Chara contraria Kütz (Characeae)

+ ABR: Lago di Campotosto, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Campotosto (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 364900.4709623), lake bottom between 0.5 and 8 m depth, 1300 m, 19 September 2023, L. Rosati, L. Cancellieri, M.M. Azzella (HLUC); Lago di Scanno, Scanno (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 405320.4642277), lake bottom between 0.5 and 2 m depth, 922 m, 9 September 2023, leg. L. Rosati, G. Filibeck, det. L. Rosati, M.M. Azzella (HLUC). – Species new for the flora of Abruzzo.

This species has been reported only for a few Italian administrative regions, probably due to the difficulties in distinguishing it from C. vulgaris L. (Bazzichelli and Abdelahad 2009; Ravera et al. 2019). Nevertheless, genetic analyses performed by Schneider et al. (2016) showed that C. contraria belongs to a distinct lineage characterized by having a diplostichous and tylacanthous cortex (but spines varying in length), more related to C. hispida group rather than to C. vulgaris group. Chara contraria is quite common in the reservoir of Campotosto within Chara globularis Thuill. and/or C. vulgaris vegetation. We occasionally recorded it as the dominant species. On the contrary, in the natural lake of Scanno it is very rare and only associated to the vegetation dominated by C. vulgaris (Filibeck et al. 2023).

L. Rosati, M.M. Azella, G. Filibeck

Chara globularis Thuill. (Characeae)

+ ABR: Lago di Campotosto, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Campotosto (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 364900.4709623), lake bottom between 1 and 8 m depth, 1300 m, 19 September 2023, L. Rosati, L. Cancellieri, M.M. Azzella (UTV, HLUC); Lago di Scanno, Scanno (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 405918.4641894), lake bottom between 3 and 7 m depth, 922 m, 9 September 2023, leg. L. Rosati, G. Filibeck, det. L. Rosati, M.M. Azzella (UTV, HLUC); Lago di Barrea, Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo Lazio e Molise, Barrea (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 414901.4623485), lake bottom between 0.5 and 5 m depth, 975 m, 20 July 2023, leg. L. Rosati, G. Filibeck, det. L. Rosati, M.M. Azzella (UTV, HLUC); Lago della Montagna Spaccata, Alfedena (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 417315.4619457), lake bottom between 0.5 and 8 m depth, 1060 m, 22 August 2023, leg. L. Rosati, G. Filibeck, det. L. Rosati, M.M. Azzella (UTV, HLUC). – Species new for the flora of Abruzzo.

This species has been reported for most Italian administrative regions (Bazzichelli and Abdelahad 2009) and recently also for Liguria (Ravera et al. 2019). It is a species common in Italy and the most frequently reported of the genus after C. vulgaris L. Probably, the lack of records from some regions is mainly due to a scarcity of specific studies. We have frequently observed it as the dominant species of the submerged vegetation in the Campotosto reservoir and in the natural lake of Scanno, mainly at 3–6 m depth. It is less common in the artificial basins of Barrea and Montagna Spaccata (see Filibeck et al. 2023 and Ravera et al. 2023 for ecological and floristic information on the submerged communities in these lakes).

L. Rosati, L. Cancellieri, G. Filibeck

Chara globularis Thuill. (Characeae)

+ BAS: Lago Pantano, Pignola (Potenza), lake bottom at 0.7 m depth (UTM WGS 84: 33T 562897.4493268), 764 m, 8 August 2015, leg. L. Rosati, G. Potenza, det. L. Rosati (HLUC). – Species new for the flora of Basilicata.

In the collection site, Characeae are very rare and occur as small patches, interspersed within a Ceratophyllum demersum L. dominated vegetation.

L. Rosati, G. Potenza

Chara gymnophylla A.Braun (Characeae)

+ ABR: Lago di Campotosto, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Campotosto (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 365613 4709500), lake bottom between 1 and 6 m depth, 1300 m, 19 September 2023, L. Rosati, L. Cancellieri, M.M. Azzella (HLUC); Lago di Barrea, Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo Lazio e Molise, Barrea (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS 84: 33T 414867.4623504), lake bottom between 1 and 5 m depth, 975 m, 20 July 2023, leg. L. Rosati, G. Filibeck, det. L. Rosati, M.M. Azzella (HLUC). – Species confirmed for the flora of Abruzzo.

