Taxonomic studies in Dasypyrum (Poaceae)

Dasypyrum (tribe Triticeae) is revised. Two species are recognized: the annual D. villosum (2n = 14) and the perennial D. breviaristatum (2n = 28). The typification of D. villosum is discussed. The combination D. hordeaceum is demonstrated to be based on a later homonym and for that reason a new combination, D. breviaristatum , is made. A key and a map showing the distribution of the species are presented. Interspecific hybridization and the phylogenetic relationships of the genus are discussed.     

Dispersal of viviparity across contact zones in Iberian populations of fire salamanders (Salamandra) inferred from discordance of genetic and morphological traits

Abstract.— We used partial sequences of the cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene, obtained from 76 individuals representing 45 populations of Iberian Salamandra salamandra plus 15 sequences of additional species of Salamandra and related genera, to investigate contact zones. These zones, identified by earlier allozymic and morphological analyses, are between populations of viviparous (S. s. bernardezi and S. s. fastuosa ) and ovoviviparous (S. s. gallaica and S. s. terrestris ) salamanders. The distribution of mtDNA and nuclear markers is mostly concordant at one contact zone (between S. s. gallaica and S. s. bernardezi ), but at another (between S. s. fastuosa and S. s. terrestris ) the markers are offset by about 250 km. The observed geographic variation fits a model of mtDNA capture. Among the potential mechanisms responsible for such discordance we favor a combination of range shifts due to climatic fluctuations and biased genetic admixture across moving contact zones. We apply our findings to the issue of possible homoplasy in the evolution of viviparity and conclude that viviparity likely arose only once within S. salamandra .     

Notes on Withania (Solanaceae) in Somalia

The identity of Withania reichenbachii is established, the name is neotypified, and the species is described and illustrated. The new combination W. grisea (Hepper & Boulos) Thulin is made. The typification of W. somnifera is discussed, and it is concluded that the present typification can stand. A key to and a synopsis of the four species of Withania now recognised in Somalia are given.     

Nomenclatural remarks and typification of Dasya species (Dasyaceae,Rhodophyta) from the western Mediterranean

New data on synonymy and typification of Dasya species of the western Mediterranean are provided, including: D. baillouviana (S. G. Gmel.) Mont., D. corymbifera J. Agardh, D. hutchinsiae Harv., D. ocellata (Gratel.) Harv., D. rigescens Zanardini, D. rigidula (Kütz.) Ardiss., D. sessilis Yamada and D. punicea (Zanardini) Menegh. in Zanardini. Data on synonymy and a brief nomenclatural story are shown for each species, a lectotype and a neotype are selected respectively for D. rigidula and D. punicea and clarification of neotype designation is discussed for D. corymbifera.     

The typification of Lolium perenne L. and Loliutn temulentum L. (Poaceae)

LOOS, B. P. & JARVIS, C. E., 1992. The typification of Lolium perenne and Lolium temulentum (Poaceae). The typification of the Linnaean species Lolium perenne and Lolium temulentum has been studied. Lolium perenne is typified by material in LINN, as proposed by Terrell, but it has been necessary to select a lectotype for L. temulentum , and material in the Burser herbarium (UPS) has been chosen for this purpose. The study shows that although Linnaeus used awns as a diagnostic character to distinguish the two species, he was aware of the intraspecific variability in this character.     

Lectotypification of the Linnaean name Hypochaeris maculata (Asteraceae)

The typification of the name Hypochaeris maculata L. is discussed. A specimen from the Linnaean Herbarium (LINN) is designated as the lectotype.     

Lectotypification of the Linnaean name Fagus castanea (Fagaceae)

The typification of the name Fagus castanea L. (Fagaceae) is discussed. A specimen from the Linnaean Herbarium (no. 1130.1, LINN!) is designated as lectotype.     

A revision of the genus Dolichos (Fabaceae,Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae), including Lesotho and Swaziland

A revision of the genus Dolichos in South Africa (Lesotho and Swaziland included) is presented. This legume genus, belonging to the bean tribe Phaseoleae, mainly has an African distribution, extending into Asia. In South Africa it is represented by nine species, two (D. sericeus and D. trilobus) of which extend into Tropical Africa. Dolichos is closely related to the genus Macrotyloma from which it can be distinguished by the short standard appendages, reticulate pollen and the generally purple flowers (standard appendages long, pollen tuberculate or spinulose and flowers yellow or orange in Macrotyloma). It also has affinities with the genera Dipogon and Lablab. The correct nomenclature, as well as complete synonymy, typification and distribution maps of all the species are provided.     

