are more conveniently distributed on a CD, The most important families of volume 2 fine with me, but not in a format that re- are Caryophyllaceae and the crucifers, quires external, perhaps ephemeral software whereas in volume 3 the legumes are in the for reading. W.G. lead, followed by Rosaceae at a distance. On
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (7) Publications
the level of genus, however, Limonium is my exception, two maps are provided to visual- favourite with its 34 closely related and ise the distribution of the local species: a critical, mostly endemic species and several welcome and useful addition. W.G. additional subspecies. For that genus, as an
Aceraceae 3: 491 Leguminosae 3: 78 Aizoaceae 1: 355 Linaceae 3: 473 Amaranthaceae 1: 419 Lythraceae 3: 362 Anacardiaceae 3: 494 Malvaceae 2: 303 Aquifoliaceae 3: 414 Molluginaceae 1: 437 Araliaceae 3: 536 Monotropaceae 2: 559 Aristolochiaceae 1: 177 Moraceae 1: 318 Balanophoraceae 3: 408 Myrtaceae 3: 378 Berberidaceae 1: 271 Nyctaginaceae 1: 354 Betulaceae 1: 347 Nymphaeaceae 1: 184 Brassicaceae 2: 410 Onagraceae 3: 381 Buxaceae 3: 414 Oxalidaceae 3: 507 Cactaceae 1: 358 Paeoniaceae 2: 281 Cannabaceae 1: 317 Papaveraceae 1: 273 Capparaceae 2: 408 Phytolaccaceae 1: 353 Caryophyllaceae 2: 7 Plumbaginaceae 2: 197 Celastraceae 3: 412 Polygalaceae 3: 484 Ceratophyllaceae 1: 187 Polygonaceae 2: 166 Chenopodiaceae 1: 360 Portulacaceae 1: 430 Cistaceae 2: 322 Primulaceae 2: 559 Clusiaceae 2: 287 Rafflesiaceae 3: 410 Cneoraceae 3: 501 Ranunculaceae 1: 189 Cornaceae 3: 399 Resedaceae 2: 547 Crassulaceae 2: 579 Rhamnaceae 3: 462 Cruciferae 2: 410 Rosaceae 3: 15 Cucurbitaceae 2: 387 Rutaceae 3: 501 Elatinaceae 2: 284 Salicaceae 2: 399 Ericaceae 2: 551 Santalaceae 3: 402 Euphorbiaceae 3: 416 Sapindaceae 3: 491 Fabaceae 3: 78 Saxifragaceae 3: 7 Fagaceae 1: 336 Simarubaceae 3: 500 Frankeniaceae 2: 385 Tamaricaceae 2: 374 Fumariaceae 1: 290 Thymelaeaceae 3: 367 Geraniaceae 3: 510 Ulmaceae 1: 313 Grossulariaceae 2: 575 Urticaceae 1: 321 Guttiferae 2: 287 Violaceae 2: 361 Haloragaceae 3: 359 Viscaceae 3: 408 Hypericaceae 2: 287 Vitaceae 3: 470 Juglandaceae 1: 334 Zygophyllaceae 3: 506 Lauraceae 1: 176
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11. Vlado MATEVSKI – Flora na Repub- in 4 or 5 instalments, which means that the lika Makedonija. Tom 2, sv. 1. – future ones (to include such large and com- Makedonska Akademija na Naukite i plex families as Labiatae, Scrophulariaceae Umetnostite, Skopje, 2010 (ISBN 978- s.l., Rubiaceae and Compositae) will have to 608-203-052-4). 187 pages, paper. be considerably larger than the first. W.G.
As expected (see my last review in OPTIMA Newslett. 38: (20-21). 2009) the 12. Mostafa ASSADI, Ali Asghar MAAS- current, new instalment of the Flora of the SOUMI, P. BABAKHANLOU & V. MO- [F.Y.] Republic of Macedonia marks the ZAFFARIAN (ed.) – Flora of Iran. No. beginning of its second volume. Vlado 66: Campanulaceae, by F. AGHABEIGI & Matevski, succeeding to the sadly deceased N. JALILIAN (2010; ISBN 978-964-473- Kiril Micevski, is the new general editor, 316-1); No. 67: Lythraceae, by S. being the author or co-author of all treat- Yousef NAANAIE (2010; ISBN 978-964- ments except those of Heliotropium, Moltkia 473-317-8); No. 68: Scrophulariaceae, and Lappula (by M. Kostadinovski). Bora- by S. Saeidi-Mehrvarz, F. Attar, S. M. ginaceae, to which the latter three genera M. Hamdi, F. Sharifnia, M. Assadi, S. belong, is by far the largest family, followed Yousef Naanaie & I. Mehregan (2011; by Gentianaceae, Convolvulaceae, and four ISBN 978-964-473-327-7); No. 69: Cis- smaller ones. The treatment is conservative, taceae, by F. Gholamian (2011; ISBN with but a single new variety described and 978-964-473-329-1); No. 70: Cucurbi- named in an Appendix (a white-flowered taceae, by S. R. Safavi (2011; ISBN variant of Anchusa procera). Generic limits 978-964-473-331-4); No. 71: Cyper- are mostly traditional, except that Solenan- aceae, by M. Amini Rad (2011; ISBN thus (but not Rindera) is included in Cyno- 978-964-473-333-8); No. 72 and 73: glossum. Some generic segregates, although Loranthaceae and Viscaceae, by M. M. well supported by taxonomic studies, are not Dehshiri (2011; ISBN 978-964-473-336- accepted (not even acknowledged by citation 9). – Research Institute of Forests and in synonymy), such as Gentianopsis (in- Rangelands, [Tehran], 2010-2011. 126, cluded in Gentianella) and Anchusella (left 34, 484, 52, 30, 298, 10 + 14 pages, 37, with Anchusa). 10, 117, 11, 5, 70, 2 + 2 drawings, 63, The general plan and appearance of the 13, 258, 16, 8, 135, 2 + 2 maps; 7 fasci- Flora remains unchanged, and no break of cles, paper. style is apparent under its new governance. Nevertheless, Matevski has introduced some The productivity of Iranian botany and improvements that will be welcomed by botanists never ceases to amaze. Last time, users, most especially the index of scientific speaking of the yield of a two-years period, I names that is now provided for each indi- calculated that the output rate had approxi- vidual instalment, as is an initial table of mately doubled with respect to the previous contents. There is now also an English fore- five years (see OPTIMA Newslett. 39:(9). word in which the general plan of the Flora 2010). During the past year I find that it has is outlined. Volume 2 will encompass the again more than doubled, being higher than sympetalous dicots (in the same way as for entire the foregoing two-year period. Hayek’s Prodromus) except for those fami- Eight families that include 460 wild species lies which, owing to their dialypetalous in 65 genera were treated on 1048 printed affinities, were already treated in vol. 1 pages; 497 distribution maps and 254 full- (Plumbaginaceae, Primulaceae, Ericaceae page drawings having been prepared. Con- and their allies). Publication is to take place gratulations!
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (9) Publications
Concerning species diversity, it is con- 14. Benito VALDÉS, Verónica GIRÓN, Enri- centrated in seven genera of the three larger que SÁNCHEZ GULLÓN & Isaías CAR- families, Scrophulariaceae (defined tradi- MONA – Guía de las especies de interés tionally rather than phylogenetically, i.e., in de la flora del Andévalo y la Sierra de the wide sense but excluding e.g. Plantagi- Huelva. – Consejería de Medio Ambiente, naceae and Orobanchaceae), Cyperaceae Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, 2010 (ISBN and Campanulaceae. They are: Veronica (60 978-84-92807-42-0). 182 pages, 236 species), Carex and Scrophularia (57 each), maps, numerous colour photographs; hard Campanula (44, not counting the 3 of Sym- cover. phyandra), Verbascum (42), Linaria (35), These two shapely volumes, published and Cyperus (31). All other genera have less simultaneously, present themselves as Sia- than 10 species, partly owing to the fact that mese twins. Their general plan and graphic the currently prevailing split of Scirpus into presentation are identical, and they treat near half a dozen segregates has been accepted. contiguous territories in westernmost Anda- Botany is a flourishing discipline in Iran. lucía, Huelva Province: the Doñana area and The amazing proliferation of botanical insti- Andévalo with the adjacent Sierra de Huel- tutions, positions and activities in the coun- va, respectively. The main body of the books try results on one hand in a pressing demand is devoted to the presentation of the “inter- for a new national Flora, written in Farsi so esting species” of vascular plants growing in that all potential users can read and under- the area, where “interesting” means taxa that stand it; and on the other hand it means that are considered to be under threat, being either the skills and brainpower needed to accom- listed as threatened in the national and or plish such a great task are readily available. regional red data lists or under evaluation for The Flora itself is perhaps not very innova- their future inclusion. The number of taxa tive (only one new variety in Helianthemum under presumed threat is 117 for the Doñana and one varietal new combination Asyneuma area (8.4 % of 1387 taxa), 98 for Andévalo are being proposed) – but why should it? and Sierra de Huelva (7 % of 1412 taxa). There is a plenty of papers in national and Each is briefly described and illustrated by foreign journals in which new taxa are being one or two colour photographs (exception- described and additional ones recorded. The ally a drawing) on a single page, with maps real need is for a critical assessment and of its distribution within the area and, more synthetic presentation of the new and old generally, in Andalucía. Three tabular an- data. This is what the Flora is required to do, nexes at the end provide, for each taxon, and this indeed it does. W.G. data on its habitat and habit, phenology and reproductive biology, and conservation status. As is normal in the case of “Siamese Popular Books twins” there is some degree of overlap be- tween the two volumes, of species occurring in the territories of both; but it is surpris- 13. Benito VALDÉS, Consuelo SANTA- ingly small: only 29 of the taxa are in com- BÁRBARA, D. MELERO, Verónica mon. Redundancy is even lesser when pho- GIRÓN & Cristina VICENT – Guía de tographs are considered: for merely 13 of the las especies de interés de la flora de taxa have the same pictures been used – Doñana y su comarca. – Consejería de which means, of course, that not all were Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, taken within the geographical reach of the Sevilla, 2010 (ISBN 978-84-92807-41- treatment, and makes one regret (but perhaps 3). 160 pages, 198 maps, numerous col- also explains) the fact that no places are our photographs; hard cover. mentioned for the individual photographs.
