Cream Flowers Research Articles

Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Profiles Provide Insights into the Mechanisms of Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Petals of Medicago sativa ssp. sativa and Medicago sativa ssp. falcata.

The petals of Medicago sativa ssp. sativa and M. sativa ssp. falcata are purple and yellow, respectively. Free hybridization between M. sativa ssp. sativa and M. sativa ssp. falcata has created hybrids with various flower colors in nature. Moreover, the flower colors of alfalfa are closely correlated with yield, nutritional quality, stress tolerance and other agronomic characteristics. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of flower color formation in M. sativa ssp. sativa and M. sativa ssp. falcata, we conducted an integrative analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of alfalfa with three different petal colors (purple, yellow and cream). The metabolic profiles suggested that anthocyanins and carotenoids are the crucial pigments in purple and yellow flowers, respectively. A quantitative exploration of the anthocyanin and carotenoid components indicated that the accumulations of cyanidin, delphinidin, peonidin, malvidin, pelargonidin and petunidin derivatives are significantly higher in purple flowers than in cream flowers. In addition, the content of carotenes (phytoene, α-carotene and β-carotene) and xanthophylls (α-cryptoxanthin, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin and violaxanthin derivatives) was markedly higher in yellow flowers than in cream flowers. Furthermore, we found that delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside and lutein were the predominant pigments accumulated in purple and yellow flowers, respectively. The transcriptomic results revealed that twenty-five upregulated structural genes (one C4H, three 4CL, twelve CHS, two CHI, one F3H, one F3'H, one F3'5'H and four DFR) are involved in the accumulation of anthocyanins in purple flowers, and nine structural genes (two PSY, one ZDS, two CRTISO, two BCH, one ZEP and one ECH) exert an effect on the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in yellow flowers. The findings of this study reveal the underlying mechanisms of anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis in alfalfa with three classic flower colors.

Therapeutic effects of Crataegus monogyna inhibitors against breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a silent killer disorder among women and a serious economic burden in healthcare management. Every 19s, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 74s, a woman worldwide passes away from the disease. Despite the increase in progressive research, advanced treatment approaches, and preventive measures, breast cancer rates continue to increase. This study provides a combination of data mining, network pharmacology, and docking analysis that surely could revolutionize cancer treatment by exploiting prestigious phytochemicals. Crataegus monogyna is a small, rounded deciduous tree with glossy, deeply lobed leaves and flat sprays of cream flowers, followed by dark red berries in autumn. Various studies demonstrated that C. monogyna is therapeutically effective against breast cancer. However, the particular molecular mechanism is still unknown. This study is credited for locating bioactive substances, metabolic pathways, and target genes for breast cancer treatment. According to the current investigation, which examined compound-target genes-pathway networks, it was found that the bioactive compounds of C. monogyna may operate as a viable solution against breast cancer by altering the target genes implicated in the disease pathogenesis. The expression level of target genes was analyzed using GSE36295 microarray data. Docking analysis and molecular dynamic simulation studies further strengthened the current findings by validating the effective activity of the bioactive compounds against putative target genes. In summary, we propose that six key compounds, luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid, contributed to the development of breast cancer by affecting the MMP9 and PPARG proteins. Integration of network pharmacology and bioinformatics revealed C. monogyna's multitarget pharmacological mechanisms against breast cancer. This study provides convincing evidence that C. monogyna might partially alleviate breast cancer and ultimately lays a foundation for further experimental research on the anti-breast cancer activity of C. monogyna.

Preparation and properties of ice cream flowers Ce/TiO2 photocatalyst

TiO2 composite photocatalysts with doping amounts of Ce (0.5%Ce/TiO2, 1%Ce/TiO2, 2%Ce/TiO2, 3%Ce/TiO2 and 5%Ce/TiO2)were synthesized via a sol-gel method.The structure and morphology of the prepared composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, DRS, XPS. At the same time, the photocatalytic effect of the composite on rhodamine B (RhB) solution under simulated visible light irradiation was explored.The results indicated that the crystal of powder catalyst was anatase type TiO2, and the directional aggregation of Ce/TiO2 composite photocatalyst showed ice cream flowers-shaped structure.The photocatalysis activity was the best when Ce doping amounts were 3%.The degradation rate of RhB was 96% in 120 min, which was 50% higher than pure TiO2.Hydroxyl radical (⋅OH) played a leading role in the whole photodegradation reaction system, and its contribution rate was about 66.4%.

Astragalus shaerqinensis (Fabaceae), a New Species from Inner Mongolia, China

Astragalus shaerqinensis L. Liu & Z.Y. Li (Fabaceae), a new species from Inner Mongolia, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it resembles A. dahuricus known from China, Korea and Siberia, but differs from it by having cream flowers, more leaflets, more strongly curved pods and smooth seeds without black spots on the surface.

