Eryngium Maritimum Research Articles

The impact on plant communities of an invasive alien herb, Oenothera drummondii, varies along the beach-coastal dune gradient

One of the major threats to the diversity of coastal dunes is the expansion of invasive species, such as Oenothera drummondii subsp. drummondii (Onagraceae). In southwestern Spain, we studied the impact of this American invasive on community structure and composition along a beach-dune gradient (beach, foredune, and inland dunes). Differences in density, biomass, and the cover of O. drummondii, the cover of perennial and annuals/biennials species, and Shannon diversity index H’ and dominance λ were compared between invaded and uninvaded sectors. We observed that the intensity and impact of the invasion by O. drummondii varies along the beach-dune gradient. The abundance of the invasive plant increased inland and in consequence, its impact on species richness and composition was highest in inland dunes. Here, plant cover of O. drummondii represented 57.9% of total plant cover; species richness was reduced (with 3.3 fewer species per 2 × 2m plot), diversity H’ was lower while dominance λ was higher. At a broader scale, species richness in the invaded sector was 25% larger than in the uninvaded sector, because of the presence of ruderal species. Species composition also was modified after the invasion. The abundance of a keystone native species was largely reduced (Ammophila arenaria), and some natives became locally extinct (Otanthus maritimus, Eryngium maritimum, Medicago marina and Elymus farctus). We conclude that the high environmental severity of the beach and foredunes results in a reduced invasion and impact of O. drummondii, whereas the milder conditions of inland dunes promote its expansion. The shift in community structure and composition can have an increasing domino effect and thus monitoring, and mitigation actions are necessary. When doing so, the environmental heterogeneity of the beach-dune gradient should be considered, given its relevance in the invasion process.

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS OF TWO ERYNGIUM (APIACEAE) SPECIES FROM THE BALKAN PENINSULA

The present study describes antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of water, methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts from Eryngium maritimum L. from Greece and Eryngium serbicum Pancic, growing wild in Serbia. Also, antimicrobial activity of essential oils from aerial parts was analysed. Spectrophotometric methods were used for measuring of total phenols, total flavonoids, as well as for antioxidant potential, using DPPH and ABTS methods. The total phenolic content in the extracts was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and their amounts ranged between 7.47 and 121.35 mg GAE/g. The concentrations of flavonoids in the extracts varied from 8.98 to 48.68 mg QU/g. Antioxidant activity ranged from 1.247 to 31.19 IC50 (mg/ml) and from 0.109 to 3.36 mg AA/g when tested with the DPPH and ABTS reagents, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts and essential oils was investigated using a micro well-dilution assay against the most common human gastrointestinal pathogenic bacterial strains. The most resistant bacterium was Srteptococcus pyogenes, while Staphylococcus aureus showed high sensitivity in presence of all tested extracts except on water extract of E. maritimum. Essential oil of E. serbicum showed better antimicrobial activity than E. maritimum oil. This finding suggests that investigated Eryngium species may be considered as a natural source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Ayvalık (Balıkesir/Turkey) Dune Plant Diversity, Threatening Factors and Solution Proposals

Ayvalık and its environs are unique due to its coastal structure and natural beauties, and particularly the islands belonging to Ayvalık makes up the most important resource values. This study was carried out to determine the plant diversity in the coastal dunes of Ayvalık and its surroundings, to present the threat factors and to offer solutions. The study was conducted between 2016-2017. For this purpose; floristic and ecological observations were made in four seasons. As a result of floristic studies; 88 genera and 115 taxa belonging to 32 families were determined. Fabaceae (15 taxa), Asteraceae (14 taxa) and Amaranthaceae (8 taxa) families are dominant in the flora of the region. The most common taxa in dune areas are; Matthiola tricuspidata, Malcolmia flexuosa, Salicornia emericii, Cakile maritima, Anthemis rigida, A. tomentosa, Halimione portulacoides, Plantago coronopus subsp. commutata, Trifolium subterraneum, Eryngium maritimum, Allium sphaerocephalon and Euphorbia paralias. The role of human factors is particularly notable in a significant part of the coastal dunes in the region. Beach arrangements in dune areas, secondary housing construction in coastal areas, sand extraction from coasts, tourism, wetland drying and fires threaten dune habitats and plant species in the region. Especially due to the extensive use of the coastal areas and beach arrangements; The habitats of Sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) and Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) have been greatly damaged. Moreover, the fact that P. maritimum bulbs were collected by the people there greatly reduced the populations of this species. It also is given solution proposals for protection of dune plants.