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Another interesting comparison is be- proficient an archaeologist as a botanist and tween the second of the present volumes and photographer. the book on the flora and vegetation of Orchids are in the limelight, of which 28 Andévalo published two years previously by taxa have been recorded and two dozen are two of the same authors (see OPTIMA represented by beautiful colour photographs. Newslett. 39: (17). 2009). That book, the Another specialty of the area that features coverage of which extends to include an area prominently is the local blend of peony, of equivalent size on the Portuguese side of Paeonia mascula subsp. russii, with flowers the border, also has a chapter devoted to the ranging from pale pink to bright red. The threatened plant taxa of the area: 52 in total, concise but informative introductory texts of which all but one (Scilla peruviana) are entice the visitor to explore the mountain on treated again here, sometimes under a differ- his own and visit its secretive marvels, ent name (e.g., the former “Carex acuta” which include a “lovers’ path” well hidden has now been re-identified as C. elata subsp. between the high trees of a wooded ridge. tartessiana, illustrated by exactly the same W.G. photograph). The fact that now almost twice as many taxa (98 against 52) are considered 16. Neriman ÖZHATAY, Engin ÖZHATAY as threatened in an area of only one half of & Adil Önder ERDEM – Şile’nin doğal the original size might appear to be alarm- bitkileri [Şile’s native plants]. – I. ing, were it taken to reflect a twofold in- Basım, Istanbul, 2010 (ISBN 978-975- crease of threat over a period of just two 6494-02-8). 350 pages, numerous colour years. Surely, a more reasonable and less photographs, maps, graphs; laminated pessimistic interpretation is permitted: that it cover. is not the threat but our knowledge of the facts that has doubled. For this increase of Şile is a small town on the southern shore information, and for sharing it with a wide of the Black Sea, c. 60 km east of Istanbul. general public under an attractive typo- Thanks to its extensive sandy beaches it is graphical makeup, the authors and producers currently developing into a bathing resort, of both books deserve our gratitude. W.G. and since 2003 it hosts the campus of Işik University. This book was therefore pro- duced with a twofold readership in mind: 15. Ignazio MESSANA – Il sentiero delle tourists and university students. orchidee. – Provincia Regionale de Tra- pani, Alcamo, 2011. 125 pages, colour Among the fairly numerous books on photographs, 2 maps; paper. Turkish wildflowers that have been pub- lished in recent years, this one stands out in The orchid path to which the present several respects. It does not place emphasis picture book is devoted is situated in NW on the rare, endemic species but on the Sicily, Province of Trapani, on the western plants one sees every day, and often over- slopes of Mt. Bonifato above the borough of looks. Many of those represented are wide- Alcamo. It is a meandering footpath that spread throghout the Mediterranean area and climbs the wooded slope, just inside the often beyond. In spite of the grouping of the natural reserve “Bosco d’Alcamo”, at 500- pictures by flower colour, an arrangement 600 m a.s.l. The mountain itself has been that is apparently familiar with many users inhabited since early prehistoric times, as but is a didactically rather poor solution, the witnessed by some palaeolithic and many book is scientifically sound, the plants as far neolithic, Roman and Medieval artifacts as I can tell are all correctly identified and (instruments, shards, coins) of which several named according to modern standards. And are illustrated here, the author being as above all, the photographs themselves are of
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (11) Publications
a remarkably good quality, both by aesthetic within just one year, 3 of the projected 5 standards and by the details they show, and volumes have been published, the 2 remain- are very neatly printed on paper of excellent ing ones being actively prepared. Production quality. W.G. speed is one feature in which the Index and Med-Checklist differ markedly, much to the former’s advantage. Floristic Inventories and Checklists Otherwise the two works are basically similar in concept and contents, if not in presentation and typographical layout. One 17. Alain DOBIGNARD & Cyrille CHATE- may indeed consider the Index as a comple- LAIN – Index synonymique de la flore ment to the published Med-Checklist vol- d’Afrique du Nord. Volume 1 Pterido- umes, which it updates and slightly expands, phyta, Gymnospermae, Monocotyle- and also as a forerunner of those hopefully doneae. [Publication hors-série N° 11.] yet to come. Just as Med-Checklist has been – Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, used as the avowed basis for the Index, the Genève, 2010 (ISBN 978-2-8277-0120- Index provides a foundation upon which 9). 455 pages, 15 figures (drawings and Med-Checklist can henceforth build. It there- black-and-white photographs), tables, fore suggests itself to compare the two map; laminated cover. Price: 30 CHF. works in some detail, e.g. with respect to 18. Alain DOBIGNARD & Cyrille CHATE- area coverage, contents and arrangement. LAIN – Index synonymique de la flore The geographical coverage of the Index d’Afrique du Nord. Volume 2 Dicoty- reaches beyond that of Med-Checklist to the ledoneae, Acanthaceae-Asteraceae. [Pu- west and south. Westward the central Maca- blication hors-série N° 11a.] – Conser- ronesian Islands are added: Madeira (includ- vatoire et Jardin botaniques, Genève, ing the Salvages) and the Canary Islands, 2011 (ISBN 978-2-8277-0123-0). 428 but not the Azores or Cabo Verdes. To the pages, tables, map; laminated cover. south the situation is more complex, but Price: 30 CHF. owing to the poverty of the flora and the scant data available the differences are less 19. Alain DOBIGNARD & Cyrille CHATE- substantial. Río de Oro (the former Spanish LAIN – Index synonymique de la flore Sahara) is included in Morocco, and Mauri- d’Afrique du Nord. Volume 3 Dicoty- tania north of the 20th degree of latitude, ledoneae, Balsaminaceae-Euphorbiaceae. with the Adrar Massif, is added – but only [Publication hors-série N° 11b.] – Con- for Mediterranean and Saharan species, not servatoire et Jardin botaniques, Genève, for the Tropical African ones not otherwise 2011 (ISBN 978-2-8277-0123-7). 449 present in the list. The same applies to the pages, tables, map; laminated cover. Tibesti Massif in N. Chad and to the north- Price: 30 CHF. ern part of Mali (to the latter only in theory, Dobignard & Chatelain’s Index is doubt- though, occurrence in that country is not less one of the most important works in being recorded explicitly). Last, Gebel Elba, Mediterranean plant science published in also claimed by Sudan, has been allotted to recent years. A synthesis based on the first Egypt. author’s experience of a lifetime with North Same as in Med-Checklist, taxa are ar- African plants and on an extensive survey of ranged alphabetically within species, genera, old and recent literature, the Index raises our families and major groups; but synonym knowledge of the flora of that area to the entries are intercalated in the same, single level at which Med-Checklist has been aspir- alphabetic sequence, being cross-referenced ing. One will note with satisfaction that, to the accepted name. This means that each
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synonym appears twice, in its alphabetic Med-Checkist, using the same letters, with position and under the taxon to which it one exception: no distinction is made be- belongs; but the space so lost is recuperated tween doubtfully native taxa (D) and doubt- at the end, where the index only lists names fully naturalised xenophytes (P), the letter P of genera and families. Such arrangement being used indiscriminately for both. En- permits the listing of literature references demic status is indicated only for single- under the name accepted in a given publica- territory endemics, not for taxa endemic to tion, which adds to precision. Contrary to more than one of the countries covered: two Med-Checklist, varietal names (but not those regrettable differences, which result in un- at lower ranks) have been indexed consis- necessary loss of information. tently, even though varieties are not formally The data contained in the Index exist accepted. Natural hybrids are included under in digital format, in a searchable database their nothospecific name (in vol. 1 the letter accessible via the Internet (www.ville- x was used instead of the multiplication sign ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/index.php). and placed against the epithet, often in the However, the printed text has obviously not same type; but from vol. 2 onward this con- been generated directly from that database – fusing practice has been abandoned). otherwise some errors could not be ex- In an alphabetically arranged work the plained. Not that there are many of them, but delimitation and nomenclature of families is they do exist: misspellings, misplacements critical. The Index, contrary to Med-Check- (e.g., Orchidaceae preceding Liliaceae) and list, has opted for names ending in -aceae omissions (Ephedraceae, having been for- when an alternative exists, so that Compositae gotten under the gymnosperms, had to find (Asteraceae) and Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) their place among the dicots). [Admittedly, are placed ahead of, say, Caryophyllaceae. automatic generation of print is not exempt So far so good; but whereas in vol. 1, as of risk: having gone that way for the last promised in the preface, a fairly traditional Med-Checklist volume, I am familiar with family delimitation has been accepted, based those tricky, computer-generated systematic on Brummitt’s Families and genera, in the errors that programmers gently call bugs!] dicot volumes that promise was forgotten and The Index is taxonomically conservative. user-friendliness was sacrificed on the phylo- Nevertheless, knowledge progressing, some genetic altar. Thus Capparaceae are merged changes were unavoidable. Therefore each with Brassicaceae, Phyllanthaceae are sepa- volume has several pages of Addenda in rated from Euphorbiaceae, Cordiaceae and which new results are presented, modifica- Heliotrop[i]aceae from Boraginaceae, and tions explained and novelties justified. For for the formerly ulmaceous Celtis one must us botanists, these Addenda are the most look under Cannabaceae. The transference exciting pages to read. In vol. 1 we find a of Callitrichaceae to Plantaginaceae fore- revision of the Allium pallens aggregate, by shadows the shift of most scrophulariaceous J. M. Tison, followed by 47 pages of notes genera to the latter family. In short, we are on grasses, most prominently Festuca and to face the fact that we live in a changing the Triticeae genera, by Dobignard. The world – which implies that the new classifi- Addenda in the other volumes are less ex- cation, too, will soon be outlived. tensive. They are again for the most part Distribution is indicated in the same way authored by Dobignard, with a contribution as in Med-Checkist, by countries or territo- on various umbel species by J.-P. Reduron. ries. To the 5 North African units in Med- All in all, 36 nomenclatural novelties are Checkist 3 have been added: Madeira, Ca- published in the text and/or the Addenda, nary Islands, and Mauritania. The status of a including two species and one subspecies taxon in each territory is also indicated as in new to science.
