137 Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae), a new species in the flora of Tunisia and second report from North Africa Abstract Echinophora spinosa L., a perennial member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family is known to be native to southern Europe and Algeria. More recently this taxon was collected from Tabarka (Jendouba-Kroumiria, North-Western of Tunisia) and is reported as a new species for the terrestrial flora of Tunisia. It is described and illustrated and notes on its ecology and phytosociological remarks are provided. Iz vleček Echinophora spinosa L., trajnica iz družine Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), je domorodna vrsta južne Evrope in Alžirije. Nedavno smo to vrsto našli tudi pri mestu Tabarka (Jendouba-Kroumiria, severozahodna T unizija). Najdba predstavlja novo vrsto v flori T unizije. Predstavljamo njen opis ter opis ekoloških in fitocenoloških razmer. Key words: Echinophora spinosa L., Apiaceae, new find, North Africa, Kroumiria. Ključne besede: Echinophora spinosa L., Apiaceae, nova najdba, Severna Afrika, Kroumiria. Received: 20. 7. 2019 Revision received: 19. 9. 2019 Accepted: 23. 9. 2019 1 University of Jendouba, Laboratory of Silvo-Pastoral Resources, Silvo-Pastoral Institute of Tabarka, BP . 345, 8110-Tabarka, T unisia. 2 University of Monastir, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences “A”, Laboratory of Botany, Cryptogamy and Plant Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, Avenue Avicenna, 5000-Monastir, T unisia. Email: ridha.elmokni@fphm.rnu.tn Ridha El Mokni1 , 2  DOI: 10.2478/hacq-2019-0016 19/1 • 2020, 137–142 19/1 • 2020, 137–142 138 Ridha El Mokni Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae), a new species in the flora of T unisia and second report from North Africa Introduction In the context of our extensive field surveys and floris- tic investigations aiming at updating and improving the knowledge on the T unisian vascular flora, mainly focused on the Kroumiria region (North-Western of Tunisia) (see e.g., El Mokni & El Aouni 2012, El Mokni et al. 2014, 2015a, 2015b, El Mokni 2018, El Mokni & Ver- loove 2017, 2019, El Mokni & Domina 2019), in coastal dunes of Tabarka region in August 2018, an interesting spiny plant was found. Specimens, which are available in great abundance, resemble sea holly in their general ap- pearance, but differ, especially in their gathered flowers in umbels. After checking the pertinent works on the Tuni- sian flora and checklist, and the North African flora (e.g., Pottier-Alapetite 1979, Le Floc’h et al. 2010, Dobignard & Chatelain 2011, APD 2019) we can state that our dis- covery represents the first record of the genus in Tunisia and the second for North Africa. The genus Echinophora L. (Apiaceae) in the Mediterra- nean area is represented by seven species (Hand 2011). In North Africa, only E. spinosa L. was reported from Algeria as a very rare taxon (Quézel & Santa 1963, APD 2019). A more detailed examination of collected specimens revealed it to be Echinophora spinosa L., which is a new record for the flora of T unisia (Pottier-Alapetite 1979, Le Floc’h et al. 2010, Dobignard & Chatelain 2011, Hand 2011, APD 2019). In this paper, the finding of the new species is reported, detailed illustrations of its compo- nents are provided, its new actual distribution area to- gether with its syntaxonomic status are discussed. Material and methods The present work is based on both field surveys within Kroumiria region (periods 2015–2019), analysis of rel- evant literature and examination of specimens preserved at National Superior School of Agronomy of El Harrach (Algiers) available at http://gdebelair.com/herbier.html and my personal collection which is deposited in the Her- baria of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir (not listed in Index Herbariorum). The description is in part original based on direct ob- servations of T unisian specimens. Research area Kroumiria in Tunisia is defined geographically as series of mountainous chains, South South-Western – North North-Eastern, which rise to 1203 m at Djebel El Ghorra on the Tunisian-Algerian border. It is about 30 km wide, bordered on the South by the “MejardaValley” , on the West by the Algerian border and on the North and East by the Mediterranean sea, area of the extended dunes (Tabarka region) (Rouvier 1977, Talbi et al. 2008) with coordinates between 36°24'08"N to 37°02'00"N and 08°09'14"E to 08°59'26"E. Geologically, the entire study area corresponds to the field of flyshs with the largest Nu- midian unit. This unit extends from the Oligocene to the lower Miocene (Rouvier 1977). Kroumiria is bioclimati- cally the most rainy region of T unisia sometimes till 2200 mm per year) included in the humid bioclimate with mainly temperate to hot winters, in the dunes of Tabarka. Vegetation within Kroumiria is dominated by oak s p e c ie s (Quercus spp.) with sporadically conifers and deciduous trees at little extends and very diverse under- growth (shrubs and bushes). Dunes are dominated by communities of Quercus coccifera and planted pines and eucalyptus. Results and discussion Echinophora spinosa L. Sp. Pl.: 239. 