Annali di Botanica

Effects of landscape plants on public health: the case of Bursa-Mudanya

MURAT ZENCİRKIRAN — 2024-11-16

Backround: Plants are a part of life and they are elements that are an inseparable part of landscape designs, especially in areas that are widely used by large masses of people. It is of great importance to know and choose the properties of plants that affect public health due to their aesthetic, functional, and psychological effects, as well as some components they contain. Toxic components in different organs of plants cause adverse events such as contacting and eating of these parts by humans and animals, and at the same time, many of them cause allergic reactions to the pollen they have.

Methods: This study examined open green areas designed for public use in Bursa province of Turkey, Mudanya district, and the taxa of woody landscape plants in these areas were evaluated in terms of their toxic properties for public health.

Results: The study determined that 79.4% of the 107 taxa of woody landscape plants determined showed toxic and allergenic properties, while 20.6% did not show toxic properties. On the other hand, observations revealed that the rate of taxa that did not show toxic properties but showed allergenic properties was 18.6%. As a result of statistical studies with the obtained data, the study determined a significant relationship between the parameters examined.

Conclusion: Landscape designs made by considering the toxicological properties of plants will reduce the cases of poisoning caused by plants, and the measures to be taken for existing designs will raise awareness of the public on this issue.

Effects of ecological factors and reproductive strategies on germination capability of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Alessandro Di Cocco — 2024-11-16

The tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima is one of the most invasive plant species in Europe and Italy and poses a threat especially in urban environments. A deeper comprehension of how germination traits respond to environmental factors could help elucidate the process of invasion. Germination tests on A. altissima seeds collected at different altitudes were carried out at different light conditions (12-hr light/12-hr darkness and continuous darkness) and temperature regimes (15-6 °C, 20-10 °C and 25-15 °C). A further test was also performed to assess the germinative response of seeds retained on the plant during winter. Seeds have been demonstrated not to have clear preferences for temperature and light, nor to show an effect of the altitude at which they develop on their germination capacity. This characteristic makes A. altissima highly adaptable to different types of environments and not restrained to specifical conditions. Moreover, the continuous release of seeds throughout the year may maximize the chances of a successful germination. The nature of pioneer species of A. altissima emerges already during its reproduction and germination, both in its tolerance to different environmental conditions and in the adoption of a reproduction strategy oriented towards the extreme of r-strategist species, contributing to the invasiveness of the species.

Insect pollinators and plant interactions: a taxonomic implications of pollen morphological features in melliferous plants

Shabir Ahmad — 2024-11-16

The current study is the first report on pollen morphology of 17 species belonging to 11 different families that are particularly involved in nectar and pollen collection by bees from southern Pakistan using microscopic techniques. The plants were collected after being foraged by honeybees, identified, and studied. Flowering periods, habit and locality of plants were examined. The pollen grains were then passed through the process of acetolysis, measured and both quantitative and qualitative characters were evaluated. The investigated pollen grains varied in size, shape, colpi/pore and exine sculpturing. The most common type of pollen examined was tricolporate and among the shapes the oblate spheroidal one. Three types of exine sculpturing were observed, psilate, reticulate and echinate. The recorded pollen fertility ranged from 67 to 93 percent, showing that the considered plants are well established in the area. Brassica campestris L, Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. and Astragalus hamosus L. resulted in the most visited species by honeybees. Our results showed that pollen morphology of the considered plants in the study varies largely. The principal component analysis did not show clusters in relation to specific pollination syndromes and only some strictly phylogenetically related species were close in the graph. For this reason, the pollen grain characters can be considered sufficiently diversified to be used as markers for species identification in melissopalynological analyses. The fact that some of the characters recorded in the area under study resulted quantitatively different from pollen grains of the same species in different geographical areas showed the presence of intraspecific variation. This evidence may provide the possibility of evaluating the geographical provenance of honey from melissopalynological analysis at least in southern Pakistan.

