Seed Morphology of Plantago in China and Its Taxonomic Significance

Studied in this work was seed morphology of the genus Plantago (2 subgenera, 8 sections, 17 species and １ variety )in China. The sculpture was observed under scanning election microscope. Four forms of seed morphology are recognized as follows: (1)Multi-angular type: seeds are variously angulate, yellow-brown or black, 6-30 in a fruit; seed-coat sculpture ranges from reticulate to papillate. It occurs in Subgen. Plantago Sect. Polyneuron: P. scheideri, P. denstflorus, P. major, P. hostifolia, P. asiatica, P. erosa and P. centralis. (2) Navicular type: seeds are navicular, yellow, brown to black, 2 in a fruit; seed-coat sculpture is reticulate. It was found in Subgen. Plantago Sect. Novorbis: P. virginica; Sect. Arnoglossum: P. lanceolata; Sect. Leucopsyllium: P. minuta, P. lessingii and P. aristata and Subgen. Psyllium Sect. Psyllium: P. indica. (3)Ovoid type: seeds are long-ovoid, yellow-brown, black and lustrous. Seed-coat sculpture scali-ratiform. P. maxima in Subgen. Plantago Sect. Lamprosantha belongs to this type. (4)Recti-circular type: seeds are recti-circular, yellow-brown, black, 1-2 or 4-5 in a fruit; seed-coat sculpture is reticulate and papillate. It was found in P. maritima var. salsa of Subgen. Plantago Sect. Coronopus and P. depressa, P. camtschatica and P. arachnoidea of Sect. Mesembrynia. The seed morphology and seed-coat sculture exhibit specific characters, by which some of confused species can be clarified and a new species, P. densiflorus J. Z. Liu. is established. The present author’s seed morphology classification is in accordance with Pilger’s systemof the genus, which was established using other features.     

Cuticle micromorphology of leaves of Pinus (Pinaceae) from North America

Cuticle micromorphology of 31 taxa of Pinus from North America was studied with scanning electron microscopy. Twenty-eight characters, 21 from the inner cuticle and seven from the outer cuticle, were described in detail. These characters have value either for infrageneric classification or for identifying individual taxa. Ten characters were diagnostic for subgenera. Numbers 1−5 relate to the epidermal cells: (1) periclinal wall texture; (2) degree of development; (3) shape of anticlinal walls; (4) shape of apex of anticlinal walls; (5) cuticular continuity. Numbers 6 and 7 relate to the subsidiary cells: (6) lateral texture; (7) groove on the inner surface. Numbers 8−10 relate to the Florin ring: (8) degree of development of the ridge; (9) furrow; (10) groove. Pinus resinosa , belonging to Pinus section Pinus , was clearly distinguished from both the other species and subsection by the tapering and oblique end wall and markedly developed anticlinal walls of the epidermal cells. The cuticular features of P. albicaulis belonging to Parrya subsection Cembrae have a cuticular pattern typical of the species of subgenus Strobus . The subsectional delimitation based on cuticular features did not show a clear resolution even though the taxa might be individually distinct based on the combination of characters examined.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 144 , 303−320.     

Cuticle Micromorphology of Pinus krempfii Lecomte (Pinaceae) and Additional Species from Southeast Asia

Cuticle micromorphology of the unusual Vietnamese pine, Pinus krempfii Lecomte, and three additional endemic southeast Asian species of Pinus L. (Pinaceae) is characterized for the first time. Taxa studied include (1) P. krempfii, typically placed in its own subgenus Ducampopinus (Chevalier) Ferré ex Little & Critchfield; (2) the endemic Vietnamese species Pinus dalatensis Ferré and (3) the southeast Asian species Pinus kwantungensis Chun ex Tsiang, both of subgenus Strobus; and (4) the widespread Asian species Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon of subgenus Pinus. The current and previous studies demonstrate that the genus Pinus and its subgenera are delimited by unique combinations of cuticular characters, although some of these characters may occur individually in other conifers. Cuticular micromorphology supports taxonomic assignment of P. krempfii to subgenus Strobus rather than to its own subgenus, a result that is also indicated by other anatomical studies and recent molecular studies. Sectional affinities of P. krempfii are usually with Parrya, subsection Krempfianae. An alternative classification of P. krempfii with subsection Gerardianae can be supported by micromorphological characters including broad cuticular bridges between stomata, details of the intercellular flanges of the epidermal cells, and usually an amphistomatic stomatal distribution. Features of other Asian species studied are consistent with their taxonomic assignments. The study demonstrates the utility of cuticle micromorphology to taxonomic delimitation within the family Pinaceae.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Eurasian pines (Pinus, Pinaceae) based on chloroplast rbcL, MATK, RPL20-RPS18 spacer, and TRNV intron sequences