Efficacy of leaf extracts of some medicinal plants against disease development in banana

Treatment of infested banana fruits by aqueous leaf extracts of some medicinal plants, viz. Calotropis procera (Ait) R.Br., Vitex negundo Linn., Lantana camara Linn., Azadirachta indica Linn., Ficus religiosa Linn., Ocimum sanctum Lin., Thuja orientalis Linn., Argemone mexicana Linn., Achyranthes aspera Linn., Datura fastuosa Linn. and Ricinus communis Linn. exhibited considerable control of disease development. Of 11 leaf extracts, those of A. indica and O. sanctum were most effective, and showed minimum per cent loss in fruit weight. The appearance of the first disease symptom was also delayed in treated fruits as compared with untreated ones.     

539. Rosa Chinensis f. Spontanea

Summary.  The wild form of the commonly cultivated Rosa chinensis Jacq., f. spontanea Rehder & Wilson, is illustrated and described. The history of its discovery and introduction to cultivation in western gardens is given. The typification and synonymy of R. chinensis are discussed.     

Preliminary functional characterization, cloning and primary sequence of Fastuosain, a cysteine peptidase isolated from fruits of Bromelia fastuosa

The present work reports the characterization of Fastuosain, a novel cysteine protease of 25kDa, purified from the unripe fruits of Bromelia fastuosa, a wild South American Bromeliaceae. Proteolytic activity, measured using casein and synthetic substrates, was dependent on the presence of thiol reagents, having maximum activity at pH 7.0. The present work reports cDNA cloning of Fastuosain; cDNA was amplified by PCR using specific primers. The product was 1096pb long. Mature fastuosain has 217 residues, and with the proregion has a total length of 324 residues. Its primary sequence showed high homology with ananain(74%), stem bromelain (66%) and papain (44%).     

Nomenclatural typifications in polygonum section echinocaulon (Polygonaceae)

The nomenclature and typification of all known species ofPolygonumi sectionEchinocaulon are clarified, and the correct names and synonyms are presented. Lectotypes are selected.     

736. FIRMIANA SIMPLEX

The cultivation and performance in the UK of the Chinese parasol tree, Firmiana simplex (L.) W. Wight are reviewed and aspects of its uses, flower and fruit morphology, nomenclature and typification are discussed.     

Early botanical records from the West Indies, particularly Barbados: Ligon (1657) to Lord Seaforth (1806)

Little-known sea captains and explorers between 1625 and 1700 obtained from Barbados specimens lor the botanical cabinets of Petiver and Plukenet, and plants to be grown at Hampton Court, Chelsea and Eltham, and by W. Sherard. Sir Hans Sloane also visited Barbados in 1687 and later acquired the earlier specimens now included in the Sloane Herbarium at the British Museum (Natural History). For many of the Barbados plants mentioned in the publications of Plukenet and Sloane, identifications are supplied from a study of the polynomials, common names, illustrations, and specimens available. Such records are often needed for the typification of Linnaean binomials and a iurther search is suggested.
A drawing by G. D. Ehret in Hughes' Natural History of Barbados (1750) may represent the first illustration ol the grapefruit ( Citrusparadisi Mad.).
Francis Mackenzie Humberston, Lord Seaforth, was the governor of Barbados 1800–1806, and responsible for the introduction of living plants to the gardens of England. Many are illustrated in early numbers of Curtis' Botanical Magazine and Andrews' The Botanists Repository.     

The significance of the leaf epidermis in the taxonomy of the Combretaceae: conclusions

The classification of the Combretaceae in relation to the anatomy of the leaf epidermis (especially to trichomes) is surveyed, with particular reference to Combretum . The new combination Calopyxis grandidieri (Drake) Capuron ex Stace is made and the new section Calopyxis sect. Petalantha Stace is described. A sectional review of Combretum is presented. The 69 sections are reduced to 45, and full bibliographic details, typification and synonymy are set out.     

Dionaea D. Solander ex J. Ellis (Droseraceae): notes on the nomenclature and typification of Venus's Fly-trap

NELSON, E. C, 1989. Dionaea Solander ex J. Ellis (Droseraceae): Notes on the nomenclature and typification of Venus's Fly-trap. The nomenclatural history of Venus's flytrap, Dionaea muscipula (Droseraceae) from North America (Carolinas), is discussed. The binomial was first published in a London newspaper at the beginning of September 1768 by John Ellis who credited the generic name to Daniel Solander. A lectotype is designated.