Cuticular studies in some species of Mendoncia and Thunbergia (Acanthaceae)

The cuticular and epidermal anatomy of two species of Mendoncia (subfamily Mendoncioideae) and eight of Thunbergia (subfamily Thunbergioideae) has been studied. The species of Mendoncia are characterized by the presence of diacytic stomata on hypostomatic leaves, subsessile glandular hairs with a globular head, non-glandular hairs with a stellate hair-base, and the absence of cystoliths. In Thunbergia the cuticles show diacytic stomata on hypostomatic leaves, subsessile glandular hairs with a panduriform head, and non-glandular hairs with a two- or more-celled simple hair-base. Cystoliths are absent. The presence of diacytic stomata in all the investigated species of Mendoncia and Thunbergia , as well as in the other genera of the Acanthaceae, is considered as significant. The retention of Mendoncioideae and Thunbergioideae as subfamilies of the Acanthaceae is justified from the present investigation.     

Structural, Functional and Phylogenetic Aspects of the Colleter

This article surveys the structural, functional and phylogeneticsignificance of colleters in different dicotyledonous families.Colleters are multicellular secretory structures attached tothe stipule, petiole, lamina, bract, bracteole, calyx and corolla.Colleters are grouped into standard (S), dendroid (D) and brush-like(B) types on the basis of their morphology and structure. Dand B-type colleters occur in certain members of Rubiaceae thatalso have bacterial leaf nodules. Besides the normal structure,epithelial hairs, thin-walled subepidermal cells, laticifersand vasculature are present in many colleters of Apocynaceae.It is probable that the colleter functions to protect the developingmeristem by secreting a viscous fluid. Exudate of D-type colletersare mucilaginous, providing the substrate necessary for thenutrition of endophytic bacteria. Colleter, structure, phylogeny     

Colleters in Turnera and Piriqueta (Turneraceae)

The anatomy of colleters was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy in 25 species of Turnera and nine species of Piriqueta. Based on morphology, four categories of colleters were recognized: standard, sessile, lachrymiform and trochleariform, all of which differ in shape and length/width ratio. They all have a similar anatomy: they consist of an axis of parenchymatous cells, sheathed by a palisade epidermis. The standard type is the most widespread in the studied taxa; the lachrymiform example was found in those species of Piriqueta with setiform glandular hairs; only one trochleariform example appeared in T: diffusa. The sessile type is considered to be a morphological transitional form between extrafloral nectaries and colleters. This is the first record of sessile, lachrymiform and trochleariform colleters. The anatomy of colleters is compared with other secretory structures such as glandular trichomes and extrafloral nectaries.     

A new Biscutella (Brassicaceae) species from the western Balearic Islands

A new diploid species, Biscutella ebusitana is described from coastal cliffs of the western Balearic islands. It is related to B. sempervirens L. and B. montana Cav. from which it can be distinguished by a combination of vegetative (shape, size, petiole and hairs of leaves, petiolatc leaves) and reproductive features (shape of inflorescence, calyx indument). Earlier Balearic records of B. frutescens Coss. should be referred to B. ebusitana.     

Primula persimilis sp. nov. (Primulaceae) from Sichuan,China

A new species of Primulaceae, Primula persimilis G. Hao, C.M. Hu & Y. Xu, from Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. In general morphology it is allied to the species of P. sect. Monocarpicae, characterized by the presence of multi‐cellular hairs, the distinctly petiolate leaves, a campanulate calyx, and a globose or cylindrical capsule with valvate dehiscence. The new species superficially resembles P. tsiangii W.W. Smith, but can be distinguished by its white flowers, longer calyx lobes, and cylindrical capsules.     

Morphology and distribution of trichomes in Italian species ofTeucrium sect.Chamaedrys (Labiatae) — a taxonomical evaluation

Micromorphology and distribution of trichomes (both secretory and not) in different parts of plants of the five Italian species belonging toTeucrium sect.Chamaedrys have been studied. These characters neatly evidence the differences between the taxa considered; of particular interest are the observations concerning the dense coverage of peltate hairs on the abaxial face of the leaves ofT. flavum subsp.glaucum and the characters contributing to a better identification ofT. marum andT. subspinosum. The importance of the calyx indumentum as distinctive taxonomical character of the genusTeucrium is confirmed, stressing at the same time the necessity of completing the observations at micromorphological level.     

Comparative vegetative anatomy and systematics of Spiranthoideae (Orchidaceae)

STERN, W. L., MORRIS, M. W., JUDD, W. S., PRIDGEON, A. M. & DRESSLER, R. L. 1993. Comparative vegetative anatomy and systematics of Spiranthoideae (Orchidaceae). The anatomy of leaf, stem and root of plants in the orchid subfamily Spiranthoideae was studied and described from the viewpoint of systematics. Plants were available from most of the geographic range. Tribes Diceratosteleae and Tropidieae show sinuous anticlinal epidermal cell walls in leaves, glandular foliar hairs, tetracytic para-mesoperigenous stomata, unitary tracheary components in the foliar midrib, foliar and cauline stegmata and sclerenchyma, typical cruciate starch grains, thick-walled exodermal, endodermal, and pericyclic cells, and conductive strands of the root embedded in sclerenchyma. The tribe Cranichideae shows straight to curvilinear anticlinal epidermal cell walls in leaves, lack glandular foliar hairs, have variably patterned mesoperigenous stomata, lack sclerenchyma throughout the parts studied, have a binary tracheary component in the foliar midrib, store starch in specialized amyloplasts (spiranthosomes), lack stegmata, have thin-walled exodermal, endodermal, and pericyclic cells, show scalariform thickenings in exodermal cells, and have conductive strands of the root embedded in parenchyma. In Cryptostylis the tracheary component of the foliar midrib is unitary, stomata lack subsidiary cells, starch grains are of the typical cruciate configuration, and passage cells of the endodermis are apparently associated with tilosomes. Anatomical data, when analysed cladistically, support the hypothesis that Spiranthoideae, as currently delimited, are polyphyletic. Corymborkis, Tropidia, and Diceratostele are more closely related to Palmorchis, a likely representative of a basal clade within subfamily Epidendroideae, than to genera of Cranichideae. Likewise, members of Cranichideae are more closely related to Diuris, a representative of subfamily Orchidoideae-tribe Diurideae, than to Corymborkis, Tropidia and Diceratostele. The Corymborkis– Tropidia-Diceratostele-bassd epidendroid [Palmorchis) clade may be diagnosed by the foliar synapomorphies of sinuous anticlinal walls of epidermal cells and presence of glandular hairs. The Cranichideae-orchidoid (Diuris) clade may be diagnosed by its variably patterned, mesoperigenous stomata, lack of vascular bundle sclerenchyma, absence of stegmata, unthickened endodermal cell walls in roots, and conductive cells of roots embedded in parenchyma. Relationships within this clade are quite unresolved, when only anatomical data are employed; however, all studied genera of Cranichideae, except Cryptostylis, possess a binary tracheary component in the foliar midrib. Cranichideae, excluding Cryptostylis, may be considered monophyletic. All Cranichideae, except Helaeria and Cryptostylis, possess spiranthosomes. Hetaeria may be a basal member within Cranichideae. We consider the phylogenetic position of Cryptostylis, in relation to Cranichideae vs. Diurideae, to be equivocal.     

Gentianella tumailica (Gentianaceae) – A new species from cold deserts of northwest Himalaya,India

A new species of Gentianella, G. tumailica sp. nov., from Tumail in the Kargil district of Ladakh, northwest Himalaya, India is described and illustrated. This novelity is morphologically similar to the sympatric G. stoliczka in inflorescence pattern, calyx and corolla shapes, sagitate anthers, more or less rounded seeds, but differs in smaller size of vegetative and floral structures, larger basal leaves, few cauline leaves, leaf apex obtuse to rounded, calyx lobes unequal (2 longer, 3 shorter), inflorescence enveloped by 4 foliaceous bracts, capsule elliptic to oblong and seed coat smooth. In addition, a diagnostic key to all Indian species of Gentianella is presented.     