IRAP-analysis for evaluating the genetic stability of endemic and endangered species of the Western Caucasus flora in the collection in vitro

The characterization of genetic diversity is one of the main components of the genetic resources collection and management. Molecular markers are the most effective tool for characterizing and assessing genetic diversity in plant collections. IRAP (inter-retrotransposons amplified polymorphism) markers have proven to be some of the most effective for characterizing and evaluating germplasm, confirming the genetic fidelity of in vitro preserved cultivars and species. In this regard, the aim of this work is to test several IRAP primers to identify genetic polymorphism and study the genetic fidelity of three rare and endemic flora species of the Western Caucasus during in vitro conservation. Approbation of 16 IRAP-primers on the investigated species was carried out for Eryngium maritimum L., Galanthus woronowii Losinsk. and Campanula sclerophylla Kolak. The results made it possible to select the most efficient of them for genetic fidelity analysis of micropropagated plants. Out of 16 IRAP primers 8 amplified PCR products in Eryngium maritimum. In Galanthus woronowii as well 8 of 16 IRAP primers resulted in the amplification with the number of DNA fragments ranging from 2 to 12. In Campanula sclerophylla 9 of 16 IRAP primers amplified 1 to 11 fragments, depending on the marker. The results of the genotyping of regenerants were compared with data on stock in situ plants, which were the source of explants for in vitro conservation. In total, 60 regenerants for each species of the natural flora of the Western Caucasus were involved in the study. The results obtained demonstrated no genetic changes of the regenerants in all the studied species. These results were confirmed using ISSR analysis of an extended sample set of microplants for each species. The results obtained can serve as evidence of a low probability of genetic disorders during in vitro propagation and conservation of the species Eryngium maritimum L., Galanthus woronowii Losinsk. and Campanula sclerophylla Kolak.

Крупномасштабная геоботаническая карта Тузлинской косы и острова Тузла (Керченский пролив)

During an ecological expertise the vegetation of Tuzla Spit and Tuzla Island, located in the middle part of the Kerch Strait (Fig. 1), was studied. This area is unique in terms of biological diversity and a presence of rare species (Ermolaeva et al., 2018). The study is based on 150 geobotanical relevés. Field data, topographic maps, and high-resolution satellite images were used in the vegetation mapping. The total area of the study is 383 hectares. There are the following hierarchical levels in the legend to the vegetation map: types of vegetation and classes of associations. A mapping unit is an association described according to the Braun-Blanquet system (Braun-Blanquet, 1964). The highest divisions of the legend are the types of vegetation: aquatic, coastal-aquatic, halophytic, psammophytic, steppe; they are given according to the ecological-phytocoenotic classification. Within the types of vegetation, classes of associations are given according to the ecological-floristic classification. 26 main numbers of the legend display the vegetation cover on the map. Geobotanical map reflects the state of vegetation in 2015 (Fig. 2). The vegetation of the island is heterogeneous. Plant communities as narrow stripes replace each other depending on the degree of moisture, salinity and orography. The sea currents have a great influence on the vegetation. In the southern part of the Taman Bay, suspension flows are directed from the South to the North and round the island, which leads to the “washing-up” of the southeastern part of the island represented by shallow waters and estuaries. It is occupied mainly by halophytic vegetation, the main dominants of plant communities are Juncus maritimus, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia distans, Bassia hirsuta, Salicornia pe­rennans, S. prostrata, Suaeda salsa, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Elytrigia elongata, Tripolium vulgare. The northwestern part of the strait is occupied by the area of jet streams of suspensions coming from the North to the South from the Sea of Azov. This caused the accumulation of sand-shell material in the northern and northwestern parts of the island forming raised areas co­vered by psammophytic and steppe communities. The main dominant species here are Crambe maritima var. pontica, Cakile euxina, Eryngium maritimum, Lactuca tatarica, Salsola tragus, Leymus sabulosus, Artemisia arenaria, Gypsophila perfoliata. As a result of the transport crossing construction, the vegetation cover was heavily transformed. The vegetation map of Tuzla Spit and Island for 2019 shows the changes that have occurred — the drainage of the territory and the reduction of the vegetated area (Fig. 3). Distribution of weed species, in particular Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is noted. The remained vegetation in the southern part of the Tuzla Spit and the southern part of the Tuzla Island has a great nature conservation value; there are unique plant communities and rare plant species listed in the Red books of different ranks (Red..., 2007, 2008, 2015): Cakile euxina, Crambe maritime, Glaucium flavum, Euphorbia paralias, E. peplis, Eryngium mari­timum, Astrodaucus littoralis, Asparagus maritimus, Centaurea arenaria, Argusia sibirica, Astragalus varius, Verbascum pinnatifidum, Leymus racemosus subsp. sabulosus, Secale sylvestre. There is an obvious need to organize a specially protected natural area in these areas.

