Morphological and molecular data confirm the first European record of Sagina maxima (Caryophyllaceae) in Bassano del Grappa, Italy
A species of Sagina that has been known since at least 2016 from several localities in the city of Bassano del Grappa (Italy) was identified as S. maxima, a species from (predominantly) coastal areas in western North America and Far Eastern Asia. Morphological and molecular data confirmed this identification although our finding raises some questions about the ecology and morphology of S. maxima and some of its relatives and/or similar-looking species. Our records appear to be the first in Europe. A concise morphological description and some illustrations are provided along with a comparison with related and similar-looking Sagina species. The status of S. maxima in Italy is also briefly discussed and a key for the identification of the Italian species from the genus is also presented.