The genus Aegilops represents the secondary gene pool of wheat. A better understanding of the germination behaviour of Aegilops species is important to improve their use in breeding programmes and strengthen their in situ/ex situ conservation. In this study, we investigated the germination behaviour of nine Aegilops species, five of them not yet investigated, under two alternating and two constant temperatures. Seed germination was higher than 60% in all temperature treatments and species. Alternating temperatures promoted higher germination rates in all the species and significantly enhanced seed germination in three species (Aegilops biuncialis, Aegilops geniculata and Aegilops neglecta), in comparison with constant temperatures. One of the rarest and least productive species in the genus (Aegilops uniaristata) displayed the highest germination. This study suggests that different (seed) regeneration strategies/niches occur across Aegilops species.
New records for the flora of Tunisia and, in part, for North Africa of taxa of Orobanche sect. Orobanche subsect. Minores (Beck) Teryokhin, are reported. These records come from field research carried out between 2010 and 2014 in the Kroumiria region in northwestern Tunisia and herbarium studies. Infraspecific taxa and chorological data about the identified taxa (Orobanche amethystea Thuill., Orobanche canescens C. Presl, Orobanche hederae Duby, Orobanche litorea Guss., Orobanche minor Sm. and Orobanche pubescens d'Urv.) are reported. Literature data on host and distribution are also revised. Orobanche litorea is new to North Africa, and O. canescens has been confirmed for North Africa more than 100 years after the only known collection. Orobanche hederae and O. pubescens are new to Tunisia.
The distribution of the enigmatic Mongolian Aquilegia ganboldii is confirmed for Russian South Siberia, North Korea and northeast China. It seems to be closely related to Aquilegia oxysepala var. oxysepala and Aquilegia buergeriana. A diagnostic key to A. ganboldii and related taxa is provided.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub.) is an invasive aquatic weed that has one of the highest growth indices of vascular plants, producing large amounts of biomass. Its use for composting, livestock feed and biogas production has been proposed as a management strategy for its control. The work presented here is an assessment of the potential spread of water hyacinth due to the release of seeds from the by-products of some of these manufacturing processes. We tested experimentally if the seeds were destroyed or did not lose germinability when they had passed through the gut of sheep, remained in compost piles or been used in biogas bioreactors. We made optical and electronic microscopic observations, and calculated retrieval and germination percentages of the seeds subjected to these treatments. After having passed through the gut of sheep, the anatomical organization of the seed was completely destroyed, only 30.50 ± 5.83% of the seeds were retrieved and the germinability was null (0 ± 0%). The biogas production and compost-treated seeds both had retrieval percentages of 100 ± 0% and germination values of 1.00 ± 0.57 and 3.50 ± 0.96% respectively, with several anatomical damages. The use for compost or biogas production as a management strategy to control this pest is not completely safe from an environmental perspective and the selected management option should focus on sheep fodder production.
Antirhea surigaoensis, a new species of Antirhea from Surigao del Norte, Philippines is described. It closely resembles Antirhea philippinensis (Benth.) Rolfe; however, it can be easily distinguished by having triangular stipules, longer petioles, stipules, peduncles, bracts, calyx tubes, corolla lobes, anther and style and densely sericeous perianth on the outside.
We report the isolation of two full-length mariner-like elements (MLEs) from a bamboo species (Phyllostachys edulis) by chromosome walking using a modified magnetic enrichment procedure. Ppmar1 is 3472 base pairs (bp) in length with 28-bp perfect inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and a 1986-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding transposase, whereas Ppmar2 is 2679 bp in length with the 27-bp perfect ITRs and the 1877-bp ORF encoding transposase. Ppmar1 and Ppmar2 share the typical ITR consensus sequences of plant MLEs (5-CTC CCT CCR T-3, where R is A or G) and the typical TA/AT target site duplications. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Ppmar1 belongs to clade A2 and Ppmar2 to clade C of plant MLE subfamilies. The two transposases encoded contain intact DNA-binding motifs and a DD39D catalytic domain and many residues previously shown to be critical for transposase activity are conserved in Ppmar1 and Ppmar2. All the above results imply that both transposons are likely to be naturally active. Cloning of two full-length mariner-like elements would provide a foundation for the investigation of transpositional activity of moso bamboo MLE.
