Carex yandangshanica sp. nov. (Cyperaceae; C. sect. Rhomboidales) from Zhejiang,China

Carex yandangshanica C. Z. Zheng & X. F. Jin, a new species of Carex sect. Rhomboidales Kükenth. from Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. thibetica Franch. and C. brevicuspis C. B. Clarke, but differs from the former by having trabeculate leaves, pistillate spikes with 6–10 staminate flowers or without staminate flower at the apex, and achenes at apex contracted into a slightly curved beak, and from the latter by having lateral culms, trabeculate leaves, and elliptic, rubiginous and awned pistillate scales. SEM microphotographs of perigynia and achenes are provided for the new species and related taxa.     

Carex dapanshanica sp. nov. (C. sect. Mitratae,Cyperaceae) from Zhejiang,China

Carex dapanshanica X. F. Jin, Y. J. Zhao & Z. L. Chen, a new species of Cyperaceae from Mount Dapan, Zhejiang Province, eastern China is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to C. chungii C. P. Wang, but differs in having 2 or 3spikes, pistillate scales with brown margins and short‐awned at apex, and glabrous perigynia. Micromorphological photographs of the achenes of C. dapanshanica and C. chungii under SEM (scanning electron microscope) are provided as well.     

Anatomical studies of Carex cuchumatanensis,C. decidua,and C. hermannh (Cyperaceae) and comparisons with north American taxa of the C. acuta complex

Foliar anatomy and micromorphology of perigynia and achenes were investigated for three taxa of theCarex acuta complex of sect.Phacocystis Dumort. in Middle and South America. Anatomical characters appear to be conservative, and show little variation amongC. cuchumatanensis Standl. & Steyerm.,C. decidua F. Boott, andC. hermannii Cochrane. Leaves of all species are amphistomatous, with stomates and papillae on both epidermal surfaces, and have a single layer of bulliform cells but differ in the number of vascular bundles. Perigynia have epidermal cells with thin, convex, outer walls that are collapsed in dired specimens, and epidermal cells of achenes each have a single, rounded, nodulose silica-body with a basal platform. Anatomical data are useful in resolving the affinities among these species, and show that they are anatomically indistinguishable fromC. lenticularis Michx. These four New World endemics differe substantially fromC. nigra (L.) Reichard.     

Carex qingliangensis sp. nov. (Cyperaceae) from Zhejiang, eastern China

Carex qingliangensis D. M. Weng, H. W. Zhang & S. F. Xu, a new species of the Cyperaceae from Zhejiang, China, is described with illustrations. The new species is morphologically similar to C. dolichostachya Hayata and C. tianmushanica C. Z. Zheng & X. F. Jin, but differs from the former in having perigynia sparsely pubescent and achenes constricted into a short neck at apex. It differs from the latter in having achenes not contracted in the middle part.     

Carex zhejiangensis sp. nov. (Cyperaceae) from Zhejiang,eastern China

Carex zhejiangensis X. F. Jin, Y. J. Zhao, C. Z. Zheng & H. W. Zhang, a new species of Carex sect. Rhomboidales sensu Kükenthal (Cyperaceae) from Zhejiang, eastern China, is described with illustrations. This new species is morphologically similar to C. filipes and C. macroglossa. Compared to C. filipes, C. zhejiangensis has elongated rhizomes, scattered culms, rather densely flowered pistillate spikes, achenes shortly stipitate at the base, and styles erect at the base. In contrast, C. filipes has short rhizomes, caespitose culms, sparsely flowered pistillate spikes, achenes obscurely stipitate at the base, and styles curved at the base. C. zhejiangensis differs from C. macroglossa by having elongated rhizomes and scattered culms, pistillate scales awned at apex, and perigynia contracted to a narrowly infundibuliform beak at apex. Diagnostic morphological characters, which are based upon population sampling, were analyzed in Carex zhejiangensis sp. nov., C. filipes and C. macroglossa.     

