In the summer of 2025, a population of Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze, commonly known as eastern poison ivy, was discovered growing behind the Kaunas Botanical Garden in Lithuania. The discovered population of Toxicodendron radicans was observed occupying two contrasting habitat types: grassland and a nearby woodland. A negative relationship was found between Toxicodendron radicans coverage and plant species richness in both habitats (rs = –0.62; p < 0.05). The coverage of Toxicodendron radicans and other plant species in the grassland showed a strong negative relationship (rs = –0.95; p < 0.001). In contrast, this relationship was weak and not significant in woodland habitat (rs = –0.22; p = 0.34). This finding represents the first verified record of the species in the country and constitutes the northernmost documented record of its casual presence in Europe. It also underscores important concerns regarding the role of botanical gardens as potential hubs for the introduction and establishment of alien plant species. The detection of Toxicodendron radicans in Kaunas underscores the need for rigorous monitoring, risk assessment, and management measures within and around botanical gardens to prevent the unintentional spread of potentially harmful or allergenic species into surrounding ecosystems.
The present study investigated the biochemical composition and antimicrobial potential of fruit extracts obtained from medicinal plant species collected from different regions of Armenia. Fresh and dried fruit samples were analysed to determine the contents of free organic acids, including malic acid, citric acid, and ascorbic acid, using titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods. The antimicrobial activity of aqueous tinctures and hydroethanolic extracts was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar well diffusion method. The obtained results demonstrated that malic acid predominated in hawthorn samples, whereas citric acid was dominant in elderberry fruits. Higher concentrations of ascorbic acid were detected in hawthorn compared to elderberry. Hydroethanolic extracts exhibited stronger inhibitory effects against the tested microorganisms than aqueous tinctures. Statistical analysis revealed no significant regional differences in the analysed biochemical parameters (p > 0.05). Processed plant materials retained considerable biological activity and exhibited antibacterial effects against the tested microorganisms. The findings indicate that the studied species represent promising natural sources of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological and nutraceutical applications and support their traditional medicinal use.
Several species and some interspecific hybrids of the North American genus Silphium (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) are now widely tested and partly used as promising new crops for various agricultural applications, such as biomass production for bioenergy and fodder; some species and (or) hybrids may also be potentially invasive. Six species and at least three hybrids of Silphium are cultivated at the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv, Ukraine. Despite reliable reports of various spontaneous and (or) artificial hybrids, no hybrid names formed according to Chapter H of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants have been proposed in Silphium. The absence of convenient and informative hybrid (nothospecific) names in Silphium hampers communication in agricultural and botanical fields. It prevents the proper nomenclature for future cultivars of hybrid origin from further developing. In 2011, Jessee and Yatskievych reported and described morphologically a putative natural hybrid between Silphium integrifolium and Silphium laciniatum found in the State of Missouri; however, they provided only a hybrid formula, without formal naming of a nothospecies. Here we validate the nothospecies name for this hybrid, Silphium × missouriense Rakhmetov, Yatsk. & A.S. Mosyakin, nothosp. nov. (Silphium integrifolium × Silphium laciniatum) and indicate its holotype (MO-2382470) collected in the USA, Missouri, Jackson County. That name, based on a natural hybrid, will also be applicable to all artificial hybrids and cultivars resulting from crossing the same parent species.
