Corolla Lip Research Articles

Taxonomical remarks on Solenopsis corsica (Campanulaceae) species complex, with the description of two new species from Sardinia

Taxonomical investigations on Solenopsis corsica occurring in Corsica and Sardinia revealed that it represents a species complex, within which some morphologically well distinct taxa can be recognized. The surveyed populations are closely related among them, especially for the habit, with very small leaf hairy rosettes, small-sized flowers with divaricate corolla lips. Apart from S. corsica s.str., widely spread in Corsica, other two new species, morphologically well differentiated can be recognized, they are: S. limbarae and S. corriasii, both occurring in northern Sardinia, where they are localized on the Limbara massif and in other nearby siliceous mountains. The diagnostic features that allow to distinguish these species encompass the size and shape of leaves, bracteoles, flowers, fruits, and seeds. In addition, other differences concern the shape and size of pollen grain and seed testa, as well as their micromorphology. Finally, chorology and ecology of these species are examined, as well as their detailed illustrations and an analytical key of the hitherto known Sardo-Corsican species of this genus are provided.

Coleus hakgalensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Sri Lanka

Coleus hakgalensis, a new species in family Lamiaceae, is described from the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The dry specimens of the new species are morphologically similar to Coleus paniculatus specimens but distinguishable by its much branched habit with arcuate branches, stem up to 1m in height, elongated inflorescence, bracts being occasionally persistent and shortly petiolated, having hairs inside the upper lip of calyx, semi-circular lateral lobes of upper lip of corolla being much shorter than median lobes, navicular lower lip of corolla with densely pilose inside, stamens united at base and anterior projection of the disc equal or shorter than ovary with an acute apex. The new species is under high risk of extinction in the wild thus ex-situ conservation measures have been implemented.

Andrographis saxatilis (Acanthaceae), a new woody species from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India

Andrographis saxatilis (Acanthaceae), a new species, is described and illustrated from the rocky plateau of the Owk dam area, Andhra Pradesh. It is a perennial, woody‐root‐stocked undershrub. Unique characteristics of this species include hispid hairs, obovate, elliptic‐oblong and oblanceolate leaves, lanceolate glandular hairy sepals, and sterile bract and calyx towards base of rachis. Andrographis saxatilis is closely allied to A. glandulosa Nees by its perennial habit, woody rootstock in rocky crevices, glaucous green leaves, hairy stem, and glandular and attenuate hairy calyx and corolla. However, it is distinguished from the later by its hispid texture (versus densely pubescent in A. glandulosa), obovate, elliptic‐oblong, and oblanceolate leaves (versus ovate‐oblong), obtusely 4‐angled stem (versus acutely 4‐angled), hispid and glandular hairy sepals (versus villous), boat‐shaped upper lip of corolla (versus ligulate), and pubescent fruit (versus glabrous at base and glandular hairy towards the tip in A. glandulosa). The IUCN threat status of A. saxatilis is assessed as ‘Critically Endangered' (CR).

A new species and a new record of Phlomoides (Lamiaceae) from Xizang, China.

Phlomoidesbomiensis, a new species in Bomi County, Xizang, China, was described and illustrated. In addition, Phlomoideslongidentata, previously only known from Nepal and Bhutan, is newly recorded from Dingri County, Xizang, China. The phylogenetic placement of both species within the genus was analysed using nine plastid DNA markers (atpB-rbcL, psbA-trnH, rpl16, rpl32-trnL, rps16, trnK, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG, trnT-trnL). Both species have brown-black trichomes inside the upper corolla lip and nested within the same subclade of Clade II. A diagnostic key to the Phlomoides species belonging to this subclade is provided.

Petrocodonliboensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Petrocodonliboensis Sheng H.Tang & Jia W.Yang is a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guizhou, southwestern China. The new taxon has a pale-yellow corolla and is most similar to P.luteoflorus. However, it differs from the latter by having a urceolate (vs. cannulate) corolla tube, an abaxial corolla lip 0.8-1.1 mm (vs. 2-2.2 mm) long, and filaments 1.5-1.7 mm (vs. ca. 7 mm) long that are straight (vs. S-shaped or geniculate near the middle). The new taxon is assessed as "Data Deficient" (DD) according to the IUCN standards.

Using scanning electron microscopy and molecular data to discover a new species from old herbarium collections: The case of Phlomoideshenryi (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae).