Carex tenuirostrata (Cyperaceae), a new species of section Confertiflorae from Zhejiang, China

Carex tenuirostrata, a new species of C. sect. Confertiflorae, is described from Pingyang and Putuo counties of Zhejiang province, China. It is morphologically similar to C. pseudodispalata, but differs in its androgynous lateral spikes; distended perigynia attenuately contracted into a short beak at the apex; ellipsoid-obovoid achenes contracted into a slender beak at the apex; and long-sheathed lower bracts. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs of the achenes of the new species and C. pseudodispalata are provided for comparison.     

Calligonum taklimakanense sp. nov. (Polygonaceae) from Xinjiang,China

Calligonum taklimakanense B. R. Pan & G. M. Shen, a new species of Polygonaceae from Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang, China, is described and illustrated. It is closely related to C. ebinuricum Ivanova ex Soskov in having similar fruit shape and achenes with two rows of bristles, but differs in straight old branches and slightly coiled achenes without a long beak. Calligonum ebinuricum has tortuous old branches, very coiled achenes, and a 2–4 mm long beak.     

Carex nodosa (Cyperaceae), a new species of C. sect. Occlusae from southwest China

Carex nodosa (Cyperaceae), a new species from Chongqing and Sichuan, southwest China, is described and illustrated. The new species resembles C. hebecarpa C. A. Mey., but differs in having sheath‐like bracts, 4.0–7.5 cm long male spikes, oblanceolate 7.1–8.6 mm long male scales, and perigynia that are glabrous except for ciliate beaks.     

中国薹草属(莎草科)研究随记(Ⅳ).隐匿薹草组的分类修订(英文)

隐匿薹草组(Carex sect.Infossae)为最近建立的薹草属(Carex)的组,当时报导分布于我国安徽和江苏,有2种和1变种,即隐匿薹草(C.infossa)、显穗薹草(变种)(C.infossa var.extensa)和矮秆薹草(C.minuticulmis)。根据描述,另有15种和2变种应归属本组,这些分类群具有较为一致的特征:果囊椭圆球状卵球形或卵球形,通常疏被短毛或近无毛,先端渐狭成中等长的喙,喙口具2小齿;瘦果卵球形,先端钝或微凹。通过文献考证、标本查阅、野外采集,并结合果囊和瘦果的扫描电镜观察,对隐匿薹草组所涉及的种(含种下类群)进行了分类修订。该组仅有2种:百里薹草(C.blinii)和尖叶薹草(C.oxyphylla)。将Carex elmeri、C.granifera、矮秆薹草(C.minuticulmis)、上海薹草(C.shanghaiensis C.blinii subsp.shanghaiensis)、C.sublateralis、C.taihokuensis和锐果薹草(C.tatsutakensis)并入百里薹草;将沟囊薹草(C.canaliculata)、樟木薹草(C.changmuensis)、C.distantiflora、隐匿薹草(C.infossa)、显穗薹草(C.infossa var.extensa)、C.lateralis、C.loheri、无芒长嘴薹草(C.longerostrata var.exaristata)、城湾薹草(C.longerostrata var.hoi)、C.lyi、和平菱果薹草(C.macrandrolepis)和C.sharyotensis并入尖叶薹草。     

Carex yunyiana sp. nov. (Cyperaceae) from Zhejiang, China

Carex yunyiana X. F. Jin & C. Z. Zheng, a new species of Carex L. (Cyperaceae) is described from Zhejiang, eastern China. The new species has solitary, terminal, androgynous spikes, pale green pistillate glumes, 3 stigmas, and belongs to Carex subgen. Carex sect. Rhizopodae . It is allied to C. densicaepitosa , which only grows in the Longsheng County of Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region. However, it differs in having perigynia compressed–trigonous, obovoid, and acutely constricted to a short beak, while the achenes are loosely enveloped, broadly obovoid, trigonous or quadrangular, excavated on lateral surfaces, and evidently stipitate at base. A key to the species of Carex sect. Rhizopodae and a map showing their distribution is also provided.     

