基于psbA-trnH序列变异分析川明参属亲缘关系及分类地位

采用PCR直接测序法对伞形科(Apiaceae)前胡族(Trib.Peucedaneae)种类川明参(Chuanminshen violaceum Sheh et Shan)、泰山前胡〔Peucedanum wawrae(H.Wolff)Su〕和华中前胡(P.medicum Dunn)以及美味芹族(Trib.Smyrnieae)种类明党参(Changium smyrnioides H.Wolff)、宝兴棱子芹(Pleurospermum davidii Franch.)、丽江棱子芹(P.foetens Franch.)和鸡冠棱子芹(P.cristatum de Boiss.)的叶绿体基因组psbA-trnH片段进行了扩增测序,获得的序列已提交至GenBank,登录号为KF557756—KF557762。结合引自GenBank的前胡族阿魏属(Ferula Linn.)1种、大瓣芹属(Semenovia Regel et Herder)1种、当归属(Angelica Linn.)2种和美味芹族的舟瓣芹属(Sinolimprichtia H.Wolff)1种、羌活属(Notopterygium de Boiss.)1种、瘤果芹属(Trachydium Lindl.)1种以及针果芹族(Trib.Scandicineae)刺果芹〔Turgenia latifolia(Linn.)Hoffm.〕的psbA-trnH片段序列,对各种类的psbA-trnH片段信息进行分析;并以刺果芹为外类群构建了MP、ML和BI系统发育树。结果表明:川明参和明党参的psbA-trnH片段长度均为258 bp、GC含量均为23%,而其他种类的psbA-trnH片段长度为228~405 bp、GC含量为26%~35%;排序后psbA-trnH序列总长度为553 bp(包括空位),其中变异位点237个、信息位点178个。川明参与明党参间的相对遗传距离最小(仅为0.02),而川明参与其他种类间的相对遗传距离为0.10~1.34,且总体上川明参与美味芹族种类的相对遗传距离较小,表明川明参与明党参及美味芹族种类的亲缘关系较近。在3类系统树上,川明参与明党参均聚在一起,并与美味芹族的属种聚为一大支,而远离由前胡族属种构成的另一大支。结合外部形态和果实解剖结构特征,建议将川明参属(Chuanminshen Sheh et Shan)从前胡族中分出并置于美味芹族中,与明党参属(Changium H.Wolff)为姐妹类群。     

中国伞形科前胡属果实表面微形态特征及分类学意义

采用扫描电镜方法对中国伞形科(Apiaceae)前胡属(Peucedanum L.) 22种2变种的果实表面微形态特征进行了观察和描述.结果显示:供试种类在果实棱槽细胞平滑度和细胞轮廓可见度、蜡质纹饰类型、细胞表面突起的有无及类型、表皮毛的有无及类型及其纹饰类型、表皮分泌物的有无及类型等方面有明显差异,具有丰富的种间多样性.根据这些特征可将供试种类分为4种类型.类型Ⅰ:棱槽细胞粗糙多毛—细胞轮廓不可见—簇状蜡质纹饰发达,包含滨海前胡(P.japonicum Thunb.)、天竺山前胡(P.ampliatum K.T.Fu)、华北前胡(P.harrysmithii Fedde ex Wolff)及其2变种、长前胡(P.turgeniifolium Wolff)、华山前胡(P.ledebourielloides K.T.Fu)和泰山前胡[P.wawrae (Wolff) Su ex Sheh];类型Ⅱ:棱槽细胞平滑无毛—细胞轮廓不可见或凹陷—条形蜡质纹饰发达或明显,包含芷叶前胡(P.angelicoides Wolff ex Kretschm.)、竹节前胡(P.dielsianum Fedde ex Wolff)、南川前胡[P.dissolutum (Diels)Wolff]、红前胡(P.rubricaule Shan et Sheh)、细裂前胡(P.macilentum Franch.)、前胡(P.praeruptorum Dunn)、华中前胡(P.medicum Dunn)、台湾前胡(P.formosanunt Hayata)、南岭前胡(P.longshengense Shum et Sheh)、会泽前胡(P.acaule Shah et Sheh)和马山前胡(P.mashanense Shan et Sheh);类型Ⅲ:棱槽细胞有稀疏毛—细胞轮廓[陷可见或不明显—蜡质纹饰几无,包含北京前胡(P.caespitosum Wolff)、草原前胡(P.stepposum Huang)、毛前胡(P.pubescens Hand.-Mazz.)和刺尖前胡(P.elegans Komarov);类型Ⅳ:棱槽细胞不平无毛—细胞轮廓呈近圆形凸起—蜡质纹饰为微波状长条形,仅包含石防风[P.terebinthaceum (Fisch.ex Trevir.)Fisch.ex Turcz.]1种.结合外部形态特征以及地理分布对各类型种类的分类关系进行了讨论,并对会泽前胡、马山前胡和石防风的特殊分类地位进行了分析,明确了果实表面微形态特征在前胡属中的分类学意义.     

稀有濒危植物珊瑚菜的染色体特征及其演化地位

首次分析了珊瑚菜（ Ｇｌｅｈｎｉａ ｌｉｔｔｏｒａｌｉｓ） 根尖体细胞染色体组型。其核型公式为２ ｎ ＝ ２２＝ １８Ｍ ＋ ４Ｓｍ （２Ｓａｔ） , 核型不对称性属于２Ａ 型。据此讨论了该属在我国伞形科稀有濒危单型属和当归亚族中的演化地位。     

为《Flora of China》提供的伞形科新资料

在为编写《Flora of China》伞形科而进行的修订工作中,提出了11个新组合,即矮小丝瓣芹Acronema minus (M. F. Watson) M. F. Watson & Z. H. Pan, 短柄丝瓣芹A. brevipedicellatum Z. H. Pan & M. F. Watson, 川西当归Angelica sinensis var. wilsonii (H. Wolff) Z. H. Pan & M. F. Watson, 云南细裂芹Harrysmithia franchetii (M. Hiroe) M. L. Sheh, 钝叶独活Heracleum candicans var. obtusifolium (Wall. ex DC.) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson, 中华天胡荽Hydrocotyle hookeri ssp. chinensis (Dunn ex R. H. Shan & S. L. Liou) M. F. Watson & M. L. Sheh, 普渡天胡荽H. hookeri ssp. handelii (H. Wolff) M. F. Watson & M. L. Sheh, 锐棱岩风Libanotis grubovii (V. M. Vinogradova) M. L. Sheh & M. F. Watson, 美脉藁本Ligusticum likiangense (H. Wolff) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson和线叶藁本L. nematophyllum (Pimenov & Kljuykov) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson, 无管藁本L. nullivittatum (K. T. Fu) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson和二色棱子芹Pleurospermum bicolor (Franch.) C. Norman ex Z. H. Pan & M. F. Watson.; 发现了1个新种,即短柄丝瓣芹。此外,还为Pleurospermum govanianum var. bicolor Franch.指定了后选模式。     