Chara gymnophylla is a controversial taxon, considered by some authors only as a variety of C. vulgaris L. (Bazzichelli and Abdelahad 2009; Schneider et al. 2016) and by others as a good species (e.g., Caisová and Gąbka 2009; Guiry and Guiry 2024). Probably for this reason, in Italy it has been recorded only for some administrative regions (Bazzichelli and Abdelahad 2009) and was not previously listed for Abruzzo, even if the sample illustrating this taxon in Bazzichelli and Abdelahad (2009) was collected in August 2008 from Lecce nei Marsi (L’Aquila, Abruzzo). Thus, our records are a confirmation for the flora of Abruzzo. Chara gymnophylla can be distinguished from C. vulgaris s.str. because of its ecorticated branchlets (or with 1–2 corticated basal segments) plus completely ecorticate fertile segments (Bazzichelli and Abdelahad 2009; Caisová and Gąbka 2009).

L. Rosati, M.M. Azzella, L. Cancellieri

Nitella tenuissima (Desv.) Kutzing (Characeae)

+ TOS: pond in a coppice along the road SP 441, Chiusdino (Siena) (UTM WGS84: 32T 674115.4779143), 318 m, 27 April 2023, T. Fiaschi, S. Cannucci, C. Angiolini (SIENA). – Species new for the flora of Toscana.

Inside a shallow pond (about 850 m²), in a Quercus cerris L. coppice, not far from the street, we found a consistent fertile population of N. tenuissima together with an even larger population of Chara globularis Thuill. These are two indicator species of the Habitat Directive “Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.” (code 3140; Biondi et al. 2009). The populations have been found near the pond bank. Indeed, species of small dimensions like N. tenuissima, occur in the shallow part of the wetlands, while larger species, such as C. globularis, in the deepest parts. In Italy, Nitella tenuissima has been recorded in Lombardia, Veneto, Lazio, and Sicilia (Bazzichelli and Abdelahad 2009).

T. Fiaschi, S. Cannucci, C. Angiolini

bryophytes

Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) Schimp. (Brachytheciaceae)

+ BAS: Piano Iannace (Potenza) (UTM WGS84: 33S 602151.4421774), on open soil at the border of the beech wood, 1705 m, 6 July 2012, leg. M. Puglisi, det. M. Puglisi, G. Bacilliere (CAT). – Species confirmed for the flora of Basilicata.

Brachythecium albicans is a boreo-temperate species, frequently occurring on sandy or gravelly, unshaded and preferably acid soils in open habitats. This species is distinguished by its pale whitish-green or yellow-green, string-like shoots. Despite being quite common in Italy, for some southern regions (Campania, Calabria and Basilicata) there are exclusively old reports based on collections published before 1968 (Aleffi et al. 2020). This record is a confirmation of the species for the flora of Basilicata more than 80 years after the last reports (Zodda 1913; Giacomini 1938).

M. Puglisi, G. Bacilliere, G. Miraglia

Didymodon sinuosus (Mitt.) Delogne (Pottiaceae)

+ TAA: Villa Lagarina, Guerrieri-Gonzaga Park (Trento) (UTM WGS84: 32T 657387.5086611), along a 5 m long section of the limestone stone irrigation gully, 195 m, 7 February 2024, F. Prosser (ROV 07001); ibidem (UTM WGS84: 32T 657262.5086641), 205 m, F. Prosser (ROV 07002). – Species new for the flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.

Didymodon sinuosus was found in one of the best-preserved historical parks in Trentino, in two points of the gully that was built together with the garden about two centuries ago (Codroico 2004). This species usually grows on damp, calcareous rocks along watercourses, but also park-like areas (Meier and Roloff 2017). In Villa Lagarina, D. sinuosus is accompanied by Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp., Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp., Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T.J.Kop. This species is common in the central-southern part of Italy, while it is quite rare in the northern regions (Aleffi et al. 2020).

F. Prosser

Fissidens osmundoides Hedw. (Fissidentaceae)

+ TOS: Chiusdino (Siena) (UTM WGS84: 32T 674113.4779118), in the rocky bed of a stream in a deciduous forest, near a pond, 324 m, 15 October 2023, T. Fiaschi, E. Fanfarillo, I. Bonini (SIENA). – Species confirmed for the flora of Toscana.

Fissidens osmundoides is a circumpolar boreo-arctic montane species, that grows on wet rocks, in meadows, and along streams (Cortini Pedrotti 2001). According to Aleffi et al. (2020), this species occurs in all the administrative regions of northern Italy, in Umbria, Lazio, and Campania; its presence in Toscana was considered doubtful, based on a record published before 1968 (Pellegrini 1942).

T. Fiaschi, E. Fanfarillo, I. Bonini

Physcomitrium patens (Hedw.) Mitt. (Funariaceae)

+ TOS: Chiusdino (Siena) (UTM WGS84: 32T 675041.4781574), in the muddy bed of a dried-up pond, 270 m, 15 October 2023, T. Fiaschi, C. Angiolini, E. Fanfarillo, I. Bonini (SIENA). – Species new for the flora of Toscana.

