Comparative Anatomical Studies on Vessel Elements of Chinese Ranunculaceae

The vessel elements in 77 species of 36 genera of Chinese Ranunculaceae were studied. The vessel elements of Ranunculaceae could be divided into primitive and more specialized groups on the basis of their morphological characters through clustering analysis. The most primitive type of the vessel elements was seen in Asteropyrum, and some vessel elements were considered more primitive, as in Paeonia, Trollius, Actaea, Helleborus, Souliea, Calathodes, Beesia, Caltha, Coptis, Kingdonia, Circaeaster, Adonis, Hepatica, than others. There was a marked difference between Paeonia and other genera of Ranunculaceae. The vessel elements of Paeonioideae and Helleboroideae with follicles were more primitive than Ranunculoideae with achenes. In Thalictroideae, .the vessel elements of Thalictrum with achenes were more specialized than other genera with follicles. All these findings coincided with the evolution of fruits. The character of evolution of vessel elements ran parallel with that of other parts of plant (flower, carpel, petiole, venation). The features of vessel elements in the same genus were at similar evolutional level, however, some difference between species do exist.     

类叶升麻(毛茛科)次生木质部管状分子的研究

利用扫描电子显微镜对毛良科类叶升麻（Artaea asiaticaHara）根和根状茎次生木质部中的管状分子进行观察．发观其管状分子类型丰富,主要有：管胞、管胞状导管、纤维导管和典型的导管分子,其中管胞、管胞状导管和纤维导管为在该类群中首次报道;在导管分子中．存在着梯状穿孔板、网状穿孔板、混合型穿孔板和单穿孔板．其中网状穿孔板和混合型穿孔板为在陔类群中的首次报道;对其导管分子上的侧壁穿孔板、多穿孔板和纹孔膜残余也进行了描述。根据类叶升麻次生木质部中多变的管状分子类型,认为以往积累的有关毛茛科植物管状分子类型及导管穿孔板类型是小个面的,因此以该性状为参考作出的有关某一个类群的原始性和进化性的推论也是不可靠的。同时探讨了不同类型管状分子作类叶升麻不同器官的分布与其生理功能和生态环境的关系,同时将该植物作为毛莨科的代表类群．与其它基邴类群植物导管分子进行了比较。     

Cytology, palynology, and taxonomy of Asteropyrum and four other genera of Ranunculaceae

A karyomorphological study of two species in Asteropyrum (Ranunculaceae) and five in presumably related genera (one each in Caltha , Coptis , and Dichocarpum and two in Thalictrum ) reveals close similarities between Asteropyrum and Caltha , but obvious differences between Asteropyrum and Coptis , Dichocarpum , and Thalictrum , in some karyological features, such as the structure of the interphase nuclei, chromosome size, basic chromosome number, and condensation behaviour of chromosomes during the mitotic prophase. The chromosomes of Asteropyrum are categorized as being of the R-type and the basic chromosome number is confirmed as x  = 8, indicating a possible close affinity of Asteropyrum to members in the subfamily Helleboroideae, in particular to Caltha and its allies. Asteropyrum peltatum and Asteropyrum cavaleriei are shown to be more or less differentiated from each other in gross morphology and palynology, and somewhat independent in geographical distribution, albeit with intermediate forms occurring where their distribution zones overlap. It seems justifiable to treat them as two subspecies of A. peltatum .  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 15–26.     

Comparison of vegetative anatomy of piperales. I. Juvenile xylem of twigs

Medullary bundles of Piperaceae resemble those of Ranunculaceae. The nature of tracheary elements of primary xylem suggests that Houttuynia cordata (Saururaceae), Piper cubeba (Piperaceae) and Chloranthus officinalis (Chloranthaceae) are of lower evolutionary status than others. Among these three, P. cubeba shows stratification of secondary xylem, a specialized character. Lateral wall of metaxylem tracheary elements and distribution of bundles of Peperomia, suggest their primitive status and distinctness, supporting separation of "Peperomiacea:" (of NOVAK). Piper cubeba, Houttuynia and Chloranthus bear one important Ranunculaceous character: scalariform perforation in primary vessels. Primitive species of Peperomia carry probably another Ranunculaceous character, i.e., many circles of medullary bundles. Shape and pattern of vascular bundles of Piper cubeba, Houttuynia and Chloranthus are similar. Other species of Piper show modifications. Peperomia represents another distinct pattern.     