Phlomoides is one of the largest genera of Lamiaceae with approximately 150-170 species distributed mainly in Eurasia. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species, P.henryi, which was previously misidentified as P.bracteosa, from Yunnan Province, southwest China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that P.henryi is found within a clade in which most species lack basal leaves. In this clade, the new species is morphologically distinct from P.rotata in having an obvious stem and, from the rest, by having transparent to white trichomes inside the upper corolla lip. In addition, micro-features of trichomes on the calyx and leaf epidermis can differentiate the new species from other species grouped in the same clade and a key, based on trichome morphology for these species, is provided. The findings demonstrate that the use of scanning electron microscopy can reveal inconspicuous morphological affinities amongst morphologically similar species and play an important role in the taxonomic study of the genus Phlomoides.

A New Species of Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) from Western Yunnan, China

A new species of Lentibulariaceae, Pinguicula gongshanensis, is described and illustrated from western Yunnan, China. Morphologically, it is similar to Pinguicula alpina but differs from the latter by its corolla with 8–12 brown stripes on the tube and spur, yellow corolla lip, corolla tube with yellow pubescence inside, glandular pilose pedicel, and calyx. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 30(2): 171-174, 2023 (December)

Phenotypic Variation in Flower Color and Morphology in the Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) F1 Hybrid Population and Their Association with EST-SSR Markers.

Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) is a widely cultivated ornamental plant. However, its genetic improvement is limited by the lack of genetic analysis and molecular markers for traits. In this study, we analyzed the phenotypic and genotypic variation of 140 F1 progeny from two gerbera varieties with different flower types and colors. We evaluated the flower's morphology, color, and pigment content of the F1 population and performed cluster principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis. The results showed that the main ornamental traits of the hybrid progeny varied greatly. The segregation ratios of single and double flowers and ligulate and split ray florets were both 1:1. The flower colors of the F1 progeny were mainly red and purple-red, similar to the male parent's color. Furthermore, we conducted a genetic analysis of the hybrid progeny using EST-SSR markers and performed association analysis with phenotypic traits. We identified 2, 2, 3, 1, and 2 loci to be associated with peduncle length (PL), ray floret length (RFL), and outer ray floret; the level of apex relative to the top of involucre (LAI); outer corolla lips (OCL); and the b* of ray floret color, respectively. Our results reveal the genetic patterns of important ornamental traits and provide a theoretical basis and practical tools for gerbera genetic breeding.

Taxonomic Revision and Clinical Importance of Phlomoides Genus: A Comprehensive Review

Phlomoides (L.) Moench belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It has recently undergone significant changes in taxonomy, with many species from Eremostachys and Phlomis added to the genus. The aforementioned species were studied in terms of morphological and phytochemical systematics. Species of Phlomoides are distinguished from Phlomis by their densely bearded upper corolla lip and nutlet. However, Eremostachys and Phlomoides have a lot in common morphologically. Plant chemosystematics present iridoids, phenylethanoids, and furanolabdanes as dominant constituents of Phlomoides species. Long-term traditional uses, such as bone fracture therapy, local analgesic, and wound healing actions, pique researchers' interest in these plants. The species and their secondary metabolites have been implicated in drug discovery by their anti-inflammatory and bone-development properties in vitro, in vivo, and clinically. A review of the taxonomic status based on phytochemical and morphological characteristics, as well as the clinical importance of the Phlomoides genus, is presented in the current study to provide a basis for further investigations.

Paraphlomis caloneura (Lamiaceae), A New Species From Guangxi, China

Abstract— Paraphlomis caloneura, a new species from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on two nuclear ribosomal DNA regions (ITS and ETS) and three plastid DNA markers (rpl32-trnL, rps16, and trnL-trnF) revealed that the new species is sister to P. hirsutissima. Both species are found in the limestone forests and are geographically close to each other, but P. caloneura can be easily distinguished from P. hirsutissima by its oblong or ovate-oblong and adaxially densely hispid laminas with broadly cuneate to cordate bases, densely hispid petioles, and slightly 2-lobed margins of upper corolla lips.