Physcomitrium patens is an Eurosiberian Temperate, short-lived pioneer species, that colonizes wet mud and sediment (Blockeel et al. 2014). In Italy, it has a fragmented distribution throughout the country. In the north, it is recorded for Lombardia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and historically (before 1968) for Piemonte. Moreover, further south it occurs in Abruzzo, Calabria and Sicilia (Aleffi et al. 2020). In the new locality Ph. patens was found with abundant capsules.

T. Fiaschi, I. Bonini, C. Angiolini

Riccia ciliifera Link ex Lindenb. (Ricciaceae)

+ TOS: Botanical Garden, Pisa (UTM WGS84: 32T 612513.4841820), on damp clay along the paths that separate the flowerbeds, 4 m, 18 Feb 2022, M. Tiburtini (PI061638). – Species confirmed for the flora of Toscana.

Riccia ciliifera is a liverwort species quite common in Italy, that was first recorded for Toscana in 1901 by Attilio Tassi, in the Botanical Garden of Siena (Aleffi et al. 2020). Riccia ciliifera can be distinguished from other members of R. subg. Riccia by wide thallus and violet-purple thalli margins. This species is closely related to R. gougetiana Durieu & Mont., from which it differs for the thallus colour and larger lobes, smaller cells of ventral scales, spore ornamentation pattern and size (larger in R. gougetiana).

M. Tiburtini, G. Pandeli, G. Brusa

Biatoropsis hafellneri Millanes, Diederich, M.Westb. & Wedin (Tremellaceae)

+ ITA (SAR): Monte di Seneghe, loc. Cuguzzu, along the forest road to loc. Fontanas (Oristano) (UTM WGS84: 32T 4440628 462640), on thalli of Usnea cornuta Körb., 711 m, 2 July 2023, leg. P. Giordani, det. W. v. Brackel (GE2868, hb Brackel 8997). – Species new to Italy (Sardegna).

This recently described lichenicolous fungus is confined to the thallus of Usnea Dill. ex Adans. species (U. fragilescens Hav. ex Lynge agg., especially Usnea cornuta Körb.), where it causes the formation of typical pale to medium orange galls, containing 1-septate basidia with laterally elongating cells. This species is known from several countries in Europe and Macaronesia (Millanes et al. 2016; Roux et al. 2020; Diederich et al. 2022). At the site it was found on epiphytic thalli of U. cornuta growing on branches and trunks of Quercus ilex L. in a dense mature forest. The species is new for the flora of the Mediterranean.

W. v. Brackel, P. Giordani

Cantharellus pallens Pilát (Hydnaceae)

+ CAL: Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Rende (Cosenza) (UTM WGS84: 33S 605968.4357304), on the ground in a hardwood coppice stand (Quercus pubescens Willd. as prevailing tree species), 18 October 2023, N.G. Passalacqua, A.B. De Giuseppe, G. Sicoli (CLU F331). – Species new to Calabria.

Sparse groups of gregarious basidiomata referable to the genus Cantharellus Adans. ex Fr. were detected on the ground in a coppice stand mainly composed of deciduous oak trees. Cantharellus pallens is very similar to the better known C. cibarius Fr., which produces smaller but more strongly and uniformly yellow-coloured pilei without pruina on the upper surface (Courtecuisse and Duhem 1995; Knudsen et al. 1997; Matteucci 2013). According to Onofri et al. (2013), this fungus had not been reported from Calabria. In a later report (Caroti et al. 2015), the illustration referred to this species for Calabria seems to fit better with another species, i.e. Cantharellus alborufescens (Malençon) Papetti & S. Alberti, so much so that no further occurrence of C. pallens was indicated in the more recent check list of the macromycetes of Calabria (Siniscalco et al. 2018a, b).

N.G. Passalacqua, A.B. De Giuseppe, G. Sicoli

Coprinellus domesticus (Bolton) Vilgalys, Hopple & Jacq. Johnson (Psathyrellaceae)

+ CAL: Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Rende (Cosenza) (UTM WGS84: 33S 605988.4357068), on the ground in the grass, close to the butt of a cut Italian poplar tree (Populus nigra L. subsp. italica Duroi), 220 m, 20 March 2023, G. Sicoli, A.B. De Giuseppe, N.G. Passalacqua (CLU F332). – Species new to Calabria.

A solitary coprinoid basidiome was observed on the ground among the grass in the proximity of the collar of a cut Italian poplar tree. In Italy, C. domesticus has been reported as widespread in many regions, but not in Calabria, so far (Onofri et al. 2013).