Anatomical structure and secretion compounds of colleters in nine Ilex species (Aquifoliaceae) from southern South America

In order to clarify whether the structures observed at the base of the petiole of the genus Ilex are colleters resulting from stipules, the anatomy, vascularization and secretions of these supposed glandular structures were analysed in nine species. This is the first report of colleters in Ilex. Stipular colleters replace the stipules in all species studied and are characterized by the presence of vascular traces. In addition to the stipular colleters, three other types of colleter were distinguished: standard and lachrymiform colleters found on the leaf teeth or crenations, and sessile colleters found on the margins of the floral bracts. Their basic structure consists of a central core of parenchymatous cells surrounded by one layer of palisade secretory epidermal cells. Histochemical tests were also performed on secretions; proteins were found in the secretions studied, but glucose was not. The glandular origin of the stipular colleters is confirmed on the basis of their position, secretions and anatomy. Analyses of the colleter‐secreted proteins distinguished two different groups of Ilex species. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 197–210.     

Mineral nutrient uptake from prey and glandular phosphatase activity as a dual test of carnivory in semi-desert plants with glandular leaves suspected of carnivory

Background and Aims

Ibicella lutea and Proboscidea parviflora are two American semi-desert species of glandular sticky plants that are suspected of carnivory as they can catch small insects. The same characteristics might also hold for two semi-desert plants with glandular sticky leaves from Israel, namely Cleome droserifolia and Hyoscyamus desertorum. The presence of proteases on foliar hairs, either secreted by the plant or commensals, detected using a simple test, has long been considered proof of carnivory. However, this test does not prove whether nutrients are really absorbed from insects by the plant. To determine the extent to which these four species are potentially carnivorous, hair secretion of phosphatases and uptake of N, P, K and Mg from fruit flies as model prey were studied in these species and in Roridula gorgonias and Drosophyllum lusitanicum for comparison. All species examined possess morphological and anatomical adaptations (hairs or emergences secreting sticky substances) to catch and kill small insects.

Methods

The presence of phosphatases on foliar hairs was tested using the enzyme-labelled fluorescence method. Dead fruit flies were applied to glandular sticky leaves of experimental plants and, after 10–15 d, mineral nutrient content in their spent carcasses was compared with initial values in intact flies after mineralization.

Key Results

Phosphatase activity was totally absent on Hyoscyamus foliar hairs, a certain level of activity was usually found in Ibicella, Proboscidea and Cleome, and a strong response was found in Drosophyllum. Roridula exhibited only epidermal activity. However, only Roridula and Drosophyllum took up nutrients (N, P, K and Mg) from applied fruit flies.

Conclusions

Digestion of prey and absorption of their nutrients are the major features of carnivory in plants. Accordingly, Roridula and Drosophyllum appeared to be fully carnivorous; by contrast, all other species examined are non-carnivorous as they did not meet the above criteria.Key words: Roridula gorgonias, Drosophyllum lusitanicum, Proboscidea parviflora, Ibicella lutea, Cleome droserifolia, Hyoscyamus desertorum, phosphatase, phosphomonoesters, fruit flies, N, P, K, Mg uptake from prey     

Morphological and ITS sequence divergence between taxa of Cuminia (Lamiaceae), an endemic genus of the Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile

Morphological and ITS sequence divergence were assessed between the two presently recognized taxa of the endemic genusCuminia (Lamiaceae), on Masatierra of the Juan Fernandez Islands. Morphological studies were based on leaf morphology of 51 individuals. Individuals ofC. fernandezia have narrow and lanceolate leaves with cuneate to acute bases and apices, whereas individuals ofC. eriantha have broadly ovate leaves with rounded bases and acute to obtuse apices. The two taxa can also be distinguished by the presence of pubescence.Cuminia eriantha has hairs on the leaves, young stems, floral peduncles, calyx, and corolla. Alternatively,C. fernandezia is glabrous except for tuft hairs on the nodes, and hairs on calyx teeth and corolla tubes. The ITS 1 and 2 regions of the five plants ofCuminia sequenced are a total of 451 bp long. All plants have identical ITS-1 but pubescent and glabrous plants are consistently different in ITS-2 sequence, revealing 1.3% total sequence divergence between the species. Both morphological and molecular data support the taxonomic recognition of two taxa, and the small but consistent differences appear to justify species status for the two entities. The pubescent populations representC. eriantha and the glabrous ones areC. fernandezia. It is hypothesized that the species diverged from a common ancestral immigrant to the islands, when Masatierra was much larger and more ecologically diverse than it now is. The two taxa seem to maintain their identities with no evidence of hybridization, even though they often grow in close proximity to one other on the island. Each population consists only of glabrous or pubescent plants, with no mixed population detected.     

