In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Alien species, floristic data, Italy, nomenclature

The text for the new records should be submitted electronically to Lorenzo Lastrucci (lorenzo.lastrucci@unifi.it). The corresponding specimen along with its scan or photograph has to be sent to FI Herbarium: Museo di Storia Naturale (Botanica), Sistema Museale di Ateneo, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze (Italy). Those texts concerning nomenclatural novelties (typifications only for accepted names), status changes, exclusions, and confirmations should be submitted electronically to Gabriele Galasso (gabriele.galasso@comune.milano.it). Each text should be within 1,000 characters (spaces included).

Acer negundo L. (Sapindaceae)

+ (INV) TOS. – Status change from naturalized to invasive alien for the flora of Toscana.

The presence of Acer negundo is increasingly common in disturbed areas of Toscana. Numerous individuals colonize urban areas and roadsides (Peruzzi and Bedini 2022+). From observations made in 2020 in the provinces of Siena and Arezzo, we noticed that in some areas with a strong disturbance the species grows abundant, sometimes in dense stands. In Chiusi [(Siena), fraz. Montallese, lungo la strada SP326, WGS84: 43.052790°N, 11.920611°E, margini stradali e ambienti ruderali, 255 m, 17 September 2021, T. Fiaschi, E. Fanfarillo (SIENA)] and other localities (e.g., Monteriggioni (Siena), WGS84: 43.392968°N, 11.217782°E), we observed abundant, fructifying adult individuals and seedlings. We therefore propose the change of status from naturalized to invasive.

C. Angiolini, E. Fanfarillo, T. Fiaschi

Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng. (Amaryllidaceae)

+ (CAS) LOM: Seriate (Bergamo), Via G. Venezian, rotatoria del ponte sul Fiume Serio per Via C. Cerioli (CFCE: 0324/1) (WGS84: 45.689694°N, 9.721861°E), scarpata erbosa, 252 m, no exp., 13 November 2021, leg. G. Federici, det. E. Banfi, G. Galasso (BER-HbFAB No. 107483); ibidem, 15 November 2021, leg. G. Federici, det. E. Banfi, G. Galasso (FI, MSNM Nos. 51386, 51387, 51388, 51389). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Lombardia.

G. Federici, E. Banfi, G. Galasso

Amaryllis belladonna L. (Amaryllidaceae)

+ (CAS) SAR: Carbonia (Sud Sardegna), Domu Beccia (WGS84: 39.223889°N, 8.483611°E), scarpata incolta a bordo strada, 148 m, 16 September 2021, leg. A. Mammoliti, det. V.L.A. Laface, C.M. Musarella, G. Spampinato (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Sardegna.

V.L.A. Laface, C.M. Musarella, G. Spampinato

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae)

+ (NAT) UMB: Orvieto (Terni), Lago di Corbara (WGS84: 42.726658°N, 12.247858°E), greto sassoso della parte alta delle sponde del Lago di Corbara, con Xanthium italicum, 135 m, 28 August 2020, R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2099). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Umbria.

R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya

Ammannia verticillata (Ard.) Lam. (Lythraceae)

+ (NAT) VEN: Vigasio (Verona), Corte Brigafatta Nuova (WGS84: 45.327162°N, 10.970611°E), risaia, 37 m, 5 September 2021, leg. G. Dal Corso, det. F. Prosser (ROV No. 80116); ibidem, 7 October 2021, leg. G. Dal Corso, det. F. Prosser (FI). – Naturalized alien species confirmed for the flora of Veneto.

This species was historically widespread in the Venetian ricefields (Argenti et al. 2019), in which today it is almost totally replaced by Ammannia coccinea Rottb. Vigasio is among the localities reported by Goiran (1900) for the province of Verona.

G. Dal Corso, F. Prosser

Bidens aurea (Aiton) Sherff (Asteraceae)

+ (CAS) MAR: Porto Sant’Elpidio (Fermo), Via XX Settembre, nei pressi di un cortile di una abitazione privata (WGS84: 43.237452°N, 13.756926°E), 21 m, 3 January 2021, A. Pica, J. Lupoletti (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Marche.

The species covered about 10 m². It probably escaped from flowerbeds along the main road.