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (13) Publications
In a general way, let me say that I am endemic or alien status, taxonomic merger extremely happy with this Index. It will or shift, rarefaction and (threatening) extinc- serve as a stimulus for North African botany tion, to mention just the most current catego- and botanists, hopefully attracting many new ries. There are tabular lists of relevant taxa disciples to our beloved science and most in the introductory chapter, in which 309 assuredly assisting enormously ourselves (definite or probable) additions, 114 (defi- who are already committed to it. The very nite or probable) deletions and 66 cases of reasonable price, which reflects the financial doubtful presence are enumerated – figures support by the Emirates Centre for Wildlife that are impressively high. Propagation, is not the least of its merits. The Catalogue is essentially literature- W.G. based, but herbarium specimens have often been revised by specialists in cases of doubt, or are cited to document so far unpublished 20. Edouard LE FLOC’H, Loutfy BOULOS new records. The taxonomic approach is & Errol VELA – Catalogue synonymi- fairly synthetic. Whereas some distinctive que commenté de la flore de Tunisie varieties have been maintained, most of [ed. 2]. – République Tunisienne, Mini- those mentioned in the Flora, along with stère de l’Environnement et du Dévelop- numerous subspecies, are no longer recog- pement Durable, Tunis, 2010 (ISBN nised but relegated to synonymy. The text 978-9938-9508-0-9). 500 pages, tables; appears to have been printed before proofs flexible cover. could be corrected. Some of the numerous Tunisia’s last national Flora, in 3 vol- typos are rectified on an enclosed Errata umes, was started by Cuénod & al. in 1954 sheet of three pages (in one case, mis- and concluded by Pottier-Alapetite in 1981. corrected: Galactites tomentosus must retain An excellent work in its time, its nomencla- its masculine gender). ture is no longer up to date, taxonomic con- This book is in fact a second edition. A cepts at the genus and species level have prior version, referred to rather cryptically in meanwhile undergone considerable change, the introduction but not properly cited, was and the floristic exploration of the country published privately by Le Floc’h in 2008 in has progressed. Therefore, the present criti- Montpellier under a variant title (Flore de cal checklist answers a real need; and it does Tunisie: catalogue synonymique commenté), so in a competent way, taking stock of an perhaps in a low number of copies, and ran huge amount of literature. The list of refer- out of stock almost immediately: a cogent ences (26 printed pages!) is indeed impres- demonstration, if need be, of the strong de- sive, which is hardly surprising in view of mand for this shapely, handy and extremely the expertise of the principal author, Edouard useful volume. W.G. Le Floc’h, who published a bibliography for the country’s flora, vegetation and ecology 21. Friedrich Karl MEYER – Beiträge zur in 1992. Flora von Albanien. [Haussknechtia, The present volume is a catalogue of Beiheft 15 (ISSN 0863-6451).] – Thü- taxa and names, with full source references ringische Botanische Gesellschaft e.V., but generally lacking locality data. Stress is Jena, 2011. 220 pages, 31 full-page black- placed on changes with respect to the last and-white photographs, tables; paper. authoritative treatment, meaning the Cuénod / Pottier-Alapetite Flora and also the pub- When starting on his Albanian collecting lished volumes of Med-Checklist. Such campaigns in 1959 Meyer was aged 33, al- changes, which appear in bold-face italics, ready an experienced botanist. During three are additions, deletions, expressions of doubt, consecutive years and for a total of four
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months, spanning April to September, he 23. Armen L. TAHTADŽJAN (ed.) – Kon- explored the country from end to end and spekt flory Kavkaza, tom 3(1). – Tova- brought together an incredibly rich harvest riščestvo, Naučnyh Izdanij, St. Peter- of over 3500 gatherings of vascular plants. burg, 2008 (ISBN 978-5-87317-571-0). Together with Antonio Baldacci in the 469 pages, 9 maps; hard cover. 1890s and Friedrich Markgraf in the 1920s he must be held as the principal botanical A full review of this new, major Cauca- explorer of Albania. Yet his collections, the sian botanical project has been written richest ever made in that country to date, when the first volume was published (see have been tucked away in the attics (or was it OPTIMA Newslett. 38: (39-30).2009). What the cellars?) of the Haussknecht Herbarium has then been said remains valid for the two in Jena for half a century, inaccessible to new volumes presented here. It is good to botanists except for some punctual studies. note that the work’s general plan has not Only now in his mature years has Meyer changed, and will foreseeably not change been able to fulfil his commitment and work even now when Armen Tahtadžjan, the up the material (and still there are his collec- founder and main editor, is no longer with tions of musci and lichen-forming fungi to us. Better still, the volume size has grown, revise – a worthy challenge for interested so that the final goal is not as remote as one specialists). may initially have feared. Another positive Here, now, are the results of Meyer’s point: whereas editorship and most of the endeavours: a comely volume that, apart authorship remains firmly in the hand of from listing all specimens in the familiar Russian botanists, the participation of Cau- arrangement of Flora europaea (but with casian authors (Armenian, to be exact) is monocots placed ahead of dicots), abounds now appreciable. in critical observations of all kinds. The The sequence of publication is rather harvest of novelties is remarkable: 31 taxa original. Whereas vol. 1 unsurprisingly dealt (23 species, 8 subspecies) new to science, with the first slot of families (Nos 1-22: the each illustrated by a full-page photograph of pteridophytes and gymnosperms), vol. 2 the type specimen, not to mention five new jumps to the opposite end of the system combinations. One may note that some other (families Nos 154-191: the monocots, with new taxa had been described earlier based No 171, Arecaceae, missing, presumably be- on Meyer’s Albanian material, such as cause it is absent from Caucasia). Vol. 3(1), Acantholimon albanicum, Hypericum haplo- with families No 117-131 (the Asteridae) phylloides subsp. devollense, Noccaea cikaea, leaves a gap (families No 132-153, the and the liverwort Frullania illyrica. Lamiidae) that presumably is to be filled by A couple of maps showing itineraries vol. 3(2). For the remainder, wait and see. and collecting locations as well as a geo- Overall, the treatment adopted here is referenced locality list would have been firmly rooted in Russian and Caucasian tra- useful additions. Even so, Balkan botany dition, with the result that only few novelties will ever be indebted to F. K. Meyer for this had to be published: 17 new combinations in work. W.G- vol. 2, all of sectional, subspecific or varietal rank, and 14 in vol. 3(1), including 6 for species, are listed as new. Even these figures 22. Armen L. TAHTADŽJAN (ed.) – Kon- are in fact too high. A check of the declared spekt flory Kavkaza, tom 2. – Sankt- novelties for Compositae alone reveals that Peterburgskogo Universiteta, St. Peter- nomenclatural editing of the volume has not burg, 2006 (ISBN 5-288-04040-0). 404 been sufficiently thorough. The “new com- pages, 9 maps; hard cover. binations” Tanacetum daghestanicum and T.
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (15) Publications
tricholobum had already both been made by question is: how much do we know about the same author, Handžjan, in 2002. Gala- these habitats, vegetation types, and plant tella linosyris subsp. fominii and Psephellus taxa? bagadensis were validated by myself in In fact, quite a lot – but so far it was 2005. Psephellus adjaricus (Albov) Mikheev widely scattered through literature, and is an illegitimate later homonym of P. adja- some of the knowledge was unpublished. ricus (Albov) Grossh. The latter name Here now comes the synthesis that was should have been adopted instead of the no- missing so far: a monograph of plant life on menclaturally superfluous P. albovii (Sosn.) gypsum in Spain, impressive not only by its Mikheev, also proposed here, creating a bulk and weight but principally by its data rather confused situation. The correct name content and the exemplary way in which the for the former is: Psephellus dimitriewae information is presented. (Sosn.), comb. nov. ≡ Centaurea dimitriewae The gypsum deposits of Spain are partly [Sosn., Fl. Gruzii 8: 586. 1952, nom. inval., of Triassic and partly of Tertiary (Messin- ex] Sosn. in Zametki Sist. Geogr. Rast. 21: ian) age. They are restricted to the eastern 59. 1959. W.G. half of the country, roughly east of a curved line running from Oviedo in the north through Madrid and Córdoba to Cádiz on Studies of Flora and Vegetation the Mediterranean coast. There, they form so-to-say an immense archipelago of gyp- sum islands and island groups of all sizes. 24. Juan F. MOTA POVEDA, Pedro SÁN- The characteristic vegetation of these islands CHEZ GÓMEZ & José S. GUIRADO consists of loose chamaephyte communities ROMERO – Diversidad vegetal de las of the Gypsophiletalia order and patches of yeseras ibéricas. El reto de los archipié- small annuals of the Sedo-Ctenopsion gyp- lagos edáficos para la biología de la con- sophilae alliance. Many of the constituent servación. – ADIF & Mediterráneo Ase- species are endemic, some rare and/or very sores Consultores, Sevilla, 2011 (ISBN local, and often they are “gypsophytes”, 978-84-614-9023-3). 634 pages, numer- found exclusively or almost so on gypsife- ous colour photographs, maps, graphs, rous soils. tables, facsimiles, all in colour; hard Here starts one of the main problems cover. faced by the authors: to decide which taxa are “gypsophytes”, and which are not. It is Gypsum deposits and the soils derived said in the preface that establishing a list of from them are widespread in peninsular “worthy gypsophytes” is something like Spain, more so than in any other European having to draw up a shortlist of candidates country. Gypsiferous soils, along with ophio- for the national football team. The problem lithic and dolomitic ones, are well known as was solved in a democratic way, by a poll of hosting a peculiar flora and vegetation, with experts, with no less than 43 responding. A plant taxa adapted to, or tolerant of, the par- statistic analysis of the feedback resulted in a ticular kinds of stress associated with those list of 71 “certified gypsophytes”, to replace types of substratum. Many gypsophilous an earlier, similar list based on a narrower taxa, along with their habitats, are presently sample of experts. The core of the book is a under threat due to mining as well as at- series of 77 fully illustrated and referenced tempted reforestation or conversion to agri- case studies of gypsophilous taxa (4 of those cultural land. The European Union, in its listed had to be omitted, but 10 others were Habitat Directive, lists gypsicolous vegeta- added), with descriptions, distribution maps, tion among its priority habitats. But the and plentiful information on ecology, biology,
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threats and conservation status. Shamefully history, with extensive, well illustrated and tucked away among the lot is one Oro- didactically excellent chapters on physical banche species described as new to science, geography (including climatology), flora and even better hidden one may spot the and vegetation, land use, ecology and con- validation of two new combinations for spe- servation, and even some basic notions of cies of the same genus. Cryptogams are not nomenclature, plant morphology, collecting forgotten, of which the lichens in particular and collections – with family indexes to play a considerable role in the colonisation Flora iranica, Flora of Iran, and Flora of of soil crusts that are often formed in gypsi- Pakistan as a final bonus. The second, much ferous habitats. larger portion is a pictorial Flora, character- A second core chapter of similar impor- ising and illustrating by colour photographs tance presents one by one the main gypsi- about 30 % of the country’s flora (ca. 1200 ferous areas of the country, 34 in all. There species, not all of them fully identified). is no published precedent for the detailed Descriptions are only given for families, for description and cartographic delimitation genera there are some indications of species here provided. The data provided here will contents, for species just a phrase mention- no doubt be an invaluable asset for a sound ing a couple of salient features; however, conservation management. And conservation distribution (within and outside the country), aspects, while not the main subject of the habitat, altitudinal range and flowering pe- book, are certainly the principal concern of riod as well as life form are reported consis- its authors and editors. tently. To the general reader from outside of Afghanistan is not an easy country to Spain this book can provide many new in- visit and explore, and photographs taken sights. It will hopefully encourage research there, including of plants, are scarce. This on gypsiferous habitats in other countries limitation had obvious consequences for the where, being smaller, they have so far been present book. The choice of species treated neglected. W.G. was conditioned by the availability of colour photographs, not all of which were taken in Afghanistan (some are even from Germany, 25. Siegmar-W. BRECKLE & Daud RA- or downloaded from the Internet). Author, FIQPOOR – Field guide Afghanistan. place and date of each photograph are, how- Flora and vegetation. – Scientia Bon- ever, faithfully recorded in an Appendix. nensis, Bonn, Manama, New York & Quality, both aesthetic and for identification Florianópolis, 2010 (ISBN 978-3- purposes, varies considerably. On the posi- 940766-30-4). 863 pages + frontispiece, tive side, there is no comparable collection drawings, graphs, maps, tables, numer- of Afghan plant portraits in existence. Many ous colour photographs; hard cover. species are here illustrated for the first time, and some had not before been recorded for In two respects this work is two books in Afghanistan. The authors hope (hopes that I one. Firstly and most patently with regard to share) that this be the first of a series of language: it is fully bilingual, written en- illustrated field guides, and that eventually tirely in English and Dari (one of two na- an “electronic Flora”, enabling remote ac- tional languages of Afghanistan, a variant cess to a complete range of Afghan plant Farsi, written in Arabic script), disposed in photographs, be achieved. Future such books two matching columns, with pagination run- might, perhaps, avoid use of a type in which ning bottom to top as courtesy demands. you need a hand-lens to distinguish between Secondly in contents. Its first portion (to the letters i and l, as they appear in plant page174) is a textbook on Afghan natural names. W.G.
