Genus Cytisus Research Articles

Chemical composition of the essential oils of three taxa of Cytisus growing wild in Sicily, Italy

The genus Cytisus is native Canary Islands, Europe to Mediterranean, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and several species of the genus are used in folk medicine of different countries. In this work the chemical composition of the essential oils from the aerial parts of three taxa of this genus growing wild in Sicily, Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link, C. villosus Pourr. and C. aeolicus Guss., has been investigated. No one report has been published on the Sicilian accession of the former two species, and, at the best of our knowledge, C. aeolicus is devoid of any chemical investigation. Cytisus scoparius and C. aeolicus essential oils have similar composition characterised by the occurrence of almost the same amount of compounds belonging to “other” class (59.5-52.0%) and carbonyl compounds (22.2-19.6%). Cytisus villosus showed a different composition with hydrocarbons as the main class (52.0%), totally absent in the other two species.

Potential Applications of the Cytisus Shrub Species: Cytisus multiflorus, Cytisus scoparius, and Cytisus striatus

Cytisus spp. is present throughout the Portuguese territory. Although most of these species are considered native in Portugal, at least one species has already been reported as invasive in other parts of the world. Different measures of control have been investigated, and the application of herbicides is the most commonly used. This review gathers information about the biochemical profile and analytical methods used for the evaluation of the potential bioactivities of three species of the genus Cytisus, better known as brooms, which were used in traditional medicine through the production of infusions and decoctions for the treatment of several health problems, mainly due to their high value of phenolic compounds. However, little research has been conducted on its biological activities as a potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, one species (Cytisus striatus) has not been subjected to extensive research in identifying chemical compounds and evaluating their potential bioactivities. This species (known as the Portuguese broom) has a great expression in one of the forest typologies with a considerable percentage in Portugal. This research work is essential to encourage a scientific and sustainable valorisation of Cytisus spp. (namely C. striatus), which will consequently contribute to forest cleaning and management to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Regulatory effect of phosphorus and nitrogen on nodulation and plant performance of leguminous shrubs

AbstractThe impact of phosphorus (P) nutrition on plant growth, symbiotic N2 fixation, and phosphorus and nitrogen use and their assimilation was investigated in four leguminous plants of the genus Cytisus. Plants inoculated with Rhizobium strains isolated from plants of the four species growing in the wild were crop under controlled conditions in soils with either low P (5 µM) or high P (500 µM). The experiment was replicated in the presence and absence of plant irrigation to test for the effects of drought stress of inoculated and non-inoculated plants under the two P levels of fertilization. P-low treatments increased nodule production while plant biomass and shoot and root P and N contents were maximum at sufficient P. The reduction of P in the soil clearly induced biological nitrogen fixation and greater phosphorus and nitrogen uptake efficiencies, as shown by the total N and P accumulated in plants. Similarly, distinct tolerances to drought support this idea. Cytisus balansae had the lowest tolerance to water scarcity. Cytisus multiflorus and Cytisus scoparius were the most resistant species to drought, with this resistance enhanced in the inoculated plants. In the four species, the inoculation treatment clearly enhanced N-use efficiency, whereas P-use efficiency was greater in the non-inoculated plants in the irrigated treatment. With a P-induced demand for N, the plants nodulated prolifically and increased N supply from biological fixation. The physiological basis for N2-fixing C. scoparius and C. striatus maintaining growth at low P supply and responding to greater P supply is through balanced acquisition of P and N for plant demand.Native shrubby legumes are key species in natural ecosystems due to their capability to increase the net N budget in plants and soils and because they modulate the phosphorus availability. Four legumes in the genus Cytisus either native to or commonly represented in the Iberian Peninsula proved to be able shift their N use depending on the soil P availability and on the interactions established with their Bradyrhizobium symbionts. In the four species the inoculation treatment clearly enhanced N-use efficiency and drought tolerance, whereas P-use efficiency was greater in the non-inoculated plants in the irrigated treatment.

What is (and what is not) Cytisus cantabricus?

Major changes in the diagnosis, taxonomy and chorology of Cantabrian brooms with glabrous calyces and pubescent legumes, classified as sect. Spartopsis of the genus Cytisus (Fabaceae), have been recently implemented. Two species of this section occur in the Cantabrian region: Cytisus cantabricus and C. grandiflorus. A detailed study of the plants usually identified as C. cantabricus demonstrates that, if the shape of the branches and the types of leaves are considered, the current species C. cantabricus includes two discrete taxa and we describe C. dieckii as this second species. Both C. cantabricus and C. dieckii are endemic to the Cantabrian region, have been characterized, and both lectotypes have been chosen. Evidence of the presence of Cytisus grandiflorus in these territories has not been found.

