Lolium perenne w Polsce - filogeneza, taksonomia i rozmieszczenie

This article reviews the selected problems concerning the taxonomy, karyology, origin, and distribution of the genus Lolium, and especially of L. perenne. The genus consists of eight diploid (2n = 14) species. Four are cross-pollinated (e.g. L. perenne, L. multiflorum), and four are self-pollinated (e.g. L. temulentum, L. remotum). From the taxonomical point of view the first group is often classified as the section Lolium and the second as the section Craepalia. They all originate from the Mediterranean region, most of them are widely distributed in Eurasia and introduced in Africa, Americas, and Australia. In Poland occur: L. perenne, L. multiflorum, L. temulentum, L. rigidum as well as L. remotum and L. subulatum, which occurrence seems to be doubtful. L. perenne is morphologically differentiated and sometimes it is divided (on the basis of inflorescence characters) into several infraspecific taxa, usually varieties. It cross easily with L. multiforum, L. rigidum, other species of the genus and even with some representatives of Festuca. This interfertility suggests that there is no barrier to free gene-exchange between them. The species originate probably from the Mediterranean region, however its natural geographical distribution is rather obscure (at present it is impossible to distinguish its natural and synanthropic localities). In Poland it occurs in the whole territory of the country. L. perenne belongs to the apophytes for which we did not succeed in showing the community of origin. Presently, it grows in ruderal, segetal and seminatural communities of the class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea. Undoubtedly, L. perenne together with other species of the genus constitute an important group of grasses of great interest to botanists as well as to plant breeders and agriculturists. For this reason further fundamental and complementary studies should be carried out.