ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Volume 101 Budapest, 2009 pp. 23 32 Occurrence of Chamaesyce glyptosperma, and a survey of the genus Chamaesyce (Euphorbiaceae) in Hungary L. SOMLYAY Department of Botany, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H 1476 Budapest, Pf. 222, Hungary. E-mail: somlyay@bot.nhmus.hu Abstract Chamaesyce glyptosperma (ENGELMANN) SMALL, 1903 new to the flora of Hungary was collected on the outskirts of Budapest in 2008. Checking Hungarian herbaria a further specimen of C. glyptosperma collected near Agárd (central Hungary) in 1957 erroneously identified as Euphorbia humifusa WILLD. was found. With the exception of C. maculata (LINNAEUS) SMALL, 1903 all revised herbarium specimens of Chamaesyce GRAY, 1821 species recorded in Hungary are enumerated. Relevant literature records are evaluated based on voucher specimens. The single Hungarian record of C. canescens (LINNAEUS) PROKHANOV, 1933 (Vácrátót, north Hungary) is considered doubtful. Former Hungarian occurrences of C. humifusa (WILLDENOW) PROKHANOV, 1927 are documented from only two botanical gardens in Budapest. Though no authentic new record was published in the last 50 years, vouchers of C. nutans (LAGASCA) SMALL, 1903 refer to former naturalisation of this species in the southern regions of Hungary. With one figure. Key words Chamaesyce glyptosperma, Euphorbia, flora, Hungary, neophyte. INTRODUCTION Chamaesyce GRAY, 1821, often considered as a section or subgenus of genus Euphorbia LINNAEUS, 1753 (THELLUNG 1917, SMITH &TUTIN 1968, see BENEDÍ & ORELL 1992), is a cosmopolitan genus with main distribution centres in the tropical America and Africa (WEBSTER 1994). While only a few Chamaesyce taxa can be considered as native in some regions of Europe, several species of the genus mainly of American origin were introduced to Europe during the last 200 300 years (THELLUNG 1917, SMITH &TUTIN 1968, BENEDÍ & ORELL 1992, HÜGIN & HÜGIN 1997, HÜGIN 1998, 1999).
24 L. Somlyay In Hungary four species, namely Euphorbia chamaesyce LINNAEUS, 1753, E. humifusa WILLDENOW, 1814, E. maculata LINNAEUS, 1753 and E. nutans LAGASCA, 1816 have been reported so far (SOÓ 1966, 1980, PRISZTER 1985). According to BALOGH et al. (2004) E. (Chamaesyce) maculata and E. (Chamaesyce) nutans can be considered as naturalized plants in Hungary, while the other two taxa are casual aliens. In July of 2008 a Chamaesyce species unknown for the author was found in the locality named Belsõ-major-dûlõ located in the district XXIII of Budapest. On account of the new discovery it is worth revising all former Hungarian records of the genus Chamaesyce. MATERIALS AND METHODS To clarify the distribution of Chamaesyce species in Hungary, the following herbaria were checked: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest [BP], Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest [BPU], University of Pécs [JPU], University of Debrecen [DE], Corvinus University, Budapest [CORV] and Szent István University, Gödöllõ [SZIE]. In the case of the latter two institutions I have created provisional herbarium acronyms, since they are missing in HOLMGREN &HOLMGREN (1998). For identification, keys given by HÜGIN & HÜGIN (1997) and HÜGIN (1998) were used. With the exception of C. maculata, which is relatively (though far from equally) wide-spread in Hungary all herbarium specimens are enumerated separated by semicolons. Relevant part of the label s text, collector, date of collecting (s.d. = without date) and, if needed, data of revision are included. In the case of C. maculata only specimens of local historical significance are mentioned. All former relevant Hungarian literature were checked and evaluated based on voucher specimens. Terminology of invasion ecology follows PYŠEK et al. (2004). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Chamaesyce glyptosperma (ENGELMANN) SMALL, 1903 in Hungary Herbarium specimens In agris Csiribpuszta, inter Agárd et Zichyújfalu, comit. Fehér, PRISZTER, 16.VII.1957 (sub Euphorbia humifusa WILLD., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [BP]; Budapest: XXIII. ker., Soroksár, Belsõ-major-dûlõ (Gyál határában), ruderális helyen, SOMLYAY, 11.VII.2008 [BP]. Remarks The species collected by the author in July of 2008 was identified as C. glyptosperma (syn.: Euphorbia glyptosperma ENGELMANN, 1859)