The sequence divergence of chloroplast rbcL, matK, trnV intron, and rpl20-rps18 spacer regions was analyzed among 32 Pinus species and representatives of six other genera in Pinaceae. The total aligned sequence length is 3570 bp. Of the four sequences examined, matK evolved much faster than rbcL in Pinus and in other Pinaceae genera. The two noncoding regions did not show more divergence than the two coding regions, especially within each Pinus subgenus. Phylogenetic analyses based on these four sequences gave consistent results and strongly supported the monophyly hypothesis for the genus Pinus and its two recognized subgenera. Pinus krempfii, the two-flat-needle pine endemic to Vietnam, was placed in subgen. Strobus and showed closer affinity to subsect. Gerardianae. The ancient character of sect. Parrya is further confirmed. However, monophyly of the sect. Parrya is not supported by our data. Among the Eurasian pines of subgen. Pinus, Mediterranean pines formed one clade and the Asian members of subsect. Sylvestres formed another. The Himalayan P. roxburghii showed considerable divergence from all the other hard pines from both regions. Pinus merkusii was distinctly separated from all the Asian members of subsect. Sylvestres. The implications of our results for Pinus classification are discussed.     

中国栎属(壳斗科)基于叶表皮及叶结构特征的分支分析

以三棱栎为外类群,基于叶表皮及叶结构特征对中国栎属进行初步的分支分析,结果显示了栎属内稳定的“支”结构及其种间关系。栎亚属可划分为5个组,分别为巴东栎组,高山栎组,Jiang子栎组,麻栎组和槲栎组,Jiang子栎组是栎亚属常绿栎类与落叶栎类之间的过渡类群;高山栎组应为栎亚属常绿栎类中的特化类群,而非最原始类群,5个组中,仅巴东栎组不是单系类群,而是一个多系类群,青冈亚属较栎亚属早分支,可划分为3大类;无毛类,简单被毛类和复杂被毛类;无毛类最原始,复杂被毛类与栎亚属关系最近,因此,叶表皮及叶结构特征对解决栎亚属组间亲缘关系有重要的分类学意义。     

壳斗科木材识别和分类

从106种壳斗科木材构造特征.作为本科木材识别和分类依据,概括于下: 散孔材,管孔细,单个密布,在生长轮末端一狭带无管孔,宽射线为多列射线,较狭而数较多为水青冈属。辐射孔材,管孔成串径列,宽射线聚合型,在横面反光弱为主,分布不均,促使材身槽棱不整齐,槽底平而宽长的为稠属。辐射孔材,管孔成串径、斜列为主,宽射线聚合型(常见)和栎型,在横面反光强,分布均匀,促使材身槽棱整齐,槽底尖而分隔为青冈属。半环孔材或环孔材,早材管孔沿生长轮不连续排列,在肉眼下可见至明显,晚材管孔成串径列,弯曲或火焰状,宽射线聚合型,常数少且几条聚近分布,大部分树种无宽射线的为锥属。环孔材,早材管孔沿生长轮连续排列,肉眼下明显,侵填体丰富,晚材管孔成串径列,弯曲或火焰状,宽射线栎型为栎属。环孔材,早材管孔沿生长轮连续排列,肉眼下明显,具侵填体,晚材管孔成串径列,弯曲或火焰状,射线细而肉眼下不见为栗属。 各属共同特征,薄壁组织离管带状,似环管(实际为环管管胞),生长轮不同程度波状。     

