Contribution to the knowledge of endemic vascular flora of Calabria. 2. Silene oenotriae Brullo (Caryophyllaceae)

Information about karyology, geographical distribution, ecology, protection of the rare endemic species Silene oenotriae Brullo is given. This plant is marked by a 2n = 24 diploid chromosome complement and results as a schizoendemic species in N Calabria and S Basilicata (Pollino Massif ). S. oenotriae grows in cliffs and rocky habitats on limestones with mesotemperate sub-humid to supratemperate hyper-humid bioclimate. The totality of the known populations are protected within the National Park of Pollino. Based on preliminary observations on the reproductive traits of this hermaphrodite species, we recognized the possible occurrence of gyno-monoecious individuals as well as a low seed germination.