Botanical Garden Research Articles

Redating the arrival of Tropaeolum minus in Italy

At a European level, Tropaeolum minus is the first species of this genus that arrived in our continent, around 1570, immediately used as an ornamental, vegetable and pharmaceutical plant. According to Italian sources, instead, T. minus arrived in Italy only in 1642: the species of this genus which was known in Italy at the time was T. majus, imported in 1596. However, in the Italian Renaissance herbaria, there are four specimens dated to the last decades of 1500, clearly recognisable as T. minus, which would confirm its import around 1570. Thanks to the analysis of these herbarium specimens and documental sources of the second half of the XVI century (Ulisse Aldrovandi’s manuscripts and watercolour plates, the lists of species cultivated in that period in the principal Italian botanical gardens, the manuscript code I cinque libri di piante by Pietro Antonio Michiel), it is possible to demonstrate that the arrival of T. minus in Italy has to be redated at the second half of the XVI century. Furthermore, this work allowed the specimens of Tropaeolum preserved in the Erbario Aldrovandi to be identified correctly, which were formerly attributed to T. majus following the Italian scientific literature available so far.Graphical abstract

Patterns of Phytochemical Variation in Populations of Amaranthus Viridis In Two Ecological Zone Of Ghana

The study aimed to assess the patterns of variations in total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity in populations of A. viridis in two different ecological zones of Ghana. Matured plant leaves of Amaranthus viridis were collected at two different locations namely Aburi Botanical Gardens and Legon Botani-cal Gardens and were subjected to ethanolic extraction. The extracts were analyzed for antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl 1,1-2 picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, total phenolic content was analyzed usingFolin-Ciocalteu reagent, and total flavonoid content was also analyzed using the Aluminium chloride colorimetric technique. The correlation of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content, total phenoliccontent and antioxidant activity, and, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity all yielded a directly proportional association. Thus, as total phenolic content increased total flavonoid content also increased andthis applies to all the scenarios above. There was a substantial difference in the phenolic content as Aburi Botanical Gardens had a higher phenolic content than Legon Botanical Gardens. The semi-deciduous forest ofthe Aburi Botanical Garden and the coastal savannah of the Legon Botanical Garden, two contrasting ecological contexts, have diverse effects on the phytochemical composition of Amaranthus viridis, as this study has clarified.

Microfungi associated with dead caterpillars and spiders in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, P.R. China

During an investigation of microfungi associated with insects in the tropical region of Yunnan Province, China, dead fungi infected within several caterpillars and spiders in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden were found. Two selected fungal strains were isolated from the surface of the cadavers and subjected to morphological and molecular identification. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on the subsequent isolates based on multiple gene sequences (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb1, gapdh, and tef1-α). The observations and the analyses confirmed that the fungi belong to Curvularia geniculata (associated with dead caterpillars) and Purpureocillium atypicola (associated with dead spiders). Here, we have given detailed descriptions of the species along with photo plates and phylogenetic trees showing their taxonomic placements.

Sustainable Energy Use in Buildings: A Leadership Opportunity for Gardens and Zoos

Cultural institutions hold a unique position of influence, serving as hubs of education and knowledge dissemination for the people they serve. Embracing sustainable energy use in buildings in zoos and botanical gardens is a commitment to environmental responsibility that reinforces these institutions as trusted sources of information and community leaders on climate change, one of the most vital issues of our time. Sustainable energy solutions can synergize operations with educational missions, allowing zoos and botanical gardens to lead by example and inspire visitors to adopt eco-friendly practices in their own lives. In this opinion paper, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens President and CEO Richard Piacentini discusses key elements in developing a sustainable building energy plan, reviews potential barriers to implementation, and makes a case for adopting regenerative thinking and new metrics for measuring success—citing example cases from Phipps’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) project. Additionally, the paper demonstrates how green building certification systems and peer-based resource networks like The Climate Toolkit can help guide institutions in the process.

