The saga of the spurges: a review of classification and relationships in the Euphorbiales

The saga of the spurges: a review of classification and relationships in the Euphorbiales. The order Euphorbiales, defined by Lindley in 1836, has undergone many vicissitudes to the present day. Over 30 families have been referred to the Euphorbiales by various authors, but most of them no longer appear closely related to the Euphorbiaceae. Several families commonly referred to Euphorbiales (or Tricoccae) in the 19th century now appear better located in other orders: Buxaceae in Hamamelidales (sensu lato), Empetraceae in Ericales, and Callitrichaceae in Lamiales. Several putatively related families, including the Aextoxicaceae, Stackhousiaceae, and Dichapetalaceae, appear to be of Celastralean affinity. The Simmondsiaceae, a problematical family once referred to the Buxaceae, have been included in the Euphorbiales in recent classifications, but the evidence for this is still inconclusive. Thymelaceaceae show a number of similarities to Euphorbiaceae, but share a greater number of distinctive characters with Malvales. The Euphorbiales show affinities to both the Malvales and Geraniales {sensu lato), and separation of these three orders between two major dicotyledon subclasses (Dilleniidae and Rosidae) appears questionable. The evidence does not support recognizing segregate families from the Euphorbiaceae such as the Bischofiaceae, Picrodendraceae and Stilaginaceae; the Euphorbiales are therefore best construed as containing a single major family, the Euphorbiaceae, as suggested by Hutchinson; the small family Pandaceae is also included in the Euphorbiales but may not be separable from the Euphorbiaceae. The recent classifications of Airy Shaw and Webster agree in many respects, and areas of disagreement indicate the need for additional data gathering and analysis.     

The Medicinal Flora of Sambalpur District, Orissa, India

This paper describes an analysis of the plants of Sambalpur district of Orissa, India which have been used medicinally by local people. The families having medicinal values are analysed using Moerman's method of regression analysis. There were 136 plant families recorded from the study area. The analysis of families showed that the Euphorbiaceae family being used most ethnomedicinally by the local people in Sambalpur district of Orissa, whereas Poaceae is used least one. This type of study determines the degree of importance of plant families in the medicinal flora of the region.     

The Medicinal Flora of Sambalpur District,Orissa,India

This paper describes an analysis of the plants of Sambalpur district of Orissa,India which have been used medicinally by local people. The families having medicinal values are analysed using Moerman's method of regression analysis. There were 136 plant families recorded from the study area. The analysis of families showed that the Euphorbiaceae family being used most ethnomedicinally by the local people in Sambalpur district of Orissa,whereas Poaceae is used least one. This type of study determines the degree of importance of plant families in the medicinal flora of the region.     

Comparative floral structure and systematics of the clade of Lophopyxidaceae and Putranjivaceae (Malpighiales)

In molecular phylogenetic studies, Lophopyxidaceae and Putranjivaceae are well supported as sisters in the large rosid order Malpighiales. As the floral structure of both families is poorly known and the two families have never been compared, the present comparative study was carried out, as part of a larger project on the comparative floral structure of Malpighiales, using microtome section series and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Similar to other angiosperm clades, it appears that the structure of the ovules is a strong marker for suprafamilial relationships in Malpighiales. Both families have two collateral pendant antitropous ovules per carpel associated with obturators (as in some Euphorbiaceae s.l., to which Putranjivaceae belonged in earlier classifications). However, in contrast with Euphorbiaceae s.l., the ovules are not crassinucellar, but either incompletely tenuinucellar or only weakly crassinucellar with a long and conspicuously slender nucellus and an endothelium, and do not have a nucellar beak, but a normal micropyle, features they share with families other than Euphorbiaceae s.l. among Malpighiales. Other shared features of the two families include the following. The outer sepals tend to be smaller than the inner ones and the sepals do not protect the gynoecium in older buds. Sepals of some taxa have a single vascular trace. A short zone of synsepaly tends to be present. Stamens tend to be antesepalous in haplostemonous flowers. A short gynophore is present. The synascidiate zone extends up to above the placenta, but is restricted to the ovary in taxa with more than one carpel. The micropyle is formed by the inner integument. The ventral carpel slits extend down into the synascidiate zone as postgenitally fused furrows. The carpels have a broad dorsal band of vascular bundles in the style. The overall floral structure of the two families corroborates their sister position well and does not support the earlier association of Putranjivaceae with Euphorbiaceae s.l. or of Lophopyxidaceae with Geraniales–Sapindales–Celastrales, which rely on shared superficial floral similarities. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 404–448.     