G. Sicoli, A.B. De Giuseppe, N.G. Passalacqua

Coprinellus silvaticus (Peck) Gminder (Psathyrellaceae)

+ CAL: Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Rende (Cosenza) (UTM WGS84: 33S 605841.4357398), on the ground in the litter of a downy oak tree (Quercus pubescens Willd.) coppice stand, 210 m, 24 November 2021, G. Sicoli, N.G. Passalacqua, A.B. De Giuseppe (CLU F334). – Species new to Calabria.

A solitary and apparently fragile basidiome, 3 cm high, with a plicate and acutely campanulate pileus was observed on the ground, emerging from the litter close to the base of an old stump of a presumably downy oak tree in a mixed deciduous and broadleaved tree coppice stand. This fungus has been reported in a few regions between central and northern Italy, but in southern Italy only in Sicilia, so far (Onofri et al. 2013).

G. Sicoli, N.G. Passalacqua, A.B. De Giuseppe

Dacrymyces capitatus Schwein. (Dacrymycetaceae)

+ CAL: Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Rende (Cosenza) (UTM WGS84: 33S 605841.4357398), on the wood of a dead branch fallen on the ground from a downy oak tree (Quercus pubescens Willd.), 200 m, 27 September 2023, G. Sicoli, N.G. Passalacqua, A.B. De Giuseppe (CLU F333). – Species new to Calabria.

A group of gelatinous, pustulate, discoid and shortly stipitate fungal-like structures were observed on the dead wood of a branch laying on the ground at the base of a downy oak tree. They were also orange-coloured and densely appressed, each measuring 1–3 mm in diameter. Under the light microscope these structures revealed to consist of septate but clampless, thick-walled and rough hyphae, some of them apically bifurcate, each branch bearing a cylindrical to allantoid and 3–4-septate hyaline spore measuring 12–15 × 4–6 µm. The above characteristics led to identify this fungus as a basidiomycete belonging to D. capitatus (Jülich 1989; Torkelsen 1997), a rarely observed species in Italy, apparently not yet recorded in Calabria (Onofri et al. 2013).

G. Sicoli, N.G. Passalacqua, A.B. De Giuseppe

Inosperma quietiodor (Bon) Matheny & Esteve-Rav. (Inocybaceae)

+ LIG: Santuario Basilica nostra Signora di Montallegro, Rapallo (Genova), on the ground under the crown of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) (UTM WGS84: 32T 520782.4912978), 600 m, 14 October 2020, F. Boccardo (GDOR 4978). – Species new to Liguria.

Inosperma quietiodor is an ectomycorrhizal fungus similar to I. cookei (Bres.) Matheny & Esteve-Rav., from which it can be mainly distinguished for the different smell. It is similar to that of Lactarius quietus (Fr.) Fr. in young specimens of I. quietiodor, and honey-like in I. cookei. The spore dimensions of the Ligurian collection (9.0–10.5 × 5.0–6.0 µm) fit well with those reported by Kuyper (1986) and Ferrari et al. (2014). This species is widespread in Europe but apparently rare (Kuyper 1986). It has been reported in Italy from Piemonte (Ferrari et al. 2014).

F. Dovana, F. Boccardo, V. Cavallaro

Nigropuncta rugulosa D.Hawksw. (Ascomycota)

+ LOM: Southern Rhaetian Alps, Presanella-group, Passo del Tonale, S above the pass towards Passo del Paradiso (Brescia) (UTM WGS84: 32T 621719.5123345), gentle slope exposed to the N, granitic boulder field surrounded by krummholz of Alnus alnobetula (Ehrh.) K.Koch, in overhangs of big boulders, on thallus of Bellemerea cinereorufescens (Ach.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux, ca. 1950 m, 24 July 2006, J. Hafellner, L. Muggia (no. 85840 GZU). – Species new to Lombardia.

+ VDA: Alpi Pennine, Colle de Gran San Bernardo, just SW below the pass (Aosta) (UTM WGS84: 32T 357153.5081436), outcrops of siliceous rocks in alpine grassland on steep slope exposed to the S, on vertical rock faces, on thallus of Bellemerea cinereorufescens (Ach.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux, ca. 2500 m, 1 August 2001, J. Hafellner, P.L. Nimis, M. Tretiach) (no. 87142 GZU). – Species new to Val d’Aosta.