A Mechanistic Action of Salicylic acid on Metabolic Profiling, Antioxidative Potential, and Growth Pattern of Amaranthus hybridus

This study has been conducted to investigate the effects of salicylic acid application on the growth and biomass of Amaranthus hybridus. The crop was grown in pots during July-August 2023, under natural weather conditions in the botanical garden of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Different doses of SA (0.69 ppm – 13.8 ppm) was sprayed on the shoot of the plants. Compared to the control group, SA application at 0.69 ppm, 1.38 ppm, and 2.76 ppm showed increased growth and yield of the plants. SA applied at 1.38 ppm concentration, particularly, gave maximum increments in the length and biomass of the crop. SA application reduced the formation of oxidative stress markers (H2O2, SOR, MDA) by increasing the activities of antioxidants like SOD, POD, APX, total phenol, and proline. Salicylic acid treatment also increased the nutritive value of the crop by increasing the level of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and protein, while reduced the levels of oxalic acid. The photosynthetic efficiency of the PSII was strengthened better with 1.38 ppm SA application by increasing chlorophyll content, allocation of absorbed light energy to drive the photochemical process, and quenching of the heat energy. The metabolic profiling via UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS revealed increase in the number and proportion of secondary metabolites belonging to phenolic, alkaloids, terpenoid, flavonoids, betalains, and coumarins group by 240%, 127%, 37%, 182%, 83%, and 90% respectively. Hence, 1.38 ppm of SA has been considered as the suitable dose for spraying on Amaranthus hybridus for increased growth and biomass.

Seasonal development rhythm of representatives of the genus <i>Spiraea</i> L. during introduction in the European North-East of Russia (Komi Republic)

Shrubs of the genus Spiraea L. are distinguished by a great variety of ornamental features, but are still underused in ornamental horticulture in the northern territories. The issues of passing the seasonal cycle of plants under new harsh climatic conditions remain fragmentarily studied. The research was aimed at examining the features and identifying patterns of the seasonal rhythm of introduced species of the genus Spiraea L. The research was carried out on the basis of the collection of the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology, located in the middle taiga subzone of Komi Republic. Plants to be observed included nine species of three taxonomic sections of the genus Spiraea L. The long-term averages of phenological phases and periods of seasonal rhythm of species, as well as variability of features based on the results of phenological observations for six years in the period 2013-2018 were determined. The vegetation period of plants under new conditions lasts up to 145 days and corresponds to the vegetation period of the introduction station. Shoot growth lasts from 65 to 80 days in different species. The sequence of flowering, differences in the dates of onset and duration of flowering in different Spiraea species of three sections were noted. The duration of the prefloral period ranges from 18 to 41 %, the flowering period – from 8 to 31 % of the total vegetation period of plants. The total duration of flowering of the studied species accounts for almost 100 days. The least variability is specific for the period of vegetation of species (variability index up to 5.9 %), the greatest variability – for the period of flowering of plants (variability – up to 26.7 %). The taxonomic factor (85-91 %) was revealed to influence the passage of the generative phases of the seasonal cycle. The correlation interaction was determined between the main phenophases and the early leaf fall phase. The seasonal type of growth and phenological development of Spiraea plants is characterized by an early beginning and end of vegetation, a relatively short period of growth of shoots, and the consistency of average phenological dates. This phenorhythm of the studied species of the genus Spiraea demonstrates their potential for ornamental gardening in the northern region.

BiodiverseCity St. Louis—An Initiative of the Missouri Botanical Garden

Botanical gardens are addressing urgent biodiversity issues through plant-based capacities including botanical research and data-sharing, conservation horticulture, ecological restoration, seed banking, and more. The Missouri Botanical Garden initiative BiodiverseCity St. Louis, led by the Garden’s sustainability division, adds broad community engagement to this mix. This work includes public and professional education, the demonstration and promotion of ecological landscaping and Green Infrastructure practices, citizen science programs, and coordinating communications for a regional network of partner organizations focused on biodiversity. Diverse activity engages businesses, local governments, elementary and secondary (K-12) schools, colleges, and community groups. Community biodiversity work at the Garden is informed by an institutional core of scientific rigor, provides opportunity for internal collaborations, and aligns with global strategies for plant conservation—to ground impactful local work. Missouri Botanical Garden’s experience offers a model for public gardens: leveraging modes of community engagement, in concert with diverse institutional strengths, to address biodiversity needs.

