The spread of critically endangered Anthemis tomentosa L. (Asteraceae) in southern Istria

Abstract

Croatian records of the critically endangered Anthemis tomentosa are very scarce. One population was known, from southernmost Istria, within the Significant Landscape Lower Kamenjak and Medulin Archipelago. First records from the 19th century were regarded as dubious, but the species was finally confirmed on Rt Franina (surroundings of Premantura) in the end of 90’ties. During our visits to southern Istria, we found four new localities of this species. The largest population was found in the area of Marlera (surroundings of Ližnjan), where A. tomentosa occurs along a four km long coastline. The species commonly occurs at the fringe between the coastal rock vegetation and calcareous grasslands, where the influence of salt spray is high. Observations have shown that A. tomentosa is threatened by anthropogenic influences and the population is spreading on Rt Franina since these influences have been reduced.