Unravelling the potential of the medicinal halophyte Eryngium maritimum L.: In vitro inhibition of diabetes-related enzymes, antioxidant potential, polyphenolic profile and mineral composition

This work searched for the biotechnological potential and chemical characterisation of the medicinal halophyte Eryngium maritimum L. as source of bioactive natural products with enzymatic inhibitory properties and antioxidant capacity. With that aim, herbal formulations traditionally used in folk medicine, namely tisanes (infusions and decoctions) and tinctures, were prepared from four different anatomical organs (roots, stems, leaves and flowers) and assessed for in vitro inhibition of enzymes related with diabetes and for antioxidant potential. Phenolic fingerprinting and mineral contents were also assessed. Sea holly's tisanes, particularly from flowers and leaves, had the highest phenolic content although tinctures were comparatively richer considering the ingestion dosage. The main constituents identified were carvacrol, 2,3-dimethoxybenzoic acid, naringenin, catechin and t-cinnamic acid; from the several compounds identified, naringin, naringenin and 2,3-dimethoxybenzoic acid are here firstly described in the genus and epicatechin and carvacrol in the species. In all extracts, sodium was the most abundant mineral, followed by potassium, calcium and magnesium, pointing to possible nutritional applications of these beverages/tinctures as macronutrients supplementary source. Sea holly's tinctures (stems, leaves and flowers) were capable of inhibiting dietary carbohydrate digestive enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) and had in vitro antioxidant potential, particularly flowers. Altogether, results highlight that sea holly extracts, especially tinctures from stems, leaves and flowers, could be a novel source of α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors, antioxidant compounds and also phenolic and mineral constituents, thus suggesting they may be interesting to further explore as potential health-promoting herbal beverages, food additives or other products.

Ecophysiological Characteristics and CSR Strategies of Four Dune Species

Plants that live in coastal dune ecosystems may develop several strategies to deal with environmental stress. The aim of this study was to compare contents of nonenzymatic antioxidants including chlorophyll, carotenoid, anthocyanin and total phenolic compounds, and CSR (competitive, stress-tolerant, ruderal) strategy types of four dune species: Pancratium maritimum, Eryngium maritimum, Polygonum maritimum and Achillea maritima subsp. maritima. CSR strategies were determined using canopy height, leaf dry matter content, flowering period, flowering initiation, leaf dry weight, lateral spread, and specific leaf area (SLA). The lowest values for all measured parameters were found in Pancratium maritimum, while the highest contents of chlorophyll a, carotenoid, anthocyanin and total phenolic compounds were in Polygonum maritimum. The studied species had different ecological strategies to cope with stressful environmental conditions.

Does Eryngium maritimum seeds extract protect against CCl4 and cisplatin induced toxicity in rats: Preliminary phytochemical screening and assessment of its in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity and antifibrotic effect

The present work was undertaken to investigate the protective effects of Eryngium maritimum seeds extract (MEE) against CCl4 and cisplatin induced toxicity in rats. The levels of total phenolics and flavonoids were ca. 20mg GAE/g and ca. 19mg QE/g, respectively. Using HPLC twenty-one molecules were identified. MEE showed important in vitro antioxidant activities. Results demonstrated that MEE-treatment restored the increased activities of AST, ALT, LDH and ALP and the high levels of serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels induced by CCl4 and cisplatin treatment. Moreover, MEE presented important in vivo antioxidant activities; increased the activities of CAT, SOD and GPx and decreased the TBARS and protein carbonyl contents. The histopathological studies suggested that MEE clearly alleviated the degree of tissues fibrosis. The obtained results highlighted the potential use of E. maritimum as a source of bioactive compounds with hepatoprotective and nephroprotective advantages.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the volatile fraction extracted from air-dried fruits of Tunisian Eryngium maritimum L. ecotypes.

