Patterns and relationships between and within the sections Alchemilla and Ultravulgares of the genus Alchemilla (Rosaceae) in Estonia

Nine Estonian Alchemilla species belonging to the sections Ultravulgares and Alchemilla , or considered being close to them, were analysed. When the analysed specimens were divided into sections, the latter were statistically distinct and formed separable groups in the character space. When the specimens were grouped on a species level, A. cymatophylla, A. subcrenala and A. heptagona were insignificantly distinct, but, in the character space, specimens of A. heptagona were visually well distinguished from the other two. Specimens of A. acutiloba, A. micans , and A. xanthochlora formed confidently distinct (p < 0.01) species-clusters, but at the same time they formed a joint cloud in the character space, indicating the compactness of section Alchemilla. Specimens of A. semilunaris were close to A. lindbergiana , and not, as has previously been supposed, to the section Ultravulgares. A. semilunaris should possibly be kept in a separate section Decumbentes. Specimens of A. lindbergiana were on one hand close to A. semilunaris. on the other hand close to the species of section Alchemilla ; including it in the latter section is still doubtful. A. subglobosa was indistinct from A. subcrenata but could generally be separated from sections Alchemilla and Ultmvulgares. Of the 41 tested characters, 35 were useful for species discrimination; counts, nominal and ratio characters were better than metric ones. According to the cluster analysis, specimens of A. acutiloba and A. micans formed one big cluster, all other specimens belonged to another.     

An Alchemilla of the series Splendentes (Rosaceae) discovered in Norway

The new species Alchemilla semidivisa (Rosaceae) is described from Møre og Romsdal in west-central Norway. A. semidivisa belongs to the series Splendentes , until now only known from the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Faeroes and Iceland, and is probably closely related to A. faeroënsis. It has been found in 11 localities within a very small area. Large populations have been found at four sites, of which three are near waterfalls. Flora Nordica notes 32.     

Taxonomic continuum of Alchemilla (Rosaceae) in Estonia

23 widespread apomictic Alchemilla microspecies occurring in Estonia are analyzed to investigate whether the species and higher rank taxa are distinct, how variable these taxa are and which characters distinguish them better. Cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, analysis of variance, principal component analysis and continuum analysis are used for data processing. The characters form four correlative groups, describing (i) vegetative and (ii) generative parts of the plant body, (iii) hairiness characters and, (iv) leaf teeth measurements. The best characters according to analysis of variance for disünguishing species are hairiness characters, but often they distinguish only few species very clearly and cannot be used for the remaining ones. Hence the other characters cannot be excluded. From the studied species only A. plicata, A. semilunaris and A. lindbergiana are significantly distinct from all others. The remaining ones form a complicated network of mutually indistinct pairs. Higher rank taxa — sections and series according to Rothmaler, Fröhner and Yuzepchuk are better separated, containing very few mutually indistinct pairs. Results from species centroids' clustering are most congruent with Fröhner's system, but still some changes seem to be necessary and a corrected system is proposed here. Section Plicatae is split into two series: Pubescentes and Barbulatae , sections Alchemilla, Ultravulgares and Decumbentes are joined as three series of section Hirsutae , and A. filicaulis is moved from section Plicatae to section Coriaceae. Coriaceae should also be split into three series: Exuentes (A. filicaulis), Glabricaules (A. glabricaulis) and Coriaceae (other species).     

546. Alchemilla Speciosa

Summary.  Alchemilla speciosa Buser, a Caucasian member of Subsection Calycanthum Rothm., Series Elatae Rothm. is described and illustrated.     

Taxonomic notes on Ethiopian Rosaceae

A summary is presented of taxonomic revisions and rearrangements required in connection with an account of the family Rosaceae for the Flora of Ethiopia. In Rubus the species R. apetalus Poir., R. erlangeri Engl., R. steudneri Engl. and R. volkensii Engl. are treated, whereas in Alchemilla particular attention is given to the species A. abyssinca Fresen., A. fischeri Engl., A. haumanii Rothm., A. kiwuensis Engl., A. microbetula T.C.E. Fr., and A. pedata Hochst. ex A. Rich. Distribution maps are provided for Rubus aethiopicus R. A. Graham, R. erlangeri and R. volkensii as well as for Alchemilla fischeri, A. microbetula and A. pedata.     

Alchemilla viridiflora Rothm.: the potent natural inhibitor of angiotensin I-converting enzyme

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Alchemilla viridiflora Rothm., Rosaceae is a herbaceous plant widespread in central Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Serbia with Kosovo. Liquid...     