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (17) Publications
Chorology European brambles include only few sexual and diploid taxa that can be consid- ered as “biological species”, the remainder 26. Arto KURTTO, Heinrich E. WEBER, form polyploid apomictic swarms of innu- Raino LAMPINEN & Alexander N. merable biotypes, each with its own distribu- SENNIKOV – Atlas florae europaeae. tional range. To be recognized as a species Distribution of vascular plants in Europe, and mapped separately, such a biotype must 15, Rosaceae (Rubus). – Committee for have at least regional distribution, i.e., grow Mapping the Flora of Europe & Societas in an area of at least 50 km in diameter. Botanica Fennica Vanamo, Helsinki, It is difficult, all but hopeless task to 2010 (ISBN 978-951-9108-16-2). 362 compare the treatments in AFE and Flora pages, maps, tables and graphs; paper. Europaea. In AFE 763 taxa of Rubus are The newest product of the extraordinar- mapped, of which only 147 are mentioned or ily ambitious project of mapping the vascu- accepted in Flora Europaea. Conversely, 302 lar flora of the whole of Europe, the third of taxa are included in Flora Europaea not in four Rosaceae volumes, is devoted in its AFE. These differences cannot be explained entirety to the genus Rubus. It covers 763 away by the the fact that numerous new spe- taxa with 796 maps, numbered 3913 to cies have been described since 1968, when nd 4708, plus 23 pages of critical corollary the 2 volume of Flora Europaea was pub- matter explaining the present status of Euro- lished. Rather, we are told, it is a consequence pean batology (research into brambles, as of the different taxonomic approach that has the book explains) and the taxonomical and been developed during the last 35 years. chorological deviations of the AFE treatment The quality of the work is impressive in from that in Flora Europaea. so far as the taxonomic frame is concerned, Same as for the previous volume, the into which much effort has gone; the list of Finnish Secretariat could avail itself of the synonyms could have been expanded but expertise of an authoritative monographer, would have made dull reading. As usual, an this time Heinrich E. Weber of Bramsche, international network of experts provided Germany. data from their countries or regions and thus Rubus mostly consists of apomictic taxa, contributed to the accuracy, completeness here comprehensively treated on a large and reliability of the volume. Obviously the scale. The genus has never before been reliability of the maps depends on the quality mapped for Europe in its entirety the genus, of the data sent in by the individual corre- and the information from many territories spondents and country coordinators, on which is collated here for the first time. The taxo- the Editors can take but minor influence. nomic treatment and the maps are a com- The single complaint that comes to mind plete summary of Weber’s studies of a life- is the high cost of the book: 140 €, or about time, complemented by those of many other 40 cents per printed page. But this is but a European batologists. All data received by small blemish on such a remarkable work. April 2010 have been incorporated. The next volumes of the Atlas will be wel- The grid system used and the bicolour comed and are indeed eagerly awaited by print are the same as in volumes 13 and 14. many, also bearing in mind the considerable For the first time, full colour has been used time still needed to complete the whole in the introductory pages. The territorial work. Gianniantonio DOMINA limits in the maps are the same as were used in vol. 14, except that the borders of the Republics of Montenegro and Kosovo have 27. Xavier FONT I CASTELL & Josep VIGO been added. I BONADA (ed.) – Atlas corològic de la
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flora vascular dels Països Catalans. more reason for pride. Fruit of the joint ef- Volum 16 [ORCA: Atlas corològic, 16.] – fort of 20 years involving a great number of Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Secció de local botanists, amateurs and professionals Ciències Biològiques, Barcelona, 2010 alike, this voluminous Atlas makes of Ge- (ISBN 978-84-9965-029-6, volume; 978- neva one of the botanically best known areas 84-7283-625-9, set). [504] pages, maps of Europe and the world. Its preparation 3879-4113; paper. was sponsored by the Botanical Society of Geneva and the renowned Conservatoire When reviewing vol. 15 of this series (in botanique; its maps, based on well over OPTIMA Neswlett. 39: (15). 2010) I made 100,000 individual records, show the distri- the safe prediction that vol. 16 would bring bution, in a grid of 1 × 1 km squares, of the the dicots to an end. It did better: it treats 1437 vascular plant taxa known to be pre- the four first monocot families in addition: sent in the area; the structured comments Alismataceae, Butomaceae, Hydrocharita- accompanying each map and also provided ceae, and Juncaginaceae (14 maps alto- for non-mapped taxa, place the data of the gether). The main bulk, naturally, is devoted recent past in an historical context embrac- to the conclusion of Compositae: the end of ing two centuries or more, reflecting the Cardueae (9 maps) and the whole Cicho- thorough screening of a full range of pub- rieae (212 maps). lished data and the revision of the holdings As in previous volumes of the same se- of the rich herbaria of the Conservatoire. ries, the sequence, taxonomy and nomencla- Congratulations! ture of the Flora manual dels Països Cata- The book is more than an Atlas of distri- lans has been followed faithfully to the let- bution maps. In its introductory chapters on ter, with quite exceptional nomenclatural the Canton’s physical and political geogra- updates (Hieracium flocciferum replacing phy, its main habitats and vegetation types H. briziflorum, and H. portae substituted for are described and illustrated by many mas- H. periphanoides). Also in Hieracium, one terly colour photographs, followed by an notes two additional species that were not analysis of the flora, its past and present treated in the Flora (H. castellanum and H. constitution and historical development. At hoppeanum, both of Pilosella), and con- the end there is a full inventory in the form versely one misses a dozen that had been of a list of names of all vascular plant taxa included there – all of them rare in the area, ever reported for the territory. so that perhaps no precise locality data were The main merit of this Atlas, in my available (just a guess, as no explanation is view, is that it is an incredibly rich source of given). W.G. data. The data analysis, while thorough and valuable, suffers from a lack of stringency. 28. Jean-Paul THEURILLAT, Christian Many basic notions are not or only crypti- SCHNEIDER & Cyrille LATOUR – Atlas cally defined, and some of the results are not de la flore du Canton de Genève. [Pu- easy to understand. Example: the actual blication hors-série N° 13.] – Conserva- vascular flora (those taxa of which the pres- toire et Jardin botaniques, Genève, 2011 ence has been confirmed during the last 20 (ISBN 978-2-8277-0122-3). 720 pages, years) comprises 1437 taxa; 152 of them are 162 colour photographs, 72 graphs and new additions of the last 50 years, appar- maps in colour, 4 tables, numerous dis- ently more than compensating the 137 taxa tribution maps, folded inset; hard cover. lost during the last two centuries. How, then, can the “historical flora” consist of 2124 The Republic and Canton of Geneva, as taxa? Part of the answer is: present-day its proud official name runs, has now one botanists feel unable to distinguish critical
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (19) Publications
taxa in notoriously difficult groups such as assembled/printed, Ostfildern, 2010. [1] + Hieracium and Rubus, so that they, while 60 sheets, maps, figures, colour photo- members of the “historical” inventory (and graphs, tables; paper, plastic front cover doubtless for the most part still present sheet. today) are not accepted as members of the actual flora; so we are witnessing a loss 31. Ina DINTER – Nordostgriechenland indeed, but a loss of botanical skills rather mit Insel Thasos. Botanische Studien- than of botanical taxa. Another example is reise 3. – 17. Juni 2010. – Privately as- the notion of “potential flora”, in which the sembled/printed, Ostfildern, 2010. [1] + 137 lost taxa are added to the 1437 that are 96 sheets + DVD-ROM, maps, figures, actually present. This notion is devoid of colour photographs, tables; paper, plastic sense, as it does not take into account (natu- front cover sheet. ral or anthropogenic) turnover. Probably Off, then, to new horizons! Ina Dinter (disallowing variations in taxonomic con- has taken up the challenge in my last review cepts) the total flora present was not in any (OPTIMA Newslett. 39: (14-15). 2010) and, point of time richer in taxa than it is today, back from her one-off South American esca- since the rate of immigration is in slight pade, has resumed roaming different, ever excess of the rate of loss. The change we new parts of the Mediterranean countries. observe is not a loss of diversity but an in- The style of her relations is so practical and creasing trivialisation of the flora. informative that she has started, not only to These critical thoughts do in no way be- apply it to the botanical excursions organ- little the immense merits of the work; rather, ised by herself but to offer her skills to other they are intended as a challenge to the inter- tours, in which she was a humble partici- ested reader, to look at the text for him- or pant. Such is the case of the pharmaco- herself. Those who are not fully proficient in botanical excursion to Morocco, which took French may be pleased to note that English place in late spring 2010 under the joint translations are provided for the captions of leadership of Ursula Barthlen, pharmacist, all tables and illustrations (and they may and Werner Huber, biologist. The number of regret that no similar translation is offered of taxa noted, collected and/or photographed the explanation of abbreviations, conven- during the two and a half weeks of that trip tions and symbols used in the comments of sums up to an impressive total of 450. (Of the maps, provided in overview – in French course, it is less certain than usual that all of course – on a very practical foldout page). plants are correctly named, N. Africa being W.G. new ground for Mrs. Dinter; for example, the photograph on p. 43 shows Daucus carota, not Ammi visnaga.) As always, synthetic Excursions lists with localities are provided at the end, which makes all these booklets a valuable source of floristic data. If only the localities 29. Ina DINTER (ed.) – Marokko. Phar- makobotanische Exkursion 23.04. – were geo-referenced! I would not be sur- 09.05.2010. – Privately published, Stutt- prised if Mrs. Dinter next time took a GPS gart, 2010 ISBN 978-3-00-033048-3). [2] with her so as to fulfil even the latter wish. + 113 pages, maps, figures, colour pho- The list in the Extremadura booklet (219 tographs, tables; paper. taxa) is relatively short, perhaps due to the fact that, for once, no preparatory excursion was 30. Ina DINTER – Extremadura. Bota- made. The Thasos tour, however, was carried nische Exkursion mit ornithologischen out twice, first alone in 2009 (resulting in a Aspekten 1. – 18. April 2010. – Privately preliminary guide that was not distributed in
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print but is included in the DVD), the second Conservation Topics with the group in June 2010. Only the first half of the excursion was devoted to the N. Aegean island of Thasos; the second half led 33. Rafael ROBLES – Conservación y de- to the mountains of E. Makedhonia (Pangeo, sarrollo sostenible del mar de Al- Falakro, Lailia, Meniki) and to the Nestos borán. Elementos estratégicos para su river gorge. As a result, all in all, over 600 futura gestión. Conservation e déve- taxa are listed – and there may be some loppement durable de la mer more to add, as many of the hundreds of d’Alboran. Eléments stratégiques pour beautiful plant photographs on the associ- sa gestion future. – UICN, Gland & Má- ated DVD are alas unnamed. W.G. laga, 2010 (ISBN 978-2-8317-1254-3). 112 pages, drawings, tables and maps, numerous colour photographs; laminated 32. Pietro MINISSALE, Saverio SCIAN- cover. DRELLO, Leonardo SCUDERI & Gio- vanni SPAMPINATO – Gli ambienti The name Alborán is known to botanists costieri della Sicilia meridionale. Es- principally through the Island of that name, cursione della Società Italiana di Scienza but in fact it applies to the entire, narrow della Vegetazione, 14-18 aprile 2010. western end of the Mediterranean Sea, from Guida itinerario [Ambienti e Paesaggi, the Strait of Gibraltar to a line linking the 1.] – Bonanno, Acireale (Ro), 2010 Cabo de Gata east of Almería with Cape (ISBN 978-88-6561-001-5). 74 pages, Fégalo near Oran. In April 2009 an interna- 24 figures (graphs and maps), 29 tables; tional meeting of experts took place in Ou- paper. – 10 €. jda (Morocco), with the conservation and sustainable development of the Alborán Sea During 5 days, the 2010 excursion of as its subject. The participants to that meet- the Italian Society for Vegetation Science ing issued a declaration with a number of visited 11 coastal area spaced all along the concrete recommendations, the present bro- southern and western half of the Sicilian chure being one of its spin-offs. coastline, from the SE corner of the island, The booklet deals with the marine and south of Noto, to its NW extremity at Mt. coastal habitats of the area, its present state, Cofano, NE of Trapani. A variety of coastal the threats it faces, and measures that have habitats and vegetation types were to be been or should be taken to avert them. It seen: sandy shores and dunes (of which, deals with animals of all kinds, macroalgae, contrary to the island’s northern coast, this and seagrasses, but barely with terrestrial sector has plenty), ponds, marshland and organisms. Disappointingly, the Alborán lagoons, clayey flats, shrubby slopes, and Islands lying in the middle of the homony- coastal rocks. mous sea, even though it hosts two suppos- This booklet, prepared as a guide for the edly endemic and definitely threatened vas- excursion participants, includes general ac- cular plant species, is mentioned only in counts of the various landscapes and habi- passing. For marine biologists and conserva- tats, detailed descriptions of the individual tionists of marine habitats, however, the sites (each with a small topographical map), publication is a mine of valuable informa- and tables characterising the various vegeta- tion and pertinent suggestions. W.G. tion units to be seen, many of them not previously published. Four pages of biblio- graphic references are an important element 34. Riccardo GUARINO & Anna GUGLIEL- of the useful information that is here pro- MO (ed.) – Il litorale di Manfria (Gela). vided. W.G. Natura e storia da proteggere. – Caspur-
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (21) Publications
Ciber, Roma, 2010 (ISBN 978-88-6561- cited and enumerated anywhere in the book. 001-5). 127 pages, numerous colour pho- From the reader’s point of view, they can be tographs, one drawing, tables and graphs, easily dispensed with – and anyway, the one loose, folded map in colours; lami- reader has no choice. W.G. nated cover.
