Title: Achillea pratensis (Asteraceae) - a recently recognized speciesof the Czech flora
Abstract: Milfoils (Achillea millefolium agg.) of the Czech Republic were
studied in the field as well as in most of the Czech herbaria.
Achillea pratensis Saukel et Langer, recently described from
Austria, was found to be common in the Czech Republic. Its
occurrence was confirmed by chromosome counts (2n = 36) in 74
plants from 26 localities, and more than 240 herbarium
specimens of this species were revised. Using canonical
discriminant analysis, seasonal variation of A. pratensis was
analysed. The first generation (spring) and second generation
(summer) shoots proved to be morphologically different (they
can be separated mainly by number of nodes, plant height, leaf
width, and bract length). Thus, the description of the species
provided by Saukel et Langer had to be modified to include
spring shoots. Morphological and taxonomic delimitations from
other tetraploids (A. collina Rchb.) have not yet been
satisfactorily defined. Also, taxonomic relationships to A.
tenuis Schur described from Transylvania as well as to A.
submillefolium Klokov et Krytzka described recently from the
Ukraine remain to be clarified. The phytosociological affinity
of A. pratensis in the Czech Republic is documented by 18
releves. The species is confined mainly to mesophilic meadows
of the alliance Arrhenatherion W. Koch 1926, to grasslands such
as street and garden lawns which can be classified only to the
order Arrhenatheretalia Tuxen 1931, as well as to continental
flood-plain meadows of the alliance Cnidion venosi
Balatova-Tulackova 1965. Sympatric occurrence of several
Achillea taxa of different ploidy levels was observed at
several localities and the presence of natural hybrids (A.
millefolium x A. pratensis; 2n = 45) was indicated at two sites
by chromosome counts.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot