Saussurea xinjiangensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae,Cardueae), a new species from Xinjiang,China

Saussurea xinjiangensis Y. S. Chen, a new species from Xinjiang, China, is described and illustrated. It was first found during a field expedition by the author in 2014. It belongs to S. subgen. Saussurea sect. Laguranthera because its root and caudex split fibrously and it has numerous capitula in a corymbiform synflorescence. The new species is similar to S. mucronulata in its habit, strongly fibrous rootstock and caudex, sessile linear leaves and capitula shortly pedunculated in a corymbiform synflorescence. However, it differs from S. mucronulata by its usually branched stems (versus usually simple or apically few-branched), lower leaf blade 8–12 cm long and 0.5–1.8 cm wide (versus 3–5 cm long and 0.2–0.5 cm wide), leaves abaxially sparsely arachnoid tomentose (versus densely arachnoid tomentose), phyllary white arachnoid tomentose and green to brown (versus glabrous and blackish purple).     

Cremanthodium weixiense (Asteraceae,Senecioneae), a new species from northwestern Yunnan,China

Cremanthodium weixiense (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from northwestern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is referred to C. ser. Calcicola based on its palmately veined leaves, discoid capitula and leaflike, herbaceous phyllaries. However, it is unique in this series in having dissected leaves. It is somewhat similar to C. pinnatisectum in C. ser. Campanulata in the dissected leaves and the discoid capitula, but differs by the suborbicular (versus subreniform) basal leaves with deeply cordate (versus subtruncate) bases and very narrow (versus obviously divergent) sinuses, the presence (versus absence) of a conspicuously sheathed petiolar base of stem leaves, the broadly cylindrical (versus campanulate) involucres and the leaflike, herbaceous (versus petaloid, membranous) phyllaries.     

Psydrax multiflora sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from Palawan,Philippines

Psydrax multiflora, a new species of Vanguerieae collected in the Palawan, Luzon Island, Philippines is herein described and illustrated. Morphological observation showed that P. multilfora approaches three Malesian Psydrax species, namely P. amplifolia, P. nitida and P. puberula. However, P. multiflora can be delineated from these three by its caudate leaf apex, 20–30‐flowered umbellate inflorescences and broadly triangular corolla lobes.     

Drought and warming induced changes in P and K concentration and accumulation in plant biomass and soil in a Mediterranean shrubland

A field experiment involving drought and warming manipulation was conducted over a 6-year period in a Mediterranean shrubland to simulate the climate conditions projected by IPCC models for the coming decades (20% decreased soil moisture and 1°C warming). We investigated P and K concentration and accumulation in the leaves and stems of the dominant species, and in soil. Drought decreased P concentration in Globularia alypum leaves (21%) and in Erica multiflora stems (30%) and decreased K concentration in the leaves of both species (20% and 29%, respectively). The general decrease of P and K concentration in drought plots was due to the reduction of soil water content, soil and root phosphatase activity and photosynthetic capacity that decreased plant uptake capacity. Warming increased P concentration in Erica multiflora leaves (42%), but decreased it in the stems and leaf litter of Erica multiflora and the leaf litter (33%) of Globularia alypum, thereby demonstrating that warming improved the P retranslocation and allocation from stem to leaves. These results correlate with the increase in photosynthetic capacity and growth of these two dominant shrub species in warming plots. Drought and warming had no significant effects on biomass P accumulation in the period 1999–2005, but drought increased K accumulation in aboveground biomass (10 kg ha⁻¹) in Globularia alypum due to the increase in K concentration in stems. The stoichiometric changes produced by the different responses of the nutrients led to changes in the P/K concentration ratio in Erica multiflora leaves, stems and litter, and in Globularia alypum stems and litter. This may have implications for the nutritional value of these plant species and plant–herbivore relationships. The effects of climate change on P and K concentrations and contents in Mediterranean ecosystems will differ depending on whether the main component of change is drought or warming.     

Saussurea balangshanensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae), from the Hengduan Mountains region,SW China

Saussurea balangshanensis, based on populations from Balang Mountain in the Hengduan Mountains region, SW China, is described and illustrated as a new species of Asteraceae. It can be distinguished from other species in Saussurea by its concolorous leaves, swollen and hollow upper stems, articulate hairs and stipitate glandular hairs, laciniate margins of uppermost stem leaves, numerous and sessile capitula, and narrow involucre. Based on nucleotide sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), phylogenetic analyses also support the recognition of these populations as representing a new species. The new species is known only from a single location in Balang Mountain, at elevations of 4500–4700 m. Its habitat can be easily disturbed or destroyed by a tourist arterial highway and the over grazing. We propose that the species should be listed as Critically Endangered based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria B2a.     

白花猫儿菊和黄果龙葵——中国大陆两种新归化植物

该文报道了中国大陆新发现的两种归化植物:菊科的白花猫儿菊 [Hypochaeris albiflora (Kuntze)Azevêdo-Gonç. & Matzenb.]和茄科的黄果龙葵(Solanum diphyllum Linn.)。白花猫儿菊原产于南美洲,在中国的云南省昆明市盘龙区发现归化,其与同属种类的区别在于基生叶全缘或有尖齿,有时羽状浅裂至深裂,茎生叶线形,头状花序圆筒形或狭钟状,小花白色,瘦果有4棱。黄果龙葵原产于墨西哥和中美洲,在中国的云南省勐腊县发现归化,其主要识别特征为多年生常绿小灌木,上部叶常双生,大小显著不相等,成熟浆果呈亮黄色。此外,该文还简要评估了这两种归化植物的危害和入侵风险。     

Prolonged leaf senescence in Clusia multiflora H.B.K.

 Leaf aging and senescence in Clusia multiflora H.B.K. was investigated by artificial treatments, such as floating leaf discs on water in darkness, or darkening leaves attached to the parent plant in situ in trees living in a tropical cloud forest. In both cases several parameters modified by age were evaluated such as nitrogen levels, chlorophyll content, succulence and carbohydrates levels. A prolonged senescence (nearly 3 months in floating leaf discs) was observed, contrasting with species such as Heliocarpus americanus (5 days) and Cecropia palmatisecta (20 days), characterized by low values of leaf weight per area, but similar to species with high leaf weight per area and with high levels of organic acids such as Clusia minor and Fourcroya humboldtiana, where acids may act as a reserve of C and energy. After 30 days in darkness C. multiflora leaf samples collected in the field did not show differences in comparison to non-darkened opposite leaves with respect to chlorophyll, titratable protons and carbohydrates, and leaves performed photosynthesis after 2 months in darkness. The effect of age in leaves was evaluated in a gradient of leaves, sampled at different positions from the apex and ranging in age from 15 days to 2 years old. The study of senescence in tropical wild plants is uncommon, but it is important knowledge for understanding foliar development, and response to internal rather than environmental regulation in climates where seasons are not strongly marked as is the case in the tropical mountain forest, where C. multiflora constitutes an important component in the early successional vegetation. Received: 21 October 1996 / Accepted: 12 November 1996     

Safflower susceptibility and response to feeding by grasshoppers

Feeding by three grasshopper species, Camnula pellucida, Melanoplus packardii and Melanoplus sanguinipes, on three safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) lines for a 6-wk period from anthesis was monitored under field conditions. Ratings of feeding damage to different plant parts (leaves, floral parts, capitula, and peduncles) and measurements after termination of feeding (dry weight, seed yield, seed weight, seeds per capitulum, and capitula per row) were compared among grasshopper species and safflower lines. The Melanoplus species fed preferentially on leaves, floral parts, and capitula, while C. pellucida exhibited only peduncle feeding, which resulted in head clipping. Defoliation of 20 to 30% was associated with significant increases in total dry matter, seed yield, and number of capitula. Further defoliation resulted in decreases. The safflower lines differed in response to grasshopper feeding. S-208 was most susceptible to defoliation by grasshopper feeding, exhibiting decreased dry weight, seed yield, and capitula number. Lesaf 34C-00 was most tolerant and only M. packardii caused significant dry weight and seed yield reductions. Feeding by C. pellucida on this line resulted in an overall seed yield increase. Feeding by M. sanguinipes on Seedtec-5 resulted in yield increases of up to 16%. It appears that certain grasshopper species can increase seed yield in some safflower lines by stimulating the production of additional capitula. Therefore, moderate populations of such grasshoppers in fields of appropriate safflower cultivars do not necessarily require control.     