Phytochemical and Pharmaceutical Characterization of Seseli L. Species From Georgia

The Apiaceae family, formerly known as Umbelliferae, is one of the largest plant families, composed of 466 genera and nearly 3800 species worldwide. According to the Royal Kew Garden, it is also one of 12 plant families with a higher than-normal percentage of medicinal species, ranking 6th with 15% of its plants counted as medicinal. Seseli species, known for their high coumarin content as well as terpenoids, flavonoids, essential oils, and more, have been extensively investigated and found to possess various pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, etc. Some Seseli species have also been used in treating central nervous system disorders such as anxiety. From 135 species 12 are distributed in Georgia (original name of the country is Sakhartvelo), from which 3 are endemics. Despite numerous studies on the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of various Seseli species, some remain unexplored, especially those found in Georgia, where data is limited and out of date. Therefore, further extensive research is necessary to improve understanding of the pharmacological activities, chemical constituents, and efficacy of plants from the Georgian Seseli species. The presented review draws attention to Seseli species distributed in Georgia, their phytochemistry, botanical characterisation and traditional use. However, as the information on biological activity of Georgian Seseli spp. is limited, we discussed potential pharmacological properties expected based on their chemical composition, also in relation with the same species from other countries or botanical gardens.

Conservation of Water Resources in a Botanic Garden

Water-resource challenges, encompassing both quality and quantity, pose significant threats to Florida’s ecosystems, especially in the face of climate change, rising sea levels, and rapid urbanization. This paper explores the innovative stormwater-management system implemented at Naples Botanical Garden as a model for addressing these challenges. The Garden’s approach, treating stormwater as a valuable resource, involves dry and wet retention areas, created lakes, and a unique River of Grass, mimicking natural ecosystems. This system not only mitigates flooding, but also effectively removes pollutants, recharges the aquifer, and provides a habitat for diverse wildlife. The paper emphasizes the economic, environmental, and social impacts of traditional stormwater-management practices in Florida. Naples Botanical Garden’s case serves as a guide for botanical gardens and zoos globally, showcasing the pivotal role these institutions can play in sustainable water-resource management. The collaborative design process involving landscape architects, engineers, and horticulturists ensures a holistic and aesthetically pleasing approach to stormwater management. The paper underscores the role of botanical gardens in promoting nature-based solutions, educating the public, and offering tangible steps for implementing similar systems worldwide. It can help guide regional adaptation strategies to manage stormwater as a resource.

Exogenous ascorbic acid as a potent regulator of antioxidants, osmo-protectants, and lipid peroxidation in pea under salt stress

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a globally cultivated leguminous crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance, faces a critical challenge of soil salinity, which significantly hampers crop growth and production worldwide. A pot experiment was carried out in the Botanical Garden, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur to alleviate the negative impacts of sodium chloride (NaCl) on pea through foliar application of ascorbic acid (AsA). Two pea varieties Meteor (V1) and Sarsabz (V2) were tested against salinity, i.e. 0 mM NaCl (Control) and 100 mM NaCl. Three levels of ascorbic acid 0 (Control), 5 and 10 mM were applied through foliar spray. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with three replicates. Salt stress resulted in the suppression of growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield attributes in pea plants. However, the application of AsA treatments effectively alleviated these inhibitory effects. Under stress conditions, the application of AsA treatment led to a substantial increase in chlorophyll a (41.1%), chl. b (56.1%), total chl. contents (44.6%) and carotenoids (58.4%). Under salt stress, there was an increase in Na+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the application of AsA increased the contents of proline (26.9%), endogenous AsA (23.1%), total soluble sugars (17.1%), total phenolics (29.7%), and enzymatic antioxidants i.e. SOD (22.3%), POD (34.1%) and CAT (39%) in both varieties under stress. Salinity reduced the yield attributes while foliarly applied AsA increased the pod length (38.7%), number of pods per plant (40%) and 100 seed weight (45.2%). To sum up, the application of AsA alleviated salt-induced damage in pea plants by enhancing photosynthetic pigments, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities, maintaining ion homeostasis, and reducing excessive ROS accumulation through the limitation of lipid peroxidation. Overall, V2 (Sarsabz) performed better as compared to the V1 (Meteor).

