Format: ORAL

Alejandra G. Herrezuelo1, Guilherme Roxo1, Rben M.C. Rego1, Rosa Febles 2, Olga Fernndez-Palacios2, Magui Olangua-Corral2, Lus Silva1, Violeta Olivn Barriendo3, Ctia F. Freitas4, Roberto Resendes1, Mnica Moura1

1 CIBIO, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. 2 Jardim Botánico Canario “Viera y Clavijo”, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. 3 Jardim Botânico do Faial, Rua de São Lourenço, Nº23, 9900-401 Horta, Faial, Portugal. 4 Banco de Sementes dos Açores, Rua de São Lourenço, Nº23, 9900-401 Horta, Faial, Portugal.

The Azorean archipelago is located in the North Atlantic Ocean between 3655-3943N and 2500-3115W and is composed of a total of nine volcanic islands divided by three groups. Positioned as the northernmost segment of the Macaronesian biogeographic region, it is considered a hotspot of biodiversity due to the elevated number of endemic species and a significant number of endangered species present. The flora of Azores faces significant threats, primarily stemming from human settlement. The clearing of native vegetation for cereal crops and pasture, along with the introduction of numerous crops, forage, forest, ornamental, and hedgerow plant species, poses a substantial risk. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize conservation efforts and to implement protective measures to preserve the unique flora of Azores. One approach for in and ex situ conservation is the combined study of reproductive biology and the genetic characterization of natural populations. There is a considerable lack of information regarding the reproductive biology of the Azorean endemic flora, therefore recent Interreg projects MacFlor (MAC/4.6d/190) and MacFlor 2 (MAC2/4.6d/386) have aimed to improve the knowledge of this particular subject. During the above-mentioned projects, seven endemic Azorean taxa were reviewed: Hypericum foliosum Aiton; Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl.; Veronica dabneyi Hochst. ex Seub.; Frangula azorica Grubov; Myosotis azorica H.C.Watson; Viburnum treleasei Gand. and Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco. New data was collected about micro-morphological elements of the flower, phylogenetic relationships, seasonal and floral phenology, palynology, fruit and seed characterization and reproductive success. It was estimated (by ratio Pollen/Ovule) that the target species have xenogamy as their preferable breeding system, which implies that they favour outcrossing as their main reproductive strategy.