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.     

Taxonomy of the Polygonum douglasii (Polygonaceae) complex with a new species from Oregon

The taxonomy of the Polygonum douglasii complex is revised. A summary of relevant taxonomic information is provided, along with a key to the species and subspecies, plus typification, synonymy, discussion, distribution, and ecology. Morphology and micromorphology of stems, leaves, perianth, pollen, and achenes are analyzed and illustrated. Based on these data, 12 species and two subspecies are recognized. A new species, P. gabrielae, is described and illustrated from Oregon.     

Ajania semnanensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae–Anthemideae), from northeast Iran: insights from karyological and micromorphological data

Ajania semnanensis (Compositae: Anthemideae), a new species of Ajania from northeast of Iran, Semnan province, is described and illustrated. Ajania semnanensis is a suffruticose perennial growing on rocky and stony slopes of mountains at altitudes of 1500–2800 m a.s.l. Karyological and micromorphological data of the pollen and achenes, as well as a distribution map for the species are provided. The cytotype of the species was found to be diploid (2n = 2x = 18) based on x = 9. The karyotype formula is 2n = 2x = 4M + 6m + 6sm + 2st. Pollen grains of A. semnanensis are prolate‐spheroidal (P/E = 1.1), 3‐zonocolporate and echinate (Anthemis type). The achenes of A. semnanensis are obovate, 1.0–1.5 × 0.5–0.6 mm, light brown, with 4–6 fine and inconspicuous ribs, glabrous, without pappus and with a subbasal carpopodium. The IUCN status of the new species is suggested to be ‘Least Concern’ (LC).     

The biology, ecology, and harmfulness of the flea-beetle Chaetocnema aridula Gill (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in the forest-steppe of the middle Volga Area

In the forest-steppe of Samara Province, Chaetocnema aridula Gill. dominates among all the species of Chaetocnema Steph. found in cereal crops. The species develops mainly on winter wheat, and, to a lesser extent, on spring wheat and barley. In autumn, adult beetles aggregate on millet for pre-hibernation feeding. The highest population density of Ch. aridula was observed in the humid and warm 1997 and the lowest one, in the extremely dry 1998. In late April-the first third of May, adults begin oviposition after wintering. Larvae appear in winter and spring wheat in mid-May and in late May-early June, respectively. Larvae pupate in winter wheat, beginning from mid-June; in spring crops, pupation begins in mid-June. Adults of a new generation emerge between the middle of June and the middle of July. In spring crops, development of Ch. aridula finishes 2–3 weeks later than in winter crops. Larvae penetrate shoots in the upper soil level in the tillering zone. 50–80% of wheat and barley plants are damaged by larvae. In damaged plants, the number of shoots increases by 1.2–5.8 times, and the number of productive shoots decreases to 17–68%. In plants damaged by flea-beetles, harvest losses constitute 62–90% and 5–20% in winter and spring wheat crops, respectively, and the total harvest loss constitutes 0.3–3.9 and 1–15%, respectively.     

Scorzonera ahmet‐duranii sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from southwest Anatolia,and its phylogenetic position

Scorzonera ahmet‐duranii S. Makbul & Coskuncelebi sp. nov. (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Turkey. It is morphologically similar to S. semicana DC., but differs by its rootstock, deeply undulating basal leaves and glabrous achenes. Additionally, the size and micro‐morphological properties of achenes and some anatomical traits of the leaf and stem are helpful in distinguishing these closely related taxa. A phylogenetic analysis based on nrDNA ITS sequence data showed that S. semicana is the sister species of the new taxon presented in this study.     

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.     

