Magnolia denudata var. glabrata var. nov. (Magnoliaceae) from Hunan,China

Magnolia denudata var. glabrata Y. L. Wang et S. Z. Zhang var. nov. is described and illustrated from Hunan, China. The variety occurs mainly in semi‐evergreen forest of south Hunan at altitudes between 700 and 1260 m a.s.l. It differs from M. denudata var. denudata by its green and glabrous twigs and leaves which are glabrous above and have some white pubescence underneath. With its white flowers consisting of mostly 9 tepals, it differs from M. sprengeri Pamp. which mainly has 12 tepals in various shades of red/pink to white. The new variety is rare and considered endangered due to habitat destruction.     

Eugenia terpnophylla var. keralensis var. nov. (Myrtaceae) from Kerala,India

The new variety Eugenia terpnophylla Thw. viz. var. keralensis S. M. Shareef, E. S. Santhosh Kumar et Roy is described and illustrated from Kerala, India. It differs from the typical variety by its narrowly or broadly elliptic leaves with more numerous lateral nerves, sub‐orbicular petals and ellipsoidal fruits.     

Rhododendron subroseum sp. nov. and R. denudatum var. glabriovarium var. nov. (Ericaceae) from the Guizhou Province,China

One new species, Rhododendron subroseum Xiang Chen & Jiayong Huang, and one new variety, R. denudatum var. glabriovarium Xiang Chen & Xun Chen (Ericaceae), from the Guizhou Province, China are described and illustrated. Rhododendron subroseum is most similar to R. morii from which it differs mainly by having glandular branchlets, a subcordate leaf blade base and a mucronate leaf blade apex, a less floriferous inflorescence, a campanulate to broadly‐campanulate corolla, and a glandular‐hairy style. Rhododendron denudatum var. glabriovarium differs from R. denudatum var. denudatum mainly by having a glabrous ovary. Both of the new taxa are quite rare and therefore their protection is highly desired.     

Morphological variability of the diatom Cyclotella atomus Hustedt var. atomus and C. atomus var. gracilis var. nov.

Cyclotella atomus collected from different rivers, reservoirs and lakes shows considerable morphological variability. On the basis of electronmicroscopic (EM) study, we propose Cyclotella atomus var. gracilis Genkal et Kiss as a new variety of this species. Cyclotella atomus var. atomus has short and long radial striae, which are irregularly arranged on the same valve, and the alveolar chambers are not clearly divided from the central, hyaline part of the valve face. In addition to the described basic form, several specimens with other features have also been found and are thought to belong to an undescribed variety. The striae of the new variety are equal in length, and the alveolar chambers are clearly divided from the hyaline central area of the valve face by a curved structure.There are EM micrographs on Cyclotella atomus var. gracilis under different names in different papers. The new variety has several characteristics also found in other species, e.g. Cyclotella caspia Grun., or C. meneghiniana Kütz.     

Pinus contorta var. yukonensis var. nov. (Pinaceae) from south–central Yukon,Canada

Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. yukonensis W. L Strong (Yukon pine), a new variety, is described from south–central Yukon, Canada. It is a stout tree with long lower branches, often with paired lower and forked upper stems, and weakly platy to smooth gray bark on the lower stem, when < 70 years old; with bark on the lower stem becoming furrowed and platy on older trees. This contrasts with the narrow columnar habit, simple stem, and scaly bark associated with the more common inland var. latifolia. In several respects, var. yukonensis is more similar to var. contorta (a coastal variant), although occupying a different ecological regime and spatially disjunct (i.e., a high latitude and high elevation variant). Variety yukonensis may represent the taxon alluded to in previous leaf oil terpene and genetic studies, and a possible Beringian survivor.     

Pollination biology of Lilium japonicum var. abeanum and var. japonicum: evidence of adaptation to the different availability of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators

Floral traits such as color and size are highly diversified in lilies, but their adaptive significance remains uncertain. In the present study, we compared pollination processes between Lilium japonicum var. abeanum and var. japonicum to clarify how the two varieties are adapted to different pollinators. Lilium japonicum var. japonicum is known to be pollinated by moths, and we hypothesized from its flower traits that var. abeanum is pollinated by diurnal insects. Using waterproof digital cameras set to a recording interval of 10–30 s, we recorded flower visitors for 7–9 flowers of var. japonicum and 4–6 flowers of var. abeanum over 24‐h periods. We also recorded the number of versatile (T‐shaped) and rigid (I‐shaped) anthers per flower. For var. abeanum, we observed flowers at 05.00 and 17.00 hours to determine flower opening time and measured the intensity of floral scent using a metal‐oxide semi‐conductor odor sensor. Both diurnal and nocturnal insects visited flowers of the two varieties, but visitation of diurnal insects was more frequent in var. abeanum. Anthers of var. abeanum are usually rigid, as in many bee‐pollinated flowers, whereas those of var. japonicum are mostly versatile. Although flowers of var. japonicum are known to open in the evening, 32% of the flowers of var. abeanum started to flower during the day. Lilium japonicum var. abeanum emitted scent at night, with a maximum intensity at 20.00 hours, just as in var. japonicum. These findings suggest that the floral traits of the two varieties are adapted to the different relative availabilities of nocturnal versus diurnal pollinators. The flower of var. abeanum is more adapted to diurnal pollinators, but retains adaptations to nocturnal pollinators, particularly with regard to its scent.     

Chemical Diversity of Volatiles of Teucrium orientale L. var. orientale,var. puberulens,and var. glabrescens Determined by Simultaneous GC‐FID and GC/MS Techniques

In the present work, three varieties of Teucrium orientale, var. orientale, var. puberulens, and var. glabrescens, were collected and investigated for chemical composition of the oils. Subsequent gas chromatography (GC‐FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed high abundance of sesquiterpenes in the essential oils analyzed. All the oils contained β‐caryophyllene (22.6, 8.5, and 6.3%, resp.) and hexadecanoic acid (7.9, 12.8, and 13.1%). Germacrene D (24.6 and 33.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (6.7 and 8.5%) were found to be the main constituents of var. orientale and var. puberulens, respectively. The high percentages of β‐cubebene (26.9%), α‐cubebene (9.0%), and α‐copaene (7.2%) established the diversity of var. glabrescens. The qualitative difference between the essential oils allowed the differentiation between the varieties in agreement with the morphological observations described in Flora of Turkey for each variety studied. In addition, a cluster analysis of twelve Teucrium taxa based on the essential‐oil composition has been carried out. Hovewer, the analysis did not clearly reflect the infrageneric classification of the genus, it largely confirmed the relationships between the infraspecific taxa of Teucrium orientale and T. chamaedrys.     

木荷属(山茶科)一新变种——扁果银木荷

报道了四川德昌县发现的山茶科(Theaceae)木荷属(Schima Reinw.)一新变种--扁果银木荷(Schima argentea Pritz.var.platycarpa Q.Luo).新变种花瓣长2～2.6 cm,宽1.6～2.2cm,内面基部被柔毛,蒴果扁球形,直径1.7～2.1cm,高1～1.3cm等特...     

Laurencia majuscula var. elegans (Rhodophyta,Rhodomelaceae) is reinstated to specific rank as L. elegans

Laurencia majuscula has recently been determined to be conspecific with Laurencia dendroidea. To determine the correct taxonomic placement of its only non‐typical variety, L. majuscula var. elegans, mitochondrial COI‐5P and chloroplast rbcL gene sequences were analyzed and its phylogenetic position was inferred. Laurencia majuscula var. elegans consistently formed a well‐supported clade distinctly separate from the L. dendroidea clade. Molecular analyses revealed that L. majuscula var. elegans generally shows two distinct forms; a long‐branched form, and a compact form. Often the compact form has been identified as a different species based on morphology alone. Included in these analyses were topotype sequences of two species with which L. majuscula var. elegans is most often misidentified; Laurencia nidifica and Laurencia mcdermidiae. Laurencia nidifica formed a well‐supported clade separate from L. majuscula var. elegans. Laurencia mcdermidiae, however, formed a well‐defined clade sister to the L. majuscula var. elegans clade. Morphological comparisons were also made. It is concluded that L. majuscula var. elegans is morphologically distinct from L. dendroidea, L. nidifica, and L. mcdermidiae. It is proposed that L. majuscula var. elegans be reinstated to species level as L. elegans.     

