The identity of Ctenophrynium K. Schum. (Marantaceae)

Ctenophrynium unilaterale (Baker) K. Schum. was described from cultivated material reported to have been brought from Madagascar. It has recently been recollected in the state of Bahía, SE Brazil. A reexamination shows good agreement with the Brazilian genus Saranthe (Regel & Koern.) Eichl. The recombination Saranthe unilateralis (Baker) L. Anderss. is made and the genus Ctenophrynium is reduced to a synonym of Saranthe . The plant is redescribed and illustrated.     

Phylogeny and classification of Marantaceae

Relationships of Marantaceae were estimated from nucleotide sequence variation in the rps16 intron (plastid DNA) and from morphological characters. Fifty-nine species (21 genera) formed the ingroup, and 12 species (12 genera) of other Zingiberales formed the outgroup. There is no support for the traditional subdivision of Marantaceae into a triovulate and a uniovulate tribe or the informal groups previously proposed. The so-called Donax group forms a paraphyletic grade that is basal within Marantaceae. Thalia appears as the distal branch of this grade, but its position is not supported in jackknife analysis. The so-called Calathea group is monophyletic in all shortest trees but not supported with greater than 50% jackknife. The genus Calathea appears to be paraphyletic. The Maranta and Phrynium groups are clearly polyphyletic. Maranta, Koernickanthe , and genera of the Mymsma group, all neotropical, form a strongly supported monophyletic group. The sister of this group is the palaeotropical genus Halopegia. Koernickanthe is nested within Maranta , as this genus is traditionally circumscribed. The African genera Ataenidia and Marantochloa form a strongly supported clade in which Ataenidia is the sister group to Marantochloa . Based on phylogeny it is concluded that Africa, in spite of being much poorer in species, is the most likely ancestral area of Marantaceae     

Notes on Ischnosiphon (Marantaceae)

Four new species are described, viz. Ischnosiphon bahiensis (Brazil), I. ursinus (French Guiana and Rio Negro Basin), I. crassispicus (vicinity of Manaus), and I. fusiformis (NE Peru). New data on ecology, morphology, or distribution are presented for I. inflatus Anderss., I. enigmaticus Anderss., I. centricifolius Anderss., I. gracilis (Rudge) Koern., I. helenae Anderss., I. macarenae Anderss., I. polyphyllus (P. & E.) Koern., and I. surumuensis Loes. The typification of I. arouma (Aubl.) Koern. is briefly discussed.     

Occurrence of rosmarinic acid,chlorogenic acid and rutin in Marantaceae species

In a survey of the higher plants for families with rosmarinic acid-accumulating species we could show for the first time, that some species of the family Marantaceae of the order Zingiberales accumulate rosmarinic acid. Other compounds detected in Marantaceae are chlorogenic acid and rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside). Out of 35 species coming from 9 different genera extracted and analysed, two species of Maranta (Maranta leuconeura, Maranta depressa) and one Thalia species (Thalia geniculata) showed the presence of rosmarinic acid. The two Maranta species additionally contained chlorogenic acid, which was also present in Stromanthe amabilis. Rutin was detected in the genera Calathea, Ctenanthe, Maranta, Pleiostachya and Thalia. For a comparison, species from six other families of the Zingiberales were analysed as well.     

Root and tuber phytoliths and starch grains document manioc (Manihot esculenta) arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) and llerén (Calathea sp.) at the real alto site Ecuador

Although roots and tubers are dietary staples in many parts of the world, their use is difficult to document archaeo logically because their organic remains are often poorly preserved in archaeological sedi ments. Here we describe the first diagnostic phytoliths from the underground storage organs of the important New World agricultural crops manioc or yuca(Manihot esculenta Crantz), arrowroot(Maranta arundinacea L.), and llerén(Calathea allouia [Aubl.] Lindl.) and demonstrate their usefulness for identifying prehistoric root and tuber processing with a study of stone artifacts from a Valdivia 3 (2800–2400 B.C., calibrated) household at Real Alto, Ecuador. Gelatinized starch (heat-altered) and unaltered starch from maize (Zea mays L.), arrowroot, and manioc were also found on these stone tools. Our data document early evidence for manioc in Ecuador’s coastal lowlands. In combination, these phytoliths and starch residues provide evidence that both raw and cooked foods were processed in this early mixed agricultural economy.     