Germination Response Patterns during Dormancy Loss in Achenes of Six Perennial Asteraceae from Texas, USA

Abstract When subjected to simulated habitat temperatures, achenes of six perennial Asteraceae from southcentral Texas came out of dormancy during summer. In the early stages of dormancy loss, achenes of Erigeron modestus, Gaillardia suavis and Hymenoxys scaposa germinated (to ≥ 10%) in light at 12/12 hr daily thermoperiods of 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15°C and those of Pinaropappus roseus at 15/6 and 20/10°C. After additional dormancy loss, achenes of these four species also germinated at 30/15 and 35/20°C. Achenes of these four species had a Type 1 germination response pattern, which heretofore has not been reported in perennial Asteraceae. Achenes of Chaptalia nutans first germinated (to ≥ 10%) at 20/10 and 25/15°C and those of Hymenopappus scabiosaeus at 20/10°C, but with further loss of dormancy achenes of both species also germinated at 15/6, 30/15 and 35/20°C. Thus, achenes of these two species had a Type 3 pattern. This is the first report of perennials in any family with a Type 3 response pattern whose seeds come out of dormancy during summer. Presence of annual and perennial Asteraceae with Type 2 in temperate eastern North America and annual and perennial Asteraceae with Type 1 in southcentral Texas causes us to conclude that climate is more important than the type of life cycle in determining the type of germination response pattern.     

Eleocharis khandwaensis sp. nov. (Cyperaceae) from the Madhya Pradesh,India

A new species, Eleocharis khandwaensis Mujaffar, Chandore & S. R. Yadav is described from the Bamangaon village of Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh state, India. This species belongs to Eleocharis subgen. Limnochloa (P. Beauv. ex Lestib.) Torr. and it is similar to E. lankana T. Koyama but differs in having stolons, weak bristles spinules of perianth, achenes with annulate apex with a short neck, truncate achene base, dark brown to black coloured achenes and nut surface epidermal cells that are isodiametrically hexagonal to pentagonal. Eleocharis khandwaensis grows in ponds along road sides in the Bamangaon and Tirandaz villages.     

CAREX GRACEII SP. N., CYPEROCARPUS ELIASII SP. N., CYPEROCARPUS TERRESTRIS SP. N., AND CYPEROCARPUS PULCHERRIMA SP. N. (CYPERACEAE) FROM THE MIOCENE OF NEBRASKA

Silicified achenes and some perigynia of four new sedges are described from the late middle or late Miocene Ash Hollow (Clarendonian or Hemphillian) and early middle Miocene Sheep Creek (Late Hemingfordian) Formations of Nebraska. Carex graceii, sp. n., Cyperocarpus terrestris, sp. n., and Cyperocarpus pulcherrima, sp. n., were collected from strata in Garden and Antelope Counties and Cyperocarpus eliasii, sp. n., was collected from strata in Sioux County. Certain of the newly discovered taxa exhibit considerable anatomical detail of the pericarp wall of the achene. In two taxa, Carex graceii and Cyperocarpus pulcherrima, the achene pericarp exhibits four topographic regions: a cuticle, an outer layer of pentagonally to hexagonally shaped epidermal cells containing silica bodies, a middle layer of sclerenchyma cells, and an inner layer of sclerenchyma cells whose long axes are perpendicular to the long axes of the cells of the middle layer. Similar pericarp anatomy was found in Cyperocarpus terrestris except that the inner layer was not observed. In the fourth taxon, Cyperocarpus eliasii, only an outer epidermal layer of elongate cells with small protuberances is preserved. The ultrastructure of the pericarp of the fossil taxa is similar to that of living forms. Associated flora and fauna indicate widespread savanna environments with significant riparian elements. This is the first systematic treatment of sedges from the Miocene of North America.     

Potentilla jiaozishanensis sp. nov. (sect. Leptostylae,Rosaceae) from southwest China

Potentilla jiaozishanensis, a distinct new species of Rosaceae from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it is closely related to P. stenophylla var. stenophylla but clearly differs from the latter by its bidentate leaflets, lanceolate epicalyx‐segments that are longer than the sepals, villose ovaries and achenes. Moreover, the pollen grains of P. jiaozishanensis are markedly different from those of P. stenophylla var. stenophylla in size and shape. The newly described species is endemic to the Jiaozishan Mountains, southwest China.