Omphalodes kuzinskyanae Willk. is an endangered annual plant of the family Boraginaceae, endemic to a narrow coastal area in the Lisbon region (Portugal). Omphalodes littoralis Lehm. occurs in northwest Spain (subsp. gallaecica) and northwest France (subsp. littoralis). Three approaches were used to assess the ecological requirements of O. kuzinskyanae: (1) physical and chemical characterization of their habitat soil; (2) phytosociological analysis; (3) comparison of several life history parameters under different light conditions. Germination experiments were conducted to evaluate seed dormancy. The results show that O. kuzinskyanae occurs in thin sandy soil with a substantial amount of organic matter and clay, mostly over limestone pavements. Phytosociological analysis shows that O. kuzinskyanae occurs both in sciophytic and heliophytic communities. Life history comparisons demonstrated that this plant has a strong preference for sciophytic conditions: under strong shade, plants have a higher survival rate, attain a greater height and width, and produce approximately nine times more seeds than in sunny conditions. In contrast with O. kuzinskyanae, published data on O. littoralis indicate that this species occurs in heliophytic conditions. This group of Omphalodes is possibly limited both in geographical distribution and habitat by its vulnerability to hydric stress. Scenarios are discussed that can explain the extensive gap separating the present ranges of the two species and their ecological differences. We propose two new syntaxa: Linario arenariae-Omphalodetum littoralis, Geranio purpurei-Galietum minutuli omphalodetosum kuzinskyanae.
Elatine triandra Schkuhr is the most variable and widespread species within the genus Elatine L.; it has been recorded in all continents, except Antarctica, but it is mainly located in Europe. The study is based on an extensive data set of European literature, herbaria and web data that covers the period 1828-2012. The range of the species in Europe is disjunctive, covering the southern and western parts of the Central European Plain and the southern part of the Fennoscandian Shield. At a smaller scale, the species can also be found along some river valleys. In Central Europe many localities, particularly isolated ones in the northern part of the range, are now only historical. From the data set we determined that E.triandra may be best observed between May and October. We found that species records show a near-significant shift since 1828. Depending on the environmental conditions, individuals of the taxon develop as one of two morphs: terrestrial or aquatic. The aquatic morph is characterized by stems, internodes, lamina and petiole that are twice as long as those of the terrestrial form. Elatine triandra seeds show consistent characteristics, both in terms of morphs and populations. Our studies show that the best diagnostic features, in addition to the construction of flowers, are the size, shape and surface structure of seeds. In Central Europe, E.triandra occurs exclusively in communities classified as Isoeto-Nano-Juncetea.
Francesco Cupani, a seventeenth century Sicilian botanist, developed a network of scientific exchanges and connections with the most important scientists of his time. Despite living in considerable isolation, he managed, above all thanks to Sherard, to correspond and exchange with Ray, Commelin, Tournefort, Triumfetti, Volkamer and Bohm. He participated in the intellectual process and debate on the method of classifying plants that he undertook following the comparison and contrast between Linnaeus and Buffon, in formulating the Linnaeus method and in creating the concepts of genera and species. Cupani and other contemporary botanists were not able to establish a system of plant classification. Each of them was so engaged in researching the distinctive characters of individual plants, in avoiding duplications and synonyms, that they could not grasp what they had in common. Linnaeus, giving them notable recognition, placed them in the category of the "Curious". These pre-Linnaean researchers contributed to the difficult process of overcoming the rigidity of late-Aristotelian classifications, thanks also to the invention of a "scientific network" that enabled the mutual debate and exchange of botanical material (publications, iconography, seeds and exsiccata).
A study was carried out in two phytodistricts (Oueme-valley and Plateau) to assess the population structure of two bamboo species (Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro and Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl. in two topographical units: plateau and wetlands. In each phytodistrict, bamboo stands were randomly selected in each topographical unit for inventory using a 0.25-ha square plot. Structural parameters of bamboos were computed and compared using a Wilcoxon rank test. Spatial distribution of the two bamboos was also assessed using the method of neighbourhood density in relation to a focal point. The observed culm diameter distribution was established for each stand and adjusted to the two-parameter Weibull distribution. Oxytenanthera abyssinica showed the highest culm and clump density values in both wetlands and plateau whereas B.vulgaris showed greater values of mean diameter and dominant height whatever the habitat. Diameter structures of bamboo stands showed a right asymmetric distribution and bamboo spatial distribution was highly aggregative, especially in wetlands. No significant difference in mean relative neighbourhood density between species was noted. However, a significant difference was observed between wetlands and plateau (p<0.001) indicating strong influence of the topographical units on the relative neighbourhood density of bamboo species. All of these findings are determinants in designing suitable management strategies for bamboo populations in Benin, particularly with the increasing demand to build fish-traps and shelter in the traditional fishing systems Acadja.