A. Pica, J. Lupoletti

Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd. (Asteraceae)

+ (NAT) UMB: Perugia (Perugia), fraz. Ponte San Giovanni, sponda destra del Tevere a monte del Nuovo Ponte vecchio (WGS84: 43.09193055°N, 12.45186388°E), 183 m, 18 October 2020, R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2102). – Naturalized alien species new for the Flora of Umbria.

The species can be found sporadically to frequently along the banks of the river Tevere in Umbria.

R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya

Bidens sulphurea (Cav.) Sch.Bip. (Asteraceae)

+ (CAS) TAA: Roncegno Terme (Trento), Cadenzi (WGS84: 46.052056°N, 11.403447°E), margine stradina presso orti, avventizia, 584 m, 18 October 2020, F. Prosser (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.

This species was also observed in San Lorenzo Dorsino (Trento), loc. Glolo (6 September 2021, obs. M. Merli, det. E. Banfi).

F. Prosser, M. Merli, E. Banfi

Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Sapindaceae)

+ (CAS) LAZ: Roma (Roma), parco pubblico presso Via di Grotta Perfetta (WGS84: 41.828746°N, 12.516325°E), siepe, dove si arrampica su individui di Olea europaea, Pittosporum tobira e Phyllostachys sp., ca. 254 m, 3 October 2021, N. Olivieri (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Lazio.

N. Olivieri

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) G.Manetti ex Carrière (Pinaceae)

+ (CAS) PIE: Almese (Torino), al di sotto della pista tagliafuoco del Musinè (WGS84: 45.105475°N, 7.442177°E), popolamento misto di latifoglie autoctone e individui adulti di Cedrus atlantica derivanti da rimboschimento, 350 m, 20 May 2021, D. Barberis, A. Mainetti, G. Nota (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Piemonte.

Several young individuals were found in a mixed stand with native broadleaf trees and a few planted Cedrus atlantica trees. The young specimens varied in height from 20 cm to 2 m.

D. Barberis, A. Mainetti, G. Nota

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A.Murray) Parl. (Cupressaceae)

+ (CAS) PIE: Germagnano (Torino), loc. Colbeltramo, scarpata della strada che collega Colbeltramo a Castagnole (WGS84: 45.252557°N, 7.440891°E), scarpata stradale, 668 m, 2 April 2021, M. Lonati, M. Pittarello, S. Ravetto Enri (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Piemonte.

A young individual, about 80 cm tall, was found in a shady area under broadleaf trees.

M. Lonati, M. Pittarello, S. Ravetto Enri

Cotoneaster salicifolius Franch. (Rosaceae)

+ (CAS) MAR: Fermignano (Pesaro e Urbino), loc. Serra Alta (WGS84: 43.659679°N, 12.645607°E), scarpata stradale ai margini di una boscaglia diradata, ca. 340 m, 5 December 2021, N. Hofmann (FI, PESA). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Marche.

A single individual (2–3 m tall) has been observed.

L. Gubellini, N. Hofmann

Cyperus odoratus L. (Cyperaceae)

+ (INV) ITALIA (UMB): Magione (Perugia), fraz. San Feliciano, Oasi La Valle (WGS84: 43.106111°N, 12.184722°E), sui resti del canneto degradato (morto!), vegetazione a dominanza di Cyperus fuscus, 280 m, 18 August 2021, R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2091); Tuoro sul Trasimeno (Perugia), Punta Navaccia (WGS84: 43.189981°N, 12.075511°E), al margine del canneto, 258 m, 18 September 2021, R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya (PERU barcode PERU-2100). – Status change from naturalized to invasive alien for the flora of Italy; invasive alien species new for the Flora of Umbria.

In Umbria, Cyperus odoratus is found in the strongly nitrophilous muddy beach of Lake Trasimeno covered by vegetation with Cyperus fuscus L. and Oxybasis chenopiodioides (L.) S.Fuentes, Uotila & Borsch. In various sites, it tends to form locally dense populations of the sublittoral belt.

R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya

Datura inoxia Mill. (Solanaceae)

– CAM. – Alien species to be excluded from the flora of Campania.