Assessment of current status and conservation strategies of some high valued medicinal plants from himalayan regions

Munish Sharma — 2024-11-16

The Indian soil is home to an abundance of medicinally useful plants, which, unfortunately, are being exploited and harvested at an alarming rate. The management of medicinal plant resources is therefore crucial. There are a number of medicinal plants that grow in the Indian Himalayan region that possess excellent medicinal properties. Medicinal plants like Rhododendron sp., Aconitum sp., Bacopa monneri, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Picrorhiza Kurroa and other important medicinal plants mentioned in this review paper are of great importance. To conserve and sustainable future, tissue culture is an advanced biotechnological approach that enables mass plant cultivation. The technology has the potential to meet the growing demand for plant-based medicines. The application of plant tissue culture approaches has resulted in substantial research into medicinal plant biodiversity conservation. In vitro regeneration is an extremely powerful biotechnological tool for propagating medicinal plants and increasing their bioactive compounds. It is also an excellent method for growing plants under threat of being lost to the natural soil. The Himalayan region has high altitudes and extreme climate conditions, which make it ideal for growing medicinal plants. Plants produce secondary metabolites when stressed environmental conditions alter their physiology. These compounds possess medicinal properties, so they are of great interest to researchers. There is a great deal of use for these plants in the healthcare industry. Raw materials from Himalayan medicinal plants are used in both Indian and international pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current status and conservation challenges relating to high-valued botanical species in the Indian Himalayan region. To ensure the sustainment of these species for future generations, conservation strategies must take into account their ecological, economic, and cultural dimensions.

Keywords Biodiversity, Conservation, Himalayas, Medicinal plants, Threats, Secondary metabolites

Inventory, association, and habitat characteristic of Huperzine A natural resources in the Cibodas Botanical Gardens, West Java, Indonesia

Intani Quarta Lailaty — 2024-11-16

Huperzine A is a Lycopodium alkaloid that is important in the treatment of Alzheimer's symptoms. Until now, the raw material for this compound comes from the Lycopodiceae family, which is harvested directly from nature. However, biological information about this plant group is still limited, especially in its ecological aspect. Therefore, studies on this aspect are important to support sustainable use in their natural habitat. This research aims to carry out an inventory of Huperzine A natural resources and study their associations and habitat characteristics in the Cibodas Botanical Gardens. A survey was conducted on 29 host trees using a purposive sampling method. Three species of Huperzine A natural resources were identified, including Phlegmariurus pinifolius (Trevis.) Kiew, Phlegmariurus squarrosus (G. Forst.) Á. Löve & D. Löve, and Phlegmariurus phlegmaria (L.) Holub. The most abundant and evenly distributed species was P. pinifolius, while the least abundant and restricted distribution was P. phlegmaria. Phlegmariurus pinifolius showed no association with other vascular epiphytes, while P. squarrosus and P. phlegmaria showed associations. The species diversity of vascular epiphytes is significantly correlated with elevation and relative air humidity. Based on ecological aspects, we suggest P. pinifolius and P. squarrosus be developed in further bioprospecting studies.

Factors influencing the germination capacity of Primula palinuri, cliff-dwelling endemic species of southern Italy

Ilaria Panero — 2024-11-16

Primula palinuri Petagna is a narrow-endemic plant species native to southern Italy, thriving along the Tyrrhenian coast.
In this study, we compared various aspects of two populations of P. palinuri growing in different sites: one by the sea in the SAC Capo Palinuro (IT8050008) and the other about two kilometres inland in 'La Vaccuta,' SAC Fascia Interna di Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta (IT8050011).
Seed abundance, size, germination capability, and salt response were analysed. Seed counts and measurements were conducted using image analysis software. Germination responses were assessed at three at three alterning temperatures (6-15°C, 10-20°C, and 15-25°C) in the first experiment. Subsequently, seeds from both sites were subjected to increasing NaCl concentrations (0mM, 50mM, 100mM, 200mM, and 300mM) at 6-15°C and 10-20°C.
Both germination experiments took place in Petri dishes containing filter paper and distilled water.
No discernible differences in capsule and seed sizes were observed between the two sampling sites. However, the study revealed that higher temperatures and elevated salt concentrations negatively affected the germination rate in both populations, particularly in seeds from the innermost site. This suggests a preference for cooler regimes and higher tolerance to saline conditions in the sea-exposed population for optimal germination.
This research delved into the physiological and ecological adaptations of P. palinuri to its current environmental envelope, investigating how seed properties, temperature, and salinity stress influence seed germination potential. The findings provide promising insights that could significantly enhance conservation and management strategies for this species.

