Corolla Color Research Articles

Salvia tainingensis, a neglected new species of Lamiaceae from Fujian Province, China

A species could not be known to the world of science if it not be discovered and described, considerable number of new species are neglected due to the plant itself and some other external restricted factors. On the basis of morphological and molecular evidences, a new species previously identified as Salvia scapiformis is now described and illustrated as Salvia tainingensis, named after Taining County in Fujian Province, where it was discovered. S. tainingensis does not closely resemble S. scapiformis, but is more similar to Salvia glabrifolia and Salvia daiguii, which were once identified as S. scapiformis, in terms of leaf shape, apex, base, corolla color, and connective length. However, it can be easily distinguished from the latter two by its thinly leathery leaves, serrate leaf margins, densely villous or glabrescent leaf abaxial, and the X-shaped arrangement of connective and filament.

Functional and transcriptional regulation of the anthocyanidin acyl modifier gene Gs5AT of Gentiana sino-ornata.

The Chinese gentian, Gentiana sino-ornata produces brilliant blue flowers. To investigate the biological function and transcriptional regulation mechanism of the anthocyanin 5-O-acyltransferase gene (Gs5AT ) in the corolla, it is beneficial to analyse the mechanism of blue flower colour presentation. In this investigation, we obtained the CDS and promoter sequences of the gene Gs5AT . Yeast one-hybrid experiments were used to identify the transcription factor GsbHLH7 that activates the gene Gs5AT . According to quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, the expression of the gene Gs5AT was significantly and positively correlated with the gene GsbHLH7 . The colour phenotype of the flowers was significantly altered by the virus-induced gene silencing transduction of Gs5AT and GsbHLH7 , with GsbHLH7 silencing producing more pronounced changes in the corolla colour than Gs5AT . The expression of GsF3'5'H , GsDFR , GsANS , Gs3GT , and Gs5GT all fell to varying degrees after GsbHLH7 silencing, indicating that GsbHLH7 may regulate transcription of these genes as well as Gs5AT . The results of this study indicate that Gs5AT was positively regulated by the GsbHLH7 , and thus affects the colour presentation of the blue corolla.

Boesenbergia kalakadensis sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from southern Western Ghats, India

Boesenbergia kalakadensis (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Kalakad‐Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India is described and illustrated. Boesenbergia kalakadensis is closely allied to B. rotunda Mansf., and B. tiliifolia (Baker) Kuntze, but differs from them in its rhizome, leaves, inflorescence, length of flowers, glabrous nature of bract and bracteoles, length of calyx and corolla tube, size and shape of the corolla lobes, size, colour and margins of lateral staminodes, broader, orbicular, flat labellum, sessile, glandular hairy, crested anther, and length of style. A key to species of Boesenbergia in Peninsular India is provided.

Genetic comparison among some cultivars of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. using three intergenic spacers of the chloroplast genome

Abstract. Susanto AH, Dwiati M. 2024. Genetic comparison among some cultivars of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. using three intergenic spacers of the chloroplast genome. Biodiversitas 25: 2999-3007. Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is recognized as both an ornamental plant and a medicinal herb. By means of both hybridization and mutation breeding, numerous cultivars of C. roseus have been developed over time. This encourages the necessity for molecular characterization to establish a DNA barcode for each cultivar, particularly in relation to its potential as a medicinal herb. Therefore, this study aimed to genetically compare some cultivars of C. roseus based on three Intergenic Spacers (IGS) of the chloroplast genome, namely trnQ-rps16, rps16-trnK, and trnL-rpl32. Ten samples of C. roseus were randomly collected from around Purwokerto City, Central Java, Indonesia, representing cultivars with various corolla and flower eye colors. Universal primers were used to amplify the three molecular markers. The results showed that some insertion-deletions (indels) with rps16-trnK and trnL-rpl32 were observed, indicating some potential barcodes for C. roseus cultivars, following pharmacological analysis. On the other hand, very little genetic difference among samples was found with trnQ-rps16. It can be concluded that some other molecular markers, specifically those more closely related to the expression of flower color in C. roseus, should be explored to obtain candidate DNA barcodes in assisting the authentication of medicinal herbs.