Variation of Phenology of Flacourtia rukam in Two Different Habitats and Their Relation to Rainfall, Dry Days, and the Plant Water Status

Phenological shifts in the emergence of vegetative and generative parts, occur due to the response of plants to water received due to climate change. The rukam tree (Flacourtia rukam (Zoll & Moritzi)) is a local Indonesian plant with potential as an edible fruit and antioxidant agent, but its existence is increasingly rare. F. rukam can be found in Pasuruan, East Java, including Purwodadi Botanical Garden (PBG) as collected plants and Sekarmojo Village as cultivated plants. These populations show a shift in phenology, but this has never been studied. This study aimed to analyze the spatial variation of the phenology of two rukam populations and its relation to plant water status, rainfall quantity (RQ), and drought days (DD). This research was conducted on two individual trees at each location, was conducted from August 2020 to October 2022 using secondary data from BMKG, such as daily rainfall and the number of days without rain. Phenology was directly observed every week with an estimated abundance of numbers 1-4; plant water status was observed by calculating relative water content (RWC); soil physical analysis was carried out in mid-season. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and SEM WarpPLS. The results showed differences in phenology in the phases of leaf fall, flower buds, young fruit, and ripe fruit on the trees in the different locations. The decreased RQ in the past month significantly reduced the RWC value of F. rukam in both places, while the number of DD contributed to a decrease in the RWC value in PBG only, not in Sekarmojo. In both sites, decreasing the RWC of the rukam increased the abundance of fallen leaves and the chances of flowering. Rainfall and drought days affected plant phenology directly or indirectly through RWC mediation. In both places, RQ had a direct positive and significant effect on blooming flowers and new leaves but had negative effect on fallen leaves. While DD had a positive effect on leaf fall, flower formation, and fruit ripening, but had a negative effect on the appearance of young fruit (in PBG). Indirectly, RQ mainly affected several phenological parameters, while DD did not affect all phenological parameters.

Phenotypic and Estimated Genetic Variability in Endemic Diospyros celebica Bakh. and Widely-spread D. blancoi A.Dc. Cultivated at Purwodadi Botanic Garden, Indonesia

The endemic Diospyros celebica and widely spread D. blancoi are two valuable species of Diospyros (the genus of persimmons and ebonies) that have been conserved at botanic gardens in Indonesia. Understanding the biological contrasts between endemic and widely spread species is essential for plant conservation. This study aims to compare the phenotypic and estimated genetic variability between the endemic D. celebica and the widely spread D. blancoi to support their conservation. Fifty-three morphological characters from fifteen selected living plant specimens at Purwodadi Botanic Garden were measured directly or using variable encoding methods. Unpaired two-samples Wilcoxon test and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to compare morphological variations between both species. Further, genetic variabilities were estimated from encoded morphological characters using GenAlEx 6.503 software. The two Diospyros’ morphological characters were significantly different, except for the lamina length, pairs of leaf vein, number of flowers in each inflorescence, and the fruit sulci presence. The cluster analysis successfully distinguished D. celebica from D. blancoi according to thirteen comparable morphological characters. The endemic D. celebica has lower genetic variability (female/bisexual %P = 86.21%, He = 0.259, uHe = 0.277; male P = 54.29%, He = 0.195, uHe = 0.234) than the widely spread D. blancoi (female/bisexual %P = 86.76, He = 0.311, uHe = 0.355). Due to the importance of genetic diversity in plant conservation, both species’ population size needs to be maintained, if not increased, to preserve the existing phenotypic and genetic variabilities within the cultivated populations at the botanic garden.