Occurrence of Chamaesyce glyptosperma in Hungary (Euphorbiaceae) 25 which is actually a new species to the flora of Hungary. The population (at least one hundred individuals) was found in a stony ruderal place on sandy subsoil on the outskirts of Budapest. However, during the revision of Chamaesyce material in BP I have found a former specimen of C. glyptosperma from Hungary erroneously identified as Euphorbia humifusa (see above). The latter record comes from a potato field near Agárd (at Lake Velence, Fejér county, central Hungary) (PRISZTER 1960). Hence, at the moment two occurrences of C. glyptosperma supported with vouchers are registered in the Hungarian flora. Of the Chamaesyce species introduced to Europe C. glyptosperma can be easily identified by the combination of the following characters: the plant (at least the leaves and fruits) is completely glabrous, the seed is c. 1 mm long, subovate in shape (with cut ground), and the (ripe) seed-coat is rugose (Fig.1).The plantis similarto C. humifusa, however, the shape of the seed of the latter species is ovate (with rounded ground) and the seed-coat is always smooth. Furthermore, C. humifusa is invariably prostrate, its leaves are more or less ovate (c. 1.5 2 as long as wide), not curved, while C. glyptosperma is somewhat ascending (at least when young), its leaves are elongate (2 4 as long as wide) and often slightly curved. Seeds of Chamaesyce glyptosperma (ENGELMANN) SMALL, 1903 collected in Budapest in 2008. Scale bar = 1 mm
26 L. Somlyay C. glyptosperma is a rare alien in the flora of Europe, introduced most probably from America (HÜGIN 1998, FISCHER et al. 2005). Until now, in Europe it was collected only at a few localities in Austria, France, Italy, Republic of Macedonia and Switzerland (reviewed by HÜGIN &STARLINGER 1998 and HÜGIN 1999), though the Swiss record could not be confirmed by RÖTHLISBERGER (2007). Notes on Chamaesyce species recorded in Hungary C. canescens (LINNAEUS) PROKHANOV, 1933 (syn.: Euphorbia chamaesyce LINNAEUS, 1953) Remarks A species named Euphorbia chamaesyce was reported only once from the botanical garden of Vácrátót (Pest county, north Hungary), where the escape of it (though inside the garden) was observed (PRISZTER 1985: 48), but voucher specimens are not available. However, due to erroneous synonymy, in BALOGH et al. (2004) this record was mentioned as C. prostrata (AITON) SMALL, 1903. In fact, neither C. canescens nor C. prostrata was collected in present-day Hungary so far. Although the Hungarian occurrence of C. canescens can not be excluded, the above record is more than doubtful. It should be noted that in some cases the binomen Euphorbia chamaesyce was erroneously applied to C. maculata and C. humifusa specimens (BP) by Hungarian collectors. C. humifusa (WILLDENOW) PROKHANOV, 1927 (syn.: Euphorbia humifusa WILLDENOW, 1814) Herbarium specimens Cult in hort bot Bpest, MÁGOCSY, s.d. (sub Euphorbia chamaesyce L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [BP]; Cult. in hort. bot. Bpest, FILARSZKY, IX.1892 (sub Euphorbia chamaesyce L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [BP]; est in hortibus ad Budapest (Bot. kert) jam inquilina, sponte vegetans, SIMONKAI, 21.VII.1906 [BP]; Spontanea in hortis ad Budapest, SIMONKAI, 21.VII.1906 [BP]; Bpest Hort bot univ. vadon, SZABÓ, VII.1906 (?) [SZIE]; Budapest. In viis horti botanici incult, BOROS, 28.IX.1921 (sub Euphorbia maculata L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [BP]; Budapest. In hortis M. kir. Kertészeti Tanintézet, spont.!, BOROS, 23.X.1932 (sub Euphorbia maculata L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [BP]; Comit. Pest. In hort. bot. Budapestinensis; subspont., KÁRPÁTI, Z., 26.IX.1934 [BP]; Budapest: behurcolva a Gellérthegy agráregyetemi kertjében, PAPP, 19.X.1947 [BP, CORV];