Does microhabitat structure affect foliar mite assemblages?

1. Habitat structure is an important factor influencing population dynamics and trophic organisation of terrestrial invertebrates. The phylloplane zone on vascular plant leaves is topographically complex, containing a multitude of microhabitats such as leaf hairs, lesions, and structural refugia such as domatia, which may modify interactions between resident invertebrate communities, colonisers, and subsequent trophic relationships. Leaf domatia are small indentations on the underside of leaves and are often inhabited by potentially beneficial mites and other arthropods. 2. This study investigated the relationship between domatia availability and foliar mite assemblages in contrasting habitats (native forest, plantation forest, and pasture) using a standard test plant (the endemic New Zealand shrub Coprosma lucida, J.R. & G. Forst.). 3. Diverse woody native vegetation types supported higher numbers of mite species than either plantation forest or pastoral grasses. The highest number of mite species occurred in the native forest (63%), plantation forest (38%), and pastoral grasses (25%). In the native vegetation type, experimental C. lucida leaves with domatia supported higher mite densities, greater colonisation success, and more diverse mite assemblages than those without domatia. Mite assemblages within the pastoral site were significantly different from the other two vegetation types. Only one fungivorous mite species, Orthotydeus californicus, occurred compared to five mite species in native and plantation forests. 4. This study indicated that foliar mite assemblages in native vegetation on experimental C. lucida shrubs are influenced by domatia availability, resident foliar mites, and local mite assemblages.     

马尾松人工林林窗大小对两种凋落叶难降解物质含量的影响

林窗通过改变森林微环境及土壤环境而影响凋落物难降解物质的降解, 目前关于人工林林窗对凋落物分解过程中难降解物质影响的研究较少。该文采用凋落物分解袋法, 以马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林人工砍伐形成的7个不同面积的林窗(G1: 100 m²、G2: 225 m²、G3: 400 m²、G4: 625 m²、G5: 900 m²、G6: 1225 m²、G7: 1600 m²)为研究对象, 以林下为对照, 研究了林窗大小对两种乡土树种——樟(Cinnamomum camphora)和红椿(Toona ciliata)凋落叶分解过程中难降解物质(木质素、纤维素、总酚、缩合单宁)含量的影响。结果表明: 1)林窗大小对林窗中心红椿凋落叶缩合单宁、总酚、木质素的含量有显著影响, 对其纤维素含量和樟凋落叶中4种难降解物质含量均无显著影响。随着林窗面积的增大, 红椿凋落叶中除纤维素含量外的其余3种难降解物质含量, 中小型林窗(G1-G5, G1: 100 m², G2: 225 m², G3:400 m², G4: 625 m², G5: 900 m²)低于大型林窗(G6、G7, G6: 1225 m², G7: 1600 m²)。2)林窗不同位置, 只有红椿凋落叶中缩合单宁含量林窗中心显著低于边缘, 其余难降解物质含量和樟凋落叶中4种难降解物质含量均无显著差异。樟凋落叶的木质素含量在G3林窗显著低于林下; 红椿凋落叶除纤维素含量外的其余难降解物质含量, 中小型林窗从林窗中心到边缘均显著低于林下。3)随着分解时间的延长, 两种凋落叶都表现出缩合单宁、纤维素含量降低, 木质素含量升高, 总酚含量先升高后降低的变化趋势。研究结果表明: 中小型林窗(100-900 m²)较大面积林窗干扰更有利于凋落叶中难降解物质的降解, 而林窗内的环境异质性应该是凋落物中难分解物质分解动态的主要调控因子, 并且这种效应依赖于初始凋落物质量。     

Effects of forest gap size on litter recalcitrant components of two tree species in Pinus massoniana plantations