Comparative Anatomical Studies on Chinese Medicinal Plants of the Genus Aconitum

This paper reports the result of comparative anatomical studies on medicinal roots of 53 species and varieties in the genus Aconitum from China. The anatomical structures of the roots can be classified into 6 types and 18 subtypes according to the level of their evolution. The anatomy of Aconitum roots is discussed in relation to phylogeny based on chemotaxonomy, cytology and other related disciplines. It was found that the six types of Aconitum roots are correlated with chemical components, chromosomes, toxicity and the gross morphology. The relatively advanced Types I and II roots always contain highly toxic alkaloids of diterpenoid diester of aconitine type, distributed mainly in Ser. 3, 5-11 of Sect. Aconitum of Subgen. Aconitum, while the relatively primitive Types III, IV and II roots with small diameters contain mainly atisine and aminal alcohol alkaloids, which have lower toxicity, present in Subgen. Gymnaconitum and Ser. 1, 2 of Sect. Aconitum of Subgen. Aconitum. The primitive Types V and VI roots of Subgen. Lycoctonum contain mainly the most low-toxic alkaloids of lycoctonine Type. The result is of significance both in theory or practice for the development of medicinal plant resourcesand the safety of clinical usage of these of plants.     

A Study on the Genus Juncus Linn. from China

Juncus Linn. is a cosmopolitan genus with about 240 species, widely distributed in both hemispheres, but most abundant in the frigid and temperate zones. In the present paper, a revision of this genus in China is made, and a key to the species is provided. This paper also presents a systematic arrangement of the genus Juncus Linn. from China, recognizing six subgenera, 14 sections (includ. ten new), four series (includ. two new), 77 species (includ. 14 new), one subspecies (new) and ten varieties (includ. four new). They are as follows: Subgen. 1. Genuini Buchen. Sect. 1. Inflexi K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 2. Effusi (V. Krecz. et Gontsch. )K. F. Wu, stat. nov. Subgen. 2. Pseudotenageia V. Krecz. et Gontsch. Sect. 1. Kangpuenses K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 2. Compressi (V. Krecz. et Gontsch. )K. F. Wu, stat. nov. Sect. 3. Tenues (V. Krecz. etGontsch.)K. F. Wu, stat. nov. Subgen. 3. Poiophylli Buchen. Sect. 1. Nigroviolacei K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 2. Bufonii (V. Krecz. et Gontsch. )K. F. Wu, stat. nov. Subgen. 4. Graminifolii Buchen. Subgen. 5. Septati Buchen. Sect. 1. Allioides K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 2. Articulati K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Ser. 1. Articulati V. Krecz. et Gontsch. Ser. 2. Dongchuanenses K. F. Wu, ser, nov. Subgen. 6. Alpini Buchen. Sect. 1. Triglumes K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Ser. 1. Triglumes K. F. Wu, ser. nov. Ser. 2. Benghalenses K. F. Wu, ser. nov. Sect. 2. Minimi K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 3. Sikkimenses K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 4. Concinni K. F. Wu, sect. nov. Sect. 5. Sphacelati K. F. Wu, sect. nov.     

国产堇菜属的分子系统学研究

利用基于ITS序列的分子系统学对国产堇菜属(Viola L.)进行了系统发育重建,选择Hybanthus concolor和鳞隔堇(Scyphellandra pierrei)作为外类群,对国产堇菜属植物54种1亚种共66个序列进行分析。分子系统树中获得强烈支持的中国堇菜属属下组级分类群有Sect.Viola、Sect.Diffusae、Sect.Bilobatae、Sect.Vaginatae。Subgen.Melanium与Sect.Viola和Sect.Trigonocarpae聚在一起,说明它们的亲缘关系较近,但Sect.Trigonocarpae支获得的支持率较低。分子系统树证实了Subgen.Dischidium与Subgen.Chamaemelanium的近缘关系,但不支持根据距的长短将Subgen.Dischidium划分为Sect.Longicalcaratae和Sect.Brevicalcaratae的处理。而Pinnatae类群应该作为Sect.Adnatae下的一个亚组处理。根据分子系统发育和形态学特征对V.lucens、V.magnifica、V.dissecta、V.yunnanensis等的分类地位进行了重新评价。     