Additional Ecuadorian species in Calathea series Comosae (Marantaceae)

Three new species in Calathea series Comosae (Petersen) Schumann are described from Ecuador: Calathea pallidicosta, C. attenuata and C. lagoagriana. Calathea pallidicosta is currently known only from Ecuador, C. lagoagriana occurs in both Colombia and Ecuador while C. attenuata is more widespread, occurring in Colombia, Ecuador, Perú and Brasil. Calathea attenuata and C. pallidicosta are in the monomorphic-bracted group of C. series Comosae while C. lagoagriana is in the dimorphic-bracted group. Calathea lagoagriana possibly hybridizes with C. loeseneri Macbride.     

Notes on the Genus Prismatomeris Thw. (Rubiaceae) of China

In the classification of J. D. Hooker (1873) and of K. Schumann (1891), the genus Prismatomeris Thw. is included in the tribe Morindeae of Rubiaceae. In the modern classifications, e. g. Bremekamp (1966), however, the taxonomic position of the genus is still uncertain. The genus agrees with the tribe Morindeae in the downward radicle, valvate aestivation of the corolla lobes and presence of raphides, but it differs significantly from the latter in the free flowers, bilocular ovary and the peltate ovule attached to the upper half of septum. Therefore, it would be more suitable that the genus is separated from the tribe Morindeae Miq., and is raised to the rank of tribe, placed in the subfamily Rubioideae based on Bremekamp’s delimitation. In the present paper ten character pairs of the genus and the notes on their taxonomic value are presented and two following species are recognized: 1. P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. is found in northern India. Its subspecies, which is distributed in Yunnan of China and in Thailand, was previously called P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schumann, and is now revised as P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. subsp. multiflora (Ridley) Y. Z. Ruan. 2. P. connata Y.Z. Ruan is described as a new species, that has been treated as P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. by previous auth rs. It is native to the subtropic region of South China. Its tropical new subspecies, P. connata. Y. Z. Ruan subsp. hainanensis Y. Z. Ruan, is found on Hainan Island.     

Revision of the Thalia geniculata complex (Marantaceae)

Within the Thalia geniculata complex, which corresponds to subgen. Arthrothalia Schum., three species have been recognized in recent taxonomic literature, viz. T. geniculata L., T. trichocalyx Gagnepain, and T. welwitschii Ridley. The variation pattern within this complex has been analyzed with the aid of pictorialized scatter diagrams and it is concluded that the entire complex is made up of a single polymorphic species, of which no further subdivision is justified. T. geniculata is redescribed and full synonymy is given.     

营属(Themeda Forsskal)及其有关属的分类与考证

对菅属（ThemedaForsskal）的命名与合法性历史进行了考订,确定合法的属并列出了异名录;鉴于原AnthistiriaLinn．f.属较庞杂,属的概念（范畴）有较大变化,本文采用P．Forsskal及E．Hackel和W．D．Clayton的Themeda属的范畴,对已发表的原归用于Anthistiria和Themeda等属的种（双名）逐一作了考订,以明确它们的隶属关系并转隶于10个不同的局;对Themedan属自P．Forsskal（1775）建立以来的系统分类研究状况作简短的回顾,并对所存在的问题作了简述．     

Fruit structure and generic delimitation of Athanasia (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) and related South African genera

Within South African Asteraceae-Anthemideae there is a group of genera containing furanosesquiterpenes rather than the common polyacetylenes. Of these genera, Asaemia (Harv.) Ham. ex Benth. & Hook., Athanasia L., Eumorphia DC., Gymno-pcnfzia Benth., Phymaspermum Less. and Sfilpnophyfon Less. have been investigated morphologically especially with respect to fruit structure. As a result of the investigations Stilpnophyton has been reduced to synonomy under Athanasia L. emend. Källersjö (with 36 spp.) and five species of Athanasia , together with Phaeocephalus S. Moore., are placed in the revived genus Hymenolepis Cass. (with 7 spp.). Brachymerk DC. and four misplaced species of Aihanasia are included in Phymaspermum Less. emend. Källersjö (with 17 spp.). Nine other misplaced species of Athanasia and one Pentzia Thunb. species have been described as a new genus Inulanihera Källersjö (with 10 spp.), a group without furanosesquiterpenes. The two monotypic genera Asaemia and Gymnopentzia , and Eumorphia (with 6 spp.) remain unchanged. The interrelationships of the genera possessing furanosesquiterpenes are shown in a cladogram. There are 25 new combinations in Afhanasia, Znulanthera, Hymenolepis and Phymaspermum .     