A Revision of the Genus Ligusticum (Umbelliferae) in China

Ligusticum is a highly specialized genus in the tribe Ammineae Koch of the subfamily Apioideae. It is transitional between the tribe Ammineae Koch and the tribe Peucedaneae DC., and shows a very close affinity to the genus Selinum. In the present paper, the taxonomic history is reviewed; the external morphology, pollen morphology and geographic distribution are analysed, and its evolutionary tendencies are discussed. In addition, a key to the 34 species is provided, and economic uses reported in the literature are summarized. Ligusticum consists of over 60 species widely distributed in Eurasia and North America; the genus is typically temperate. There are two principal distribution centers, one in the Himalayas, including the Hengduan Mountains of western China, and the other in North America. Thirty-four species occur in China, most of which are distributed in the alpine belt of south-western China, with only a few species occurring in northern China. They usually grow in alpine thicket meadows or in alpine meadows. Among them are 28 species endemic to China, 4 of which are described as new in the present paper, i. e. L.yuayuanense, L.litanense, L.filifolium, and L.yunnanense. L.elatum (Edgew.) C. B. Clarke, a species of India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and L. thomsonii C.B.Clarke var. evolutior C. B. Clarke, of India, Pakistan and Kashmir, are reported from China for the first time. Some species are important in traditional Chinese medicine, for example, L. sinense Oliv., L. sinense Oliv. cv. Chuanxiong, L. sinense Oliv. cv. Fuxiong, L. delavayi Franch., L. jeholense (Nakai et Kitagawa) Nakai et Kitagawa, L. tachiroei (Franch. et Sav.) Hiroe et Constance, etc. The genus Tilingia was established by Regel in 1858, based on Tilingia ajanensis. The chief characters of the genus are distinct calyx teeth and carpels bearing a solitary vitta in each furrow. However, these characters do not differentiate Tilingia from Ligusticum, so that Tilingia was transferred to Ligusticum by Kozo-Poljansky in 1916. Tilingia tachiroei (Franch. et Sav.) Kitagawa was transferred to Ligusticum by Hiroe et Constance in 1958. Shan et Sheh in “F1. Reip. Pop. Sin.” Tom. 55 supported the treatment by Kozo-Poljansky and Hiroe and Constance The genus Ligusticopsis was separated from Ligusticum by Leute in 1969, based on the prominent calyx teeth of the former. Ligusticopsis included 14 species, all confined to China. But this genus has not been accepted by any other botanists since its establishment. The subdivision of Ligusticum in this paper is based mainly on the characters of involucel bracteoles and mericarps, combined with the shape and aperture types of pollen grains. The genus is divided into the following two sections. Sect.1 Ligusticum, Bracteoles linear or lanceolate, entire; mericarps slightly lateral-compressed to slightly dorsal-compressed; vittae solitary to numerous in each furrow; leaf-segments ovate, lanceolate, or linear; pollen grains mainly rhomboidal or ellipsoidal; apertures gonitreme. Sect. 2 Pinnatibracteola Pu. Bracteoles 1-3-pinnatisect or 2-3-lobed at apex; mericarps dorsal-compressed; vittae usually numerous in each furrow; leaf-segments usually linear, rarely ovate or lanceolate; pollen grains rectangular, elongate-rhomboidal, or equatorially constricted; apertures mainly peritreme, rarely gonitreme or intermediate.     

Molecular reexamination of korean umbelliferae based on internal transcribed spacer sequences of rDNA:Ligusticum tenuissimum (Nakai) Kitagawa andLibanotis coreana (Wolff) kitagawa

The taxonomic status ofLigusticum tenuissimum (Nakai) Kitagawa andLibanotis coreana (Wolff) Kitagawa has been controversial in Korea. We examined their phylogenetic relationships by comparing the internal transcribed spacer (=ITS) sequences of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (=rDNA) with another seven species in the Korean Umbelliferae. Our results support the legitimacy of the nomenclatural combination withL. tenuissimum Kitagawa rather than withAngelica tenuissima Nakai. We also suggest usingL coreana (Wolff) Kitagawa instead ofSeseli coreanum Wolff becauseL. coreana has been completely separated from most taxa of the genusSeseli. In addition, we have confirmed at least three phylogenetic lines in the genusLigusticum. One is the core group ofLigusticum that comprisesL tenuissimum and four other species. This clade includes theLigusticum hultenii line andLigusticum scothicum, known as an anomaly ofLigusticum. The second clade is composed ofLigusticum physospermifolium withSeseli monatum, which indicates the polyphyly ofLigusticum. The third line isLigusticum acutilobum, clustered as a sister grade ofDystaenia.     

The complete chloroplast genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chuanminshen</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chuanminshenviolaceum</Emphasis> Sheh et Shan)

Chloroplast genome sequences are very useful for species identification and phylogenetics. Chuanminshen (Chuanminshen violaceum Sheh et Shan) is an important traditional Chinese medicinal plant, for which the phylogenetic position is still controversial. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of Chuanminshen violaceum Sheh et Shan was determined. The total size of Chuanminshen chloroplast genome was 154,529 bp with 37.8% GC content. It has the typical quadripartite structure, a large single copy (17,800 bp) and a small single copy (84,171 bp) and a pair of inverted repeats (26,279 bp). The whole genome harbors 132 genes, which includes 85 protein coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes, and two pseudogenes. Thirty-nine SSR loci, 32 tandem repeats and 49 dispersed repeats were found. Phylogenetic analyses results with the help of MEGA showed a new insight for the Chuanminshen phylogenetic relationship with the reported chloroplast genomes in Apiales plants.     