Floral morphology to discriminate taxa between and within Cytisus sect. Alburnoides, sect. Spartopsis and sect. Verzinum (Genisteae, Fabaceae)

Delimitation of sections is controversial within the genus Cytisus L. (Fabaceae, Genisteae). A morphological study has been conducted on 19 taxa from sections Alburnoides, Spartopsis and Verzinum to clarify their discrimination. Thirty-five quantitative and qualitative characters were recorded on a maximum of 15 dry or living flowers per taxon. Three multiple correspondence factor analyses (MCFA) were performed on a matrix based on 22 of the 35 recorded morphological characters to (1) compare the variability within and between individuals and (2) distinguish groups among the studied taxa. MCFA showed that both flowers sampled from the same plant or different individuals could represent the morphological variability of a taxon. MCFA also clustered the 19 taxa into three groups corresponding to sections Alburnoides, Spartopsis and Verzinum as defined by Cristofolini and Troia (Taxon 44:733–746, 2006). However, floral morphology has not been sufficient to discriminate taxa within sections. A key of the three studied sections based on floral characters is given.

Notes on systematics and taxonomy for the Italian vascular flora. 2.

The present study forms part of the series of systematic and taxonomic contributions related to plant species of the Italian flora, and also other phanerogams, in light of recent biosystematic works of a molecular-genetic nature. <em>Caloscordum</em> and <em>Nectaroscordum</em> are separated from <em>Allium</em> s.l., <em>Holandrea</em> is included within <em>Dichoropetalum</em>, <em>Ficaria</em> is separated from <em>Ranunculus</em> and <em>Althaea</em> sect. <em>Hirsutae</em> is included within <em>Malva</em>. Confirmation is given for the inclusion of <em>Lavatera</em> within <em>Malva</em>, of <em>Aegilops</em> within <em>Triticum</em> and for the separation of <em>Phelipanche</em> from <em>Orobanche</em>. In addition some observations regarding the genera <em>Cytisus</em>, <em>Hippophaë</em>, <em>Portulaca</em>, <em>Rhaponticum</em>, <em>Senecio</em> and <em>Torilis</em> are presented. Finally new combinations and/or new names are proposed within the genera <em>Caloscordum</em>, <em>Nectaroscordum</em>, <em>Dichoropetalum</em>, <em>Ficaria</em>, <em>Hippophaë</em>, <em>Malva</em>, <em>Portulaca</em> and <em>Rhaponticum</em>.

Concentração de urânio em plantas desenvolvidas em solos agrícolas e de escombreira da área mineira da Cunha Baixa (Mangualde)

The uranium concentration and the bioco­centration capacity (BC) in several plant species (aboveground part) were evaluated and compared among species grown on soils developed on waste materials (Pinus pinaster, Cytisus striatus, Cytisus multiflo­rus) and agricultural soils (Zea mays L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Lactuca sativa L.) from the surrounding area of Cunha Baixa mine (Mangualde). The species colonizing waste materials are well adapted to the substratum, which contains high total and available uranium concentration (118 mg kg-1 and 43 mg kg-1 , respectively). Pinus pinaster concentrated more uranium (13.9 mg kg-1) than the spe­cies of genus Cytisus. As a consequence, and also due to the effective vegetation cover these plants can contribute to the sta­bilization of mining wastes dumps. Lactuca sativa concentrated more uranium (on ave­rage, 5.37 mg kg-1 dry weight) than the other cultivated plants. None of the studied species was uranium accumulator (BC <1), even if they are growing in high-contaminated soils and irrigated with con­taminated water.

A reassessment of the sections of the genus Cytisus Desf. (Cytiseae, Leguminosae)

AbstractRecent morphological and molecular research on Cytisus and allied genera has produced a great deal of new data relevant to systematics, which have not yet been incorporated into a consistent classification system of the genus. We have compared and evaluated recently published cladograms and phenograms based on morphological and molecular (nuclear and plastid DNA) characters. The genus Cytisus sensu lato, including Calicotome, Chamaecytisus, Chronanthus, and Lembotropis, appears to be monophyletic. A subdivision of the genus Cytisus in 13 sections is presented; one species, C. tribracteolatus, remains incertae sedis. A new section (C. sect. Dendrocytisus) and two new combinations for taxa in C. sect. Calicotome are proposed.

