A subspecies of Paeonia mascula (Paeoniaceae) from W. Asia and SE. Europe

The plant from eastern Aegean islands, S. Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria and N. Iraq is recognized as a subspecies of Paeonia mascula based on a large quantity of herbarium specimens from the major herbaria in Europe. The subspecies, Paeonia mascula subsp. orientalis (Thiebaut) D. Y. Hong, is characterized by nearly always having some leaflets segmented and the total number of leaflets and segments ranging from (9) 12 to 18 (23); leaflets and segments broadly elliptical to ovate-rounded and usually glabrous or sparsely villous on the lower surface.     

In vitro asymbiotic germination of Orchis mascula L

Abstract

This is the first report on the in vitro asymbiotic germination of Orchis mascula L. seeds, collected in the Simbruini Natural Park (Italy). Different pre-inoculum treatments and various culture media were tested to induce germination and to improve embryo development. The Orchimax medium supplemented with benzyladenine and active charcoal proved to be the best in promoting seed germination. The time course of protocorm development is described.     

Floral scent in food-deceptive orchids: species specificity and sources of variability

One third of all orchid species are deceptive and do not reward their pollinators. Such deceptive orchids are often characterised by unusually high variation in floral signals such as colour and scent. In this study, we investigated the scent composition of two Mediterranean food-deceptive orchids Orchis mascula, Orchis pauciflora, and their hybrid, O. x colemanii. Scent was collected IN SITU by headspace sorption and was subsequently analysed with gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We compared variation of odour compounds within and between populations as well as species. We identified 35 floral scent compounds, mainly monoterpenes, which were shared by both species. Both quantitative and qualitative variability within and among populations was high. Many individuals within species could be classified to different "odour-types". In spite of high qualitative and quantitative intra- and inter-population variability, the species were clearly differentiated in their scent bouquets, whereas most hybrid individuals emitted an intermediate scent.     

亚洲西部和欧洲东南部芍药属的一个亚种

根据存于欧洲一些大标本馆的大量标本的观察,分布于希腊爱琴海东部、土耳其南部、塞浦路斯、黎巴嫩、叙利亚、伊拉克北部的Paeonia mascula与欧洲中部至巴尔干半岛的均不相同,可确认为一个独立的亚种。绝大多数个体总有一些小叶全裂,因此小叶及裂片数为(9)12～18(23);小叶宽椭圆形至卵圆形,通常两面无毛或背面疏生柔毛。