(山弄)岗植物区系考察报告

<正> 前言 一、鼻岗植物区系的组成 (一)科、属、种的统计 (二)10种以上的科的统计 (三)含10种以上的科在世界区系中的比重 (四)含10种以上的科在广西区系中的比重 (五)木本植物统计。 二、鼻岗植物区系的特点 (一)热带边缘性质 (二)特有性 (三)岩溶特性 三、鼻岗植物区系的地形分布特点及生态变化 (一)谷地、山坡、崖顶的分布概况 (二)水平分布的差异 (三)生态变化 四、鼻岗植物区系与邻近地区植物区系的关系 (一)与中印半岛的关系 (二)与海南岛的关系 (三)与广西阳朔的关系 (四)与花坪的关系 (五)与马来半岛岩溶植物区系的关系 (六)总的比校     

Comparative fruit development in some Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthaceae

Euphorbiaceae s. str. and Phyllanthaceae were earlier components of Euphorbiaceae. This separation was mainly based on molecular data and also on morphological characteristics. Nevertheless, the structure and development of fruits are poorly investigated in these families and considering this, fruits (pericarp and seed) of Euphorbia hyssopifolia L., Croton glandulosus L. (Euphorbiaceae), Phyllanthus niruri L. and Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. (Phyllanthaceae) were structurally studied to see in what respects they are similar or different. The Euphorbiaceae schizocarps present two meristems (adaxial and subadaxial) in the ovary wall, but the adaxial meristem is entirely lacking in Phyllanthus fruits. The seeds have an exotegmen with Malpighian palisade cells in Euphorbiaceae species and a short palisade in Phyllanthus. Some special structural features, such as nucellar beak, anatropous ovules and schizocarp fruits were found in all the species and constitute a unique combination. From the present results, it appears that there is no significant difference in fruit and seed development between the studied Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthaceae.     

Mexican copalchis of the Rubiaceae family: more than a century of pharmacological and chemical investigations

Phytochemistry Reviews - The term copalchi has been used in the scientific literature to define a group of plants of the Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae families with extremely bitter stem-barks,...     

Hydroxynitrile lyases: Functions and properties

Plant hydroxynitrile lyases (Hnl) have attracted the attention of bioorganic scientists for more than 90 years. However, the most important increase in knowledge of this class of enzymes has only arisen in the recent decade. The industrial application of these enzymes as biocatalysts for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure α-cyanohydrins may be responsible for the growing interest in this area.
The Hnls are involved in the catabolic degradation of cyanogenic glycosides, releasing HCN which serves as defense agent against herbivores and microbial attack, or as a nitrogen source. Hydroxynitrile lyases from various plant families appear to represent a new example of enzymes that originated from the convergent evolution of different precursor proteins. The enzymes have been classified into non-FAD- and FAD-containing proteins. FAD-containing enzymes have been isolated exclusively from the Rosaceae, whereas the FAD-independent Hnls, which are more heterogenous in structure, have been characterized from various plant families (Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Linaceae, Olacaceae. Filitaceae). The aim of this review is to present a general survey of the natural function and localization of this class of enzymes and a comprehensive summary of the biochemical and genetic data of the isolated proteins.     

诱导Epstein—Barr病毒早期抗原表达的中草药和植物的筛选

应用Raji细胞筛选了268个科的1693种中草药和植物,共发现18个科的52种有诱导Epstein-Barr(EB)病毒早期抗原表达的作用,大戟科和瑞香科最多,分别有25种和7种,其中甘遂、芫花、黄芫花、了哥王、苦杏仁、怀牛膝和巴豆等是常用药物。本文还讨论了这些中草药和植物在体内对EB病毒的激活及其与鼻咽癌发生的关系。     

A host list for Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Australia

A provisional host list for spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus , in Australia is presented. A total of 104 plant species from 41 families is recorded from Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula south to Weipa, Queensland. Just under half of these species are in the families Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Solanaceae. Agricultural species most at risk in Australia from attack by A. dispersus are the solanaceous vegetable crops grown in the dry tropics.     

Cofactor requirement of ribosome-inactivating proteins from plants

A large number of type 1 ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs)from plants (families of Caryophyllaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae,Phytolaccaceae, and Poaceae) were examined for their requirementfor ATP and supernatant factors for full activity. A markedrequirement was observed with agrostin among Caryophyllaceae,gelonin among Euphorbiaceae, and with both barley RIP and tritin-Samong Poaceae. The distribution of cofactor requirement in Phytolaccaceaediscriminates leaf forms (cofactor-independent) from seed androot forms (cofactor-dependent). The results are discussed onthe basis of the present knowledge on the tissue localizationof RIPs and on the sensitivity of ribosomes to conspecific RIPs. Key words: Cofactors, ribosome-inactivating proteins, RNA-N-glycosidase, up-regulation     

城乡环境梯度下植物群落的区系成分分析

分别以白云山、帽峰山、莲塘风水林作为广州市区、城郊和郊区常绿阔叶林群落代表,分析其植物区系组成和多样性特征。结果显示,广州帽峰山常绿阔叶林群落种类最丰富,维管束植物有87科155属212种,优势科为茜草科、大戟科、樟科、禾亚科、芸香科、紫金牛科、壳斗科;白云山维管束植物有72科121属168种,优势科为茜草科、樟科、桑科、禾亚科、大戟科、冬青科;而莲塘风水林森林群落有55科88属102种,优势科为茜草科、樟科、大戟科。从属的地理分布区类型来看,三个群落皆以泛热带分布属的比例最高,其次为旧世界热带分布属和热带亚洲分布属,群落缺乏典型的热带成分,但具有南亚热带植物区系的基本特征。其中白云山的东亚分布类型有3属;帽峰山的东亚分布类型有4属,中国特有分布类型有1属;而莲塘风水林则没有东亚分布和中国特有分布类型。     

Cloning of casbene and neocembrene synthases from Euphorbiaceae plants and expression in Saccharomycescerevisiae

A large number of diterpenes have been isolated from Euphorbiaceae plants, many of which are of interest due to toxicity or potential therapeutic activity. Specific Euphorbiaceae diterpenes of medical interest include the latent HIV-1 activator prostratin (and related 12-deoxyphorbol esters), the analgesic resiniferatoxin, and the anticancer drug candidate ingenol 3-angelate. In spite of the large number of diterpenes isolated from these plants and the similarity of their core structures, there is little known about their biosynthetic pathways. Other than the enzymes involved in gibberellin biosynthesis, the only diterpene synthase isolated to date from the Euphorbiaceae has been casbene synthase, responsible for biosynthesis of a macrocyclic diterpene in the castor bean (Ricinus communis). Here, we have selected five Euphorbiaceae species in which to investigate terpene biosynthesis and report on the distribution of diterpene synthases within this family. We have discovered genes encoding putative casbene synthases in all of our selected Euphorbiaceae species and have demonstrated high-level casbene production through expression of four of these genes in a metabolically engineered strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The only other diterpene synthase found among the five plants was a neocembrene synthase from R. communis (this being the first report of a neocembrene synthase gene). Based on the prevalence of casbene synthases, the lack of other candidates, and the structure of the casbene skeleton, we consider it likely that casbene is the precursor to a large number of Euphorbiaceae diterpenes. Casbene production levels of 31 mg/L were achieved in S. cerevisiae and we discuss strategies to further increase production by maximizing flux through the mevalonate pathway.     

Biological invasions in rapidly urbanizing areas: a case study of Beijing, China

Urbanization is widely recognized as a major factor promoting biological invasions worldwide. In this article, we provide insights into the patterns of biological invasions in Beijing, one of the largest and quickly urbanizing cities of the world, by developing a comprehensive list of naturalized and invasive flora and their associate traits (e.g., distribution, life form, habitat, or geographic origin). One hundred and twelve naturalized (including 48 invasive) plants have been identified within the Beijing Municipality. Most of the naturalized and invasive plants belong to four families (Asteraceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Euphorbiaceae) and are annual herbs that preferentially grow in disturbed sites. North and South America are the main contributors to the naturalized and invasive flora of Beijing. As expected, those Beijing districts that have recently experienced the highest human population growth, urban expansion, and the largest economic growth are also those with the highest number of naturalized and invasive species. Urban expansion is predicted to continue in the near term making additional invasions likely that will significantly increase the proportion of introduced species in Beijing’s flora. An integrated management strategy for the whole municipality is urgently needed that includes comprehensive scientific research that documents the extent of invasions and their effects on Beijing’s economy and environment.     

The chemical constituents and economic plants of the Euphorbiaceae

The chemical constituents and economic plants of the Euphorbiaceae. A chemical review of the different classes of compounds which have been isolated from the Euphorbiaceae (other than the diterpenoids) is given. This includes triterpenoids and related compounds (sterols, alcohols and hydrocarbons), phenolic compounds (flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, tannins, phenanthrenes, quinones, phenolic acids, etc.), alkaloids, cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates. A summary of the industrial and medicinal uses of members of the Euphorbiaceae is provided.     

