Botanica Lithuanica, Volume 7, Number 3

2001 m.

The paper presents results of the investigations performed in Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University (KBGVMU) on anatomical characteristics of stem, leaf, and florets of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench). Circulating tissues are found in eustele. Primary cortex is composed of 2–3 layers of collenchyma cells. Medulla fills up to 64 % of stem volume. Medullar rays are narrow, composed of 2–4 cell layers. Walls of leaf epidermis cells are strongly waved. Stomata are of anomocytic type. Plants have glandular hairs of two types – unicellular and pluricellular. Ligular florets with oil glands. Oil glands are composed of 10–12 glandular cells arranged in two rows.

Keywords: Echinacea purpurea, stem, inflorescence, anatomy.

The chorology and ecology of Rumex confertus Willd. in the Czech Republic is reviewed. In Central Europe R. confertus behaves as an invasive adventive plant of Eastern migration route. In the Czech Republic four localities of the species, with the status ephemerophyte to epoecophyte occur. The locality Praha–Lochkov on the west margin of secondary distribution area of R. confertus was described. The plant is established in the above-mentioned locality in stands of the Arction lappae Tüxen 1937 em. Gutte 1972 alliance.

Keywords: Rumex confertus, chorology, ecology, adventive plant, introduction, ephemerophyte, epoecophyte, Czech Republic, Europe.

The paper includes research data (1987 and 2000) on the structure and phytomass of meadow communities on different parts of the slope of Lake Davilas (Utena district).

Keywords: meadows, communities, phytomass, structure, Aukstaiciai Upland, Lithuania.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) seed germination capacity in various genetic soil horizons, during natural regeneration of stands, and seedling growth at their initial development stage in plantations were studied. It was revealed that mineralisation of soil surface hinders the development of competitive herbs; however, does not eliminate their competition. Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seeds germinated best at the humic horizon on the bottom of a furrow. Pinus sylvestris seeds germinate under broader span of the genetic soil horizons than Picea abies seeds. The latter seeds do not germinate in humic or illuvial horizons in hillocks. Differences in seedling development under various genetic soil horizons are not significant. More intensive seedling development was observed in humic horizon as well as in litter mixed with humic and illuvial horizons.

Keywords: genetic soil horizons, seed germination, seedling development.

Forty-eight species and varieties of Myxomycetes were registered in 1999–2000 in the Viešvilė Strict Nature Reserve, south-western Lithuania, making a total of 121 species and varieties belonging to 34 genera known from the Reserve. Among them 22 species are new to Lithuania: Collaria elegans (Racib.) Dhillon et Nann.-Bremek., Comatricha cf. fragilis Meyl., Cribraria atmfusca G. W. Martin et Lovejoy, Cribraria aurantiaca Schrad., Cribraria intricata Schrad., Cribraria oregana H. C. Gilbert, Cribrariapurpurea Schrad., Cribraria pyriformis Schrad., Cribraria splendens (Schrad.) Pers., Diderma asteroides (Lister et G. Lister) G. Lister, Diderma cinereum Morgan, Diderma globosum Pers., Didymium nigripes (Link) Fr., Didymium ovoideum Nann.-Bremek., Oligonemaflavidum (Peck) Peck, Oligonema schweinitzii (Berk.) G. W. Martin, Physarum robustum (Lister) Nann.-Bremek., Stemonitopsis amoena (Nann.-Bremek.) Nann.-Bremek., Stemonitopsis gracilis (G. Lister) Nann.-Bremek., Stemonitopsis microspora (Lister) Nann.-Bremek., Symphytocarpus flaccidus (Lister) Ing et Nann.-Bremek., and Tubifera dictyoderma Nann.-Bremek. et Loer. Data on substrate and habitat are provided for all species, and notes on ecology for some species are also presented.

Keywords: Myxomycetes, field collections, Lithuania.

Investigations on pollution by micromycete propagules of various premises at a fur enterprise were carried out in 1996–1998. Numbers of airborne fungi in the industrial premises and offices were determined; 123 fungal species, ascribed to 41 genera, were isolated and identified. Harmfulness of the isolated fungi for health of employees was discussed. It was defined that specific microclimatic conditions, such as increased relative air humidity, dustiness, and high temperatures, form during technological processes; they are regarded as favorable for the development of some fungal species. While improving hygienic conditions of the workplaces special attention should be paid to particular premises (a fur soaking off-tanning, a sorting, a cutting-assembling shops) where propagules of pathogenic fungi (Blastomyces dermatitidis, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Candida albicans) were detected. Fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera prevailed in the air of the fur round-rolling shop. Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizomucor pusillus, Aspergillus niger,A. candidus, Penicillium expansum, Cladosporium herbarum, Arthroderma unicinatum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Culvularia lunata, Alternaria alternata, and Phialophora bubakii, generally regarded as opportunistic pathogens, were detected in all investigated premises. High numbers of airborne fungi propagules were detected in the cutting-assembling, sewing, and fur round-rolling shops.

Keywords: airborne fungi, species, indoors, fur processing, pathogenic, allergens.

The accuracy of measurements and its influence on reliability of statistical parameters is discussed. Possibility to employ different methods for calculation of statistical data (average, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, and reliability of difference) is described.

Keywords: biometric parameters, probability density function, average, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, reliability of difference.

Carex depressa Link subsp. transsilvanica (Schur) T. V. Egorova is a new species for the flora of Lithuania. It is described on the basis of specimens collected in the southern part of Lithuania. The solitary locality of C. tomentosa L. is known in the central part of Lithuania. Characteristics of habitats of both species are described and the map of distribution is presented.

Keywords: Carex depressa subsp. transsilvanica, Carex tomentosa, Lithuania.

Crossleaf heath (Erica tetralix L.) is extremely rare plant on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The northern border of Erica tetralix continuous distribution area goes through Poland, and several isolated isles are located in the Baltic countries and the Kaliningrad region. In Lithuania several sites of the species have been known since 1975 in Curonian spit near Pervalka. In 2000 new site was found by the author in Aukštumala bog (Šilutės district). The characteristics of the crossleaf heath growing site are presented.

Keywords: Erica tetralix, distribution, Lithuania.