+ PIE: Alpi Cozie, mountains W of Pinerolo, northeastern slopes and ridges of the Punta Cialáncia S above the village Perrero (Torino) (UTM WGS84: 32T 351702.4971705), boulders and cliffs of siliceous rocks, on steep rock faces of cliffs exposed to the N, on thallus of Bellemerea cinereorufescens (Ach.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux, ca. 2350 m, 26 July 2001, J. Hafellner (with P.L. Nimis and M. Tretiach) (no. 69397 GZU); Alpi Marittime, Rocca dell’Abisso W of Colle di Tenda, E below summit, steep slopes towards uppermost Vallone dell’Abisso (Cuneo) (UTM WGS84: 32T 380673.4888905), cliffs, outcrops and dispersed boulders of gneiss exposed to the E, on steep rock faces, on thallus of Bellemerea cinereorufescens (Ach.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux, ca. 2630 m, 22 July 2000, A. Hafellner, J. Hafellner (with M. Tretiach) (no. 87392 GZU). – Species new to Piemonte.

Nigropuncta rugulosa is widely distributed and not rare in the Holarctic. In Italy, this species was so far only recorded by one of the author’s early collections from the mountain “Äusserer Nockenkopf” in Trentino-Alto Adige (northwestern Südtirol) (Hawksworth and Poelt 1986; Brackel 2016; Nimis and Martellos 2024).

J. Hafellner

Urocystis eranthidis (Pass.) Ainsw. & Sampson (Urocystidaceae)

+ CAL: Piano del Ratto, Civita (Cosenza), on petioles of living leaves of Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb. (UTM WGS 84: 33S 609636.4414586), 1382 m, 5 May 2023, D. Puntillo (CLU F486). – Species new to Calabria.

This species may be confused with a smut fungus recently described on Eranthis longistipitata host as Entyloma eranthidis T.Denchev, Denchev, Kemler & Begerow, but it shows single spores or arranged in irregular groups while in U. eranthidis the spores are in balls with collapsed sterile cells around. Urocystis eranthidis has been included in the Berlin Red List as threatened with extinction due to the rarefaction of the host plant (Scholz and Scholz 2005). In Calabria the species is quite rare as it is extremely localized. In Italy is known from Piemonte, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Marche (Ciferri 1938).

D. Puntillo, M. Puntillo

Xanthoriicola physciae (Kalchbr.) D.Hawksw. (Ascomycota)

+ FVG: Southern Alps, Carnic Alps, W of Ampezzo by the road to Passo del Pura, near Albergo e Ristorante Pura (Udine) (UTM WGS84: 33T 328363.5142458), solitary Juglans regia L. in a meadow, on branches in the lower canopy, on apothecia of Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr., 715 m, 17 August 1994, J. Hafellner (GZU - JH87839). – Species new to Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

+ VEN: southern Alps, Venetian Alps, Nevegal SE of Belluno, slopes exposed to NE, surroundings of the valley station of the chair-lift on Col Faverghera (Belluno) (UTM WGS84: 33T 289558.5107681), mixed coniferous forest, on bark of Picea abies (L.) H.Karst., on apothecia of Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr., 1030 m, 31 August 2002, J. Hafellner (GZU - JH61057). – Species new to Veneto.

+ PIE: Western Alps, Alpi Cozie, at the entrance into the Vallone dell’Arma, just W of the village Fèdio (Cuneo) (UTM WGS84: 32T 362234.4909422), scattered trees in a pasture, on bark of Populus spec. (hybrid), on apothecia of Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr., 980 m, 23 July 2000, J. Hafellner, P. L. Nimis, M. Tretiach) (GZU - JH87661). – Species new to Piemonte.

In Italy, most records of this otherwise common species are recent and originate from the central and southern parts of the country (Brackel 2016). In the north of Italy, this species has so far been reported only for Lombardia (Santesson 1994; Brackel 2013). Interestingly, there is no historical record of this conspicuous fungus.

J. Hafellner

Arthonia phlyctiformis Nyl. (Arthoniaceae)

+ ITA (PUG): Giardini Pubblici G. Garibaldi (formerly Villa della Lupa) di Lecce (Lecce) (UTM WGS84: 34T 260071.4471008), on fallen branches, March 2023, leg. P. Pinault, conf. C. Roux, M. Grube (Herb. Pinault, TSB). – Species new to Italy (Puglia).

This epiphytic species is clearly lichenized with non-Trentepohlioid algae, and is seemingly apparently not rare along the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, especially on acid-barked trees, and is also known from France (Languedoc-Roussillon and Pyrénées-Orientales, see Gerstmans and Ertz 2016).

P. Pinault, P.L. Nimis, J. Nascimbene

Bellemerea alpina (Sommerf.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux (Lecideales)

+ TOS: Northern Apennines, surroundings of Abetone, Val di Luce, Alpe Tre Potenze, along lift route Sciovia “La Fariola” (Pistoia) (UTM WGS84: 32T 631036.4886844), on siliceous boulders on slope exposed to the N, c. 1730 m, 27 October 1978, J. Hafellner (no. 3859 GZU); ibidem, 27 October 1978, J. Poelt (GZU). – Species new to Toscana.