中国灯心草属植物的研究

本文通过对国产灯心草属植物的研究,提出了一个中国灯心草属分类系统排列,首次确认我国产6亚属,14组(包括10个新组),4个系(包括3个新系),77种(包括14个新种),l亚种(新亚种)和10变种(包括4个新变种),对其中一些种类作了归并及处理。     

Chromosomal localization of 5S and 18S rDNA in five species of subgenus Strobus and their implications for genome evolution of Pinus

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studying the genome structure of pines has been hindered by their large genomes and uniform karyotypes. Consequently our understanding of the genome organization and evolutionary changes in different groups of pines is extremely limited. However, techniques are now available that can surmount these difficulties. The purpose of this study was to exploit some of these techniques to characterize the genome differentiation between the two subgenera of Pinus: Pinus and Strobus. METHODS: Double-probe fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) was used to localize the 5S and 18S rDNA loci on chromosomes of five species from the subgenus Strobus: P. bungeana, P. koraiensis, P. armandii, P. wallichiana and P. strobus. * KEY RESULTS: The rDNA FISH pattern varied considerably among the five species, with P. bungeana being the most distinct. By comparing the results obtained with those of previous rDNA FISH studies of members of the subgenus Pinus, several general features of rDNA loci distribution in the genus Pinus can be discerned: (a) species of subgenus Strobus generally have more rDNA loci than species of subgenus Pinus, correlating with their larger genomes in the subgenus Strobus; (b) there is a clear differentiation in 5S and 18S rDNA loci linkage patterns between the two subgenera; (c) variations in the rDNA FISH pattern correlate with phylogenetic relationships among species within the subgenus; (d) P. bungeana has fewer 18S rDNA sites than other pines investigated to date, but they give intense signals, and may reflect the primary distribution of the 18S-25S rDNA loci in the genus. CONCLUSIONS: The stable differentiation in rDNA FISH pattern between the subgenera suggests that chromosomal rearrangements played a role in the splitting of the two subgenera, and transpositional events rather than major structural changes are likely responsible for the variable rDNA distribution patterns among species of the same subgenus with conserved karyotypes.     

中国-喜玛拉雅特有属——蓝钟花属的分类修订

Cyananthus Wallich ex Bentham, the only genus of Campanulaceae with superior ovary, is revised to clarify infrageneric relationships and phylogeny of the genus. Evidence obtained from the comparative gross morphology, anatomy, palynology, and karyomorpho-logy recommends a new infrageneric classification of the genus, recognizing 23 species, belonging to two subgenera, four sections and four subsections. One subgenus(Subgen. Mi-cranthus), one section(Sect. Suffruticulosi) and two subsections(Subsect. Flavi and Sub-sect. Lichiangenses)are described as new taxa. New combinations at sectional (Sect. Annui) and subsectional(Subsect. Stenolobi) ranks are also proposed. The genus Cyananthus is strictly distributed in the high mountains of China(Xizang, Yunnan and Sichuan), extending to Bhutan, Nepal and India (Kumaon-Garhwal, Assam and Sikkim), with altitudinal ranges from 2500 ~ 5300 m. It is observed that 13 species are endemic to SW China and only three species are endemic to the Himalayas( two species in Ne     

