Larger Flowers Research Articles

Paphiopedilum notatisepalum, a new species of slipper orchid (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae) from China based on morphological and DNA evidence

A new species of Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae) from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. Morphological comparisons indicate that the new species P. notatisepalum is highly similar to P. henryanum, from which it differs by its leaves with large yellow spots, shorter scape, larger flower, ovate, white sepals and petals that are pale purple-red with large purple spots and yellow-white margins. Molecular analyses of combined nuclear and plastid datasets (nrITS and matK) indicate that P. notatisepalum is sister to P. barbigerum, which has a green leaves and pale yellow-green sepals and petals. The morphological and molecular evidence support the hypothesis that P. notatisepalum is a new species.

Isolation of Flower Development Regulator Gene SEPALLATA 1 in Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume

<p class="Els-Abstract-text"><em>Phalaenopsis amabilis </em>(L.) Blume<em> </em>is an indigenous orchid species in Indonesia. This orchid has a white large flower. The large flower is caused by the existence of gene that has an important role in flower development. One of the genes is <em>SEPALLATA 1. </em>This gene is a member of superfamily MADS-Box gene. <em>SEPALLATA 1 </em>gene is a marker of primordial flower organ. This study aimed to isolate <em>SEPALLATA1</em><em> </em>gene from <em>Phalaenopsis amabilis </em>(L.) Blume by PCR using forward primer 5’-GCT-GGA-GCG-GAT-CGA-GAA-CA-3’and reverse primer 5’-TCA-TGC-AAG-CCA-ACC-AGG-TG-3’<em>. </em>This study successfully amplified 691 bp lengths of <em>SEPPALATA1</em> fragment, lacking 20 bp upstream which consist its start codon.</p><p> </p><div><p class="Els-keywords"><strong>Keywords:</strong> Flower development regulation, <em>Phalaenopsis amabilis</em> (L.) Blume, SEPALLATA 1 gene.</p></div>

Variation in and adaptive plasticity of flower size and drought-coping traits

Although phenotypic plasticity of morphological and physiological traits in response to drought could be adaptive, there have been relatively few tests of plasticity variation or of adaptive plasticity in drought-coping traits across populations with different moisture availabilities. We measured floral size, vegetative size, and physiological traits in four field populations of Leptosiphon androsaceus (Polemoniaceae) that were distributed across a rainfall gradient in California, USA. Measurements were made over 5 years that varied in precipitation. We also conducted a growth chamber experiment in which half-sibs from three populations were divided equally among a well-watered and a drought treatment. We tested for selection on traits in each of the watering treatments, and evaluated whether traits exhibited plasticity. In the field, plant traits exhibited substantial variation across populations and years. Flower size, leaf size, and water-use efficiency (WUE) were generally higher for populations that received greater average rainfall. However, in dry years, we observed a decrease in flower and leaf size, but an increase in WUE across the populations. In the growth chamber experiment, leaf and physiological traits exhibited plasticity, with smaller leaves and higher WUE found in the drought, as compared to the well-watered treatment. Only specific leaf area exhibited differentiation in plasticity among populations. Although there was no observed plasticity in floral size, selection favored smaller flowers in the drought treatment and larger flowers in the well-watered treatment. Our results suggest that moisture availability has led to trait variation in L. androsaceus via a combination of selection and phenotypic plasticity.