The indication in Galasso et al. (2018) is based on the report for Cilento (“Torre Ficaiola”, i.e., Spiaggia Ficaiola near Torre Caprioli, Pisciotta municipality, Salerno province) by De Natale and Strumia (2007), already questioned by Del Guacchio and La Valva (2017). The relevant specimen (Torre Caprioli, 6 July 1998, Herb. A. De Natale No. 3671) is to be attributed to Datura wrightii Regel, indeed new to Cilento.

E. Del Guacchio, A. De Natale

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae)

+ (NAT) MAR. ‒ Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Marche.

This species was recorded as casual in the Natural Reserve of Sentina (Conti and Bracchetti 2016), where it is no longer present due to the erosion of the coast. In the new locality [Grottammare (Ascoli Piceno), tra Cupra Marittima e Grottammare, WGS84: 43.008825°N, 13.865765°E, spiaggia, 1 m, 16 October 2018, F. Conti, L. Bracchetti (APP)], a well-established population can be found.

F. Conti, L. Bracchetti

Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. (Elaeagnaceae)

+ (CAS) TOS: Pistoia (Pistoia), fraz. Santomoro, sopra il paese presso Case Buchetole (WGS84: 43.582308°N, 10.584183°E), margine sentiero, ca. 440 m, 12 December 2021, leg. G. Gestri, P. Sandretti, det. G. Gestri. V. Lazzeri (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Toscana.

An adult plant with flowers and fruits occurs on the edge of a trail, with no current evidence of spontaneous reproduction.

G. Gestri

Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees (Poaceae)

+ (NAT) TOS. – Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Toscana.

This species is widespread in the lower stretch of the river Tevere [Pieve Santo Stefano (Arezzo), Lago di Montedoglio (WG84: 43.625417°N, 12.073081°E), sponde melmose originatesi al ritiro delle acque, 384 m, 20 August 2021, R. Venanzoni (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2113)]. It prefers the large stretches of stony and sandy beaches that emerge when the water withdraws.

R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya

Erigeron lilacinus (Sennikov & Kurtto) Sennikov (Asteraceae)

+ (CAS) LOM: Milano (Milano), Parco Porto di Mare (WGS84: 45.431045°N, 9.231650°E), margine erboso, 103 m, no exp., 27 September 2020, G. Galasso, E. Banfi (MSNM No. 51428); ibidem, Via L. Ornato, lato dei numeri dispari, parcheggi sul lato della strada (WGS84: 45.520955°N, 9.191965°E), tra gli autobloccanti, 138 m, no exp., 19 June 2021, G. Galasso (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Lombardia.

G. Galasso, E. Banfi

Euphorbia nutans Lag. (Euphorbiaceae)

+ (NAT) PUG. – Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Puglia.

The population here reported [Taranto (Taranto), Mar Piccolo, Palude La Vela, WGS84: 40.476035°N, 17.325862°E, bordo strada, 10 m, 15 October 2021, V. Tomaselli, F. Mantino (FI, BI Nos. 42845, 42846, 42847, 42848)] consists of a few thousand individuals, regularly fruiting, widespread along roadsides.

V. Tomaselli, V. Cavallaro, F. Mantino

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall (Oleaceae)

+ (CAS) ITALIA (VEN): Verona (Verona), stazione dei treni di Verona Porta Nuova (CFCE: 0531/4) (WGS84: 45.428849°N, 10.977357°E), incolto ghiaioso, 64 m, 2 July 2021, leg. F. Prosser, A. Bertolli, G. Tomasi, det. F. Prosser (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Italy (Veneto).

This species was identified according to Atha and Boom (2017). At least three 50–150 cm tall specimens were observed, born spontaneously from trees growing in the adjacent Via delle Coste. In some central European countries, F. pennsylvanica is an invasive species in riparian environments (Verloove 2016).

F. Prosser, G. Tomasi, A. Bertolli

Gamochaeta pensylvanica (Willd.) Cabrera (Asteraceae)

+ (NAT) TAA: Trento (Trento), cortile in Via Vittorio Veneto (CFCE: 9932/2) (WGS84: 46.058487°N, 11.120500°E), aiuola erbosa poco curata, popolazione di oltre 100 esemplari (ca. 25 m²) in fiore, in frutto e sterili, 194 m, 20 October 2021, F. Prosser (FI, ROV No. 80117). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.