Gela on the southern coast of Sicily was 35. Toni NIKOLIĆ, Jasenka TOPIĆ & Nina once a botanical Mecca, but much of its VUKOVIĆ – Botanički važna područja naturalistic attractions were thoroughly Hrvatske [Important Plant areas of ruined when the place became a gold-digger Croatia]. – Školska knjiga, Zagreb, 2010 city. Black gold it was: Petrol was discov- (ISBN 978-953-0-61925-8). 529 pages, ered in Gela’s subsoil in 1956, but the initial numerous photographs, maps and tables, enthusiasm has subsided and petrochemical all in colour; laminated cover. activities are now in decline. Nevertheless, The program to define a national net- vast surfaces of coastal dunes and scrubland work of Important Plant Areas for Croatia have by now been sacrificed to urban, indus- started in 2006 in partnership with Plant Life trial and touristic expansion and are irre- International (UK) and with funding from a trievably lost. Few areas remain relatively Dutch governmental agency. Within less unaffected. One of them, which has been than 4 years it produced the comprehensive declared a Site of Community Importance study documented in this book, selecting, (SCI) under the European Union’s Habitat characterising and delimiting 94 IPAs with a Directive, is the subject of the present book. 2 total area of 9543 km , corresponding to As is stated toward the end of the text, 17 % of Croatia’s total land surface. Half of there are many regional, national and inter- that area is already protected now; the re- national laws and regulations that, in theory, mainder requires protected status, hopefully grant protection to the site. But theory is one to be achieved, at least in part, through in- thing, actual facts may differ. As Franco corporation in the Natura 2000 network. Raimondo has it in the preface, if Manfria is An interesting conclusion reached by the not to remain protected on paper only, it authors is that the main factor presently must first of all become a reason of pride for threatening Croatia’s plant and habitat diver- the local community. This is, obviously, the sity is the decline of traditional rural and purpose of the present book, a purpose that, pastoral activities. well written and superbly illustrated as it is, The introductory chapters of the book it cannot fail to achieve (provided, of course, provide statistical data, outline the criteria that the local community takes the trouble to for defining IPAs, and map relevant parame- read it). ters. The main body consists of descriptions Eleven different authors describe the of the 94 individual IPAs, arranged alpha- natural environment of the region, its plants betically by names. Several are well known, and animals, in well readable style but nev- among them whole Adriatic islands (Vis, ertheless with considerable scientific detail. Korčula, Krk), parts of them(Pag, Rab), or Human impact and economic prospects are the scoglio of Jabuka, once home to the now discussed dispassionately. An attractive extinct Dianthus multinervis. The largest chapter is devoted to the cultural patrimony single IPA is Mt. Velebit (over 2000 km2), of Gela, which was an important centre in famous through Degen’s Flora. General Greek antiquity. Strangely, one finds scat- maps to locate each MPA, detailed maps tered references to a dozen “annexes” with contour lines, gorgeous landscape and throughout the text, but neither are such habitat photographs and portraits of relevant Annexes included nor are they formally plants illustrate the descriptive text. Beside
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being a documentary source of unequalled VON ARX – Conservation des plantes wealth and precision, the book is therefore vasculaires du canton de Genève: es- an attractive, infinitely varied display of pèces et sites prioritaires. [Publication Croatia’s natural wealth and beauty. W.G. hors-série N° 12.] – Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, Genève, 2011 (ISBN 36. Nazik KHANJYAN – Khosrov Forest 978-2-8277-0121-6). 298 pages, colour photographs, maps and graphs in colour, Reserve. – Vard Hrat, Yerevan, 2009 (ISBN 978-99941-889-1-8). 100 pages, tables, fold-out map, folded coloured 101 colour photographs, 3 maps, 4 ta- map in pouch; laminated cover. bles; hard cover. This is the companion volume to the The first notice of protected areas in Atlas of distribution maps mentioned above Armenia, we are told, dates back to the 3rd under #28. Both build on the same set of Century B.C. – probably one of the oldest data, and share the glory of making the Can- known historical records of nature conserva- ton of Geneva one of the floristically best tion. However, the modern system of mod- explored and most thoroughly evaluated ern, legally protected territories is much areas of the globe. The two books are com- younger: It celebrated its 50th anniversary in plementary: Whereas the Atlas builds on 2008, and the present book was written to taxa as the basic unit, the present book commemorate that jubilee. Its basic lan- concentrates on sites. It does not of course guage is Armenian, but a full English trans- ignore species, and indeed it starts with a lation of the text is provided at the end, and tabular Red List of the Canton’s actually or figure captions are bilingual. potentially threatened species, assessing Khosrov Forest Reserve is situated in the their priority status for conservation pur- very heart of Armenia, SE of Erevan: a poses. The core portion is an inventory of country of mountains and deep ravines on priority sites, with their characteristics and the southern slopes of high, snow-covered important plant species, for each of the peaks, with landscapes of breathtaking alphabetically arranged 45 municipalities of beauty. It is one of the country’s two first the Canton. That portion of the book is illus- national parks, so declared in 1958 together trated by impressively good and well with the Shikahogh State Reserve. On an printed, often full-page colour photographs area of scarcely 240 km2, corresponding to of selected sites and some of their plants – 1 % of the national territory, it is host to pictures that only apparently lack explana- more than half of Armenia’s vascular plant tory text (all captions are grouped together at species, almost one third of the whole Cau- the end of the volume). casian flora. The book is extremely well structured All this, and many more details, one and, contrary to its unequal twin, easy to can read in this shapely, elegant oversize read and to understand. Following clearly volume, of which the pictures portraying defined criteria, 433 localities have been plants and animals, or showing landscapes identified and mapped as Priority Sites, for a and cultural remains, are the major asset. 2 total area of 3¼ km or 1.2 % of the Can- The only regret a biologist may feel relates ton’s surface area – perhaps one should to the absence of Latin scientific names in better say: 1.8 % of the green area, as one the figure captions: designations such as oak sixth of the Canton is built over and one or bluebell are simply too vague. W.G. sixth covered by the lake. The size of the sites varies between 1 m2 and 50 ha, the 37. Catherine LAMBELET-HAUETER, smallest being a roadside colony of locally Christian SCHNEIDER & Bertrand endangered Lepidium graminifolium. The
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (23) Publications
largest site, which belongs to the top priority The book starts on a masterly written category, came as a surprise to me who has essay, by the second author, on the roots and been living for many years in its immediate first concepts of gardens in general, with the neighbourhood: it is the eastern end of the three main evolutionary lineages: cloistered runway of Geneva’s airport, or rather, the gardens, gardens of delight, and botanical meadows surrounding it, where among other gardens. Raimondo then describes the origin species the adder’s tongue (Ophioglossum and early fates of botanical gardens and vulgatum) has found its home. W.G. botanical science in Sicily, up to the 18th Century, at the end of which Palermo’s Orto was founded. Another chapter , by Natale Gardens and Gardening Surano, is devoted to the Garden’s founda- tion itself and to the various subsequent reshapings of its boundaries. An important 38. Francesco Maria RAIMONDO & Mau- contribution, again by Raimondo, is on the rizio ROTOLO – La cultura della biodi- concepts underlying the present arrangement versità. L’Orto Botanico di Palermo. – of the living collections, rooted as they are Provincia Regionale, Palermo, 2010 in the Garden’s history. There are special (ISBN 978-88-96762-12-7). 151 pages, texts on the choice of colours for the restora- numerous photographs (mostly in col- tion of the “Gymnasium” building at the our), maps, facsimiles; cloth with dust Garden’s main entrance, a unique architec- jacket. tural monument, being Sicily’s earliest build- Don’t let yourself be fooled by the title: ing in neoclassical style; on the classical This is by no means the same book as the Macadam technique used to renew the al- “Orto Botanico di Palermo” published in leys; and on historical views of the Garden 1993 with a bilingual text, or its smaller as they appear on postcards. Most of the version of 1995 (see OPTIMA Newslett. 30: plentiful illustrations are large-size colour (49). 1996; 31: (21). 1997), both of which photographs by Luca Lo Bosco, which, by the way are still on sale, the latter in a speaking for themselves by their sheer new, English-only edition. Nor is it a classi- beauty, were in no need of being explained; cal visitor’s guide through the Garden’s a few of them show actual plants, but a living collections, as the reference to biodi- majority is on monuments and buildings – versity in the subtitle might make believe among them many with details of the Gym- (that reference is merely a homage to the nasium that presently, much to my delight, Biodiversity Year 2010). It is not devoted hosts my collections of botanical books and primarily to the plants but to gardens, to the dried plants. W.G. history of their concepts and structures, to the genesis of buildings and arrangements. It is 39. Carolina LO NERO & Francesco Ma- a book on ideas and ideals, a homage to THE ria RAIMONDO – L’Orto Botanico di Botanic Garden – meaning that in Palermo – Palermo. Una guida per ragazzi. – and, implicitly, to the work of a lifetime of Mercurio, Palermo, 2010 (ISBN 978-88- its director, Franco Raimondo, who wrote two 902693-1-8). [1] + 83 pages, illustrated of the chapters and conceived the whole in colour; paper. work. For his future biographer, this outsize volume will be the best possible key to Yet another book on Palermo’ Botanic Franco’s personality, to the endeavours and Garden? Indeed, but again a completely achievements of a life devoted in large part different one. It is based on the notion of the to the reshaping and development of his Orto, Garden as an ideal environment for educa- the core and major crown jewel of his reign. tion, and its targeted readership are school