Senecio josei and S. superparamensis spp. nov. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) from the Andes of Ecuador

Research on the phylogeny of a distinct group of Andean Senecio, previously considered as Lasiocephalus, resulted in the discovery of two new species, which are here described and illustrated. Senecio josei Sklená?, which grows in rocky habitats in grass páramo in southern Ecuador, is characterized by linear leaves and a racemose or paniculate synflorescence. Senecio superparamensis Sklená? is characterized by grayish–white pubescence, solitary capitula and leafy stems, and inhabits superpáramos in northern and central Ecuador.     

Pterygiella trichosepala (Orobanchaceae), sp. nov. from Yunnan,southwest China

Pterygiella trichosepala (Orobanchaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Yunnan, southwest China. It grows in calcareous grasslands or scrubs at elevations of 2000–2600 m a.s.l. This new species is closely related to P. nigrescens Oliv., but clearly differs from the latter by being pilose–hirsute throughout, with stems simple or rarely branched, 10–30 cm tall, and leaves 10–20 mm long and 3–6 mm wide (with L/W ratio 3.5–5.0), racemose inflorescences, and calyx 13–20 mm long and 8–13 mm in diameter; moreover its seed micromorphological features are significantly different from those of P. nigrescens.     

Primulina jianghuaensis sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone cave in southern Hunan,China

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina jianghuaensis K. M. Liu & X. Z. Cai, from a limestone cave in Hunan Province, China, is identified and described. Its seed and pollen grain morphology are described. The new species is morphologically closely related to P. lingchuanensis ( =Chiritopsis lingchuanensis) and P. danxiaensis ( =Chiritopsis danxiaensis), but it can be distinguished by its 12–25 (–30) leaves, ovate or broad ovate leaf blade, subcordate, truncate or slightly decurrent leaf base, undulate leaf margin, 5–20 cymes, and 2–3 staminodes.     

Saussurea haizishanensis sp. nov. (Compositae,Cardueae) from Sichuan,China

Saussurea haizishanensis B. Q. Xiu, G. Hao & N. H. Xia sp. nov., a new species from Sichuan, China, belonging to Saussurea subg. Eriocoryne (DC.) Hook. f. sect. Cincta Lipsch., is described and illustrated. It is similar to S. delavayi, but differs in its narrowly elliptic, lanceolate or broadly lanceolate leaves, outer phyllaries that are broadly triangular with irregularly dentate margin, and densely yellowish stipitate glandular stem, leaf blades, and adaxial phyllaries. It is also similar to S. schlagintweitii, but differs in possessing numerous capitula and having adaxially glabrous petiole bases. Color plates, line drawings, a distribution map of S. haizishanensis, photographs of phyllaries and leaf blades, and SEM microphotographs of the adaxial surface of style arms, the leaf blades, the abaxial surface of phyllaries of S. haizishanensis and S. delavayi are provided.     

Ants and extrafloral nectaries: no evidence for plant protection in Helichrysum spp. — ant interactions

Summary Characterstics of Australian endemic Helichrysum bracteratum and H. viscosum suggest that foraging ants act as guards of developing flowerheads, protecting capitula from seed predators: (1) extrafloral nectar is secreted from leaves subtending the capitula and from bracts encircling the floral disc during pre- to post-flowering periods; (2) capitula are attended by ants; and, (3) encounters between ants and other capitula visitors, including predispersal seed predators such as Tephritis sp. (Diptera), can be frequent. In experiments to test the ant-guard hypothesis, exclusion of ants from plants increased abundance of other insects on the developing capitula. The difference between ant-access and ant-exclusion treatments was related to ant abundance on the access plants. These effects were statistically significant in spite of the large variation in insect activity between sites and through the season.The increased abundance of insects on capitula following ant-exclusion did not, however, result in significant increases in the number of adult seed predators observed on capitula, the number of immature seed predators in capitula, or capitula damage as estimated between ant-access and exclusion treatments of either H. bracteatum or H. viscosum. Further, the ant-exclusion treatment on H. bracteatum had no significant influence on pollination as measured by seed set or on the degree of parasitism of Tephritis sp. by Megastigmus sp. Site and season most strongly affected numbers of immature seed predators and damage to capitula.We discuss these findings in relation to the ant-guard hypothesis and suggest that generalization of the protection hypothesis to all plants with extrafloral nectaries is premature.     