Dimethylmorpholinium Chloride Analogs and Their Effect on Plants

Relations between the chemical structure of new analogs of dimethylmorpholinium chloride (DMC) and their growth retardant activity were investigated. Some of these substances exerted a specific impact on the growth of individual organs in monocot (Triticum aestivum L., Hordeum vulgare ssp. distichon (L.) Koern.) and dicot (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Brassica napus L.) plants. Within the group of bis-quaternary ammonium salts, the derivatives of N-methylmorpholinium (1-DMC) and N-benzylmorpholinium (3-DMC) manifested high retardant activity on growth of barley and wheat plants. The molecules of these compounds comprise the chain of two methylene groups bridging the nitrogen atoms. An N-acetylmorpholinium derivative 17-DMC, with nitrogen atoms in morpholinium rings linked by two methylene groups with a CHOH group between them, produced a physiological effect on rape and kidney bean plants.     

长白山区黏菌物种多样性编目

系统记载了长白山地区黏菌 2 10种 ,隶属于 32属 10科 6目 3亚纲。其中 ,环丝团网菌 (Arcyriaannulif eraTorrend)、大团网菌 [A .major (G .Lister)B .Ing]、暗红垂网菌 (A .oerstedtiiRost .)、球囊白柄菌 [Diacheabul billosa (Berk .&Br.)A .Lister]、高山双皮菌 (DidermaalpinumMeylan)、白煤绒菌 [Fuligocinerea (Schw .)Mor gan]、大粉瘤菌 [Lycogalaflavofuscum (Ehrenb .)Rost .]、金黄绒泡菌 (PhysarumcitrinumSchum .)、刺发网菌 (Stemo nitisflavogenitaJahn)、半网发网菌 (S .hyperoptaMeylan)和小孢发网菌 (S .microspermaB .Ing)等 11个种为吉林省新记录种。给出了全部物种的市县级地理分布信息。     

竹芋科和蕨类室内盆栽植物对甲醛净化作用的研究

以竹芋科和蕨类室内盆栽植物各10种为试验材料,分别置于体积为1.0 m×1.0m×0.8m密封玻璃箱内,甲醛起始浓度均设置为15 mg/m3,连续观察7d.结果表明:卷叶巢蕨(Neottopteris nidus cv.Volulum)、矩叶肖竹芋(Calathea lubbersiana)对甲醛抗性最强(Ⅰ级);银线竹芋(C.ornata)、银羽斑竹芋(C.setosa)、翠叶竹芋(C.freddy)和彩虹竹芋(C.roseo-picta)抗性较强(Ⅱ级);巢蕨(N.nidus)、傅氏凤尾蕨(Pteris fauriei)、银脉凤尾蕨(P.ensi formis cv.Victoriae)、银心大叶凤尾蕨(P.cretica cv.Albolineata)、肾蕨(Nephrolepis cordifolia)、华南毛蕨(Cyclosorus parasiticus)、乌毛蕨(Blechnum orientale)、花叶竹芋(Maranta bicolor)和天鹅绒竹芋(C.zebrina)抗性最差(Ⅳ级).甲醛处理后,密封玻璃箱内甲醛浓度均呈递减变化,递减最快都集中在试验后1～3 d之间.吸收甲醛最快的植物是天鹅绒竹芋和星蕨(Microsorum punctatum),最慢的是华南毛蕨、银脉凤尾蕨、卷叶巢蕨和银羽斑竹芋.对甲醛处理产生伤害反应少或较少,而吸收能力强的前8种植物是:巢蕨、青苹果竹芋(C.rotundfolia)、银心大叶凤尾蕨、银线竹芋、二歧鹿角蕨(Platycerium bifurcatum)、卷叶巢蕨、彩虹竹芋和翠叶竹芋,可作为甲醛净化专用植物应用推广.     

Revision of Maranta subgen. Maranta (Marantaceae)

Maranta subgen. Maranta includes species related to M. arundinacea L. It is characterized by aerial shoots with a strong monopodial tendency, absence of root tubers, simple inflorescences or few-branched, often diffuse synflorescences, florescences with few, herbaceous spathes, and comparatively large, distinctly pedicellate flowers. There are occasional exceptions to all these characters. Most species are partial selfers, only two or three being allogamous. Sixteen species are recognized, eight of which are new: M. linearis, M. sobolifera, M. lindmanii, M. zingiberina, M. incrassata, M. rupicola, M. amazonica , and M. tuberculata. The new species are described, and all species are defined and discussed, data being given about distribution and habitat. Growth habit and rhizome structure are essential taxonomic characters, but leaf shape and indument distribution are more useful characters for routine identification. Of the species referred to subgen. Automaranta by Schumann in Das Pflanzenreich, three are excluded: M. cordata, M. pohliana , and M. foliosa.     