Aims The objective of the study was to evaluate the dynamics of recalcitrant components during foliar litter decomposition at different forest gap size in Pinus massoniana plantation in the low hilly land, Sichuan basin. Methods The experiment was set up by thinning P. massoniana plantation to establish seven different gap sizes (G1: 100 m², G2: 225 m², G3: 400 m², G4: 625 m², G5: 900 m², G6: 1225 m², G7: 1600 m²). The contents of four recalcitrant components (condensed tannins, total phenol, lignin, cellulose) in foliar litter of two native species (Cinnamomum camphora and Toona ciliata) placed in litterbags at different locations in the forest gaps were evaluated. The litterbags placed under closed canopy were used as the control. Litterbags with air-dried leaves of C. camphora and T. ciliata were placed at center, edge of the gap and under the closed canopy in November 2013, and collected in December 2013, February 2014, May 2014 and August of 2014 for lab analysis. Important findings The results showed that: 1) Forest gap size had significant effect on the content of condensed tannins, total phenol and lignin for T. ciliata in gap center. However, the forest gap size had no significant effect on the content of recalcitrant components in the litters of C. camphora and cellulose content of T. ciliata. With the increase of gap size, except for cellulose content, the other three recalcitrant components content in small and medium sized gaps (G1-G5) were significant lower than in large gaps (G6, G7). 2) The condensed tannis content of T. ciliata at the gap center were significant lower than at the gap edge. The lignin contents at gap center of G3 was significant reduced in the C. camphora litter. The condensed tannins, total phenol, and lignin contents of T. ciliata litter in small and medium gaps significantly decreased. 3) The contents of the four recalcitrant components in both species’ foliar litter changed with time. The contents of condensed tannins and cellulose decreased and the content of lignin increased significantly with time, however, the total phenol content increased initially, and then decreased. Therefore, small and medium sized gaps (100-900 m²) could be the optimal gap sizes to promote the degradation of litter recalcitrant components for two native species in P. massoniana plantations.     

A new subspecies ofArenaria grandiflora (Caryophyllaceae) from the Rif mountains (Northern Morocco)

A new subspecies,A. grandiflora subsp.gomarica (Caryophyllaceae), is described from the mountains of northern Morocco. The new taxon is tetraploid and has been confused in the past either with the Balearic endemicA. grandiflora subsp.glabrescens or with the widespreadA. grandiflora subsp.grandiflora, which is also present in the African continent. Detailed morphological analysis showed that plants from the Rif mountains are closely related toA. grandiflora subsp.glabrescens, but differ from it in having a longer calyx, smaller seed size, and a glandular indument on pedicels, leaves and calyx.Arenaria grandiflora subsp.gomarica can be distinguished from all infraspecific taxa of theA. grandiflora complex by the combined presence of a heterotrichous (simple and pluricellular eglandular hairs, glandular hairs) indument on the inflorescences and glandular hairs on the calyx.     

含笑属叶片的比较解剖学研究

对中国含笑属 ( Michelia) 1 8种 (包括观光木 1 ) ) ,1变种的叶片进行了比较解剖学研究 ,结果表明 :( 1 )含笑属植物的叶片均有明显的栅栏组织和海绵组织之分 (除石碌含笑和观光木外 ) ,但二者的厚度及它们在叶肉中的所占的比例在组间、种间有一定的差别 ;( 2 )有些种类叶片的上表皮有下皮 ,有些则无 ,少数种类 (石碌含笑 )上、下表皮皆有下皮 ;( 3)表皮毛的有无及表皮毛的细胞个数有一定的种间差别 ;( 4 )叶表皮角质层的厚薄程度在种间有一定的差别 ;( 5 )油细胞在含笑属植物叶片整个叶肉中普遍存在 (除含笑只在栅栏组织中有分布 ) ,但其分布密度在种间有较大的差异。通过对含笑属植物叶片结构的比较观察 ,旨在探讨该属间的系统演化关系 ,为分组、分种提供解剖学方面的实验证据     