基于matK基因的松属白皮松组分子系统发育分析

基于matK基因对松属(Pinus L.)白皮松组(sect.Parrya Myre)进行了分子系统发育分析.白皮松组为一个并系类群,因为白松组的成员与该组(包括越南的扁叶松(P.krempfii Lecomte))的亚洲成员形成一个强烈支持的分支(靴带值92%).在这个分支中,白松组的3个代表种形成一个稳定的单系,而白皮松组的亚洲成员之间系统发育关系不明确.扁叶松和西藏白皮松(P. gerardiana Wall.ex D.Don)聚在一起,但只有61%的支持率.虽然在以前4个cpDNA基因序列分析时五针白皮松(P.squamata X.W.Li)与白皮松(P.bungeana Zucc.ex Loud.)和西藏白皮松形成一个单系,但在本文的分析中三者的关系不明确.在邻接树和多数一致简约树上,北美的白皮松组成员形成一个支持率低的分支.北美的subsect.Balfourianae Engelm.亚组(包括P.aristata Engelm.)是一个单系,但支持率较低.美洲另外两个亚组subsect.Cembroides Englem.和subsect.Rzedowskianae Carv.的组间和组内关系不确定,它们在严格一致简约树上形成一个多歧分支.     

Molecular Phylogeny of Section Parrya of Pinus （Pinaceae） Based on Chloroplast matK Gene Sequence Data

The molecular phylogenetics of sect. Parrya Myre of Pinus L. was analyzed based onchloroplast matKgene sequence data. The section was resolved as paraphyletic because members of thesect. Strobus were nested within a clade composed by the Asian members of the section, including theVietnamese P. krempfii Lecomte, which was strongly supported with a bootstrap value of 92%. [n thistopology, the three sampled species of sect. Strobus formed a strongly supported monophyletic group,while their relationships of Asian species of sect. Parrya were not clear. P. krempfii was grouped with P.gerardiana Wall. ex D. Don with low bootstrap support. The relationships among the Asian members of thesect. Parrya, i.e.P, bungeana Zucc. ex Loud., P. gerardiana and the recently described endangered pine, P.squarnata X. W. Li, was not resolved, although the monophyly of the three pines was strongly supported inthe combined analysis of four cpDNA sequences. The topology of the neighbor joining tree revealed anassemblage of the American members of the section, which also appeared in the majority rule tree withweak bootstrap support. However, this assemblage was not resolved in the consensus tree of theparsimonious analysis. The American subsect. Ba/fourianae Engelm. formed a weakly supported groupincluding P. aristata Engelm., while the relationships among and within the other two American subsections,Cembroides Englem. and tTzedowskianae Carv., were not resolved, as the members of them formed apolytomy in the consensus tree of the parsimonious analysis. The biogeographical implications of theresults are also discussed in this paper.     

紫荆族的脉序研究

本文对代表豆科云实亚科紫荆族全部五个属．即紫荆属、腺叶紫荆属、格里芬豆属、拟羊蹄甲属和羊蹄甲属的几乎全部系或亚组的１３４个种或种下分类单元的叶脉序进行了研究,并描述了本族２０个基本脉序类型．在紫荆族中,腺叶紫荆属和拟羊蹄甲属的脉序式样非常相似;紫荆属的种类的脉式样以全绿叶,一级脉不及绿等特征组合有别于本族其它属;格里芬豆属的脉序高度特化,有别于紫荆亚族的所有类群;羊蹄甲属是叶脉序式样最多样化的类群．在羊蹄甲属中,羊蹄甲亚属和显托亚属的脉序式样非常多样化．Ｅｌａｙｕｎａ亚属的两个组和Ｂａｒｋｌｙａ亚属的脉序式样非常相似．Ｂａｒｋｌｙａ亚属的仅有种了香叶羊蹄甲的脉序仅以其叶全缘区别于Ｅｌａｙｕｎａ亚属．脉序性状支持把Ｃａｎｓｅｎｉａ系、白花羊蹄甲系、羊蹄甲系、绿花羊蹄甲亚组、总状花羊蹄甲亚组、Ｅｌａｙｕｎａ亚属、伞房系、Ｃｈｌｏｒｏｘａｎｔｈａｅ系、棒花系、掌叶组和萼管组等作为自然类群的观点．在本族植物的脉序类型中,一级脉及缘、全缘叶、发育完好的脉岛等性状常相关出现;另一方面,一级脉不及缘,具二小叶或叶深裂,脉岛发育不完善及盲脉多分枝等性状常相关出现．如同形态和花粉性状,脉序性状能为紫荆族的分类提供另一方面的佐     