This species grows on siliceous boulders including metal-rich rock types, preferably on slightly to medium-inclined rock faces. It shows a bipolar distribution, since it is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and common in the Alps from the treeline ecotone to the alpine belt (Nimis et al. 2018). In Italy, B. alpina has so far been reported mostly for the northern regions (Nimis and Martellos 2024). A historical record from Sicilia is regarded as doubtful (Nimis 1993), so that this record is the first outside the Alps in Italy.

J. Hafellner

Bellemerea cinereorufescens (Ach.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux (Lecideales)

+ VDA: Alpi Pennine, Colle del Gran San Bernardo, just SW below the pass, (Aosta) (UTM WGS84: 32T 357153.5081436), outcrops of siliceous rocks in alpine grassland on steep slope exposed to the S, on vertical rock faces, c. 2500 m, 1 August 2001, J. Hafellner, P.L. Nimis, M. Tretiach) (no. 87126 GZU). – Species confirmed for Val d’Aosta.

+ TOS: Northern Apennines, surroundings of Abetone, Val di Luce, Alpe Tre Potenze, along lift route Sciovia “La Fariola” (Pistoia) (UTM WGS84: 32T 631036.4886844), on siliceous boulders on slope exposed to the N, 1500–1820 m, 27 October 1978, J. Poelt (GZU) Label text in German language. – Species new to Toscana.

Bellemerea cinereorufescens shows a bipolar distribution, since it is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and common in the Alps concentrated in the alpine belt (Nimis et al. 2018). This species is recorded for the Alps in Italy (Nimis and Martellos 2024), but many of the records are historical (Nimis 1993) as is the one for Valle d’Aosta (Cengia Sambo 1932). Outside the Alps it has been reported from a few localities in the Emilia-Romagna (Fariselli et al. 2020) but these records need confirmation. Historical records for Sardegna and Sicilia have been regarded as doubtful (Nimis and Martellos 2024). For some further records from localities in northern regions see in the Fungi section under Nigropuncta rugulosa.

J. Hafellner

Circinaria nimisii Sohrabi, H.Mayrhofer, Obermayer & S.D.Leav. (Megasporaceae)

+ ITA (ABR): Gran Sasso Massif, below Corno Piccolo (L’Aquila) (UTM WGS84: 380609.4703809 33T), on vertical faces of calcareous rocks, 2350 m, 9 August 1996, P.L. Nimis, M. Tretiach (TSB 13559). – Species new to Italy (Abruzzo).

This species was recently described from Mt. Olympus (Greece) as a vagrant lichen in steppe-like vegetation over calcareous substrata. Specimens collected on rock in the Gran Sasso Massif (central Apennines) were provisionally identified by Nimis and Tretiach (1999) as Aspicilia desertorum auct. p.p. non (Kremp.) Mereschk. and then assigned to the Circinaria elmorei-group by Nimis (2016). However, these specimens correspond perfectly with the description of C. nimisii (Sohrabi et al. 2023), with the only difference that the thalli are in this case very easily detachable, but not truly vagrant.

P.L. Nimis, J. Nascimbene

Lecania cyrtellina (Nyl.) Sandst. (Ramalinaceae)

+ TOS: Botanical Garden of the University of Pisa (Pisa) (UTM WGS84: 32T 612451.4841719), on the bark of Jubaea chilensis (Molina) Baill., 4 m, 3 April 2023, leg. A. Guttová, L. Paoli, det. L. Paoli, Z. Fačkovcová, A. Guttová, (SAV0017676). – Species new to Toscana.

Lecania cyrtellina is a crustose lichen with sessile lecanorine apothecia (at least when young), often clustered, growing mainly on base-rich barks of deciduous trees. This species is very similar to L. cyrtella (Ach.) Th.Fr. from which can be distinguished by smaller apothecia (0.1–0.3 mm vs. 0.2–0.7 mm) and smaller ascospores (mostly 1-septate vs. unicellular) (Nimis and Martellos 2024).

L. Paoli, A. Guttová

Lecanora horiza (Ach.) Linds. (Lecanoraceae)

+ PIE: Grugliasco (Torino), garden of the University campus (UTM WGS84: 32T 389099.4991344), on bark of Acer sp., 300 m, 10 January 2024, S. Ongaro, D. Isocrono (ORO292). – Species new to Piemonte.

Lecanora horiza is a mainly Mediterranean member of the L. subfusca group, much rarer in the northern than in the Mediterranean parts (Nimis 2024). Lichens of the L. subfusca group shows large morphological variability, especially in the size and shape of apothecia (Malíček 2014): epihymenium without crystals, medulla with small irregular crystals not dissolving in K, fine granules soluble in K in the thalline exciple with an adjacent crystal-free zone are the diagnostic features. This species is similar to L. allophana (Ach.) Nyl. that differs in having an indistinct cortex and larger ascospores.

