CAM-idling in Hoya carnosa (Asclepiadaceae)

In the leaf sueculent Asclepial Hoya carnosa (L.) R. Br., CAM photosynthesis occurred under well-watered conditions, as characterized by diurnal gas exchange and changes in titratable acidity. Following 10–12 days of severe water stress, the plants shifted from CAM to a modified CAM-idling mode of metabolism. CAM-idling was characterized by complete or almost complete stomatal closure accompanied by CAM-like diurnal changes in titratable acidity. H. carnosa plants maintained this CAM-idling mode of photosynthesis for at least 8 weeks. Upon reirrigation, the plants returned to the original CAM mode within 1 week. These results suggested that CAM-idling is a reversible, intermediate form of sustained metabolism which enables plant survival under conditions of extended drought.This work was supported in part by NSF Grant PCM 8200366 and in part by the Science and Education Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture under Competitive Grant 5901-0420-8-0018-0.     

The Morphology and Permeability of Isolated Cuticular Membranes of Hoya carnosa R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

This investigation is in part an extension of previous leafcuticle observations made on 52 other taxa among 34 families.Dewaxed, chemically isolated, adaxial and abaxial cuticularmembranes and transverse leaf sections of the wax-flower plant(Hoya carnosa R. Br.) were examined using ordinary stainingtechniques and light-microscopy methods. Evidence is presentedfor the existence of ubiquitous, discrete, naturally occurringcuticular pores, concomitant with anticlinally oriented trans-cuticularcanals, distributed randomly throughout the cuticular matrix.The surface of the adaxial cuticular membrane contains approx.6540 unclustered pores per mm², the abaxial approx. 4680 poresper mm². Pore and canal diameters range between 0.5 and 0.75µm. The canals are often arcuate and their lengths aredirectly related to cuticle thickness. No correlations werefound between cuticle thickness and either pore numbers or poreand canal diameters. Based upon experiments with various pHindicators, solutions, and stains, the dewaxed, dry cuticularmembrane of H. carnosa appears to be both distinctly hydrophilicand selectively permeable through a myriad of microscopicallyvisible pores and canals permeating its matrix. A de novo interpretationof gross cuticle morphology based solely upon light microscopyobservations is presented by semi-diagrammatic illustrations. Hoya carnosa R. Br., wax-flower (wax-plant), cuticular membranes, cuticular pores, transcuticular canals, permeability     

Characteristics of external and internal NAD(P)H dehydrogenases in Hoya carnosa mitochondria

This study aims at characterizing NAD(P)H dehydrogenases on the inside and outside of the inner membrane of mitochondria of one phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase??crassulacean acid metabolism plant, Hoya carnosa. In crassulacean acid metabolism plants, NADH is produced by malate decarboxylation inside and outside mitochondria. The relative importance of mitochondrial alternative NADH dehydrogenases and their association was determined in intact??and alamethicin??permeabilized mitochondria of H. carnosa to discriminate between internal and external activities. The major findings in H. carnosa mitochondria are: (i) external NADPH oxidation is totally inhibited by DPI and totally dependent on Ca²⁺, (ii) external NADH oxidation is partially inhibited by DPI and mainly dependent on Ca²⁺, (iii) total NADH oxidation measured in permeabilized mitochondria is partially inhibited by rotenone and also by DPI, (iv) total NADPH oxidation measured in permeabilized mitochondria is partially dependent on Ca²⁺ and totally inhibited by DPI. The results suggest that complex I, external NAD(P)H dehydrogenases, and internal NAD(P)H dehydrogenases are all linked to the electron transport chain. Also, the total measurable NAD(P)H dehydrogenases activity was less than the total measurable complex I activity, and both of these enzymes could donate their electrons not only to the cytochrome pathway but also to the alternative pathway. The finding indicated that the H. carnosa mitochondrial electron transport chain is operating in a classical way, partitioning to both Complex I and alternative Alt. NAD(P)H dehydrogenases.     

Circadian rhythmicity of fragrance emission in flowers of Hoya carnosa R. Br.