Study on the taxonomy status of alfalfa with cream flowers

Alfalfa with cream flowers is differentiable and genetically stable; however, describing it in scientific research is difficult and ambiguous because of its taxonomical status. This research attempts to delimit the taxonomical status of 14 accessions, including Medicago sativa ssp. sativa, alfalfa with cream flowers, Medicago sativa ssp. falcata and Medicago ruthinica L., using morphology, chromosome karyotypes and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. From morphology and the ISSR-PCR analysis, three accessions of M. ruthenica L. were clustered into an independent group, and the remaining 11 accessions were clustered into three groups apparently based on flower color. Alfalfa with cream flowers had its own remarkable chromosome karyotype. The genetic distance between alfalfa with cream flowers and M. sativa ssp. sativa was almost equal to that between M. sativa ssp. falcata and M. sativa ssp. sativa. In conclusion, alfalfa with cream flowers may be an independent population just like M. sativa ssp. falcate, representing a subspecies of M. sativa ssp. according to certain taxonomic principles.

<I>Specklinia lugduno-batavae</I> (<I>Pleurothallidinae</I>: <I>Orchidaceae</I>), a new species in the <I>S. digitalis</I> group

Specklinia lugduno-batavae from the Caribbean lowlands of Nicaragua and Costa Rica is formally described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the Specklinia digitalis group and can be recognised by the creeping habit, purple spotted abaxial surface of the leaf and the almost immaculate whitish cream flowers, which are produced in succession on a very short, flexuous inflorescence. The name honours Leiden University and the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The novelty is compared with its closest relatives, Specklinia digitalis, S. pisinna and S. succulenta.

Novelties in the orchid flora of Venezuela II — Cranichideae

Se describen e ilustran dos nuevas orquídeas en la tribu Cranichideae colectadas en el contexto del proyecto “Flora de orquídeas de los estados Amazonas y Bolívar, Venezuela”. Ligeophila gavilanensis (subtribu Goodyerinae) es similar a L. unicornis pero difiere por sus hojas más anchas (1.75—2.90 versus 0.93—1.50 cm), angostamente elípticas hasta oblongo lanceoladas (no lanceoladas) y flores con los lóbulos del epiquilo oblongo-lanceolados, obtusos (no anchamente lanceolados, agudos) y un epiquilo sin apéndice (careciendo de una proyección oblonga, comprimida). Sarcoglottis maroaënsis (subtribu Spiranthinae) es similar a S. metallica pero la nueva especie difiere por las flores color crema con venas rojizo oscuro en los sépalos, pétalos y labeloy por las hojas de color diferente. En color floral es similar a S. ventricosa pero las inflorescencias de Sarcoglottis maroaënsis son más laxas y no lanadas, las flores son menores y los sépalos laterales y el labelo son diferentes. Reportamos un isotipo de Sarcoglottis stergiosii no citado en el protólogo, así como un espécimen colectado en la Amazonía colombiana. También se incluye una clave para identificar las especies de Sarcoglottis reportadas para la Guayana venezolana.

Psoralea karooensis (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae): a new species from the Klein Karoo region of South Africa

A new species of Psoralea is described. Psoralea karooensis C.H. Stirt., Muasya & Vlok is endemic to mountain streams in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The new species is characterised by its flexuose habit of many stiff bare stems with the seasonal shoots arising apically in clusters and its greenish cream flowers borne at the apex of 10–12 mm long peduncles each ending in a trifid cupulum.

New evidence for bee-pollination systems in Aloe (Asphodelaceae: Aloideae), a predominantly bird-pollinated genus

Most Aloe species have long-tubed orange–red flowers, and many of these have been shown to be pollinated by birds. A few Aloe species have relatively short-tubed whitish or cream flowers, and one of these species, Aloe inconspicua, has been shown to be pollinated by insects. Here we further document exclusive insect-pollination in Aloe minima and A. linearifolia, two short-tubed summer flowering aloes in the grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Despite sunbirds being present in the study area, only bee species were observed to visit and pollinate these two aloes. There was little difference in seed set between bird-excluded and open-pollinated treatments, indicating that bee visitors are effective as pollinators of these two species. In a few cases, a single visit by a bee was enough for successful fertilization. Other floral traits, including UV reflectance, small quantities of concentrated nectar, and the presence of floral scent (associated with pollination by insects), strengthen the argument for evolutionary specialization for exclusive insect-pollination in certain species of Aloe.