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kids. [Yes, I know: ragazzi means boys not Castellammare gulf to a height of over kids; but in southern Europe, where girls are 900 m, it has inspired the artist Franca Raponi less complex-ridden than farther north, it is to many of her works. still politically correct to address both sexes This being said, the book is neither a by the same masculine word when no neuter botanical text (apart from Raimondo’s con- term exists.] So this is a children book, and cluding chapter) nor is the Zingaro its cen- partly written by the same illustrious bota- tral theme as the title indicates. Its main nist we have learnt to know (see previous subject is Franca Raponi herself. She has item) as the Garden’s director. Used to teach created, among many other things, a touring university students, Franco Raimondo has not exhibition named “Mediterranea Ariaterra- found it difficult to switch to a somewhat fuocoAcqua”, that was launched in 1995 in younger audience. The texts, throughout, are Palermo’s Orto Botanico as part of its bicen- not only accurate but enticingly written, full tenary celebrations. Drawings and paintings of anecdotic detail, with some easy puzzles (watercolours and mixed techniques), photo- (no sudoku!) strewn among the didactic graphs mostly in black-and-white, and her portions. And then there are the illustrations: large, typical “compositions” testifying to just delightful. They appeal to me now and, I her origin from a florist family, made of am sure, would have fascinated me when I dried plant parts of many kinds together with was a boy. But then, who is to judge how shells, rocks, and other unanimated objects: youngsters of the new generation feel – all these are illustrated here, placed in the other than themselves? Well, looking at the context of the artist’s wanderings, thoughts school classes roaming the grounds just out- and experiences: they start in Umbria, shift side the room where I sit writing, I can tell: to Scopello at the southern limit of the Zin- their verdict is positive. W.G. garo area, then to Zingaro itself, to Pantelle- ria, to Palermo. That great traveller of anti- quity, Odysseus, has inspired not only many History and Arts of her works (named Ulisse, Penelope, Itaca, Circe) but much of her life of a passionate artist and – did you guess? – sailor. W.G. 40. Franca RAPONI – “Zingaro”. La riser- va in arte e natura. [Collana Natura e aree protette, 14.] – Temi, Trento, 2010 41. Stefan STANEV – Istorija na botani- (ISBN 978-88-89706-90-9). 144 pages, kata v Bălgarija (do 1944 godina). – numerous illustrations in colour and Pankskij Hilendarski, Plovdiv, 2010 black-and-white (photographs, paintings, (ISBN 978-954-423-631-1). 701 pages, facsimiles); hard cover with dust jacket. tables; 24 extra plates of facsimiles and Price: 20 €. portrait photographs in black-and-white; hard cover. The Zingaro Nature Reserve is not un- known to the faithful readers of this column. The history of the botanical exploration of The thorough exploration of its botanical Bulgaria starts with itinerant naturalists who aspects by Raimondo and his team has crossed the country, publishing accounts resulted in at least two major publications: an with some mention of its plants: Domenico iconography of its endemic element in 1986 Sestini travelling from Constantinople to and an inventory of its flora and vegetation Bucharest in 1779, John Sibthorp in 1794 on in 1998 (see OPTIMA Newslett. 20-24: (51- his second voyage to Turkey and Greece, E. 52). 1988; 34: (14). 1999). A picturesque, D. Clarke on his travels through the Orient rocky stretch of coast in the NE corner of the in 1799-1801, Dumont d’Urville sailing Trapani Province, rising abruptly from the along the Black Sea coast in 1819-1820. The
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first real expeditions to Bulgarian were those by no means clear images, and indeed the of Frivaldszky von Frivald and his collec- least convincing aspect of the book are the tors, in 1833-1835, whose itineraries are photographs documenting them, as be it mapped on one of the plates. All this hap- through shortcomings of print or poor qual- pened when Bulgaria was under the Turkish ity of the original, they are poor evidence for yoke. Not before the country reached its Danin’s findings. With forensic precision independence, in 1878, did resident Bulgar- and his skill and experience of a field bota- ian botanists enter the scene. nist Danin could identify several species, The present book is therefore essentially among them Gundelia tournefortii, Glebio- covering the period from 1878 to 1944. It nis coronaria, Cistus creticus, Pistacia does so by disciplines, each filling its own lentiscus, Zygophyllum dumosum, Rhamnus chapter, the first of which deals with the lycioides and the aptly named Ziziphus country’s botanical institutions. The follow- spina-christi. The interesting conclusion is ing ones are on morphology and anatomy; that the shroud must have been used be- embryology and cytology; physiology and tween Jerusalem and Hebron, the only area biochemistry; floristics; taxonomy; phyto- where these species grow within a short geography; ecology; vegetation science; distance from each other, and that the likely palaeobotany; and ethnobotany. Portraits of season, when they all bloom, is March to Bulgarian and some foreign botanists illus- April. In scientific slang, Danin’s findings trate the text, which is written in Bulgarian are consistent with the hypothesis that the and followed by an extensive English sum- Shroud of Turin is the “real thing”. mary. W.G. This is, in short, the story that the book tells; but it has other merits. Being written in an autobiographic style, it conveys fully and 42. Avinoam DANIN – Botany of the Shroud. vividly the author’s enthusiasm, his investi- The story of floral images on the Shroud gative zeal and his joy of discovery, while of Turin. – Danin, Jerusalem, 2010 (ISBN documenting step by step how it all hap- 978-965-91520-0-1). 104 pages, photo- pened; and through its many colour photo- graphs (mostly in colour), drawings, graphs of plants it is an excellent incentive maps, tables, graphs; flexible cover. for all who may be considering a visit to An exciting booklet on a fascinating Israel in springtime. W.G. topic. The Shroud of Turin, which according to traditional belief is the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, had lost much of its glory in Names and Nomenclature 1988 when a tissue sample was radio- carbon-dated as medieval, but has resurfaced 43. Yusuf MENEM & Ali A. DÖNMEZ (çe- in public interest since it was shown in 2005 viri [translation]) – Uluslarası Botanik that the corner from which the sample had Adlandırma Yasası (Viyana Yasası) been taken was of a rewoven portion. The [International Code of Botanical Nomen- main portion of the tissue is therefore neces- clature (Vienna Code)] Onyedinci Ulusla- sarily older, and as long as no new isotope rası Botanik Kongresinde (Temmuz 2005, dating is available, the credibility of the Viyana, Avusturya) kabul edilmiştir. – shroud remains unaffected. Doğan Matbaacılık, Ankara, s.d. [“2006”] The Shroud shows as if by imprint the (ISBN 978-9944-62-521-0). xxiii + 573 front and back of a human body, and it also pages; hard cover. bears similar imprints that must be inter- preted as representing plant parts: flowers, It is interesting to consider the languages flower heads, thorns, a reed cane. These are into which the various editions of the Inter-
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national Code of Botanical Nomenclature 44. David L. HAWKSWORTH – Terms used have been or are being translated, as one in bionomenclature. The naming of or- may expect there to be a clear correlation ganisms (and plant communities). – with the rise and decline of plant taxonomy Global Biodiversity Information Facil- in the nations concerned. From the begin- ity, Copenhagen, 2010 (ISBN 87-92020- ning (the Candolle Rules of 1868) the Code 09-7). 215 pages; paper. was published in three languages: French, English and German, a pattern that was up- Ariadne’s thread through the labyrinth held consistently up to and including the ob nomenclatural jargon: that is what this Sydney Congress of 1981 (as a single excep- tiny booklet represents. Leafing through it tion, a Spanish version was added to the one is amazed at how many useless, un- Paris Code, published in 1956). At Berlin, in wieldy, malformed terms nomenclaturists of 1987, French and German lost their privi- all domains have managed to invent so as to leged status, but officious translations in keep their words and deeds well hidden from both languages were prepared for two more the world at large. The official Codes each terms (Berlin and Tokyo Codes), after which provide their own glossary for the official the tradition came to an end. Conversely, terms they use, and these were of course also other language versions started to prolifer- incorporated. However, the bulk of the en- ate: I am aware of translations of either or tries are the “unofficial” terms, many of both the St Louis and Vienna Codes into at them obsolete but still to be encountered in least Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Rus- past nomenclatural discussions. sian, Slovakian, and Spanish. Here now David Hawksworth’s new book follows comes the family’s latest child: Turkish. As upon his earlier “Draft glossary of terms with the other nations mentioned, it bears used in bionomenclature”, published in 1994 witness of the almost explosive development by the International Union of Biological of taxonomic botany in that country, which Sciences. The draft comprised 1175 entries, is the richest in plant diversity of the Medi- as compared to over 2100 of the current terranean area and boasts an astounding version. Coverage encompasses botanical number of new universities, most with their (incl. mycological), zoological, bacterial and associated botany department. viral nomenclature, overarching endeavours such as the BioCode and PhyloCode, and The book is an exact match of the offi- also special domains like cultivated plant cial (English) Code. Placing both side by and phytosociological nomenclature. A help- side on a bookshelf you hardly note a differ- ful tool indeed for those who dare enter the ence: same size, same colour, same print, jungle of nomenclatural writing. W.G. same cover material – just the spine text runs upward rather than downward. Not a word of English inside, though. Yet the translation 45. C. D. BRICKELL, C. ALEXANDER, J. C. is (abusively) declared as belonging to the DAVID, W. L. A. HETTERSCHEID, A. Regnum vegetabile series, with the same C. LESLIE, V. MALECOT, Xiobai JIN & volume number as the English Code and the J. J. CUBEY – International code of same ISSN number. Appendices II to VI have nomenclature for cultivated plants been reprinted identically (no need to trans- (ICNCP or Cultivated Plant Code), in- late anything there, except the heading, in- corporating the rules and recommenda- troductory paragraphs and running title). tions for naming plants in cultivation. The Turkish version of the Glossary is po- Eighth edition, adopted by the Interna- tentially useful even for those who, like the tional Union of Biological Sciences In- reviewer, is unfamiliar with the Turkish ternational Commission for the Nomen- language. W.G. clature of Cultivated Plants. [Regnum