Unlocking the secrets of parasitic plants: A comparative study of the development and floral morphoanatomy of Pholisma (Lennoaceae)

Pholisma belongs to the family Lennoaceae, classified as obligate root holoparasites. Most existing studies are limited to addressing only P. arenarium. In this study, morphoanatomical and developmental aspects of flowers of the three species comprising Pholisma are described using histological embedding techniques in Paraplast and LR- White and observations by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Similarities found in the three species include the presence of trichomes on the sepals, each carpel folding independently. Each carpel has transmitting tissue, and an empty cavity is distinguished in the centre of the style. The stigma is crateriform and of the wet type. Sporogenesis, gametogenesis, and floral development follow a similar pattern in the three species. Differences among species include the position of the stamens, pollen morphology, type of inflorescence, and colour of flowers and inflorescences. In P. arenarium, the stamens are located below the stigma height, and the pollen is tetracolporate and psilate; in P. sonorae, the stamens are at the same height as the stigma, and the pollen is tricolporate and reticulate; and in P. culiacana, the stamens are above the stigma height, and the pollen is tricolporate and psilate. The inflorescences in both P. arenarium and P. sonorae are cymes; the corolla colour is white with purple lines extending from the limb to the corolla tube. In contrast, the inflorescence in P. culiacana is a capitulum type, and the corolla colour is white with pink margins. The characters found in the three species of Pholisma are compared with some genera comprising the family Ehretiaceae.

A new species of Onosma (Boraginaceae) from Bakhtiari Mountains in Iran

A new species, Onosma bakhtiarica (Boraginaceae), has been discovered in Iran’s Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The plant is found in the Tang-e Beheshtabad and belongs to sect. Onosma subsect. Haplotricha. Morphologically, it is closely related to O. pachypoda and O. sericea. Still, it differs from the mentioned species by the rosette leaf shape, shape of rosette leaf apex, shorter cauline leaf, cauline leaf width and shape, arrangement of setae, corolla color and shape, shorter pedicel length in flowering and fruiting, shorter fruiting calyx, bract shape, nutlet shape and size, nutlet ornamentation, and a hairy annulus. In addition, O. bakhtiarica is distinguished from O. pachypoda by its light brown nutlet, rosette leaf with a long petiole, and cauline leaf with an acute apex. It can also be distinguished from O. sericea by the dense short hairs covering the corolla’s exterior. Diagnostic characters, a comprehensive description, photographs, and a distribution map are provided. An identification key for haplotrichous Onosma species of Iran is also provided.

A new endemic species of Alkanna (Lithospermeae: Boraginaceae) from hilly environments of west Iran

Alkanna assadii Khajoei Nasab & Zeraatkar (Lithospermeae: Boraginaceae), a new species endemic to hills from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province of Iran, is described, illustrated, and compared with similar species. It is mainly compared with A. frigida, from which it is distinguished by its habit, height, basal leaves length and shape, cauline leaves size and shape, setae size, gland size, corolla color, and size, the status of the trichomes and glands in corolla, arrangement of the stamens in the corolla, pedicel length, calyx length, and bract shape and size. Notes on habitat, distribution, ecology, conservation status, and relationships are provided.

A new combination for a neglected member of Linaria subsect. Versicolores (Plantaginaceae, Antirrhineae) endemic to the Algarve, Portugal

Linaria bimaculatacomb. et stat. nov., from the overlooked Central Algarve plant endemism centre, is here lectotypified and redescribed as a full species based on Linaria viscosa var. bimaculata, which was historically misidentified under allopatric L. spartea and L. viscosa. Traditional herbarium taxonomy and citizen science observations were combined to document the geographical range of the four species of Linaria subsect. Versicolores in the Algarve and amend an identification key for the Iberian clade of this subsection. Geographical patterns and morphological similarity suggest a sister relationship between L. bimaculata and L. algarviana, unveiling a new possible example of parallel speciation linked to a purple to yellow shift in corolla colour. Besides the yellow flowers, L. bimaculata differs from L. algarviana in the more elongate fertile stems and the invariably erect-patent corolla tube. It is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN Categories and Criteria.

A new synonym of Rhododendronleishanicum (subg. Hymenanthes) from China (Ericaceae).

Based on a critical examination of type specimens, images of living plants, and the literature has shown Rhododendronoligocarpum to be conspecific with R.leishanicum. Although slight variations in corolla colour exist amongst different populations of R.oligocarpum, it does not serve as a key distinguishing trait. Therefore, we reduced R.oligocarpum to a synonym of R.leishanicum, and recommend placing it in Subsection Maculifera.