Occurrence of Chamaesyce glyptosperma in Hungary (Euphorbiaceae) 27 Budapest. Gellérth. Kert. Egyetem. Planta subspont., PÉNZES, 23.IX.1948 (sub Euphorbia maculata, rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [BP]; Gellérthegy, PAPP, 7.X.1948 [CORV]; Budapest. Subspontanea in horto Univ. Scient. Agrar., ad stratam Nagyboldogasszony-útja, KÁRPÁTI, Z., 15.X.1948 [BP]; In horto Facultatis Horti- et Viticulturae Univ. Agrar., PAPP, 5.VIII.1949 [CORV]. Remarks The first published record of C. humifusa from present-day Hungary comes from SIMONKAI (1907), who stated that this Asian species is not rare in the gardens of Budapest and perhaps in all larger gardens of Hungary as well. However, both vouchers collected by him on the 21st of July, 1906 come from the botanical garden of the Budapest University of Science. Hence, the cited statement of SIMONKAI (1907) is an obvious exaggeration. It is noteworthy that the species under study had already been cultivated in the above-mentioned botanical garden before 1906 (see the specimen of FILARSZKY), therefore the chance of the species escape from cultivation presented itself. Nevertheless, Budapest as a locality of C. humifusa was registered in JÁVORKA (1924 1925). However, contrary to the existence of further specimens (see above) the species was regarded to be extinct from Hungary by JÁVORKA & SOÓ (1951: 472). Later PRISZTER (1960) confirmed the presence of C. humifusa in the botanical garden of the Agricultural University (see also PRISZTER 1985: 48). The first (and until now the only) Hungarian report on C. humifusa not relating to garden habitat was published by PRISZTER (1960). However, the voucher of this record was revised as C. glyptosperma (see above), hence Agárd as a locality of C. humifusa (see SOÓ 1966, 1980, SIMON 2000) must be rejected. C. maculata (LINNAEUS) SMALL, 1903 (syn.: Euphorbia maculata LINNAEUS, 1753) Remarks The discovery of this species in Hungary is usually ascribed to BÉLA LÁNYI (DEGEN 1907, TIMÁR 1950) who recognised an alien Euphorbia in Szeged (Csongrád county, south Hungary) in 1906 (LÁNYI 1906: 379). In a short time the plant was reported from Budapest (SCHILLER 1917) and gradually became naturalized not only in the capital, but in other regions of Hungary as well (see TIMÁR 1950, SOÓ 1966, PRISZTER 1985).
28 L. Somlyay For the sake of historical truth it is noteworthy that at the end of the 19 th century (1897) the plant was collected (and labelled as Euphorbia chamaesyce, BP) by LIPÓT GRÓSZ in the botanical garden of the Budapest University of Science. It is probable that this was a casual occurrence, i.e. the result of former cultivation of the species in the garden (as in the case of C. humifusa). This supposition is supported by the sheet created by MÁGOCSY (though without date) on which both C. humifusa and C. maculata specimens can be found (labelled as Euphorbia chamaesyce, see under C. humifusa). Nevertheless, in Budapest the first undoubtedly casual occurrence of C. maculata was documented by JÓZSEF ANDRASOVSZKY, who collected the species in 1913 at the Institute of Ampelology located in Buda at that time (BP). C. nutans (LAGASCA) SMALL, 1903 (syn.: Euphorbia nutans LAGASCA, 1816) Herbarium specimens Comit. Hont. Ad viam et stationem ferream pagi Zebegény, SZEPESFALVY, 4.IX.1927 [BP]; Zebegény, comit. Hont: ad viam ferream, SZEPESFALVY, 19.X.1927 [BP]; Comit. Fehér. Ad viam ferream prope