Breeding System of <i>Thymus mongolicus</i> (Lamiaceae)

Abstract—Thymus mongolicus (Ronniger) Ronniger (Lamiaceae) is a valuable medicinal and aromatic plant. T. mongolicus is the implicitly polycentric dwarf shrub widely distributed in different environments of Tuva. The breeding system of T. mongolicus was studied in three steppe and meadow habitats. Statistically significant differences between bisexual and pistillate flowers of T. mongolicus were established based on three morphological features of the flower: the length of the upper lip of the corolla and the length of stamen filament of the upper and lower stamens (p 0.0001–0.016). The length of the upper lip of corolla of the bisexual flower is 1.3 times longer than that of the pistillate flower; the lengths of stamen filaments of upper and lower stamens of bisexual flowers are 3.7 and 4.1 times longer (respectively) than the length of staminodes of pistillate flowers. The stamens of the pistillate flowers are underdeveloped and do not form fertile pollen. The frequency of females occurrence in coenopopulations is insignificant (2.1–3.4% of the total number of generative individuals), and females are absent in some phytocoenoses. Reproduction of T. mongolicus occurs both by seed and vegetatively. The distribution of T. mongolicus individuals by ontogenetic groups showed that both pregenerative individuals (33.0–38.1% of the total number of individuals) and generative individuals (31.2–63.7%) are well represented in cenopopulations. Analysis of the ratio of genets and ramets in the steppe petrophyte coenopopulation showed the significant predominance of the vegetative individuals in all ontogenetic groups: in general, there are 3.7 times more ramets than genets. In the meadow coenopopulation, the germination of seeds and the spread of generative individuals is prevented by the relatively high total projective cover of the herbage. It can be assumed that the low occurrence of T. mongolicus females is a-ssociated with a low seed renewal and specificity of offspring inheritance.

Manipulation of multiple floral traits demonstrates role in pollinator disease transmission.

Plants modulate multitrophic ecological interactions, and variation in plant traits can affect these interactions. Pollinators are exposed to pathogens at flowers and acquire or transmit pathogens at different rates on different plant species, but the traits mediating those interactions are almost entirely unknown. We experimentally manipulated five plant traits that span scales including flower, inflorescence, and plant, to determine their effects on pathogen transmission between foraging bees. Specifically, we manipulated two morphological traits (corolla lip length and flower orientation within an inflorescence) and three resource distribution traits (inflorescence nectar, plant patch nectar, and plant aggregation) in tents to test how plant traits affect bee pathogen transmission. We also quantified foraging behavior and fecal deposition patterns as potential mechanisms driving differences in transmission, and assessed trait manipulation consequences for bee reproduction. We found that pathogen transmission was reduced when we trimmed the corolla lip, evenly dispersed nectar distribution within an inflorescence, or aggregated plants in space. Some traits also affected bee reproduction; tents with trimmed corollas had more larval production than control tents, and tents with evenly distributed nectar across plant patches had more larval production than tents with clumped resources. Thus, some trait manipulations both reduced transmission and increased bee microcolony reproduction, although our design does not allow us to discern whether these are related or separate effects. Taken together, our results demonstrate causal effects of several floral traits on pathogen transmission and pollinator reproduction, indicating the importance of intraspecific plant trait variation for pollinator health and population dynamics.

Paraphlomishsiwenii (Lamiaceae), a new species from the limestone area of Guangxi, China.

The indumentum of nutlets is shown to be of phylogenetic importance in previous molecular phylogenetic studies of Paraphlomis, a genus of Lamiaceae with approximately 30 species distributed mainly in southern China and Southeast Asia. Nearly half the species of Paraphlomis are known from limestone areas. In this study, we described and illustrated a new species, P.hsiwenii, from the karst mountain forests in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that P.hsiwenii is recovered in a clade consisting of species with hairy nutlets. The new species is morphologically most similar to P.pagantha from the same clade, but they differ in the morphology of lamina bases, length of pedicels and calyces, as well as the morphology of upper corolla lips.

An account of the antennae-flowered Utricularia of northern Australia

In northern Australia there grows a most remarkable group of 6 species of Utricularia with flesh-coloured flowers and an upper or lower corolla lip that has transformed into a pair of tall, erect antennae-like flower lobes. These characters are quite unusual for the genus, and there are numerous hypotheses as to the reasons for these adaptions, the most likely being sexual floral mimicry to attract a pollinator. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of this highly unusual complex, which includes a botanical history and summarised treatments of each species to provide the reader with the key characters necessary to identify these taxa in the field.

Salvia beltraniorum (Lamiaceae), a new species in savannoid vegetation from Cosalá, Sinaloa, Mexico

An undescribed Salvia species was discovered in savannoid vegetation in the municipality of Cosalá, Sinaloa, during botanical explorations addressed to document the endemic species of this Mexican state. This plant is morphologically most similar to Salvia pringlei, sharing with this the peculiar character of connivent calyces during fructification enclosing the mericarps. However, the new species differs by having smaller floral bracts, deep blue corollas instead of magenta, shorter corollas, corolla lips subequal in length, and shorter connectives and styles. Consequently, we describe and diagnosed this taxon as Salvia beltraniorum. A distribution map, photographs and an identification key to Salvia species in Sinaloa are also provided.

