Glandular trichomes and essential oil constituents ofCalamintha menthifolia (Lamiaceae)

Plant material ofCalamintha menthifolia was collected from two populations grown in the Vikos-Aoos area (NW. Greece). The structure and ontogeny of the glandular trichomes and the chemical composition of the secreted essential oil were studied. The leaves ofC. menthifolia have numerous glandular trichomes of three morphological distinct types: 1) glandular scales with a unicellular foot and stalk, and a 12-celled head, 2) glandular hairs with a unicellular foot and stalk, and a unicellular pear-shaped head and 3) glandular hairs with a unicellular foot, a bicellular stalk and a unicellular elongated head. Qualitative and quantitative GC-MS analyses of the essential oils revealed piperitone oxide as the main constituent in both populations. In the light of these results the relationships beweenC. menthifolia and other members of theSatureja group as well as its taxonomy are discussed.     

Influence of phenolglucosides and trichome density on the distribution of insects herbivores on willows

The effects of both trichome density and phenolglucoside content of leaves of 76 willow hybrids (Salix alba x fragilis) were measured to estimate their influence on the distribution of Phratora vitellinae (L.), Plagiodera versicolora Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Pontania proxima (Lepeletier 1823) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in a nursery at Gramont, Belgium.The willows showed differences in their phenolglucoside content and pilosity of leaves and are classified on these basis into four groups by a clustering method. Correlations and multiple regressions showed that these chemical and physical characteristics are good predictors of the abundance of insects. First, the abundance of larvae of Ph. vitellinae, adults of Pl. versicolora and galls of P. proxima is correlated positively with a high phenolglucoside content and a low pilosity of the leaves. Secondly, the distribution of adults of Ph. vitellinae and of larvae of Pl. versicolora is influenced by neither the chemical nor the physical leaves characteristics studied.     

INFLUENCE OF TRICHOME LENGTH ON LINEAR TRANSLATION IN OSCILLATORIA PRINCEPS (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

Motile trichomes of Oscillatoria princeps Voucher were examined to determine the relationship between trichome length and the ability to glide through hardened or viscous media. A minimum length for movement in solid media was found to be 0.1 mm in 0.5% agar (w/v).Viscous media tests revealed that coordinated movements through methyl cellulose media were not seen in trichomes 15–40 μ long at the viscosity employed. The minimum length motility increases with the viscosity of the medium and the gliding rates observed are greater in longer trihomes. These findings are discussed in relation to trichome surface area and the hypothesis that the motility system is restricted to lateral surfaces of the trichome.     

Purification and Properties of a Mitochondrial Lipoprotein Inhibitor of Sterol Synthesis

A lipoprotein inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.34) and of cholesterol synthesis by rat liver homogenates, was isolated from the mitochondria of starved rats’ livers. The isolated lipoprotein complex contained a low molecular weight protein and fatty acids. The fatty acids identified were arachidonic, linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic. The saturated fatty acids and oleic acid did not inhibit. Inhibition of the enzyme was to a large extent related to the degree of fatty acid unsaturation.     

Evolution of trichomes and its systematic significance in Salvia (Mentheae; Nepetoideae; Lamiaceae)

We have investigated the trichome characteristics in representative species of Salvia and Pleudia in order to evaluate this source of morphological evidence for addressing problems regarding generic delimitation and subgeneric classification. Trichomes of 46 Salvia spp., representing three subgenera in Iran, were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. General trichome characteristics were constant among different populations of a certain species, but showed a degree of variability useful in the delimitation of taxa, specifically at lower taxonomic levels. Trichome characters of taxonomic interest are as follows: types of glandular hair; number of composing cells (uni‐, bi‐ or multicellular); size and thickness; branching pattern; and presence of papillae on the surface. Non‐glandular trichomes can be simple and branched. Glandular trichomes can be stalked, subsessile or sessile. Our investigation reveals the usefulness of such characters in providing fundamental taxonomic criteria for taxon delimitation in these genera at various levels, especially at the specific rank. Furthermore, the data presented here indicate the potential applicability of such characters in the determination of evolutionary trends in Salvia and allies. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016, 180 , 241–257.     

青藏高原不同海拔高度下全缘叶绿绒蒿叶表皮特征研究

采用胶带粘取叶表皮法,利用光学显微镜观测不同海拔高度下全缘叶绿绒蒿叶片的表皮毛、气孔及表皮细胞结构特征,探讨全缘叶绿绒蒿叶表皮特征与海拔高度的关系。结果表明,随着海拔高度增加,全缘叶绿绒蒿叶片上、下表皮毛密度、气孔密度和表皮细胞密度逐渐增加;气孔器及表皮细胞的长度、宽度和面积逐渐减小;表皮细胞的形态随着海拔升高由无规则形向多边形变化,垂周壁由波状向弓形或平直变化。全缘叶绿绒蒿叶表皮结构在不同海拔高度下表现出的差异,可能是植物长期在高原生态环境下的综合反应,以结构上的变化来适应对高海拔地区的环境特点,为进一步研究高海拔地区植物的适应性提供一定依据。     

Chemical and physical defence in early and late leaves in three heterophyllous birch species native to northern Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Betula ermanii, B. maximowicziana and B. platyphylla var. japonica have heterophyllous leaves (i.e. early leaves and late leaves) and are typical pioneer species in northern Japan. Chemical and physical defences against herbivores in early and late leaves of these species were studied. METHODS: Two-year-old seedlings were grown under full sunlight in a single growing season. Three-week-old leaves of each seedling were harvested three times (May, July and October). Total phenolics and condensed tannin content were determined for chemical defence and leaf toughness and trichome density were assessed for physical defence. Defoliation of early leaves in May was also performed to study the contribution of early leaves to subsequent growth. KEY RESULTS: Chemical and physical defences were greater in early than late leaves in B. platyphylla and B. ermanii, whereas the reverse was true in B. maximowicziana. In contrast to its weak chemical defences, the trichome density in B. maximowicziana was very high. In B. platyphylla and B. ermanii, the relative growth rates (RGR) were greater early in the growing season. Negative effects on growth of removal of early leaves were significant only in B. platyphylla. CONCLUSIONS: B. platyphylla and B. ermanii invest in defence in early rather than late leaves, since early leaves are crucial to subsequent growth. In contrast, B. maximowicziana more strongly defends its late leaves, since its RGR is maintained at the same level throughout the growing season.     

Accumulation of heavy metals in epidermal glands of the waterlily (Nymphaeaceae)

This study investigates the anatomical aspects of heavy-metal accumulation in the waterlily (Nymphaea `Aurora', Nymphaeaceae). Epidermal glands were identified by light microscopy on the abaxial side of the leaf laminae and on the epidermis of the rhizome; glandular trichomes were observed in the petiole epidermis. Glands were not observed in the roots. Accumulation of heavy metals in these glands was monitored using a scanning electron microscope equipped for energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Further experiments showed maximal cadmium and calcium accumulation in the mature leaf lamina in daylight, and this accumulation was inhibited by the herbicide 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. These results suggest that, in Nymphaea, heavy metals are accumulated primarily in association with glands found in plant organs that have direct contact with water or mud. Deposition and storage of heavy metals by these glands may represent a stage in the sequestration and detoxification of the metals. Our results raise the possibility of utilizing waterlilies for the removal of heavy metals from polluted environments. Received: 29 April 2000 / Accepted: 8 June 2000