Influence of exogenous sucrose on the greening of oat

The greening of roots and leaves has been studied in whole oat seedlings grown on White's medium either with or without 2% sucrose. The added nutrient promotes chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast differentiation in the roots. Yet it manifests a negative effect in the foliar tissues where it accelerates the decline in chlorophyll as well as the chloroplast ultrastructural alterations usually associated with senescence. The negative effect of the nutrient in the leaves is probably a consequence of the addition of exogenous sucrose to the endogenous sugars produced by photosynthesis. The foliar tissues would therefore be in the presence of high sucrose concentrations, which are known to be harmful for the photosynthetic apparatus. SDS-PAGE analysis of thylakoid polypeptides from root and leaf chloroplasts has revealed organ-specific differences in the electrophoretic patterns.     

The taxonomy of Galium crespianum J.J. Rodr. (Rubiaceae), a Balearic Islands endemic revisited

Galium crespianum J.J. Rodr. is a perennial plant inhabiting cliffs and crevices on the Balearic Islands. Although it was described from the mountains of Mallorca, several populations from the islands of Eivissa and Formentera have been traditionally considered as belonging to the same species. A careful comparison of specimens from the western and eastern Balearics revealed several discriminant features in gross morphology (robustness and habit of the stems, presence or absence of hairs at the internodes and leaves, waxiness of stems and leaves, shape of the inflorescence, flower colour and scent) and stem anatomy. In addition, several mutations in the ribosomal ITS sequences distinguished western and eastern plants. It is proposed that the plants from Eivissa and Formentera previously subsumed under G. crespianum be recognized at the specific level as G. friedrichii N. Torres, L. Saez, Mus & Rossello nom. nov. The new species is tetraploid (2n = 44) and shares morphological features with G. crespianum or with several taxa in the G. glaucum complex from the south east Iberian peninsula, to which it is most probably related.     

Dendroid colleters on vegetative and reproductive apices in Alibertia sessilis (Rubiaceae) differ in ultrastructure and secretion

In this work we compare the structure and secretion of dendroid colleters on stipules, bracts and sepals of Alibertia sessilis, a non-nodulate Rubiaceae species from Brazilian cerrado, with notes on the plant phenology. Samples were processed according to usual methods for anatomy, histochemistry and ultrastructure. Colleters are conical and constituted by a central axis of elongated parenchyma cells from which radiate numerous epidermal cells. Epidermal cells are cylindrical on the vegetative apex and digitiform or bulbous on reproductive apex. Both colleters produce hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. On the vegetative apex, epidermal cells present numerous well-developed Golgi bodies associated with a network of smooth endoplasmatic reticulum (SER), scarce oil bodies and profiles of rough endoplasmatic reticulum (RER), indicating the involvement of these glands in the production of mainly polysaccharides in addition to protein and lipids. Differently, epidermal cells on bracts and sepals present abundant and prominent oil drops, fewer Golgi bodies and a well developed network of SER with locally dilated cisterns indicating predominance of lipids. Ecrine and granulocrine mechanisms are common to colleters of both apices. We hypothesize that exudates protect vegetative meristems and developing organs against desiccation in the dry season and against insects and pathogens during the wet season. Predominantly lipidic secretion protects the floral organs against dehydration in the dry season and can attract floral visitants. These aspects are relevant if one considers that A. sessilis inhabits the cerrado, an environment characterized by a well-delimited dry season, high irradiance and elevated vapor pressure deficits.     

Comparative vegetative anatomy and systematics of the Oncidiinae (Maxillarieae, Orchidaceae)

Subtribe Oncidiinae comprises a vegetatively heterogeneous assemblage of species that has persistently been incapable of organization. Anatomy was considered to be a possible means to resolve the perplexity of relationships amongst the constituent taxa. The consistent occurrence of a foliar hypodermis, homogeneous mesophyll, conical silica bodies in stegmata, and ubiquitous fibre bundles in leaves provides a matrix for linking the taxa, as do the parenchymatous pith and O-thickened endodermal cell walls in roots. However, the strict consensus of the 40 genera studied was completely unresolved, suggesting that vegetative characters alone are insufficient to assess the relationships amongst these taxa, a conclusion also reached for the remainder of Maxillarieae.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 91–107.