Morpho-anatomical analysis of Viola tineorum and V. ucriana (Violaceae) endemic to the mountains around Palermo (NW-Sicily

Abstract

Viola sect. Melanium is represented in Sicily by six species. Two of them, originally described as varieties of Viola nebrodensis, were later transferred at the species rank and named V. tineo- rum and V. ucriana. The study of micromorphological characteristics gives additional evidence agreeing with the independent specific status of V. tineourum and V. ucriana, that are confined to two very restricted areas south of Palermo: Rocca Busambra and Monte Pizzuta respectively.