Exclusion of Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. (Saxifragaceae) and Vinca major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova (Apocynaceae) from the vascular flora of Italy

the journal of biodiversity data NOTES ON GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 1271 Academic editor: Robert Philipp Wagensommer Received: 27 August 2025 Accepted: 21 November 2025 Published: 19 December 2025 Copyright © The author. This is an open‑access article distributed under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Attribution 4.0 International – CC BY 4.0) Abstract. In this paper, which is based on literature surveys, revision of historical herbarium specimens, fieldwork, and morphometric analyses, the exclusion of Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. and Vinca major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova from Italy are proposed. This allows to update both the Italian vascular flora and the global distribution for both taxa, which must be considered endemic to the Balkans. This research also underscores the importance of herbaria to gain a deeper understanding of plant biodiversity worldwide. Key words. Endemic taxon, field research, floristic updates, herbaria revisions, literature surveys, vascular plants Stinca A (2025) Exclusion of Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. (Saxifragaceae) and Vinca major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova (Apocynaceae) from the vascular flora of Italy. Check List 21 (6): 1271– 1288. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Introduction Within Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al. 2000), after Turkey (Uludağ et al. 2017), Italy is the country with the greatest native floristic diversity (Stinca et al. 2021; Bartolucci et al. 2023). Italy’s primacy is due first of all to its environmental heterogeneity (e.g. it shows a wide altitudinal range of about 4,810 m and the coexistence of three biogeographical regions, namely Alpine, Continental, and Mediterranean; EEA 2025). Furthermore, the work carried out by botanists (particularly expert in floristics and plant taxonomy) since the 15th century has also contributed to increasing the level of floristic knowledge. In fact, in Italy there is a long tradition of floristic studies (Stinca et al. 2021), which has led over time to the publication of many national floras which are still essential references for all botany scholars. In the last decades many new plant taxa, both native and exotic, have been reported for the first time (e.g. Wagensommer et al. 2014a; Stinca et al. 2016) or described as new for Italy (e.g. Perrino et al. 2018; Conti et al. 2023). This has allowed a great improvement in floristic knowledge, both at national and local level, and the recent publication of a new flora of Italy (i.e. that is, a complete work that includes identification keys of families, genera and species, as well as detailed descriptions of the species report for Italy in the wild as native and exotic; Pignatti et al. 2017a, 2017b, 2018, 2019). The progress of knowledge has also allowed publication of the new checklists of the vascular flora native and exotic (Bartolucci et al. 2024; Galasso et al. 2024). As for the native flora, the latest inventory includes 8,241 species and subspecies belonging to 1,111 genera and 153 families. Also noteworthy is the endemic component of the Italian flora, which is composed of 1,702 taxa, which is more than 20% of the total flora. Also important is the occurrence of many species that extend their geographic distribution just beyond national borders (e.g. endemic to the Alps and amphi-Adriatic). Furthermore, the Italian territory hosts the loci classici of 2,631 endemic and non-endemic vascular plants (Peruzzi et al. 2019) and, of these, the type localities of endemics are mostly present within the Mediterranean biogeographic region (Brundu et al. 2017). Despite the studies carried out by researchers even in very recent times (Domina et al. 2025), the occurrence of some species in Italy is very doubtful and worthy of further investigation. To improve the knowledge of the Italian vascular flora and partially fill the gaps in his knowledge, in this paper I highlight the lack of evidence demonstrating the occurrence in Italy, even in the past, 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 21 (6): 1271–1288. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Exclusion of Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. (Saxifragaceae) and Vinca major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova (Apocynaceae) from the vascular flora of Italy Adriano Stinca1 1 Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy Correspondence: [email protected] Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1272 of Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. (Saxifragaceae) and Vinca major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova (Apocynaceae). Methods The study is based on literature surveys, herbaria revisions, fieldwork, and morphometric analyses for both taxa. The analyzed literature concerns both the original bibliographic sources (i.e. Cavara and Grande 1913 for S. taygetea and Trinajstić 1991 for V. major subsp. balcanica) and the subsequent relevant bibliographic sources (for details see Results and Discussion below). The herbaria I have selected for tracing and/or review of specimens are Herbariun Neapolitanum (NAP), Herbarium Göttingen (GOET), and Herbarium of Naturalis Biodiversity Center of Leiden (WAG) for of S. taygetea, while for V. major subsp. balcanica I investigated the collections of the Herbarium Croaticum (ZA), Herbarium of the Croatian Natural History Museum (CNHM), and Herbarium Ivo and Marija Horvat (ZAHO) (acronyms according to Thiers 2025). I also analyzed the high-resolution digital photographs of other herbarium specimens preserved in many European institutional herbaria (B, BR, CAT, COI, GOET, K, L, MO, P, PI, TCD, WAG), most of which are available on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF Secretariat 2025a). These herbarium vouchers are listed in the “Further herbarium specimens examined” paragraphs (since the historical samples lack geographical coordinates, these have been added, derived from modern sources and enclosed in square brackets). The fieldwork was conducted from 2000 to 2025 in Italy, especially in several localities within central and southern Italian administrative regions (about 88,000 km2), namely Molise (i.e. Mount Campo, Prato Gentile, Matese Mountains), Campania (i.e. Matese Mountains, Roccamonfina Volcano, Trebulani Mountains, Tifatini Mountains, Campi Flegrei, Mount Vesuvio, Lattari Mountains, Picentini Mountains, Partenio Mountains, Irpinia, Taburno-Camposauro massif, Mount Vesole, Mount Alburno, Mount Motola, Mount Cervati, Maddalena Mountains, Vallo di Diano, Volturno Plain, Sarno Plain, Sele Plain, Cilento Coast, Ischia Island, Procida Island, Vivara Island, Capri Island), Basilicata (i.e. Mount Santa Croce, Maddalena Mountains, Sirino-Papa massif, Mount Alpi, Pollino massif), Puglia (i.e. Daunia Mountains, Murge, Gargano massif), Calabria (i.e. Pollino massif, Sila massif, Serre, Dino Island, Cirella Island), and Sicilia (i.e. Lipari Island, Panarea Island, Sicani Mountains, Nebrodi Mountains, Mount Etna, Marettimo Island, Levanzo Island, Mount San Giuliano, Mount Cofano, Capo Peloro, Pantelleria Island). This allowed me to verify both the presence of the aforementioned taxa and to collect new herbarium specimens currently preserved in the Herbarium Austroitalicum of the University of Campania Luigi Vantitelli (IT). To evaluate the morphological differences between the specimens collected in Italy (previously identified as S. taygetea [4 specimens] and V. major subsp. balcanica [4 specimens]) and related species, morphometric analyses on a total of 74 selected herbarium samples have been performed (including 20 specimens Table 1. List of selected herbarium samples on which morphometric analyses have been performed. Herbarium sample Taxon No. of specimens measured Origin NAP 5757 S. cfr. taygetea 4 Italy BR 35675815 S. taygetea 1Balkans BR 35675839 S. taygetea 1Balkans GOET 11170 S. taygetea 2Balkans K 4461421 S. taygetea 2Balkans K 4461422 S. taygetea 1Balkans K 4461423 S. taygetea 2Balkans K 4461424 S. taygetea 