F. Prosser

Hedera canariensis Willd. (Araliaceae)

+ (NAT) TAA: Bondone (Trento), a W di loc. Olte, a W di Baitoni (CFCE: 0129/3) (WGS84: 45.806493°N, 10.533911°E), boscaglia, 370 m, 18 October 2011, leg. F. Prosser, A. Bertolli, det. F. Prosser (FI, ROV No. 61339). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.

F. Prosser, A. Bertolli

Hedera hibernica (G.Kirchn.) Bean (Araliaceae)

+ (NAT) VEN: Bardolino (Verona), ca. 1 km a ENE di Bardolino, nella valletta con rivo a E di Monte Felice (CFCE: 0430/1) (WGS84: 45.554684°N, 10.739976°E), bosco termofilo, 180 m, 28 February 2004, F. Prosser (FI, ROV No. 44952); Torri del Benaco (Verona), a E di Punta Pontirola (WGS84: 45.618434°N, 10.701830°E), 240 m, 11 October 2006, leg. F. Prosser, A. Bertolli, det. F. Prosser (ROV No. 50876); Verona (Verona), fraz. Parona, stazione dei treni (CFCE: 0531/2) (WGS84: 45.477532°N, 10.941611°E), margine di massicciata, inselvatichita, tricomi appressati, in media con poco meno di 10 raggi, 75 m, 10 September 2020, leg. F. Prosser, A. Bertolli, G. Tomasi, det. F. Prosser (ROV No. 79310); ibidem, a W di Ca’ di David presso Ca’ Brusà (CFCE: 0631/2) (WGS84: 45.386698°N, 10.962959°E), siepe al margine della strada, 53 m, 27 October 2020, F. Prosser, G. Tomasi, M. Gecchelin (ROV No. 80038); Villafranca di Verona (Verona), lungo la linea ferroviaria dismessa a NW di Castel d’Azzano (CFCE: 0631/2) (WGS84: 45.364584°N, 10.920721°E), inselvatichita nel cespuglieto, 50 m, 27 October 2020, leg. F. Prosser, G. Tomasi, M. Gecchelin, det. F. Prosser (ROV No. 79588); Dolcè (Verona), fraz. Peri, stazione dei treni (WGS84: 45.660533°N, 10.901149°E), 129 m, 8 April 2021, A. Bertolli, F. Prosser (ROV No. 80123). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Veneto.

Hedera hibernica is quite widespread and was probably, at least partially, confused with H. canariensis Willd. by Argenti et al. (2019).

F. Prosser, A. Bertolli, F. Festi, G. Tomasi

Jaborosa integrifolia Lam. (Solanaceae)

+ (NAT) SAR. – Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Sardegna.

Since the first report in 2011 (Podda et al. 2012), this species has been observed naturalized in the countryside of Batteria Boggio (Pula, Cagliari), near its first site known in loc. Is Loccis Santus (San Giovanni Suergiu, Sud Sardegna) and near Perdaxius and Terraseo (Narcao, Sud Sardegna).

G. Bacchetta, G. Calvia, A. Lallai

Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss (Hydrocharitaceae)

+ (NAT) EMR: Sissa Trecasali (Parma), porto fluviale di Torricella di Sissa, vicino alla sponda (WGS84: 44.987640°N, 10.294034°E), profondità 0.5 m, 24 July 2019, R. Bolpagni, A. Dalla Vecchia (FI barcode FI065222). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Emilia-Romagna.

Lagarosiphon major is one of the most widespread and noxious invasive aquatic species in Europe and globally (Bolpagni 2021). It is, indeed, included in the European list of alien species of Union concern [Reg. (EU) no. 1143/2014]. In the river port of Torricella di Sissa, it forms small monophytic stands.

R. Bolpagni, A. Dalla Vecchia

Miscanthus ×longiberbis (Hack.) Nakai (Poaceae)

+ (CAS) ITALIA (LOM): Iseo (Brescia), a S della rotonda tra Via per Rovato (Via Tangenziale Sud) e Viale Roma (WGS84: 45.649400°N, 10.042614°E), incolto, 191 m, no exp., 16 October 2021, leg. A. Federici, det. E. Banfi, G. Galasso (FI, MSNM Nos. 51406, 51407). – Casual alien nothospecies new for the flora of Italy (Lombardia).