Dendrobium speciosum (Dendrocoryne: Orchidaceae) complex in north Queensland

Dendrobium speciosum Sm. has received insufficient taxonomic study north of St Lawrence, Queensland, where plants display much morphological variation in diverse habitats. Two varieties have been described previously, variety pedunculatum, occurring north of Townsville, and variety curvicaule for plants between the Connors Range south of Mackay and Annan River, south of Cooktown. In this multivariate analysis of 107 representative plants sampled from areas between St Lawrence and Cooktown, cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis, were used to categorise the variation. Three overlapping varieties are revealed. North of Townsville variety pedunculatum intergrades with a medium-to-tall rainforest form, which separates with a small overlap in analyses from variety curvicaule plants south of Townsville. We formally describe these rainforest forms, previously referred to as variety curvicaule, as a new variety, Dendrobium speciosum variety boreale, which occurs between Cooktown and Mt Elliot, south of Townsville. Variety boreale is characterised by the presence of a collum in most individuals, medium to long pseudobulbs, large, wide leaves, long pedicels, and fairly uniform off-white to cream flowers. Dendrobium speciosum variety curvicaule Bailey is shown to be a name of uncertain application, and is neotypified to apply to the southern group of north Queensland plants, which occur between St Lawrence and Mt Dryander and on the Whitsunday Islands. Variety curvicaule is characterised by pseudobulbs that are of medium length, wide base and have an inconspicuous collum. The flowers have relatively wide segments in relation to all other varieties, long wide petals and incurving lateral sepals.

MELALEUCA TERETIFOLIA, A NOVEL AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL PLANT FROM AUSTRALIA

MELALEUCA TERETIFOLIA, A NOVEL AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL PLANT FROM AUSTRALIA

New Species of Aristea (Iridaceae) from South Africa and Notes on the Taxonomy and Pollination Biology of Section Pseudaristea

Aristea teretifolia and A. cantharophila are new species from the winter-rainfall region of southern Africa. Both belong in section Pseudaristea, one of eight sections of this genus of ca. 52 species of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Aristea teretifolia has pink, mauve, or cream flowers, the inner tepals of which are longer than the outer and have a large dark blotch near the base, and stands out in the section in its very narrow linear or sometimes terete leaves. Aristea cantharophila has narrow, linear to sword-shaped leaves fairly typical of the section, and mauve or white flowers with subequal tepals, each of which has a zone of dark color near the base. In their long pedicels, oblong-trigonous ovary, large and deeply fringed stigma lobes, and woody, elongate, tardily dehiscent capsules these new species conform closely to the characteristic features of section Pseudaristea. Field observation suggests that both species are adapted for pollination by monkey beetles (Scarabidae: Rutelinae), which use the flowers of these and at least one other species of the section as sites for feeding and mating. The dark markings on the tepals appear to mimic beetles and presumably encourage visits by these insects. The Afro-Madagascan genus Aristea comprises some 52 species (Weimarck, 1940; Goldblatt, 1991, 1995a, b) currently divided among eight sections. As redefined by Goldblatt (1995a), section Pseudaristea Pax comprises five species, all of Western Cape Province, South Africa, a region of winter rainfall and summer drought. To this number we add two new species, A. cantharophila (Fig. 1A) and A. teretifolia (Fig. 1B), and exclude A. zeyheri Baker from the section. The new species are both narrow endemics of lowland sites in the southwestern part of Western Cape Province. They share all the characters that define the section and differ mainly in their unusually colored and marked flowers (Fig. 1), and in the case of A. teretifolia also in its terete or extremely narrow leaves. The defining features of section Pseudaristea are flowers with long pedicels, an oblong and three-lobed to threeangled ovary, large inflorescence spathes concealing the flower buds, prominent and deeply fringed stigma lobes, and woody, elongate, tardily dehiscent, deeply three-lobed capsules. To this list of morphological features can be added di-zonosulculate pollen grains, unique in Iridaceae (Radelescu, 1970; Schulze, 1971; Le Thomas et al., 1996), and exine with reticulate sculpturing. RELATIONSHIPS OF ARISTEA ZEYHERI Aristea zeyheri was assumed by Weimarck (1940) to accord in most of its features with those that define section Pseudaristea. New material collected since Weimarck completed his monograph of the genus in 1940, however, shows that this species has capsules with three prominent, narrow wings, 2-4 flattened, plate-like seeds per locule, and minutely trifid styles. These are exactly the apomorphic features that define section Racemosae. It seems likely that A. zeyheri is most closely related to A. racemosa Baker of that section, which it resembles closely in overall morphology, particularly the slender habit and subterete leaves. The pollen grains ofA. zeyheri are monosulcate, or in one population zonosulculate (unpublished), with rugulose exine. In its exine sculpturing and basic aperture condition, A. zeyheri also accords with section Racemosae, species of which have pollen grains with monosulcate apertures and either microreticulate or rugulose exine (Goldblatt & Le Thomas, in prep.). POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF SECTION PSEUDARISTEA Most species of Aristea have deep blue flowers, bright yellow anthers and pollen, and lack conspicuous dark markings. Preliminary observations on the pollination of the genus indicate that the blueflowered species of Aristea are pollinated by a vaNovoN 7: 137-144. 1997. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.186 on Sun, 09 Oct 2016 04:52:20 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Flower colour of two forms ofBrassica oleraceain the sixteenth century

SUMMARY In the sixteenth century Savoy cabbage in The Netherlands had white flowers, while at present this cabbage variety has yellow flowers. In the same century, the branching form ‘Ghehackelde kool’ may have had cream flowers or white flowers like the present day Portuguese tronchuda kale and the Chinese Brassica alboglabra.