In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Recent fieldwork in Gran Canaria and Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), mostly between 2012 and 2016, yielded new chorological data for several non-native vascular plant species. The following are considered naturalized and/or potentially invasive: Callistemon viminalis, Casuarina glauca, Chloris barbata, Cyperus difformis, Eucalyptus gomphocephala, E. sideroxylon, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Rumex palustris, Senna × artemisioides (s.l.) and S. × floribunda and are reported for the first time from the Canary Islands. Other first records include: Cascabela thevetia (Tenerife), Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Gran Canaria), Digitaria radicosa (Gran Canaria, Tenerife), Dysphania anthelmintica (Tenerife), Erythrostemon gilliesii (Tenerife), Heliotropium supinum (Tenerife), Limoniastrum monopetalum (Tenerife), Nerium oleander (Tenerife), Pascalia glauca (Tenerife), Phytolacca americana (Tenerife), Podranea ricasoliana (Gran Canaria), Psidium guajava (Gran Canaria), Rumex cristatus (Tenerife), Schinus terebinthifolia (Tenerife), Solandra maxima (Tenerife), Tipuana tipu (Tenerife) and Youngia japonica (Gran Canaria). More than 20 additional taxa also represent chorological novelties but are considered ephemerals. Finally, miscellaneous notes are added for Diplachne fusca subsp. uninervia, Eclipta prostrata, Pluchea carolinensis, Prosopis juliflora and Sida rhombifolia from Gran Canaria.

A cryptic invader of the genus Persicaria has recently increased in the damper, northern parts of La Palma and Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands (Spain) and locally behaves as an invasive species. Examination of historical herbarium specimens showed this species to be present in Gran Canaria since the 1960s and the same probably applies to La Palma. Up to now, this species had been assigned to the Old World weed P. maculosa. However, morphologically, these plants clearly correspond with P. hydropiperoides, a common and widespread weed native to the New World, and indeed morphologically similar to P. maculosa. Diagnostic features for these two species, as well as for another similar species (P. decipiens, originally described from the Canary Islands), are compared, thoroughly discussed, and copiously illustrated. The current distribution, ecology, and naturalization status of P. hydropiperoides in the Canary Islands are also assessed. The variability of P. hydropiperoides is discussed, more precisely the taxonomic position of a southern ‘race’ of it that is sometimes referred to as a distinct species, P. persicarioides, and to which the Canarian plants belong. The taxonomic value of the latter appears to be clear, although at a lower level. A new combination, at varietal rank, is proposed and validated. In addition to our morphology-based study, a molecular phylogenetic analysis has been conducted on the nuclear ITS region and the plastid DNA region trnL-F.

The taxonomy of Echinochloa, a predominantly tropical to warm-temperate genus of 40–50 species, including some of the world’s worst weeds, is still poorly understood. This is because some species, including the extremely widespread E. crus-galli, show a wide range of morphological, physiological and ecological variation, in part the result of a complex recent evolutionary history. Furthermore, there is often a dearth of clear distinguishing features among species. The same applies to the species established in Southwestern Europe, where unintentionally introduced populations have now established themselves as important weeds of crops, especially maize and rice. Taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion hampers progress in weed science. In this study, we give an identification key that covers the weedy taxa encountered in Southwestern Europe, followed by notes on taxonomy and nomenclature. Moreover, a lectotype is designated for Echinochloa frumentacea. It is argued that current confusion cannot be overcome without including populations of Eastern Asian origin in taxonomic studies and without the joint efforts of experts in the fields of weed science, morphology-based taxonomy, genomics and phylogenetics.