Avoiding transport bottlenecks in an expanding root system: Xylem vessel development in fibrous and pioneer roots under field conditions

? Premise of the study: Root systems develop to effectively absorb water and nutrients and to rapidly transport these materials to the transpiring shoot. In woody plants, roots can be born with different functions: fibrous roots are primarily used for water and nutrient absorption, whereas pioneer roots have a greater role in transport. Because pioneer roots extend rapidly in the soil and typically quickly produce fibrous roots, they need to develop transport capacity rapidly so as to avoid becoming a bottleneck to the absorbed water of the developing fibrous roots and, as we hypothesized, immediately activate a specific type of autophagy at a precise time of their development. ? Methods: Using microscopy techniques, we monitored xylem development in Populus trichocarpa roots in the first 7 d after emergence under field conditions. ? Key results: Newly formed pioneer roots contained more primary xylem poles and had larger diameter tracheary elements than fibrous roots. While xylogenesis started later in pioneer roots than in fibrous, it was completed at the same time, resulting in functional vessels on the third to fourth day following root emergence. Programmed cell death was responsible for creating the water conducting capacity of xylem. Although the early xylogenesis processes were similar in fibrous and pioneer roots, secondary vascular development proceeded much more rapidly in pioneer roots. ? Conclusions: Compared to fibrous roots, rapid development of transport capacity in pioneer roots is not primarily caused by accelerated xylogenesis but by larger and more numerous tracheary elements and by rapid initiation of secondary growth.     

Chromosome observations of three ranunculaceous genera in relation to their systematic positions

1. The present paper describes the observations of chromosome numbers and karyomorphology of 2 species of 2 endemic genera and I endemic species of Chinese Ranunculaceae: Asteropyrum peltatum (Franch.) Drumm et Hutch. 2n=16, x=8; Kingdonia unifolia Balf. f. et W. W. Sm. 2n=18, x=9 and Calathodes oxycarpa Sprague 2n=16, x=8. The chromosome counts of three ranunculaceous genera are reported for the first time. 2. The morphylogical, palynological and cytological date in relation to the systematic postition of Asteropyrum, Kingdonia and Calathodes within the family Ranunculaceae are diseussed and resulted in following conclusions: (1). On the basis of the basic number x=8 in Asteropyrum, it is further confirmed that this genus is distinct from the r elated genera such as Isopyrum, Dichocarpum and other allied taxa. The comparison of Asteropyrum with Coptis shows that they are identical in short chromosomes, with magnoflorina and benzylisaquinodine type of alkaloides, but different from coptis in the chromosome numbers (T-type), pantocolpate pollens, united carpels and the dorsi-ventral type of petioles. In view of these fundamental morphological and cytological differences, Asterop yrum is better raised to the level of Tribe. However Asteropyrum and Coptis may represent two divaricate evolutional lines of Thalictroideae. (2). The systematic position of the genus Kingdonia has been much disputed in the past. We support the view of Sinnote (1914), namely, the trilacunar in leaf traces “the ancient type”, appeared in the angiosperm line very early, while the unilacunar of Kingdonia may be derived from the trilacunar. On the basis of the chromosome numbers and morphylogical observation, the present writer accept Tamura’s and Wang’s treatment by keeping Kingdonia in Ranunculaceae instead of raising it to a family rank as has been been done by Forster (1961). Kingdonia and Coptis are similar in having short chromosome with x=9, but with one-seeded fruits; therefore it is suggested that placed into Thalictroideae as an independent tribe, indicating its close relationship with Coptideae. (3). Comparing with its allies, Calathodes being with out petals, seems to be more primitive than Trollius. But Calathodes differs from Trollius with R-type chromosomes in having T-type chromosome with x=8 and subterminal centromere. Those characteristics show that it is very similar to the related genera of Thalictroideae. But as Kurita already pointed out that most speci es of Ranunculus have usually large long chromosomes but some species have compar ativelly short chromosomes, therefore we regard T-type and R-type chromosomes appear independently in different subfamilies of Ranunculaceae. According to Tamura, G alathodes seems to be closely related to Megaleranthis, because of the resemblance in follicles. But due to lack of cytological data of the latter genus, the relationship between the two genera still is not clear pending further studies. From the fact that the morphology and chromosomes of the Calathodes differs from that of all other genera of the Helleboroideae, we consider Calathodes may form an independent tribe of its own with a closer relationship withTrollieae.9841     

