Cordate Base Research Articles

Ziziphus rugosa Leaf: Pharmacognostical Characters and Anti-Inflammatory Properties against Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema

Ziziphus rugosa belongs to the family Rhamnaceae, which includes many flowering species, primarily trees and shrubs, and sometimes vines. This study aims to describe the pharmacognostic characteristics and potential anti-inflammatory properties of Z. rugosa leaf. The pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical studies were performed following standard procedures. Acetone, ethanol, and aqueous extracts were screened for anti-inflammatory potential using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Ziziphus rugosa was identified by its evergreen nature, recurved hooks, and drupe-type fruits. Leaves are elliptic/rounded with cordate base exhibiting a dark green glossy upper surface and pubescent lower surface. The leaf exhibited a dorsiventral nature in the transverse section, covering trichomes, collenchyma, sclerenchyma patch, and calcium oxalate crystals as key histological characters. Anamocytic stomata, covering trichomes, crystals, and fragments of vessels, are the imperative elements in powder. The extracts contain carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, phenolic compounds, proteins, and flavonoids. The acetone extract at 400 and 200 mg/kg displays a maximum inflammation inhibition of 56.96% and 48.77% among the extracts, and the standard diclofenac sodium inhibits inflammation by 65.61% at 24 hours. The altered liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde levels in the positive control group are significantly near normal in the treatment groups. The histopathological studies of treated animals show significant protection against paw and liver tissue damage. Pharmacognostical study outcomes aid in the identification of species along with ascertaining standardization parameters. Further fractionation of acetone extract followed by isolating compounds responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity would provide an alternative to managing inflammation.

Chloroplast genomes and ribosomal DNA provide insights into divergence and morphological evolution of alpine Tongoloa

AbstractTongoloa is a herbaceous genus of East Asia Clade (Apiaceae) distributed in the alpine regions. The use of DNA fragments has not provided a well‐resolved evolutionary history. For this research, we primarily collected samples from the type localities of Tongoloa and closely related taxa in the Hengduan Mountains. The chloroplast (cp) genomes and nuclear ribosomal (nr) DNA repeats of 27 taxa were assembled using genome skimming sequencing reads. We analyzed the characteristics of the Tongoloa cp genome, and found a remarkable expansion of the Inverted Repeats. Three genes (ndhC, ndhJ, and petG) related to photosynthesis appear to have undergone significant selective pressure. Through high‐resolution phylogenetic analysis, the cpDNA provided compelling evidence supporting the inclusion of Sinolimprichtia as an early taxon within Tongoloa. However, the nrDNA suggested that Tongoloa and Sinolimprichtia belong to distinct branches. Morphological analysis showed that Tongoloa has broadly oval fruits with a cordate base, whereas the fruits of Sinolimprichtia are long‐obovate with an obtuse base. The specific fruit morphology of Sinolimprichtia was found to be nested within Tongoloa in the cpDNA phylogenetic tree. Ancient introgression and chloroplast capture provide the most plausible explanation for the significant conflict between the nrDNA and cpDNA phylogenies. Our study highlights the potential impact of the complex evolutionary history of Tongoloa on the challenges encountered in previous taxonomic treatments.

Bauhinia orbiculata (Cercidoideae, Leguminosae), a new species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Bauhinia orbiculata is a new species of Leguminosae found in the northern portion of the Chapada Diamantina mountain range in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. It occurs in the seasonally dry shrubby vegetation locally known as ‘carrasco’, and is characterized by entire unifoliolate leaves with nine primary veins, rounded to obtuse apex and cordate base, dark ferruginous lower leaf surface, and linear and smooth floral buds. A detailed description, distribution map and illustrations are provided and its relationship with other eastern Brazilian species with entire leaves is discussed.

A new species of Bauhinia (Cercidoideae, Leguminosae) from the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas, Brazil

Bauhinia andrade-limae is a new species of Leguminosae endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain, occurring in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. The new species is morphologically similar to Bauhinia membranacea, both sharing largely ovate bilobed leaves with an obtuse apex, generally with nine main veins and lenticulate stems. B. andrade-limae differs from B. membranacea by the chartaceous leaves with a cordate base and congested lobes in at least 1/3 of the total length, upper and lower sides glabrous; flower buds up to 5.3 cm long in anthesis and glabrous, reticulate legume with woody valves. A detailed description with distribution, photographs and an illustration of the new species is provided.