1Balkans K 4461428 S. taygetea 1Balkans K 4461429 S. taygetea 4Balkans K 4461431 S. taygetea 2Balkans K 4461436 S. taygetea 1Balkans PI 17075 S. taygetea 2Balkans IT 4876 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 2 Italy IT 9317 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy IT 9318 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy IT 9321 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy IT 9322 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy IT 9350 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 2 Italy IT 9351 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 2 Italy IT 9375 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy IT 9376 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy Herbarium sample Taxon No. of specimens measured Origin PI-GUAD 17056 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy PI-GUAD 17057 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy PI-GUAD 17059 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy PI-GUAD 17063 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy PI-GUAD 17064 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy PI-GUAD 17065 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 1 Italy PI-GUAD 17069 S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia 2 Italy CNHM 80448 V. m. cfr. subsp. balcanica 4 Italy MO 5159373 V. m. subsp. balcanica 4Balkans IT 4740 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 4741 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 7295 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 9296 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 9297 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 9298 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 9308 V. m. subsp. major 2 Italy IT 9309 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 9310 V. m. subsp. major 1 Italy IT 9338 V. m. subsp. major 3 Italy IT 9340 V. m. subsp. major 2 Italy IT 9341 V. m. subsp. major 3 Italy IT 9342 V. m. subsp. major 2 Italy Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1273 of S. taygetea from Balkans, 20 specimens of S. rotundifolia L. subsp. rotundifolia from southern Italy, 4 specimens of V. major subsp. balcanica from Balkans, and 20 specimens of V. major subsp. major from southern Italy) (Table 1). For this purpose, 17 quantitative characters (i.e. 8 for Saxifraga group and 9 for Vinca group) considered by several authors (Boissier 1849; Pénzes 1962; Stearn 1972; Webb 1987; Tutin et al. 1993; Koyuncu 2012; Csiky and Purger 2013; Koyuncu et al. 2015; Pils 2016; Pignatti et al. 2018; Zhang et al. 2021, 2024) to be of good taxonomic value in the groups studied were selected (Tables 2, 3). The variability of all selected characters was described by standard statistical parameters (mean and standard deviation) and expressed by box plots. As the morphometric dataset included many traits with deviations from normality (assessed with the Shapiro–Wilk test), the non-parametric statistical Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05) were used for evaluated the morphological differences between analyzed specimens for each quantitative character. All statistical analyses were performed using XLSTAT v. 2025.2.0 (Lumivero 2025). Results Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr., in P.E.Boissier, Diagn. Pl. Orient. 10: 19 (1849) Materials examined. ITALY — Basilicata • Lucania, Monte Papa alla Scala dei Monaci; [40.1315°N, 15.8331°E]; about 1830 m a.s.l.; 19.VIII.1908; F. Cavara and L. Grande leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L. var. taygetea (Boiss. et Heldr.); NAP 5757 (Figure 1). Identification. Following to pertinent literature (Boissier 1849; Webb 1987; Tutin et al. 1993; Pils 2016), S. taygetea is distinguished from S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia by having a maximum height of 20 cm (vs. up to 50 cm), and the largest basal leaves up to 2.5 cm wide (vs. at least 2.5 cm), with 5–11 crenations or teeth (vs. at least 15). Morphometric analysis of the herbarium specimens I selected confirmed the validity of these morphological characters (Table 2, Figure 2A, C, E; Dunn’s post hoc test: p < 