45
1 University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, 
Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 
Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 Društvo za raziskovanje mokrišč Slovenije 
(DRMS), Celovška cesta 30, SI-1000 Ljubljana, 
Slovenia 
3 ZRC SAZU, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, 
Novi trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
* Editor 
For correspondence, see the individual chapters.
† These authors contributed equally to this work.
Citation: Strgulc Krajšek, S., Kocjan, J. M.,  
Küzmič, F., Marc, L., & Šenk, E. (2023). 
Significant records of plants, algae, fungi, and 
animals in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 1. 
Acta Biologica Slovenica, 67 (1)
https://doi.org/10.14720/abs.67.1.18967
This article is an open access article distributed 
under the terms and conditions of the Creative 
Commons Attribution (CC BY SA) license
Original Research
Significant records  
of plants, algae, fungi,  
and animals in SE Europe 
and adjacent regions, 1
Simona Strgulc Krajšek 1*, Mihael J. Kocjan 2†, Filip Küzmič 3†,  
Žan Lobnik Cimerman 1†, Lara Marc 1†, Katja Potočnik 1†, Ela Šenk 1† 
Abstract
In this paper, we present four significant records of plants in Slovenia: a vascular 
plant Calepina irregularis, and three moss species, Ptychostomum torquescens, 
Sphagnum papillosum; Tortella fasciculata. 
Keywords
Calepina irregularis; Ptychostomum torquescens; Sphagnum papillosum; 
Tortella fasciculata; vascular plants; bryophytes; mosses, flora; Slovenia 
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Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2024, 67 (1)
The species is readily recognisable by its white flowers, small, almost globose fruits, and non-pubescent aboveground 
organs. In the described locality, all specimens (more than 10) exhibited prostrate growth habit, slightly ascending at the tips 
of the inflorescences due to trampling. 
The species is native to the area from the Mediterranean to Iran. In Slovenia, it was predominantly recorded in the western-
most parts of the submediterranean phytogeographic region, mostly in vineyard weed plant communities and ruderal veg-
etation (Balant, 2011; Glasnović & Jogan, 2009; Lešnik, 2001; Poldini, 1980, 2006; Poldini, Oriolo, & Mazzolini, 1998; Seljak, 
1989; Šilc and Čarni, 2007; Trčak, 2014). The only known occurrence in another region is from the vicinity of the Vihre village 
in Eastern Slovenia (Trčak et al. 2008). 
In the currently reported locality, several (more than 10) specimens were found aligning the non-shadowed trail. Species in 
the plant stand with their Braun-Blanquet abundance values taken in a plot of 10mx0.2m were: Achillea millefolium agg. (+), 
Allium scorodoprasum subsp. scorodoprasum (+), Bellis perennis L. (+), Calepina irregularis (Asso) Thell. (2), Capsella bur-
sa-pastoris (L.) Med. (1), Cardamine hirsuta L. (+), Carex hirta L. (2), Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. (+), Convolvulus arvensis 
L. (+), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (+), Geranium pusillum Burm. fil. (+), Lysimachia nummularia L. (+), Malva sylvestris L. (+), 
Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill (+), Picris hieracioides agg. (+), Plantago major L., s. str. (+), Poa annua L. (1), Poa trivialis L. (1), 
Poaceae (seedlings) (+), Polygonum aviculare agg. (+), Potentilla reptans L. (1), Ranunculus repens L. (1), Taraxacum sect. 
Taraxacum F. H. Wigg. (3), Trifolium pratense L. (+), Trifolium repens L. (2), Veronica arvensis L. (1), Veronica persica Poir. (1). 
Acknowledgement
I thank Dr. Branko Vreš for the discussion on the species' identity and occurrences.
Funding
Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, grant number P1-0236, funded this research.
Contributor(s) Filip Küzmič
Corresponding author Filip Küzmič (filip.kuzmic@zrc-sazu.si)
Leg. Filip Küzmič
Country Slovenia
Statement of significance A very rare occurrence of the species outside of (sub)Mediterranean phytogeographic zone.
Locality description Dolenjska, Novo mesto, between the streets Na Loko and Defranceschijeva, 166 m a.s.l.