pag. Dinnyés, KÁRPÁTI, Z., 30.IX. 1934 [BP]; Comit. Csanád. Inter sata Zeae maydis inter pagos Battonya et Mezõkovácsháza, TERTS, 23.IX.1950 [BP, CORV]; Balatonszemes vasútállomás sínek között, BÁNÓ, 9.IX.1951 [BP]; Praematricum, ad marginem agrorum prope pagum Katymár, JEANPLONG, 17.IX.1952 [BP]; Vasúti töltésen. Villány, NAGY, 29.IX.1957 [JPU]; Békés m.: Orosháza környéki lucernásban, ZSÁK, 18.VIII.1959 [BP]; Crisicum, in agris prope pag. Battonya, RANKOVSZKY, VII.1964 [SZIE]; Crisicum, ad aggeres prope pagum Békés, FODOR, VII.1965 (sub Euphorbia maculata L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [SZIE]; Crisicum, ad aggeres prope opp. Makó, PAPP, VII.1965 (sub Euphorbia maculata L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [SZIE]; Colocense, in agris prope opp. Szekszárd, GALLAI, 5.IX.1965 (sub Euphorbia maculata L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [SZIE]; Somogyicum, in agris prope pagum Inke, RADA, VII.1966 (sub Euphorbia maculata L., rev.: SOMLYAY, 2008) [SZIE]; Drávasík, Csányoszró vasúti állomás, VÖRÖSS, 18.VIII.1966 [JPU]. Remarks C. nutans was discovered in Hungary by SZEPESFALVY (1928) along the railway (from Szob to Vác settlements) at the foothills of the Börzsöny Mts. A few years later the plant was collected in a similar habitat near Gárdony and Dinnyés villages in the vicinity of Lake Velence (KÁRPÁTI 1935). However, the latter occurrences could not be confirmed subsequently (KÁRPÁTI 1950). Some further localities of the species such as Balatonszemes
Occurrence of Chamaesyce glyptosperma in Hungary (Euphorbiaceae) 29 (BÁNÓ, 1951, see PRISZTER 1953), Budakalász (KÁRPÁTI 1954), Villány (NAGY, 1957, see NAGY 1959) and Csányoszró (VÖRÖSS, 1966, see VÖRÖSS 1968) are also related to railway lines. The first Hungarian locality of C. nutans not adjacent to railway was discovered by ISTVÁN TERTS in a stubble field near Battonya village in the southeastern part of Hungary (KÁRPÁTI 1950). It is noteworthy that all known localities of C. nutans unrelated to railway lines are restricted exclusively to the southern regions of Hungary: These still unpublished localities are in Békés county (TERTS, 1950, ZSÁK, 1959, RANKOVSZKY, 1964, FODOR, 1965), Csongrád county (PAPP, 1965), Bács-Kiskun county (JEANPLONG, 1952), Tolna county (GALLAI, 1965) and Somogy county (RADA, 1966). Considering all known Hungarian records, one can not agree with SOÓ (1980: 352) who stated that C. nutans occurrences were mainly ( praecipue ) located at the margins of the Hungarian Mountains. On the contrary, the bulk of records come from lowland localities in South Hungary. Furthermore, the sporadic central and North Hungarian records are always bound to railway referring to casual occurrences, while the south Hungarian localities are known mainly from agricultural lands and ruderal places (unrelated to railway), which may refer to former naturalization of this species in the region. It is remarkable that no authentic new record of C. nutans has been published in Hungary in the last 50 years (see SOLYMOSI 2002). This fact may partly be ascribed to overlooking of the species, however, may also be the result of chemicals applied in Hungarian agriculture from the 1960s. * Acknowledgements I am very grateful to ZSUZSANNA SZABÓ,BÁLINT CSERTÁN and JÁNOS CSIKY for checking Chamaesyce specimens stored in the herbarium of JPU. I express my gratitude to ISTVÁN ISÉPY, GÁBOR SRAMKÓ, ZOLTÁN TUBA and LÁSZLÓ UDVARDY for the access to the collections under their supervision and help while working in the herbaria of BPU, DE, SZIE and CORV. I also thank LAJOS BALOGH (Savaria Museum, Szombathely), PÉTER CSONTOS (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest), GÉZA FACSAR (CORV) and GÉZA KÓSA (Vácrátót Botanical Garden) for their invaluable help during my studies.
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