Willdenowia 36
Willdenowia – Annals of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem
ISSN 0511-9618
© 2006 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem.
Deil, U.: Distribution, ecology and phytosociology of the N Moroccan endemic
Ptilostemon leptophyllus (Compositae).
Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 413-422.
doi:10.3372/wi.36.36138
Abstract
The genus Ptilostemon is represented in Morocco by four
geographically and edaphically vicariant species. This contribution
summarizes and expands the knowledge of distribution, ecology and
phytosociology for P. leptophyllus. The species is endemic
to the Central and Eastern Rif Mts, with an outpost in the Tazzeka
Mts of the N Middle Atlas. It is strictly acidophilous and colonizes
fissures of schist bedrock and moderately moving micaschists, mostly
in the meso-Mediterranean bioclimate at 1000-1300 m altitude. P.
leptophyllus occurs in three different communities: (1) P.
leptophyllus-Antirrhinum tortuosum community in the semi-arid,
winter-cold Eastern Rif Mts around Tizi Ouzli; (2) Echium
canum-Rumex thyrsoides community in the semi-arid, winter-mild
lowlands of the Oued Rhis; (3) Convolvulus dryadum-Silene martyi
community in the subhumid, meso-Mediterranean bioclimate. In all
three communities caespitose hemicryptophytes are the predominant
life form and Rif endemics such as P. leptophyllus, Convolvulus
dryadum, Silene martyi and S. ibosii are a prominent
chorotype. The pioneer character of other Ptilostemon species and
the role of the rock environment as an evolutionary trap are
discussed.
Key words:
rock communities, Asplenietea rupestris, Morocco, evolution, phytochorology, endemism.
