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Introduction of a new population of Myosurus minimus in Mallorca

13 June 2017

Thumb first flowering of population introduced of myosurus minimus

The CARE-MEDIFLORA team in Balearic Islands (Sóller Botanic Garden, JBS ) is working on one of the CARE-MEDIFLORA in situ conservation actions, the introduction of Myosurus minimus L. in Mallorca.

Myosurus minimus is an annual plant that grows in temporary ponds and humid meadows. It is a multiregional species, inhabiting most part of Europe, North Africa and North America. It is present around the Mediterranean basin either in the continent or on islands (Balearic Islands, Sicily, Crete, Cyprus and some other small islands). At the Balearic Islands, it is just present in Mallorca. The unique known population is located at the south part of the Island.

This taxon has not yet been assessed by the IUCN, however it is considered as endangered (EN) by the Red Book of Balearic Islands’ Vascular Flora.

The taxon inhabits a really unstable habitat, so any habitat alteration may pose a threat to the species. Additionally, occurring in just one population and having a small number of individuals it has an increased risk of disappearing from the Balearic Islands.

The in situ action for Myosurus minimus consists in an introduction of the species in two temporary ponds occurring close to where the current population is found, in “Sa Marina de Llucmajor”, south of Mallorca. The introduction was carried out in a total of 6 plots, one with plants germinated in the JBS and the rest with 1000 seeds per plot.

Now, JBS is monitoring weekly the introduced population to make sure the introduction is a success.

First flowering of introduced population of Myosurus minimus (top left), introduced plants that were germinated at JBS (left), plots for introduced plants at the first temporary pond (middle) and plots for introduced plants at the second temporary pond (right).

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MAVA Foundation

Mediterranean Plant Specialist Group (IUCN/SSC) Sóller Botanical Garden Foundation, Balearic Islands Office of the Environment of Corsica - National Botanical Academy of Corsica Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus, Sardinia University of Catania, Sicily Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Crete Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus Department of Forests, Cyprus