The study aimed to compare germination characteristics of two populations of Primula palinuri along the Tyrrhenian coast of southern Italy.

A thermodynamic approach to interpret the ecosystem complexity

Anna Testi — 2024-11-16

The authors present a thermodynamic outlook of some significant processes and phenomena in plant evolution and ecology. The same approach is attempted to exhibit the main steps starting from the vegetation science to the ecosystem studies.

Aim is not to write an usual article, but to propose a re-reading of methods and results in the vegetation research field offering a new point of discussion, in which changes in the entropy of systems are displayed in plants such as in human world.

According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, inanimate matter tends toward a continuous increasing of randomness and the accompanying spreading out of energy. The Living State appears to move in the opposite direction, generating ordered structures with low entropy and high negentropy/ syntropy.

At morpho-physiologic level the leaf represents the most specialized organ to capture sun energetic clean source making the photosynthesis the process through which the negentropy trend is recognizable. Syntropic structures and functions are also generated at the community and ecosystem level. Interestingly in studying ecosystem complexity, the ecoindicators application is comparable to a mind process which reduces “entropy” of the traditional vegetation analysis integrating it in a more suitable and efficient-syntropic- way.

Sandro Pignatti's collection in the library of the Department of enviromental biology

Tiziana Babusci — 2024-11-16

Library sciences study the specific value of Personal Collections preserved in libraries. It is crucial to valorise them and to make them accessible. Here we present the collection which was donated by Professor S. Pignatti to the Library of the Department of Environmental Biology. It contains rare reference materials, mainly concerning his extensive research in the fields of flora, vegetation, phytogeography and ecology, through which it is possible to follow one century of scientific history of what Pignatti has sometimes referred to as “the green belt of the planet”.

Relevance of public active participation to address the complexity of science-based issues, such as biodiversity loss

Antonella Ficorilli — 2024-11-16

In the light of the increasingly prominent role played by science in public life, the definition of a space for public participation is a key issue in the current relationship between science and society. This is especially true when science-based issues, which are often ethically sensitive and controversial, are at stake, such as environmental issues. The paper suggests the usefulness of an active role of the public together with researchers and policymakers in both the decision-making process and the activities to be carried out to address the complexity of current science-based issues, with a focus on the anthropogenic loss of biodiversity and the demand for its conservation and restoration.

Alien flora in freshwater ecosystems: basic knowledge for mitigating threats to native biodiversity in Lazio Region (central Italy)

Duilio Iamonico — 2024-11-16

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most biologically diverse on Earth providing essential ecosystem services for nature and society. Human impacts to lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and associated riparian habitats are dramatically reducing biodiversity and robbing critical natural resources and services. The degradation of freshwater ecosystems is more rapid than in terrestrial ones. Main anthropogenic threats include pollution, land-use change, and biological invasions. Regarding biological invasions, one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss at the global level, floristic lists represent fundamental step to help manage non native species.

Here we present the list of aliens occurring in freshwater ecosystems of Lazio region (central Italy) and their characterization.

The list includes 118 taxa (11.9% of the alien regional flora), belonging to 89 genera and 49 families). Richest families are Asteraceae (18 taxa; 15.2%) and Poaceae (10; 8.5%); richest genera are Amaranthus, Cyperus, Euphorbia, Oenothera, Symphyotrichum. Eleven taxa are listed among the worst European alien species. Therophytes, which usually suggest xeric conditions, are highly represented (30 taxa; 28.8%), highlighting their capability of adapting to diverse environmental conditions. The high proportion of taxa with a wide distribution (; 28, 23.7%) reveals the occurrence of r-selected species; 38 taxa (33.2%), native to the Americas, confirm the high migration and commercial flows between New and Old Worlds. In Several taxa occur in more than one habitat (acquatic, riparian, humid), with aquatic habitats including the highest percentage of invasive (27.3%). Most invasive species are: Alternanthera philoxeroides, Lemna minuta, Ludwigia peploides, Pontederia crassipes (free-floating macrophytes) and Arundo donax and Robinia pseudoacacia (terrestrial species). The number of invasive species decreases with inundation rates, whereas casual aliens increase. The analysis of Hydroecological regions shows a high percentage (33.3%) of invasive for HER13 (“Appennino Centrale”), probably due to the occurrence of industrial sites in the Sacco river valley (sounthern Lazio).