1753 ≡ Selinum spino- sum (L.) E. H. L. Krause J. Sturm, Deutschl. Fl. Abbild., ed. 2, 12: 81 (1904) ≡ Echinophora maritima  Gouan (cf. Hassler 2018). Described firstly from “Habitat ad litora maris praesertim mediterranei.” – Generitype (des- ignated by Hitchcock, Prop. Brit. Bot.: 138. 1929.). Lectotype: Herb. Burser XVI (2): 14 (UPS) (designated by Reduron & Jarvis in Jarvis et al. (ed.), Regnum Veg. 127: 44 (1993)). Description (Figure 1): Perennial plant 20–50 cm, glau- cous, glabrescent, with thick and deep roots; stem ro- bust, furrowed, full, with many branches spread in high corymbs; leaves stiff, fleshy, oblong, bipennate, with spiny lobes, carinated below, canaliculate above; white or slightly pink, radiant, polygamous flowers, only the cen- tral is fertile in the sessile umbellula; umbels 9-12(-14) short, thick, angular, unequal, pubescent; involucre with 5–8 linear-lanceolate, spiny, keeled leaflets, almost as long as the umbel; calyx with 5 stiff, spiny teeth; petals obovate, emarginate, with curved tip; erect, elongated styles; fruit enclosed in the receptacle, oblong, short- billed; mericarps with 5 equal sides, depressed, wavy. Phenology: flowering and fruiting times August- October. Native habitat and distribution area: Echinophora spi- nosa L. is native to southern Europe (Albania, Baleares, Corse, Corfu Island, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain) and Algeria (Govaerts 2001, Dobignard & Chatelain 2011, Hand 2011, KBD 2017, APD 2019). In Tunisia, our first observation was in august 2018 along the coastal dunes of Tabarka (North-Western of T unisia). 19/1 • 2020, 137–142 139 Ridha El Mokni Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae), a new species in the flora of T unisia and second report from North Africa Figure 1: Habit of Echinophora spinosa L. A: Plant in its habitat; B: perennial thick and deep root; C: bipennate, spiny leaf; D: several umbellula within an umbel at the sandy low dunes of Tabarka (Kroumiria, North-Western of T unisia) where the species was recorded for the second time to North Africa. Photos: R. El Mokni. Slika 1: Habitus vrste Echinophora spinosa L. A: rastlina na rastišču; B: trajna in globoka korenina; C: deljeni, trnasti listi; D: več kobulčkov, združenih v kobul, na peščenih sipinah pri mestu Tabarka (Kroumiria, severozahodna T unizija), kjer je bila vrsta v Severni Afriki zabeležena drugič. Fotografije: R. El Mokni. Habitat and ecological notes: Echinophora spinosa L. grows in Tunisia in open sandy communities not far away the sea at low altitudes of about 2–3 m a.s.l. His- torically, the plant was not cited before nevertheless it may be present but not distinguished or misidentified. Notes on vegetation and syntaxonomy: Echinophora spinosa L. was found in open and herbaceous com- munities characterized mainly by native medium-sized species, some of them have high national/regional eco- logical value (endemics and subendemics) (see Table 1). B C D A 19/1 • 2020, 137–142 140 Ridha El Mokni Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae), a new species in the flora of T unisia and second report from North Africa These pioneer perennial plant communities develop typical floral carpet from spring to autumn in coastal mobile embryonic sandy dunes. From the phytoso- ciological point of view, plant communities rich with several chamaephytes (Achillea maritima, Anthemis maritima subsp. maritima, Centaurea sphaerocephala, Euphorbia paralias, Rouya polygama, Rumex aristidis) including Echinophora spinosa L. as one of the Am- mophiletea elements and as an accompanying species could belong mainly to Crucianellion maritimae Rivas Goday et Rivas-Martínez 1958 (Marcenò et al. 2018). Throughout the North African coastline, such syntaxon identified mainly due to its similar exceptional vegeta- tion (Ammophila arenaria subsp. arundinacea, Calyste- gia soldanella, Elytrigia juncea, Eryngium maritimum, Euphorbia paralias, Pancratium maritimum, Polygonum maritimum, Sporobolus pungens) extends within the sandy coast in the East of Jijel (Algeria), where it is formed by an “exclave” of dune wherein Echinophora spinosa and Achillea maritima are the characteristics spe- cies (see Thomas 1968, Géhu et al. 1992, Khennouf et al. 2018). According to this available literature and on the basis of our recent observations and our new reports, the actual status of this syntaxon shows an extended area in North African coastline (from Jijel to Annaba in Algeria then to Tabarka dunes in Tunisia) and this is its first report from Tunisia in the south of the Medi- terranean basin. This finding contributes well to the knowledge of the chorology and ecology of Echinophora spinosa within the Mediterranean area. It emphasizes also the great botanical value attributed to this whole area of the North African coast as a regional “hot-spot” of biodiversity, named “Kabylia-Numidia-Kroumiria” (Véla & Benhouhou 2007). Thus, more recently coastal Plants name