A new fossil angiosperm from the Early Cretaceous (early Aptian) of the Zhongkouzi Basin in the Beishan area, Northwest China

ABSTRACT A new angiosperm is reported based on a leaf specimen from the Early Cretaceous Chijinpu Formation in Beishan area, Northwest China. The associated plants include abundant gymnosperms and ferns. The new angiosperm leaf, discovered for the first time in this region, has a cordate base and peltate excentric lamina attachment. Cluster analysis and morphological comparisons with other angiosperm leaves show that this specimen is more similar to peltate fossil leaves. However, the exact taxonomic position of this fossil leaf is uncertain due to limited characters, so that we established a new genus and species, Gansupeltata beishanensis gen. et sp. nov. The new finding adds to the diversity of early angiosperms, and further demonstrates that angiosperms have already evolved during the Early Cretaceous in the Beishan area, Northwest China.

Thismia cordata (Thismiaceae), a new fairy lantern species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

A new species of Thismia (Thismiaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described and illustrated. Thismia cordata belongs to T. subg. Ophiomeris sect. Ophiomeris, and is mainly characterized by its flowers zygomorphic with gibbous perianth tube which is densely pilose on the inner surface, annulus surrounded by a prominent star-shaped ornamentation of 6-lobes with apex acute, densely pilose, outer perianth lobes ovate with base cordate, stamens with connective falcate, ovary glabrous, and stigma sharply trilobed, densely pilose. Detailed description, illustrations, notes on distribution, and preliminary conservation assessment are provided below.

Preliminary Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Screening of Leaves of Cosmostigma racemosum (roxb.) Wight.

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation are necessary for drug authentication and for prediction and confirmation of pharmacological activities of any plant part. Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.) Wight, a traditional and folklore drug in Kerala with many reputed usages, locally called as Vaattuvalli, is a shrubby twiner of Apocynaceae family. Leaves are the most used plant part. As no scientific data regarding its standards were available, preliminary pharmacognostic, physico-chemical and phytochemical evaluation of the leaves were done as per the guidelines of Ayurveda Pharmacopoiea of India and WHO. The study revealed that leaves of Cosmostigma racemosum (Roxb.)Wight are simple, opposite, exstipulate, apex caudate, base cordate and with a characteristic chilly odour. Microscopic examination of leaves revealed the presence of characteristic features such as lacticifers, secreting cells, absence of stomata on the upper epidermis, presence of paracytic stomata on the lower epidermis and presence of calcium oxalate crystals especially druse crystals. The preliminary phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, saponins which indicates the wide range of pharmacological activities of the plant. The 13 peaks in the HPTLC profile indicate a wide pharmacological prospect of the leaves. The ICP-MS analysis confirmed that heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb and As present in the leaves are within permissible limits. Physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, different ash values, volatile oil content, different extractive values, ph, fibre content, and sugar content were also determined. All these findings can serve as standards for assuring the safety, quality and purity of the drug.

Two new endemic species of blueberry (Vaccinium L., Ericaceae) from Luzon and Mindanao islands, Philippines

Two new species of Vaccinium from the Philippines are described and illustrated from historical herbarium collections. Vaccinium burburan from Luzon Island, Northern Philippines is morphologically similar to V. tenuipes, but is distinguished by having shorter petioles, pedicels and corolla, adaxially pubescent leaf blades with cordate base, apically pubescent corollas, and pubescent filaments throughout. It is only one of two species of Vaccinium in the Philippines known to have a cordate leaf blade base. Vaccinium burburan is considered critically endangered. Vaccinium jubatum from Mindanao Island, Southern Philippines, is morphologically similar to V. sylvaticum, but is distinguished by having a dentate leaf blade margin, shorter inflorescences and pedicels, a glabrous calyx, and shorter filaments. The dentate leaf blade margin of V. jubatum uniquely distinguishes it from other Philippine Vaccinium species. The conservation status of V. jubatum is considered data deficient. These discoveries further increase the current number of known Vaccinium species in the Philippines to 40.