Ultrastructure of Euglena anabaena var. minor (Euglenophyceae)

The freshwater green euglenoid Euglena anabaena var. minor has a pellicle with groove‐ridge articulation, a chloroplast with pyrenoids doubly sheathed by two paramylon caps, and a nucleus with permanently condensed chromosomes and nucleolus. The flagellar apparatus basically resembles that of Euglena. The dorsal root (DR) originates at the dorsal basal body of the emergent flagellum, while both the intermediate root (IR) and ventral root (VR) originate at the ventral basal body of the non‐emergent flagellum. The cytoplasmic pocket is associated with the ventral root/ reinforcing microtubular band. However, ultrastructural characterization of E. anabaena var. minor shows the pocket to consist of five to seven microtubules, and flagellar roots with microtubule configuration of 3–4–6 in the DR‐IR‐VR. The dorsal band microtubules pair at the reservoir‐canal transition level. The doublet microtubules are formed into triplets and doublets at the lower canal level and then make pellicular microtubules at the upper canal level.     

Aegilops cylindrica var.kastorianum (Poaceae): A new variety from Greece

A native population ofAegilops cylindrica was encountered for the first time in Greece in 1980 (near Kastoria, NW. Greece), completely isolated and at a great distance from its main distribution area. There are morphological and chromosomal, but no protein and esterase pattern differences from otherAe. cylindrica populations. This justifies the recognition of a new variety: var.kastorianum. Our comparative and karyotypic observations support the view thatAe. caudata var.polyathera and not var.caudata (typica) is the possible donor of genome C of the new variety.     

Chemical Variability of the Essential Oil of Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata from Algeria

The chemical composition of 50 samples of leaf oil isolated from Algerian Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata L. harvested in eight locations (littoral zone and highlands) was investigated by GC‐FID (in combination with retention indices), GC/MS, and ¹³C‐NMR analyses. The composition of the J. phoenicea var. turbinata leaf oils was dominated by monoterpenes. Hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses confirmed the chemical variability of the leaf oil of this species. Indeed, three clusters were distinguished on the basis of the α‐pinene, α‐terpinyl acetate, β‐phellandrene, and germacrene D contents. In most oil samples, α‐pinene (30.2–76.7%) was the major compound, associated with β‐phellandrene (up to 22.5%) and α‐terpinyl acetate (up to 13.4%). However, five out of the 50 samples exhibited an atypical composition characterized by the predominance of germacrene D (16.7–22.7%), α‐pinene (15.8–20.4%), and α‐terpinyl acetate (6.1–22.6%).     

Rhus coriaria var. zebaria (Anacaridaceae), a new variety from Iraq

Rhus coriaria var. zebaria from Duhok/Aqrae, Kurdistan, Iraq is described as a variety new to science. Field expeditions started in spring 2011, continued during 2012 and 2013 with the aim of collecting sumac specimens from different physiographic regions of Kurdistan, Iraq. A total of ten plants for each variety were sampled. An equal number of tagged herbarium specimens were prepared. The holotype was designated and deposited together with other herbarium specimens in the herbarium of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Univ. of Duhok. Morphological characters of the leaf, inflorescence, flowers, infructescence, and fruit were studied. The pH value of the pericarp in addition to the hilum length was measured. Results were compared with Rhus coriaria L. var. coriaria. The most distinctive feature of the new variety is the dull whitish brown color of the drupe pericarp of var. zebaria as compared to the reddish brown color of the drupe pericarp of var. coriaria. The whitish color of the drupes of var. zebaria, in combination with their larger size, represents diagnostic characters for distinguishing this variety. In contrast, most leaf characters are of little or no taxonomic value in this species. Only shape, apex and marginal teeths of the leaflets show minor differences for separating the two varieties. Female and male inflorescences and flowers characters show no significant differences. Both hilum length and pH value characters may be useful for taxonomic application if mean values are taken in consideration.     

Molecular and physiological diversity among Verticillium fungicola var. fungicola

The genetic and physiological variability of Verticillium fungicola var. aleophilum responsible for Agaricus bisporus dry bubble disease in North America is well documented but little is known about the var. fungicola affecting European crops. Variability was assessed within this variety and compared with that reported for the var. aleophilum. Eighteen isolates of V. fungicola var. fungicola and four var. aleophilum isolates were analysed for DNA polymorphism, mycelial growth, response to biochemicals produced by A. bisporus, fungicide resistance, and pathogenicity assessed by direct inoculation on sporophore or casing contamination. RAPD and AFLP markers delineated three French isolates from a homogeneous group containing the other var. fungicola isolates, but no correlation could be drawn between DNA polymorphism and the various traits studied. The var. fungicola isolates were more susceptible than the var. aleophilum isolates to the antibiosis effect of A. bisporus. Only mycelial growth rate at 23 °C could explain the variability in aggressiveness among the European isolates. The putative effect of the post-incubation temperature on contamination during mushroom cultivation was discussed. This work emphasized that, like the American var. aleophilum, the var. fungicola in Europe is genetically homogeneous, but physiological diversity exists, especially in France where it could be related to less standardized cultural practices.     