Habitat lawn border by the trail covered with small stones, partly trampled
Date of observation 2024-04-30
GPS N 45.803431°, E 15.164150°
Voucher Herbarium LJS 13123
Calepina irregularis (Asso) Thell., fam. Brassicaceae (vascular plant)
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Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2024, 67 (1)
Ptychostomum torquescens (Bruch & Schimp.) Ros & Mazimpaka (synonym, Bryum torquescens Bruch & Schimp.) is a rarely 
encountered moss species that is frequently confused with the much more widespread P. capillare (Hedw.) Holyoak & N. 
Pedersen. The species is found in most European countries and is considered least concern (LC) in the European Red List 
(Hodgetts et al., 2019). It grows in all neighbouring countries of Slovenia except Austria (Hodgetts & Lochhart, 2020). It is 
regionally extinct (RC) in Sweden, endangered (EN) in the Netherlands, vulnerable (VU) in Great Britain, Ireland, Bulgaria, 
and Hungary, and near threatened (NT) in Romania (Hodgetts & Lochhart, 2020). In Slovenia, it is listed as data deficient 
(DD) (Martinčič, 2024). We report the first data of its occurrence in Slovenia since 1960, the first one in central Slovenia. Two 
specimens collected by Martinčič are stored in Herbarium LJU (from Bela Krajina, 1955, and Trnovski gozd, 1960). There are 
also two older published records from the vicinity of the town Nova Gorica (Höhnel, 1893; Loitlesberger, 1909). 
We sampled a few specimens on soil on calcareous bedrock in Iški Vintgar nature reserve. For species identification, we 
used identification keys from Holoyak (2021) and Frey et al. (2006). The species is morphologically similar to P. capillare. The 
only reliable differences between them are that P. torquescens is sinoicous and has pointed apical cells of paraphyses, and 
P. capillare is dioicous and has rounded apical cells of paraphyses (Holoyak, 2012). Both species also have similar habitat 
preferences. They grow in patches on calcareous rock or soil, usually in bright to moderately shaded places. In a dry state, 
both species are recognised by leaves that are spirally twisted like a screw. B. capillare also grows on bark, moderately 
acidic rock, and is common in urban areas, too (Holoyak, 2012). Identification of the species in the field is not possible.
We presume that P. torquescens might be overlooked in Slovenia due to its similarity to P. capillare. 
Funding
The Slovenian Research Agency (grant no. P1-0212) financially supported the study.
Contributor(s) Ela Šenk, Lara Marc, Simona Strgulc Krajšek
Corresponding author (email) Simona Strgulc Krajšek (simona.strgulc@bf.uni-lj.si)
Leg. Ela Šenk, Lara Marc
Country Slovenia
Statement of significance The first recent record of a rare species. 
Locality description Ljubljana, southwest of town Ig, Iški vintgar, Nature Reserve (RS, no. 80/2005), 350 m a.s.l., 
Habitat soil on calcareous bedrock
Date of observation 2024-05-24
GPS N 45.9114409°, E 14.4991750° (approximate coordinates)
Voucher Herbarium LJU
Ptychostomum torquescens (Bruch & Schimp.) Ros & Mazimpaka, 
fam. Bryceae (moss)
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Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2024, 67 (1)
Sphagnum papillosum (sect. Sphagnum) was recently found growing in a transitional mire in the Gorenjska region of 
Slovenia. The species has a known distribution in the Alpine (Julian Alps and Pohorje) and the pre-Alpine regions (Martinčič, 
2024). It is listed as a near threatened (NT) taxon on the national Red List (Martinčič, 2016, 2024). The species is also present 
in Croatia, Italy, and Austria, in the latter being considered vulnerable (category 3, which roughly translates into VU using the 
IUCN system) (Hodgetts and Lockhart, 2020). In the year 1987, the dynamics of net photosynthesis of Sphagnum papillosum 
were investigated on a relic of the raised bog Goričica near Ljubljana, Slovenia (Gaberščik and Martinčič, 1987). Whether that 
population is still present up to the present day remains a question.
According to Martinčič (2024) the species is an exclusive element of raised bogs in Slovenia. Generally, it is known in Europe 
as a species of open acidic peatlands growing in distinct hummocks or more extensive carpets. It grows beside streams or 
in flushes in upland areas and transitional mires with a deep peat layer in the lowlands (Daniels and Eddy, 1990).