Evidence for Reductions in Physical and Chemical Plant Defense Traits in Island Flora.

Reduced defense against large herbivores has been suggested to be part of the "island syndrome" in plants. However, empirical evidence for this pattern is mixed. In this paper, we present two studies that compare putative physical and chemical defense traits from plants on the California Channel Islands and nearby mainland based on sampling of both field and common garden plants. In the first study, we focus on five pairs of woody shrubs from three island and three mainland locations and find evidence for increased leaf area, decreased marginal leaf spines, and decreased concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides in island plants. We observed similar increases in leaf area and decreases in defense traits when comparing island and mainland genotypes grown together in botanic gardens, suggesting that trait differences are not solely driven by abiotic differences between island and mainland sites. In the second study, we conducted a common garden experiment with a perennial herb-Stachys bullata (Lamiaceae)-collected from two island and four mainland locations. Compared to their mainland relatives, island genotypes show highly reduced glandular trichomes and a nearly 100-fold reduction in mono- and sesquiterpene compounds from leaf surfaces. Island genotypes also had significantly higher specific leaf area, somewhat lower rates of gas exchange, and greater aboveground biomass than mainland genotypes across two years of study, potentially reflecting a broader shift in growth habit. Together, our results provide evidence for reduced expression of putative defense traits in island plants, though these results may reflect adaptation to both biotic (i.e., the historical absence of large herbivores) and climatic conditions on islands.

Pinus sibirica Du Tour в условиях интродукции на примере Полярно-альпийского ботанического сада-института

The study has been conducted at the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, the northernmost botanical garden in Russia (67°38′ N). The aim of this work has been a comprehensive analysis of the condition of Siberian stone pine trees (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) during their introduction in the Arctic. The condition of 8 specimens of the species cultivated at the experimental plot in the town of Apatity has been examined. Their phenological development has been analyzed: the swelling and breaking of the vegetative buds, the end of the elongation and maturation of the needles, the beginning and end of growth of the annual shoots, the lignification of the shoots, the beginning and end of pollen dispersion. The degree of lignification of the annual shoot, the winter hardiness, the habit, the shootforming capacity, the height increment, the generative development and the reproduction in the plantation have also been assessed. The risk of a tree falling has been determined by considering its surroundings and exposure to wind. The root zones, the butts, the trunks, the crown bases, the boughs and the crowns have been examined for the presence of hollows, cracks, decomposition, fungal fruit bodies, damage, weak forks, dead branches, etc. The application of an approach combining the analysis of seasonal development, viability and risk of tree fall is promising for a comprehensive and objective assessment of the condition of Siberian stone pine trees by morphological and phenological characteristics during the introduction to the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The phenological rhythm of the studied trees corresponds to the environmental conditions during the introduction to the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute named after N.A. Avrorin. Vegetation begins in late May. By the end of August the annual shoots lignify, which indicates the readiness of the plants for the winter period. The close timing of the onset of phenophases and their low variation may indicate a low dependence of the seasonal development of Siberian stone pine on weather conditions during the introduction to the central part of the Kola Peninsula. The trees are winter-hardy, retain the life form inherent to the species, have a high shoot-forming capacity and annual height increment. They reach the generative stage of development. For their propagation in the plantation, it is necessary to attract seed material from other regions. The trees are monocormic, unimucronate and bimucronate. They are characterized by dense crowns. Their apical and lateral shoots are developed. In rare cases, the increment of lateral shoots is reduced. The V-shaped forks have been noted on the stems and a hollow in the butt area has been found on one of the trees. An additional instrumental examination is needed to determine the effect of diseases or pathogens on the stability of the trees.