The genus Leea L. includes some species that are known to have ethnomedicinal properties. They have been used as cures against common ailments such as skin infections and arthritis. To augment the morphological identification of this taxon, four candidate chloroplast DNA barcodes (matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA and trnL-F) were tested for their efficiency as single-locus barcodes for four Leea species. Genomic DNA from silica-dried leaf samples were isolated and used as template for generating DNA barcodes. Pairwise sequence divergence using the Kimura two-parameter model was used to analyse interspecific and intraspecific variations among the barcodes whereas BLAST and neighbour-joining analyses were employed to examine discrimination success. The results show that matK is the most efficient single-locus barcode for Leea by yielding the highest rate of universality as well as the best discriminatory and authentication power among the barcodes examined.
Abstract The water relations of showy laminar floral tissues (petals and tepals) were studied in 20 Mediterranean plants successively blossoming under ambient conditions. The water potential and osmotic potential of floral tissues decline according to the succession of the median day of flowering of the selected plant species. The highest (least negative) value of floral water potential (–0.32 MPa), among the examined species, was measured in petals of Anemone coronaria in March, and the lowest value (–1.25 MPa) in petals of Coridothymus capitatus in June. Low values of water potential of floral tissues coincided with constraints in declining values of osmotic potential at the onset of the dry period in the Mediterranean region; this apparently resulted in a reduction of turgor of floral tissues of Mediterranean plants subjected to water shortage. The reduced osmotic potential was correlated with enhanced soluble sugar content of floral tissues, presumably contributing to the expansion and water status of flowers under water scarcity, by decreasing water requirements.
Within the framework of the prodromous of French vegetations, under the sponsorship of French Society of plant sociology, the author presents the Adiantetea capilli-veneris: declination at the European level, then presentation of cards by known association at the French level. Only one order is recognized, Adiantetalia capilli-veneris, with three alliances (Adiantion capilli-veneris, Pinguiculion longifoliae, and Polysticho setiferi - Phyllitidion scolopendrii). Some systematic structures are also defined which imply several species in Pinguicula, Primula, and Hypericum genera.
There is an increasing need for data on the patterns of population changes for rare species at the regional, national and European scales in the context of the Natura 2000 reporting on the state of species' conservation. This reporting requires the use of the same protocol over a whole region or country with the major constraint that it has to be shared by a large array of conservations and monitoring structures. The protocol has therefore to be both precise and reproducible but also simple enough to be used over a large number of sites and years, and has moreover to be accepted by various conservation structures.In this aim, the Alps-Ain flora conservation network (Reseau Alpes-Ain de Conservation de la Flore), a network composed of flora conservation stakeholders for 2 regions, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and Rhone-Alpes, set up a series of nested protocols to monitor populations at different spatial scales (levels). Each monitoring level is set up to answer to a specific aim and corresponds to a protocol shared by all the network actors. The first level, detailed below, is defined for the regional scale (territory level) with the site as observation unit. The second level aims at identifying if in a specific site (station) a population is stable, expanding or regressing and if natural or anthropic factors can explain this dynamics. The observation unit is a plot or a transect and the variables measured are frequencies or numbers and environmental parameters. The third level is an individual-based survey (individu) and aims at understanding the demographic processes affecting a population. The observation unit is here the individual plant. The link between the 3 levels is described in Figure 1.The territory level protocol was developed over several years of discussions and in situ tests on several species (Table 1). Its aim is to identify increases or decreases of species' size at the scale of the region. The variables used for this monitoring are simple and easily reproducible: area of presence and frequency. During the process, we realized that even a simple protocol could not be applied to a large range of species. We therefore propose some variations on a common methodological base, depending on the biology of the species (longevity, clonality, dormancy, size of individuals...). An originality of the protocol is to note the non-detection of the species in a given point at a given time to be able to document the expansion or the regression of the species in the site. A first step therefore consists