Floral structure, development and diversity in Thunbergia (Acanthaceae)

Floral structure and development of 18 species of Thunbergia (Thunbergioideae si , Acanthaceae) were studied comparatively. The flowers of Thunbergia are highly diverse and show a wide range of pollination syndromes. In general they are large and showy. Their pollination apparatus is highly elaborate, floral organs are often synorganized, and floral architecture is complex. In contrast to the high diversity of the anthetic flowers, their bauplan is uniform and their early development shows no major differences, i.e. in all species studied, the calyx arises as a ring primordium, the corolla is 'late sympetalous', and petals and stamens are initiated more or less simultaneously. Some differences are found in further calyx development, where several developmental patterns are present. More significant differences arise only later during development and mainly concern the structures of the calyx, the anthers, the stigma, and corolla aestivation. In the anthetic flowers there are many special characters that are present in all or the majority of the species studied, e.g. the calyx is reduced, the corolla tube is subdivided into two compartments and the anthers lack an endothecium. The present results on development and morphology of the flowers of Thunbergia are compatible with an earlier subdivision of the genus into eight subgenera.     

Three new species of Justicia sect. Justicia (Acanthaceae) from tropical Africa

Three new species of Justicia sect. Justicia (Acanthaceae) are described: Justicia regis from Kenya, Justicia acutifolia from Tanzania, and Justicia telloensis from Cameroun.     

Wuacanthus (Acanthaceae), a new Chinese endemic genus segregated from Justicia (Acanthaceae)

A new genus, Wuacanthus Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng (Acanthaceae), is described from the Hengduan Mountains, China. Wuacanthus is based on Wuacanthus microdontus (W.W.Sm.) Y.F. Deng, N.H. Xia & H. Peng, originally published in Justicia and then moved to Mananthes. The new genus is characterized by its shrub habit, strongly 2-lipped corolla, the 2-lobed upper lip, 3-lobed lower lip, 2 stamens, bithecous anthers, parallel thecae with two spurs at the base, 2 ovules in each locule, and the 4-seeded capsule. Phylogenetic analyses show that the new genus belongs to the Pseuderanthemum lineage in tribe Justicieae. Wuacanthus is closely related to Pseuderanthemum but differs from the latter by its shorter corolla tube and two minute spurs at the base of each anther-theca. W. microdontus is assessed with the status EN B2ab (iii) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.     

The Justicia striata complex in tropical Africa (Justicia sect. Harnieria, Acanthaceae)

The Justicia striata complex is revised. Ten species are recognised, some of which are subdivided into subspecies and/or varieties. The morphological variation within the complex has been analysed by PC A and clustering methods. The complex is shown to be heterogeneous and the relationships with other parts of sect. Harnieria are discussed. Scatter diagrams, illustrations and distribution maps are also provided in addition to the enumeration of taxa.     

New species of Justicia (Acanthaceae) from the Guianas

Four new species,Justicia oldemanii, J. mcdowellii, J. wilhelminensis, andJ. prevostiae are described, illustrated, and compared with their closest relatives. A key to species ofJusticia from the Guianas is also provided.     

New species of Justicia (Acanthaceae) from the Planalto of Brazil

Two new species,Justicia clivalis andJ. irwinii, are described, illustrated, and compared with their closest relatives.     

中国爵床属（爵床科）新名称

在编写《广东植物志》爵床科的过程中,我们采用广义爵床属Justicia的概念,因此有部分种类的名称需要重新组合.提出了爵床属4个新名称：矮爵床J.demissa N.H.Xia＆Y.F.Deng,海南爵床J.hainanensis（C.Y.Wu＆H.S.Lo）N.H.Xia＆Y.F.Deng,线叶爵床J.neolinearifoliaN.H.Xia＆Y.F.Deng和两广线叶爵床J.neolinearifolia N.H.Xia＆Y.F.Deng subsp.liangkwangensis（H.S.Lo）N.H.Xia＆Y.F.Deng.     

Justicia galeata and J. kuchari, two new species of Justicia (Acanthaceae) from tropical Africa

Jusricia galeara from SE Kenya and J. kuchari from central Somalia are described. The affinities of the new species are discussed and illustrations are provided.     

Two new species of Justicia sect. Harnieria (Acanthaceae) from Tanzania

Two new species of Justicia L. are described: Justicia ukagurensis Hedrén and Justicia sulphuriflora Hedrén, both from crystalline mountains of eastern Tanzania.     

