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Life-Nature Project LIFE99 NAT/IT/006217
"EOLIFE99 - Conservation of priority plant species in Aeolian Islands"
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The
species of the
EOLIFE99 project: Silene hicesiae
Brullo & Signorello
(Family: Caryophyllaceae) Salvatore Pasta e Angelo Troėa |
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus | Silene |
| Species | Silene hicesiae Brullo et Signorello |
| Author of the scientific name | Sicilian botanists Brullo and Signorello described this species in 1984. The name derives from "Hycesia", the antique name of Panarea where the species was first found |
| Common name | "Velvet Silene of the Eolie" |
| Life form | Herbaceous plant with a woody base, perennial, h 50-120 cm |
| Leaf | Villose, oblanceolate, evergreen |
| Stem | Erect, rounded, robust |
| Flower | 5 petalled, pink purple flowers (flowering time: may) |
| Fruit | Ovoid fruit, with many seeds about 1 mm long (fruiting period: july-august) |
| Distribution | Endemic of Aeolian Islands: Panarea (about 300 adult plants), Alicudi (about 50 plants) |
| Status (IUCN) | "CR" (= critically endangered) |
| Main risks | 1) narrow distribution; 2) populations with few adult individuals; 3) narrow ecological niche; 4) disturbances: fires, grazing. |
| EOLIFE objectives |
1) Deepen the knowledge on biology and ecology of this species. This knowledge is fundamental for any action of conservation. In particular, we are collecting data on reproductive biology and germination ecology. 2) Reproduce new individuals by seed (and vegetatively). In this way we are going to increase the numerical size of populations; yet, re-introduction (of these new plants produced) in the wild is not "automatic", owing to the ecological delicacy of this operation. In any case, plants kept "ex-situ" (outside the natural site) could be a "spare" population in case of problems in the natural habitat. 3) Sensitize and inform the local community, administrations and institutions, and tourists, on the importance of the flora and the biodiversity of Aeolian Islands. |
 Flowering plants of Silene hicesiae in Panarea (photo A. Troìa) |
 Distribution of Silene hicesiae |
 Flowers of Silene hicesiae (photo A. Troìa) |
 Habitat of Silene hicesiae in Panarea (photo G. Pirrera) |
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BIBLIOGRAFIA - BRULLO S., SIGNORELLO P. (1984) - Silene hicesiae,
a new species from Aeolian islands - Willdenowia 14: 141-144. |
Collecting and damaging plants (including flowers and seeds) of Silene hicesiae is strictly forbidden