in defining the zone in which the species will be looked for, the prospection zone (ZP). This zone should correspond as much as possible to the potential habitat of the species and has to remain constant over time. Within this zone, the area of presence (AP) is determined using the envelope formed by the GPS points where the species is found. Population size is then estimated as the frequency of occurrence by contact-points along at least two transects positioned so as to take into account the environmental heterogeneity of the site (see Figure 1). For species that have very variable population sizes and distributions, the transects should be representative of the AP; for species with very stable populations, we recommend fixed transects to reduce year-to-year and spatial variations, however managers are free to choose the location of the transects. At least 100 points are taken for each transect in order to have a robust estimate of the frequency of occurrence. For species with low ground cover, we suggest replacing the contact-point by contact-areas, i.e. small plots positioned similarly to the points along the transects. The areas of the plots have to be decided in advance and should not change over time. The aim is to avoid extreme frequency values (close to 0 or 1) in order to be able to detect an increase or a decrease in population size. Each prospection zone corresponds to one data point. At the regional scale, the population is represented by the ensemble of the ZPs. To have a good estimate of the population size and its dynamics, the ZPs should correspond to a random or a stratified sample of all the existing sites. This is however difficult and in practice, the ZPs of the survey are the ones for which an organism can commit itself. The RAACF then has to make sure that the sample of ZPs is representative of the species' distribution. The frequency of the survey depends on the biological characteristics of the species. For perennial species we suggest a time step of 3 to 5 years in the absence of catastrophic events. For annual or dormant species, the survey should be performed over 3-5 consecutive years in order to have a reliable estimate of AP and size and to smooth out the inter-annual (normal) fluctuations, and then repeated 3-5 years later. A web-service database was developed by the network to ensure the aggregation of the data. This method is a practical answer to the EU requirements in terms of assessment of populations of plant species in the framework of the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). ResumeDevant le besoin croissant de donnees sur la dynamique des populations d'especes rares aux echelles regionales, nationales et europeennes, le Reseau Alpes-Ain de Conservation de la Flore, qui regroupe des acteurs de la conservation de la flore sur les regions Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur et Rhone-Alpes, a mis en place des protocoles emboites (niveaux) de suivi d'especes pour differentes echelles spatiales. Chaque niveau de suivi repond a un objectif particulier et correspond a un protocole de suivi commun a l'ensemble des acteurs du Reseau. L'article presente le protocole de suivi defini au niveau << territoire >>. Son objectif est de mettre en evidence les regressions ou progressions d'une espece a l'echelle supra-regionale. Les variables utilisees pour ce suivi sont simples et facilement reproductibles. Il s'agit de l'aire de presence et d'absence de l'espece sur un site donne, et d'une variable de frequence d'occurrence de l'espece dans son aire de presence. Cette methode repond bien aux besoins actuels de l'Europe en matiere d'evaluation des populations d'especes vegetales dans le cadre de la Directive Habitats-Faune-Flore (Directive 92/43/CEE).
The name Cyclophyllum memaoyaense Mouly is here validated by the citation of the holotype location.
Gloriosa katangensis Maroyi (Colchicaceae) is a rare and little known plant species, endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa). Results of this investigation are based on herbarium studies undertaken at the National Herbarium of the Netherlands, Wageningen University branch (WAG) and the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens, Harare, Zimbabwe (SRGH), between January 2008 and 30 September 2011. Additional herbaria specimens of the genus Gloriosa L. were received on loan from B, BM, BR, C, COI, F, K, L, P, S, U and UPS. The diagnostic morphological characters that distinguish G. katangensis from the other Gloriosa species are discussed. Detailed description, illustration, distribution map, ecological data and taxonomic history of G. katangensis are provided. International Union for Conservation of Nature status of the species has been assigned as Critically Endangered because of the restricted area of occupancy, extent of occurrence of the species and also because none of the collections of the species made so far in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been in protected areas. Publication of detailed taxonomic information on G. katangensis contributes to a better understanding of the diversity of the genus Gloriosa in tropical Africa and the conservation of this critically endangered species.