Justicia tetrasperma sp. nov.–a linking species between Justicia and Monechma (Acanthaceae)

Justicia tetrasperma , a new species of Justicia sect. Monechma , is described on material from Shaba in Zaire. Its capsules with four smooth and compressed seeds is a character combination in favour of an inclusion of Monechma in Justicia .     

Contributions to the seed morphology and taxonomy of Justicia (Acanthaceae) from Thailand

Seed morphology provides some of the most important characters for species delimitation in Justicia (Acanthaceae).The seed morphology of 30 species from Thailand was studied using stereomicroscopy and ...     

Two new species in Justicia sect. Harnieria (Acanthaceae) from tropical Africa

Two new species of Justicia sect. Harnieria (Acanthaceae) are described: J. afromontana from Sudan and Uganda, and J. huambensis from Angola.     

Justicia masiaca (Acanthaceae), a new species from northwestern Mexico

Justicia masiaca, a new species endemic to northwestern Mexico, is described, illustrated, and compared with the morphologically similarJ. longii. In its 4-aperturate pollen,Justicia masiaca is unique among those species ofJusticia with elongate, cylindrical corolla tubes that were previously treated inSiphonoglossa.     

Pollen morphology of Justicia L. (Acanthaceae) from Thailand and its taxonomic value

The acetolysed pollen of 33 species of the genus Justicia in Thailand is investigated using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen of the genus is characterised as being isopolar, bilaterally or radially symmetrical, with mostly prolate or prolate spheroidal shape. Based on characters with high factor loading in the cluster analysis and principal components analysis, the studied species are divided into two major groups; one with 3-colporate with six pseudocolpi and the other with 2-porate or 2–3-colporate with aperture areas. The pollen morphology of each group is described and illustrated. Pollen characters are useful for taxonomic delimitation and relationships among Thai species.     

爵床科一新组合—菲律宾爵床

查阅模式标本后发现Hypoestes pulgarense Elmer的花单生或少数花聚生于叶腋内,并且花药两室,下方一室具矩.这些特征与枪刀药属(Hypoestes)聚伞花序及单室花药的特征不符,而与爵床属(Justicia)一致.因此提出一新组合--菲律宾爵床(Justicia pulgarensis(Elmer)C.M.Gao & Y.F.Deng).     

中国爵床科一新组合——尾叶爵床(英文)

尾叶纤穗爵床(Leptostachya caudatiflora H. S.Lo D.Fang)的花药下方一室基部具距,应为爵床属植物,提出1个新组合——尾叶爵床(Justicia caudatifolia (H.S.Lo D.Fang) Z.P.Hao,Y.F.Deng T.Daniel),而纤穗爵床属仍为单种属。     

Two new species of Justicia sect. Ansellia (Acanthaceae) from E and NE tropical Africa

The new species Justicia ornatopila from Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and J. lorata from Kenya are described and illustrated. Information on pollen morphology is also provided     

Floral biology,breeding system and pollination ecology of Justicia betonica L. (Acanthaceae): An assessment of its low reproductive success in West Bengal,India

Besides its importance as an ornamental plant, Justicia betonica L. is also used as a medicinal plant for the treatment of several human disorders. However, the population size and abundance of the plant species are very low in Indian states, including West Bengal. The breeding system and pollination ecology of J. betonica are still unclear. Therefore, some reproductive aspects were investigated in order to provide important information for the sustainability of the species. The flowering duration spanned from December to May, with its peak in February–March. Flower opening time was much earlier (5.00–8.00 a.m.) on a hot day (in April–May) than on a cold day (10.00 a.m.–12.00 p.m. in December–January). The time of anther dehiscence coincided with the flower opening time; however, the stigma became receptive later. The plant species is self-compatible but dependent on pollinators for fruit and seed sets. Members of different insect groups like ants, bees, butterflies, flies, moths and wasps visit the flowers. Among them, Allorhynchium metallicum and Halictus acrocephalus are the primary pollinators (based on the “relative pollinator service”). The plant species showed a significant pollination deficit (coefficient of pollination deficit [D] = 0.32) in the open condition. Larvae of the florivorous moth Gatesclarkeana erotias significantly reduced reproductive success by eating their floral parts, ovules and immature seeds. In conclusion, combining the pollination deficit and the feeding activity of phytophagous insects (moth larvae) may reduce the reproductive fitness of J. betonica in the study regions.