西藏植物分布新资料

首次报道了西藏2个新记录属,蔷薇科(Rosaceae)的羽衣草属(Alchemilla)和鸢尾科(Iridaceae)的庭菖蒲属(Sisyrinchium),并报道2个新记录种,即无毛羽衣草(Alchemilla glabra Neygenf.)和庭菖蒲(Sisyrinchium rosulatum Bickn.)。     

Elemental characterisation of the medical plant Alchemilla velebitica

Alchemilla, commonly called “lady's mantle”, is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the family Rosaceae. The species Alchemilla velebitica is found only in Southern Europe, like in the Croatian National Park Northern Velebit. Its benefits, such as a astringent and emmenagogue activity as well as wound healing are correlated to the organic compounds found in the plant, but also certain trace elements are known to reduce skin lesions, such as zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, silicon and lithium.Thus the objective of the present study was the elemental characterization of leaves, blossoms and roots of A. velebitica. After acidic microwave assisted digestion the concentrations of selected essential and trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry. Other minor elements, such as Al, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr and Zn are also found in leaves, blossoms and roots with contents in μg/kg range. The preparation of decoctions and the extraction yields of the elements of interest are calculated.     

Alchemilla acutiloba Opiz new to Scotland

Summary

Alchemilla acutiloba Opiz was found growing on disused railway sidings 5 km north of Glasgow. In the light of its known northern English and Scandinavian distribution and ecology, the status of this newly discovered Scottish Alchemilla is discussed.     

Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from mountain grassland (Cordoba, Argentina) I. Seasonal variation of fungal spore diversity

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were studied in the rhizosphere of 3 Poaceae with metabolic pathway C(3) (Briza subaristata Lam., Deyeuxia hieronymi (Hack.) Türpe and Poa stuckertii (Hack.) Parodi), 2 Poaceae with C(4) metabolic type (Eragrostis lugens Nees and Sorghastrum pellitum (Hack.) Parodi.), and a Rosaceae (Alchemilla pinnata Ruíz & Pav.) from a natural mountain grassland in Central Argentina (South America). Host species, their metabolic type, seasonal changes, and grazing effects over AM fungal diversity were analyzed. Seventeen mycorrhizal fungi taxa were found, widespread in all families of Glomales. Density of endomycorrhizal fungi was found to be strongly influenced with seasons and host metabolic pathway, although biodiversity (H), richness (S) and evenness (E) did not change. In most cases grazing did not affect these variables.     

Alchemilla (Rosaceae) in the Massif Central (France). Introduction and one new Species Alchemilla reflexa sp. nov

A new species of Alchemilla L. (Rosaceae), A. reflexa Frost‐Ols., is described and illustrated. A. reflexa is characterized by deflexed indumentum on petioles and stems, orbicular leaves with imbricate basal lobes and crimson‐magenta coloured basal stipules. It is distributed in the Massif Central, France, where it is widespread, and in northeastern Pyrenees (déps. Ariège and Aude). A. reflexa is compared with two species previously recorded from the Massif Central with doubt, A. exigua Buser and A. strigosula Buser and with A. filicaulis Buser that can be misidentified as A. reflexa in the field. An introduction to past treatments of Alchemilla in the Massif Central is provided as well as a discussion of some morphological elements used for delimiting Alchemilla taxa.     

Importance and intensity of competition along a fertility gradient and across species

Questions: 1. Can the importance and the intensity of competition vary independently along a nutrient gradient? 2. Are these variations species dependent? Location: Sub‐alpine pastures of the northern French Alps. Methods: Competition intensity measures how much competition decreases the performances of an organism. Competition importance measures how much competition contributes to affect performance, among other processes (such as environmental stress or disturbance). Competition intensity and importance were measured on three co‐occurring species: Festuca rubra, a perennial grass, and two forbs of contrasting basal area, Chaerophyllum hirsutum and Alchemilla xantho‐chlora. A neighbour removal experiment was performed on Festuca rubra in three sub‐alpine grassland communities differing in fertility and on Chaerophyllum hirsutum and Alchemilla xanthochlora in the two more fertile of these communities. The importance of competition was quantified using an index proposed by Brooker et al. (2005). Results: Competition intensity and importance showed different patterns of variation along the fertility gradient for Festuca rubra: competition importance decreased with decreasing fertility whereas competition intensity did not change. The largest forb was the least affected by competition. Our results suggest that the importance of competition for all three species depended on their individual tolerance to low nutrient availability. Conclusions: 1. The distinction between the importance and the intensity of competition is helpful to explain conflicting results obtained on the variations of competition indices along productivity gradients. 2. The choice of a phytometer can affect the conclusions drawn from empirical studies.     

Alchemilla austriaca,spec. nova,(Rosaceae) — eine neue Art aus den Ostalpen

Alchemilla austriaca is a new species which belongs to the group ofA. demissa, A. frigens, A. longana, A. longiuscula, A. semisecta, andA. sinuata. The holotype specimen as well as leaf and flower details are illustrated (Figs. 1–3). A complete character analysis is given, differences and similarities of allied species are presented in two tables, and the position of the group within the genus is discussed.A. austriaca so far is known only from the Austrian Alps and mainly from the central ranges (distribution map: Fig. 4). Its wet subalpine and alpine habitats are characterized by species lists.

