Eleftheria Antaloudaki

Endemic palm groves of the Phoenix genus in Europe form vital natural and semi-natural ecosystems with exceptional ecological and socio-economic significance. These unique habitats are found only in Spain (Phoenix canariensis) and Greece (P. theophrasti). Their rarity has led to their inclusion in Annex I of the EU Directive 92/43 and their designation as Priority Habitat 9370*, “Palm groves of Phoenix,” with just 53 Natura 2000 (N2K) sites allocated for their conservation at the EU level.Both species, face similar conservation challenges. Key threats include the impacts of climate change, pest infestations, and Invasive Alien Species (IAS). Additionally, region-specific issues arise from human activities: in Gran Canaria, past poor practices have led to hybridization with P. dactylifera, while in Crete, overgrazing and tourism pressures are primary concerns. Hybridization and pest control in Crete are currently managed with a precautionary approach.The overarching goal of the LIFE Phoenix project is to enhance the conservation status of Priority Habitat 9370* in by implementing a comprehensive strategy. This includes mitigating major threats such as droughts, wildfires, overgrazing, visitor pressure, and hybridization; restoring natural palm groves through proper management techniques; preventing and controlling pests and IAS; promoting reforestation; and fostering environmental governance and awareness.

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov., collected from the offshore islet of Agria Gramvousa (northwestern Crete, Greece), is described and illustrated as a locally endemic species. It is related to Ornithogalum montanum , O. atticum and O. pumilum , however, it differs from these in having wrinkled and corrugated leaf surface, fruiting pedicels thickened at base, flexuose rachis of infructescence and winged capsules. The relationships between the new species and the aforementioned are discussed, while information regarding its ecology, conservation status and karyotype is also given.

The genus Origanum is a well-known culinary, aromatic and medicinal taxon of the Lamiaceae family. Despite the notable progress that has been made in Lamiaceae phylogenetics and in the Nepetoideae subfamily, the genus remains insufficiently investigated concerning its interspecies evolutionary relationships. The present study provides initial insights into the phylogenetic relationships and sectional classification of Greek taxa, based on three nuclear and five chloroplast DNA regions with eight taxa and 68 samples in total. The molecular results showed all (steno) endemic species as monophyletic with high or absolute support. Additionally, O. calcaratum’s scattered distribution between three phytogeographical areas in the Aegean Archipelago is also confirmed molecularly. The molecular results also verify the close affinity of certain sections; thus, sec. Majorana is placed as a sister group of sec. Chilocalyx and sec. Amaracus with sec. Anatolicon. However, based on species sectional classification, the groups from this study differ from the sections previously recognized. Such species belong to sections Amaracus and Anatolicon, where they are either mixed together or are grouped with other sections. Regarding morphological analysis, certain non-vegetative characters are highlighted as important for the delimitation of most Greek taxa, while characters related to the calyx, when combined, are very useful for the delimitation of sections.

The volatile compositions of three closely related Hypericum species growing wild on the island of Crete were studied, all belonging to the section Coridium. Hydro-distillation in a modified Clevenger-type apparatus was performed according to the Hellenic Pharmacopoeia in order to obtain the essential oils, which were analyzed by GC-MS. Identification of the compounds was carried out by comparison of MS spectra and retention indices with literature data, as well as by co-chromatography with authentic samples. In total, 123 different compounds were identified and the main compounds were by order of their abundance as follows: H. empetrifolium: α-pinene, germacrene D, β-pinene, E-caryophyllene; H. amblycalyx: β-elemene, β-selinene, α-pinene, E-caryophyllene, α-selinene; H. jovis: trans-calamenene, α-selinene, β-elemene. The chemical results revealed the differences and similarities (qualitative and quantitative) between the studied oils, supporting the hypothesis that essential oils from Hypericum spp. do not serve as chemotaxonomic markers. Moreover, the essential oils were subjected to antimicrobial screening. According to the given results, the essential oils possessed better antifungal and anticandidal activities than antibacterial activities.