Eryngium maritimum L., also known as 'sea holly', is a typical dune plant species belonging to the Apiaceae family and commonly used in Tunisia for therapeutic purposes in folk medicine. In the present study, the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the volatile fraction extracted from air-dried fruits of five Tunisian E. maritimum ecotypes were determined. The total volatile amount ranged from 0.31% to 0.93% (w d.w.-1 ). Sixty-six volatile components were identified by means of GC-MS and accounted for 77.05-86.65% of the total extracted volatile oil. The majority of the identified metabolites were hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes, amounting on average to 46.69% and 30.01% of total volatiles, respectively. The principal individual components were germacrene D (13.62-31.71%), 15-hydroxy-α-muurolene (12.04-18.58%), and germacrene B (6.77-15.04%). Significant differences were noticed among E. maritimum populations. The volatile profile of E. maritimum fruits was consistently different from those of the aerial parts and roots of plants of the same species reported in previous investigations. Average radical scavenging capacity of the volatile fraction, as determined by DPPH and ABTS tests, was twice higher than that of the Trolox control. This study characterised for the first time the fruits of E. maritimum for the composition and radical-scavenging capacity of their volatile fraction. The growth location confirmed as a pivotal factor in influencing the volatile profile of the fruits. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

First description of the male of Oxythrips tristis Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Oxythrips tristis is a Mediterranean species described by Bagnall (1927) on one female collected from flowers of Eryngium maritimum [Apiaceae] in South France. Subsequently, adult females of this species have been recorded from Spain, Turkey and Italy (Umbria), collected from Juniperus thurifera, Quercus ilex, Q. suber and plants beneath these trees (zur Strassen 2003). Despite this, males of tristis have remained unknown until, during 2005–2010, a few specimens of both sexes were collected in northern Italy on Eryngium campestre. The females were identified using published literature ( Zur Strassen 2003), and the male is here described and illustrated for the first time.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of Eryngium maritimum (sea holly)

Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of Eryngium maritimum (sea holly)

Lipid characterization of Eryngium maritimum seeds grown in Tunisia

Fatty acid, triacylglycerol, phospholipid, tocol and sterol compositions of E. maritimum seeds collected from plants grown in ten different Tunisian littoral locations were determined. Constitutes from different locations are significantly different. Seeds presented high oil content, ranging from ca. 22% to 34% on a dry weight basis, and were characterized by a constant fatty acid profile among the growing locations. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed an important level of unsaturated fatty acids (ca. 90% of total fatty acid content), with a prevalence of oleic (ca. 63%) and linoleic (ca. 25%) acids. Results obtained by GC-FID showed that the carbon number (CN) values of the TAGs in all samples were 50 (1.5%), 52 (25.6%) and 54 (73%). Phosphatidylcholine was the most common phospholipid, accounting for more than 60% of the total content, followed by phosphatidic acid (about 30%). Different tocols concentration was reported in seeds with β-tocotrienol as the most abundant one in all samples. Stigmasterol was the most abundant sterol in all seeds, representing nearly 70% of the total content, followed by β-sitosterol and Δ7-sitosterol. In all, the findings of this work highlight the valuable levels of minor constituents from Eryngium maritimum storage lipids which can be therefore a prospective source of useful natural bioactive molecules that may replace synthetic antioxidants.

Bioprospecting for seed oils from wild plants in the Mediterranean Basin for biodiesel production

