Importance of the Hungarian phytosociological school established at the University of Debrecen in development of current field botany.

The paper gives a short panoramic historical survey about the main activities of the Hungarian phytosociology, their chief protagonists, the fundamental role of professor Rezso Soó in the creation and development of the phytosociological school of Debrecen established by him in the Botanical Department of the University of Debrecen, which is celebrating the 80 anniversary of its existence and has played a determinant role in the Hungarian botany.

The phylogenetic relationships among some Randia (Rubiaceae) taxa.

Phylogenetic relationships among some Randia (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae) taxa were estimated based on sequence variation in the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and rps 16 intron (cpDNA). During the investigation of rpsl6 intron of 9 studied Central American Randia species, two well supported subclades were separated. Analysis of ITS data of 16 Randia species shows 3 major clades. A group of mainly lowland, South American Randia species is moderate supported (75%). Species from Mexico form a strongly supported (97%) clade, but the Central American and Mexican Randia species are low supported (58%). However the last two groups are well supported together (95%). The molecular delimination is well in line with the size of leaves combined with the texture of exocarp.

Nickel-accumulating plants from the ancient serpentine soils of Cuba.

Extraordinary uptake of nickel (Ni), reaching concentrations of 0.1-5.0%, c. 1000 times greater than those usually found in flowering plants, has been observed previously in c, 190 species that grow on Ni-rich serpentine soils derived from ultramafic rocks in various parts of the world. These so-called hyperaccumulators of Ni include c. 50 species from the rich ultramafic flora of New Caledonia and c. 80 species from the Brassicaceae of Mediterranean Europe and Turkey. A study of a limited part (the families Buxaceae and Euphorbiaceae) of the very large ultramafic flora of Cuba has now identified this as the home of at least 80 hyperaccumulators, the largest number jet found in any one country. The more frequent incidence here of this unusual form of plant behaviour is linked to the very long period (r. 10-30 million years) during which some of the Cuban ultramafic substrata are believed to have been continuously available for colonization; the distribution of Ni hyperaccumulators between older and younger ultrarnafic soils in Cuba mirrors the overall incidence of endemic species in these areas.