杭州外来杂草的种类组成与生境特点

通过野外调查和大量文献资料的整理和分析,确定杭州有外来杂草75种,隶属于30科55属。通过对杭州外来杂草的种类组成、原产地、入侵途径和生境特点进行分析,结果表明：杭州的外来杂草主要为菊科、苋科、大戟科、豆科和旋花科,占总数55%;来源于美洲的外来杂草对杭州容易入侵并造成较大危害;荒地等地表裸露较大的生境外来杂草容易入侵定居。并对如何加强管理和控制外来物种提出几点建议。     

On the Systematic Position of Daphniphyllaceae

The present paper deals with the systematic position of Daphniphyllaceae. The genus Daphniphyllum was first described by Blume in 1826 as a member of Rhamnaceae. In 1858 Baillon removed it to the tribe Phyllantheae of Euphorbiaceae, while Müller (1869) raised this genus to the rank of family, Daphniphyllaceae. Although Müller’s treatment has been accepted by most botanists, including the present authors, its systematic position has been debated. The first aim in our studies on the cladistics of Hamamelidae is to answer the question which families should be included in this monophyletic group. By observing their pollen grains and stoma types of some representative species of Daphniphyllaceae, Hamamelidaceae and Buxaceae under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM,) and analysing morphological, anatomical, palynological, embryological characters and chemical components in the three taxa and Euphorbiaceae, we find that Daphniphyllaceae is very similar to Hamamelidaceae, but greatly different from Euphorbiaceae, in inflorescence racemose or spicate, calyx nearly reduced, stamens numerous and sometimes synandry, connective usually exserted, disc absent, carpels 2; vessel with scalariform perforation plates and often not spiral-thickened, fiber bordered-pitted; stomata mostly paracytic; pollen 3-colpate; tapetum glandular, endosperm development cellular, obturator and caruncle absent; iridoid compounds present; sieve-element plastids S-type. The present authors have noticed the fact that Daphniphyllaceae is also similar to Magnoliaceae in the stamens numerous, anthers larger and filaments very short, connectives obviously exserted and with several bundles; anther wall thicker, endosperm development cellular, embryo small. It is considered that not only are Daphniphyllaceae and Hamamelidaceae phenetically close to each other but also much possibly derived from a common ancestor, the extinct group of Magnoliales. However, Daphniphyllaceae appears to be remote from Euphorbiaceae and Buxaceae in relationship and should be separated from Euphorbiales and Buxales. Meanwhile, since Daphniphyllaceae differs from the members of Hamamelidales in the incompletely septate ovary, drupaceous fruit, indistinct sexine sculpture of pollen grains, small embryo, and an unique alkaloid, daphniphylline, but lacking proanthacyanins, the establishment of an order, Daphniphyllales, for the family, is considered reasonable. According to our opinion, the order is related to Hamamelidales rather than to Euphorbiales as originally suggested by Huru-sawa (1954).     

Chemotaxonomy and geographical distribution of tropane alkaloids

This review illustrates the distribution of tropane alkaloids within the families Solanaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Proteaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Convolvulaceae and Cruciferae. Whereas tropane alkaloids are characteristic of the genera Datura, Brugmansia (tree datura) and Duboisia of the Solanaceae, the distribution is more widespread with novel tropane derivatives in families not traditionally associated with these bases. The chemical nature of more recently discovered water-soluble calystegines and the di- and trimeric forms from the Convolvulaceae (e.g. schizanthines from Schizanthus spp.), truxillines from Bolivian coca leaves and moonines of Erythroxylum moonii are highlighted. Where possible and appropriate, links between the phytochemistry and taxonomy are discussed.     

Anthocyanins acylated with gallic acid from chenille plant, Acalypha hispida

Three anthocyanins were isolated from the red flowers of chenille plant, Acalypha hispida Burm. (Euphorbiaceae) by a combination of chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated mainly by homo- and heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry, and supported with complete assignments of 13C NMR resonances. The novel pigment, cyanidin 3-O-(2"-galloyl-6"-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-galactopyranoside) (5%), contains the disaccharide robinoside. The other anthocyanins were identified as cyanidin 3-O-(2"-galloyl-beta-galactopyranoside) (85%), and cyanidin 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (5%). Anthocyanins acylated with gallic acid have previously been identified in species from the families Nymphaeaceae and Aceraceae, and tentatively in Abrus precatorius (Leguminosae).