Contributo alla conoscenza della flora vascolare endemica di Toscana ed aree contermini. 3. Limonium etruscum (Plumbaginaceae).

Contribution to the knowledge of the vascular flora endemic to Tuscany and neighboring areas. 3. Limonium etruscum (Plumbaginaceae) - The distribution and the population estimates of the rare endemic Limonium etruscum Arrigoni et Rizzotto are reported on the basis of analysis of herbarium specimens, bibliographic references and field data. This species currently occurs only in southern areas close to Livorno (recently discovered) and Grosseto. The population growing in the neighboring of Livorno is represented by ca. 8000 plants (ramet), while the other from Grosseto is bigger with about 1 million plants (ramet). Following the finding of the Livorno site, we revise the assessment for Red List categories. Basing on these data L. etruscum must be considered “endangered” (EN), according to the IUCN criteria. The extinction risk for this species is mainly due to the habitat degradation and reduction.