This is a natural sterile hybrid between Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. (China, Korea, Japan) and M. sinensis Andersson (China, SE-Asia), no longer cultivated in Italy as an ornamental. It can be distinguished from M. sinensis by culms up to 2.5(–3.5) m, callus hairs 2–4 times as long as spikelet, spikelets unawned, and from M. sacchariflorus by pedicels of pedicellate spikelets mostly longer than 3 mm (Ibaragi et al. 2017).

E. Banfi, G. Galasso, A. Federici

Nymphaea mexicana Zucc. (Nymphaeaceae)

+ (NAT) TOS: Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), nei pressi del Mulino di Piermaggiore sulla strada SP9 di Pievasciata (WGS84: 43.387002°N, 11.405236°E), laghetto artificiale, 272 m, 5 July 2021, leg. G. Bonari, T. Fiaschi, det. C. Angiolini, G. Bonari, T. Fiaschi (FI, SIENA). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Toscana.

This population widely colonizes the surface of an artificial lake. We detected numerous flowering individuals. This species is similar to the sterile hybrid Nymphaea × thiona D.B.Ward, but the two taxa differ, according to Ward (1977), by the dimensions of the sepals (3–5 cm in N. mexicana vs 5–8 cm in N. × thiona).

C. Angiolini, G. Bonari, T. Fiaschi

Opuntia anacantha Speg. (Cactaceae)

+ (CAS) SAR: Oschiri (Sassari), Diga Coghinas, rupi a ridosso della strada presso la chiesetta di Santa Barbara (WGS84: 40.788700°N, 9.024265°E), rupi, 205 m, 23 August 2019, G. Calvia (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Sardegna.

In Oschiri the plant produces flowers and fruits, but its reproduction is primarily vegetative by cladode detachment or by the rooting of sterile fruits.

G. Calvia, A. Guiggi

Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelm. (Cactaceae)

+ (NAT) UMB: Amelia (Terni), fraz. Fornole (WGS84: 42.539353°N, 12.459980°E), incolto con vegetazione a Stipa bromoides e Cymbopogon hirtus, 305 m, S-SE, 22 February 2022, R. Venanzoni (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2109); Montecchio (Terni), strada locale direzione Melezzole-Montecchio, scarpata inferiore della strada (WGS84: 42.668347°N, 12.305811°E), scarpata stradale, 633 m, S, 22 February 2022, R. Venanzoni (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2108); Spello (Perugia), fraz. Capitan Loreto, strada SS75bis Foligno-Perugia, prima dell’uscita per Capitan Loreto direzione Perugia, sommità della scarpata destra (WGS84: 43.017289°N, 12.647450°E), scarpata stradale, 210 m, SW, 22 February 2022, leg. R. Venanzoni, det. F. Lucchese, A. Guiggi (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2110). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Umbria.

Populations of this species have been observed for decades.

G. Ratini, A. Guiggi, F. Lucchese, R. Venanzoni

Opuntia pilifera F.A.C.Weber (Cactaceae)

+ (CAS) SIC: Aci Castello (Catania), Scogliera Cannizzaro (WGS84: 37.538144°N, 15.131077°E), scogliera, 20 m, 10 October 2021, leg. G. Spampinato, det. V.L.A. Laface, C.M. Musarella, G. Spampinato (FI, REGGIO). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Sicilia.

In Sicily, O. pilifera grows along cliffs, on basaltic rocks of volcanic origin, where it lives with other Opuntia species.

V.L.A. Laface, C.M. Musarella, G. Spampinato

Opuntia spinulifera Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae)

+ (NAT) SIC: Terrasini (Palermo), Baia San Cataldo (WGS84: 38.089721°N, 13.077674°E), sea cliffs, 20 m, 28 April 2021, G. Domina (FI, PAL). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Sicilia.

A discontinuous area of over 200 m² near the coast is covered by this species, which reproduces abundantly by seed and vegetatively. In the Favorita Park, in the suburbs of Palermo, some individuals of the same species reproduce by seed and propagate vegetatively.