Nomenclatural novelties in the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

The revision of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) for the Flora of China has demonstrated the need to formally publish the following 12 nomenclatural novelties: Acronema minus (M. F. Watson) M. F. Watson & Z. H. Pan, A. brevipedicellatum Z. H. Pan & M. F. Watson, Angelica sinensis var. wilsonii (H. Wolff) Z. H. Pan & M. F. Watson, Harrysmithia franchetii (M. Hiroe) M. L. Sheh, Heracleum candicans var. obtusifolium (Wall. ex DC.) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson, Hydrocotyle hookeri ssp. chinensis (Dunn ex R. H. Shan & S. L. Liou) M. F. Watson & M. L. Sheh, H. hookeri ssp. handelii (H. Wolff) M. F. Watson & M. L. Sheh, Libanotis grubovii (V. M. Vinogradova) M. L. Sheh & M. F. Watson, Ligusticum likiangense (H. Wolff) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson, L. nematophyllum (Pimenov & Kljuykov) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson, L. nullivittatum (K. T. Fu) F. T. Pu & M. F. Watson, Pleurospermum bicolor (Franch.) C. Norman ex Z. H. Pan & M. F. Watson. In addition, a lectotype is designated for P. govanianum (DC.) Benth. ex C. B. Clarke var. bicolor Franch. (P. bicolor).     

中国新疆伞形科植物区系新资料

Three genera (Zosima Hoffm., Lithosciadium Turcz., and Lomatocarpa Pimenov) were shown for the first time for the Chinese　flora on the basis of collections kept in rümqi ［Institute of Biology, Pedology and Desert Investigations (XJBI), CAS］. In the same herbarium, some additional floristic novelties were found: two genera (Pleurospermum s.str. and Kadenia) and six species new for Xinjiang. A new species, Dimorphosciadium shenii Pimenov et Kljujkov has been described, being a Xinjiang endemic. Some corrections in taxonomy and nomenclature for local species of Ferula, Seseli, Aphanopleura, Aegopodium, and Sium have been proposed. In total, 126 species and 53 genera of the Umbelliferae are registered for Xinjiang.     

高分辨裂解—气相色谱在前胡族系统分类中的应用

采用高分辨裂解－气相色谱法对前胡族（Peucedaneae Drude)20属35种植物的叶片成分进行分析,经过聚类分析得出以下结果：35种植物基本可分为3大类,对应于3个亚族。阿魏亚族（Ferulinae Drude)的球根阿魏属（Schumannia Kuntze)、伊犁芹属（Talassia Korov.)和簇花芹属（Soranthus Ledeb.)均应为独立属。环翅芹亚族（Tordyliinae Drude)的四带芹属[Tetrataenium(DC.)Manden.]和大瓣芹属（Semenovia Regel et Herd.)二者也作为独立属处理为宜,其中有争议的锐尖叶独活[Heracleum longilobum(Norman)Sheh et T.S.Wang]不应作为大瓣芹属成员,仍应保留于独活属。当归亚族（Angelicinae Drude)的山芎[Conioselinum chinense(L.)Britton]和东当归[Angelica acutiloba(Sieb.et Zucc.)Kitagawa]曾被作为阿米芹族（Ammineae Koch)的蛇床属（Cnidium Cuss.)或藁本属（Ligusticum L.)的成员,聚类图显示其属于前胡族的当归亚族是合适的。     

Pollen morphology of the tribe Lithospermeae of Boraginoideae in China and its taxonomic significance

