Immunochemical appraisal of relationships within the tribePeucedaneae (Apiaceae)

An immunochemical investigation of some Old-WorldApiaceae belonging to the tribePeucedaneae has shown close affinity between the generaPeucedanum andAngelica, rather distant position ofFerula and its relatives, and confirmed the separation ofTordylieae as an independent tribe. Some genera, being included in current classifications intoPeucedaneae (Oedibasis, Anethum, Komarovia), are the alien elements in the tribe in the light of serotaxonomical analysis. The independent status of the genusLadyginia has been confirmed.     

Flavonoid chemistry of the generic segregates Ascyrum and Crookea of Hypericum

Leaf flavonoids were isolated and characterized from the seven taxa of Hypericum, formerly segregated as Ascyrum and Crookea. These included flavonol 3-glycosides based on quercetin and kaempferol and flavone-O-glycosides and C-glycosides based on apigenin and luteolin. The flavonoid data do not indicate that the taxe of Ascyrum and Crookea form a single coherent group and hence support their merger with Hypericum.     

Species boundaries,phylogenetic relationships,and ecological differentiation inAnthriscus (Apiaceae)

Species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships of 17 taxa ofAnthriscus (Apiaceae), with special emphasis on the critical sect.Cacosciadium, were explored using morphological data with principal component analysis, phenetics, and phylogenetics. The analyses did not provide satisfactory resolution of taxa from sect.Cacosciadium and only four species were retained. The total number of species was reduced to nine. Sect.Cacosciadium is distinguished by only two synapomorphies while sects.Anthriscus andCaroides are better supported. Present geographic and ecological variation suggests that the radiation ofAnthriscus occurred through divergence of peripheral isolated populations adapting to different habitats: high montane meadows and screes, shady climax forests, and seasonally dry habitats at lower altitudes. The adaptive significance of particular morphological traits is discussed.     

Flavonoid chemistry ofBlennospermatinae, a trans-Pacific disjunct subtribe ofSenecioneae (Asteraceae)

The flavonoid profiles of seven species ofAbrotanella and one species ofIschnea have been shown to be based upon kaempferol 3- and quercetin 3-O-glycosides and a delphinidin glycoside. Glucosides, glucuronides, arabinosides, diglucosides, and rutinosides of the flavonols were identified. The profile ofIschnea consisted solely of quercetin 3-O-glucoside and 3-O-arabinoside whereas the profiles of theAbrotanella species were more varied. Although infraspecific variation was not investigated in this study, the flavonoid chemistry of the two genera is in accordance with the flavonoid variation described for other members ofSenecioneae which are primarily flavonol producers. Based on the known phylogeny and biogeography, the flavonoid distribution from the perspective of long-distance dispersals across the Pacific is discussed. Such events should lead to genetic bottle-neck situations and depauperate flavonoid profiles. A summary of current flavonoid knowledge in theSenecioneae is supplied.     

Pollen Morphology of Hydrocotyloideae and Saniculoideae (Apiaceae) in China

Pollen grains of 30 species and 2 varieties from China, belonging to 5 genera (out of 36 species in 5 genera) of Hydrocotyloideae and Saniculoideae, were examined with light microscope and scanning electron microscope. 1.Six types of the pollen shape are recognized in Hydrocotyloideae and Saniculoideae from China, and their evolutionary trend is from rhomboidal→subspheroidal→ellipsoidal→subrectangular→superrectangular to equatorially-constricted. 2.Pollen grains of Hydrocotyloideae are mostly ellipsoidal with P / E ratio 1.07-1.6, the polar axis 22.5-46μm long, the equatorial axis 13.75-27.5μm long, and with the size index 21.1-31.8.They are angulapeturate in the great majority, and the exine sculpture is recticulate under SEM. Those of Saniculoideae are mostly superrectangular or rectangular, with P/E ratio 1.3-2.1, the polar axis 35-65μm long, the equatorial axis 17.5-42.5μm long, and with the size index 28.2-49.7. They are planaperturate in the great majority and the exine sculpture is striate-reticulate or cerebro-reticulate under SEM. Therefore, the latter might be more advanced than the former. 3.Pollen grains of Dickinsia Franch., endemic to China, are ellipsoidal,with P/E ratio 1.5,the polar axis 31.25-37.5μm long, the equatorial axis 20-25μm, and with the size index 27.81. They are angulaperturate, and the exine sculpture is cerebroid-reticulate under SEM. The genus is greatly similar to the members of Hydrocotyloideae in pollen morphology, which supports the treatment of the genus asa member of Hydrocotyloideae by Handel-Mazzetti (1933).     

