Using appropriate isolation and fractionation procedure, and UHPLC-MS/MS as powerful analytical tool, comprehensive phenolic acid profile of leaves and flowers of Hypericum perforatum L., growing wild in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been analyzed for the first time. The phenolic acids were isolated from plant tissue, liberated from esters and glycosidic bonds, and then analyzed as free acids. Results show that free forms of caffeic and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant. Generally, the content of acids is higher in flowers than in leaves, but environmental factors do not significantly influence chemical composition of this medicinal plant.

Knautia arvensis (family Dipsacaceae) is usually found in grasslands of Europe, but can also be found in some parts of Africa and Asia, usually in dry meadows, pastures, dry hills, and open woods. The chemical composition of this species is relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to give a phenolic profile of this plant, and to show how its phenolic composition varies depending upon plant organ and geographic origin. The chemical analysis included quantification of free phenolics soluble in methanol, esters and glycosides, and phenolics that are insoluble in methanol. Fourteen different phenolic acids and eight flavonoids were quantified in total. According to this study, the chemical composition of individual plant parts can differ tremendously within one population, which does not have to be in correspondence with chemical variability between populations. As shown in this study, the variation in chemical composition between plant parts can exceed that between different populations (from different climates, altitudes, with different environmental factors), which implies that microhabitat conditions can greatly affect the composition of some plant parts, which was shown also after PCA and HCA analysis.

To examine variation and taxonomic recognition of Pinus nigra (European black pine) at the intraspecific level, chromosomal distribution of 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci revealed by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and fluorochrome banding with chromomycin A(3) and DAPI were analysed among allopatric populations belonging to different subspecies. Despite prevalent opinion on predominantly conserved and homogenous conifer karyotypes, several patterns were observed. Surprisingly, interstitial 18S rDNA loci and DAPI heterochromatin staining after FISH showed variations in distribution and localisation. Three subspecies shared a pattern with nine 18S rDNA loci (ssp. nigra, pallasiana and laricio) while ssp. dalmatica and salzmannii had eight rDNA loci. DAPI banding displayed two patterns, one with a high number of signals (ssp. nigra, pallasiana and dalmatica) and the other with a lower number of signals (ssp. salzmannii and laricio). We conclude that our results cannot provide proof for either classification scheme for the P. nigra complex, but rather demonstrate the variability of different heterochromatin fractions at the intraspecific level.

The main purpose of this study was to clarify the speciation and taxonomic status of European representatives of Lilium sect. Liriotypus (Lilium albanicum, L. bosniacum, L. bulbiferum, L. candidum, L. carniolicum, L. chalcedonicum, L. jankae, L. pomponium, L. rhodopaeum, L. pyrenaicum) based on karyotype differentiation. Clear interspecific differentiation was revealed among karyotypes of these taxa using fluorochrome (chromomycin and DAPI) bandings, fluorescent in situ hybridization and silver staining. Differences were evident in the number and position of CMA and DAPI bands and in the number, position and activity of 18S-26S and 5S rDNA genes. It is hypothesized that the type species of Lilium sect. Liriotypus, L. candidum, repre- sents the ancestral species from which three evolutionary directions diverged: the first towards L. chalcedonicum, the second towards L. rhodopaeum, and the third towards L. albanicum. The radiation process expanded from L. albanicum, beyond the southeast to the central Dinaric Alps where L. bosniacum is strongly represented. Furthermore, L. carniolicum evolved from northwestern populations of L. bosniacum. According to this evolutionary hypothesis, L. pomponium and L. pyrenaicum would be the youngest species.