I will publish the bibliography in two separate posts today or tomorrow because I can't summarize it in a single post with a maximum of 300 characters. 9/9

Of the six ribotypes identified by Mucciarelli et al., three come from the Turchino population—collected in a single site (Bric Geremia), which counts fewer than 50 plants. Such diversity in a small population is remarkable! #GeneticVariation #EndangeredPlants #PlantGenomics 8/9

Turchino and Paneveggio are nearly 400 km apart. How many millennia ago did gene flow stop between them? In other the Ligurian Turchino population also shows unusually high genetic variability… #PopulationGenetics #BotanyMystery #PlantScience 7/9

Surprisingly, Paneveggio plants are themselves closer to Turchino than to other Alpine populations. #GeneticDiversity #PlantEvolution #AlpineFlora 6/9

However, Turchino plants are genetically closer to populations in the central-eastern Alps, especially Paneveggio (Trentino Dolomites), than to nearby Italian populations... #PlantEvolution #AlpineFlora 5/9

One might assume these Turchino plants are Tephroseris italica Holub, present in nearby Northern Apennine areas and part of the T. longifolia group. That seemed like the simplest conclusion… #PlantBiogeography #AlpinePlants #Tephroseris 4/9

Recent research on Tephroseris balbisiana by Prof. Marco Mucciarelli’s team (University of Turin) shows these plants are only distantly related to T. balbisiana and belong to a clade including T. integrifolia (L.) Holub., Tephroseris crispa (Jacq.) Rchb. and others #Phylogenetics #BotanyResearch 3/9

For almost 40 years, plants in this small Ligurian Apennine area, between Passo del Turchino (588 m) and Bric del Dente (1109 m), were identified as Tephroseris balbisiana (DC.) Holub, an endemic of the Ligurian & Maritime Alps (France & Italy).
#AlpineFlora #Endemics #Botany 2/9

One might wonder: what is it doing a thousand kilometers away from the nearest Spanish locations? The distinction between the subspecies is based on both ecological factors and morphological traits, the most important being the biometric ratio between calyx and corolla. #Botany #Flora #Nature 3/3

Originally described as a Iberian taxon, with the nearest populations in N Spain (Cantabria), the Ligurian central populations of Ajuga pyramidalis were known to differ significantly from those in the rest of the region and Italy (belonging to subsp. pyramidalis). #Botany #Flora #Liguria #Nature 2/3

Despite their morphological and ecological differences (Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. incarnata being more thermophilic and less montane), the two subspecies are linked by a wide range of intermediate forms, sometimes difficult to assign to one or the other. #Orchids #Flora #Botany #Nature

Compared to Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. cruenta, which grows in similar habitats at higher altitudes, this plant has erect and elongated leaves that surpass the internodes with a distinctly cucullate apex. It is also taller, more slender, and usually has unspotted leaves. #Orchids #Flora #Botany

Compared to Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó subsp. incarnata, this plant is shorter and more robust, with subpatent leaves with non-cucullate apex and spots leaf-blade internally and externally. It also usually has slightly broader flower bracts. #Botany #Orchids #PlantIdentification #Flora #Nature

Compared to Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó subsp. incarnata, this plant is shorter and robust, with subpatent leaves with non-cucullate apex and spots leaf-blade internally and externally. It also usually has slightly broader flower bracts. #Botany #Orchids #PlantIdentification #Flora #Nature 2/3

It is a plant typical of neutral-basic peat bogs, with a wide distribution in the subarctic zone of Eurasia and in some mountainous areas of Southern and Central Europe. #Botany #Flora #PeatBogs #Nature #Eurasia 2/3

In these two photos, I've highlighted two key identification features: the thick, glaucescent leaf blade and the distinctly cylindrical corolla with blunt, truncated petals. #Botany #PlantIdentification #Flora #Nature #Aquilegia 2/2

In this latest post, I've tried to highlight, through photos, the morphology of the basal and cauline leaves, as well as the bracts with a distinct dark edge. #Botany #PlantMorphology #Flora #Nature #Photography 3/3

As with all daisies in the Leucanthemum vulgare group, identification can be tricky. It is possible only through leaf morphology and the shape of the phyllaries (scale-like involucral bracts) surrounding the flower head. #Botany #PlantIdentification #Flora #Daisies #Nature 2/3