Biology, distribution, and extinction of Colias myrmidone (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) in Bavaria and its situation in other European countries

C. myrmidone, the Danube Clouded Yellow, one of the most endangered butterfly species in Germany and listed as threatened with extinction, is very likely to be currently extinct. For C. myrmidone and several other pontic south-east European species (i.e. of the genus Cytisus) the slopes along the river Danube served as an immigration route to Bavaria. The paper describes how a period of decline followed a period of suspected dispersal. In Germany, C. myrmidone was last reported in the year 2000 although great efforts were undertaken to find the species in 2001 and 2003. A combination of factors were likely to be responsible for the decline and extinction of C. myrmidone in Bavaria and Germany. Firstly, unfavourable grassland management led to a drastic deterioration of habitat quality over the last 10 years. Furthermore, larval habitats like sun-exposed xeric hillsides constantly decreased. Lastly, heavy summer rainfalls and mild, wet winters over more recent years were probably disadvantageous. The present study and recommendations developed were too late to prevent any apparent extinction across Germany. The aim of this paper is to summarise the conservation biology of C. myrmidone, to discuss factors influencing its extinction in Bavaria and to provide insight into its conservation status in other European countries. Conclusions are given regarding the future conservation of the butterfly.

Phylogenetic patterns and endemism genesis in Cytisus Desf. (Leguminosae-Cytiseae) and related genera

A cladistic analysis based on morphological characters was performed on Cytisus and related genera. Terminal taxa were three Mediterranean endemics (C. aeolicus, C. emeriflorus, and C. tribracteolatus), all sections of genus Cytisus, and all other genera of the tribe. The main dichotomy within the tribe, between Cytisus group and Genista group, is corroborated. Both genera, Genista and Cytisus, seem to be paraphyletic. Cytisus s.s. is composed of at least three clades. The cladograms indicate a link of C. emeriflorus with sect. Tubocytisus, and of C. aeolicus with C. villosus. C. tribracteolatus belongs to the same clade as the two species above, but is more loosely related to them. The phyletic relations suggested are compatible with phytogeography. On the basis of this analysis, an evolutionary sketch is outlined and some taxonomic realignments are proposed.

A new species of Cytisus Desf. (Fabaceae) from islands off the west coast of Galicia (north-west Iberian Peninsula)

A new species of the section Spartopsis Dumort. of the genus Cytisus Desf. (Fabaceae) is described. The new species, Cytisus insularis, is restricted to the western islands of Galicia (north-west Iberian Peninsula), where it principally colonizes cliffs. A possible recent hybrid origin for these populations is considered but rejected in view of the results of experimental tests of pollen viability and seed germination. Characters permitting discrimination from the most similar taxa are detailed, and possible relationships with the other species of the section are discussed.

Life-cycles and Competition-avoiding Strategies of Seed-eating Weevil Species on Broom Species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae / Leguminosae: Genisteae)

In the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, 5 species of seed-eating weevils show different degrees of host specificity inhabiting species of the broom genera Cytisus Linnaeus and Genista (Tournfourt) Almost all of them are confined to one or 2 closely related host species. There are (a) monophagous species: Exapion laufferi (Schilsky 1906), restricted to Genista cinerascens Lange; (b) oligophagous species restricted to one genus: E fuscirostre (Fabricius 1775) to the genus Cytisus, and E putoni (Ch Brisout 1866) to the genus Genista; (c) oligophagous species in a broad sense: E compactum (Desbrochers 1888) and Pachytychius sparsutus (Olivier 1807) exploiting several species of both genera. Species of the broom genera Adenocarpus De Candolle and Retama Rafinesque were not found to be inhabited by seed-eating weevils, perhaps because of the chemical and morphological characteristics of their pods. In accordance with their degree of specialization, there is a close synchrony between the life cycles of the various weevil species and the phenology of their host plants: The weevils reached peak numbers when the respective main food source for their larvae was available, i.e, when the specific host plants began pod formation. The specialization of these weevil species, such as differences in their oviposition sites, ways of entering the seeds as well as the larval feeding positions inside the seed, are strategies to avoid competitors, to foster coexistence, and to enable the optimal explotation of the resource.

