46 Mentha Gattefossei Bieb. – Conservation Status And

Results and discussions The investigations were made on 486 samples which belonging to 44 lignicolous fungi species in three reserves of broad leaved forests Crujana, Dragomirna and Zamostea-Lunca. Analysis of similarity between species of lignicolous fungi from those 3 investigated reserves show us a separation in three different groups of fungi depending on the host-tree specie, as following: a group with Quercus, another with Fagus (with the most abundant and well represented in species) and the last one with Populus and Salix. Detrended correspondence analysis demonstrates that lignicolous fungi diversity increases in direct proportion with diversity of woody plant species in those investigated areas. RDA analysis suggests that diameter and decomposition degree of fallen trunks and branches have a particular signifi cance for lignicolous fungi species. The wood remnants with large surfaces are easily colonized by fungi species (interspecifi c competition avoided). In the same time, branches with small surfaces allow only a single fungi species to colonize during a particular time (3). Conclusions Diversity of tree species is one of the determinants index for lignicolous fungi species from deciduous forests. There is a linear relationship between decomposition degree of substrate and fungi species diversity that populate them. On the other hand, branches and trunks diameters only secondarily infl uence diversity of lignicolous fungi species. Bibliography 1. Bernicchia A. 2005. Polyporaceae s.l. Fungi Europaei 10. Edizioni Candusso, Alassio 2. Breitenbach J. and Kränzlin F. 1986, T. 2. Heterobasidiomycetes, Aphyllophorales, Gasteromycetes. Lucerne: Ed. Mykologia, Suisse, 412 pp. 3. Küffer N. and Senn-Irlet B. 2005. Diversity and ecology of wood-inhabiting aphyllophoroid basidiomycetes on fallen woody debris in various forest types in Switzerland. Mycological Progress. 4 (1): 77–86. 4. Slgeanu G. and Slgeanu A. 1985. Determinator pentru recunoaşterea ciupercilor comestibile şi otrvitoare din România. Bucureşti: Edit. Ceres, 330 pp.

MENTHA GATTEFOSSEI BIEB. – CONSERVATION STATUS AND TAXONOMICAL ASPECTS Ciocârlan Nina, Ghendov V. Botanical Garden (Institute) of the ASM

Introduction The plant genus Mentha L. is well known as a taxonomically complex group belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae Lindl.), subfamily Nepetoideae (2). Mentha gattefossei Maire is native to Morocco, and represents a potential source of valuable essential oil (1). The species is listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened

46 species as Near Threatened (3). The evidence of chloroplast DNA sequences for assessing the phylogenetic relationships in Mentha L. genus suggests that Mentha gattefossei is related to Mentha cervina. For this reason the taxonomical affi liation of this species was established on the basis of literature data and herbarium. Material and methods The research was conducted during 2007-2013 in the experimental fi eld of the collection of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Botanical Garden (Institute) of ASM. The seeds of M. gattefossei were received by the international exchange of seeds with the Botanical Garden from Coimbra, Portugal in 2006. The morphology of the herbarium specimen was described and illustrated on the basis of material collected in the Collection of Medicinal plants in compliance with existing descriptions in the literature. Voucher specimens are lodged in the Herbarium of Botanical Garden (Institute) of ASM (Chisinau). Results and discussions Mentha gattefossei is a perennial, herbaceous plant with more or less elongated, creeping, branched rhizome. Stems simple to slightly branched, at base ascending, up to 20 centimeters high with internodes generally longer than leaves. Leaves are sessile, opposite; leaf blade simple, bright green, glabrous, fl at to slightly convolute, broadly linear to oblanceolate. Verticillasters 15-20-fl owered, globose, are widely spaced; fl oral leaves similar to stem leaves, sessile, recurved, equal or longer than verticillasters. Pedicel is 2-3 mm long. Calyx is tubular, pale green, 2-lipped, dotted with large, globular, golden yellow shining glands. Corolla is funnelform, whitish, and glabrous. Nutlets are obovoid, dry, and smooth. The primary results of investigations showed that the most suitable nutrition space for M. gattefossei is 30x40 cm; the plants develop vigorous branched stems that reach 25-30 cm in height. The most successful method of propagation is by stolons, otherwise this is the most popular and economic method of mint multiplication. The plants positively responded to climatic and soil conditions of the Republic of Moldova; vegetation period takes 136-155 days, fl owering stage lasts 55-60 days. They undergo a complete ontogenetic cycle, which demonstrates high adaptive potential and ex-situ conservation perspective. Conclusions M. gattefossei being a species of global conservation interest it is of great importance not only from medicinal viewpoint but also for ex situ conservation programmes at national and international level. Plants undergo a complete ontogenetic cycle in local conditions, which demonstrates high adaptive potential and ex-situ conservation perspective. Bibliography 1. Holeman M., Berrada M., Bellakhdar J. et al. Analysis of the essential oil of Mentha gattefossei Maire. // Parfums, Cosmetiques, Aromes, 1984, nr. 59, p. 61-62. 2. Menitski, Ju.L. Mentha L. In: Fedorov, An.A. (Ed.), Flora Partis Europaea U.S.S.R., 1978, Leningrad: Nauka, Vol. 3, p. 204-207. 3. Rhazi L., Grillas P. and Rhazi M. Mentha gattefossei. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2 www.iucnredlist.org.