Composition and nutritive value of some grasses, plants and aquatic weeds tested as diets

The composition and nutritive value of different diets, namely the aquatic weeds— Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Presl., Lemna gibbs (L.) Pistia stratiotes (L.), grasses—Guinea grass Panicum maximum Jacq., Napier grass Pennisetum purpureum Schum. and plants—sweet potato leaves Ipomaea batatas L. and tapioca leaves Manihot utilissimus Pohl. were determined and compared. The diets contained 13.5 to 30.48% protein; 1.89 to 9.60% fat; 3.94 to 23.13% ash; 5.42 to 26.70% fibre and 24.87 to 46.27% carbohydrate. Most of the minerals determined in the aquatic weeds were higher than those in grasses and plants. The feeding of Hydrilla , Napier grass and tapioca leaves to grass carp Ctenopharyngodon ideltus (V.) showed a different growth rate and the results obtained indicated the superiority of Hydrilla diet over Napier grass and tapioca leaves.     

Diversity of vascular plants on Ssese islands in Lake Victoria, central Uganda

Diversity and distribution of trees [≥5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh)], shrubs and herbs was assessed in thirty 0.05‐ha (10 × 50 m) plots of a tropical high forest in the Ssese islands of Lake Victoria, central Uganda. The aim was to determine the floristic richness and composition of the forests. We recorded 179 species belonging to 70 families and 146 genera. Of these, nine families had five species or more. Rubiaceae was the richest with fourteen species followed by Euphorbiaceae (thirteen), Apocynaceae (ten) and Moraceae (nine). The majority of the families (35) were represented by one species each. Fifty‐eight herbaceous species, 39 lianas, ten shrubs and 72 species of trees were recorded. The commonest species recorded in the forest included: Uapaca guineensis Mull. Arg., Tabernaemontana pachysiphon Stapf., and Aframomum luteoalbum (K Schum.) K. Schum. Among the rare species encountered were Ficus densistipulata De Willd., Englerophytum oblanceolatum (S. Moore) Pennington, and Afromomum zambeziacum (Bak.) K. Schum. The present study has shown that the Ssese islands are floristically rich in species and compare well with other mainland forests. Species richness, rarity and uniqueness of habitats can be considered as approaches in the prioritization of conservation sites within the fragmented forests of Ssese islands.     

Micromorphology of Scirpus (Cyperaceae) and related genera in south-west Europe

Glume surface, fruit surface, perianth bristles and pollen morphology in Scirpus L. and related genera from south-west Europe have been investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The results of this analysis confirm the heterogeneity of the group and provide further support to the current recognition of the genera Scirpus L., Bolboschoenus (Rchb.) Palla , Scirpoides Ség., Schoenoplectus (Rchb.) Palla, Isolepis R.Br., Trichophorum Pers. and Blysmus Panz. as well as to a re-appraisal of subg. Actaeogeton (Rchb.) Oteng-Yeb. of Schoenoplectus .  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 45–58.     

新分类系统下长蒴苣苔亚科(苦苣苔科)细胞学研究概述

在最新分类系统框架下对长蒴苣苔亚科(Didymocarpoideae)的染色体资料进行了详细的整理和分析,结果表明,长蒴苣苔亚科的细胞学研究仍存在不足,尤其在种级水平上的研究不足25%,且存在一些属的染色体数据空白的现象。在新的分类系统下,一些修订后的属染色体数目表现出一致性或更加具有合理性,但也存在一些属的染色体数目变异仍十分复杂,如汉克苣苔属(Henckelia)和长蒴苣苔属(Didymocarpus)。基于已有的染色体数据,对长蒴苣苔亚科内一些重要属的染色体进化模式及其对物种分化的影响进行了探讨,推测染色体数目的多倍化及非整倍化进化可能对各类群的物种分化具有重要作用,但需要今后利用基于DNA探针的荧光原位杂交技术并结合分子系统学和基因组学研究才能深入地解析染色体的进化模式及其对物种分化的影响。     

Micropropagation of Calathea ornata Koern.

In vitro cultures of Calathea ornata Koern. cv. Sanderiana shoots were maintained on modified medium of Murashige and Skoog. With the aim to find effective micropropagation method the effects of cytokinins, paclobutrazol, saccharose, mineral salts and shoot-tip damage on the shoot growth and quality were studied. The highest number of shoots was obtained on a medium containing 2.5 mg dm-3 benzylaminopurine, 2.5 mg dm-3 kinetin, 4.5 % saccharose and raised concentrations of Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn. Shoot branching was markedly stimulated by the shoot-tip damage. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.