The Natural Host Range of Beetle Species Feeding on Broom, Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link (Fabaceae), in Southwest Europe

The natural host range of beetles feeding on broom ( Cytisus scoparius ) and 14 other species (including six other Cytisus species) in the tribe Genisteae was investigated at 39 sites in Spain , Portugal and France in 1989 and 1992 as part of a biological control programme for broom . Data on host - plant associations were analyzed for 36 phytophagous beetle species from 18 sites , and host records were listed for an additional 58 species . Nine species were apparently restricted to the genus Cytisus : Cryptocephalus octoguttatus, Gonioctena olivacea, Bruchidius lividimanus, B. villosus, Exapion elongatissimum, E. fuscirostre, Lepidapion sp . 1 , Polydrusus confluens and Tychius parallelus. These field records suggest a narrower host - plant range for some beetle species than laboratory host - range tests , and may assist in interpreting host - plant associations reported in the literature . Beetle species with a restricted host - plant range were rarely found on related non - host plants .

PHENOLOGY OF SPECIES BELONGING TO THE GENUS CYTISUS AND ALLIES (GENISTEAE: LEGUMINOSAE)

The phenology of nineteeen accessions belonging to fourteen shrubby species of the genus Cytisus and allied taxa (Genisteae: Leguminosae) has been studied. The species are potentially interesting for introduction in agroforestry systems, or non-irrigated gardens, in extreme-climated dry mediterranean areas. The methodology used for the description of the phenology was based on nine key phenophases. This system can be generally applicable to most of the shrubby species interesting for the above-mentioned purposes. Cytisophyllum sessilifolium started the growth season significantly later than the rest of the species. Bloom extended from mid-March for some of the species to the beginning of June for others, and maturation of pods from the end of March to the beginning of August. The dendrogram obtained on the mean dates for every phenophase contributes to support Chamaecytisus hirsutus and Chamaecytisus supinas as consistently different species, as well as the close relation between Cytisus villosus and the genus Chamaecytisus.

Potential ofCytisusand allied genera (Genisteae: Fabaceae) as forage shrubs

The chemical composition of the herbage produced by shrubs belonging to the genus Cytisus and allied genera (Cytisophyllum, Chamaecytisus, and Genista sect. Teline) was determined to appraise its potential value for forage. In their third year, eight accessions were assessed in a semi‐arid environment (400 mm annual rainfall) for seasonal variation of leaf/stem ratio, and contents of ashes, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP). Fibre and crude protein concentration were similar to those of best‐quality shrubby legumes like Medicago sp. pi. Colutea sp. pi., or Chamaecytisus palmensis (ADF, 18–35%; CP, 14–24%). Genista monspessulana had low fibre and high protein contents, which were the most constant during the year. From the results obtained in this and the previous agronomic study, Part 1 of this series (Gonzalez‐Andres & Ortiz 1996), Genista monspessulana, Chamaecytisus podolicus, and C. supinus are recommended as potenti...

Potential ofCytisusand allied genera (Genisteae: Fabaceae) as forage shrubs

Abstract The chemical composition of the herbage produced by shrubs belonging to the genus Cytisus and allied genera (Cytisophyllum, Chamaecytisus, and Genista sect. Teline) was determined to appraise its potential value for forage. In their third year, eight accessions were assessed in a semi‐arid environment (400 mm annual rainfall) for seasonal variation of leaf/stem ratio, and contents of ashes, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP). Fibre and crude protein concentration were similar to those of best‐quality shrubby legumes like Medicago sp. pi. Colutea sp. pi., or Chamaecytisus palmensis (ADF, 18–35%; CP, 14–24%). Genista monspessulana had low fibre and high protein contents, which were the most constant during the year. From the results obtained in this and the previous agronomic study, Part 1 of this series (Gonzalez‐Andres & Ortiz 1996), Genista monspessulana, Chamaecytisus podolicus, and C. supinus are recommended as potenti...

MORPHOMETRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CYTISUS AND ALLIES (GENISTEAE: LEGUMINOSAE) AS AN AID IN TAXONOMIC DISCRIMINATION

Twenty-four accessions belonging to the genusCytisusand allied taxa were characterized by adult plant morphometry. Twenty-six characters were measured in flowers, 9 in leaves, and 5 in fruits. Two data sets were prepared, the first including only floral parameters and the second with all the parameters. Two different multivariate analyses were carried out for every data set: cluster analysis and principal components analysis. All these studies produced a similar grouping of the operational taxonomic units. Four clear groups were defined: (i)Cytisophyllum sessilifolium;(ii)Cytisus baeticus, C. reverchonii, C. scoparius., (iii)Chamaecytisusspecies; (iv)Genistaspecies. On the other hand,Cytisus villosusshowed an intermediate position betweenCytisusandChamaecytisus, andCytisus heterochrousand C.purgansan intermediate position betweenCytisusandGenista.This grouping agrees with that obtained by other recent seed morphometry and biochemical studies, and supports the generic arrangement presented by Bisby (1981).

RAPD ANALYSIS OF SHRUBS BELONGING TO THE GENUS CYTISUS AND ALLIES (GENISTEAE: FABACEAE), AS AN AID FOR TAXONOMIC DISCRIMINATION

Twenty-five accessions belonging to the genus Cytisus and allied taxa (Genisteae: Fabaceae) were analyzed using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) techniques in order to study the usefulness of this technique for characterization of species and genera and for estimation of its potential value for further populational studies and prebreeding programs. A high level of intrapopulational variability was detected. Nevertheless, when only common bands to all the studied individuals per accession were considered for numerical analysis, the technique was useful for characterization at the specific and generic levels. The dendrogram obtained supports the generic arrangement proposed by Bisby (1981), helping to elucidate the difficult taxonomy of the studied taxa. The high intrapopulational variability indicates that RAPD could be useful for populational studies and also as molecular markers.

Accumulation of Quinolizidine Alkaloids in Plants and Cell Suspension Cultures: Genera Lupinus, Cytisus, Baptisia, Genista, Laburnum, and Sophora

The patterns of quinolizidine alkaloids in cell cultures of 10 species of Fabaceae were analyzed by high-resolution GLC and GLC-MS and compared with the alkaloids present in the leaves of the respective plants. Lupanine was produced in all 10 cell suspension cultures as the main alkaloid. It was accompanied by sparteine, tetrahydrorhombifoline, 17-oxosparteine, 13-hydroxylupanine, 4-hydroxylupanine, 17-oxolupanine, and 13-hydroxylupanine esters as minor alkaloids in some species. The alkaloid patterns of the plants differed markedly in that alpha-pyridone alkaloids were the major alkaloids in the genera Cytisus, Genista, Laburnum and Sophora but were not accumulated in the cell cultures. These data further support the assumption that the pathway leading to lupanine is the basic pathway of quinolizidine alkaloids biosynthesis and that the other alkaloids are derived from lupanine.

SEROLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS OF THE TRIBE GENISTEAE (FABACEAE)

SummaryIn order to assess the systematic relations within the tribe Genisteae, the water‐soluble seed proteins of 45 species have been studied serologically. The reaction was tested by immunodiffusion and the results have been processed by cluster analysis and by principal component analysis.Based on these data, the genus Cytisus s.l. (incl. Chamaecytisus, Sarothamnus and Corothamnus) represents a single homogeneous unit, except for C. sessilifolius, which appears to be more closely related to Laburnum and to Genista than to the other species of Cytisus. Also, C. emeriflorus is very similar to Lembotropis nigricans; its inclusion in the genus Lembotropis is sustained.Genista is much more complex; its section Asterospartum should be segregated as the genus Cytisanthus Lang, being internally homogeneous, distinct from all other sections and fairly close to Lygos. A new combination, Cytisanthus aetnensis (Biv.) comb, nova, is published. Genista pilosa and G. anglica seem very much isolated, but the authors do not intend to propose here a new taxonomic rank, due to the scarcity of data. Teline is very similar to Genista. Even more similar to Genista is Chamaespartium sagittale, which biochemically and morphologically fits very well in the subgenus Genista, in spite of its winged stem.In a general arrangement of the tribe, two groups of genera represent the extreme points of diversification: (1) Cytisus‐Lembotropis‐Calycotome and (2) Genista‐Teline‐Petteria‐Spartium and (with decreasing similarity) Cytisanthus and Lygos. Between these two groups there are a series of intermediate genera, that may be placed in one group or the other depending on the method of analysis: Adenocarpus, Argyrolobium (both of them should be included in the tribe), Cytisus sessilifolius and Laburnum. Ulex and Lupinus are very dissimilar from all other genera.