Life form Status Achillea maritima (L.) Ehrend. & Y. P . Guo C Quite abundant Ammophila arenaria subsp. arundinacea (Host) H. Lindb. G Quite abundant Anthemis maritima L. subsp. maritima C Quite abundant Calendula suffruticosa Vahl H Abundant Calystegia soldanella (L.) Roem. & Schult. H Quite abundant Centaurea sphaerocephala L. C Quite abundant Elytrigia juncea (L.) Nevski G Quite abundant Eryngium maritimum L. H Quite abundant * Euphorbia biumbellata Poir. H Very scarce, restricted to Tabarka (Kroumiria) in T unisia Euphorbia paralias L. C Quite abundant Euphorbia peplis L. T Scarce, very located ** Linaria pinnifolia (Poir.) Maire H Scarce, very located with vulnerable habitat Lomelosia rutifolia (Vahl) Avino & P . Caputo H Quite abundant Lotus cytisoides L. H Quite abundant * Orobanche litorea Guss. T Scarce, restricted to T unisia in North Africa and to Tabarka (Kroumiria) in T unisia Pancratium maritimum L. G Quite abundant Polygonum maritimum L. H Quite abundant Rouya polygama (Desf.) Coincy C Scarce, very vulnerable habitat ** Rumex aristidis Coss. C Very scarce, very located with vulnerable habitat Salsola tragus L. T Quite abundant Sporobolus pungens (Schreb.) Kunth G Quite abundant, first report from Kroumiria in T unisia T amarix africana Poir. Ph Some individuals T able 1: Plants identified within the habitat of Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae) in Tabarka (Kroumiria, North-Western of T unisia). The actual status (3rd column) is due to our floristic monitoring within Kroumiria region and mainly the coastal area of Tabarka, since 2001. Abbreviations. 2nd column: C = chamaephyte, G = geophyte, H = hemicryptophyte, Ph = phanerophyte, T = thero- phyte. Simple asterisks (*) in the 1st column indicate species with high national ecological value within the region of the new record. Double asterisks (**) in the 1st column indicate species with high Mediterranean ecological value (Tuniso-Algerian endemics in Domina & El Mokni 2019). Tabela 1: Vrste najdene na rastišču vrste Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae) pri mestu Tabarka (Kroumiria, severozahodna T unizija). Pogostnost vrste je predstavljena v tretjem stolpcu na podlagi florističnega monitoringa območja Kroumiria in predvsem obalne- ga predela pri mestu Tabarka od leta 2001. Okrajšave: drugi stolpec: C = hamefit, G = geofit, H = hemikriptofit, Ph = fanerofit, T = terofit. Zvezdica (*) v prvem stolpcu označuje vrste z veliko ekološko vrednostjo na nacionalnem nivoju. Dve zvezdici (**) pa označujeta vrste z veliko ekološko vrednostjo v Sredozemlju (endemiti T unizije in Alžirije po Domina & El Mokni 2019). 19/1 • 2020, 137–142 141 Ridha El Mokni Echinophora spinosa L. (Apiaceae), a new species in the flora of T unisia and second report from North Africa dunes of Jijel (Algeria) are proposed as a new Important Plant Area (Khennouf et al. 2018). For T unisia, this dis- covery increases the T unisian floristic diversity with two taxa (a genus and a species within the Apiaceae family) and a dunal syntaxon which is still very localized within Kroumiria region in the North-Western. Taxonomic notes: Compared to European description (see e.g. Jeanmonod & Gamisans 2007, Tison et al. 2014), and herbaria vouchers in gdb herbarium (Alge- ria, North Africa) available at http://gdebelair.com/tax/ famiumbe.html#Echinophora, habit of collected sam- ples in T unisia (North Africa, South Mediterranean Ba- sin) appear to be similar to those of European countries (North Mediterranean basin) concerning the leaves shape and the colour of flowers (white or pink). How- ever, umbels despite their habitual morphology, show 9-12(-14) short and unequal rays (vs 5-8(-20) in Euro- pean descriptions) (see e.g., Coste 1990, Jeanmonod & Gamisans 2007, Tison et al. 2014). Specimens examined (new records to the flora of T u nisia): T abarka (Kroumiria, North-Western of T unisia), on sandy coastal dunes, inflorescence white to pink, 36°57'15"N, 8°47'14"E, 2–3 m above sea level (Figure 2). Specimina visa: TUNISIA. Tabarka: North-eastern of Kroumiria, 36°57'15"N, 08°47'14"E sandy communi- ties, not far away from road margins, and typically on and between low sandy hills at 2–3 m a.s.l., 14 August 2018, El Mokni s.n. (Herb. El Mokni!), El Mokni s.n. (Herb. Univ. Monastir). Acknowledgments My thanks go to all colleagues and friends of RCDA of Jendouba and Aïn Draham (Kroumiria) for their support and their help during my field studies. Ridha El Mokni , https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3849-1039 References APD. 2019: African Plant Database (version 3.4.0). Echinophora spinosa L. – Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques; South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria Genève, viewed 20 July 2019, from http://www.villege.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/ Coste, H. 1990 : Flore descriptive et illustrée de la France, de la Corse et des contrées limitrophes, Vol. 2, p. 224. Librairie Scientifique et technique Albert Blanchard, Paris. 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