The genus Pilosella in the Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area (northern Moravia, Silesia)

Central European mountains are diversity hotspots of the genus Pilosella. Here, we provide an account of this genus in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts, northern Moravia, Czech Republic, based on field sampling, examination of herbarium specimens and relevant records from botanical databases and literature sources. A total of 22 species were found during a field inventory in 2018–2022. Seven of them are considered to be basic species, i. e. Pilosella aurantiaca, P. bauhini, P. caespitosa, P. cymosa, P. officinarum, P. onegensis, and P. piloselloides, 15 of them are considered to be intermediate species, i. e. P. brachiata, P. erythrochrista, P. flagellaris, P. floribunda, P. fuscoatra, P. glomerata, P. iserana, P. macrostolona, P. piloselliflora, P. polymastix, P. prussica, P. scandinavica, P. schultesii, P. stoloniflora and P. ziziana.

Three of them, namely P. fuscoatra, P. scandinavica and P. stoloniflora, are reported here as new to this mountain range. Moreover, hybrids P. aurantiaca × P. onegensis and P. officinarum × P. onegensis were found for the first time in the Czech Republic. The occurrence of P. lactucella and P. koernickeana was not confirmed.

In total, 24 species (and two hybrids) have been reported from the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. The taxonomic identity of a plant assigned to P. calomastix should be clarified and the occurrence of this species is thus questioned. Spatial and temporal dynamics of the distribution of particular species in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts are discussed. Where appropriate, comments on taxonomy and biology are given