G. Barone, G. Di Gregorio

Oxalis articulata Savigny (Oxalidaceae)

+ (CAS) MAR. – Alien status indication for the flora of Marche.

Oxalis articulata was indicated for the Marche without invasiveness status by Galasso et al. (2018). However, several individuals, escaped from cultivation, have been found by us in many localities of the municipalities of Cagli, Cantiano, Piandimeleto, and Mercatello. According to these observations, O. articulata should be considered casual for this administrative region.

G. Mei, A. Stinca

Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. (Poaceae)

+ (NAT) UMB: Baschi (Terni), Lago di Corbara, sponda destra (WGS84: 42.718358°N, 12.258800°E), sponde ciottolose e sabbiose con vegetazione a Xanthium italicum e Abutilon theophrasti, 134 m, September 2020, leg. R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya, det. F.M. Tardella (FI, PERU barcode PERU-2104). – Naturalized alien species new for the Flora of Umbria.

R. Venanzoni, S. Praleskouskaya, F.M. Tardella

Persicaria filiformis (Thunb.) Nakai (Polygonaceae)

+ (CAS) PIE: Baveno (Verbano-Cusio-Ossola), Via Liberazione (WGS84: 45.911556°N, 8.504567°E), spigolo tra la strada e il marciapiede, 204 m, no exp., 1 October 2021, G. Galasso (FI, MSNM Nos. 51192, 51193); ibidem, leg. A. Selvaggi, det. G. Galasso (Herb. A. Selvaggi). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Piemonte.

A large clump of individuals of this species was observed.

G. Galasso, L. Gariboldi, A. Selvaggi

Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae)

+ (NAT) SAR: Villaspeciosa (Sud Sardegna), loc. Cuaddu Moriscu, Lago del Cixerri (WGS84: 39.275651°N, 8.861169°E), pratelli umidi sulle rive del lago, 39 m, 26 October 2021, A.P. Lecis, F. Mascia, L. Podda (FI, CAG). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Sardegna.

Hundreds of individuals were found sparsely along the shores of the Cixerri dam, occupying an area of approximately 5,000 m². We observed a tendency of the species to colonise also the adjacent areas due to its edible fruits dispersed by animals.

A.P. Lecis, F. Mascia, L. Podda

Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold subsp. nigra (Pinaceae)

+ (CAS) SIC: Isnello (Palermo), Madonie, Piano Zucchi, edge of the road SP54 (WGS84: 37.889805°N, 13.999320°E), on a stone wall, 1150 m, 3 June 2021, E. Di Gristina (FI, PAL). – Casual alien subspecies new for the flora of Sicilia.

Some individuals grow on a vertical stone wall in the Madonie Regional Park, born from seeds produced by trees growing in a nearby reforested area.

E. Di Gristina, G. Barone

Portulaca grandiflora Hook. (Portulacaceae)

+ (CAS) PUG: Brindisi (Brindisi), Via Taranto tra i numeri civici 3 e 29 (WGS84: 40.633188°N, 17.943848°E), interstizi del marciapiede, 25 m, 23 June 2021, F. Roma-Marzio 1416 (FI, PI No. 044613). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Puglia.

The flowers of Portulaca grandiflora may occur with petals of different colours from yellow to magenta, and can show a double whorl of petals (Ocampus and Travis Columbus 2012). About ten plants were found, all with yellow petals.

F. Roma-Marzio

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (Fabaceae)

+ (INV) TOS: Scandicci (Firenze), in prossimità dell’ingresso del Centro Don Gnocchi (WGS84: 43.760264°N, 11.205463°E), area incolta adiacente a un’azienda vivaistica, in contesto periurbano, 14 September 2021, G. Ferretti (FI); ibidem, 10 November 2021, G. Ferretti (FI). – Invasive alien species new for the flora of Toscana.

Pueraria lobata is a particularly noxious, invasive, densely-packed climbing species, considered among the 100 world’s most invasive alien species (Lowe et al. 2004) and included in the black list of invasive alien species of Union concern [Reg. (EU) no. 2016/1141]. It has invaded an area of about 200 m², even climbing on some trees. This species shows a strong tendency to expand, even when limited by an urban context.