In the Mediterranean Basin, petroleum energy resources are scarce. For an environmentally sustainable solution, the seeds collected from wild plants indigenous to this area could be used as biodiesel producers to meet the energy demand. For this, the fatty acid profiles of seed oils from 127 species belonging to 30 plant families, all native of the Mediterranean Basin, were surveyed in a search for fossil-fuel substitutes. The saponification number (SN, mg KOH/g), iodine value (IV, g I2/100 g), cetane number (Ф), higher heating value (δ, MJ/kg), cold filter-plugging point (CFPP, °C), density (ρ, g/cm3), induction period (IP, h) and kinematic viscosity (η, mm2/s) were empirically determined and then used to establish the suitability of the different seed oils for biodiesel production. The aptness to serve as biodiesel was determined by applying the specification for biodiesel standard made by several organizations. In addition to three already well-characterized species, the fatty acid methyl esters from the seeds of Conium maculatum (Ф = 53.7; δ = 40.1), Eryngium maritimum (Ф = 53.2; δ = 40.2), Nigella damascena (Ф = 58.1; δ = 40.1), Portulaca oleracea (Ф = 62.9; δ = 40.5), Prangos uechtritzii (Ф = 52.8; δ = 40.1), and Tribulus terrestris (Ф = 59.4; δ = 40.1), meet the major quality standards set by several organizations, and thus are suitable for biodiesel production. Data from empirical models used for estimating biodiesel properties was compared with experimental data from biodiesel prepared with available seeds, and good correlations between the two methodologies were found.The sowing of selected species in natural habitats, in addition to providing a valuable resource, i.e. biodiesel, both the Mediterranean Basin ecoregions and unproductive agricultural lands could be improved as appropriate habitats for wildlife, and in parallel this action would create employment in rural areas using natural resources.

Quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of glycerophospholipid molecular species in the two halophyte seed oils: Eryngium maritimum and Cakile maritima

Future applications of lipids in clinical cohort studies demand detailed glycerophospholipid molecule information and the application of high-throughput lipidomics platforms. In the present work, a novel sensitive technique with high mass resolution and accuracy was applied to accomplish phospholipid analysis. Nanospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to separate and quantify the glycerophospholipid classes as well as molecular species in two halophyte seed oils from Cakile maritima and Eryngium maritimum. Precursor or neutral loss scans of their polar head groups allowed the detection of molecular species within particular glycerophospholipid classes. Phosphatidylcholine was found to be the most abundant glycerophospholipid in both seed oils whereas phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid were less abundant. Phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol were minor glycerophospholipids. Several molecular species within each class were detected and the main molecular species (C36:4, C36:3, C36:2, 34:2 and C34:1) were quantitatively different between the two halophytes and the different glycerophospholipids.

English

The objective of this work was to study the mycorrh izal status of Eryngium maritimum in the mobile dunes of Mehdia coastal area depending on the depth level reached by the roots. The obtained results showed that all the roots were mycorrhizal, different fungal structures were observed (arbuscules, vesicles, hyphae, spores and endophyti c). However, the identified mycorrhizal parameters varied from the surface to the depth rea ched by the roots. The mycorrhizal frequency reached 88% by the depth. The highest mycorrhizal i ntensity (26.4%) was recorded at a depth of 53.05 to 73.05 cm. The highest arbuscular contents (22.72%) and vesicular content (11.80%) were recorded respectively at depths of 53.05 to 73.05 c m and 33.05 to 53.05 cm. The spores density in the rhizosphere of E. maritimum varied between 10 t o 20 spores / 100 g of soil. Similarly, 19 spore’s morphotypes were isolated from five different gener a: Gigaspora, Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Scutellospora and Glomus. Among these morphotypes, ten species of endomycorrh izal fungi were determined: Glomus badium, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus multiforum, Gigaspora sp. , Glomus invermaium , Glomus geosporum, Glomus glomerulatum, Glomus albidum, Glomus enticatum , Scutellospora verrucosa, Scutellospora calospora, Scutellospora heterogama, Acaulospora co laussica, Entrophospora infrequens. Mycorrhization of E.maritimum roots in depth, with development of exchange structures (arbuscular) probably facilitated the installation of this species, which grows well in the mobile

Fatty Acid Composition of Seed Oils in Some Sand Dune Vegetation Species from Turkey

Six species from sand dunes of northwest Turkey were investigated for their total seed oil lipid and fatty acid (FA) profiles. The total oil content ranged from 4.26 to 33.64% (Plantago scabra and Glaucium flavum, respectively). The major FAs were linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids (20.78–60.69%, 14.73–56.64, 5.42–15.13, and 1.65–3.67%, respectively). Considerable amounts of γ-linolenic acid were found in Plantago scabra and Cionura erecta (13.13 and 1.37%, respectively). The unsaturated FA content ranged from 83.09% in Cardaria draba to 87.80% in Eryngium maritimum. Significant correlations between FA concentrations in these species were evaluated. These species, as alternative sources of unsaturated FAs, should be evaluated as novel salt-tolerant crops and used for improving salt tolerance of existing oilseed crops.