Rediscovery of Bauhinia conceptionis (Leguminosae: Cercidoideae), a rare and endemic species of Colombian legume from Chocó - Colombia, after eighty years

During a series of botanical fieldtrips in the rural areas of the municipality of Quibdó in the Pacific region of Colombia, between 2017 and 2018, a very small population of Bauhinia conceptionis Britton & Killip (Leguminosae: Cercidoideae) was detected. Bauhinia conceptionis, a rare and endemic species of Colombian legume was described based on specimens collected by W. A. Archer in 1931. Since then, the species has not been recorded again. Bauhinia conceptionis is distinguished from other Colombian species of Bauhinia by the following combination of characters: leaves suborbicular and bilobed for less than 1/5 their length, leaf base cordate and apical lobe rounded, stigma oblique – capitate, bud up to 5.5 cm long, and distribution restricted to the Chocó area. The stigma, anther and fruits are described for the first time, since the original description. We report the rediscovery of this species in its natural habitat, surroundings of La Concepcion River, area municipality of Quibdó, in a disturbed area of tropical rainforest subject to strong anthropogenic pressures including illegal logging; additionally, new taxonomic information of this specie is provided.

Fossil Capsular Valves ofKoelreuteria(Sapindaceae) from the Eocene of Central Tibetan Plateau and Their Biogeographic Implications

Premise of research. Koelreuteria encompasses three extant species that are discontinuously distributed in East Asia and the Fiji Islands. Koelreuteria had a wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere during the Paleogene, with the first known fossil record being from the early Eocene of western North America. This study reports early fossil occurrences of Koelreuteria in Asia with a detailed morphological investigation and considers the history of its biogeographical dispersal in light of these finds.Methodology. Four capsular valve fossil species of Koelreuteria are recognized from the early middle Eocene of the Niubao Formation at the Jianglang site (present altitude 4850 m), Bangor County, central Tibetan Plateau, China. They are compared with previous fossil occurrences using existing literature and herbarium records of extant material.Pivotal results. We describe a new species, Koelreuteria kvacekii P.-R. Chen, C. Del Rio & T. Su sp. nov., characterized by its oblate capsular valve, lobed apex, and cordate base of the valve, as well as one or two suborbicular seeds per locule. Other material is assigned to species previously described from other locations, extending the geographic and stratigraphic ranges for K. miointegrifoliola, K. allenii, and K. lunpolaensis.Conclusions. Fossil records of Koelreuteria and other co-occurring plants evidence a subtropical climate in central Tibet during the middle Eocene, contrasting with the present cold and dry climate in this region. These are the earliest fossil records of Koelreuteria from what is now the Tibetan Plateau. It seems that the Tibetan region served as an early diversification center for Koelreuteria during the Paleogene in Asia. All species of this flora disappeared locally because of the formation of the Tibetan Plateau by the Neogene.

First fossil evidence of Indian tulip tree

ABSTRACT Thespesia populnea (L) Sol. ex Corrêa (Malvaceae), known as the Indian tulip tree, is a well-known fast-growing, economically and ecologically important evergreen species in the tropical forests of India. However, no reliable fossil evidence of Thespesia has been reported from the Cenozoic sediments of India so far. Here, we document for the first time a well-preserved leaf impression similar to extant leaves of Indian tulip tree from the latest Neogene (Pliocene: Rajdanda Formation) sediments of Chotanagpur Plateau, eastern India. The leaf specimen has a broadly ovate mesophyllous blade, with a conspicuous acuminate apex (drip-tip), a cordate base, a stout petiole, actinodromous primary veins and brochiododromous secondary veins. We recognise the new fossil species Thespesia neopopulnea Hazra, Mahato and Khan sp. nov. The recovery of this species and other earlier-described evergreen taxa from the same formation, suggests the existence of tropical, warm and humid climatic conditions during the depositional period.