In flowers of Hoya carnosa R. Br. the nocturnal emission of fragrance occurs according to an endogenous circadian rhythmicity. This was demonstrated by the continuation of rhythmical emission for two to three cycles under conditions of permanent illumination. The free-running period was approx. 29 h under these conditions. The inversion of light/dark cycles caused the entrainment of the next peak of emission by approx. 12 h whether the inversion was started with a light period or a with dark period prolonged for 12 h. When only the flower used for fragrance analysis was subjected to an inverted photoperiod, the rest of the plant remaining under the original light/dark cycle, the synchronization of fragrance emission occurred according to the Zeitgeber perceived by the individual flower.     

Malate metabolism in Hoya carnosa mitochondria and its role in photosynthesis during CAM phase III

This study investigated the respiratory properties and the role of the mitochondria isolated from one phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK)-CAM plant, Hoya carnosa, in malate metabolism during CAM phase III. The mitochondria showed high malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) and aspartate amino transferase (mAST), and a significant amount of malic enzyme (mME) activities. H. carnosa readily oxidized malate via mME and mMDH in the presence of some cofactors such as thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), coenzyme A (CoA) or NAD(+). A high respiration rate of malate oxidation was observed at pH 7.2 with NAD(+) and glutamate (Glu). Providing AST and Glu simultaneously into the respiratory medium strongly increased the rates of malate oxidation, and this oxidation was gradually inhibited by an inhibitor of alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) carrier, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP). The mitochondria readily oxidized aspartate (Asp) or alpha-KG individually with low rates, while they oxidized Asp and alpha-KG simultaneously with high rates, and this simultaneous oxidation was also inhibited by PLP. By measuring the capacity of the mitochondrial shuttle, it was found that the OAA produced via mMDH seemed not to be transported outside the mitochondria, but mAST interconverted OAA and Glu to Asp and alpha-KG, respectively, and exported them out via a malate-aspartate (malate-Asp) shuttle. The data in this research suggest that during phase III of PCK-CAM, H. carnosa mitochondria oxidized malate via both mME and the mMDH systems depending on metabolic requirements. However, malate metabolism by the mMDH system did not operate via a malate-OAA shuttle similarly to Ananas comosus mitochondria, but it operated via a malate-Asp shuttle similarly to Kalancho? daigremontiana mitochondria.     

Survival and division in protoplasts from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) depends on the physiological state of the individual donor plant

Variation in the survival potential of protoplasts isolated from different leaf positions and from individuals within a batch of N. tabacum L. cv. Xanthi-ne is reported. Foliar application of growth regulators and nutrients to unstressed, waterlogged and waterstressed donor plants, demonstrates the prophylactic role of such treatments. It is suggested that intrabatch variation may be related to fluctuations in water supply to the individual donor plants. Vegetative propagation via buds in vitro improved the quality of donors compared with seed raised plants. Further, tissue culture progeny were more tolerant of in vivo waterlogging. The high osmotic pressure of the tissue culture medium may induce this tolerance. The results are discussed in the context of an overall strategy to control the quality of donor plants for protoplast isolation.     

Observations on pollination inSarcostemma (Asclepiadaceae)

Field observations on pollination in New World species of the genusSarcostemma R. Br. sensuHolm are reported. Morphological and anatomical comparisons of pollinated flowers ofSarcostemma subg.Ceramanthus Kuntze (New World) andSarcostemma subg.Sarcostemma (Old World) are presented.     

娃儿藤属(萝藦科)植物花粉器形态

用光镜对我国萝藦科(Asclepiadaceae)娃儿藤属(Tylophora)17种植物的花粉器形态进行了观察。结果表明,着粉腺的形态有4种类型:长圆形、近方形、三角形和倒立三角形。花粉块的形态有3种类型:球形、长球形和超长球形。花粉块柄的长度、着粉腺和花粉块的形态和大小在种间存在较显著的差异,可作为区分种的辅助特征,对娃儿藤属植物的分类有较大意义。     

Hoya somadeeae sp. nov. (Apocynaceae,Asclepiadoideae) Thailand and lectotypification of Hoya wrayi

A new species from evergreen montane forests of Thailand, Hoya somadeeae Rodda & Simonsson is here described and illustrated. The new species may be superficially confused with the Peninsular Malaysia endemic H. wrayi King & Gamble, but is clearly separated from it by the very elongated peduncles, up to 20 cm long, the revolute corollas, and outer processes of corona lobes with a membranaceous basal appendage. Morphological affinities between the new species and other Hoya species from Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia are discussed.     