Микробиологическая активность почв рекреационных территорий г. Воронеж

The article presents studies of the microbiological composition of soils in recreational areas of Voronezh. The number of the main ecological, trophic, taxonomic and physiological groups of microorganisms has been determined in the soils of the studied objects (the Northern Upland Oak Grove, the Voronezh Central Park, the Shilovsky Forest and the Botanical Garden of Voronezh State University). It was found that the studied territories do not experience a large anthropogenic load. Despite some changes in the number of different groups of microorganisms, all of them remain within certain pools characteristic of the CDR. Keywords: SOIL, ANTHROPOGENIC LOAD, RECREATIONAL LOAD, MICROBIOLOGICAL INDICATORS, MICROORGANISMS, AM-MONIFIERS, IMMOBILIZERS, ACTINOMYCETES, OLIGOAZOPHILES, DIAZOTROPHES, MICROMYCETES

Moving Forward with Docents: A Summary of Findings from the Field

ABSTRACT Docent programs are in flux. Many institutions have rethought their programs to encourage more diverse voices: some have eliminated the docent role, while others have changed their structure and offered additional training. When The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens decided to invest in its docent program as part of an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant, they started with a self-study of 10 docent programs across the country. This article summarizes the key findings of that work, from which three major themes emerged: intentional investment, targeted approaches for diversification, and expanding non-traditional training approaches.

Strategi Promosi Destinasi Wisata Cibubur Garden Eat dan Play dalam Meningkatkan Kunjungan Wisatawan Melalui Instagram

West Java has now become a very popular tourist destination, showing a significant increase in the number of visits. Data from the West Java Provincial Tourism and Culture Office recorded more than 22 million domestic tourists and 1,156 foreign tourists until the third quarter of 2022. A special focus on Bogor, one of the main destinations in West Java, shows its popularity among domestic tourists, especially at Bogor Botanical Gardens and Taman Safari. The importance of destination marketing, especially through social media, is recognized as a key factor in long-term tourism development. Therefore, research was conducted by adopting Regina Luttrell's concept entitled "Utilization of Instagram Social Media on @cibubur.garden Account as a Tourism Promotion Media." This research aims to analyze the promotional strategies carried out by Cibubur Garden through the Instagram account @cibubur.garden to increase the number of tourist visits. The research method used is a constructivist paradigm with a qualitative approach and descriptive research design. The main data was obtained through interviews with related parties of Cibubur Garden and direct observation of promotional activities through Instagram @cibubur.garden. The results show that Cibubur Garden Eat & Play successfully utilizes Instagram as the main tool in promoting its tourist destination. Instagram content involves the use of various features such as feeds, reels, and stories to maximize interaction and engagement with followers. This promotional strategy achieves the stages in the AIDA model (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action).

Witchcraft, Artcraft, Lifecraft: Notes on Making and Living in Everydayness

Ranging from botanical gardens to psychedelics to Black feminist spirituality, “Witchcraft, Artcraft, Lifecraft: On Making and Living in Everydayness” offers a window into a critical-cultural project that seeks to bring Black femme labour, intellect, expression, and faith into sharp focus. The essay—much like the multimedia project it explores — asks the reader to contemplate the nuances of a type of Black experience that is often made invisible.

Names of Plant Taxa Introduced by Raimonds Cinovskis (1930–1998)

Abstract Raimonds Cinovskis (1930–1998) devoted his entire life to plants, especially to the research of dendroflora in Latvia, as well as in the Baltic states in general, and he also participated in botanical expeditions in several places in Asia. He introduced many new names of plant taxa, described new taxa, and made new name combinations. Although the plant names he created are widely used by Latvian botanists and can also be found in the seed exchange catalogues issued by local botanic gardens, these names have never been (with some exceptions) evaluated before. This paper summarises all of the names of plant taxa introduced by R. Cinovskis. It was established that R. Cinovskis introduced more than 200 new names of plant taxa or new name combinations for plants belonging to 11 plant families — Betulaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Cupressaceae, Grossulariaceae, Juglandaceae, Pinaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, and Ulmaceae. The majority of the names of plant taxa were for plants of the rose family (Rosaceae). Critically evaluating the compliance of the names introduced by R. Cinovskis with the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, it was concluded that the majority of the names were published illegitimately.

Spatial characteristics of nature-based experience areas for children in botanical gardens

Spatial characteristics of nature-based experience areas for children in botanical gardens