Currently, exogenous trehalose is considered a potential tool for inducing plant resistance to various types of stressors. However, the mechanisms underlying the stress-protective action of trehalose remain largely unclear, and data on the phenomenology of its effects are contradictory and poorly analysed. To obtain objective information on the stress-protective effect of trehalose on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to drought or high-temperature conditions, a meta-analysis of scientific publications was conducted. As a result of an initial search on Google Scholar, 46 publications were collected on the effect of trehalose on wheat resistance to major abiotic stressors. After careful screening, 15 studies were selected, containing 65 pairs of observations characterising the effect of trehalose on integral physiological indicators (plant growth, relative water content, and chlorophyll content), 61 pairs of observations on the effect of trehalose on the level of oxidative stress and membrane condition, and 115 pairs of observations on the effect of trehalose on the functioning of antioxidant and osmoprotective systems. The results showed that trehalose treatment significantly improved plant growth and increased relative water content and chlorophyll content under drought conditions, but not under high temperatures. However, a decrease in lipid peroxidation products and the release of electrolytes through membranes under the influence of trehalose in wheat plants was observed under both types of stress. Trehalose treatment had little effect on the activity of all antioxidant enzymes studied in plant tissues, but it increased the content of ascorbate, reduced glutathione, and sugars during drought. The results obtained indicate the promise of trehalose as a stress-protective agent and the advisability of further studying its action specificity, depending on the nature of the stress factors.
The Herbarium of M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden (KWHA) was founded in 1948. Currently, the KWHA Herbarium contains over 155 700 specimens representing 12 486 taxa. The herbarium houses 16 catalogued type specimens. Here, we designate a lectotype for one name (Jurinea helenae Sobko). The type specimens deposited at the KWHA Herbarium represent 11 families, 14 genera and 14 species, comprising 1 holotype, 1 lectotype, 2 syntypes, 9 isotypes, 2 isolectotypes, and 1 paratype. These type specimens were collected in seven countries (Armenia, France, Georgia, Russian Federation, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine).
Arid Mediterranean ecosystems undergo profound transformation when subjected to aridification caused by climate change and human activity. These fragile environments are vulnerable to the proliferation of alien species. This study presents an updated and comprehensive list of alien vascular plants recorded in the Naâma region of Algeria between 2022 and 2025. The catalogue includes 51 taxa (49 species, one hybrid and one variety), belonging to 20 families and 40 genera. Two of these were observed for the first time in Algeria: Atriplex suberecta and Euphorbia hypericifolia. Morphological characteristics and notes on geographical origin, distribution, ecology and degree of naturalisation are provided for each of these species. Additionally, an overview of all other non-native taxa in the study area is provided, ranging from rare to common. With the exception of Atriplex canescens, which invades steppe formations, all other alien species are found in more or less humid soil.
The proper authorship and accepted orthography of the name Seriphidium (now included in Artemisia, Asteraceae) introduced by Besser initially as “Seriphida” (“Scriphida”, sphalm.) are discussed. It is demonstrated that the names of plant groups published by Besser in 1829 (including “Abrotana” and “Dracunculi”) are, in fact, informal unranked names not directly associated with any genus name explicitly accepted by Besser in that publication. Thus, they have not been validly published. Consequently, the valid publications of the name as a ranked infrageneric taxon have been made by Lessing (as a subgenus) and Hooker (as a section). Nomenclatural citations are updated accordingly.
Vitex negundo L. contains numerous secondary metabolites in its roots. This experiment aimed to induce the growth of hairy roots that accumulate large quantities of secondary metabolites. The Agrobacterium rhizogenes (MTCC 532) strain was used to induce hairy roots in Vitex negundo explants. The transformation frequency was increased by adjusting the infection time, as well as the concentrations of the bacterial suspension and acetosyringone, and the co-cultivation period. In vitro leaf explants were collected from two-month-old mature shoot cultures, which exhibited the highest transformation frequency of 63.33%. Of the five infection durations and three acetosyringone concentrations tested, the highest transformation frequency was achieved with a 45-minute infection and 100 µM acetosyringone, respectively. A two-day co-cultivation period was found to be appropriate, and the explants were inoculated in hormone-free Murashige and Skoog medium to promote the spontaneous development of hairy roots.