The Crassulaceae of Cusco, Peru

Six taxa of Echeveria (Crassulaceae) were found around the Sacred Valley in the Department of Cusco, Perú. (1) Echeveria cuscoensis, is a new, widespread species from the upper basin of the Sacred Valley (Vilcanota River) and is described from the ruins of P'isaq due to its abundance there. It has faceted rhomboid leaves, concave or canaliculate above, with obscurely incurved margins.(2) Echeveria decumbens is a small species with narrow green yellowish leaves and trailing horizontal inflorescences, it was described from plants cultivated in the Huntington Botanic Gardens collected by Baker in the 80's between Calca and Amparaes, but has never been found in habitat again. (3) Echeveria decumbens var. urubambensis is a new variety of this species with dark green leaves and fewer but larger flowers, growing westward from the locality of the type variety. (4) Echeveria laresensis is a new species close to E. decumbens but larger and with light glaucous leaves. In the lower basin of the Sacred Valley (Urubamba River) we found two species of Echeveria: (5) Echeveria ochoae, the largest of all new species, growing only at Pisqak'uchu, at the beginning of the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu, with conspicuous stems and large obovate or spathulate glaucous leaves, and (6) Echeveria westii from Ollantaytambo, a small, few-flowered, purplish leaved species, discovered by Hutchison and described by Walther in the 50's, locally hard to find in this place. Some other new localities are mentioned.

A reappraisal of the genus Megacaryon (Boraginaceae, Lithospermeae) based on molecular, morphological, and karyological evidence

The systematic position and phylogenetic relationships of Echium orientale, a rare endemic of the mountains of northern Turkey, were elucidated based on morphological, molecular, and karyological evidence.Using nuclear and plastid DNA sequences, we found that this species is not included in Echium, but is rather at least as divergent from it as other related lineages, namely the South African Lobostemon and Echiostachys. Pollen characters revealed a strong affinity with Onosma, especially in the non-reticulate ornamentation of the tectum. Fruit morphology is unique in the genera of the Echium ‘alliance' (e.g. Echium, Pontechium, Lobostemon, and Echiostachys), because of the large size and the smooth, glossy nutlet surface as in most species of Onosma. Karyological observations show that this species is diploid with 2n = 12, and differing from both Lobostemon or Echium, where nearly all species have higher numbers (usually 2n = 14 and 2n = 16, respectively). Combined with a ‘megaherb' habit, the weak zygomorphism of the large flowers and a restricted range in the humid mountain forests of the Black Sea region, fruit, pollen and chromosome characters suggest an isolated position for E. orientale in the Echium alliance. We therefore propose its placement in the monotypic Megacaryon, a genus originally described by Boissier, but largely disregarded by later botanists. An original specimen is designated as generic lectotype.

Embryology of Pera (Peraceae, Malpighiales): systematics and evolutionary implications.

Pera is a neotropical genus that currently belongs to the family Peraceae. This circumscription resulted from an inclusion of the Rafflesiaceae between the old tribe Pereae and all other Euphorbiaceae, and wherein Pereae was elevated to family rank making Euphorbiaceae monophyletic again. These changes are necessary although Rafflesiaceae are holoparasitic with extremely reduced vegetative bodies and large flowers while Peraceae and Euphorbiaceae have well developed vegetative parts and reduced flowers. As the embryology of Peraceae was poorly known, and embryological processes are conservative, we studied the embryology of Pera glabrata, searching for similarities between Peraceae, Rafflesiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae that could support this grouping. Usual methods of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were utilised. The results show endothecium with reversed-T-shaped cells, prismatic crystals in the tapetum, and disintegrated aerenchymatous septum in the mature fruit as unique features for Peraceae and possibly apomorphies for the family. In addition to the unisexual flowers, porogamous fertilization is present and one ovule per carpel which may support the Peraceae-Rafflesiaceae-Euphorbiaceae clade. The comparative approach also suggests possible (syn-)apomorphies for linoids and phyllanthoids, only linoids, Rafflesiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Ixonanthaceae. The presence of a placental obturator found previously unknown in Peraceae emerged as a possible synapomorphy for the euphorbioids (including Ixonanthaceae, Linaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Picrodendraceae, Peraceae, Rafflesiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae), which appeared in a common ancestor of the group and has been lost in Rafflesiaceae.