Revision of Entyloma (Entylomatales, Exobasidiomycetes) on Eryngium

The genus Entyloma consists of more than 160 species of smut fungi distributed worldwide on dicots, with Apiaceae being one of the main host families. This study aims to clarify the systematics and phylogeny of Entyloma on Eryngium (Apiaceae) with molecular and morphological data. Eleven species from Eryngium are discussed herein. Four of them are described as new taxa: E. carmeli sp. nov. on Eryngium falcatum, E. eryngii-cretici sp. nov. on Eryngium creticum, E. eryngii-maritimi sp. nov. on Eryngium maritimum and E. ho-chunkii sp. nov. on Eryngium yuccifolium. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA is presented and supports the polyphyly of Entyloma on Eryngium.

The Effect of Nutritional Factors and Plant Growth Regulators on Micropropagation and Production of Phenolic Acids and Saponins from Plantlets and Adventitious Root Cultures of Eryngium maritimum L.

Eryngium maritimum L. is a valuable medicinal species, but since it is protected plant, collection from natural populations is forbidden. Therefore, establishing an efficient system for micropropagation of this species is desirable. To determine the optimal nutritional factors needed for shoot multiplication, root development and secondary metabolites accumulation, different media and plant growth regulators were tested. The highest plant regeneration efficiency (over 96 %), with 4.4 shoots per explant was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L−1 benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The in vitro-regenerated shoots were rooted (83.3–100 %) and transferred to an experimental plot with 62 % efficiency. Flow cytometric analysis revealed no variation in nuclear DNA content in field- and in vitro-delivered plant material. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) indicated that multiple shoots and roots from in vitro-regenerated plantlets and adventitious root cultures maintained the production of rosmarinic (RA) and chlorogenic (CGA) acids and triterpenoid saponins found in the rosette leaves and roots of E. maritimum intact plants. UHPLC revealed a 12-fold increase of RA and CGA and 3.2-fold higher accumulation of triterpenoid saponins in roots of in vitro-derived plantlets in comparison to roots from field-grown plants. Adventitious root cultures allowed continuous growth of excised root in liquid media with or without exogenous auxins. The roots grown in liquid medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 IAA showed higher (227-fold) phenolic acids accumulation than those without auxin. Obtained results confirmed that micropropagation is a useful strategy in the protection of endangered species and a renewable source of a high quality plant material for secondary metabolites production.

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Eryngium maritimum

Summary This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Eryngium maritimum L. (Sea Holly) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Eryngium maritimum is a native perennial hemicryptophyte, with a large taproot, spiny and leathery leaves and a pale bluish inflorescence. It has a more or less continuous distribution in suitable habitats along the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland up to about 55° N, but it is more scattered further north. On the west coast, it is found south of the Hebrides, and on the east coast, with some exceptions, south of Yorkshire. In Europe, it has a wide, but mainly southern temperate, European distribution along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and the Black and Azov Seas. Its northern distribution limit is at c. 60° N. Eryngium maritimum grows typically on sand and shingle beaches, foredunes and yellow dunes, as well as in semi‐fixed grey dunes. Its habitats have full sunlight and are more or less dry. It occurs in many coastal plant communities from the beach inland, and because of its wide European distribution, it occurs with members of several different biogeographical species groups. Protected from grazing by its spininess and sclerophylly, E. maritimum is nevertheless vulnerable to direct damage by trampling. It supports few insect herbivores, probably because of chemical defences. Historically, it has had a great number of medicinal uses. Eryngium maritimum is unable to withstand competition from faster and more densely growing plant species. In many coastal regions, in both temperate and mediterranean parts of Europe, it is one of the rarest and most threatened plant species, mainly because of habitat loss and land‐use changes.

Three new triterpene saponins from roots of Eryngium planum

Saponin composition of the roots of Eryngium planum L. was investigated. Triterpene saponins found in E. planum and also present in Eryngium maritimum were different from those described previously in Eryngium campestre L. Three primary saponins were isolated and their tentative identifications, based on the electrospray MS/MS fragmentation patterns, were subsequently confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Their structures were established as 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-acetyl-22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol (1) and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-angeloyl-A1-barrigenol (2) and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol (3). Concentrations of the newly identified compounds in aerial parts and roots of both species were estimated using the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method.