Distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic. Part 15.

The 15th part of the series on the distributions of vascular plants in the Czech Republic includes grid maps of 87 taxa in the genera Asperugo, Bassia, Brunnera, Bupleurum, Coeloglossum, Cotoneaster, Goodyera, Groenlandia, Herminium, Myosoton, Omphalodes, Orchis, Pleurospermum, Potamogeton, Rapistrum, Sclerolaena, Sedobassia, Stellaria, Stuckenia and Ventenata. These maps were produced by taxonomic experts based on examined herbarium specimens, literature and field records. The paper encompasses both native and alien taxa, representing diverse ecological groups, from terrestrial herbs inhabiting dry grasslands, ruderal sites and forests to submerged aquatic species and alien woody plants. It also continues the mapping of orchids, one of the most rapidly declining plant groups, with valuable implications for nature conservation. Almost half of the species covered are listed on the national Red List, including the critically threatened Bassia prostrata, Groenlandia densa, Potamogeton coloratus and P. praelongus, each now restricted to single sites, as well as Bupleurum affine, B. tenuissimum, Goodyera repens and Ventenata dubia, surviving only in few, isolated populations. Four species, namely Bassia laniflora, Herminium monorchis, Potamogeton compressus and P. friesii, are now nationally extinct. Among the alien taxa included, only Bassia scoparia has become invasive, while the others are mostly casual introductions or escapes. Four of the previously introduced neophytes, Bupleurum croceum, Rapistrum rugosum, Sclerolaena tricuspis and Sedobassia sedoides, are no longer recorded in the country. Particular attention is given to Cotoneaster, whose diversity has only recently been fully recognized and taxonomically evaluated, resulting in 22 distinguished escaped species. Spatial distributions and often also temporal dynamics of individual taxa are displayed in grid maps and documented by records included in the Pladias database and available in the Supplementary materials. Each map is accompanied by a commentary providing an analysis of distribution patterns, habitat descriptions, taxonomic notes and biological characteristics.