A protocol for fertility restoration of F1 hybrid derived from Lilium × formolongi ‘Raizan 3’ × Oriental hybrid ‘Sorbonne’

The present study was an attempt to develop an in vitro colchicine chromosome doubling protocol to restore the fertility of an F1 interspecific hybrid in Lilium. Basal scale segments of Lilium × formolongi × Oriental hybrid (FO) bulblets were pre-cultured for three durations (6, 15 and 25 days) and soaked in three colchicine concentrations (0.00, 1.25 and 2.50 mM) for 18, 24 and 36 h. To separate mixoploids, three cycles of adventitious bud induction were performed. The ploidy levels of the surviving plantlets were detected by flow cytometry at 30–31 weeks after induction and were confirmed by chromosome counts. The results indicated that the pre-culture duration, colchicine concentration and exposure time all had significant impacts on the tetraploid induction rate. The preferred procedure was to pre-culture the segments for 6 days and then treat them with 1.25 mM colchicine for 24 h. The morphological traits of rosette leaves were significantly different between the tetraploid and diploid plants. The adult tetraploid plants had considerably longer and wider leaves, larger flowers, and delayed flowering time (8 days later) than did diploid plants. Pollen viability tests and backcross trials of FO hybrids demonstrated fertility restoration at the tetraploid level. This protocol provides a feasible method for inducing fertile tetraploid FO hybrids for further breeding.

Magnolia mindoensis (subsect. Talauma, Magnoliaceae): Una especie nueva del Chocó biogeográfico premontano en Colombia y Ecuador

Magnolia mindoensis a new species from premontane forest remnants of the biogeographical Choco of southwestern Colombia and northwestern Ecuador is described and illustrated. This species differs from M. gilbertoi, endemic to Colombia, in having, larger leaf blades with less numerous lateral veins per side, smaller proportion of the length of the stipular scar with respect to the length of the petiole, less numerous bracts, larger flowers, petals abruptly narrowed towards the base vs. gradually narrowed toward the base, and more numerous stamens.

Two new Orchidantha species (Lowiaceae) from Borneo

Two new Orchidantha species discovered in Sarawak, O. micrantha and O. megalantha, are described and illustrated. They may well represent the species with the smallest and the largest flowers currently known in the genus and certainly from Borneo. With its small flowers, O. micrantha is similar to O. borneensis to which it is compared. The large-flowered O. megalantha is compared to the morphologically closest species, O. holttumii, from nearby Brunei. The conservation status of both new species is assessed and a key is provided to all Bornean species.

Multi-Input Convolutional Neural Network for Flower Grading

Flower grading is a significant task because it is extremely convenient for managing the flowers in greenhouse and market. With the development of computer vision, flower grading has become an interdisciplinary focus in both botany and computer vision. A new dataset named BjfuGloxinia contains three quality grades; each grade consists of 107 samples and 321 images. A multi-input convolutional neural network is designed for large scale flower grading. Multi-input CNN achieves a satisfactory accuracy of 89.6% on the BjfuGloxinia after data augmentation. Compared with a single-input CNN, the accuracy of multi-input CNN is increased by 5% on average, demonstrating that multi-input convolutional neural network is a promising model for flower grading. Although data augmentation contributes to the model, the accuracy is still limited by lack of samples diversity. Majority of misclassification is derived from the medium class. The image processing based bud detection is useful for reducing the misclassification, increasing the accuracy of flower grading to approximately 93.9%.

A review on Thevetia peruviana

Thevetia peruviana is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and planted as large flowering shrub or small ornamental tree. T. peruniava is prevalent in South Asian countries especially in India and Sri Lanka. Its various plant extracts contain a number of phytoconstituents. Some parts of the plant used for specific pharmacological purpose. Some parts of plant are toxic and contain a variety of cardiac glycosides including thevetin A and thevetin B. This article compiles all the information related Thevetia peruviana .

Size-dependent sex allocation and reproductive investment in a gynodioecious shrub.

