Gametophytes,embryogeny and pericarp ofMicrostylis wallichii lindl. (Orchidaceae)

The anther wall is 4-layered thick. Its development is of the Monocotyledonous type. Simultaneous cytokinesis results in decussate, isobilateral, linear and tetrahedral tetrads. At anthesis, the microspores are 2-celled. The mature ovules are anatropous, bitegmic and tenuinucellate. Both the integuments are dermal in origin and 2-layered. The inner integument alone forms the micropyle. Development of the female gametophyte is of the Monosporic type. Double fertilization occurs but the primary endosperm nucleus degenerates without any division. Development of embryo corresponds to the variation of the Onagrad type. The mature embryo lacks differentiation. The seeds are minute and non-endospermic. The seed coat is formed entirely by the outer layer of outer integument. There are three sterile and three fertile valves in the ovary. In the prefertilization stages valves consist of parenchymatous cells. After fertilization, the sterile valves become sclerenchymatous whereas the fertile valves remain parenchymatous.     

Starch synthesis in developing wheat grain

The effect of light on the in-vivo rate of starch synthesis in the endosperm of developing wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Mardler) grain was studied. Individual grains from spikelets grown on the same spike either in darkness or bright light showed no difference in their ability to accumulate radioactivity or to convert this to starch over a 14-h period. Similarly, there was no difference in final grain dry weight between spikes which had been kept in either darkness or normal light from 10 d post anthesis. In contrast, when half-grains (grain which had been bisected longitudinally along the crease region) were incubated by being submerged in culture solution (in vitro) the incorporation of [¹⁴C]sucrose into starch was stimulated by increased irradiance. Further experiments showed that the in-vitro dependence on light could be linked to the availability of oxygen. We suggest that in vitro the diffusion of oxygen into the endosperm cells combined with an increased rate of respiration of the tissue during the incubation causes this limitation. Thus the dependence of starch synthesis on light is an artefact of the in-vitro incubation system. The photosynthetic ability of the green pericarp tissue can be used to prevent the development of anoxia in the endosperm tissue of half-grains incubated in vitro. In conclusion, we propose that starch synthesis in vivo is not dependent on oxygen production by photosynthesis in the green layer of the pericarp.Abbreviations DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - dpa days post anthesis - PCA perchloric acid     

禾本科广义拂子茅属的叶表皮形态研究

禾本科广义拂子茅属Calamagrostis Adans. s.l.是广布于全球温带和热带亚热带高山的一个大属, 常分为拂子茅属Calamagrostis Adans. s.s.和野青茅属Deyeuxia Beauv.。对国产5种拂子茅属和26种、1变种野青茅属植物在光镜下进行了叶表皮特征的观察。发现广义拂子茅属植物的叶表皮特征为典型的狐茅型, 很多结构在种间有丰富的变异式样, 如脉间长细胞形状、大小和细胞壁的厚度与弯曲程度, 短细胞形状和分布式样, 硅质体形状和分布式样, 气孔形状和分布式样, 以及刺毛形态和分布式样等。在国产种类中首次发现微乳突结构, 在很多种类中发现刺毛硅质化现象。用UPGMA对15个叶表皮性状进行分析, 结果分为两大支: 具加厚的长细胞、密集分布的短细胞和(或)刺毛以及刺毛硅质化的种类聚为一支; 具薄壁的长细胞、较稀疏的短细胞和(或)刺毛以及刺毛不发生硅质化的种类聚为另一支。这种分异与广义拂子茅属的属下系统相关性不大, 但与种的海拔分布有关。前一支的种类大多生长于高海拔(2600 m以上)地区, 而后一支的种类则大多生长在低海拔(2600 m以下)地区。     

Species delimitation in the Luziola peruviana (Poaceae) complex

Luziola is a small genus from aquatic environments of the New World. The most widespread species in the genus isL. peruviana. Morphological variation has been documented for this species throughout its entire range of distribution, however this variation has been difficult to characterize. A population aggregation analysis was performed in order to determine how many species can be identified when analyzing characters from the individuals of this taxon as well as with individuals from closely related taxa such asL. divergens, L. doelliana, andL. pittieri. Multivariate analysis, ANOVA and ANCOVA analyses were also performed to detect if quantitative morphological variation is related to altitude and latitude. Results indicate that within this complex only one species should be recognized, referable toL. peruviana, and that plants near the equator are larger, and have larger lemmas and paleas in both female and male flowers. An identification key for the nine species now recognized inLuziola is included.     

华北地区繁缕属（Stellaria L.）植物叶表皮微形态特征研究

采用光学显微镜,对华北地区分布的繁缕属植物16种2变种,其它4属4种植物的叶表皮微形态进行了观察。结果表明：繁缕属植物叶片的下表皮均存在气孔器,而上表皮仅少数种类缺乏气孔器。气孔器类型比较多样,有不等细胞型、无规则型、无规则四细胞型;表皮细胞主要为不规则型,垂周壁从平直、弓形、浅波状、波状、到深波状;上表皮气孔指数在5.23~31.65之间;下表皮气孔指数在10.02~29.44。叶表皮被毛或无,毛被分为星状毛、腺柔毛、柔毛、绢毛。该研究说明叶表皮的微形态特征在种间差异明显,可以为分种及属间亲缘关系的探讨提供依据,但是对组的划分存在一定的局限性。     

Anchusa formosa (Boraginaceae), a new species from Southern Sardinia (Italy)

ABSTRACT

A new Anchusa species was discovered in the massif of Mt. Lattias in South-Western Sardinia. This species, here described as A. formosa, shows a sharp phenotypic differentiation from the other Sardinian endemic taxa of Anchusa, especially in habit, leaf shape and size, inflorescence and calyx morphology. Ecological traits are also peculiar, the plant being restricted to siliceous debris that accumulates in small depositional areas of dry stream beds. A. formosa is likely to represent a paleogenic schizoendemism originated through isolation and genetic drift from the same genie pool of the other Corso-Sardinian endemic taxa of Anchusa. SEM analyses provide additional information on the micromorphology of the stigma and its papillar pattern, pollen grains, mericarp coat surface and trichomes. The anatomical structure of stem, root and leaf were also analysed. Due to its extreme localization and ecological specialization, A. formosa needs total protection in its natural habitat and should be added to National and International Red Lists of plants at risk of extinction.     

