Stefan Bogosavljevic

During the field studies on a strictly protected plant species Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite) in Serbia, it was noticed that certain individuals were infected by some species of parasitic fungus. According to the structure of spermogonia and aecia, as well as distinctive types of spores recorded in infected leaves of winter aconite, the fungus was determined as Leucotelium cerasi, known as a causative agent of rust in E. hyemalis and Prunus species. Although it was first recorded in Serbia in Prunus spinosa as a host (area of Valjevo in 1935), the appearance of this phytopathogen was recorded in foliar tissue of E. hyemalis at four localities in Eastern Serbia, near Knjazevac (Podvis, Golemi Kamen, and Ploca) and Zajecar (Zmijanac). It was concluded that plants in natural populations of host species were infected to a very high degree, as the number of infected plants reached half of the total number of individuals in all studied populations. Further research is neces?sary to de...

This paper presents new chorological data for 16 taxa of vascular flora of Serbia (records No. 1-16). These taxa<br> belong to following families: Amaryllidaceae (1-2), Apiaceae (3), Aristolochiaceae (4), Aspleniaceae (5),<br> Asteraceae (6-9), Iridaceae (11), Juncaceae (12), Ophioglossaceae (13), Ranunculaceae (14), Rutaceae (15)<br> and Urticaceae (16), also including the possibly first record of <em>Opuntia humifusa</em> (Raf.) Raf., Cactaceae (10)<br> in Serbia.<br>

Two new alien species, Bidens subalternans and B. connatus, have been recorded in the flora of Serbia. While B. subalternans is recorded in ruderal areas, B. connatus can be found among the nitrophilous vegetation of the wet habitats in the urban and suburban parts of the town of Niš, in East Serbia. Bidens subalternans is native to South America and B. connatus to North America, but on the territory of Serbia, as in the other parts of Europe, they show a potentially invasive character. Spreading of the above-mentioned species is discussed and supplemented by new distribution data, with a specific review of the European territory. The types of habitats are presented where the newly recorded species can be found in Serbia. A new key is provided for identification of all species of the genus Bidens registered on the territory of Serbia, together with the invasive representatives which are realistically expected to appear in Serbia in the near future. Furthermore, the differences betwe...

This study reports on the uses of medicinal plants and ethnobotanical significance of Mt. Rtanj, Eastern Serbia. The aim of the study was collecting information on plant utilization and creating the list of medicinal plants collected by local community in the region of Rtanj Mt. in Serbia. A group of generally elderly people from the region were interviewed, asked to identify a certain number of plant taxa used against various human ailments. A quantitative ethnobotanical comparison has been performed in relation to other studies concerning the central Balkan Peninsula. There is an inventory of 45 plant species recorded. At the family level, the most common in traditional usage were species of Labiatae (22%), Rosaceae (20%) and Compositae (13%). The results of the survey suggested that Hypericum perforatum was the most popular medicinal plant. Among the 7 different recorded types of preparation, the aerial parts of plants were the most popular (47.3%). The most frequently reported medicinal uses of herbal drugs include remedies for immune system (22.97%), respiratory system (15.77%) and digestive system disorders (15.32%). However, a comparatively small number of available plant species was used for medicinal purposes while the level of ethnobotanical diversity was lower when compared to adjacent regions. Ethnobotanical knowledge in this area is decreasing due to high emigration rates during the last period. The historically developed ethnobotanical heritage should be preserved and promoted on the larger level, getting the special position in the future management plans for this area.

There is an old proverb saying: “Sedare dolo-rem, divinum opus est”, (Divine is curing the pain). The tendency of humans to relieve the pain has existed since the beginning of mankind. For that purpose, peo-ple have organized religious rituals, used some secret ...

Humans have a long history of stimulating and mind-altering substances use. Depressive drugs, including morphine and other narcotics, barbiturates and ethanol, are strongly addictive for susceptible individuals. The phenomenon is most striking in the case of opiates. Morphine is an alkaloid of opium. Named after the Roman god of dreams, Morpheus, the compound has potent analgesic properties toward all types of pain. By supstitution of two hydroxylic groups of morphine many natural and semysyntetic derivatives with different pharmacological activity and analgesic action are obtained. Determinations and quantifications of narcotic analgesics in drug addicts are important in forensic medicine and clinical toxicology. With development of highly sensitive chromatography technique (HPLC-GC, GH-MS), more and more substances are determined, including opioid drugs: morphine, codeine, dyhydrocodeine, and heroin and 6-monoacetyl morphine. Hair analysis by HPLC/MS spectroscopy is an effective f...