Pedunculate Inflorescences Research Articles

Syzygium sahyadricum (Myrtaceae), a new tree species from India, and notes on the distribution of S. spathulatum Thwaites

A new species of the tree genus Syzygium (Myrtaceae), S. sahyadricum is described and illustrated from the Montane Shola forests of Anamalai and Palni Phytogeographical region of Western Ghats. Although phenotypically closely similar to S. spathulatum and S. malabaricum, the new species is easily recognizable by the pale yellow coloured tender leaves with horizontal secondary nerves and white flowers in reduced metabotryoid, pedunculate inflorescence, which are flattened towards the apex. Scanning the Syzygium collections in various herbaria revealed that similar specimens from various localities of this phyto-region are available and most of them with erroneous ascriptions. The report of S. spathulatum Thwaites, a Sri Lankan endemic species in India, was due to misinterpretation of Beddome’s collection. In this paper taxonomic peculiarities of the new species and allied taxa are discussed for better understanding.

Three new species of Solanum (Brevantherum Clade) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Three new Brazilian species of the Brevantherum clade of Solanum (Solanaceae) are described, all closely related to the poorly known Solanum inornatum Witasek. Solanum bradei Giacomin & Stehmann, sp. nov., and Solanum kriegeri Giacomin & Stehmann, sp. nov., differ from S. inornatum in having very small deltate calyx lobes that are not accrescent in fruit. Solanum bradei is a shrub up to 1.8 m with generally pedunculate inflorescences and tiny translucent fruits, whereas Solanum kriegeri is a dwarf glabrescent plant growing on sandy soils in cloud forests, with larger fruits and sessile to subsessile inflorescence. Solanum friburgense Giacomin & Stehmann, sp. nov., has linear calyx lobes like S. inornatum, and is characterized by its 2-foliate sympodia and leaf pubescence, with trichomes concentrated on leaf veins. The species here described and illustrated are restricted to the mountain ranges of Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar in the Atlantic forests of southeastern Brazil and are all of considerable conservation concern.

Molecular phylogeny of the Brazilian endemic genus Orthophytum (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae) and its implications on morphological character evolution

The saxicolous genus Orthophytum (∼60 species, Bromeliaceae) is endemic to eastern Brazil and diversified in xeric habitats of the Atlantic Rainforest, Caatinga and campos rupestres. Within the genus, two main groups are discerned based on the presence or absence of a pedunculate inflorescence, which are further subdivided into several morphological subgroups. However, these systematic hypotheses have not yet been tested in a molecular phylogenetic framework. Here we present the first phylogenetic analysis of Orthophytum using nuclear and plastid markers (phytochrome C, and trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF spacers). Forty species representing the two main groups and all subgroups of Orthophytum, and the related genera Cryptanthus (8 spp.) and Lapanthus (2 spp.) were analyzed. The phylogenetic reconstruction revealed a well-supported clade termed Eu-Orthophytum, containing species with pedunculate inflorescences only. The Orthophytum species with sessile inflorescence formed two clades: (1) the amoenum group and (2) the vagans group plus O. foliosum, the only pedunculate Orthophytum species found outside Eu-Orthophytum. The vagans clade is in sister group position to Eu-Orthophytum. Within the latter, the subgroup mello-barretoi was sister to the most diversified clade, termed Core Orthophytum. Morphological character state reconstructions of floral characters used in previous taxonomic treatments as key diagnostic characters (penduncle presence, corolla form, and petal appendage form) showed different levels of homoplasy.

