Fritillaria is a genus consisting of 130 to 140 species of bulbous plants, native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Generally viewed as an insect pollinated genus with the exception of two North American species, Fritillaria gentneri and F. recurva, which are described as hummingbird-pollinated and the Asian species, F. imperialis, described as passerine-pollinated. These pollinator shifts are possibly the result of adaptive changes to the structure and morphology of the nectary, as well as a change in the nectar concentration and composition. A study was conducted in a target group of 56 Fritillaria species, based on the morphology of their nectaries and nectar composition to assess the significance of pollination mode as well as its predisposition for the evolution of bird pollination. All species studied had nectaries located at their tepal base and produced nectar, but their size, shape, color, and composition all varied. Most fritillaries had hexose-rich nectar, in easily accessible and unprotected nectaries. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that the surface of the nectaries of most Fritillaria species was flat and clearly distinct from that of the surrounding tissues, which might be regarded as an adaptation for insect-pollination. Nectaries of F. imperialis were considerably larger and had dilute nectar without sucrose, which was produced profusely, thereby fulfilling the criteria characteristic of ornithophilous flowers. The copious nectar of presumed hummingbird-pollinated species was rather balanced and of medium sugar concentration. Their large lanceolate nectaries contrasted sharply with the tessellated background of their tepals. These characters might indicate a mixed pollination system that engages both birds and insects. Floral anatomy and microstructure and nectar composition for Fritillaria species in subgenera Korolkowia and Liliorhiza are studied for the first time.

Abstract:To investigate present and historical distribution of Equisetum ×moorei in Poland and its habitat requirements, field studies at sites of potential occurrence of this hybrid taxon as well as literature and herbarium search were performed. As a results of these investigations, E. ×moorei was found at five contemporary and at a few historical localities in the present territory of Poland. Since the Equisetum populations near Olkusz (S Poland) showed phenotype similar, to some extent, to triploid hybrid E. ×ascendens, we performed nuclear DNA content analysis of these populations. However, it turned out that the investigated individuals belonged to a diploid taxon that can be ascribed to E. ×moorei.

In this paper, an updated map of the distribution of Solidago ×niederederi, a natural hybrid between S. canadensis and S. virgaurea, in Poland is presented using the ATPOL cartogram method. A compiled list of 55 localities of the hybrid within 40 cartogram units (10-km squares) is provided and its negative impact on S. virgaurea is highlighted.

Carex ×kneuckeri (C. hirta × C. rostrata) is reported here for the first time to occur in southeastern Poland and central Europe. Although both parents are widespread and common species in Europe, the hybrid is extremely rare or overlooked, worldwide only known from France (one locality), Sweden (two localities) and now also Poland (one locality). Carex ×kneuckeri has the general appearance of C. rostrata, but has hairy utricles and hairy leaf sheaths, like C. hirta. Phylogenetic analysis of plastid matK and (cloned) nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences indicates a close relationship of C. ×kneuckeri with C. rostrata. The ITS alignment shows complex mutational patterns and a clear dominance of the C. rostrata sequence type, but also an indication of the presence of the C. hirta sequence type. As no original material of C. ×kneuckeri could be traced, a specimen from the Swedish Museum of Natural History (S) is chosen here as the neotype for this name.

This paper presents the information on the distribution of the moss Bryum gemmiferum R. Wilczek & Demaret in Poland. The first species site from southern Poland was published, but further research and revision of the herbarium materials provided information about its occurrence in different parts of the country. Currently, this species is known in 20 locations. A brief discussion about its ecology, taxonomy, and geographical distribution is given.