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Allium paniculatum L. is commonly recorded from the Euro-Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions. Evidence from literature and herbarium collections revealed that many different taxa of A. sect. Codonoprasum Rchb., all characterized by big size, diffuse and densely flowered umbrella, very long spathe valves, long pedicels, and cylindrical-campanulate perigon, have been wrongly attributed to this species thus affecting records on its geographic distribution and morphological characterization. In order to define the true identity of A. paniculatum, we analyzed specimens coming from the type locality (Don River), and provided details on morphology, ecology, karyology, leaf anatomy, seed morphology and seed coat micro-sculpturing. Taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships with related species of sect. Codonoprasum and with other taxa of different sections were investigated by means of morphological characters and molecular data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) nrDNA and the trnH-psbA cpDNA region. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses of molecular data recovered two main clades in A. sect. Codonoprasum and clearly separated A. paniculatum from related taxa. The taxonomic implications of these patterns of relationships are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first study documenting in-depth phylogenetic relationships within A. sect. Codonoprasum.Key words: Allium paniculatum, A. sect. Codonoprasum, karyology, morphology, phylogeny, seed coat sculpturing, taxonomy.For a long time Allium paniculatum L. has been regarded as a remarkably variable species, counting a wide range of morphologically different forms. More than thirty taxa, at specific or lower rank, were included into the A. paniculatum complex, many of which have been gradually recognized as species. The most relevant diacritic characters of this group mainly regard gross size, length of spathes, shape of inflorescence, shape and morphology of some floral traits (Levan, 1937;Wilde-Duyfjes, 1976;Stearn, 1980). Describing A. paniculatum, Linnaeus (1759, pp. 978) just provided this short protologue: "A. caule subteretifolio umbellifero, pedunc. capillaribus effusis, stamin. subulatis, spatha longissima", which was also quoted in Linnaeus (1762, pp. 428). These few diagnostic characters often caused erroneous attributions of specimens and, based on literature and herbarium surveys, several taxa of A. sect. Codonoprasum Rchb., which usually exhibit big size, many-flowered and spread inflorescences, long pedicels, very long spathe valves, and cylindrical-campanulate perigon, have been improperly referred to A. paniculatum. As a matter of fact, the name A. paniculatum has been mistakenly applied to samples of A. dentiferum Webb & Berthel., A. fuscum Waldst. & Kit., A. oleraceum L., A. pallens L., A. tenuiflorum Ten., etc. (Brullo et al., 1991(Brullo et al., , 1996(Brullo et al., , 2001(Brullo et al., , 2003(Brullo et al., , 2008a).Due to these frequent misleading interpretations, main floras and taxonomic revisions on the genus...

Bituminaria basaltica is described and illustrated from Filicudi, an islet of the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). This new species, belonging to a small genus of Fabaceae occurring in the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands, is morphologically distinct from the other taxa in the following features: leaf shape and size, inflorescence size, petal colour, size and shape of flowers, pods and seeds. Its relationships with the known species of Bituminaria are examined and a key to the genus is provided.

Abstract.-A survey of the endemic flora of the Hyblaean territory, important centre of biodiversity and speciation in Sicily, is presented. The endemic flora of this area consists of 105 taxa. Among them, 39 are included in the IUCN Regional Red List and 32 in the National Red List, 17 Orchidaceae are protected by the CITES and 3 in the EU 92/43 Habitat Directive. The most represented families are Asteraceae and Orchidaceae (17%), Lamiaceae (10%). A large number of species are endemic to Sicily or central-southern Italy and Sicily. The endemic taxa exclusive to the Hyblaean territory are 20. Life form spectrum of the endemic flora indicates the predominance of geophytes (28.6%), chamaephytes (26.7%), hemicryptophytes (24.8%). The analysis of the habitat put in evidence that the endemics are widespread in garrigues, rocky walls and rocky coasts, dry grassland, woods and synantropic places. In this work, it's also provided an assessment of the conservation status of Hyblaean endemics and proposition for their protection.Key words : endemic flora -life forms -habitat -conservation status -Hyblaean territory -Sicily.Résumé.-Le territoire ibléen est un centre important pour la biodiversité et la spéciation en Sicile. Sa flore endémique représente 105 taxons. Beaucoup sont menacés par différentes activités humaines (agriculture intensive, urbanisation, pâturage, industrialisation). Parmi les taxons endémiques, 39 sont inclus dans la Liste rouge de l'UICN régionale et 32 dans la Liste rouge nationale, 17 Orchidaceae sont protégées par la CITES et 3 par la directive Habitat 92/43. Les familles les plus représentées sont: Asteraceae and Orchidaceae (17%), Lamiaceae (10%). Le spectre biologique de cette flore montre la dominance des géophytes (28,6%), chaméphytes (26,7%), hémicryptophytes (24,8%). L'analyse des habitats montre que les endémiques sont répandues dans les garrigues, parois rocheuses et côtes rocheuses, les prairies sèches, les bois et lieux anthropisés. Nous donnons une évaluation sur l'état de conservation des endé-miques de ce territoire et des propositions pour leur protection.Mots clés : flore endémique -formes de vie -habitat -état de conservationterritoire ibléen -Sicile.