In sexually dimorphic plants, resource allocation to reproduction often differs between sex morphs. In gynodioecious species, i.e. coexisting hermaphrodite and female plants within a population, females often produce more fruits than hermaphrodites. Since fruit production is costlier than flower production, hermaphrodites and females may regulate flower and fruit production differently in response to resource availability. To clarify the gender-specific strategies of reproductive allocation, we assessed sexual dimorphism in reproductive traits, size-dependent resource allocation, morphological traits, and photosynthetic capacity in a natural population of a gynodioecious shrub, Daphne jezoensis Hermaphrodites had larger flowers and increased flower number with plant size at a rate greater than females, but showed consistently smaller fruit production. Although females did not increase flower production as much as hermaphrodites did as their size increased, they produced 3.7 times more fruits than did hermaphrodites. Despite a large sexual difference in fruiting ability based on hand-pollination, total resource investment in reproduction (the sum of flower and fruit mass) was similar between sex morphs across plant sizes, and there was little sexual difference in the cost of reproduction, i.e. the negative effect of current reproduction on future reproductive effort, in the natural population. In addition, there were no sexual differences in the resource allocation to vegetative organs (leaf and root mass) and photosynthetic capacity (light response photosynthetic rates). Under natural conditions, pollen limitation strongly restricted the fruit production of females, resulting in similar cost of reproduction between hermaphrodites and females.

Hymenopterous parasitoids attacking Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) pupae in Kohgiluyeh Safflower farms of Iran

The Safflower capsule fly (SCF), <em>Acanthiophilus helianthi</em> Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most destructive insect pest attacking the Safflower <em>Carthamus tinctorius</em> L. plant which are cultivated as an oil crop. It is mainly controlled through application of broad-spectrum insecticides, which can adversely affect safflower farms ecosystem and consequently human health. Since a first step in setting up an integrated pest management program is to assess the biological control agents within the ecosystem. Therefore, in this research work the pupal parasitoids of Safflower capsule fly a main insect pest attacking Safflower plants were identified. The impact of these parasitoids against this pest was evaluated on the varying pest generations and within different locations in Kohgiluyeh province during 2008-2009 seasons. Pupal parasitoid adults of SCF were recorded from fieldreared pupae, which had been collected from heavily infested small flower heads of the first generation as well from large flower heads of the second and third generations. Rate of parasitism on <em>A. helianthi</em> pupae was estimated as the number of parasitoids over the total count of parasitoids and flies. Ten hymenopterous species belonging to different families parasitizing insect pupae were screened as follows: <em>Bracon hebetor</em> (Spinola, 1808) and <em>Bracon luteator</em> (Spinola, 1808) (Braconidae); <em>Isocolus tinctorious</em> (Melika and Gharaei, 2006) (Cynipidae); <em>Pronotalia carlinarum</em> (Szelenyi and Erdos, 1951) (Eulophidae); <em>Eurytoma acroptilae</em> (Zerova, 1986) (Eurytomidae); <em>Ormyrus orientalis</em> (Walker, 1871) (Ormyridae); <em>Colotrechnus</em> <em>viridis</em> (Masi, 1921) and <em>Pteromalus</em> sp. (Walker, 1976) (Pteromalidae); and <em>Antistrophoplex conthurnatus</em> (Zerova, 2000) and <em>Microdontomenus annulatus</em> (Masi, 1899) (Torymidae). The average parasitization rate was 23±1 as revealed through the present study. The highest parasitization rate occurred during the first generation in all localities tested, as well as in years. Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant differences between parasitization rates by pupal parasitoids within various host generations and localities.

A new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae) from the southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Solanum mellobarretoi, a new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae), is described and illustrated. It is endemic to Brazil and restricted to the southern Espinhaço Range in the State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Solanum mellobarretoi is morphologically related to S. leptostachys Dunal, from which it differs by its irregularly lobed lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, irregularly lobed, ovate to lanceolate calyx lobes, larger flowers, and pentagonal rotate corolla with cuspidate lobes. Although known in other groups of Solanum, the explosive seed dispersal mechanism found in this species is described here for the first time for the spiny solanums. The affinities with S. leptostachys, geographic distribution, ecology and conservation status of S. mellobarretoi are discussed.