A taxonomic revision of Calotropis (Asclepiadaceae)

The genus Calotropis of the tribe Asclepiadeae of Asclepiadaceae subfamily Ascle-piadoideae is revised throughout its Tange in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. The three species recognized are keyed out, illustrated and described with appropriate bibliography, synonymy, notes on ecology, distribution and uses. Distribution maps for the species are provided. The taxonomic position of the genus is discussed and a historical review is provided.     

The circumscription of Karimbolea Descoings (Asclepiadaceae)

The hitherto monotypic and isolated Madagascan genus Karimbolea is redefined. One species is added to the genus and the new combination K. macrantha (Jum. & H. Perrier) Liede & Meve is provided. The unusual erect orientation of the pollinia in the type species, K. verrucosa, is interpreted as secondary shift from a pendulous position (tribe Asclepiadeae) rather than an indication for affinities with tribes characterized by erect pollinia (Stapelieae, Marsdenieae).     

Cytological and morphological differentiation in Caralluma burchardii (Asclepiadaceae)

Meve, U. 1995. Cytological and morphological differentiation in Carallurna burchardii (Asclepiadaceae). — Nord. J. Bot. 15: 459–467. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.
Caralluma burchardii is revised based on detailed investigations of vegetative and floral morphology, as well as chromosome numbers. The species is now divided into two taxa, the dodecaploid ssp. burchardii , an endemic of the Canary Islands, and ssp. rnaura , a hexaploid from the west coast of Morocco. The high ploidy levels involved, the highest known in the Asclepiadaceae, are discussed in conjunction with biogeographical aspects.     

Corona and anther skirt in Hoya (Apocynaceae, Marsdenieae)

The so called revolute margins of the corona in the genus Hoya (Marsdenieae) are homologous to the anther skirt. The anther skirt is primarily formed of two latero-basal lobes of the anther. In Hoya these lobes are fused with the underside of the basal process of the staminal corona and have evolved into a dominant structure of the gynostegium. Embedded in the anther skirt is the nectar tube, formed by the basal elongation of the guide rail. In many species, however, the function of nectar secretion for pollinator reward has been transferred to the anther skirt beneath the basal process of the corona. A survey of the Marsdenieae shows that the potential for developing an anther skirt is present in several other genera as well, though nowhere has it evolved into such elaborated structures as in Hoya.     

Notes on the Ceropegiae (Asclepiadaceae) of Ethiopia

The following 4 species and 1 subspecies are described as new: Ceropegia recurvata, C. microgaster, C. erergotana, C.burgeri and Huernia macrocarpa subsp. harerghensis ; one variety of Ceropegia stenoloba is elevated to a full species: C. moyalensis and 2 species transferred from Angolluma to Pachycymbium: P. gilbertii and P. semitubißora.     

牛奶菜族7属11种植物的花粉器形态

在光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜下观察了萝藦科（Asclepiadaceae R.Br.）牛奶菜族（MarsdenieaeBenth.）7属11种植物花粉器的形态特征。该族植物花粉块直立或平展,通常呈椭圆形、长圆形、肾形或球形;花粉块膜表面平滑、波浪状、脊状或粒状;娃儿藤属（TylophoraR.Br.）的花粉块膜具独特的表面纹饰,与其它属植物差异较大;匙羹藤属和娃儿藤属的花粉块柄不发达,眼树莲属（Dischidia）和纤冠藤属（Gongronema）的花粉块柄发达。     

12种鹅绒藤属（萝藦科）植物花粉器形态学研究

用光学显微镜对萝藦科（Asclepiadaceae）鹅绒藤属（Cynanchum）12种植物花粉器形态进行了观察。结果表明：花粉块的形态有3种类型：球形、长球形和超长球形。着粉腺的形态有6种类型：长圆形、方形、近方形、三角形、正三角形和近三角形。花粉器形态学结果对青羊参（Cynanchum otophyllum）在鹅绒藤属中的分类具有较大意义;支持《中国植物志》第63卷中对催吐白前组（Sect. Vincetoxicum）的分组处理;结合鹅绒藤属花粉块下垂,娃儿藤属（Tylophora）花粉块平展的特点,支持将娃儿藤属作为一个独特类群的观点。     

A new species of Ceropegia (Asclepiadaceae) from India

Ceropegia schumanniana , a new species belonging to Asclepiadaceae is described from the Western Ghats of India.