Scorzonera aksekiensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

Scorzonera aksekiensis A. Duran & M. Öztürk sp. nov. from the Akseki district (C3 Antalya province) in Turkey is described and illustrated. The diagnostic morphological characters of similar taxa are discussed. Scorzonera aksekiensis is related to S. semicana DC. from which it mainly differs in its habitus, indumentum, leaves, capitula and achenes. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographical distribution of S. aksekiensis and related species is mapped.     

Comparison of Photosynthetic Responses of the Sympatric Tropical C3 Species Clusia multiflora H. B. K. and the C3-CAM Intermediate Species Clusia minor L. to Irradiance and Drought Stress in a Phytotron1

Abstract: Clusia multiflora H. B. K., an obligate C₃ species and Clusia minor L. a C₃/CAM intermediate species, are two physio-types of a similar morphotype. They can sympatrically occupy secondary savanna sites exposed to high insolation in the tropics. In C. multiflora severe stress, i.e., switching shade-grown plants to high light plus drought, resulted in leaves browning or yellowing and becoming necrotic. However, in long-term light stress C. multiflora was able to grow new leaves with their photosynthetic apparatus fit for high light conditions. Shade-grown C. minor readily overcame switching to high light conditions and drought, responding by a rapid change from C₃ photosynthesis to CAM. Decreasing _soil led to increased abscisic acid levels in the leaves of C. minor, however CAM induction was not directly related to this and was mainly determined by increased PPFD. Both species were capable of rapid accumulation of zea-xanthin for acute photoprotection following high PPFD exposure. The maximum capacity for zeaxanthin accumulation was larger in C. minor, but under steady high PPFD it only partially made use of this capacity, relying on high internal CO₂ concentrations of Phase Ill of CAM, in addition to zeaxanthin, for acute photo-protection. Thus, by different means the two species perform well under high light conditions. However, C. multiflora needs time for development of adapted leaves under such stress conditions while the more flexible C. minor can readily switch from low light to high light conditions.     

Aster saxicola sp. nov. (Asteraceae,Astereae), a new species from Guizhou,China: evidence from morphological,molecular and cytological studies

Aster saxicola W. P. Li & Z. Li, a new species of Asteraceae from southeastern Guizhou province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological, molecular and cytological data. Morphological comparisons showed that A. saxicola is similar to A. oliganthus, but can be distinguished from the latter by its purple abaxial surface of the lower and middle cauline leaves, cordate‐ovate basal leaves with strigose hairs, outer three‐seriate phyllaries with purple or purplish apex, 9–14 ray florets and 10–18 disk florets. Phylogenetic analyses based on nrDNA ITS, ETS and plastid trnL–F DNA sequence data support that A. saxicola is a distinct species and belongs to Aster subgen. Aster sect. Ageratoides. Cytological observation shows that the new species is diploid with a karyotype formula 2n = 2x = 18 = 16m + 2sm. The new species should be considered endangered (EN) based on the IUCN red list criteria because of its restricted geographic range.     

Saussurea pseudograminea sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau,China

Morphological characteristics, as well as ultrastructure of pollen grains, chromosome numbers and karyotype analysis have been used to establish a new species of Saussurea from the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. The new species, Saussurea pseudograminea Y. F. Wang, G. Z. Du et Y. S. Lian is easily distinguished from the similar S. graminea Dunn by having 2–3 capitula, involucre 0.7–1.2 cm in diameter, smaller pollen grains, pollen surface with larger and denser spines, achenes 4.0–5.5 mm long, 32 chromosomes, and a karyotype formula 2n = 2x = 32 = 18m + 10sm + 4st, whereas S. graminea has solitary capitula, involucre 1.2–2.0 cm in diameter, larger pollen grains, pollen surface with smaller and sparser spines, achenes 3–4 mm long, 28 chromosomes and a karyotype formula 2n = 2x = 28 = 6m + 20sm + 2st. The new species is distributed in Dianzhangou, Awanchang, and Gamaliang mountain regions of Maqu county in Gansu province.