0.01). According to my data, the individuals collected by Cavara and Grande on Monte Papa (Italy) (NAP 5757) cannot be identified as S. taygetea as they do not have the above-mentioned characteristics. Indeed, these samples showed clear morphological differences with the Balkan samples of S. taygetea (i.e. width, length, and number of dentations or crenations of basal leaves, Figure 2C–E), while no significant statistical difference was observed with the S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia samples collected in Italy for almost all selected characters. In fact, small differences only concerned the plant height, number of flowers for each inflorescence, and inflorescence length (Table 2, Figure 2A, G, H). For these three characters, the high standard deviation values for both taxa (Table 2) suggest the need to collect many samples to attempt their taxonomic identification. A detailed description of the samples collected by Cavara and Grande on Monte Papa (NAP 5757) is provided below. Perennial, rhizomatous, hairy plant, with erect stem, up to 22.3 cm tall. Simple and alternate leaves, mostly gathered at the base of the stem with remains of dry leaves; the basal leaves are petiolate (up to 5.5 cm), reniform (up to 3.2 cm wide and 2.7 cm long) with a crenate-dentate margin and a whitish edge; the cauline leaves are progressively smaller with a dentate margin; the upper leaves are sessile and 3-lobed. Flowers are 5–10, arranged in panicle (2.0–6.7 cm long) at the apex of the stem; petals missing; stamens 5, 5–6 mm long. Capsule 5–6 mm long, with 2 divergent styles each 1.0–1.5 mm long. Table 2. Comparison of morphological characters between Saxifraga cfr. taygetea from Italy and related taxa (i.e. S. taygetea Boiss. & Heldr., and S. rotundifolia L. subsp. rotundifolia). Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. Asterisks after the p-value indicate significant differences between data sets (Kruskal–Wallis test, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). Characters S. cfr. taygetea from Italy S.taygetea S. rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia Kruskal–Wallis test Plant height (cm) 15.0 ± 5.0 16.4 ± 5.1 31.2 ± 11.3 p < 0.0001** Petiole length in basal leaf (cm) 4.1 ± 1.1 4.5 ± 2.3 5.9 ± 2.2 p = 0.074 Basal leaf width (cm) 2.9 ± 0.3 1.6 ± 0.5 4.1 ± 1.7 p < 0.0001** Basal leaf length (cm) 2.4 ± 0.2 1.3 ± 0.4 3.5 ± 1.4 p < 0.0001** Number of dentations or crenations in basal leaf (n.) 12.0 ± 1.4 8.2 ± 1.9 16.2 ± 15.0 p < 0.0001** Number of stem leaves (excluding the flower bracts; n.) 2.5 ± 1.7 1.5 ± 1.1 2.4 ± 1.0 p < 0.048* Number of flowers for each inflorescence (n.) 7.3 ± 2.1 6.7 ± 3.8 30.9 ± 20.1 p < 0.0001** Inflorescence length (cm) 4.4 ± 1.9 5.5 ± 3.2 13.8 ± 7.6 p = 0.001** Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1274 Further herbarium specimens examined Saxifraga taygetea. ALBANIA — Gjirokastër • Badelania, Nimercka, Pumati; 22.VII.1894; A. Baldacci leg.; cliffs; K 4461429 (GBIF occurrence 5152207757) • Bresaui, Bsumerka; 24.VII.1895; A. Baldacci leg.; among the wet rocks; sub Saxifraga rotundif. L. v. taygetea Boiss.; K 4461428 (GBIF occurrence 5152215768) • Nemerçka Range, above Aiovishde; alt. 5800 ft a.s.l.; 22.VI.1933; A.H.G. Alston and N.Y. Sandwith leg.; limestone rocks in upper slopes; K 4461431 (GBIF occurrence 5152188786) • Nemerçka; alt. 2000 m a.s.l.; 07.VII.1937; R.V. Pennington leg.; K 4461423 (GBIF occurrence 5152170774) • Summit of Nemercka range; alt. 6000 feet a.s.l.; 07.VII.1937; R.V. Pennington leg.; K 4461422 (GBIF occurrence 5152172779). GREECE — Central Greece • Mount Parnassus, Alpin region; [38.5355°N, 22.6216°E]; VIII.1832; T.H.H. von Heldreich leg.; WAG 4799 (isotype!) (GBIF occurrence 2517675982) • Mount Parnassus, Alpin region; [38.5355°N, 22.6216°E]; 18.VIII.1856; T.H.H. von Heldreich leg.; shady cliff; L 1880047 (GBIF occurrence 2514160281) • Mount Parnassus, Alpin region; [38.5355°N, 22.6216°E]; Figure 1. Exsiccatum collected on Monte Papa (Italy) and identified as Saxifraga taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. by Cavara and Grande preserved in NAP (n. 5757). Photo by courtesy of the Herbarium Neapolitanum. Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1275 18.VIII.1856; Heldreich leg.; COI 60899 (GBIF occurrence 2598801635) • Mount Korax, Alpin region; [38.6474°N, 22.2545°E]; alt. 6000’–7680’; 23.VII.1879; T. Heldreich leg.; BR 35675839 (GBIF occurrence 4073003713) • Mount Korax, Alpin region; [38.6474°N, 22.2545°E]; alt. 6000’–7680’; 23.VII.1879; T. Heldreich leg.; K 4461424 (GBIF occurrence 5152211771) • Mount Korax, Alpin region; [38.6474°N, 22.2545°E]; alt. 6000’–7680’; 23.VII.1879; T. Heldreich leg.; K 4461435 (GBIF occurrence Figure 2. Box plots showing morphological variation between analyzed specimens of Saxifraga cfr. taygetea Boiss. & Heldr. collected on Monte Papa (Italy) by Cavara and Grande (left), S. taygetea from Balkan (center), and S. rotundifolia L. subsp. rotundifolia from southern Italy (right). Outlined central box depicts middle 50% of data, extending from 25th and 75th percentiles, and horizontal bar is the median. Ends of vertical lines (or “whiskers”) indicate minimum and maximum data values. Circles indicate outliers. Asterisks after the p-value indicate significant differences between data sets (Dunn’s post hoc test: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). A. Plant height (cm). B. Petiole length in basal leaf (cm). C. Basal leaf width (cm). D. Basal leaf length (cm). E. Number of dentations or crenations in basal leaf (n.). F. Number of stem leaves (excluding the flower bracts; n.). G. Number of flowers for each inflorescence (n.). H. Inflorescence length (cm). Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1276 5152214781) • Mount Parnassus, Alpin region; [38.5355°, 22.6216°]; VII.1886; T.G. Orphanides leg.; P 2920050 (GBIF occurrence 438053658) — Peloponnese • Taygetos; [36.9532°N, 22.3507°E]; VII.1844; T.H.H. von Heldreich leg.; GOET 11170 (isotype!) (GBIF occurrence 1638453088) • Mount Taygetos, Alpin region; [36.9532°N, 22.3507°E]; ad rupes; VI.1870; T.G. Orphanides leg.; PI 17075 (GBIF occurrence 3704088379) • Mount Taygetos, Alpin region (loco classico); [36.9532°N, 22.3507°E]; VIII.1897; K 4461448 (GBIF occurrence 5152177782) • Mount Taygetos, Alpin region; [36.9532°N, 22.3507°E]; VIII.1897; K 4461436 (GBIF occurrence 5152209788) • Trikkala, Peloponessos; [37.9885°N, 22.4659°E]; alt. ca. 2200 m a.s.l.; 24.VII.1938; O. Grebenchikoff leg.; on the rocks / in humid places; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia v. taygetea; K 4461442 (GBIF occurrence 5152206795) — Western Greece • Kalabryta, Peloponessos; [38.0332°N, 22.1103°E]; alt. ca. 2200 m a.s.l.; 30.VII.1938; O. Grebenchikoff leg.; on the rocks / in humid places; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia v. taygetea; K 4461421 (GBIF occurrence 5152184798) • Chelmos (Aroania), Mt. Krya Vryssis; 25.VI.1949; C.N. Goulimy leg.; K 4461449 (GBIF occurrence 5152183795) — Epirus • Metsovon; [39.7702°N, 21.1828°E]; alt. 1500 m a.s.l.; 12.VII.1985; C. Évrard leg.; edge of a waterfall; BR 35675815 (GBIF occurrence 4072923497). Saxifraga rotundifolia subsp. rotundifolia. ITALY — Campania • Montevergine; [40.9423°N, 14.7184°E]; 26.VI.1897; M. Guadagno leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L.; PI-GUAD 17061 (GBIF occurrence 3704 088372) • Mount Mutria, Matese Mts.; [41.3833°N, 14.5175°E]; 28.VI.1898; M. Guadagno leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L.; PI-GUAD 17065 (GBIF occurrence 3704088386) • Mount S. Angelo a 3 Pizzi towards Pimonte; [40.6474°N, 14.5064°E]; 15.V.1898; M. Guadagno leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L.; PI-GUAD 17059 (GBIF occurrence 3704088369) • Mount Sacro di Novi; [40.2174°N, 15.3354°E]; alt. 1200 m a.s.l. up to the summit; 15.VII.1907; M. Guadagno leg.; grassy and shady places; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L. v. repanda W.; PI-GUAD 17063 (GBIF occurrence 3704088370) • Mount Sacro di Novi; [40.2174° N, 15.3354°E]; alt. 1600–1700 m a.s.l.; 15.VII.1907; M. Guadagno leg.; rocks under the beech trees; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L.; PI-GUAD 17069 (GBIF occurrence 3704088385) • Sorgente dell’Acqua Fredda, Stabiani Mts.; without collection date; M. Guadagno leg.; sub Saxifraga repanda