Trichome micromorphology of the East Asiatic genus Chelonopsis (Lamiaceae) and its systematic implications

The micromorphology of trichomes of the leaves of 17 taxa (including two varieties) of the genus Chelonopsis Miq. and of six species representing four additional genera (Bostrychanthera deflexa Benth., Colquhounia coccinea Wall. var. coccinea, Co. seguinii Vaniot. var. seguinii, Gomphostemma chinense Oliv. var. chinense, G. crinitum Wall. ex Benth. and Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth.) was surveyed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Two basic types of trichomes can be identified: non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes can be subdivided into two subtypes: simple unbranched and branched trichomes. Based on the cell number, simple unbranched trichomes are further divided into four shapes (unicellular, two-celled, three-celled, and more than three cells), whilst branched trichomes are separated into three shapes (biramous, stellate, and dendroid trichomes). The glandular trichomes can in turn be subdivided into four subtypes: subsessile, capitate, clavate, and sunken. Non-glandular trichomes with two cells (NGTW) and subsessile glandular trichomes (GSU) are most widespread in all taxa examined. The indumentum shows considerable variation among different sections or species. Consequently, trichome micromorphology and distribution have high taxonomic value for Chelonopsis at both infrageneric and interspecific levels. The presence of capitate glandular trichomes (GCA) provides an additional morphological character to clarify the boundaries between subgenus Chelonopsis and Aequidens Wu and Li. Within subgenus Aequidens, non-glandular trichomes with more than three cells (NGMT) and clavate glandular trichomes (GCL) are important characters for sectional division between sect. Aequidens Wu and Li and sect. Microphyllum Wu and Li. Again, three forms of three-celled trichomes can be used as a distinctive taxonomic character at specific level between C. albiflora Pax et K. Hoffm. ex Limpr., C. forrestii J. Anthony, and C. souliei (Bonati) Merr. in sect. Aequidens. This study supports Wu's delimitation of subgenus and sections and the subsequent review work by Xiang et al. Additionally, distribution of trichome types is correlated with the altitudinal distribution and habitats of some species in Chelonopsis.     

Pericarp anatomy of wild roses (Rosa L., Rosaceae)

The pericarp anatomy of representatives of all subgenera and sections of the genus Rosa was studied. All species have the same basic pericarp structure: it is composed of inner and outer endocarps, mesocarp and exocarp formed by the epidermis and hypodermis. The differences concern mainly the thickness of particular layers, and the shape and size of their cells. Cells of the endocarp and mesocarp are thick-walled. The only exception is Rosa rugosa mesocarp, which is composed of rather thin-walled cells with a large lumen. The endocarp structure of Rosa achenes resembles the drupe of the genus Prunus s.l. and drupelets of Rubus species.     

烟台甜樱桃柱头的可授性、形态特征与坐果率

采用数码照相、电镜扫描、联苯胺-过氧化氢测试及去雄套袋等技术手段, 对烟台甜樱桃(Cerasus avium)花期不同发育阶段柱头的可授性、形态特征和坐果状况进行了观察。结果表明, 烟台甜樱桃在套袋状态下, 柱头可授期从开花前1天开始可持续5–7天。从杯状花期到花瓣平展期, 柱头逐渐有乳突细胞破裂并呈现分泌液, 出现渐强的可授性; 从花瓣平展期到花瓣脱落期, 柱头由暗黄渐变至暗黑, 逐渐萎缩并丧失可授性。去雄套袋及人工授粉实验结果显示, 在大蕾期、杯状花期、花瓣展放期、花瓣平展期和花瓣脱落期进行人工授粉, 烟台甜樱桃的坐果率分别为60.50%、58.33%、62.08%、57.14%和39.13%。在自然条件下烟台甜樱桃的坐果率一般为30%–42%, 传粉成功的最佳期主要发生在杯状花期至花瓣平展期。     

肿足蕨属植物叶表皮微形态及其系统学意义

利用光学显微镜对9种肿足蕨属植物即肿足蕨、光轴肿足蕨、修株肿足蕨、鳞毛肿足蕨、稻城肿足蕨、球腺肿足蕨、山东肿足蕨、福氏肿足蕨、腺毛肿足蕨和2种近缘种林下凸轴蕨及大膜盖蕨叶表皮微形态进行观察。结果表明:9种肿足蕨属植物的叶表皮细胞均为不规则型,垂周壁为深波状;叶上下表皮均有毛;气孔器类型有6种,为极细胞型、腋下细胞型、不等细胞型、不规则四细胞型、不规则细胞型和横列型。不同种间叶表皮微形态特征表现出一定差异,对种的划分有一定的分类学意义。讨论了肿足蕨属植物与蹄盖蕨科、鳞毛蕨科、金星蕨科、林下凸轴蕨及大膜盖蕨的亲缘关系,为肿足蕨属植物的系统学研究提供新的资料。