The pollen morphology in 15 species representing five genera in the tribe Lithospermeae of Boraginoideae (Boraginaceae) has been investigated and illustrated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The tribe Lithospermeae is very diverse in pollen morphology. The pollen grains are 10.4–41.8 × 7–33.1 μm in size with subspheroidal, prolate, cocoon, dumbbell, and ovoid shapes. The pollen apertures are of five types: 3-colporate, 3-syncolporate, 4-8-colporate, 4-6-syncolpate, and 6-7-colpate types. The exine ornamentations are generally smooth or rugulose, sparsely echinulate, and rarely rugulate. Based on pollen morphology, we developed a key to identify the genera of the tribe Lithospermeae, compared the pollen apertures among tribes of Boraginoideae, explained the evolutionary trends of the pollen grains, and discussed the taxonomic position of the tribe Lithospermeae. The palynological data suggest pollen of the eurypalynous type and support the proposal that the tribe Lithospermeae is in the primitive position of the subfamily Boraginoideae, and Echium Linn. is in the tribe Lithospermeae rather than in a novel tribe. Our observations have application potential for identification of pollen fossils of the tribe Lithospermeae.     

Study on the Pollen Morphology of the Chinese Family Oleaceae

This paper deals with the pollen grains of 11 genera, 22 species in Chinese Oleaceae. A comparative study on the pollen grains was carried out by means of scanning electron microscope and light microscope. The pollen grains of the family Oleaceae are almost spheroidal, oblate and prolate, in polar view tlie majority of the pollen grains are tri-lobulate-circular, the minority are tetra-lobulate-circular and dilobulate-circular. Pollen size: (15-65) × (12- 60)μ, 3-colporate and 3-colpate the minority of the pollen grains 4-colpate and 2- colpate colpus usually distinct and the en doaperature vague. The exine oonsists of two layers, the sexine thicker than the nexine, with big reticulum or fine reticulum, the majority of the reticulum are very distinct. On the basis of the pollen size and exine ornamentation, the pollen grains are divided into following two main types: (1) The larger pellen grains and the exine with big reticulum are found in the genera: Jasminum, Nyctanthes, Ligustrum, and Syringa. (2) The smaller pollen grains and the exine with finer reticulum are found in the genera: Osmanthus, Olea, Chionanthus, Fraxinus, Forsythia, Fontanesia and Linociera. In view of the features of pollen morphology, this family is much similar to the family Itamamelidaeeae. For example, the first pollen type resembles the genus Coryiopsis of the family Hamamelidaceae, but there are some differences between them, the former with a bigger reticulate exine and without any colpal membrane, the latter with a finer reticulate apocolpium and eolpate membrane. The second pollen type is much similar to that of the genera Hamamelis and Loropetalum of family Hamamelidaceae.     

前胡族花粉外壁超微结构及其系统学意义(英文)

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation of pollen grains of 18 species belongingto 18 respective genera of the tribe Peucedaneae Drude revealed distinct ultrastructural difference in thepollen exine, including the thickness and features of rectum, columnar layer, foot layer and endexine. Thesystematic position of those 18 species are re-evaluated based on their ultrastructural characteristics ofpollen exine observed in this study. Seven genera related to Angelica L. in Angelicinae Drude have beendeduced to genus Angelica L. For example, Osterfcum grosseserratum (Maxim.) Kitagawa was changed toAngelica L. by some authors, but it differs from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels in having well developedtectum which is thicker than the columnar layer and foot layer. Its columnar layer is quite well-developedwith long and branched columellae. Besides its surface is tuberculated. Evidently, its development exceedsthat of Angelica sinensis. However, it is only a moderate evolutional species in its genus, and the Angelicasinensis accounts as the most advanced species in Angelica Diels, thus, placing genus Ostencum Hoffm.in Angelica L is not suitable, it may be more appropriate to keep its original position. In addition, Ferulaakitschkensis B. Fedtsch. ex K.-Pol. differs greatly from those of Talassia transiliensis (Herd.) Korov. andSchumannia turcomnnia Kuntze, because of its very well-developed columnar layer, being about four tofive times thicker than the total of tectum and foot layer, tuberculated tectum surface and complicatedstructure of columnellae. As another species Heracleum forrestJ‘iWolff also differs from Semenovia rubtzovii(Schischk.) Monden. in having an even thickness of exine and well-developed columnar layer, it seemssuitable that they should also be treated as two independent genera.     