Leaf and inflorescence peduncle anatomy: a contribution to the taxonomy of Rapateaceae

The anatomy of leaves and inflorescence peduncles was studied in species of Monotrema (4), Stegolepis (1) and Saxofridericia (1), aiming to contribute to the taxonomy of Rapateaceae. The form and structure of leaf blade midrib and the form of the inflorescence peduncle are diagnostic characteristics for the studied species. Monotrema is distinguished by: epidermal and vascular bundle outer sheath cells containing phenolic compounds in both organs; leaf blade with palisade and spongy chlorenchyma, arm-parenchyma, and air canals between the vascular bundles; leaf sheath with phenolic idioblasts in the mesophyll; inflorescence peduncle with tabular epidermal cells and air canals in the cortex and pith. Such characteristics support the recognition of Monotremoideae, which includes Monotrema. Stegolepis guianensis is distinguished by thick-walled epidermal cells and a plicate chlorenchyma in both organs; leaf blade with subepidermal fiber strands in abaxial surface and a heterogeneous mesophyll; inflorescence peduncle with rounded epidermal cells, a hypodermis with slightly thick-walled cells, and a pith with isodiametric cells and vascular bundles. Saxofridericia aculeata is distinguished by papillate epidermal cells in both organs; unifacial leaf blade with subepidermal fiber strands in both surfaces and a regular chlorenchyma; leaf sheath with a hypodermis in both surfaces and fiber bundles in the mesophyll; inflorescence peduncle with an undefined cortex and a hypodermis with thick-walled cells. S. guianensis shares few characteristics with S. aculeata, supporting their placement in different tribes.

A new species of Solanum sect. Acanthophora (Solanaceae) from Argentina and Brazil

A new species of Solanum belonging to section Acanthophora (subgenus Leptostemonum) from Argentina and Brazil is described. Solanum neei Chiarini & L.A.Mentz, sp. nov. is found in clearings of semideciduous forests and in secondary formations, from the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina in Brazil to the Misiones province in Argentina. It is morphologically similar to Solanum incarceratum Ruiz & Pav. from Peru, Bolivia and Western-Central Brazil, differing mainly by its pedunculate inflorescences. A key to related species is provided, as well a photograph of the holotype, a distribution map and illustration.

In vitro regeneration of Hypoxis colchicifolia plantlets

Corms of Hypoxis species are heavily traded for use in traditional medicine in southern Africa. High demand has increased unsustainable harvesting from the wild, diminishing natural populations. Micropropagation of Hypoxis colchicifolia was investigated as a means of mass producing plants for both commercialization and re-establishment in the wild. Various plant organs were tested as explant sources and decontamination optimized for each explant type. Seeds failed to germinate in vitro, and inflorescence peduncles, leaves (young and mature) turned brown and did not respond in culture. Only 6% of corm explants produced callus and shoots. Flower buds responded best, with multiple shoots initiated from explants either directly from meristemoids or indirectly via callus. The problem of browning due to phenolic exudation was solved by including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the culture medium when required. Common pathogens were partially controlled by washing affected explants in benomyl solutions. Rooting and corm induction were successful, and plantlets could be stored at low temperature (10°C) prior to acclimatization with no adverse effects. In planting trials with 5-month-old and 21-month-old plants regenerated using the improved protocols, flowering percentage, corm and leaf size were increased significantly in plants grown in pots compared to those grown in the field over a 28month period.

Cirsium yildizianum(Asteraceae: Cynareae), a New Species from East Anatolia, Turkey

Cirsium yildizianum Arabaci & Dirmenci sp. nova (Asteraceae: Cynareae) is described from East Anatolia, Turkey. It belongs to the section Epitrachys and is morphologically close to C. macrobotrys and C. turkestanicum s. lato. It differs from them mainly in its habit, distinctly pedunculate inflorescence, capitula number and the features of the phyllaries.

Notes on the genus Cercestis (Araceae) and a new species from Liberia: Cercestis hepperi Jongkind sp. nov.

A new species of Cercestis (Araceae), C. hepperi Jongkind from Liberia is described and illustrated. It is characterised by comparatively long pedunculate inflorescences, very dark green leaf blade with a conspicuous yellow margin and short basal lobes and by abundant stolons with persistent scaly leaves (cataphylls). Cercestis sagittatus Engler, another species from Liberia, that was synonymised with C. dinklagei Engler by Ntépé-Nyamè, is resurrected. A key to the species of Cercestis known from Liberia is provided.