大萼球药隔重楼,湖南重楼属(黑药花科)一新变种北大核心CSCD

报道了湖南重楼属(Paris L.)一新变种:大萼球药隔重楼(Paris fargesii Franch.var.macrosepala H.X.Yin&W.X.Rao&L.Zhao),其与原变种球药隔重楼(P.fargesii Franch.var.fargesii)区别在于外轮花被片极为宽大,长6.5~11.0 cm,宽2.5~4.0 cm,叶-萼长度比常小于2.0(平均1.91),叶-萼宽度比普遍小于3.0(平均2.86),内轮花被片较短,2.0~5.3 cm,常平展于外轮花被片之上,药隔凸出部分呈扁平状,具明显裂痕,顶面观呈蝶形或双肾形。     

Hedyotis austrosinica sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from southern China: A new heterostylous species similar to H. pulcherrima

Hedyotis austrosinica L. Wu & L.H. Yang is described as a new species from southern China. It is similar to H. pulcherrima, but can be separated by its herbaceous weak to ascending habit with dense pubescence on the surface of most organs, 4‐angled to subterete stems, longer petioles, and longer stipules with 5–9 apical linear lobes. The new species is distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi in southern China.     

Staurastrum dilatatum var.thomassonii var. nov.

The new varietyStaurastrum dilatatum Ehr. var.thomassonii is described and illustrated.     

Three new neolignan glucosides from the stems of Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum

Three new neolignan glucosides (1–3), together with four known analogs (4–7), have been isolated from the stems of Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum. Structures of the new compounds including the absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (−)-(8R,7′E)-4-hydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolign-7′-ene-9,9′-diol 4,9-bis-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), (−)-(8S,7′E)-4-hydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolign-7′-ene-9,9′-diol 4,9-bis-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), and (−)-(8R,7′E)-4-hydroxy-3,3′,5,5′,9′-pentamethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolign-7′-ene-9-ol 4,9-bis-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), respectively.     

Extensive chromosome number variation in Aster ageratoides var. pendulus (Asteraceae)

Aster ageratoides var. pendulus, a recently described taxon, is endemic to Mt Hupingshan of north‐western Hunan, China. Field observations and collections were made from the only known population. Root‐tip squashes were used to determine the chromosome numbers of 96 plants and 61 seedlings from the achenes of eight sample plants. The results show that var. pedulus is a swarm of 30 cytotypes with nearly continuous chromosome numbers from 2n = 60 to 2n = 92. Chromosome numbers of 61 seedlings vary from 2n = 61 to 2n = 91, belonging to 18 cytotypes. The chromosome number variation of var. pendulus is highly unusual not only in the A. ageratoides polyploid complex but also in angiosperms. Such an enormous continuous variation of chromosome numbers could have arisen by the combined effect of hybridization, recent origin and high levels of polyploidy. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165 , 378–387.     

Genetic diversity and molecular fingerprinting of Prunus cerasus var. austera from central Italy

In central Italy, Prunus cerasus var. austera is cultivated as small stands or scattered trees in marginal areas for the production of jam and wine. Thanks to the healthy attributes of its products and its ability to grow in different environmental conditions, this variety has gained new interest in the development of marginal areas. We assessed the level of the genetic variability of P. cerasus var. austera germplasm from central Italy and identified a ‘core collection’ representative of the present genetic diversity. A total of 161 trees, morphologically identified as var. austera, and one tree, identified as var. caproniana were collected and genotyped by 14 SSRs. Two individuals provided by a commercial plant nursery, one of P. cerasus var. caproniana and one of P. cerasus var. austera, were used as control. Thirteen SSRs presented private alleles in austera. Seven individuals morphologically identified as austera revealed private alleles specific to caproniana. The PCoA and Bayesian clustering analysis showed a main genetic group including var. austera, while a second group included all the caproniana-like genotypes. A core collection of 31 trees (46% of austera genotypes) was selected. This study can be considered as a starting point for future investigations on this variety.