黄连体内黄连素的组织器官定位和根尖屏障结构特征研究

黄连(Coptis chinensis)是毛茛科著名药材,该文研究了黄连体内黄连素在组织器官中的分布规律和根尖屏障结构特征。在白光和荧光显微镜下,组织器官中黄连素在蓝色激发光下自发黄色荧光,黄连素-苯胺兰对染研究细胞壁凯氏带和木质化,苏丹7B染色栓质层,间苯三酚-盐酸染色木质化。结果表明:黄连不定根初生结构为维管柱、内皮层、皮层、外皮层和表皮组成;次生结构以次生木质部为主、次生韧皮部和木栓层组成。黄连根茎初生结构由角质层,皮层和维管柱组成;次生结构由木栓层、皮层和维管柱组成,以皮层和维管柱为主。叶柄结构为髓、含维管束的厚壁组织层、皮层和角质层。黄连不定根的屏障结构初生结构时期由栓质化和木质化的内皮层、外皮层;次生结构时期为木栓层组成;根状茎的为角质层和木栓层。黄连素主要沉积分布在不定根和茎的木质部,叶柄的厚壁组织层,木质部和厚壁组织是鉴别黄连品质的重要部位。黄连根尖外皮层及早发育,同时初生木质部有黄连素沉积结合,可能造成水和矿质吸收和运输的阻碍,也是黄连适应阴生环境的重要原因。     

In vitro induction of secondary xylem-like tracheary elements in calli of hybrid poplar (Populus sieboldii × P. grandidentata)

The formation of tracheary elements was induced in calli derived from petioles of hybrid poplar (Populus sieboldii × P. grandidentata) after 10 days of culture on medium that lacked auxin but contained 1 μM brassinolide. Some differentiated cells formed broad regions of cell walls and bordered pits, which are typical features of tracheary elements of secondary xylem. Other differentiated cells resembled tracheary elements of primary xylem, with spiral or reticulate thickening of cell walls. The tracheary elements that developed in calli were formed within cell clusters. This induction system provides a new model for studies of the mechanism of differentiation of secondary xylem cells in vitro.     

红树族植物次生木质部附物纹孔的电镜观测

应用扫描电子显微镜详细观察了红树族4属、10种、1变种植物次生木质部管状分子附物纹孔的分布和形态, 应用Carnoy 2.0软件和扫描电镜下采集的照片, 测定了管间梯状附物纹孔丰富度指标和管间梯状纹孔数量特征指标。结果显示, 红树族植物次生木质部管状分子侧壁具附物纹孔。所观察的植物附物纹孔的分布和形态变化大。附物纹孔丰富度指标与管间梯状纹孔数量特征指标的逐步回归分析表明, 导管侧壁附物纹孔丰富度随纹孔口面积百分比的增大而增大。据此推测, 红树族植物附物纹孔丰富度与纹孔几何构造及数量特征有关。附物纹孔是红树族植物稳定存在的一个木材解剖性状。综合生态-系统演化的观点, 红树族植物具附物纹孔可能是受系统演化关系控制的生态适应结果。     

Graniferous tracheary elements in haustoria of root parasitic angiosperms

Graniferous tracheary elements are unusual xylem conducting cells, characterized by having structural material in the lumen. They are known particularly from certain root parasitic angiosperms. The included material is usually granular but may also be amorphous or fibrillar, all having the same origin during differentiation of the tracheary element. Vessels and tracheids with such inclusions were first reported in 1895 by Heinricher inLathraea (Scrophulariaceae). During the early decades of this century graniferous tracheary elements were noted in a few other taxa by different workers but were largely forgotten until the early 1960’s. This paper reviews the early literature and the research carried out during the past twenty-five years on these peculiar cells. Graniferous tracheary elements are found typically in the body of the haustorium of the root parasite, especially in the expanded xylem tissue or “vascular core.” The cells are most widely documented for the hemi-parasitic Santalaceae and were first recorded there in 1910 by Benson. She named the cells “phloeotracheides,” believing they combined the functions of phloem and xylem conducting elements. Heinricher and Benson both considered the granules to be composed of amylodextrin starch and Benson also believed the cells contained an enucleated protoplast. Our work has demonstrated that the granules in the Santalaceae are proteinaceous and that the cells are dead at maturity. In 1978 we therefore renamed them “graniferous tracheary elements.” They occur in all species of the Santalaceae so far investigated and inAtkinsonia ligustrina andNuytsia floribunda of root parasitic Loranthaceae. In these two families graniferous tracheary elements have the same organization. Their occurrence in haustoria of root parasites from other families is also reviewed. Although few observations are yet available in the Olacaceae, the granules inXimenia americana are found to be starch grains, like those inLathraea, whereas those inOlax phyllanthi are protein. Such fundamentally different material in haustorial tracheary elements within the same taxonomic group naturally raises the question of relationships within the family. The function of graniferous tracheary elements has not been experimentally investigated but we have suggested that for some Santalaceae they might serve as a device for regulating the flow of xylem sap through the haustorium.     

