Seed germination reports for five species of the genus Silene (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract

In this contribution, new germination data for five Silene taxa coming from the natural habitats of Sicily and Calabria are given. The investigated taxa are: the threatened endemic S. calabra and S. crassiuscula, together with S. colorata, S. fruticosa, and S. nicaeensis from Sicilian sites. Seed germinations were tested at the Catania Germplasm Bank (BGS-CT), at constant temperatures (from 5 to 30°C), under both light (12/12h photoperiod) and total darkness conditions. The results emphasized a high germination ability and rate in all examined species.