Comparative Population Biology of Critically Endangered Dracocephalum austriacum (Lamiaceae) in Two Distant Regions

Our study aims to compare the population dynamics of critically endangered species, Dracocephalum austriacum, in two distant regions (Czech and Slovak Karst) with similar habitat conditions, and to evaluate if conclusions concerning factors affecting population performance in one region could help in understanding species dynamics in the other region. Transition matrix models were used to examine population dynamics of the species. Results show that populations in the Slovak Karst are performing better than populations in the Czech Karst. The transitions contributing most to the population growth rates were those of stasis in the small and large adult plant stage. These transitions are, however, stable between populations and years, suggesting that they are not very sensitive to the ongoing changes. Transitions that contribute most to variations in population growth rate include seed and seedling production by large adult plants, seed germination and stasis and growth of small adult plants. These transitions seem to be affected by habitat conditions (soil depth and bare rock cover), genetic parameters of the populations, climate fluctuations (especially severe droughts), and shrub expansion. The transitions contributing most to the population growth rates are very similar between the regions except for contributions of seedling growth and stasis of large adults. These differences need to be considered before using information about the most important life cycle transitions in other regions. We suggest that similar results would be found for other species with narrow habitat requirements occupying very similar habitats, even in very distant regions.     

Secondary metabolites from Ballota undulata (Lamiaceae)

Four phenylpropanoids, forsythoside B 1, lysionotoside 2, verbascoside 3, betonyoside F 4, an iridoid, verminoside 5, seven flavonoids, compounds 6–12, and two betaine derivatives 13 and 14 were isolated from the aerial parts of Ballota undulata. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by high resolution NMR and ESI-MS. The antioxidant activity of all compounds was determined by measuring free radical scavenging activity by TEAC test.     

New triterpenoids from Leonurus japonicus (Lamiaceae)

Three new triterpenoids (1, 4, and 5), together with 17 known analogues, were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble portion of the EtOH extract of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. All known triterpenoids were isolated from the genus Leonurus for the first time. Among them, triterpenoids 2–3, 9–12, and 16–20 were first isolated from the family Lamiaceae. Furthermore, the cycloartane, taraxastane, ursane, lupane, euphane, and dammarane types are reported here for the first time from the genus Leonurus.     

Bioactive constituents from Dracocephalum subcapitatum (O. Kuntze) Lipsky

From an EtOAc extract of Dracocephalum subcapitatum, five flavonoids, calycopterin, xanthomicrol, isokaempferide, luteolin and apigenin, together with five terpenoids, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, geranial, neral and limonene-10-al, were isolated. Among them, citral and limonene-10-al were the most effective components against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasitic agent of Chagas disease.     

Guaiane sesquiterpene lactones from Salvia nubicola (Lamiaceae)

A new sesquiterpene lactone, nubiol (1), belonging to the guaiane class, along with a dimer, bisnubidiol (2), has been isolated from Salvia nubicola collected from Quetta, Pakistan. The structures of both metabolites were elucidated with the aid of spectroscopic techniques including 2D-NMR. Additionally, the structure of nubiol (1) was finally confirmed via the single crystal X-ray diffraction. Nubiol (1) was found moderately active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

A new species of Scutellaria (Lamiaceae) from Somalia

The new species Scutellaria somalensis, from limestone slopes in north-eastem Somalia, is described and illustrated.     

A new species of Ocimum (Lamiaceae) from Swaziland

A new species of Ocimum , O. motjaneanum McCallum & K. Balkwill, endemic to serpentine soils in the north-west of Swaziland, is described and compared with O. obovatum, the species it most closely resembles. It has a very localized distribution with an area of occupancy under threat of encroachment by exotic trees and development, which makes it critically endangered (CR B1a + b(iii)) using the IUCN guidelines. We recommend habitat protection and incorporation of one site into an existing nature reserve to assure the continuation of this species.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 379–383.     

A new species of Scutellaria (Lamiaceae) from California

Scutellaria holmgreniorum from Lassen Co., California, is described as new. A key to the species ofScutellaria in the Intermountain Region of western United States is provided.     

A new species of Salvia (Lamiaceae) from Mexico

Salvia raveniana Ramamoorthy, resemblingS. purpurea Cav. [S. sect.Purpureae (Epling) Epling], but differing in deeply sulcate stem, long unbranched terminal racemes, many-flowered verticils, the nature and color of pubescence (very white) of calyx contrasting with a red corolla that dries purple, the reflexed, revolute lower lip of corolla, the number of papillae in the corolla tube (2), and the slightly exserted stamens, is described from the State of Guerrero, Mexico.     

Two new taxa of Pogostemon (Lamiaceae) from India

Kumar, V. S. & Sharma, B. D. 1995. Two new taxa of Pogostemon (Lamiaceae) from India. - Nord. J. Bot. 15: 163–166. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
A new species Pogostemon hedgei and a new variety P. speciosus var. filiformis , are described from South India. Both belong to sect. Pogostemon .     