Willd.; PI-GUAD 17057 (GBIF occurrence 3704088373) • Mount Cerreto, cliffs below the summit towards Tramonti; [40.6923°N, 14.5902°E]; without collection date; M. Guadagno leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L.; PI-GUAD 17064 (GBIF occurrence 3704088364) • Monte S. Vergine, near Avellino; [40.9423°N, 14.7184°E]; 30.V.1959; shady bank near the church, D.A. Webb leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L. [var. apennina D.A.Webb]; TCD 18103 holotype • Pietramelara, Mount Maggiore, locality Pizzo San Salvatore; 41.2371°N, 14.1967°E; alt. 858–1037 m a.s.l.; 05.V.2017; A. Stinca and M. Ravo leg.; broadleaf forest; IT 4876 • Cava de’ Tirreni, locality Lucinale; 40.7046°N, 14.6721°E; 468 m a.s.l.; 15.V.2025; A. Stinca leg.; limestone cliff at the edge of the beech forest; IT 9350 • Cava de’ Tirreni, locality Lucinale; 40.7046°N, 14.6721°E; 468 m a.s.l.; 15.V.2025; A. Stinca leg.; limestone cliff at the edge of the beech forest; IT 9351 • Monte San Giacomo, between locality Vallescura and Rifugio Monte Cervati; 40.2879°N, 15.4771°E; alt. 1356 m a.s.l.; 01.VI.2025; A. Stinca leg.; limestone cliff at the edge of the beech forest; IT 9321 • Monte San Giacomo, between locality Vallescura and Rifugio Monte Cervati; 40.3003°N, 15.4966°E; alt. 1356 m a.s.l.; 01.VI.2025; A. Stinca leg.; limestone cliff at the edge of the beech forest; IT 9322 • Sanza, between the peak of the Mount Cervati and Santuario della Madonna della Neve; 40.2882°N, 15.4762°E; alt. 1820 m a.s.l.; 21.VI.2025; A. Stinca leg.; limestone cliff at the edge of the beech forest; IT 9317 • Sanza, between the peak of the Mount Cervati and Santuario della Madonna della Neve; 40.2882°N, 15.4762°E; alt. 1820 m a.s.l.; 21.VI.2025; A. Stinca leg.; limestone cliff at the edge of the beech forest; IT 9318 — Basilicata • Monte Sirino; [40.1327°N, 15.8361°E]; 22.VI.1995; R. Galesi leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia L.; CAT 107590 (https://cat.unict.it/ omeka-s/s/orto-botanico-ed-herbarium/item/76700) — Calabria • Serra San Bruno, Bosco S. Maria; [38.5526°N, 16.3127°E]; 1100 m a.s.l.; 15.V.1917; M. Guadagno leg.; sub Saxifraga repanda W.; PI-GUAD 17056 (GBIF occurrence 3704088374) • Vallone Cecita; 39.3875°N, 16.5638°E; alt. 1150–1250 m a.s.l.; 13.VI.1997; G. Cesca and others leg.; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia; B 10 1252335 (GBIF occurrence 4444401799) • Serra San Bruno, locality Bosco Archiforo, Pietra del Signore; 38.5516°N, 16.3430°E; alt. 1080 m a.s.l.; 27.V.2024; A. Stinca leg.; edges of a stream inside the forest dominated by Abies alba Mill.; IT 9075 • Serra San Bruno, locality Bosco Archiforo, Pietra del Signore; 38.5516°N, 16.3430°E; alt. 1080 m a.s.l.; 27.V.2024; A. Stinca leg.; edges of a stream inside the forest dominated by Abies alba Mill.; IT 9076 — Sicilia • Messina; [38.1937°N, 15.5542°E]; without collection date; F. Tornabene leg.; in humid and calcareous areas; sub Saxifraga rotundifolia Lin.; CAT 4705 (https://cat.unict.it/ omeka-s/s/orto-botanico-ed-herbarium/item/14770). Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1277 Vinca major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova, Fl. Nar. Republ. Bulgariya 8: 427 (1982) Materials examined. ITALY — Campania • Vallo di Lucania; [40.2305°N, 15.2652°E]; 14.VI.1987; I. Trinajstić leg.; sub Vinca balcanica Pénzes; CNHM 80448 (four herbarium sheets) (Figure 3). Identification. In accordance with the available bibliographic sources (Pénzes 1962; Stearn 1972; Pils 2016; Pignatti et al. 2018), V. major subsp. balcanica is distinguished from V. major subsp. major by having the flowering stem up to 12 cm long (vs. up to 30 cm), and largest leaves up to 2.0 wide and 5.0 cm long (vs. up to 6 cm wide and 9 cm long). Morphometric analysis of the herbarium specimens I selected confirmed the validity of these morphological characters (Table 3, Figure 4A, C, D; Dunn’s post hoc test: p < 0.01). Based on my results, the individuals collected by Trinajstić in Vallo delle Lucania (Italy) (CNHM 80448) cannot be identified as V. major subsp. balcanica as they do not have the Figure 3. A. Exsiccatum collected in Vallo della Lucania (Italy) and identified as Vinca balcanica Pénzes by Trinajstić preserved in CNHM (n. 80448). B. Same specimen shown in the Trinajstić’s paper (1991). Photo by courtesy of the Herbarium of the Croatian Natural History Museum. Table 3. Comparison of morphological characters between Vinca major cfr. subsp. balcanica individuals from Italy and related taxa (i.e. V. major L. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova, and V. major L. subsp. major). Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. Asterisks after the p-value indicate no significant differences between data sets (Kruskal–Wallis test, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). Characters V. major cfr. subsp. balcanica from Italy V. major subsp. balcanica V. major subsp. major Kruskal–Wallis test Flowering stem length (cm) 54.3 ± 12.2 10.0 ± 1.8 39.9 ± 14.8 p = 0.002** Number of nodes (n.) 8.5 ± 1.1 4.5 ± 0.6 8.2 ± 1.6 p = 0.007** Median stem leaf width (cm) 2.1 ± 0.2 1.2 ± 0.1 2.4 ± 0.6 p = 0.005** Median stem leaf length (cm) 4.5 ± 0.5 2.0 ± 0.3 4.1 ± 0.9 p = 0.004** Petiole length in median stem leaf (cm) 0.8 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1 0.7 ± 0.2 p = 0.004** Calyx-lobes length (cm) 0.7 ± 0.1 0.7 ± 0.1 0.9 ± 0.2 p = 0.090 Corolla tube length (cm) 1.0 ± 0.0 1.0 ± 0.3 1.3 ± 0.2 p = 0.090 Diameter of the corolla lobes (cm) 1.4 ± 0.0 3.2 ± 0.3 3.3 ± 0.7 p = 0.223 Flower peduncle length (cm) 1.4 ± 0.0 2.7 ± 0.4 3.0 ± 0.9 p = 0.227 Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1278 Figure 4. Box plots showing morphological variation between analyzed specimens of Vinca major L. cfr. subsp. balcanica (Pénzes) Kozuharov & A.V.Petrova collected in Vallo della Lucania (Italy) by Trinajstić (left), V. major subsp. balcanica from Balkan (center), and V. major subsp. major from southern Italy (right). Outlined central box depicts middle 50% of data, extending from 25th and 75th percentiles, and horizontal bar is the median. Ends of vertical lines (or “whiskers”) indicate minimum and maximum data values. Circle indicates outlier. Asterisks after the p-value indicate significant differences between data sets (Dunn’s post hoc test: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). A. Flowering stem length (cm). B. Number of nodes (n.). C. Median stem leaf width (cm). D. Median stem leaf length (cm), E. Petiole length in median stem leaf (cm). F. Calyx-lobes length (cm). G. Corolla tube length (cm). H. Diameter of the corolla lobes (cm). I. Flower peduncle length (cm). Check List 21 (6) · https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1271 Stinca · Exclusion of two vascular plant taxa from Italy 1279 above-mentioned characteristics. Indeed, these samples showed clear morphological differences with the Balkan samples of V. major subsp. balcanica (i.e. flowering stems length, median stem leaves width [although not statistically significant] and length, number of nodes, and petiole length in median stem leaves, Figure 4A–E), while no significant statistical difference was observed with the V. major subsp. major samples collected in Italy for all selected characters (Table 3, Figure 4). I would like to point out that the corolla measurements performed on the sample stored in CNHM are not very reliable as the plant material was not well dried. A detailed description of the samples collected by Trinajstić in Vallo della Lucania (CNHM 80448) is provided below. Perennial herb, with ascending or procumbent stems up to 72.3 cm long, with 7–10 nodes. Opposite, simple and petiolate (petiole up to 0.9 cm) leaves, the largest ones placed in the centre of the stem with ovate blade (up to 2.2 cm wide and 5.0 cm long) and an entire and ciliate margin. Flowers are solitary and pedunculated in leaf-axils (peduncle about 1.4 cm long), with a hypocrateriform corolla and calyx-lobes almost linear (6–7 mm long). Further herbarium specimens examined Vinca major subsp. balcanica. ALBANIA — Tirana • Tiranë, E side of Mt. Dajtitm midway between Priskës and Molla; west side of roadway, NE exposure; 16.IV.1994; S.L. Holmes and S.C. Rhodes leg.; sub Vinca balcanica Pénzes; MO 5159373 (GBIF occurrence 4441100384). Vinca major subsp. major. ITALY — Campania • Between Atrani and Pontone; [40.6396°N, 14.6063°E]; in the bushes and hedges; alt. ca. 300 m a.s.l.; 17.V.1910; C.C. Lacaita leg.; sub Vinca major L.; PI 56783 (GBIF occurrence 3914706454) • Portici, at the Parco Gussone; [40.8125°N, 14.3474°E]: alt. 70 m a.s.l.; 16.IV.2007; A. Stinca leg.; holm oak forest edge; IT 124 • Castel Morrone, at the Comola grande; 41.1174°N, 14.3397°E; alt. 150–220 m a.s.l.; 26.II.2017; A. Stinca leg.; forest; IT 4740 • Castel Morrone, at the Comola grande; 41.1174°N, 14.3397°E; alt. 150–220 m a.s.l.; 26.II.2017; A. Stinca leg.; forest; IT 4741 • Massa Lubrense, near Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve; 40.5987°N, 14.3639°E; alt. 417 m a.s.l.; 23.III.2025; A. Stinca leg.; roadside; IT 9308 • Massa Lubrense, near Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve; 40.5987°N, 14.3639°E; alt. 417 m a.s.l.; 23.III.2025; A. Stinca leg.; roadside; IT 9309 • Massa Lubrense, near Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve; 40.5987°N, 14.3639°E; alt. 417 m a.s.l.; 23.III.2025; A. Stinca leg.; roadside; IT 9310 — Basilicata • Savoia di Lucania, at Vallone del Tuorno; 40.5811°N, 15.5376°; alt. 500 m a.s.l.; 07.VI.2013; A. Stinca and M. Ravo leg.; broadleaf forest; IT 7295 • Rionero in Vulture, locality Il Castello; 40.9256°N, 15.5554°E; alt. 550–719 m a.s.l.; 06.VI.2015; A. Stinca and M. Ravo leg.; broadleaf forest; IT 5183 • Rionero in Vulture, locality Il Castello; 40.9256°N, 15.5554°E; alt. 550–719 m a.s.l.; 06.VI.2015; A. Stinca and M. Ravo leg.; broadleaf forest; IT 5184 • Bella, on the WSW side of the Mount Santa Croce; 40.7797°N, 15.5816°E; alt. 1100–1300 m a.s.l.; 15.IV.2024; A. Stinca leg.; mixed forest of beech and turkey oak; IT 7488 • Bella, on the WSW side of the Mount Santa Croce; 40.7797°N, 15.5816°E; alt. 1100–1300 m a.s.l.; 15.IV.2024; A. Stinca leg.; mixed forest of beech and turkey oak; IT 7489 • Bella, in locality Acqua dei Piscioli; 40.7877°N, 15.5529°E; alt. 1053 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2024; A. Stinca leg.; edge of the Turkey oak forest; IT 9296 • Bella, locality Acqua dei Piscioli; 40.7877°N, 15.5529°E; alt. 1053 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2024; A. Stinca leg.; edge of the Turkey oak forest; IT 9297 • Bella, locality Acqua dei Piscioli; 40.7877°N, 15.5529°E; alt. 1053 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2024; A. Stinca leg.; edge of the Turkey oak forest; IT 9298 • Bella, on the ENE side of the Mount Santa Croce; 40.7766°N, 15.5933°E; alt. 1190–1250 m a.s.l.; 12.VI.2024; A. Stinca leg.; edge of broadleaf forest; IT 7611 • Bella, on the WSW side of the Mount Santa Croce; 40.7797°N, 15.5816°E; alt. 1100–1300 m a.s.l.; 14.VI.2024; A. Stinca leg.; mixed forest of beech and turkey oak; IT 7585 • Bella, on the WSW side of the Mount Santa Croce; 40.7797°N, 15.5816°E; alt. 1100–1300 m a.s.l.; 14.VI.2024; A. Stinca leg.; mixed forest of beech and turkey oak; IT 7586 • Castelluccio Superiore, near locality Foresta; 40.0155°N, 15.9428°E; alt. 763 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2025; A. Stinca leg.; edge of broadleaf forest; IT 9338 • Castelluccio Inferiore in locality La Difesa; 40.0160°N, 15.9853°E; alt. 816 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2025; A. Stinca leg.; Turkey oak forest; IT 9340 • Castelluccio Inferiore, locality La Difesa; 40.0160°N, 15.9853°E; alt. 816 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2025; A. Stinca leg.; Turkey oak forest; IT 9341 • Castelluccio Inferiore, locality La Difesa; 40.0160°N, 15.9853°E; alt. 816 m a.s.l.; 18.V.2025; A. Stinca leg.; Turkey oak forest; IT 9342 — Calabria • Valley of River Argentino; 39.7977°N, 15.9850°E; alt. 300–370 m a.s.l.; 13.VI.1997; G. Cesca and others leg.; sub Vinca major; B 10 1250475 (GBIF occurrence 4444400605) • Oriolo Calabro, locality Contrada Serra Salice; 40.0463°N, 16.4282°E; edge of a forest with a prevalence of Quercus pubescens; alt. ca. 700 m a.s.l.; 26.03.2013; F. Roma-Marzio leg.; PI 62985 (GBIF occurrence 4415990306) — Sicilia • Madonie, locality Panormi; [37.8834°N, 14.0166°E]; without collection date; F. 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