Magnolia chiguila and M. mashpi (Magnoliaceae): two new species and a new subsection (Chocotalauma, sect. Talauma) from the Chocó biogeographic region of Colombia and Ecuador

We describe here two new species: Magnolia chiguila and M. mashpi and a new subsection, Magnolia subsect. Chocotalauma, sect. Talauma (Magnoliaceae). Magnolia chiguila is morphologically similar to M. calimaensis, but differs from the latter in having larger and broadly elliptic leaves with larger number of lateral veins and larger flowers with more numerous stamens and carpels. Magnolia mashpi is morphologically similar to M. striatifolia, but differs from the latter in having wider and broadly elliptic to obovate leaves with strongly arched lateral veins that are bullate and abaxially pubescent, more numerous stamens, carpels with a prominent apicule, longer sepals, larger outer and inner petals and glabrous peduncular internodes. The new species are found in the Pacific lowlands of western Ecuador, and all species of the new subsection are restricted to the Chocó biogeographic region of western Colombia and Ecuador. A key to the species of Magnolia subsects. Chocotalauma and Dugandiodendron is provided.

The vase life of waxflower (ChamelauciumDesf.) is affected by the weight ratio of flowers to stem

AbstractThe effect of flower weight on changes in the vase life of flowers and leaves of waxflowers was studied by evaluating the arranged flower weight of cultivars derived from theChamelaucium uncinatum,Chamelaucium megalopetalumandVerticordiaspecies. Competition for water and carbohydrates between flowers and leaves influenced vase life. The removal of flowers had at least four times the effect on leaf vase life as the removal of leaves on flower vase life. Supplying exogenous sucrose to satisfy the demand for carbohydrates negated this effect, indicating that flowers depend on carbohydrates being supplied from leaves to maintain vase life. Cultivars with a greater proportion of flowers (on a weight basis) improved the vase life of flowers at the expense of the leaves. Cultivars with large flowers or many small flowers or a greater weight ratio of flowers to stem appeared to draw more carbohydrates and water from the leaves, giving them a longer vase life and decreasing the vase life of the leaves. The vase life of flowers increased with the stage of opening of flowers up to 50% opening and then decreased up to 100% opening.

Kin selection and the evolution of plant reproductive traits.

Competition among developing seeds and sibling rivalry within multiovulated ovaries can be deleterious for both the maternal parent and the siblings. Increased genetic relatedness of seeds within the ovary may foster kin selection and reduce the deleterious consequences of sibling competition. The pollen parent may also be selected for siring all progeny within a fruit. I propose a series of hypotheses to explain the evolution of a number of reproductive traits in angiosperms in the context of kin selection and sibling rivalry within the ovaries of angiosperms. I present evidence to show that a single-pollen parent, indeed, often sires seeds within multiovulated ovaries. Various types of pollen aggregations and transfer of such pollen masses to the stigmas of flowers by specialized pollinators make this increased genetic relatedness possible. An alternative mode to reduce sibling rivalry may be the reduction of ovule number to one, an evolutionary trend that has independently occurred many times in flowering plants. Finally, I build on previously established correlations to predict two sets of correlations among reproductive traits. In the first case, large showy flowers, transfer of pollen en masse by specialized pollinators, and multiovulated ovaries and multisided fruits seem to be correlated. In the second case, the previously established correlations among small and inconspicuous flowers, pollination by wind, water or generalist insects, flowers and fruits with few or single ovules and seeds, respectively, may also include monoecy or dioecy. Although correlations among many of these traits have been established in the past, I invoke kin selection and sibling competition to explain the evolution of correlated traits as two distinct evolutionary pathways in angiosperms.

Reproductive ecology and isolation of Psittacanthus calyculatus and P. auriculatus mistletoes (Loranthaceae).

