New species of the genus Asplenium L. (Aspleniaceae) for the flora of Europe and Russia

Analysis of ploidy and DNA content of Asplenium septentrionale s. l. from the Crimea, the Caucasus and Europe showed the presence of diploid forms. This allowed for the first time to draw a conclusion about the growth of Asplenium caucasicum (Fraser-Jenkins et Lovis) Viane in Europe and Russia, described from Asia. For the first time Asplenium onopteris L. was reorded in the North Caucasus.

Orchid viruses of natural Ukrainian flora

Virus infection greatly affects to the normal growth and reproductive intensity of orchid species in greenhouses. Peculiarities of ornamental orchid viruses has become known in different countries of the world while there is nothing known about orchid virus infection in natural flora of Europe, for example in Ukraine. After extensive virus detection of natural orchids of Ukraine (Carpathians, Crimea), some viruses infecting these plants in their natural inhabitance were determined.

Loiseleuria procumbens (Ericaceae) in the Spanish Pyrenees

The paper analyses the distribution and occurrence conditions of <em>Loiseleuria procumbens </em>in the Spanish Pyrenees. The species represents a typical arctic-alpine element in the flora of Europe. In the Pyrenees it reaches its southernmost European localities. The Pyrenean populations of the species are not numerous in the majority of the localities. <em>L. procumbens </em>occurs most frequently in the alpine and subalpine zones, at altitudes between 2100 and 2650 m, with a minimum at 1750 m and a maximum at 2900 m. It has been reported nearly exclusively in the siliceous substrata, and predominantly on the north-facing slopes, on the regosols and/or on flat tops of rocks. It forms its own communities, mostly included into the <em>Loiseleurio-Vaccinion</em> alliance, and rarely enters associations of the <em>Festucion airoidis</em> and <em>Rhododendro-Vaccinion </em>alliances. Its typical community, <em>Cetrario-Loiseleurietum </em>procumbentis, is found only in the eastern and central parts of the Spanish Pyrenees.

Taxonomy and distribution of Macrosciadium alatum (Bieb.) V. Tichomirov and Lavrova (Apiaceae): A new alien species in the flora of Europe

The paper presents the taxonomical position and the description of the characteristic features of <em>Macrosciadium alatum</em> (=<em>Ligusticum alatum</em>). The species was recorded in the Western Bieszczady Mts (the northern part of the Carpathians) in July 2007 and is new to the flora of Europe. Its natural range comprises mainly the Caucasus region and the origin of <em>M. alatum</em> in south-east Poland is quite puzzling. The species has most likely been deliberatelly brought into the area. <em>M. alatum</em> spreads quite intensively. It penetrates semi-natural vegetation systems and seems to be expansive.

Thomas Gaskell Tutin, 21 April 1908 - 7 October 1987

Thomas Gaskell Tutin will be remembered by countless botanists and naturalists for the great definitive flora of the British Isles, which appeared first in 1952 and which, aided by its field versions, has remained the source for nearly all taxonomic work ever since. Anyone who was a student at that time will recall the way in which the confusion that had reigned previously was suddenly stilled by the appearance of this orderly, scientific, easily usable volume. But those with wider interests will know the central role played by Tom Tutin in the much bigger flora of Europe, which began to appear in 1964 and was only completed when the fifth volume was published in 1980. It is by these two important works that he has given himself a major and enduring place in plant science.