Characteristics of Wood Structure in Gymnosperms and Their systematic Significance

The systematic positions and taxonomic ranks of orders and families in Gymnosperms, especially those in Coniferopsida, are analysed and discussed in this paper based on the evolutionary trends in the wood structure. The opinions of the present authors are as follow: 1. The separation of the Araucariaceae from the Coniferae and establishment of the Araucariales are reasonable,because the intertracheid pitting in the wood is the Araucarioid type and there are no pits on both horizontal and end walls of ray parenchyma cells in the family. 2. The position of the genus Ginkgo in Cheng’s system is acceptable. Ginkgo is more similar to Coniferae than to Cycadaceae in the wood structure. 3. According to the characteristics of wood structure, arrangement of the Podocarpaceae, Cephalotaxaceae and Taxaceae between the Araucariaceae and the Pinaceae is reasonable. Among these families, the Cephalotaxaceae and Taxaceae are more closely related to each other in the view of the spiral thickenings which often appear on the inner wall of wood tracheids. 4. Further evidence for the establishment of the Sciadopitysaceae is provided. For example, most of cross-field pits in the wood of the Sciadopitysaceae are window like, while some of them are of the Lemon type or the Subtaxodioid type; bordered pits are of the Araucaria B type. 5. The characteristics of wood structure in the genus Platycladus differ greatly from Thuja. The former has cross field pits of the Cupressoid type, bordered pits of Araucaria B type and warty layer on the inner surface of tracheids. All of these characteristics have added further evidence for the separation of Platycladus from Thuja. 6. Based on the structural characteristics of woody rays in the Pinaceae, the most primitive genera are Abies, Keteleeria and Pseudolarix, while more advanced ones are Cedrus and Tsuga, and even more advanced ones are Pseudotsuga, Cathaya, Picea and Larix, all of which share normal resin canals. The most advanced genus is Pinus which is also of normal resin canals. Pinus can be divided into three subgenera, Haploxylon, Parry and Diploxylon, according to the presence or absence of dentation and warty layer in wood tracheids. 7. It is reasonable to place the genus Amentotaxus in the Taxaceae, because membrane of bordered pits in the genus is similar to that in the other four genera of the Taxaceae, both of the Araucaria type. 8. The present authors agree with Cheng’s (1978) treatment of Sect. Heopeuce in Tsuga, based on the fact that Tsuga longibracteata has traumatic resin canals and warty layer. Reducing Pinus hwangshanensis into P. taiwanensis, made by Cheng, is reasonable because of the similarities between P. hwangshanensis and P. taiwanensis in the wood structure. The establishment of a new subgenus, Patty, for Pinus bungeana is suitable based on chemotaxonomy, morphology and the distinct warty layer on the innersurface of wood tracheids.     

基于matK基因的松属白皮松组分子系统发育分析(英文)

基于matK基因对松属(Pinus L.)白皮松组(sect.Parrya Myre)进行了分子系统发育分析。白皮松组为一个并系类群,因为白松组的成员与该组(包括越南的扁叶松(P.krempfii Lecomte))的亚洲成员形成一个强烈支持的分支(靴带值92％)。在这个分支中,白松组的3个代表种形成一个稳定的单系,而白皮松组的亚洲成员之间系统发育关系不明确。扁叶松和西藏白皮松(P.gerardiana Wall.ex D.Don)聚在一起,但只有61％的支持率。虽然在以前4个cpDNA基因序列分析时五针白皮松(P.squamata X.W.Li)与白皮松(P.bungeana Zucc.ex Loud.)和西藏白皮松形成一个单系,但在本文的分析中三者的关系不明确。在邻接树和多数一致简约树上,北美的白皮松组成员形成一个支持率低的分支。北美的subsect.Balfourianae Engelm.亚组(包括P.aristata Engelm.)是一个单系,但支持率较低。美洲另外两个亚组subsect.Cembroides Englem.和subsect.Rzedowskianae Carv.的组间和组内关系不确定,它们在严格一致简约树上形成一个多歧分支。     