D. Isocrono, S. Ongaro

Lecidella flavosorediata (Vězda) Hertel & Leuckert (Lecanoraceae)

+ EMR: Between Ponte Scodellino and Case Prasottano, Borgo Val di Taro (Parma), on trunks of Quercus cerris L. in a broadleaved woodland (UTM WGS84: 32T 559710.4924880), 499 m, 14 November 2023, leg. L. Francesconi, G. Gheza, det. L. Francesconi, G. Gheza, H. Mayrhofer (GZU). – Species new to Emilia-Romagna.

Lecidella flavosorediata is an epiphytic species with conspicuous yellowish soredia (Tønsberg 1992), most frequent on deciduous trees and conifers in southern Italy (Ravera et al. 2022). This species is distinguished from other mainly sterile crustose sorediate lichens by its chemistry (arthothelin and granulosin; Tønsberg 1992). It was scatteredly reported from several administrative regions throughout Italy (Nimis and Martellos 2024).

L. Francesconi, G. Gheza, H. Mayrhofer

Mycobilimbia sphaeroides (Dicks.) S.Ekman & Printzen (Ramalinaceae)

+ CAM: Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni, loc. Vesalo, Laurino (Salerno) (UTM WGS84 33T 531031.4459202), on trunks of Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby along the river Calore, 980 m, 5 February 2024, S. Ravera (PAL). – Species new to Campania.

Mycobilimbia sphaeroides is a crustose species which grows on sheltered, mature deciduous tree trunks often around their bases, in old woodlands. In the collecting site, this species colonizes large portions of alder bark with fertile thalli of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. and the Lobarion species Fuscopannaria ignobilis (Anzi) P.M.Jørg. Lobarina scrobiculata (Scop.) Cromb., Pectenia plumbea (Lightf.) P.M.Jørg., L.Lindblom, Wedin & S.Ekman, Ricasolia amplissima (Scop.) De Not., and Vahliella saubinetii (Mont.) P.M.Jørg.

S. Ravera

Naetrocymbe rhododendri (Arnold) Hafellner & Türk (Naetrocymbaceae)

+ LOM: trail between Rifugio Albani and Passo dello Scagnello, Colere (Bergamo), on dead stems of dwarf shrubs in a high-altitude open habitat on limestone (UTM WGS84: 32T 581589.5090883), 1980 m, 26 August 2023, G. Gheza, L. Di Nuzzo (BOLO). – Species new to Lombardia.

Naetrocymbe rhododendri typically occurs on the bark of dwarf shrubs in subalpine and alpine heaths. It was reported scatteredly from the Italian Alps, where it is likely more widespread (Nimis and Martellos 2024). It can be identified by its typical spores, which are club-shaped, bicellular, with one cell larger than the other, often both guttulate.

G. Gheza, C. Pistocchi, L. Di Nuzzo

Parmelia discordans Nyl. (Parmeliaceae)

+ ITA (SAR): Fonni (Nuoro) (UTM WGS84 32T 524915.4436399), on granite boulders on pastures 5 km SE of village, 1300 m, 1 May 2012, J. Malíček (PRA). – Species new to Italy (Sardegna).

Parmelia discordans is a foliose species which grows on siliceous rocks and screes, closely related to P. omphalodes (L.) Ach., from which it differs mainly in the content of protocetraric acid. So far, it is known only in Europe (GBIF.org 2024) where it is mainly coastal in Scandinavia, and usually restricted to upland areas in central and southern Europe (Nimis and Martellos 2024).

J. Malíček, S. Ravera

Peltigera lepidophora (Vain.) Bitter (Peltigeraceae)

+ LIG: Alpi Liguri, mountain ridge S above the village Monesi, on the ridge W above the Colle del Garezzo (Imperia) (UTM WGS84: 32T 401686 4877849), small outcrops of calcareous schist in subalpine pasture, in fissures filled with soil, 1850 m, 21 July 2000, J. Hafellner, P. L. Nimis, M. Tretiach) (GZU - JH87261). – Species new to Liguria.

Diagnostic for P. lepidophora are the peltate isidia and the slightly tomentose upper surface (Vitikainen 1994). The species is easily overlooked because of its small size or in the dry stage mistaken for juvenile P. leucophlebia (Nyl.) Gyeln. This species shows a circumpolar distribution in the Holarctic. It is also reported from the Andes in South America, the Himalayas in Asia, New Zealand and Hawaii (Poelt 1990; Vitikainen 1994). Apart from some other mountains systems, this species is known in Europe throughout the Alps (Nimis et al. 2018). In Italy, this species has been reported from almost all Alpine regions, from the high mountain areas of the Apennines, and from Sicilia (Nimis 1993, 2016; Nimis and Martellos 2024).

