<i>Potamogeton schweinfurthii</i>and similar broad-leaved species in Italy

Abstract

Summary Potamogeton schweinfurthii A. Benn is recorded for the first time from peninsular Italy. This species was recently recorded from Sardinia and other Mediterranean islands, where it was confused with some other similar broad-leaved species of Potamogeton, in particular with P. lucens. The finding of P. schweinfurthii in two Tuscan localities (C Italy) initiated an investigation to verify the presence of further specimens of this plant among the material of similar Potamogeton species (P. lucens, P. alpinus, P. nodosus, P. gramineus) preserved in the main Italian herbaria. The herbarium survey allowed discovery of P. schweinfurthii also in Marche and Apulia regions. The distribution in Italy of four other similar Potamogeton species is specified through the herbarium investigation.