Petrocosmea arunachalense: a new species of Gesneriaceae from Northeast India

Petrocosmea arunachalense, a new species of Gesneriaceae, is described and illustrated from West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species is similar to P. nanchuanensis, and P. parryorum, but differs from the former in having much bigger, lanceolate ovate to lanceolate elliptic leaves, uniformly entire margins, more numerous lateral veins, inflorescence with long peduncles, short pedicels, and more numerous flowers, striated corolla, hairy filaments and number of staminodes, and from the later by more numerous leaves per plant, texture of leaves, uniformly entire margins, more numerous lateral veins, green calyx, corolla colour and striation, and colour of the hairs on the filaments. The new species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

A Review of the Ethnobotany, Biological Activity, and Phytochemistry of the Plants in the Gundelia Genus.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) catalog, and Google Scholar from January 1980 up until October 2023 on plants in the Gundelia genus. Gundelia L. (Asteraceae) has been treated as a monospecific genus with Gundelia tournefortii L. (1753: 814) in most recent floras with wide variation in corolla color, but nowadays, the genus consists of 17 species. The unripe inflorescences of these species, especially G. tournefortii L., are consumed in many ways. 'Akkoub' or 'akko' in Arabic, "Kangar" in Persian, and "Silifa" in Greek are the common names of G. tournefortii L., also known as tumble thistle in English. They have been used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, kidney stones, diarrhea, stomach pain, inflammation, liver and blood diseases, bacterial and fungal infections, and mumps. Based on recent studies, their extracts have exhibited hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Moreover, a variety of phytochemicals, including terpenoids, sterols, and fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, have been identified in this genus. This study reviewed the ethnobotany, phytochemicals, and biological activities of the plants in the Gundelia genus as functional foods and herbal remedies.

Dillenia (Dilleniaceae) pollen heteromorphy and presentation, and implications for pollination by bats.

Bat pollination of Dillenia in Fiji, a genus that was presumed to be pollinated by bees, posits that other Dillenia species may be bat-pollinated, with implications for conservation and the understanding of angiosperm evolution. Botanical descriptions of some corolla behaviours ('falling as a whole') suggest bat removal of permanently closed corollas, as in D. biflora. Considering the remoteness of species of interest, we reviewed some Dillenia floral traits to hypothesise what they may mean for bat pollination of the genus. We investigated D. biflora pollen grains apertures and reviewed Dillenia literature concerning corolla behaviour and colour, and pollen apertures and presentation, including pores and staminodes. Our samples had dramatically different ratios of tricolpate to tetracolpate pollen grains, a trait that does not exclude pollination by bees. Petal colour polymorphism occurs, with mixed colours proportionately less common in flowers with corollas that open. The proportion of species with staminodes did not differ between those presumed to be pollinated by bats and others, but anthers of the former were significantly more likely to have apical pores, and stamens all had similar length or were slightly longer in the middle, whereas stamens in two distinct groups occurred in 55% of bee-pollinated species. Pollen heteromorphy may facilitate pollination by different taxa in tropical environments. However, anther apical pores and stamen uniformity are more likely to be associated with bat-pollinated species than are other morphologies. Dillenia could be a useful model to examine evolutionary aspects of colour, heteranthery, staminodes and pollen heteromorphy. Only field work will verify bat pollination and the implications of bat dependence for Dillenia species.

Association of quantitative traits and genetic diversity in Ethiopian sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes

To enhance sesame yield, it is important to utilize diverse parents in breeding programs and implement an effective selection procedure, which exploits the association of quantitative traits. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to explore the correlation among quantitative traits and assess genetic variability and diversity using both qualitative and quantitative traits. Correlation coefficients indicated a noteworthy (P < 0.001) positive phenotypic (rp) and genotypic (rg) correlation between seed yield and various traits: plant height (rp = 0.60; rg = 0.58), length of the capsule-bearing zone (rp = 0.77; rg = 0.80), number of capsules on the main stem (rp = 0.80; rg = 0.85), primary branches (rp = 0.66; rg = 0.66), and capsules per plant (rp = 0.90; rg = 0.91). In contrast, a negative correlation (P < 0.001) was observed between yield and bacterial blight disease severity, both phenotypically (rp = −0.60) and genotypically (rg = −0.76). The analysis of path coefficients indicated that the most substantial positive direct effect on yield (0.77) was attributed to capsules per plant, whereas other traits associated with yield exhibited a significant indirect influence on yield through capsules per plant. Qualitative traits exhibited diversity, except for plant growth type, plant growth habit, and stem branching. Shannon-Weaner (H) and Simpson (1-D) diversity indices were higher for interior corolla color (H = 1.63; 1-D = 0.66), seed color (H = 1.50; 1-D = 0.46), and capsule beak type (H = 1.08; 1-D = 0.50). The analysis of variance indicated a notable variation among the examined genotypes regarding quantitative traits, excluding internode length. The plant materials were divided into five clusters through cluster analysis, where clusters I to V consisted of 21, 29, 4, 4, and 6 genotypes, respectively. The current study has shown that the yield of sesame can be enhanced through indirect selection for traits associated with yield, particularly the highest number of capsules per plant. Furthermore, examinations of genetic diversity confirmed the presence of variability within the assessed genotypes, providing valuable insights for upcoming sesame breeding programs.