G. Ferretti

Rubus laciniatus Weston (Rosaceae)

+ (NAT) TOS. – Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Toscana.

The species was recently recorded as casual alien in Toscana by Canzonieri et al. (2022). In Agliana (Pistoia) a few fruiting plants of fair size were observed among other brambles and roses in an extended uncultivated ground periodically mowed only in the area facing the park (loc. Castelletto, di fronte al centro commerciale di Via E. Berlinguer, WGS84: 43.909620°N, 10.996292°E, ca 45 m, 3 July 2021, A. Messina, FI).

A. Messina, G. Gestri

Sedum palmeri S.Watson

+ (NAT) LOM. – Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Lombardia.

In Milano Sedum palmeri is largely naturalized on the masonry banks of the Naviglio della Martesana, with dozens of individuals for a stretch of at least 1.7 km in length (WGS84: from 45.514009°N, 9.253945°E to 45.504995°N, 9.237820°E).

G. Galasso, E. Banfi

Setaria adhaerens (Forssk.) Chiov. (Poaceae)

+ (NAT) LOM: Breno (Brescia), loc. Lavarino, a monte della strada (Via Laverino Inferiore) per Case Bruciate (WGS84: 45.959875°N, 10.315386°E), margine stradale erboso, ca. 340 m, WNW, 24 October 2020, leg. et det. A. Federici, conf. E. Banfi, G. Galasso (FI ex Hb. E. Bona No. 071242); ibidem, 9 November 2021, leg. et det. A. Federici, conf. E. Banfi, G. Galasso (MSNM No. 51401). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Lombardia.

The species was observed also along Via Vigne in Piancogno (Brescia province, WGS84: 45.929961°N, 10.238172°E, 383 m, SE, 2021, obs. A. Federici).

E. Banfi, A. Federici, G. Galasso

Sicyos angulatus L. (Cucurbitaceae)

+ (NAT) MOL: Oratino (Campobasso), argini del Fiume Biferno in loc. Bivaro (WGS84: 41.584596°N, 14.559886°E), argine fluviale, 395 m, 25 September 2021, G. Salerno, E. D’Alessandro, B. Paura (FI, Herb. G. Salerno). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Molise.

G. Salerno, E. D’Alessandro, B. Paura

Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae)

+ (NAT) SIC: Pozzallo (Ragusa), Lungomare Pietrenere (WGS84: 36.729444°N, 14.851944°E), aiuole, 3 m, 20 August 2018, A. Soldano 18531 (FI). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Sicilia.

Many individuals were observed along the seafront where the species was missing in previous years.

A. Soldano

Sporobolus indicus (L.) R.Br. (Poaceae)

+ (NAT) SAR. – Status change from casual to naturalized alien for the flora of Sardegna.

This species was detected in 2016 (Campus and De Pascali 2017) near the Brotzu Hospital of Cagliari, where currently it has disappeared. In recent years, we have found it in Nora and Pula (Pula, Cagliari), where it was first introduced in green lawns and then started to produce viable seeds that are germinating in neighbouring areas.

M. Fois, A. Cuena-Lombraña, G. Campus

Strigosella africana (L.) Botsch. (Brassicaceae)

+ (CAS) TOS: Montale (Pistoia), sopra Fognano, presso la zona di atterraggio elicotteri di soccorso (WGS84: 43.572342°N, 11.022752°E), incolto erboso periodicamente sfalciato, ca. 215 m, 14 April 2019, leg. G. Gestri, det. G. Gestri, V. Lazzeri (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Toscana.

A few fruiting plants were observed.

G. Gestri, V. Lazzeri

Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott (Fabaceae)

+ (CAS) SIC: Catania (Catania), Via Ipogeo (WGS84: 37.512634°N, 15.079921°E), bordo strada, 38 m, 26 November 2021, leg. C.M. Musarella, det. V.L.A. Laface, C.M. Musarella, G. Spampinato (FI, REGGIO). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Sicilia.