Phytochemical analysis on the leaves of Teucrium capitatum L. subsp. capitatum collected in the Botanical Garden of Rome

Claudio Frezza — 2024-11-16

In this paper, the phytochemical study on the leaves of Teucrium capitatum L. subsp. capitatum collected in the Botanical Garden of Rome was performed for the first time. Nine secondary metabolites were evidenced i.e., pheophytin a (1), verbascoside (2), alyssonoside (3), apigenin (4), cirsimaritin (5), cirsiliol (6), 8-O-acetyl-harpagide (7), teucardoside (8) and quinic acid (9). Their presence is perfectly in accordance with previously published general results on the species, thus confirming the phytochemical knowledge on the species.

Historical use of medicinal plants and future potential from phytotherapy to phitochemicals

Angelo Emilio Claro — 2024-11-16

Since the prehistoric times, humans have understood that plants, possessed healing abilities. The knowledge of herbal medicine has been accumulated for millennia by traditional healers and has been passed down from generation to generation. Phytotherapy has been used as the main therapy until the 18th century. Even today, between 40% and 80% of pharmaceuticals are phytochemicals or plant-derived and many of these have significantly altered or are still altering medical therapy. Most people in the world are or have been treated with phytochemicals or drugs derived from phytochemicals. Examples include antineoplastic agents (vinblastine, vincristine, etoposide, teniposide, paclitaxel, irinotecan, topotecan), antibiotics and antivirals (cephalosporins and oseltamivir), antiparasitics drugs (quinine and artemisinin), ICU drugs (morphine, neuromuscular blockers, ephedrine), cardiovascular drugs (digoxin, quinidine, atropine, reserpine), antidiabetics (metformin), and many others. Many of these agents are included in the WHO list of essential medicines. Plant-derived medicines have changed human history, contributing fundamentally to the survival and improved life expectancy of our species. Phytochemicals, derived from interactions between plants and the environment, are substances often created over millennia. If humans had not drawn on these substances for medical therapy, they would probably never have been able to produce such complex and effective substances in the treatment of disease. As knowledge of the healing properties of plants is present in traditional medicines, ancient manuscripts should be studied as potential sources of contemporary pharmacotherapy. Unfortunately, in recent years several trends have begun to threaten biodiversity and consequently also phytochemical resources. From this perspective, the "One Health" approach finds further justification and could also encourage the discovery of revolutionary new phytochemicals.

Manetti C. Letter from the Former Editor-in-Chief

Cesare Manetti — 2024-11-16

Dear Colleagues, Passionate researchers.

in my, albeit brief, experience as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Annali di Botanica I wanted to make an active contribution to its development by trying to bring to light important elements that have characterized the journal from the beginning.
It should not surprise you that I am a physical chemist, because several characteristics of Annali di Botanica can
be traced back to the systemic vision that characterizes this discipline, which make it a reference not only for the study of
ecosystems, but also for issues relating to solutions “nature based”, widely cited in terms of conservation, planning
and restoration of territories in a sustainable way as also
underline by the strategies to reach different Sustainable
Goals of the UN Agenda 2030.
Thus, together with the Editorial Committee, I wanted to
give, already with the 2023 issue and now with this one
which collects the 2024 articles, a multi-dimensional vision
of this reality already “distilled” by the subtitle of the
magazine “Coenology and plant ecology”: defining “ new
trajectories” with respect to which to collect contributions
from the various authors