Inheritance Pattern of Qualitative Character Traits in F2 Population of the Bara x Ungara and Dewata x Unggara Crosses

The purpose of this study was to estimate the inheritance pattern of qualitative character traits from the F2 population of the Bara x Ungara and Dewata cross. The study was conducted in the experimental garden of Unhas, Tamalanrea sub-district, Makassar, South Sulawesi. The quantitative character traits observed consisted of four characters, namely, the color of the flower corolla, the coloring of the immature fruit, the branching habit, and the nodal color. The results showed that the population of F2 crosses showed a purplish-green color (34) as the dominant color in immature fruits. Crosses with the Ungara variety exhibited a significant contribution to the color in the immature fruit. The nodal color characters is closely related to the duplication interaction pattern between alleles at different loci

Astragalus pallasii (Fabaceae) — новый вид во флоре Среднего Поволжья

A new species to the flora of the Middle Volga Region, Astragalus pallasii Biehler, is recorded. New localities of A. pallasii were found in the Samara, Saratov and Orenburg regions, with Samara populations being at the north-western limit of the species range. A. pallasii is recorded for Samara and Saratov regions for the first time. Furthermore, these findings have significantly expanded the known distribution of the species. Description of the spotted populations of the species is given, variability of corolla coloration is illustrated. The cited herbarium specimens are deposited in the Herbarium of the Samara University (SMR), duplicates are passed to the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE) and Saratov State University (SARAT). A. pallasii is recommended to include in the Red Lists of the Samara, Saratov and Orenburg regions.

Anomalous peony (&lt;i&gt;Paeonia anomala&lt;/i&gt; L.) In the Urals and contiguous landsAnomalous peony (&lt;i&gt;Paeonia anomala&lt;/i&gt; L.) In the Urals and contiguous lands

Modern varieties of flowering ornamental plants have high economic and social significance. Prominent representatives of active long-term plant breeding are various varieties of peonies, which are actively used in landscaping botanical gardens, urban landscapes and smallholdings. With the development of molecular genetics, the selection of ornamental varieties of flowering plants has received a new impetus in its development. Researchers have identified markers that determine important decorative and economic qualities, such as flower shape, leaf color, corolla color, variety of double flower, aroma, which allows to intensify plant breeding, and also, which is quite important, to certify new varieties. In this article, we have given an overview of the results of longterm studies of representatives of the genus Paeonia in the Urals and contiguous lands, since the mid-twentieth century to the present, both domestic and foreign scientific schools. The article presents data on the locations of the anomalous peony along the Ural mountain range, the morphology and ecology of the growth of representatives of this species, medicinal properties, the results of molecular genetic typing of various marker systems. The points requiring more detailed study are indicated: there is no complete up-to-date information on the distribution of the anomalous peony in the Urals, there is no up-to-date data on the population size, there is no information about the molecular genetic structure of the species as a whole. The anomalous peony is a red book species that has a high level of decorativeness, as well as resistance to diseases that can be used not only in pharmacology, but also in modern plant selection. It is known that the number of populations of anomalous peony is low, in places of meetings it is noted singly, less often in small groups, which is connected with the active use of this species in folk medicine. Vegetative and root systems contain a large number of biologically active components with different properties. To develop measures for the protection and rational use of representatives of Paeonia anomala growing in the Urals, it is necessary to study the species more closely in order to preserve it in nature and further use in breeding and hybridization as a source of genes that will help significantly improve the plant breeding potential of modern varieties.

Astragalus roseocephalus, a new species of section Poliothrix from Pakistan

A new species, Astragalus roseocephalus sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It is known from Islamabad Capital Territory (Margalla hills), Rawalpindi district, Hazara and Kashmir. It belongs to Astragalus section Poliothrix Bunge. Morphologically, it is closely related to Astragalus leucocephalus Benth., but differs in height, presence of connate stipules, opposed to free lateral stipules in A. leucocephalus, stipule shape, leaf length, leaflet size, number, arrangement and shape, peduncle length, corolla colour, size and shape of standard, fruit shape and number of seeds. In addition, anatomy, pollen morphology, distribution and conservation status of the new species are discussed.