A new species of Otostegia (Lamiaceae) from Somalia

A new species from gypsum plains in northern Somalia, Otostegia ericoidea Ryding is described and illustrated.     

Phytotoxic clerodane diterpenes from Salvia miniata Fernald (Lamiaceae)

Our ongoing research to identify natural growth inhibitors with diterpene and triterpene skeletons exuding from the surface of the aerial parts of Salvia species led us to study Salvia miniata Fernald. Ten clerodane diterpenoids were found, along with three known diterpenes. Most of the isolated compounds from S. miniata inhibited the germination of Papaver rhoeas L. and Avena sativa L. in Petri dish experiments. Parallel results have been obtained in experiments carried out to evaluate the subsequent growth of the seedlings of the target species in the presence of the tested compounds.     

Chromosomal studies in species of Salvia (Lamiaceae) from Argentina

Meiotic and mitotic chromosomes of 13 species of Salvia from Argentina were studied. Most of our data are new counts but some, mainly from cultivated species, confirm previous reports or represent numbers which are different from those cited previously. Only Salvia gilliesii Benth. and the introduced species S. coccinea Juss., S. farinacea Benth., S. involucrata Cav. and S. microphylla Kunth are diploids. S. cardiophylla Benth., S. procurrens Benth. , S. splendens Roem. & Schult. and S. uliginosa Benth. are tetraploids; S. stachydifolia Benth. is hexaploid; and S. guaranitica A. St.-Hil., S. pallida Benth. and S. rypara Briq. are octoploids. The basic number most frequently found is x  = 11, but two species, S. procurrens and S. uliginosa , have x  = 13. S. farinacea has x  = 10 but this species is a widespread cultivated plant, not native in this area. Seven of the studied species showed one to three B chromosomes. We discuss some systematic and evolutionary aspects of the genus in the light of the cytogenetic data, the relationships between geographical distribution and chromosome numbers in relation to levels of ploidy and basic chromosome numbers, and make comparisons with some of the different taxonomic sections.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 483–490.     

Spatiotemporal monitoring of the rare northern dragonhead (Dracocephalum ruyschiana,Lamiaceae) — SNP genotyping and environmental niche modeling herbarium specimens

The species we have studied the spatiotemporal genetic change in the northern dragonhead, a plant species that has experienced a drastic population decline and habitat loss in Europe. We have added a temporal perspective to the monitoring of northern dragonhead in Norway by genotyping herbarium specimens up to 200 years old. We have also assessed whether northern dragonhead has achieved its potential distribution in Norway. To obtain the genotype data from 130 herbarium specimens collected from 1820 to 2008, mainly from Norway (83) but also beyond (47), we applied a microfluidic array consisting of 96 SNP markers. To assess temporal genetic change, we compared our new genotype data with existing data from modern samples. We used sample metadata and observational records to model the species'' environmental niche and potential distribution in Norway. Our results show that the SNP array successfully genotyped all included herbarium specimens. Hence, with the appropriate design procedures, the SNP array technology appears highly promising for genotyping old herbarium specimens. The captured genetic diversity correlates negatively with distance from Norway. The historical‐modern comparisons reveal similar genetic structure and diversity across space and limited genetic change through time in Norway, providing no signs of any regional bottleneck (i.e., spatiotemporal stasis). The regional areas in Norway have remained genetically divergent, however, both from each other and more so from populations outside of Norway, rendering continued protection of the species in Norway relevant. The ENM results suggest that northern dragonhead has not fully achieved its potential distribution in Norway and corroborate that the species is anchored in warmer and drier habitats.     

Antibacterial activity of constituents from Salvia buchananii Hedge (Lamiaceae)

The dichloromethane extract obtained from the aerial parts of Salvia buchananii Hedge was investigated for its antimicrobial properties following a bioassay-oriented fractionation approach. The extract displayed a clear inhibitory activity against several Gram-positive multidrug-resistant clinical strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis. No activity was observed on Gram-negative strains and on Candida species. Phytochemical investigation of this extract led to the isolation of three new clerodane diterpenes (5, 6 and 8) and eight known clerodane diterpenes (1-4, 7, 9-11) as well as ursolic (UA) and oleanolic (OA) acids. Their structures were established by extensive 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS spectroscopic methods. The mixture UA/OA manifested a broad and powerful activity on several Gram-positive species, while diterpenes 3, 6, 8 and 9 showed moderate inhibitory activity on the Enterococcus species.     

Essential oil of Lepechinia schiedeana (Lamiaceae) from Costa Rica

The composition of the essential oil isolated by steam distillation from aerial parts of the Costa Rican herb Lepechinia schiedeana (Schlecht) Vatke (Lamiaceae) collected in El Empalme, Costa Rica, was determined by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. Fifty-one components were identified corresponding ca. 93% of the oil. The major components were beta-pinene (26.6%), cis-pinocamphone (25.1%), delta-3-carene (6.1%), trans-pinocamphone (4.0%), camphor (3.8%) and beta-caryophyllene (3.7%).