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Vegetabile, 151 (ISSN 0080-0694) & one named “Nomenclatural filter” and the Scripta Horticulturae, 10 (ISSN 1813- subsequent “Quick guide for new cultivar 9205).] – International Society for Hor- names”. There is also a useful Glossary at ticultural Sciences, Leuven, 2009 (ISBN the end. W.G. 978-90-6605-662-6). XIX + 184 pages; laminated cover. 46. Giôrgos SFÊKAS – Ta koiná onómata The ICNCP, which provides for the spe- tôn futôn tês Elládas. – George SFIKAS cial nomenclature of distinguishable groups – The common names of the plants of of cultivated plants, sees itself as a comple- Greece – “Anthofóros”, Kéntro Pros- ment to the botanical Code. The epithets of tasías kai Melétês tês Ellênikês Hlôrídas, cultivated taxa (yes: they are now again Arguroúpolês, 2009. 75 stapled sheets; called taxa, a term that had been eradicated no cover. from the foregoing edition) are always used in association with a name of a genus or Most European countries have Floras that species, which is normally a Latin name give common-language equivalents for sci- governed by the botanical Code (it may also, entific plant names, and these designations exceptionally, be a designation of the plant are now used by and large by the general in a modern language). The ICNCP recog- public. Greece has not. Understandably, this nises taxa at three levels or ranks, of which deficit causes difficulties of communication, the lowermost and best known is the culti- e.g. in teaching. The present unpretentious var, the next higher the group. The third and brochure is offered by amateur botanist Gior- highest has been newly introduced in the gos Sfikas as a possible standard list, to fill present edition, its use being currently re- the gap. It consists of 75 stapled sheets printed stricted to the orchid family. Its name is on one side, with four pages of introductory grex, a term that had been used in the past text (in Greek only; no translation is offered) but had subsequently been abandoned. and three tables in which the 985 genera of For the outsider cultivar nomenclature is the Greek flora are enumerated, with their remarkably complex. Beside the ICNCP, scientific name, the proposed Greek equiva- which tells how names of cultivated taxa lent, and the English name. In the first table, must be formed in order to be established, arranged alphabetically by Latin names, there is a manyfold system of registration there is an additional column with Greek authorities, some national, others interna- vernacular designations, when more than tional and specialised on definite groups one is in common use or when the single one (e.g., families or genera), the latter operating that exists has for some reason not been under the authority of the International Soci- adopted. The second and third table, in ety for Horticultural Sciences. There is also which the additional column is lacking, are another, completely independent system for otherwise similar but arranged, respectively, designating cultivated plants: trade names. by Greek and English standard names. They are not governed but on the contrary Moreover, in the introduction a recipe is discouraged by the ICNCP, but nonetheless given for forming standard species names by they exist and enjoy legal protection within translating the epithet. In the future, it may countries. The ICNCP endeavours to guide be a good idea to produce a list of Latin the user and producer of cultivar, group and epithets and their standard translations, too. grex names through this maze, and it seems It was a bold move for a non- to me that in its new edition it fares better professional to come forth with a standard than its forerunners did. The extensive ap- list of his own, and I doubt not that it will be pendices, most of which are new or substan- heavily criticised by local academic bota- tially improved, are very helpful, especially nists. And criticism it needs, because it is by
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no means flawless. I do not know which met nowadays, is its multilingual nature, source Sfikas has used for his inventory of with papers written in five different lan- Greek plant genera; but some of those listed guages: English (20), French (14), Italian, (Wulfenia) do not grow in that country, others (11), Spanish (5) and German (3). (Wagenitzia) are now generally considered Most of the special topics relate to indi- as synonyms, and several, quite apart from vidual countries, in their majority Euro- recent taxonomic spits, are lacking (Ebenus, Mediterraneanean (Portugal to Transsilva- Hainardia, Petromarula). There is a rather nia, North Africa), some North American high number of misspellings, too: Ditrichia, (Canada to Mexico) and one East Asian Ecbalium, Gallium, Haptaptera, Legusia, (China). An unsurprising blank area is Scan- etc., of which those that have entered the dinavia, where Braun-Blanquetian phytoso- transcribed Greek names proposed as stan- ciology never managed to become popular. dard (Hermarthria, Hamatolobium) are par- Much more astonishing is the complete ticularly regrettable. In spite of these short- absence of contributions from Switzerland, comings the list has merits. It will hopefully the discipline’s home country. encourage Greek botanists to join efforts and Two of the general papers are essentially come up with an improved, consensual ver- anecdotic, featuring the two early leaders of sion. To the non-Greek, one benefit of the phytosociology: the Swiss Josias Braun- list might be to teach them on which syllable Blanquet after whom the discipline is named the stress is placed in scientific names of and the German Reinhold Tüxen. Six con- Greek origin, as they are often pronounced cern individual countries (Britain, France, incorrectly – thinking for instance of Ádonis Japan, Poland, Rumania, Russia), mustering and Eucályptus. W.G. the nationwise spread and achievements of phytosociology. The very first paper, which Festschrifts I mention last, I found particularly to my liking: Sandro Pignatti’s retrospect on a century of phytosociology (in Italian), full of 47. Farid BENSETTITI, Frédéric BIORET, historical facts and reminiscences but also of Vincent Boullet & Franco PEDROTTI – profound considerations on the discipline’s Centenaire de la phytosociologie scientific roots, its intrinsic epistemological [Braun-Blanquetia, 46 – ISSN 0393- problems and the tasks, chances and chal- 5434]. – Association Amicale de Phyto- lenges of the years ahead. W.G. sociologie & International Association for Vegetation Science, Camerino, 2010. Reprints 423 pages, photographs (mostly colour), drawings, graphs maps, tables; laminated cover. 48. Arne STRID & Barbro STRID – Sib- thorp & Smith, Flora graeca volumes This sizeable jubilee volume is dedicated 3-4, 1819-1824. Annotated re-issue. – to Jean-Marie Géhu, currently the Nestor of Gantner, Ruggell FL, 2009 (ISBN 978- French vegetation science, and was presented 3-906166-80-3). V + 412 pages, 200 co- at the International Meeting celebrating the lour plates, maps; hard cover with dust First Centenary of Phytosociology held at jacket; price: 228 €. Brest on 3 to 5 November 2010. It comprises 53 papers on a variety of phytosociological The second tome of the Flora graeca re- topics, 9 of which are of a general nature issue (see OPTIMA Newsletter 39: (30-31). and are placed ahead of the 44 more special 2010, for the first) comprises volumes 3 ones. A salient feature of the book, rarely and 4 of the work, i.e., plates 201-400. The
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publication model is unchanged. Ferdinand he has made one of the cornerstones of East Bauer’s masterly plates are reproduced from Mediterranean botany – and one of the rarest old (but good) Kodachrome slides, reduced and most costly natural history books ever in scale by various (unfortunately unspeci- produced – available to a wider public. W.G. fied) degrees with respect to the original. For showing the plants’ general appearance the size is good enough, but for the correct Congresses and Meetings interpretation of details this is often unhelpful. The analytical details given on each original 49. Thomas BORSCH, Peter GIERE, Jana plate were partly in natural size and lettered HOFFMANN, Regine JAHN, Cornelia in lower case, partly enlarged and in upper LÖHNE, Birgit NORDT & Michael OHL case. This might have been mentioned for (ed.) – Biosystematics Berlin 2011, 21- the benefit of the reader; but, anyway, no 27 February 2011. Programme and ab- captions are provided. stracts. – Botanic Garden and Botanical The text facing the plates is by the edi- Museum Berlin-Dahlem, 2011 (ISBN tors: comments that are certainly informative, 978-3-921800-68-3). 434 pages (+ 6 but a poor surrogate for the missing original pages corrigenda and addenda); paper (+ text. For species occurring in Greece, Greek 2 loose sheets). distribution maps generated from the Flora Hellenica Database are provided. Synonymies The Biosystematics Congress in Berlin are sometimes a bit confusing, as in the case was the result of amalgamating three con- of Cynanchum acutum (plates 250 and 251), gresses or meetings, each with its own tradi- where C. monspeliacum is first treated as a tion, of which the International Congress synonym but just afterwards features as if it of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology were an accepted name. The name Ziziphus (ICSEB) is the best known on a global scale. zizyphus, proposed for rejection and mean- ICSEB VII was originally scheduled for 2009 while indeed rejected, should not have been in Mexico but had to be cancelled; it was sal- used. Names misapplied by Smith are cited vaged thanks to the efforts of its new leaders, consistently (and misleadingly) as if they Thomas Borsch, president, and Regine Jahn, were later homonyms. The name accepted in secretary. Jahn is also the current president the original work can usually be seen at the of the Society for Biological Systematics bottom of the plate but is sometimes cut off, (GfBS) of which it was the 12th annual in which case the reader is left to guess (see meeting. Finally, the section on Biodiversity the example of Limonium sinuatum / Statice and Evolutionary Biology of the German sinuata, plate 301). A new combination is Botanical Society added a small but per- validly published under Sternbergia. ceptible botanical bias to an otherwise On the positive side, the interpretation of “holobiological” event. Sibthorp’s plants given by the Strids is this This is in fact the singularity of both time for the most part plausible. I disagree ICSEBs and GfBS Meetings, making them only in one case: Acer obtusifolium is not attractive to systematists: they are devoted to synonymous with A. sempervirens, nor is the the study of organismic diversity irrespec- corresponding plate (#361) a mixture. Both tive of the organism studied, i.e., they bring the fruiting and flowering branch there together specialists from all fields, zoologi- represented are typical A. obtusifolium as it cal, botanical, microbiological alike. By grows in Cyprus, and neither is Cretan A. their theme, most of the symposia and gen- sempervirens. eral lectures cut across the established disci- The publisher, Sven Koeltz, deserves our pline boundaries. The five main Conference gratitude. By accepting to publish this work topics that the Organising Committee had
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defined were: Trends in Taxonomy; Organ- 50. Simonetta PECCENINI, Gianniantonio isms in Time and Space; Evolution of Form DOMINA & Cristina SALMERI (ed.) – and Function; The Evolutionary Thought; and Società Botanica Italiana, Gruppo per la Inventorying and Managing Biodiversity. Floristica e la Biosistematica Vegetale. La Six hundred participants from 55 countries Biodiversità vegetale in Italia: Aggior- were expected to attend and present 570 namenti sui gruppi critici della flora scientific contributions. The present book vascolare. Comunicazioni. – Società comprises the outline programme of the event Botanica Italiana, Firenze, 2010 (ISBN and the abstracts of the lectures and posters. 978-88-85915-03-9). 56 pages; paper. Ten plenary lectures and 50 symposia were on the programme. Not all can be men- 51. Simonetta PECCENINI & Giannianto- tioned here, and my selection is to some nio DOMINA (ed.) – Società Botanica degree arbitrary. Among the plenaries, let Italiana, Gruppo per la Floristica. Loci me name Ed Wiley’s account of 60 years of classici, taxa critici e monumenti arbo- phylogenetic systematics; Sandy Knapp’s rei della flora d’Italia. Comunicazioni. thoughts on the changing face of taxonomy; Orto Botanico, La Sapienza Università Peter Stevens’ portrait of the taxonomist as de Roma, 14-15 ottobre 2011. – Società an individualist; and Olivier Rieppel’s Botanica Italiana, Firenze, 2011 (ISBN changing metaphors of order in nature. The 978-88-85915-05-3). 