V.L.A. Laface, C.M. Musarella, G. Spampinato

Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae)

+ (CAS) TAA: Arco (Trento), tra Massone e Bolognano in loc. Gambor (CFCE: 0032/3) (WGS84: 45.919668°N, 10.908787°E), scarpata incolta, 1 pianta alta 1.5 m, molto ramificata, 150 m, 22 January 2022, leg. M. Merli, det. G. Galasso (FI, ROV No. 80115, Herb. M Merli). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.

G. Galasso, M. Merli

Tetradium daniellii (Benn.) T.G.Hartley (Rutaceae)

+ (CAS) ITALIA (TAA): Ala (Trento), al termine della stradina presso la sponda destra del Fiume Adige a NE di Chiesurone (CFCE: 0232/1) (WGS84: 45.786316°N, 11.016831°E), margine stradina nella boscaglia con robinia, 147 m, 10 October 2020, F. Prosser (FI, ROV No. 79638). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Italy (Trentino-Alto Adige).

This species was identified according to Zhang and Hartley (2008). It is a plant of melliferous interest, planted near an apiary in the indicated locality. It features abundant renewal up to 15 m away. In Europe, it sporadically escapes from cultivation, for example in southwestern Germany (Mazomeit 2016).

F. Prosser

Thinopyrum obtusiflorum (DC.) Banfi (Poaceae)

+ (NAT) LAZ: Cittaducale (Rieti), presso Grotti, strada SR578 “Salto Cicolana”, presso lo svincolo (WGS84: 42.352123°N, 12.957368°E), incolto ruderale, 405 m, 23 November 2020, G. Filibeck, L. Cancellieri (Herb. L. Cancellieri); ibidem, 22 July 2021, G. Salerno, S. Maestri (FI, Herb. G. Salerno); Castel Madama (Roma), Via San Quirico (WGS84: 41.976970°N, 12.877654°E), 25 July 2021, G. Salerno (Herb. G. Salerno). – Naturalized alien species new for the flora of Lazio.

This species was sown in 2016 for “greening” of a highway escarpment at Grotti, and some individuals now grow also in ruderal meadows nearby. Near Castel Madama, a large population grows on a highway escarpment and nearby areas. The use of this species for embankment greening followed by local naturalization is already reported for N-Italy and Switzerland (Bertolli and Prosser 2014 and references therein; Röthlisberger 2010). A germination test on spikelets collected from the Grotti plants confirmed that the population is able to reproduce.

L. Cancellieri, G. Filibeck, S. Maestri, G. Salerno

Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn. (Poaceae)

+ (CAS) SIC: Caltagirone (Catania) (WGS84: 37.126671°N, 14.519971°E), lungo il bordo del sentiero, 329 m, 8 April 2021, D. Azzaro, S. Cambria (FI, CAT); Terrasini (Palermo), Baia San Cataldo (WGS84: 38.088381°N, 13.079131°E), 40 m, 28 April 2021, G. Domina (SAF No. 100039). – Casual alien subspecies new for the flora of Sicilia.

D. Azzaro, G. Tavilla, M. Di Stefano

Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Hance ex F.Muell. (Poaceae)

+ (CAS) ITALIA (VEN): Sant’Urbano (Padova), sinistra idrografica del Canale Gorzone, ca. 220 m a E di Ponte Zane (WGS84: 45.143497°N, 11.646712°E), sponda di stagno, in bosco, 9 m, July 2021, L. Tosetto (FI). – Casual alien species new for the flora of Italy (Veneto).

This species was identified according to Liu and Phillips (2006). The plant is cultivated in China for food use of the young shoots and rhizomes when infected by the fungus Ustilago esculenta Henn. (Basidiomycota), which renders the indicated parts edible and inhibits the normal development of the synflorescence. Since the plants found do not bloom, their presence at the site is almost certainly related to this use.

E. Banfi, L. Tosetto, R.R. Masin, R. Pellegrini

Nomenclatural and distribution updates from other literature sources

Nomenclatural, status, distribution updates, and corrections to Galasso et al. (2018) are provided in Suppl. material 1.

G. Galasso, F. Bartolucci

We gratefully acknowledge the Acta Plantarum staff, Nicola M.G. Ardenghi, Maurizio Bovio, Antonio Giacò, Fabrizio Martini, and Lorenzo Pinzani who provided distribution information.