Development and genetic analysis of conspicuous purple coloured corolla lip flower with multicapsules genotype in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The present investigation was framed to understand the genetics and development of conspicuous purple coloured corolla tip flower and multicapsules at axil in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) from the cross between genotypes IC-205776 (♀) 9 EC-118591 (♂). The conspicuous corolla lip colour is recessive in expression and under digenic control, differing from the earlier reports. The ratio at F2 generation was best fit for 13:3 indicating inhibitory gene action for purple corolla lip colour. Among two genes, one acts as an inhibitory gene at recessive condition to produce conspicuous purple corolla lip colour. Multicapsules/axil is dominant in expression, controlled by more than one gene. The ratio of multiple capsules/axil and single capsules/axil at F2 generation was the best fit for the ratio 11:5 indicating dominance modification of duplicate genes for a number of capsules per axil. Single capsule/axil results due to dominance modification of duplicate genes where the homozygous condition of one gene reverses the dominance relation of another gene in heterozygous condition. Joint segregation analysis indicated independent segregation of corolla lip colour and capsule number per axil.

Petrocosmeaduyunensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China.

Plants belonging to the genus Petrocosmea are rare and small herbs difficult to find in the wild. In the present study, a new species, Petrocosmeaduyunensis, from Guizhou, China, is described. The species is most similar to P.leiandra and differs from it by a distinctly recurved abaxial corolla lip, free anthers and included pistil. Detailed morphological comparisons are given. One population with about 100 mature individuals was found at the type locality. This new taxon was assessed as “Data Deficient” (DD) according to the IUCN standards.

<p><strong><em>Premna caridantha</em> (Lamiaceae: Permnoideae), a distinct new species from Kachin State, northern Myanmar</strong></p>

A distinct new species of Premna, P. caridantha which was discovered from Putao District, Kachin State, northern Myanmar, is described and illustrated here. It is characterized by having large and intricate paniculiform inflorescences which branch three times with the terminal branch formed by a spike-like thyrse, zygomorphic corolla with a short-incurved tube, and a bright yellowish spot on the middle lob of the lower corolla lip. The species is most similar to P. grandipaniculata but clearly differs in leaf shape and corolla characters. Premna caridantha is the fourth species having spike-like thyrses in Premna and the third new Premna species recently discovered from northern Myanmar.

<p align="left"><strong><em>Gyrocheilos taishanense</em>: A new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangdong, China</strong></p>

Gyrocheilos taishanense G.T. Wang, Yu Q. Chen & R.J. Wang (Gesneriaceae) from south China is described and illustrated with photographs. It is morphologically similar to G. microtrichum W.T.Wang, but it is distinguished by its glabrous or sparsely hairy pedicels, zygomorphic calyx with hairs in unequal length, and slightly bilobed adaxial corolla lips. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F sequences strongly supported this new species as sister to a clade comprising the previously described Gyrocheilos species (100% posterior probability and bootstrap support). The new species is evaluated here as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Salvia reginae and S. spellenbergii (Lamiaceae), two new species from Chihuahua, Mexico

During botanical explorations in the highlands of NW Mexico, two new Salvia L. species were discovered in the state of Chihuahua: S. reginae J. G. Gonzalez & J. H. Vega and S. spellenbergii J. G. Gonzalez. The first one is morphologically similar to S. concolor Lamb. ex Benth., from which it differs by having smaller floral bracts, a longer upper corolla lip, stamens parallel to the dorsal corolla line, longer filament and connective, the latter ornate with an antrorse tiny acute tooth, longer thecae, longer and exserted styles, and bigger mericarps. Salvia spellenbergii resembles S. fruticulosa Benth., S. goldmanii Fernald and S. pruinosa Fernald; however, it can be distinguished from these because of its shorter petioles, smaller leaf blades, usually fewer floral nodes, fewer flowers per floral node, and regularly shorter calyces. Both species are described and illustrated. Tables with morphological comparisons, illustrations, conservation assessment, and a distribution map are also presented.Citation: Gonzalez-Gallegos J. G., Vega-Mares J. H. & Fernandez J. A. 2019: Salvia reginae and S. spellenbergii (Lamiaceae), two new species from Chihuahua, Mexico. – Willdenowia 49: 319 – 328. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.49.49303Version of record first published online on 26 November 2019 ahead of inclusion in December 2019 issue.