A TIME-CALIBRATED PHYLOGENY OF VERBESINA (HELIANTHEAE – ASTERACEAE) BASED ON NUCLEAR RIBOSOMAL ITS AND ETS SEQUENCES

Verbesina L. is a genus of the tribe Heliantheae, subtribe Verbesininae (Asteraceae), with distribution in the Americas, where Mexico and the Andes harbour the richest concentration of species. The approximately 325 species in the genus are shrubs, subshrubs, trees and rarely herbs. Despite its high species diversity and biogeographical importance, the only available phylogenetic hypothesis for Verbesina was based on chloroplast DNA restriction site data. In the present study, nuclear ITS and ETS DNA sequence data were used with an expanded taxon sampling, particularly among the South American Verbesina species, to improve phylogenetic resolution and support, clarify infrageneric relationships, and resolve biogeographical questions in the genus. The results of our new analysis corroborate the monophyly of Verbesina, but its current classification into 12 taxonomic sections, based on morphological characters such as phyllotaxis, head size, corolla colour, and presence of ray flowers, is not congruent with the molecular phylogeny, in which most sections are polyphyletic. We also show that Verbesina diverged in the late Miocene of North America, about 8 Ma. At least two independent Pleistocene dispersals into South America across the Isthmus of Panama and along the Southern Andes are evident, beginning around 3.23 Ma (1.27–3.23 Ma) in the Middle Pliocene, and resulting in an extra-Amazonian distribution of the genus inSouth America. Diversification in South America began around 2.83 Ma with occupation of the Andes. Colonisation of Brazil is estimated to have occurred around 2.15 Ma, from Andean lineages.

Antioxidant activity of new varieties spicy-aromatic and essential-oil plants

Spicy-aromatic and essential-oil plants are among the most important food, technical and medicinal plants; their green mass, seeds and essential oils are used in various sectors of the economy. The purpose of the research was to study the indicators of antioxidant activity of the green mass of new varieties of spicy-aromatic and essential-oil plants. The research subjects were new regionalized varieties of oregano, hyssop officinalis, common basil, fine-flowered basil, fragrant onion, multi-tiered onion, fragrant rue, blue fenugreek, large-rhizome geranium and borage. The yield of green mass during flowering phase was studied in field experiments according to generally accepted methods. In laboratory experiments, the content of vitamin C and carotene was studied according to standard methods, content of polyphenolic compounds – according to method of calibration schedule based on a standard substance – rutin. As a result of field and laboratory studies, it has been determined that the yield of the green mass of the studied crops was 125–280 c/ha, vitamin C – 27.0–69.0 mg/100 g, carotene – 7.5–40.7 mg/kg, polyphenol compounds – 9.6–374.2 mg rutin/g. The studied spicy-aromatic and essential-oil plants in terms of antioxidant activity (content of polyphenol compounds) can be grouped into the following series: oregano &gt; large-rhizome geranium &gt; hyssop officinalis &gt; basil &gt; borage &gt; fragrant rue &gt; blue fenugreek &gt; perennial onions. Among the varieties of oregano and hyssop, higher rates of antioxidant activity are noted in varieties with a more intense corolla color (rich pink – in oregano, blue – in hyssop). The results obtained on the yield of marketable products and antioxidant activity make it possible to more fully evaluate spicy-aromatic and essential-oil plants with the prospect of their use in various sectors of the economy, primarily in the development of functional products.

Anthyllis dalmatica (Fabaceae), a New Endemic Species from Croatia

Abstract— Following a morphometric approach, in this paper a new species, Anthyllis dalmatica, is described and illustrated from Croatia (Southeastern Europe). It belongs to the A. vulneraria species complex (Fabaceae), a poorly investigated and critical taxonomic group for Eurasian vascular flora. The new species is a restricted endemic to the montane belt of Mt. Mosor in central Dalmatia, where it grows on limestone rocky slopes. Anthyllis dalmatica is morphologically closely related to the Italian endemic A. apennina, occurring in the central Apennine, from which it differs by a less-wide calyx, a lower ratio between standard limb length and width, a wider standard, and by the color of corolla and calyx at flowering time, which are dark yellow. Based on current knowledge, we propose that A. dalmatica should be included in the category critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. To promote its recognition and conservation, a new key to the taxa belonging to the A. vulneraria species complex from Croatia is also proposed.