The dynamics of particular woody species in the savannah zone of Côte dʼIvoire are strongly influenced by anthropogenic pressure, which compromises their sustainability. One such species is Lophira lanceolata, which has high socio-economic and ecological potential, but has received little research attention. This study aimed to analyse the demographic and spatial structure as well as the regeneration potential of Lophira lanceolata in three agro-ecological zones of the savannah in Côte dʼIvoire. The collected data included individual geographic coordinates, tree density, basal area and regeneration information. The results indicated that Kouassi-NʼDawa (87 ± 17 seedlings/ha) and Patizia (90 ± 19 seedlings/ha) exhibited higher levels of regeneration. The inverted J-shaped structure (decreasing distribution of diameter classes) observed in Kouassi-NʼDawa, and the right-skewed structure (predominance of small-diameter trees) observed in Patizia and Pouniakélé, suggest significant pressure on the populations under study. The spatial distribution pattern of this species varies considerably depending on the observation distance within and between sites. It has been demonstrated that human activities substantially impact the availability of tree resources and the planning of spatial areas. The findings of this study highlight the vulnerability of these resources and emphasise the need for appropriate management measures to be implemented.
Knautia macedonica Griseb. is a herbaceous perennial plant native to Southeastern Europe. It is introduced in Ukraine as an ornamental species. In 2023, we first recorded a stand of this alien species outside of its primary cultivation on the territory of the archaeological monument of national importance, Khotiv Hillfort (Kyiv Region). Knautia macedonica forms a self-sustaining population. It is confined to grassy and synanthropic habitats. According to the time of introduction, Knautia macedonica is considered a neophyte, and according to the method of introduction, it should be classified as an ergasiophyte. The seeds of this species are commercially available, and the plant is used for ornamental purposes; therefore, it may continue to spread in natural and transformed habitats in Ukraine and other European countries. Thus, further monitoring of this species is required.
Tremella spectabilis is recorded for the first time from the caatinga biome of Paraíba, the northeastern region of Brazil. It was collected in a montane forest surrounded by caatinga vegetation (locally called ‘brejo de altitude’). The species is characterised by the yellow basidioma with a mat surface covered by a fine whitish prunina, basidiospores measuring 7.5–9.7(–10.2) × 5.1–8.2 µm, and the basidioma context possessing hyphae with frequent swelling between the septa and sometimes open, showing slightly conspicuous medallion clamps, similar to those found in its synonym, Tremella australiensis. The closest species to Tremella spectabilis is Tremella aurantia sensu stricto, which differs in having clavate, distinctly stalked basidia, and a context presenting exclusively thin-walled, narrow and uninflated hyphae.
Floristic records are essential for refining national plant inventories and filling gaps in global biodiversity databases. During a recent floristic survey of the Maamora Cork Oak Forest in northwestern Morocco, the species Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britton & Rusby was found to be widespread, particularly in the western and central regions. This species grows primarily on red sandy clay soils, in both open spaces and beneath the canopy of Quercus suber and Eucalyptus trees. Heterotheca subaxillaris is native to North America and had previously been recorded in Morocco, but no details had been provided regarding its occurrence and distribution. During this study, we confirmed that the Moroccan population represents the type subspecies, Heterotheca subaxillaris subsp. subaxillaris. Field observations suggest that the plant has become naturalised in the region. Plants form locally abundant populations and flower throughout most of the year.
Astragalus fodinarum is a species endemic to southeastern Türkiye, first collected in the 1850s in Elazığ province. Due to its morphological similarities in habit, leaves, and floral characteristics, as well as the scarcity of available specimens, Astragalus fodinarum had recently been considered a synonym of Astragalus pendulus. However, fieldwork conducted in the provinces of Diyarbakır and Bingöl in 2009 and 2018 resulted in the collection of new specimens, which support the recognition of Astragalus fodinarum as a distinct species. This study presents a detailed morphological reassessment along with updated data on its distribution, habitat, and ecology.
This study provides information on new and verified occurrences of Oenothera species in Morocco, emphasising the challenges of identification due to morphological similarities among taxa. For the first time, Oenothera laciniata is reported in the country, while the presence of Oenothera indecora and Oenothera drummondii is confirmed in the provinces of Kénitra and Tétouan, respectively. The latter species had previously been misidentified as Oenothera biennis. All three of these rare alien species were found in sandy or coastal habitats. Additionally, Oenothera lindheimeri, a species cultivated for ornamental purposes along roadsides, in public places, and in various gardens in several cities, occasionally escapes from cultivation. To facilitate accurate identification, this paper provides detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations of the species, a comparative analysis with closely related taxa and an updated dichotomous key for the genus Oenothera in Morocco.
Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus), an intergeneric hybrid of wheat and rye, is a valuable food and fodder crop. However, the germination of triticale seeds is strongly reduced under unfavourable conditions such as drought. One of the methods of increasing seed germination and activating plant growth in the early stages is seed priming with physiologically active substances, including donors of nitric oxide (NO) gasotransmitter. The effect of exogenous NO on the germination of triticale seeds has not yet been studied. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside on seed germination and growth of triticale (× Triticosecale ‘Raritet’) seedlings under the action of high temperature (35°C) or drought simulation (12% PEG 6000, polyethylene glycol solution with a molecular weight of 6000 Da). Seed treatment with 100 μM sodium nitroprusside solution increased the germination index, seed germination percentage, seedling biomass, and vigour index under stress factors. Additionally, seed priming with sodium nitroprusside increased the water content of seedling tissues under PEG-simulated drought conditions. Exposure of seeds to sodium nitroprusside enhanced the generation of endogenous NO in shoots under stress conditions. In sodium nitroprusside-treated grains, there was an increase in amylase activity, and the sugar content increased in the shoots of seedlings under the action of high temperature and drought. In addition, sodium nitroprusside treatment promoted the preservation of a pool of anthocyanins with high antioxidant activity in the shoots under drought conditions. Pretreatment of seeds with sodium nitroprusside significantly reduced the accumulation of oxidative stress markers, namely hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, in shoots, caused by adverse influences. All the described effects of sodium nitroprusside were eliminated when seeds were treated with the nitric oxide scavenger methylene blue, indicating the specificity of sodium nitroprusside action as an NO donor. It was concluded that the most critical components of the effect of exogenous NO on seed germination and seedling growth at high temperatures and under drought conditions are the improvement of osmoregulation due to the accumulation of sugars and the prevention of oxidative damage development.
The occurrence of Utricularia × neglecta in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus was confirmed and reported for the first time. Identification of this taxon was based on a morphological examination of herbarium specimens and recently collected material from Samur-Yalama National Park. Key diagnostic characteristics indicate that previous records identified as Utricularia vulgaris can be attributed to this hybrid. These findings clarify the local distribution of aquatic Utricularia species and update the regional checklist. Future research should include field surveys and molecular analyses to clarify taxonomic boundaries and assess the conservation status of Utricularia species in Azerbaijan.
Lectins can bind selectively to carbohydrates in polysaccharide structures without causing any chemical transformation. Studying polysaccharides using lectins can provide valuable structural information and is useful for preliminary research. The present study aimed to analyse the water-soluble, mannose-containing polysaccharides of Cantharellus cibarius Fr. and Craterellus cornucopioides (Fr.) Pers. using lectins in a haemagglutination inhibition reaction. Similar interaction profiles were observed between the lectins and the polysaccharides of Cantharellus cibarius, and the mannan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyen ex E.C. Hansen was found to be similar, indicating structural similarities between the two. Similar interaction profiles were also observed for the mannose-containing polysaccharides of Craterellus cornucopioides and Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer. The structures of the polysaccharides from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Flammulina velutipes have previously been determined using modern instrumental methods. Studies of these polysaccharides using lectins confirm these structures and enable conclusions to be drawn about the Craterellus cornucopioides polysaccharide structure. The results of this study suggest that lectins could be used more widely to analyse the structure of water-soluble polysaccharides containing mannose. Keywords: agglutination, fungi, glycan structure, lectin agglutination, mannofucogalactan, mushrooms