The unique cell morphology of Sphagnum papillosum gives rise to its name; hence, the surface of the chlorocysts on a 
cross-section of the branch leaves appears to be rough with minute projections. This is due to cell wall protrusions that form 
papillae (Anderson and Ammann, 1991). The fascicles consist of 4 branches, with usually two being pendent and two diver-
gent. The whole plant is green, yellowish, or ochre (Daniels and Eddy, 1990).
Similar but with longer outgrowths on the surface of chlorocysts, commonly referred to as transverse lamellae or comb-fi-
brils, are also present in two other species, those being S. austinii and S. affine. Still, they have a wider distribution in northern 
European countries (Smith, 2004).
Contributor(s) Žan Lobnik Cimerman, J. Mihael Kocjan
Corresponding author Žan Lobnik Cimerman (zan.lobnikcimerman@bf.uni-lj.si)
Leg. J. Mihael Kocjan
Country Slovenia
Statement of significance Rarely reported taxon, listed in the near threatened (NT) category of the Slovenian Red List.
Locality description Gorenjska, near Komenda, NE of the village Mlaka pri Komendi, left side of stream, 350 m a.s.l.
Habitat alder forest, transitional mire
Date of observation 2023-01-01
GPS N 46.216944°, E 14.566389°
Voucher Herbarium LJU
Sphagnum papillosum Lindb., fam. Sphagnaceae (moss)
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Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2024, 67 (1)
Tortella fasciculata (Culm.) Culm. is a species from T. bambergeri agg. In the Red List of Bryophytes of Slovenia (Martinčič, 
2016), T. bambergeri (Schimp.) Broth. s. lat. is listed as a data deficient species. It was found in the Alpine (Glowacki, 1908, 
1910; Breidler 1891), Dinaric (Glowacki, 1913), and Pre-Alpine phytogeographical regions (Glowacki, 1910), but all records are 
more than 100 years old. As the recent molecular research by Köckinger and Hedenäs (2017) showed, T. bambergeri agg. 
consists of two species, namely T. fasciculata and T. pseudofragilis (Thér.) Köckinger & Hedenäs. T. pseudofragilis was 
already collected in Slovenia (Plemenice under Triglav) by I. Dakskobler (Martinčič, 2024) and Martinčič (2024) comments 
that the specimens reported by Glowacki (1910) could also refer to this species. The presence of T. fasciculata was not con-
firmed in Slovenia until our findings. However, Martinčič (2024) comments that the specimens reported by Glowacki (1910) 
from Kanal at Soča Valley might refer to T. fasciculata. 
We sampled the species on the top of the rock wall near the stream in the front yard of Nemilje 1, where humidity is high 
for most of the year. According to the literature, the ecology is not typical, as the species is believed to be thermophyllous 
(Köckinger and Hedenäs, 2017). We used Köckinger and Hedenäs (2017) and Ottley and Blockeel (2019) for identification. 
The central strand was well-developed and composed of several cells. The leaves in the dry state were incurved up to the 
apex. Marginal cells were very papillose and mostly isodiametric. The plants were without sporophytes.
According to Köckinger and Hedenäs (2017), the species has a suboceanic-submediterranean distribution. Up to now, it has 
been recorded in several European countries, but in several European regions, its status is still unclear (Hodgetts & Lockhart, 
2020). This species is considered the least concerned (LC) in the European Red List (Hodgetts & al. 2019). 
The species is expected to be more widespread in Slovenia. Until we collect more distribution data, we suggest listing the 
species as data deficient with recent records (DD-n) in the Slovene Red List. 
Funding
The Slovenian Research Agency (grant no. P1-0212) financially supported the study.
Contributor(s) K. Potočnik, S. Strgulc Krajšek
Corresponding author S. Strgulc Krajšek (simona.strgulc@bf.uni-lj.si)
Leg. K. Potočnik 
Country Slovenia
Statement of significance The first recent report for Slovenia.
Locality description Gorenjska, Kranj, Nemilje, in the front yard of Nemilje 1504 m a. s. l.
Habitat at the top of the stone wall
Date of observation 2024-05-28
GPS N 46.2648756°, E 14.2297790°
Voucher Herbarium LJU
Tortella fasciculata (Culm.) Culm., fam. Pottiaceae (moss)
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Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2024, 67 (1)
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