国产爵床科芦莉花族植物的花粉形态

报道了国产爵床科Acanthaceae芦莉花族Ruellieae芦莉花亚族Ruelliinae 2属7种、假杜鹃亚族Barlerinae 1属3种和马蓝亚族Strobilanthinae 16属34种植物扫描电镜下的花粉形态.芦莉花亚族的地皮消属Pararuellia和喜花草属Eranthemum的花粉均为圆球形,具3孔或3孔沟,外壁为不同的网状结构; 假杜鹃亚族的假杜鹃属Barleria的花粉为长球形,具3孔沟,外壁亦为网状结构;马蓝亚族植物(包含广义的马蓝属Strobilanthes s.l.)花粉形态多样,结构复杂.依据花粉萌发孔和外壁纹饰特征,可将马蓝亚族16属植物和上述两亚族3属植物的花粉形态归纳成3大类型: 1. 具3孔类型.其中又有(1)外壁具网状纹饰者,见于地皮消属; (2)外壁具芽胞状纹饰者,见于黄猄草属Championella; (3)外壁具刺状(棒状)纹饰者,见于南一笼鸡属Paragutzlaffia、叉花草属Diflugossa和假蓝属Pteroptychia.2. 具3孔沟及具3孔沟与假沟类型(肋条带型).其中又有(1)具3孔沟和网状纹饰者,见于喜花草属和假杜鹃属; (2)具刺状(棒状)纹饰者,见于南一笼鸡属、叉花草属和假蓝属; (3)具3孔沟与假沟,外壁纹饰具节隔、肋条带状或网状,网眼纵向排列成行,网眼内有细网纹者,见于耳叶马蓝属Perilepta、马蓝属Pteracanthus(大部分)、金足草属Goldfussia、紫云菜属Strobilanthes(部分)和合页草属Sympagis; (4)具3孔沟与假沟类型,肋条带状,但不具节隔,外壁纹饰网状,网眼不成行或不明显纵向排列,网内无细网纹者,见于尖蕊花属Aechmanthera、板蓝属Baphicacanthus、马蓝属(部分)和糯米香属Semnostachya; (5)具双脊及细网状纹饰者,见于环毛紫云菜Strobilanthes cycla.3. 具(4-)5孔沟及假沟类型(肋条带型),外壁具网状或拟网状纹饰,见于腺背蓝属Adenacanthus.另外兰嵌马蓝属Parachampionella、山一笼鸡属Gutzlaffia和肖笼鸡属Tarphochlamys的花粉有无萌发孔尚不清楚,有待进一步研究.综上所述,芦莉花族植物的花粉形态具有较高的多样性,是重要的分类性状.利用花粉形态特征能较好地区分高级分类群如亚科、族以及亚族,有时也有助于阐明类群之间的相互关系,甚至也能用于区分属、种和阐明其关系.     

5种裸子植物花粉外壁成分及结构分析比较

利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪对银杏、日本冷杉等5种裸子植物的花粉外壁成分进行测定分析,结果表明,这5种裸子植物花粉外壁的红外光谱主要由蛋白质、脂类及多糖类物质的特征吸收峰组成。但不同科属间的花粉外壁主要成分含量存在较大差异,其中银杏科的银杏花粉外壁以蛋白质含量最为丰富;松科的雪松花粉外壁以脂类物质较为丰富;杉科的日本冷杉、杉木和日本柳杉花粉外壁成分以多糖类物质为主,但种间花粉外壁成分仍存在差异。采用扫描电镜观察5种裸子植物花粉,显示银杏、柳杉和杉木花粉粒体积较小,不具气囊,银杏花粉粒外壁表面具较均一条纹状纹饰,日本柳杉和杉木花粉粒外壁具颗粒状突起。雪松和日本冷杉花粉粒具气囊,体积较大,花粉外壁分别是粗糙具小穴状纹理以及表面光滑具微穿孔。     

安徽伞形科植物新记录

2002年9月,作者在地处大别山区的安徽省金寨县天堂寨自然保护区进行伞形科植物调查时,发现了安徽省伞形科新分布记录种5个,并对这些种类的生境和地理分布特点作了初步分析.     