Fatty acids are the main components of plant metabolism and affect growth, development, and adaptation to the environment. They also have significant nutritional and therapeutic value for human health. However, data on their distribution in different plant organs is limited. Prunus armeniaca L. (apricot), especially the ‘Shalakh’ variety grown in Armenia, is a valuable crop due to its traditional uses and rich biochemical profile. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the fatty acid composition of eight plant organs (roots, bark, branches, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and kernel shells) collected from a single apricot tree. Thirteen fatty acids were identified across the various organs using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionisation detection. The seed samples had the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids, predominantly oleic acid (56.14%) and linoleic acid (33.39%), with a total ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids of 11.7. This indicates a strong potential for nutritional applications of the raw material. In contrast, the flowers had the highest saturated fatty acid content (58.4%), with a total ratio of 0.7. The leaves demonstrated a significant presence of linolenic acid (36.14%), contributing to a lower ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. Additionally, the apricot kernel shell exhibited an intermediate profile with a higher saturated fatty acid content than the seeds (40% versus 7.9%). All apricot organs contain palmitic acid, ranging from 6.54% to 30.18%, with the highest concentration found in the kernel shell, and stearic acid, ranging from 1.03% to 10.76%, with the highest concentration found in the flowers. These findings reveal organ-specific patterns of fatty acid distribution in apricots, which are related to functional features and developmental stages. They also provide new baseline data for future studies of plant lipid metabolism, cultivar selection, and the utilisation of raw materials in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Keywords: Armenian apricot, gas chromatography, linoleic acid, oleic acid
The main energy source during cereal seed germination is soluble carbohydrates formed by the hydrolysis of stored starch. This process is carried out by a complex of hydrolytic enzymes, the most important of which are α- and β-amylases. Classical methods of amylase analysis are based on the extraction of enzymes from homogenised grains with a buffer and subsequent determination of their activity by incubating the enzyme extract with starch solution and determining one of the reaction products (reducing sugars) or residual starch by spectrophotometric methods. At the same time, there are also methods for detecting amylase activity by incubating grain halves on starch-containing agar plates, with cleavage fixed by staining the surface with solutions containing I2. However, these simple methods are only used for an approximate qualitative assessment of amylase activity. This work demonstrates the possibility of quantitatively determining the total amylase activity in germinating wheat and triticale grains by using ImageJ software to estimate the size of the non-iodine-stained halos formed on the plates because of the hydrolysis of starch by amylases. The analysis protocol and examples of the application of the method in the study of the effect on the amylase activity of wheat and triticale grains of priming with physiologically active substances that enhance the germination of grains (hydrogen sulphide donor NaHS and β-aminobutyric acid) are presented. The method is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiologically active substances for priming seeds to increase their germination and for selecting seeds with potentially high germination energy. Keywords: amylase, analysis of activity, cereal seed germination, ImageJ, seed priming
Cadmium contamination of paddy soil is a widespread problem in rice-growing areas. For this study, soil containing 1.60 mg/kg of cadmium, the maximum allowable concentration, was used. The cadmium resistance levels (extra vigour) of seventeen rice varieties were tested using a seedling vigour test, fourteen days after seeding. The cadmium-resistant varieties were then transplanted into severely cadmium-contaminated soil under controlled conditions. The accumulation of cadmium in the grain and the biological accumulation coefficient of the cadmium-resistant rice varieties were also determined in both unpolished and polished grains, using the maximum allowable level of cadmium in rice grains (0.15 mg/kg). The soil used in the study contained 10.23 mg/kg of cadmium and was categorised as severely contaminated. Seven rice varieties were identified as cadmium-resistant even in this soil. However, three varieties were found to have low cadmium accumulation in unpolished grains (0.1 mg/kg), a low biological accumulation coefficient value (0.01), zero cadmium content (0.00 mg/kg) and no biological accumulation coefficient value (0.00) in their polished grains. Therefore, it is recommended that cadmium-resistant rice varieties which accumulate low levels of cadmium in their grains (i.e. cadmium-excluder rice) be planted in severely cadmium-contaminated paddy soil. Keywords: bioaccumulation, cadmium excluder, grain, heavy metals, phytostabilisation