Cornus eydeana (Cornaceae), A New Cornelian Cherry from China—Notes on Systematics and Evolution

Cornus eydeana Q. Y. Xiang & Y. M. Shui, a new species of cornelian cherry Cornus subg. Cornus, is described from southeastern Yunnan, China. The new species resembles other cornelian cherries in having umbellate inflorescences subtended by two pairs of scale-like bracts and fruit with cavity-filled stones. However, it differs from them by the following combination of characters: evergreen habit, leathery leaves with three or four secondary veins, and densely flowered, long pedunculate inflorescences with perfect flowers. Morphologically, the species appears most similar to the African species C. volkensii Harms, but pollen morphology and geographic distributions suggest a closer affinity with the Eurasian species. The discovery of this species has significant implications for our understanding of the systematics and evolution of the cornelian cherry group.

Smithatris, a New Genus of Zingiberaceae from Southeast Asia

Abstract Smithatris supraneanae W. J. Kress & K. Larsen, gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new taxon was first collected in the limestone hills in the Saraburi Province north of Bangkok, Thailand, and probably ranges into adjacent Burma as well. Smithatris is most closely allied with several genera in the tribe Hedychieae including Curcuma, Stahlianthus, and Hitchenia. It most closely resembles the latter genus sharing the petiolate leaves and long pedunculate inflorescence with congested, pouched bracts, but differing in the deeply split labellum and hood-like structure formed by the lateral staminodes and dorsal corolla lobe that partially encloses the anther. In a separate analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of the genera of the Zingiberaceae based on molecular sequence data, Smithatris forms a nested assemblage with the above three genera thereby supporting recognition of this new taxon at the generic level. Smithatris is commonly used in ceremonies during the Buddhist lent, is...

Cloning and expression analysis of an E-class MADS-box gene from Populus deltoides

An E-class MADS-box gene, PdMADS2, was isolated from Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh male floral buds by RT-PCR. As shown by relative–quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, the expression of PdMADS2 was high in apical and floral buds, intermediate in immature xylem and roots and low in mature leaves of adult male P. deltoides. In developing male floral buds, PdMADS2 expression was high and remained constant from July to September, increased significantly on February 6 and quickly fell to a very low level with the maturation of the flowers. In male inflorescences, PdMADS2 expression was abundant in the perianth cups and inflorescence peduncles; it was not detected in mature pollen. In female inflorescences, PdMADS2 was highly expressed in both ovaries and inflorescence peduncles. Our results suggest that PdMADS2 plays an important role in the development of inflorescence meristems and flower organs in poplar.

Symplocos saxatilis (Symplocaceae), a new dioecious species from Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Symplocos saxatilis from Serra do Cipo, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is newly described and illustrated on the basis of field and herbarium studies. It appears to be restricted to “campo rupestre” (rocky field) habitats. This new species is characterized by its 1- to 3-flowered pedunculate inflorescence, 11 to 14 staminodes of the pistillate flowers, and 0.7–1.5 mm thick endocarp.

NOVAE GESNERIACEAE NEOTROPICARUM XIII: FOUR NEW SPECIES OF COLUMNEA (GESNERIACEAE) SECTION COLLANDRA FROM COLOMBIA

Four new species of Columnea (Gesneriaceae) section Collandra (syn. Dalbergaria Tussac) are described from the remnant forests of the western and central cordilleras of Colombia: C. coronocrypta, C. coronata, C. pedunculata, and C. queremalensis. The flowers of C. coronata are unusual in the genus in having a corona, as in genera of Gesneriaceae pollinated by euglossine bees. Columnea pedunculata is distinct in having pedunculate inflorescences.