     

Mycorrhizal plants of traditionally managed boreal grasslands in Norway

This paper reports on the mycorrhizal status of 82 plant species growing in traditionally managed grasslands in three different locations in the boreal and boreo-nemoral vegetation zone in the eastern part of Norway. Seventy-four species were found to have arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). To our knowledge, we report AM for the first time in Achillea ptarmica, Ajuga pyramidalis, Alchemilla glaucescens, Carex brunnescens, Carex pallescens, Crepis praemorsa, Hieracium lactucella, Rumex longifolius, Scorzonera humilis, Trifolium aureum and Trifolium spadiceum. The rare and threatened species Arnica montana, S. humilis, C. praemorsa, Gentianella campestris, Parnassia palustris, T. aureum and T. spadiceum, all confined to grasslands, were found to possess AM fungi.     

Effects of guttation prevention on photosynthesis and transpiration in leaves of Alchemilla mollis

The ecophysiological function(s) and consequences of guttation, a phenomenon by which water is exuded by and accumulated as droplets along the leaf margins under high humidity in many plants that grow in wet soil, has been poorly studied and remains largely unknown. Thus, leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were examined, using two experimental approaches, in Alchemilla mollis plants under conditions that promoted guttation and those that prevented this phenomenon. Although results were variable, depending on the experimental approach, prevention of guttation effected reductions in photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as photochemical activity measured with fluorescence techniques. These findings lend partial support for a previously hypothesized function of guttation: prevention of excess water in leaves, yet they contradict those of several other studies. More work is required in order to adequately understand the function of guttation.     

Rosaceae chemotaxonomy and the origins of the Pomoideae

The results of a chemotaxonomic survey of the Rosaceae for the occurrence of flavone C-g!ycosides, together with a general literature review of Rosaceae chemotaxonomy, are compared with the hypotheses of classical botanical taxonomy relating to the origins and evolution of the subfamilies of the Rosaceae. A tentative phyiogenetic scheme is presented, based upon all available taxonomic evidence. The chemotaxonomic data is consistent with the hypothesis that the Pomoideae are of allopolyploid origin, produced by ancient hybridization between primitive forms of the subfamilies Prunoideae and Spiraeoideae, although the possibility cannot completely be excluded that primitive Spiraeoideae only were involved. Flavone C-glycosides, hitherto thought to be restricted in the Rosaceae to Crataegus , have also been detected in the following genera: Pyracantha, Osteomeles, Aronia, Hesperomeles, Malacomeles, Chamaemetes, Dichotomanthes (Pomoideae); Quillafa (Spiraeoideae); Agrimonia, Adenostoma , doubtful traces in Sanguisorba, Potentilla, Alchemilla (Rosoideae). None could be detected in the Prunoideae. The chemotaxonomic evidence supports the hypothesis that Quillaja is a relict of an apocarpous ancestor of the Pomoideae and that Dichotomanthes is a relict of the primitive Pomoideae.     

Vegetation change in Southeast Greenland? Tasiilaq revisited after 40 years

Questions: Are there changes in species composition of the oceanic, Low‐Arctic tundra vegetation after 40 years? Can possible changes be attributed to climate change? Location: Ammassalik Island near Tasiilaq, Southeast Greenland. Methods: Species composition and cover of 11 key vegetation types were recorded in 110 vegetation survey plots in 1968–1969 and in 11 permanent plots in 1981. Recording was repeated in 2007. Temporal changes in species composition and cover between the surveys were tested using permutation tests linked with constrained ordinations for vegetation types, and Mann–Whitney tests for individual species. Changes in vegetation were related to climate change. Results: Although climate became warmer over the studied period, most of the vegetation types showed minor changes. The changes were most conspicuous in mire and snowbed vegetation, such as the Carex rariflora mire and Hylocomium splendens snowbed. In the C. rariflora mire, species number and cover of vascular plants and cover of bryophytes increased, whereas in the H. splendens snowbed species numbers of vascular plants, bryophytes, and also lichens increased. Lichen richness increased in the Carex bigelowii snowbed and cover of bryophytes in the Salix herbacea snowbed. No such changes occurred in the Alchemilla glomerulans meadow, Alchemilla alpina snowbed and Phyllodoce coerulea heath. There was no change of species composition within the Salix glauca scrub, A. alpina snowbed, lichen grassland and the Empetrum nigrum and Phyllodoce coerulea heaths. Most changes resulted from increasing frequency or cover of some species; there were very few decreasing species. Most of the increasing species indicate drier substrate conditions. Conclusions: Only minor changes in species composition and cover were detected in the vegetation types studied. These changes were probably caused by milder winters and warmer summers during the years before the 2007 sampling. Climate warming may have reduced the duration of snow cover and soil moisture, particularly in snowbed and mire habitats, where species composition change was most pronounced. However, its magnitude was insufficient to cause a major change in species composition. Thus, on the level of plant community types, tundra vegetation near Tasiilaq was rather stable over the last 40 years.