J. Hafellner, P. L. Nimis, M. Tretiach

Porpidia tuberculosa (Sm.) Hertel & Knoph (Lecideaceae)

+ LOM: Central Alps, Southern Rhaetian Alps, Presanella-group, Passo del Tonale, S above the pass towards Passo del Paradiso, gentle slope exposed to the N (Brescia) (UTM WGS84: 32T 621719.5123345), boulder field surrounded by krummholz, on inclined rock faces of big siliceous boulders, 1950 m, 24 July 2006, leg. J. Hafellner, L. Muggia, det. J. Hafellner (GZU - JH87838). – Species confirmed for Lombardia.

+ CAL: Serre di Catanzaro, Monte Corvo (Catanzaro), (UTM WGS84: 33S 620896.4360354), outcrops of siliceous rocks, 1020 m, 14 July 1988, J. Poelt (GZU). – Species new to Calabria.

+ SIC: Le Madonie, by the road from Piano Battaglia to Petralia Sottana, Bosco Pomieri (Palermo) (UTM WGS84: 33S 417772.4190200), in a small shady ravine, on boulders of siliceous sandstone along the creek, 1300 m, 31 May 1988, J. Hafellner (GZU - JH12363); ibidem, 31 May 1988, J. Poelt (GZU). – Species new to Sicilia.

Porpidia tuberculosa usually grows at sites with high humidity on persistently moist siliceous rocks near the ground. This species is widely distributed in Italy (Nimis and Martellos 2024). However, as it is found mostly as a sterile saxicolous crust, it is often overlooked or ignored. Only a historical record by S. Garovaglio (Nimis 1993) is available for Lombardia. In Sicilia the species has so far been recorded from offshore islands, namely by Jatta (1886, under the name Lecidea sorediza Nyl.) from one of the Pelagie Islands and by Klement (1969, under the name Lecidea sorediza Nyl.) from the Aeolian Islands. However, these latter records need confirmation (Nimis 1993, 2016).

J. Hafellner

Scytinium plicatile (Ach.) Otálora, P.M.Jørg. & Wedin (Collemataceae)

+ TOS: Natural Reserve Monte Penna, Castell’Azzara (Grosseto) (UTM WGS84: 32T 718245.4739165), on partially shaded calcareous outcrops, in a mixed Acer sp. pl. forest near the top of Mt. Penna, on overhanging rock, 1045 m, 14 April 2023, leg. A. Guttová, L. Paoli, det. A. Guttová (SAV0017680). – Species confirmed for Toscana.

Scytinium plicatile is a subfoliose to squamulose lichen, with cyanobacterial photobiont and thallus strongly gelatinous when wet, forming irregular (up to 5 cm) rosettes. In the study site, it grows together with other Collemataceae, namely Enchylium polycarpon (Hoffm.) Otálora, P.M.Jørg. & Wedin, Lathagrium cristatum (L.) Otálora, P.M.Jørg. & Wedin, S. turgidum (Ach.) Otálora, P.M.Jørg. & Wedin. The publication of a previous record of S. plicatile from Toscana dates back to 1871 (as reported in Nimis 1993).

A. Guttová, L. Paoli

Usnea cornuta Körb. (Parmeliaceae)

+ SAR: S’Arcu de Schisorgiu, pass in road Santadi-S. Lucia, com. Assemini (Cagliari), (UTM WGS84: 32S 485570 4317899), on twigs of Erica arborea L., in macchia on mountain ridge, 375 m, 16 April 1997, leg. H. Sipman, L. Zedda, det. P. Clerk (B). Monte di Seneghe, loc. Cuguzzu, along the forest road to loc. Fontanas (Oristano) (UTM WGS84: 32T 4440628 462640), on the bark of Quercus ilex L., 711 m, 2 July 2023, leg. P. Giordani, det. W. v. Brackel. conf. V. Otte (GE2867). – Species new to Sardegna.

Usnea cornuta is growing on damp sites with frequent fog, mostly in the montane belt. This species is restricted to humid-temperate, oceanic areas (Nimis 2024). The recorded population (GE2867) was found in a mature forest of Quercus ilex L., characterised by the presence of numerous species of the Lobarion community, such as Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., Ricasolia virens (With.) H.H. Blom. & Tønsberg and Sticta limbata (Sm.) Ach. (Benesperi et al. 2018). The species is included in the Italian red list of epiphytic lichens as “Endangered” (Nascimbene et al. 2013).

P. Giordani, W. v. Brackel, L. Zedda