Two New Species of Acanthaceae from NE Tropical Africa and Arabia

Summary. Two new species of Acanthaceae, Dicliptera minutifolia Ensermu, which is endemic to southern Ethiopia, and Peristrophe teklei Ensermu from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, are described. Both taxa are illustrated, and their distributions mapped. The pollen morphology of both taxa is also described. also discussed. lateral veins 2(- 3)-paired; petioles 1 - 2(- 3) mm long, densely pubescent. Inflorescences cymes bearing 1 - 2 cymules which terminate short branches; inflorescence peduncles 1 - 22 mm long, pubescent. Inflorescence (secondary) bracts paired, triangular, 1 - 2 x 0.5 - 0.7 mm, pubescent with dense subsessile glandular and some non-glandular hairs. Cymule peduncles 1 - 2 mm long, pubescent. Bracts paired, 0.5 - 1 x 0.2 mm, linear, pubescent with subsessile glandular and some non-glandular hairs. Bracteoles paired, 1.5 - 2 x 0.3 - 0.4 mm, linear, pubescent with subsessile glandular and some non-glandular hairs. Calyx with c. 1 mm long tube, 5-lobed; lobes 3 - 3.5 x 0.4 - 0.5 mm, linear-subulate, pubescent with subsessile glandular and some non-glandular hairs. Corolla white, with purple markings in the lower lip, resupinate, 16.3 - 17.5 mm long; tube 8.6 -

Three New Species of Biophytum (Oxalidaceae) from the Venezuelan Guayana

Biophytum kayae, B. Iourteigiae7 and B. ottohuberi from Bolivar and Amazonas states in Venezuela are newly described and illustrated. All are members of section Dendroidea Knuth and have sessile or shortly pedunculate inflorescences. Biophytum ottohuberi is a distinctive, high-elevation tepui endemic with small leaves and rigidly coriaceous, thick-margined leaflets; B. Iourteigiae and B. kayae are both lowland species on predominantly white-sand substrates. Biophytum lourteigiae is a taller shrub than B. kayae and has longer, less coriaceous leaves and more pubescent capsules. Too few flowering specimens were available to assess whether any of these species are heterostylous, but the flowers that were examined have their stigmas and two sets of stamens positioned in a way that is consistent with tristyly.