Ultrastructure of graniferous tracheary elements in the haustorium of Exocarpus bidwillii, a root hemi-parasite of the Santalaceae.

The xylem in the body of the haustorium of E. bidwillii has the shape of an inverted conical flask with the expanded portion being known as the vascular core. The tracheary elements of the vascular core are notable for the occurrence of numerous granules within their lumina and the presence of mostly imperforate walls. Elsewhere in the haustorium graniferous tracheary elements are absent and the cells are usually ordinary vessel elements. Thin sections for transmission electron microscopy, post-stained in potassium permanganate, show that the secondary wall thickenings of the graniferous tracheary elements consist of eccentric layers in which the microfibrils of each successive layer run alternately longitudinally and transversely. The granules of the tracheary elements average 2 micrometer in diameter and consist of a homogeneous matrix which shows a fine fibrillar structure on high resolution. The granules are naked and mostly remain as separate structures within the lumen of the cell, but occasionally they fuse into small groups or irregular masses. In some cells the granules become transformed into fibrillar material that disperses throughout the lumen. This dispersed material may accumulate in vessels of the interrupted zone proximal to the vascular core. Occasionally, the granules also change into compacted amorphous masses that adhere to the walls of the cell. Ultrastructural cytochemistry confirms that the granules are protein and not starch as was originally believed for the Santalaceae. The function of the vascular core and its graniferous tracheary elements is discussed and we suggest that it might help regulate the pressure and flow of xylem sap entering the parasite from the host. Graniferous tracheary elements in the Santalaceae and in root parasites of the Serophulariaceae are compared and it is concluded that they represent examples of convergent evolution.     

The peripheral xylem of grapevine (Vitis vinifera). 1. Structural integrity in post-veraison berries

During the development of many fleshy fruits, water flow becomes progressively more phloemic and less xylemic. In grape (Vitis vinifera L.), the current hypothesis to explain this change is that the tracheary elements of the peripheral xylem break as a result of berry growth, rendering the xylem structurally discontinuous and hence non-functional. Recent work, however, has shown via apoplastic dye movement through the xylem of post-veraison berries that the xylem should remain structurally intact throughout berry development. To corroborate this, peripheral xylem structure in developing Chardonnay berries was investigated via maceration and plastic sectioning. Macerations revealed that, contrary to current belief, the xylem was comprised mostly of vessels with few tracheids. In cross-section, the tracheary elements of the vascular bundles formed almost parallel radial files, with later formed elements toward the epidermis and earlier formed elements toward the centre of the berry. Most tracheary elements remained intact throughout berry maturation, consistent with recent reports of vascular dye movement in post-veraison berries.     

Graniferous Tracheary Elements in the Haustorium of Osyris arborea Wall. (Santalaceae)

In the haustorium of Osyris arborea (a non-host specific roothemi-parasite) a distinct interrupted zone is present abovethe vascular core. The majority of the xylem elements in thevascular core are perforated. Graniferous tracheary elementsin this species are recorded for the first time. Cytochemicaltests showed the granules to be proteinaceous. The suggestedfunction of graniferous tracheary elements in the regulationof pressure and flow of sap is discussed. Osyris arborea, root hemi-parasite, Santalaceae, haustorium, graniferous tracheary elements, protein granules     

Graniferous tracheary elements in the haustorium ofAtkinsonia ligustrina,a root hemi-parasite of theLoranthaceae

Summary The xylem conducting cells that form the vascular core in the root haustorium ofAtkinsonia ligustrina are shown to be graniferous tracheary elements. Their luminal contents occur in the form of granules, amorphous bodies or finely dispersed material derived from the granules. Cells of this type are known for theSantalaceae, but have not previously been reported unequivocally in theLoranthaceae. The matrix of the granules consists of compacted fibrillar material often with the central region of the granule showing a crystalline substructure. The granules stain positively for protein. In some instances the matrix may become secondarily impregnated with phenolic compounds. The granules arise during differentiation of the tracheary element and develop as accumulations of matrix within dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. The function of graniferous tracheary elements inAtkinsonia may be to help regulate the flow of xylem sap from host to parasite, as has been suggested for theSantalaceae.     