Flavonoid and anthocyanin patterns and the systematic relationships in Collomia

Analyses of extracts among populations of the 14 species of Collomia revealed the occurrence of 13 mono-, di- and triglycosides based on the flavonoids, acacetin, kaempferol, patuletin and quercetin. The glycosides included those having arabinose, galactose, glucose and rhamnose as mono-, bio- or triosides at the 3-, 5-, 3,7- or 7-position. Analyses of floral extracts from ten species revealed the occurrence of two anthocyanins, cyanidin and delphinidin 3-(p-coumarylglucosyl)-5-glucoside. Nearly all the species express distinctive flavonoid patterns, although the differences are based on relatively minor changes in position or type of glycosidic substitution. Use of the minimum biosynthetic step distance (MBSD), an index of similarity, revealed that a mean of 5.6 steps separated the 14 species. The four perennial species of section Collomiastrum showed a high degree of similarity and differed consistently from species of the two annual sections Courtoisia and Collomia by lacking quercetin-5-glucoside and kaempferol-3-arabinosylgalactoside. In contrast, flavonoid patterns among species within sections Courtoisia and Collomia showed a relatively low degree of similarity. The dissimilarity between C. diversifolia and C. heterophylla (section Courtoisia) is consistent with their divergent patterns of pollen morphology and ecological distribution. Three groups of species within section Collomia were defined generally by shared patterns of flavonoids, which are correlated to some degree with floral, pollen and vegetative morphology.     

Flavonoid variation in Xanthisma texanum: Infrapopulation and interpopulation variation

Fourteen flavonoids were isolated from Xanthisma texanum. Chemosystematic interpretations are made concerning the origin and distribution of the infraspecific taxa of the species.     

A newFerulago (Apiaceae) species from Turkey

Ferulago antiochia Saya & Miski is newly described: it is known only from the type locality in Hatay province and has affinities toF. trachycarpa Boiss. of sect.Anisotaenia.     

A pair of species of Tauschia Schltdl. (Umbelliferae/Apiaceae) from Mexico

Two species of Tauschia—T. spellenbergii from Chihuahua and T. beruloides from Michoacán and México—are described as new.     

Cytotaxonomic analysis of the Himalayan species of the genusTorilis (Apiaceae)

Chromosome studies of four HimalayanTorilis species reveal a remarkable interand intraspecific differentiation of chromosome numbers and karyotypes:T. arvensis (2n = 12),T. leptophylla (2n = 12),T. Stocksiana (2n = 36) andT. japonica (2n = 16). Base numbers inTorilis are x = 6, 8, 9 and 11.     

Metabolism of P-particles (polysaccharide particles) in mature pollen grains ofEryngium campestre L. (Apiaceae)

Summary The metabolism of P-particles (polysaccharide particles) was investigated in mature pollen grains ofEryngium campestre L. Numerous P-particles, originating from dictyosome activity, are found to be accumulated near the apertures, followed by mitochondria. A single layer of ER profiles seems to prevent the fusion of the P-particles with the intine. Instead of this, they fuse with each other forming nonmembrane-bounded polysaccharide-aggregates, which subsequently change their granulated structure to an amorphous. Mitochondria together with small vesicles are involved in the conversion-process. The so formed wall precursors pass through the ER and fuse into the intine.     

Flavonoid variation of theAconitum jaluense complex (Ranunculaceae) in Korea

Thirteen flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified from five Korean species in theA. jaluense complex; they were glycosylated derivatives of the flavonols kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin, and of the flavone apigenin. The flavonoid data revealed the presence of two entities in the complex in Korea; one includesA. jaluense s. str. and the other includes the remaining four species which have identical flavonoid profiles. Based on these results, in conjunction with evidence from the morphology, it is suggested that the taxa should be recognized as two sub-species ofA. jaluense s. l. The flavonoid data also provide strong evidence for the occurrence of hybridization betweenA. jaluense s. str. andA. japonicum subsp.napiforme at Mt. Chiri in southern Korea.     

The inheritance of volatile phenylpropenes in bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. vulgare, Apiaceae) chemotypes and their distribution within the plant

The volatile phenylpropenes estragole and t-anethole are the major constituents of the oleoresin of the aerial parts of bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. vulgare, Apiaceae). The levels of estragole and t-anethole varied during plant development, being maximal in flowers and developing mericarps. Still the ratio between estragole and t-anethole remained constant throughout development. Estragole-rich types were hybridized with t-anethole rich types to examine the genetic basis of this polymorphism. A reverse correlation between estragole and t-anethole content was evident and the action of a biallelic gene with partial dominance for high estragole content was inferred. Understanding phenylpropene inheritance might explain chemical polymorphism in wild bitter fennel populations, sheds light on the molecular mechanisms that lead to chemotypes evolution and is crucial for breeding fennel varieties with desired chemical compositions.     

An ITS-based phylogenetic analysis of theEuryptera species group inLomatium (Apiaceae)

Lomatium, the largest genus of Apiaceae in western North America, includes many narrow endemics whose relationships are uncertain. Although no infrageneric classification exists forLomatium, several informal groups have been recognized. TheEuryptera group comprises seven narrowly endemic species distributed primarily in California. We conducted parsimony and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses using sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA from species of theEuryptera group and several other species ofLomatium. When considered with distribution, morphological, and cpDNA data, the ITS analyses are consistent with the monophyly of theEuryptera group and suggests that speciation in this group has occurred through geographical divergence. Inferences from ITS data also identify putative progenitors of the polyploidEuryptera species.     

Flavonoid chemistry ofPolygonum sect.Tovara (Polygonaceae): A systematic survey

Polygonum sect.Tovara includes three controversial species;P. virginianum, P. filiforme, andP. neofiliforme. The flavonoid chemistry of these was examined to provide additional information on their delimitation and levels of differentiation. Eight flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified, all of which were 3-O-glycosides of the flavonols kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin, and their acylated derivatives. Although they exhibit relatively simple flavonoid profiles, the three taxa are readily distinguished by their flavonoid constituents. In addition, they show fundamental differences in flavonol types and glycosylation patterns. These results, in conjunction with evidence from the morphology, strongly suggest thatP. virginianum, P. filiforme, andP. neofiliforme are closely allied but distinct species.     

Flavonoid chemistry ofWeigela (Caprifoliaceae) in Korea

Fifteen flavonoids were isolated from flowers and leaves of four species ofWeigela [W. florida (Bunge) A. DC.,W. praecox (Lemoine) Bailey,W. hortensis (Sieb. et Zucc.) K. Koch, andW. subsessilis (Nakai) Bailey] of Korea and one species (W. coraeensis Thunb.) of Japan. The flavonoid data indicated the presence of two distinct chemical groups: the “yellow flower” type producing flavonols and the “red flower” type producing flavonols and flavones. Two cyanidin 3-O-glycosides (glucoside and glucose-xylose) also occurred in all examined taxa. In the floral color-changing species,W. subsessilis, only quercetin glycosides predominated in floral tissue at first, decreasing in number and quantity with time. Instead, cyanidin 3-O-glycosides became present predominantly in flower color changing tissue from yellow to mauve.Weigela florida produced apigenin and luteolin glycosides, along with cyanidin 3-O-glycosides, which were also found inW. subsessilis. Within a relatively limited number of individuals (five),W. hortensis was unique in its production of all flavonols, flavones, and anthocyanins, although two individuals lacked flavone compounds but possessed all flavonols and anthocyanins. In effect, the putative hybrid,W. hortensis of Korea showed additive profiles of the parental marker compounds ofW. subsessilis andW. florida. Pollinator (andrenid bees) non-discrimination betweenWeigela flower-color morphs leading to non-assortive mating was a common, which indicated no breeding barrier among species. This flavonoid study indicated that species of both sections,Weigela andCalysphyrum appeared in each chemical grouping and it was obvious that the arrangement based on flavonoids cut across the sectional treatment of Hara. Floral tissues may be directly involved in the evolutionary strategy of pollination mechanisms and hence, their inherent flavonoids may no longer support taxonomic relationships. The presence of flavone glycosides inWeigela would support that tribe Dievilleae have a closer affinity to tribe Lonicereae within the Family Caprifoliaceae.     

中国伞形科天胡荽亚科果实解剖特征及其系统学意义

经对中国伞形科天胡荽亚科 (Hydrocotyloideae)中天胡荽属 (HydrocotyleL .)积雪草属 (CentellaL .)和马蹄芹属(DickinsiaFranch .) 10种植物果实解剖结构的观察比较 ,发现 3属的果实横切面以合生面为基准可以分成 2个类型 ,即两侧压扁类型 (天胡荽属和积雪草属 )和背腹压扁类型 (马蹄芹属 )。除此之外 ,中果皮的外侧是否有色素块沉积、内侧是否有木化细胞层或厚壁细胞层以及最内层是否形成晶体细胞层 ,内果皮细胞的层数、排列方向以及有无棱槽油管等性状 ,可以作为区分 3属的重要解剖学特征。在此基础上 ,结合外部形态特征 ,讨论了该亚科及其内部各属的解剖学特征、属间区别及其演化关系。认为马蹄芹属应归属于Mulineae族 ,另外 2个属应归属于天胡荽族(Hydrocotyleae) ;3属中积雪草属原始而马蹄芹属进化 ;天胡荽亚科可能不是自然的类群 ,它的分类系统和演化地位有待深入研究。     

The evolutionary history of Eryngium (Apiaceae, Saniculoideae): rapid radiations, long distance dispersals, and hybridizations

Eryngium is the largest and arguably the most taxonomically complex genus in the family Apiaceae. Infrageneric relationships within Eryngium were inferred using sequence data from the chloroplast DNA trnQ-trnK 5'-exon and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS regions to test previous hypotheses of subgeneric relationships, explain distribution patterns, reconstruct ancestral morphological features, and elucidate the evolutionary processes that gave rise to this speciose genus. In total, 157 accessions representing 118 species of Eryngium, 15 species of Sanicula (including the genus Hacquetia that was recently reduced to synonymy) and the monotypic Petagnaea were analyzed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods. Both separate and simultaneous analyses of plastid and nuclear data sets were carried out because of the prevalence of polyploids and hybrids within the genus. Eryngium is confirmed as monophyletic and is divided into two redefined subgenera: Eryngium subgenus Eryngium and E. subgenus Monocotyloidea. The first subgenus includes all examined species from the Old World (Africa, Europe, and Asia), except Eryngium tenue, E. viviparum, E. galioides, and E. corniculatum. Eryngium subgenus Monocotyloidea includes all examined species from the New World (North, Central and South America, and Australia; herein called the "New World sensu stricto" clade) plus the aforementioned Old World species that fall at the base of this clade. Most sectional and subgeneric divisions previously erected on the basis of morphology are not monophyletic. Within the "New World sensu stricto" group, six clades are well supported in analyses of plastid and combined plastid and nuclear data sets; the relationships among these clades, however, are unresolved. These clades are designated as "Mexican", "Eastern USA", "South American", "North American monocotyledonous", "South American monocotyledonous", and "Pacific". Members of each clade share similar geographical distributions and/or morphological or ecological traits. Evidence from branch lengths and low sequence divergence estimates suggests a rapid radiation at the base of each of these lineages. Conflict between chloroplast and nuclear data sets is weak, but the disagreements found are suggestive that hybrid speciation in Eryngium might have been a cause, but also a consequence, of the different rapid radiations observed. Dispersal-vicariance analysis indicates that Eryngium and its two subgenera originated from western Mediterranean ancestors and that the present-day distribution of the genus is explained by several dispersal events, including one trans-Atlantic dispersal. In general, these dispersals coincide with the polytomies observed, suggesting that they played key roles in the diversification of the genus. The evolution of Eryngium combines a history of long distance dispersals, rapid radiations, and hybridization, culminating in the taxonomic complexity observed today in the genus.     

中国伞形科矮泽芹属植物叶表皮形态特征的研究

利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜对伞形科矮泽芹属8种植物叶表皮形态进行观察与研究。结果表明:(1)矮泽芹属8种植物上下表皮细胞均为不规则形或规则多边形,垂周壁为近平直状或波状,上表皮细胞长宽比在1.3~2.4之间,下表皮细胞长宽比在1.5~2.5之间;在近轴面,有细叶矮泽芹、聂拉木矮泽芹和绿花矮泽芹3种植物没有气孔器的存在,其余物种气孔密度在20~74个/mm2之间,气孔指数为6.0%~17.7%;在远轴面,所有物种都具有丰富的气孔器,气孔密度为100~183个/mm2,气孔指数为16.1%~23.6%。(2)聚类分析结果显示,矮泽芹、大苞矮泽芹、粗棱矮泽芹为类群Ⅰ,鹤庆矮泽芹为类群Ⅱ,聂拉木矮泽芹、细叶矮泽芹、绿花矮泽芹为类群Ⅲ,松潘矮泽芹则单独聚为类群Ⅳ;聚类分析结果大体上支持形态学分类的结果。(3)叶表皮形态特征对于区分矮泽芹属不同物种具有十分重要的分类学价值。