The paper presents new records for 20 vascular plant species from eight Asian and two European countries. Five taxa (Artemisia campestris, Artemisia tanacetifolia, Delphinium sajanense, Diarthron vasiculosum var. undulatum, Epilobium adenocaulon) are reported from Kazakhstan, four (Deyeuxia yanyuanensis, Poa arnoldii, Stipa gracilis, Stipa macroglossa subsp. kazachstanica) from China, three (Nepeta pamirensis, Silene bucharica, Scrophularia pamiro-alaica) from Uzbekistan, two (Epilobium nervosum, Stellaria zolotukhinii) from Mongolia, two (Oenothera deflexa, Scirpus georgianus) from Poland, one (Coronopus didymus) from Tajikistan, one (Orobanche rumseiana) from Italy, one (Stipa macroglossa subsp. kazachstanica) from Kyrgyzstan, one (Poa polozhiae) from Russia, and one (Agrostis rupestris) from Azerbaijan. All of these taxa are new to the floras of listed Asian and European countries or its regions (as it is in the case of China or Russia). Four of the presented taxa (Coronopus didymus, Epilobium adenocaulon, Oenothera deflexa and Scirpus georgianus) are regarded as alien to the studied areas, whereas the other 16 are new native elements to the flora of the countries. For each species synonyms, general distribution, habitat preferences, taxonomy with remarks on recognition and differentiation of the species from the most similar occurring in a given country, as well as a list of localities recorded (often far from the previously known areas) are presented. In the case of Orobanche rumseiana, a new variety O. rumseiana var. sarda R. Piwowarczyk and A. Pujadas is described and illustrated.
The studied taxon has been attached since its discovery in Tunisia to Ophrys migoutiana H. Gay, a plant described in Algeria, which remains little known to botanists. This was already a net progress, ending the historical confusion that mixed many taxa under the name O. fusca. However, the recent observation of the true O. migoutiana near Medea in Algeria allowed us to distinguish the Algerian and the Tunisian taxa, the latter being a priori not yet formally described. The Tunisian taxon shares some similarities with oriental taxa of the Ophrys cinereophila / Ophrys creberrima group, and is named here as a new species Ophrys pseudomigoutiana. Its phenotypic variability is illustrated by several photographs and colour plates with fresh dissected flowers. Its chorology in Tunisia is detailed and suggests that it could also be present in eastern Algeria.
Abstract Features of the adaxial and abaxial surface microstructure of Arbutus unedo L. and Arbutus andrachne L. are evaluated as possible consistent parameters contributing to the wetness of leaves. The abaxial leaf surface of A. andrachne and A. unedo was determined to be more hydrophobic than the adaxial leaf surface. Hydrophobicity may be of particular importance for the ecophysiological status of the hypostomatic leaves of both Arbutus species, which exhibit a long lifespan and are exposed to various environmental stimuli. Water repellence may also be correlated to the increased presence of surface wax. Lipid analysis of the leaves of both plant species revealed an abundance of α-linolenic acid, with palmitic acid as the second major contributor, followed by linoleic and oleic acid. Oleic and linoleic acid were present in slightly larger percentages in A. andrachne compared with A. unedo, whereas myristic, palmitic and α-linolenic acids were found in elevated percentages in A. unedo. The fatty acid composition analysis of the leaf wax of A. andrachne and A. unedo ranged from C16 to C26, with fatty acids of an even longer chain length detected in the case of A. andrachne. Despite the similar fatty acid composition of total lipids, the composition of the wax fraction showed differences between the two Arbutus species, which may partly contribute to the foliar surface properties of the two species.
Clerodendrum indicum (L.) O. Kuntze (Lamiaceae) is characterized by some unique features in its seedling phenology and germination. The epigeal cryptocotylar type of seedling of the species is uncommon among dicotyledons. Significant morphological characters of the seedling of the species are thickened hypocotyl, a pair of cryptocotylar epigeal cotyledons and five pairs of eophylls in opposite decussate phyllotaxy. Each eophyll is ovate in shape with dentate margins and sub-acute apex. The eophylls are readily distinguishable from the foliage leaves of adult individuals by their architecture and phyllotaxy. The features are helpful in identifying an individual of the species at its juvenile stage, before flowering and fruiting. Clerodendrum indicum is the only known species of the order Lamiales that is characterized by the epigeal cryptocotylar type of seedling.