70 pages, figures, (shortened) titles do not tell you everything: maps, tables; paper. read the abstract! Of the symposia, each of two hours, 20 were set aside for contributed Each year in October the Group for Flo- papers. Two double symposia were botani- ristcs and Plant Biosystematics of the Italian cal only: Polyploid plant complexes (organ- Botanical Society meets and encourages its ised by to-be IAPT secretary Karol Mar- members to present workbench studies or hold) and Euro-Mediterranean plant diver- progress reports of their relevant research. sity. Some had methods and techniques as They are presented in the form of short pa- their focus: two on the management of natu- pers of 2 (exceptionally 3) printed pages, ral history collections; one on nomenclature, collated into a booklet and distributed to the at which a renewed initiative for an over- participants at the meeting (in 2011 the num- arching BioCode was presented, discussed ber of pages permitted has apparently been and supported; several on informatics (long- raised from 2 to 4 or 5). Each meeting has a term data storage; biodiversity informatics; given focus, reflected in the title of the digital identification methods; and a “ba- booklet, which for 2009 had been “Critical zaar” for software tools). And then there Groups of the Italian Flora” (see OPTIMA were the various aspects of biological sys- Newslett. 39: (32). 2010). In 2010, updates tematics, to name, among others: chromo- on such critical groups had been asked for; somal studies (chaired by OPTIMA vice- in 2011, the call was for data on nomencla- president Georgia Kamari); palaeontology; tural type localities, critical taxa and monu- sequencing and genomics; genes and mor- mental trees. phology; next generation phylogenetics; The 2010 booklets has 23 short papers, tempo and mode of evolution; niche evolu- dealing in particular with the following tion; plant-animal interactions; pathogenic genera: Allium (by Brullo & al., with one and symbiotic relationship. lectotype designation), Aquilegia (by Nardi, ICSEB VIII is scheduled to take place in entirely in Latin, a language that is thereby Korea in 2015 under Regine Jahn’s leadership. enriched with new terms for DNA and If you find the programme of the 7th edition Impact Factor), Cirsium, Crocus, Iris, Lem- as attractive as I do: note the date! W.G. na, Orchis, Pancratium, Petagnaea, Pingui-
2011 OPTIMA Newsletter No. 40 (31) Publications
cula, Puccinellia, Romulea, Utricularia, and central Mediterranean area. Its choice as the Vicia. core subject of an international expert meet- In 2011 the papers were 17, plus one that ing had several good reasons, including the missed the deadline and is added on a loose still unresolved problems of its taxonomic sheet, lettered a-b. The identification of status and distribution, but was essentially nomenclatural types and type localities for motivated by its beauty, its rarity, and the taxa described from Italy is progressing on threat of extinction faced by many of its several fronts in parallel, partly on a regional populations. The central papers of the pre- basis (Calabria, Sardinia, Sicily), partly sent proceedings volume deal with these family-wise (Chenopodiaceae, “included” in factors. They are surrounded by other, gen- Amaranthaceae), but mainly – and most eral contributions, which on one hand set the sensibly – by authors: Allioni, Bertoloni, scene for the particular play here performed Lacaita, Linnaeus, Presl, Sebastiani & Mauri, but on the other hand, conversely, might where Peruzzi’s list of endemic Italian taxa benefit by taking into account the particular first described by Linnaeus is of note, as are Calendula experience. one new lectotype designation by Domina Setting the scene is not a simple opera- and several by Brullo & al. The latter au- tion. In the present case it involved outlooks thors also propose one new species name on the biological aspects, in the three initial and 3 new subspecific combinations (in papers: biogeography (by Sandro Pignatti), Centaurea, Erodium, Hornungia, and Tri- endemism (by Franco Raimondo), taxonomy folium). Critical taxa are referred to for the (by Fabio Garbari); and conservational ques- genera Armeria, Astragalus, Brassica and tions: of survival under a regime of global Helichrysum, the latter with a new species climatic change (by Vernon Heywood), of described by the two Brulli (H. archi- experiences with conservation management medeum, on p. 56; not a nom. nov. as they in other countries with comparable condi- claim, and with a holotype not a lectotype). tions, such as Spain (Benito Valdés, Patricia W.G. Pérez-Rovira), Morocco (Mohamed Rejdali) and the Mediterranean islands in general (Bertrand de Montmollin), and of specific 52. Angelo TROÌA & Francesco Maria risks faced by small declining populations RAIMONDO (ed.) – Atti del convegno with a particular reproductive biology internazionale La Calendula di Tra- (Gianni Cristofolini). The editors are to be pani, espressione emblematica congratulated for having managed to fit to- dell’endemismo mediterraneo minac- gether the pieces of the initial jigsaw puzzle ciato, Trapani, 20 febbraio 2010. Pro- into a well integrated whole. To the promi- ceedings of the international meeting nent circle in attendance I address my com- The Calendula of Trapani, an emblem- pliments for having written and approved a atic threatened Mediterranean endemic, well balanced, meaningful concluding docu- Trapani, Italy, 20 February 2010. [Natu- ment. May it fulfil its purpose! W.G. ralista Sicil. 35(1) – ISSN 0394-0063]. – Società Siciliana di Scienze Naturali, Pa- lermo, 2011. Pages [2] + 1-129, black- New Journals and-white photographs, maps, graphs, facsimiles, tables; paper. 53. PhytoKeys. A peer-reviewed open-access Calendula maritima, also known as C. journal launched to accelerate biodiver- incana subsp. maritima, is a member of the sity research. Issue 1 (print: ISSN 1314- polymorphic, critical complex of perennial 2011; online [http://www.phytokeys.com]: Calendula taxa inhabiting the western and ISSN 1314-2003) – Pensoft Publishers,
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Sofia, 2010. 77 pages, drawing, map, are writing: a genus name? a specific epi- graphs, colour photographs; laminated thet? a new taxon? A type specimen? Its cover. date, collector, locality, herbarium? a de- scription? a key? – whatever. Tags permit We are living in a rapidly changing the automatic analysis of your paper, and world, and the rate of change increases loga- tags can be put into place (we are told) auto- rithmically. You feel your head spinning matically by adequate editing software. In- with the speed of change? So what? As it terested to get at such software? PhytoKeys spins faster every day, you will soon lose has it ready for you, it is called ... Pensoft that feeling. Now that’s enough for philoso- Markup Tool. phy: to the facts. But that’s not the whole story yet. The PhytoKeys was launched November 1st, next act of the play is staged at Melbourne. 2010, junior by two years to ZooKeys of the At the end of July 2011 the XVIII Interna- same publisher. Within the year it has tional Botanical Congress, following the reached issue 6 (ZooKeys, within 3 years, recommendation of its Nomenclature Sec- issue 137). The subtitle is its programme in a tion, decides to abrogate the law we have nutshell: peer-reviewed (as every serious followed since times immemorial, that pub- journal today); open-access (meaning that lication for the purpose of nomenclature is reading is free and the author, or his institu- by printed matter – by ink on paper, as the tion or grant, pays); quick, meaning a time zoologists have it. A proposal had been lag of 1-2 months between submission and submitted to permit electronic-only publica- publication; online: it is primarily an elec- tion under specified conditions, the change tronic journal, immediately accessible to to become effective at the beginning of everyone, with a simultaneously published 2013. The Congress not only approved that and identical print version. But that’s only proposal enthusiastically (Ljubomir was there the start. to applaud), but even advanced the starting The driving brainpower behind Phy- date by one year. PhytoKeys has a declared toKeys (and ZooKeys as well) is Ljubomir policy to adhere to the tenets of the Botani- Penev. (Did you believe that the name Pen- cal Code (which, incidentally, will also soft has something to do with a pen, once change its name). This means that, in theory, st used for writing? Forget it.) He is, let’s put it on the 31 of December Pensoft’s commit- mildly, a bright fellow, and he is riding the ment to publish a hard-copy edition comes cutting edge of modern data-handling and to an end. The publisher will perhaps decide communication technology – a razor-sharp to go on for the time being, but not I should edge, for sure. He will tell you that e-pub- think indefinitely. lishing, today, is common-place, but the Of course, PhytoKeys is not the first elec- future, the exciting prospect, are the links. tronic journal. It has been among the first Links, in electronic texts, can be and should decided supporters of the open-access idea, be everywhere: links within the paper (from and it has the experience, structures and wits the citation to the reference, or table, or to combine speed of publication, high qual- figure, as appropriate); links to your data ity standards and sophisticated editing tech- sources (you need not write everything again niques. It has not yet, but will doubtless that others have written); and, most impor- soon have, an impact factor assigned. Be- tantly, links from the outside to your data. come its reader – it’s for free – and if you For that purpose you use what are called like the style, you may well choose it as specific tags, telling your readership (sorry, outlet for your next publication. I might do you were thinking of persons? Nope, your so myself (pensioners, it is said, may apply main readership are machines) what it is you for a discounted publication fee). W.G.
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OPTIMA COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (2007-2013)
Commission on Bryophytes Herbarium Mediterraneum Secretary: R. M. Ros, Murcia Commission E-mail: [email protected] Chair: W. Greuter, Palermo & Berlin Secretary: F. M. Raimondo, Palermo E-mail : [email protected]
Commission for Threatened plant Chair: D. Zohary, Jerusalem Commission for Karyosystematics Secretary: J. M. Iriondo, Madrid and Molecular Systematics E-mail: [email protected] Chair: G. Kamari, Patras Secretary: C. Blanché, Barcelona Commission for the Diffusion of E-mail : [email protected] Knowledge on Mediterranean Plants Secretary: U. Plitmann, Jerusalem Lichen Commission E-mail: [email protected] Secretary: M. R. D. Seaward, Bradford E-mail: [email protected] Commission for Floristic Investigation Prize Commission Chair: B. Valdés, Seville Secretary: W. Greuter, Palermo & Berlin Secretary: E. Vitek, Wien E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Publications Commission Commission on Fungi Chair: F. M. Raimondo, Palermo Chair: S. Onofri, Viterbo Secretary: G. Domina, Palermo Secretary: G. Venturella, Palermo E-mail : [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Web Commission Commission on Mediterranean Chair: G. Venturella, Palermo Herbaria Secretary: G. Domina, Palermo Secretary: G. Domina, Palermo E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Submission of contributions to OPTIMA Newsletter: Articles and news related to Mediterranean botany are welcome. Please send all texts as a Microsoft Word file to the pertinent Commission Secretary, or directly to the OPTIMA Secretariat.
OPTIMA Newsletter 40
Contents
Publications Offer ...... 1 OPTIMA Membership ...... 5 OPTIMA News ...... 6 Activities ...... 7 Meeting announcements ...... 8 Notices of Publications ...... (1) General topics ...... (1) Gymnosperms ...... (3) Dicotyledons ...... (3) Floras ...... (5) Popular Books ...... (10) Floristic Inventories and Checklists ...... (12) Studies of Flora and Vegetation ...... (16) Chorology ...... (18) Excursions ...... (20) Gardens and Gardening ...... (24) History and Arts ...... (25) Names and Nomenclature ...... (26) Festschrifts ...... (29) Reprints ...... (29) Congresses and Meetings ...... (30) New Journals ...... (32)