Pollen morphology of the tribe Ruellieae (Acanthaceae) from

Pollen morphology of seven species in two genera in the Ruelliinae, three species in one genus in the Barlerinae and 34 species in 16 genera in the Strobilanthinae (Ruellieae, Acanthaceae), were observed under SEM. Pollen grains in Ruellieae, particularly in Strobilanthinae (including Strobilanthes s.l.) exhibit great diversity and are most eurypalynous in the family. In light of the aperture types and exine ornamentation patterns, pollen grains of the genera examined fall into three major types: 1. 3-porate pollen, which includes, (1) pollen with reticulate exine ornamentation (Pararuellia); (2) pollen with gemmate exine ornamentation (Championella); (3) pollen with echinate exine ornamentation (Paragutzlaffia, Diflugossa and Pteroptychia). 2. 3-colporate pollen or 3-colporate pollen with pseudocolpi, which includes, (1) 3-colporate pollen with reticulate exine ornamentation (Eranthemum and Barleria); (2) 3-colporate pollen with pseudocolpi and ribbed or banded, and septate exine ornamentation, the lumina rounded, finely reticulate inside and arranged in longitudinal rows (Perilepta, Pteracanthus, Goldfussia, Sympagis and some species of Strobilanthes); (3) 3-colporate pollen with ribbed or banded yet not septate exine ornamentation, the lumina neither distinctly rounded and finely reticulate inside, nor conspicuously arranged in longitudinal rows (Aechmanthera, Baphicacanthus, Semnostachya and some species of Pteracanthus); and (4) 3-colporate pollen with ribbed and finely reticulate exine ornamentation but with broader bands, each band with two ridges (Strobilanthes cycla). 3. (4-)5-colporate pollen with pseudocolpi and reticulate or ornate exine ornamentation (Adenacanthus). No distinct apertures were observed in three genera, Parachampionella, Gutzlaffia and Tarphochlamys. Pollen morphological characters in the Acanthaceae can be used not only to distinguish taxa of higher ranks (subfamily, tribe and subtribe) and elucidate their relationships, but sometimes can also be used to distinguish genera and species.     

Studies on the Pollen Morphology of Family Salicaceae in Gansu

Pullen grains of 2 genera 31 species of the family Salicaceae ia Gansu have been investigated. The comparative studies of the pollen grains were carried out by means of seanning electron microscope and light microscope. The two genera (Popu- lus L. and Salix L.) can be distinguished by their pollen characters such as the shape of pollen, type of aper ure, ornamentation of exine etc. 1. Shape of pollen grains 1) Spherical (rounded) : Populus L., 2) Ellipoidal, (subrotund): Salix L. 2. Type .of aperture 1) Atreme: Populus L., 2) 3-colpate, 3-colporoidate or 3-syncolpate: Salix L. 3. Ornamentation of exine 1 ) Cavernulous: Populus L., 2) Tubercular: Populus L., 3) Spinulate: Salix L., 4) Rugulose: Populus L. and Salix L., 5) Finely-reticulate: Populus L., 6) Reticulate: Salix L., 7) Crass-reticulate: Salix L., 8) Rugulose-Spinulate-Cavernulous: Salix L., 9) Rugulose-Reticulate: Salix L. Basing upon the above pollen characters, the genera Populus L. and Salix L. are con- sidered two good and natural taxa, and the genus Populus L. is more primitive than the genus Salix L.     

Pollen wall development in Vigna vexillata I. Characterization of wall layers

Light and electron microscope observations characterized the layers that comprise Vigna vexillata L. pollen walls, and identified the timing of their development. Exine sculpturings form an unusually coarse ektexinous reticulum. The structure of the ektexine is granular; this differs from the columellate/tectate type of structure typical of most angiosperm pollen. The ektexine overlies a homogeneous-to-lamellar, electron-dense endexine, which in turn surrounds a thick, microfibrillar intine. Pollen grains are triporate and operculate, with Zwischenkörper and thickened intine underlying the apertures. The ektexine forms during the tetrad period of microspore development, the endexine and Zwischenkörper during the free microspore stage, and the intine during the bicelled (pollen) stage. Coarsely reticulate exine sculpturings and the granular structure of the patterned exine wall of the pollen grains are features that make this species suitable for detailed studies of pollen wall pattern formation.