Phytepsin, a barley vacuolar aspartic proteinase, is highly expressed during autolysis of developing tracheary elements and sieve cells

Vacuolarisation, formation of autophagocytotic vacuoles and tonoplast disruption have been reported in plant cells undergoing developmentally regulated programmed cell death (PCD), but little is known about the vacuolar proteins involved. In HeLa cells, cathepsin D, a lysosomal aspartic proteinase has been shown to mediate PCD. Based on immunohistochemical staining of barley roots, we show here that the previously well characterised barley vacuolar aspartic proteinase (phytepsin), a plant homologue to cathepsin D, is highly expressed both during formation of tracheary elements and during partial autolysis of sieve cells. In serial transverse sections of the vascular cylinder, starting from the root tip, phytepsin is expressed in root cap cells, in the tracheary elements of early and late metaxylem, and in the sieve cells of the protophloem and metaphloem. Aleurain, a barley vacuolar cysteine proteinase, is expressed similarly in root cap cells but differently in the tracheary elements of protoxylem and early metaxylem. This is the first evidence that a vacuolar aspartic proteinase, in analogy to cathepsin D in animals, may play a role in the active autolysis of plant cells.     

Study on the Convergent Passages of Water Conducting Elements in Secondary Xylem of Fagaceae

Structural variations in the convergent passages of water conducting elements were described in secondary xylem of 70 species of Fagaceae. Two types of water conducting systems were recognized on the ground of water-flow directions. The convergent passages of the longitudinal system mainly exhibited in the forms as perforations between the ends of Vessel elements, lateral wall pitting between the lateral walls of vessel elements, pitting be-tween vessel elements and imperforate tracheary elements, and pitting between imperforate tracheary elements. The convergent passages in the transverse system consisted of pitting between vessel elements and ray cells, pitting between imperforated tracheary elements and ray cells and simple pitting between ray cells. In addition, the roles of vasicentric tracheids and broad rays played in terms of conducting effectiveness and efficiency as proposed by Zimmermann were discussed.     

MAIN ROOT-LATERAL ROOT JUNCTIONS OF TWO DESERT SUCCULENTS: CHANGES IN AXIAL AND RADIAL COMPONENTS OF HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY DURING DRYING

The influence of junctions between main roots and lateral roots on water flow was investigated for the desert succulents Agave deserti and Ferocactus acanthodes during 21 d of drying in soil. Under wet conditions, the junctions did not restrict xylem water flow from lateral roots to main roots, consistent with predictions of axial conductance based on vessel diameters. Embolism caused by drying reduced such axial conductance more at the junctions than in adjoining root regions. Connective tracheary elements at the junctions were abundantly pitted and had large areas of unlignified primary wall, apparently making them more susceptible to embolism than vessels or tracheids elsewhere in the roots. Unlike the decrease in axial conductance, the overall hydraulic conductivity of the junction increased during drying because of an increase in the conductivity of the radial pathway. Despite such increases, main roots may not lose substantial amounts of water to a dry soil during drought, initially because embolism at the junctions can limit xylem flow and later because soil hydraulic conductivity decreases. Moreover, the increased root hydraulic conductivity and a potentially rapid recovery from embolism by connective tracheary elements may favor water uptake near the junctions upon soil rewetting.     

The Branch Roots of Zea. 3, Vascular Connections and Bridges for Nutrient Recycling

Vascular connections between branch roots and nodal roots offield-grown maize were studied by optical and electron microscopy.Their extent and openness were evaluated by locating dyes andlatex particles pulled into the connections by gentle vacuum.The connecting complex is very extensive both around and alongthe main root. It includes rearranged and modified vasculartissues in the base of the branch within the parent cortex,small diameter tracheary elements and sieve tubes which connectthe branch vascular system with the vasculature of the mainroot, and also interconnect the components of the latter systemwithin those portions of the main-root vascular conduits towhich the connections are made. We have named this complex theRoot Vascular Plexus. Sites of direct contact of sieve tubeswith tracheary elements in the vascular plexus are postulatedas the sites of transfers from phloem to xylem of sugar andamino acids that have been detected in xylem exudates from maizeroots. The postulate is extended to account for phloem-xylemexchange in roots of other plants where nutrient recycling hasbeen found. It is suggested that pit membranes within the vascularplexus prevent air embolism entering main roots from the branches.Copyright1993, 1999 Academic Press Branch roots, phloem-xylem exchange, root vascular plexus, embolism prevention