A New Species of Psychotria Subgenus Psychotria from Nicaragua

The new species Psychotria hamiltoniana C. M. Taylor is described based on recent collections from the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua; this species is related to R neillii C. W. Hamilton & Dwyer. RESUMEN. Se describe la especie nueva Psychotria hamiltoniana C. M. Taylor basada en colecciones reeientes de la costa caribena de Nicaragua; es affn a F! neillii C. W. Hamilton & Dwyer. During study of recent collections from the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, the following new species was discovered. It belongs to Psychotria L. subg. Psychotria, which was monographed for Central America by Hamilton (1989). The herbarium of the Universidad Nacional Aut6noma de Nicaragua-Leon, where specimens of this new species are deposited, does not yet have an international acronym; it is here referred to as HULE. Psychotria hamiltoniana C. M. Taylor, sp. nov. TYPE: Nicaragua. Rio San Juan, municipio de E1 Castillo, Reserva Indio-Maiz, Cerro E1 Diablo, 11°O1'N, 84°12'W, 250 m, 9 Jan. 1997, R. Rueda, I. Coronado, O. Aurauz & lli: Flores 5618 (holotype, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua-Le6n (HULE); isotype, M04895236). Figure 1. Haec species a Psychotria neillii C. W. Hamilton & Dwyer foliorum majorum petiolis longioribus atque inflorescentiae axe breviore ac bracteis floralibus longioribus distinguitur. Shrubs and small trees to 3 m tall, flowering at 2.5 m tall; stems terete, densely short-pilosulous often becoming glabrescent with age. Leaves paired; blades oblanceolate to obovate or occasionally lanceolate, 14-31 cm long, S16 cm wide, at apex acute to acuminate with tips to 20 mm long, at base cordulate with sinus to 12 mm deep, papyraceous, adaxially glabrous, abaxially moderately to densely pilosulous, often more densely so along costa and secondary veins; secondary veins S18 pairs, ascending to spreading but less than 90°, usually at least weakly looping to interconnect in an undulating submarginal vein with 1-2(3) usually rather weak intersecondary veins present between pairs of secondary veins, adaxially the costa and remaining venation plane, abaxially the costa prominulous to prominent and the secondary veins and reticulated minor venation prominulous; petioles 39 cm long, densely short-pilosulous; stipules densely short-pilosulous, caducous or sometimes persisting on distalmost 1-2 nodes, interpetiolar, triangular to lanceolate, 18-34 mm long, acute to very shortly bifid, usually somewhat asymmetrical and twisted, with a thickened basal triangular portion. Inflorescences and flowers not seen. Infructescences terminal, erect, with peduncles 2.5-3 cm long; panicles subglobose, 3-7 x 2{S cm, with 23 sets of secondary axes, with the axes 46 per rank and unequal, with the remains of old flowers and developing fruits sessile in glomerules of 2-3 or usually separated along cymose branches; bracts all deltoid to ovate, 1.S2.5 mm long, acuminate; peduncle, axes, and bracts apparently green, densely short-pilosulous to hirtellous or the bracts often glabrescent; fruits ellipsoid, ca. 5 x 3 5 mm, not flattened laterally, pilosulous to hirtellous, orange to red, with the persistent calyx limb ca. mm long, puberulous to glabrescent, deeply lobed, lobes obtuse to rounded; pyrenes with 3-5 low, rounded to angled, longitudinal ridges. Distribution, phenology, and habitat. In wet forest at 120-250 m, southeastern Nicaragua. Collected in fruit in January, February, and December. This species is distinguished by its pilosulous pubescence on vegetative structures, red-blackdrying color, obovate to oblanceolate, petiolate leaves that are cordulate at the base, shortly pedunculate inflorescences with relatively short, unequal axes that are produced 4 6 per rank, bracts 1.5-2.5 mm long, fruits orange to red at maturity, and pyrenes dorsally with low longitudinal ridges or angles. Although flowers have not been seen, these characters clearly distinguish this species. Psychotria hamiltoniana belongs to Psychotria subg. Psychotria, and within this, to Group 1 of Hamilton (1989). Within Group 1 it is similar to F! neillii C. W. Hamilton & Dwyer, which can be distinguished by its leaves 8-18 x 3-7.5 cm, petioles 2W3 mm long, stipules S14 mm long, peduncles 3-10 cm long, bracts subtending inflorescence NOVON 9: 425-427. 1999. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.113 on Wed, 05 Oct 2016 04:14:51 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Agave studies in Yucatan, Mexico. II. Nutritional value of the inflorescence peduncle and incipient domestication

Recent ethnobotanical exploration of henequen (Agave fourcroydes) in the Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico, finds that inflorescence peduncles are used as emergency food and in the preparation of a fermented drink. Bromatological analysis and determination of total carbohydrates were made for the two length classes (ca. 3.30 m and ca. 0.60 m) which are consumed. The analysis of both the cultivated plant and its putative wild ancestor (Agave angustifolia) suggests that utilization of the inflorescence peduncles as food may have been involved in the initial stages of the history of its evolution under artificial selection, because the wild and the cultivated plants have similar palatability. The subsequent agricultural prevalence of annual crop species in the region was possibly responsible for the abandonment of henequen in the local diet. No significant differences are observed between the bromatological and total carbohydrate values of domesticated and wild plants. The preference for small inflorescence peduncles as a vegetable is a consequence of its significantly minor content of raw fiber and its larger content of total carbohydrates. As a fermented drink, longer peduncles are preferred because they provide more substrate material and because fiber can be eliminated by filtering. This agricultural byproduct, almost totally wasted, has potential value as a source of carbohydrates and raw fiber.

Two New Species of Polycarpaea (Caryophyllaceae) from Somalia

For some years now, material of some very striking cushion-forming plants has been accumulating at the end of the Caryophyllaceae, in both the Kew Herbarium and the East African Herbarium in Nairobi, in folders marked '?gen. nov.?'. These have much-branched woody stems covered with subulate leaves and with tiny pedunculate inflorescences. They were re-examined in the course of preparing an account of the Caryophyllaceae for the Flora of Ethiopia and it became clear that they had many features in common with some species of Polycarpaea, most notably P. spicata Wight ex Arn. and the very remarkable Limonium-like P. kuriensis Wagner, known only from the island of Abd al Kuri near Socotra.