Morphological Characteristics of Different Ficus Species Found in Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria

The genus Ficus is an important genetic resource due to its high economic and nutritional values. It is also an important part of biodiversity in the rainforest ecosystem. The leaf shape is variable, even among the leaves on the same tree and such characters as acuminate tips and cordate bases are seldom constant. The research was aimed to determined the morphological characteristics of leaves from eight different Ficus species found in Zaria in wet and dry season. Macromorphological characters such as leaf type, leaf shape, leaf apex, leaf margin, leaf arrangement and leaf base were examined. Macromorphological characters show leaf arrangement to be alternate in all the species. The leaf apexes are acute, obtuse and Acuminate, with leaf base been cordate and obtuse, having a leaf margin of serrate, entire and scalloped, with the shapes of the leaf cordate, ovate and elliptic. Quantitative examination of the foliar characteristics in both wet and dry season showed a significant difference in the leaf number among all the species except for Ficus reliogosa, Ficus capensis and Ficus elastica having P values 0.938, 0.963 and 0.873 respectively. Leaf length also varies significantly among all species except for Ficus reliogosa, Ficus polita, F. platyphylla and F. natalensis while leaflet width also varies significantly among all the species except for Ficus platyphylla. Petiole length was also significant among the species except for Ficus elastica (P value 0.417) The findings from this research revealed that the macromorphological characteristics of Ficus species in Zaria during wet and dry season indicate a significant variation across species.
 Keywords: Morphological, Foliar, Ficus species, Wet and dry season

First water lily, a leaf of Nymphaea sp., from the Miocene Clarkia flora, northern Idaho, USA: Occurrence, taphonomic observations, floristic implications

Although the Miocene Clarkia locality in Idaho, USA, is a well-known fossil lagerstätte, this 16-million-year-old flora is especially renowned for its abundant leaves with excellent preservation. The exquisite condition of its dicot leaves has resulted in detailed research on systematics, morphology, venation, epidermal structure, cell ultrastructure, biochemistry, and even molecular biology. However, new discoveries continue to emerge, even after five decades of research. Here we describe the first water lily leaf from the Clarkia flora as Nymphaea sp. based on its form, petiole attachment, and venation. The eccentric peltate leaf is ovate with a cordate base, a deep basal sinus, entire margins, and actinodromous primary venation. Its small, unblemished condition and leathery texture suggests that it is a young floating leaf. While rare in the Clarkia Lake deposits, the occurrence of a single water lily leaf among tens of thousands of dicot and conifer leaves follows the taphonomic pattern of nearby Middle Miocene floras, two of which have yielded Nymphaea pollen. The recognition of Nymphaea at Clarkia supplements the taxonomic composition of the flora, confirms the presence of water lilies in region during the Middle Miocene, and completes our understanding of plant life in the Pacific Northwest 16 million years ago.

Short communication: Leaf architecture of 35 species of Dipterocarpaceae cultivated in Forest Area with Special Purposes in Carita, Banten, Indonesia

Abstract. MeinataA, Na’iem M, Adriyanti DT, Syahbudin A. 2021. Short communication: Leaf architecture of 35 species of Dipterocarpaceae cultivated in Forest Area with Special Purposes in Carita, Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2952-2960. Dipterocarpaceae is a major commercial timber characterized by high unbranched bole, paired stipules, and winged fruit. The identification process in the family becomes problematic, in cases where the generative organ is absent. Therefore, a new approach needs to be established to address any misidentification leading to improper utilization. This study aims to determine the leaf architecture in 35 species of Dipterocarpaceae cultivated in Forest Area with Special Purposes (KHDTK) Carita, Banten, Indonesia. The ten leaf samples collected were the third and fourth leaves from terminal shoots of a single tree of each species. Subsequently, the data were observed and measured based on the 17 morphological characters. Each character was then scored and analyzed using multivariate analyses cluster to determine the relationship between species. Dipterocarpaceae generally has pinnate leaf category, geniculate petiole, and entire margin. Furthermore, the phenon line in the dendrogram is cut at 0.695 similarity level to establish meaningful interpretation. The 35 species observed were grouped into 4 major clusters. Small leaf group, inconsistent tertiary vein pattern group, symmetrical leaves with cordate base leaf group, and other groups that do not resemble mentioned characters. The key determination comprised 34 couplets with three characters repeated due to limited descriptors.

First fossil record of mulberry from Asia

Although Asia shows moderate species richness of mulberry (Morus L.) today, unfortunately no mulberry fossil has been reported from the Cenozoic sediments of this continent to date. Here, we report for the first time the occurrence of leaf remains (both impression and compression) having similarity with modern leaves of Morus from the early Eocene sedimentary sequences of the Gurha opencast lignite Mine, western Rajasthan, India. The fossil specimens characterized by a heart-shaped ovate lamina, cordate base, long petiole, crenate–serrate margin, actinodromous nature of primary veins and craspedodromous type of secondary venation pattern are recognized as Morus asiatica Patel, Rana and Khan sp. nov. This record suggests that mulberry was an important component of tropical–subtropical evergreen forests growing in a warm humid climate in the area of north-western India during the Eocene. This taxon subsequently declined from the local present-day dry and desertic vegetation probably because of the drastic climate and latitudinal change in the area, related to the Himalayan Orogeny and rainfall seasonality since the Eocene.

