Problems concerning the biodiversity and distribution of Iridaceae in Italy

In Italy the Iridaceae show high biodiversity and consist of a fair number of genera and species. Some of these are well distributed in the regions, others show a punctiform distribution and are found only in some regions, while the remainder are endemic to Italy. The distribution of some species is reported repeatedly in the literature with certainty, while that of other less easily identifiable taxa (with diagnostic characters barely discernible, and/or the presence of polymorphism and polyploidy in populations), in fact, shows an error of assessment regarding their true areas of distribution. In particular, a thorough and methodical comparative study (analysis of observations in the field and of biosystematics) is important and more likely to promote the solution of taxonomic-nomenclatural problems. Such an approach will not only discourage the proliferation of species names, but also emphasise the real separation of those closely related yet distinct taxa and allow the recognition of synonymy, especially in taxa with a high level of criticality, as in Crocus vernus (L.) Hill, Iris sicula Tod., I. lutescens Lam., I. x germanica L., etc. As a result, all of this contributes towards a better understanding of their real status and encourages experts to take appropriate protective measures, according to the Strategic Plan for the Protection of Biodiversity, 2011-2020.