BackgroundRelationships between floral biology and pollinator behavior are important to understanding species diversity of hemiparasitic Psittacanthus mistletoes (c. 120 species). We aimed to investigate trait divergence linked to pollinator attraction and reproductive isolation (RI) in two hummingbird-pollinated and bird-dispersed Psittacanthus species with range overlap.MethodsWe investigated the phylogenetic relationships, floral biology, pollinator assemblages, seed dispersers and host usage, and the breeding system and female reproductive success of two sympatric populations of P. calyculatus and P. auriculatus, and one allopatric population of P. calyculatus. Flowers in sympatry were also reciprocally pollinated to assess a post-mating component of RI.ResultsHummingbird assemblages differed between calyculatus populations, while allopatric plants of calyculatus opened more but smaller flowers with longer lifespans and produced less nectar than those in sympatry. Bayesian-based phylogenetic analysis indicated monophyly for calyculatus populations (i.e. both populations belong to the same species). In sympatry, calyculatus plants opened more and larger flowers with longer lifespans and produced same nectar volume than those of auriculatus; populations shared pollinators but seed dispersers and host usage differed between species. Nectar standing crops differed between sympatric populations, with lower visitation in calyculatus. Hand pollination experiments indicated a predominant outcrossing breeding system, with fruit set after interspecific pollination two times higher from calyculatus to auriculatus than in the opposite direction.ConclusionsGiven the low genetic differentiation between calyculatus populations, observed trait divergence could have resulted from changes regarding the local communities of pollinators and, therefore, expected divergence for peripheral, allopatric populations. Using RI estimates, there were fewer heterospecific matings than expected by chance in P. calyculatus (RI4A = 0.629) as compared to P. auriculatus (RI4A = 0.20). When considering other factors of ecological isolation that affect co-occurrence, the RI4C values indicate that isolation by hummingbird pollinators was less effective (0.20) than isolation by host tree species and seed dispersers (0.80 and 0.60, respectively), suggesting that host usage is the most important ecological isolation factor between the two species. Accordingly, the absolute and relative cumulative strength values indicated that the host tree species’ barrier is currently contributing the most to maintaining these species in sympatry.

Rubus zielinskii (Rosaceae), a new species from Poland

Rubus zielinskii M. M. Wolanin & M. N. Wolanin, a new species from south-east Poland is described and illustrated. Rubus zielinskii is a tetraploid (2n=28) belonging to the series Sprengeliani based on morphology. It is most similar to Rubus sprengelii from which it differs in the inflorescence, being leafy to the apex, the larger flowers, paler colour of the vegetative stem and straighter prickles. The species occurs mostly along forest roads, ditches and forest edges. A species conservation assessment for Rubus zielinskii determines its threat status to be Least Concern.

Unlocking the Karyological and Cytogenetic Diversity of Iris from Lebanon: Oncocyclus Section Shows a Distinctive Profile and Relative Stasis during Its Continental Radiation.

Despite being an important target of conservation concern and horticultural interest, Lebanese irises yet have a confusing taxonomic history and species’ delimitation is often considered problematic, more especially among royal irises (Iris section Oncocyclus). Indeed, these irises of exceptionally large and spectacular flowers have radiated across Caucasus and eastern Mediterranean giving rise to a number of strict endemic taxa, many of them being considered under threat. Whilst efforts have mostly focused on clarifying the evolutionary relationships in the group based on morphological and molecular data, karyological and cytogenetic characters have been comparatively overlooked. In this study, we established for the first time the physical mapping of 35S rDNA loci and heterochromatin, and obtained karyo-morphological data for ten Lebanese Iris species belonging to four sections (Iris, Limniris, Oncocyclus and Scorpiris). Our results evidenced distinctive genomic profiles for each one of the sections, where Oncocyclus irises, while having the lowest chromosome numbers, exhibit both the highest number of 35S loci and CMA3+ sites. The continental radiation of royal irises has been accompanied by a relative karyological and cytogenetic stasis, even though some changes were observed regarding karyotype formula and asymmetry indexes. In addition to that, our results enabled taxonomic differentiation between I. germanica and I. mesopotamica–two taxa currently considered as synonyms–and highlighted the need for further studies on populations of I. persica and I. wallasiae in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.