Volume 67 (2022): Edizione 1 (October 2022)

Two subspecies of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn: subsp. aquilinum and subsp. pinetorum occurring in Poland have been studied with respect to their micromorphological traits, in order to facilitate their differentiation. The micromorphology of marginal sori typical to Pteridium are described. Differences were found in the width of the outer membrane of indusium, the features of its edge (straight/notched) and the size and shape of the indusium cells. Moreover, the differentiating features turned out to be the frequency and length of the cillia on the edge of the indusium.

Indigofera vicioides Jaub. & Spach (Fabaceae) is a paleotropical species and a rarely found legume of the Southern India. This was the first time it has been recorded in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. This article provides a detailed description of this finding together with images and field notes.

Juniperus oxycedrus L. and Pistacia lentiscus L. are two taxa with a rigid or rigid enough structure caused by a solid pericarp resulting in a strong inhibition of the germination. The objective of this work was to test the effectiveness of certain pre-germinative treatments on the germination rate of the Juniperus oxycedrus and Pistacia lentiscus seeds with the aim of restoring perturbed ecosystems. In this context 180 seeds from each of the 2 examined species were tested in the laboratory (the number of repetitions is 5, to reach the degree of freedom 'ddl'). The seeds were divided into 4 groups of 20 seeds of each species and were treated as follows: 1) Immersion in the concentrated (95%) sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) for 10, 30 and 60 minutes; 2) Mechanical scarification with a scalpel; 3) Soaking in hot water (at 100°C) for 30 seconds, 60 seconds and 2 minutes; 4) Cold stratification at 5°C for 24 hours. There is also a control group of 20 seeds representing each of the two species, which remained neutral. In the case of the Juniperus oxycedrus seeds the results showed that the germination rate improves after the mechanical scarification with a scalpel (92%), followed by the cold stratification with water (86%) and a treatment with a concentrated sulphuric acid for 60 minutes (82%). The seeds were treated with H₂SO₄ for 10 and 30 minutes, respectively, soaked in hot water; the control lot did not germinate. The germination rate for the Pistacia lentiscus seeds is 88% after the mechanical scarification and 84% after the cold water stratification. On the other hand, the treatment with H₂SO₄ or after soaking in hot water does not allow for the germination of these seeds. The same result is observed on the control group (0% for 30 days).

Vatica chinensis L. is an endangered Dipterocarp, sparsely confined to the west-coastal regions of the Kerala and Karnataka part of the Western Ghats, especially in the sacred groves and the agro-ecosystems. The current population structure and distribution of the species in the Western Ghats region is poorly studied. Hence, the study attempts to assess the status of the existing populations and their potential distribution by using the Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM). The results indicated that the populations of Vatica chinensis were present outside the forest areas, with a very scattered distribution. Three large populations were identified in the Malabar region, especially in the sacred groves of poyilkavu, muchukunukavu and in the premises of the parappanangadi railway station. The poyilkavu sacred grove showed a higher density (68) compared to the other two sites. The potential distribution prediction, using the ENM, showed a higher probability in the central part of the Western Ghats and a moderate one in the northern part of the Western Ghats region. Furthermore, the high habitat specificity, the restricted distribution along with the anthropogenic intervention (construction of roads and railway lines) has significantly reduced the existing populations of Vatica chinensis. Therefore, urgent interventions are required to restore the populations of this endangered species. As part of initiating the restoration activity we have identified the potential niches and also raised sufficient seedlings for the restoration.