A Revision of Aristolochia Linn. from E. & S. Asia

This revision deals with the system, evolution, distribution, cytotaxonomy and taxonomic treatment of the genus Aristolochia Linn. from E. & S. Asia, which covers Japan, USSR (Far East), China, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Total 2 subgenera, 7 sections, 4 series, 68 species and 1 variety (cultivated species not included) are recognized in this treatment, of which 3 sections and 2 species are described as new. In addition, 13 new synonyms and some new records to this region are also included. Ystem Having estimated all the works dealing with the subdivision of the genus by the previous authors, the system of O. C. Schmidt (1935) is chosen as the basis, with a change of the sequence of the subdivisions. The subgenus Pararistolochia (Hutch. & Dalz.) O. C. Schmidt, which has indefinite stamens and gynandrous lobes, seems to be better considered as the most primitive one in the genus, while the subgenus Siphisia (Raf.) Duch., which has definite stamens and gynandrous lobes, anthers arranged in 3 pairs and more modifications of the perianth, seems to be the most advanced one. The perianth of the subgenus Siphisia has differentiated into several types, and it is more rational using this character to classify sections than lobes of the gynostemium. In this way, three new sections has been established. A suggested system of the genus is summarized as follows: Subgen. 1. Pararistolochia (Hutch. & Dalz.) O. C. Schmidt Subgen. 2. Aristolochia: Sect. 1. Aristolochia (2 series), Sect. 2. Gymnolobus Duch. Subgen. 3. Siphisia (Raf.) Duch.: Sect. 3. Pentodon Klotz, Sect. 4. Odontosiphisia J. S. Ma, Sect. 5. Leptosiphisia J. S. Ma, Sect. 6. Nepenthesia Klotz., Sect. 7. Obliquosiphisia J. S. Ma, Sect. 8. Siphisia (2 series). Evolution According to the character analysis of the genera of Aristolochiaceae, the evolutionary trends of the family are proposed as follows: 1, the perianth from double to single, from cup-like to tubular, 2, stamens from indefinite to definite, from separate from pistil to united into a gynostemium with pistil, which is a major evolutionary line in the family, 3, ovary from half-superior to inferior, and 4, fruit from a follicle to a capsule. It is evident that the genus Aristolochia, with a tubular perianth, stamens 6, a gynostemium, an inferior ovary and a capsule, is in highly advanced position in the family. The subgenus Pararistolochia, which has more stamens and more lobes of gynostemium, is very similar to the genus Thottea Rottb. and thus better considered as the most primitive subgenus in the genus. The subgenus Siphisia, which has definite stamens (6) in 3 pairs and 6 lobes of gynostemium as well as the polyploid feature (2n=4x=28), is the most advanced subgenus. As a result of the character analysis, the evolutionary trends of the subgenera in the genus, which are in accordance with those of the family, are proposed as follows: 1. stamens from indefinite to definite, and 2. gynostemium lobes from more to less. Distribution The more primitive subgenus Pararistolochia is only distributed in West Africa (except 1 species in Malesia), the subgenus Aristolochia in the tropical and subtropical regions, rarely in the temperate one, and the most advanced subgenus Siphisia occurs mainly in E. Asia, occasionally in N. America. The result of this work shows that the Hengduan Mountains is the second center of distribution after South America. The second center of distribution is of following features: 1. complex composition of taxa, among 3 subgenera and 8 sections, 2 subgenera and 7 sections have been recorded here, 2. rich in species, more than half of the total E. & S. Asian species, i.e. about 42 species have been found in this region, and 3. numerous endemics, more than 85 percent of the total number of species in the region, i.e. about 35 species, are endemic. Cytotaxonomy and taxonomic treatment The known chromosome numbers in 43 species, with 34 reported by Gregory (1956) and Fedorov (1969), together with 9 species newly reported in this work, show that Subgen. Aristolochia with 2n=2x=14, rarely 12, is apparently more primitive than Subgen. Siphisia with 2n=2x=28.