<p><strong><em>Begonia erythrobracteata </em></strong><strong>(Begoniaceae) a new species from the Atlantic Coastal Forest in the state of São Paulo, Brazil</strong></p>

Begonia erythrobracteata (Begoniaceae) is a new, narrow endemic from the Atlantic Coastal Forest of Brazil. This species is closely related to Begonia olsoniae and B. fimbritepala and shares their rupicolous habit and transversely ovate leaf blades with a cordate base. It differs to B. fimbritepala in its petioles, which are densely squamulose along their entire length (vs. with simple trichomes) and B. olsoniae by its glabrous (vs. pilose) adaxial leaf surface. B. erythrobracteata is described and illustrated with detailed field photographs, and a provisional IUCN Red List Assessment is provided.

The phylogenetic placement of a new species of Belemia in Nyctaginaceae, and the first plastome description for the genus

Investigations following the discovery of an unusual new collection from the Amazon lead to a phylogenetic investigation in order to ascertain its position within the Nyctaginaceae. Two different approaches were used: gene trees from nucleotide sequences of ndhF and ITS aiming to check the phylogenetic position of the new species in the genus Belemia (Nyctaginaceae), using mostly the available data; and a phylogenomic analysis based on full plastome sequences of Caryophyllales and related orders. Following that, a description of the new species, Belemia cordata Harley & Giul., complete with illustrations, comments and conservation status are provided. Distinct from B. fucsioides, the only other species of the genus, the new species has branches and flowers covered in multicellular glandular trichomes, leaves with cordate base, inflorescences in congested cymes and included stamens. The species is classified as Critically Endangered as it has been found in a single location and subsequent expeditions to locate the plant were not successful. The second description of the chloroplast genome of Nyctaginaceae is also provided.

<p><strong>A new species of <em>Bauhinia</em> from coastal areas in Northeastern Brazil</strong></p>

Bauhinia includes about 150 species distributed across the tropics. Most Neotropical species belong to Bauhinia ser. Cansenia that includes unarmed trees and shrubs, mostly from areas under seasonally dry climate. A new species of this series is described here from the northeastern Brazilian states of Bahia and Sergipe. Bauhinia corifolia occurs in open vegetation on sandy soils of Restinga vegetation at the Atlantic coastal forests. It is morphologically similar to B. acuruana by sharing the entire and ovate leaflet with a retuse to emarginate apex and a cordate base, but differing by its tall shrub to treelet habit, larger leaves with a glabrous and glossy upper surface, shorter bracts, and longer flowers. We provide description, illustration and distribution map for the new species.

Swertia hongquanii, a new species of Gentianaceae from Mt. Wuling, southern China.

Swertia hongquanii Jia X. Li, a new species of Gentianaceae, is described and illustrated from Mt. Wuling, southern China. It grows on the tops of steep limestone mountains surrounded by cliffs above an altitude of ca. 1400 m. This species resembles Swertia bimaculata, but differs from the latter by the stem leaf blades 2.0–4.5 × 1.0–2.5 cm, ovate to ovate-cordate, base cordate and subamplexicaul, the seeds irregularly polyhedral and the seed coats minutely thorny and reticulate. Based on morphological traits, i.e. the inflorescence structure and the number and structure of the nectaries, the new species may be a member of series Maculatae. A key to the species of series of section MaculataeOphelia is provided.

Impatiens tanyae (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Western Ghats, India

Impatiens tanyae, a new species from Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Ghats area of Tamil Nadu, India is described and illustrated. The new species is allied with I. tomentosa B.Heyne ex Wight & Arn. but differs in its ovate leaves with a cordate base, pubescent on both surfaces, flower white, pedicels longer than leaves, pubescent throughout, spur incurved and 7 – 8 mm long, dorsal petal broadly ovate, lateral united petals with oblong claw, distal lobe white with pinkish blotch in centre.